All-Star Showdown VIII: Night 2

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

And now, Flashpoint presents…

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Staples Center exterior. We then transition inside the arena, where gold shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to back for night two of this All-Star Showdown weekend! I am your host, Geoff Penzer. Tonight, it will be the Flashpoint brand providing you with ten matches over the course of the evening. Not one, not two, not three but all four championship matches will be on the line! It won’t just be titles on the line, though. Pride will also be on the line here this evening. We’ve got newcomers taking on established veterans, teams jockeying for position in the expanding tag team division, we’ve got grudge matches and even former tag team partners going at it! Let’s take an in-depth look at the top of the card, shall we?

Geoff Penzer: In one of the premier matches of the evening, Chris Madison takes on James Edwards! “The Burning Heart” has always had a chip on his shoulder. But his attitude has been turned all the way up to ten over the last several months. He’s alienated himself from the few people that he was actually close with, he made an absolute mockery of the United States Championship by literally dragging it around, and he’s even attacked the likes of Logan Alexander and Chris Madison unprovoked. All Chris Madison was doing was trying to help James. That’s all he wanted. He had no ulterior motives. But that didn’t matter to Edwards, who took it upon himself to lay out Madison backstage. But the former two-time Pride Champion gave Edwards a taste of his own medicine by getting in some strikes of his own the last time they crossed paths in the back. Tonight, “Mayhem” Madison is going to give “The Burning Heart” a lesson in respect here in Los Angeles!

Geoff Penzer: In a highly-anticipated matchup, the red hot Nina Stokes will challenge former friend, Salem, for the United States Championship. Stokes made it clear to Salem that she didn’t come hereto relive the past with Salem as a tag team. The Kodiak actually has a bone to pick with The Phenomena, letting Salem know that she’s deserving of her wrath after the way that Salem treated Stokes and fellow closed friends and family some years back. Salem once again apologized for her actions in the past. She understands Stokes’ hurt. She also understands Stokes’ desire for her US Championship. She’s seen the way that Stokes has eyed that championship in recent weeks. Tonight, she grants arguably the hottest wrestler in all of FGA a shot at her championship. Stokes has barely tasted defeat since coming to FGA at the top of the year. Does Salem have what it takes to put down The Kodiak for the three count? We’ll find out.

Geoff Penzer: Then, it’s a match where Chaotics Collide as former partners Ashlyn De Luca and Logan Alexander will clash! Many years ago, Logan Alexander took Ashlyn De Luca under his wing. This man was a mentor to De Luca. Over the course of this partnership, they formed one of the greatest tag teams we’ve ever seen. The Chaotics stormed into FGA mid-2017 and won the Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament and eventually, the World Tag Team Titles! Despite losing the championship to Smart Style, The Chaotics won them back and embarked on a record-breaking title reign. They elevated themselves past every team that came before them while setting the bar extremely high for every team that came after them. Throughout that run, the team faced several trials and tribulations. Sometimes, it was against other established teams and even management. Other times, there was tension and self-doubt amongst the group. But they where able to weather the storm through it all. This historic ride came to an end when The Chaotics lost the championship to Pendragon and then failed to recapture the titles in a rematch. The Chaotics stated beforehand that if they lose, they would go their separate ways. But after the match, it became apparent that the split wasn't amicable when De Luca attacked her partner, her friend and her mentor, Logan Alexander! Much like Edwards, the attitude shift in De Luca has been apparent in recent months. But no one saw this coming. No one saw her crossing the line and trying to put Alexander out of commission! For the first time in months, Alexander returns to compete inside an FGA ring. These two fought in an early round Frontier Lions Cup match last year that tore the house down. Tonight, it’s not about wrestling maneuvers, counters or holds. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, it’s personal!

Geoff Penzer: We go from a match that’s personal to a match all about respect! It’s one of the few dream matches left in the world of wrestling as Pendragon will defend their World Tag Team Titles against the Super Mario Wrestling Bros! The SMWB have been high in Neal Durden’s bucket list for what feels like forever. Both teams didn’t cross paths when they were both on the Vertigo brand last year. But this time in 2019, Pendragon - and especially Durden - made it a point to cross the SMWB off their bucket. If The Chaotics were the best team in all of 2018, then Pendragon were right there at a solid number two. Durden and Lowri Moss won the United States Tag Team Championship last year by outlasting the likes of Reapers in Pride, The Good Guys, Bristow & Barnes, The Firing Squad, Shootcamp and many more. Earlier this year, they won the World Tag Team Titles, becoming the only team in FGA history to win both sets of championships. Tonight, they take on one of the most accomplished teams over the course of the last several years. Do Pendragon have what it takes to defeat SMWB and their plethora of powers-ups? We’ll find out!

Geoff Penzer: Then, it will be main event time as Savannah Taylor defends her newly won International Heavyweight Championship against former champion, Jimmy Page! Page won the championship earlier this year against his hatred rival, Chandler Scott. But Page didn’t stop with just beating Scott. He brutalized Scott, severely injuring him to the point that Scott’s career was ended inside that very ring. Taylor was the first to challenge Page after winning the Beat The Clock Challenge. The Las Vegas Siren showed no fear as she went up against the King of the F’n World. To her credit, she was able to outwrestle Page and defeat him for the championship at Only the Strong Survive. But like Page months before her, Taylor didn’t stop at just beating him. She made it a point to attack Page after the match and used her newly won championship belt to bust him wide open. Tonight, Page has vowed to paint the town red with Taylor’s blood in this First Blood Match! There are no pinfalls or submissions. No disqualifications for countouts. The only way to win is to make your opponent bleed first! We’ve seen the level of brutality and violence that Page goes to when he feels that the line has been crossed with him. Taylor has crossed that line repeatedly and may end up biting off more than she can chew here tonight!

Geoff Penzer: Wrestling fans, we’ve got a solid night of action ahead for you. We’ve got ten matches on tap. You don’t want to hear anymore from me. You want action! You want to see some of the best competing! So let’s send it to the ring where Melanie Sierra is ready for the in-ring introductions. Mel, take it away!

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Laura Perelli vs. Patrick Jones

"I Won't Back Down" by Burn Halo fills the arena. At the first drum beats, a spotlight flickers on the entrance way with Jones coming out as the bass starts in a surge of energy. He spins a full circle with his arms stretched out to revel in the crowd's energy. The spin completes at the top of the ramp where Jones drops to a knee with a big, over-handed fist pump. PJ takes a moment to enjoy the cheers around him and collect his thoughts before hopping to his feet.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Louisville, Kentucky! Weighing in at 235 pounds… PATRICK JONES!!!

He jogs down the ramp, talking to and high-fiving fans, trying to get them as pumped up and ready to go as he is. Jones goes straight from the ramp and jumps onto the ring apron before ducking through the second and third rope, giving another, slower spin just to drink in the environment.

The arena goes dark for just a moment, as the opening riffs to Voodoo Johnson's "United Divided" play through the PA, before the white lights are replaced by swirling blue and yellow replacements. A few seconds pass, though, and it’s only when the drum beat kicks in that the curtain is pushed aside, and Laura Perelli comes spinning through, immediately spreading her arms out wide, a sly little smile on her face as she glances out into the arena. She holds her spot in the center of the stage, rolling her neck out to either side, only making her way down the ramp when she’s good and ready.

Ooo, standing up, being a captive to my disease

And I’ll start when I wanna start

It’s not a trip but a diviiiiiiine right to be

This is my castle and I’m keeping

All

Locked

Laura’s not exactly in a particular hurry, as she more saunters down the ring, occasionally glancing to either side of her to take in the fans at the aisleway. It’s never for more than a moment or two, though, as the most regard Laura’s willing to give is a little tilt of the head to one fan in particular trying to get her attention--whatever he may have been saying, it didn’t do much to faze her, and she just continues to move on. At her own pace, she eventually reaches the ring steps, pausing with one boot on the bottom step, closing her eyes for just a second before quickly jogging up onto the apron, casually wiping the soles of her boots off before spinning around to face the crowd--if only to smirk a little bit.

Melanie Sierra: His opponent, from Trenton, New Jersey! Weighing in at 127 pounds… this is LAURAAAAA PERRELLIIIIIIIII!!!

Laura swings herself through the ropes, spinning in a half circle to face the opposite side fans and stretching both arms out, holding the pose for more than a couple seconds before eventually backing herself into her corner, shrugging her jacket off and dumping it out of the ring. Grabbing the top rope with one hand, she leans down, stretching her opposite leg out in preparation for the match.

Geoff Penzer: This match all came about after Laura Perelli took offense to Patrick Jones trying to impart some wisdom and best practices on the newcomer. FGA scouts had been aware of Perelli’s presence in the northeast scene before she joined the company. But recently she has been receiving national attention with her performances in the Overpowered tournaments. Jones, being a veteran that just wants to help out the youth, was simply looking to offer his advice. But Perelli has made it perfectly clear that she couldn't care less about the thoughts and opinions of the well-traveled vet. Jones is looking to school Perelli inside that ring tonight while Perelli is looking to show Jones that her way is the way of the future!

Perelli and Jones start things off with a lock up. Jones is quick to gain the advantage by bringing Perelli to the mat with an arm drag. Another deep arm drag from Jones returns Perelli to the canvas. When Perelli gets back up, Jones takes control of her wrist and wrenches her arm. Jones performs another arm wrench before transitioning into a hammerlock from behind. Perelli doesn’t stay in the hold for long as she spins out and brings Jones to the mat with a tiger spin drop toe hold. Perelli gives Jones an exaggerated shrug before spinning over on his back and transitioning into a front chancery. The official gets down and asks Jones if he wants to give up. But the veetran refuses. Jones begins to battle back to a vertical base. Perelli then transitions into a Guillotine Choke! Perelli gets the choke sunk in nice and tight. Perelli pulls back to increase the pressure of the choke. Thankfully for Jones, he’s able to move Perelli into the ropes. He quickly grabs the middle rope, forcing a rope break.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Perelli breaks the choke. She keeps her arms out to her sides in defensive stance while Jones slowly starts to stand back up. In the blink of an eye, Perelli quickly takes hold of Jones wrist, hops out onto the apron and then drops down, bringing Jones down with an armbreaker across the middle rope.

Geoff Penzer: Perelli caught the veteran making a rare mistake and made him pay there!

Perelli quickly rolls back inside and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones kicks out.

Perelli grabs Jones and turns him over to his side. After trapping one arm behind his back, she wrestles control of Jones’ other arm. After putting his hand down on the mat, Perelli leaps up and delivers a jumping stomp to the arm. Jones rolls towards the side of the ring and clutches the arm. Perelli approaches while he reaches up with his good arm and slowly pulls himself up. Perelli reaches out to attack when Jones cuts her off with a kick to the midsection. Perelli goes to grab him again when another kick to the midsection doubles her over. He then grabs Perelli by the back of the neck and tosses her through the ropes and out onto the apron. Jones reaches through the ropes with his good arm, places Perelli in a front facelock and drags her across the middle rope before planting her with a rope-assisted DDT! He pulls her over with his good arm and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Perelli kicks out.

Jones picks up Perelli and goes for an irish whip. Perelli is quick to reverse, sending Jones into the ropes. When Jones returns, he goes for a flying forearm smash with his good arm. But Perelli catches him in mid air and brings him down into a fujiwara armbar!

Geoff Penzer: Beautiful counter by the newcomers!

Perelli quickly releases the hold, rolls across Jones’ back and locks the fujiwara armbar onto Jones’ worked over arm! The official gets down and asks Jones if he wants to give up. When Jones refuses, Perelli pulls back on the arm. Perelli keeps the arm held in this position while Jones tries to fight through the pain. Jones grabs his head with his free arm as he howls in pain. The ref goes over and asks him if he wants to quit. Jones quits by shaking his head sideways. He then uses his free arm to start pulling himself towards the side of the ring. Perelli keeps the hold applied while Jones continues to slowly scratch and claw his way towards the ropes. Jones reaches out, but he’s not close enough. He pulls himself forward some more before reaching out again. Jones is still not quit there. He groans as he struggles to pull himself further across the mat. It appears that Jones is just within arm’s reach of the bottom rope. He reaches out to grab it when Perelli quickly releases the hold, rolls across his back and latches onto his ankle. The crowd boos when Perelli drags Jones back to the center of the ring. After turning Jones over onto his back, Perelli follows up with a jumping foot stomp to the chest! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones gets his good shoulder up.

Perelli sits up Jones and latches onto him with a shoulder claw. Jones cringes while Perelli applies more pressure to the hold. The ref kneels in front of Jones and asks him again if he wants to give up. Jones refuses. Perelli delivers a pointed elbow strikes across the shoulder before re-applying the shoulder claw. After Jones declines another chance to quit, he starts to feed off the energy of the capacity crowd. Jones begins to shake his free arm in unison with the chants. He begins to turn himself over onto a knee. After battling back to a vertical base, he takes his free arm and nails Perelli with repeated punches to the midsection. Once the hold is broken, Jones sends Perelli flipping down to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri!

Geoff Penzer: Jones has his opening to get back into the match. But can he take advantage?

Jones heads out onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. As soon as Perelli gets back up, Jones leaps off and brings her down with a missile dropkick! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Perelli kicks out.

Jones takes Perelli and goes for an irish whip. Perelli reverses again, sending Jones into the ropes. As soon as Jones bounces off the ropes, he throws out another flying forearm. This time, Perelli drops to the mat, causes Jones to whiff before crashing to the canvas. Jones rolls across the mat before getting back to his feet. Perelli rushes over to attack when Jones ducks and dumps her over the top rope and to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Jones dumps Perelli to the outside!

While Perelli picks herself up off the floor, Jones begins to climb the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: Jones is heading up top...

When Perelli turns to face the ring, she looks up with surprise when Jones leaps off before bringing her down with a diving crossbody to the floor! Jones gets a good pop from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Jones with a big crossbody off the top to the outside! He’s got Perelli reeling...

Jones picks up Perelli and rolls her back inside. He rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

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

Jones takes Perelli, whips her across the ring and bounces against the near ropes. When Perelli returns, Jones finally knocks her down with the flying forearm! A second flying forearm returns Perelli to the mat! When Perelli gets back up, Jones doubles her over with a spinning back kick. Perelli’s leg buckles when Jones connects with a low kick. After hitting Perelli with a mid kick he knocks her down with a roundhouse kick to the head. Perelli remains sprawled out on the mat as Jones heads back out to the apron. He then scales to the top, jumps off and connects with a diving elbow drop!

Geoff Penzer: Right to the heart of Perelli! Jones is feeling it now! He’s got all the momentum! He’s got this capacity crowd behind him! Is he moments away from handing Laura Perelli her first loss here in FGA?

Jones heads into the corner and starts to wave up Perelli with his good arm. Perelli can be seen starting to turn over on all fours. She then gets back to her feet. The moment she turns around, the crowd cheers when Jones goes for Zoned Out (superkick)! He misses! Perelli ducks out of the way just in time. When Jones turns around, Perelli goes to lift him up with a Ushi Goroshi. But Jones counters by using his good arm to elbow her in the head. He then stands Perelli back up and throws out another roundhouse kick. Perelli swats the kick away from her before countering with a double knee armbreaker! Jones drops down to a knee while he clutches his arm. He goes to pick himself back up while Perelli hits the ropes. When she returns, the crowd boos when she executes a tilt-a-whirl into a Fujiwara Armbar! Perelli repeatedly pulls back on the arm while Jones howls out in pain. After refusing the chance to quit, Jones uses his free arm to start to pull himself towards the ropes. But Perelli puts a stop to that by transitioning into the New Jersey Necktie, which results in groans from the crowd! Perelli pulls back on the hold, applying an immense amount of pressure to both shoulder joints. Jones is in a state of suffering while he remains trapped in the hold. The ref continues to engage with Jones and asks him if he wants to give up. Jones shakes his head sideways! He shakes his head sideways again and again and again before finally succumbing and nodding his head! The official calls for the bell!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, LAURA PERELLI!

[FGA Office]

The scene fades into Ace Voltage’s locker room before his scheduled pay-per-view debut against Zola Star.

He is in the corner throwing jabs at a punching bag before noticing the camera.

Ace Voltage: Knock much mate? This is like the third time I’ve been ambushed by you guys.

Ace stops the jabs and grabs a towel. He wipes down his face and throws it on the ground.

Ace Voltage: The janitor can pick that one up. I'm no peasant.

Ace laughs to himself before putting his leg up on a bench and re-tying his boots.

Ace Voltage: So tonight, Ace Voltage, the people’s Main Event, gets to make his FGA pay-per-view debut. On night two nonetheless! People who paid for night one and not night two are going to be reaallllly disappointed. But luckily for FGA, I’m sure the buyrates for night two will be much better than night one. Because I’m on this show of course. You’re welcome.

He laughs again and starts re-tying his other boot.

Ace Voltage: So finally I will go face to face with Zola Star in the ring. No cheap shots, no Zola Zinger out of nowhere. A clean and fair fight to see who the better wrestler is. Spoiler alert, it’s me. Zola actually did herself a favor accepting my challenge. She is jumping up a class by fighting me. She’s fighting THE Main Event of FGA! What a treat for her. What a treat for the chumps in the crowd, right?

Ace puts his other boot down and stares into the camera with a serious look.

Ace Voltage: But, what a mistake Zola made by taking this match. I am undefeated here in FGA and I will do whatever it takes to keep it like that. I am not here for a redemption story. I am not here to make friends. I am here to show the world that Ace Voltage has never left. I am here to become champion again. Unfortunately for Zola, she is just a roadblock in my path to greatness.

Ace looks away for a second and goes over to his locker. He grabs an Ace Voltage t-shirt and displays it to the camera.

Ace Voltage: This shirt right here? On sale tonight at All-Star Showdown. I suggest picking one up before my match because once I beat Zola, by pinfall or making her tap, either way these shirts will sell out soon enough. I’ll make money, FGA will make money, it’s a win-win.

I don’t make many of these, but I promise you this. You won’t want to miss the newest rising star of FGA tonight. I AM the Main Event of this evening and I will show all of you soon enough and especially Zola Star why I am the TRUE Main Event of Frontier Grappling Arts. Now leave me alone, I have a match to get ready for.

Ace throws the shirt into the camera as it fades to black.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Zola Star vs. Ace Voltage

The arena goes dark and "Thunderstruck by AC/DC starts blaring over the sound system. As the words "THUNDER" are shouted into the arena each time, the lights flash yellow.

I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAILROAD TRACK

A white spotlight shines on the ramp and Ace Voltage appears from backstage, once the lyrics start going. He is wearing a black jacket with his name on the back and his light blue tights. He shines a smirk to the crowd, zips open the jacket to show off his torso and the rest of the lights come on, with yellow and blue lighting flashing around. He walks down the ramp, nodding his head to the music, laughing to himself when he hears the boos and insults from the crowd. As he's going down the entrance ramp, he walks close to the guardrail ready to slap the hands of the one or two fans. Before he can slap their hands, he quickly rips his hands away, smirks to the booing fans and walks down to the ring.

Melanie Sierra: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following contest, scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from London, England! Weighing in at 15.8 stone! He is ACE VOLTAGE!

He jumps up onto the apron and steps into the ring. He walks to the corner, jumping on the second rope, looking out into the crowd. He raises an arm in the air, smirking and smiling to the fans. After a few seconds, he jumps down, takes his jacket off and waits for the match to start.

“Stars” by Marshmello plays on the sound system in the arena and out comes Zola Star. She smiles as she hits the stage paparazzi snaps pictures of her as she graces the arena with her presence. She raises her hands in the air and poses for pictures before strutting down the ramp. She does a spin before heading to the left apron.

Melanie Sierra: His opponent, from Chicago, Illinois! She is “The STAR”... ZOLA STAR!

She climbs the apron and raises her hands posing again before sliding into the ring through the second rope. She points a finger in the air to the crowd and smiles before putting her hands on her hips for a superhero like pose as the paparazzi snaps pictures of the STAR!

Geoff Penzer: For weeks, Ace Voltage has disrespected Zola Star by barging into her interview time and taking it over. He’s repeatedly made claims that he is the true main event of Flashpoint while dismissing the likes of Zola. On the last episode of Flashpoint before the pay per view, Voltage had the nerve to state that he was unimpressed with the level of competition he had faced thus far in FGA. He then laid out an open challenge for All-Star Showdown VIII. It was a challenge that Star gladly accepted before dropping him with the Zola Zinger! Zola’s going to look put him down once again and shut up that big mouth of his on the big stage!

Voltage and Star meet up in the center of the ring. Voltage points at Star before pointing to the crowd. He wants Star to take note of how the fans in Los Angeles chant for a real star. But Voltage quickly becomes incensed at the chants that he hears.

Let’s go, Staaar!
Voltage SUCKS!
Let’s go, Staaar!
Voltage SUCKS!
Let’s go, Staaar!
Voltage SUCKS!

Geoff Penzer: Sounds about right if you ask me!

Voltage begins to yell out at the crowd. When he turns back to Star, he gets doubled over with a boot to the gut. Star goes to follow up with a Stunner when Voltage shoves her off into the ropes. Star bounces off the ropes and tackles Voltage down with a Lou Thesz Press! She mounts on top of Voltage before raining down a flurry of right hands to the face. Star gets off of Voltage before hitting the ropes. She bounces back, jumps up and executes a split leg drop! Star turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Voltage kicks out.

Star takes Voltage, moves him into the corner and blasts him with a knife edge chop. Voltage guards his chest after being on the receiving end of another stinging knife edge chop. Star whacks Voltage across the chest with another knife edge chop before Voltage rakes her across the eyes. The boos continue as he switches positons in the corner and begins rattling off jabs to the face. After a right hook is delivered, Voltage takes Star and whips her into the corner. Voltage throws his arms in the air before running across the ring to attack. The crowd cheers when Star knocks him back with a boot to the face. Voltage shakes off the blow before running back in. This time, Star quickly hoists herself up onto the ropes before knocking him down with a dropkick. But Star’s not done. She rolls out to the apron, pulls herself up and starts climbing the turnbuckles. Once Voltage gets in position, Star leaps off for a missile dropkick… and misses after Voltage side steps and swats her down.

Geoff Penzer: Zola telegraphed that one and made it too easy for Voltage to counter.

Voltage reaches down, grabs Star and pulls her up by the back of the tights before throwing her down with a German Suplex! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Star kicks out.

Voltage picks up Star, lifts her up and brings her down with a vertical suplex. The self-proclaimed Main Event then heads into the ropes. When he returns, he goes for a jumping knee drop. The crowd cheers when Star rolls out of the way. While Voltage gets up, Star takes control of his back and goes for a German of her own. But Voltage cuts her off with a back elbow to the face. He then runs into the ropes. When Voltage returns, Star knocks him down with a cartwheel knee strike before following up with a standing moonsault! She hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Voltage kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Nice combo there by Star, but it only gets a count of two.

Star takes Voltage and brings him down with a double underhook facebuster. She then steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. Star reaches the top and flies off for a Frog Splash. The crowd boos when Voltage rolls out of the way, causing Star to crash across the mat! She gets up to a knee and guards her midsection before Voltage flattens her with the Ace of Spades (Shining Wizard)! He then pulls Star up and whips her into the corner. Voltage runs into the corner, connects with a clothesline and follows up with a running bulldog out of the corner. He makes the cover.

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

Voltage takes Star and whips her into the ropes. When Star returns, she throws herself at Voltage with a crossbody block. But Voltage is able to catch her in mid air, hoist her up onto his shoulders and bring her down with a Samoan Drop! Voltage steps out onto the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. He then leaps off from the top before connecting with a flying elbow drop! He makes the cover.

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

Voltage takes Star and doubles her over with a punch to the midsection before hitting the ropes. After he brings Star down with a running neckbreaker, Voltage lifts up Star and plants her with a Cradle DDT. With Star down on the mat, Voltage heads out to the apron. He nods at the booing crowd before scaling the turnbuckles. He then flips off High Voltage (450 Splash) and misses! The crowd cheers when Star rolls out of the way, causing Voltage to crash to the mat. While Voltage tries to pick himself back up, Star heads to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. When she gets to the top, she leaps off before bringing Voltage down with a flying hurricanrana! Voltage gets back to his feet and gets caught with an MMA striking combo before Star dazes him with Seeing Stars (spinning kick to the face)! Star goes to follow up with the Zola Zinger (RKO) when Voltage shoves her off into the ropes. When Star returns, Voltage doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He hoists her up for a brainbuster! But she knees him in the head on the way up. After being lowered back down, Star brings him down with the Star Fall (Dark Matter)! After Voltage turns over on his back, Star drags him into position before stepping through the ropes. She waves her arm up and down before climbing the turnbuckles. When Star gets to the top, she leaps off for The STAR Splash (Shooting Star Press)! The crowd gasps, then boos when Voltage gets his knees up! Voltage then takes control of Star’s back and throws her down with a deadlift German Suplex. He hangs on as he rolls over, pulls Star back up and throws her down with a second German Suplex. Voltage keeps a hold of Star as he turns over, pulls her back to her feet and throws her down with a third German Suplex! Voltage then pulls Star up by the hair before whipping her into the corner. Voltage sizes her up before rushing across the ring and blasting her with Thunderstruck! The crowd boos as Star crumbles from out of the corner. Voltage then drags her away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, ACE VOLTAGE!

[FGA Office]

Recorded A Few Days Ago:

It's a scorching SoCal afternoon, which is why it is so odd to find 20-23 fans congregated in a parking lot around a pair of searing gas grills. Even stranger is finding James Edwards, dressed in his typical street clothes with a backward black ball cap resting on his head, in an apron flipping food and pointing at plates like a short-order cook. Edwards notices the approaching camera crew and offers them a rare smile.

James Edwards: Y'all hungry? We've got burgers, dogs, ribs, chicken and veggie patties. There's more than enough food for anybody that wants some, but I've got a hunch y'all ain't here for free grub.

He looks over at a middle-aged man with a beachball-sized stomach and a sunburned dome framed by stray wisps of red hair.

James Edwards: Hey, Phil, watch the grill for me.

Edwards motions for the camera crew to follow him, and they travel for 20-25 seconds until they are a decent distance away from the crowd. Far off in the distance is a building with a large banner on the front side.

James Edwards: FGA wasn't happy about the idea of me sellin' shirts and such so close to their fan fest thing, so I made a deal with em'. I can sell my shirts and tailgate in a parkin' lot across the road in exchange for doing interviews every now and then without any Amanda Johnsons around. I'm surprised they agree, but I'll give em' credit where credit is due. Anyway, I assume they want me to talk about my fight.

Edwards furrows his brow.

James Edwards: I don't think Chris Madison is a dumb guy, but I do believe that he makes piss poor choices. He could've left me alone when I told him to, and he wouldn't have got Double Tapped. Then he wouldn't have gotten pissed at me and ran his mouth about things involving my past he doesn't have a damn clue about. If he weren't so pissed off, he would've been more patient waitin' for my answer to his challenge he wouldn't have come to the parking lot on the last Flashpoint and pushed the situation to where we both made asses out of ourselves.

Edwards shakes his head in disbelief as if he can't fathom the way the former Pride Champion thinks.

James Edwards: The second he did all of that, he took the story out of our hands and right into the ones of some editor in the TV truck; the kind that sure as hell ain't interested in showin' the world what really happened. Now they've got footage of Madison losin' his mind and me lookin' like a coward, and the second Madison steps outta line they'll use it against him too. The same way they used what happened to me at Only the Strong Survive to make that stupid t-shirt for Salem. I know you can't always handle the way a story gets spun, but dammit you can make it harder for the company to embarrass you, and I'm done being embarrassed.

Edwards narrows his eyes, which flash with a hint of danger.

James Edwards: If I remember right, Madison said he was gonna beat some respect into me like I needed to learn a lesson. Trust me, he ain't gonna be doing a lick of teachin'. Tonight he's the student. Every kick, chop, suplex, Violent Salvation, or Gospel are my lesson plan. Every single one will teach Chris Madison the most important thing he'll ever learn: when I give you a choice, don't choose poorly.

Edwards quickly flashes a smile.

James Edwards: Now if y'all will excuse me I've got some meat to cook.

Edwards turns and walks back towards the party as the scene fades to black.

[FGA Office]

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Baewatch vs. Bristow/Barnes vs. Ashley Marie Chase/Antoinette Sands

“Killin It” by Krewella hits the P.A system and the fans immediately turn to cheers as it isn’t long at all before Antoinette Sands comes skipping out from backstage. She looks like a walking disco ball with how lit up she is, causing the fans to chant her name as her electric personality shines through. As her body jumps up and down three times, she looks down as her feet stomp against the ramp listening to the music as she skips down the ramp, slapping the hands of the fans.

As she approaches some desperately reaching their hands out, Antoinette playfully digs into her shorts pocket before blowing on her hand in the face of the fans, watching as pink and purple glitter mist smacks them in the face making them cheer out of excitement. Antoinette quickly makes her way to the ring, sliding under the ropes before jumping up standing tall in the middle of the ring, nodding her head as she watches for her partner.

"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

Melanie Sierra: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following Triple Threat Tag Team Match, scheduled for one fall! Introducing team number one, weighing in this evening at a total combined weight of 240 pounds! They are the team of ASHLEY MARIE CHASE & ANTOINETTE SANDS!

”I bring the darkness!
I am the thunder!
I come from HELL
And I’ll pull you under!”

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.

The familiar sounds of "I'm Always Here" play as the lights circle the arena, almost as if trying to find a specific point. As the drums kick in, the lights shine onto the stage, where Baewatch come out with wide smiles on their faces. Cadet Allen and Thomas come out high fiving fans, making sure to get them involved as much as possible. Cadet Holliday brings up the rear, wearing a life ring around his neck and holding a lifeguard rescue can in hand.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponents! First, weighing in this evening at a total combined weight of 370 pounds! They are the team of Cadet Andrew Thomas and Cadet Jacob Holliday… BAEWATCH!

Allen and Thomas enter the ring, climbing the turnbuckles as Holliday slides into the ring, taking the middle as all three posing for the crowd. Allen and Thomas hop down before removing their Baewatch tanktops, tossing them to the outside as the three talk amongst themselves.

Geoff Penzer: This Triple Threat Tag Team Match came about after Bristow & Barnes took exception to being defeated by AAA members Ashley Marie Chase and Antoinette Sands. Nate Bristow & Tully Barnes attacked Ash and Ant post-match until the debuting Baewatch made the save. The trio of Cadet Andrew Thomas, Cadet Jacob Holliday and Cadet Barry Allen made it known that they were still on duty here in FGA. They saw two wrestlers in need and immediately dove head-first in for the save. On the following Flashpoint, Bristow & Barnes found themselves on the wrong side of defeat as Baewatch picked up their first win here in FGA. Then, on the last episode of Flashpoint, Bristow & Barnes attacked both teams. Now, both AAA and Baewatch are out for revenge against the former tag title contenders!

“Run This Town” by Jay-Z feat. Kanye West & Rihanna starts to play. Strobes begin surveying the building as darkness has taken over the arena.

Feel it comin' in the air
And the screams from everywhere
I'm addicted to the thrill
It's a dangerous love affair
Can't be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight
Is who's gonna run this town tonight
We gonna run this town

Bright lights shine on the entranceway nearly drowning the entire scene in white as Tully Barnes and Nate Bristow emerge from the backstage area. The two tag partners stand at the top of the entranceway with smug smirks on their faces and their eyes focused on the ring in front of them. The lights quickly dim again and the arena is filled with green and yellow laser lights as Bristow & Barnes start toward the ring.

Melanie Sierra: And their oppo-

As soon as Bristow & Barnes hit the ring, the crowd cheers when they get attacked by AAA and Baewatch!

Geoff Penzer: Bristow & Barnes have just been ambushed!

Holliday and Thomas take Bristow, move him into the corner and deliver alternating knife edge chops. Across the ring, Chase and Sands take Barnes and slam him face-first into the top turnbuckle while the crowd counts along.

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NINE!
TEN!

Sands heads out to the apron while Chase takes Barnes and delivers an atomic drop. Barnes staggers over towards the ropes before Sands pulls him down to the floor with a rope-assisted headscissors takedown. Back in the ring, Bristow is knocked off his feet with a double clothesline from Baewatch. A double dropkick returns Bristow to the mat. Holliday heads towards the far ropes while Thomas whips Bristow into the ropes. When Bristow returns, Holliday drop toe holds him down across the middle rope. Cadets Thomas and Holliday then run towards the far ropes. When they return, they hit Bristow with a 619/cannonball combo! Bristow drops off the ropes before rolling to the outside. Back in the ring, Baewatch turn and see Chase and Sands standing across the ring from them.

Geoff Penzer: Bristow & Barnes have just been taken care of. Now, these great fans are going to get treated to the showdown we should have seen last time on Flashpoint!

Thomas and Sands head back to their respective corners while Holliday and Chase stay in the ring. After a handshake is made, they both lock up. Chase gains the advantage with a side headlock until Holliday shoves her off into the ropes. When Chase returns, Holliday goes for a back body drop. Chase is able to slip down from behind and sets him up for a German Suplex. Before Chase can deliver the move, Holliday runs forward, hooks his arms around the top rope and yanks back, sending Chase off his back and down to the mat. After Chase rolls back to her feet, Holliday runs over to attack until Chase throws him down with an arm drag. A jaapnese arm drag returns Holliday to the floor. Holliday gets up as Chase rushes at him and executes an overflow arm drag, sending Holliday through the ropes and to the outside. Chase then hits the ropes while Holliday picks himself up off the floor. Chase bounces off the ropes, charges forward and knocks him down with a baseball slide. As soon as Chase gets up on the outside, Barnes grabs her from behind, turns and chucks her against the guardrail!

BOOOOOOOO!

Geoff Penzer: Barnes just threw her into the guardrail with reckless abandon!

Barnes heads over and puts the boots to Holliday before rolling him back inside. Barnes rolls back in, takes Holliday, runs and slams him face-first into the corner. After delivering multiple shoulder thrusts, he pulls Holliday away from the corner before bringing him down with a slingshot suplex for a two count. Barnes pulls Holliday back up, takes control of his wrist and throws out a short-arm clothesline. Barnes misses the clothesline after Holliday ducks and goes behind. He sets Barnes up for a German Suplex when Barnes counters with a back elbow to the face. After a second back elbow, Barnes performs a standing switch and locks Holliday in a sleeper hold before bringing him down with a russian leg sweep! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Holliday kicks out.

Barnes pulls up Holliday, wrenches his arm, drags him over towards his corner and tags Bristow back in. Once Bristow gets in, he doubles Holliday over with a boot to the gut before Bristow & Barnes pummel him down to a knee with repeated clubbing strikes. Bristow then takes Holliday and whips him into the free corner. He then charges across the ring and follows up with a corner forearm smash. Bristow pulls Holliday out of the corner and goes to set him up for a Turnbuckle Powerbomb. But Holliday wisely drops down to a knee and wraps his arms around Bristow’s legs. Bristow then pulls his leg free, pulls Holliday back up and whips him into the ropes. When Holliday comes back, he goes for a crossbody block when Bristow counters with a snap scoop powerslam! He hooks the leg.

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

Bristow picks up Holliday and tags Barnes back in. Bristow & Barnes then take Holliday and whip him into the far ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos when Bristow & Barnes launch him to the outside with a double hip toss!

BOOOOOOOO!

Holliday crashes hard on the floor after the double hip toss! Did you hear that impact!? Did you see how hard he landed!? Holliday might be hurt here, fans.

Thomas drops off the apron and rushes over to check on Holliday. Barry Allen rushes over to check on Holliday as well. The crowd continues to boo Bristow & Barnes while they peer over the top rope to mock Baewatch.

Geoff Penzer: Come on, guys! Have some respect! Have some compassion! Then again, these two used to hang out Ricky Valero, should I shouldn’t expect any better from them!

Bristow & Barnes step away from the ropes. After they turn around, they look up with surprise when Chase leaps off the top rope and brings them both down with It’s A Bird, It’s a Plane, it’s a Chase (high crossbody)!

Geoff Penzer: Chase just took out Bristow & Barnes!

Chase takes Barnes and whips him over into Bristow. The crowd cheers when they two collide! After knocking heads, Bristow stumbles back before slipping through the ropes and falling to the floor. Barnes stumbles back towards Chase before she pulls him down with a Scorpion Death Drop. Chase then heads into her corner and tags Sands in. Sands begins to climb the turnbuckles while Chase heads back over and holds down Bristow’s legs. When Sands gets to the top turnbuckle, she goes to leap off for the Cotton Candy Crush (Shooting Star Press). But she gets cut off by Barnes, who climbs up to the apron and wraps his arms around her leg. Sands tries to kick Barnes of of her. But Barnes holds on for dear life. Chase looks over and sees this. So she gets up, rushes over and nails Barnes with multiple punches. Once his grip on Sands has loosened, Chase steps back, then throws out a dropkick, knocking him off the apron and to the floor. Back inside, Sands steps back up onto the top turnbuckle, flips off with the Cotton Candy Crush, and gets countered when Bristow gets his knees up! Chase runs over and throws out a clothesline. Bristow ducks, grabs Chase from behind, turns and chucks her through the ropes and to the outside. Bristow then heads over, pulls up Sands and throws her down with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb! He makes the cover.

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

Sands gets her shoulder up.

Bristow tags Barnes back in. Bristow & Barnes take Sands and whip her into the far ropes. When she returns, Bristow throws her down with a spinning spinebuster before Barnes delivers a running leg drop. He makes the cover.

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

Sands gets her shoulder up.

Barnes pulls Sands back up, positions her across his back and then brings her down with a Gory Bomb. He then heads into the corner. After climbing to the middle ropes, Barnes goes for a diving pointed elbow drop and misses after Sands rolls out of the way.

Sands takes Barnes and goes for an irish whip. Barnes quickly reverses, sending Sands into the ropes, where Thomas makes the blind tag. When Sands returns, Barnes throws her down with a back body drop. He then heads over and places Sands in an inverted figure four leglock until Thomas flies off the top rope and connects with a springboard leg drop! He makes the cover.

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

Thomas takes Barnes and whips him into the far ropes. He then tries to give Barnes a back body drop of his own when Barnes counters with a sunset flip. But Thomas is able to roll through it and follows up with a front dropkick! He makes the cover.

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

Holliday gets tagged back in. Baewatch they take Barnes and whip him into the far ropes. When he returns, they throw him down with a double back body drop. Bristow then rushes in to attack Baewatch. But he, too, gets taken down with a double back body drop. Barnes is then knocked back down to the mat with a double dropkick. A double dropkick knocks Bristow through the ropes and to the floor. Holliday and Thomas grab a hold of Barnes and set him up for a double chokeslam before Barnes elbows his way out of it. He then turns and hits the ropes. When Barnes comes back, Holliday lifts him up across his shoulder before Baewatch brings him down with the Wipe Out (Boot of Doom)! Holliday makes the cover.

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

Chase dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: Ashley Marie Chase with the timely save!

Thomas pulls Chase off of Holliday, turns and tosses her through the ropes. Instead of hitting the floor, Chase grabs onto the middle rope and lands on the apron. When Holliday turns around, he gets knocked down with a springboard clothesline! NO! Holliday catches her across his shoulders. Thomas then heads into the ropes. Before Baewatch can deliver another Boot of Doom, Chase nails Holliday with multiple elbows to the side of the head. She then slips down from behind. When Holiday turns around, Chase knocks him off his feet with the Kick of Doom (superkick)! Thomas rushes over and gets caught with a Kick of Doom, as well!

Geoff Penzer: Chase nearly knocked them into next week with those superkicks!

Chase makes the tag to Sands. After Sands gets in, she takes Holliday and brings him down with a Tornado DDT while Chase brings Thomas down with the Name Dropper (Pedigree)! Chase then drags Thomas over towards the far corner while Sands drags Holliday towards the near corner. Chase then climbs to the top turnbuckle while Sands heads to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. On cue, Sands flips down for the TCB (inverted 450 splash) on Thomas while Sands flips off for the Cotton Candy Crush! The crowd cheers when both Thomas and Holliday block by getting their knees up!

Geoff Penzer: OH NO!

Thomas takes Chase and tosses her through the ropes and to the outside. Back in the ring, Sands curls up and rolls towards the center of the ring after bouncing off of Holliday’s knees. Both Holiday and Thomas size up Sands as she tries to pick herself up off the ma. Once Sands is back to a vertical base, she doesn’t stay standing for long as Baewatch bring her down with the the High Tide (Total Elimination)! The capacity crowd continues to cheer for Baewatch as Holliday lifts Sands up before the bring her down with the CPR (Celebrity Rehab)! Holliday makes the cover.

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

Bristow dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: Bristow comes out of nowhere for the save!

Bristow continues to attack Holliday with clubbing strikes until Thomas rushes over and makes the save. He punches and kicks Bristow before whipping him into the ropes. Instead of coming back, Bristow hangs onto the ropes. Thomas then rushes over to attack when Bristow ducks and dumps Thomas over the top rope. Thomas lands safely on the outside. But before he can get back up, Barnes hooks him from behind before bringing him down with a Rolling Cutter on the floor!

Back inside, Holliday fights off Bristow with forearm strikes to the head. After a boot to the gut doubles Bristow over, Holliday has him set up for a double underhook sitout powerbomb. Just as Holliday starts to lift Bristow up, Barnes bashes him with a running forearm strike to the back of the neck. Holliday drops down to a knee while Barnes delivers repeatedly clubbing strikes across the back of the neck. While this is happening, Bristow heads over into the corner, unties the top turnbuckle pad and then rips it off, exposing the steel turnbuckle underneath.

Geoff Penzer: Now hold on just a minute! There’s no need for this!

Bristow & Barnes then grab a hold of Holliday. The crowd gasps when they lift Holliday up, rush over and deliver a turnbuckle powerbomb into the exposed steel!

Geoff Penzer: Holliday’s back! He was already double hip toss to the floor! Now, he takes a double powerbomb into the exposed steel turnbuckles!

Holliday slumps down to the mat and grabs his neck with both hands. Across the way, Sands can be seen climbing the turnbuckles. After Bristow & Barnes step away from Holliday, they turn around and look up when they see Sands leaping off the top with a diving crossbody block.

Geoff Penzer: Uh oh...

The crowd gasps when Bristow & Barnes are able to catch her in mid air. Bristow then takes control of Sands and turns her upside down before Barnes helps him plant her with Tolling the Bell (spike tombstone piledriver)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners, BRISTOW & BARNES!

[FGA Office]

Well, well, well, look who's bounding into the shot full of energy, dressed in her full ring gaudy ring gear-- shutter shades pulled up in her hair. Kendall Kingham, with a trademark smile on her face.

Kendall Kingham: Yo! Sup Staples Center?

She's bouncing in place, filled with nervous energy.

Kendall Kingham: Got a heck of a show tonight, and well, you've got me in the same matchup I had last year. I mean, a lot of it's changed, there's no title on the line, Mark hasn't been going out of his way to torment me this time around he seems like he's trying to turn over a new leaf, but make no doubt about it there's just as many stakes here and this is still really, really important.

A deep breath, and the smile returns to her face.

Kendall Kingham: Like I've been in a rough path lately, putting up some of the best efforts of my career but coming up short against the best competition now that I've earned my way up there. Losing, getting humiliated in Vegas after the match, that was a real kick in the vag, not gonna lie. I need a big win.

She shakes her head.

Kendall Kingham: So why am I still smiling when I've felt so worn down? When I've been beating myself up so much, facing someone I've got such a bad history with?

A pause.

Kendall Kingham: Because I'm still standing, and I'm still fighting. It was just like, a crappy feeling submitting twice, these past two shows. Not giving up, but feeling my body fade when I still wanted to fight. But that's the key thing, I still wanted to fight, and I still want to fight. And here, I'm still going to fight, not with anger or bitterness but with a firm resolve. That I am happy Storm is getting his stuff back together, but I'm not here to be a tool for him to rewrite history, or a stepping stone. I'm here to write my own history, to stand with and compete with the absolute best in this business and not stop fighting no matter how many times I get knocked down because that's just who I am-- and you know what makes me strong?

That grin creeps back across her face and she points an index finger towards it.

Kendall Kingham: This smile on this face, this love for what I do, for wrestling, for the Flashpoint Zone and FGA fans, for the challenge of performing on the biggest shows and stages. My strength doesn't come from sulking, or feeling bad for myself, it comes from love. From embracing every moment, which is exactly what I'm gonna do. Mark, I know you've got more momentum than me right now, I know you're the one that asked for this, but trust me, I'm more than ready-- hope you are too.

She pulls the shades down over her eyes.

Kendall Kingham: Lets do this.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Kendall Kingham vs. Mark Storm

Short Change Hero by The Heavy begins to play through the speakers and the lights in the arena simultaneously dim down. Smoke begins to rise from the top of the stage and appearing on the screen above are the following words;

A massive pop ensues as emerging from the back is Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm; who keeps himself composed as he stands at the top of the entrance ramp. He can't help but allow his sadistic signature smirk to appear upon his lips as he closes his eyes and spreads his arms out wide, soaking in the energy that the audience are giving him as they applaud and cheer.

Melanie Sierra: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following contest, scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from New York, Brooklyn.. weighing in a 225 pounds - Your Hero, and Mine.. MARRKKKK STORMMMMMM!

He begins his walk down the entrance ramp, swaggering his way down.

This ain't no place for no hero.
This ain't no place for no better man.
This ain't no place for no hero
To call "home."

At this point, Storm is by the edge of the ring; allowing a smile to embed on his face before he jumps onto the apron and holds onto the ropes, using them to help himself up onto the turnbuckle. He's grinning from ear to ear, soaking in the rest of the cheers coming from the audience, shaking his head sideways as he lowers it, before jumping into the ring. He heads over to his designated corner and hoisting himself up onto the second ropes, a smirk upon his lips as he holds his arms up; his theme song slowly diminishing.

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: His 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.

Geoff Penzer: Once again, Mark Storm and Kendall Kingham find themselves meeting up in the squared circe at All-Star Showdown! These two took part in a feud last year that turned personnel after some pretty disrespectful comments that Storm had made towards her family. Kingham ended up getting the better of Storm and winning the 15 Championship in the process. Since Storm’s return to FGA this past spring, we’ve a different side to Your Hero and Mine. A side that has endeared him to this capacity crowd. However, Storm still feels he needs to prove himself and avenge his loss to Kingham lats year. Kingham, despite come great outings recently, has been on the losing end after a pretty good run as 15 Champion. Both grapplers are dying for that big win. Which one of them will leave with their hand raised tonight?

The bell sounds as Storm and Kingham make their way out of their respective corners. They slowly make their way towards the center of the ring. No words are said. The staredown between the two does all the talking. Storm and Kingham then step back. They begin to circle the ring until they each take note of the chants from the capacity crowd.

LET’S GO KENDALL!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!
LET’S GO KENDALL!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!
LET’S GO KENDALL!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!

Both grapplers continue to circle the ring. They then slowly inch forward. Storm shoots in for a takedown when Kingham strafes out of the way. Storm quickly falls to a knee before quickly getting back to his feet. He slowly inches back over towards Kingham. He then rolls forward and takes a swipe at Kingham’s leg. Once again, Kingham is quick enough to strafe out of the way. Storm returns to his feet and makes his way back over towards Kingham. Both grapplers size each other up for a collar-and-elbow tie up. Kingham motions forward until Storm steps back. Storm pats each of his arms before rolling his shoulders. He slowly circles the ring while Kingham keeps her guard up. Storm motions for a lock up, then backs out again at the last second. Storm begins adjusting his waist band while he circles Kingham. Storm stops circling Kingham and sizes her up once more. He slowly inches forward towards the former two-time 15 Champion. Instead of locking up in the collar-and-elbow, Storm steps back and raises his arms in the air. Kingham looks up at Storm’s hand before looking right in his face. She then turns to the crowd and gestures towards Storm.

Geoff Penzer: This capacity crowd is telling her to go ahead. But Kingham hasn’t been shy about letting it be known that she’s still weary of Storm.

Kingham slowly turns back to Storm. She inches over towards Storm and slowly raises her arm in the air. After Storm and Kingham lock hands, they reach over and lock their other hand together. They then bumps chests. After jockeying for position, Storm starts to move Kingham down towards the mat. But instead of being pushed flat to the mat, Kingham bridges back. Kingham then slowly bridges herself up from off the mat. Once Kingham’s back to a vertical base, she bends to push down on Storm’s hands. Storm has a look of discomfort on his face until he dips his head underneath Kingham’s arm and brings her down with a modified northern lights suplex. Kingham gets back to her feet, only to get brought down with a japanese arm drag. Storm tries to quickly transition into an armbar. But Kingham quickly scoots over and hooks her leg over the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Storm lets go and steps back to the center of the ring. Once Kingham is back to her feet, she circles the ring before heading over ad locking up with Storm. After jockeying for position, Storm quickly drops to a knee and throws Kingham down to the mat with a fireman’s carry takeover. He once again tries to transitions into a cross armbar. But again, Kingham’s able to slither over towards the side of the ring and hook her leg across the bottom rope, forcing another rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Storm lets go and gets back to the center of the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Storm’s repeatedly gone after the arm of Kingham in the early portion of this match. If he can successfully work over the arm, that will take The Tombs, as well as the Australian Suplex, out of Kingham’s arsenal.

Kingham pulls herself up using the ropes before the two circle the ring. They then size each other up before locking up. After jockeying for position, Kingham gains the advantage with a side headlock. After grabbing a hold of Kingham’s wrist, Storm is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. Kingham is quick to spin out and reverse into a hammerlock of her own. She then spins Storm towards her and catches him in another side headlock. Kingham wrenches on the hold before performing a standing switch and transitioning into another hammerlock from behind. Storm then uses his strength and size advantage to walk backwards and move Kingham towards the side of the ring and against the ropes. The ref heads over and gives Kingham until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Kingham takes note of Storm’s free arm while she slowly lets go of the hammerlock. She readies herself for a cheapshot from Storm. But Storm doesn’t go for the back elbow to the face. Instead, he puts his hands up and heads towards the center of the ring. Kingham then makes her way off the ropes and locks up with him. After jockeying for position, Storm uses his strength advantage to move Kingham across the ring and against the opes. The ref is quick to once again get in and issue a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

Both grapplers slowly make a clean break. Kingham keeps her hands up in case of a cheap shot. But once again, Storm doesn’t try any funny business. He puts his hands up defensively and steps back towards the center of the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Kingham still doesn’t quite trust Storm. But he hasn’t tried anything underhanded thus far.

Kingham steps off the ropes before circling the ring. She then inches over towards Storm. She motions for a lock up. When Storm goes to engage in the collar-and-elbow, Kingham quickly ducks under, goes behind and applies a waist lock. Storm reaches down, grabs her by the wrists and slowly pries her arms from around his waist. He then spins out into an arm wrench. Another arm wrench is delivered. Once Storm executes a third arm wrench, Kingham rolls over, turns towards Storm and brings him down to the mat with an ankle pick. She then dives over and goes to place him in a grounded side headlock. But Storm’s able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. Kingham then battles back to a vertical base. Like Storm before, Kingham walks backwards, moving Storm into the corner. The ref then gives Storm until five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Storm lets go. As soon as Kingham turns around, Storm takes Kingham, tosses her into the corner, hoists her up, sits her on the top turnbuckle, claps his hands and goes for a dropkick! But Kingham blocks by swatting the kick down! After Storm gets back to his feet, Kingham slips down onto the middle ropes, grabs Storm’s rm and brings him down with a Tornado Single Arm DDT! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Storm kicked out, but he might have hurt his arm after that single arm Tornado DDT.

Kingham sits him up, bend his arm at 90 degrees and applies an armlock. The ref gets down and asks Storm if he wants to give up. Storm refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, he takes his free arm and moves Kingham across the ring and against the ropes. The ref again is quick to enforce a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

When Kingham lets go, Storm grabs her, lifts her up, sits her down on the top rope and follows up with a dropkick, sending Kingham flipping over the top rope, bouncing off the apron and hitting the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham just too a hard tumble to the floor!

Storm heads towards the center of the ring and crouches down. He watches the ringside area and waits for Kingham to get in perfect position. On the outside, Kingham is shown sitting up and shaking out the cobwebs after the fall. While she tries to pick herself back up, Storm turns and hits the far ropes. Storm then comes back, picks up speed, flips over the top rope and knocks her down with a topé con hilo!

Geoff Penzer: Storm wipes out Kingham with a dive to the outside!

Storm takes Kingham and rolls her back inside. He then slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kingham kicks out.

Storm picks up Kingham and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, Storm brings her down with a pancake before quickly transitioning into an ankle lock! Storm cranks away on the ankle while he tries to get Kingham to give up. But won’t submit. The ref gets down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Kingham refuses to quit. After pushing herself up onto her palms, she rolls forward, sending Storm crashing into the corner. As Storm stumbles back, Kingham takes control of his back and sets him up for the Australian Suplex (low angle bridging Tiger Suplex)! Storm’s able to block the move by hooking one of his legs around Kingham’s. Kingham tries for another Australian Suplex. But again, Storm’s back to block the move. So she unhooks his arms and spins Storm towards her. Storm uses the momentum to catch Kingham with a forearm strike to the face. After another forearm strike knocks Kingham back, Storm grabs her and whips her into the ropes. When Kingham returns, Storm throws her down with a hip toss, cartwheels over, claps his hands and throws out a dropkick. Storm whiffs on the dropkick when Kingham rolls out of the way. Storm scrambles back to his feet, turns around and gets sent shoulder-first to the mat with an arm wringer! Kingham immediately takes control of Storm’s back and tries to slip on The Tombs (grounded top wristlock submission)! But Storm’s able to slither over towards the side of the ring and grab onto the bottom rope with his free arm. The ref gives Kingham until five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

Kingham lets go. She stands off of Storm, pulls him back up, leans him against the ropes and rocks him with a European Uppercut. She then takes Storm and goes for an irish whip before he reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Kingham returns, she throws herself at him with a crossbody block. Storm catches her in mid air. The crowd gasps when he hoists Kingham up and catches her across his shoulders. Storm then runs forward, delivers a rolling fireman’s carry, leaps up onto the middle ropes and flips back with a moonsault. But Kingham’s able to roll out of the way. After Storm crashes onto the canvas and he gets up on his knees, Kingham pulls herself up, rushes over and knocks him down with a diving European Uppercut! She makes the cover.

ONE
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm kicks out.

Kingham takes Storm and whips him into the corner. After sizing him up, Kingham rushes across the ring and connects with a running European Uppercut, sending Storm slumping down in the corner. While Storm is seated in the corner, Kingham turns and heads into the parallel set of ropes. When she comes back, she nails Storm with a running facewash! Kingham turns and heads back into the ropes. When Kingham returns, she picks up speed before delivering another running facewash to Storm! Kingham’s not done, though! She turns and runs back into the far ropes. She she comes back, Storm pulls himself up in the corner, runs and cuts her off with a lariat that turns her inside out! Storm pulls her over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kinghan gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Storm takes Kingham and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, Storm throws her down with a snap scoop powerslam. He then pulls Kingham back up off the mat, lifts her up and throws her down with a Falcon Arrow! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kingham kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Another two count for Storm. These two have been battling back and forth all match but right now, Storm remains in control. Can he stay in control and quickly put Kingham away?

Storm takes Kingham and snapmares her down before running backwards into the ropes. Storm bounces back, rushes forward and hits Kingham with a front dropkick to the back of the neck. He then pulls Kingham back up, lifts her up from behind and then throws her down hard with a Sitout Face Slam! He then turns over on top of Kingham and hooks the leg.

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

Storm pulls up Kingham and lifts her up for a brainbuster when Kingham counters by kicking her legs on the way up, forcing Storm to lower her back down. Storm tries to muscle her up for another brainbuster. This time, Kingham blocks by dropping down to a knee. So Storm lets go, takes a few steps back and then flattens her with a yakuza kick! Storm reaches down, pulls Kingham back up before taking control of her back. He goes to lift Kingham up for a German Suplex when she counters with a wheelbarrow victory roll. Instead of staying seated for the cover, Kingham keeps a hold of his legs as she stands up. She then turns Storm over into the prone position before transitions into a Mexican Surfboard! Storm howls in pain while Kingham keeps him held up in the air, keeping his shoulderblades compressed. The referee asks Storm if he wants to give up. Storm shakes his head sideways. So Kingham rolls back, pulling Storm’s shoulders down to the mat for a pin.

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

Storm slips out.

After both grapplers scramble back to their feet, Kingham grabs Storm by the arm, wrenches it and follows up with a double knee armbreaker, sending Storm staggering over towards the ropes. While Storm favors his arm, Kingham gets back to her feet, heads over and grabs him from behind. Storm grabs onto the top rope with his free arm and tries to block Kingham. But she’s able to pull Storm away from the ropes before bringing him down with a hammerlock back suplex! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm gets his good shoulder up.

Kingham takes Storm and shoots him into the ropes. When Storm returns, he ducks a Samoan Spike before continuing to run the ropes. After Storm bounces back, he ducks a back elbow before continuing to run the ropes. Storm then ducks a European Uppercut before continuing to run the ropes. Storm then comes back and sees Kingham setting up for a back body drop. So he counters with a sunset flip. Kingham swings her arm wildly in an attempt to regain her balance. Once she goes, she reaches down, grabs Storm’s wrist, spins around and then drops down into a cross armbreaker! Kingham immediately tries to hyperextend the arm. But Storm is right there to clasp his hands together. Kingham tries to pull back. But she can’t break Storm’s grip. So she repeatedly raises her leg and brings it down across Storm’s face. She then pulls back and breaks his grip. Kingham’s about to fully apply the cross armbreaker. When Storm reaches over and locks his hands back together. The referee gets down and asks Storm if he wants to give up. Storm refuses. After turning over onto a knee, Storm lets out a labored groan as he slowly lifts Kingham up off the mat by the arm she’s been working over all match. Storm takes Kingham, heads towards the side of the ring and tries to throw her down over the top rope and to the floor. Instead, Kingham counters with a trapped hanging armbar over the top rope! The ref then gives Kingham until a count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

Kingham breaks the hold and lands on the apron. Storm then turns away from the ropes and heads towards the center of the ring while he clutches his arm. Storm doubles over while he continues to favor the arm. He then stands back up and steps back towards the side of the ring. When Storm turns around, Kingham leaps through the ropes and brings him down with a slingshot spear! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm gets his good shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another two count for Kingham. The former 15 Champion has returned the favor and started to do a number on Storm’s arm. How much more punishment to that arm can Storm withstand?

Kingham takes Storm and hits him with a European Uppercut. A second European Uppercut lands. Storm gets rocked with a third European Uppercut before Kingham lands a fourth. She then goes to follow up with a Brazilian Kick when Storm ducks the kick and lifts her up onto his shoulders for Heroes End! (one-handed electric chair driver). Before Storm can drive Kingham down, she counters with multiple punches to the top of the head. The crowd gasps when she slips down from behind, hooks his arm and counters with an Australian Suplex!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham hits the Australian Suplex! This could be it, folks!

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

The crowd cheers after Storm gets his good shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Storm escaped the three could just in time! How, I have no idea!

Kingham picks up Storm and hits him with another European Uppercut. Storm comes back with an elbow strike. Kingham connects with another European Uppercut. Storm answers back with another elbow strike. Kingham blasts Storm with another European Uppercut. Storm shakes off the blow before nailing Kingham with another elbow strike. He then goes for a discus elbow when Kingham counters with a European Uppercut. She then rocks Storm with a discus European Uppercut. After Kingham gets her head snapped back with an uppercut, she shakes off the blow before pulling Storm into a Thai Plum. She then hits Storm with short elbows and uppercuts. After the last strike, Storm pumps his fists while he lets out a roar. He then unleashes a flurry of palm strike to the head, neck and body. The strikes continue to fly as Storm loses himself in the attack! Storm then finishes Kingham off by clocking her with a sicking right hook that drops her to a knee! While Kingham appears glassy eyed, Storm reaches down, hooks his arms around her waist and pulls her back to her feet. Storm looks around at the crowd while he has her set up for a gutwrench sitout powerbomb. Before he can lift Kingham up, she quickly spins out of it and reverses into a Fujiwara Armbar!

Geoff Penzer: Storm took took much time and allowed Kingham to counter with a submission!

The official gets down and asks Storm if he wants to give up. The moment he refuses, Kingham pulls back on the hold. Storm howls in pain while Kingham’s got his arm pulled back. Kingham continues to work over the arm by constantly pulling it back. Storm reaches out for the ropes. But he’s nowhere near them. He then tugs at his hair while Kingham applies even more pressure. Storm continues to cry out in pain while Kingham keeps him trapped in the submission. The referee asks Storm if he wants to give up. Again, Storm refuses. Kingham then bridges back while she pulls back on the hold! Storm is again asked if he wants to quit. Storm refuses. He then uses his free arm to try and pull himself across the mat. Kingham continues to keep the armbar applied. The capacity crowd is split between cheering for the submission and cheering for Storm to make it to the ropes.

LET’S GO KENDALL!!!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!!!
LET’S GO KENDALL!!!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!!!
LET’S GO KENDALL!!!
LET’S GO STOOOORM!!!

Storm grits his teeth while he continues to struggle to pull himself across the mat. He reaches out but he’s not quite there. Your Hero and Mine continues to scratch and claw his way towards the side of the ring. Kingham keeps the hold applied while she continues to fight for the submission. Storm pulls himself forward. He reaches out before pulling himself across the ring some more. He then reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope, forcing a rope break! The crowd applauds Storm for his fight to make the ropes.

Geoff Penzer: Storm finally gets to the ropes!

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… F-

Kingham breaks the hold. She then picks up Storm and pulls him towards the center of the ring. She throws out a Samoan Spike when Storm swats the strike away and counters with a hard shoot kick to the thigh. Kingham drops to a knee before Storm grabs her by the head and pulls her into three consecutive knee strikes. He then pulls Kingham up, delivers an irish whip and follows her into the ropes. As soon as Kingham hits the ropes, Storm connects with a back elbow to the face. Both grapplers make their way off the ropes before Storm follows up with an overhead kick. He then takes Kingham and whips her into the ropes. When Kingham comes back, Storm turns her inside out with a shotgun kick! Instead of making the cover, Storm reaches down, wraps his arms around Kingham’s waist and deadlifts her up off the mat before lifting her up and throwing her down with a gutwrench sitout powerbomb!

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

The crowd applauds Kingham after she gets her shoulder up.

Storm takes Kingham and goes for an irish whip. Kingham is quick to reverse, sending him into the corner. She goes to follow up with a running European Uppercut when Storm counters with a back elbow to the face. Storm then follows up with a springboard moonsault into an inverted DDT! He makes the cover.

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

The crowd applauds Kingham after she gets her shoulder up.

Storm quickly grabs a hold of Kingham’s wrist and pulls her up to the mat. Her eyes widen when Storm throws out the Storm Strike! (short-arm lariat) He whiffs of the lariat after Kingham ducks out of the way and hits the ropes. When she returns, Storm scoops her up across his shoulder. He tries to get in her position for a Tombstone Piledriver. But Kingham’s able to kick her legs before slipping down from behind. She then shoves Storm into the ropes. Instead of coming back, Storm hangs onto the ropes. Kingham then runs over to attack when Storm ducks and dumps her over the top rope and to the outside. Storm heads across the ring into the far corner. Once Storm sees Kingham starting to pick herself up off the floor, the crowd erupts with cheers after he runs across the ring and takes her out with an over the corner slingshot into a springboard moonsault!

Geoff Penzer: Storm with a huge moonsault to the outside!

Storm rolls Kingham back inside. After rolling back in, Storm picks up Kingham, turns her upside down and plants her with a jumping Tombstone Piledriver! Storm takes Kingham and pulls her back to her feet. He then lifts a dazed Kingham up onto his shoulders before driving her down with the Heroes End! The ref slides place for the count.

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

The crowd erupts with applause when Kingham gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Storm was so close! He thought he had her! I thought he had her!

Storm picks up Kingham. He then turns, heads towards the ropes, jumps back and goes for the Storm Search (springboard cutter)! But Kingham blocks by catching him in mid air. She then slowly tries to hook his arms for another Australian Suplex. But Storm’s back to block the move by keeping Kingham from locking her hands. After Storm struggles to bring his arms back down, he quickly spins behind Kingham, turns her towards him, scoops her up and plants her with a jumping spinning Tombstone Piledriver!

Geoff Penzer: Storm dumps Kingham right on her head! That has to be it! No, wait...

Storm pulls a groggy Kingham from up off the mat. He then lifts her up onto his shoulders. Before he can deliver Heroes End, Kingham hits him with multiple punches to the top of the head. After slipping down from behind, she hits Storm with a Brazilian Kick in the back of the head before bringing him down with a release Australian Suplex! Storm rolls over onto a knee. He tries to get back up. But Kingham is right there to clobber him with a Knee Trembler! With Storm in the prone position, Kingham takes control of his back and locks him in The Tombs!

Geoff Penzer: Storm’s trapped in The Tombs!

Storm cries out in pain while Kingham has the hold locked on. The official asks Storm if he wants to give up. He shakes his head sideways before Kingham pulls back on the arm, increasing the pressure of the hold. Storm tries to hang on for dear life while Kingham continues to fight for the submission. Storm then tries to slither backwards towards the side of the ring so that he can get his foot on the ropes. Kingham sees this, so she gets up off of Storm’s back, pulls him up and sends him crashing shoulder-first to the mat with another arm wringer! After Storm rolls onto his back and holds his arm, Kingham sits him up. She then hooks Storm’s arm. She goes to turn Storm over when Storm picks, scrambles back to his feet and scoops Kingham up onto his shoulders in one smooth motion. The crowd gasps and cheers when he’s got Kingham set up for Dystopia (GTS)!!! He then pushes Kingham off his shoulders. Instead of Storm nailing Kingham with a knee to the face, Kingham lands on her feet and counters with another single arm DDT!!! Kingham sits up Storm, hooks the arm and turns him over into The Tombs!!! She squats all the way down and pulls back on the arm. The capacity crowd buzzes with cheers and anticipation while Storm howls in pain. He’s asked by the official if he wants to quit. Storm refuses. He then tries to push himself up onto his knees. Kingham then takes Storm and pulls him down across her knees while keeping him locked in The Tombs!!! Storm cries out in pain while he’s got nowhere to go. He wags his finger when he’s asked if he wants to give up. Storm wags the finger again when asked if he wants to submit. Storm reaches out. He continues to wave off the official… until he can no longer hang out. Storm taps out!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, KENDALL KINGHAM!

“Professional Greifers” plays throughout the arena while Kingham gets her arm raised in victory. She rests against the ropes while the capacity crowd greets her with applause. Down on the mat sits Storm, who clutches his arm. The official checks in with Your Hero and Mine and asks him if he’s okay. Storm nods. He gingerly makes his way back to his feet. It’s then that Storm and Kingham are once again face to face. The capacity crowd hushes as the two stare each other down. Kingham’s got her fists balled at her sides in case of an attack. But she soon relaxes her hands when Storm takes his hand… and holds it out for a handshake. Kingham looks around at the capacity crowd. After getting approval from the crowd, Kingham turns back to Storm… and shakes his hand.

[FGA Office]

The camera opens up-- on the shot of a knee brace being fastened over a pair of black-and-blue wrestling trunks. The camera pans out a bit, revealing, to a roar from the Los Angeles audience, Sadie San Francisco, who pushes herself off of an equipment crate and to her feet, bending the brace-bearing leg for a few moments. As we pan out a bit more, we see that Sadie is standing a few feet from her longtime companions, Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter and Jillian Clay of the Saturnian Connection, earning another loud pop from L.A.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: ...and you still think challenging everyone to a ladder match with your title on the line was a good idea, right?

Sadie rolls her eyes, reaching back to the crate behind her, taking the FGA 15 Championship off of it and slinging it over her shoulder.

Sadie San Francisco: One way or another, this is my final defense. Wanted to make sure I made a show out of it.

She glances down at her knee brace and scoffs a bit.

Sadie San Francisco: Didn’t expect to be walking into it like this, but…

She falls silent for a moment, taking a breath before she looks back up toward Nando.

Sadie San Francisco: No excuses. I’m still climbing to the top of the ladder and snatching this title right back down.

Her lips break into a small smirk.

Sadie San Francisco: Just gotta deliver a receipt first.

The live crowd in the Staples Center pops at the thinly veiled threat toward Jaelynn Ramsey, but Sadie’s eyes drift past Clay and Fresno, toward someone else just a few feet farther down the hall. She tightens the grip on her FGA 15 Championship before the Saturnian Connection’s gazes follow the champion’s. Jillian speaks up first, offering Sadie a polite smile.

Jillian Clay: We’ll see you later, Sadie.

Nando gives Sadie a nod and the two begin to depart… and as the camera pans out, it’s evident why. Ashley Sullivan is standing with her arms crossed over her chest, partially hiding the top of her ring gear. Her eyes fixed on Sadie as she takes a couple steps towards the champion, her eyes drift down to the braced leg. In the slightest of ways, she bites at her lip with a shake of her head.

Ashley Sullivan:. That’s not my fault.

Sadie perks a brow in curiosity, her eyes drifting back to her brace and then up at Sullivan again, but the champion doesn’t respond initially. Ashley takes a deep breath as she pulls her arms away from her chest.

Ashley Sullivan:. Look. I get it. The whole wanting to go out in a blaze of glory bit. Hell, I’ve done it before myself. Gambling and putting all on thirty-two at the roulette table, knowing how damn good it’ll feel to walk away with that pile of winnings… how people will look at you as you walk away will it all. Even with that success, it’s a double-edged sword. Those looks. Some of it’s respect but there’s also a hell of a lot of jealousy going on there. And those jealous bitches are more dangerous than the ones that’ll just give you a nod and a pat on the back. That…

Ashley points down to the brace on Sadie’s leg. This time, Sadie doesn’t follow her eyes-- but keeps her gaze locked on Ashley’s.

Ashley Sullivan:. There’ll be a lot more of that to come unless you put some fear into the jealous ones.

Sadie nods a little, adjusting the grip on her title, looking away thoughtfully for a second before she looks her challenger in the eye again.

Sadie San Francisco: So. I’m not scary enough?

She nods to herself, running a hand over her jaw for a second-- again, in thought.

Sadie San Francisco: Good to know, Ash. I appreciate the advice.

A pause. A breath.

Sadie San Francisco: But, um… hearing all this… now I guess I’m forced to ask… are you one of the jealous bitches?

Ashley almost laughs at the idea, shaking her head.

Ashley Sullivan:. Being jealous goes along with believing you have something that I can’t have… and that’s just not my bag. If I’m ever going to come at you, I’ll walk right up to with the claws out. But I’m not going to do that. Not now anyway. Not until it counts out there… for that.

She points at the Fifteen Championship title belt.

Ashley Sullivan:. Now can we both agree that the rest of them fall into that category and that none of them can climb up the ladder to get that title? We can’t go around rewarding bad behavior can we?

There’s a buzz among the crowd as the two Grapplers stand face-to-face. Sadie narrows her eyes at Ash… but the smallest smirk creeps across her face and she shakes her head a bit.

Sadie San Francisco: Yeah. Guess we can’t.

Sadie’s unblinking gaze remains locked on Sullivan and she nods a little, allowing the title to slide from her shoulder, into her firm grip, hanging in front of her.

Sadie San Francisco: See you out there.

Ashley Sullivan:. Yes you will.

With a nod of her head, Sullivan backs out of view. Sadie repositions the title onto her shoulder, eyes following Sullivan as we fade to black.

[FGA Office]

LADDER MATCH FOR THE FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Sadie San Francisco vs. Jaelynn Ramsey vs. Ashley Sullivan vs. Cassius Reed vs. Sloan Talbot

*DING! - DING!! - DING!!!*

Melanie Sierra: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following contest, scheduled for one fall. It is a LADDER MATCH for the FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP! Here are the rules. There are NO pinfalls, submissions, disqualifications or countouts! The only way to win is by climbing up and pulling down the FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP!

Geoff Penzer: Alright, wrestling fans! Up next is our first of four championship matches and this one promises to be a doozy! For the first time ever, the 15 Championship will be competed for in a Ladder Match!

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...”

Melanie Sierra: Introducing challenger number one! From Norfolk, Virginia! Weighing in at 247 pounds… SLOAN TALBOT!

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

Geoff Penzer: Sloan Talbot is no stranger to the 15 Championship, having won it last year before losing it back to Kendall Kingham. He’s also no stranger to violence and a match like this is right up his alley!

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: His opponent, fighting out of Funkytown, USA and tipping the scales 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.

Geoff Penzer: The tournament king has come up empty handed thus far here in 2019. In 2016, he won the Passion of the Junior Cup in NKP. In 2017, he became phoenix Wrestling’s Iron King. In 2018, he won the Rey del Aire tournament here in FGA. Can The Funky Dragon bring home the title here tonight in LA?

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: Their opponent, 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.

Geoff Penzer: Ashley Sullivan has come close to capturing both the 15 and United States Championships since returning to FGA last year. Despite those tough losses, Sullivan continues to move forward. The Ladder Match is her specialty. What better place than at All-Star Showdown to finally become a champion again.

"No Regrets" by the Sohodolls begins to play throughout the venue. A small cloud of smoke appears on stage, outlining the silhouette of a petite woman. The woman, revealed to be Jaelynn Ramsey walks through the cloud and onto the ramp.

Melanie Sierra: Their opponent, from Oakland, California… JAELYNN RAMSEY!

She walks down the ramp completely ignoring the fans. She then walks up the steel steps, entering through the ring ropes. As the music fades out, she backs into a turnbuckle, doing a last second stretch before go-time.

Geoff Penzer: Jaelynn Ramsey, the eternal thorn in Sadie San Francisco’s side, is the reason why the champion has been sidelined for the better part of the last two months. No matter how many times Sadie gets the upper hand, Ramsey always finds a way to come back and make Sadie’s life hell. Ramsey would love for nothing more than to be the sole reason why The Pope walks out of Staples Center titleless!

The lights in the arena fade to a rose-gold color as the familiar sound of smooth jazz echoes throughout the building. “Young Nation” hits the PA system and a roar surges throughout audience. Sadie San Francisco steps out to the top of the ramp, offering a quick wink to the camera nearest before continuing past.

Geoff Penzer: Listen to this reaction for The Pope!

Sadie pauses at the bottom of the ramp, performing a full turn as she gazes at the masses surrounding her.

Melanie Sierra: And their opponent, from THE WEST SIDE!

The crowd pops huge for this.


Melanie Sierra: She is the reigning and defending FGA 15 Champion! She is “The Pope” SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

Nodding a bit to herself, Sadie strides around to the side of the ring facing the hard camera. She climbs onto the apron, narrowing her eyes at the camera is it pans closer to her, capturing only a cold gaze from Sadie as she spends a few seconds staring into the lens-- before slinking through the ropes, sliding seamlessly back into the ring. Sadie makes her way toward the turnbuckles, slowly ascending to the second rope, shooting a broad smile out toward the raucous audience before raising a single “V” above her head with her left hand. Sadie casually drops down from the turnbuckles and turns, leaning against the turnbuckles as she awaits competition.

Geoff Penzer: We heard Sadie say earlier in the night that regardless of what happens out here, this will be her last defense as 15 Champion. If she retains, is she cashing it in for a guaranteed shot at the United States Championship? One thing is for sure; Sadie will have her work cut out for her. It was two years ago that Sadie defeated AMIRA, Brian Stryker, Lowri Moss, Julian Tijerina, Blake Rogers and NEON in a Ladder Match to become Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion in this very building! Can she once again overcome the odds and walk out of Los Angeles a champion?

The bell sounds as Sadie immediately rushes over to go after Ramsey. The crowd boos when Ramsey drops and rolls to the outside. The Pope continues to go after Ramsey until she gets blindsided with a running clothesline from Reed.

Geoff Penzer: How typical! Ramsey had no problems with attacking Sadie from behind two months ago! But when Sadie wants to bring the fight to her face, she hightails it!

The Funky Dragon takes Sadie, heads into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. Reed turns her around and goes to work on the champion with alternating right jabs to the head and body. Across the ring, Sullivan knocks Talbot back with a pair of dropkicks. Sullivan gets back to her feet before turning to hit the ropes. She comes back and throws out a third dropkick. But she goes to the well one too many times as Talbot’s able to swat her down. He then yanks Sullivan back to her feet before whipping her into the corner. Talbot rushes in to attack when Sullivan knocks him back with a back elbow to the face. After shaking off the blow, Talbot rushes back in. This time, Sullivan knocks him back with a boot to the face. While Talbot is dazed, Sullivan turns and scales the turnbuckles. Sullivan reaches the top and flips back for a moonsault, only to get caught by Talbot! Talbot catches Sullivan across his shoulders. He then runs across the ring and launches Sullivan well over the top rope with a lawn dart…

Geoff Penzer: OH MY G-!

-sending Sullivan crashing across the announce table and taking out Geoff Penzer! Sullivan bounces off the table and rolls to the floor.

HOLY SHIT!
HOLY SHIT!!
HOLY SHIT!!!

Back in the ring, Reed turns around and sees Talbot across the ring. So he pulls Sadie from out of the corner and irish whip her across the ring towards Talbot. Talbot is able to catch Sadie by the throat. He then moves Sadie over towards the ropes and hoists her up for a chokeslam to the floor. At the last second, Sadie catches him with an elbow to the side of the head. Once Talbot drops her, The Pope hops onto the apron through the ropes and knocks him back with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Reed then runs over to knock Sadie off the apron. But he gets doubled over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Sadie then pulls a doubled over Reed halfway through the ropes. After taking a couple steps back on the apron, Sadie runs forward and cracks him across the side of the head with a bicycle knee, knocking Reed back into the ring!

Sadie rolls back in, rushes over and ducks a lariat from Talbot before continuing to run the ropes. When The Pope returns, she knocks Talbot back with a bicycle kick. The crowd cheers as Talbot starts to teeter. So The Pope turns and runs back into the ropes. Instead of coming back, Ramsey yanks her down to the mat. After dragging Sadie to the outside, Ramsey rakes her across the eyes before doubling her over with multiple knees to the midsection. Ramsey then takes Sadie and whips her hard down ringside. Sadie crashes hard against the guardrail before slumping down into a seated position. Ramsey then drops down to her knees while she lifts up the ring skirt. After then reaches underneath the ring and pulls out a ladder.

BOOOOOOOOO!

Instead of bringing the ladder into the ring, Ramsey picks it up. She then makes her way down ringside before chucking the ladder into Sadie! The crowd gasps, then boos when the top cap of the ladder hits Sadie right in the face!!! The Pope quickly falls to her side and clutches her nose with both hands.

When Ramsey climbs up onto the apron, she gets caught with a hard punch from Talbot, dropping her to the apron. Talbot steps up onto the middle ropes, reaches over and yanks up Ramsey by the hair. He then grabs Ramsey, lifts her up and brings her back into the ring with Enter Tragedy (superplex from the apron)!!!

Talbot returns to his feet and sees Reed trying to pick himself up across the ring. After shaking out the cobwebs, Reed turns around and sees Talbot charging at him. Talbot goes to take his head off with a lariat, but The Funky Dragon is able to duck out of the way in the nick of time. When Talbot turns around, he throws out a haymaker. Reed ducks. Talbot then throws out a left hook. Again, Reed ducks. Talbot throws out another punch. This time, Reed ducks and counters with Johnny Cage (split-legged punched to the groin)!

While Talbot is doubled over, Reed leans back on the mat before bringing him down with What The Funk? (kip up huracanrana)! As Talbot gets back to his feet, Reed rushes over and executes a running huracanrana, sending Talbot through the rope and to the floor. The Funky Dragon looks around. He sees Sadie still down on the outside. Ramsey is still down in the ring. Sullivan is just finally starting to pull herself up using the edge of the announce both. Reed then turns and sees Talbot picking himself up on the floor. So The Funky Dragon turns and hits the far ropes. Reed comes back, leaps over the top rope and brings Talbot down with slingshot hurcarana! Reed gets back to his feet and stands over Talbot. Reed leans down and trash talks him before slapping Talbot across the face. Reed continues to run his mouth before slapping Talbot across the face again. Reed continues to mouth off until Talbot reaches up and snatches him by the throat! Talbot gets to his feet while maintaining his hold of Reed. He goes to lift Reed up when Reed elbows him in the side of the head. He then takes Talbot and plants him with a Snap DDT on the floor!

Reed gets back to his feet. When he turns to face the ring, Ramsey leaps through the ropes and knocks him down with the Jaegerbomb (suicide dive)! Ramsey rolls back into the ring. She runs over, leaps through the ropes and knocks Sullivan down with a Jagerbomb!

BOOOOOOOO!

Ramsey rolls back into the ring. The crowd erupts with boos while Ramsey circles the ring with her arms out to her side. Rasmsey stops when she sees Sadie trying to pick herself up on the outside. Ramsey smirks as she hits the ropes. Ramsey bounces back and hits the far ropes. Ramsey picks up speed as she leaps through the ropes for a high speed Jaegerbomb. At the last second, Sadie hoists up the ladder, causing Ramsey to crash head-first into it!!!

Sadie slowly picks herself up of the outside. After lifting up the ladder, she heads over and pushes it into the ring underneath the bottom rope. The Pope makes her way back inside the ring and looks around. With all four of her opponents on the floor, Sadie sees that the coast is clear. The crowd cheers after she stands up the ladder, spreads the legs of the ladder out and positions it underneath the title. She then starts climbing the ladder.

Sadie stops on the fourth rung of the ladder to look around. Once she sees that the coast is clear, Sadie continues to climb!

Sadie continues her ascent up the ladder as Talbot slides back into the ring. The crowd gasps when Talbot marches over, grabs the legs of the ladder and lifts it up!!!

Talbot continues to carry the ladder across the ring before tipping it over. Sadie falls off the ladder and crashes down across Sullivan with a crossbody! Back inside, Talbot slams the ladder shut. The crowd gasps when Talbot takes the ladder with both hands and lifts it over his head! Talbot heads over towards the ropes and throws down the ladder, sending it crashing down hard across San Francisco and Sullivan!!!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Talbot walks across the ring, steps over the top rope and hops down to the floor. He reaches underneath the ring before yanking out another ladder!

Talbot takes the ladder, lifts it over his head and tosses it over the top rope and into the ring!

Talbot rolls back inside. He heads over, picks up the ladder and stand sit up before starting to slowly climb it.

Geoff Penzer: Sloan Talbot has the ring all to himself!

Talbot continues to slowly climb the ladder while Reed rolls back inside. The Funky Dragon runs up the ladder behind Talbot and wraps his arms around his leg. Talbot tries to shake Reed off his leg. But it’s to no avail. So Talbot reaches back and punches Reed in the face. Another punch hits Reed in the face. Talbot then takes a few steps up the ladder before reaching back and kicking Reed off the ladder and to the mat.

Geoff Penzer: Reed’s been sent to the mat! Talbot’s free to climb and grab that championship!

The boos grow louder as Talbot is only five rungs away from reaching the top of the ladder! He takes a step up before reaching up for the title. But he’s not quite there. So Talbot takes two more steps up. He’s about to grab the title when Reed takes the ladder and drags it away from underneath the title belt! Talbot tries to use that long wingspan of his to reach out for it. But it’s just out of reach. The Funky Dragon then starts to shake the ladder, causing Talbot to jump off! The moment Talbot lands on his feet, his knee buckles before crumbling to the mat! Reed swoops in and places Talbot in a leg grapevine! Reed continues to work over the leg while Ramsey rolls back inside. She takes the ladder, drags it into the corner and shuts it before climbing up the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: What is Ramsey doing there?

Reed continues to keep the leg grapevine locked in on Talbot. Up on the top turnbuckle is Ramsey. Ramsey jumps onto the ladder and rides it down, sending the ladder crashing down across Reed!

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey sends the ladder right down on top of Reed! That’ll take something out of Cassius!

Ramsey drags the ladder off of Reed and over towards the center of the ring. She stands the ladder up. Once she gets the ladder perfectly positioned underneath the ladder, she opens it up and starts to climb.

The crowd erupts with boos while Ramsey continues her ascent up the ladder uninterrupted.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ramsey continues to climb until she stops to taunt the booing crowd. The boos quickly turn to cheers when Sullivan is seen rolling back into the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan’s back in the ring after being launched over the top rope and taking me out at ringside!

Ramsey looks down behind her and does a double take when she sees Sullivan starting to climb the ladder. So Ramsey starts to pick up the pace. But Sullivan is hot on her trail!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan’s just a few rungs behind her!

Ramsey tries to kick down at Sullivan to knock her off the ladder. But Sullivan fights through it.

Geoff Penzer: Those kicks aren’t effecting Sully!

Sullivan reaches up and grabs a hold of Ramsey, holding her in place. Ramsey tries to reach up for the title. But she’s about five rungs too short! Sullivan continues to climb until she’s right next to Ramsey.

Sullivan grabs Ramsey and slams her face-first into one of the rungs! Ramsey gets slammed face-first into the rung again…

YES!

… and again…

YES!

… and again…

YES!

… and again…

YES!

… and again…

YES!

Sullivan then grabs a hold of Ramsey. The crowd gasps when Sullivan leaps off, bringing them down with a side russian legs weep off the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan and Ramsey just landed on the canvas with a thunderous crash! Sullivan was looking to take out Ramsey with that side russian leg sweep high up off the ladder! But how much damage did she do to herself!?

Ramsey remains sprawled out on the mat. Sullivan slowly curls up and clutches the back of her neck. She then rolls over onto her knees before struggling to get back to a vertical base. Sullivan staggers over into the corner. While Sullivan continues to rest, she sees San Francisco picking herself up off the floor. So Sullivan turns and starts to scale the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: What’s Sullivan doing now?

The crowd stands up while Sullivan’s on the top turnbuckle. When The Pope picks herself back up and looks up, Sullivan flips off for a moonsault. She misses! Sadie dives back into the ring at the last second, causing Sullivan to crash onto the ladder that Talbot had previously thrown on top of them!

Geoff Penzer: GOOD GOD!

Sadie pulls herself up using the ropes. The moment The Pope turns around, Talbot drops her with a forearm smash! He then limps over, slams the ladder shut and pushes it down on the mat. He limps back over to Sadie before whipping her into the ropes. When Sadie comes back, Talbot scoops her up from the side before delivering a sidewalk slam across the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie was just driven back-first across the ladder!

While San Francisco lays writhing in pain across the ladder, Talbot rolls to the outside. He reaches underneath the ring and pulls out yet another ladder.

Geoff Penzer: A third ladder!

Talbot goes to push the ladder into the ring under the bottom rope when Reed runs over, delivering a baseball slide to the ladder!!! The ladder smacks Talbot in the face, knocking him down!

Geoff Penzer: Reed out of nowhere with a baseball slide!

Reed heads over, pulls San Francisco off the ladder and brings her down with an inverted headlock backbreaker. The Funky Dragon pulls Sadie back up before delivering a snap suplex across the ladder.

Geoff Penzer: The Pope’s had a ladder thrown down on her and now, she’s been repeatedly thrown across one! She went into this match with concerns over her knee. I think that knee pales in comparison to how her back must be feeling right now.

Reed drags the ladder and Sadie in place before stepping out onto the apron. The crowd boos when he connects with a springboard diving left elbow drop! Reed gets back to his feet before stepping out onto the apron. The Funky Dragon follows up with another springboard diving left elbow drop! Reed gets back up and returns to the apron. After scaling the ropes, he goes for a diving somersault leg drop. He misses! The crowd erupts with cheers when Sadie rolls out of the way, causing Reed to crash across the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Reed connects with the diving somersault leg drop! But across the ladder, not Sadie! That has to hamper Reed’s ability to climb the ladder as this match continues...

Sadie picks herself up. She grabs a hold of Reed’s right arm and slowly pulls the arm pad off before chucking it into the audience. The Pope pulls Reed back to his feet before sending him crashing down shoulder-first across the ladder with a somersault arm wringer!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s going right after the arm! With one hurt arm and one hurt leg, how will Reed successfully scale the ladder?

San Francisco takes Reed, delivers an irish whip and follows him across the ring. As soon as Reed hits the ropes, The Pope connects with a running high knee! After Reed slumps down against the ropes, Sadie takes a few steps back, then runs forward, swings through the ropes and locks Reed in Alcatraz (tiger feint crucifix armbar). The crowd cheers while Reed howls in pain. Reed kicks his legs while he’s still trapped in the hold. There’s no rope break to enforce in a ladder match, so The Pope can keep this hold locked on all night. San Francisco continues to keep Reed trapped in the hold until Talbot takes the last ladder he pulled out and rams the top cap against Sadie’s back. San Francisco drops to the apron before hitting the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie never saw it coming!

Talbot takes the ladder and angles it against the edge of the apron. He then grabs a hold of San Francisco and lifts her up for a chokeslam. Before he can turn and chokeslam Sadie through the ladder, she counters by bringing him down into a Crossface.

Back in the ring, Ramsey slowly picks herself back up. She then gingerly walks over, lifts up the ladder and opens it up before climbing it.

Geoff Penzer: The opportunistic Ramsey is going for the title!

The crowd boos while Ramsey continue to climb. On the outside, The Pope still has the Crossface applied. San Francisco keeps the hold locked on until she looks over and sees Ramsey climbing the ladder. So Sadie lets go, runs up the ladder at ringside, hops onto the top rope, leaps off and blindsides Ramsey with a lariat, knocking her off the ladder and down to the mat.

Geoff Penzer: Desperation flying clothesline from The Pope!

Sadie gets to her feet and pushes the ladder out of the way while she stalks Ramsey.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s got Ramsey right where she wants her!

Ramsey slowly gets back to her feet while The Pope continues to stalk her around the ring. Ramsey puts her hands out. But San Francisco isn’t about to listen to a word Ramsey has to say. Ramsey continues to back away from Sadie until she bumps into someone. When Ramsey turns around, she sees Sullivan staring her down.

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan still hasn’t forgotten about Ramsey bailing on their tag team match a few weeks back!

Ramsey backs away from both San Francisco and Sullivan while they stalk her across the ring. The moment Ramsey backs herself up into the corner, San Francisco and Sullivan pounce of her. The crowd goes wild as they unload on Ramsey with kicks, punches and clubbing strikes! Sadie continues to pummel Ramsey down into the corner with forearm strikes while Sullivan heads over, grabs the ladder and positions it in the corner. After making her way back across the ring, Sullivan helps Sadie take Ramsey and whips her hard across the ring. The crowd cheers when Ramsey crashes into the ladder! As Ramsey staggers away from the ladder, Sadie and Sullivan rush over and turn her inside out with a running double clothesline! Sullivan and San Francisco pull Ramsey back to her feet. After they each hook an arm, they rush over before launching Ramsey into the ladder with a double hip toss! Ramsey bounces off the ladder before falling to the mat.

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey’s getting the hell beat out of her and this crowd is loving every second of it!

Sullivan heads over, grabs the ladder and places it on the mat. Sadie then takes Ramsey and whips her into the ropes. When Ramsey returns, The Pope sends her face-first into the ladder with a drop toe hold. Sullivan then pulls Ramsey up off the ladder and whips her into the corner. The cheers continues as Sullivan rushes over and blasts Ramsey with a Wind Kick (running big boot in the corner)! Sullivan then slips out of the way as San Francisco runs over, hops on Ramsey and throws her out of the corner with a monkey flip, sending her crashing across the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey is in a world of hurt after The Pope and Sullivan continue to double team her.

Sadie drags the ladder in place and holds Ramsey’s legs down while Sullivan steps out to the apron. After scaling to the top turnbuckle, Sullivan flips off and goes for the Sunset (Swanton Bomb)! She misses! The crowd gasps when San Francisco yanks Ramsey off the ladder, causing Sullivan to crash back-first across the ladder. Sullivan howls in pain before slowly rolling off the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan thought that her and Sadie were going to continue to beat down on Ramsey. But this is every man and woman for themselves!

The Pope stalks Sullivan while Sullivan continues to favor her back. After Sullivan struggles to push herself up to all fours, San Francisco delivers constant stomps to the fingers. She then drags Sullivan over towards the ladder before picking her up. After doubling Sullivan over, San Francisco leaps up and drives her down with a Fameasser across the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: Sullivan goes face-first into the ladder!

San Francisco turns around and sees Ramsey pulling herself up across the ring using the ropes. After Ramsey gets back to her feet and steps back away from the ropes, The Pope rushes over and knocks her down with a Northern Lariat! Sadie slowly pulls Ramsey up off the mat before hooking her arms from behind. She turns and positions Ramsey for Vanity (Unprettier). Ramsey slips out at the last second and shoves Sadie into the ropes. After Sadie comes off the ropes, Ramsey blasts her with a superkick, knocking her back. The Pope then slips through the ropes and hits the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s on the outside! Sullivan is still down! I haven’t seen Talbot or Reed in a minute! Is Ramsey seconds away from becoming the new 15 Champion?

Ramsey rolls to the outside and puts the boots to Sadie. She then reaches over, lifts up the ladder and positions part of it underneath the bottom rope and angles the top half down on the floor. Meanwhile, San Francisco remains under the ladder. Ramsey walks around the ladder, lifts up Sadie’s legs and hooks them before falling back, catapulting San Francisco face-first into the ladder!

Geoff Penzer: OH!

Ramsey heads over towards J.A. Aldridge and Melanie Sierra and shoos them away from her. She then takes the two chairs they were sitting on and brings them back over towards the ladder.

Geoff Penzer: What is Ramsey doing? Why doesn’t she just climb? Is her desire to take out Sadie getting the best of her here?

After setting up the steel chairs, Ramsey takes the ladder and lays it down across the seats of the chairs. The top cap of the ladder is on one chair seat while the bottom rung of the ladder lays across the seat of the other chair. Sadie is then grabbed off the floor before being rolled across the ladder. The crowd begins to boo louder hand Ramsey climbs up onto the apron before scaling the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: ...oh no. I think I know what this is all about. I KNOW WHAT SHE’S GOING FOR HERE...

The crowd stands up as Ramsey climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Ramsey closes her eyes before flipping back off the top! Ramsey flies through the air before crashing onto Sadie with Down By The Jae (diving moonsault) through the ladder, bending it in half!!!

HOLY SHIT
HOLY SHIT!
HOLY SHIT!!
HOLY SHIT!!!

Geoff Penzer: That ladder, along with Sadie San Francisco, have just been broken in half! I don’t know who has taken more punishment tonight, Sadie or Sullivan. But they’re both a mangled mess!

Back inside, Sullivan rolls off the ladder and starts to slowly drags herself off the apron. The moment she gets up to a knee, a large shadow spears over her. The crowd boos when Talbot snatches her up by the back of the neck.

Geoff Penzer: What is going through his sick mind?

Talbot turns Sullivan around, grabs her by the throat, lifts her up and throws her down with a chokeslam!

Geoff Penzer: He tried to throw Sullivan through the ring!

Talbot marches over and drags the ladder back across the ring before pulling Sullivan back up.

Geoff Penzer: What now!?

Talbot takes Sullivan by the throat, lifts her up and throws her down with another chokeslam! This time, across the ladder! He then kicks Sullivan off the ladder before picking it up and positioning it in the corner. Talbot heads over, scoops up Sullivan and delivers a backbreaker, followed by a fallaway slam across the ring and into the ladder!

Talbot takes the ladder and drags it back to the center of the ring. He opens it up before he slowly starts to climb it.

Geoff Penzer: Talbot is free and in the cle-

Another ladder is pushed into the ring! Reed rolls back in after the ladder before rushing over and hitting Talbot with a jumping clubbing strike across the back. He then reaches up, grabs Talbot and yanks him down to the canvas.

An annoyed Talbot tries to knock Reed’s head clean off his shoulder with a wild haymaker. But Reed’s able to duck. When Talbot turns around, he gets caught with a quick right handed slap to the face, followed by a quick Right Jab - Right Jab - Left Hook Boxing Combo. While Talbot is dazed, The Funky Dragon ends with a Michael Jackson style spin straight into a left handed spinning backhand slap.

Geoff Penzer: Pimp Slap Symposium!

Reed then takes Talbot and whips him into the corner. He rushes across the ring before connecting with the Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow)! Reed heads back over, takes the ladder that he brought into the ring and positions the top cap on one of the rungs of the ladder currently standing. He then takes the lower legs of the ladder and position them across the middle rope. The crowd begins to murmur amongst themselves.

Geoff Penzer: The Funky Dragon’s got something up his sleeve...

Reed heads over, grabs Talbot, brings him out of the corner and throws him down with a front vertical across the ladder! Talbot lays draped across the ladder while Reed heads out to the apron. The Funky Dragon then heads into the air and executes a springboard diving somersault leg across across the back of the neck, knocking Talbot down off the ladder!

The Funky Dragon looks over and sees Ramsey starting to pick herself up on the apron using the ropes. So he rushes over and greets her with a discus punch. He follows up with a split-legged Stunner across the top rope, sending Ramsey tumbling to the floor. Reed runs over and starts climbing the ladder. He continues to make his way up the rung when he senses something off to his side. When Reed turns his body, he sees Sullivan springboard off the top rope, fly over and bring him down with a diving Codebreaker!

Geoff Penzer: WHERE DID SHE COME FROM!?

Reed bounces off of Sullivan’s knees before rolling out to the floor. Back in the ring, Sullivan remains down in pain. She can be seen holding her back. Sullivan turns over on all fours. She reaches up and using the rungs of the ladder to slowly pull herself up back to her feet. The crowd starts to rally behind Sully while she scales the ladder.

SULLY!
SULLY!
SULLY!
SULLY!

Geoff Penzer: This capacity crowd is trying to will Sullivan up the ladder! Can she make that treacherous climb after all she’s been put through!? Can she make it to the top and grab the prize!?

Sullivan continues to climb until Talbot marches over, reaches up and grabs a hold of her ankle. Sullivan tries to shake him off. But Talbot’s got a death grip of the ankle. Talbot yanks her off the ladder, catches her across his shoulders and brings her down with a Samoan Drop! While Sullivan is down, Talbot returns to his feet before climbing the ladder.

BOOOOO!

Talbot continues to climb the ladder. Out of nowhere comes Reed, who springboards off the top rope and leaps onto the other side of the ladder, causing it to shake!

Geoff Penzer: Reed’s on the other side of the ladder!

Once the ladder settles, both Reed and Talbot continue to climb the ladder. The crowd gasps when Reed starts to surpass him on the other side.

Geoff Penzer: Reed’s taken the lead! On one good leg and with one good arm, The Funky Dragon is scratching and claw his way up rung by rung!

Reed gets up to the fourth to last rung. He reaches up for the title when Talbot reaches up and punches him in the chest! Reed answers back with a punch of his own. Talbot socks Reed with another punch. Reed answers back with the Spanish Archer! After grabbing Talbot by the head with both hands and slamming him down face-first onto the top cap of the ladder, Reed climbs up onto the second to last rung. The crow starts to stand up while Reed’s got Talbot held in place.

Geoff Penzer: ...

The crowd gasps when Reed flips over, driving them both down throw the horizontally positioned ladder with SWEET CHRISTMAS! (sunset flip powerbomb)!

This IS AWE-SOME!!!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
THIS IS AWE-SOME!!!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

Talbot lays motionless on the bent ladder. Reed, meanwhile, slowly rolls off the ladder while he holds his hind parts. The Funky Dragon slowly crawls away from Talbot and makes his way back over towards the other part of the standing ladder. Reed slowly reaches up and grabs a hold of one of the rungs with both hands. He winces with pain while he gingerly pulls himself back to his feet. Reed starts to scale the ladder until Sullivan pulls him back down. The crowd cheers when she nails Reed with an atomic drop. Sullivan delivers another atomic drop for good measure before hitting the ropes, bouncing back and bringing him down with the Pink Velvet (handspring cutter)!

Geoff Penzer: Down goes Reed! Talbot hasn’t moved since getting powerbombed through the other ladder! This might be Sullivan’s shot right here!

Sullivan gets back to her feet and is still favoring her back. When she turns, she sees Sadie San Francisco slowly rolling back inside. Sullivan marches over to attack when The Pope cuts her off with a forearm strike. Sullivan answers back with a punch to the face! Sadie hits her with another forearm strike. Sullivan rocks her with another punch to the face! Sullivan tries to quickly follow up with another punch to the face. But Sadie is too quick, hitting her with a backfist! The Pope goes to follow up with a spinning backfist when Sullivan grabs her and counters with a reverse side russian leg sweep, driving her down!

Sullivan pulls Sadie over onto her back before stepping out onto the apron. She starts to scale the turnbuckles while the capacity crowd is solidly behind her. Once Sullivan reaches the top, she’s about to hit San Francisco with the Sunset. Out of nowhere come Ramsey, who leaps onto the apron before shoving Sullivan off, sending her flipping off the able and crashing down across the broken ladder at ringside!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Geoff Penzer: That damn Jaelynn Ramsey!

Ramsey steps into the ring. She intentionally walks across San Francisco’s back before making her way over and stomping Reed out of the ring. She then steps over Talbot before climbing the ladder.

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey’s in the clear! That damn Jaelynn Ramsey is about to steal the 15 Championship!

Ramsey continues to make her accent up the ladder while San Francisco slowly turns over on all fours.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s moving! Can she get up in time!

The Pope gets back to her feet and staggers over towards the ladder, causing it to shake. Once the ladder had settled, jumps up onto the third rung before climbing it.

Geoff Penzer: She’s starting to climb!

Ramsey looks over and sees San Francisco gaining on her. So she tries to pick up the pace. But San Francisco is right there.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s closing in!

Both grapplers continue to scale the ladder. Once Ramsey has reached the third to last rung, she reaches up and goes for the championship. But it’s just out of arm’s reach. So she steps onto the second ladder. The crowd gasps when Ramsey reaches up and gets her hands on the ladder. Before she can yank it down, Sadie climbs up onto the third rung and smacks Ramsey with a backfist to the face, causing her to drop her hands. Sadie then nails Ramsey with a forearm strike. Ramsey returns the favor with an elbow strike! Sadie nails Ramsey with another forearm strike! Ramsey comes back with another elbow strike! The Pope then catches Ramsey with another backfist! Sadie reaches up for the title when Ramsey knocks her back with a punch! Sadie leans back on the third rung…

WOOOOOOAH!

… before coming back and cracking Ramsey with a forearm strike! Ramsey leans back…

WOOOOOOOOAAAAAH!

… before coming back and blasting San Francisco with another elbow strike! Sadie goes for another punch when Ramsey blocks and counters with a punch of her own! Ramsey nails Sadie with another punch… and another… and another! Ramsey goes for the knockout blow when Sadie blocks. The Pope goes to counter with a punch of her own when Ramsey rakes her across the eyes!

BOOOOOOOOO!

Sadie doubles over and covers her eyes while Ramsey smirks. Ramsey steps up onto the second to last rung. The crowd gasps when she reaches up and latches onto the 15 Championship!!! She’s about to snatch it down! NO! Sadie reaches up, grabs Ramsey’s arm and pulls her rival towards her. When Ramsey looks down, the crowd erupts with cheers when The Pope spits black mist right into her eyes!!!

Geoff Penzer: Ramsey’s just been blinded by the mist!

Ramsey shrieks while she covers her eyes. She then falls off to the side before crashing down with a hard thud!!!

YES!
YES!
YES!
YES!

San Francisco scans around at all the debris around her. She then reaches up… grabs the 15 Championship… and snatches it down! The referee calls for the bell!

The crowd erupts with cheers as "Young Nation" blasts throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner annnnnd STILLLLL the FGA 15 Champion, SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

An exhausted San Francisco slowly raises the 15 Championship in the air!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie has done it! In her return to the ring, she has successfully defended her championship tonight against Ashley Sullivan, Cassius Reed, Sloan Talbot and her arch nemesis, Jaelynn Ramsey! Sadie now sits at four success defenses of her 15 Championship. Per the rules of that championship, she can now cash that title in for a guaranteed shot at the United States Champion. We heard Sadie say earlier tonight that this would be her final defense. But after going to hell and back to retain this championship, is she willing to hand it over, even if it means a shot at the US Championship? Only Sadie can answer that one, folks...

[FGA Office]

The All-Star Showdown production cuts backstage and the audience is welcomed to the sight of Frankie Morrison standing in one of the halls of the Staples Center wearing a signature pinstriped suit. Behind him, a door swings open and Chris Madison ferociously marches through the doorway, dressed for action.

Frankie Morrison: You ready to do this?

Chris sighs as he rolls his shoulders and shakes his arms while they dangle by his side.

Frankie Morrison: Regardless of what’s been going on in James Edwards head, you need to take this match seriously. This is a man who feels like he’s got a lot to prove. This is a man who’s being driven by a feeling of being overlooked. Despite the fact that he’s been distant from FGA as of late; the man is still dangerous in that ring.

Madison looks over at his manager and his eyes narrow before shaking his head.

Chris Madison: I have all the respect in the world for James Edwards as a competitor…

Morrison opens his mouth and instantly Madison shoots his hand up, interrupting him before he could speak.

Chris Madison: The problem… James Edwards doesn’t have that burnin’ desire to be a competitor here in FGA anymore. His mind is elsewhere. He’s out chasin’ the fame and glory in other companies; and all because the grind here got the best of him! The last time I checked, if you wanted to better your standin’ in a company, if you wanted to rise the ranks, you went out to that ring and took care of business. At times it might not come as quickly as you’d like, but nothing speaks louder than handlin’ your business every time you step through those ropes. The old James Edwards would have been fine with that. He would’ve welcomed the challenge and took each match head on. Now, he’s expectin’ things to be handed to him and seems to think that if he’s not in the main event picture it’s not worth his time.

Madison pauses before turning away from Frankie and staring at the camera crew that’s filming.

Chris Madison: You wasted your time disrespectin’ the United States Championship that you held and this company that you compete for, desperately tryin’ to inject yourself into the main event - never realizin’ that the blueprint rested securely around your waist.

Madison moves his hand back and forth along his waistline, gesturing a championship belt.

Chris Madison: You tossed your opportunity to impress aside like yesterday’s trash. Champions are investments. You think FGA wants to put their chips behind a man who’s goin’ to shift gears and set his sights elsewhere at the drop of a dime? You’re out of your damn mind. The United States Championship could have been your trial run. You could have made somethin’ of yourself. Instead, you made a mockery of that belt and this company! Why would they want to risk a similar outcome?

Madison chuckles to himself as he looks down towards the floor for a brief moment.

Chris Madison: And now, you’re beltless without direction. You didn’t get your way and you’ve lost your strongest bargainin’ chip. I was goin’ to try to explain this to you, but you made it crystal clear that nobody is goin’ to get through that thick head of yours. So now, we do what we do best. We march to that ring and fight! Two warriors who’ve been bred for this type of environment. The difference, my ego gets checked at that curtain every time I step through it. Can you say the same? Are you goin’ into this match with a clear head? ‘Cause anythin’ other than, might as well be a death wish. I’m unlike anythin’ you’ve faced before James. I am the embodiment of war. At the nights end you’re goin’ to look back at the choices you’ve made and realize that the pain, the agony, could have been avoided.

Madison steps closer to the camera crew and the camera zooms in to capture only his face.

Chris Madison: Your bitchin’, your moanin’, your cryin’... brought this fight onto yourself!

Madison raises his hand and palms the lens of the camera, pushing it back as the feed cuts away.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Chris Madison vs. James Edwards

The house lights go down, and the arena stays black during the garbled opening guitar riff, then, "Okay." Strobe lights move with the easy beat of the song. James appears at the top of the ramp with the hood on his ring jacket up. He takes a few moments survey everything before him. The hood goes down with the opening lyrics.

Melanie Sierra: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following contest, scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Lexington, Kentucky! Weighing in at 204 pounds! He is “The Burning Heart” JAMES EDWARDS!

Moving with the meandering pace of the music, his eyes never leave the ring. He laps the squared circle, slides under the bottom ropes, and bows martial arts style to all four corners before settling into his own.

Geoff Penzer: You would have thought that James Edwards would have changed his attitude after how things turned out for him at Only the Strong Survive. But he is just as surly as he’s ever been! He’s continued to disrespect Amanda Johnson, who is simply trying to do her job. He continues to put down FGA while using company time to put over the other promotions that he works then. On top of that, he attacks someone like Chris Madison, who was simply trying to help him out. Edwards claims that FGA Officials have used the recent footage of their brawl backstage to turn the crowd against him by controlling the narrative. But the footage speaks loud and clear. James Edwards is a piece of work! I’m sure a lot of people around here and elsewhere would replace “work” this another four letter word. But unlike Mr. Edwards, I’ll remain professional! Edwards is a hell of a fighter. A hell of an an athlete. But he needs to check his ego. Badly!

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: His opponent, coming to the ring from Long Island, New York, weighing in at 220 pounds and standing six feet tall, "Mayhem" CHRIS MAAADDIISSOONN!!!"

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. He 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: Chris Madison is ready for a war here tonight after getting into it backstage with Edwards on consecutive Flashpoints. He’s done trying to help Edwards. He’s done trying to show him the right way to go about things. Tonight, Chris Madison is going to show Edwards his fists instead!

The bell sounds as Madison and Edwards charge out of their respective corners towards the center of the ring. A loud smack is heard when both grapplers collide with simultaneous running forearm strikes!

Geoff Penzer: AND THEY’RE GOING RIGHT AT IT!

Madison and Edwards bounce off each other, rush back towards the center of the ring and collide with another simultaneous running forearm strike! Edwards then hits Madison with a forearm smash! Madison responds with a forearm of his own! Edwards smashes Madison with another forearm strike! Madison responds with another forearm of his own! Edwards then rocks Madison with another forearm smash! Madison is able to answer back with another forearm of his own! Edwards blasts Madison with a fourth forearm strike! The crowd gasps when Edwards cuts off Madison and nails him with another forearm strike! Madison shakes off the blow. He goes to answer back when Edwards cuts him off again with another forearm strike! Another forearm strike from the Burning Heart knocks Madison’s head to the side! Madison then doubles over. After shaking off the blow, Madison stands back up, only to greet nailed him with forearm smash from Edwards! The Burning Heart rocks Madison with yet another forearm smash, knocking Madison back a few steps! Edwards moves forward before knocking Madison into the ropes with a push kick to the chest. The crowd boos Edwards as he whacks away at Madison’s neck with Kesagiri Chops! Madison can be seen wincing after each strike. The boos grow louder while Edwards continues to unload on him with a flurry of Kesagiri chops! The Burning Heart then sends Madison slumping down against the ropes with Mongolian Chops! While Madison is seated against the ropes, Edwards turns and runs into the far ropes. When Edwards comes back, Madison pulls himself uses the ropes, runs over and tackles Edwards down with a Lou Thesz Press! The crowd cheers when Madison mounts himself on top of Edwards and rains down multiple 12-to-6 elbows to the face.

Geoff Penzer: This crowd wants to see Madison pummel Edwards inside that ring!

Madison continues to rain elbow after elbow on Edwards until Edwards starts to block the strikes. He then slips out of the way of one elbow, rolls over on top of Madison and rains down hammer fists! The boos continue while Edwards starts to drop alternating hammer fists! Madison’s able to start blocking the fists before reaching up and grabbing Edwards by the wrists. He then rolls over, pulls Edwards back to his feet and pulls him into a knee to the midsection. He then takes a hold of Edwards before throwing him down with a pumphandle slam! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Edwards kicks out.

Madison takes Edwards, places him in a Muay Thai Clinch and moves him against the ropes. From there, Madison delivers multiple knees to the body. The last of which doubles Edwards over. While Edwards continues to guard his midsection, Madison turns and runs towards the far ropes. As soon as Madison hits the ropes, Edwards leaps across the ring and catches him with a jumping front kick! While Madison is dazed, Edwards heads towards the far ropes. As soon as Edwards hits the ropes, Madison catches him with a running yakuza kick! While Edwards remains dazed against the ropes, Madison turns and heads towards the far ropes. As soon as Madison hits the ropes, Edwards catches him across the ring with the Double Take (jumping switch kick)! He then reaches out, grabs the top rope with both hands and doubles Madison over with multiple lifting knees to the gut! He then places Madison into a clinch of his own and starts delivering multiple knees to the head. Edwards continues to fire off knee after knee until Madison drops down to a knee. While Madison remains on his knee, Edwards steps back towards the center of the ring. The crowd gasps as they know what Edwards has him set up for.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards has Madison lined up for the Violent Gospel!

Members of the crowd stand up as Edwards rushes towards the side of the ring. But instead of hitting the Violent Gospel (Running PK), Edwards nails Madison with the False Gospel (Feigned VG into a reverse roundhouse), knocking Madison through the ropes and to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: James Edwards has won the battle of strikes at the start of this contest! We knew this wouldn’t be match where holds were traded back and forth. Not after their recent encounters backstage.

Edwards steps out onto the apron before crouching down. He keeps his eyes set on Madison and patiently waits for him to get into position. Edwards starts to rise out of the crouched stance while Madison starts to pick himself back up. While Madison is doubled over, The Burning Heart then runs along the apron, jumps off and delivers a leaping double foot stomp to the back, knocking Madison down!

Geoff Penzer: Edwards just drove Madison down!

Edwards rolls back inside. The Burning Heart paces back and forth before stopping and crouching back down. He again waits for Madison to get himself into position. Back on the outside, Madison is seen slowly pushing himself up on all fours. When he gets one foot on the mat and starts to pick himself back up, Edwards turns and hits the far ropes. Edwards comes back, charges forward, leaps through the ropes and knocks Madison into the guardrail with a suicide dive! Edwards rolls back inside before rushing back across the ring. The Burning Heart hits the ropes, comes back, leaps through the ropes and knocks Madison down with a second suicide dive! Edwards grabs Madison and slowly lifts him back up. The crowd gasps when Edwards quickly rolls back into the ring before taking off into the far ropes. The Burning Heart comes back, picks up speed, hurls himself through the ropes and takes out Madison with a third suicide dive!

Geoff Penzer: Edwards was trying to dive right through Madison!

Edwards pulls up Madison and rolls him back inside. The Burning Heart climbs onto the apron with his knee, walks over towards the corner and starts to scale the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: The Burning Heart making a rare trip to the top...

Edwards has Madison lined up before he leaps off and connects with a diving headbutt! He makes the cover.

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

Edwards pulls Madison back over onto his back and covers him with another lateral press.

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

Edwards leaps over to face the front part of Madison’s body and then delivers multiple grounded knee strikes to the ribs. While Madison turns to his right side and guards his ribs, Edwards gets up before hitting the ropes. After Edwards returns, he delivers a leaping double foot stomp to the left ribs! Madison can be heard letting out a loud grunt upon impact. The Burning Heart then grabs Madison by the head, pulls him up to a seated position and blasts him with a shoot kick to the spine. Another hard shoot kick to the spine knocks Madison forward about an inch or two! Edwards takes a few steps back, sizes Madison up, rushes over and kicks Madison forward another inch or two with another soccer kick to the lower back!!! Madison turns over and slaps the canvas out of frustration. He gets back to his feet and gets in Edwards’s face. Edwards then knocks Madison out of his face with a forearm smash before a spinning back kick drops Madison down to a knee! Madison starts to pick himself up when a side kick from Edwards causes him to arch his back before doubling over! The Burning Heart then wraps his arms around Madison’s waist, lifts him up and throws him down with a gutwrench powerbomb! Edwards drops down for the cover.

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

The crowd applauds when Madison gets his shoulder up.

Edwards pulls up Madison before lifting him up across his shoulders. He carries Madison across the ring before bringing him down with a fireman’s carry gourdbuster! While Madison slowly pushes himself up onto all fours, Edwards heads into the corner. Members of the crowd stand up while he scales the turnbuckles. Edwards gets to the top turnbuckle, flips back and flattens Madison with a moonsault! He pulls Madison over onto his back and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Madison gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Chris Madison has taken a beaten over the last couple of minutes from James Edwards. But “Mayhem” Madison continues to fight. He won’t stay down for the three count. Not if he can help it.

Edwards takes Madison, runs and tosses him through the ropes and onto the apron. The Burning Heart steps onto the apron, pulls up Madison, grabs him from behind and then brings him down with a Reverse DDT on the apron!

Geoff Penzer: There’s no give out there, ladies and gentlemen!

Edwards slowly pulls Madison up. He then quickly transitions behind Madison, hooks him and throws him down with a reverse snap powerslam across the edge of the apron! Madison immediately drops to the mat and guards his ribs.

Geoff Penzer: His ribs might be broken! Edwards has dove into those ribs. He’s stomped on them. Elbow dropped them. I wouldn’t be at all shocked if Madison can barely breathe at this point.

The Burning Heart grabs Madison and pulls him up onto the apron. The crowd gasps when he lifts Madison up across his shoulders to set up for a Death Valley Driver.

Geoff Penzer: Come on, James. Let’s get the match back into the ring. There’s no need for this!

Edwards goes for the DVD on the apron when Madison uses his arm to grab onto the top rope. Edwards tires to pull him off the rope and muscle him down with the move. But Madison keeps a death grip on the top rope. Madison then uses his free arm to deliver an elbow to the side of the head. After elbow hits Edwards in the side of the ring. Madison then begins firing off multiple elbows until Edwards loosens his grip on him. After slipping back down into the ring over the top rope, Madison knocks Edwards off the apron and to the floor with a front kick to the back through the ropes. Madison doubles over and guards his midsection. He then looks out and sees Edwards trying to pick himself up off the floor. Madison then stands up. He still favors his ribs while he turns and hits the ropes. When Madison returns, he picks up speed, hurls himself over the top rope and takes out Edwards with a High Jump Moonsault!!! Edwards remains sprawled out on the floor while Madison clutches his ribs.

Geoff Penzer: Chris Madison, in a rare display high-risk offense, soars through the air to take Edwards out with a huge moonsault to the floor! But he’s just as hurt! Was it worth it?

Madison takes Edwards and rolls him back inside. After climbing up onto the apron, Madison heads over towards the corner and starts climbing the turnbuckles. When he reaches the top, he jumps off for a diving double moonsault. He misses! Edwards rolls out of the way just in time. As soon as Madison lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. As soon as Madison gets to his feet and turns around, Edwards is there to throw him down with a running STO! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

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

While Edwards slowly pulls Madison up off the mat, Madison tries to fight back with punches to the midsection. But Edwards is right there to cut him off with a knee to the midsection! He then places Madison in a headlock before turning his attention to the corner. The Burning Herat then runs towards the corner. He goes for a running Headlock Driver into the turnbuckle when Madison slips out, takes control of Edwards’ back and smashes him sternum-first into the corner. Madison then uses the momentum to delivering a backwards roll into a bridging German Suplex! Madison tries to keep the bridge applied for the pin. But he quickly lets go and guards his ribs.

Geoff Penzer: Madison had him pinned. But he couldn’t hold the bridge!

Both grapplers slowly make their way back to their feet. Madison reaches out to grab Edwards when Edwards cuts him off with a spinning back to the midsection, doubling him over! The Burning Heart then runs forward into the ropes. When Edwards returns, Madison stands up, takes Edwards, turns and throws him down with a spinebuster! He rolls across Edwards and hooks the near leg for the cover!

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

Geoff Penzer: Madison with an authoritative spinebuster! But it only gets a two count!

Madison picks up Edwards. He goes to pull him into a front guillotine when Edwards reaches out, grabs the arm, spins out and sends Madison shoulder-first to the mat with an arm wringer! When Madison gets up on his knees, Edwards hits the ropes, comes back and knocks him down wit the Pole Shift (rebound wheel kick)! Instead of making the cover, Edwards heads out to the apron. He then begins to climb the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards is going to the top again...

The Burning Heart crouches down as he waits for Madison. When Madison gets back to his feet, Edwards stands up, leaps off, goes for a diving leg lariat and misses when Madison side steps and swats him down! Madison takes Edwards by the legs and flips over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Edwards bridges up, turns, grabs Madison and brings him down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

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

After pulling Madison back to his feet, Edwards nails him with another side kick to the ribs, causing Madison to wince. Madison then answers back with a low leg kick. The Burning Heart blasts Madison with a roundhouse kick to the outside thigh. Madison answers back with another low leg kick. He then cuts Edwards off with a low leg kick to the right leg. Madison comes right back with another low leg kick to the left leg. He immediately follows up with a flying knee to the head. No! Edwards swats down the knee when counters with a forearm smash to the face. The Burning Heart then goes to take Madison’s head off with Fire From Heaven (discus roundhouse kick). But he whiffs after Madison ducks out of the way. When Edwards turns back to his face, Madison brings him down with a Calf Crusher!

Geoff Penzer: Madison’s got him down! He’s got the Calf Crusher sunk in!

Edwards howls in pain while Madison pulls back on the leg. The official gets down and asks Edwards if he wants to give up. Edwards refuses by shaking his head sideways. So Madison pulls back on the hold some more, causing Edwards to hit the mat with his balled up fist out of frustration. Madison holds himself in this position while Edwards continue to moan and groan. The referee asks Edwards again if he wants to give up. Edwards responds by waving him off.

TAP!
TAP!
TAP!
TAP!

The usually stone-faced Edwards sneers upon hearing the chants. The sneer then turns into an anguish look when Madison pulls back even further. Edwards lets out a labored groan. The crowd gasps when they see Edwards raises his hand up off the mat. Madison nods his head. He knows he’s got Edwards right where he wants him. He can feel the submission victory coming. Edwards’ hand continues to hover the mat. He continues to raise it and lower it. The ref waits with bated breath. Edwards goes to TAP OUT… then stops, reaches over, grabs Madison’s head and repeatedly slams the back of it against the mat until the hold is broken!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Madison tries to shake out the cobwebs while Edwards rolls onto his back and hugs his leg. Edwards lets go of the leg and tries to shake out the pain. The Burning Heart ultimately makes his way back to his feet. He limps over, grabs Madison and slowly pulls him back to his feet. The crowd gasps when Madison quickly slips out of Edwards’ grip and places him in a standing guillotine! Edwards tries to spin out of it like before, but he can’t. Madison then looks around at the crowd before spinning in place. Madison continues to spin as he lifts Edwards up off the mat for a Helicopter Guillotine (spinning lifting standing guillotine)! The crowd continues to cheer while they count each rotation.

ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
FIVE!
SIX!
SEVEN!
EIGHT!
NINE!
TEN!
ELEVEN!
TWELVE!
THIRTEEN!
FOURTEEN!
FIFTEEN!
SIXTEEN!
SEVENTEEN!
EIGHTEEN!
NINETEEN!
TWENTY!

Madison lets go, sending Edwards across the ring. Edwards bounces off the canvas before rolling over towards the ropes. Meanwhile, a dazed Madison staggers back before collapsing against the ropes.

Geoff Penzer: This capacity crowd here in Los Angeles is going wild after seeing Edwards get spun around in the Helicopter Guillotine!

A dazed Edwards slowly reaches up before turning over and grabbing onto the middle rope. Edwards pulls himself up onto a knee before Madison darts across the ring and cracks him across the back of the head with a bicycle knee strike! Madison grabs Edwards by the back of the tights, pulls him up and back towards the center of the ring. He then hoists Edwards up onto his shoulders for the End Game (electric chair lift dropped into a bridging German Suplex)! Before Madison can hit the suplex, Edwards counters with hammer fists to the top of the head! He then slips down from behind, takes Madison and throws him down with the RRE (reverse release exploder suplex)! After Madison rolls over onto a knee, Edwards rushes over and flattens him with another False Gospel! Edwards pulls Madison back up, hooks his leg, lifts him up and plants him with the Foxfire (fisherman buster)! Instead of making the cover, The Burning Heart sits up Madison before turning to hit the ropes. Edwards bounces off the ropes, comes back and throws out the Violent Gospel. It gets blocked! Madison blocks it by wrapping his arms around Edwards’ leg. Edwards tries to pull the leg free, but it’s to no avail. He then leans forward and nails Madison with repeated hammer fists to the top of the head! Once his leg is free, Edwards takes a few steps back, rushes over and throws out another Violent Gospel. Edwards whiffs when Madison leans back out of the way, grabs Edwards from behind and brings him down with a schoolboy rollup. Madison quickly lets go, scrambles back to his feet and catches Edwards with another bicycle knee strike before The Burning Heart can get back to a vertical base. Madison pulls up Edwards, lifts him up and plants him with a brainbuster! He makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, and boos when Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards just beats the three count!

Madison pulls up Edwards and takes control of his back before clobbering him with Comatosed (ripcord rolling elbow)! Edwards slowly falls back before collapsing to the mat. Madison drops down and makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs when Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Edwards just narrowly beats the three count!

Madison picks up Edwards before lifting him up onto his shoulders. He heads towards the center of the ring before bringing Edwards down with the End Game!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Geoff Penzer: NO!

The crowd is shocked when Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Madison can’t believe it! This crowd can’t believe it! We all thought that would have put The Burning Heart away!

Madison picks up Edwards and lifts him up onto his shoulders. He then drops Edwards down off the shoulders. Madison catches him in mid air and bridges back to complete the German Suplex! NO! Edwards reverses into a wheelbarrow victory roll!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Edwards stands up off of Madison, leaps up and delivers another double foot stomp to the ribs!

Geoff Penzer: OOH! Edwards targets the ribs again!

Edwards pulls up Madison before blasting him with the Double Tap (consecutive spinning backfists)! After the second backfist, Madison drops to a knee. Edwards pulls up Madison, grabs him from behind and then brings him down with the Half Cut (half nelson suplex)! Edwards heads into the corner and waits for Madison to get into position. Once Madison gets up on a knee, Edwards rushes out of the corner and throws out the Violent Salvation (running chop elbow to the back of a kneeling/seated opponent). No! Edwards whiffs after Madison ducks his head in time! When Edwards turns around, Madison leaps up and catches him with a flying knee to the head! Madison then takes a few steps back, rushes forward and cracks him with another bicycle knee strike! He then takes Edwards and whips him into the ropes. When Edwards returns, Madison hoists him up and delivers a pop-up Codebreaker before quickly transitioning into the Peruvian Necktie!

Geoff Penzer: The Necktie! Madison with the Peruvian Necktie on Edwards! The Burning Heart is trying to free himself! But Madison’s got his legs wrapped around him!

Edwards struggles in his attempts to free himself. He tries to shift his legs back towards the ropes. But it’s to no avail. Madison really sinks in the hold to apply more pressure! Edwards tries to pull himself out of the hold. But his attempts are blocked. Madison wrenches the hold before leaning forward to apply even more pressure. Edwards continue to try and hang on. He shakes off the ref every time he’s asked if he wants to quit or not. The capacity crowd is solidly behind “Mayhem” Madison as they chant for Edwards to tap. But he won’t give them or Madison the satisfaction! A determined Edwards continues to try and find a way out of the hold. But he’s blocked at every turn. Edwards movements start to become slower and slower the longer Madison keeps the hold locked on. Madison can feel it. He can feel the energy draining out of The Burning Heart! So he doesn’t let up! The official ask Edwards if he wants to give up. Madison’s eyes widen when he doesn't hear Edwards respond. The official asks Edwards a second time if he wants to give up. Still no response from The Burning Heart! Frankie Morrison slaps the canvas on the outside and yells for Madison not to let up. Madison squeezes as hard as he can. He cries out as he tries to fight off the fatigue and the burning sensation he’s feeling in his arms. The official checks in with Edwards a third tie. Still no response! The referee then reaches over, takes Edwards arm and raises it. As soon as the arm drops, he’s seen enough! He calls for the bell!

The crowd erupts with cheers when “War Machine” blasts throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, CHRIS MADISON!

Madison lays on the mat. He guards his ribs as he slowly sits up and turns to a knee. Madison takes his time getting back to his feet. Once Madison is back to a vertical base, the ref carefully raises his arm in victory.

[FGA Office]

As the show cuts away from ringside, Amanda Johnson is shown backstage at the Staples Center, microphone in hand.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me at this time... the FGA World Tag Team Champions, Neal Durden and Lowri Moss… Pendragon!

The camera pans out, and the audience respond with a loud cheer as the two Welsh grapplers come into view, both of whom are dressed in their respective ring attire and one of the new Pendragon t-shirts from Irish Whip Clothing, as well as each of them having their half of the world tag team titles draped over their shoulders.

Amanda Johnson: Neal, Lowri; later on tonight, the two of you are going to be making the second defense of your world tag team titles, against the Super Mario Wrestling Bros. Now, Neal, I’d like to start with you; you’ve made no secret of the fact that for you, this is a dream match, but what is it about this particular match-up that makes it so special for you?

Neal put his right hand on his chin and let out a sigh, like he is looking for the perfect words, although he very well knows he might stumble with those.

Neal Durden: Well, Amanda. Somehow I’ve always seen myself reflected in both Landon and Max. Personality wise, I think no one would argue that the three of us are lovable goofs. Wrestling wise, their style and ours is nearly identical. So, I think the fact that they’ve been seen as one of the premier tag teams in the world for a long time made them the perfect opponents to measure myself as an individual and with Lowri as a tag team. I think this match is one that will make our case as the best tag team right now, that much stronger.

Before Amanda has a chance to ask her a question, Lowri looks at her boyfriend with a half-smile.

Lowri Moss: Am I the odd one out in this match then, because I’m lovable, but I’m not a goof?

Neal puts his index fingers and his thumbs together like he is about to explain something delicate to Lowri.

Neal Durden: First of all, you don’t even know what your Pokémon starter would be…

Lowri Moss: Nerd.

Unfazed by Lowri’s interruption, Neal continues.

Neal Durden: Secondly… about time you were the odd one out in something.

Neal bursts into laughter, much to the chagrin of Lowri, who does not look impressed with what he just said. But so as to defuse the situation, Neal continues talking.

Neal Durden: Yet, without you, this match wouldn’t be possible. Without you being opposite to me in many aspects, we wouldn’t work as a team. So, it does balance itself out.

Lowri stares silently at Neal, but her attention is then soon drawn back to Amanda, when the reporter asks her a question.

Amanda Johnson: Lowri, how do your feelings about this match-up compare to Neal’s?

Lowri Moss: While it isn’t a dream match for me per se, Amanda, I’m still very much looking forward to it. In fact, it’s a match that I’ve been wanting to happen ever since Max and Landon made their return to FGA, simply because I knew that it’s a match that’s on Neal’s bucket list. And like Neal said, it’s another opportunity for the two of us to show that we are the best tag team in FGA at present.

With both hands, Lowri grips the belt that is resting on her shoulder.

Lowri Moss: The Super Mario Wrestling Bros helped elevate these belts to world title status, and aside from the Chaotics, I don’t think anyone else has had a better reign as World Tag Team Champions than Max and Landon; Neal and I have already made history here in FGA, but a win tonight against the Super Mario Wrestling Bros will definitely help further cement our place in the tag team ranks.

Amanda took in Lowri’s answer and promptly gave her next question.

Amanda Johnson: Given how the styles of both teams mesh so well, according to Neal, what can we expect to see in your match tonight? Anything new?

Lowri Moss: I don’t know. I mean, we don’t want to give away any of what we have planned, Amanda.

There is a bit of a laugh from Lowri, who looks in Neal’s direction. Neal smiles and scratches the back of his head.

Neal Durden: I guess this is one of those situations where we’ll just go by heart. Yet, I’m sure this is a match the fans won’t be able to just remain silent or seated.

Lowri nods her head in agreement.

Lowri Moss: That’s for sure.

She turns back to Amanda.

Lowri Moss: Not only is Pendragon versus the Super Mario Wrestling Bros a dream match for Neal, I’m sure it’s also a dream match for a lot of the fans. And it kinda looks like that’s becoming a recurring theme for us here on Flashpoint, after first the series of matches we had with the Chaotics, and now this. That’s not to mention the match we had with Dom and Annie towards the end of last year, while we were still on Vertigo, which I expect may have been a dream match of sorts for a number of people as well.

Smiling wryly, she continues.

Lowri Moss: Matches like these against tag teams that are not just some of the best in FGA, but some of the best in the world, are why Neal and I need to keep improving as a team - challenges like these force us to continue to improve, because we know that if we don’t, then we’ll end up being supplanted by someone else. We want to remain the number one team on Flashpoint and in FGA as a whole, and to your point, Amanda, we have to come up with new things, otherwise we might not be number one for much longer.

Neal adjusts the belt over his shoulder as he continues were Lowri left it.

Neal Durden: Considering that tag team wrestling is at times considered a dead style… the fact that we, here in FGA, will be involved in matches against three teams that might be considered dream matches around the world, tells you everything you need to know about the talent we have here. Right now we sit as the number one team, and the FGA United States Tag Team Champions might have a say in this, but considering we’re the first and so far only tag team to have held both sets of tag team belts in FGA… well, I’d say we have the edge in that conversation.

Neal smirks and looks at Lowri as he continues.

Neal Durden: As I said before to Max and Landon. I respect the hell out of their abilities and what they can do, but if they think they’ll just walk in and take these--

Neal tapped on the belt over his shoulder.

Neal Durden: If they think they’ll knock us off of the mountain top, then they’ll have to basically take us out; because as long as I’m breathing, as long as there’s strength in my body, Lowri and I - Pendragon - will remain as the FGA World Tag Team Champions, and we’ll take on whoever comes at us.

The Welsh duo then take their leave, to finish getting ready for their title defense, and the camera cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Salem vs. Nina Stokes

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: All-Star Showdown VIII continues with the following contest, scheduled for one fall, and it is for the UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP!

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.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, the challenger! From Miami, Florida… NINA STOKES!

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: This isn’t just about capturing the Unites States Championship for Nina Stokes. It’s about putting Salem through hell. You heard it straight for Nina’s mouth on the last Flashpoint. She felt like Salem took something from her. Tonight, she’s looking to that back that championship that Salem fought so hard to get back.

"I'll get you my pretty... and your little dog too!"

The funky drum beat and riff of 'Phenomena' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs fills the arena and the quirky yet energetic Salem appears at the entrance wearing a hooded dark purple cloak with silver trim, the hood pulled over her eyes. She carries a silver cane, the top a silver claw gripping a dark purple crystal that has a plasma globe effect. She's tapping her foot and bopping her head to the beat, showing off the shiny title belt around her waist...

She unstraps the belt and raises it over head in both hands and motions for the fans to get hyped, dropping the belt over her shoulder and swinging the cane, then bops her way toward the ring in time with the song, popping her shoulders up and down, swaying her arms around with a coy smile and wink to the audience.

She steps up the ring steps, throws her hood back, clutches the top rope and puts her feet on the bottom rope, gazing around and rocking up and down on the ropes...

She slides through the ropes, twirls off her cloak with a flourish and drops to a knee in the center of the ring placing the belt down in front of her, extending her arms out holding up the cane and playing to the crowd as the music fades. She hands the title belt to the referee and takes the cloak and cane to the corner, ready for the match.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from Laval, Quebec, Canada! She is the reigning and defending United States Champion! “Something Like a Phenoma”... SALEM!!!

Geoff Penzer: Salem won a battle against James Edwards to win back the US Championship. Tonight, she isn’t just standing across the ring with just any challenger. She’s standing across the ring from a former tag team partner. A former friend. Someone that knows her extremely well inside and outside of this ring. Is Salem prepare to do what she has to do to keep the US Championship? We know Stokes will have no problem running right through Salem if she has to. But does Salem have it within herself to put down Stokes here at All-Star Showdown?

Salem heads towards the center of the ring, where Nina Stokes is patiently waiting for the match to start. Salem again apologizes to Stokes for everything that’s happened in the past. She then sticks her hand out for the challenger to shake. Stokes looks down at the hand, then back at Salem’s face. Salem motions towards the hand and asks Stokes to shake it. Stokes doesn’t doesn’t slap the hand away. But she doesn’t shake it, either. She simply backs away from Salem and into the nearby corner, leaving Salem’s hand hanging.

BOOOOOOOOO!

Geoff Penzer: Cold blooded.

Salem slowly drops her head before letting out a sigh. She looks back up and over towards Stokes before mouthing “okay…”

Geoff Penzer: I think this situation has started to finally set in for The Phenomena...

As soon as the bell sounds, Stokes makes her way out of the corner. Salem runs her hands through her hair while she slowly circles the ring. She takes a step back and cranks her neck. She motions forward before quickly stepping back and heading over toward the ropes. Salem pinches the bridge of her nose. Once she’s ready, she makes her way back over towards Stokes.

Geoff Penzer: Salem’s got to get her head in the game here...

Champion and challenger head towards the center of the ring. Salem motions for a lockup. But Stokes has other plans and quickly drops Salem with a boxing forearm strike!

Geoff Penzer: My goodness, what a strike from Stokes! That’ll ring your bell!

Salem tries to shake out the cobwebs. Before she can fully recover, Stokes reaches down, latches onto her wrist and hits her with multiple wristlock face kicks. She then yanks Salem back to her feet and yanks her into a shoot kick to the chest. A second shoot kick doubles the champion over. The Kodiak then targets the back of the thigh with a shoot kick. Salem’s leg buckles before dropping down to a knee. Salem goes to rise back to her feet when a second shoot kick to the back of the leg drops her back down to a knee. Stokes switches targets and hits Salem in the chest with another shoot kick. A fourth shoot kick from Stokes causes Salem to drop down to all fours. Salem goes to get back up. But a push kick to the face shoves her down to the mat.

BOOOOO!

Geoff Penzer: Stokes is being extra disrespectful tonight...

Salem turns over and slaps the canvas. When she gets back to her feet and faces the challenger, Stokes knocks her into the corner with a palm strike flurry! From there, Stokes sends Salem slumping down in the corner with alternating boxing forearm strikes! Stokes reaches down, pulls Salem up by the hair and sends her slumping back down with more alternating boxing forearm strikes! The champ is pulled back up before being sent into the far ropes. Stokes charges across the ring, hurls herself at Salem and crushes her in the corner with running double knees! Once again, Salem finds herself slumped down in the corner. Stokes backs up towards the center of the ring, then rushes forward, hurls herself at Salem and crushes her again with running double knees! Salem is dragged towards the center of the ring before being covered for a pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Salem kicks out.

Stokes pulls up Salem and whips her into the ropes. When the champion returns, Stokes knocks her off her feet with a running shoot kick. Salem immediately favors her chest. The champion slowly turns over to a knee. While she tries to get back to her feet, Stokes hits the far ropes. Stokes comes back, leaps up and drives Salem down with a running leg lariat from behind! Stokes spins over onto a knee and waits for Salem to move. The champion tries to push herself up off the mat. But she quickly collapses back down. Stokes then pulls Salem back up before sending her back into the far ropes. When Salem comes back, she gets knocked off her feet with another running shoot kick. Stokes heads back over, pulls up Salem and whips her back into the far ropes. When Salem returns, Stokes throws out another running shoot kick. The crowd cheers when Salem is finally able to block by grabbing onto Stokes’ leg. Stokes hops up and down on one leg before whacking Salem across the face with a palm strike. Salem gets caught with another palm strike… and another… and another. But she maintains control of the leg. Salem then takes Stokes and brings her down with a shin breaker into a leg-hook Saito Suplex!

Geoff Penzer: Salem’s finally on the offensive!

Stokes returns to her feet. But Salem is right there to gain control of her wrist. She delivers an irish whip, follows Stokes across the ring and connects with a corner high kick! Salem steps off to the side and blasts Stokes with a hard chest kick.

*POP*

Salem blasts Stokes with another hard chest kick!

*POP*

… and another…

*POP*

… and another…

*POP*

… and another…

*POP*

… and another…

*POP*

After Stokes is whipped into the far corner, Salem runs across the ring, connects with a corner space rolling elbow and follows up with a one-handed bulldog! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Salem only got two. But she’s finally got control of this championship match! For a while there, it looked like she was well on her way to losing her title.

Salem picks up Stokes and wrenches her arm. Stokes quickly reaches over, wrenches the arm and yanks Salem up onto her shoulders for a fireman’s carry gutbuster. Salem is quick to counter with elbows to the side of the head. The champ slips down from behind, spins her challenger towards her and throws her down with an Ipponzeoi. Stokes is then sat up before Salem hits the ropes. When she returns, she flattens Stokes with a front dropkick to the face. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Salem picks up Stokes and whips her into the ropes. When Stokes returns, Salem sends her flipping down to the canvas with a kitchen sink. The crowd gasps when Stokes immediately scrambles back to her feet. She rushes over towards Salem and throws out yet another running shoot kick. This time, Salem catches her and counters with an Exploder Suplex! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Salem pulls up Stokes and goes for a Ushigoroshi. Stokes counters by squatting down. So Salem goes to muscle her up onto her shoulders for the Ushigoroshi. This time, Stokes counters by dropping down to a knee. So Salem goes to plan b and knocks Stokes down with a roundhouse kick. She makes the cover.

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

Geoff Penzer: Stokes got caught right in the side of the head with that roundhouse. But she got the shoulder up at two. Nina Stokes, as I mentioned at the top of the show, has rarely tasted defeat her since joining FGA. She is in the midst of one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen thus far. Is Salem the one to put her down for the three count?

Salem takes Stokes and sends her back into the ropes. When Stokes comes back, Salem throws her down with a spinebuster, immediately hits a double foot stomp and then follows up with a flashing elbow drop! She makes the cover.

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

Salem takes Stokes and snapmares her down. The Phenomena follows up with a hard soccer kick to the back, which causes Stokes to wince. Stokes is then hit with another hard soccer kick to the back. She turns and looks back at Salem. The Witch responds with another soccer kick to the spine. While Stokes arches her back, Salem rushes into the ropes. Salem comes back and goes to flatten Stokes with a Penalty Kick when Stokes leans back out of the way. She quickly counters with a schoolboy.

ONE!
.
.
Stokes lets go of the hold and scrambles back to her feet. When Salem rolls over onto a knee, the crowd gasps when Stokes darts over and throws out the Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike)! But Salem’s able to roll out of the way just in the nick of time.

Geoff Penzer: Salem nearly got her head taken off there.

As a wide-eyed Salem gets back to her feet, Stokes rushes over and throws her down with an STO! She makes the cover.

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

Stokes presses the arm back down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Salem muscles her shoulder up off the canvas. Stokes presses the arm back down and hold it in place while she makes the lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Salem kicks out!

Stokes quickly grabs a hold of Salem’s wrists. After Stokes gets back to her feet, she bashes Salem with repeated double wrist clutch rapid curb stomps to the face and neck!

BOOOOOOOO!

Stokes keeps a hold of Salem’s wrists while she pulls her back to her feet. The Kodiak then hooks her arms around Salem before blasting her with an arm trapped headbutt. Salem’s head gets knocked back when Stokes blasts her with another arm trapped headbutt. Stokes pulls her head back, then lunges forward and rocks Salem with yet another arm trapped headbutt. Stokes lets go, turns Salem away from her and hooks her from behind before throwing her down with Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT)! She makes the cover.

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

Salem gets her shoulder up.

Stokes slowly pulls Salem up off the mat… before quickly slipping behind her and placing her in a rear waist lock. Stokes then rushes forward, sending Salem sternum-first. After Salem bounces off the top turnbuckle from the front turnbuckle smash, Stokes heaves her over her head with a back roll release German Suplex.

Geoff Penzer: Chaos Theory!

The crowd gasps when Salem is left folded up on the mat. Stokes then rushes over, leaps up and squashes Salem with a jumping senton.

OOOHHHHHH!!!

Stokes rolls Salem over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd applauds Salem after she gets her shoulder up.

Stokes picks up Salem and moves her into the corner. The crowd gasps when she lifts Salem up across her shoulders before climbing up onto the middle ropes. Stokes has Salem set up for an avalanche fireman’s carry gutbuster. The crowd stands up in anticipation of the move. Just as Stokes is about to deliver the move, Salem counters with a back elbow to the side of the head. She hits Stokes with another back elbow to the head. The crowd cheers when Salem starts hitting Stokes with rapid elbows to the side of the head. The champion slips off of Stokes shoulders from behind and stands on the middle ropes. She then shoves Stokes off the ropes, sending Stokes tumbling to the mat. Salem then stands up on the top turnbuckle and crouches down. Once Stokes gets back to her feet, Salem stands up and leaps off for a diving overhead chop… and gets knocked down with a high roundhouse kick! The crowd boos as Stokes makes the cover.

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

Salem gets her shoulder up.

Stokes picks up Salem and lifts her up across her shoulder. She heads over across the ring before finally bringing her down with a fireman’s carry gutbuster. While Salem guards her midsection, The Kodiak steps out onto the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Stokes reaches the top, leaps off and crashes down on top of Salem with a diving double foot stomp to the gut. Instead of making the cover, Stokes steps back out to the apron and starts climbing the turnbuckles again. Stokes reaches the top, jumps off and delivers another crushing diving double foot stomp to the midsection! Stokes opts to go back out to the apron and climb the turnbuckles.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Stokes climbs to the top turnbuckle. She looks down at Salem before leaping off for a top rope splash. She misses! The crowd erupts with cheers when Salem rolls out of the way. Stokes bounces off the canvas before rolling over onto her back.

Geoff Penzer:Stokes had Salem down! But she got greedy! She wanted to inflict more punishment on Salem and it ended up costing her!

With both grapplers down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!




TWO!





THREE!






FOUR!







FIVE!







SIX!

Stokes pushes herself up to all fours before getting back to her feet. She looks over and sees Salem slowly pulling herself up in the corner. When Salem starts to turn around, Stokes rushes into the corner. She throws out a lariat. But Stokes ducks and counters with an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckles!

Geoff Penzer: Salem saw it coming! The Witch was prepared for it!

Salem picks up Stokes, lifts her up and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. The US Champ looks around at the crowd and nods before scaling the turnbuckles. Members of the crowd stand up once Salem climbs up to the top ropes. There’s a gasp when Stokes is pulled up to the top turnbuckle. Salem then lifts up Stokes, turns and throws her down with a superplex into a Falcon Arrow! The crowd gives a large pop when Stokes crashes down on the mat! Salem reaches over and hooks the leg.

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

Stokes kicks out!

The crowd cheers again when Salem keeps a hold of Stokes’ leg and turns over into an ankle lock.

Geoff Penzer: She transitions into the ankle lock!

Salem starts cranking away on the ankle while Stokes groans. The ref asks Stokes if she wants to give up. Stokes wags her finger at him. The challenger then pushes herself up onto her hands before rolling forward. The momentum sends Salem off of Stokes and crashing into the corner. After Salem stumbles back, Stokes hooks her from behind before throwing her down with a Cobra Clutch Suplex! While Salem is sprawled out on the mat, Stokes heads back out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. The crowd gasps and cheers when Salem darts over, races up the turnbuckles and grabs a hold of Stokes!

Geoff Penzer: Salem’s got her!

Stokes tries to battle her way out. But Salem won’t relinquish her hold on he challenger. Salem then throws Stokes off the top, sending her crashing down to the canvas with an avalanche Exploder Suplex to a massive pop!

Geoff Penzer: SALEM WITH A HUGE EXPLODER OFF THE TOP! She’s digging deep! She’s pulling every trick out of her spell book! She knows what’s at stake! She wants to leave Los Angeles still the champion!

Both champion and challenger remain on their backs. Stokes remains sprawled out on the mat while Salem slowly turns over into the prone position. She slowly pulls herself across the mat before draping her arm across Stokes’ chest for the cover.

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

The crowd sighs when Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: That should have been enough for the three count! That would have been enough to beat most competitors! But not Nina Stokes! Not on this night!

Salem grabs a hold of Stokes. She slowly pulls Stokes up off the mat until Stokes quickly slips out of her grasps, grabs Salem, lifts her up and brings her down with the Final Cut! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd pops when Salem gets her shoulder up.

Stokes quickly pulls Salem up off the mat, grabs her and brings her down with a Wrist Clutch Exploder Suplex! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd pops louder when Salem gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Salem beat another close count!

Stokes pulls up Salem, hooks one arm from behind and nearly throws her down on her head with a Half Nelson Suplex! Stokes pushes her over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd erupts with cheers when Salem gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Salem won’t stay down!

Stokes takes Salem and whips her hard into the corner. The top turnbuckle rattles when Salem crashes sternum-first into it. Salem stumbles back towards Stokes, who hooks both arms from behind before throwing her down with the Bloody Rose (Bridging Dragon Suplex)!!!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

NO!

Geoff Penzer: Salem kicks out!

The crowd cheers and applauds Salem after she escapes another three count.

Geoff Penzer: The United States Champion with plenty of fight left!

Stokes picks up Salem. She unloads on The Phenomena with another palm strike flurry! The Kodiak then doubles Salem over with a rolling solebutt, knocks her upright with a rising knee to the chin, doubles her back over with A Slice of Grace (throat punch), knocks her upright again with another rising knee to the chin and then throws out the Divine Night (Rolling Elbow Smash)! Salem ducks, grabs Stokes from behind and throws her down with an inverted Exploder Suplex!

Geoff Penzer: Stokes goes down!

Stokes tries to push herself up off the mat. But she ends up collapsing and falling back down face-first to the mat. Salem tries to sit up. But she winces as she falls back down to the mat.

Geoff Penzer: Salem can’t make the cover! She’s spent!

With both grapplers down, the official starts his count.

ONE!





TWO!






THREE!






FOUR!







FIVE!






SIX!

Salem slowly sits up while Stokes pushes herself up to all fours. The Witch then slowly turns over onto a knee while Stokes gets one foot down on the mat. Salem and Stokes lock eyes once they’re finally back to a vertical base. The Phenomena narrows her eyes as she rushes forward, delivers a double leg pickup, runs across the ring and rams Stokes back-first into the corner! Salem loses it as she unleashes a flurry of right hands, sending Stokes slumping down to the mat! Salem reaches down, pulls Stokes back up and sends her slumping back down in the corner with another flurry of right hands!! The official makes his way over and tells Salem to break it up and give Stokes the chance to get out of the corner. But his pleas fall on deaf ears as Salem is lost in the moment! The Witch reaches down, pulls up Stokes and sends her slumping back down in the corner with another flurry of right hands!!! The official then gives Salem a five count.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

The Phenomena doesn’t take heed of the count. Instead, she delivering alternating punches to the face while Stokes is slumped down in the corner!!! The official grabs Salem’s arm. But she just shakes him off. The referee goes to pull Salem away. But again, she shake shim off before going back to punching Stokes!!! The ref sighs before shaking his head sideways and calling for the bell.

Geoff Penzer: What the heck just happened!? Did Stokes give up?

The sound of the bell snaps Salem out of it. She looks around in confusion. There are some light boos coming from the crowd. But that’s mainly because of seeing the match get stopped. The rest of the crowd murmurs amongst itself. Salem heads towards the referee with her arms out in confusion. But the official puts his hands out, instructing the champion to back up. Salem places her hands on her hips while the official heads to the outside and informs Melanie Sierra of something. She nods her head before grabbing the mic.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that the winner of this match…

Geoff Penzer: Yes?

Melanie Sierra: ...as a result of a Disqualification, NINA STOKES!

BOOOOO!

Geoff Penzer: Wait just a minute!

Melanie Sierra: However, since the United States Championship cannot change hands by countout or disqualification, STILL your United States Champion… SALEM!

“Something Like a Phenomea” plays to a mixtures of cheers for Salem winning and boos for the DQ.

Geoff Penzer: This was not the way Salem wanted to retain. You could see that just by the look on her face. She felt she had Stokes on her heels in the corner. Salem felt like she finally had total control of this contest. But in that instance, she lost total control, which resulted in the unfortunate disqualification. Tough break for both competitors.

Salem gets handed her US Championship back. She takes the title. But she isn’t thrilled. This isn’t the way she wanted a championship match of hers to end. Especially this match with Nina Stokes. The look of frustration is etched onto the face of The Phenomena.