AfterBurn for Vertigo E74

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on Afterburn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on Frontier+.

[bbbaseball96]

This was filmed about an hour after Vertigo

Backstage, Locker Room at Legacy Arena at the BJCC

Birmingham, AL

The scene fades into the cameraman pushing open a door that leads to the male locker room. Sitting on the bench is Ace Voltage, laughing to himself as he looks at something on his phone. He looks a little sweaty from his match earlier and is still in his wrestling tights, boots, and has an Ace Voltage sleeveless shirt on.

Ace: Oh, look who it is! I forgot you mates don’t knock around here, so come on in!

Ace enthusiastically waves in the camera crew. Hard to tell if he's being sarcastic or not. 

Ace: I don’t know if any of you are social media marvels or anything, but if you are, guess who is trending in the US! Guess those pictures of me and my future championship really set the world on fire. Beating up a current FGA champion also does the trick. 

Ace shows the camera and the cameramen a few pictures of him and the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title from a few hours earlier.

Ace: Admit it, I looked good with that title tonight. I can’t wait until Piper gets a load of that! She is going to be pissed and I am about that, baby. Maybe next time she won’t try and cheap shot the Main Event of FGA AND Future Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion! People ought to take me serious around here. Still undefeated after beating that chump Fenrys. Piece of cake. Next up, Piper Lennon. This title shot is a little overdue, but I'm glad this General Manager has some sense around here. I mean, who is more deserving of this shot than me? Nobody. Piper may not have given me the attention I deserved before, but Piper baby, do I have your attention now? 

Ace smiles to the camera as he gets up and grabs a towel, wiping down his face.

Cameraman: Ya know Ace, I think this is the happiest any of us have seen you.

Ace chuckles to himself.

Ace: Well camera guy and the rest of the world, you haven’t seen nothing yet. When I defeat Piper Lennon at Above and Beyond for her precious championship, you will see me smile all damn night! I am showing you all why I am the best here and how I can back up what I say. When I face Piper, I will make sure to go "Above and Beyond." I will do whatever it takes to defeat her. This is finally MY moment. This is my first opportunity at gold in FGA and I will not let this go to waste. 

Ace laughs to himself.

Ace: At Above and Beyond, if the world doesn’t know how great I am, it will find out. I deserved this title shot. I haven’t faced a challenge that I can’t overcome. The challenge I face with Piper, while it may be a little tougher than anything else I have faced here, but I have no doubt I will overcome it. I am the best this company has to offer. Once I beat Piper, this beautiful face will be all over this brand. Marketing team, get ready.

Ace shoots a big smile to the camera while it zooms in to his face. Then his face gets serious.

Ace: But, of course with all this success comes the haters. Annie Zellor is next on my list. Annie, complaining does not look good on you, honey. Maybe instead of bitching and moaning about title shots, you do something relevant for once. Beat someone who matters. Get the attention of the important people around here instead of sucking face with Dom or prancing around with your little New Murder friends. Show the people you can be a lone wolf. Show me you have what it takes to become something great here. Show you are worth something.

I’m sure you watched my victory over Fenrys tonight. Take some notes on that babe and then maybe, MAYBE you’ll get your title shot. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be so kind and once I defeat Piper I’ll grant the "Bad Bad Annie Z" a title shot. Now look at social media Annie, I just made you famous. You're welcome.

Ace puts his finger up to the camera and does something on his phone. He sits back down on the bench and looks back into the camera.

Ace: Sorry I just had to send out a tweet. Big Twitter guy now. Not the most popular person on the Twitter but in reality, who cares? I don’t do any of this for the people or the fans of FGA. I do this for me and me only. I want all eyes on me and I want everyone talking about me. Lucky for Vertigo and FGA, once I win that title from Piper, mentions and hashtags will go through the roof. I will bring so much more prestige to this championship and this company. Ask Ashley Chase about the Prestige I bring, she may remember a thing or two on that.

Ace takes off his shirt and rolls it into a ball.

Ace: Next time you see me, I will be wearing gold around my waist. Piper does not stand a chance at Above and Beyond. For those who bought a ticket, keep that stub. You’ll want to save it since it as it will be the first of many championships wins for yours truly. Now, leave me alone and get out of here.

Ace smirks at the camera before throwing his shirt at the lens. The scene fades to black. 

[Deleted]

The scene opens in the catering area, where one half of the Tenacious Wrecking Crew, Annie Zellor is tucking into a #PHILLYCHEESEDEATHSTEAK sandwich. Thinly sliced ribeye steak with cheese whiz, topped with onions, just the way she likes it. That first bite seems to hit the spot, but Annie’s enjoyment is disturbed-- she sniffs the air, cocking her head to the side as she swallows her mouthful of food.

Annie Zellor: Ashlyn, is that you?

Annie turns around…

Annie Zellor: Oh, it’s you.

The disappointment in her voice is clear for all to hear as the camera zooms out, revealing Kazu Hirano standing there opposite Annie. The smell of cannabis radiates off him. She takes another bite of her sandwich as Kazu stands there, eyeing up the heavenly snack with bloodshot eyes. He’s very chilled out and relaxed for a man talking to someone who’s accused him of attacking his friend.

Annie Zellor: What do you want?

Kazu Hirano: I got some hardcore munchies. Where’d you get that?

Zellor points over her shoulder to where a man is preparing cheesesteaks. Kazu walks around Annie, heading towards the stand as Annie follows him. She takes another bite of hers, which she swallows before speaking again.

Annie Zellor: Crazy what happened to Evan, huh? So, you got your alibi ready?

Kazu Hirano: My what?

Annie Zellor: Your alibi-- you know people are, like, they're already beginning to suspect you, right? Like, Evan gets attacked on the night that you lost to Ricky. That can’t just be a coincidence.

Hirano turns around to look Annie in the eyes, but again his gaze falls to that succulent meaty treat in her hands. He can smell that ribeye, and damn it smells good.

Annie Zellor: And, like, I don’t wanna snitch on nobody, but-- no, you don’t wanna hear this…

Kazu Hirano: Hear what?

Annie Zellor: I couldn’t…

She offers up a weak excuse, but Kazu manages to focus on the matter at hand...and not that sweet sandwich.

Kazu Hirano: Man, I wouldn’t attack Evan. We share a deep bond over The Beatles and Powerbombs. He’s a good friend, dude.

Annie Zellor: Is he? ‘Cause some people are saying you two haven’t been talking much since you lost that tag match to me and Dommy. And that he blames you for his loss at All Star Showdown. Now, like, if that were me and Evan was blaming me for his loss--

Kazu Hirano: He ain’t blaming me though.

Annie Zellor: --I’m just saying, I’d be mad. But I’m sure you’ve got an alibi for when the accusations start flying...

With that, Annie walks away from the scene, leaving Kazu Hirano behind. He eyes her suspiciously as she walks away, but ultimately succumbs to the temptation; Kazu turns back to the cheesesteak man and orders one for himself as the scene comes to an end.

[Deleted]

Vertigo has gone off the air, and some of The New Murder members are heading towards the exit. An unexpectedly serene looking Dom Harter is flanked by Annie Zellor and Mary-Jane McCracken on side, and Jaelynn Ramsey on the other. The quartet have all long since changed out of their ring attire into their normal clothes; Harter in his jeans and black AC/DC hoodie, Annie in a red jacket and black skirt, Mary-Jane in jeans and a Spiderman hoodie, and Jaelynn in her black leather jacket and joggers. But the New Murder are accosted before they can reach the exit, unfortunately, by Spencer Burke. And he’s got some questions.

Spencer Burke: Quite an eventful night, wouldn’t you say?

Dom Harter: It had its ups and downs…

Harter says, trying to sidestep the interviewer - lest his good mood be interrupted. But Spencer, being the annoying individual that is just can’t let Dom be happy.

Dom Harter: You’re in the way, Spencer...as usual. So, just move and we’ll answer whatever questions you have at Above & Beyond - how about that?

Mary-Jane McCracken: That sounds fair to me.

Spencer Burke: Unfortunately I don’t think my bosses would like that. Tonight we all saw you ambush James Edwards, who may soon become the number one contender to the FGA World Championship--

Dom rolls his eyes at the mention of the number one contendership, knowing full well that the G.E.R.O.U.X. system is bullshit. Annie squeezes his hand tightly out of view of the camera as Spencer continues.

Spencer Burke: --causing a disqualification finish to your encounter with him. And that’s after Annie and Jaelynn attacked Ashley Marie Chase--

Annie Zellor: We had our reasons.

Spencer Burke: --and all before Evan Envi was found brutalized backstage! And I don’t think I need to remind anyone at home about your feelings towards Evan Envi, Dom.

The wan smile on Dom’s face waivers briefly. He doesn’t take a step closer to Spencer, but still the interviewer moves backwards after those words escape his lips. Annie’s still clinging onto her fiancé’s hand as Dom narrows his eyes, glaring at Spencer.

Dom Harter: You accusing me of something, Spencer?

Jaelynn Ramsey: I’m sure he isn’t foolish enough to do something like that, isn’t that right, Spencer?

Mary-Jane McCracken: Yeah, and what would Dom even gain from attacking Evan backstage?! He’s already beaten three times in the middle of that ring.

Annie Zellor: Exactly. You wanna be pointing fingers, Spence, maybe go look at people like Ace Voltage-- who’s just desperate for attention. What about someone like Kazu-- he’s gotta be annoyed that Evan dumped him to go back to Ricky! Or maybe James Edwards wanted to blow off some steam! He looked pretty pissed last time we saw him…

Annie and Jaelynn snicker at the joke, but Spencer still looks worried as he gazes back towards Dom Harter.

Annie Zellor: Come on, Spence, do something sensible, like, changing the subject.

Spencer Burke: Uhh, yeah-- so, Annie, Jaelynn...uh, tonight you found yourselves on the lo--

Annie Zellor: Look, Ashley got lucky in the match. But when someone like that-- she was threatening me with a bat earlier today, Spence, you can’t tell me she didn’t expect us to defend ourselves after the match. Jae saved me from God knows what, especially when it comes to a psycho like Ashley Chase!

Jaelynn Ramsey: Exactly. ‘Swing for the fences’ I believe was the phrase she used earlier in the evening. She even brought a personalised bat to the event.

Annie Zellor: What sane person does that, Spence?!

Jaelynn Ramsey: So we did what was necessary. Just like we did to James Edwards later in the night.

Annie Zellor: But it’s Above & Beyond soon, and that’s gonna be the real challenge. But you keep your eyes on that tag match, Spence, ‘cause me and Jae are gonna put this tag division and the United States tag champions on notice. Ashley and Antoniette ain’t gonna know what hit ‘em when we get to Miami, and soon enough we’re gonna be Silk & Cyanide’s worst nightmares.

The pair smile at each other while Spencer is still taking cautionary glances towards Harter, who hasn’t stopped glaring at the interviewer. McCracken nods along, aligning herself further with The New Murder’s quest for tag team gold, before Spencer speaks up again.

Spencer Burke: And Dom, I jus--

But he doesn’t get a chance to finish the thought as Harter piefaces him, moving Burke to one side as The New Murder continue on their way.