AfterBurn for Vertigo E63

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on AfterBurn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on AxxessNet!

[Brian Stryker]

Backstage, Brian Stryker was just coming back from his match against Johnny Karma, an impressive debut victory over the former world champion himself. Stryker has a grin that can't be taken away by anything as he is stopped by Spencer Burker.

Spencer Burke: Brian Stryker, that was one hell of a match against Johnny Karma and a victory that many would say is a message victory to the rest of the locker room. Would you agree?

Brian Stryker: You're goddamn right it was a message. I said earlier tonight my intentions to get that Pride title. And what I just proved out there tonight is that no one can stop me. That was a former world champion out there tonight. And I pinned him right in the center of the ring. And I beat him with my new move, Once in a Lifetime. Because one you experience that, your life is NEVER the same again.

Spencer Burke: What about the others who have made claims for that title? Like Tyler Storm and even Izzy Anders?

Brian Stryker: Burke, it doesn't matter who it is. I'll take all three out if I have to. Storm, Anders, Iser, they are just victims on my war path. I will run through anyone and everyone that stands in my way. So bring it all. I want it all because when the dust finally settles and I'm the champion. I want no doubts left that I am the best thing to happen to title. Just like I did for the 15, I will do for the Pride. The Experience is here, now bear witness.

Stryker shoves past Burke as he walks off.

[Deleted]

Backstage after Vertigo, and Peaches is sitting on a bench in her locker room. One hand clasped, holding an ice pack to the back of her neck. She doesn’t even notice Jessie Pederson knock on the door or enter the room.

Jessie Pederson: Peaches, would it be possible to get a word with you?

The interviewer and her cameraman push further into the room, as Peaches tries to raise her head.

Peaches: Ain’t no time like the present, Jess.

Jessie Pederson: Thank you. First off, a night of highs and lows for you–

Peaches: You could say that, yeah.

Jessie Pederson: –but congratulations on your first win here on Vertigo. A hard fought contest against Tyler Kingsley, but you came out on top.

Peaches nods her head in agreement, wincing slightly as she does so, before forcing herself back to her feet to stand next to Jessie Pederson. The former FGA World Tag Team Champion cracking her neck from side to side, gritting her teeth all the while.

Peaches: Thank you, Jess. But I think we both know you wanna ask me ‘bout what happened after.

Pause.

Jessie Pederson: Well…do you have any idea why Tristan Ambrose attacked you?

Peaches: Wait, you mean he ain’t just the welcome committee? Damn.

That hand instinctively rubs the back of her neck again as Peaches grimaces in pain, but she continues nonetheless.

Peaches: I’ll be honest, I ain’t got a clue. Maybe he’s just mad ‘cause I whooped his boy in the ring. Maybe he wanted to make an impact on his Vertigo debut. Or maybe he just ain’t got that horse sense he needs to make it in this business. But I’ll tell you one thing, Jess. We’re gonna find out his reasons sooner or later.

With that, the scene comes to an end with the traditional fade to black.

[Delikado]

Shortly as the latest Vertigo has concluded, we find Delikado, Sofia, and Ewan in the back, clearly making their exodus of the FedEx Forum in a somewhat speedy manner. Sofia is leading the way, carrying much of the baggage single-handedly (an obvious yet impressive feat since one arm is still in a sling), while Ewan pushes Delikado in his wheelchair.

Sofia Monzón: C’mon, let’s move! I’d rather not wait around and see if The Resistance wants to make it a twofer on post-match assaults.

……………………………………………….

Sofia Monzón: [to Delikado] Yeah, sure, you won, but I’d hardly call it a “flawless victory.” You took an ass-kicking out there against Gunnar. Of course, that’s to be expected, since you weren’t supposed to be doing any wrestling tonight!

………………………………………

Sofia Monzón: I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure as shit going to find out…

CRASH!

The clattering stops Sofia in her tracks and she turns around to find Ewan has bumped the Cuban’s chair into a random assortment of stuff, knocking it over and making a major mess.

Sofia Monzón: Jesus, easy with the merchandise, Ewan! And also watch out for FGA’s stuff.

Ewan Jakeway: S-Sorry, I…I uh…

Sofia furrows her brow as she looks upon her partner’s face and notices how he appears more than just a little distracted.

Sofia Monzón: Hey…Where are you right now?

Ewan Jakeway: W-What do you mean? We’re in Memphis. Go Grizzlies?

Sofia Monzón: Not LITERALLY! I can see you’re in La-La Land, when I need you here, in the present. Gunnar was acting like he had a mission to do more than just win a match against our client tonight. It seemed personal…like something was fueling him extra, behind-the-scenes. We need to band together our thinking and figure out not just why Delikado was in that ring tonight, but why it was against an especially virulent Resistance.

Ewan Jakeway: B-B-Beats me, honey. Boys will be…boys?

Sofia frowns at this “answer”.

Sofia Monzón: Thanks for the input. *sigh* At least I came back to no other screw-ups.

Ewan Jakeway: *nervous swallow* Heh, “screw-ups?”

Sofia Monzón: Sure. I told you Delikado was like a toddler—

…………………………………

Sofia Monzón: [to Delikado]--you ARE, deal with it. [to Ewan] But you did a good job, Ewan. You kept an eye on our client and managed our affairs in FGA while I was out.

She walks over to him and pats his cheek, trying to reassure Ewan as he continues to wear the “lost in thought” look.

Sofia Monzón: My man’s all grown up!

She smirks playfully. Ewan looks up and opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, when his eyes look past Sofia to a TV screen in the background. A slight “uh-oh” gasps escapes his mouth before he can stop it, causing Sofia to slowly drop her smile and turn around to the screen. On it is a replay of Delikado’s shenanigans at the Memphis Pyramid earlier this evening. An announcer is narrating over the footage like it’s some kind of Internet video promotion show.

Announcer: First up on “I Can’t Believe This Made It To Air”, we have a footage of a Cuban who decided to ROLL OFF THE MEMPHIS PYRAMID in a display of LOVE AND AFFECTION! Take a look!

We see Delikado clear as day with his “Hi, I’m Delikado, and this is the Memphis Pyramid Dive of Love—Dedicated to Susan Kent. <3” note, followed by his wheelchair being shoved down the Pyramid. Sofia’s eyes widen in complete bafflement. From there, new footage shows the Cuban rolling down the Pyramid, and then soaring through the air as he’s flung by momentum. Before death can possibly claim him, however, a parachute opens and the limp Delikado gracefully flies downward. With the second camera having been attached to face him directly, Deli gently releases the first note to Susan Kent and reveals a second note to the viewers:

“Screw The Resistance. Don’t televise their weak-ass shit. Make FGA great again and give us MORE KENT! SIGNED-DELIKADO, ONE HALF OF THE *ONLY* GOOD TAG TEAM IN FGA, 1/27/19”

Announcer: Haha, what a wacky guy! We’re being told “The Resistance” is a group of wrestlers. Now, I don’t know who they are or what they’re about, but if I was them, I’d feel this was a calling out and I’d be right peeved! Anyway, up next is a puppy overthrowing the government in Angola!

Sofia slowly, menacingly turns her head back to Delikado and Ewan. It’s clear it’s taking a lot of control for her to not outright kill them both.

Sofia Monzón: <seething> So……..boys……what did you do tonight………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sofia Monzón: <more seething> You wanted to provoke The Resistance “for the lulz?” You didn’t even know you were going to fight Gunnar tonight until the last second, so why would you think THEY’D be the ones you needed to piss off!?

……………………………

Sofia Monzón: “A guess?” A LUCKY <BEEP>ING GUESS?!!

…………………………………………………………

Sofia Monzón: OH MY GOD!!!

Chucking their baggage aside she starts to storm off, but proceeds instead grab a nearby 2x4 and smash the TV screen showing a puppy in military garb standing on top of smoldering ruins in Angola.

Ewan Jakeway: What’d he say???

She tosses the now splintered 2x4 away and points angrily at Delikado.

Sofia Monzón: He wants FGA Management to give Susan Kent more matches and air-time now that she’s… healed! He wants his teaming with her to go official and become the best!! He decided the best way to do that was to rile up EVERY <BEEP>ING TAG TEAM IN THE COMPANY, STARTING WITH THE RESISTANCE!!!

Ewan Jakeway: W…Well, that…uh…that’s good, right? Don’t we as managers WANT our client and his teammate to reach the top of the mountain and be the great—

Sofia Monzón: Not when it’s HER!

Sofia paces about, trying to restrain her anger and refrain from saying more. Finally, her Spanish blood seems to calm, yet her eyes move darkly toward Ewan.

Sofia Monzón: Unbelievable. Both of you. Is there really anything else that needs to be said…?

Ewan closes his eyes and exhales with remorse, finally seeming ready to reveal his earlier mishap with Major Dick Pict and any repercussions it might have on the group.

Ewan Jakeway: Sofia…. I—

Sofia Monzón: It was a rhetorical comment, Ewan. Don’t say a word. Let’s just get out of here before The Resistance comes to collect on that idiot’s stunt. We’ll plan out what to do in time.

………………………………….

Sofia Monzón: Not a telepathic word from you, either, on your Kent crush or any other matter. “We” concerns anyone *I* say right now.

She picks up the dropped baggage and starts to walk off. Ewan hangs his head as he realizes his best chance has passed to come clean and begins to obediently push Delikado after her. Sofia grits her teeth as they walk out the arena door.

Sofia Monzón: Honestly, what the hell’s next with this place?

As they depart, the camera pulls back to reveal Frik Snackey in the shadows. He smirks as he pulls up an open bag of popcorn.

Frik Snackey: Game time.

He pops open the bag in unison with the scene cutting to black.

[Deleted]

Dom Harter: A once in a lifetime opportunity!

The scene opens with Dom Harter backstage after Vertigo. Still dressed in his leather jacket, red and blue shades, and jeans, with his ‘Harter’s Angels’ t-shirt clearly visible underneath. Clearly agitated by the events that’s transpired earlier tonight, Harter runs one hand through his hair as he paces back and forth in front of the FGA Vertigo backdrop.

Dom Harter: That’s what you had, Johnny. That’s what tonight was for you!

Dom flings his hands up into the air.

Dom Harter: And you said…no. Because you think you can do better. Because you think that you’re better than The New Murder. And that, Johnny Karma, is a very, very bad way of thinking!

Harter exhales, running both hands through his hair as he stops pacing. The frustration subsiding, replaced by a hearty chuckle as Dom runs his knuckles down along his stubbled jawline.

Dom Harter: But here we are…with Johnny Karma determined to become FGA World Champion by the end of the year. To get his shot at…Evan Envi, apparently. And congrats, champ. Thanks for proving me right too!

Another chuckle.

Dom Harter: What’s new there though? But this isn’t about Evan Envi. This isn’t even really about the FGA World Championship – not yet anyway! That Gold Rush Rumble is coming up though, so who knows? But no. This is about Johnny Karma telling me no.

Dom gesticulates, punching the air on the last word for emphasis.

Dom Harter: About Johnny Karma making a terrible mistake. Because I don’t know if you all saw what happened earlier in the show. I don’t know if you were paying attention to something that didn’t directly affect you. Like some people here who have their heads so far up their own asses! But earlier tonight we took–The New Murder took a very important first step to regaining our rightful place. It showed why Johnny Karma is an idiot. A moron. A complete and utter dumbass for telling me…no…

Harter inhales sharply through gritted teeth before yelling off to the side.

Dom Harter: Kingslayer! Get in here!

With that, Annie Zellor and Mary-Jane McCracken walk into shot from both sides. The pair of them look rather smug, with self-content smirks on their faces as they stand either side of Dom. But he takes a step back to allow them to be front and centre. Annie’s changed out of her ring attire, however, and is now wearing a black and white raglan sleeved shirt and jeans. Mary-Jane on the other hand is wearing jeans and a white New Murder t-shirt underneath her leather jacket.

Annie Zellor: Your new number one contender to the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship…

Dom gives her a round of applause as she brags about her victory earlier tonight.

Annie Zellor: See, Marlon, was that so difficult?

Mary-Jane shakes her head ‘no’ as Annie just smirks again.

Annie Zellor: That’s all I needed, Marlon. ‘Cause you were so big, and soooo bold flapping your gums with all that smack about me being all talk and no action…when I was out injured.

She tsks under her breath, as Mary-Jane just shakes her head again.

Annie Zellor: And you probably wanted Piper to win tonight, huh? 'Cause getting felt up again is probably better for you than having to face me, huh. 'Cause I remember when you were out here talking all that trash about facing me anytime, anywhere. And you were taking all those shots at me about missing shows at the end of last year. Telling me I hadn't earned my shot--telling me I needed to earn a shot…well guess what!

Annie’s grins grows wider as she holds her arms out to the side; she spins on the spot, as if she’s basking in the glow of a cheering crowd. Dom does all he can to resist laughing at the sight, but Mary-Jane isn’t quite as restrained. A slight giggle escapes her lips as Annie turns back to the camera.

Annie Zellor: You have a new number one contender! I did exactly what I said I would, and I earned my shot! So now’s the time you start listening to me and what I say. ‘Cause you probably shoulda learned something over your eleven year career - something about not listening to bad advice…before it's too late. 'Cause I’ve got my shot now, Marlon. It's just a matter of time before you have to put up or shut up. Or else then, I’m gonna become the first ever three-time FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion!

Annie smirks again, making the belt gesture around her waist as Dom steps forward, leaning on her shoulders as her wraps her arms around her and gives her a kiss on the cheek. The scene then comes to an end with the traditional fade to black.