MAIN EVENT
FGA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Fujiko Mine vs. Izzy Anders
As the environment begins to change, silence brings anticipation for the American Airlines Arena audience. The camera crossfades into signs rooting for either side, as well as those offering support for the team itself. The camera goes backstage to simply behind the entranceway, where the sight of the Mindkiller awaits. With a determined expression, she reaches down to a nearby production crate. She gathers her faithful, infamous eyepatch and pulls it over, brushing some of the hair from her face. The light breaching through the curtain starts to fade away, leaving her in darkness along with the entire arena.
IZZY ANDERS! *CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP* IZZY ANDERS! *CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP*
The hypnotic opening of “Bad Dreams” by Phantogram picks up throughout the arena, and the lights fade into a cascade of fuschia and crimson.
♫ Bad dreams never affect me
I’m not afraid of the concrete
Bad dreams never affect me
I’m not afraid of the concrete ♫
As Izzy steps out from behind the curtain, there’s no dance accompanying her appearance. She stands on the ramp, staring out to the crowd with a grave expression. Scanning the audience, she looks up the cascading lights. They slowly narrow on her, leaving her in a multi-colored spotlight. When the camera zeroes in, Izzy lifts her arms slowly in a rhythmic trance. When she breaks from it, she flexes her jaw muscles, and eyes the ring.
As she starts down the ramp, she listens to the crowd roar—the very audience that once begged for her annihilation. Taking it all in, Izzy lets a glimmer of the Cheshire Cat grin that is synonymous with her show. Nevertheless, she continues down the ramp. Though she is an expert at wrapping the audience around her finger, she doesn’t display the notion at all. Her saunter is instead a focused march that ends at the end of the ramp.
Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders… The Mindkiller…a Grand Slam Champion…a woman who had done what she wanted, when she wanted and has defined her whole life in FGA. From the plucky underdog with a beautiful story to the vengeful crusader to the egotistical tyrant—Izzy has been them all. Now, she has fallen to where I think is where she always wanted to be. She’s vindicated. She’s a living legend here in FGA. She has won back the adoration of the audience.
Stephy Auger: But most of all, she’s the woman that Fujiko can’t beat. I’m still not entirely convinced of what Izzy’s goal is. We’ve been here at FGA for eons now, Kris, and we’ve seen many people try to turn over a new leaf. Some people blatantly lie about it. Izzy’s the Mindkiller. She’s one of the most talented manipulators we have. What’s to say that this isn’t just the long con? If it is, I’ll be happy. I’ll say I called it, but I’ll be happy.
Standing on the ring apron now, Izzy looks out to the audience. Taking a deep breath, she then refocuses on the turnbuckle, ascending it with the same delicate air she always had. Her fingers reach for her eyepatch, which she takes off. She gives it a kiss before throwing it to the ground and stepping into the ring. She spins around, whipping coattails around in a flourish before sitting down the ring. Her focus now transfixed on the World Champion, who will be joining her shortly.
APEX! APEX! APEX!
The lights in the American Airlines arena dim and stagehands launch into a frenzy moving things around on the stage. Flashbulbs go off, trying to catch a glimpse of what is happening, but before too long…
...a single plunk of a piano key pierces the silence. A spotlight falls on a grand piano on stage, where a black woman with thick curls stares with intent down at the keys in front of her. She slowly begins to plunk out a tune, captured by keen ears as “Battle Against A True Hero.”
A second spotlight on a flute player, playing along with the piano. The two players split, gaining intensity as the song wages forth. A third spotlight on a taiko drummer, giving a hearty backbeat to the music.
Another spotlight, this time on a string quartet.
Lastly, a large spotlight on a horn section. They hit a crescendo in the song, and suddenly stop playing, plunging everything into darkness.
The FGAtron lights up with four simple words.
The wind is howling…
A red spotlight switches on in the center of the stage, where a figure stands, clad in spiked armor. Around the waist, the FGA world championship.
“Battle Against A True Hero” kicks back in, the red spotlight following as the armor-clad Fujiko Mine strides to the ring, alone. She keeps her eyes locked on Izzy as she makes a slow march down to the ring.
She turns, climbing the steps and striding across the apron. The spotlight fades into white, showcasing the armor the champion has brought for her entrance. She reaches towards her ribs and unfastens a strap, causing the breastplate to fall away. Removing her pauldrons, she lets a stagehand catch them, revealing a black and gold version of her attire. She unfastens the championship, draping it over the top rope before snapping away the rest of the armor. Finally, she reaches up, removing an eyepatch over her left eye. Picking up the championship, she steps over the middle rope, then tucks in. She uses her right foot to kick off the bottom rope, launching her into the center effortlessly. She holds up the FGA World championship high, perhaps for the final time, and looks up at it. She then trains her gaze on the hard cam before turning and relinquishing the championship to the referee.
Stephy Auger: You want to know why I hope this is just a big act from Izzy? Because I’m tired of Fujiko Mine. She’s a grandstanding witch! Everything is about her. That’s what we’ve heard about this whole year, and I’m tired of it. Yeah, she might have proven herself not to be the big damn failure she always was, but I don’t want this. She manipulated Evan Envi, and she’s now manipulating Izzy Anders. I’m sick of it!
Kris Cruise: Well, Stephy, I’m glad you got it out of your system. But that’s not the case, really. Fujiko Mine has always been facing people with the same opinions you do, Stephy. At every turn, people are trying to tear her down. It’s either because of her words or the way she looks. No one has ever wanted to look at Fujiko as the extremely talented and hardworking individual she is. Though there may be one person, and it’s the one person she has never beaten. The World Champion is walking into the hardest challenge she has ever faced.
*DING, DING, DING*
J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall! It is your maaaain event of the evening, and it is for the FGA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
Izzy listens in on the crowd’s reaction, reaching for her coat.
J.A. Aldridge: Introducing the challenger… From Holland, Michigan…weighing in at a 140 pounds…she is the Mindkiller…IZZZZZZY ANDEEEEERS!
Taking off her coat, Izzy hurls it over the top rope. Instead of being blanketed in it, the stagehand gracefully secures it.
J.A. Aldridge: Introducing the champion… From Milwaukee, Wisconsin…weighing in at a 152 pounds…she is the Apex Goddess…she is the reigning and defending FGA World Champion…FUJIKOOOOOOO MIIIIIINEEEEEEE!
Fujiko doesn’t move from her position, merely eyeing her challenger from across the ring.
*IZZY!*
*FU-JI-KO!*
*IZZY!*
*FU-JI-KO!*
*IZZY!*
Kris Cruise: We’re now a moment away from what may be a match of the year.
Stephy Auger: I must agree on you on that.
Izzy and Fujiko wait for the bell that will start this encounter. The crowd hangs on every second, their focus fully intent on the main event before them. Fujiko and Izzy decide to leave their corners, but only to reach for one another’s hands. A firm handshake gives the crowd something to cheer for before the two breaks away.
*DING, DING!*
From the get-go, the two begin to circle the ring around one another. Izzy puts up a preemptive guard, letting Fujiko know that she was ready for any advancements. Fujiko, on the other hand, plays the waiting game, not exactly sure how to approach the Mindkiller. Soon, Izzy puts out her hands for a test of strength. Fujiko thinks about it before deciding to accept the terms of first contact. Fingers interlock, but it’s for a moment as Fujiko tries for a rear waist lock. A back elbow meets her before she can settle into the hold. Izzy takes off for the ropes, ducks a clothesline, but when she comes back, Fujiko has her scouted. Sliding through her legs, Fujiko kip-ups and puts her returning opponent down with a dropkick. Izzy rolls to a neutral corner and gets up, but Fujiko gives her no quarter, following with a spinning back kick. It catches Izzy directly in the midsection, forcing her to slump against the second turnbuckle.
Fujiko drags Izzy away from the turnbuckle, prepping for a DDT. The idea is dashed as Izzy shoves her away. Fujiko keeps her balance and evades a palm strike sent her way. She doesn’t respond with any offense, letting herself fall into a defensive position. Narrowly evading many of the swift blows coming her way from Izzy, she finds herself on the ropes. She eyes them, and she catches Izzy about to strike at her. She puts up a quick block to prevent a punch to the head but finds a knee nestled in her gut instead. Izzy sends her off the ropes and throws out a roundhouse kick. Fujiko catches and hits a quick leg sweep, kicking out Izzy’s standing leg. A kneebar starts to form, but Fujiko breaks the hold and backs away. Izzy gets up, eyeing her the whole time. Fujiko places her hands on her hips and walks the ring.
Izzy paces the ring herself before picking up speed. When she heads for the champion, Fujiko sends her into the ropes. The Mindkiller rebounds off the ropes, leaping up and catching Fujiko with a hurricanrana, much to the shocked delight of the audience. Fujiko, however, cartwheels out of it and catches the rising Izzy with a low dropkick that sends her back into the mat. She readies herself for a standing moonsault, but when Izzy rolls, Fujiko lands over her on her feet. Izzy doesn’t give a window to attack, sweeping both of her feet from under her. Fujiko lands on the mat, but Izzy rolls through, carrying the champion in a fireman’s carry. Fujiko releases herself from the grip, wriggling out. Izzy turns around, feinting a roundhouse kick, but sees that Fujiko has gained some distance. Izzy drops her leg and heads for the opposing corner.
Stephy Auger: She should have kicked her head clean off! What’s wrong with you, Izzy?!
Kris Cruise: It’s not that. I think they’re both keeping their distance because of past mistakes. Though, it’s the Mindkiller showing some apprehension here? I can’t put my finger on it just yet.
The two reset and begin to pace the ring. Izzy encroaches over the line, looking as if she was ready to strike. The two ends up in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Izzy, the stronger of the two, push Fujiko for the opposing corner. Fujiko shifts her weight around, allowing her to take advantage. She holds Izzy in the corner, which invites the referee over. He tells Fujiko what she already knows, and she begins to back off. Izzy doesn’t respond, giving Fujiko space before going for another collar-and-elbow tie-up. Fujiko wins the exchange again, going for another rear waist lock. This time, she sends Izzy to the mat with a wrestling takedown before the back elbow meets.
Izzy gets to her feet easily enough but gets sent back to the mat from an arm drag. Fujiko then looks for a cross armbar attempt, but Izzy counters it with ease. Yet, it’s only to end in a standing arm wrench. Izzy rolls to the ground to try to escape, but Fujiko puts a leg over her and drops her weight down onto Izzy’s stomach. She scoots up to put it up against the shoulder blade as she starts to tug the arm back. Izzy lifts herself off the mat, enough to weaken the hold, but Fujiko stands up to make some room. Izzy gets to a standing position, gritting her teeth while trapped. Izzy reaches for the ropes, but Fujiko transitions the hold into a hammerlock. Furthermore, she slowly draws her other arm up to complete a chickenwing crossface. Izzy leaps forward to trap a leg around the ropes, forcing Fujiko to break the hold. Fujiko makes a disgruntled noise as she heads away from the ropes.
Recuperating, Izzy watches as Fujiko patrols the ring, staring at her the whole time. Izzy moves away from the ropes with apprehension. Fujiko narrows the distance, going for another rear waist lock. Izzy breaks the hold, but Fujiko hits her in the back of the head with a dropkick. Izzy doesn’t fall to the mat but stumbles over to the other side of the ring. When she tries to recover, Fujiko comes over and pulls Izzy into her grip. Her focus shifts to the nearby turnbuckle, which she uses to kick off, going for a Tornado DDT. Izzy throws her off, and yet she doesn’t register that Fujiko has kept her balance. An enzuigiri this time forces Izzy to fall into the ropes, unable to reply to the offense. Fujiko pulls Izzy in and lifts her up for the MIDA Multi-Tool; Izzy falls over the back. She shoves Fujiko into the corner and rolls backward. When she comes back for another shot at offense, Fujiko nails her with a high knee, the noise cascading throughout the whole audience. Izzy falls to her knees, and Fujiko lines up another strike. With nary a moment of hesitation, Fujiko floors Izzy with a roundhouse kick. She goes for the cover soon after.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Izzy kicks out!
Kris Cruise: This match has been all Fujiko so far!
Stephy Auger: What the hell’s going on, Izzy?!
Fujiko brings Izzy to her feet, who looks worse for wear. The World Champion shoves Izzy to face away from her, secures a Reverse DDT clutch, and eyes the audience. She looks down at Izzy and then releases her unceremoniously. Izzy falls onto the mat, where Fujiko goes to lift her to a seated position. With her eyes trained on her opponent, Fujiko takes a moment to contemplate her next action. She then raises her head to the camera and the audience. She points out to the crowd member, blows a kiss, and starts off for the ropes. When she returns, she catches Izzy with an ear-popping soccer kick!
Stephy Auger: A Gift for You from Fujiko?
Fujiko goes for the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR—
Izzy gets the shoulder up. Fujiko raises her head with clear frustration. She looks down at Izzy and gets to her feet. Izzy struggles to get up, resting on her hands and knees for a moment. Fujiko looks as if she’s going to attack, but she places her boot on Izzy’s side and sends her onto her back. There’s another moment of stillness between the rivals. Fujiko reaches down and gathers Izzy to her feet. Clutching one arm, she looks as if she’s going to put an end to the match. Yet, her expression shifts to something bitter. Izzy asks her to come on, but Fujiko doesn’t follow her command. Fujiko then shoves Izzy back, shouting at her. Izzy looks bewildered but doesn’t get a chance to reply before she’s shoved again by the World Champion. Fujiko stands with her annoyance clear to the world, but she shakes her head and begins for the ropes. Izzy closes the distance and grabs onto her arm, trying to pry her back to the ring. Fujiko turns around, and a sharp noise greets the audience.
Stephy Auger: She just Stockton Slapped Izzy.
Izzy recoils from the slap, looking to the ground. When she raises her head back up, Fujiko hits her with another. Spittle falls to the ground, and Fujiko doesn’t relent. She merely brings Izzy’s head back to position and smacks her again. It repeats several times before Izzy starts to defend herself. Fujiko continues to slap away at the challenger until Izzy’s against the turnbuckle, her hands up in a weak plea for the champion to stop. The referee intervenes, but Fujiko protests that Izzy’s not taking the match seriously. Izzy argues that she is, but Fujiko crosses over the referee and kicks her dead in the chest. Izzy falls to the ground, her pain expressed through a soft whimper. The referee tells Fujiko that she needs to back up. Fujiko sighs and gives the referee room to help Izzy to her feet.
Kris Cruise: Izzy’s not taking this seriously? Is that what Fujiko yelled?
Stephy Auger: I think so?
Kris Cruise: It looks like Fujiko just had her number.
Izzy’s on her feet and tells the referee that she’s fine. He asks her if she’s sure, and Izzy nods quietly. When Izzy looks at Fujiko, she beckons for her to continue the match. Fujiko narrows her eyes at Izzy and shakes her head. The referee encourages the match to continue, but the champion simply turns her back on Izzy. Izzy appears confused by the gesture and tries to go over to her tag team partner. Fujiko simply walks away from her and settles in her corner. Pausing in place, Izzy shoots a gaze over to the referee, who doesn’t know what to make of it.
Kris Cruise: The World Champion has turned her back on Izzy. What…what is this about?
Stephy Auger: That’s a dangerous game. Izzy might execute that plan of hers. The long con. You have to remember the long con.
Kris Cruise: I don’t think that’s the case, Stephy. I think…I think Fujiko’s done with Izzy. If she’s not taking the match seriously, why should she bother?
Izzy goes over to Fujiko, concerned about what’s going on. The World Champion brushes Izzy’s hand off her shoulder. The challenger recoils from the act. Nevertheless, she tries again. It’s to no avail as Fujiko shoves her away and gains some more distance. Izzy goes back to try again to get the champion’s attention, but this time, Fujiko turns and clocks her in the jaw with a stiff punch. Izzy crumbles to the mat, and Fujiko stops her ascent by pushing her in the face with her boot. She tells Izzy that if she’s not going to fight, there’s no point in her showing her face to her—she doesn’t deserve it.
Trying to get back to her feet, Fujiko once more boots her back to the ground. It doesn’t hurt, but it does make Izzy stay on the ground for longer than intended. When Izzy gets back up, she withstands the boot, letting it drive her face to the side. Fujiko, seeing this, decides to pace the ring again, her attention on the fans. Izzy raises her head, shoving her hair out of her face. She looks upward to the lights and absently licks the corner of her mouth. She checks for blood before nodding. Making her way back over to the champion, she rests her hand on her shoulder again. Fujiko turns to her, indignant in her response. That same expression disappears in an instant as Izzy strikes Fujiko straight in the throat.
The audience, the referee, and especially the commentators recoil at the impact.
Kris Cruise: That was directly in the throat! What kind of mess—
Stephy Auger: Fujiko messed up now! She was playing around too much with the best striker in the company!
Most of all, Fujiko herself stiffens up. She aimlessly stumbles around the ring, clutching her throat. She coughs roughly enough for the entire audience to hear. It all gets cut short as Izzy drives her leg up into Fujiko’s solar plexus. Collapsing against the ropes, Fujiko is nearly defenseless against the barrage of kicks from the Mindkiller. When Fujiko falls to the mat, Izzy begins to stomp away at Fujiko. The referee pries Izzy off Fujiko, who starts to get to her feet to get some space. Izzy breaks away from the referee, knowing the rules, and connects with a Yakuza Kick. Fujiko falls through the second rope, getting hung there by a boot. Izzy leaves the ring and heads for the barricade. Her aim zeroes in on the champion, who begins to try to release herself from the ropes.
Izzy runs forward and connects with a running knee that forces Fujiko out of her prison. The side of the champion’s head collides with the ring apron, and her body lands roughly against the padded pavement.
Kris Cruise: That was disgusting! Fujiko might be out right there!
The challenger sends Fujiko back into the ring, where she goes for the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR—
Fujiko gets the shoulder up, more so with a cough, if anything.
The referee intervenes to give Fujiko some medical attention. Fujiko nods as she’s given the basic questions. Izzy, seeing this, starts to breach past the referee. However, he stands his ground, telling her to back up. Fujiko gets to her feet, coughing…but also laughing. The referee, who was preoccupied with Izzy, turns to her, and she tells him that she’ll be okay. Izzy pushes the referee out of the way lightly before booting Fujiko in the chest. Fujiko stumbles into the corner and meets a barrage of fists! The crowd chants along with each blow.
*MUDA, MUDA, MUDA, MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA, MUDA!*
Fujiko almost falls to the mat, but Izzy brings her back up. One European Uppercut is all it takes to hang Fujiko on the corner. Izzy runs back to the opposing corner and comes back with a spinning European Uppercut. Fujiko rebounds off the corner and into the mat with a hard noise chasing it. Izzy doesn’t go for the cover, merely dragging Fujiko away from the ropes before going to the corner. She waits for Fujiko to get to her feet and launches off with a Tornado DDT. Fujiko cracks her out of mid-air with a roundhouse kick. Izzy falls straight to the mat, brushing off some damage by going with the impact. Fujiko, not seeing this, hits the ropes for a Handspring Rebound Ace Crusher. Izzy jolts to her feet and hits a sliding dropkick to Fujiko’s head as she hits the flip.
Stephy Auger: Good God!
Kris Cruise: That was brutal!
Fujiko falls onto her stomach, panting heavily from the raw pain. Izzy picks her up and brings her down with the Aniplex (Cutthroat Brainbuster)! Fujiko folds from the impact, and Izzy stacks her to go for the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE—
Fujiko kicks out at the last second!
Kris Cruise: Barely. Barely! Fujiko had only a millisecond left to get the shoulder up!
Stephy Auger: I would have stayed down if I was her. I swear that was some unconscious movement.
Izzy measures Fujiko and pulls her into her grip. She tries for the Shotgun Party II, but Fujiko crumbles in her grip. The deadweight forces Izzy to lift her up. When Fujiko was on wobbly legs, Izzy tries for the Capetown Sunset instead. She rotates around and—THE BLISS!
Fujiko’s backflip kick catches Izzy square under the chin. She falls back onto the mat, sprawling out. Fujiko mirrors Izzy, not able to move from her position.
Stephy Auger: Where the hell did that come from?!
Yet, Fujiko finds the energy to hurl herself onto Izzy’s limp body.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE—
Izzy kicks out weakly, a glimmer of what strength she had a moment ago!
Kris Cruise: If only Fujiko had more time, she would have gotten it!
Fujiko slides off Izzy’s body and lies next to her, causing the referee to look between them. He begins to start the count while Fujiko begins to muster up some energy.
ONE! TWO! THREE!
When Fujiko makes it to a knee, Izzy rolls over and grabs onto her fleeting hand. Fujiko looks back as she begins to draw on the ropes for strength. As she does, Izzy tugs her back to the ground. Fujiko lands on her butt and looks over at Izzy, who has rolled onto her side. Fujiko tries to get up again, but Izzy grabs onto her hand again. Fujiko shakes her head and opts to drag the Mindkiller to her feet as well. Izzy collapses against Fujiko, who holds her there for a moment. It’s an odd sign of sportsmanship and comradery between two rivals. The crowd slaps for the effort, and yet Fujiko knows what must be done. She shoves Izzy off her into the ropes and tries for the Capetown Sunset (540 Kick).
But Izzy evades it…into a Tranquilo Roll. While there, she blows a kiss to the audience and winks. Meanwhile, the World Champion tries to regain her bearings from the earlier onslaught. Izzy gazes at her the whole time, not moving an inch but encourages the audience to cheer loudly. Fujiko turns around upon hearing the crowd’s reaction, but Izzy sprawls out as if she was too fatigued. Fujiko’s eyebrow arches, and she goes to pick up Izzy off the mat. As she does, Izzy pulls her into a small package!
ONE!
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TWO!
Fujiko kicks out!
Stephy Auger: Ahhhh, yes, it’s time.
Kris Cruise: For?
Stephy Auger: I think Fujiko’s awakened the Mindkiller.
As Fujiko gets away from Izzy, she does so by crawling backward. Izzy remains on the mat before propping up into the Tranquilo pose. She beckons Fujiko to come on and blows a kiss at her. Fujiko sits there, a tad bewildered by the sudden shift in demeanor. Though, it does eventually bring a smile to her face. She takes the kiss, looks at it, and plants it on her cheek. Izzy’s eyes widen as Fujiko playfully sends a kiss right back. Izzy acts as if she was shot when it meets her before she decides to get back to her feet. The two reset once more, walking around the ring. Izzy has more pep in her step, while Fujiko seems to carry an accomplished expression. The two lock up again. Fujiko tries to go back to the successful rear waist lock, but Izzy wags her finger and gets out of it with ease. She slides to the mat and tries to tie up Fujiko’s legs. Fujiko steps back, shaking her head “no” at the attempt. Izzy gets to her feet, but Fujiko rushes forward to lock Izzy up. She hammers her to the turnbuckle, once again bringing the referee over. Fujiko gives a clean break, throwing her hands up in false protest. Izzy jolts out, giving Fujiko a swift Stockton Slap. She then returns the favor and shoves Fujiko into the corner.
Instead of giving a clean break, Izzy begins to pat Fujiko down before saying that she’s good to go. Fujiko rolls her eyes at the act and gives Izzy a Stockton Slap back. Izzy retreats, holding her jawline. Fujiko comes out, a stern countenance taking over her face. Izzy nods and rushes back for a forearm smash, but Fujiko evades it. Izzy stops herself on the turnbuckle but turns around into a flurry of blows from Fujiko. When Izzy’s about to fire back, the champion clears out of the way. Izzy charges after her and gets sent into the ropes by Fujiko. When Izzy comes back, Fujiko connects with a kick to the side. She follows with another, and another. Before long, Fujiko starts to connect with Dirty Dancin’ on Izzy, but Izzy begins to throw out her own. Off rhythm with one another, the two manage to batter each other with kicks until the audience is on their feet. Fujiko crumbles under the power of Izzy’s kicks but manages to sneak in a knee to the gut to disrupt Izzy’s momentum. She sends her into the ropes again, but Izzy hangs her into the ropes, another dosage of Tranquilo for the—Fujiko responds with a dropkick right to the midsection of the relaxing challenger.
Kris Cruise: Ooo, that gotta hurt on the way down.
Izzy manages to not take terrible damage from colliding with the ring apron. Though she favors her back as she tries to get to a stable position. Fujiko rushes off the ropes, looking as if she’s going for a dive. Izzy braces for the impact, and nothing comes. She looks over to see Fujiko popping a superhero landing. Izzy stares at her, where the champion offers a smirk for her thoughts. In another moment of stillness, the camera catches them on a side angle. Izzy drops her guard and laughs to herself. Fujiko, without much room, incredibly dives out on the unsuspecting challenger!
Izzy collides into the announcer’s table, slamming her ribs against it. Fujiko stays on the attack, lining up her next attack. Before Izzy can fully recognize what’s going on, Fujiko strikes her across the jaw with the 4-Play (Running Single Leg Dropkick)! With her head crashing into the padded pavement, Izzy loses all sense of surroundings. Fujiko stares at Izzy’s unmoving form for a beat before looking at the top turnbuckle. The World Champion climbs up the ring apron and the top turnbuckle, giving the audience room to speculate on her next action.
Kris Cruise: What’s Fujiko doing?
Stephy Auger: I’m not sure but it has to be something entirely reckless. Listen to the crowd.
Fujiko begins to gain her balance on the top ropes. Walking them is second nature to her, and it’s a spectacle to the audience. As she makes her way close to the rising challenger, she takes aim and dives off.
Kris Cruise: Oh my goodness—
Stephy Auger: LIKE I SAID, RECKLESS!
Izzy catches Fujiko out of mid-air from whatever she was doing. Fujiko slumps over Izzy’s body, and the Mindkiller swings her around. Fujiko’s body collides with the ring steps with enough strength to send them off. Izzy hangs onto the Apex Goddess and deadlifts her up.
Kris Cruise: Look at the strength out of Izzy!
Stephy Auger: That’s not what I’m worried about! It’s enough to smash someone against some steps, but what’s next?!
Izzy pulls Fujiko up into a powerbomb before angling at the announcer’s table.
Kris Cruise: Oh no, I think you’re onto something—
Stephy Auger: Less talking! Move the hell out of the—
Izzy charges over and sends Fujiko straight through the table with a Liger Bomb! The whole arena becomes unglued as Fujiko is left in a pile of broken debris. Izzy stumbles and falls onto the ring apron, using it as her last line of support. She checks the referee, who was so stunned that he stops the count.
*HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!*
The Mindkiller gathers some strength to head over to where Fujiko’s laid out. The champion doesn’t offer any sign of her condition aside from a small stirring. Izzy reaches down and lifts her up onto her shoulders, another feat of strength for the world to see. It’s not long before Izzy sends her back into the ring and follows through with a pin attempt.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!
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Fujiko got her foot on the bottom rope!
Stephy Auger: Dammit, so close! We almost had a new champion!
Kris Cruise: I don’t think it was a lack of ring awareness. I don’t think Izzy had enough strength to push Fujiko any farther away from the ropes.
Izzy lifts herself, holding her ribs as she looks at the battered World Champion. She drags her to her feet and nudges her into the corner. Lifting her onto the top rope took some time, but as Izzy scales it, she looks towards the audience. She hooks the arm and looks to lift Fujiko up, but the champion comes back to life. She buries a fist into the ribcage of the challenger. Izzy lets go, and Fujiko clutches Izzy into her grip. With reckless abandon, she dives off with Izzy in her grip and lands with a devasting top rope DDT! The two crash into the mat. Fujiko flops over onto her stomach while Izzy flattens out on the mat.
The two only provide small movements to express their consciousness. The referee comes over to check on them, asking if they’re both okay and able to continue. Fujiko weakly nods and starts trying to get back to her feet. Izzy, meanwhile, continues to rest on the mat with only shallow breaths keeping her awake. When Fujiko makes it to her feet, she barely manages to hang onto the nearby ropes for security. She stares out at her fallen rival, who begins to stir. Fujiko looks back and forth between her and the nearest turnbuckle.
Though she struggles to do so, Fujiko makes it up to the top rope. She eyes Izzy, who was starting to rise to a knee. With the crowd on their feet and willpower in her heart, Fujiko crashes down onto Izzy with the Unfiltered Bliss!
Kris Cruise: Fujiko dug deep and came down with Unfiltered Bliss!
Stephy Auger: That put Marlon Cure away!
She hooks both of Izzy’s legs!
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!
.
.
!!!
Kris Cruise: No way!
Stephy Auger: Hell yeah!
Izzy kicks out at 2.99, but it’s enough for the referee to tell Fujiko the truth. Fujiko stares at the referee with an incredulous demeanor. She looks back at Izzy, who hasn’t moved, almost fooling her into believing that she didn’t kick out.
Kris Cruise: No one has ever kicked out of Unfiltered Bliss. No one.
Stephy Auger: It seems that every defense that Fujiko has ended with that move. But this defense is different. That must be soul-crushing. The one woman you can’t beat just kicked out your best move.
Kris Cruise: This is where a champion has to dig deep!
Fujiko gets up, resting against the corner. She stares at Izzy, who crawls over to the bottom rope. She starts to climb it, and Fujiko marches over to her. She hooks her arms around the Mindkiller’s waist and tries to pull her away. Izzy hangs on for dear life, but Fujiko smacks both of her arms down. She drags Izzy away with some brute strength and holds her up for a German Suplex. Izzy lands back on the ground and drives her elbow right into Fujiko’s face. The champion stumbles back but comes back right into a Pele Kick!
Kris Cruise: Where did that come from?!
Stephy Auger: A champion has to dig deep, and Izzy’s looking to become the next World Champion.
Fujiko aimlessly moves around, searching for something to grasp onto. Izzy traps her first in a hammerlock. Like a guillotine, her arm flies around and catches Fujiko with the Black Song (Hammerlock Lariat)! As Fujiko crashes into the mat, Izzy rolls through, bringing her up. She looks for Shotgun Party II again, but Fujiko once again finds a way out by dragging her knee into Izzy’s ribs. Izzy withstands the pain but cannot finish the job. With enough time, Fujiko’s able to reverse the hold and connect with the MIDA Multi-Tool (Lumbar Check). Izzy doesn’t fall to the mat, more so, she recoils, and it sets up perfectly for—A CAPETOWN SUNSET FROM FUJIKO!
Kris Cruise: She just stole Izzy’s move!
Stephy Auger: When you don’t have anything left, I guess the next best thing is to take the move that put you down!
Yet, Izzy manages to catch Fujiko’s leg and hits a quick Dragon Screw. The angle that it hits causes Fujiko not to fall. Instead, all of Izzy’s weight lands on the leg. Fujiko howls out in pain but grits her teeth. Izzy remains on the mat as Fujiko pries her leg free.
Stephy Auger: Okay, now what?! Her leg might have gotten completely messed up there.
Kris Cruise: The first step is not to get frustrated. Fujiko’s so close, but she cannot let the facts get to her. She has to stay focused.
Fujiko sits in a neutral corner, her head in her hands. She drags them down her face, staring out at Izzy, who is now slumped against the bottom turnbuckle. When she brings herself to a standing position, the two stares at one another. Unable to move, having thrown out countless moves that were sure to beat others, the two cannot even begin to move at one another. It was at this moment of reprieve that they hear the cheering from the audience. The one that has pushed Fujiko every step of the way and the one that had accepted Izzy back into their warm embrace.
*LET’S GO, IZZY!*
*FU-JI-KO!*
*LET’S GO, IZZY!*
*FU-JI-KO!*
*LET’S GO, IZZY!*
Kris Cruise: Both women here are chasing legitimacy. Izzy, for the sake of her redemption, wants to win this to erase the taste of her first world championship win. Fujiko stands before the only person she can’t seem to defeat, the woman who always had her number. Defeating Izzy will cap off this year, that’s looking like a Wrestler of the Year run again.
Stephy Auger: As much as I hate to say it, you’re not wrong. But I can even say that this match isn’t about the championship. It’s a conversation made from a complicated relationship of love, bitterness, and competition.
Both connect with stereo clotheslines, knocking each other backward. Izzy’s the first to fire again, catching the Apex Goddess with a back kick that floors her. When Fujiko tries to reply, she’s interrupted by a devastating axe kick that sends her face-first into the mat. Izzy shuffles back, begging for Fujiko to get up.
On a shaky leg, Fujiko gets to her feet. Izzy comes back with a Yakuza Kick.
But Fujiko doesn’t fall. She shakes her head.
Izzy connects with another roundhouse kick.
But Fujiko doesn’t fall.
Izzy nods, and in a flash, connects with the Capetown Sunset! Fujiko flies into the mat, holding the back of her head. Izzy follows up by hooking both legs.
ONE!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out?! At one?!
Kris Cruise: How?
Stephy Auger: Yeah, how?!
Izzy seems to mirror the audience’s shock. She scrambles to her feet, proceeding to pace around the ring with her hands covering her mouth. She looks back at Fujiko, who begins to rise to a standing position. She slumps against the turnbuckle, staring at Izzy with fatigued eyes. Izzy comes over towards her, giving her a Stockton Slap. Fujiko holds herself up against the turnbuckle; Izzy doesn’t let her recover. She whips her towards the opposing turnbuckle and chases through. She hits her with a high knee before throwing Fujiko to the mat. Izzy points at a crowd member and heads off for A Gift for You! The kick connects, but Fujiko captures it at the same time, getting to her feet.
When Fujiko drops the leg, she swings out. Her arm lands into the grip of the challenger, who throws her body up to curl around Fujiko’s arm. Fujiko falls to the mat, and Izzy transitions into the Amputator (Fujiwara Armbar)! Fujiko is ready for the submission, however, and makes room for herself. Izzy tries to place more of her weight on the hold; it’s to no avail as Fujiko rolls out of it.
Kris Cruise: Izzy was too fast in trying to secure the armbar, and Fujiko had it scouted.
As Izzy rushes to her feet to try to keep the pressure on, Fujiko meets her with Yount’s 3000th Hit (Kamigoye)! Izzy doesn’t fall to the mat. Instead, she tries to resist, getting to her feet. Fujiko helps her up but only to crack her in the side of the head with the SWAK (Ground Arm Pulled Roundhouse Kick)! When Izzy resists again, not falling to the mat. Instead, she rises. Like lightning, the first kick of Dirty Dancin’ hits. Izzy follows through with the flurry, and Fujiko begins to crumble. Izzy decides to stop and lifts the falling Fujiko onto her shoulders. She goes rushing out towards the turnbuckle and goes for a Lawn Dart; Fujiko falls over the mat and sends Izzy forward into the turnbuckle. The Mindkiller stops on a dime, cutting her momentum short. It allows her to grab the champion and hit her with her patented Release Dragon Suplex.
Fujiko, unfortunately, rolls to her feet, not sure where she’s at. She holds her neck and comes into Izzy’s grip. Izzy looks to the audience before dropping Fujiko with Roll the Bass (Lifting Rolling Cutter)!
Stephy Auger: We haven’t seen that move in years, Kris! In fact, that’s the move that Izzy used to beat Fujiko the first time that they ever fought! And the second time!
Kris Cruise: And she hit it with some authority! The champion is down!
The Mindkiller clutches her ribs and thinks about getting the cover. She shakes her head and gets up to lift Fujiko to her feet. She gathers the champion into a double underhook, looking for Mind over Matter (Tiger Driver ’91). She screams out, “FINISH HER!” before trying to lift her. Fujiko spins out of the hold and tries for another roundhouse kick. The challenger ducks and sends Fujiko hard into the turnbuckle. When Fujiko turns back, Izzy’s in mid-rotation for another Capetown Sunset.
An awful surprise awaits her as she completes the twist.
THE BLISS!
Kris Cruise: Right under the chin!
Izzy falls to the mat, but Fujiko doesn’t have any of that. She brings the challenger up and immediately slams her down with TJ Jones’ The Renaissance (Omega Driver)! When Izzy hits the mat, she fully sprawls out, and Fujiko falls onto her back. Yet, there’s a fire in her. She cannot let the chance slip away. Fujiko begins to crawl towards the turnbuckle. Hand by hand, knee by knee, she climbs to the top rope. Balancing herself was easy. Jumping was easier.
It was the move itself that required the most concentration.
To risk it all, as always.
Fujiko lands not so picture-perfect but an effective 630 Splash. She crashes down the Mindkiller as she began to rise onto her hands and knees. As Fujiko flattens her, the roar of the crowd is at their apex. She tiredly shoves Izzy over and rests against her, unable to hook the leg—only managing to lay across her enough for the referee to drop to the mat.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!
.
.
Izzy gets the shoulder up!
There was silence, people hanging onto the final word from the referee. When he raises, he looks down on the two competitors and motions for the bell.
Izzy kicked out a hair too late!
Kris Cruise: She did it.
Stephy Auger: …Dammit.
J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout…and STILLLLL YOUR FGA WORLD CHAMPION, FUJIKO MINE!
Kris Cruise: FUJIKO HAS FINALLY DONE IT! THE APEX GODDESS RETAINS AGAINST HER KRYPONITE HERE TONIGHT!
As the bell sounds and “Battle Against a True Hero” starts up, the two remain in the center of the ring. As the feeling of the match vanishes, it looks as if two friends were merely resting together. Soon enough, though, Fujiko lifts herself off Izzy, falling onto her back. Izzy manages to gather some energy and uses it to roll out of the ring. It takes a moment for Fujiko to gather some energy herself to sit up. As she does, there’s a blank expression, where the only thing resonating there may be shock.
Fujiko stares around the audience, unsure of what she just heard. The referee helps her to her feet, but Fujiko is barely able to comprehend it all. So, she continues to sit on the mat. She looks around the roaring audience until the reappearance of the Mindkiller captures her attention. As she looks at Izzy, her rival, her partner, she sees the FGA World Champion in her grasp—not on her shoulder. Izzy doesn’t step over her, only towards her. No looks of malice, not even disappointment. There’s only a hand waiting for Fujiko to take. Slowly, the champion realizes what had just happened. Upon realizing what she had accomplished, tears began to flow. Fujiko takes Izzy’s hand, who helps her up.
Izzy doesn’t express emotion on her face and puts the championship around Fujiko’s waist. She turns the champion around, who is busy trying to stop the tears. Izzy chuckles and reaches forward, giving Fujiko a kiss on the cheek, emulating the aftermath of their first encounter. Fujiko suddenly brings Izzy into a tight hug. Izzy doesn’t expect it, but it only takes a moment for the Mindkiller to mirror Fujiko. She begins to cry, as well.
Kris Cruise: Years, it took years to reach this moment. Not just Fujiko defeating her greatest rival, but just for this—a moment between friends who have conquered hatred and overcame numerous odds together. It took everything and more to reach her, but this is what we strive for in our business. Fujiko Mine retains her championship in another barn burner! But this before us is a moment that will surely be etched into the hearts and minds of the FGA faithful and in the history books of the company. For Stephy Auger, Spencer Burke, and Jessie Pederson, this is Kris Cruise signing off!
The lasting image as the show slowly fades out as the Joker and the Thief wrapped in a tearful embrace.
