Vertigo

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Legacy Arena at the BJCC
Birmingham, AL

The cameras cut backstage to where Izzy Anders is. In her designated locker room, she seems to be applying a little hint of lip balm before spotting the camera out of her peripheral. She motions for the camera to get closer before leading towards her sitting place. She scrambles around in her bag for something specific. She hurls all kinds of things cartoonishly over her shoulder. The Mindkiller catches a slip of paper before she hurls it, looks at it, and smirks.

Izzy Anders: Gonna need that later.

She stuffs it in the beltline of her trunks before giving her full attention to the camera.

Izzy Anders: Hiya, Erin. I’ll start by saying that I’m disappointed. Commonly, it’s Sara that my tango partner in this little affair we have going on. I don’t know. There’s something about our energies that made our conversations a little more enticing. But all of the weird feelings aside, you and Sara managed to talk your way into the World Title picture. I’m proud of you for that. I thought you two were just going to stay comfortable in the tag team picture. However, there’s a little problem with what you’re up to.

Izzy spools a strand of her hair around her finger before releasing it.

Izzy Anders: You’re getting too overconfident.

She flicks said strand away, opting to return to her dressing efforts. She’s already ready for the most part, but she’s missing some supplementary items. Izzy drags an elbow pad and secures it easily.

Izzy Anders: Since Sara will be having to get ready to try to beat Fujiko, I don’t think she can be in your corner the way you’d like her to be. Because you’ve organized an odd situation. This may strain your relationship with one another a tad, don’t you think? Now I know that you two have a hivemind function going on here but it leaves room to wonder. Will that unity you have to be tampered with? But those are just the hypotheticals that I’m thinking about. You two are going to lose after all.

Izzy begins to wrap her hands and wrists with her athletic tape. Tightening it, she gives a look towards the camera.

Izzy Anders: I’m not going to besmirch your actions that got you the titles back but what I am going to do is get my revenge here. The thing about revenge is that it simmers. I didn’t have to act fast. I didn’t have to do anything but wait. I knew somewhere in my heart of hearts that you two wouldn’t be settled with just winning the titles back. Now you have to try to find a way to ruin our lives further. Yet, it boils down to the question of if you two can beat us. It’s stupid to think that you two aren’t capable in the singles dimension but do you know what chance you’ve given Fujiko and I?

Izzy Anders: You’ve given us a direct access to beating you down for all that you’ve done and tried to do to us. And what have you given me? You’ve given me the chance to beat your ass for laying your hands on Lowri and Neal. It’s funny that you stole their chances at trying to win the big one, especially with Lowri--who you should know how close we are. Now you’re trying for the same thing and I’m going to give them something to smile at.

Izzy reaches into her bag, pulling out her aesthetic eyepatch and places it over the scarred eye with a grin.

Izzy Anders: Actions have consequences, Erin. You’ve trapped yourself in the ring with your biggest one.

[FGA Office]

Izzy Anders vs. Erin Mariani
Izzy Anders' Title Shot is on the line

Anders sends Mariani flipping down to the canvas with a step-up enzuigiri to start off the match. The Mindkiller pulls Mariani by the hair up to a seated position before pointing to a random fan in the crowd. She hits the ropes, returns and throws out A Gift For You (Penalty Kick). But Anders whiffs when Mariani rolls out of the way just in time. Anders quickly turns and charges back over towards Mariani when Mariani returns the favor, sending Anders flipping down to the mat with a kitchen sink for a two count.

Mariani brings the action into the corner and fires off with a flurry of forearm strikes. Anders then quickly takes control of Mariani, tosses her into the corner and unleashes a flurry of European Uppercuts. After the flurry of uppercuts, Anders whacks her across the face with a Stockton Slap! After Mariani is whipped into the far corner, Anders charges across the ring and connects with a running corner European Uppercut. Mariani is then brought out of the corner before Anders delivers an arm wrench. She then transitions behind Mariani and goes for the Black Song (hammerlock lariat) when Mariani ducks and hits the ropes. When Mariani returns, Anders knocks her off her feet with a roundhouse kick. She pulls Mariani back to her feet before turning her inside out with the Black Song for a two count!

Anders continues to stay on offense by attacking the arm. She wrenches Mariani’s arm over and over before sending her crashing shoulder-first to the mat with an arm wringer. While Mariani gets up on her knees, Anders points to another random fan before hitting the ropes. When she returns, The Mindkiller flattens Mariani with A Gift For You for a two count. Mariani is pulled back to her feet before Anders tries to repeatedly rip her arm from out of its socket. The Mindkiller delivers multiple clubbing strikes across the arm before delivering an armbreaker across the shoulder. Mariani is then brought down with a double knee armbreaker for a two count. Anders then heads into the corner and starts to undo the top turnbuckle pad. After the referee heads over and admonishes The Mindkiller, he starts to tie the turnbuckle pad back up. While the official is preoccupied, Anders rushes into the opposite corner and frantically undoes the top turnbuckle pad! She then rips it off before tossing it to the floor. Anders heads over, picks up Mariani and scoops her up across her shoulder. Anders then goes to launch Mariani head-first into the exposed turnbuckle with a lawn dart when Mariani slips down from behind and shoves Anders forward, sending her crashing into the exposed pad! Mariani then grabs Anders from behind before sending her to the mat with an inverted side headlock takedown. Mariani follows up with a front chancery with knees to the head. She then pushes Anders over onto her back for the cover, but Anders gets the shoulder up at two.

Mariani brings the action into another corner before unloading on Anders with a front facelock with multiple knee lifts. Mariani then delivers an irish whip before following Anders across the ring and connecting with a running elbow tackle. After Anders slumps down in the corner, Mariani delivers a running left knee strike, followed by a running right knee strike, followed by the Libertine (running double stomp) for a two count. Mariani grabs a hold of Anders’ arm before knocking her down with the Bellona (rope walk across the middle rope, followed by a flying knee facebreaker). Mariani then brings Anders down with a scoop slam, followed by a dropkick to the face for another two count.

As the match continues, Mariani chokes Anders across the middle rope and risks being DQ’d by breaking the choke just before the five count. While Anders remains across the bottom rope, Mariani steps out onto the apron and backs up against the ring post. She then runs along the apron before delivering The Morrigan (running stomp to the back of the head). She pulls Anders back inside and makes the cover, but Anders gets her foot on the bottom rope at the count of two. Mariani then dumps Anders on the back of her head with a bridging backdrop suplex. ONE! TWO! T-NO! Anders gets the shoulder up. The crowd gasps with Mariani pulls Anders into a front facelock to set up Subjugation (Implant DDT)! Before Mariani can plant Anders on her head, The Mindkiller reaches up to grab Mariani’s wrist. She then spins out of the hold before rocking Mariani with another Stockton Slap. While Mariani is dazed, Anders turns and hist the ropes. When she returns, Mariani flattens her with a running elbow tackle. The boos continue as Mariani sets up on the middle rope in the corner. Once Anders gets back to her feet, Mariani goes for a diving clothesline. But Anders ducks, catches Mariani across her shoulders and counters with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker!

The Mindkiller rallies back with a pair of running European Uppercuts. An irish whip gets reversed, sending Anders into the corner. Mariani rushes in for another corner attack when Anders knocks her back with a boot to the face. Anders then hoists herself up onto the middle ropes before knocking Mariani down with a diving corkscrew European Uppercut for a two count! Anders sets up for a Running Liger Bomb when Mariani counters with a back body drop. She then heads towards the ropes and rebounds back with a handspring moonsault. But Anders counters by getting her knees up. She’s then quick to flatten Mariani with the HEAD BOOT (Shining Yakuza Kick) for another two count. After Mariani is whipped into the corner. The Mindkiller comes charging in and nearly takes her head off with a running European Uppercut. Mariani is then sent slumping down to the mat with MUDA MUDA MUDA (machine gun punches). Anders pulls Mariani back to the center of the ring before dropping her with the Three Enemigos (three consecutive DDTs)! Once Mariani has been pulled up to a seated position, Anders hist the far ropes. When she returns, she flattens Mariani with A Gift For You! She goes for the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd erupts with boos when Sara Mason leaps onto the apron, gaining the attention of the official. While the referee and Anders head over to confront Mason, the crowd erupts with cheers when FGA World Champion Fujiko Mine marches down to ringside! She then grabs a hold of Mason before yanking her down to the floor from behind. The two get into a heated argument at ringside while the official sticks his head through the ropes and tries to maintain order. While Anders is distracted, Mariani brings her down from behind with a double knee backbreaker! With Anders down and the ref still distracted, Mariani rolls to the outside, reaches underneath the ring and pulls out a steel chair. The crowd erupts with boos while Mariani slips back inside with the chair. She grips the chair with both hands and is able to blast Anders with it when Flashpoint’s Lowri Moss leaps over the guardrail! She rolls into the ring from behind, jumps up and snatches the chair out of Mariani’s hands from behind, saving her “mam” from getting blasted with the chair. Mariani does a double take as she sees Moss head to the outside with the chair. An irate Mariani yells at Moss before remembering to turn her attention back to Anders. Once Anders is able to get to her feet, Mariani goes for another running elbow tackle. This time, The Mindkiller rolls underneath it. When Mariani turns around, she gets caught with Dirty Dancin (kick flurry) before getting planted with the Aniplex (cutthroat brainbuster)! The cheers continue as Anders drops Mariani on her head one more time with the Shotgun Party II (Ki Krusher)! The official turns around and slides into place for the count.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Winner: Izzy Anders (13:52)

BREAK

[FGA Office]

Vertigo returns from the commercial break to see two members of The New Murder, Dom Harter and Annie Zellor, standing in the hallway outside their locker room. For his part, Harter seems almost calm compared to how we’ve seen him recently. But with his navy blue Patriots baseball cap pulled low down in front of his eyes, it’s difficult to tell exactly what he’s thinking right now. Otherwise both are dressed in their ring attire, sans leather jackets.

Annie Zellor: You do whatever you need to do, Dommy. We’re all gonna be in your corner no matter what happens, ok?

Annie moves closer to Dom, placing her arms around his waist, but still he remains unresponsive. Well, almost unresponsive.

Dom Harter: James...F*ckin’...Edwards…

He mutters through gritted teeth, before inhaling sharply in an attempt to calm himself. Impatiently, Dom repeatedly taps the heel of his boot against the foot as he tries to look elsewhere. But Annie isn’t letting that happen.

Annie Zellor: I get it, Dommy, I do. It’s dumb-- the whole G.E.R.O.U.X. system is stupid, and everyone knows it. Even Cordy agreed with you, and you two never agree on anything!

Dom Harter: Chris...F*ckin’...Madison...

Annie Zellor: So whatever you wanna do to get that title shot-- the shot you’ve earned, and that you deserve more than anyone else in FGA. Whatever you need to do, Dommy, me and Mary-Jane, and Jae, and Fenrys...we’re gonna support you. We’ll even help you if you just, like, just say the word and we’ll be there.

Dom Harter: Marlon...F*ckin’...Cure…

The mention of that name gives Zellor pause, but she just reaches up and removes the Patriots cap from her fiancé’s head-- and after that game on Thursday night she’s not too keen on him wearing it in the first place.

Annie Zellor: Listen. You’re gonna go out there tonight and show why you deserve that shot, not James Edwards. Why you should be in the number one contenders match at Above & Beyond, and not any of them. Or Sara Mason-- tryna pretend like there aren’t tag teams knocking on Silk & Cyanide’s door-- ‘cause we’re coming for them! But you...you go out there tonight, kick his teeth down his throat, or whatever you gotta do, Dommy. ‘Cause soon Jenevieve isn’t gonna be able to deny us anymore. And she’s not gonna be able to hold us back. And when we rise up, you’re gonna be there front and center as the FGA World Champion…

With a hand on either side of his face, Annie brings her fiancé in for a kiss, albeit a brief one before Dom smiles for the first time this evening. The two move apart as a momentary silence fills the air. That smile lingering on Dom’s face as he looks towards Annie, standing there with a devilish smirk on her face.

Dom Harter: You make sure AAA regret ever dreaming of holding those tag titles, you hear me?

Annie Zellor: That’s the plan.

Harter walks away, presumably to go bother the General Manager some more as Annie waits for him to be out of sight, before she heads back into the locker room with a cameraman in tow. Inside, Jaelynn Ramsey and Mary-Jane McCracken are both waiting with smiles on their faces, having heard the conversation that just happened outside the door.

Jaelynn Ramsey: So what does he have planned tonight?

Annie Zellor: I dunno, to be honest. But I wouldn’t wanna be James Edwards, that’s for sure.

Mary-Jane McCracken: Do you ever want to be him?

The joke gets a laugh from the trio, but it’s Jae that speaks first.

Jaelynn Ramsey: We can focus on the dreadful Ashley Marie Chase and Antoinette Sands then. I’m sure she’s just dying to get some payback for last week.

Annie Zellor: She can want payback all she wants, she’s not gonna get it.

Jaelynn Ramsey: But, Annie, what if she takes what she learned from Peanut, or her special friends…

Jae points to the sky, mocking the way Ashley Marie Chase attempted to show her support for Sands before her loss on the last Vertigo. Annie giggles behind a raised hand.

Mary-Jane McCracken: ...I just hope she knows how to get popped, POW! Right in the kisser.

MJ feigns a right hook, in much the same way Annie has done so in days gone by. Zellor smirks again, her mind being cast back to that fateful night in NKP.

Annie Zellor: Maybe with some brass knucks for old times. But, yeah, we get past these two, and then Silk & Cyanide won’t be able to ignore us any longer, or go to Flashpoint to try and stir the pot. ‘Cause soon, those United States tag titles are gonna be around our waists. And if that means I gotta beat Ashley tonight, and if we gotta stomp ‘em into the mat again, then that’s what we’re gonna do!

Jaelynn Ramsey: And I’ve got my steel chair ready, just in case certain people try to act up…

She says in reference to Angie Vaughn, Ashley’s friend who Annie has clashed with in recent weeks in Rose City Wrestling. And by clashed with, I mean attacked with a steel chair. But, with that, Annie and Jaelynn fist bump, and the show cuts elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

We are shown highlights from Antoinette Sands versus Jaelynn Ramsey match from the last Vertigo show.

After knocking Sands down from behind with a crooked arm lariat, Ramsey knocks her down with a short-arm clothesline before driving her down with The Savagery (diving bulldog) for the ONE, TWO THREE!

After the match, Ramsey motions to attack Sands when Chase gets in to make the save. She pushes Ramsey away from Sands and keeps her at bay. Ramsey raises her arms defensively while Zellor calls her to the outside. The pair of New Murder members make their way up the aisle while Chase tends to Sands, only to turn back around, rush the ring and put the boots to Chase! The bell repeatedly sounds while Ramsey chokes Chase across the middle ropes. She then holds Chase in place before Zellor delivers the Rough 'n' Tumble (Tiger Feint Kick). Zellor then gives the downed Chase a Grrface while Ramsey raises her arms in victory.

After the short video plays we go to a very pissed off Ashley Marie Chase standing by in the locker room area.

Ashley Marie Chase: Annie, Annie, Annie once again you show the world who and what you really are. Really? Attacking me after a match when my back is turned? That is so last year but I did turn my back on you shortie and that was my fault. But tonight, I won’t be turning my back as I will be way too busy beating your scrawny ass!!!!

We hear cheers from the audience.

Ashley Marie Chase: You want to fight Annie? I’ll fight you! You want to brawl all around the arena? I will beat your ass in the concession stand. You want to cheat? I’ll cheat. You want to use weapons? I’ll use any weapon I get my hands on.

Ashley Marie Chase holds up a steel chair that has Annie’s face on it.

Ashley Marie Chase: I think this will look good upside your head Annie or maybe I should use “The Angie” on you?

Ashley Marie Chase brings up a bat with “ANGIE V.” inscribed on it.

Ashley Marie Chase: I promised my bestie Angie Vaughn that I would treat Annie just like Annie treats her. When I asked Angie what I should do she told me, “Swing for the fences AMC” and that is exactly what I will do. Win lose or draw I promise that Annie will know she was in a fight and she will know I am not the same Ashley Marie Chase that you attacked in Japan as I am much more dangerous now.

Ashley Marie Chase smirks.

Ashley Marie Chase: See you soon Annie!!

Ashley Marie Chase walks off with her “Annie” Chair and “Angie V” bat whistling!

[FGA Office]

Annie Zellor vs. Ashley Marie Chase

Zellor and AMC start things off by circling the ring. They continue to circle the ring util Mary-Jane McCracken reaches in and trips up AMC from behind. While Chase turns her attention to McCracken and kicks the bottom rope, Zellor rushes up from behind and drops Chase with a discus elbow for a two count! Zellor then brings Chase into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. She then turns Chase around and lights up her chest with knife edge chops. Zellor then hits Chase with kicks to the left and right leg, then a side kick to the midsection, followed by a bicycle knee strike that sends Chase slumping down in the corner. Zellor begins to antagonize the capacity crowd by walking towards the center of the ring and giving them the #Grrface. She then quickly turns, rushes back into the corner and nails Chase with the SparkleButt (running butt bump to a seated opponent in the corner) for another two count.

Zellor continues to stay in control by whipping Chase hard into a free corner. While Chase staggers out of the corner, Zellor runs over before bringing her down with a headscissors takeover. Bad Bad Annie Z then hits the ropes, comes back and goes for a jumping knee drop. But nobody's home after Chase rolls out of the way! Zellor is slow to get back to her feet. Chase zeroes on the leg and kicks the back of it several times. The last kick causes Zellor to flip through the air and land in the prone position. Chase follows up with a standing moonsault across the back before pulling Zellor over for the cover. Zellor gets the shoulder up at two.

Zellor is brought back down with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. A running bulldog garners a two count. Chase then lifts Zellor upside down before planting her on her head with a cradle piledriver! She goes for the cover. ONE! TWO! Zellor gets her shoulder up. Zellor then receives an atomic drop before Chase hits the ropes. When she returns, she leaps across the ring before knocking Zellor down with a diving forearm smash. She makes the cover, but Zellor gets her shoulder up at two. After Zellor is whipped into the corner, Chase rushes in to attack. The crowd boos when Zellor counters with a boot to the face, which turns Chase around. While Chase staggers away from the corner, Zellor limps up behind her before hopping onto her back with a Sleeper Hold. Zellor tries to put Chase's lights out until Chase counters with the Gucci Drop (backpack stunner)! While Zellor is down, Chase heads out to the apron. She begins to climb the turnbuckles until McCracken gets on the apron to distract her! Chase responds by kicking down at McCracken, which forces Zellor’s manager to retreat to the floor. Chase then refocuses on Zellor. Once Zellor is back to a vertical base, she leaps off or a flying clothesline… only to get countered in mid air with the Sparkle Princess Special (540 Kick)! Zellor goes for the cover. ONE! TWO! Chase gets her shoulder up.

Zellor hits Chase with multiple forearm strikes before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she drives Chase down with a wheelbarrow bulldog. Chase tries to get back to her feet. But Zellor hits the ropes, returns and brings her back down to the prone position with a basement dropkick. She pushes Chase over and makes the cover. ONE! TWO! Chase gets her shoulder up. After Chase is whipped into the corner, Zellor connects with a discus clothesline. She goes to follow up with a running bulldog when Chase shoves her off into the ropes. When Zellor returns, she brings Chase down with a Slingblade! Zellor then scales to the top turnbuckle. Once Chase is back up, Zellor goes for a flying cross body block. But Chase counters with a dropkick in mid air!

Chase hoists Zellor up before throwing her down with a powerbomb! She makes the cover. ONE! TWO! T-NO! Zellor gets her shoulder up. She then sets up for the Name Dropper (Pedigree) when Zellor counters with a back body drop. Chase gets back to her feet. But Zellor is right there to bring her back down with a leapfrog transitioned into a one-handed bulldog! Zellor then sets up for Kindness (Styles Chas) when Chase counters with a back body drop of her own. Chase then hits the ropes. When she returns, Zellor goes to cut her off with a discus clothesline. But Chase counters with a Floatover DDT! She then scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and brings Zellor down with It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s A Chase (high crossbody block)! Chase then sets up in the corner. Once Zellor is back to her feet and turns around, Chase charges out of the corner before tackling her down with the Walk of Fame (Spear)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Winner: Ashley Marie Chase (10:08)

After the match, Chase is immediately jumped from behind by Jaelynn Ramsey! Ramsey knocks her down with a superkick to the back of the head! Chase is then whipped into the ropes. When she returns, Ramsey turns her inside out with a crooked arm lariat! Ramsey then drops down and chokes Chase with booth hands while Zellor puts the boots to her. The New Murder members continue their two on one attack until Antoinette Sands rushes down to the ring and makes the save, sending both Zellor and Ramsey retreating.

BREAK

[FGA Office]

Our scene fades in on a shot of “The Chief” Evan Envi, seated in a folding chair in the Good Guys’ dressing room backstage. He’s not dressed to compete, but decked out in dark denim and a white t-shirt which reads “DO GOOD” in plain black.

??: I’m going to rip his head clear off his shoulders and shove it down his throat, Evan.

It’s quickly evident that the voice belongs to Ricky Valero, who, in contrast, is dressed to compete. The so-called “Franchise” is red with fury as he paces the dressing room with his fists clenched.

Ricky Valero: That boy really doesn’t understand what he has coming to him. Kazu…

Valero sucks his teeth.

Ricky Valero: He doesn’t even deserve to share the same ring as me, much less inhabit the same building. But make no mistake about it, he has some serious hell coming his way, Evan. I’m going to beat his ass worse than it has ever been beaten before, worse than last time, worse than that one time when his grandma got him with the belt. Kazu walks out there with that stupid smile on his face like he’s some kind of man of the people, like he’s somebody, but I’m going to put an end to that tonight. I might just put an end to him tonight. I need to make a statement. Everyone has made that pretty clear to me. Everyone has made damn sure to point that out to me. So maybe it starts with Kazu. Maybe I bury that mother[mute] under my boot where he belongs and force everyone to take a second look at Ricky Valero. Maybe I erase our shortcomings in one fell swoop. Maybe I turn the Good Guys’ fortune back around, so that we are never overlooked in favor of someone like Sara [mute]ing Mason again.

He chuckles.

Ricky Valero: Poor bastard drew a really unlucky hand tonight, wouldn’t you say?

Evan raises a brow, looking up at Valero. He rolls his eyes a bit, though the action evidently goes unnoticed by his tag team partner.

Evan Envi: I don’t understand why you dislike the guy so much. He’s literally done nothing to you.

Ricky Valero: Kazu Hirano paints himself as this pious little boy scout. You know like he’s some kind of goody two shoes. Like he’s some kind of good guy. But he’s actually a self-righteous, entitled little prick and I have no remorse for the pain I’m going to inflict upon him tonight.

Evan shakes his head a little, looking up toward the pacing Valero.

Evan Envi: I mean, I don’t know what, like, led you to this conclusion about Kazu. But whatever gets you in the zone, right?

Evan pushes himself to his feet and gives Valero a small smile.

Evan Envi: Good news though.

Valero perks up, eyebrows raised.

Evan Envi: I’ve decided I’m gonna go out there with you tonight.

The fire in Valero’s belly settles for a moment, giving way to a big, cheesy smile from the Good Guy.

Ricky Valero: Really??

Evan Envi: Yeah, it’ll be great. I don’t have a match this week and I feel we’ve really missed out on doing a lot of tag team stuff. Outside of uh-- well-- outside of the… you know. So for old time’s sake, I’m gonna roll out there with you. Gonna watch the master go to work live and in color for the sake of inspiration, eh?

Ricky Valero: I like that plan. Let the world know that The Good Guys are still standing strong despite a rough couple weeks and leave our fans with no doubt that we will be back on top once again very soon.

Valero’s smile transforms into a sly smirk and he rubs his hands together in anticipation.

Ricky Valero: Plus, you’ll have the pleasure of getting a front-row seat to the beatdown of Kazu’s life at my hands. It’s a great night for The Good Guys!

Evan Envi: ...right. Right. Exactly. If we could talk about the whole “beatdown of Kazu’s life” thing though--

Envi is interrupted by the sound of furious knocking at the door. Valero raises a few fingers, motioning for Envi to hold his thoughts as he makes his way to the door and yanks it open. Standing in the doorway, earning a moderate pop from the live audience is Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter, who stares up at Ricky with narrowed eyes and a Polaroid picture gripped in each hand-- one bearing face of Epimetheus and the other, Prometheus, the eliminated Los Chicos Malos from the Dynamic Duos tournament. Jillian Clay, the other half of the Saturnian Connection stands just a few feet behind Fresno, arms folded, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Ricky Valero: The hell do you want?

Nando Fresno: More like what the HELL are you two playing at?

Evan Envi: Wha--?

Nando Fresno: Identity theft is a real thing and here you two dorks are making a mockery out of it. “Los Chicos Malos” from whatever-the-crap dimension in whatever pit you guys supposedly crawled out of-- I SMELLED A RAT THE ENTIRE TIME! And I know it was you guys. While there are real witches and interdimensional beings and aliens out there that need to be hunted, YOU TWO CLOWNS are wasting my resources by playing dressup, taking time away from other tag teams!

Evan Envi: Whoa. No idea what you’re talking about. But I feel like the really great tag team Los Chicos Malos would be super blown to hear that you’re out here, running their name into the--

Nando Fresno: I’ve had enough of this.

Valero looks at Nando with narrowed eyes, and apparently can’t decide whether to laugh, or strike Fresno out of frustration. Ricky clenches his fists, eyes following the alien hunter as Nando paces.

Nando Fresno: You’re not real aliens. You’re not really from another dimension. You’re not even real good guys.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH…”

Ricky Valero: You have four seconds.

To emphasize, Ricky holds up four fingers, taking one away as each second passes. Nando scoffs, shooting a look past Ricky toward the Chief. Envi chuckles slightly at Nando… and Nando’s gaze evolves into a glare.

Nando Fresno: Come on, Jill.

With one second, and one (choice) finger remaining, Nando shakes his head at Valero and turns, walking away from the door. Jill follows behind, eyes still lingering on the Good Guys until Valero slams the door shut. He chuckles and turns back to Envi.

Ricky Valero: Freaks.

Evan Envi: They’re wild. I almost admire the dedication.

Valero rolls his eyes at the comment, but slaps a hand on Evan’s shoulder.

Ricky Valero: Eyes on the prize, Chief. I want all of your attention on me and Kazu tonight.

He gives the Chief a grin and walks past, out of frame as the camera lingers on Envi. Evan sighs to himself, sinking down into a seat as we fade away.

[FGA Office]

Recorded Earlier

James Edwards walks toward the men's dressing room with the intent of minding his business. He is dressed in baggy jeans and a Burning Heart t-shirt. His attire matches his mood, comfortable, even when he spies the camera crew waiting for him.

James Edwards: Y'all waitin' for me or just anybody?

Cameraman: We need about two or three short interviews. Got time?

Edwards nods.

James Edwards: Sure, might as well get this outta' the way early.

Cameraman: Big night for you tonight, agree or disagree?

Edwards takes a moment to consider the question.

James Edwards: Yeah, I think it is. I've got a helluva lot more ridin' on it than Cure or Madison do.

Cameraman: Why's that?

He folds his arms and gives the camera crew a look that asks, "Seriously?"

James Edwards: Because the world thinks that they belong in the title eliminator. No damn body in their right mind thinks I belong in it, and I'm one of em'.

Cameraman: Then why not give up your spot?

Dom Harter: Because who knows when he’ll get another shot, right?

The disgruntled voice belongs to none other than The Tenacious Little Bastard himself as Dom Harter. Dressed in a navy blue Patriots baseball cap, his black leather jacket with the NVR World Tag Team title (formerly Seattle Pro Tag Team title) over one shoulder, and some jeans, Harter stands opposite James Edwards as the two men glare at their upcoming opponent.

Dom Harter: I sense tension in the air? Was that me, did I do that? Look, if it helps, I agree with you, James - you don’t belong in that title eliminator! Not after All Star Showdown, not after the gauntlet, and not for anything you’ve done recently. But one of the differences between you and me-- besides me deserving the opportunities you’ve already been afforded here on Vertigo! Is that I don’t think Chris or Marlon deserve this opportunity either-- what has he done since he failed at All Star Showdown? Why is he at the top now, but wasn’t high enough to be in the gauntlet? Or is this just a little kickback for him missing out on that match?

Harter sounds incredulous as he speaks, but he stops himself to take in a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down before another one of his foul mouthed tirade begins-- especially since Lowri Moss is trying to claim that mantle for herself now! Dom jabs a finger towards James’s chest as he speaks again.

Dom Harter: But you know you don’t deserve this, James. You said as much...right in the middle of that ring...on the last show. Right before Chris Madison told the world he thought the G.E.R.O.U.X. system was bullsh*t! And what’s worse is, all three of you know I’m more deserving of a title shot than everybody on this roster-- and yet Jenevieve taunts me, putting me up against one of the men who cut in line ahead of me…

Edwards gestures for Harter to call down, and draws a scornful look from the Hall of Famer.

James Edwards: I don’t disagree with you.

Harter eyes Edwards with feigned amusement. Edwards puts his hands in his pocket and shrugs.

James Edwards: No bullsh*t, man. You’ve got a better case than any of us. I don’t like the idea of numbers decidin’ who gets a shot and who doesn’t. That crap didn’t work in college football and it ain’t going to in pro fightin’. So I’ve got an idea.

Edwards slyly smiles, but Harter doesn’t look too pleased with him.

James Edwards: Let’s say piss to the system. I’ll put my spot in the fight on the line against you, and we’ll settle the way it should be in this sport, one-on-one in the ring.

Dom Harter: I’ve more than earned my spot already…

Harter steps closer to the former United States champion, neither man backing down an inch.

Dom Harter: ...don’t insult me by offering me your ill-gotten gains. I don’t want your spot, James.

Dom points a finger at James, before pointing to himself.

Dom Harter: I want my spot. I want my shot; the one I earned by beating Evan Envi and Johnny Karma! I want Jenevieve Geroux to do the right goddamn thing for the first time in her miserable life. And if you want to be one more name added to that list, James, go right ahead. You’ll be in good company along Masataka Kawamata, Laurel Anne Hardy, Eddie Jacobs, Emery Layton, Aokigahara Zombie, Josh Kennedy, Evan Envi, Johnny Karma...you’ll fit right in.

Edwards’ eyes narrow to where they are as thin as razor blades.

James Edwards: This wasn’t charity. Me offerin’ you that shot was a sign of respect. It was me trying to do the right thing because I do understand what it’s like to be overlooked when you put the work in and deserve something. You ain’t the only one with a bone to pick with management, but you ain’t gonna get anywhere bitchin’ about it.

He shrugs his shoulders as Dom narrows his eyes at his opponent.

James Edwards: You think you’re too damn good to earn it, fine man, keep doing what you're doing and get passed by. You’re gonna’ piss off the wrong people and they will put you in your place, and all those names you're trying to intimidate me with ain’t gonna’ mean jack because you’ll be in the back of the line with no leg to stand on.

He smirks as he remembers his idiocy from the spring and summer.

James Edwards: I see what the hell I could’ve become, man, when I look at you. Talented but bitter as hell. Principled but a whiny bitch at---

But he doesn’t get to finish that sentence; a hard right punch to the jaw knocks Edwards backwards, before Dom follows up with a knee to the gut. The former United States champion finds himself being hurled back and shoulder first against the wall as he collapses to the floor, and Harter starts to put the boots to him. Two swift kicks to the ribs drive the air out of his lungs, and Edwards is down.

Dom takes a step back, his gaze focused on his prone foe; he’s trying to hold back the smirk-- that familiar crooked grin from spreading across his face. But it’s a losing battle.

Dom Harter: Damn, that felt good…

And with that, Harter walks away from the scene with his title belt and duffel bag in tow, leaving James Edwards behind as the Burning Heart clutches at his ribs, laboring to find a steady breath.

[FGA Office]

Ricky Valero vs. Kazu Hirano

Before our match begins, Ricky Valero makes his way to ringside accompanied by Evan Envi-- who tries (poorly) to hide his excitement as Kazu makes his electric entrance. Kazu goes to fist bump the Chief before the match begins, but Valero slaps Hirano’s hand away and shoos his partner out of the ring, urging the official to start the bell. And once the official is finished being enamored by Kazu’s air guitar-- to the climax of his own theme music-- he obliges and rings the bell!

Valero starts off explosively with a series of shoot kicks to the legs and body of Hirano, grounding him in the corner. As Kazu rises up, Valero gets overzealous and charges in for a Corner Forearm Smash, but the Tokyo native side-steps, sending Valero sternum-first into the turnbuckles before driving him down with a Slingblade! Valero pushes himself up, but Kazu scales the ropes and pops the crowd with a Diving Slingblade! Kazu scales the ropes once more, crushing Ricky with a Diving Elbow Drop that earns him a two count with a deep cover! Envi walks the perimeter of the ring with an impressed look on his face-- which he quickly wipes away as Valero rolls onto his side, looking over at him.

The Birmingham crowd comes alive for Kazu as he follows up, driving Valero down with a duo of Tiger Suplexes. When he goes for the trifecta, Valero fires off with a back elbow to the face. Valero pivots and looks for a Lariat… but Hirano ducks and spikes Ricky with a Crucifix Driver! Ricky rolls onto his knees, but his eyes are wide and distant. Hirano shoots the ropes and rebounds with a Shotgun Dropkick that flips Valero onto his belly! Kazu scrambles for a cover, but Ricky rolls out to the apron and drops down to the floor, right at the feet of his tag team partner. He crawls toward Envi and holds out a hand, asking for an assist, but Envi’s eyes drift toward the ring. He takes a step back from Valero… who narrows his eyes in confusion, rising to his feet on his own-- only to be immediately flattened by a Suicide Dive from Hirano! Envi sighs, looking conflicted, but makes no move to step in as Kazu hoists Valero up and rolls him into the ring.

Kazu ascends to the top turnbuckle again-- and boos resonate throughout the arena as Valero rolls across the canvas to the other side of the ring, dropping down to the floor a second time. Kazu shakes his head and drops down to the mat, giving Envi a shrug-- before charging the ropes for a second Suicide Dive. This time Valero has it scouted and turns, darting out of the way. As he stops he grins and taps a finger against his head… failing to realize that Kazu has stopped just short of diving out of the ring and calmly steps out to the apron instead! The audience pops as Kazu mocks Ricky behind his back. Thinking the applause is for him, Valero takes a bow…

...allowing Kazu to run across the apron and drive him to the floor with a Diving Somersault Leg Drop, causing the audience packed inside the Legacy Arena to erupt! Kazu rolls into the ring, breaking up the ref’s ten count as Valero groggily crawls onto the apron. He salutes at the top rope, prompting the crowd to chant “KONCHIWA!” Evan Envi looks prepared to try to talk Hirano down, but he hesitates-- and Kazu leaps from the top, planting Valero with Hey Bulldog, driving him face-first into the apron! Again, the audience erupts and Envi looks on in stunned silence as Kazu rolls into the ring and drags a motionless Valero to the center before dropping down and hooking both legs for the one… two… thre-!

With milliseconds to spare, Valero’s shoulder shoots off the canvas! Envi exhales heavily at ringside, pacing the perimeter again while Kazu leads the crowd in a rhythmic clap, willing himself to finish the match. Kazu reaches his feet and signals for the Giant Swing! He grabs Valero’s legs-- and Valero surprises him with an Inside Cradle (with a handful of tights) for a near fall! Kazu reaches his feet first and charges the rising Valero for a Running Lariat, but Ricky counters with a Swinging Neckbreaker! Kazu pops back up to his feet, but out of nowhere, Valero lands Dream Street, the jumping corkscrew roundhouse knee strike, turning Kazu inside out with a sickening CRACK! that echoes through the arena! He forces Hirano up with a grunt and drives him to the mat with the PinnaclePlex, bridging into the pin, earning boos from a now-deflated crowd… but they explode back to life as Kazu emphatically kicks out, rolling onto his stomach! Sitting upright, Valero looks first toward the referee, then out to Evan with his eyes wide. Evan seems at a loss, looking down as Valero’s gaze lingers. Valero slowly turns back to the grounded Kazu and glares… before mounting his back and unleashing a barrage of fists and forearms! The referee backs Valero off, but as Kazu rises to his feet, Valero smashes him with a series of consecutive Leg Drops to the back of the neck! He reaches a total of six Leg Drops of Jupiter before forcing Kazu onto his back, grinding a forearm across his face as he covers him-- and again, earns a count of two to the delight of the crowd!

Entering the seventh minute of the match, Valero blasts the rising Kazu Hirano with shoot kick after shoot kick, circling him, berating him as the seconds tick on. It’s a hard slap to the back of the head that causes Hirano to fire back, surprising Valero with a Lariat, earning another count of two. Kazu sits on his knees for a moment, a rare look of serious contemplation on his face before he nods to himself-- and locks Valero in the Rings of Saturn! Valero howls in agony and uses his legs to drag himself to the ropes! Over twenty seconds pass with a red-faced Valero crying out, inching closer while the crowd loudly screams for him to “TAP, TAP, TAP!” Valero finally wrenches an arm free to a chorus of boos, but Kazu transitions into a modified Fujiwara Armbar! Valero screams out again, this time for Evan, who stands just inches from the apron. Evan leans forward on the apron and encourages Valero to crawl— and Valero reaches out, grabbing Evan’s hand! The referee tells Kazu to break the hold but immediately scolds Envi for being involved! Evan opens his mouth to defend himself, but stops, simply nodding along as the ref warns him… while behind the official’s back, Kazu goes to hoist Valero up, only to receive a low blow courtesy of Ricky’s left boot! Boos flood the arena and Kazu collapses to the mat while Valero gives Evan a wink. Evan shakes his head a bit, and the ref is none-the-wiser as he turns around. Kazu climbs up to a knee and Valero takes him down with a Shining Wizard. Fully in control, he antagonizes the crowd for a moment, bringing the audience to a fever pitch before throwing Hirano through the ropes and to the floor.

Valero hits Hirano with a Snap Suplex on the outside of the ring, causing the fan favorite to writhe in agony. Valero then grabs a handful of hair and brings Hirano up to his knees before turning to the Chief and demanding that he separate the steel steps. Envi tries to reason with Ricky while the ref counts on. Annoyed, Valero slams Kazu into the floor with a second Suplex. He and Evan exchange words at ringside with Valero yelling that the Chief needs to “get it together.” He rolls into the ring to break the ref’s count before rolling back out. Half-dragging, half-walking Kazu by the hair, Valero slams him face-first into the steps once-- twice before flipping the top half of the steps away, exposing the steel base of the bottom half. Kazu rises upright, but Valero nails a boot to the face that knocks him back-first across the base. He then rudely shoos members of the front row out of the way and climbs onto the barricade. With a running start, he takes a giant leap, looking for a Diving Double Footstomp to Kazu’s heart-- but Kazu rolls off the steps and to the floor, out of harm’s way! Valero cries out as he lands awkwardly and stumbles away from the stairs, falling to a knee in front of Envi, latching onto his friend for support… only for Kazu to pull Ricky away to a roar from the crowd! Kazu spins Ricky around and grabs him by the hand, before striding forward to smash into his jaw with a Lariat--!

--at the last second, Valero ducks, darting past Hirano, who staggers forward and drills Envi with the Lariat instead! The Chief hits the floor hard, clutching the back of his head in pain. Kazu’s eyes widen as he looks down toward Envi. His first instinct is to reach down and check on Evan, but he sees Valero approaching out of the corner of his eye and pivots, nailing him with an elbow strike that catches him flush across the nose! Stunned, Valero stumbles into the apron while Kazu approaches the ringside barricade, accepting a beer from one of the raucous fans, pouring it all over himself, reenergizing himself as the audience grows to a roar again! Kazu spares another guilty look toward the stirring Envi before he rolls Valero into the ring, following after him, breaking up the referee’s count at nine. Valero staggers upright and swings for Hirano but Kazu ducks, grabs Valero’s free hand, and delivers I Wanna Hold Your Hand, sensing Valero spiraling to the canvas with the Ripcord Lariat! Kazu climbs to the top rope and shoots a wink to the audience before leaping off with a Diving Moonsault, crashing flush across Valero’s chest! The audience emphatically counts along, but a groan floods the arena as Valero powers out. Kazu nods to himself and forces Valero up, drilling him to the mat with a Running Liger Bomb, evening another two count! Kazu smiles faintly, nodding to himself again before stepping out to the apron and ascending to the top rope once more! He leaps off for the 450 Splash (earning a curious look from the Chief), but Valero rolls out of the way!

Hirano rolls through and springs back to his feet! Ricky pushes himself up as Kazu looks for a second Shotgun Dropkick… but Ricky side steps and Kazu collides with the referee! While Stephy Auger rants about how unsafe Hirano is on commentary, Kazu looks down at the official with a look of dismay— and Valero immediately rolls to the outside, grabbing a chair while Kazu tries to revive the official. Again, Evan tries to reason with his partner but Valero gently pushes him aside.

Ricky slides back into the ring, gripping the chair tightly, stalking Kazu from behind. He raises the steel chair high above his head— and Envi slides in behind Ricky, grabbing it out of his hands! The audience erupts and Ricky shoots Evan a look of annoyance as the Chief shakes his head apologetically. Evan walks to the ropes and throws the chair to the outside. At the same time, Valero blasts Kazu with a punch to the back of the head, right as Kazu manages to get the referee to stir to consciousness. Kazu falls to his hands and knees, clutching his head while Valero rolls out of the ring! Kazu turns around… now standing face to face with Evan, who looks around in confusion for Ricky. Kazu walks up to Envi, clearly under the impression that he hit him. Evan tries to piece together what happened while Kazu gives him a disappointed look, calmly telling Envi to leave. The referee finally comes to and yells for Envi to get out of the ring. Upset, Evan rolls out of the ring— while Valero rolls in from the other side and catches Kazu from behind with the Cobra Clutch Suplex— the Franchise Tag! But not quite finished, he grins into the hard camera before locking Hirano in the Arm-Trap Cross Legged STF… the Rally Killer! Evan’s gaze is downcast as Hirano cries out in the move for nearly fifteen seconds before he finally taps out to a deafening chorus of boos. The referee calls for the bell!

Winner: Ricky Valero (14:13)

Envi leans against the apron, back turned to the ring as Valero celebrates on the inside, hitting all four corners. Evan Envi paces on the outside, hands on his hips, muttering to himself. Envi looks prepared to make his way to the ramp but Valero sits on the middle rope, urging the Chief to come into the ring to celebrate with him. Envi rubs at his eyes for a moment, a look of stress on his face before he turns toward the ring. Kazu groggily rolls out, staggering past Envi. Evan reaches out, trying to have words with Kazu, but Hirano-- as politely and calmly as humanly possible-- side-steps the former World Champion and continues up to the top of the ramp where a deflated SUPERNOVA awaits him.

Behind Envi, Valero continues to sit on the middle rope, beckoning his best friend into the ring. With a heavy sigh, Envi walks up the steps and across the apron. He lingers there at the ropes near Valero, as if debating whether to accept his help or not… before he indeed steps in through the ropes. Valero begins to say something to the Chief, but Envi walks toward the center of the ring, hands on his hips, ignoring Valero, earning an “OOOOHH…” from the crowd. Valero’s smile shifts into a look of frustration and he marches up behind Envi, rather roughly placing a hand on his shoulder. Evan spins around-- and Valero takes a step back, holding his arms out for an embrace.

The live audience boos the very prospect. Envi sighs, looking toward the ground for a moment. He says something to Ricky that the cameras don’t pick up-- and Ricky nods, visibly mouthing an apology to Evan. Evan shakes his head, staring at his partner in silence for a moment, before he strides forward and accepts Ricky’s embrace.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Amazing” hits the PA system and Valero takes a mocking bow to the audience as Envi exits the ring-- this time sitting on the middle rope to allow Valero to exit. Valero accepts with an obnoxious amount of gratitude, leading the way up the ramp, mocking the jeering fans as he passes. Envi’s gaze implies his mind is elsewhere as he follows behind Ricky until the Good Guys disappear behind the curtains.

BREAK

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to the atrium of the Legacy Arena, where Annie Zellor and Fenrys can be found standing together. Both are dressed in their ring attire, with the addition of the NVR World Tag Team title over Annie’s shoulder. Otherwise Fenrys looks ready for action in his upcoming contest against Ace Voltage as the conversation continues.

Annie Zellor: You gonna keep that momentum going, huh?

She asks as Fenrys nods his head.

Annie Zellor: I mean, Zola Star was a good start, but Ace Voltage? Somehow he’s managed to get a shot at the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title, so you know what that means for you?

Fenrys: I‘ve–

Would you believe he’s interrupted? Fenrys stomps his foot, but Annie cuts in anyway.

Annie Zellor: Like, beating Zola Star and the Saturnian Connection earns someone a title shot, but beating two former World champions doesn’t?! Or beating Piper Lennon earlier this year doesn’t mean anything anymore, apparently!

Fenrys: Bu–

Annie Zellor: And you already beat Zola Star! So now if you beat Ace Voltage tonight you’ll probably get a title shot too!

The thought perks Fenrys up, but given the state of things with Dom’s World title hopes, and The New Murder’s United States tag title dreams the thought of Fenrys getting a title shot before them – especially after his excessive losing streak throughout the rest of the year, that thought isn’t sitting well with Annie.

Annie Zellor: Just…kick his butt.

She says before walking away with her arms folded across her chest. Fenrys is still trying to do his best to seem enthused…as he reaches behind an equipment trunk, and pulls out Inflatable Dom. The smile immediately spreads across Fenrys’s face as he carries his inflatable supporter towards the ring side area.

[FGA Office]

Ace Voltage vs. Fenrys

Fenrys tries to catch Voltage off guard with a schoolboy rollup for a two count. Voltage scrambles back to his feet, only to get pulled back down with a small package by Fenrys for another two count. Fenrys gains a hold of Voltage. But Voltage is quick to reverse, sending the masked New Murder member into the ropes. When Fenrys returns, Voltage tries to ground him with a clothesline. But Fenrys is able to duck under, float over and pull Voltage back down with a crucifix pin for another two count. After kicking out, Voltage quickly rolls to the outside to slam the brakes on this match and regroup. But Fenrys doesn’t offer him much time to rest as he bounces against the far ropes, runs back across the ring, leaps through the ropes and knocks Voltage down from behind with a topé suicida! Fenrys rolls Voltage back inside and makes the cover. But again, Voltage just beats the count by getting a shoulder up at two.

Fenrys tries to keep pouring the offense on by whipping Voltage into the far corner. Fenrys rushes in and goes for a corner bicycle kick. But Voltage is able to catch his foot in time. Fenrys puts his hands up and pleads with Voltage while Voltage moves him out of the corner. Fenrys continues to hop on one foot until Voltage swings his leg away from him. He then quickly takes control of Fenrys’s back, spins around and throws him down with authority with a spinning sitout powerbomb! The referee slides into place for the cover. Voltage nods along while the ref makes his count, only to throw his head back in frustration when Fenrys kicks out at two.

Voltage brings the action back into the corner before popping Fenrys with multiple jabs. He then pulls Fenrys out of the corner before whipping him into the far ropes. Instead of bouncing back, Fenrys hangs onto the ropes. So Voltage rushes over to attack, only to get dumped to the outside over the top rope. Fenrys jumps in place before taking off into the far ropes. He aims for another topé suicida to the floor. But Voltage rolls back inside and cuts him off with a running dive to the knee, sending Fenrys flipping down to the mat! Voltage then seizes the opportunity by stomping away on the leg. He lifts up Fenrys’ leg and delivers multiple elbow drops across it. Voltage then drops down into a kneebar until Fenrys kicks Voltage off of him. With both grapplers back to their feet, Voltage immediately stops Fenrys from mounting any offense with a shoot kick to the leg. Fenrys reaches down and touches his leg while Voltage hits the ropes. Voltage comes back and goes for another running dive to the knee when Fenrys counters with a front dropkick to the top of the head. Fenrys then follows up with a bulldog for another two count.

Fenrys moves Voltage against the ropes before firing off a trio of European Uppercuts. While Voltage appears to be rocked, Fenrys steps back just past the center of the ring. After giving a quick massage to his knee, Fenrys rushes forward when Voltage steps forward, then side steps and pushes Fenrys from behind into the ropes. After Fenrys bounces sternum-first off the ropes, Voltage catches him off the rebound and brings him down with a backdrop suplex! Fenrys tries to fight through the pain and pick himself back up, but Voltage is right there to ground him with a running neckbreaker. Voltage follows up with a knee drop to the face for a two count.

Voltage stays in control of Fenrys by delivering two rolling German Suplexes. He goes for a third when Fenrys counters with a pair of back elbows to the face. Fenrys then heads into the ropes. When he returns, Voltage drops him down to a knee after a stomp to the leg. He then steps back and flattens Fenrys with the Ace of Spades (Shining Wizard)! After Fenrys is whipped into the corner, Voltage rushes in and nearly takes his head off with the Thunderstruck (Helluva Kick)! The boos continue as Voltage drags Fenrys out of the corner before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Winner: Ace Voltage (7:49)

After a competitive match, an exhausted Ace, breathing heavily, gets out of the ring and goes over to the timekeeper’s area to grab a mic with multiple fans booing him.


Ace Voltage: Hey, everybody shut up!

The boos get louder as Ace rolls back into the middle of the ring.


Ace Voltage: I am the Main Event of Vertigo! Don’t you dare boo me!

The boos continue to get louder.


Ace Voltage: I am not here for any of you anyway. I am here for one reason. I am here because I want the attention that I deserve!

A few “who are you” chants break out.


Ace Voltage: I am the best this brand has to offer and I should be treated that way! Mark my words, my match will be the highest rated segment on this damn show. I deserve respect and I expect to be treated with some. Everyone on this roster should know who I am and take me seriously. Piper Lennon, that includes you!

A mixed reaction from the fans, more boos than cheers though.


Ace Voltage: I am next in line to take your title from you and you think I am a joke? That I am no threat to you and your precious title? Well, guess what little girl, it’s time for the joking to be over. The time for talking is over. Get out here and show me your respect. Show me that you aren’t taking me lightly. I deserve your and all these chumps’ undivided attention!

Ace slams the mic down on the mat and stares angrily at the ramp, waiting for Piper. After a few seconds, there is still no Piper. Ace, frustrated grabs the mic from the mat.


Ace Voltage: C’mon you, coward! I am Ace Voltage, I am your next Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion!

Right after Ace says that “Baker Street” blasts over the PA system. Piper comes out in black boots, torn jeans, and a white graphic t-shirt. Piper holds up the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship with one hand and a mic up with her other hand. She casually strolls down the ramp.

Piper Lennon: Whoa, whoa, whoa chill A** Voltage, this isn't so heavy-- I mean not sure anything involving you is, but y'know.

She shrugs.


Ace Voltage: You don’t know how big of a deal I am here. I am the fastest rising star in this place and next up on my achievements is to become Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. FGA would prefer it. Imagine my face on posters. Imagine me carrying that title around to photoshoots and public appearances. I am the FACE of this place! You and everyone else will see that soon.

Lennon hops up on the apron and enters the ring, leaning back against the ropes.

Piper Lennon: Y'know, I was gonna go into a whole deal about how I don't really care what they prefer, but ... you, you just aren't very bright are you? That's just adorable.

She strolls forward, dropping the mic and boops Ace on the nose, which clearly angers him and he smacks her in the face with a forearm smash that draws an 'ooh' from the crowd. Lennon looks to return fire with a title belt shot, but he ducks under and double legs the Champion to the mat! He starts raining down shots, and the two roll to the outside as Piper tries to fight back. As they get to their feet they trade shots in a fairly even back and forth brawl on the outside. The far superior brawler Piper seems to be taking control, battering him around ringside with wild strikes until Ace rakes her eyes. He takes advantage of his blinded foe, sending her hard into the post. Voltage smashes her head into it again before circling back and lining her up for a Thunderstruck (running corner boot) into the post.

Lennon just manages to stumble out of the way, and Ace pulls up to avoid smashing his foot. Still a bit wobbly on her feet from the hard shots against the post, Piper can't help but be smarmy and wag a finger at her challenger to mock him. That quickly comes back to bite her, as he uses his athleticism to quickly hop on the apron and then deliver a missile dropkick off it to the floor! With the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion having been sent tumbling, officials finally run out to get between them, but not before Ace grabs the title belt and poses with it, asking the ringside camera men to take pictures of him with it. This seems to have gotten the Champ's attention as she yells from the floor that this wasn't very nice, and that 'the shiny' belongs to her. One of the referees finally gets Ace to reluctantly give the belt back, the official handing it over to a glowering Piper while Voltage tells her to enjoy her time with it because it'll be coming back to him soon.

BREAK

[FGA Office]

Dom Harter vs. James Edwards

The Tenacious Little Bastard is out first. The theme music of The Burning Heart hits, but Edwards is nowhere to be found. What can be found, however, is the famous crooked grin of Dom Harter. The crowd erupts with boos as he instructs the official to count Edwards out before awarding him the match via forfeit. Once the official’s count reaches six, out comes James Edwards. For the first time in months, a good portion of the crowd is supporting Edwards as he charges the ring. But the moment he gets in, he gets caught with a discus forearm smash that immediately drops him to the mat! Harter stays on Edwards and stomps away at his ribs over and over. The Tenacious Little Bastard pulls Edwards back to his feet, hoists him up with a double leg pickup and them runs into the corner. After ramming Edwards back-first into the corner, Harter unleashes a series of deep shoulder thrusts that knock the air out of Edwards. The Burning Heart is then whipped into the far corner. After Edwards’ back collides with the turnbuckles, Edwards yelps before slowing dropping down to a knee. Harter makes his way across the ring before grabbing Edwards by the ear and pulling him back to his feet. Edwards gets shoved back into the corner before Harter doubles him over with a flurry of right hands to the midsection. Edwards nearly hacks up a lung before he drops back down to a knee. But Harter isn’t done with Edwards yet. Far from it. He pulls Edwards back up before whipping her hard into the previous corner. Edwards lets out a labored grunt as his back collides with the turnbuckles. The Burning Heart immediately drops into the prone position. He tries to push himself up onto all fours. But he collapses and falls back down to the mat.

The crowd continues to boo The New Murder leader as he gives Edwards repeated toe kicks to the side of the head and asks him, “you dead?’ But Edwards isn’t dead. In fact, there’s plenty of fight left in The Burning Heart. Edwards battles back to a knee before staring right up at Harter. The Tenacious Little Bastard once again flashes his famous crooked grin before throwing out a punch to the face. The grin quickly disappears when Edwards catches his fist. The capacity crowd starts to rally behind Edwards as he slowly gets back to a vertical base. Before Edwards can mount a come back, Harter lunges forward and cracks him in the face with a headbutt. Edwards is then whipped across the ring once more. Harter then comes charging across the ring by nearly knocking the air out of Edwards with double running knees to the chest. Edwards immediately crumbles out of the corner and falls back to the mat. Edwards tries to sit up. But Harter is right there to deliver a stomp to the face to knock him back down. The Tenacious Little Bastard reaches down and snatches Edwards up off the mat before tossing him through the ropes.

While Edwards writhes in pain on the apron, Harter steps out through the ropes to join him. He then pulls Edwards into a standing headscissors before reaching over and hooking Edwards’ tights. The crowd erupts with boos after Harter slowly lifts Edwards up and plants him with a pulling piledriver on the apron! Edwards bounces off the apron before falling to the floor. Harter turns and stays seated on the apron as he looks down and flashes another crooked grin at Edwards’ downed body. The Head Crow slips down to the floor before picking Edwards back up. He then takes The Burning Heart and sends him down ringside before crashing hard into the guardrail with an irish whip. Harter then gets back up. He zeroes in on Edwards, who is writhing in pain as he leans against the guardrail. Harter poses with his arms out to the side before rushing down ringside. He hurls himself at Edwards with another double running knee strike. But he misses! The crowd erupts with cheers when Edwards dives out of the way, sending Harter crashing into the guardrail! The Tenacious Little Bastard howls in pain while he reaches forward and hugs his knees. Meanwhile, The Burning Heart slowly pulls himself across the floor before reaching up. Edwards slowly to pull himself back to his feet by using the edge of the apron. Edwards slowly rolls back inside… then rolls back out to restart the official’s count. Edwards isn’t taking the easy way out. If he’s going to beat Harter, he wants to do it by pinfall or submission.

The Burning Heart makes his way over to Harter and starts to pull him back to his feet. In a split second, Harter quickly grabs Edwards and runs forward, raming him back-first into the ring post!

BOOOOOOOOO!

Harter pulls Edwards away from the ring post, only to rush forward and ram him back-first against the post against. Edwards is then doubled over with a hard punch to the ribs. Harter then hoists Edwards up before delivering the Fuckboi Bomb MK I (pop-up powerbomb) against the ring post. Edwards bounces off the post before collapsing to the floor. Harter sneers at the booing crowd before once again putting the boots to Edwards. The official reprimands Harter and tries to get him to bring the action back inside. But the moment Harter raises his fist at the ref, the official wisely takes several steps back. When Harter turns around, he rushes over towards Edwards before turning him inside out with Harter Hits Harder (running knee lift to a bent over opponent, followed by a lariat). Harter then pulls Edwards up onto the apron before planting him with Down With The Crown (Tombstone Piledriver) on the apron! The boos continue as Harter rolls Edwards back inside before making the cover.

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

Edwards gets his foot on the bottom rope! The Tenacious Little Bastard looks over at the official with disbelief. But the official stands his ground and holds two fingers up back at Harter. After the initial shock, Harter refocus and brings Edwards back out to the apron. He sets up The Burning Heart for a second Down With The Crown. Edwards then starts to kick his legs, forcing Harter to lose control over him. Edwards then slips down from behind before throwing him off the apron with the Half Cut (half nelson suplex)! The crowd erupts with cheers when Harter hits the floor. Edwards slowly pulls Harter back to his feet and pushes him back inside. Edwards then slowly rolls back in for the cover. ONE! TWO! Harter gets his shoulder up. The Burning Heart continues to pour it on with knees to the torso from the clinch. He then pulls Harter back to the center of the ring and sets him up for the Foxfire (fisherman brainbuster). Before Edwards can lift Harter up, Harter spins out of the hold and goes to counter with a short-arm lariat. But Edwards ducks, takes control of Harter’s back and throws him down with a belly to back gourdbuster. Once again, Edwards holds his back before making the cover. ONE! TWO! T-NO! Harter gets his shoulder up.

As the match continues, Harter is whipped into the ropes. When Harter returns, Edwards throws him down with an STO. After heading out to the apron, Edwards scales to the top turnbuckle and jumps off for a diving double foot stomp. At the last second, Harter rolls out of the way. Edwards lands on his feet before his momentum sends him rolling forward. When he turns around, he nearly gets his head taken off by a discus lariat from Harter. But once again, Edwards ducks before hitting the ropes. When he returns, he goes for a running lariat of his own. But Harter ducks before hitting the ropes. When both grapplers return to the center of the ring, they knock each other off their feet with running lariats! Both combatants remain sprawled out on the floor while the official starts his count.

ONE!






TWO!







THREE!

Both grapplers start to stir on the mat.






FOUR!






FIVE!




SIX!

Edwards tries sit up, but ultimately falls back down.





SEVEN!






EIGHT!

Harter turns over onto a knee.








NINE!

Edwards starts to sit back up.






TE-NO!

Both grapplers return to their feet with less than a second to spare. Once their back to a vertical base, Harter strikes first with a forearm across the jaw. Edwards returns the favor with a forearm of his own. Harter then blasts Edwards with another forearm strike. The Burning Heart answers back with another forearm of his own. Harter then knocks Edwards with a lariat. Edwards pushes forward before getting knocked back with another lariat. Harter goes to knock Edwards’ lights out with a discus forearm strike when Edwards cuts him off with the Double Tap (consecutive spinning backfists)! With Harter rocked, Edwards takes a few steps back before rushing forward and catching Harter right underneath the chin with the Double Take (jumping switch kick). The kick causes Harter to drop to a knee. Edwards reaches down, pulls Harter back up before planting him with the Foxfire! He turns over into a lateral press.

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

The crowd boos after Harter gets his shoulder up. Edwards remains undeterred, though. The Burning Heart pulls Harter back to his feet before taking control of his back. He tries to go for the RRE (rear reverse exploder). But Harter counters with elbows to the back of the head. The Tenacious Little Bastard then takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he gets thrown down with a snap scoop powerslam. Edwards pulls Harter back to his feet before finally throwing him down with the RRE! Edwards then take Harter by the hair and pulls him up to a knee before hitting the far ropes. When Edwards reaches, he reaches his arm across his chest before swinging forward, blasting Harter across the back of the head with the Violent Salvation (running below chop). Edwards pushes Harter over before making the cover. However, Edwards breaks the pin after the count reaches one when both Annie Zellor and Jaelynn Ramsey hit the ring! The crowd erupts with boos at the arrival of The New Murder members. Edwards wisely takes a few steps back as Zellor and Ramsey look to pounce on him. The official urges them both to leave the ring. But they pay no heed to his warnings. At soon as Ramsey rushes over towards Edwards, the official calls for the bell. Ramsey goes to strike Edwards when The Burning Heart knocks her down with a right hand. Zellor then rushes over and gets caught with a right hand. Edwards then takes control of Zellor’s back before knocking her down with a ripcord backfist! The Burning Heart remains in control until Harter drops down to his knee and low blows him! The crowd erupts with boos as Edwards crumbles to the mat. The three members of The New Murder proceed to stomp the hell out of Edwards. Harter then brings Edwards back to his feet before pulling him into a standing headscissors. Ramsey and Zellor then each lift up Edwards’ legs before helping Harter deliver a spiked Last Exit (lifting double underhook piledriver)

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

BREAK

[FGA Office]

Backstage in the locker room area Ethan Giles hunches over to finish up lacing up his boots for his match tonight, but something is clearly weighing on the mind of the usually jovial individual. It's whatever that's bugging him that makes him stop just shy of getting the job done. A second pair of legs walks into the shot that can only be one person and with a zoom out reveal it is indeed one third (or perhaps more accurately these days the other half) of the founding fathers of the League of Extraordinary GentleGrapplers, Blaise Fader. Even with his mask on she spots something's up with her compatriot.

BLAISE: What's cracking?

Ethan hurries through finishing his boots and he pops up to his feet with extra pep!

ETHAN: Oh! Nothing! Nothing!

The boy's got so much pep in him that he may bounce straight out of his boots at the rate he's going. But Blaise brings him back down to earth with a friendly hand on his shoulder and a smirk that informs the audience and Ethan that she knows him better than that.

BLAISE: Ethan, mate, what's up?

She asks assertively and Ethan buckles, chuckling bashfully over thinking he could slip this by her.

ETHAN: I know we've had our fun and games, but...

He trails off and Blaise's amusement with the situation grows. She gestures with her hand for him to continue.

BLAISE: But?

She laughs, but Ethan's mood only becomes weightier.

ETHAN: Ms. Hardy and Ms. Eventide are a very talented team and they've come far in this tournament...

There must be something very fascinating about their feet with the way Ethan keeps looking down at them. However Blaise is beginning to understand what's on her friend's mind.

ETHAN: I just...the thing is...you see...I worry you wish you rather had Lowri or Neal or Lexi or Hana or...Kaz...

Ethan's volume plummets when the name of the other founding member of the League of Extraordinary GentleGrapplers comes out of his mouth. In fact, the one that gave the trio originally their name. Back when she was a tie dyed, neon ball of sunshine that called each of them her friends. Before she went arguably completely insane and started setting people on fire as a pastime and swore to be the end of all those she perceived wronged her, Blaise Fader included in that list.

ETHAN: I'm just a boy from London who likes animals, baking, and hugs. A boy that got lucky and was offered a contract with the biggest promotion in England. I'm not one of these highly decorated wrestlers with a lengthy career to my nam-

Blaise holds up her hand to silence Ethan.

BLAISE: Ethan, all those people are dear to me but so are you. There's nobody I'd rather be here with, mate. You are one of my best friends and no matter the outcome of tonight, you always will be.

She pulls him into a hug and it's on this lovely image that the show cuts away on.

[FGA Office]

In a secluded part of the building all by himself is where the FGA Pride champion is sitting. Other than the green curtain to point out the brand pride that there is, he’s just sitting there on a chair in an otherwise empty room. He’s dressed professionally, a black and white variation of the suit that he is often wearing when in a professional sense. And there’s a look of tension on his face. The gleam of the championship he is oh so proud of is draped over his left shoulder and he’s clutching it with his left arm.

Seth Iser: For many people in the industry, they get into it because they want to imitate people on the screen they consider a hero. They look at someone there and just think ‘Man...when I get a little older I want to get in that ring and be just like them.’ And it’s this line of thinking that drives many people to go through the mountain of crap you have to go through to even get yourself trained.

A flash in black and white of various kids going through drills, including a much younger looking Seth Iser, and even a dramatic roar when you see the younger Seth being stretched by his trainer in an octopus stretch.

Seth Iser: I wasn’t born with it though. I am more the old school tale of a former football player who turned to wrestling after a career ending injury. I’m not going to lie to anybody about that. I was looking for a way to provide. But you either learn to love professional wrestling...or wrestling will eventually eat you alive. And I can sit here and name so many names that the industry has eaten alive, various different talents, all because the industry ate them alive. And that would be the entire production of the next three episodes of our television broadcast. When I say it’s a tough industry to even have a contract to a high paying job...bet your bottom dollar, my word is gold. The average career in wrestling is three years for a multitude of reasons you know…

We’re back to the focused shot of Seth as he has this scowl etched on his face.

Seth Iser: And if you really want to be truly known...it takes a lot of time, a lot of effort, and an almost inhuman amount of personal sacrifice. Something I take to another level because how many people run their own wrestling school and train the kids themselves by hand? So when I say time after time that fans don’t know what we have to do to not only stay in shape, fight through injuries, book our hotels and flights, wrestle various opponents, and deal with the business end to make a living, I mean it. Hell, so few in the industry are willing to pass on the secrets and open their own school. The only thing they should do is buy their tickets and don’t dare pontificate about things they don’t understand.

Seth then glances at his championship briefly before returning to look at the camera with something resembling a smirk that doesn’t look very pleasant.

Seth Iser: Maybe I can’t run as fast as I used to but all of those years and all that knowledge...I’d argue I’m approaching my peak as a professional wrestler all because of my own mind. And that’s something Tyler Storm admitted to the entire world last week...oh yes I heard him loud and clear…

Seth leans back on his chair as his voice is a little softer in tone even if it still carries the same weight it often does even if he isn’t screaming and yelling like a lunatic.

Seth Iser: You know that your best chance at a legacy in the industry right now...is to go through me and make sure you’re the one with the hand raised. Something you did quite a bit last year. But our last meeting was like the first not because we were even...but because you took a shortcut people often accuse me of taking. You lost your head...and in that moment like I’ve said time and time again, you could’ve lost your entire career considering the condition of your back. And those kids that you showed to the entire world...they wouldn't have had their Dad properly providing for them if you didn’t find your way up from that one now would they?

You can see the champion’s face narrow as he continues on.

Seth Iser: You can be mad at me for stating the truth but you’re not the only one who has a family to provide for either. Nor are you the only one of the two of us who has someone close to their heart when they need motivation!

In that brief moment there is a family photo that flashes in front of us all where Seth Iser, Rebecca Saint and Seth’s daughter Allison are together in the wilderness with smiles on their faces. That moment is brief and then we return to Seth.

Seth Iser: You talk about legacy brother...I’ve earned mine as I’m approaching year eighteen in this industry. Year number eighteen. And in those years Tyler, you know this better than anyone, I’m one of the best this industry has seen. People are copying what I’ve tried to accomplish with tricks I’ve perfected. All because of my mind. And two out of three falls...it’s a war of the minds. Something that’s attached to my legacy...the war of the minds. And you know that if you try something like that again where you lose your head and your cool...you’ve admitted defeat to me. And that’s something I’ve been working toward against you for a year now...

And the champion’s glare etched on Seth’s face. A quick showcase where it shows Seth going back to basics in his wrestling school with the training with Rebecca and Allison looking on. Not so much with strength but rather old school amateur wrestling takedown drills. Something you don’t always associate with Seth but he continues to want to diversify his game.

Seth Iser: I’m the one person in the company who has found the weakness in the Swiss Army knife. You might be able to wrestle any style at leisure...but that strength is actually your greatest weakness at the end of the day. Not your back or some unwillingness to cheat. A person who attempts to diversify to EVERY style without mastering their own can’t best me in the war of the minds. You can’t beat me in my style of match. Not two out of three falls. Not in the mental war. And when I perform my duty as champion and see your challenge through to the end...it’ll be about time I get the respect I deserve whether it’s from ungrateful wrestlers, the bulls*bleep* G.E.R.O.U.X. System, and fans alike.

Seth’s face then morphs into that arrogant smile as he taps the championship over his shoulder.

Seth Iser: And Tyler? I know how good you are. But you’ll pale in comparison to the greatest mind in ALL of professional wrestling in Miami, Florida. This championship will stay home for me, MY legacy, and MY family. And you? You can give your kids a consolation that sometimes you just have to settle for second place…

And with that last statement the camera backs out after Seth speaks all of that and we fade to black.

[FGA Office]

Back at ringside, getting ready for the next matchup on the card, the lights begin to slow fade out to the opening tunes of "Eye of the Tiger," causing a big pop from the Birmingham crowd. The lights flash quickly back on once the rifts of the guitar begin playing, along with being met with flashes of green and gold light on the stage. Once the song picks up, Tyler Storm rushes out to greet the loud cheers, smiling brightly and bobbing his head to the beat of the song.

Sporting some special green and gold gear tonight along with a UAB Blazers shirt, Tyler begins making his way down the ramp, interacting with the hometown fans and giving plenty of hugs to them. This continues at ringside, before finally taking a mic he asks for from one of the crew members and popping himself up onto the apron. He rubs his feet off for a few moments, then steps between the top and middle ropes into the ring.

The song goes on for a few more moments with Storm motioning out to the crowd, garnering a loud reaction before rushing to one side of the ring just as the drawn out "Eye of the Tiger" lyric hits, landing his right foot on the bottom rope and his left on the middle rope with his arms spread out open with the audience cheering. He then hops back off the ropes and walks back to the center of the ring.

The music fades with the cheers becoming louder, the smile growing on Tyler's face looking out to all of them, and the only other body reaction he can give is bowing to all of them as they welcome him back.

Tyler Storm: Thank you all...seriously, thank you!

He can't help but chuckle through the thanks as he is met with "We Are Witness!" chants, the humble Tyler shaking his head as he points out to all of them.

Tyler Storm: The only witness tonight is me, because I'm witnessing why it is always GREAT to be back home!

That garners another big pop, along with the crowd chanting Tyler's name, and he lets this continue for a good few seconds before continuing.

Tyler Storm: I don't want to keep Bisley waiting long guys, but lord I wish I didn't have to cut y'all off. It is awesome to be able to wrestle in front of you guys again, not just a matter of being home, but this arena in Birmingham at the BJCC is one that holds a special place in my heart. I have so memories in here growing up in this state, sitting in ringside or court side seats like a lot of you are, being on this central stage either wrestling or playing basketball in high school. Shout out to any of you by the way that remember when the AHSAA basketball finals in here were known as the Final 48 instead of just the State Basketball Finals!

A few cheers are caught from that comment, Tyler nodding in agreement with the positive reaction to that, and patting his chest happily.

Tyler Storm: We've got a few in here, there we go! But hey, this ain't a hard court tonight, this floor in Legacy Arena has a good padded setup tonight, and the best damn stage in all of sports set up right in the middle! That doesn't change here or anywhere, and us here on Vertigo and in FGA always strive to make sure we can bring the best to any of you that pay for these seats and fill these arenas with amazing support! We appreciate you, we love you, and if no one tells you that tonight I'm happy to be the one that does!

Some more positive feedback for Storm from the fans comes as he continues on.

Tyler Storm: I've had my chance to prepare for tonight, and prepare to get some more momentum on my way towards Above & Beyond! But I did want to take a moment tonight, especially with being here in Birmingham, because I know it's high time I can stand right here in this ring and speak right from my heart about the person right in my aim in Miami. And that person is the Pride Champion, Seth freaking Iser.

The first true negative response since Tyler came out, as boos drown out the arena once that name comes from Tyler's mouth.

Tyler Storm: Seth Iser is, for lack of a better word, a very cunning man. And I do have to give him plenty of praise for that. Seth, you've always known the right things to say, the right buttons to push, and hell I'll admit ever since it was first determined I was getting you for the Pride Championship, all the way back at All-Star Showdown, you've found every way to be the direct #1 thing in my head. You did it, congratulations my good sir, you've had your way fully with my mind during this whole back and forth we've been presented with going on for a few months now. And it has a lot to do for the fact you do have something I know it's high time I hold high above MY head, something that I was really wishing I could be holding here tonight when we had this Birmingham date on the cards. But, at this point everyone remembers how All-Star Showdown went...I took a risk, and I failed, but by failing I made you recognize something I know you are afraid to admit to me.

He walks up closer to the ropes, staring straight out, the smile fading from his face as he holds the microphone up to his lips.

Tyler Storm: You recognize that no matter how smart you are in this ring, no matter how good you are, and I admit you are at this point in your career higher on the ladder than a lot of damn people in this industry, but no matter how good your ass is...I'm the damn wall you've yet to climb over!

The stinging ending to that statement pops the crowd again, and Tyler stays right against the ropes, his expression not changing.

Tyler Storm: I can see it inside you just by the body language, it does hurt a little to know of all these people you've rightfully defeated in your career, with no bullshit attached...of all those people, I'm the exception that has stuck out, especially in this high period you are in during your own career. It eats you up just as much as it eats me up that as hard as I've worked my ass off in FGA, the fact that the Pride Championship has yet to sit over this man's shoulder hurts, because it's at this point more to me than anything else right now. That title is a little extra money on the paycheck that I get to bring home to my kids so I can get them good food, presents, anything that they might need or want. That title is a hump on my path that I've had a hard time getting my wheels over ever since coming back from my injury, not the only one mind you, but one that has been burned into my skull ever since that failed opportunity last year I had to capture it against Fujiko. What I see from holding that title is a chance to bring a rightful change of pace to this division on Vertigo, to earn my own stripes truly in the FGA record books, to put my name out there as good enough.

The emotion is pouring through Tyler, sweat beading off of him as he speaks heavily to the crowd, getting a more positive response the more passion he shows to pour into the speech. The smile gently returns to his face and he nods to them.

Tyler Storm: I want to feel like I'm good enough for all of you, for my kids, and for my peers. I want to be more than just the talk and I know I can be more than the talk, I hope I show that every time I step in the ring, and if I don't I will put in more and more work until I am able to be more than the talk or my body just fails on me. And I'm willing to pour that level of blood, sweat, and tears into it, push my limits, take the risks like I did at All-Star Showdown! It ain't selfishness, Iser, it's called having the damn will to not be afraid of the black cloud that faces you! 9 times out of 10 I would have still superplexed your ass out of the ring and onto the floor, and I'm not afraid to admit that. Test that at Above & Beyond, and I guarantee you that your shoulder is gonna be a little lighter the next time a Vertigo crowd sees you after that show!

He backs up to the center of the ring, breathing in deeply for one last bit of dialogue towards his adversary as the audience cheers on.

Tyler Storm: Keep your damn eyes on this match tonight, Iser! Keep your eyes out for me every chance left you have! And just remember no matter how much you pay attention, at Above & Beyond, you are gonna see something new and unexpected from me. For all the damn respect I have for you, I hope you have the same for me, and if you don't, I'm gonna make sure I earn it permanently in Miami! Bring your damn best, and I'm going to bring more than that, because I'm not that man you saw broken back in a hospital over 2-3 years ago! You are gonna Witness that!

Tyler tosses the mic out of the ring with that, his music popping up through the arena speakers again as he backs up to a corner, the Birmingham crowd chanting for him as the scene cuts away while Tyler stares down the ramp.

---

Tyler Storm vs. Mark Bisley

Storm starts off hot in front of the home crowd with a pair of yakuza kicks after an irish whip gets reversed. Bisley is then brought back down to the mat with a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. After a hard irish whip sends Bisley crashing into the corner, Bisley staggers back over towards Storm. Storm scoops Bisley up across his shoulder before positioning him high over his head for the Bite Wound (crucifix cutter). Before Storm can execute the move, Bisley kicks his legs before slipping down from behind. He then pushes Storm away from him before rolling to the outside. Bisley tries to take a breather on the floor. But the moment he turns around, Storm is right there to bring him down with a Slingblade! The Alabama native brings Bisley back inside and makes the cover for a two count.

Storm stays on offense as he delivers multiple knife edge chops in the corner. Bisley is once again sent into the far corner with an irish whip. Storm rushes in for an attack when Bisley counters with a back elbow to the face. After switching positions in the corner, the crowd boos Bisley as he goes to work on Storm with the Iko Uwais (cravat with repeated knees to the head). He then stands Storm upright before firing off rapid fire elbow strikes. Storm gets doubled over with a rolling solebutt to the midsection before getting thrown out of the corner with a snap suplex for a two count. Storm is then sent into the ropes with an irish whip. When he returns, Bisley goes for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. But Storm’s able to land on his feet before knocking Bisley off his feet with a spinning forearm for a two count. Bisley is then doubled over with a boot to the midsection before Storm hits the ropes. He goes back, throws out a Scissors Kick and whiffs when Bisley slips out of the way. He then quickly grabs Storm from behind, runs and tosses him through the ropes and to the apron. As soon as Storm picks himself up on the apron, Bisley plants him head-first onto the apron with a Triangle DDT! Bisley rolls himself back in before setting up shop at the far side of the ring. As soon as Storm starts to slowly pick himself back up, Bisley charges forward, leaps through the ropes and takes him down with a suicide dive! Storm is rolled back in before Bisley makes the cover. ONE! TWO! Storm gets the shoulder up.

After tossing Storm back out onto the apron, Bisley reaches out, grabs Storm and positions him along the ropes before bringing him down with the Left Hand Free (rope assisted single arm DDT)! Bisley then starts to taunt Storm by rubbing his hand against the mat near Storm’s face. Bisley gets right back to the offense, bringing Storm down with Greetings From the Twin Cities (hangman’s neckbreaker across the knee)! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! Storm gets his shoulder up. Bisley then brings Storm into the corner, where he hacks away at his chest with the Minnesota Buzzsaw (repeated shoot kicks to the chest). Storm is then brought out of the corner before being whipped into the ropes. When Storm returns, he gets doubled over with another rolling solebutt to the midsection. Bisley then hits the far ropes. When he returns, he goes for a high speed running dropkick to the knee. But Storm’s able to counter by jumping up and catching Bisley with an elbow drop for a two count.

As the match continues, Bisley reverses another irish whip. When Storm returns, Bisley throws out a boot to the face. But Storm gets his hands up in time to catch it. After swinging Bisley’s leg away from him, Storm grabs him from the side and sets up for a Backdrop Driver. But Bisley counters with elbows to the top of the head. He then reaches back and positions Storm for the Move of the Year (Shiranui)! But Storm shoves Bisley off into the ropes. When Bisley returns, Storm leans forward to set up an Alabama Slam. But Bisley stops, lifts Storm up and brings him down with Blind Destiny (Canadian Backbreaker rack dropped into a double knee gutbuster). Bisley then hops onto the middle rope, flips back and connects with the Corazón de Zorro (Lionsault across the back) before locking Storm in his own hold, the Tiger’s Cage (double underhook crossface)! The crowd erupts with boos at the sight of Storm locked in the submission. Bisley adds insult to injury by telling Storm that Storm’s application of the move is inferior to his! Bisley continues to fight for the submission. But Storm refuses to give up. With the home crowd firmly behind him, Storm uses his legs to maneuver himself as close to the side of the ring as possible. He then reaches his right leg out as far as he can before placing his foot across the bottom rope to force a rope break.

Bisley reluctantly breaks the hold before marching across the ring. He makes his way out to the apron before going for a springboard lariat… only to get caught and thrown down with a spinebuster! Storm rolls across Bisley and hooks the near leg. ONE! TWO! T-NO! Bisley gets the shoulder up.

Bisley gets doubled over with a boot to the midsection before getting knocked down with a Scissors Kick. Storm pulls Bisley back up before throwing him down hard with an Alabama Slam, which gets a large pop from the crowd. Storm then returns the favor by putting Bisley in his own hold, the Texas Cloverleaf! Bisley howls in pain while the crowd cheers. Bisley tries to crawl towards the ropes. But Storm blocks and pulls him right back to the center of the ring. The ref gets down and repeatedly asks Bisley if he wants to give up. Bisley is tempted. But he doesn’t throw in the towel. Bisley tries to pull himself towards the ropes. He’s nearly got his hand on the ropes when Storm drags him right back to the center of the ring. Storm keeps the hold applied until he lets go. He pulls Bisley back to his feet, lifts him up, spins and throws him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb! The ref slides into place for the count. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! The crowd boos when Bisley gets his shoulder up. But Storm stays focused. He then whips Bisley into the ropes. When Bisley returns, Storm scoops him up across his shoulder before hoisting him up high in above his head. Storm shouts out “PREPARE TO…” The home crowd yells back “... BE WITNESS” before Bisley is driven down with the Bite Wound! With Bisley in the prone position, Storm slips on the Tiger’s Cage! Once again, Bisley howls in pain. Storm pulls back on the hold until Bisley nods when prompted by the official. The capacity crowd erupts with cheers when the bell is called.

Winner: Tyler Storm (9:58)

BREAK