AfterBurn for Flashpoint E31

[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!

[The Mason]

Cameras catch Kendall Kingham sat on a bench in her locker room after she’s showered and changed back into her street clothes. Her hair still wet, she sits there holding the 15 Championship in her hands after a hard-fought title defense. She’s saying something, although it’s unclear what she is at first, until a zoom in reveals that she’s definitely staring at her reflection in the nameplate and giving herself a motivational speech.

Kendall Kingham: You did it pal, it was another tough one but you did it for everyone in the Flashpoint Zone and you did it for yourself. Don’t get too excited, the hard work doesn’t stop here, it’s just starting. But you did good for tonight, so take that moment to say ‘good job self’!

This --… touching? Kinda sad?-- moment is mercifully interrupted by the sound of someone at the door.

??: ...uh…

There is a hesitant knock at the door, clearly from someone unwilling to barge in and risk becoming a part of-- whatever this is. Kendall jolts up in her seat, clearing her throat and trying to act like she was just there chilling out-- even though she was clearly being recorded this whole time.

Kendall Kingham: Yo! Come on in!

Slowly, the door is pushed open. Sadie San Francisco walks in, a brow raised in curiosity as she looks at the reigning FGA 15 Champion. Sadie calmly searches the room, clearly looking for somebody else as she slows to a stop a few feet from Kendall.

Sadie San Francisco: Sorry. Thought I was interrupting something.

Kingham nervously laughs and panics trying to think of something important sounding she was doing.

Kendall Kingham: Oh … you know, just the lord’s prayer-- Hallelurr! Praise him for all he gives, haha!

Sadie finally quits looking around the room like a smartass and turns to Kendall, giving her a small nod.

Sadie San Francisco: Big fan of what you did against Shintaro out there. Guy went at you harder than I think I’ve ever seen him go in a one-on-one match but…

Sadie places her hands together (unsure of what else to do with them), shrugging her shoulders a bit.

Sadie San Francisco: At the end of the night, you got him on the ground and tapped him out in the Tombs anyway. Just— no nonsense. Stuff like that gets overlooked way too much, so I felt I should come back here and say something.

Sadie offers a fist out to Kendall as a sign of respect. Kingham’s face lights up at the respect being shown her way, and she reciprocates with about an awkward a fist bump as you might expect.

Kendall Kingham: Thanks! Good job against your uh, was that your sister or cousin or something?

Sadie San Francisco: ...eh-

Kendall Kingham: Your opponent, I was kinda busy and didn’t get much of a chance to see if you said anything about that. Anyways you kinda overwhelmed her it looked like, brought the pain!

Sadie nods a little and it appears that she’s contemplating responding directly to the comment, but instead raises her hand again, pointing a single finger at the FGA 15 Championship, speaking clearly and bluntly-- a contrast to her tone just a moment ago.

Sadie San Francisco: I want a match.

Kendall studies Sadie for a moment, then nods her head and smiles before taking a deep breath and wiping her forehead in relief.

Kendall Kingham: Phew, alright! That’s relieving, not in the ‘facing you will be easy’ way I mean I know you’re really good and gonna try to kick my ass. But you know, we kinda had this whole weird dealie going where we were dancing around it.

She puffs her chest out, since she thinks that makes her seem serious or something.

Kendall Kingham: You got it, let’s not wait either, next Flashpoint. You want this?

The 15 Champion glances at her belt, and once more, Sadie’s eyes follow.

Kendall Kingham: Let’s do this.

Sadie nods a little-- more to herself than to the champion. She takes a few steps back, meeting Kendall’s gaze once more.

Sadie San Francisco: Can’t wait.

She backs into the doorway, but gestures to the clearly super-reflective FGA 15 Title before she departs.

Sadie San Francisco: Oh— sorry. As you were.

Sadie gives the doorframe a gentle knock with her knuckle as she backs into the corridor, and out of shot. For her part, Kendall gazes back at the nameplate putting on the bravest face she can muster.

[The Mason]

Our cameras fade in on the parking lot of the CHI Center in Omaha, Nebraska-- particularly the roof of the parking garage, restricted to the talent. We see Ashlyn De Luca wheeling her suitcase behind her, a sour look on her face, walking at such a pace that the luggage behind her rocks and shakes violently, threatening to come right off of its wheels.

??: Ashlyn! Logan!

Ashlyn De Luca: Uuugh…

De Luca doesn’t slow her pace, but the camera pans back a bit, showing Logan Alexander just a few steps behind Ashlyn, keeping pace. Without breaking stride, he glances back over his shoulder. The camera pans further back, to reveal Amanda Johnson, just a few steps behind him as she hurries to catch the departing pair. He nods slightly to Amanda, then turns his gaze back towards Ashlyn in front of him.

Amanda Johnson: Guys, if I could just get a minute?

Ashlyn De Luca: Goddamnit.

Ash slows to a stop, finally turning to look at her partner, giving Logan a look that conveys that she clearly disapproves of the idea of stopping for this interview. Logan shrugs slightly to her.

Logan Alexander: We knew it was coming.

De Luca’s eyes travel past Logan, toward Amanda, who wastes no time going for the throat.

Amanda Johnson: Ashlyn, I know you’re in a hurry, but I have to ask-- knowing that the CHI Center can seat over eighteen thousand fans, knowing that we had a capacity crowd in the venue tonight, do you think your ten-second loss to Lowri Moss had anything to do--

Ashlyn De Luca: She’s mocking me.

Ashlyn says it to Logan, jaw clenched, though Amanda look personally offended by the comment. Johnson recoils a bit.

Amanda Johnson: What?

Ashlyn De Luca: That “ten second loss” was a joke! I wasn’t even ready to start the match! I was still trying to have a conversation with Lowri and the little brat hauls off and cheap shots me right in the mouth. What the hell kind of-- who does that?!

Amanda Johnson: Ashlyn, the bell had clearly rung and, objectively, you had ample opportunity to--

Ashlyn De Luca: I was robbed. Legit. Robbed by the same person twice in two nights. How am I the only one seeing this?

Logan purses his lips slightly. He looks as though he wants to offer an opinion but isn’t sure how to word what he wants to say. Ashlyn turns and narrows her eyes at Logan a bit, though it’s Amanda that speaks up.

Amanda Johnson: Logan, it looks like you might have something on your mind.

Logan offers a sideways glance to Amanda, then he looks back at Ashlyn. He sighs softly.

Logan Alexander: You’re wrong on that Ashlyn.

Ashlyn’s jaw clearly tenses up, but she doesn’t say anything, but meets her partner’s eyes with a cool, silent gaze.

Logan Alexander: You don’t want to hear it, I know. But tonight… it is on you. You left yourself open and Lowri got one over on you because of it.

Ashlyn De Luca: Hm.

Ashlyn looks down for a moment, nodding to herself. She looks up toward Amanda with a glare and opens her mouth to retort… but only a scoff comes out. She adjusts her grip on the handle of her suitcase and turns, marching away, continuing her trek toward the car without another word in the presence of the interviewer. Amanda looks over at Logan as he watches Ashlyn walk away.

Amanda Johnson: So, where do you two go from here? Lowri Moss now has a pair of victories over Ashlyn, but you were victorious in your match against Neal Durden earlier tonight as well.

Logan glances towards Amanda.

Logan Alexander: First, we’ll have to right the ship here and deal with the repercussions of our matches earlier tonight. We didn’t really answer any of the questions looming over us about Pendragon. In the ring, we’ve split a few matches, but they still have an edge from the looks of it. We’re going to be facing them again in the near future, that much is pretty certain. So, we’re going to have to move past this. I don’t want to have Ashlyn repeating my mistakes here.

Amanda looks a bit confused by that statement.

Amanda Johnson: Your mistakes?

Logan nods slightly.

Logan Alexander: I almost cost us the Tag Team titles by losing my cool in the ring sometime ago. I was lucky that Ashlyn was able to bail us out of that situation and in the end… we’ll all wasn’t well at the end of that night, but it did get better eventually. I’ll have to help Ashlyn out the same way, that’s all.

He looks back over towards Ashlyn, right as she pulls the driver’s door of the rental Volkswagen Tiguan. She meets her partner’s gaze for just a moment before climbing inside the SUV, turning the ignition.

Logan Alexander: Now then, I’d better get going. I don’t want to miss my ride.

He smirks slightly at Amanda.

Logan Alexander: See you around.

Offering a parting wave, Logan hurries off to catch up with Ashlyn. As Amanda Johnson watches the team depart, we fade to black.

[Jaelynn]

At the conclusion of Flashpoint, the talent and production crew are in the process of gathering their belongings and equipment to take on the road for the next scheduled event. Jaelynn Ramsey kept the packing at a minimum, as she carries a duffel bag over her shoulder. She looks over her right shoulder, thinking about having it covered with a strap instead.

Jaelynn Ramsey: It’s going to take more than beating a newcomer like Zola Star...

She says this to herself as she makes her way to the parking garage of the CHI Health Center Omaha arena. The cameraman follows her to the exit while she seems to be awaiting someone, perhaps an Uber or Lyft to take her back to the hotel.

Being recorded still, she uses this as an opportunity to reflect on what happened in the eventful night.

Jaelynn Ramsey: She thought she had me. Thought that her MMA training would be what she could use to defeat me. You can learn the fanciest tricks from the best schools or via YouTube, but what good is it when you don’t use it at the right time?

A chuckle escapes her, allowing her to see her breath in the cold air. She adjusts her bag some and takes her phone out of her pocket to check on the status of her ride when Zola Star stands in front of her looking at Ramsey with a smile.

Zola Star: You’re right Jaelynn. I did think I had you. We put on a great match and you got the best of me. So, for that I commend you. You’re honestly a great talent.

Zola says praising her fellow wrestler.

Zola Star: But I know... you know that if you hadn’t reacted in that very last moment in the match I would’ve had you beat. It may have been because I was a little too excited after my debut win that I underestimated you, but STARS learn from their mistakes.

Jaelynn Ramsey: -- if they do not burn out first.

Ramsey glances over at the lot, not seeing any approaching vehicles in sight. She then returns her gaze at the brunette with a smirk.

Jaelynn Ramsey: The “bigger” they are, the faster they burn out. That’s not what you’re going for, are you?

She says this, looking her up and down, her casual athleisure-wear was not pairing up to Zola’s sophisticated ensemble.

Zola Star: Not exactly, but thank you for seeing me as a big star. I’m not quite at the level to burn fast. What I am going for however is making sure that everyone in FGA knows my name. I have my eyes set on the top.

Zola says smiling looking at the female before shrugging her shoulders.

Zola Star: I look forward to when we meet in that ring again. I’m sure the next encounter will be even better because I know you’ve got a fire inside of you too. You want to prove yourself.

Bright lights flash from an approaching vehicle. Jaelynn notices the logo of the car service, then turning one last time to address Zola.

Jaelynn Ramsey: And that I will. Until next time.

Jaelynn walks over to the sedan, waiting for the driver to get out to help her with her belongings. The driver is a young woman, not much older than the two wrestlers. She makes sure Jaelynn is in the car before getting back to the driver’s seat to take off as the scene fades.

[James Edwards]

A smiling Amanda Johnson and a weary James Edwards provide quite the contrast to each other. As does their attire, Amanda in a smart, professional dress, and James in a plain black zip-up hoodie, a pair faded jeans and a Pittsburgh Pirates cap jammed tight on his head. Still, the two stand in harmony.

Amanda Johnson: Welcome back to AfterBurn! My guest is the Burning Heart, James Edwards.

James nods at the camera.

Amanda Johnson: James, you had a long and interesting night here in Omaha, so let's start with your matchup with Savannah Taylor. It was an even contest throughout, but you managed to come out with the victory. What do you think gave you the edge over the former United States Champion?

James Edwards: Focus.

Amanda arches an eyebrow.

Amanda Johnson: Focus?

James Edwards: Yep. There ain't much to say about it. For all her talk on the damn computer, Savannah didn't have the focus it takes to put somebody like me down. I have a goal, to get another shot at the International Heavyweight Championship. She's graspin' at the past. When fire meets a dried out scarecrow, there ain't any guessin' what the result will be.

True to her nature, Amanda remains skeptical of James' claim.

Amanda Johnson: That may be true, but there was a moment during the match where you had an opening to hit here with the Violent Gospel, and you hesitated. I've never seen you pause when you get a chance to hit that kick. So why now?

James goes to roll his eyes but stops when he realizes Amanda just asked him a fair question.

James Edwards: You remember that interview we recorded after Final Frontier?

Amanda Johnson: Vaguely.

James Edwards: You remember what I said about my greatest weapon being my greatest enemy?

Amanda pauses and bites her lip, trying to recall what he means before she quickly gives up.

Amanda Johnson: I do at least 15 interviews during show days. I honestly can't remember one from almost two months ago.

James Edwards: Eh, fair enough. I kept thinkin' over and over about why I lost to Chandler. I wasted two weeks of my life looking back at every inch of that fight on tape, and the answer was obvious. Hell, Chandler told me before the match happened. He said he had four ways to beat me. I had one, and he knew it. I gave one of the best technical wrestlers in the world the map to beat me. He went after the leg the moment I hurt it, and that was it. So that's why I can't keep relyin' on the same damn kick my whole career. People know it's coming before I do most of the time now. There ain't an element of surprise that comes with it anymore. I've got to break my habit of using it. I've got to find new ways to beat people if I want to break through and finally win the big one.

Amanda Johnson: Even if it means potentially costing yourself a win?

James sighs. He hadn't considered that point, and it is just now dawning on him.

James Edwards: You're right.

Amanda blinks multiple times. She can't believe what she heard: James Edwards admitting she is right.

James Edwards: There's a damn good chance somebody is going to catch me. I got lucky with Savannah that she's not a good enough technical wrestler to have an unbreakable small package. If Chandler or Logan Alexander was in the ring with me, I'd have gotten beat, but that's the risk I've got to take right now. The best pitchers in baseball don't just use a fastball. They've got a changeup or a curveball to throw batters off. They ain't scared to give up a shot to the bleachers while they break their new pitches in. I'm ain't afraid to lose while I break my new moves if at the end of the day it makes me that much harder to put down.

Amanda Johnson: Is that knee strike the only new move you've worked on or are more coming?

James gives her a slight smirk.

James Edwards: No comment.

Amanda Johnson: Well then let's discuss what happened after your match.

And as suddenly as it appeared, the playfulness in Edwards' body drains away.

James Edwards: Yeah, what about it?

Amanda Johnson: Well, what do you think about Salem's message to you?

James snorts like an angry bull.

James Edwards: What message?

Amanda Johnson: She pulled a heart out of your chest. I think what she meant is clear.

James looks at Amanda in disbelief.

Amanda Johnson: What? Salem has questioned your desire and state of mind after your loss at Final Frontier. Turning down a United States Championship match because you say its a distraction does lend to credibility to the idea your head isn't in the right place.

While Amanda speaks, James gets increasingly agitated. He keeps looking up at the ceiling searching for a distraction before he blows his top.

Amanda Johnson: And then there was the attack after her match with Chris Madison tonight. That's not like you--even if she did go after you first.

James sighs loudly, earning a frown from Amanda.

Amanda Johnson: Well then what do you have to say about it?

The sassy tone exhibited by Amanda isn't lost on James. He gives her a cold stare.

James Edwards: In what world does Salem have a right to question my heart? Let me set some things straight for her and the people that agree with her. Nobody has shown more heart than on the FGA roster over the last year and a half. I hate singin' the same song, but here it goes. I've fought every piece of shit from Kol to Brian Stryker to Ricky Valero who drug me through the mud because they had a bad day and needed someone take it out on. I fell on my face more times than I can count and came back better off from each failure. I went from an afterthought to guttin' it on in Madison Square Garden on one leg and almost became the champion of the world; a fight I never quit in by the way. So she can walk back her bullshit because it doesn't match the facts.

He takes a deep breath before continuing his inspired commentary.

James Edwards: Let's keep going, Amanda, because Salem likes to magically distort shit to suit her. I never disrespected her damn belt. Did I use it as a distraction tonight? Yeah, I did, but I never spit on or stomped on it like I've seen people do in this sport. I've never said it was beneath me or anyone else. I said on Twitter it's a prize worth fightin'. Just not for me, not right now.

Amanda Johnson: But why? It's a championship, James, and you've never held gold in your FGA career.

James Edwards: That's right, but being the United States Champion doesn't prove anything for me. I've had close to 20 championship reigns in my career across a ton of companies across three continents. Damn near all those have been on the same level as the United States Championship. I've proven I can compete in and dominate secondary title divisions. If this were four months ago, I'd be damn happy to have a guaranteed shot at Salem's belt, but it ain't. New York changed everything for me. I was one second away from finally having proof I'm one of the best wrestlers in the world. I'm not satisfied with being that close. I know if I can get another shot I'll win the damn thing. You can call it an obsession if you want, but the fact is everything I do this year is geared towards getting my rematch with Chandler or whoever else has the International Heavyweight Championship. If Salem or anyone else doesn't understand that, piss on em' because I'm tired of explaining myself.

Amanda nods like she understands what James just said.

Amanda Johnson: You may hate explaining yourself to them, but just do it one more time for me tonight, and then I'll let you go.

James Edwards: Okay.

Amanda Johnson: You still haven't answered why you walked away from Salem two weeks ago and why you attacked her tonight.

James Edwards: Simple, I'm done playin' games. Two weeks ago she tried to get cute instead of giving me an answer. So instead of letting her waste my time, I walked. She wasted my time again this week. She offered me a handshake, I took it and then she dropped me and proceeded to embarrass me. I couldn't let her get away with that. This ain't last year. People aren't going to walk all over me. If you put your hands on me, then I'm going to do the same.

Amanda Johnson: Well that wraps it up for me, thanks for your time, James.

James Edwards: No problem. Have a good one.

And with that Edwards exits the scene and Afterburn goes to commercial.