Vertigo

[FGA Office]

We return from the commercial break and we see a set backstage with a couple of steel folding chairs in the center, a green curtain in the background but little more in terms of being elaborate. Very no thrills. Sitting in the first seat is sometimes the busiest man in the company in Spencer Burke and he is putting on his best professional smile but on the other seat, dressed to compete including the usual black trench coat, is the current FGA Pride Champion...Seth Iser. He has the FGA Pride Title over his shoulder to make sure it’s on camera with him at all times.

Spencer Burke: Good evening everyone and while the man next to me doesn’t need an introduction, he is certainly one of the more interesting figures in the company today. The current reigning and defending FGA Pride Champion...Seth Iser. And Seth, how are you doing?

Seth Iser: I have a broken finger.

Spencer cocks an eyebrow at the matter of fact delivery from the champion as he holds up his left hand and shows the tape around the middle finger. Seth states that in a completely deadpan manner before he just leans forward to make himself more comfortable in his seat.

Seth Iser: Other than that, I’m fine.

Spencer Burke: You sound like you’re in a little better spirits than you were in the Afterburn that was published up.

Seth’s face doesn’t hide his agitation when that is brought up but he isn’t flipping over the chairs angry.

Seth Iser: That camera man violated locker room etiquette. And I used to have to not explain every detail of what that means but I’ll do so considering the traditions of the sport haven’t been upheld by too many of these young snot-nosed punks anymore. I get that part of journalism is seeking out an answer. Part of the job of professionalism, the professional part of professional wrestling, is to treat the people asking the questions with some level of respect even if you don’t really want to play twenty questions. However there is a respect that needs to go both ways.

There is an obvious sternness to the veteran as he speaks that.

Seth Iser: Sometimes when you’re a professional athlete in any sport, you need a little bit of time to compose yourself. Unless you’re a little skits or someone who is just happy to be here, which is a damn trait you really should grow out of after a couple of years, we don’t like losing. Especially where there are high stakes. An opportunity to be a world champion is damn high stakes. Even more so when you’re an elder statesman who might not have too many of those chances come your way. Of course I’m going to be angry coming off a loss of that magnitude. But the media never waits in someone’s locker room in any other damn sport like that. Only this one.

Seth then pauses with agitation creeping into his voice on top of the already disgusted look on his face. Spencer leans back slightly just sensing all of this.

Seth Iser: So when you stick a camera in front of someone’s face after something like that happens, do not complain when you aren’t treated professionally right back because you didn’t even give us the courtesy of going to the locker room like that. Especially in a line of work that is as physical as wrestling. So if you want that explained as to why I wasn’t exactly giving you the most professional sixty seconds at the start, there you go. It was why I was vocal about Guy Rambo pontificating as well. Same principle.

Spencer still seems a little on edge but does proceed forward keeping a somewhat nervous eye on Seth.

Spencer Burke: You’re one of the few in the industry who seems very outspoken about what the code of pro wrestling is. Not just for people who work outside of it but those who are within the industry. I know Tyler Storm said his piece earlier tonight but I want to take you back to our last broadcast. You got him agitated not calling him selfish but one action of his selfish.

Seth Iser: Spencer. I’m cutting you off here.

Seth states that firmly as Spencer just gives him a nod to let him go.

Seth Iser: I stand by what I said fully. The only thing I didn’t ever get to fully address is the whole ‘If I wanted to end your career, I’d go for your knees’ comment. Pardon my french but that’s a bunch of bulls*bleep* Spencer. People have been attacking my knee for almost seventeen years. I came into the sport with a bad knee. None of them succeeded in driving me out. Don’t see that happening anytime soon and when I do retire, I will do so on my own accord.

There is a little more bass in his voice as he mentions that. Spencer raises his eyebrow toward the champion.

Spencer Burke: But you stand by your accusation.

Seth Iser: It isn’t an accusation when you speak the truth…and the truth can piss some of us off when we aren’t expecting it. And it pissed Tyler off.

The champion leans back on the steel chair and there is a semblance of a smirk on his face as he states that. Almost looking proud of it.

Seth Iser: He’s a decent man. Working hard for his family. I even sympathize with that considering my own family. I don’t say that about very many people in the industry. It’s worth repeating. And I meant what I said when those people pay to see him almost as much as they pay to hope to see me lose. But I also meant fully what I said when what he did was completely and utterly selfish to everyone. And he really should apologize to everyone in the company including Jenevieve Geroux. I haven’t seen what he said earlier because quite frankly...I was preparing for tonight’s match and that takes some priority, but I will go home and see what he said.

Spencer looks like he wants to interject with another question but reading Seth’s expression even though he shifted on his chair, he decides better of it.

Seth Iser: I still feel that superplex a little bit but going home to Rebecca helps with that and I’m damn thankful for that. I’m sure his back is screaming bloody murder about it considering he’s the one with a back problem. And that’s the stuff that more often than not that ends a career rather than someone actively trying to go out and do so deliberately. He should know that because that’s how HIS back got injured in the first place in one of those dangerous damned matches. I saw it with my own two eyes.

The veteran lets out a sigh as he thinks that through a little further almost as if he’s replaying what happened to Tyler back from memory.

Spencer Burke: Your previous match with Tyler ended up in a draw...much like your first contest in a way but he’s more often than not had your number.

Seth’s left eye twitches a little and Spencer doesn’t finish his thought knowing he’s angry.

Seth Iser: Tyler Storm was a beaten man that day before he did the selfish thing. I know the superplex into the ring would’ve damaged his back and set him up for one of my go to moves to end it. Maybe the DDT. Maybe the Dream Eater. Maybe something else, use your own damned imagination, but he was dead to rights. He knew it. I knew it. Anyone who watched wrestling and understand the sport knew it. Then Tyler sent us to the outside with a superplex on concrete. How nothing was broken on either of us I really don’t know. But that’s the kind of thing you do when you aren’t trying to win a match. You’re either trying to show off to the people, end someone’s career, or you just lost your head. And Tyler isn’t vein enough to do the first nor malicious enough to really do the second unprovoked.

Spencer Burke: You take it as if you know Tyler. I’m surprised this hasn’t been asked considering how intertwined you two have been but how long have you two known each other?

Seth Iser: A few years. I’ve met his children. His kids know my daughter. I even helped him transition on what to expect on being a Dad. And as I said, he’s a decent man, especially in an industry where there aren’t a ton of those around. But none of that exonerates him. He did something wrong. He robbed me. He robbed the fans. He robbed the company. He robbed himself even. And even though he’s angry, he knows deep down I’m right. I can see it in his eyes and they don’t lie.

He pauses briefly as he looks far more comfortable than he was earlier.

Seth Iser: And he’s going to have to deal with fighting me left handed one more time. He might be more prepared for the experience than last time, but that doesn’t make him better than me at this game. Then I can further cement myself as someone above even the likes of Chris Madison in regards to this championship by tying the record of most title defenses. And then eventually breaking it. And above all else...permanently free myself from the prison Tyler put on me considering that win loss record you brought up.

Spencer Burke: Speaking of Madison...tonight the two people you’ve mentioned, Tyler and Madison, are teaming up to face you and Marlon Cure.

Spencer stops when he notices Seth having a confident smirk.

Seth Iser: You couldn’t ask for a much better partner now can you?

There’s a sense of pride when Seth states that.

Seth Iser: You might think Marlon and I wouldn’t mesh well but that’s where I think you’re wrong. Marlon’s got an ego sure but he has every right to have one. He does things most of us can’t even dream of trying to do. You have the most talented high flyer I think I’ve ever seen in terms of using his athletic ability in innovative ways and blending it with a desire to win and you have Wrestling’s Greatest Mind. That kind of combination is perfect honestly.

And then he just leans forward still maintaining his composure and calm.

Seth Iser: I look forward to paying Madison back a little bit if I can but the objective for us is simple. We’re looking for the winner’s pay and we’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done. And then I’ll go on to Miami...wrestle Tyler in two out of three falls and show him what I’ve been saying for a while now: that I’m a superior wrestler over him and in that battlefield he won’t best me. I bring the professional in professional wrestling. I’m one of the greatest in the world today. And anybody else I deal whether it’s Tyler, Madison, or the damned newspaper man?

You can then see Seth’s face get menacing as Spencer continues to grow uncomfortable, but he still has that championship over his shoulder shining through even now. He even glances at the title briefly before turning his face back toward Spencer.

Seth Iser: Everyone else will be fighting for second place and the privilege of challenging the greatest mind in the game of mental chess and have the honor of losing. Thank you Spencer, it’s been your privilege but I have a tag match to win.

And with that you see Seth Iser stand up from his seat and start walking off the seat as we fade from this view.

[FGA Office]

• DYNAMIC DUOS TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT (QUARTERFINALS) •
G3 vs. The League of Extraordinary GentleGrapplers

Phillips and Giles start things off for their respective squad.s Giles puts his hand out for a handshake. However, he remains on guard after what happened in the first round when he stuck his hand out. Surprisingly, Phillips shakes the hand. The two then circle the ring. They go for a lockup when Phillips opts out for a cheapshot with a boot to the midsection. However, Giles is able to catch the foot in time. He then gives a disapproving wag of the finger before swinging the leg away from him and rolling up Phillips in a schooboy for a two count. Both grapplers return to their feet where Giles gains the advantage by grabbing a hold of the arm. After Giles delivers multiple arm wrenches, Phillips grabs Giles with her free arm and palms his face while she moves him into the G3 corner. Once both grapplers make a clean break, Wydell holds Giles’ arms from behind so that Phillips can deliver multiple kicks to the midsection!

Once Wydell gets tagged in, G3 take turns hacking away at Giles’ chest with knife edge chops. The GentleGrappler is then whipped into the far ropes. When Giles returns, he ducks a double clothesline before continuing to run the ropes. When he returns, he tackles both members of G3 down with a crossbody block. He stays on top for the cover. But G3 kick out at two. The kickout is so strong that Giles rolls across the ring. After pulling himself up, he sees Phillips rushing over for an attack. So he lowbridges the top rope, sending her tumbling to the outside. Wydell then gets dumped over the top rope. After she lands safely on the apron, she doubles Giles over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. She slingshots back in for a sunset flip, only for Giles to roll through it and flip back over into a jackknife pin. Wydell bridges up at two, turns, hooks Giles arms and brings him down with a backslide pin. After Giles is able to slip out at two, he rolls Wydell up with Got Your Arm (la magistral) for another two count. He then places Wydell in a side headlock before moving into the corner and tagging in his fellow GentleGrappler, Blaise Fader.

Fader gets in and knocks Wydell down with multiple knife edge chops. Wydell is able to reverse an irish whip. But when Fader returns, she tackles Wydell down with a Lou Thesz Press for a two count. Fader brings the action into the corner and lights up Wydell’s chest with more chops. Wydell tries to fight back with chops of her own. But her comeback is stopped with a hard European Uppercut that rocks her. She then gets sent into the far corner with an irish whip. Fader comes barreling across the ring and goes for a hip attack, only for Wydell to slip out of the way. After Fader crashes into the corner, Wydell springboards to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and drives Fader down with a diving bulldog for a two count.

Once the tag has been made out to Phillips, G3 goes for a double vertical suplex on Fader. But Fader overpowers them both and sends them both down with a suplex. She then rushes over and runs over both members of G3 with a running shoulder block. Fader goes for another running shoulder block when G3 counters with a double drop toe hold. Phillips then holds Fader in place with a camel clutch while Wydell hits the ropes, returns and connects with a front dropkick to the face. Phillips makes the cover and gets a two count. Phillips goes to bring the action back into the corner by slamming Fader face-first into the top turnbuckle. But Fader blocks by getting her foot on the middle turnbuckle, elbows Phillips and then slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. Fader turns her around and hits her with three forearm smashes before delivering a headbutt that causes her to stagger out of the corner along the ropes. Fader stays on her and whips her into the ropes. She then catches Phillips off the rebound with a belly to belly suplex. As she makes the cover, Wydell gets in and goes to break up the pin with a senton. But Fader rolls out of the way, causing Wydell to accidentally hit Phillips with a senton. Fader then squashes Phillips with a body splash! She hooks the leg before Wydell rushes back over and breaks up the pin with a stomp to the back. Wydell goes for an irish whip, only to get it reversed. When Wydell returns, Fader throws her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

After stomping Wydell to the outside, Fader turns and hits the far ropes. When she returns, she takes Wydell out on the outside with the Pip Pip Cheer-Hilo (slingshot somersault senton)! Fader climbs back up onto the apron, only to get caught with a shoulder thrust through the ropes from Phillips. Phillips then chokes her across the top rope before running into the ropes, returning and connecting with a single leg dropkick to the side of the head, sending Fader tumbling to the floor. On the outside, Wydell picks up Fader and whips her down ringside and into the guardrail. After Phillips steps out onto the apron, she runs along the apron, leaps off and nails Fader with a missile dropkick while Wydell runs down ringside and connects with a shotgun dropkick! G3 then grabs a hold of Fader before bringing her down with the Double Dragon Drop (double vertical suplex) on the floor! While Fader remains on the floor, Phillips rolls back into the ring and starts yelling at the ref to count her out. Giles can be seen on the outside attending to his fellow GentleGrappler while the ref continues his count. Giles reaches down, slowly pulls up Fader and places her arm around his neck while he helps her back towards ringside. Fader rolls herself back in, where she’s met with multiple stomps from Phillips.

G3 stays in control as Wydell gets tagged back in. Phillips & Wydell are able to bring Fader down with Game Over (superkick-plex) for another two count. They then sit Fader down on the top turnbuckle before Phillips lifts Wydell up onto her shoulders. G3 goes for the 1Up (Stack Superplex). But Fader blocks the move. G3 tries to muscle her up for another 1Up. But again, Fader blocks the move. After Wydell slips down, the members of G3 climb up onto the middle ropes, grab Fader and finally bring her down with a double superplex! Wydell makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Fader gets her shoulder up. Wydell doubles Fader over with Master Hand’s Revenge (Fastball Punch). She goes to follow up with a DDT when Fader runs forward and rams her back-first into the corner. After whipping Wydell into the far corner, Fader rushes in for an attack when Wydell counters with a boot to the face. While Fader is dazed, Wydell steps out to the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off and goes for Zelda’s Awakening (with the opponent near the turnbuckles, Wydell cartwheels off the top and catches the opponent on the way down with a DDT). But Fader counters with a spinebuster!

The tag is finally made back out to Giles! When Giles gets in, he throws Wydell down with a hip toss. A deep arm drag returns Wydell to the mat. Giles then completes an overflow, armdrag, sending Wydell through the ropes and to the floor. Phillips rushes in to attack, only for Giles to bring her to the mat with a standing double leg takedown. After hooking his arms around her legs, Giles begins to spin in place and executes the WEEEEEEEEEE (Giant Swing)! After the tenth rotation, Giles lets go, sending Phillips across the ring. Wydell rolls back in and tries to take advantage of a dazed Giles with Master Hand’s Revenge. But Giles is able to grab a hold of her wrist, send Wydell flipping down to the mat with an arm arm and delivers a WEEEEEEEEEE to her as well. After the tenth rotation, Giles lets go before staggering into the ropes. Once the GentleGrappler regains his balance, he heads over, takes Wydell and whips her into the ropes. When Wydell returns, Giles lifts her up across his shoulders and spins in place with the Piggy Back Ride (Airplane Spin). Once Wydlel has been lowered back down to her feet, Giles hits the ropes returns and executes the Around the World (La Quackica) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winners: The League of Extraordinary GentleGrapplers (14:35)

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage, specifically to outside Jenevieve Geroux’s office, when the door suddenly swings open. Storming out of the office is none other than Annie Zellor, who obviously doesn’t look too pleased with whatever just transpired in there. Fortunately Spencer Burke is waiting outside with a microphone in hand - but for some reason Annie doesn’t look happy to see him either!

Annie Zellor: I swear to God, Spence, like, talking to Jenevieve is like talking to a brick wall.

Spencer Burke: What wer--

Annie Zellor: Like, I just wanted to talk to her about why Dom wasn’t in the gauntlet and, like, all she did was try and explain the G.E.R.O.U.X. metrics to me. And you know what, Spence?

Spencer Burke: Wha--

He’s interrupted again, however; it’s almost as if Annie is just speaking at him and not to him…

Annie Zellor: They don’t make any sense! Like, literally none! And her reason for asking Dom to stay home tonight?

Spencer Burke: Which w--

Annie Zellor: It was stupid, Spence. So stupid it hurts! And I swear, when me and Jae get near those tag titles she’s not gonna screw us over like this. When Dom comes back, he’s gonna find a way to get a title shot, and when he does he’s gonna become the FGA World Champion again. Just you wait…

With that, Annie pushes past Spencer and walks away, leaving Jenevieve’s office in her rear view as the show cuts elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

• DYNAMIC DUOS TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT (QUARTERFINALS) •
Polyffoni Cósmica vs. Los Chicos Malos

Laurel Anne Hardy and Prometheus start things off with a lock up. Prometheus moves Hardy into the ropes before cheapshotting her on the break with a forearm strike. After being on the receiving end of two more forearms, Hardy takes Prometheus, switches positions and nails him with multiple Battlegrounds Uppercuts (European Uppercut, pushing the opponent’s head down with the other hand). Hardy then goes for an irish whip, only to have it reversed. When she returns, she brings Prometheus to the mat with a rebound tornado into an arm drag. Prometheus is then brought back down to the mat with the L.A.H.O.O.Q. (rebound backflip headscissors takedown). Hardy then flattens Prometheus on the mat with a cartwheel roundoff into a dropkick to the face for a two count. Prometheus is then whipped off into the ropes before getting doubled over with a Hadouken. Hardy hits the far ropes, returns and throws out the Punctum (knee strike to the side of the head). But Prometheus is able to slip out of the way and counter with a russian leg sweep for a two count.

Once Hardy is brought into the Los Chicos Malos corner, Epimetheus gets tagged in. Epimetheus gets in the ring and hits Hardy with a knife edge chop, followed by a European Uppercut. He looks around and smirks before hitting another knife edge chop, quickly followed by a European Uppercut. Epimetheus fires off a flurry of alternating knife edge chops and European Uppercuts until Hardy knocks him back with a Battlegrounds Uppercut. A second Battlegorunds Uppercut knocks Epimetheus closer to the ropes. Hardy then turns and hits the ropes. When she returns, Epimetheus knocks her down with a pop-up elbow strike for a two count. Epimetheus then goes for an irish whip, only to have it reversed. When Epimetheus returns, Hardy leapfrogs over him. Epimetheus continues to run the ropes. When he comes back, Hardy drops to a seated position and wraps herself up in the Lady of the Lake. Epimetheus tries to roll her over onto her back. But he’s unable to get her shoulders flat on the mat. Hardy then sticks her hand out through her legs. Prometheus waves off Epimetheus. But Epimetheus goes for the hand anyway, which allows Hardy to wrap him up in an armlock. Epimetheus is able to reach over and get his foot on the bottom rope to force a rope break.

Once the hold is broken, Prometheus walks over along the apron and admonishes Epimetheus for falling for Hardy’s trick. While Prometheus is trying to make sure that Epimetheus is on the same page, Epimetheus can feel Hardy charging behind him. So he instinctively slips out of the way, causing Prometheus to get knocked off the apron and sent to the floor with a Capoeira Kick! She then turns to Epimetheus and knocks him down with a headbutt before hitting the far ropes. Hardy bounces off the ropes, picks up speed and motions for a dive. But she has to slam on the brakes when Prometheus scurries out of the way. Prometheus rounds the ring post, only to get caught with a cannonball senton off the apron from Carina Eventide! Back in the ring, Epimetheus brings Hardy down from behind with a straightjacket choke backbreaker for a two count.

As the match continues, Hardy gets thrown down with a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Epimetheus goes for a tag, but Prometheus is still down on the outside. So he continues to go to work on Hardy, hitting a snap suplex for a two count. He then hurls Hardy across the ring with a pumphandle suplex before hitting the turnbuckles. Epimetheus climbs to the top, jumps off and crashes down across Hardy with a Frog Splash for another two count. Epimetheus goes for another tag. But Prometheus is just starting to pick himself up on the floor. So Epimetheus goes over to wear down Hardy with a figure four. But she’s able to counter into a small package for a two count. Once both grapplers are back to their feet, Hardy runs over towards her team’s corner when Epimetheus goes for another pop-up elbow strike. This time, Hardy counters with a front dropkick to the face. She then rolls forward, dives over and tags in Eventide.

Eventide springboards to the top rope, flips off and knocks Epimetheus down with a flying shotgun dropkick for a two count. Epimetheus reverses an irish whip, sending Eventide into the ropes. When she returns, she brings Epimetheus down with a double rotation tilt-a-whirl headscissors. She then runs over and plants Epimetheus with a Rolling DDT for a two count. After Epimetheus is whipped into the corner, Eventide rushes over, performs a tiger wall flip kick and follows up with a step-up knee in the corner. She then brings Epimetheus down out of the corner with a running bulldog for another two count. Eventide then whips Epimetheus back into the ropes. Instead of returning, Epimetheus hangs onto the ropes. So Eventide rushes over to attack, only to get dumped over the top rope. After Eventide lands safely on the apron, Prometheus grabs her by the ankles and yanks her off the apron. After Eventide smacks her face against the edge of the apron on the way down, Prometheus brings her down with a swinging neckbreaker on the outside. He then rolls Eventide back into the ring before hopping back onto the apron to get tagged back in. Prometheus scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and connects with the Enterrar el Hacha (diving double foot stomp) for a two count.

Prometheus stays in control with a bridging fisherman suplex for a two count. After Eventide is whipped hard sternum-first into the corner, Prometheus drives her down with La Mejor del Mundo (inverted hurricanrana), followed by a deadlift bridging german suplex for another two count. Once Eventide gets whipped into the ropes, she comes off the rebound and tries to get back on offense with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. But Prometheus cuts that off with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another two count. Once Eventide has been thrown down with a scoop slam, Prometheus heads up top and goes for another Enterar del Hacha. This time, Eventide rolls out of the way. Prometheus then lands on his feet before rolling forward. When he turns around, he sees Eventide running across the ring. She goes to dive towards her corner when Prometheus ducks under and catches her across his shoulders. He brings Eventide back towards the center of the ring, turns to Hardy and taunts her before going for a Ushigoroshi. No! Eventide counters with elbows to the side of the side. She follows up with a schoolboy for the ONE! TWO! T-NO! Prometheus kicks out. When Prometheus turns over onto a knee, Eventide catches him with the Bubble Burst (bicycle high knee)! She makes another cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Epimetheus dives over to break up the pin. Epimetheus then shoots Eventide into the ropes. When Eventide returns, she goes to slide through Epimetheus’ legs. But Epimetheus reaches down and catches her in time. He then pulls Eventide up and delivers a belly to back suplex lift. After placing Eventide’s legs across Prometheus’ shoulders, Los Chicos Malos set up for a double team move. But Eventide turns to her right, then sharply turns to her left, sending Prometheus to the mat with a headscissors takedown while Epimetheus in brought to the mat with a spinning side headlock takeover. Eventide then rolls forward, dives across the ring and tags Hardy back in!

Hardy knocks down Los Chicos Malos with the Mass Queraid (slinghsot front flip split kick to two opponents)! Prometheus then gets whipped into one corner while Epimetheus is whipped into the opposite corner. Hardy charges forward before blasting Epimetheus with a Legimate Haafi Businesswoman Kick (yakuza kick)! Hardy runs across the ring and goes for another Legitimate Haafu Businesswoman Kick when Prometheus counters with an overhead belly to belly suplex into the turnbuckles! He then lifts up Hardy across his shoulders for a Ushigoroshi when Hardy slips down from behind, spins Prometheus towards her and brings him down with the Winter Garden Photograph (sitout butterfly throatbreaker). When Hardy turns around, Epimetheus sets her up for a Uranage when she counters with the Super Duper Acid Party (labai throw into a shining enzuigiri). She rushes back across the ring and connects with the Punctum, knocking Prometheus through the ropes and to the apron. Back inside, Hardy charges back over and motions for the Gáe Buide (spear) when Epimetheus counters with a quick, standing spinning heel kick! While Hardy is sprawled out on the floor, Epimetheus heads into the corner, scales the turnbuckles, flips off and goes for a diving moonsault, only to miss when Hardy rolls out of the way. He tries to get back to his feet. But he gets knocked back down to a knee after getting caught with the Punctum. He then tries to get back up once more when Hardy hits the ropes. Hardy picks up speed as she comes back before tackling Epimetheus down with the Gáe Buide! While Epimetheus is down, Hardy steps to the outside, scales to the top, flips off and crashes down on top of him with Stronger Than Dirt (corkscrew shooting star elbow drop) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winners: Polyffoni Cósmica (21:14)

After the match, Hardy and Eventide celebrate their victory while an annoyed Prometheus slowly pulls himself up using the edge of the apron. He shakes his head while Epimetheus slowly sits up. A look of sadness comes across his faces once he realizes that Los Chicos Malos have been eliminated.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We cut backstage at the Cajundome where we find Spencer Burke standing in the interview area, mic in hand and waiting for his cue

In Spencer’s case, that’s the good news

The bad news for Spencer is who is keeping him company, namely the reigning United States tag Team Champions – or to give them their formal, proper and correct introduction, the duo of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason more commonly known as Silk & Cyanide, the pair of them the picture of barely-concealed contempt as they have to endure the mundanity of having to stand in an interview area to address the town barker so he can broadcast their message to the unwashed masses, but they endure for the sake of having something to do

Spencer Burke: Joining me at this time are Vertigo’s reigning United States Tag Team Champions, Silk & Cyanide…

As Spencer talks, Mariani glowers in his direction as she rapidly grows tired of having to listen to him regurgitate information that everyone already knows, while Mason momentarily lifts the tag belt held in her hand that’s dragging against the floor before looking at Spencer as she wonders why the hell he seems to think the pair hadn’t noticed they won the things

Spencer Burke: …as I’ve been told they have the answer to the question that is on everybody’s lips, namely why they appeared on the most recent episode of Flashpoint to attack Pendragon.

Rather than answer the question the second that Spencer offers them her the microphone, instead Mariani fixes him with an icy glare for several excruciating seconds of silence, her face not moving so much as an atom’s width as she does so – until, that is, when Mason steals in and grabs the microphone out of Spencer’s hand

Sara Mason: I believe what you meant to say was “Congratulations for winning the belts that you hold once more”, which sounds like the base level of common courtesy to me, but I understand you might be a little bit upset to see your poster girl Fujiko lose a title. After all, how can this brand possibly survive the thought of having to consider the possibility that the world does not revolve around your patriarchal dream girl getting her way time and time and time again?

As if it wasn’t clear that was a rhetorical question, Mason shoves the microphone into Spencer’s chest rather than let him answer…but almost as soon as she does, Mariani plucks the microphone from Burke’s grasp once more

Erin Mariani: Mister Burke, I ask you to consider something: at this moment in time there are several teams who are willingly putting their bodies through an untold amount of abuse in the hope that they could potentially be challenging us for the titles which we rightfully hold. The two of us are aware of this scenario, because not too long ago we were in the place of all of these teams, although at least we had the sense to mete out the abuse rather than receive it. However, there is one issue with the scenario I have laid out: while there is a whole host of potential victims waiting for us, we cannot simply click our fingers and have them brought to the ring so we can put them out of their misery, instead we are expected to sit here and watch them while we do nothing.

Mariani lets out a mildly amused snort at the thought of this, as Mason leans in

Sara Mason: Or, and hear us out, we could take matters into our own hands and make ort own fun. And who do you see that is also sitting on their hands waiting for a potential challenger to crawl out from under the heap of bodies hoping to impress?

Mason gives Spencer a remarkably patronising look for a few seconds as she waits for him to think of the response

Spencer Burke: …

…but before Spencer can respond, Mason cuts in again

Sara Mason: You got it. They have nobody lined up, we have nobody lined up, but it never occurred to them to maybe do something about this situation.

Erin Mariani: That, Mister Burke, is why we appeared on their show. We wanted to give them a taste. A little encouragement. We could have asked nicely if they wanted to prove who the dominant partnership is as we pass the time, but why ask nicely when we can give them a reason to give us what we want? After all, I do not recall your beloved pairing of Ms. Anders and Ms. Mine asking nicely to momentarily borrow what belongs to us, instead they thought that belittling us was all they needed to do.

To emphasise the obvious flaw with that line of thinking, Mariani runs a blood red fingernail down the face of her title belt before tapping the nail against it a couple of times to ram the point home

Erin Mariani: I think it is time that we returned the favour. If they think they can take what is ours and run away without having the courtesy to grant us a rematch, and do not deny this is what happened as your own General Manager said as much to our faces to try and protect her golden couple, then it is only right for us to demand we take ownership of what they hold, since they seemed reluctant to offer us a single thing in exchange as all they wanted to do was take. I have already floated the idea to your General Manager, where not only will Ms. Mine place her title on the line, but Ms. Anders will wager her title shot as well, and not only did she find herself unable to find a reason why not, she obliged to make these matches happen on the next episode.

Sara Mason: So better make sure you’ve downloaded all your “candid” shots of Fuji now, Spencer, because she won’t be looking so pretty when I finish with her.

Rather than glare at Spencer, instead Mason flashes a kittenish smile in his direction

Erin Mariani: I believe that answers your questions for the evening, Mister Burke, does it not?

Mockingly offering the microphone back to Spencer, Mariani looks at him in much the same way that a spider looks at a fly caught in its web, knowing full well that inevitability is all that follows

Erin Mariani: Your microphone, Mister Burke.

Having finished toying with Spencer for now, Mariani simply drops the microphone from her fingers into Spencer’s hands and uses the opportunity to breeze past him as if he were not even there…although Mason remains for a moment longer, kinking her head from one side to the other as if she’s sizing up whether or not it’s worth continuing with this charade before she decides to walk away herself, leaving Spencer stood there with the answers he wanted but a hell of a lot more questions than he came in with.

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
• TAG TEAM MATCH •
Seth Iser & Marlon Cure vs. Tyler Storm & Chris Madison

Tyker Storm is seen pacing back in forth while Seth Iser and Marlon Cure talk things over in the opposite corner. Instead of locking horns with the number one contender to his Pride Championship, Iser opts to step out to the apron and let Cure set the pace for his team. Both Cure and Storm start things off with a lock up. Cure gains the advantage with a side headlock before quickly transitioning into a hammerlock from behind. Storm is able to spin out and reverse into a hammerlock of his own. But Storm doesn’t stay in control for long as Cure is able to reach back and bring him down with a jumping snapmare. As Storm gets back to his feet, King Cure rushes over and connects with a running shoulderblock. The move knocks Storm back into the ropes. Storm’s able to ricochet off the ropes, return and knock Cure to the mat with a running shoulder block of his own. Instead of staying on his back, Cure returns to his feet with a kip up. He looks Storm up and down, and dares him to try it again. Storm obliges. The Swiss Army Knife hits the ropes, returns and runs over Cure with another shoulder bock. Once again, Cure’s able to return to his feet with a kip up. He then motions for Storm to try it again. Storm doesn’t have to be told twice as he turns to hit the ropes. When he returns, Cure leapfrogs over him. Cure leapfrogs over him gain (this time, without turning to face him). After Storm comes back off the ropes, Cure leaps across the ring and knocks him down with a flying forearm bash. Storm is then whipped back into the ropes. Cure catches him off the rebound with a hip toss and quickly follows up with a standing moonsault for a two count.

Cure brings the action into the corner, where he lights up Storm’s chest with knife edge chops. Storm then grabs Cure, tosses him into the corner and returns the favor with blistering chops of his own. Storm whips Cure across the ring into the far corner. He rushes in for an attack when Cure catches him with a back elbow to the face. Cure turns to face the turnbuckles and goes for a springboard moonsault into an inverted DDT. But Storm catches him across his shoulder. He then turns and goes for a running powerslam when Cure slips down and shoves him off into the ropes. When Storm returns, he throws out a bicycle kick. The kick gets caught by Cure before he quickly knocks Storm off his feet with a legsweep. He then turns away from Storm and throws out a standing moonsault. Storm rolls out of the way. But Cure’s able to land on his feet before turning around and catching him with a standing corkscrew Shooting Star Press for another two count! Cure goes for an irish whip, only for Storm to reverse. When Cure returns, Storm goes for a back body drop. Cure’s able to slip down from behind. But Storm doubles him over with a back kick to the gut. After hitting the ropes, Storm comes back and throws out a Scissors Kick when Cure slips out of the way. The crowd gasps when he goes for the Moment of Clarity (somersault reverse DDT). But Storm catches him across his shoulder, heads across the ring and drops him with a snake eyes across the top rope. While Cure stumbles back, Storm comes off the ropes and knocks him down with the Hardcastle Treatment (springboard roundhouse kick) for a two count!

Storm then makes the tag out to Chris Madison! The former two-time Pride Champion takes Cure and moves him into the corner with a Muay Thai clinch. From there, Madison goes to town with alternating knees to the body. Cure is then brought out of the corner before getting whipped into the far ropes. When he returns, Madison goes to tackle him down with a Lou Thesz Press. But Cure’s able to roll underneath it. Once Madison returns to his feet and turns around, Cure runs over and executes a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, sending Madison through the ropes and to the floor. While Madison picks himself up on the outside, Cure turns and hits the ropes, where Iser reaches over and makes the tag. Cure runs across the ring, slingshots out to the middle ropes, flips back and knocks Madison down with an Asai Moonsault! Cure rolls Madison back into the ring, where he’s met with multiple boots to the face from Iser. The Pride Champion then delivers a knee drop. Iser continues to pour on the offense as he grinds his knee brace across Madison’s face. Iser then places Madison in a headlock before raking his face along the top rope. He then moves Madison into the corner before delivering several chops of his own. Iser measures him up before rocking him with multiple hard right handed punches. A hard irish whip sends Madison crashing into the far corner. While Madison staggers out of the corner, Iser hits the ropes. He goes to sideswipe Madison with a lariat when Madison ducks and hits the ropes. When he returns, he tackles Iser down with a Lou Thesz Press before firing off 12-to-6 elbows to the face!

Madison pulls Iser up and immediately places him in a Muay Thai Clinch. From there, Iser gets hit with alternating knees to the face. Madison switches targets and hits Iser with low leg kicks before a flying knee strike knocks him down for a two count. The crowd erupts with cheers when Madison heads over and tags Storm back in. Storm marches over to get a piece of Iser when Iser rolls out to the apron. He then wraps his arm aroudd the bottom rope. The crowd erupts with boos when the ref is forced to move Storm away from Iser. While Storm impatiently waits for Iser to get back in, Cure catches Storm by surprise with a springboard diving side kick, knocking him down. Iser magically recovers and makes his way over to Storm before putting the boots to him. An irish whip sends Storm into the ropes. When Storm returns, Iser knocks him off his feet with a running boot to the face. Storm tries to get back to his feet. But Iser is right there to send him back to the mat with a Wrestling II Knee Lift. Iser pulls Storm back up before whipping him into the ropes. When Storm returns, Iser turns him inside out with a lariat across the face for a two count. A vertical suplex gets a two count. Iser scoops him up from the side before delivering a pendulum backbreaker for another two count. After dropping Storm throat-first across the top rope with a Stun Gun, Iser delivers a leg drop across the throat for another two count.

The tag is made back out to Cure, who knocks Storm back down with a running yakuza kick for a two count. Storm reverses an irish whip, sending Cure into the ropes. When King Cure returns, he blocks a back body drop with a bridging fisherman suplex for another two count. After a spinning wheel kick knocks Storm down, Cure heads into the corner, climbs up to the middle ropes, flips off and brings him down with a Blockbuster for another two count! Cure places Storm in a rear chinlock. After feeding off the energy of the crowd, Storm battles back to a vertical base. He then delivers multiple elbows to the midsection, breaking the hold. Now free, Storm takes off into the ropes. When Storm returns, Cure throws him down with the Run N Gun (Michinoku Driver II) for another two count! Cure then heads to the top turnbuckle and flips off for a Skytwister Press. But Storm is able to get his knees up in time!

Storm goes to crawl over to make the tag out to Madison when Iser drags him back towards the center of the ring before delivering a knee drop across the back. Storm is then whipped into the ropes before Cure brings him down with a running Spanish Fly. King Cure hits the ropes and goes for a cartwheel into a standing corkscrew 450° splash on the return. But Storm’s able to roll out of the way, causing Cure to miss! Both grapplers then start to crawl towards their respective corners. Storm reaches his corner first and makes the tag out to Madison!

Madison runs across the ring, jumps off of Cure’s back and nails Iser with a bicycle knee, knocking the Pride Champion off the apron and to the floor! Back inside, Cure is whipped into the ropes. When he comes back, Madison throws him down with a spinebuster! He rolls across Cure and hooks the near leg for the cover. ONE! TWO! Cure gets his shoulder up. Madison brings him down with a Colt 45 Backbreaker before making another cover. ONE! TWO! T-NO! Cure gets his shoulder up. He then throws Cure down with a pumphandle slam before hitting the apron. Madison climbs to the top, jumps off and goes for a diving double foot stomp. After Cure rolls out of the way, Madison lands on his feet before rolling forward. When he turns around, Cure rushes over and throws out a rolling elbow. Madison ducks, takes control of the back with a waistlock and runs him into the ropes. Once Cure bounces off the ropes, Madison goes for a backward roll into a German Suplex. Cure’s able to rotate in the air and land on his feet. He rushes back over to attack Madison when Madison counters with a Pop-up Codebreaker for a two count! Madison pulls Cure back to his feet and throws out Comatosed (ripcord rolling elbow), only for Cure to duck and counter with a ripcord sling blade! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! Madison gets his shoulder up.

Madison is brought back to his feet before Cure connects with a flurry of forearm strikes. He then rocks Madison with a Rolling Elbow, followed by a bicycle knee strike that drops Madison to his knees. From there, King Cure rocks Madison with a Savate Kick. He then blasts Madison with another Savate Kick before flattening him with the Coming of Age (double wristlock knee strike to a kneeling opponent)! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Madison gets his shoulder up. Madison is then brought down with the Moment of Clarity before Cure heads back out to the apron. Cure scales to the top rope before going for the Reign Storm (Ropewalk Corkscrew 630° senton)! The crowd erupts with cheers when Madison gets his knees up, causing Cure to crash across them! Madison makes his way back into the corner and makes the tag out to Storm!

Iser tries to cut Storm off with a lariat. But Storm is able to duck, bounces off the ropes and knock him down with the Hardcastle Treatment. Storm then rushes over and delivers a spear that nearly knocks the wind out of Cure! He goes for the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Cure gets his shoulder up. Storm sends Cure into the corner with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb before throwing him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb! The ref slides into place for the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Cure gets his shoulder up. Cure is then whipped into the corner before getting caught with a yakuza kick! Storm climbs to the middle ropes, grabs Cure and plants him with a Tornado DDT before bringing him back dow with the Bite Wound (crucifix cutter)! He goes for the cover. ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! Iser dives over and breaks up the pin! Iser puts the boots to Storm until Madison pulls him off Storm and rocks him with Comatosed, sending the Pride Champion staggering across the ring before slipping through the ropes and to the apron. Back inside, Madison and Storm take Cure and whip him into the ropes. When Cure returns, he gets thrown down with a double spinebuster! Madison and Storm head back into their corner before Madison exits back out to the apron to get tagged back in. Storm brings Cure down with an Alabama Slam before Madison climbs to the top, jumps off and connects with a diving double foot stomp. The cover gets made. ONE! TWO! THREE!

NO!

Cure somehow gets his shoulder up just in the nick of time! Madison then sets up Cure for the Helicopter Guillotine until Cure moves Madison against the ropes. The ref initiates a rope break. But not before Iser reaches up off the apron and makes the blind tag. Madison muscles Cure back towards the center of the ring and starts to execute the Helicopter Guillotine. But Iser is able to cut him off with a lariat! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Madison gets his shoulder up. Madison is then whipped into the ropes before being thrown down with the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam)! Iser makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Madison gets his shoulder up again. Iser then brings Madison into the corner before sitting him down on the top turnbuckle. The crowd erupts with boos as Iser climbs up onto the middle ropes. He’s about to deliver a superplex when Storm rushes across the ring, reaches up and grabs a hold of Iser. He then pulls Iser off of Madison before rushing back across the ring and delivering a Buckle Bomb! While the official is telling Storm to get back to the apron, Cure climbs up onto the middle ropes. He then lifts Madison up across his shoulders, jumps off, falls back and catches Madison with an avalanche Blackout (fireman’s carry dropped into an Overhead Kick)! The boos continues as Cure runs across the ring and catches Storm with a a forearm strike. He then goes for a Rolling Elbow when Storm ducks and counters with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He then grabs a hold of Cure and throws him down to the outside with a vertical suplex! Instead of falling to the floor with Cure, Storm is able to fall onto the apron. While this is happening, Iser pulls Madison into a front facelock before falling back and planting him with the Deprivation DDT! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
Storm rolls into the ring...
.
TWO!
.
Storm rushes across the ring before diving over to break up the pin.
.
THREE!
Storm lands on top of Iser. But he’s just a second too-late.

Post match, Storm tends to Madison while Iser rolls to the outside. He snatches his Pride Championship from the official while he and Cure raise each other’s arms on the outside. Iser motions to his Pride Championship while Storm stares him down from the ring, letting him know that he's coming for the championship at Above & Beyond VII...

Winners: Seth Iser & Marlon Cure (33:18)