Revelations (03.24.19)

[FGA Office]

Near one of the exits to the Amalie Arena, some FGA staffers are assembling and chattering about some hellish noises coming from outside.

FGA Staffer 1: What’s going on out there?!

FGA Staffer 2: Ain’t ya heard, Mr. Not-In-The-Know? There’s a massive BATTLE taking place out in the Parking Lotta Fun theme park, comprising a buncha hippies against a group of Swedes being led by talking pigeons!

FGA Staffer 1: …This company is taking a weird turn lately. And you KNOW I’m getting divorced, so I can drop the hyphen name. I’m just regular old Mr. Not-In again!

FGA Staffer 2: Well whatever. If you watch the news, you’d realize stuff like this is normal for Florida!

FGA Staffer 1: True, true. But wait, I thought The Resistance was in charge of the park?

FGA Staffer 2: They were lately, though I’m not sure on their status after tonight’s Triple Threat Tag Match. Ownership could be swinging back to Delikado and Susan Kent!

A massive crash is heard outside, though it’s impossible to see anything over the crowd of onlookers, making verbal clues essential.

FGA Staffer 3: Whoa! The wrestling Ferris wheel just collapsed and was totally awesome-looking! It looks like the pro-Resistance Swedes and pigeons are closing in on the surrounded and dwindling pro-Delikado/Kent hippies. They’ll totally massacre them unless help swiftly arrives!

Suddenly, Sofia Monzón hurries by, shoving Delikado in his wheelchair through the mass of people in the direction of the conflict.

Sofia Monzón: MOVE IT, WE’RE GOING TO HELP!

Ewan jogs in the back, panting as he tries to keep up with his client and fellow manager.

Ewan Jakeway: *panting* S-Swiftly!

The camera follows through the opening Sofia has cut through to the parking lot outside the arena, giving us our best look at the chaos. Car alarms are going off and it’s general madness—indeed, with close to a hundred people duking it out in the parking lot turned glitzy wrestling theme park, it’s a brawl only a Pay-Per-View like Revelations can provide and budget! Everyone is punching and kicking, beating each other over the head with schnitzel and prizes from arcade games, and some have mounted the animals from the petting zoo to ride and give leverage so they may lasso their foes. Perched on a food cart are two massive pigeons, directing the action but otherwise keeping out of the scuffle, even though one of the birds looks unpleased at this as he hops about.

Apocalypse Face: But WHY can’t I tear into some hips, Eon Pig, sqwak? We’re wrestlers now, aren’t we, sqwak! Contracts signed and sealed, I’m Apocalypse Face the Dread Bird, let’s get us some glory, sqwak!

The bigger, slightly more dangerous-looking bird nips his sibling with his beak to keep him in check.

Eon Pig: You don’t want any of this, Apoc, sqwak! See how the 70’s hipsters are backing up near Ragnar Rock-Climbing Showcase, sqwak? Those rocks’ll give em no place to run, leading to a last stand and hella desperation, sqwak! Nothing to lose makes humans prone to weirdness—your pigeon brother demands you stay outta it, sqwak!

Apocalypse Face: Aw, c’mon, sqwak! I just wanna see what their guts taste like, sqwak! I betcha it’s soft and creamy like—

Butter: BUTTER INCOMIN’!

Butter, one of Delikado’s new friends he acquired in training to fight The Fam, floors and KO’s Apocalypse Face as he leaps over the food cart, armed with a stick for churning…well, butter. Eon Pig flutters up in alarm as the rest of the Butter’s Cup faction of numerous tree-dressed weirdos swarm the area.

Eon Pig: Oh hell naw, sqwak! Who ya’ll be, sqwak? Delikado’s people, sqwak?! That can only mean the Cuban hisself’s around, liable to take vengeance on us for betraying him yet again, sqwak! Oh the life of a pigeon trained to talk and form a Carrier Pigeon Mafia, sqwak! I’m outta here, muthafu—

Eon Pig is knocked out of the sky and out of consciousness by Nut and Pea, two other Delikado buddies who have eagerly rushed into the fray.

Nut: Oho! Let’s see The Fam pull off THIS kinda escapade!

Pea: Right-o, let’s make this a night nunna these chaps’ll forget!

Meanwhile, the mighty pro-Resistance Swede “army” has closed in on the hippies that operate the Parking Lotta Fun, and based off their small number and mounting injuries it looks like the fight’s nearing its end for the “peace and love” crew.

Hippie: Maaaaan, I’m all outta the hookah!

Hippie Leader: Then I guess that means we go all out and give back, ready for whatever Mother Earth has prepared for us on the other side, brothers!

Over the sounds of war, a booming cry echoes across the entire FGA parking lot.

DELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKAAAAAAAAAAAAAADOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Swedes go flying as Delikado’s wheelchair blasts everyone aside. Sitting comfortably and comatose, the Cuban comes to rest in the center of it all. Sofia stands off to the side with Jakeway.

………………………………

Sofia Monzón: Delikado, are you sure about this?

…………………………………………………..

Still looking skeptical but willing to go along with whatever her client’s planned, Sofia pulls a tiny Life Alert and pushes the button.

Sofia Monzón: Okay…

Delikado’s wheelchair scoots back and props his legs up like a recliner. A whirring sound from machinery at the back is heard as the wheelchair begins to spin, going faster and faster until it’s practically a blur—a dangerous spinning top of a blur that strikes down all the Swedes in the path of Delikado’s lethal legs. It’s boot the face after boot to the face, with the occasional boot to the nuts followed by boot to the face. The Swedes scream and try to flee from the Fidget Spinner Cuban, though most don’t get far as either Delikado knocks them out or one of his allies gets them. Nobody gets a free pass to escape the beating. Ewan looks amazed, utterly bewildered at the sight he’s just witnessed.

Ewan Jakeway: H…He’s insane! A practical one-man-army!

Sofia Monzón: Mhmmmm, if that thing was legal to use in the ring, his matches—like the one tonight—would have played out much differently…and been a lot shorter too.

Ewan Jakeway: Haha, no offense to Susan, but if Delikado could use his chair he wouldn’t even NEED a tag team partner!

Sofia Monzón: You don’t need to remind me of her “value”….Now come on, they’re mopping up.

Indeed, in just a short time, the fighting is over and calm falls over an FGA parking lot that looks like it’s covered in leaves...if those leaves were human-shaped, groaning, and Swedish. Delikado’s chair has come to a stop in the center of this strange field, and the Cuban’s budding array of supporters are at his side. One new arrival catches Sofia’s sarcastic eye.

Sofia Monzón: *muttering to herself* Huh…looks like Kent arrived just in the nick of time…when the fight’s over.

The half-conscious Swedes, all dressed similarly to Ragnar and Gunnar as followers would be, are rounded up and paraded before Delikado, as are his carrier pigeons who look equally groggy. This collection of “prizes” makes for an impressive showing, especially once the Resistance supporters begin to make various excuses and pleas in broken English.

Swede POW 1: Don’t hurt, you win—in ALL things!

Swede POW 2: Gracious Cuban, Prince Otto and his kin Ragnar ‘n Gunnar bullied us do this! Spare!

Swede POW 3: Not zem, it was Snackman. T’was Snackey!

*CRACK*

Having cracked a whip she found from the theme park’s lionfish taming pit, Sofia silences the groveling as she steps to Delikado’s side to convey his words.

……………………….

Sofia Monzón: On Delikado’s behalf, I’ll speak frankly: “Grow some ‘Copenhagen balls’…” [to Delikado] These men are from Sweden, not Denmark…

……….

Sofia Monzón: Whatever. Delikado’s point is “there’s nothing worse than bitches bitching. So tell us, who’s in charge of this PIT-I-FUL rabble?”

Some of the Swedes immediately shove the two pigeons up front.

Swede POW 3: They be, your majesty, Eon Pig and Apocalypse Face!

The pigeons flash dirty looks to the sell-out crew (and pigeons are dirty animals so it’s like ten times worse). Sofia scoffs as she recognizes the birds from Delikado’s carrier pigeon mail service.

Sofia Monzón: I knew you traitorous rats with wings wouldn’t learn. Delikado, let me fry them, as I promised to do if they ever betrayed us again!

…………………………………

Sofia gives the Cuban a shocked, disapproving look.

Sofia Monzón: Are you BLIND to all the false creatures around you, or are you just DRUNK?!

……..

Sofia Monzón: Only baseball fans, aka old people, support that “three strikes” mantra…but of course, look who I’m talking to.

…

She exhales bitterly, Delikado apparently having given the final word on the matter.

Sofia Monzón: Least you could do is let me clip their wings…..Delikado says “he will let you go, but you’re all going to clean up his park and use all your Swedish healthcare knowledge to tend to our injured hippies. Our friend Butter will see that you do it right.”

Butter firmly nods his massive head as he folds his arms across his petite chest.

Butter: Aye, ye’ll clean it up well. Me and my Cup are stickers for cleanliness, the kind ye could eat off.

Sofia Monzón: To you all, Delikado says: “Tonight, Revelations shall stand as a triumph for the team of Delikado and Susan Kent, and for all our great fans and support! We have shown The Resistance and The Fam that we will not go quietly. We fought in the ring like warriors, versus odds that perhaps were weighted in superiority against us, and even in the bleakest, most hopeless moments, the FGA now must accept that Delikado, Susan, and the people behind us do not desert cause or comrades! We fought both groups face-to-face, man-to-man-and-also-to-woman! Bee-tee-dubs, hi Susan! You can’t see it, but Delikado’s winking! Heheheh, you’ve earned this eye wink, kid, along with some other wink! Heheheheheh—”

Sofia subtly shakes the wheelchair to disrupt Delikado’s attempts to swoon his tag partner in the crowd.

…….

Sofia Monzón: Back on track: “Oh yeah, the speech thingamabob. That’s right, good people are we! No ambushes like with Peaches, and no zany prop assault like when The Resistance’s people sacked Delikado’s home with their cheesing! We played with bravery and laid it all out in the open for our opponents. Tonight has put us in the memory bank of all tag teams, hence why we spare you, so that you may continue to spank it to us in your memory banks, and spread the word.”

Sofia rolls her eyes.

……..

Sofia Monzón: Now Delikado must ask: “Forgetting the match for a sec, do you believe Ragnar and Gunnar would’ve done the same to us had they been utterly victorious on this field of battle? Would the Fam? No. In fact, make it a <BEEP> NO! Delikado suspects that if the fortune cookie was switched, you believe you’d find us triggered and bitching on the pavement for a thing they call ‘mercy’? ANSWER THE QUESTIONS DELIKADO JUST ASKED, FOOLS!”

The men and birds snap straight and babble incoherent, but obviously pathetically pleading, responses.

…..

Sofia Monzón: “Delikado doesn’t think so, so much so that he says he KNOWS so. Because we’re courageous and honorable dudes and dudettes! Hence why Delikado and Susan Kent will not act as ya’ll would’ve done if Gunnar and Ragnar or The Fam were standing here victorious right now at our theme park—OUR theme park! We ain’t gonna hurt, we ain’t even gonna humiliate. You all get to have endeavors still in the FGA, hip-hip-hooray, for you see Delikado wants you to bring a message to whatever shell remains of The Resistance, Otto, Frik Snackey, who the hell ever remains in this ragtag group’s corner to defy the will of Delikado and Susan Kent!”

There’s a pause, although it seems more to do with Sofia not wanting to express the rest rather than Delikado formulating his catatonic telepathic thoughts. Sofia groans as she silently argues with her client, but she finally caves. All the same, she gives the two pigeons a dark look.

Sofia Monzón: Pigeons, you are especially spared so that you may bring Delikado’s news to his foes, but you’re banned from Bing-o Night, the Christmas party, and also can’t indulge in his family recipe cookbook of ancient Chinese secrets…of drugs. But know this, and this is MY decree as much as it is Delikado’s—you <BEEP> us over a third time, and there’ll be no more innings in your ballgame.

The pigeon brothers gulp and “coo-coo” all pigeon-like in understanding. That settled, Sofia finishes Delikado’s address to the defeated Resistance “army”.

.................

Sofia Monzón: Delikado’s message to be delivered to your “prince” or “overlord” or whatever laughable title he wants to use is thus….”Actually, Sofia, let’s do this part when the camera cuts to black. We’ve taken up enough of the viewer’s time, and we have to let them get back to watching the rest of the Pay-Per-View. Stick with it, folks, Revelations is about to get SUPER good! Delikado got a note from the “SPOILER” section of his carrier pigeon news team, and wooooooo is this show about to get even better than we’ve already made sure it wound up! Also, Susan, did you see when I did the thing against Tillman tonight? Wasn’t that cool? Susan, did you see? Hello? Hellloooooooo?”

Sofia suddenly shakes her head like she’s snapping out of a trance. She angrily tilts her head at her client, speaking through gritted teeth.

Sofia Monzón: God damn it, Delikado! I told you never, EVER to possess me to convey your thoughts! I can do it my <BEEP>ing self!

…………………………………….

Sofia Monzón: Uh-uh, uh-uh, “caught up in the moment”, suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure. <BEEP>ing asshole <BEEP>….

The Swedes all exchange weirded out looks, but they quickly tense up straight again as Sofia returns her focus to them. Her voice is like sharp, solid ice as she relays the next bit.

Sofia Monzón: Alright, Swedish Chefs and flying rats, here’s the message to be sent from Delikado, the Old Man Cuban Warrior of Delikado and the FGA’s Parking Lotta Fun, and his partner in crime the perfectly healed, always true fatal beauty Susan Kent, to any and all bastards still favoring The Resistance after tonight!

The camera pulls back and dramatically cuts to black as Delikado’s message is presumably passed along to his enemies.

[FGA Office]

FGA PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Seth Iser vs. Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest will be fought under Pride Rules and it is for the FGA Pride Championship!

The instrumental to “Aliens Fighting Robots” hits the PA system and though many in the audience seem confused, a majority rise to their feet in anticipation— and a loud pop emanates from within the Amalie Arena as Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter timidly makes his way out from the side of the ramp, shooting a look over his shoulder. He takes a deep breath and hops onto the ramp, performing a full-circle, looking nervously for Seth Iser… before smirking upon realizing the Pure Champion isn’t behind him. Nando grins out to the audience, slapping a few of the outstretched hands of the fans leaning over the barricade as he jogs to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, the challenger, hailing from Fresno, California, weighing in at one hundred and forty-five pounds, representing the Saturnian Connection… Nando Fresno: AAAAALIEN HUNTER!

Stephy Auger: This nutjob is lucky to be alive.

Kris Cruise: I think earning a pinfall victory over the champion at least nets him the respect to not be called names by the commentary desk, Stephy. But in any event— Nando Fresno looks petrified right now and for good reason. If Seth Iser wasn’t angry after the upset loss two weeks ago… he definitely is after failing to get his hands on Nando earlier tonight.

Nando slides into the ring and scans the audience, looking for Iser before a small smile returns to his face as a small “NANDO!” chant picks up in pockets of the crowd. He nods along to it, taking another deep breath as he bounces in place, shaking out his limbs, gaze falling on the ramp while his music fades.

Kris Cruise: Last week we saw Nando Fresno pull off what might just be the upset of the year so far, Stephy. He managed to defeat Seth Iser one on one to earn this shot tonight.

Stephy Auger: He got lucky, and you know it. After everything that had happened to Seth Iser in the weeks prior he wasn’t in the right frame of mind, but tonight he’s going to set things right. Just watch.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent…

The lights dim down as the music begins to play. Soon enough, Seth Iser slowly walks through the curtain with that familiar scowl on his face with the FGA Pride championship around his waist.

J.A. Aldridge: Hailing from Morgantown, West Virginia. Weighing in at 243 pounds, he is the FGA PRIDE CHAMPION! SETH ISER!

He starts walking down to the ring...glare etched on his face and listening to the fans boo him. A methodical, slow walk as he cracks his knuckles on the way down before pulling himself up onto the apron and enters the ring calmly before performing a crucifix pose at the center of the ring to revive the lights. He then retreats to his corner while taking off the gold around his waist and taking a seat in the corner while putting the championship over his shoulder while waiting until it's time to hand the gold to the ref for the match.

Stephy Auger: Now that is a man determined to make things right again, Cruise. After that heinous attack by the psychopath, Izzy Anders that took out his manager. After Nando stole a victory out from under him last week–

Kris Cruise: We get it. Seth Iser has made it well known that he thinks he embodies what that Pride title is about.

Stephy Auger: Because he does. He’s the model of what a professional wrestler should be. And Nando Fresno is going to find that out the hard way tonight.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors emerge from their corners. The crowd here in Tampa firmly behind the Alien Hunter as he bounces from one foot to the other, ready for what may come. Iser lurches forward and goes for the collar and elbow tie up, but Nando ducks under the arms and fires off some quick chops to the chest. An Irish whip is attempted, but the near hundred pound difference is too much for him, and Seth manages to reverse the move. Fresno runs against the ropes, only to get mowed down by a big boot to the face!

Kris Cruise: Oh, that’s not the start Nando Fresno was looking for here.

Stephy Auger: No it’s not. And you know Brian Stryker is watching this match intently, now that he’s two up in the best of the five series.

Seth picks Nando up around the throat with both hands and throws him back into the corner, before laying into the Alien Hunter with some hard forearm shots to the face. Those are followed by some sickening overhand chops to the chest. The referee intervenes after five, pushing Seth back a step and threatening him with a rope break if he doesn’t stop it. So Iser brings his opponent out of the corner with a biel toss across the ring!

Kris Cruise: Seth Iser doesn’t look to be in his usual….not good mood, but he’s not his usual self tonight, Stephy.

Seth yells down at his opponent to get up, but Nando doesn’t seem to be playing ball as Iser drops the knee down across the chest of his opponent not once, but twice. Seth isn’t playing around however; he rolls his opponent over onto his front and grabs Nando in a rear waistlock as he lifts the challenger up, and over with a German suplex. Fresno is folded up like an accordion as Iser lurches across the ring towards him again; he ignores the crowd booing him, and the “lets go Nando” chants that are starting up to try and reinvigorate the challenge, and promptly applies another rear waistlock as he German suplexes Nando Fresno again.

But this time Nando has the wherewithal to roll out of the ring to try and buy himself some time. It’s not happening, however, as Seth steps over the top rope and jumps down right next to his opponent. Fresno finds himself being hurled into the ring post first as the referee starts the count out, but it won’t be enough to save Nando from this as he’s dragged back to his feet again and promptly dropped across the guard rail with a gourdbuster!

Stephy Auger: This is the Seth Iser people should expect to see, Cruise. Cold and calculating!

Kris Cruise: He’s showing no mercy out there tonight, and he’s definitely sending a message to Nando Fresno and anyone else who wants to try their luck.

Fresno stays laying across the steel railing as the referee reaches a four count, and Seth takes a few steps back. The intention is clear as he stares wide-eyed at the helpless Nando Fresno, and the running knee lift that follows sends Nando upwards. Before he flips down back to the ringside area. The fans nearby let Seth know what they think of him, but he just tells them to “shut the hell up” before rolling Nando back into the ring at the count of six. From there, Seth kneels down and places one hand on Nando’s chest for the pin attempt.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Stephy Auger: Stay down, Nando!

The crowd cheer as Nando gets the shoulder up, but not Seth. He stands back up, indignant at what’s just happened. With his opponent rolling over onto his front at his feet, Seth picks Nando back up by the waist band and takes him towards the corner. Fresno finds himself backed against the turnbuckle with his arms spread as Seth takes his time to deliver a vicious knife edge chop! The sound echoes throughout the arena, as does the second chop, and the third. But they’re followed by an Irish whip as Nando is sent from pillar to post with Seth is close pursuit…

Kris Cruise: Watch out–

Nando vaults up off the turnbuckle and over the charging Pride champion as Seth crashes chest first into the turnbuckle! A quick schoolboy roll up brings the champion down.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Stephy Auger: Not again!!!!!!

The crowd erupts with cheers once Fresno gets his arm raised after gaining the first fall of the match. Iser sits up with a look of disbelief. He can't believe it's happened again. But his worst fears for tonight have come true. He's just been pinned by Nando Fresno!

(c) Iser - 0

Fresno - 1

The Alien Hunter starts to get cocky as he makes his way around the ring with a bit of a pep in his step during the mandatory rest period. At this point, Fresno is feeling himself. Especially now with the raucous crowd firmly behind him. Across the ring, the champion is seen pulling himself up using the ropes. Iser continues to shoot dagger after dagger at the Alien Hunter. The bell sounds, signaling the start of the second fall. The rage is starting to flare as Iser lunges forward with a clothesline attempt, which Nando scouts from a distance. He ducks under the arm and counters with a savate kick that sends the champion staggering back a step.

Kris Cruise: Look at the heart of this young man, Stephy. Most people wouldn’t have it in them to fight back right now, but not Nando Fresno!

Fresno appears to be feeling a second wind as he steadies himself, waiting for Seth to turn back around before Nando fires off some Holyfield-esque jabs that work the crowd into a mini fervor. Those are followed up with the same rapid palm strikes that we saw last week as the champion retreats a step, only to be caught by a roundhouse kick that knocks the champion down to one knee.

Kris Cruise: He’s got Seth down to one knee! What does Nando have planned here?

It takes a moment for him to catch his breath before Nando runs against the ropes, coming back – oh, he’s taken down by a huge lariat! Fresno spinning through the air before he crashes to the mat and the crowd boo loudly once again. Seth shakes off the effects of those shots he just received and brings Nando back to his feet once again by a handful of dreads. But this time he applies a hammerlock and hoists the challenger up onto his shoulder, ready for the shoulder breaker! Seth keeps hold, though, and follows up with a powerslam to the smaller Alien Hunter. No pin attempt though.

Iser looks out across the crowd as he stomps at the arm and shoulder of his opponent, and they just keep booing him.

Stephy Auger: Nando can’t use those jabs or palm strikes if Seth takes those arms out, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: You’re right, but remember Fresno still has those kicks he can use.

Which is probably a good thing for Nando Fresno as Seth brings him back to a vertical base by the arm. A clubbing blow is delivered to the shoulder, and another one follows as Nando can be seen wincing in pain. It only gets worse as Nando finds himself in a hammerlock again, and Seth Iser just hurls him through the ropes and shoulder first into the turnbuckle! Nando gets no respite, however, as Iser throws him down with the Icebreaker. With Nando on the mat, Seth rolls him onto his front and applies the Dream Eater! He locks it in tight, with his hands clasped together in front of Nando’s face; the referee is right in place to check for submission, and it doesn’t take long for Nando to say as much!

Stephy Auger: And the second fall goes to the champion!

(c) Iser – 1

Fresno – 1

But Seth won’t let go of the hold! The referee tells him to release the hold, but he’s not letting go. Nando continues screaming in pain as his arms are wrenched further back. The referee starts a five count, warning Seth he’ll get disqualified if he doesn’t let go…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!
.
.
FOUR!
.
.
Fi–AND SETH LETS GO!

Kris Cruise: We knew Seth Iser wasn’t in the best place mentally going into this match, Stephy, but he might be further gone than we first thought.

Stephy Auger: He’s got his temper under control, Cruise, don’t worry about it. He’s just…taking the opportunity to inflict a bit more damage.

Kris Cruise: Well it worked. Seth Iser picking up the second fall here in his first Pride title defense, but he almost got it reversed after refusing to let go of the Dream Eater.

The bell sounds to signal the end of the thirty second rest period as Seth remains in his corner, with his head resting on the turnbuckle. Nando is in the opposite corner clutching his shoulder as the “Lets Go Nando” chants start up again. Pushing through the pain he makes his way back to his feet; the shoulder obviously causing him some difficulty as he winces in agony.

Kris Cruise: Nando Fresno not going down without a fight here. He’s beaten Seth Iser once before, and he wants to do it again tonight to become the FGA Pride Champion.

Stephy Auger: He’s a former NKP Tag Team Champion, but his tenure here in FGA hasn’t been as successful as he may have hoped.

Kris Cruise: And now the fans here in Tampa are pinning their hopes on him to dethrone Seth Iser.

Iser raises his head and turns around to see Nando moving towards him, albeit slowly and cautiously. The Pride champion glowers at him as Seth moves away from the corner to meet Nando in the center of the ring. A knee strike to the gut right out the gate doubles Fresno over as Seth delivers some clubbing blows to the back. But the Alien Hunter stays on his feet as he sent towards the corner with an Irish whip. He hits the turnbuckle hard and only has a second before Iser comes barrelling in – right into a boot to the face!

Stephy Auger: How is he doing this?

Iser staggers back a couple of steps as Nando props himself up in the corner. As he charges back in, Seth finds himself on the receiving end of another boot to the face before Nando ascends to the middle turnbuckle. The challenger waits for Seth to look up, and then Nando flies through the air with a dropkick that sends Iser tumbling across the ring. But he’s quickly back to his feet and seething in rage as Nando prepares himself. The Alien Hunter fires off a martial arts style kick to one leg, then the other, and back to the first leg as Seth has trouble remaining on his feet. He falls to one knee but pushes Nando away and against the ropes, only for him to return with a spinning heel kick!

Kris Cruise: Nando coming out swinging for this third and final fall!

Stephy Auger: Where is he getting this energy from? He was done for five minutes ago!

Kris Cruise: He's giving it all he's got. He's got nothing to lose!

Iser picks himself back up with the help of the ropes as Nando comes running in – only to get back body dropped over the ropes. Or he would have if he didn’t grab hold and land on the apron. The crowd’s cheers giving him the boost he needed as Nando thrusts a shoulder through the middle ropes to double Seth over for the sunset flip!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

Seth kicks out with authority and sits up, but Nando is ready for him. That second wind coming into full effect now as he catches Seth with a dropkick to the face! Again, Iser rolls away and is slower to his feet as Nando lies in wait. The Alien Hunter picks his spot and runs at the Pride champion, ducking under the attempted clothesline as he hits the ropes. But Seth is ready for him. A flapjack counters the attack – NO! Nando counters in midair, hitting another dropkick that sends Seth rolling out under the bottom rope.

The Pride champion now on the outside trying to gather his bearings as Nando picks himself up in the ring. That shoulder still causing him some discomfort so he opts against the slingshot route and instead decides to run against the far ropes, picking up a head of steam as he comes back with a corkscrew plancha over the top rope! Seth gets wiped out on the outside, and the crowd love it!

Kris Cruise: This could be just what Nando needed, Stephy. He could be about to tie this one up right now.

Stephy Auger: He has to get Seth back in the ring first.

The count out starts as Nando uses his good arm and the ring apron to get back to his feet as Seth stays down on the outside. Until he’s brought back up by a handful of hair anyway. Nando manages to roll the Pride champion back into the ring, but opts to climb the steps himself before looking towards the turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What does he have in mind here?

The crowd’s cheers are all the encouragement Nando needs as he begins to ascend to the top. Slowly but surely he goes up, step by step until he’s perched on the top rope – and Seth shakes the rope! Down comes Nando, crotch first atop the turnbuckle, and the crowd don’t like that one bit. But a smile appears on Seth Iser’s face as he looks towards his stranded foe; the intention is clear as the Pride champion makes his way towards the corner, climbing to the middle rope as he hooks Nando in place and delivers a thunderous superplex!

Stephy Auger: There we go, that’s how this should be going.

Kris Cruise: Seth Iser just found a way back into this match after things looked to be going against him. But what can he do from here?

Iser sits up first and cranks his neck from side to side as Nando can be seen writhing on the mat behind him. The champion forcing himself back to his feet as he grabs Fresno up by the dreads again and moves towards the corner. Iser unloads with some shoulder thrusts to the gut, followed by some knee strikes before the referee intervenes, warning the champion against losing a rope break if he continues. So he desists on this occasion. An Irish whip follows as Nando is sent from pillar to post, with Seth close behind for the running lariat! All 240 pounds put behind that one, and Nando suddenly finds himself in a rough spot.

Fresno staggers out of the corner, but his opponent is waiting for him. Seth throws him down with a spinning spinebuster, but makes no attempt to cover. Instead he drags Nando up by the arm and delivers a lariat! Only, he still has hold of that arm. He brings Nando back to his feet again and wrings the arm before delivering the divorce court armbreaker!

Stephy Auger: And he’s going right back to work on that arm, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: This isn’t looking good for Nando Fresno, that’s for sure.

Seth looks down at his opponent clutching that shoulder again, and the smile returns to his face. Albeit, only for a moment. He stands back up and brings Nando with him, and clearly Iser’s looking for that short arm clothesline again – NO! The crowd cheer as Nando ducks under the arm! There’s still some fight in there as Nando throws out a back kick to double over the champion. He quickly runs against the ropes for momentum, coming back with a wheelbarrow – NO! Seth catches him in mid air and slams him down with a German suplex! He drags Nando towards the center of the ring and decides to put an end to this one again, locking in the Dream Eater as Nando has no choice but to tap out!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout... aaaaaand stiiiilllll FGA Pride Champion, Seth Iser!

“Psychosocial” by Slipknot begins to play again as Iser releases the hold this time.

Kris Cruise: A valiant effort by Nando Fresno, but it wasn’t his night.

Stephy Auger: And Seth Iser racks up that first Pride title defense. That’s what Brian Stryker or Tyler Storm have to look forward to, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: Of course Brian Stryker now 2-0 up in that best of five series, and looking like the next challenger for Seth’s Pride title. But after watching this mauling of Nando Fresno, I’m not sure if I’d want to be Brian Stryker or Tyler Storm right now.

As Seth gets his hand raised in victory and the fans are booing there isn’t even a look of satisfaction on his face. Just a look of a man who is on the edge, just wanting to lash out even further. Then when his entrance music suddenly stops and the beginning chords of ‘Bad Dreams’ play instead. The boos from the audience turn to cheers and Seth’s face morphs from on edge to absolutely inhuman as he just snatches the pride title from the ref and demands Izzy come to the ring right now.

Kris Cruise: Uh-oh...it looks like Izzy heard what Seth said on the Afterburn.

Stephy Auger: With the tag title match still to come she has to be out of her mind to come out here and want a piece of Seth now!

The cheers soon get louder when we see Izzy come through the crowd and decide to take that route. Seth instinctively does hear the cheers get louder and turns around slowly and sees Izzy behind him with that smirk etched on her face. She says something that is probably only heard between the two of them and Seth makes the first charge with the title belt trying to take a premptive strike but she ducks and she starts chopping the big man down with kicks and the fans are cheering as the belt flies out of the ring!

Kris Cruise: She’s knocking him for a loop! Downstairs and then upstairs!

Stephy Auger: You shouldn’t treat a champion like this! First you break his manager’s leg and now this!?

Kris Cruise: I’m more afraid of where this might turn into because of the ground they’re crossing…

Stephy Auger: No kidding!

After she chops the larger redwood down with enough blows to the back of the leg she then delivers a variation of a shining yakuza kick that connects right on the forehead of the Pride Champion and sends him going through the middle and bottom ropes and onto the floor. After he takes that spill the cheers turn to boos as security SWARM the ring, paranoid after what happened in the last pay per view.

Kris Cruise: Security is here and not a moment too soon. After what happened at the close of A New Odyssey it doesn’t surprise me that Jenevieve Geroux is not taking any chances at all with her talent.

Stephy Auger: She shouldn’t! Seth Iser is a rare veteran figure and should be trea--

Kris Cruise: Oh my God Seth…

Stephy Auger: He’s bleeding!

As they called, Seth Iser has gotten up and he’s busted open and as soon as he feels the blood coming down his face and he glares at Izzy who seems coy at perpetrating it in the ring, Seth heads over to the timekeeper’s table and in a fit of rage flings it at Izzy OVER the security and it just narrowly misses her short. And the second thing he throws is a steel chair and that actually requires a sidestep from Izzy but that doesn’t break her smirk as security has finally detained Seth enough who is SCREAMING things that are not safe for work. The sea of humanity has finally gotten Seth to go up the ramp but not before he has hold of his Pride Title and raises is it up over his head mouthing profanely ‘This is mine!’ while Izzy coyly gestures that it’ll be her’s once again.

Kris Cruise: She’s in his head.

Stephy Auger: No he’s just...angry that his moment of glory was interrupted!

Kris Cruise: No, it’s clear as day. It took a little longer than she might have anticipated but Izzy Anders is now well entrenched in the brain and psyche of Seth Iser.

[FGA Office]

In 1849, California Gold Rush era....



Treasure seekers the world over streamed to California looking for a quick fortune!


Just over 150 years later, Frontier Grappling Arts will witness the event again!


This time, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! 30 FGA grapplers will meet up in the ring for one night only!


It's a shot at glory!


It's a shot at gold!


There can only be one!



Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Who will be the last grappler standing?

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: We’re back, ladies and gentlemen. Seth Iser was successful in his Pride Championship defense over Nando Fresno. But things nearly took a turn for the worse when Izzy Anders came out and got into it with the champion!

Stephy Auger: The Mindkiller went to town on Iser with kick after kick! After Iser got knocked to the outside, he grabbed the timekeeper’s table AND a steel chair and threw them in Anders’ direction! Thankfully we have security out here who knows how to do their job, unlike Flashpoint, who let’s a psychopath like Jimmy Page run amuck with impunity. Thank God he’s off the A-Show! We don’t need that level of crazy over here!

Kris Cruise: Yeah? Well I doubt that things between Iser and the former Pride Champion will be cooling down anytime soon!

Stephy Auger: And who’s fault is that? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not Seth’s!

Kris Cruise: It’ll be interesting to see if GM Jenevieve Geroux has anything to say about Iser’s actions here tonight!

Stephy Auger: She shouldn’t! It’s bad enough Anders attacked the honorable Vincent Moretti and broke his leg. Then she comes out here and attacks Iser after a match! She’s got some nerve!

Kris Cruise: Like I said, I doubt the situation between those is far from over. Stephy, we’re at the halfway point of Revelations. What are some takeaways for you from earlier in the show?

Stephy Auger: Besides what just happened? I’d have to go with Tyler Storm going down 0-2 to Brian Stryker. You know he can kiss any chance of getting that Pride Championship match goodbye, right?

Kris Cruise: It’s ain’t over ‘till it’s over, as the saying goes. Tyler’s still got time. I know he’s down 0-2. But at this point, for him, he just needs to take it one match at a time. I believe in Tyler Storm and so do our great fans!

Stephy Auger: That’s easy for you to say! Brian Stryker can take a loss and still be in the lead. The next match Storm loses? That’s it! It’s over for him! And he’s got a bum shoulder, too? I don’t like this chances of surviving!

Kris Cruise: Well one of my takeways is seeing Delikado and Susan Kent prevail in that opening tag match. These two might be on the verge of forming something special!

Stephy Auger: Delikado… and Kent… forming something special? Don’t say that too loud, Cruise. You’ll get that old man so excited he’ll end up having a heart attack!

Kris Cruise: I’m serious, Stephy! This is an unlikely pairing. It’s as unlikely of a pairing as you’ll find here on Vertigo, or even FGA as a whole. But they’ve tapped into something. They’ve found success. Bristow & Barnes? The Fam? The Resistance? That’s three teams that they can say that they have defeated. There’s only oh but some many teams left in the division.

Stephy Auger: Please. You can’t be serious. You honestly don’t think Delikado and Susan freaking Kent are positioning themselves as challengers for the United States Tag Team Titles?

Kris Cruise: All I’m saying is that this pairing has found success and at this point, the reward has to come their way at some point. They’ve proven themselves thus far. As surprised as I am by it all, it’s true.

Stephy Auger: Well speaking of tag teams, it looks like the fans will finally get to see the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad here on Vertigo. Mr. How Shiny Is My Head came into the ring like a house of fire and saved Peaches out there from a further beatdown.

Kris Cruise: It’s good to see Dan back. PLAS are former World Tag Team Champs. They were even voted as the best tag team of 2017. While The Chaotics ruled over the tag division on Flashpoint last year, PLAS were right there on their heels. By having Herrera back, that now gives our show another solid tag team that you could slot towards the top of the division.

Stephy Auger: You assumed that the issue between Seth and Izzy wasn’t over? Well let me tell you something, the problems between Tristan Ambrose, his Resistance and Peaches are far from resolved.

Kris Cruise: I’ll definitely keep an eye on that situation. Stephy, we’ve got a ton of great action on the back half of tonight’s Pay Per View. We’ve got title match after title match after title match lined up. But one match I do want to highlight is our co-main event. Of course, I’m talking about Johnny Karma going one on one with Dom Harter!

Stephy Auger: We talked earlier about all of the history that could be made here tonight. Well Johnny Karma could have easily been in that discussion. Had he humbled himself to joining The New Murder, then Harter would have guided Karma towards a record-setting third Pride Title win. But did that happen? Of course not. Johnny Karma looked a gift horse in the mouth. Harter extended the olive branch to him over and over again. But what did Karma do in return? He slapped Harter in the face. With the level of disrespect he gave Harter, he mind as well have spat in his face. He had no reason to not trust Harter. Dom is The Most Honest Man in Wrestling. And it’s true! Harter is even modest enough to let you know himself!

Kris Cruise: Oh please! Johnny Karma wasn’t about to lower himself to being yet another stooge in Harter’s New Murder. He’s smarter than that. He knew that aligning with Harter would be a bad bet, be it in the short term and the long term. It was Harter who couldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer, which is why we ended up seeing The New Murder attack Karma several weeks ago. But Karma was able to gain some retribution on the last episode of Vertigo.

Stephy Auger: Well I hope he enjoyed in because tonight? He’s in for a world of hurt!

[FGA Office]

Annie Zellor: Are you ready to be a part of history?

The show cuts backstage after the Pride title match to The New Murder locker room, where Annie Zellor and Mary-Jane McCracken are standing together. Dressed in her ring attire and the special ‘Dom Harter: Best High Flyer’ t-shirt, with the Rose City Wrestling Macaria Championship belt slung over one shoulder. Mary Jane has her usual jean shorts and flannel top on, but both are wearing big smiles as they continue talking.

Mary-Jane McCracken: Oh, I’m ready!

Annie Zellor: Ready to see my name in the record books – again! ‘Cause tonight is the night Marlon Cure’s been dreading for weeks, maybe even months.

Mary-Jane McCracken: Definitely months.

The two nod in agreement.

Annie Zellor: Oh yeah, for sure. ‘Cause this is the night his mouth has finally written a check his butt can’t cash. This is when his smack talk finally catches up with him, and Marlon Cure realizes–he learns once and for all that I’m just one step above him…in everything. ‘Cause anything you can do, Marlon, I can do better!

Annie pats the title belt on her shoulder, smiling widely as she looks at the camera again.

Annie Zellor: You wanna gloat about an elimination in a battle royal – and yeah it bothered me. I’m not ashamed to admit that. ‘Cause that night you took something really important from me. You took my chance to become the number one contender to the FGA World Championship, and that’s never gonna sit right with me. See, I always wanna be a champion. I wanna be a double champion. And I wanna be a world champion again! And one day I’m gonna. One day I’m gonna stand at the top of this mountain and raise that FGA World Championship above my head…

Pause.

Annie Zellor: But not right now. Before then–before I get there I’ve got a few things I need to do. And one of them, Marlon, is to teach you a lesson.

Mary-Jane McCracken: And make him pay.

Annie giggles behind a raised hand before she pushes her hair back behind an ear. Mary-Jane still all smiles as she stands proudly next to the woman who could become the first ever three-time FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion tonight.

Annie Zellor: Aww yeah! This is payback, Marlon. See, you stole my opportunity from me back at that battle royal, you took my chance. And then you kicked me when I was down? Nahhh. See, now I’m gonna take everything you’ve got! Your rival – I already beat her. Rap battle? You got dusted! Those victories you hold dear, that best newcomer title you won, I’ve already done all those! And now I’m coming for that title belt you’ve got – ‘cause my other shoulder is getting kinda cold. And tonight is the night I take my place in the history books as the first ever three-time FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. When I get recognized as one of the most decorated wrestlers in FGA history. When I cement my legacy as the GOAT Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion in FGA! And you, Marlon, you know you brought this all on yourself…

Pause.

Annie Zellor: All those months ago when you tossed me outta that ring. When you felt the need to gloat. ‘Cause, damn, you lit something under me that day. And that flame is gonna be the start of something really special, Marlon. And it starts tonight…

On that note, both Annie and Mary-Jane pull a #grrface for the camera, complete with the devil horns, as the scene fade to black.

[FGA Office]

The camera opens up in a closed-off section of the arena, showing what looks to be quite the elaborate set up as the camera gets a close-up. A black and gold throne seated in front of what looks to be a concrete wall, worn down by time and the elements. The throne itself looks formidable, almost intimidating in design. Looking less like the seat for a kind and more fitting of someone who’s poured sweat, blood, and tears into years of battles and hardships.

Seated in the throne, dressed up to compete and with the signature cigar clenched between his teeth is The Reigning and Defending Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, “King” Marlon Cure, with the belt seated in his lap in view of the camera. The camera pans up briefly, showing something written right above Cure’s head on the wall behind him. The message, written in black paint, read out the following:

Kill Everything Moving

Cure lights up the cigar chomped between his teeth and takes a deep inhale before he begins to speak.

Marlon Cure: Tonight’s the night, ain’t it Annie?

"After all the back and forths over the last 6-7 months, the slick subtweets and little references to get a few clicks since coming correct ain’t you, you fiending for my attention and acknowledgment, talking out the side of your neck whenever I take a minor setback even when knowing I’ll bounce back, you finally about to get everything you came for. You finally get the chance to put me on my ass on the world stage and prove it ain’t just loud talking and barking for you."

Cure holds up a hand.

Marlon Cure: But I wanna take a minute to break down some shit. Like the fact that the only reason you want this title now? Because it’s around my waist.

His eyes glint a little from beneath the hoodie he wore as he continues puffing away at the cigar, his hand resting against the face plate of the title.

Marlon Cure: That’s what this is really about, ain’t it Annie? Not chasing history or whatever bull you steady tryna sell to the masses when you not flipping the story on W H Y you got an issue with me. It’s the fact that I came through, killed everything in front of me since I went mainstream while you looked on.

"You see me and the shine, the admiration and respect you see I command when I come through any city, any organization and want that to be you. You wanna be able to say “Look at me! I beat the guy that’s had the wrestling world in the palm of his hands! Pay attention to me” and hope that you can be the one to hand me that one loss I’ve been dodging for a hot minute and the spotlight I’ve been under turns back onto you and you get the chance to prove you can do what I do."

Cure wags a finger mockingly

Marlon Cure: But I got that shit that can’t be imitated or bitten off of Annie. My wave ain’t one you can so easily mock or rip off and it’s killing you to see that for all the back and forths, you still can’t quite match. You can fly, sure, but you can’t glide through the skies of a squared circle with the greatest of ease like me. You can talk that big girl shit every now and then but even with me spotting you two verses the best of you can’t go 16 with the worst of me. Still, you running around tee-heeing, acting like shit’s sweet and thinking you got something on me.

It took a LARGE effort on Cure’s part to not laugh outright at the notion.

"For all the attempts to take me out of my mentals - from coming out in my fits, tryna profile and pose, to tryna challenge me to a rap battle - to you trying to speak that “anything you can do, I can do better” shit into existence like it was a mantra, you’re not seeing me. In that ring or on a stick, I passed the game up and lapped everybody for eleven straight summers and you’re simply not up to par. And when this is all over, you laid out on the mat with that revelation ripping through your frame that everything I said here rang true?" 

Cure’s hand snakes down to the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship as he brings it up into view.

Marlon Cure: I want you to realize shit could’ve been avoided if you stayed took my advice and bent the knee, bowed, and kissed the ring.

[FGA Office]

FGA MID-ATLANTIC LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Marlon Cure vs. Annie Zellor

The sounds of “Devil’s Bleeding Crown” by Volbeat begins to play throughout the arena as the crowd immediately begin to boo. The lights go down; red spotlights flashing on the entrance ramp, keeping in time with music before the vocals finally kick in. Zellor finally emerges from behind the curtain with Mary-Jane McCracken close behind. Annie has her back facing the ring, whilst Mary-Jane stands there smiling. With her arms held out to either side, Annie spins on her heel to suddenly face the ring. With smirks on their faces, Annie and Mary-Jane begin their slow approach down the aisle.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall and it is for the MID-ATLANTIC LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Being accompanied to the ring by Mary-Jane! Hailing from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 125 pounds… ANNIE ZELLOR!

Some diehard Anniemaniacs reach out for the high five, and for those fans Annie happily obliges. But the majority continue booing the crow as the pair strut down the aisle. Zellor leaps up onto the apron, taking another moment to look out across the crowd before she flips backwards over the top rope to enter the ring. There, Annie heads to her corner and climbs a turnbuckle, before removing her leather jacket and bandana, ready for this match to get started, whilst Mary-Jane takes her place on the outside of the ring.

Kris Cruise: Stephy, this one is going to be good. We just heard some strong words from both champion and challenger. There’s clearly no love lost between these two.

Stephy Auger: Absolutely not. Both of these grapplers feel that they are 100 percent in the right. Annie Zellor feels like Marlon Cure has been ducking her and making her jump through hoops. Cure feels like Zellor has never passed up a chance to trash him in the media. Tonight, the time for talking is over.

*Static Cut Intro*
This is a public service announcement
Sponsored by Just Blaze and the good folks at Roc-A-Fella Records.

"Fellow Americans, it is with the utmost pride and sincerity

That I present this recording, as a living testament and recollection

Of history in the making during our generation."

The arena darkens as Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement” plays, and the fans boo as Just Blaze's words echo throughout the arena following Jay's introduction and a lone spotlight appears on the stage. The ominous sounding piano goes louder as all of the lights in the arena go out, leaving it completely black as the intro ends...

ALLOW ME TO RE-INTRODUCE MYSELF, MY NAME IS HOV.

A single spotlight suddenly illuminates the entrance way to show the silhouette of a man on the stage. The lighting cuts back in and turns a golden hue as Marlon Cure stands with both arms outstretched on either side of him, eyes closed and his head tilted back, soaking in the atmosphere and energy from the crowd. Cure walks down the ramp but stops halfway, unhooking the [insert championship name here] from around his waist as he looks down at the face plate, before raising both hands to his side as the camera pans around Cure and dollar bills begin to fall from the ceiling.

The camera settles back into place as Cure puts the title over his shoulder and continues to the ring, then gets a close up of one of the bills to see that Cure's image has been superimposed onto them.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 195 pounds! He is the reigning… defending Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion… MARLON CURE!

Kris Cruise: With a successful defense here tonight, Cure could put the Annie Zellor nuisance in his rear view for good. A win by Zellor not only brings a championship back to the New Murder, put it puts her down in history as the only three-time Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion!

The High Flyer walks down to the ring with purpose, oozing confidence as he hops up the steel steps and climbs up to the top rope, reaching a hand for the sky with the championship in his grasp as the fans boo heavily before hopping into the ring. Cure shrugs the sleeveless long coat off of his shoulders and places the black and gold crown around a nearby ring post as he leans back in the corner, waiting for the match to begin.

The bell sounds as Cure and Zellor meet in the center of the ring. The capacity crowd is buzzing while both grapplers engage in aggressive trash talk.

Stephy Auger: You said the time for talk was over, Cruise. But it looks like these two just can’t help themselves.

Kris Cruise: They’ve both got egos a mile long, Stephy. They’re both trying to get in the last word.

The crowd continues to cheer while champion and challenger continue to jaw jack back and forth. The back and forth continues until Zellor piefaces Cure, which results in an eruption of boos from the fans.

Kris Cruise: Cure isn’t going to take too kindly to that!

Stephy Auger: Zellor’s potentially trying to get inside Cure’s head there with that move.

Cure steps right back to Zellor and gets in her face until Zellor pushes him back. Unfazed by the push, Cure taunts his challenger by brushing his chest off. The two proceed to circle the ring. They then march forward with a lock up. After jockeying for position, Cure is quick to shove Zellor down to the mat. As Zellor sits up, Cure saunters over, crouches down in front of her and poses. An annoyed Zellor tries to hit him low with a front kick to the balls, but Cure is quick to step back. He then motions for her to get back as he circles the ring. Zellor sneers in Cure’s direction before getting back to her feet. The challenger makes her way over to Cure and locks up. After jockeying for position, Zellor places Cure in a side headlock. She then sinks in the hold just as Cure tries to shove her off him. The ref gets in and asks Cure if he wants to give up as Zellor begins to grind on the headlock. But King Cure refuses. Zellor then performs a standing switch before slapping Cure upside the back of the head. Cure turns around and narrows his eyes at Zellor as he observes her mocking one of his signature poses.

Kris Cruise: These two have been disrespecting each other left and right since the opening bell.

Stephy Auger: Absolutely. These two cannot stand each other. Cure tried to taunt Zellor after shoving her down. But once again, I think Zellor’s got the upper hand when it comes to the mental game.

Cure nods his head at Zellor while he circles the ring. Zellor then mocks Cure’s nodding. Cure’s had enough of this and makes a beeline directly to Zellor. He throws out a haymaker at his challenger, but Zellor’s bale to duck it. When Cure turns around, Zellor throws out a kick to the midsection. After Zellor throws out an enzuigiri, Cure ducks it. Instead of falling to the mat, Zellor lands on her foot. So when Cure stands back upright, Zellor flips forward and knocks Cure back with an inverted rolling wheel kick. The challenger gets back to her feet and hits the ropes. When she returns, the crowd gasps and cheers when Cure quickly lifts her up across his shoulders for The Blackout (fireman’s carry lift dropped into an overhead)! Before Cure can put Zellor away, Zellor nails him with multiple elbows to the side of the head. After she slips down from behind, Zellor jumps back up onto his shoulders. Before she can flip back for an inverted hurricanrana, Cure reaches up and pushes her up off of his shoulders. Once Zellor lands down in front Cure, The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion takes control of her back before bringing her down with a ripcord Sling Blade! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zellor kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Cure with the first nearfall of the match but Stephy, Cure nearly had Zellor beat!

Stephy Auger: If he was able to hit The Blackout, then this would would definitely be over.

Cure takes Zellor, moves her into the corner and delivers a blistering knife edge chop. Another hard knife edge chop echoes throughout the arena. After a third chop is delivered, Zellor is sent into the far corner with an irish whip. Cure runs across the ring to attack when Zellor knocks him back with a boot to the face. Zellor then charges forward and goes for a wheelbarrow bulldog. But before she can drive Cure down, Cure holds her up in the air, runs forward and throws her over the top rope and down to the floor! The crowd cheers over landing getting thrown to the outside!

Kris Cruise: Cure blocked the wheelbarrow bulldog before chucking Zellor to the floor!

Stephy Auger: If Cure had his way, he would have thrown her several rows back into the crowd!

Mary Jane McCracken heads over and gives the fellow New Murder member some words of encouragement. As Zellor starts to pick herself up, Cure runs across the ring. He slingshots himself out onto the apron before going for an Asai Moonsault! But Zellor’s able to run forward and rolls back inside. Instead of crashing to the floor, Cure lands safely on his feet. Cure then runs forward and leaps onto the middle rope from the floor! Zellor tries to go for a triangle dropkick, but Zellor whiffs after Cure backflips off the middle rope and lands on his feet on the outside! When Zellor turns to Cure, the champ smirks as he wags his finger at her.

Kris Cruise: Look at Annie! You can practically see the steam coming out of her ears!

As Cure goes to roll back inside, Zellor runs over and throws out an elbow drop. Zellor ends up missing Cure as he quickly rolls back out onto the apron. When both grapplers return to their feet, Cure knocks her back with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Cure goes for a springboard maneuver, but Zellor dives forward and yanks down the top rope. The crowd erupts with Cure slips and ends up crotched along the top rope. Zellor gets up and mocks Cure before rushing over and repeatedly yanking the top rope up and down! Cure howls in pain before turning over and falling to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Cure’s hitting all the high notes right now!

When Cure starts to pick himself up on the outside, Zellor runs forward, leaps through the ropes and knocks him down with a suicide elbow!

Kris Cruise: Just when Cure was starting to get back to his feet, Zellor was right there to knock him down!

Zellor gets up to her feet before climbing up onto the apron. She steps back towards the ring post before waiting for Cure to get up. Once Cure picks himself up off the mat and turns around, Zellor runs forward before knocking him down with an apron flipping senton! She then pulls Cure back up and pushes him back inside. She then slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Zellor returns to her feet and stomps Cure out of the ring and to the floor. She then turns and taunts the crowd.

Kris Cruise: I don’t think this is a wise move on the part of Annie Zellor. She needs to stay on Cure while he’s down.

While Cure slowly gets back to his feet, Zellor turns and hits the far ropes. When she returns, she charges forward, leaps over the top rope and knocks Cure down with a suicide plancha!

Stephy Auger: You were saying, Cruise?

Zellor picks up Cure, slams him face-first onto the apron and then pushes him back inside. After rolling back in, she drags Cure away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor takes Cure, moves him into the corner and delivers multiple shoot kicks to the chest. After Cure is sent into the opposite corner with an irish whip, Zellor runs over, jumps on top of him and sends him flying out of the corner with a monkey flip! Zellor returns to her feet before hoisting herself up onto the middle ropes. After Cure picks himself up, Zellor jumps off and knocks him down with a diving knee off the middle rope! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor takes Cure and whips him into the ropes. When Cure returns, Zellor sends him down in to the prone position with a basement dropkick. She then pulls Cure up into a front facelock before delivering a facebreaker DDT! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor with another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor returns to her feet before delivering a jumping knee drop. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor slaps her hands three times before holding up three fingers to the official.

Kris Cruise: Zellor’s growing frustrated, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: She wants that title badly, Cruise. What do you expect?

Kris Cruise: Does she want that title because she wants to set that record? Or does she want the title just to screw with Cure?

Stephy Auger: Can’t it be both? Why does it matter?

Zellor brings Cure back to his feet before applying a rear waist lock. She then throws out a ripcord discus elbow. But Cure ducks before he follows up with an elbow smash. Cure then connects with another elbow smash. After Zellor is caught with another elbow smash, Cure throws out a rolling elbow, only for Zellor to duck and counter with a step-up enzuigiri. While Cure is dazed, Zellor returns to her feet and heads into the ropes. When she returns, Cure runs forward before bringing her down with a running Spanish Fly! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zellor gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Only two! That moves gets pumped up every time! There’s very few that can do what he does from an athletic standpoint inside the ring.

Stephy Auger: Annie Zellor is one. In fact, anything he can do, she can do better!

Cure pulls Zellor up into a seated position before hitting the ropes. When Cure returns, he flattens Zellor with a yakuza kick! He then turns and throws out a standing moonsault. Zellor rolls out of the way of the move. But Cure is able to land on his feet before quickly flipping back and catching Zellor on his second attempt of the standing moonsault! He hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zellor gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Zellor thought she rolled to safety. But Cure was able to quickly gather himself and hit the moonsault on the second try.

Cure slowly pulls up Zellor before turning to hit the ropes. When he returns, he throws out a flying forearm bash. But he whiffs after Zellor drops to the mat. After Cure lands on the mat, he rolls over and returns to his feet. Zellor charges at him with an attack, only to get knocked down with a salvate kick! Cure heads over, pulls Zellor over onto her knees and whacks her with a Buzzsaw Kick! He then takes her by the wrists before knocking her down with the Coming of Age (double wristlock knee strike to kneeling opponent)! While Zellor is down, Cure delivers a standing corkscrew Shooting Star Press! He hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

The crowd boos when Zellor gets her shoulder up.

Cure takes Zellor and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, she sees Cure setting up for a back body drops. So she stops and brings him down with the Moss Covered Three Handled Family Credenza!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Good counter there by Zellor for a two count.

Zellor takes Cure and sends him into the corner with an irish whip. After running over and connecting with a discus clothesline, she goes for a running bulldog out of the corner when Cure shoves her off and into the ropes. When Zellor returns, she brings Cure down with a wheelbarrow bulldog! She pushes Cure over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure gets his shoulder up.

Zellor picks up Cure, doubles him over with a hard knee to the midsection and then applies an Octopus Stretch.

Kris Cruise: Zellor’s got the Glitter Stretch applied!

Stephy Auger: Bad Bad Annie Z is in total control now.

The ref kneels down next to Cure and asks him if he wants to give. Cure refuses. Zellor can be heard yelling at Cure to tap. Again, he refuses. He continues to shake his head ‘no’ every time the ref asks him if he wants to give up. Zellor begins to taunt the capacity crowd before taunting Cure. McCracken can be seen on the outside slapping the apron with both hands and yelling at Cure to tap. Cure is again asked by the ref if he wants to give up. But his answer is the same: no! So Zellor pulls back on the arm, which gets a groan out of King Cure.

Kris Cruise: Zellor’s wearing down the champion!

Stephy Auger: Imagine if Zellor was able to make Cure tap out? How embarrassing would that be for him?

Cure grits his teeth as he starts to really feel the pressure of the hold. The champion then refuses after being asked if he wants to give up.

Kris Cruise: Cure continues to refuse. But right now, he’s trapped. He hasn’t really made an attempt to escape.

Stephy Auger: His energy is slowly being drained out of him. I bet he’s got nothing left in the tank.

Cure slowly moves one foot forward, then the other. King Cure then slowly moves his right foot forward, then his left. Zellor begins to repeatedly yank back on the arm, which stops Cure dead in his tracks. Zellor keeps Cure’s arm pulled back at an angle while the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion howls in pain. After refusing another chance to quit, Cure slowly waddles his way forward. Zellor shakes her head in disbelief as Cure is close to the side of the ring. He then reaches out with his free hand… and grabs the middle rope, forcing a rope break!

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FI-

Zellor reluctantly lets go before nailing Cure with several hard knees to the midsection. After three shoot kicks to the chest knock Cure back towards the center of the ring, Zellor delivers shoot kicks to the left and right legs, then a side kick to the midsection before rocking Cure with a bicycle knee strike to the head! She then turns Cure away from her before hopping onto his shoulders, flipping back and spiking him with an inverted hurricanrana! Zellor then rolls forward to her feet before heading into the corner. McCracken slaps the apron with both hands while Zellor is seen waving Cure up. After Cure struggles to pick himself up off the mat, Zellor runs forward before planting him with All That Glitters (Satellite DDT)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps when Cure gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Cure got his shoulder up off the mat just in time!

Zellor slowly pulls Cure up. She then hits him with three forearms to the face before running past him into the ropes. When Zellor returns, she goes for a leapfrog transitioned into a one handed bulldog. But Cure’s able to duck out of the way. Once Zellor lands down in front of him, Cure hops onto her shoulders, turns and spikes her with a Frankensteiner! Cure makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Zellor gets her shoulder up.

Cure picks up Zellor before throwing her down with the Run N Gun (Michinoku Driver II)! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Zellor kicks out.

Cure takes Zellor and whips her into the corner. The champion then charges into the corner and throws out a yakuza kick. But Zellor’s able to catch the foot. She then shoves Cure down to the mat. After Cure rolls backwards and returns to his feet, Zellor runs out of the corner, hops onto his shoulders, spins back and spikes him with another inverted hurricanrana! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps when Cure gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not three!?

Zellor picks up Cure before quickly taking control of his back. The crowd boos when Zellor nails him with a ripcord discus elbow! After a step-up enzuigiri dazes Cure, Zellor rushes over, slingshots herself out onto the apron and then connects with a springboard dropkick, sending Cure staggering forward before he collapses across the middle ropes. Bad Bad Annie Z makes her way over and chokes Cure across the middle rope while the ref gives her until a count of five.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…. FIV-

Zellor blatantly breaks the choke late. She then steps back before surveying the crowd. She then turns back towards Cure and throws out the Grrface! The crowd erutps with boos.

Kris Cruise: Annie’s calling for it, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: We’re about to have a new record-setting Mid-Atlantic champion!

Zellor turns and heads into the far ropes. When she returns, she runs forward, swings through the middle & top ropes and goes for the Rough ‘n’ Tumble (Tiger Feint Kick). The crowd gasps when Cure ducks the kick and catches Zellor across his shoulders! Cure gets back to his feet, heads towards the center of the ring and brings Zellor down with The Blackout!

Stephy Auger: AH!

Kris Cruise: There it is! The Blackout! The Blackout! Cure hit Zellor with The Blackout off the counter! This could be it...


ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!
.
.
.
THREE!

Boos and applause are heard as “Public Service Announcement” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… AAAAAAAAAND STILLLLLLLLL Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, MARLON CURE!

Cure heads over into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes and raises the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship above his head. King Cure hops down and makes his way over to Zellor. Cure purposely stands over Zellor and slowly raises the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship.

[FGA Office]

The atmosphere in Johnny Karma's locker room is dark and heavy, to the point it's almost literally pressing down upon Karma's shoulders as he sits on a bench wearing an expression not of his usual calm-yet-worrisome nature, instead his brows are furrowed and there's fire in his eyes as he considers this evening's match against Dom Harter - or to be more precise the past few weeks of him and Harter and the actions that his defeating Harter on the most recent edition of Vertigo did little to soothe

However, in spite feeling that the world is trying to squeeze the life out of him with the pressure, pressure he has invited upon himself with his promise to quit if he has not become champion come Final Frontier, Karma still has somebody to talk to...

Cherry Baum: You're brooding.

Karma turns his head towards Cherry, his brows unfurrowing but the fire remains burning within his eyes, as he seemingly takes this as a criticism

Cherry Baum: Whatever you do, make sure your head doesn't have Dom Harter living rent-free inside it.

Johnny Karma: It's a little late for that.

Cherry Baum: Is it?

A beat, less because Karma is conceding that Cherry has got a point and more to do with the parameters being different

Johnny Karma: Last time I was butting heads with him, both when I was defending the title against him and when he was using Molly Reid as his proxy to getting his hands on the title, back then I could compartmentalise Harter's ego pretty easily. He wanted the title, or he wanted the title within The New Murder, and he was looking for any way to make that happen - most of which involved one of me and two or three of them, yet it was all for naught. Now, on the other hand...

Karma pauses, running his tongue across his upper lip as he searches for the words

Johnny Karma: Back then he thought I was worth something, now he thinks I'm worth nothing. Not someone to chase, not an equal, somebody who can be his underling while he chases glory for himself. That's not something you can put aside while telling yourself "business is business" or whatever you tell yourself, this is personal - because he's telling me that he thinks I've hit my peak and I'm on the downward slope from here on, and you know what? I bet it didn't even occur to him, as he just wanted to balagan with me, rub my face in the fact I set a goal for myself by offering something...

Cherry Baum: Something...?

Karma sighs

Johnny Karma: I know it sounds bad, but I was about to describe the Pride Championship as "something less". That's where he's been directing my mind, even though I know it's shanda saying stuff like that, even though I know that I worked hard to win that title twice and I as proud to hold it...even though the second time that led to weekly beatings from The New Kings for several months. But that's the thing, he sees me as less than him, just as he sees the Pride Championship as something to pawn off on one of his New Murder hangers-on instead of being worth his time, and that's how he sees me now, as someone who peaked and is already on the downward slide, so he wants to make me feel six inches tall in the hope he won't have to see me for much longer.

Cherry waits for a few seconds before she responds

Cherry Baum: Well I guess he's going to have to realise he was wasting his time then.

Karma looks at Cherry with a look trying to work out how she got her response from what he just said

Cherry Baum: Imagine the image of Dom Harter returning backstage after your match, with the rest of The New Murder waiting for him, and they know what he knows: he lost. To the guy he said would only be good enough as his second-in command, who would mop up what he couldn't be bothered with, he lost. If he wants to live rent-free in your head, at least try and change the terms of the lease and say he can only live there looking like someone who talks big but an eloquent speech doesn't win many matches...and he sure as hell ain't eloquent.

There's another pause, not because Karma is taken aback by what Cherry said, more than her accent going Full Brooklyn at the end needed a moment to decipher

Cherry Baum: Let's put it another way: slap him down tonight, and not only will you shut him up and get him off both our cases for a while, you have something to build off of, because nobody goes from doing nothing at all to being world champion in the space of six weeks, because that's just nuts.

Rather than say anything, Karma stands up and walks for the door, pausing only to look over his shoulder towards Cherry

Johnny Karma: I can't stay in here.

Karma opens the locker room door, with Cherry wondering what's going on

Cherry Baum: What the...?

Johnny Karma: If I stay in here, my mind wanders onto how many more times I'll be sat in a locker room waiting for my match, because I'm the genius who put a timer on that - but if I go out there...

Karma gestures not to the door but the arena itself, several metres beyond the door

Johnny Karma: ...that's the difference: I don't see a place I might be for a limited time, I don't see Dom Harter and his friends in a similar-looking room cackling as they think about how to put a grain of doubt in my head, I don't see much but I feel a lot, the energy from the crowd, the anticipation, the things I have to live up to, the things I thrive upon, the things that have driven me even when my body's had enough ten times over, because in here is something Harter can try and take from me, but out there...

While the fire remains in Karma's eyes, he can't help but let a confident look appear on his face for a moment

Johnny Karma: ...out there he can't take a single thing.

[FGA Office]

The hallways backstage at the Amalie Arena echo with a rhythmic sound of footsteps marching not just in perfect sync but also with a purpose, yet at the same time they sound noticeably different, as one set sound like somebody wearing a pair of heeled shoes making a high-pitched click-clack while the other sound like somebody wearing a pair of Doc Martins making a duller thumping sound, as the footsteps belong to Erin Mariani and Sara Mason respectively

As they walk through the hallways, Mason has a certain swagger in her step, a cockiness, which is certainly reflected by the thoughts that are occupying her mind

Sara Mason: ...the best part of it was that, after weeks of trying to be the cool kids shrugging off anything and everything we said would happen, they got shown up as one coasting off a long-lost reputation and the other as somebody who thinks a popularity contest is the be-all and end-all. I'd laugh in their faces, but what's the point - it'll feel that much better to laugh in their faces tonight.

For a fraction of a second the click-clack of Mariani's heeled shoes falls a fraction of a second after Mason's footsteps, as if they have stopped walking in sync for a brief moment in time - a moment so brief they are walking perfectly in sync again within a single footstep

Sara Mason: No wait, the best part is we haven't even had to dip into our box of tricks yet, we just let them lull themselves into a feeling of sorority, only to tear away their assumption they could handle us one-on-one, planting a seed of doubt in their minds that they dared to think we couldn't jam in there with the right amount of pressure.

Without slowing a step, Mason reaches around her neck and removes the necklace she's wearing - or, rather, the head of the Barbie doll that she and Izzy Anders were having a little contretemps over, with a neat little hole drilled from one ear to the other to fit the leather thong through, while only a few wisps of Barbie's blonde hair remain after Mason tore them out one strand at a time - and she holds it up to look it in the eyes, adopting a tone like she's talking to a child

Sara Mason: And it's such a pity I didn't get to add lil' Fujiko here to the bonfire. I guess you'll live to fight another day.

Mason stuffs the head into her pocket of her leather jacket, not noticing that Mariani's eyes have drifted fro the corridor in front of them to her own partner, but she does notice Mariani's pace slow this second time, which causes Mason to slow to the same speed and look towards Mariani

Sara Mason: ...too much?

Rather than answer the question, Mariani merely raises an eyebrow to say, yes, maybe it would be wise to not stray so far into the deep end

Sara Mason: Too much.

The second Mason acknowledges that pulling it in a touch would be wise, the duo once again pick up the pace of their walking

Erin Mariani: It will be glorious to watch them in that moment where they realise their downfall came not from our hand, but from their own hubris. They sought to mock, to dismiss, as they thought they knew what superiority was, no doubt feeling that they would be able to get away with it because that is how they coasted by for so long. Yet in doing so, all they have done is given us a reason to watch the light within their eyes dim...

Sara Mason: Well it's not like it was that bright in Fujicakes' eyes to begin with...

Mariai pauses and looks to Mason with an "Are you finished?" look, a look brought on less by the interruption and more for what she sees as Mason sinking to the levels of Izzy & Fujiko

Erin Mariani: ...and it will dim not because every fibre of their being is telling them to give in, it will dim as they realise that every single thing they assumed would lead them to victory has been snuffed out and they find themselves losing hope, finding themselves lost and unable to find a way out.

Mariani lets out the merest hint of a chuckle

Erin Mariani: Oh I know this task will hardly be the most straightforward, but this is where victory lies: when what they presumed would be a coronation is met with fierce, bloody resistance we shall see their cracks emerge between the two of them, as their mutual understanding corrodes into mistrust and self-interest as they begin to see one another as being less than what they had hoped. That is where the light begins to dim, and after that we shall control the light in their eyes' descent into darkness as we strip away anything they hoped would be enough to secure victory. And I am sure that will give anyone pause before they think of interrupting us ever again, because we didn't even need to unleash hell upon the two of them, we let them descend into hell all on their own and we just stood and watched.

There is no mere hint of a chuckle this time, as Mariani lets out a chuckle so dark it appears to chill the immediate vicinity of her - and Mason seems to concur with her partners' vision of their immediate future, judging by her snickering

Sara Mason: It's a shame, really, it was fun watching our prey willingly throw themselves upon the slab.

Mariani and Mason share a conspiratorial look, although a conspiracy to who knows what...but luckily Mariani gives us reason not to ponder that

Erin Mariani: Don't worry, there's always some fresh meat out there, the trick is knowing the best way to hunt it until it collapses in front of us, knowing the inevitability that awaits but almost thankful when it comes, as at last it will be freed from its suffering.

With the imagery conjured up by Mariani's last comment creating thoughts that it would be best not to consider, the two continue walking through the hallways - but the synchronised footsteps are barely audible, swallowed up by the two of them laughing at the thought of the poor unfortunate individuals who await them, but far more importantly just what they're willing to do to Izzy & Fujiko to shock the remainder of the tag division into submission...

[FGA Office]

FGA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Silk & Cyanide vs. Fujiko Mine & Izzy Anders

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

The beat of "Can you feel it?" kicks in, and the crowd bursts into cheers, knowing who is about to arrive. The funky beat quickly spreads through the arena, and the crowd begins stomping and clapping along as the song begins. The lights in the arena dim, with pink and gold spotlights swirling around the arena.


"If you look around
The whole world is coming together now...baby..."

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?!"

The crowd is getting heavily into the song, and as the Jacksons sing the title of the song, the lights in the arena bump brighter and brighter.


Feel it in the air, the wind is taking it everywhere...

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?!"

On the third one, A spotlight and the camera focuses in on the emerging figure of Fujiko Mine, who stands at one of the crowd entrances. Over her ring attire is a shirt that has her "Apex Goddess" logo on it. Behind her, the imposing XENA has her arms folded. Fujiko keeps her movements a bit reserved, but it is clear she is enjoying the music as the crowd is. She begins to make her way down the steps, dancing and bobbing down the steps until she reaches the arena floor.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for ONE fall and it is for the UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing the challengers! First, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Weighing in at 152 pounds! She is the “Apex Goddess”... FUJIKO MINE!

After maneuvering through a cleared aisle in the crowd, Fujiko reaches the ringside area, and follows it up with a graceful handspring onto and over the guardrail. She quickly runs up the steps, then hops onto the top turnbuckle. Xena clears the guardrail behind her, and a single spotlight converges on the woman known as the Apex Goddess. She hooks herself up on top, and as the title of the song comes around, she throws her hands up, fingers outstretched each time.

"Now, tell me..."

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?!"

Each time, blue and yellow streamers are thrown over her posing form. She takes any lingering streamers off her person, and then she comes down off the turnbuckle.

She motions for the crowd to join in, and they oblige, the entire arena filled as the crowd joins in...

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?"

"Can You Feel It?!"

Fujiko grins widely, then pulls the shirt off over her head and tosses it into the crowd. She then leans into the nearest corner before the match begins.

The hypnotic opening of “Bad Dreams” by Phantogram picks up throughout the arena and the lights fade into a cascade of fuschia and crimson.

♫ Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete
Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete ♫

As the colors play, the beats becomes harsher and invites Izzy Anders onto the stage. She dances around to the beat of the music until she makes to the center point of the stage. Scanning the arena with that Cheshire grin of hers, Izzy takes her time walking down the ramp. When she does, she does it with an egotistical saunter, knowing that she has the audience wrapped around her finger.

♫ To changing me
(And I believe this happened once before)
To changing me
(And I predict the world will be all gone)
To changing me
(And I can see the same things that you see)
To changing me
(‘Cause I predict the world) ♫

J.A. Aldridge: Her partner, fighting out of Holland, Michigan by way of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is “The Mindkiller” IZZY ANDERS!

Izzy climbs the ring apron, turning her back to the ring to stare at the audience. She shifts down the ropes until she reaches the turnbuckle, ascending it with a delicate air. From there, she reaches methodically for her eyepatch, removing it with flair. She lowers it into her mouth, giving it a playful bite and giving the hard cam a wink. Izzy then scales down the turnbuckle into the ring, taking her coat off. A stagehand receives it in the only way Izzy does, a dramatic fling meant to blanket them in the immense coat. The Mindkiller then takes a seat a little off center of the ring, at the very tip of her corner. She sits there with her legs crossed, staring out to the audience as her song dies out.

Kris Cruise: Alright, Stephy. Our third of four title matches here tonight is about to get underway. Out first are the challengers, Fujiko Mine and Izzy Anders. The time has finally come for them to get the title shot they won by winning the 2018 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament. History is on the line here and this one. Can The Joker and The Thief come away with the US Tag Titles?

Stephy Auger: Can they? Well sure, they can. But will they, Cruise? I don't think so. Silk & Cyanide have beaten every team that you have put into their path. It was game over for the Super Mario Wrestling Bros after they were brought to their knees. They then took those US Tag Titles from Lowri Moss and her little lapdog boyfriend Neal. Sara Mason and Erin Mariani have already beaten Izzy's "Wrestling Daughter" or whatever the heck it is she calls Lowri. Tonight, they send Fujiwater and Izzy home with nothing. Absolutely nothing. All this time mulling over which set of titles to go after, only to come away with nothing. it's gonna be great, Cruise!

The arena lights dim as the sound of a woman's laugh heavy with contempt echoes through the arena, which soon segues into the bassline of "She's Gone Away" signals the arrival of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason as the duo slink onto the entrance ramp and pause for a moment, as Mariani slowly runs her fingertip down the face of her title belt as Mason drops to a crouch to raise the title she's been dragging along the entranceway so it's next to her face, as the two look towards the ring with a combination of amusement and malice

You dig in places till your fingers bleed
Spread the infection, where you spill your seed

The pair turn their heads towards one another and share a conspiratorial look before they slowly turn their attention back towards the ring and without a moment's hesitation the pair begin to walk towards the ring, keeping in step with one another and maintaining focus on what they have planned for the sorry individuals that think they stand a chance at taking their titles away from them

I can't remember what she came here for
I can't remember much of anything anymore

Once the duo reach ringside Mariani climbs the ring steps and climbs the ropes so she's perched with one foot upon the top turnbuckle as she literally holds her title belt over Her opponents' heads while, at the same time, Mason dives under the bottom rope and slides into the ring and quickly rises to a knee and looks directly towards their entertainment for this evening with her belt clenched in her hands

J.A. Aldridge: They’re opponents, weighing in at a total combined weight of 248 pounds! They are the reigning… defending… FGA United States Tag Team Champions! They are the team of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason… SILK & CYANIDE!

She's gone, she's gone, she's gone away
She's gone, she's gone, she's gone away

Having staked their place in the ring, Mariani vaults over the ropes and twists in mid-air so she lands on Her feet in the corner while looking directly towards the opponent while Mason slowly crawls back towards the same corner while maintaining a stare in the opponent's direction the entire time before she reaches to her sides to pull herself into a crouching position

Away...
Away...

As the duo await the opening bell Mason glares towards towards the opponents with her title belt slung over her shoulder, daring them to come a little closer to see what will happen, while Mariani places her belt on her partner's free shoulder and wears a bemused smirk upon Her face knowing full well what the duo have in mind for the poor souls standing across the ring from them

Kris Cruise: I will give Silk & Cyanide this. They know how to play the game. They've been able to get the best of their opponents since arriving here in FGA. But I honestly feel that they may have met their match here tonight. These last several months have done nothing but make the partnership between Fujiko and Izzy stronger. Silk & Cyanide have tried like hell to toy with their challengers and try to turn them against each other. But the Dynamic Duos winners continue to stand together as one, despite Mason & Mariani's best efforts to break them apart.

Stephy Auger: Fujiko and Izzy can continue to act cocky, brush off Silk & Cyanide and act like their words aren't getting to them. But we all know that the words of Mason & Mariani have hit close to him. We know that it's affecting them on the inside. The mental game has already been won, Cruise. Not to mention that Silk & Cyanide head into tonight will all the momentum after beating Fujiko and Izzy one on one last time on Vertigo. Fujiko and Izzy are supposed to be the singles stars. Fujiko's supposed to be the "Apex Predator" or whatever. Singles competition is supposed to be their specialty. Yet what happened? They got beat by Sara Mason and Erin Mariani! Tonight, Silk & Cyanide finish what they started and send these two to the back of the line!

The bell sounds as Fujiko and Mason start things off. After jockeying for position, Mason muscles Fujiko across the ring and against the ropes. The ref is quick to rush over and give them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

As soon as both grapplers break, Mason tries to cheapshot Fujiko with a cross chop to the throat. But Fujiko is able to duck out of the way. Once Mason turns around, the crowd cheers when Fujiko nails her with multiple forearms to the face. She goes for an irish whip. After Mason quickly reverses, Fujiko heads into the ropes. When she returns, she slides through Masons legs. Once Mason turns around, Fujiko get up and feeds her foot to Mason. The crowd gasps and cheers when Fujiko quickly goes for The Bliss (backflip flash kick)!

Stephy Auger: AH!

But Mason is quick to spin out of the way. After Fujiko flips back and lands on her feet, Mason rushes over to attack. But she gets knocked back with a handstand calf kick. After returning to her feet, Fujiko runs over and brings Mason down with a headscissors. Mason gets back to her feet, only to get thrown back down with an arm drag. A japanese arm drag sends Mason back down to the canvas. When Mason gets back up, Fujiko runs forward and connects with a front dropkick, sending Mason to the mat and rolling to the outside. While Mason tries to regroup, Fujiko turns and heads into the far ropes. After the Apex Goddess returns, she motions for a dive to the outside. When Mason turns out of the way to escape, Fujiko kicks her foot off the middle rope, flips back and lands in a superhero pose to cheers and applause from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: Pff, showoff!

Mason rolls back in and rushes over to Fujiko. But she’s brought down to the mat with a drop toe. The Apex Goddess rolls across Mason’s back before placing her in a front facelock. The ref is quick to get down and asks Mason if she wants to give up. She refuses. Fujiko then pulls Mason back to her feet, pulls her over towards her team’s corner and allows Izzy Anders to tag herself in.

Once Izzy gets in, she nails Mason with a punch to the midsection. She then takes control of the arm and wrenches it. Anders then delivers another arm wrench. Then a third. The ref checks back in with Mason to see if she wants to give up. When Mason refuses, Anders tries to rip the arm from out of its socket. She yanks the arm again. This time, Mason is brought down to the mat. After Mason gets back to her feet, Anders brings her back down to the mat after trying to rip the arm from out of its socket. She then transitions into a standing armbar. The ref checks in with Mason once more to see if she ways to give up. After Mason refuses, The Mindkiller adds insults to injury by paint brushing the back of Mason’s head with her hand. An annoyed Mason gets back to her feet and uses her free arm to move Anders into the corner. The ref is quick to head over and give them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

After both grapplers breaks, Mason goes for another cross chop to the throat. This time, the chop gets swatted down. Anders quickly follows up with a Stockton Slap that knocks Mason back a few steps.

Kris Cruise: Oh my!

Stephy Auger:

Mason shakes off the blow before charging back into the corner. This time, she gets knocked back by a boot to the face. Once Mason shakes off the blow, she rushes back in and throws out a lariat. But Anders is quick to slip out of the way. When Mason turns around, she gets greeted with another Stockton Slap across the face!

Kris Cruise: Mason got the taste slapped out of her mouth for the second time tonight!

Anders nails Mason with a kick to the midsection before sending her into the far corner with an irish whip. Anders charges in to attack before getting knocked back by a back elbow. Mason comes out of the corner and throws out another lariat. But Anders is able to duck before running into the ropes. Instead of coming back, Anders hooks her arm around the top rope. Mason charges forward to attack when The Mindkiller pulls down the rope, sending Mason tumbling to the outside!

While Mason picks herself up, Anders turns and runs into the far ropes. When Anders returns, she motions for a dive before quickly transitioning into a Tranquilo Roll! Anders smirks at Mason while motioning at the tag champ to come at her. Up from behind comes Erin Mariani, who throws out an elbow drop. But Anders rolls out of the way. When Mariani turns over onto a knee, she sees Anders posing on the mat and motioning for her to come at her. Mariani gets up and throws out another elbow drop. But again, Anders rolls out of the way. As Mason climbs back up onto the apron, the crowd cheers after Anders quickly grabs Mariani and delivers an irish whip, sending Mariani crashing into Mason!

While Mason falls off the apron, Mariani stumbles back towards Anders. The Mindkiller then takes control of Mariani’s back before knocking her down with the Black Song (Hammerlock Lariat)! Back on the outside, Fujiko runs along the apron, hops off and brings Mason down with a flying hurricanrana! She then picks up Mason before rolling her back inside. As soon as Mason gets back in, Anders rushes over to put the boots to her. The Mindkiller pulls up Mason, hammerlocks her arms, runs forward and then throws her against the turnbuckles. She then steps out onto the apron, grabs Mason by the arm and jumps to the floor to deliver an armbreaker across the top rope. While Mason turns away and staggers towards the center of the ring, Anders slides back in, runs back Mason into the ropes, comes back and knocks her down with a running European Uppercut! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason kicks out.

Kris Cruise: The challenger continued to stay in control of this match, Stephy! Silk & Cyanide have stumbled out of the starting blocks here tonight!

Stephy Auger: Just be quiet, Cruise. We are far from done here.

The Mindkiller yanks up Mason by the wrist, delivers an arm wrench, pulls her into the corner and tags Fujiko back in. The Apex Goddess scales to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and delivers a double axe handle smash across the arm. After wrenching the arm, Fujiko tags Anders back in. While Fujiko holds Mason’s arm out, The Mindkiller rushes over and delivers a European Uppercut to it. After delivers another arm wrench, she yanks the arm before delivering multiple short-arm shoulder blocks. Mason drops back down to a knee before Anders applies another standing armbar.

Kris Cruise: The Mindkiller has continued to target the arm of Sara Mason. She desperately needs to make the tag to Mariani and soon!

Stephy Auger: You think she doesn't want to? You think she's in there just willingly taking punishment from Anders?

Kris Cruise: Well... I mean... given what Mason and Mariani are allegedly into away from the ring...

Stephy Auger: Oh just shut up, Cruise!

The ref gets back over and asks Mason if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She then battles back to her feet, moves Anders into the near ropes and then shoves her off into the far ropes. When Anders returns, she knocks Mason down with a running shoulder block to the worked over arm. The Mindkiller drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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.
Mason kicks out.

Anders takes Mason’s arm, presses it down on the canvas and delivers rapid knee drops to it. The Mindkiller is then quick to transition into a top shoulder lock. Mason groans as soon as Anders applies pressure. The official checks back in with Mason and asks her if she wants to quit. Again, she refuses. The Mindkiller then pulls Mason up into a seated position. After delivering a hard soccer kick to the spine, she points to a random fan in the crowd before heading into the ropes. When Anders returns, she throws out A Gift For You (Runnking PK)! But instead of getting hit with the kick, Mason wisely rolls to the outside. The crowd erupts with boos as Silk & Cyanide regroup at ringside.

Kris Cruise: Mason has wisely rolled to the outside. Silk & Cyanide need to draw up some new plays because thus far, nothing has worked for them.

Erin & Mason continue to go over strategy while Mason shakes her arm. Once the plan is agreed upon, Mason slowly walks up the steps. She then points to Anders before pointing over in the corner to Fujiko. The Mindkiller gladly heads over and tags Fujiko back in. The Apex Goddess then waits for Mason in the center of the ring. Mason slowly steps back in through the ropes. The two then begin to circle the ring… until Mason runs over and kicks the bottom, narrowly missing Xena. Xena slaps the canvas before motioning for Mason to come to the outside. Mason just smirks while she circles the two.

Kris Cruise: What was that about?

Stephy Auger: What, you've never had to urge to kick that ogre in the face?

Both Mason and Fujiko continue to circle the ring… until Mason turns and gives Anders a taste of her own medicine by slapping her across the face!

Kris Cruise: Oh dear...

The Mindkiller tires to step back in, she’s held back by the official. While Anders argues with the ref, Mariani runs up and tries to attack Fujiko from behind. But the Apex Goddess is able to double her over with a back kick to the midsection. When she turns her attention back to Mason, she gets doubled over with a knee strike. The crowd erupts with boos as Silk & Cyanide strike down across Fujiko’s back with a barrage of double ax handle smashes!

Stephy Auger: NOW WE'RE TALKING! Get her! Get her!

Once Fujiko drops down to a knee, Silk & Cyanide switch to clubbing strikes and back rakes. Mariani then knocks Fujiko down to the mat with a hard knee lift to the face. The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide stomp the hell out of Fujiko.

Kris Cruise: Silk & Cyanide are kicking and stomping away at Fujiko Mine! The ref needs to get in there and gets some order back in this match!

Xena’s had enough of this and rolls into the ring. She goes after Silk & Cyanide. But she’s unable to get her hands on the champs as they roll to safety.

Stephy Auger: What is she doing in there? I thought she learned from what happened at Final Frontier. APPARENTLY NOT!

Xena motions for Silk & Cyanide to get back inside, but the champs are in no rush. The ref then sees Xena in the ring and immediately points to the back.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Stephy Auger: No, Cruise! That... THING has no business being inside there. Get her out of here!

The crowd continues to boo while the ref tells Xena a second time that she’s been thrown out.

Kris Cruise: The challengers just went from having everything going their way to having everything go wrong in a matter of seconds!

Stephy Auger: That's how good Silk & Cyanide are, Cruise! I tried to tell you, but you wanted to write them off because they had a few bad minutes at the start of this match. Well look at them now!

A fuming Xena reluctantly agrees and rolls to the outside. She then storms up the ramp with her hands on her hips.

Stephy Auger: ... and don't come back!

Back to the ring, Mason rolls back in before pulling the boots to Fujiko. She then takes the Apex Goddess by the hair and drags her over just underneath the bottom rope. After hooking her arms around Fujiko’s legs, Mason leans back and catapults Fujiko throat-first against the bottom rope! The crowd boos while Fujiko immediately holds her throat. Mason then motions the ref over towards her. While Mason has the ref check for something in her eye, Mariani goes behind the ref’s back and gouges Fujiko’s eyes! The crowd erupts with boos at the blatant cheating!

Kris Cruise: Come on, ref! Turn around!

Stephy Auger: Whaaaat? He's busy seeing if the lady got something in her eye.

Kris Cruise: Oh cut it out, Stephy!

Anders hops down to the floor and runs down ringside!

Kris Cruise: The Mindkiller's had enough of this and I can't say I blame her!

After Anders rounds the ring post, Mariani lets go of Fujiko and slides back in. After Anders rolls back in, Mason nails her with a running elbow tackle, sending The Mindkiller through the ropes and to the floor. Mariani rolls back to the outside, grabs Anders, runs down ringside and throws her hard against the steel steps!

Stephy Auger: Ouch! That sounded like it hurt. I bet it did!

While Mariani makes her way around ringside and back towards the Silk & Cyanide corner, Mason brings Fujiko to a seated position before heading into the ropes. When Mason returns, the crowd boos when she flattens Fujiko with a sliding clothesline! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mason picks up Fujiko and delivers an irish whip. As soon as Fujiko hits the ropes, Mariani nails her with a knee to the back. Fujiko staggers over towards Mason and gets doubled over with a knee to the midsection. The boos continues as Mason delivers the Aenigma (Mason rolls up the opponent into a kneeling position with a schoolboy, where she grabs their head and slams it into the mat)! She then pulls Fujiko back up onto her knees before bringing her down with the Falling Idol (hangman’s neckbreaker to a kneeling opponent)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mason heads over and tags Mariani in. The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide deliver a double arm wrench followed by stereo palm thrusts to the chest! While Fujiko is sprawled out on the mat, Mason and Mariani head into opposite sets of ropes. When they return, Mariani hits a handspring moonsault just as Mason delivers a running leg drop! Mariani hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mariani heads over and tags Mason back in. Mariani heads over and holds up Fujiko while Mason climbs the turnbuckles. Once Mason gets to the top, Silk & Cyanide deliver The Pleasure Principle (Mariani holds the opponent in a front facelock while Mason delivers a diving back rake)! Mason then pulls Fujiko into another front facelock before bringing her down with a jumping front facelock into a double knee chestbreaker)! Mason pushes Fujiko over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Fujiko gets her foot on the bottom rope.

The crowd boos when Mariani kicks Fujiko’s foot off the ropes while Mason stays covering with a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mason goes over and tags Mariani back in. Mason heads into the far corner as Mariani gets in, slams Fujiko face-first into the top turnbuckle and then sends her slumping down in the corner with multiple forearm strikes. Mason then runs across the only, only for Mariani to hip toss her into Fujiko for a cannonball senton! Mariani then runs into the opposite corner, ricochets off the turnbuckles, charges back across the ring and delivers the Libertine (running double stomp to seated opponent in the corner)! After slowly pulling up Fujiko by the hair, Mariani sends her into the far corner with an irish whip. She then runs across the ring, jumps onto Fujiko and then throws her out of the corner with a monkey flip. While Fujiko is down on the mat, Mariani hoists herself up onto the middle ropes. Mariani is salivating while she sizes up the Apex Goddess. Just then, the crowd cheers when Anders climbs up onto the apron and knocks Mariani down with a step-up enzuigiri to the back of the head!

Stephy Auger: Where the heck did she come from!?

The Mindkiller steps back in, rushes across the ring and socks Mason with a punch that drops her to the apron! When Anders turns around, she runs across the ring and flattens Mariani with a Shining Yakuza Kick!

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders has returned to the ring and has dropped both members of Silk & Cyanide!

Stephy Auger: She's not even the legal man! Get her out of there, ref!

Kris Cruise: You had no problem with Mariani helping Mason double team Fujiko when she wasn't the legal man!

Stephy Auger: ... yeah, but that was different...

Anders picks up Mariani before scoping her up across her shoulder. She turns to run across the ring and lawn dart Mariani into the corner. But she’s cut off by Mason with a running elbow tackle! Silk & Cyanide pull up Anders before doubling her over with punches to the midsection. The crowd then erupts with boos when Silk & Cyanide take Anders, runs and launch her over the top rope and to the outside with a double hip toss!

Kris Cruise: Good God! Silk & Cyanide just chucked Anders over the top rope and to the floor! Did you hear the impact on that fall!?

Stephy Auger: How could I not?

Mariani drops down to a knee across the ring. After Mason picks up Fujiko, she rushes over to deliver the Vow (one-handed bulldog by Mason across Mariani’s knee). But at the last second, Fujiko shoves off, sending Mason crashing into Mariani!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko countered!

Stephy Auger: What?

When Mariani gets back up, Fujiko rushes over and delivers a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, heading Mariani crashing into Mason! The crowd cheers as Mason is knocked through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: It looked like Silk & Cyanide were well on their way to keeping their US Tag Titles! But Fujiko Mine is still fighting with everything she's got.

Back inside, Fujiko takes Mariani and whips her into the corner. The Apex Goddess runs in to attack when Mariani counters with a back elbow to the face. The boo birds take over when Mariani turns away from Fujiko before delivering the Morning Spider Despair (headscissors driver into the turnbuckles)! Mariani makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mariani pulls up Fujiko by the hair… and then brings her back down with an inverted side headlock takeover. She then heads towards the ropes, bounces back and delivers a handspring moonsault across Fujiko’s back! She then pulls Fujiko over before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mariani takes Fujiko and whips her hard into the corner. After crashing sternum-first into the turnbuckles, Fujiko stumbles back towards Mariani and gets brought down with a double knee backbreaker! Mariani makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Mariani picks up Fujiko and nails her with four forearm strikes before throwing her down hard with a bridging backdrop suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not a three count!? Fujiko was just dropped on her damn head! That should have been in!

Mariani picks up Fujiko and pulls her into a front facelock. She then nails Fujiko with multiple knee lifts before cinching in the hold. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. When she refuses, sinks in the hold even tighter.

Kris Cruise: Mariani couldn't put Fujiko away with a pinfall. So now she's trying to either get the submission or choke Fujiko out!

Fujiko tries to pull Mariani’s arm from around her neck. But it’s to no avail. The official checks back in with Fujiko and sees if she wants to quit. Once again, the Apex Goddess refuses. She then reaches out towards her corner. There’s no one there…








… until The Mindkiller pulls herself up on the apron.

Stephy Auger: How is she back up!?

Anders can be seen reaching her arm out for the tag. But they’re well out of reach of each other. Fujiko then groans as she puts one foot forward, then the other. Fujiko then puts her right foot forward again, then the left. Mariani looks around as Fujiko slowly pushes them towards the corner.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko is pushing forward! The Apex Goddess is using every ounce of energy she has left to push herself towards the corner!

Stephy Auger: No no no...

Mariani can be seen shaking her head in disbelief as the capacity crowd is solidly behind the 2018 Dynamic Duos Winners. Anders reaches out as much as she can for the tag. But Fujiko’s still out of range.

Kris Cruise: Come on Fujiko! You're almost there!

The crowd continues to rally behind Fujiko as she slowly muscles her way forward. Mariani tries her best to keep Fujiko at bay. But the Apex Goddess is bound and determined to make the hot tag.

Stephy Auger: I can't believe this is happening!

Just as Fujiko’s in Anders’ range, Mariani calls for Mason to get in. Mason then gets in to stop Fujiko. But she ends up getting stopped by the official. The crowd cheers as the ref stops Mason from interfering.

Kris Cruise: Finally!

While Mason and the ref argue, Anders steps in, turns Mariani towards he and wallops her with a roundhouse kick to the face. The Mindkiller then rolls Fujiko out onto the air before making a loud clap. The ref turns around and appears to recognize the “tag”.

Stephy Auger: HEY!

Anders takes Mariani and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Mariani around, Anders nails her with multiple European Uppercuts that rock her head! She then sends Mariani into the far corner before charging across the ring and rocking her with a running European Uppercut! The Mindkiller steps away from the corner, only to quick turn, dart over and knock Mason off the apron with a yakuza kick!

Kris Cruise: Mason got all of that boot to the face!

The Mindkiller marches over and sends Mariani slumping down in the corner with MUDA MUDA MUDA (machine gun punches)! After pulling up Mariani, she pulls Mariani out of the corner… and then scoops her up across her shoulder. The Mindkiller turns, runs across the ring and launches Mariani into the corner with a lawn dart! Mariani lands awkwardly in the corner before bouncing off the turnbuckles. The cheers continue as Anders pulls up Mariani, lifts her up across her shoulder and brings her down with a fireman's carry neckbreaker! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

The crowd boos when Mariani gets her shoulder up.

Anders picks up Mariani before pulling her into a standing headscissors. She lifts Mariani up onto her shoulders, heads across the ring and throws her down with a Running Liger Bomb! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd boos when Mariani gets her shoulder up.

Anders picks up Mariani and takes control of her back. She goes for another Black Song. But this time, Mariani ducks the lariat and quickly hooks her arms around Anders’ waist to deliver a bridging backdrop suplex. Before she can lift Anders up, Anders counters with elbows to the head. She then quickly turns Mariani away, hooks her away from behind and brings her down with a Snap Dragon Suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd sighs and boos when Mariani gets her shoulder up.

The Mindkiller throws Mariani down with a snapmare before pointing to a random fan. She then turns and hits the ropes. Instead of Anders coming back, she’s held in place after Mason reaches back in and wraps her arms around her leg! The crowd erupts with boos while Mason refuses to let go.

Kris Cruise: Mason's holding onto Anders' leg for dear life, just like they're hanging onto those Tag Titles for dear life at this point in the match!

Mason yanks Anders down to the mat. Anders then turns over and nails Mason with multiple kicks to the face. The last of which knocks Mason back a few steps. While Mason is dazed, Fujiko charges across the ring and knocks Mason down with a single leg springboard plancha off the middle rope!!! The crowd explodes with cheers and applause for the Apex Goddess! Back inside, Anders lights up Mariani with Dirty Dancin’ (Kick Flurry)! She then pulls Mariani into a front facelock before driving her down with the Three Enemigos (triple rolling DDTs)! After the last DDT, Anders rolls over, pulls Mariani back up, lifts her up and then plants her with the Shotgun Party II (Ki Krusher)! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with cheers over the title change.

Kris Cruise: THAT'S IT! IT'S OVER, STEPHY! IT'S OVER!

Stephy Auger: ...

"Bad Dreams" blares throughout the arena while Fujiko slowly rolls back into the ring. The Apex Goddess pulls herself up slowly with the ropes while the official is being handed the US Tag Titles.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… AAAAAAAAAAAAND NEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW United States Tag Team Champions, IZZY ANDERS and FUJIKO MINE!!!!!

The referee hands Fujiko her half of the US Tag Titles before going over to give The Mindkiller her half of the belts. He then makes his way back to Fujiko and raises her arm in the air. The Apex Goddess uses her other hand to raise the Tag Title. She's met with an explosion of cheers and applause from the capacity crowd. The official heads over towards Anders to raise her hand. He starts to raise Anders' hand to cheers, as well as some boos, from the crowd. The Apex Goddess takes the official's hand and lowers it back down. After Fujiko and Izzy stare at each other, the Apex Goddess takes the hand of The Mindkiller and raises it in the air. Anders is met with applause from the crowd here in Tampa. The new champions then clink their titles together before exiting the ring.

Kris Cruise: THEY'VE DONE IT! THEY'VE DONE! THEY'VE DONE WHAT MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, STEPHY! THEY CAME TOGETHER AS A UNIT! THEY FOUGHT HARD IN THE RING AND FOUGHT HARD OUTSIDE OF IT TO PUT ASIDE THEIR PAST ISSUES! THEY WON LAST YEAR'S DYNAMIC DUOS TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT! AND NOW, THEY ARE YOUR NEW UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! IZZY ANDERS IS NOW A TRIPLE CROWN AND GRAND SLAM WINNER HERE IN FGA! FUJIKO MINE IS A MATCH AWAY FROM ACCOMPLISHING THE SAME FEAT! UNBELIEVABLE, STEPHY! UNBELIEVABLE!

Stephy Auger: ...

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage again to where The Tenacious Little Bastard is standing alone in the New Murder locker room. The sounds of IDLES’ ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’ playing faintly in the background as Harter slides his arms into the sleeves of his leather jacket, emblazoned with the familiar crow of The New Murder merchandise. Dom turns all the way around to face the camera, showing off the bandana and ‘Dom Harter: Best High Flyer’ t-shirt beneath the jacket, as well as his usual ring attire.

Dom Harter: It’s time to make things right again…

He states, matter-of-factly, as he rolls his head from side to side to work out those kinks.

Dom Harter: To fix the mistakes of the past. To make up for what’s gone wrong recently because, as is my nature, I was too kind, and too generous to a certain somebody. Namely, Johnny Karma.

Harter runs a hand through his hair as he takes in a deep breath.

Dom Harter: This is what I get for being the most generous man in pro wrestling! Because every step of the way, ever since that fateful day, Johnny Karma has done nothing but disrespect me and my offer. Because Johnny Karma stood in the middle of that ring after losing the FGA Undisputed title, after losing to Logan Alexander, after failing in the Frontier Lions Cup, after losing to Brian Stryker! He stood in the middle of that ring and told you all, he told every single one of us that he’d retire at the end of this year if he couldn’t win the FGA World Championship again…

Harter pats his chest a couple of times.

Dom Harter: But I offered him a way out. A chance for redemption. A means to keep wrestling for you fans, the fans he claims to love. I did that because I care. Because I’m that kind of man…but what did Johnny Karma do?

The rhetorical question hangs in the air for a moment as Dom jabs his finger at the camera.

Dom Harter: He let you all down. He spat in my face! Figuratively speaking. He decided that it was all or nothing, like the selfish putz he’s always been. And even–even when I gave him a second chance. When I gave him a shot at happiness, he threw that back in my face. And then proceeded to lose to Mark Bisley. But then tragedy struck. After being disrespected, after having all my kind words thrown back in my face, the universe–Fortuna herself–it conspired against me and allowed Johnny Karma to snake a victory out from under me in that fatal fourway tag match. It allowed him to ruin the reunion of the Tenacious Wrecking Crew. And to spoil the night for all of you…

Pause.

Dom Harter: And that bothers me. But! I’m not going to stand here ranting and raving about how Johnny Karma pinned me that night, or how he got lucky. I’m not going to stand here and complain about that title match eighteen months ago…it’s in the past…let it go!

He almost sounds sincere. Almost.

Dom Harter: Because tonight–Revelations–this is about making things right again. With or without you, Johnny Karma, we–The New Murder–we’re going to keep moving forward. And with or without you Johnny Karma, I’m setting my sights on that FGA World Championship. And if that means I have to win the Gold Rush Rumble again – for the third time! – then I’ll do that. If I have to win the Frontier Lions Cup, and finally complete my Golden Crown – then I’ll do that. I’ll become the Best High Flyer along the way, because what’s one more obstacle along the way! But if there’s a battle royal, or beat the clock challenge, or whatever it takes to get myself back on top! Then that’s what I’ll do. But what I can’t stand, Johnny, is somebody like you getting in my way.

Harter shakes his head as he runs a hand through his hair once again, mouthing the word no a couple of times as he does so.

Dom Harter: Look at yourself. You’re practically already defeated, Johnny. One foot out the door. This is your swansong now. And as talented as you are, as much as you’ve achieved here in FGA – you remain your own worst enemy. And maybe it’s time you move aside, Johnny, and let me take FGA back and carry it on my shoulders again. Because you boys have had your fun, you’ve had your time, but I’m ready–The New Murder is ready to take this promotion back now. And that starts tonight…

Dom emphasises the last word before he pulls the bandana up over his mouth. His eyes light up as he looks from side to side, obviously grinning beneath those octopus tentacles, as he walks away and the scene fades to black.

[FGA Office]

Our scene fades in on a shot of the Chief pacing back and forth, drumming his fingers against his chin with one hand, World Title gripped against his shoulder with the other. It’s likely that he’s still in his locker room judging by the nondescript background.

Evan Envi: I told Richard to stay in the back tonight. I thought it’d be better that way. Less drama. Less reason for Fujiko to point a finger at me and accuse me of owing her something. This-- this business with her chasing my World Title is really complicating things, you know that?

It’s not immediately clear who Envi is talking to, but we pan out a bit as he drops the World Title from his shoulder into his hand, massaging the bridge of his nose, accompanied with a tiny stress groan.

Evan Envi: I mean, Fujiko obviously wants me for my mind, my body, and my warm, nurturing-yet-masculine spirit, but how am I supposed to open myself to her when she’s always lurking, planning the next attack?

Evan shakes his head, looking down at the World Title.

Evan Envi: Now I know how Andre Rison felt when Left Eye burned his house down. There’s a void in my heart, Nat.

Evan perks an eyebrow up, turning himself slightly.

Evan Envi: Nat? Are you even listening?

Evan turns all the way around and our camera pans out, revealing Natalie McKinley half-sitting, half-balancing on a silver, oversized medicine ball, gaze falling just past the Chief before she abruptly snaps to, turning to look at him.

Natalie McKinley: Sorry. I didn’t know you were… still going.

Evan blinks hard, recoiling a bit.

Evan Envi: Wow. Something wrong?

Natalie sighs a little, pushing herself to her feet. She scratches at her brow for a moment, as if pondering, before shrugging her shoulders at the Chief.

Natalie McKinley: No. Just… you’ve been rambling about the same thing and talking in circles for however long. Didn’t seem like you really needed me to be an active participant in the conversation.

Evan scoffs.

Evan Envi: Well, SOR-RY, Nat. I’m about to engage in hand-to-hand combat with my soulmate and nobody has ANY empathy. Sorry if I can’t exactly keep my mind straight! Hmph!

A small,bitter laugh as Natalie shakes her head.

Natalie McKinley: Yeah. You’re way past that point.

Evan giveaway McKinley a sidelong glance, narrowing his eyes.

Evan Envi: Anyway. I wanted to ask you a question.

Natalie’s face indicates that she knows what’s coming. Her face falls and her neck tenses.

Natalie McKinley: No…

Evan Envi: I want you to come out to ringside during the main event--

Natalie McKinley: No--

Evan Envi: I’ll never ask you to do this again. I swear! I just need some insurance to make sure—

Natalie McKinley: Evan, no. You told me that last time was the last time. And then you told me the time before that was the last time.

Evan Envi: I--

Natalie McKinley: I’ve had your back every single time you asked. But now you’re asking me to do something I explicitly told you over and over was not okay. You and Ricky do not get to pit me against my friends.

Evan sighs loudly and closes his eyes for a moment, nodding.

Evan Envi: I know. I know. That’s my bad. My fault. I just… all I want to do tonight is end this as clean as I can so we can move away from this. You, me, Fujiko, Ricky— everyone. You don’t have to do anything for me. Okay? I just-- I just thought it would be really, really awesome if you stood at ringside and made sure no one comes down that ramp. Then we can be done! Isn’t that what we want?

Natalie is silent, prompting Evan brings his hands together in a pleading motion.

Evan Envi: I don’t think Fujiko would have a problem with you preventing interference. Do you?

McKinley doesn’t even meet Evan’s gaze, looking away, arms folded. Envi moves into her field of vision, eyebrows raised.

Evan Envi: And when I win this match by myself, I swear to God you will never ever have to deal with this again. Ever.

Evan puts his palm together, visibly, silently mouthing the word “please” over and over as Natalie bites her lip, hands on her hips, trying her best to come up with a more effective way to say no, but a long groan is all that comes out until…

Natalie McKinley: ...fine.

Evan Envi smiles broadly and throws his arms around McKinley in a tight hug. Natalie rolls her eyes, refusing to reciprocate the gesture. Evan pulls back and pulls his World Title back onto his shoulder.

Evan Envi: That’s the solidarity I was looking for, Nat. You always pull through. I owe you.

Natalie McKinley: I feel like I’ve heard that.

Evan either doesn’t hear the comment or chooses to ignore it as he turns toward the dressing room door, pulling it open. He gestures toward the corridor.

Evan Envi: Shall we?

Natalie looks at him in silence for a few seconds before moving past him and out the door, leading the way to the gorilla position. Envi closes the dressing room door behind them and our scene fades away.

[FGA Office]

CO-MAIN EVENT
SINGLES MATCH
Johnny Karma vs. Dom Harter

I THINK YOU’VE GOT A LOW SELF OPINION MAN
I SEE YOU STANDING ALL BY YOURSELF

The opening chords of “Low Self Opinion” begin to play throughout the arena as the crowd really, really begin to boo. After nearly twenty seconds or so, Dom Harter finally steps out from behind the curtain, and the boos only grow louder than before! The Tenacious Little Bastard throws his arms out to either side as he surveys the scene, soaking in the boos and the jeers. Slowly, Harter pulls the bandana down from over his face to reveal the ever familiar crooked grin plastered on his face, before posing with his arms out to the side again.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall! Introducing first, hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 235 pounds! He is “The Tenacious Little Bastard” DOM HARTER!

Harter begins to stride down the aisle, nodding his head to the music as he pays little mind to the FGA fans. They continue booing though, as Harter climbs up the ring steps. He stops on the apron, wiping his feet before he climbs in through the middle rope; once inside the squared circle, Harter climbs up to the middle rope, and removes his leather jacket and bandana, ready for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: It's time for our co-main event! Out first is the leader of the New Murder, Dom Harter!

Stephy Auger: It didn't have to be like this, Cruise! This match never had to take place. All would have been well if Karma simply humbled himself, knew his role in this world and took his place at Harter's side. Instead, instead of embracing The New Murder, he CROSSED The New Murder. Everyone knows you NEVER cross The New Murder. What happens here tonight, that's all on Karma's head. He brought this all onto himself.

The arena lights flash in a myriad of different colours in time with John Bonham's quite remarkably epic drum intro that is filling the arena, and just as it reaches a crescendo Cherry Baum emerges at the top of the ramp, standing to one side to introduce the man they call Johnny Karma, to the Frontier Wrestling Arts fanbase - at which point he walks out onto the ramp before coming to a halt and uses a couple of fingers to blow a kiss to the fans, pausing to hold his arm in the air for a couple of seconds to signal his arrival

As he and Cherry begin to walk down the ramp, Karma unfastens the cuffs of his ring jacket while also talking some last minute preparation with Cherry as they get ever closer to the ring

As the pair reach ringside, Cherry quickly climbs onto the ring apron and sits on the middle rope to hold it open, as Karma climbs the ring steps and walks along the apron, turning to face the audience and slowly raising an arm before raising his index finger to let everyone know that he is #1, before he steps through the ropes into the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Queens, New York! Weighing in at 233 pounds… JOHNNY KARMA!

Once inside the ring, Karma unzips his ring jacket before he climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle and holds his arms out wide to soak in the crowd's cheers

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay

Once he climbs down from the turnbuckles, Karma crosses the ring and climbs onto the opposite turnbuckle to salute the fans

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
It's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home
Oh well, oh well, oh well

Climbing down once again, Karma saunters towards the centre of the ring and once again uses a couple of fingers to blow a kiss to the crowd before raising his arm high above his head with those two fingers still extended, and he holds the pose for a few seconds.

Kris Cruise: Karma has pride in himself, Stephy. He doesn't respect the way that Harter conducts business. He knows the hit his career has taken over the past few months. He knows he's in a slump. But if he's going to snap out of it and get back to the top of FGA, he's going to do it on his own. Even if it was someone that Karma respected that came to him and made an offer to join their ranks, I'm sure Karma would still decline because he wants to get back to the top on his own.

Stephy Auger: Well Karma didn't politely decline. He refused! He disrespect The Tenacious Little Bastard and now, he's about to be in for a world of hurt!

Karma starts things off with a hard right hand to the face! The cheers continue as Karma nails Harter with another right hand. Harter then answers back with a right hand of his own. Karma nails Harter with another right hand! Harter answers back with another right hand of his own. Karma socks Harter with another right hand! Harter goes to answer back when Karma cuts him off with another hard right hand! He then socks Harter again with another punch! Karma motions for a haymaker when Harter rakes him across the eyes! The boos continue as Harter turns and runs into the ropes. When he comes back, the boos turn to cheers when Karma knocks him down with an NYC Uppercut (running European Uppercut)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Karma with the first nearfall of the match.

Karma takes Harter, moves him into the corner and delivers five knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena! He then takes Harter and sends him into the far corner with an irish whip. Karma then runs across the ring to attack when Harter counters with a back elbow to the face. The crowd boos after Harter hops out onto the apron before bringing Karma down with the Cutter Boi (slingshot cutter)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Nice move there by Harter for the two count.

Stephy Auger: That was more than just a 'nice move', Cruise. That was the Cutter Boi!

Harter takes Karma and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. He then turns Karma towards him before doubling him over with hard shoulder thrusts to the gut. He then lifts up Karma’s head by his chin before rocking him with a European Uppercut! After a second European Uppercut, Harter sends Karma slumping down into the corner with multiple stomps to the chest! He then applies a foot choke while pulling down on the top rope. The ref is quick to give Harter until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… F-

Harter lets go. While Karma can be seen gasping for air, The Tenacious Little Bastard makes his way over towards Cherry Baum and bats his eyebrows up and down.

Kris Cruise: Get a load of this, Stephy! Harter's got some nerve!

The sight of Harter repulses Cherry and she ends up turning away from her.

Stephy Auger: Look at her, Cruise. She wants Harter so bad she can't even look him in the eyes!

Harter flashes his trademark crooked grin as he makes his way back over towards corner. He reaches down, pulls up Karma and nails him with another European Uppercut! He then takes Karma and sends him into the opposite corner. Harter runs across the ring to attack when Karma knocks him back with the Kodak Moment (rope-assisted corner dropkick) to the face! While Harter is dazed, Karma steps out onto the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top turnbuckle, he jumps off for a diving double ax handle smash. But Harter’s able to duck the blow before running into the ropes. When The Tenacious Little Bastard returns, he throws out a yakuza kick. But Karma’s able to get his hands up just in time to catch the foot. Harter begs for mercy before taking a swipe at Karma. But the Karmic Lion is able to move his head out of the way. He then swings Harter’s leg away from him. Karma quickly takes control of Harter’s back before bringing him down with Instant Karma (hammerlock spun into a DDT)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Instant Karma gets a two count for Karma.

Karma pulls Harter back up and applies an arm wrench. He then executes a second arm wrench. Harter seethes in pain after being on the receiving end of another arm wrench. The ref heads over and asks Harter if he wants to give up. The New Murder leader defiantly refuses. So Karma gives a quick tug of the arm before slowly delivering another arm wrench. Harter grits his teeth as he drops down to a knee. The ref gets in Harter’s face and asks him if he wants to give up. Harter responds by flipping him off. After returning to a vertical base, Harter uses his free arm to move Karma into the ropes. He then shoves Karma off into the far ropes. When Karma returns, Harter leapfrogs over him. Karma then continues to run the ropes. When Karma returns, Harter goes for another leapfrog. This time, Karma catches him in mid air and counters with an inverted atomic drop!

Kris Cruise: Oh my!

The crowd cheers and laughs as Harter howls in pain while standing doubled over and bowlegged. Karma then scoops Harter up from the side before bringing him down with a backbreaker. Instead of letting Harter falls to the floor, Karma lifts him up off his knee as he stands back up. Karma then heads over towards the side of the ring before tossing Harter through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Karma just told him to get out of his ring with that one!

Stephy Auger: How rude!

While Harter starts to pick himself back up, Karma turns and hits the far ropes. When he returns, he charges forward and throws out This Is For The Front Row (baseball slide clothesline)! But Harter’s able to duck the clothesline on the outside. After Karma slips out and lands on his feet, Harter quickly grabs him from behind before throwing him against against the front of the announce booth!

Kris Cruise: Look out!

Karma stays curled up on the floor while clutching his head. Harter flashes his trademark crooked grin at Karma before rolling back inside. Harter notices the booing crowd. So he antagonizes them by cupping his hand to his ear. The Tenacious Little Bastard turns and sees Karma pulling himself up using the edge of the announce booth. So he turns and runs into the far ropes. As Karma turns to face the ring, Harter charges forward, flips over the top rope and knocks him down with a topé con hilo! The crowd erupts with boos when Harter gets back to his feet and poses over Karma while spreads his arms out to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Harter knocks down Karma with a shocking dive to the outside!

Stephy Auger: Who says that Dom Harter isn't the best high flyer in the game!?

Harter pulls up Karma and slams him face-first onto the apron. He then pushes Karma back into the ring before rolling back inside. He then drags Karma away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma kicks out.

Harter yanks up Karma, runs and tosses him through the ropes and onto the apron. After stepping out onto the apron, Harter proceeds to put the boots to Karma. The boos intensify while Harter continues to stomp away on Karma. Harter then reaches down and slowly pulls Karma back to his feet. After a hard knee to the gut doubles Karma over, Harter goes for a piledriver on the apron. But Karma’s able to block by hooking his near arm around the middle rope. Harter tries to muscle him up for another piledriver. But again, Karma blocks. So Harter lets him out of the standing headscissors, lifts Karma’s head back up and socks him with a punch to the face. Karma returns the favor with a punch of his own. Harter then socks Karma with another punch! Karma returns the favor with another punch of his own. Harter socks Karma with another punch! Karma answers back with a punch of his own. Karma goes to cut off Karma with a punch when Harter blocks and counters with a punch of his own! He then rocks Karma with a European Uppercut! The boos intensify when Harter knocks Karma back with a stiff forearm smash, turning Karma away from him and sending him over towards the ring post. As Harter approaches, the boos turn back to cheers when Harter gets rocked with Check Your Chicklets (superkick)! While Harter is still dazed, Karma steps back into the ring. He then doubles Harter over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. After pulling Harter across the middle rope, Karma brings him down with Sweet Emotion (rope-hung bulldog)! He then turns Harter over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma pulls Harter into a front facelock, turns and then drops him with the Bum Trip (shoulder neckbreaker). He then sits Harter up before stepping back into the corner. Karma then runs forward before executing a rolling neck snap! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma takes Harter and whips him into the ropes. When Harter returns, Karma goes for another NYC Uppercut. But Harter’s able to duck before continuing to run the ropes. When Harter returns, Karma knocks him down with a running high knee! Karma then hits the ropes. When he returns, he connects with a jumping knee drop! Karma makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Johnny Karma has taken back control of this match, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Only momentarily! Karma will fail to take control of this match back for good, just like he'll fail to take back control of his career!

Karma pulls up Harter, takes control from the side and then brings him down with a russian legsweep. After heading into the corner, Karma climbs up onto the middle ropes before delivering a fist drop! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma pulls up Karma before delivering a blistering knife edge chop that knocks him into the ropes. He then heads over, grabs The Tenacious Little Bastard and sends him into the far ropes. When Harter returns, Karma doubles him over with a hard running knee to the midsection. The cheers continue as Karma locks Harter in the Paris Journal (abdominal stretch)! The ref kneels down and asks Harter if he wants to give up. After Harter refuses, he howls in pain when Karma applies more pressure by twisting away from him. The capacity crowd is solidly behind Karma as they yell at Harter to tap. Despite the demands of the crowd, Harter refuses to throw in the towel. So Karma hoists him up before throwing him down hard with a full nelson slam! He drops down into a lateral press…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma takes Harter, heads into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. He pulls Harter’s head back before slamming him face-first into the top turnbuckle a second time. After sitting Harter on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring, Karma climbs up onto the middle ropes from behind and hammerlocks Harter’s arm. Karma goes for a hammerlock belly to back suplex! But Harter blocks by wrapping his legs around the attachment of the turnbuckle to the ring post. Karma tries to muscle Harter up for another suplex. But again, Harter blocks it. So Karma lets go before delivering multiple clubbing strikes across the back of the neck. Karma then goes for another hammerlock belly to belly suplex. This time, Harter blocks and counters with multiple elbows to the back of the head. He then nails Karma with a hard back elbow to the face, knocking Karma off the middle ropes and down to the mat. While Karma holds his face, Harter gingerly climbs down off the top turnbuckle. Once Harter gets down to the apron, Karma runs over and throws out another NYC Uppercut. This time, Harter yanks down the top rope, sending Karma flipping over the rope before tumbling to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

The crowd boos while Karma is down on the outside. Harter stands back up on the apron before stepping back towards the ring post. He then crouches down as he’s got his eyes locked on Karma. Once Karma gets back to a vertical base and turns around, Harter runs forward before delivering a Shotgun Dropkick off the apron. The crowd boos as Karma flies back and crashing back-first against the guardrail!

Kris Cruise: Karma just got sent flying into the guardrail after that dropkick off the apron from Harter! Did you heard the impact, Stephy!?

Stephy Auger: Yeah! I loved it!

Harter rolls back inside, then back in to restart the count. He makes his way over to Karma and taunts him by playfully patting him on the head. Harter then slowly pulls Karma back to his feet. The crowd then erupts with boos when Harter throws Karma across the top of the guardrail with the Fuckboi Bomb MK I (pop-up powerbomb)! Karma groans as slumps down against the guardrail.

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, Karma might have been broken in half!

Stephy Auger: It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

The Tenacious Little Bastard slips back in, then slips back out to restart the count. Harter then steps back to the other end of the ringside area. After lining Karma up, Harter charges forward before lunging himself at Karma and squashing him against the guardrail with a double knee lift! Karma slowly slumps down to the side while Harter poses with his arms out by his side. Harter then rolls back inside while the ref continues to count Karma out.

FOUR!










FIVE!











SIX!










SEVEN!









EIGHT!











NINE!













T-NO!





The crowd gasps, then cheers and applauds when Karma rolls back inside.

Kris Cruise: Karma beat the ten count?

Stephy Auger: Are you sure!?

Kris Cruise: Positive!

The cheers quickly turn to boos when Harter marches over and stomps the hell out of Karma. He then yanks Karma up off the mat and scoops him up across his shoulder before throwing him down with a running powerslam! He hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Karma gets his shoulder up.

Harter takes Karma and drags him across the ring. After pulling Karma back to his feet, Harter lifts him up onto his shoulder before throwing him into the corner with the Fuckboi Bomb MK II (turnbuckle powerbomb)! After Karma bounces off the turnbuckles, Harter brings him down wit a sitout spinebuster!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Karma gets his shoulder up.

Harter picks up Karma and doubles him over with a hard knee strike to the midsection. He then turns and heads into the ropes. When Harter returns, the crowd boos when he knocks Karma down with Harter Hits Harter (running knee lift to bent over opponent, followed by a lariat to turn the opponent inside out)! Instead of going for the cover, Harter gives Karma gentle kicks to the head while asking him, “you dead?” He then reaches down, pulls Karma up from behind and takes control of his back. After blasting Karma with a ripcord headbutt, Harter lifts him up across his shoulders and brings him down with a Ushigoroshi! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Karma gets his shoulder up!

Stephy Auger: Idiot should have just stayed down!

Kris Cruise: He wasn't going to lay down for Harter before. He damn sure wasn't about to do it now!

Harter lifts up Karma’s legs and nails him with kicks to the spine before turning him over into a single leg crab!

Stephy Auger: Oh, it's over now!

The ref gets down and asks Karma if he wants to give up. When Karma refuses, Harter pulls back on the hold. Karma is writhing in pain as Harter pulls even further back on the hold. Cherry makes her way into Karma’s directly line of sight and begins slapping the apron. She offers him words of encouragement before turning to the crowd and waving her arms up and down.

LET’S GO KARMA
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO KARMA
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO KARMA
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO KARMA
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd is solidly behind Johnny Karma!

Stephy Auger: Why do they want him to keep fighting!? His back is probably broken! He's got nowhere to go! It's only going to get worse for him if he keeps fighting! JUST TAP!

Karma starts to feed off the support of the capacity crowd. The ref asks him again if he wants to give up. Karma vehemently refuses. He then reaches out and pulls himself towards the side of the ring. Karma reaches out again with both hands before pulling himself forward. The cheers intensify as Karma continues to pull his way towards the ropes. The Tenacious Little Bastard looks around before shaking his head in disbelief. He tries to slow Karma down. But it’s to no avail. Cherry continues to whack away at the apron before waving Karma towards her. The crowd is about to explode as Karma groans while scratching and clawing his way towards the side of the ring. Karma then reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope, forcing a rope break. The crowd erupts into cheers and applause for Karma. Meanwhile, the official gives Harter until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

Harter reluctantly breaks the hold. He then gets up and stomps away on Karma’s back. After pulling Karma back up, Harter nails Karma with a European Uppercut. He then rocks Karma with another European Uppercut, sending him slumping down against the ropes. He then pulls up Karma up and goes for an irish whip. The crowd is quick to cheer when Karma reverses, sending Harter into the ropes. When Harter returns, he sees Karma setting up for a back body drop. So he stops and plants him with a pulling piledriver! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Karma gets his shoulder up.

Harter slowly pulls Karma up before hitting the ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos when he flattens Karma with a yakuza kick! Instead of going for the cover, Harter steps back and starts patting his forearm. Back on the mat, Karma is seen trying to shake out the cobwebs. He then slowly turns over on all fours before starting to pick himself back up. Once Karma is on his feet and turns in the direction of The Tenacious Little Bastard, Harter runs forward and throws out a lariat. The crowd gasps when Karma ducks. Harter’s momentum then takes him into the ropes. When Harter returns, the crowd explodes with cheers when Karma knocks him down with Gimme Shelter (pop-up lariat)! Karma drops to his knees. Once both grapplers return to their feet, Harter nails Karma with a European Uppercut. Karma answers back with a knife edge chop. Harter then rocks him with another European Uppercut! Karma responds by a blistering knife edge chop! After receiving another European Uppercut, Karma follows up by blasting Harter with a knife edge chop! He motions for another chop when Harter rakes him across the eyes! The crowd boos while Karma doubles over. Harter then turns and hits the ropes. When he comes back, he knocks Karma upright with a knee lift. He goes to follow up with a lariat. But Karma ducks. When Harter turns around, he gets dropped with Sugar Ray Karma (three left jabs followed by a right hook)! Harter returns to his feet, only to get returned to the mat with another right hook! The Tenacious Little Bastard gets up, only to get dropped with a third right hook! After Harter gets back to his feet, Karma takes him and shoots him into the ropes. When Harter returns, Karma knocks him down with an NYC Uppercut! Another NYC Uppercut returns Harter to the mat! Karma then takes Harter, runs across the ring, leaps over the top rope and delivers Macho Karma across the top rope! While Harter stumbles back, Karma climbs back up onto the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and knocks him down with a diving double axe handle! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma takes Harter and whips him into the ropes. When Harter returns, Karma throws him down with a snap scoop powerslam! He hooks the leg…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

The crowd boos when Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma pulls up Harter before whipping him hard into the corner. After Harter staggers out of the corner, Karma lifts him up, turns and throws him down with a powerslam! Karma stays on his knees while he holds his back. He then rolls across Harter and hooks the near leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos Harter gets his shoulder up.

Karma picks up Harter and whips him into the ropes. When Harter returns, Karma throws out Check Your Chicklets. This time, Harter catches his foot! He then swings the leg away from him, takes control of Karma’s back and throws out another ripcord headbutt. This time, Karma counters by knocking him down with a Bionic Elbow! Harter drops down to his back while Karma crumbles to the canvas. Both grapplers are side by side as Karma reaches over and grabs Harter’s wrist! After turning over on all fours, Karma uses his free hand to grab Harter by the hair. After pulling Harter back to his feet, Karma knocks him down with another short-arm Bionic Elbow! Harter drops to the mat while Karma stands doubled over. But he’s still got control of Harter’s wrist! Karma grabs Harter’s wrist with his other hand and strains as he slowly pulls The Tenacious Little Bastard up off the mat. He then brings Harter’s arm across his body while taking control of the back. The crowd gasps and cheers when Karma throws out Hard Times (wristlock into Bionic Elbow)!!!






… but Harter ducks at the last second. When Karma turns around, spittle is sent flying out of his mouth when he turns into a discus forearm smash! While Karma is on dream street, Harter turns and hits the ropes. When he returns, the crowd explodes with cheers when Karma knocks him off his feet with Check Your Chiclets! While Harter is sprawled out on the mat, Karma slowly makes his way over towards the ropes. After stepping out onto the apron, he scales to the top turnbuckle. The fans in attendance stand up while Karma points to the heavens. He then leaps off for From The Stars Above (flying elbow drop)...













...only for Harter to roll out of the way at the last second The crowd gasps, then erupts with boos when Karma crashes to the mat! Harter gets back to his feet before pulling up Karma. After applying an inverted front facelock, Harter lifts him up before throwing him down with the Silent Machine (Impact Driver)! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps when Karma kicks out!

Stephy Auger: What!?

Kris Cruise: Karma kicked out! He kicked out!

Stephy Auger: WHAT!?!?

Harter takes Karma and pulls him into a front facelock. He then hooks Karma’s right arm… then his left. After Harter hooks his own hands together, he lifts Karma up…. And then plants him with the Last Exit (Lifting Double Underhook Piledriver)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!










Kris Cruise: NO!

The explodes with cheers when Karma gets his shoulder up. Harter can’t believe it. Harter is seen slapping the apron in frustration. The hot Tampa crowd can be seen stomping their feet and clapping their unison for Karma. Meanwhile, The Tenacious Little Bastard is seen tugging at his hair in frustration before snapping out of it. He reaches over, grabs Karma by the back of the tights and slowly pulls him back to his feet. After taking control of Karma’s back, the crowd erupts with boos when Harter turns him inside out with Mors Proditoris (Rainmaker)!!! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as "Low Self Opinion" blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… DOM HARTER!

The boos continue as Harter purposely stands over Karma and raises his arms out to his side.

Kris Cruise: Dom Harter has defeated Johnny Karma here tonight! This was the hard fought match we thought it'd be! It certainly lived up to expectations! However, it was The Tenacious Little Bastard that came away with the victory! That has to be another blow to Karma's spirits, despite how well he performed out there tonight.

Stephy Auger: Of course it'll be a blow to his confidence! When he finally wakes up, he'll be kicking himself for not taking up Dom Harter on his offer! But he can't go back now. Karma had his chance. He could have been a made man. But nooooooooo. He had to be spiteful and disrespectful to Dom Harter. Well look at where that got him? Flat on his back, that's where!

[FGA Office]

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Fiserv Forum
Milwaukee, WS
LIVE and ONLY on PAY-PER-VIEW

[FGA Office]

The shot tilts up from the ground of a dark hallway in the Amalie arena. Seated about five feet away from the camera and leaned up against the right wall is one half of the newly christened US tag team champions. Her knees are drawn to her chest, and her championship, still bearing the name of Erin Mariani, perches on top of them. She looks at the gleam of the championship as the misty light at the end of the hall shines on her and it both.

Fujiko Mine: What a road it’s been.

She looks up at the ceiling, her eyes misty as she prepares to speak about what has been on her mind.

Fujiko Mine: If I could speak to the 2015 version of me, I don’t think she’d believe me when I tell her what is to come. I don’t think she’d believe me, given she still had to endure the ridicule she went through. How she had to endure losing to people she had no business losing to. How she had to endure people telling her she couldn’t wrestle. How she was relegated to an afterthought for so long.

Fujiko shakes her head slowly. Another calculated breath as she tries to compose herself.

Fujiko Mine: And now. Those critics? Many of them long gone from the business. The few others forced into silence as they watched me win the Wrestler of the Year award. But not only that, but they watched as Izzy Anders and I captured these…

She gently places a palm on the US tag team championship.

She takes a calculated exhale.

Fujiko Mine: ...and with one more victory tonight, I basically punch my ticket to the FGA hall of fame. I cannot rest yet. I have more reason to fight, and compete for something more to celebrate. In what will be a long time coming, I get my first official opportunity at the FGA World championship.

She has a bitter smile on her face now.

Fujiko Mine: If I can beat the man who thinks I am his “soulmate”...

She presses as much venom into the word as she can.

Fujiko Mine: Then I will get to where I should have been so long ago. The true top. The world championship. The apex.

She turns her body towards the camera, her head and neck coming along last.

Fujiko Mine: Evan, if you think I am going away, after all I’ve been through? You are kidding yourself. I will not stop until this championship has a friend by its side. The one you have right now, specifically.

She stares daggers down the camera barrel.

Fujiko Mine: You are going to need the strength of all of your ‘good guys’ to beat me tonight. It is a mistake to think that just because I’ve already wrestled tonight that you’ll have an easier time. No no no. This is my chance. This is my moment. This is my time to prove everyone who ever doubted me wrong. This will be THE moment in which I prove you and Ricky never had FGA’s best interests at heart. Just your own. And I will...after almost three years of being in this company, will finally claim it’s top prize.

A knowing smile. She pushes herself up to her feet, taking grip of the tag team championship and placing it on her shoulder.

Fujiko Mine: And on top of that, I’ll secure it’s rarest accolade. The grand slam. To achieve that, Evan...is the will of the goddess. And my will…be done.

Then with a slight nod to the camera, she walks away into the light.