SINGLES MATCH
Ashlyn De Luca vs. Logan Alexander
Melanie Sierra: The following contest is a grudge match and it’s scheduled for one fall!
The lights in the arena blink to darkness, prompting a loud but indecisive reaction from the audience, many of which have grown used to being plunged into darkness-- but the mixed reaction becomes dominated by boos as the words
“I come to life…” echo throughout the arena over the soundsystem, followed by the familiar deep drums, with the text
CHAOS appearing in blood red on the Tron. Kavinsky’s “Suburbia” plays on the PA and the lights in the arena slowly return with a red hue. Ashlyn De Luca steps out of the darkness and onto the top of the ramp, smirking at the reaction of the audience.
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn De Luca came into FGA alongside Logan Alexander. She came into this business
because of Logan Alexander’s guidance. But last month, she not only turned her back on her tag team partner but she absolutely brutalized him. I don’t know what’s gotten into Ashlyn over the months. In my opinion, the weight of those Tag Team Championships drove her damn-near crazy, but
not having them? That’s driven her past the brink.
De Luca turns her back briefly, flashing the back of her black-and-pink “Chaotics” jacket, shooting a wink over her shoulder to the crowd before making her way down toward the bottom of the ramp. Ashlyn pauses, looking out at Los Angeles, muttering something under her breath. WIth a small laugh, she sprints to the ring, sliding in beneath the bottom rope and rising to a knee in the center.
Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, in the ring, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, AAAASHLYN DE LUUUCA!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Ashlyn walks toward the ropes, calmly climbing to the second, scanning the audience before blowing a sarcastic kiss toward the jeering crowd. She peels her jacket off, tossing it over the lens of the nearest cameraman before pushing herself off of the ropes. As her gaze turns toward the ramp, the smirk slowly begins to fade. She takes a deep breath, pacing back and forth, eyes locked on the entranceway.
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn De Luca knows. She
knows Logan has been thinking about this day ever since she put him on the shelf. She knows how patient her former tag team partner is. You can see it written all over her face-- she has no idea what to expect.
The seconds tick on as Ashlyn marches back and forth, eyes still glued to the top of the ramp.
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
De Luca casts a glare out into the screaming audience-- but jolts to attention as “Endless Possibility” begins to play and the crowd erupts into cheers.
Geoff Penzer: But it looks like she is about to find out.
As his entrance music plays, everyone in the arena has their eyes focused on the entryway, waiting for the moment that Logan emerges, makes his way down to ringside, then locks up with his former partner and sets things right.
But… the usually prompt Logan doesn’t emerge. Recalling the last episode of Flashpoint, Ashlyn’s attention quickly shifts to the crowd, looking around for any sign of her approaching opponent.
Geoff Penzer: Could this be some attempt at mind games from Logan? Ashlyn’s nerves and composure already seemed frayed before… this could push her totally over the edge.
Almost a half minute into “Endless Possibility”, there is still no sign of Logan, at the entryway or out in the crowd. Back in the ring, Ashlyn’s unease seems to dissipate as it looks as though her opponent won’t be showing up at all.
Only for Logan to calmly stroll out from the entryway, shattering that illusion and having the moment punctuated by a massive roar from the crowd.
Geoff Penzer: I’m not sure what the delay was, but Logan Alexander is here. He looks ready to fight and there are no signs of injury. You have to wonder if he’s going to be one hundred percent out there in the ring and if that will play a role here, or if he’s going to power through it regardless. The night he was injured, it took a tandem effort from Pendragon to put him down and keep him down. It’s safe to say that Ashlyn isn’t going to have any help slowing down her former partner here tonight.
Standing at the top of the ramp, minus a ring jacket or sunglasses, Logan surveys the crowd. He appears somber and withdrawn as he takes in the moment. He resumes making his way down to ringside, but at no point does his gaze settle on the ring. He seems more intent of the ramp in front of him. Once at ringside, he climbs the steps slowly, walks along the ring apron and slides between the top and middle ropes into the ring. There is a fleeting glance lobbed in Ashlyn’s direction, before Logan moves to the opposite corner, turning his back on his former partner, resting his arms on the top turnbuckle and lowering his gaze as he seemingly withdraws into himself again.
Geoff Penzer: Well…
Ashlyn narrows her eyes, looking at Logan in confusion as he stands with his back to her. Frustrated, she asks the referee to explain what’s going on, but the referee insists that he doesn’t know, but motions for Ash to stay back.
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn is perplexed and the official doesn’t have any answers-- but he’s calling for the match to begin.
The ref signals to the timekeeper and calls for the bell and as it sounds, the LA fans erupt.
Geoff Penzer: Listen to this place!
De Luca stands in place in the corner, an indistinguishable look on her face-- caught somewhere between determination and nervousness-- as she tightens her hands into fists. Logan moves to the center of the ring, arms down at his sides. Slowly, he turns from Ashlyn and looks out into the raucous audience.
Geoff Penzer: Admittedly, I’m a little surprised here. I figured Logan might be eager to get his hands on the woman that put him on the shelf for six weeks-- the very person that turned her back on him when he was at his most vulnerable, but I can understand Logan being hesitant here. Maybe he doesn’t have the same bloodlust that his partner has had. In any event, he should think twice before engaging De Luca with his defenses down like this.
Ashlyn walks to the center of the ring, glaring up at Logan. She screams, loudly and clearly
“LOOK AT ME!” The fans boo as Ashlyn follows this up by pushing Logan’s shoulder. He briefly look at his former tag team partner… and she rears back, delivering a vicious
SLAP! across Alexander’s face!
Geoff Penzer: Lovely…
Logan turns, head carried to the left from the slap. He runs a hand over his jaw… before pivoting, slowly making his way back to the corner, resting his arms across the top turnbuckle. Ashlyn glares a hole in the back of Logan’s head. She grabs the referee’s wrist, pointing at Logan, demanding to know what’s going on, but clearly the referee is at a loss as well!
Geoff Penzer: She doesn’t know what to do. I don’t know if Logan is playing possum, playing mind games, or just completely disinterested in this match, ladies and gentlemen. But Ashlyn De Luca is beside herself.
The referee motions for Ashlyn to stay back while he walks toward the corner-- but De Luca races past the referee before he has a chance and delivers a sprinting, jumping Meteora to Logan’s spine! Logan grunts in pain, turning out of the corner as De Luca backs to the center of the ring. She puts her weight on her back foot, poised to throw a Superkick… but her eyes narrow as Logan takes a step back, leaning against the turnbuckles as he holds his back, shaking his head slightly at De Luca as she screams for him to come to the center of the ring. De Luca shakes her head and rushes forward again, unloading with a flurry of rights and lefts!
Geoff Penzer: This time Ash isn’t waiting!
Boos resonate throughout the Staples center as Ashlyn fires away, forearm after forearm connecting with Logan’s neck and jaw! Finally, the referee initiates a five-count!
Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Ashlyn backs away, palms raised as Logan begins to sink down a bit in the corner. She nods as the ref begins to back her to the center of the ring… before she pivots, spinning around the ref and rushing Logan again, this time unloading with body shots! Loud thuds become audible as Ashlyn throws closed fists into Logan’s torso.
Ref: ONE! TWO!
This time, Logan steps forward, shoving De Luca back, nearly knocking her off her feet as she skirts back to the center of the ring, bracing herself for Logan to rush-- but Logan doesn’t. Pockets of the crowd boo as they realize Logan is not moving from the corner, his gaze moving downcast… and Ashlyn charges at him again, only to be physically restrained by the referee. He warns Ashlyn, shoving her back, only making the boos from the Los Angeles crowd grow louder.
Geoff Penzer: I-- it looks like Logan Alexander is outright refusing to fight Ashlyn De Luca here. I don’t know what’s going on…
The referee talks to Logan in the corner.
Ref: I need you to show that you can defend yourself, or I’m calling this off.
Logan doesn’t respond to the official. Instead, his eyes drift up toward the other half-- or former half-- of the Chaotics, who winks at him from the middle of the ring before turning her back, shouting out into the restless crowd, earning a chorus of boos and a variety of vulgar statements in response.
“BULLSHIT!”
“BULLSHIT!”
“BULLSHIT!”
“BULLSHIT!”
Ashlyn holds one hand to her ear, pointing the other to Logan, screaming at him
“they’re talking to you!” as she moves closer to him, arms outstretched to her sides, inviting Logan to swing at her. The referee pushes Ashlyn back-- and Ashlyn spins around him once again, running into Logan, smashing him across the face with an elbow strike! Logan falls to the mat and Ashlyn delivers stomp after stomp to his ribcage and torso until Logan rolls out of the ring, dropping to the floor.
Geoff Penzer: I don’t know what Logan’s plan is here. The ref might very well just wave this whole thing off and declare De Luca the wi-- OH, LOOK OUT!
As Logan rises to his feet, using the apron to pull himself up, De Luca delivers a Baseball Slide, driving both soles straight into his face! Logan flips head-over-heels across the floor, rolling into the barricade from the impact! Ashlyn sprints at him and delivers a Shining Wizard, smashing Logan into the barricade!
Geoff Penzer: Good lord!
The audience erupts with a mixed reaction and Logan grabs at his neck, gasping for air as De Luca forces him up and drives him spine-first into the steel steps! Logan cries out-- but he’s silenced as De Luca charges him, nailing a second Shining Wizard! Logan is slammed backwards into the steps, separating the top half from the bottom!
Geoff Penzer: Oh my God!
Chants of
“HOLY SHIT!” scream out from pockets of the crowd. Ashlyn pushes herself to her feet, sneering down at Logan as he writhes on the floor. She steps up onto the base of the steel steps she’s half-destroyed and takes a bow to the live crowd within the Staples Center!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
De Luca rolls into the ring right as the referee begins his count!
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
“FOUR!”Logan begins to stir on the outside of the ring, using the base of the steel steps as a base to prop himself up to a seated position. He leans back on his palms, his breathing labored as he slowly looks up at Ashlyn De Luca, who stands on the second turnbuckle, glaring back down at Logan below.
“FIVE!”
“SIX!”
“SEVEN!”With an audible groan, Logan pushes himself to his feet, one hand on his hip, the other on his back-- which has been slightly scraped open from the steel steps-- as he begins to walk toward the ramp, earning a groan from the crowd. Ashlyn gloats in the ring, tunring her back to Logan to take another bow to the crowd.
“EIGHT!”Calmly, Logan pivots, walking to the ring, rolling beneath the bottom rope after the count of
“NINE!” and rising to his feet behind Ashlyn, although still wincing in pain. Ashlyn’s expression grows concerned at the sudden roar of approval and she looks over her shoulder, glaring at Logan Alexander, who calmly looks back at her.
Geoff Penzer: Looks like Logan isn’t quite finished yet. But I’m wondering just like these people are-- what the hell is his game plan?!
De Luca turns around, shaking her head, breathing heavily… before she charges Logan again…
...only for Logan to twist around her as she approaches, locking her in a rear waist lock! Ashlyn quickly scrambles for the ropes and hugs the top one as Logan looks to tug her back! The ref threatens to begin his count…. And Logan calmly steps back, nodding a bit to himself, though the audience boos in response once again. Ashlyn’s eyes are wide, however, as she looks back at Alexander.
Geoff Penzer: De Luca almost got caught there, and she found the ropes! But now she knows Logan is very much alert!
Logan angles his head a bit toward De Luca-- who explodes off the ropes and tries to pick Logan’s left leg! Logan drops down, applying a front facelock. De Luca quickly pushes him toward the ropes but Logan maneuvers himself to De Luca’s side and into a cravate, forcing her upright. De Luca throws a fist into Logan’s ribcage, then a second, a third, fourth, fifth! Logan audibly grunts in pain-- and throws De Luca to the canvas with a Cravate Suplex! De Luca rolls across the mat and up to a seated position, kicking the bottom rope in frustration as she sits with her back to Logan, who paces behind her, hands on his hips, gaze skyward.
Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander is showing immense restraint here. These fans are audibly growing frustrated. Logan Alexander is refusing to commit to an attack here-- but he’s not gonna stand here and let himself get abused. If he doesn’t have a plan, he needs to think of something soon, because Ashlyn’s back up!
Ashlyn yanks herself to her feet with the middle rope and pivots, charging at Logan! Alexander turns to see her coming and goes to cover up, but De Luca delivers a vicious headbutt, breaking through Logan’s defenses and connecting with his jaw! The sound echoes throughout the Staples Center, bringing the crowd alive again! Ashlyn reels as Logan falls against the ropes. Disoriented, he staggers toward her and Ashlyn rushes forward, delivering a high knee! Ashlyn loses her balance as Logan falls against the ropes again, but hops to her feet, this time delivering an Enzuigiri! Logan falls to a knee and Ashlyn rolls to her feet. She shoots the ropes and rebounds, sprinting at Logan to drive him to the canvas with running Double Knees! The momentum carries her over Logan but she scrambles back into a cover, hooking the far leg!
ONE
.
.
.
.
Kickout!The California crowd pops as Logan emphatically shoots a shoulder up at one. De Luca shoots a death glare at the referee before pushing herself up, making sure to stay behind Logan who rises to his feet just a second behind her. Ashlyn impatiently waits for him to climb to his feet-- before leaping onto his shoulders, spiking him to the canvas with a Poison-Rana!
Geoff Penzer: Inverted Rana by De Luca! Logan just got crushed into the mat!
Logan lies in a heap, face-first on the canvas! Ashlyn quickly pushes him over, kicking her legs frantically as she pushes the dead weight! WIth Logan subpine, Ashlyn throws herself back-first across his chest, hooking the near leg!
ONE
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.
.
TWO
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Kickout!Geoff Penzer: Not quite! Ashlyn got every single bit of that, but Logan Alexander is still very much alive in this!
De Luca runs her hands over her face, intentionally muffling her own scream of frustration before she stands up-- and begins to relentlessly stomp at Logan Alexander! Boos flood the arena as De Luca stomps at Logan’s back! Logan rolls onto his stomach-- and De Luca looks to drive a boot right into his gut… but Alexander catches her foot! De Luca’s eyes grow wide and immediately she turns to escape-- only to be taken face-first to the mat, captured in the Ankle Lock!
Geoff Penzer: Here we go! Ankle Lock! Ashlyn’s trapped!
Ashlyn flails frantically, turning to her left-- turning to her right-- and eyes growing wider as she realizes both sets of ropes are equally far away, right as Logan locks in the grapevine!
“TAP!”
“TAP!”
“TAP!”
“TAP!”
Ashlyn throws her hands over her mouth, tears forming in her eyes as she looks at the ropes. She raises one hand weakly above the mat…
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn might have to submit!
...but she clenches her hand into a fist and uses her elbows to drag herself across the ring. She takes deep, labored breaths, face growing red as she crawls, beginning to shake as she reaches out-- but falls inches short. With a cry of frustration, Ashlyn digs her fists into the mat and arches her back, pulling herself-- and Logan-- another few inches forward… and throws her left arm out, hooking it around the bottom rope to a unanimous chorus of boos from the crowd. The referee begins to warn Logan, but he slowly displays his palms, backing away from Ashlyn before the five count needs to begin.
Geoff Penzer: Los Angeles doesn’t like it, but Ashlyn De Luca just rescued herself from the Ankle Lock.
Ashlyn breathes heavily as she pulls herself up with the ropes. As Logan calmly approaches, Ashlyn turns and swings for a wild right hand to her former tag partner, earning a unanimous
“OOOOOOHHHH…” from the audience. Logan swivels out of the way, and Ashlyn follows up with her attempt at a Super Kick. Again, Logan backtracks, avoiding it-- and again, Ashlyn trucks ahead, looking to hook both of Logan’s legs for a double-leg takedown! Logan is staggered, but he reaches down as his balance begins to give, hooking Ashlyn for a gutwrench-- before hoisting her up and slamming her to the mat with a Gutwrench Suplex! Logan sits upright, but Ashlyn snakes her legs around his neck and pulls him back down to the mat! Logan calmly tries to slide out of the hold, and Ashlyn tightens her grip, locking Alexander in an inverted Triangle Choke! Logan stiffens as Ashlyn twists her body to wrench the hold. He kicks his legs out, but stops as he realizes the ropes are outside of his reach.
Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander remains calm and focused, caught in this-- this inverted Triangle, but he can’t afford
not to be. He needs every bit of oxygen available to escape this!
The crowd claps and stomps to audibly rally behind Alexander. He begins to drag himself to the left-- but he cries out in pain as Ashlyn leans back on the heel of her palm and bridges!
Geoff Penzer: Oh! The torque!
Logan pushes with all of his weight against Ashlyn’s left ankle. Ashlyn’s grip on the Triangle begins to visibly slip-- but compensates for it, pulling back against her own foot with her right hand. Logan plants his own hand into the mat and tries to initiate a roll, but Ashlyn stuns him with an elbow across the cheekbone! Ashlyn resumes pulling against her boot to reapply pressure to the choke, but the momentary lapse was enough for Logan to loosen the grip enough to slip out of the hold! Seamlessly, he grabs De Luca’s leg, looking for an Ankle Lock! Ashlyn manages to slip free of Logan’s grasp, rolling away from him as he reaches a knee. The camera captures De Luca running a hand over her face for a moment before smacking the mat in frustration.
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn is growing increasingly frustrated-- increasingly emotional here. Combine that with the fact that she’s trying to go toe-to-toe with Logan Alexander in mat wrestling and De Luca’s playing a dangerous game here.
Ashlyn reaches her feet, glaring at Logan, who tries to catch his breath resting on a knee on the mat. Ashlyn shakes her head, muttering bitterly under her breath before she strides forward, rearing back for a slap!
Geoff Penzer: The outright disrespe-- oh!
The Los Angeles crowd pops as Logan reaches up, catching Ashlyn’s hand. He glares into her eyes… before shaking his head, almost tiredly, pushing Ashlyn’s hand away.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
De Luca narrows her eyes at Logan, silent for a few moments before she clenches her fingers into a fist and looks for an outright punch to Logan’s face-- and swiftly, Logan captures the fist! He maintains a grip on Ashlyn’s fist as he rises to his feet, drawing another pop from the hopeful audience…
...but he shakes his head, almost gently pushing Ashlyn back.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
De Luca turns her back to Logan, hands on her hips for a moment… before she marches to the ropes, dropping to her back and rolling to the outside. Ashlyn screams for the timekeeper to give her a microphone, and he quickly obliges.
Geoff Penzer: What’s going on here?
De Luca ignores the cries of the referee to climb back into the ring. She hops onto the apron, leaning against the ropes, tapping the microphone against her temple for a moment as she glares daggers at her former tag team partner. She pulls the mic to her lips and sighs.
Ashlyn De Luca: What is this? Hm?
She raises a brow, slowly climbing to her feet, still allowing the ropes to separate her on the apron from Logan as she continues.
Ashlyn De Luca: You came all this way, walked all the way out here, but you decided… all of a sudden… you don’t want to fight?
De Luca laughs a bit-- though it’s only filled with malice. Annoyance.
Ashlyn De Luca: I know what you’re doing. I
see what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to ruin this for me.
She points an accusing finger at Alexander.
Ashlyn De Luca: This is a milestone moment in the career of a young, up-and-coming wrestler that YOU helped train-- that YOU helped bring into the business. And you’re doing the
same thing you did at All-Star Showdown a year ago. You’re-- you’re throwing a goddamn tantrum and refusing to play ball! You’re taking something that was supposed to be
special and you’re making it all about your fu[i
STATICing self. Because you’re so selfish!
You’re so selfish, Logan! You don’t give a damn about the future! All you wanna do anymore is take… take… TAKE… I feel so SORRY for little Noelle.
“OOOOOOOOOHHH…”
The audience audibly groans at the mention of Logan’s daughter. Alexander raises a brow, expression otherwise stoic as he looks at De Luca.
Ashlyn De Luca: I’m glad we’re documenting this. So she can look back at it years from now, and point at it as a reference when she’s explaining to her therapist exactly how much it must
suck to have you as a father.
Geoff Penzer audibly sighs on commentary while the fans in the Staples Center explode; some booing De Luca, some screaming for Logan to strike her down-- and some just roaring in anticipation. Logan takes a step toward Ashlyn… but shakes his head, running his hands over his face as he turns on his heel, walking away from De Luca and over to the far side of the ring. The restless crowd boos once again as Logan rests his elbows against the top rope on the other side of the ring, shaking his head while Ashlyn finally steps through the ropes.
Ashlyn De Luca: You think this makes you look noble. It doesn’t.
She steps closer.
Ashlyn De Luca: Thank God for De Lucz though, Logan. You and your wife might not be up to the task of providing a role model for that baby girl…
De Luca walks toward Logan, making a beeline.
Ashlyn De Luca: ...but at least there’s me.
She throws the microphone aside and grabs Logan by the shoulder, spinning him around-- and delivering a vicious
SLAP! to her face-- and immediately Logan grab Ashlyn by the head and leaps into the air, delivering a Codebreaker!
Geoff Penzer: LOGAN HAS HEARD ENOUGH!
The audience erupts as Ashlyn bounces off of Logan’s knees, flopping to her back in the center of the ring! Logan rises to his feet, seething, face growing red as a grounded Ashlyn groggily tries to discern exactly where she is.
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
Ashlyn raises a hand, backing away from Logan-- but he doesn’t hesitate in striding forward, grabbing a fist-full of hair, and forcing Ashlyn upright into a European Uppercut! Ashlyn flails-- and Logan nails a second! Ashlyn swings wildly, but Logan evades it and nails a third European Uppercut! A fourth uppercut! A fifth! The audience reaches a fever pitch as Ashlyn is rocked by a sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth shot! She collapses to her hands and knees, heaving.
Geoff Penzer: It’s not over!
Logan wrenches Ashlyn in a front facelock and forces her to her feet, only to drive her to the mat with a Snap Suplex! Ashlyn rolls onto her stomach and tries to crawl away, and Logan follows her, deadlifting her off the mat and back down with a German Suplex! Again, Ashlyn rolls onto her stomach, gasping frantically as she reaches out to the ropes. She staggers up to her feet-- and Logan intercepts her, launching her overhead with an Exploder Suplex, sending Ashlyn awkwardly into the ropes! She lands on her neck and shoulders, covering her head as Logan rises to a knee in front of her, face red, jaw tightened.
Geoff Penzer: I’m certain that Ashlyn’s wishing that she’d kept her words to a minimum…
Ashlyn uses the ropes to pull herself up with one hand, using the other to hold it out toward Logan, trying to force the words out to keep him at bay--
CRACK!--and Logan delivers a thunderous Super Kick that catches Ashlyn right under the nose, taking her through the ropes and straight to the floor below!
Geoff Penzer: Good God!
Ashlyn writhes in pain on the floor below. The official warns Logan as he goes to step through the ropes-- but he’s backed off as Logan shoots a cold glare in his direction.
Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander is in no mood! I don’t think he’s thinking about countouts! I don’t think he’s thinking about disqualifications!
Logan steps in front of De Luca as she pushes herself onto her elbows and knees. She grabs at his boot… then at his hand, looking to pull herself up. Logan closes his eyes for a moment, an indistinguishable look crossing his face… but he switches Ashlyn’s grip, squeezing her hand tightly, earning a cry of pain from De Luca-- which becomes a shriek of terror as Logan hoists her up onto his shoulders and turns, launching her spine-first across the ring apron with a release Death Valley Driver! Ashlyn howls out in pain, flipping from the apron and hip-first to the floor as the audience erupts once again!
Geoff Penzer: DVD right off the side of the ring apron!
The referee yells for Logan to climb back into the ring and Logan does briefly-- before pushing himself back out and forcing De Luca up by the base of the neck. With a sprinting start, he launches her face-first into the steel ring post! De Luca twists, falling to the ground as she collides. Desperately, she half-crawls, half-limps toward the announce table and Logan forces her up from behind, turning his own back to the announce table and sucking in a deep breath-- before driving Ashlyn across the top of the commentary desk with a Back Suplex! Ashlyn flips head-over-heels, landing in a heap behind the table next to Geoff!
Geoff Penzer: This fight is spilling right into my lap! De Luca isn’t safe anywhere!
Logan climbs to the top of the announce table, looking out into the roaring masses before slowly lowering his gaze toward De Luca, who breathes heavily, sprawled across the floor. Logan’s gaze returns to the ring, where the referee is in the middle of his ten-count.
“...FIVE!”
“SIX!”
“SEVEN!”Logan steps down from the commentary desk and calmly rolls back into the ring, generating another predictable chorus of boos from the restless crowd.
Geoff Penzer: Perhaps Logan is ready to take a breath and-- nope!
Logan darts out of the ring beneath the bottom rope to another roar from the crowd as Ashlyn staggers to her feet beside, using the timekeeper next to Melanie Sierra as a base to pull herself up-- and shrieks as Logan grabs her from behind and launches her overhead with a release German Suplex, sending Ashlyn
thudding into the center of the announce table before bouncing off, spiraling to the floor below! Ashlyn screams out in agony, clutching the back of her neck as she reaches out for anything-- finding the table to steady herself. She climbs up to a single knee, trying to cry something toward Logan, but the former Chaotic swoops in and drives De Luca to the floor with a Reverse STO!
Geoff Penzer: Chaotic Impact on the floor! He’s picking Ashlyn apart right in front of us!
Eyes closed, De Luca lies motionless on her stomach.
“YOU DESERVE IT!”
“YOU DESERVE IT!”
“YOU DESERVE IT!”
“YOU DESERVE IT!”
Taking a deep breath, Logan moves forward, standing over De Luca. He utters something so softly that the mics don’t quite pick it up-- though he appears to be echoing the sentiments of the audience before he bends down, hoisting the dead weight of De Luca upright, forcing her up onto the apron. Logan slides in behind her, shoving Ashlyn to the center of the ring where she easily rolls onto her back. He takes a knee, a contemplative look on his face as chants of
“LOGAN!” echo around the pair.
Geoff Penzer: You have to imagine that Logan Alexander wants to end this. He never wanted this fight. He just wanted this to be over-- and now, finally, maybe Ashlyn De Luca gets the message.
Logan rises to his feet, matching Ashlyn’s pace as she rises to her hands and knees. Ashlyn is in a complete daze as she shakily reaches a vertical base. Logan sighs, turning away from De Luca… before pivoting right back to her and spiking her to the canvas with a Cutter!
Geoff Penzer: STRYKE FORCE!
Logan wipes a hand over his face, as if wiping away the feeling of guilt, before he pushes De Luca onto her back, leaning deep into the pin to hook both legs! The Staples Center screams along with the referee as he counts!
ONE
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TWO
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THHRRE-!
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn kicks out!The noise that escapes the mouths of the FGA faithful is undecided, if not ear-splitting. Logan slowly pushes himself off of Ashlyn, moving a hand over his mouth as he tries to decide his next move.
Geoff Penzer: And now what’s next? If you’re Logan Alexander, what do you do to end this?!
Logan rubs at his eyes with the heels of his palms. He looks up at the lights for a moment, contemplating… thinking…
...and with a grunt, Logan springs to his feet! He grabs Ashlyn around her neck, forcing her up to a knee!
Geoff Penzer: When in doubt, hit it again!
Logan tries to force Ashlyn upright for a second Stryke Force… but De Luca slips out of his grasp, falling to a seated position. Logan glares down at her and Ashlyn falls to her side, raising a hand up, begging Logan off as she gasps for air. Her words are audible to the television audience as she drags herself toward the ropes.
Ashlyn De Luca: Pl… please… Logan,
please...
The almost-obligatory boos flood the Staples Center as Ashlyn places her palms together, tears welling up in her eyes as she looks up toward Logan. Ashlyn looks to her right, eyes finding the microphone she’d thrown aside earlier. Quickly, she scoops it up, gripping it in both hands as she looks up at Logan.
Ashlyn De Luca: Wait! Just… wait. Please.
Logan’s hands are clenched into fists. His gaze is locked on De Luca and he takes a single step forward-- prompting Ashlyn to scoot back.
Ashlyn De Luca: I’m sorry, Logan. I-- I was the selfish one, okay? I’m sorry. This is my fault. It’s my fault. We d… we don’t have to do this.
Not missing a beat, the Staples Center erupts into chants of
“YES WE DO!”Ashlyn De Luca: I was wrong to do what I did to you.
Tears stream down De Luca’s face as she looks up at Alexander, hands trembling.
Ashlyn De Luca: Logan, I’m so sorry.
Logan looks out to the audience, all of which scream
“NO!” to the veteran. He lowers his gaze to Ashlyn. For a moment, he closes his eyes, trying to block out the screams and cries of the audience, trying to concentrate on his own thoughts-- and suddenly he stands upright. Ashlyn winces as Logan steps forward…
...and he extends his hand out to De Luca.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
De Luca smiles up at Logan, wiping her tears away before reaching out with both hands and allowing Logan to pull her upright.
Ashlyn De Luca: Logan, I--
And suddenly, Ashlyn lowers the mic in her left hand, using her right to throw a sucker-punch right to Logan’s nose!
Geoff Penzer: No!
--and Logan captures De Luca’s hand to a roar from the crowd! His expression is one of hurt more than anger as he looks into the eyes of an open-mouthed, stunned De Luca! Instinctively, De Luca looks to drive the microphone into Logan’s skull… and Logan grabs her other wrist, jaw trembling as he glares at his former partner. Ashlyn doesn’t have the chance to utter another apology as Logan shifts her up onto his shoulders before repositioning her for the Samoan Driver!
Ashlyn shrieks, reaching out to grab the collar of the referee! The official frantically tries to pull himself away, but Ashlyn has his neck in a death grip!
Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn’s given up on trying to avoid a DQ! Now she’s just trying to escape!
Logan grunts in frustration and shoves ADL off his shoulders. She lands on her knees in front of the ref, still grabbing his shirt! The referee twists to get away from De Luca, stumbling a few steps as Logan rips Ash to her feet from behind--
Geoff Penzer: LOW BLOW!
A swift mule kick catches Logan flush between the legs. He howls out in pain, slumping against De Luca’s back… and seamlessly, she grabs Logan’s neck and drives him to the mat with the Cutter! Logan flops onto his back and a cacophony of boos floods the arena as Ash dives into a cover.
Geoff Penzer: Stryke Force!
Stryke Force! Ashlyn just hit Logan with his own move and the official never even saw the Low Blow! This is unreal!
The referee turns, hesitating as he debates whether to further reprimand De Luca for grabbing him… but after a second he drops down, making the count!
ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THRE-!
Logan throws a shoulder up, earning a roar from the hopeful crowd! Ashlyn rolls to a knee, pulling at Logan’s head and neck to force him up to a knee.
Geoff Penzer: She isn’t wasting a second!
Logan slaps De Luca’s hands away, but she stuns him with a kick to the sternum… before leaping into the air, driving Logan back down with the Sit-Out Facebuster! Once more, Logan bounces onto his back from the impact!
Geoff Penzer: FLYLEAF!
De Luca sits atop Logan’s chest, hooking his left leg back for a cover!
ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THHRRE-!
Logan throws his shoulder off the canvas again! Slumping off of Logan, De Luca looks at the referee, poised to argue, but she stops. For seconds, for moments, she seems unsure of what to do with her hands-- unsure of whether to scream or cry.
“LET'S GO LOGAN!”
“LET'S GO LOGAN!”
“LET'S GO LOGAN!”
“LET'S GO LOGAN!”
Ashlyn looks out into the roaring crowd, eyes panning over every section of the audience. Lastly, they rest on Logan. She says something to Alexander that’s lost in the noise coming from the crowd, but slowly reaches over to grab his hand. Ashlyn draws a deep breath and rises to her feet, tightening her grip. Logan sits upright, glaring up at De Luca… and she shoves his face back with the sole of her boot. Logan looks back at her-- and De Luca drives the sole of her boot into Logan’s jaw!
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Logan begins to sit upright-- but De Luca delivers a sharp kick to his temple, sending him back to the mat! Again, weakly, he begins to sit up-- and another kick grounds him. Ashlyn continues with a stomp, catching Logan roughly across the cheekbone to a groan from the crowd. She moves her hair out of her face, looking down at Logan, as if checking for a response-- and then another stomp, deep into Logan’s heart! Ashlyn stomps his heart again, and a third, fourth, fifth, sixth, time… before she brings her boot down across the face of the defenseless Alexander.
Geoff Penzer: God…
Ashlyn stomps down on Alexander’s face again!
Geoff Penzer: Stop it!
And again!
Geoff Penzer: NO!
Ashlyn lets Logan’s arm fall limp to the canvas as she drops into a cover, hooking the far leg, screaming for the referee to count! The ref looks conflicted, saying he needs to check on the motionless Alexander, but again, De Luca screams
“COUNT!” The official sighs and drops to the canvas!
ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THREE!
Geoff Penzer: It’s over.
The bell sounds, over a crowd that is slightly more muted than it was just a minute prior. Ashlyn De Luca’s eyes never leave Logan Alexander as she rises to her feet, allowing the official to raise her hand.
Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner… ASHLYN DE LUUUUCA!
“Suburbia” plays over the PA system as Ashlyn leans against the ropes, the unwavering gaze still locked on Logan. Slowly, but surely, a scowl creeps over her face as she turns, stepping onto the turnbuckles, simply staring out into the masses-- reigniting the fire under those in attendance as they loudly jeer De Luca.
Geoff Penzer: Hope it was worth it.
De Luca drops from the turnbuckles and slides from the ring. She waves off the calls of nearby fans, whether in support of her or against her as she strides up the ramp.
Geoff Penzer: Perhaps I’m just speaking for myself here, and maybe I’m naive, considering the emotions surrounding the contest heading into it, but I don’t think the referee should have allowed the match to devolve into what it became. Somebody could have gotten seriously hurt. And Ashlyn De Luca’s walking away with the win, but she doesn’t care about the consequences. And that’s gross, but at the end of the day, the official has the responsibility to protect these Grapplers the best he can, and that didn’t happen tonight. Thank God Logan Alexander is moving right now.
Alexander stirs on the mat. As he sits upright, we see that one of his eyes is reddened from the stomps. His cheek has light, but clear scrape marks running their entire length. He takes deep, labored breaths, holding at his heart as he sits upright-- gently pushing the referee away as he tries to help him up.
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
“LOGAN!”
Logan sits up in the middle of the ring, looking out to the audience with a small nod of appreciation as they rise to their feet in a standing ovation.
Geoff Penzer: Class.
A second camera angle captures the ramp in the background as Logan struggles to get up to a knee. Ashlyn De Luca pauses at the top of the ramp, slowly turning to look around at the audience that comes unglued for Logan.
Geoff Penzer: Logan Alexander is going to have to take some time an-- what the hell is she…
The ovation turns sour as heads swivel toward the ramp. Ashlyn De Luca slides into the ring adjacent to Logan, pointing a finger at him as she screams loud enough for the ringside equipment to pick up.
Ashlyn De Luca: Stay down! This isn’t about you!Logan doesn’t turn toward De Luca. He makes no inclination that he’s heard her. He gets a foot beneath himself and groan as he begins to push himself up. Ashlyn tilts her head back, shooting an incredulous look up into the heavens before lowering a familiar glare to Logan. Ashlyn darts forward, driving a knee into the side of Logan’s head as he finally reaches his feet-- sending him crashing back to the mat. Swiftly, Ashlyn grabs Logan’s hand and drags him toward the ropes while she drops to the outside.
Geoff Penzer: Where the hell are the officials?!
Logan tries to grab onto the bottom rope to stop it, but with a mighty tug, Ashlyn yanks him out of the ring and straight down to the floor below! Ashlyn steps over Logan and reaches under the ring apron, quickly retrieving a steel chair.
Geoff Penzer: Anyone?!
Ashlyn raises the chair above her head and brings it down across Logan’s back! Logan cries out and begins to crawl. Ashlyn slams the chair down a second time, and a third! Logan gasps for air, but uses the ring apron to pull himself up. Ashlyn shakes her head, switching her grip on the chair. Logan turns around and Ashlyn stabs the chair into Logan’s ribs! Logan coughs violently, but stumble forward into a second shot! Logan drops to a knee and turns--
--right into a baseball-bat swing, with the chair catching him in the side of the head before it clatters to the floor!
Geoff Penzer: Damnit!
Ashlyn’s eyes grow wide as they drift past Logan and toward the base of the steel steps the pair had disconnected earlier.
“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”
“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”
“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”
“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”
Ashlyn forces Logan up by his hair, whispering something right against his ear as she half-drags, half-walks him to the stairs.
Geoff Penzer: There are gonna be repercussions for this!
De Luca hooks his head under his arm and takes a deep breath-- before hoisting Alexander up and driving him down across the base of the stairs with a Brainbuster! Logan lies motionless across the stairs while De Luca covers her face with her hands, uttering another muffled scream.
Geoff Penzer: And
now here come the officials. Not a second too soon, of course.
Three striped officials flank the ringside area, warning Ashlyn away as she glares down at Alexander. Calmly, De Luca backs away, palms in the air. Ashlyn turns toward the ramp… but pivots and runs to the apron, climbing to the top turnbuckle-- though on the side of the ring farthest from Logan, who still lies sprawled across the base of the stairs. Ashlyn walks along the rope tediously, ignoring the shouts of the referees, all of which place themselves between the two former Tag Team Champions…
And regardless, De Luca leaps from the top rope, sailing-- and crashing down across the ribs of Logan Alexander with a Frog Splash, resulting in another
THUD! Logan’s mouth opens, but no sound comes out as he instinctively curls onto his side.
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Chants of
“HOLY SHIT!” accompany the flood of boos. Ashlyn clutches her own ribs as the rises to her feet, and this time, she’s physically grabbed by two officials, guided up the ramp, though De Luca makes no visible attempt to fight it.
Geoff Penzer: I don’t have words.
A replay of the action is shown for the live and home audiences, filling a majority of the screen, while a team of medics make their way from the back, wheeling a stretcher to ringside in real time.
We see that Geoff Penzer has abandoned his headset, standing alongside the officials, perhaps trying to gather information as Logan is loaded onto the stretcher. Penzer watches the situation, shaking his head, a grim expression on his face as Logan is finally moved away from the ringside area, earning a much less energetic applause from the Staples Center as our scene fades away.
