Flashpoint (04.13.19)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Pre Recorded

In the parking garage we see a black BMW pull inside and out walks Ashley Marie Chase who then tosses her keys to a valet

Ashley Marie Chase: Park this someplace nice and safe. If I see any scratches on this thing when I leave I will personally hunt you down and hurt you! Got it!?

The valet gulps and shakes his head affirmative as he gets in the car to park it. As AMC walks inside the arena she runs into Amanda Johnson

Amanda Johnson: Ashley Chase. If I may have a moment of your time. We have not heard from you since your match with Nina so we are all wondering what is up with you?

AMC rolls her eyes

Ashley Marie Chase: What do you want me to say? I lost and that is all there is to it so if you were expecting excuses you will be waiting a long time dear. I mean yes I was sick that day with a 110 degree temperature but guess what that is no excuse for losing. In this business you deal with injury and sickness all the time and while I would of loved to be 100 percent I wasn’t but I gave it everything I had and I came up short.

Amanda Johnson: 110 degree temperature? Really?

AMC glares at Amanda

Ashley Marie Chase: Really? I am here talking up Nina and her big win against me and the only thing you hear is how sick I was? Maybe you would use that as an excuse but I did not and will not. Like I said sh*t happens and you move on. I have moved on so if you are finished I have to try and find my Alien loving tag partner

Amanda walks faster to keep up with a fast moving AMC

Amanda Johnson: Actually that was my next question. Tonight all of AAA are in action as Ashley Sullivan faces Cassius Reed, Nina Stokes and Kendall Kingman in a fatal 4 way while you and Antoinette Sands have a rematch against SMWB.

This gets AMC attention as she stops walking

Ashley Marie Chase: Now that is something worth discussing isn’t it? My bestie Sully not only gets to avenge my defeat to Nina but gets to beat two others as well and show all of FGA that AAA is still alive and well and rumors of our demise has been greatly exaggerated. Can’t wait to see Sully’s hand raised in victory.

Amanda Johnson: What about your match against SMWB? The last time you four faced off AAA came up short. The real question is will this time be any different?

AMC chuckles and shakes her head

Ashley Marie Chase: Last time we did not know who we were facing and had no time to prepare for them. This time around we know who we are facing and this time around we are going to be the ones who have our hands raised in victory.

AMC smirks

Ashley Marie Chase: Besides if we were to lose again do you know how much whining and sulking Ant is going to do? That would not be pleasant and that would upset Peanut who would take it out on Sully making her grumpy and trust me you do not want to be around a Grumpy Sully so tonight we need to win and we WILL win! Now if you excuse me I need to find Ant before she starts talking Alien conspiracies again.

With that AMC continues on her way.

[FGA Office]

★★★ TAG TEAM MATCH ★★★
Super Mario Wrestling Bros vs. Ashley Marie Chase & Antoinette Sands

"I Bring the Darkness (End of Days)" by Jim Johnston featuring Tommy Vext
begins to play as the aisle way fills up with smoke. AMC rises up from the smoke in full face paint and is trying not to cough from all the smoke.

”Who do you think you are?
You’ve now gone much to far!”

AMC steps through the smoke and looks around at the crowd she then slowly walks toward the ring basically strutting with a smirk as she fist bumps some of the fans

“Killin It” by Krewella hits the P.A system and the fans erupt in cheers. Pink and purple lights zoom around the arena as Antoinette Sands comes skipping out from the back. With a perky smile as ever, she jumps up and down amping the fans up before she delivers one final jump slapping her shoes down on the ground before running down the ramp. As she runs, she slaps the hands of some fans, glitter spewing from her hands as she slaps theirs.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, weighing in at a total combined weight of 241 pounds! Ashley Marie Chase, Antoinette Sands… TRIPLE A!

AMC walk up the steps, taking a moment to wipe her feet on the apron before getting into the ring. AMC then drops to her knees in the middle of the ring and stretches out her arms and looks out toward the crowd.

Sands approaches the ring as she climbs up the ring apron she stands up and removes her sparkly jacket tossing it to the side as she enters. Once she’s in the ring, she bounces up and down, screaming out to the fans who encourage her before playfully slapping hands with the ref as she awaits the arrival of her opponent.

"Rockit" begins to play over the speakers as the the lights in the arena dim. Two individuals step through the curtains wearing jackets that flash red, blue, green and yellow colors. At the 28 second mark, the lights come back on, revealing the SMWB to a positive reaction from the crowd. Max Powers and Landon Knight slap hands with the fans on their way down the aisle.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponents, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 373 pounds! Max Powers, Landon Knight… the SMWB!

After sliding underneath the bottom rope and into the ring, they push themselves up and head into opposite corners. After climbing up onto the second rope and throwing their index fingers in the air, they climb to the top turnbuckle and backflip off, landing safely on their feet in the ring to cheers.

Geoff Penzer: We’re ready to get the latest installment of Flashpoint started off with tag team action! Ashley Marie Chase and Antoinette Sands, members of Triple A, will be taking on the SMWB! Chase and Sands faced off against SMWB on the duo's Flashpoint debut. But as Chase alluded to earlier in the day, her and Sands didn’t have time to prepare. But now they know exactly who their opponents are. Will Triple A have learned from their mistakes last time? Or can the SMWB get another win over Chase and Sands? We’re about to find out...

The bell sounds as all four grapplers shake hands before going back to their respective corners. Once a decision has been made, both Antoinette Sands and Max Powers stay in the ring to start things out for their teams. They then start things off with a lock up. Sands quickly takes control with a side headlock but Powers shoves her off into the ropes. When Sands returns, Powers leapfrogs over her. Sands continues to run the ropes. When she comes back, the crowd cheers when Powers knocks her off her feet with a spinning heel kick! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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Sands kicks out.

Powers takes Sands and whips her into the ropes. When Sands returns, Powers sets up for a back body drop. But Sands hops over him before continuing to run the ropes. When she returns, Powers turns around and leapfrogs over her again. Sands continues to run the ropes. When she returns, she slides through Powers’ legs. When Powers turns around, Sands knocks him to the mat with a spin kick! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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Powers kicks out.

Sands takes Powers and goes for an irish whip. But Powers is quick to reverse, sending Sands into the ropes. When Sands comes back, Powers goes for a hip toss. Sands looks to counter by hopping through it and going for a hip toss of her own. But Powers blocks it. So she doubles him over with a punch to the midsection. After draping her leg across the back of Powers’ neck, she performs a backflip. Once Sands lands on her feet, she brings Powers to the mat with an arm drag. A second arm drag returns Powers to the mat. Once Powers gets back to his feet, Sands takes him and sends him into the ropes. Instead of coming back, Powers hangs onto the ropes. Sands sees this, so she runs over to attack. Powers ends up countering the attack by dumping her over the top rope. Instead of crashing to the floor, Sands lands safely on the apron. Powers turns around and throws out a right hand. Sands ducks. He then throws out a left hand. Again Sands ducks. Sands quickly follows up with a shoulder thrust through the ropes that doubles Powers over. She then slingshots herself back into the ring, rolls off of Powers’ back and takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, she connects with a dropkick to the back, sending Powers through the ropes and to the floor.

While Powers tries to pick himself up on the outside, Sands turns and takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, Powers slides back in and cuts her off with a crossbody block! He hooks the leg for the cover…

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Sands was gearing up for a dive to the floor, but Powers got back in and cut her off in time!

Powers wrenches Sands’ arm, brings her over into the SMWB corner and tags in Landon Knight. Knight gets in, takes control of the arm and wrenches it. After wrenching it a second time, Sands hops up and brings him down with a headscissors takeover. Once Knight gets back up, Sands grabs Knight, wrenches his arm twice and drags him over into the Triple A corner before tagging in Ashley Marie Chase. Once Chase gets in, she takes control of the arm, wrenches it and then shoves Knight into the ropes. When Knight returns, Chase knocks him off his feet with a chest kick! She then drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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Knight kicks out.

Chase takes Knight, moves him into the corner and delivers repeated chest kicks. After sending Knight into the far corner with an irish whip, Chase charges across the ring and gears up for an attack when Knight knocks her back with a back elbow to the face. Chase shakes off the blow before rushing back in. This time, Knight knocks her back with a boot to the face. Knight then slingshots himself out onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. As soon as he gets to the top, he leaps off and goes for a missile dropkick. But Chase is able to roll out of the way, causing Knight to crash and burn on the mat! When he turns over onto his knee, Chase heads over and nails him with multiple chest kicks! The cheers continue as Chase pulls Knight up, places him in an inverted front facelock before bringing him down with a Scorpion Death Drop! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Knight kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Chase takes advantage of the missed missile dropkick and gets a two count.

Chase goes over and tags Sands back in. Chase heads back over, takes Sands and whips him into the corner. Sands then runs over, jumps up and then throws him out of the corner with a monkey flip! While Knight is trying to return to his feet, Sands steps out onto the apron and climbs the turnbuckles. Once she reaches the top, she leaps off and knocks Knight back down with a missile dropkick! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Knight kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: THAT missle dropkick connected! But it only gets two...

Sands pulls up Knight before pulling him into a headlock. She goes for a running bulldog when Knight shoves her off into the ropes. When Sands returns, he connects with a dropsault, knocking Sands through the ropes and to the floor. While Sands picks herself up on the outside, Knight turns and runs into the far ropes. When he comes back, the crowd cheers when he flips over the top rope and knocks Sands down with a somersault senton!

Geoff Penzer: Knight takes it to the air and takes Sands out on the floor with a huge dive!

Knight takes Sands and rolls her back inside. After rolling back in, he drags her away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands kicks out.

Knight takes Sands, brings her over into the SMWB corner and tags Powers back in. Once Powers steps back in, the SMWB take Sands and send her into the far ropes. When Sands returns, Knight brings her down with a drop toe hold. While Sands is on the mat, Powers hits the ropes, returns and places her in a running Front Chancery. Knight then gets up off the mat and hits the ropes. When he returns, he nails Sands in the face with a running front dropkick! Powers then turns Sands over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands gets her shoulder up.

Powers goes over and tags Knight back in. Knight goes over, picks up Sands from the side and delivers a backbreaker. While Knight’s got the backbreaker hold applied, Powers hits the ropes. When he returns, he knocks Sands down with a somersault leg drop! Knight turns Sands over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands gets her shoulder up.

Knight goes over and tags Powers back in. The SMWB then takes Sands and whips her into the ropes. When Sands returns, the SMWB throws her down with a double hip toss, cartwheel over and follow up with a double dropkick to the face! Powers makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chase breaks up the pin with a stomp to the back.

While Chase heads back out to the apron, Powers takes Sands and moves her into the corner. After multiple knife edge chops, Powers takes Sands and sends her into the opposite corner with an irish whip. He then rushes across the ring and connects with a step-up enzuigiri, sending Sands staggers out of the corner before dropping down to all fours. Powers then climbs up onto the middle ropes before jumping off and flattening her with a Mushroom Stomp! The cheers continue as he pulls Sands over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands gets her shoulder up.

Powers heads over and tags Knight back in. Knight picks up Sands before sending her into the corner with an irish whip. He then runs over and hurls himself at her with the Tail Attack (flying hip attack)! But Sands dives out of the way at the last second. The crowd then cheers when Knight crashes into the corner. While Knight crumbles to the mat, Sands can be seen crawling towards her corner. Chase is then seen waving her arms up and down to get the crowd to rally behind Sands. She then starts slapping the top turnbuckle before holding her arm out for the tag. The crowd cheers when Sands dives over and tags Chase back in! Chase immediately climbs to the top turnbuckle. Once Knight gets back up and turns around, Chase leaps off the top turnbuckle and knocks him down with a high crossbody block…

… but Knight rolls through it! Instead of staying in the pinning combination, he grabs Chase and pulls her up off the mat. While he’s got Chase cradled, he hoists her up before catching her across his shoulders. Powers then slingshots into the ring before hitting the far ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers when the SMWB bring Chase down with a Samoan Drop/Running Corkscrew Neckbreaker combination! Knight turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Sands dives over and breaks up the pin.

While Sands rolls back out to the apron, Knight takes Chase, pulls her back to her feet and rocks her with a Chain Chomp (short-arm forearm smash)! He then rocks Chase with a second Chain Chomp! Knight goes for a third Chain Chomp. But Chase ducks and counters with a Floatover DDT!

Geoff Penzer: Knight went to the well one too many times and it cost him there!

After both grapplers get back to their feet, Chase doubles Knight over with a kick to the midsection. She quickly gets him up for the Name Dropper (Pedigree). But Knight is able to break her double underhook grip and counters with a back body drop. He then pulls Chase back up, doubles her over with a kick to the midsection and sets up for the Butterfly Bob-omb (Sitdown Double Underhook Powerbomb). But Chase returns the favor, breaking Knight’s double underhook grip and countering with a back body drop of her own. She then knocks Knight down to the mat with a standing dropkick. A second standing dropkick returns Knight to the mat. Powers rushes in and gets knocked off his feet with the Kick of Doom (Superkick). Knight then gets knocked down with the Kick of Doom. The cheers continue as Chase heads out onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Once she gets to the top, she crouches down and waits patiently for Knight. Knight slowly turns over on all fours. When he gets back to his feet, Chase stands up, leaps off and drives him down with a top rope bulldog! Instead of pulling him over to make the cover, she returns to her feet. Chase rushes over towards Powers and delivers a clothesline from behind, sending him over the top rope and to the floor. When Powers gets back up on the outside, Sands runs along the apron before knocking him down with a flying clothesline! Back inside, Chase runs over, jumps up and drives Knight down with the Full Facial (Curb Stomp)! She pulls him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners, ASHLEY MARIE CHASE and ANTOINETTE SANDS!

The cheers continue as “I Bring the Darkness (End of Days)” plays while Chase and Sands get their arms raised in victory.

Geoff Penzer: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to another installment of Flashpoint! I am your host, Geoff Penzer! We just saw Triple A and the SMWB kick things off in tag team action. Later on tonight, their Triple A sister in arms, Ashley Sullivan, will be competing in a Fatal 4-Way Match featuring Kendall Kingham, Cassius Reed and Nina Stokes! As a matter of fact, let’s here from Ms. Sullivan right now...

[FGA Office]

A video begins to play zoomed in on a pair of hands.  Holding down a paper of some kind with a large marker the right hand, the only other discernable features are the brightly colored nails and the ring on the left hand.  After a moment of smoothing the paper over, rows of numbered blocks can be clearly seen on it as the marker circles the first in the series, the number one printed inside.  With a practiced movement, marker hand moved it across the paper with precision to write "Gold Rush Rumble".  As the hands pull away, the printed "May" can now be seen.

With a sudden movement, the camera pulls away and turns back to where it just was to show Ashley Sullivan leaning against a wall holding a calendar folded out in front of her.

Ashley Sullivan:  THIS is what everyone in FGA is talking about now.  And if they're not, the should be.  The Gold Rush Rumble, the winner getting a shot at the top prize in our business.  It's a big time opportunity for anyone involved.  Granted everyone else has the same idea of winning the whole thing themselves, I have something they don't have.  Unity.  My sisters from another mister and I will have each others backs in that ring.  Triple A will own the night in Milwaukee and it'll be down to one of us three to see who get the shot.  There won't be any kind of pride getting in the way, no hurt feelings.  Because, at the end of the night, a Triple A member will be added "Gold Rush Rumble Winner" to our list of accomplishments.

The confident smile on Sullivan's face is clear before the video fades out.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

“Murdered Out” by Kim Gordon plays through the speakers, and out comes the new International Heavyweight Champion, Jimmy Page. His body language looks like he’s a bit more comfortable after the last time he was on air. He slaps a few outstretched hands as he makes his way down to the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Last Flashpoint, an emotional Jimmy Page reflected on the news that Chandler Scott’s career might have come to an end. His guilt during the ordeal was clear, but to some people, it was just another ploy by Jimmy to garner sympathy after such a brutal assault that left Chandler Scott’s career up in the air. But Page made it clear, the war, the brutality, the ugliness of it all; If he could take it all bet, I believe Page would in a heartbeat. But what’s done is done, and now Page must look forward and not back at his new challenger, the decorated Savannah Taylor!

Page slides onto the apron that’s facing the hard camera. He stands up and gets into the ring and takes on top of the middle turnbuckle with the title in hand. Giving it a good pat he asks for a microphone. After receiving one, Page circles the ring and takes in the crowds reaction, which seemed like they were glad to see him. Page seems relieved, but some bit of doubt lingers, as his expression turns back to sullen. He lifts the microphone, his eyes looking down at the canvas as he begins…

Jimmy Page: Not much to say, especially after last show. Um...I just wanna take this time to thank the fans and the support after all of this. I know people don’t wanna hear it, but...I’ve been telling people the best way to help me is to go support Chandler Scott, uh…

Jimmy pauses as he rubs the corner of his eye. He sighs and looks out at the crowd.

Jimmy Page: Taking some time to reflect, it’s a heavy feeling. I know Chandler wouldn’t shed a tear if he would’ve been the one to put me on the shelf. And what’s done is done, and I’m gonna be living with these consequences until the day I lace my boots for the last time. But I don’t need well wishes, I don’t need the attention, I need people to go and make sure that Chandler Scott comes back…! That’s more important to me than anything else…!

The crowd gets behind Jimmy who swallows hard.

Jimmy Page: I’m tired of being angry, I’m tired of letting my anger be the dominating trait of me! Because I am more than my rage, and even though what I did was bad, even though taking the livelihood of a man such as that; Through the torment, and the hatred, there has to be some moment of reflection! And it’s a long road for me in that regard that I gladly accept. And the only way I can do that is if I defend this title!

The crowd pops, Page’s expression looks sincere as continues…

Jimmy Page: And at Only The Strong Survive I got a job to do! Savannah Taylor just went through a tough task: She had to take a the least traveled path to me in that Beat The Clock Challenge! And quite honestly, that takes guts. I don’t question her drive and ambition, and she’s made a name for herself way before she stepped in this ring…!

Page pauses, acknowledging his new foe. He looks down and points one finger up, then looks back up slowly.

Jimmy Page: But, I’m the obstacle in the way of her pushing her ticket to being the International Heavyweight Champion…! So I don’t have the luxury of looking back, I’ve got to look forward, and Savannah Taylor is in my line of sight! She might have pedigree, she might have accolades; But there’s a difference between accomplishments and astonishments…! And I’m going to prove--

Jimmy is cut off by the sounds of “Just Close Your Eyes” by Waterproof Blonde playing on the speakers. The fans begin to voice their displeasure as the former two time United States champion Savannah Taylor makes her way down the aisle.

Geoff Penzer: Well speak of the devil. The woman who made headlines last Flashpoint where she had the best time by a mere SECOND over her perennial rival Salem, and now faces what has to be the biggest challenge of her career to date in the, what some would say, dangerous International Heavyweight Champion Jimmy Page.

Her blue eyes are focused square on the ring as she hops up onto the apron and steps between the ropes. She walks over and motions to the timekeepers table to had her a second microphone. Grasping it in her hand, she casually walks to the center of the ring where the champion was standing and waits for her music to die down.

Savannah Taylor: You know, if you are going to talk about me, at least have the decency to say it to my face.

She shakes her head, somewhat amused with herself.

Savannah Taylor: But you want to come out her and talk about having something to prove? You want to stand here, put on this disingenuous sob story about how you are moving forward? Buddy, if ANYONE has something to prove here….you’re looking at her. Do you know how long I have had to wait for a mere SHOT at the top title? It’s been a couple of years, let’s just say that. Do you want to know what it is like to have missed the chance to become the inaugural International champion, and to watch as Salem was named as your replacement? Let me tell you that it sucked. It sucked having to watch others go after something that you have wanted for the longest time. And then….AND THEN….having to sit back and watch as James friggin’ Edwards is granted a title shot because he whined. So no, Jimmy, you don’t get the right to come out here and say that you have to prove anything. I am the one who has everything to prove. I am the one who has finally been given the chance to become the Alpha dog around here. And you?

She looks him up and down with a disappointed look on her face.

Savannah Taylor: You get the distinction of being relegated to the rank of transitional champion, because that belt? It’s coming with me.

Page looks Savannah square in her eyes. He shrugs lightly, keeping his eyes locked on her’s.

Jimmy Page: You know I get it, you work hard, you do what you gotta do, and then you get passed up for something you believe is your right. Yeah, I get it, but see here’s the thing: Before I stepped foot on this brand, I had another title, a title that was unceremoniously taken from me. I earned that title, I went through Hell to get it. So I think I know how the story goes. Because while it may have sucked that you had to wait as long as you have, it’s gotta suck extra knowing what you’re going to have to do to get the belt: go through ME.

The crowd reacts with a pop to Page’s last word.

Jimmy Page: You got the resumé, yeah you do, but Taylor let’s be clear: the trials and tribulation you went through can’t even measure up to the fight you’ve got yourself into against me. Say what you want, but the only way this title is leavin’ my grasp is if whatever you go locked and stocked underneath all that determination is enough to put me down. And I don’t think you got enough in the barrel to do it.

Savannah rolls her eyes when she hears the crowd’s favorable reaction to what Jimmy finished saying.

Savannah Taylor: You know, I expected better out of you. I expected you to come up with your own, ORIGINAL material. Instead you’ve taken the lather, rinse and repeat approach that countless others in your lofty position have taken. But you want to know a little secret? Do you want to know who the last person who said basically what you just said, and questioned whether I had enough in me to beat them? This same person actually questioned whether I was really willing to put myself out there and be willing to face them, This person who has a bit of a reputation for being feared, kind of like yourself. Do you want to know who that person was, Jimmy?

She pauses for a second, her eyes never leaving his face.

Savannah Taylor: It was Artemis Kaiser. And do you want to know what happened when I faced her? I left her tapping in the middle of the ring, forever branding her as a mere mortal. So don’t you dare stand here and tell me that I don’t have what it takes to not only stare you down, but take your title. Because if me beating a woman who has defeated the likes of the legendary Andreas Lasiewicz, a woman who makes you look like a choir boy, isn’t proof enough of what I’m truly capable and willing to do…..then you are going to have a long night ahead of you.

Jimmy Page: And that’s well and nice, but let’s get something straight: I am not them nor am I anyone else you’ve faced off against. I’m a whole different game you’ve got to play, and depending on how well you play it, who knows, you might get your wish and this title might be coming home with you. But I’m not just some inconvenience to you Taylor, I’m a whole damn dilemma. So you can take your accomplishments, and hug those things tight to your ego, but at Only The Strong Survive, this “choirboy” is going to sing a tune that I’m sure even in your illustrious career you’ve heard before: LOSS.

Page drops his microphone and looks to head to the back. Savannah simply nods her head before a slight grin crosses her face.

Savannah Taylor: Wow, real original, Jimmy. So tell me something. Are you planning on being a man for the first time in your life and wrestling me straight up? Or are you going to play the role you are destined to play forever, the role of the coward and attack me like you did Chandler….and Emily?

With a wicked grin, Savannah drops the microphone in front of Jimmy and climbs out of the ring, walking backwards as she waves at Jimmy. Page frowns a bit, he mouths “Okay...alright…” as he watched Savannah make her way to the back. Jimmy stays, reflecting on her words as the scene cuts to black.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

The camera slowly begins to pan up, revealing the large, muscular back of none other than Sloan Talbot as he sits on an unfolded steel chair in an undisclosed location. The light from the dim bulb just about illuminating his broad shoulders as he leans forward, inhaling and exhaling in what can only be described as a calm, silent rage.

Sloan Talbot: Last year...it took another beast of a man to eliminate me. Where is he now? Outlasted. Outsmarted. Ousted.

Sloan slowly begins to sit up, his back now pressed against the back of the chair, palms resting atop his knees.

Sloan Talbot: This year...

He begins, a deep growl layered amongst his words.

Sloan Talbot: ...I won’t be eliminated.

With that, Talbot stands, taking a second to look ahead of him, his back still to the camera before he makes his way out of shot. It’s only now that we see what he was looking at...the official Gold Rush Rumble promo poster.

[FGA Office]

★★★ SINGLES MATCH ★★★
Night Train Ayano vs. Sloan Talbot

The first few bars of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” begin to play as the lights pulsate in time with the music. Slowly the curtains part, and Sloan Talbot steps through - his pace slow and methodical.

“You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down...”

Sloan runs a hand through his hair as he makes his way down the aisle, a stoic expression on his face.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Saint Michel, Monaco! Weighing in at 247 pounds… SLOAN TALBOT!

Completely ignoring the fans either side of him Talbot reaches ringside, placing a knee on the apron before pulling himself up using the middle rope. He takes a quick glance around the arena before stepping into the ring and making his way to the corner.

As 'Nightrain' by Guns n' Roses plays, Night Train bounces out to the entrance, headbanging and running back and forth like the little dynamo she is. She races down to the ring, slapping a few hands and leaps onto the apron.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Los Angeles, California! Weighing in at 115 pounds! She is NIGHT TRAIN AYANO!

Running back and forth and pumping her fist into the air, she lets out a howl and springs over the ropes, ready to rock!

Geoff Penzer: We’re back with singles action as Night Train Ayano takes on Sloan Talbot! Night Train Ayano gave it her all last time out against Nina Stokes. Unfortunately for her, she was bested by The Kodiak. Now, she finds herself across the ring from some who even even harder than Stokes! The former 15 Champion has made it clear that there’s no one that will stand in his way between him and glory in the Gold Rush Rumble!

The bell sounds as Night Train Ayano charges right at Sloan Talbot and starts laying into him with wild punches! But Talbot’s able to battle through the punches, grab Ayano by the head with both hands and tosses her into the corner. Talbot marches in to attack when Ayano throws out a kick to the midsection. She hits Talbot with several more kicks to the gut. She then takes Talbot by the head and goes to slam him face-first into the top turnbuckle. But Talbot blocks the move, elbows Ayano and then slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Ayano around, Talbot delivers multiple back elbow strikes across the face, followed by multiple knee strikes that double the Cheap Thrill over. After taking Ayano and sending her into the far corner with an irish whip, Talbot runs across the ring to attack when Ayano counters with aback elbow to the face. Ayano quickly hoists herself up onto the middle ropes before connecting with a diving front dropkick. Talbot is knocked back, but he remains on his feet. So she scrambles back to her feet before taking off into the ropes. When Ayano returns, Talbot throws out a lariat. But Ayano ducks the blow. When Talbot turns around, Ayano hits him with multiple chops across the chest. She then goes to turn and hit the ropes. But Talbot reaches out and grabs her by the back of the hair. He then yanks Aayno back over toward shim before nailing her across the back of the head with a forearm strike. The crowd boos as Ayano collapses to her knees. Talbot steps to the side of Ayano before nailing her with a punt kick to the ribs. Ayano rolls over onto her stomach. Once she pushes herself back up, Talbot knocks her onto her back with another punt kick to the ribs. He then stomps away on the ribs before applying a foot choke. The ref is quick to step in and give Talbot until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

Talbot reluctantly lets go. The ref starts to give Talbot a warning for breaking the choke late. But the ref ends up backing away as Talbot stalks him across the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Night Train charged full speed ahead at Talbot to start things odd. But that proved to be an unwise move and Talbot has controlled the action since!

When Tabot turns his attention back to Ayano, he sees his opponent slowly pulling herself up using the ropes. So Talbot bounces against the near ropes. When he returns, he throws out a running lariat. But at the last second, Ayano turns and yanks down the top rope, sending Talbot tumbling to the floor to the cheers from the crowd!

Geoff Penzer: Talbot’s down! The big man is down! Can Ayano follow up!?

Ayano gets back to her feet and takes off into the far ropes. When she comes back, she knocks Talbot back a few steps on the floor with a baseball slide! She quickly gets back up and runs into the far ropes. While Talbot approaches the ring, Ayano charges forward, leaps through the ropes and knocks him against the guardrail with a suicide dive! Ayano slides back into the ring before taking off into the far ropes. When Ayano returns, the crowd explodes with cheers when she hurls herself over the top rope and knocks Talbot down with a somersault plancha to the outside!

Geoff Penzer: Ayano’s got Talbot down! She took him down! This capacity crowd is going wild for the Cheap Thrill!

Ayano struggles to pick up Talbot and push him back inside. After Ayano rolls back in, she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Talbot kicks out.

Ayano picks up Talbot and goes for an irish whip. But it gets quickly reversed. When Ayano returns, she slides through Talbot’s legs. She then quickly grabs a hold of Talbot and tries for a pumphandle belly to back suplex. But she can't lift Talbot! So Ayano tries to muscle him up for another pumphandle attempt. Again, it’s to no avail. Talbot then counters by throwing Ayano down with a hip toss! Ayano gets back up, but she gets doubled over by another knee strike to the midsection. Talbot then knocks her down to a knee after a hard clubbing strike across the back. Tabot pulls her back to her feet by the hair before shoving her into the ropes. When Ayano returns, she ducks under lariat attempt. When Talbot turns around, Ayano stuns him with a low dropkick to the knee. The cheers continue when Ayano knocks him off his feet with a legsweep! TNT then drops down on all fours and starts barking like a dog before hitting Talbot with a headbutt! The crowd laughs and cheers while Ayano barks before hitting Talbot with another headbutt! She goes for a third headbutt when Talbot reaches out and grabs a hold of her head with both hands. After both grapplers return to a vertical base, Talbot flings Ayano clear across the ring!

Geoff Penzer: Talbot didn’t take too kindly to that!

As Ayano gets back to her feet, Talbot rushes over and connects with a running big boot to the chest, knocking Ayano through the ropes and to the floor hard!

Geoff Penzer: Good Lord!

Talbot rolls to the outside. He yanks Ayano up by the hair before repeatedly slamming her face-first against the apron! He then takes Ayano and whips her hard down rignisde, sending her crashing against the guardrail! Ayano groans before collapsing to the floor. Talbot heads over and pulls Ayano back up by the hair. He then lifts Ayano up, delivers a backbreaker and then flings her down ringside with a fallaway slam!

Geoff Penzer: Talbot throws Ayano down ringside with reckless abandon!

Talbot heads over, pulls up Ayano by the hair and rolls her back inside. He then slides back in before making the cover.

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

Talbot takes Ayano and sends her back into the ropes. When she returns, Talbot brings her down with a hip toss neckbreaker! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

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

Talbot takes Ayano and sends her back into the ropes. When Ayano returns, Talbot scoops her up before bringing her down with a sidewalk slam! He hooks the leg.

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

As Talbot slowly pulls Ayano back up, Ayano starts to hit him with rights and lefts to the midsection. Once Talbot’s grip is broken, Ayano turns and hits the ropes. When she comes back, she jumps up for a Thesz Press. But Talbot catches her in mid air and counters with a flapjack! The boos continue as he pushes Ayano over and makes the cover.

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

Geoff Penzer: Ayano tried to tackle Talbot down with a Thesz Press. But Talbot was able to counter with a flapjack!

Talbot takes Ayano and whips her into the ropes. When Ayano returns, Talbot grabs her by the throat. He’s about to lift her up for a chokeslam when Ayano grabs him by the wrist. Ayano pulls Talbot’s hand off of her wrist… and starts biting his fingers! The crowd cheers while Ayano continues to gnaw away.

Geoff Penzer: Ayano’s doing what she has to do to get back in this one!

The biting continues until Talbot nails her with a hard kick to the midsection. After knocking Ayano upright with a knee lift, he grabs Ayano by the throat with the other hand and goes lifts her up for a chokeslam. But on the way up, Ayano nails him with an elbow to the side of the head. She then turns and runs into the ropes. When Ayano comes back, Talbot quickly brings her down with a Samoan Drop! He takes Ayano, marches over and tosses her through the ropes and onto the apron. After climbing up onto the bottom rope, he reaches over, pulls up Ayano and goes to bring her back inside with Enter Tragedy (Superplex from apron). But on the way up, Ayano nails her with a knee to the head! Ayano then shifts her weight and comes crashing down on Talbot back inside! The ref slides into place for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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.
Talbot kicks out.

Ayano takes Talbot and goes for an irish whip. But again, Talbot reverses, sending Ayano towards the ropes. Ayano uses her momentum to come back with a handspring back elbow! While Talbot is stunned, Ayano gets back to her feet and hits the ropes. When she comes back, she knocks Talbot back with a jumping hip attack! She then returns to her feet before hitting the ropes. When Ayano comes back, she brings Talbot down with a hurricanrana! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Talbot kicks out.

Ayano takes Talbot and whips him into the corner. The Cheap Thrill then rushes across the ring before hitting Talbot in the face with a flying thrust kick, sending him slumping down in the corner. Ayano steps back towards the center of the ring, then runs forward, hurls herself at Talbot and squashes him with a corner crossbody block! After rolling Talbot out of the corner, Ayano steps over him, climbs to the top turnbuckle and delivers a split-legged moonsault! She hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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Talbot kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Another nearfall for the Cheap Thrill! Ayano can’t get discouraged! She must stay on him!

Ayano takes Talbot and whips him into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers when Ayano knocks him down with a spinning heel kick! After dragging Talbot into position, Ayano heads over towards the corner and scales the turnbuckles. Once she returns, the top, the crowd cheers when she flips back and nails Talbot right in the gut with a moonsault double foot stomp!

Geoff Penzer: Ayano stuck Talbot right in the good with that double foot stomp!

Talbot guards his midsection as he rolls towards the center of the ring. He then slowly turns over and gets up on a knee. As he tries to get back to a vertical base, Ayano runs past him and into the ropes. When the Cheap Thrill returns, she goes for the Running Trail (leapfrog bulldog driver). But Talbot turns, reaches up and catches Ayano in the air! The crowd gasps as Ayano tries to kick her feet to get free. But it’s ultimately to no avail as Talbot throws her down hard with Diggin Graves (Gorilla Press Spinebuster)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, SLOAN TALBOT!

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

The former two time 15 Champion Kendall Kingham is walking through the hallway approaching the interview area. She's got her trademark smile plastered on her face, outlandish getup on including her shutter shades. With an awkward hop-shuffle she lurches into the forefront of the shot.

Kendall Kingham: Well this is a big one, huh?

A beat skips.

Kendall Kingham: I know I'm seeming a lot happier than I did last time you saw me, which might not make sense to you. Like, I didn't win the 15 Championship back, didn't win the Beat the Clock and because it was a time limit draw I didn't even get the sense of finality of being like bested-- having failed but not being beaten in the rematch. There wasn't that ability to really be like, this is where I screwed up, y'know?

She exhales sharply.

Kendall Kingham: But I realized after some thinking that if I kept getting down, kept putting more pressure on myself I'd just keep eating myself alive, and pushing myself down in a hole undoing all the progress I've made. I gotta go and y'know, keep the attitude that's gotten me where I am. It's one that's not just about hard work, it's the excitement, it's the challenges of something new. That's what brought me here to the Flashpoint Zone, it was wanting to push myself to places that are uncomfortable to see what I'm made of.

A short nod.

Kendall Kingham: So the fact that I don't know where my spot is right now or what the future holds? That's kinda scary, but it's the kind that gets the adrenaline running. Knowing that I've got a chance with the Gold Rush Rumble coming up to write a whole new chapter for myself. But first I've got a really tough match against three of the best in the Flashpoint Zone. I've got a lot bigger history against Cassius than against Nina or Ashley, but I know in a fatal four way the main thing to expect is to expect the unexpected. And I also know that this might not on paper favor someone like me.

A light shrug.

Kendall Kingham: That's not a lack of confidence in myself, but I know I'm not the fastest or most athletic and these types of matches are crazy and fast paced. Might not seem the best type of match for the type of style I have in the ring. But nothing worth winning ever got won because it was easy, so I'm planning on giving everything I've got to show I can make it my match. Not just for the win tonight, but because I know come Rumble time I'm gonna need to be ready to fight off three, four, maybe even five wrestlers at a time and stay focused with my eye on the prize for a long time.

She gives a bit of a longer nod this time before perking back up and exclaiming.

Kendall Kingham: But I'm looking forward to showing I can do it! Let's get it, Flashpoint Zone!

[FGA Office]

★★★ SINGLES MATCH ★★★
Chris Madison vs. Jillian Clay

The arena's lights dim to black as the opening guitar riffs to "War Machine" by KISS begin to screech over the P.A. system. The video screen lights up with visual static noise. Suddenly in the center of the screen a black handprint begins pulsating to the beat of the drum that has began to play. A spotlight shines on the entrance ramp and we see Chris Madison standing with his head bowed under a black towel, wearing an official FGA licensed t-shirt that says, "Always Ready For War," across the chest. He nods his head to the music and as the chorus breaks he rips the towel from his head and tosses it into the live audience, starting his way down the ramp toward, the ring.

Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Long Island, New York! Weighing in at 220 pounds! He is “MAYHEM” CHRIS MADISON!

Madison makes it to the base of the steps and places one foot down before scoping out the fans directly behind him by peering over his shoulder. He smirks as the live audience sings along to the entrance music and then marches up the steps and climbs through the ropes.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from The Outermost Rings of Saturn! Weighing in at 141 pounds… JILLIAN CLAY!

Madison immediately leaps up onto the middle rope and faces out towards the crowd. He brings his fists up to his face and punches his jaw with each hand before shooting his arms out horizontally with his hands wide open, welcoming whatever challenge is coming his way. Madison hops backwards, bouncing off of his feet and turns towards the center of the ring, snarling and ready to go…

Geoff Penzer: Things have not gone Chris Madison’s way during his return to FGA. Not only was he unable to defeat Savannah Taylor at A New Odyssey, but he wasn’t one of the participants in the Beat the Clock Challenge! “Mayhem” Madison could really use a statement victory and a morale booster. But Jillian Clay has proven to be a crafty opponent in her time in FGA.

The match starts with a lock up. Madison quickly places Clay in a Muay Thai Clinch and moves her into the corner, From there, Madison hits Clay with alternating knee strikes to the body. The last of which doubles the Saturnian Connection member over. Madison then pulls Clay from out of the corner before throwing her down with a Hammerlock Suplex! He turns over into a lateral press for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Clay kicks out.

Madison pulls up Clay before doubling her over with a knee to the midsection. He then hooks both arms before delivering a double underhook suplex lift transitioned into a cross armbreaker! Madison tries to hyperextend the arm. But Clay keeps her hands locked together. She then reaches her foot over and places it underneath the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

Madison breaks the hold. After both grapplers return to their feet, they go for another lock up. After jockeying for position, Madison ducks under, goes behind Clay and applies a waist lock. He then hoists Clay up before throwing her down to the mat with a rear waist lock takedown. Madison then takes control of Clay’s back before hitting her across the face with seated crossface forearm strikes! After pulling Clay back to her feet, Madison delivers low leg kicks before connecting with a flying knee. While Clay is dazed, Madison grabs her and goes for a vertical suplex. But she slips down from behind before shoving Madison into the ropes. When Madison returns, he knocks Clay down with a running yakuza kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Clay kicks out.

Madison picks up Clay and immediately takes control of her back. He then runs her into the ropes. After Clay bounces off the ropes, Madison goes for a backwards roll German Suplex. But Clay’s able to rotate in the air before landing on her feet! Clay then rushes forward before bringing Madison down to the mat with a headscissors takeover! When Madison gets back to his feet, Clay brings him down with an arm drag. A second arm drag returns Madison to the mat. After Madison gets back to his feet, Clay delivers an overthrow arm drag, sending Madison underneath the bottom rope and to the floor. She then steps out onto the apron before waiting for Madison to get into position. When Madison gets back to his feet, Clay knocks him back down with an Asai Moonsault! She then takes Madison and rolls him back inside before rolling herself back into the ring. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Madison kicks out.

Clay moves Madison into the corner before giving him alternating jabs to the head and body. After delivering a forearm shot to the face, she takes Madison and whips him into the opposite corner. Clay runs across the ring to attack when Madison ducks and dumps her over the top rope! Instead of crashing hard to the floor, Clay lands safely on her feet. Before Madison can turn around, Clay quickly reaches back inside and yanks Madison down to the mat. She then quickly rolls back in before hitting Madison with the Bestrafen (running knee drop to the back of the head)! She pushes Madison over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Madison kicks out.

Clay brings Madison back to his feet… only to jump up and bring him back down with a reverse bulldog. After stepping out onto the apron, Clay scales to the top turnbuckle. She then goes for a swan dive flying headbutt. But Madison rolls out of the way, causing Clay to crash face-first to the mat!

Madison turns over on all fours and starts to crawl towards the ropes. While he pulls himself up, Clay tries to push herself up off the mat. She then tries to shake out the cobwebs. Clay then tries to get back to her feet, but she gets blindsided by Madison with a bicycle knee strike to the side of the head! He then pulls Clay up off the mat, lifts her up and throws her down with a pumphandle slam. After dragging Clay into position, Madison steps out onto the apron and climbs the turnbuckles. After reaching the top, he jumps off and goes for a diving double foot stomp. While Madison is on the way down, Clay rolls out of the way just in time. Madison’s feet hit the canvas before his momentum sends him rolling forward. When Madison gets back to his feet and turns around, he rushes over and flattens Clay with a bicycle knee strike! He then pulls Clay up off the mat and quickly slips before her before applying a sleeper hold. The crowd cheers as Madison cinches in the hold. He squeezes as tight as he can to try and get a submission out of Clay. After Clay refuses the opportunity to give up, Madison throws her down with a Sleeper Suplex! Clay rolls over onto her knees… and ends up getting cracked across the face with yet another bicycle knee strike! Madison reaches down, pulls up Clay and then pulls her into a standing guillotine choke. Madison starts to spin in place before lifting Clay off the mat. The crowd responds with cheers and applause upon seeing Madison deliver the Helicopter Guillotine! They then begin to count with each rotation.

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NINE!”

“TEN!”

After the tenth rotation, Madison lets go, sending Clay flying across the ring before she lands on the mat. Clay’s momentum sends her rolling across the ring. A dizzy Clay struggles to pull herself up using the ropes. Once she's back to her feet, Madison dives over and nails her with yet another bicycle knee strike! This time, across the back of the head. He then takes control of Clay’s back and pulls her away from the ropes before sending her crumbling to the mat with with Comatosed (ripcord rolling elbow)! Madison immediately pounces on Clay and locks on the Peruvian Necktie. It doesn't take long for Madison to get his desired outcome as Clay taps out. The ref then calls for the bell!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, CHRIS MADISON!

[FGA Office]

Backstage we find Amanda Johnson who greets the viewers as always with a warm smile.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome at this time… The Witch Herself… Salem!

The crowd erupts as Salem steps into view in the backstage interviewer area, a little darker than usual, hair a bit greasy yet she has a smirk on her face; a face downturned and burning two eyes into the camera lens.

Salem: Hello Mandy, long days and pleasant nights to you…

Amanda Johnson: What would you like to share with the FGA fans tonight?

Salem smiled wider, sweeping her messy locks back from her face, rolling her shoulders in her dark leather jacket.

Salem: I just need a second of your time tonight, just one… more figurative than literal of course. After all, one second is the difference between me being the new number one contender to Jimmy Page’s belt. Looks like Savannah Taylor… good ol’ Savvy Tay-Tay done got me snakebit again over that one. That’s okay… one of these days I’ll get my turn and I’ll be the fairest in the land. The Witch abides.

Salem giggled and drew a heart in the air with her fingerless gloved fingertips, then drew a slash through the middle.

Salem: But then again one second seems so meaningless to many, but clearly to me it means a lot. Two seconds of your shoulder on the mat is of no consequence… but three? Three seconds can shift tides, move mountains, and most monumental in this business: cause titles to change hands. That’s the sentence James Edwards hung on me not that long ago, the dirty southern counselor that he is. But that IS the past, and they say if you hang onto the past you die a little each day. Which is maybe redundant, all that is born soon sets about to slowly dying. Me? I like to plan my comings and goings with friends. James Edwards is no friend of mine, or most anybody for that matter. For him to play such a pivotal role in planning my comings and goings in regards to the United States title, I'd call that presumptuous, in fact I'd call it downright rude.

Amanda listened intently, nodded and then interjected.

Amanda Johnson: But now for better or worse that he’s become the US Champion, what are your thoughts on his Open Challenge. Do you plan on answering it?

Salem shot her a pixie-like smile and then rubbed her temples for a moment with a slight shake of the head.

Salem: That boy, my boy… an Open Challenge? That word ‘open’ implies an ‘opening’, and if you patched it over then you’d get what that “challenge” was all about: hollow. Hollow in the sincerity of the presentation, hollow like the man himself and I’m not referring to Kevin Bacon. No six degrees here, every degree of James Edwards is downright utterly unbearable. I’m sad and I blame myself. I had the opportunity to deny this man, and I did not. But as I’ve said before if you’re in this business long enough, you’re gonna lose and some are gonna be heartbreakers. You learn about loss. You don’t have to like it but you must process it and move on. But this? A bad, bad taste is stuck in my mouth like copper pennies. My two cents? The man is adept it seems at adding insult to injury. The blatant disrespect is clearly pointed at me; he’s got his dull knife between my ribs and is twisting, or so he thinks.

Salem threw her head back and laughed.

Salem: It’s all well and good if these others want to jump at the opportunity for this Open Challenge. More power to them, and good luck. Somehow, someway I feel like tyranny might prevail though. As for me? I will not beg or grovel for another shot. My answer to these challenges of his will always be the same: You can shove them up your lily-white ass, Edwards. Champ or no champ, I’m TELLING you exactly how it’s going to go down, James. We are not done. You can drag that belt all you want, but next time I’m going to drag you. You beat me once… congrats. Can you do it again? Remains to be seen. Everybody has to give up something, don’t they? Lay down a sacrifice. But to beat me once and then see the aftermath of your awful behavior? You already sacrificed me, counselor. Everything now is just the comeuppance, the resurrection, and the violent retribution, my boy.

Amanda Johnson: What exactly do you mean, Salem? It doesn’t seem like you’re going to play his games...

Salem: Everyone has to go through hell to reach paradise, and I’m bound for the promised land. Edwards and I are going to square off again… not in some throwaway tag match or even the Gold Rush Rumble, which might actually happen too, but that is beside the point. What I’m referring to is: you and I, one on one at Only The Strong Survive. It’s time for a test, the truest form: I'd like to know just how strong we both are. Or how weak. Since my failure at the previous test I have set about to studying in earnest, which is sometimes hard for one that never went to college. But now with that self-inflicted tutelage I firmly feel I can out-learn you. I can out-read you. I can out-think you. And I can out-philosophize you. But I guess the only way we're gonna find that out for certain is just by going through with this. If you weather your Open Challenge season, bring that US Title and I’ll put it back on the pedestal where it truly belongs, on the shoulder of a true deserving champion… me! I'm gonna outlast you. You think losing that belt is gonna keep me down? It's gonna take a hell of a lot more than that, Counselor, to prove you're better than me!

Salem started to shake and dragged a black fingernailed thumb across her throat staring into the camera before walking away.

Amanda Johnson: Strong, strong words from Salem here tonight. It remains to be seen what else can happen here.

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

It takes a moment or two before the screen comes to life. As it does, the audience is introduced to a shot of the Moda Center from earlier in the afternoon. The Frontier Grappling Arts’ ring has already been erected, nonetheless, there are numerous attendants buzzing around. The ring is empty. However, Nina Stokes is seated on the ring apron.

Nina Stokes: It’s interesting…

She says out loud. It’s more so for the camera’s benefit. Her attire reflects her leisurely demeanor: a zipped up black short leather jacket, black leather leggings, and a black pair of Michael Kors Blaze booties.

Nina Stokes: You know, at one point in time, I would have sat in this very spot and told you all that I was the underdog of this four-way match.

She lifts up her right hand and fluffs her hair.

Nina Stokes: Ashley Sullivan. Formerly one-half of the FGA Tag Team Champions. Headliner and lead woman of, well, whatever AAA is. A group? A collective? Go team, go!

Nina crosses her legs.

Nina Stokes: Cassius Reed. Winner of the 2018 Rey Del Aire tournament. Social media mogul. Sharp tongued devil.

She cracks the knuckles in her right hand before she places her hands in her lap.

Nina Stokes: Kendall Kingham. Two time FGA Fifteen Champion. A woman who has made quite a name for herself within the this company.

Nina pauses for a couple of seconds before she continues to speak.

Nina Stokes: And of course, there’s myself. The outcast of the group. The outsider. I don’t have a lineage in FGA. I don’t have a legacy here in FGA, unlike all the others—

There’s another pause.

Nina Stokes: I should be shrouded by fear. I should be quivering.

As she finishes her sentence, the camera tilts downward a bit and focuses in a bit on Nina’s right leg. It twitches ever so slightly. The camera quickly returns to a normal shot.

Nina Stokes: Oh? I suppose I am quivering, aren’t I? But it’s not from fear—it’s from excitement.

There’s a small pause before she starts to speaking again.

Nina Stokes: I don’t have to downplay or lie to myself any longer. I can face reality. And the reality of my current situation is that I’m rarely an underdog. Because even when things are dire and perilous, I always have a damn good fighting chance.

She takes a second to tap on her chin.

Nina Stokes: The fact that I’m not a former FGA champion and I’ve still been included in this match speaks volumes. What’s the measure of those volumes? Well, it means that I match up to all three. And if I match up with them, then I’ve got the ability to beat them. Point. Blank. Period.

A small smirk creeps across her lips.

Nina Stokes: Ashley? Cassius? Kendall? Good luck. And I sincerely mean that. But know this, I’m not here in FGA to blend in. No. I’m here to stand out. I’m here to win. And what better way is there to do that than knock off three of you?

That smirk of hers lingers as the screen starts to fade to black.

[FGA Office]

Our cameras fade to the back, opening up on the shot of the FGA 15 Championship. As we pan out, we see that the title is seated on the single, round, wooden table inside of a locker room. Out of focus, a figure paces slowly-- but as we pan up, we see Sadie San Francisco, moments after Flashpoint has concluded. No longer in her gear, Sadie sports a dark pair of joggers and a black tank top, phone pressed to her ear as she speaks.

Sadie San Francisco: ...yeah… hopefully I’ll know something pretty soon. It’s-- it’s been way too long.

She sighs, nodding as she listens to what the person on the other line is saying.

Sadie San Francisco: Yeah, I will. I know. I’ll keep you posted. See you later.

Sadie tosses the phone into her Adidas sports bag which lies just a few feet away. Sadie makes her way to the sole table in the dressing room, grabbing an empty plastic water bottle from the center of it before striding to the door. The camera follows behind as Sadie walks out of the locker room and down the corridor, toward a sole water fountain that sits at the south end of the hall before a familiar face rounds the corner-- Amanda Johnson’s eyebrows perking in delight as she locks eyes with the FGA 15 Champion.

Amanda Johnson: Hey, Sadie. Have a moment?

Sadie stops short of the fountain, moving the water bottle to rest across the top of it, smiling faintly at the interviewer.

Sadie San Francisco: Of course. What’s up?

Amanda Johnson: Well-- first of all, let me offer you a belated congratulations on becoming the new FGA 15 Champion. But now that you’ve had your first defense, does it leave any kind of bitter taste in your mouth, considering how it ended? I know how much you must have wanted to secure that first defense.

Sadie sighs, looking toward the ground for a moment as she considers her thoughts before looking back up to Johnson.

Sadie San Francisco: Look. It’s gonna be hard to convince me that anyone is gonna fight as hard for this as Kendall did. I’m not happy with how tonight ended on a professional level and, like, on a competitive level. Whenever I go out there I wanna prove that I’m the better athlete, the better wrestler, and the 15 Title gives everyone that competes for it a lot of opportunity to put all that on display. I don’t know what it is about Kendall, but I don’t have her entirely figured out just yet.

A small shrug.

Sadie San Francisco: But I will. Right now though, I’m focused on whoever and whatever comes next.

Amanda Johnson: Well, your match tonight wasn’t only to decide the FGA 15 Champion, but it also doubled as a Beat the Clock challenge to decide who faces Jimmy Page for the FGA International Heavyweight Championship. Now we know that the person is Savannah Taylor, but… I have to ask you-- after what we saw from Jimmy Page at A New Odyssey, would you even want to face him? What are your thoughts toward the champion? I know he’s an ally of yours, dating back to your time against the New Murder.

Sadie clears her throat, pondering her response for a moment, gaze falling down to the fountain. A few seconds pass before she sighs and turns to the interviewer.

Sadie San Francisco: I… don’t pretend to understand where Jimmy was coming from. I haven’t talked to him much in this past year but I have a lot of respect for him. I don’t personally know Chandler Scott but I saw the way they looked at each other. It was personal. And it was between them. I wish Chandler the best and it sucks that it ever needed to come to all that, but I’m not out here judging anyone. That’s their business. It’s Jimmy’s business. And all due respect, my business is keeping an eye on every single person on the FGA roster that wants to come for me and my cha…

Sadie pauses, the color seeming to drain from her face before her neck tenses-- her eyes narrow. She spots Jaelynn Ramsey walking up to them, a smug look on her face.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Especially me. You’d be a moron if you didn’t, San Franny.

Ramsey relaxes her shoulders, smirking at her longtime rival. Sadie shakes her head, mouth open slightly before it curls into an almost incredulous half-smile.

Sadie San Francisco: Holy. Sh*t. You are seriously like an actual cockroach. Where do you keep coming fr… hm.

Sadie tiredly shakes her head and gestures toward Jaelynn.

Sadie San Francisco: Yes. I saw your match. You were good. So, yeah. Good job. On almost winning.

Sadie shakes her head slightly.

Sadie San Francisco: But if you think the 15 Title is gonna be your consolation prize or something, you’re absolutely delusional.

The blonde takes note of what Sadie says, finding humor in when she called her a cockroach.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Getting under your skin is a start. I’m also flattered by you implying that I can take your 15 Title from you. The title itself wouldn’t be a form of consolation, babe. Beating the living hell out of you is what I want. The strap is nothing but a bonus!

Sadie blinks hard at that, rubbing at the bridge of her nose for a second before one small, short laugh comes out of her mouth.

Sadie San Francisco: Look, Jaelynn--

THWACK!

Amanda Johnson: Oh-!

Sadie is met with a sharp elbow from Jaelynn! Sadie stumbles back, being caught off guard by the blonde. Jae doesn’t wait much longer before striking her with a hard kick to the shin to keep her nemesis from recovering and retaliating.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Now THAT was funny!

With a wink to the stunned Amanda Johnson, Jaelynn calmly strides past Sadie, who holds a hand over her eye, disoriented from the elbow. Ramsey disappears from frame and her footsteps fade as the FGA 15 Champion uses the wall to guide herself to her feet-- lowering her hand to reveal a cut opened beneath her left eye.

Amanda Johnson: Sadie? Are you… should I go get help?

A small, bitter laugh from Sadie San Francisco. She shakes her head slightly, leaning back against the wall as she rolls her eyes toward the direction where Jaelynn walked off to.

Sadie San Francisco: This is fine. If this is what she wants to do… we’ll play this game.

Sadie walks back toward the direction from which she came and the scene fades to black on the face of a stressed out Amanda Johnson.

[FGA Office]

★★★ JAMES EDWARDS OPEN CHALLENGE ★★★
© James Edwards vs. ?

The scene cuts to James Edwards already standing in the ring with a microphone in hand, the U.S. Championship laying several feet away, the result of him casually tossing it in the ring during his off-camera entrance. The crowd loudly boos him, there is a small contingent of Edwards diehards who still cheer him, but it seems the Burning Heart has completely flushed the goodwill he had after Final Frontier down the toilet. For his part, James patiently waits out the din of the assembled masses.

James Edwards: I honest to God thought that someone would want that thing...

He points to the championship belt.

James Edwards: Bad enough to do whatever it took to win it. Max Powers had the belt in hand. I was going to give it to em’. Let me repeat myself; I was going to give him the championship. It might not how he pictured getting his first FGA belt, but who cares? It was a free win! A free championship! How many times is that going to happen in his career? I doubt it ever will, and he’ll regret it. He pissed away a chance to build the division in his image. Max could’ve been the guy to rescue it from my clutches, but at the end of the day, he was too damn good to do what it took. So I beat em.’.

The crowd boos. James shrugs his shoulders.

James Edwards: It’s pretty simple from where I stand. He wanted a fight instead of a title. So I gave him what he wanted, and he wasn’t good enough to beat me, and before folks go to their little Twitter accounts to call me a hypocrite, remember this, I said at the start of the year that if somebody wants to come at me, I was going to meet em’ head on. I was a man of my word then, and will be tonight too. I promised management…

The mention of the front office draws light boos from the pro-Edwards contingent in attendance, drawing a smirk from the U.S. Champion.

James Edwards: Glad some of y’all know who the real enemy is. Anyways I told those assh*les I wouldn’t pull a stunt as I did with Max Powers. I said we’d have an honest to God real open challenge for the U.S. Championship tonight. So whoever wants that thing layin’ on the canvas, come on out and beat me for it.

“No Regrets” by the Sohodolls plays, causing the Moda Center to be inundated with boos from those in attendance. Jaelynn Ramsey appears on stage, making her way to the ring with a mic already in hand. She walks up the steps and enters the ring, being several feet away from Edwards.

As the music fades, Jaelynn raises the mic to her lips to speak.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Surprise, surprise…

Jaelynn Ramsey: When I heard about your Open Challenge still taking place, I decided I wanted to take part in it. “Why?” you may ask. Why not? I wasn’t booked tonight and instead of complaining, I should take you up on your open challenge. Since you’re in the spirit of offerings, I thought I’d take advantage of that since Maxxy boy could not get the job done. Some would question why I’d come out here when I didn’t get the win over Salem, which is fair - when you’re a complacent piece of --

An audio “glitch” occurs just as Jaelynn was about to say an obscene word.

James Edwards: I appreciate somebody who walks their own trails, but Jaelynn, I don’t give a damn about why you’re out here or Salem. Let’s do what we both came out here to do.

Jaelynn Ramsey: That’s music to my ears.

Keeping the exchange at a minimum, Jaelynn nods at Edwards and looks at the referee before returning her gaze at Edwards in anticipation of the match to start.

Geoff Penzer: It looks as though Jaelynn Ramsey is stepping up to the plate and taking James Edwards up on his Open Challenge. The Burning Heart says he’s not going to try and lay down like he did last time. But knowing the contempt Edwards has for that bell, will he pass up the opportunity to get it off his hands?

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
© James Edwards vs. Jaelynn Ramsey

The bell sounds as Ramsey rushes over and locks up with Edwards. After jockeying for position, Edwards uses his height and strength advantage to move Ramsey across the ring and into the corner. While Ramsey is pressed against the ropes, the ref rushes over and gives them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Edwards and Ramsey slowly let go. When Edwards has his arms in the air, the crowd erupts with boos when Ramsey catches him with a throat thrust.

Geoff Penzer: Cheap shot there from Jaelynn! Judging by the crowd, I’m not sure which of these two is less popular with the fans. It would probably be Jaelynn, if I were to guess. Edwards at least has a vocal minority of fans supporting him tonight. The only people supporting Jaelynn are all the way over on the other brand.

Ramsey takes Edwards and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Edwards around, Ramsey nails him with a second throat thrust. Then a third! After Edwards is sent into the far corner with an irish whip, Ramsey charges across the ring and connects with a dropkick! Ramsey gets back to her feet, runs back into the far corner, bounces off the turnbuckles, charges back across the ring and connects with a second dropkick. Ramsey returns to her feet, runs to the far corner, bounces off the turnbuckles, charges back across the ring and connects with a third dropkick! The crowd boos while Edwards slumps down in the corner.

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey is taking advantage of this opportunity and taking it right to the Burning Heart! An opportunity like this doesn’t come along everyday and the former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion is trying to make the most of it!

Ramsey doesn’t let up as she nails Edwards with mudhole stomps in the corner. She then follows up with a foot choke! The ref is quick to get in and gives Ramsey until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Ramsey lets go… then quickly applies another foot choke! The crowd eurpts with boos while Ramsey pulls down on the top rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Ramsey reluctantly lets go. She then stomps Edwards out of the ring and out onto the apron. After reaching through the ropes, she’s able to pulls Edwards back to his feet. Ramsey then reaches over the ropes, grabs Edwards by his left wrist and brings it back into the ring. She then lines Edwards up before connecting with a short-arm clothesline! Edwards bounces off the mat before hitting the floor! Ramsey rolls to the outside before putting the boots to Edwards again. She picks Edwards up off the mat, places him in a front facelock and rakes his face along the edge of the apron. She then takes Edwards, runs and slams him face-first against the ring post! Edwards’ head smacks off the post before he crumbles to the floor.

Ramsey rolls back in, then back out onto the apron to restart the count. She pulls herself up on the apron using the ropes before stepping back towards the ring post. When Edwards picks himself up off the floor and turns around, the crowd boos when Ramsey runs along the apron, jumps off and tackles him down with a Lou Thesz Press! The boos continue as she rains down a flurry of right hands to the face!

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey has been all ove Edwards since the opening bell! If she keeps this up, she could very well wind up the next United States Champion!

Ramsey takes Edwards, slams him face-first onto the apron and then pushes him back into the ring. She then rolls herself back in before making the cover.

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

Ramsey gets to her feet, grabs Edwards and drags him away from the ropes before dropping back down for a cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Ramsey picks up Edwards and knocks him back with a palm strike to the chest. She then catches him with a left palm strike across the face, then a right. The crowd boos Ramsey as she pushes Edwards before hitting him with another palm strike. Ramsey goes to throw out another palm strike, but Edwards blocks it before countering with a roundhouse kick to the left calf. He then delivers a roundhouse kick to the outer right thigh before following up with a roundhouse kick to the inner right thigh. After Ramsey’s knee buckles after a savate chasee pass kick to the left knee, The Burning Heart blasts Ramsey with a Kesagiri Chop to the neck. Ramsey immediately clutches her neck as she staggers away from Edwards. But The Burning Heart is right of her trail as he marches over, turns Ramsey around and blasts her with another blistering Kesagiri Chop across the neck. This time, Ramsey stumbles into the corner. Edwards then marches forward before sending Ramsey slumping down in the corner with Mongolian Chops! Edwards reaches down, pulls up Ramsey and quickly locks her in the clinch before delivering knees to the torso. The last of which doubles Ramsey over. The Burning Heart then hooks both of Ramsey’s arms before hurling her out of the corner with a Butterfly Suplex!

Geoff Penzer: Edwards just sent Ramsey flying out of the corner!

Ramsey slowly turns over on all fours. When she gets back to her feet, Edwards is right there to double her over with a back kick to the ribs. After hoisting Ramsey up across his shoulders, Edwards brings her down with a fireman’s carry gourdbuster before quickly transitioning into a front facelock. Ramsey tries to get back to her feet, but Edwards Gator Rolls to his left. He then Gator Rolls to his right, then back to his left. After pulling Ramsey back to her feet, Edwards turns before bringing her down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Ramsey kicks out.

Edwards pulls Ramsey back up before rocking her with a forearm strike that sends her stumbling back against the ropes. While Ramsey tires to shake out the cobwebs, Edwards marches forward and nails her with open handed strikes to the head and body. Ramsey does her best to cover up. So Edwards switches up and starts to pierce her defense with jabs. After one jabs stuns her and causes her to drop her hands, Edwards doubles her over with a lifting knee strike to the gut. He then grabs Ramsey around her waist before hoisting her up for a gutwrench powerbomb to the floor! But Ramsey is able to counter with a hurricanrana, sending them both over the top rope! While Edwards falls to the floor, Ramsey reaches up and grabs the top rope with one hand. After reaching her left hand up to grab the top rope, Ramsey pulls herself back into the ring by “skinning the cat”. She then motions for Edwards to get up on the outside.

While Edwards starts to pick himself up on the floor, Ramsey turns and runs into the far ropes. When she comes back, she runs forward, leaps through the ropes and knocks Edwards down with a suicide dive!

Geoff Penzer: Jaegerbomb!

Ramsey pulls herself up using the edge of the ring. After rolling herself back inside, she waits patiently for Edwards. Once Edwards starts to pick himself back up, Ramse stands up and takes off into the ropes. When Ramsey returns, she charges forward, leaps through the ropes and knocks Edwards into the guardrail with a second Jaegerbomb! Ramsey pulls herself back up using the edge of the apron. After climbing up onto the apron, she looks back and sees the state that Edwards is on. The crowd gasps, then boos as she marches across the apron and starts climbing the turnbuckles!

Geoff Penzer: Where is Ramsey going?

Once Ramsey gets to the top, the crowd gasps when she flips off for Down By The Jae (Moonsault)!...







… then cheers when Edwards dives out of the way, causing Ramsey to crash hard on the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey missed big time on that moonsault to the outside! That had to take a lot out of her!

Edwards picks up Ramsey, lifts her up and then throws her down hard on the floor with a belly to back gourdbuster! He then takes Ramsey and rolls her back inside before rolling back in. The Burning Heart then drags Ramsey away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Ramsey gets her shoulder up.

Edwards pulls Ramsey up into a seated position before turning to hit the ropes.

Geoff Penzer: It might be Violent Gospel time!

When Edwards returns, he flattens Ramsey on the mat with the False Gospel (Feigned Violent Gospel into a reverse roundhouse kick)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Ramsey gets her shoulder up.

Edwards takes Ramsey, lifts her up and plants her with the Foxfire (Fisherman Brainbuster)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Ramsey gets her shoulder up.

Edwards pulls Ramsey back up and throws out the Double Shot (pair of spinning backfists)! Edwards catches her with the first backfist. But Ramsey ducks the second and counters with a superkick!

Geoff Penzer: Oh, what a kick!

While Edwards pushes himself up off the mat, Ramsey hits the ropes. When she comes back, she knocks Edwards down from behind with a crooked arm lariat. The boos continue as Ramsey takes Edwards and brings him down with a Facebuster! Ramsey then heads into the corner before scaling the turnbuckles. Once Ramsey reaches the top, she’s about to flip off for a moonsault when Sadie San Francisco makes her way out from the back. The crowd explodes with cheers as the reigning 15 Champion makes her way down the ramp.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie San Francisco is making her way to the ring!

Ramsey locks eyes with The Pope. She then immediately climbs down off the turnbuckles. Ramsey can be seen pointing at the champ while she yell something at her. The Pope, however, remains under control. San Francisco then stops at the edge of the ramp before gently laying down her 15 Championship. Ramsey’s anticipating a fight with the 15 Champion. But she didn’t anticipate Edwards grabbing her from behind. Edwards nearly dumps her on the back of her neck with the Half Cult (half nelson suplex)! Edwards marches over, pulls Ramsey up off the mat from behind before throwing her back down with the RRE (Rear Reverse Exploder)! The Burning Heart then heads into the corner as he waits impatiently for Ramsey to get up. Across the ring, a dazed Ramsey slowly pushes herself up onto a knee. She looks at and sneers as Sadie while Edwards charges from behind and clobbers her with the Violent Salvation (running chop elbow to the back of the head)! He pushes Ramsey over and makes the cover while Sadie makes her way back up the aisle...

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos when “My Name Is Human” blares throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: The winner of this match and STILL United States Champion, JAMES EDWARDS!

There are some slight cheers that pierce through the boos as Edwards gets his arm raised in victory. After being handed the United States Championship, Edwards once again tosses it to the floor. He then rolls to the outside, takes the US Championship and drags it behind him while he walks up the ramp.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards once again retains his United States Championship! This time, against Jaelynn Ramsey! We know how Edwards feels about holding that title. But how does he feel about what Salem said earlier? She wasn’t asking for begging for another shot. She was telling him that their paths will cross once again. We’ll get Amanda Johnson on that and hopefully she can get some answers out of The Burning Heart without pulling teeth. But knowing how Edwards is, I doubt that’s going to be an easy interview for her...

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

Wednesday, May 12, 2019
Fiserv Forum
Milwaukee, WS
LIVE and ONLY on PAY-PER-VIEW

[FGA Office]

CO-MAIN EVENT
★★★ FATAL 4-WAY ★★★
Nina Stokes vs. Kendall Kingham vs. Cassius Reed vs. Ashley Sullivan

The opening guitar riff of "Warrior" by Skarlett Riot begins to play over the sound system seconds before the Hybrid Champion Ashley Sullivan walks out onto the stage. Pointing out to the fans all over the arena, Sullivan walks down to the ring. Once she gets down to ringside, and gets on the apron before climbing the turnbuckle from the outside. She nimbly climbs the turnbuckle from the outside to perch atop the top rope as she sits on her knees.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is a fatal 4-Way! It is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first! From Bradley Beach, New Jersey… ASHLEY SULLIVAN!

With her name being announced, Ashley holds both of her arms up as she lays back on the turnbuckle post behind her. Flashing from cameras going off all around her, Sullivan rolls forwards to flip down into the ring and land on her feet.

It’s not my fault your girlfriend like me,
I do her hard like fucking warp speed,
Your Dad’s mad, it’s not my fucking fault,
That your Mom wants to fucking fuck me!

As the intro to “You Suck” by Pour Habit blasts throughout the arena, out from the back bursts Cassius Reed! Slowly rotating in his gold lined black ring robe Cassius soaks in the atmosphere for just a moment. Spinning to face the ring, he shadow boxes at the top of the ramp a short time more, before posing, spreading his arms wide, and sprinting down to the ring at full pace!

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from Funkytown, USA, and tipping the scales tonight at 205 pounds… CASSIUS REED!

Sliding in under the bottom rope, he quickly rolls onto his back before kipping up! Giving a quick smirk and raised eyebrow to the referee, he turns and leaps to the top of the nearest turnbuckle, before whipping off his ring robe with a flourish. He poses just a moment at the top of the turnbuckle, smug grin on his face, robe hanging from his hand, before dropping back to the mat, consigning his entrance gear to the outside whilst he finishes warming up for the match with more shadow boxing.

The lights drop, and multi-colored ones start strobing around as "Professional Griefers" starts up to the cheers of the crowd. Kendall Kingham emerges into sight wearing her regular gear, sunglasses, and an airbrushed jacket.

Kendall bounces on the balls of her toes before making her way down the ramp, slapping a few hands along the way.

Melanie Sierra: Their opponent, from Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York! Weighing in at 152 pounds… KENDALL KINGHAM!

She hops up on the apron, runs to an unoccupied corner, and climbs to the second turnbuckle. Raising a fist to a pop from the crowd, she slingshots herself inside, and removes her jacket and glasses as the lights come back on while her music fades.

The lights in the arena dim to a fairly darkened level. A couple of seconds pass before MUCC’s “Sei to Shi to Kimi” begins to play. The base of the entrance becomes fills up with heavy smoke. Nina Stokes makes her way out from the back a few seconds later. She emerges from the smoke after a moment or two. She gives a sly sneer to camera before she makes her way towards to the ring.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponent, from Miami, Florida! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is “The Kodiak” NINA STOKES!

Her pace down to the ring deliberate and leisurely. She tosses a couple of glances towards the crowd, but for the most part, she keeps her eyes fixated on the square circle. Nina flexes her arms a bit as she reaches the end entryway. She cracks her neck and completely circles the ring one time. Afterwards, Nina cracks her knuckles and slides into the ring.

Nina paces around for a moment. Then she removes her jacket and tosses it into the corner. Nina pulls on the ropes and stretches before she lounges in the corner and waits for the start of the match.

Geoff Penzer: Alright, wrestling fans, tonight’s Fatal 4-Way is about to get underway! All four of these grapplers will be representing Flashpoint in the Gold Rush Rumble next month! Each one of these grapplers wants to go on to challenge for the top prize at All-Star Showdown Eight. But tonight is about momentum and bragging rights. Cassius Reed is the last Rey del Aire winner! Kendall Kingham has made a case for herself as arguably the best 15 Champion in company history! Ashley Sullivan is a former World Tag Team Champion and has consistently been in the mix for the 15 and US Championships here on Flashpoint! Then there is Nina Stokes, who has yet to taste defeat since arriving to FGA at the top of the year! This collection of talent in the ring is some of the best Flashpoint has to offer! But there can only be one winner! Who is it going to be?

The bell sounds as Stokes, Kingham, Reed and Sullivan begin to circle the ring. All four grapplers keep their heads on a swivel as they maneuver around the ring. The capacity crowd is buzzing with anticipation for the first strike to be thrown. Suddenly, Reed charges over and throws out a punch to Sullivan. But Sullivan blocks the punch and counters with a punch of her own! Reed throws out another punch. But again, Sullivan blocks and counters with a punch of her own! She then nails Reed with two more punches until The Funky Dragon blocks and counters with a European Uppercut. The cheers turn to boos when Reed nails Sullivan with a Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow)! Sullivan then gets blasted with another Spanish Archer! The Funky Dragon then lights up Sullivan with a quick right handed slap, then a right jab-right jab-left hook boxing combo. He then does a Michael Jackson-style spin before throwing out a spinning backhand slap. But Sullivan’s able to duck the slap and counter with a legsweep, bringing him down!

Across the ring, Stokes rushes over and knocks Kingham down with a front push kick. Kingham scrambles back to her feet, but she’s quickly doubled over with a rolling solebutt to the midsection. After a rising knee to the chin knocks the former two-time 15 Champion upright, she knocks Kingham back with a shoot kick to the chest before throwing out a lariat. But Kingham ducks the lariat. When Stokes turns around, she gets brought down with a Japanese arm drag. A second Japanese arm drag returns Stokes to the mad. Once The Kodiak returns to her feet, Kingham latches onto her arm and wrenches it. After the second arm wrench, Kingham transitions into a hammerlock from behind. The hold doesn’t stay on for long as Stokes uses her free arm to nail Kingham with a back elbow to the face, breaking the hold.

Stokes moves Kingham into the corner before throwing out repeated shoot kicks to the chest. She then brings Kingham out of the corner before whipping her into the far ropes. When Kingham returns, Stokes goes to flatten her with a bicycle knee. But Kingham’s able to duck with a baseball slide. Once Stokes lands on her feet, she turns around and gets caught with a running European Uppercut that knocks her back! Kingham then runs back into the far ropes. When Kingham returns, the crowd boos when Stokes knocks her off her feet with a running roundhouse kick! She then drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Kingham kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Stokes with the first nearfall! This isn’t an elimination match. It’s first fall to a finish! Not only do you have to keep your head on a swivel and prepare for all comers, but you must be aware of your surroundings. You could lose this match being pinned or being forced to submit!

In the corner, Sullivan delivers three knife edge chops to Reed. She then takes him by the wrist and goes for an irish whip. The Funky Dragon quickly reverses, sending Sullivan into the corner. He then rushes across the ring to attack when Sullivan knocks him back to a back elbow to the face. While Reed is dazed, Sullivan hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, flips off and brings Reed down with a Blockbuster! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Reed kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan came off the ropes and brought Reed down with that Blockbuster. But it wasn't enough for a three count.

Sullivan picks up Reed before bringing him back down with a snap suplex. The Triple A member then heads into the ropes. When Sulivan returns, she throws out the Wind Whisper (Rolling Senton). But Reed rolls out of the way. He quickly scrambles back to his feet and immediately follows up with a leg drop before Sullivan can get off the mat. Reed then delivers a running leg drop across Sullivan’s throat. The boos continue as The Funky Dragon delivers a handstand leg drop on Sullivan. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Sullivan kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Now Reed scores a nearfall.

After bringing Sullivan into the corner, Reed goes to work with right jabs to the head and body. He then follows up with a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the midsection that double Sullivan over. After switching position with Sullivan in the corner, Reed hoists himself up onto the middle ropes, grabs Sullivan and plants her with a Tornado DDT! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Stokes breaks up the pin with a jumping senton across his back!

Geoff Penzer: There it is right there! Reed thought he was free and in the clear. But Stokes was right there to break up the pin.

Stokes picks up Reed and knocks him back with a shoot kick to the chest. Stokes follows up with another shoot kick that doubles Reed over. After a rising knee knocks him upright, she doubles him back over with a rolling solebutt to the midsection. After another rising knee to the chin knocks Reed upright, she knocks him back against the ropes with a front push kick. Stokes pushes forward before unloading on Reed with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. While Reed writhes in pain against the ropes, Stokes turns and runs into the far ropes. When she comes back, she charges forward and connects with a lariat, sending Reed over the top rope and to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Reed falls down hard to the outside! Stokes is doing the smart thing by knocking Reed to the floor. It’s one less person she has to contend with in the ring.

Back inside, Kingham takes control of Stokes’ back and tries for a German Suplex. But Stokes counters with three back elbows to the face. After performing a standing switch, Stokes throws her down with a German Suplex! The boos continue as Stokes heads over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Sullivan breaks up the pin with the Wind Whisper!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan connects with her second attempt on the rolling senton!

Sullivan takes Stokes and delivers a knife edge chop. Stokes answers back with a boxing forearm strike. Sullivan shakes off the blow before popping Stokes with a right hand. Stokes motions for another strike when Sullivan pops her with another right hand. Sullivan throws out a haymaker. But Stokes ducks and quickly follows up with a palm strike flurry, knocking Sullivan back across the ring and into the corner. From there, Stokes unleashes a flurry of shoot kicks to the chest. Once Sullivan is whipped into the far corner, Stokes charges across the ring and throws herself at Sullivan with running double knees. The crowd cheers when Sullivan dives out of the way, causing Stokes to crash into the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: Stokes thought she had her! But Sully was able to slip out of the way just in time! There’s clearly no love lost between these two given their history over in the now defunct Hard Knox Wrestling.

Sullivan grabs Stokes by the leg and drags her towards the center of the ring. Stokes tries to kick Sullivan off of her. But Sullivan fight through it. She then takes the leg and delivers a spinning leg breaker to it! The cheers continue as Sullivan delivers a second spinning leg breaker. Then a third! While Stokes is on the mat, Sullivan turns and hits the ropes. Instead of coming back, she gets yanked down to the canvas by Reed. The crowd boos as Reed drags Sullivan to the outside before throwing her hard against the guardrail.

Geoff Penzer: Reed just temporarily took out Reed! But before Sullivan got sent into the rail, she was working over Stokes’ leg. Stokes is renown for her hard strikes and those lethal kicks. Sullivan was going the smart thing by trying to ground The Kodiak and take one of her legs out. Let’s see if Reed will pick up where Sully left off...

After climbing back up onto the apron, Reed runs along the apron towards the corner and starts climbing the turnbuckles. Once he gets to the top, Reed leaps off and connects with a diving left elbow drop on Stokes! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
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Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Reed immediately heads over and applies a leg grapevine to the right leg! While Reed keeps the hold applied, Kingham is seen making her way over to them. Instead of breaking up the submission, she grabs a hold of Stokes and applies a submission of her own. The crowd explodes with cheers as Kingham applies the Peruvian Necktie!

Geoff Penzer: Oh my!

Both Kingham nd Reed are fighting for respective submission of Stokes! The ref asks Stokes if she wants to give up. But she refuses!

Geoff Penzer: Nina Stokes is in a horrible spot here! She’s got two submission locked on her!

Sullivan rolls back in, rushes over and nails Reed with a stomp to the back, breaking the leg grapevine. She then goes over to Kinghan and delivers multiple stomps to the back to break the Peruvian Necktie. Sullivan then pulls Kingham back to her feet and doubles her over with multiple knees to the midsection. After delivering multiple clubbing strikes across the back, Sullivan places her in an Octopus Hold!

Geoff Penzer: Sully’s got Kingham locked in her Web!

The cheers continue while the ref asks Kingham if she wants to give up. But Kingham refuses. The capacity crowd here in the Flashpoint Zone starts to rally behind her. While Sullivan fights for the submission, Reed picks himself back up. He then heads over, grabs Sullivan from behind and breaks up the pin with an inverted facelock backbreaker! The boos continue as he picks up Kingham before giving her an inverted facelock backbreaker! The Funky Dragon then goes over, takes Stokes and brings her down with an inverted facelock backbreaker! He then pulls Stokes back up, pulls her into position and then delivers a Snap Suplex across Kingham! While Stokes is still stacked on top of Kingham, Reed goes over and pulls up Sullivan. He then pulls Sullivan over before delivering a release Northern Lights Suplex on top of Stokes and Kingham! While Sullivan is stacked on top of Stokes and Kingham, The Funky Dragon runs his hands through his afro as he moonwalks towards the ropes. The boos continue as he steps through the ropes and trash talks the crowd before climbing the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: Oh no! This isn’t going. Cassius Reed has got all three of his opponents stacked on top of each other!

Once Reed gets to the top turnbuckle, he flips off and goes for a diving somersault leg drop. Sullivan and Stokes roll out of the way, causing Kingham to get nailed with the leg drop off the top!!! He goes to make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stokes and Sullivan yank Reed off of Kingham, run and chuck him through the ropes and to the floor!!!

Back inside, Stokes and Sullivan turn towards each other before throwing hard forearm strikes!

Geoff Penzer: These two are going at it again!

The crowd explodes with cheers as the two continue to go back and forth! Stokes and Sullivan continue to trade blows until Stokes gains the upper hand. She then hooks her arms around Sullivan’s before rocking her with trapping headbutts. While Sullivan is rocked, Stokes witches her grip before bringing her down with a wrist-clutch Exploder Suplex! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Reed breaks up the pin with a slingshot left elbow drop! He then takes Stokes and tosses her through the ropes and to the floor. He then drops down on top of Sullivan and hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stokes drags Reed to the outside before dropping him with a high roundhouse kick to the head!

Geoff Penzer: Stokes with some payback there on Reed!

As Stokes climbs back up onto the apron, Kingham is right there to hit a slingshot spear through the ropes, sending Stokes off the apron. The crowd explodes with cheers as both grapplers crash to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham just speared Stokes off the apron! Kingham is going all out for the people here in the Flashpoint Zone!

Back inside, Sullivan is seen slowly turning over on all fours. She then begins to slowly crawl over towards the side of the ring. While Sullivan slowly pulls herself up using the ropes, Kingham, Stokes and Reed are slowly picking themselves up on the outside. Sullivan turns and sees her three opponents on the outside. So she immediately begins climbing the turnbuckles!

Geoff Penzer: Where is Sully going?

After Sullivan climbs to the top turnbuckle, the crowd explodes with cheers when she flips off and knocks Kingham, Stokes and Reed down with a moonsault to the outside!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan hits the moonsault! She just took everyone out on the floor! Unbelievable action we’re seeing here tonight! You can see just how bad all four of these grapplers want this!

Sullivan takes Reed and rolls him back inside. After rolling back in, she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Reed gets his shoulder up.

Sullivan takes Reed and whips him into the corner. She then charges across the ring before blasting him with the Wind Kick (running corner boot kick)! She then takes Reed and sends him over into the far corner with an irish whip. Sullivan then runs full steam ahead across the ring before blasting The Funky Dragon with another Wind Kick! Reed then returns the favor by planting Reed with a Tornado DDT of her own! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Reed gets his shoulder up.

Sullivan takes Reed and whips him into another corner. She then rushes forward before whacking him with a spinning heel kick across the face. The Funky Dragon then crumbles from out of the corner. After dragging Reed into position, the crowd cheers when Sullivan steps out onto the apron and starts slapping the top turnbuckle.

Geoff Penzer: Sully’s calling for it! She can feel it! The end is near for Cassius Reed!

Sullivan climbs the turnbuckles. Once Sullivan reaches the top, she’s about to jump off for the Sunset (Swanton Bomb)! But the cheers turn to boos when Stokes climbs onto the apron before shoving Sullivan off, sending her crashing to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Did you hear that impact!?

Stokes looks down at Sullivan before turning her attention to Reed, who is still sprawled out on the mat. The Kodiak then begins to climb the turnbuckles. Once she gets to the top, she leaps off for a top rope splash… only for Reed to get his knees up in time!

Geoff Penzer: Reed countered the splash! The high risk didn’t pay off for Stokes! She might have had the wind knocked out of her!

Stokes bounces off of Reed’s knees before rolling across the ring. Stokes remains curled up on the canvas while Reed gets back to a vertical base. She heads over, pulls up Stokes and brings her down with a belly to back suplex. The Funky Dragon returns to his feet before crashing down across Stokes’ midsection with Funky Knee, Funky Do (moonsault double knee drop)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Reed pulls up Stokes before bringing her down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Reed takes Stokes and brings her back down with a neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stokes gets her shoulder up.

After bringing Stokes back to her feet, Reed nails her with a right handed slap. He then follows up with a right jab-right-jab-left hook boxing combo. After spinning in place, Reed motions for a spinning backhand slap. But Stokes cuts him off with a boxing forearm strike! Reed then nails Reed with another right handed slap. Stokes answers back with another boxing forearm strike! Reed nails Stokes with a European Uppercut. Stokes goes for another boxing forearm strike when Reed cuts her off with another European Uppercut. He then throws out a Pimp Slap. But Stokes ducks and counters with a bicycle knee that rocks The Funky Dragon!!! She then turns Reed away from her and pushes him towards the corner for the Chaos Theory (front turnbuckle mash into a back roll German Suplex). But Reed hangs onto the turnbuckle, sending Stokes off his back and down to the mat. After Stokes rolls back to her feet, she runs back into the corner to attack when Reed whacks her across the face with a Pimp Slap! After a back kick to the midsection doubles Stokes over and knocks her back, Reed hoists himself up onto the middle ropes. He then hops off the ropes, lands on Stokes’ back and brings her down with SWEET CHRISTMAS (Sunset Flip Powerbomb)! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Kingham breaks up the pin with a low angle European Uppercut to the back of the head.

Geoff Penzer: What a save by Kingham!

Kingham picks up Reed, moves him into the corner and place him in a Thai Plum. From there, Kingham nails him with short elbows, knees and uppercuts! After sending Reed into the far corner with an irish whip, Kingham heads across the ring and connects with a running European Uppercut! Kingham then sends Reed back into the opposite corner with an irish whip before running across the ring. Kingham runs across the ring and motions for another European Uppercut. But Reed knocks her back with a back elbow. The boos continue as Reed rushes out of the corner and throws out a discus punch. But Kingham ducks and heads towards the corner. When Reed turns around, the crowd cheers when Kingham knocks him down with a springboard European Uppercut! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Reed gets his shoulder up.

Kingham takes Reed and goes for an irish whip. But Reed reverses, sending Kingham into the ropes. When she returns, she sees Reed setting up for a back body drop. So she stops and counters with a single arm DDT! The cheers continue when Kingham picks up Reed, wrenches his arm and then follows up with a double knee armbreaker. Reed howls in pain as he staggers across the ring before dropping down on all fours. Kingham then runs over and catches him across the side of the head with a Knee Trembler! The crowd then explodes with cheers after Kingham takes control of his back and applies a grounded top wristlock!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham’s got Reed locked in The Tombs!

The cheers continue as Kingham has the hold applied. The ref asks Reed if he wants to give up. The Funky Dragon refuses between groans. So Kingham pulls back to increase the pressure of the hold. The capacity crowd in the Flashpoint Zone is solidly behind Kingham as they yell at Reed to tap.

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

Geoff Penzer: We’ve seen Kingham put many wrestlers away with this hold!Cassius knows it first hand all too well!

Just as Reed’s about to raise his free arm, the crowd erupts with boos when Stokes clocks Kingham across the back of the head with the Divine Night (Rolling Elbow)!

Geoff Penzer: Good Lord, what an elbow!

The boos continue when Stokes kicks Kingham over onto her back before raining down rapid double wrist-clutch curb stomps to the face! She then heads over and slowly pulls up Reed by the hair. After placing him in an inverted facelock, she hoists Reed up before spiking him with the Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT)! Stokes then heads over and waits patiently into the corner as she crouches down in front of the turnbuckles. Across the ring, Reed can be seen clutching the back of his head as he turns over into the prone position. As soon as Reed gets up on a knee, Stokes darts out of the corner before clobbering him across the back of the head with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike)! She pulls Reed over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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Sullivan rolls back inside








TWO!
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Kingham turns over and reaches out…





THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Sei to Shi to Kimi” blares throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, NINA STOKES!

The boos continue as Stokes gets her arm raised in victory.

Geoff Penzer: Nina Stokes does it again! That’s yet another notch in the win column for her since joining FGA! She faced a jump in competition here tonight and not only did she meet the challenge head on, but she succeeded! tIt was a hard fought match on all sides. But in the end, it’s Nina Stokes that is the victory!

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★