Autumn Annihilation

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

A lingering black screen, and silence. Those are the things that greet you as you stare at your screen waiting for something to happen. Seconds go by and the thought crosses your mind that maybe something is wrong with your feed. But then you hear a voice.

“Some would say that this is a story of revenge.”

The darkness gives way to a flashback. Only the Strong Survives 2017. Cordelia Stevenson versus Isabella Anders for the FGA Undisputed Championship. A bittersweet ending to a reign that had only just truly begun.

Stevenson picks up Anders, puts her in a front facelock, swings and brings her down with The Allure. The crowd explodes with cheers as Stevenson turns her over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

The ref stops his count after Savannah Taylor leaped onto the apron. The crowd erupts into boos.

Kris Cruise: What in the hell is that snake doing out here!?

Stephy Auger: Hey, don’t you talk about Izzy’s bestie like that!

The boos continue as Taylor argues with the ref. Once Stevenson marches over and moves the ref out of the way, Taylor takes a swipe at Stevenson. But Stevenson ducks and counters with the Foot Fetish, knocking Taylor off the apron and to the floor. When Stevenson turns around, she sees Anders slowly picking herself back up. So she runs over and plants her with Head Over Heels (blockbuster DDT).

Stevenson steps out onto the apron and climbs back up onto the top turnbuckle, where she crouches down and waits for Anders to get back up. When Anders returns to her feet and turns around, Stevenson leaps off and goes for Get Familiar. But she gets caught in the back of the head with a 540 Kick from Anders! The crowd erupts with boos.

Kris Cruise: The Capetown Sunset! Anders countered Get Familiar with the Capetown Sunset!

Stephy Auger: Pin her, Izzy, pin her!

Anders slowly pulls herself over towards the corner before pulling herself back up using the ropes. Once Stevenson shakes out the cobwebs and slowly turns back around, Anders runs over and blasts her in the face with the Capetown Sunset! The boos continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

Kris Cruise: NO! Stevenson got her shoulder up again!

Stephy Auger: HOW!? HOW!?

Anders looks over at the ref and narrows her eyes. The ref cautiously backs away before holding up three fingers at Anders. The challenger returns to her feet before reaching down and slowly picking Stevenson up off the mat. Anders looks out as chants of “NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!” echo throughout the arena. Anders then curls her lip before spitting out in their direction. The boos continue as she doubles Stevenson over with a knee to the midsection, lifts her up and plants her with a small package driver!

Kris Cruise: Shotgun Party!

Stephy Auger: Yes!

Kris Cruise: Shotgun Party by Anders!

The ref drops down and slaps his hand down on the canvas.

Stephy Auger: ONE!

The ref slaps his hand down on the canvas.

Stephy Auger: TWO!

The ref slaps his hand down on the canvas.

Stephy Auger: THREE! THREE!! THREE!!! SHE GOT HER! SHE GOT HER!

The crowd erupts with boos when “Does It” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, and now, the NEEEEEEEEEW FGA Undisputed Champion, IZZY ANDERS!

The image slowly fades back to black as the sultry sound of Cordelia’s voice cues up once again.

“A forgotten warrior driven by an insatiable bloodlust, returning from the darkness to seek retribution against those who have trespassed against her...”

An audio cue kicks in, and various voices can be heard whispering and ad libbing certain portion of the Lord’s Prayer behind Cordelia’s main voiceover track.

“... and lead us not into temptation…”

“...as we forgive those…”

“...who have trespassed against us.”

The last track echoes as the scene jumpcuts to another flashback. The main event of the very first episode of Flashpoint that saw ‘The Karmic Lion’ Johnny Karma taking on the ‘Lioness of the Frontier’ Cordelia Stevenson. It was a night that changed the course of FGA history.

Just as both grapplers start to pick themselves off the apron, Heroes Never Die slide into the ring. The crowd erupts with Izzy Anders runs over knocks Karma down with a running European Uppercut as Savannah Taylor flattens Stevenson with a yakuza kick. The ref immediately calls for the bell.

Geoff Penzer: Izzy Anders!? Savannah Taylor!? What in the hell are these two doing out here?

The boos continue as Anders put the boots to Karma. She then unbuckles the FGA Undisputed Championship from around her wast and whacks Karma across the back with it over and over. Cherry Baum gets on the apron and yells at Anders to stop. The Mindkiller responds by running over towards the ropes and swinging the championship at Cherry. Ms. Baum narrowly avoids getting hit as she hops down to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Izzy Anders was going to hit Cherry Baum with the belt! What in the hell is Izzy thinking!?

Back in the ring, Taylor mounts on top of Stevenson and hammers away with punches to the face. After choking Stevenson, the Las Vegas Siren grabs Stevenson by the hair with both hands and repeatedly rams the back of her head against the canvas.

Across the ring, Anders picks up Karma, grabs him by the arm and delivers a double knee armbreaker. While Karma is sprawled out on the canvas, Anders steps out onto the apron before climbing to the top turnbuckle. She then crouches down as she scans the crowd through narrowed eyes. Once The Mindkiller stands up, she leaps off and delivers a diving double knee drop across the arm.

Geoff Penzer: Izzy Anders and Savannah Taylor are trying to take out Anders' top challengers for her championship! Why isn't someone out here to stop this!?

Taylor rolls to the outside, kneels down and lifts up the ring skirt. After pulling out a steel chair, she tosses it into the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Great, just what this needed! A steel chair!

Taylor rolls back in, picks up the chair and folds it out. She then picks up Stevenson and whips her into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, Taylor drop toe holds her face-first onto the chair. The crowd erupts with boos as Stevenson's face bounces off the seated of the chair.

Geoff Penzer: My Goodness, did you hear how hard her face smacked against that chair!?

Taylor folds the chair and throws it down on the canvas before bringing Stevenson back to her feet. She then grabs Stevenson from the side before driving her down face-first onto the chair with the Blond Ambition (forward russian leg sweep).

Geoff Penzer: As if sending Stevenson face-first into the chair once wasn't enough! What the hell!

The scene grays out. Stopping on the still shot of Savannah Taylor standing over the fallen body of the former and first ever Undisputed Champion.

“...those that left her for dead. Those that sought to take away everything from her. Those that mocked…"

Jumpcut to a shot of Savannah Taylor doing the “Deadly Seduction” neckbreaker with her non rhythmic hip gyrations and everything.

“...those that mimicked. Those that tried to destroy the very legend she’d created.”

There is a dramatic pause, and then the sound of laughter.

“That sounds a bit Quentin Tarantino-ish if you ask me. I’m no Beatrix Kiddo, but I certainly wouldn’t mind making you Elle Driver.”

A still shot of the Hall of Famer and the current reigning International Heavyweight Champion in a staredown at Flashpoint 40. It then cuts to a montage of Cordy getting the upper hand on Savannah during the tag match at Flashpoint 41. The video then fades away, and a new picture fades onto the screen. A picture of Cordelia as she’s handed her newly won FGA World Championship after her match with Isabella Anders at the Six Year anniversary show.

“Some would say that this is a story of redemption.”

Another montage. Shot after shot of Cordelia’s journey to the title. And then finally the dual champion staredown with Zero McHannon. Chandler Scott holding her arm up in victory after she successfully unified the belts and became the first ever Undisputed Champion. Cordelia’s voice continues on with a hint of sorrow in her tone.

“...of a champion with so much promise, that just didn’t live up to expectations….”

A broken and battered Cordy, lying at the feet of Heroes Never Die. Isabella Anders kicking the belt and leaving it as she leaves a fallen Cordy lying motionless and in disbelief in the center of the ring.

“... given another opportunity to be the champion that she was always meant to be and fighting for the chance to right the wrong of a destiny left unfulfilled…”

Cordy steps out onto the apron before scaling to the top turnbuckle. She then crouches down while she patiently waits for Karma to get into position. Cherry is seen slapping the apron while she tries to yell at Karma to watch out. But Karma appears to be in another world. Karma slowly turns over on all fours before getting back to a vertical base. As Karma turns around, Stevenson stands back, leaps off and executes Get Familiar (The O-Face)! The crowd erupts with cheers while Karma stumbles back before collapsing against the ropes. Stevenson then turns and hits the far ropes. When Cordy comes back, she picks up speed before delivering a high-impact clothesline, which sends them both over the top rope… and to the floor! Both grapplers immediately crumble to the floor as the bell sounds.

Geoff Penzer: There it is! Cordy’s done it! In her first match back, Cordy Stevenson has earned herself a shot at Savannah Taylor and the International Heavyweight Championship at Autumn Annihilation!

Stevenson rolls back into the ring and raises her arms in victory. But she doesn’t hear her name announced or her music playing. Cordy turns and sees multiple referees on the outside. One ref then goes into the ring and raises Cordy’s arm in the air, signaling that she’s won the match.

Geoff Penzer: Now it’s official!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner and the number one contender to the International Heavyweight Championship, CORDYYYY STEEE-

Stevenson poses on the middle ropes before turning and looking over at Sierra, who is busy being informed of something by another official. This official then goes over to Karma at ringside before raising his arm in the air to an eruption of cheers.

Geoff Penzer: What’s this?

Melanie Sierra: Correction! Here is your winner and the number one contender to the International Heavyweight Championship, JOHNNYYYYY KAAAAAR-

Both Karma and Baum turn their attention to Sierra, who is being waved off by the first official. The second official then goes over and again argues with the first official. The two debate back and forth while Karma rolls into the ring. Stevenson heads over to Karma and lets him know that she won the Battle Royal. But Karma refuses that outcome as he shakes his head from side to side. Karma then marches into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes and points out to the fans.

The controversial ending of Flashpoint 39 flashes across the screen. Various photos and angles of Cordelia and Karma going over the ropes and hitting the floor seemingly at the same exact time. That montage gives way to a still shot of Johnny Karma.

"...while a ghost from her past seeks redemption of his own."

A snapshot of their one sided history is presented before you. A visual display of the dominance Cordelia Stevenson has shown over Johnny Karma over the years. Would tonight be any different? Finally a shot of the International Heavyweight Championship is shown. You adjust in your seat, leaning in towards the screen, completely captivated by the imagery and the history of tonight's main event. Suddenly the screen goes black again, and the voice-over can be heard once more.

"Honestly... you can call it whatever you like, but me?"

There is another dramatic pause before a live shot of our heroine is displayed on the screen. A roar from the crowd resonates throughout the arena and can be heard in the background as Cordelia steps towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: I just call it my story.

She gives a casual shrug.

Cordelia Stevenson: And tonight? A new chapter begins.

The signature smirk is flashed as she pulls her 'Get Familiar' face mask up over her mouth.

Cordelia Stevenson: Let's get it.

She casually walks away as the fans break out into a chant of her name. The scene then fades into the Autumn Annihilation logo.

[FGA Office]

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Spectrum Center exterior. We then transition inside the arena, where tan and brown pyro shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Hello, wrestling fans, and welcome to the latest pay per view outing from the Flashpoint brand! THIS… is Autumn Annihilation! I am your host, Geoff Penzer! Tonight, the Flashpoint brand presents to you not one, not two, but three championship matches! All of the singles titles here will be on the line! In our first contest of the night, it’s going to be a battle of Jersey’s finest as the undefeated Laura Perelli takes on Ashley Sands for the vacant 15 Championship! In our next singles championship match of the night, new United States Champion Nina Stokes will defend her gold against former two-time champion Salem in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls Match! There is certainly no love lost between these two former friends turned rivals. The score will be settled once and for all between those two here tonight. But that’s not all! In addition, we have a very special “Champions vs. Champions” match which will pit the FGA United States Tag Team Champions up against the FGA World Tag Team Champions! This rivalry between Silk & Cyanide and Pendragon dates all the way back to last year’s Final Frontier, where Erin Mariani and Sara Mason snuck away with a win. Both teams were then separated by the Draft Lottery at the top of the year. Pendragon have carved their path out as the top team here on Flashpoint while Silk & Cyanide usurped Fujiko Mine & Izzy Anders to become US Tag Champs over on Vertigo during the summer. Pendragon have been waiting nearly eleven months for this shot. You best bet that they’re going to make it count! We’ve also got the finals of the 2019 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament! On one side of the ring, we’ve got the team of Lauren Anne Hardy and Carina Eventide. On the other side of the ring, we’ve got The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad! One of these two teams will win the 2019 DDT3 and will have their choice of challenging either the US Tag Champions or the World Tag Champions. Then, in our main event, it’s going to be a Three Way Dance for the International Heavyweight Championship! Savannah Taylor will defend her championship against both Johnny Karma and the woman we just saw at the top of the pay per view, Cordy Stevenson. That video did a great job of showing the history between all three of these tough competitors. Only one of them will walk out of her tonight with the gold! Before we send it to the ring for our opening contest, I hear that one of the two competitors in that match is standing by...

[FGA Office]

Standing somewhere backstage, Ashley Sands is shown finishing her final adjustments to the kick pads over her boots before she stands up. Production staff is busy moving in front of her as Autumn Annihilation just began. She must be close to the entrance to the ring, the camera’s microphone picking up the din of the crowd.

Ashley Sands: Undefeated. At one point, everyone is unstoppable on whatever path they choose… until something eventually comes along that finally slows them down. The laws of physics and friction causing them to slow down or something just getting in the way, the momentum does come to an end. Everyone that has gotten into any set of ring ropes all over the world has been undefeated. From a rookie on a hotstreak or just having their ill-fated first match, both have that goose egg in the loss column… until it’s replaced by that dreaded vertical dash and dreams of conquering the world without so much of a scratch come crashing down.

Ashley pauses for a moment, almost laughing to herself before letting out a sigh.

Ashley Sands: But you’re different aren’t you, Laura? You’re going to do what no one else in the history of anything has ever done, be perfect. Do yourself a favor and be humble. It’ll help cushion that fall. Trust me, I know from personal experience when I first broke into this game the folly of thinking yourself bulletproof, throwing caution to the wind because I thought was unbreakable. That crash, both literal and figurative, hurt like hell.

Pushing her back away from the wall, Ashley adjusts her jacket covering her upper body as she begins to walk down the hall towards the camera.

Ashley Sands: I was a snot-nosed eighteen year old brat when I first started this over six years ago. It was all about proving that I was better than someone in my family. If it stayed with that as my only reason, I wouldn’t have made it long at all. It changed when I first got my taste at a title, my first real accomplishment holding a set of tag titles with my best friend. I had something to build on, something that meant we were damn good at what we did. And you know, once you get a whiff of that, you’ll crave it day and night, you won’t settle for anything else.

Sands stops at a black curtain as the camera pans to follow her.

Ashley Sands: Since I came back to FGA, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt that again. Years. I’ve gotten close a few times but always managed to fall just a hair short. Getting that close just to be denied all those times, it makes me want it all the more. So Laura, you may think you have this match in the bag but you have no idea what the 15 Championship would mean for my career right now. That second wind I’ve been struggling for after running out of breath for so long. You’re going to have to break me over and over again tonight if you’re going to keep that away from me.

Pushing her way through the curtains, the video fades out as Ashley waits to make her entrance.

[FGA Office]

FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
Laura Perelli vs. Ashley Sands

The opening guitar riff of "Warrior" by Skarlett Riot begins to play over the sound system seconds before the Hybrid Champion Ashley Sands walks out onto the stage. Pointing out to the fans all over the arena, Sands walks down to the ring. Once she gets down to ringside, and gets on the apron before climbing the turnbuckle from the outside. She nimbly climbs the turnbuckle from the outside to perch atop the top rope as she sits on her knees.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a fifteen minute time limit! It is for the FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, from Bradley Beach, NJ... ASHLEY SANDS!!!!

With her name being announced, Ashley holds both of her arms up as she lays back on the turnbuckle post behind her. Flashing from cameras going off all around her, Sands rolls forwards to flip down into the ring and land on her feet.

Geoff Penzer: Since returning to FGA in the 2018 Gold Rush Rumble, Ashley Sands has received at both the United States Championship and the very title she’s challenging for tonight. But in all of those opportunities, she’s come away empty-handed. Is tonight the night that Ashley Sands’ fortunes finally change?

The arena goes dark for just a moment, as the opening riffs to Voodoo Johnson's "United Divided" play through the PA, before the white lights are replaced by swirling blue and yellow replacements. A few seconds pass, though, and it’s only when the drum beat kicks in that the curtain is pushed aside, and Laura Perelli comes spinning through, immediately spreading her arms out wide, a sly little smile on her face as she glances out into the arena. She holds her spot in the center of the stage, rolling her neck out to either side, only making her way down the ramp when she’s good and ready.

Ooo, standing up, being a captive to my disease

And I’ll start when I wanna start

It’s not a trip but a diviiiiiiine right to be

This is my castle and I’m keeping

All

Locked

Laura’s not exactly in a particular hurry, as she more saunters down the ring, occasionally glancing to either side of her to take in the fans at the aisleway. It’s never for more than a moment or two, though, as the most regard Laura’s willing to give is a little tilt of the head to one fan in particular trying to get her attention--whatever he may have been saying, it didn’t do much to faze her, and she just continues to move on. At her own pace, she eventually reaches the ring steps, pausing with one boot on the bottom step, closing her eyes for just a second before quickly jogging up onto the apron, casually wiping the soles of her boots off before spinning around to face the crowd--if only to smirk a little bit.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from Trenton, New Jersey, weighing in at 127 lbs, this is LAURAAAAA PERRELLIIIIIIIII!

Laura swings herself through the ropes, spinning in a half circle to face the opposite side fans and stretching both arms out, holding the pose for more than a couple seconds before eventually backing herself into her corner, shrugging her jacket off and dumping it out of the ring. Grabbing the top rope with one hand, she leans down, stretching her opposite leg out in preparation for the match.

Geoff Penzer: Laura Perelli’s record remains unblemished since coming to FGA at the beginning of the fall. She won her Title Eliminator by defeating frequent 15 Champion contender, Cassius Reed. Standing across the ring from her will be a fellow Jersey native in Ashley Sands. Sands has the experience. She’s got the speed and aerial advantage. But Perelli has the time of game that can ground Sands like that. It’s going to be a clash of styles over the vacant 15 Championship. Laura Perelli versus Ashley Sands starts right now!

The bell sounds as Perelli and Sands circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Perelli gains the advantage by delivering an arm wrench to Sands. After Perelli delivers a slow arm wrench, Sands rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench. The Charlotte crowd cheers at the reversal from Sands before Perelli quickly reaches back over and reverses into another arm wrench of her own. Sands is able to roll forward, lean back, kip up and regain the advantage with another arm wrench before Perelli quickly reverses into another arm wrench of her own. The official asks Sands if she wants to give up. When she refuses, Perelli shoots her into the far ropes. When she returns, she brings Sands down with an arm drag into an arm bar. The referee gets back down and asks Sands if she wants to give up. She refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, she uses her free arm to move Perelli against the near ropes. Perelli is then shoved off into the far ropes. Perelli comes back and knocks Sands down with a running shoulder block before hitting another set of ropes. When she returns, Sands returns to her feet with a kip up before leapfrogging over her. Perelli continues to run the ropes. When she returns, Sands goes for a hip toss when Perelli blocks, counters with an arm drag and quickly transitions into another armbar. Sands slaps the canvas out of frustration while Perelli cinches down on the hold. The ref heads back down and asks Sands if she wants to give up. But she refuses.

Geoff Penzer: Perelli has stayed on that arm in the early goings of this contest. She hasn’t let Sands use her speed at all. Perelli has stayed glued to Sands and has kept her on the mat.

Sands battles back to a vertical base. She then quickly takes Perelli and tries to counter with a scoop slam. But Perelli hangs onto the arm and brings Sands back down to the mat before transitioning into yet another armbar! Sands gets back to her feet and goes to throw Perelli off of her with another scoop slam. Once again, Perelli hangs onto the arm as she brings Sands back down to the canvas. Sands tries to get back to her feet while still trapped into the armbar. Once she’s back to a vertical base, she moves Perelli into the near ropes before shoving her off into the far ropes. When Perelli comes back, Sands leapfrogs over her before she continues to run the ropes. Sands leapfrogs over Perelli again as she continue to run the ropes. Perelli then returns and gets knocked down to the mat with a dropkick. Perelli returns to her feet, only to get returned to the mat with anther dropkick. The cheer continue as Perelli is then whipped into the far ropes. When she returns, she sees Sands setting up for a back body drop. So she stops and counters with a front chancery. Sands tries to battle out of the hold. But Perelli is able to wrestle her down to the mat. The official checks in with Sands and asks her if she wants to give up. Sands refuses. Perelli continues to wear down Sands with the hold before quickly transitioning into a grounded hammerlock. With Sands in the prone position, Perelli keylocks the arm before delivering a stomp to the it! The crowd boos while Sands immediately rolls towards the side of the ring. Sands can be seen clutching her arm. But Perelli shows no mercy as she marches over and puts the boots to her! She then pulls Sands back to her feet, wrenches the arm and follows up with a double knee armbreaker. Sands bounces off the arm before slipping through the ropes and falling to the outside. The crowd continues to boo Perelli while Sands clutches her arm out on the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Sands isn’t quick to get up, ladies and gentlemen. She’s still favoring that arm that Perelli’s been targeting all match.

Perelli can be seen making her way back over towards the ropes. When she sees Sands starting to pick herself up on the outside, she turns and takes off into the far ropes. Perelli builds up speed as she runs across the ring before leaping through the ropes and takes Sands out with a suicide dive to the floor! The boos continue as she rolls Sands back inside before rolling back in to make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands kicks out.

Perelli takes Sands, moves her into the corner and delivers a series of blistering knife edge chops. After a European Uppercut rocks Sands, Perelli takes her opponent and whips her into the far corner. She then runs across the ring to follow up with a high knee. But she misses! The crowd cheers when Sands slips out of the way, causing Perelli to crash into the turnbuckles. Perelli stumbles back away from the corner before Sands pulls her down with a schoolboy.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli kicks out and reverses into a Fujiwara Armbar!

Geoff Penzer: What a reversal from Perelli! She goes right back to attacking the arm!

The crowd boos when they see Sands trapped in the submission. Sands groans when Perelli pulls back on the arm. The official is quick to get down and check in on Sands. He asks her if she wants to give up. But once again, Sands refuses. Sands then begins to yell out in pain when a camera cut shows Perelli manipulating the joints of her fingers and hand! Sands howls out in pain while Perelli bends and twists the joints. Perelli then starts to repeatedly pull back on the arm. The referee continues to keep a dialogue going with Sands. Sands, to her credit, continues to decline every chance to give up. With the capacity crowd behind her, Sands starts to use her free arm to pull herself towards the side of the ring. She grunts and groans while she continues to pull herself and Perelli across the canvas. Perelli keeps the hold applied and continues to try and force a submission. But Sands won’t give in to the pain. She won’t give up. Sands continues to scratch and claw her way towards the side of the ring. Sands reaches out for the ropes. But she’s not quit there yet. Sands then starts to pull herself closer towards the side of the ring when Perelli rolls over and transitions into another front chancery.

Geoff Penzer: Perelli cut her off by switching to another submission!

Perelli slowly pulls Sands off the mat before quickly hooking both of Sands’ arms. Sands is then brought down to the mat with a floatover Butterfly Suplex! Perelli makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands gets her left arm up.

Perelli quickly sits Sands up before slapping on a Shoulder Claw. Sands is seen crying out in pain while Perelli applies even more pressure to the hold. The official once again checks in with Sands and asks if she wants to give up. Sands considers, but ultimately refuses. Perelli keeps the Shoulder Claw applied until she lets go to run off into the ropes, which draws a gasp from the crowd. Perelli hits the far ropes, returns and throws out a Sliding D. But she whiffs when Sands rolls out of the way. After both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base, Sands knocks her off her feet with a legsweep before following up with a standing moonsault!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Sands got Perelli down long enough for a two count. Can she build off of this?

Perelli reverses an irish whip, sending Sands into the ropes. She goes to catch Sands off the rebound with a back body drop when Sands slips down from behind and reverses into a reverse side russian legsweep. The crowd cheers when Sands returns the favor and places Perelli in a Fujiwara Armbar of her own!

Geoff Penzer: Sands with a submission of her own! She’s giving Perelli a taste of her own medicine!

The official quickly gets down and asks Perelli if she wants to give up. The fans are yelling out for her to tap. But Perelli shakes her head ‘no’ when asked if she wants to give up. She then pulls herself forward towards the side of the ring. Once she pulls herself over and grabs the bottom rope, the crowd boos when the ref has to enforce the rope break. Sands lets go of the submission and pulls Perelli back to her feet before throwing her down with a snap suplex. Perelli is pulled back up before finding herself on the receiving end of another snap suplex. Sands pulls Perelli back up, looks around at the cheering crowd and gives her a third snap suplex. She then hits the ropes, returns and goes for the Wind Whisper (Rolling Senton). But Perelli is able to block and counter into a grounded crucifix!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands kicks out.

Once both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base, Perelli rushes over and throws Sands down with a running STO! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sands gets her left shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another nearfall for Perelli. I went into this match thinking that Sands had the speed advantage. But more often than not, Perelli has beaten Sands to the punch and has consistently cut her off!

Perelli pulls up Sands before taking control of her back. She lifts her up for a German Suplex when Sands counters with a back elbow to the face. Sands hits Perelli with another back elbow to the face to break the waist lock. Sands then motions to run towards the far ropes when Perelli reaches out, grabs her from behind and brings her down with the Code of Silence (Saka Otoshi into Sleeper Hold)! Perelli keeps the hold applied until she takes off and hits the far ropes. Sands tries to get back to a vertical base. But she ends up getting flattened with a Sliding D! Perelli grabs Sands by the hair and pulls her back to a seated before hitting the far ropes. The boos continue when Perelli runs back over before flattening Sands with another Sliding D! She makes the cover.

OEN!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Sands gets her left shoulder up.

Perelli pulls Sands back to her feet and lifts her up across her shoulders for a Ushi Goroshi. Perelli is about to deliver the move when Sands uses her right arm to elbow her way out of the hold. Once Sands slips down, she holds her right arm before taking off into the far ropes. When she returns, the crowd boos when Perelli throws her down with a belly to belly suplex! Perelli pulls Sands back up, lifts her up across the shoulders and brings her down with a Ushi Goroshi! Perelli pulls Sands back up by the hair, lifts her up and then plants her with a brainbuster! She turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Sands gets her left shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Sands got dropped right on her head! But she was still able to get her shoulder up! Sands still has some fight in her. But how much does she have left in the tank?

Perelli pulls Sands back to her feet, takes control of her back and brings her down with a bridging leg-hook belly to back suplex!

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd cheers when Sands gets her right shoulder up. Perelli pulls Sands back to her feet and rocks her with a European Uppercut before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she goes for a tilt-a-whirl headscissors armbar when Sands counters into a backbreaker! Perelli turns over and tries to get up from her knee when Sands rushes over and knocks her down with a Shining Wizard! She then takes Perelli and whips her into the ropes. Perelli bounces off the ropes, comes back and gets knocked off her feet with a spinning heel kick! She then pulls Perelli back up, delivers an irish whip, follows her into the corner and connects with another spinning heel kick! After Perelli slumps down in the corner, Sands slowly pulls her back up, climbs up onto the middle ropes and then plants her with a Tornado DDT! Instead of going for the cover, Sands heads back into the corner before climbing up onto the middle ropes. Once Perelli gets back to her feet, Sands flips off and brings her down with a Blockbuster!

Geoff Penzer: Down goes Perelli! This could be it right here!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Perelli gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: So close! Sands was so close! She can feel it. She almost had her!

Sands picks Perelli off the mat before shooting her off into the far ropes. As Perelli comes back, she sees Sands setting up for a back body drop. So she counters with a deliberate kick to the right shoulder, knocking Sands upright. Sands holds her shoulder until Perelli scoops her up across her shoulder. She’s about to go for a shoulderbreaker when Sands kicks her legs. She then slips down from behind, spins Perelli around towards her before bringing her down with Into Dust (Codebreaker)! Perelli remains sprawled out on the mat while Sands staggers over towards the ropes.

Geoff Penzer: Go, Ashley! Go! You’ve got her down! This is your shot right here! Take it!

The fans start to buzz with anticipation as Sands steps out onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Sands then reaches the top, flips off and crashes down across Perelli with the Sunset (Swanton Bomb) to cheers from the crowd! She reaches back and hooks the near leg for the cover…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers when ‘Warrior” hits the speakers.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner and NEEEEWWWW FGA 15 Champion, ASHLEY SANDS!

The cheers continue while Sands gets her arm raised. She then gets handed the 15 Championship before raising the title with her left arm.

Geoff Penzer: Ashley Sands has defeated Laura Perelli to become the new 15 Champion! Sands was turned away by Salem and Sadie San Francisco when she challenged for both the United States Championship and 15 Championship. She was unable to defeat Sloan Talbot for the 15 Championship when he was the title holder. She came into this match tonight against an undefeated Laura Perelli who absolutely took it to her in this contest. Perelli controlled the action. She repeatedly went after the arm. It looked as if Sands was moments away from defeat. But she was able to push through the pain, fight back and give Perelli her first loss here in FGA to become the new 15 Champion!

[FGA Office]

The cameras catch up with Laurel Anne Hardy, taking a moment alone. Well, not exactly "catch up", since she's crouching against a wall out the back of the Spectrum Center, nestled somewhere among the production trucks. She's staring into the middle distance as she idly sucks on a cigarette. She doesn't exactly acknowledge the camera, but a subtle shift in her body language shows that she's realised it's there.

Laurel Anne Hardy: Hey. Big night, huh?

She falls silent for a moment. Still staring, still smoking.

Laurel Anne Hardy: Like I said at the press conference... there's no title, no tournament, not one accolade in all of wrestling that means more to me than this.

She swallows.

Laurel Anne Hardy: Nothing's a given. You can be having the match of your life but all it takes is three seconds that don't go your way... heh, Silk & Cyanide taught me that. Right here in DDT3.

Another pause.

Laurel Anne Hardy: Every round in this tournament, though, you've heard me and Carina say there's no team in the world we can't beat. Maybe we ain't teamed up before this but here we are now. Three teams behind us, all of whom had more experience together than we did. Sometimes you find someone and there's a magic, you know? I know what it feels like... I had it with Allison Lorraine. I really think I got it now with Carina. As artists, as warriors, we fit together like jigsaw pieces.

At last, she stubs out the cigarette butt... not that she really needed to, as it had already burned out while she was talking.

Laurel Anne Hardy: I don't want to jinx anything. But I didn't fly all the way from Manchester to Charlotte with a layover in Philly to lose tonight. Not again.

She sighs and stands up, and as she stretches, she mumbles:

Laurel Anne Hardy: If you'll excuse me.

And with that, she turns away, towards the door back into the venue.

[FGA Office]

Our cameras open up on the outside of a door which simply reads GENERAL MANAGER. It prompts the Charlotte crowd to buzz among themselves in interest, which peaks as the door opens… before devolving into a chorus of boos. Ashlyn De Luca walks out of Kayden Jade Jones’ office with a look on her face that displays, in a word: annoyance.

Ashlyn De Luca: Why do I even…

She allows herself to trail off, eyes narrowing as they focus on an approaching figure, traveling down the corridor. De Luca’s hands move to her hips, gaze steadied as Amanda Johnson walks into frame, offering a small smile to her “favorite” Grappler.

Amanda Johnson: How’d that go?

Ashlyn shoots a look back toward Kayden’s office, drawing in a deep breath before turning to look at the interviewer again.

Ashlyn De Luca: How do you th--

De Luca stops herself, takes a deep breath-- forces a bitter smile.

Ashlyn De Luca: I see what you’re trying to do and I’m not gonna let you.

She turns, beginning to walk away from Amanda, headed toward the dressing room area. For a brief moment, Johnson hesitates, lingering behind before she calmly treks behind the former Tag Team Champion.

Amanda Johnson: Is it that you’re not feeling talkative, or just a lack of desire to talk about your meeting with Kayden Jade Jones?

De Luca continues her steady march forward, not bothering to look back at Johnson or the camera operator.

Amanda Johnson: Okay. If you don’t want to talk about your meeting with the General Manager, then how about my special report from a few weeks ago concerning Logan Alexander’s FGA departure?

The mention earns a loud, curious reaction from those in attendance. Still, Ashlyn continues walking.

Amanda Johnson: I assume you saw it. We weren’t able to get a word with Logan, but we conducted interviews with several friends, several students from his school in Ontario. You’re familiar with it; with them, I’m sure. A lot of them spoke about how you violated the trust that all of you had built at that school. They don’t even know if Logan is going to ret--

Ashlyn De Luca: Oh my God.

Ashlyn finally stops, dead in her tracks. She pivots on her heel and turns to Johnson, who, in turn, nearly crashes into her. Johnson stops, taking a step back.

Ashlyn De Luca: I watched the goddamn special. Alright? Like, Jesus Christ, how unlike you to come pestering me, begging me to watch your motherf--

Amanda Johnson: He left the company. The person that you shared every major moment of your FGA career with quit because of you. I’m just amazed, I suppose, that you have no feelings whatsoever toward this. You have no remorse-- anything. It’s fascinating, at best. And at worst, it’s…

De Luca snorts softly, shaking her head.

Ashlyn De Luca: I saw the little bit at the end of your video too. Where you basically sucked Logan off and mourned the career he’s not gonna have, and thanked him for being so professional and… all while conveniently forgetting that HE, eeeevery chance he got, used me to keep his name alive. Just like he’s using every single one of those students to keep his name alive. His ego is so big, like-- he couldn’t just handle LOSING to me, so he had to lure every available camera guy to bum-ass Stouffville, Ontario just to make sure his retirement had some hope of overshadowing my success. Do you know how pathetic that is?

The boos from within the arena are clearly audible once again. De Luca’s look toward Amanda hovers somewhere between disgust and anger. Ashlyn takes another breath though, running a hand through her hair. For several seconds, there’s just silence between interviewer and Grappler.

Ashlyn De Luca: And it must be working. Because you’re standing here, asking me about him, when he doesn’t even wanna be here anymore. Meanwhile I’m the one that beat your number one contenders in a main event two weeks ago. Me.

Finally, Ashlyn gestures in the direction of the office she’d walked out of moments prior.

Ashlyn De Luca: And I didn’t even go to Bosslady demanding to be added to the match. I didn’t demand a title shot on the next show. I just asked to be a part of the main event because I earned that much. I was good enough to serve as a partner for Savannah Taylor yet again and score her some momentum heading into her triple threat, but here we are at Autumn Annihilation I wasn’t even invited here for a real interview. Do you get-- is that not sick?

Amanda Johnson sighs, refraining from rolling her eyes.

Ashlyn De Luca: I went in there with good arguments. The fans deserve to see a clean, decisive finish between Cordy, Karma, and Savannah. I know emotions are running wild here. I know egos are hurt. I know how desperate someone like Johnny is to latch onto what’s left of his career… how desperate Cordy is to prove that her comeback wasn’t for nothing… how desperate Savannah is to stay a part of a scene she spent so many years trying to break into.

A small shrug.

Ashlyn De Luca: I suggested it was beyond the scope of a referee. So I offered my services as a special enforcer. Sure, in part because I felt I deserved to be a part of tonight’s card, but because the International Heavyweight Title deserves to be contested in a match that goes off without a hitch. Obviously. I was gonna be the one to make sure of that, you know?

Recollecting how the meeting went down, Ashlyn takes another deep breath and clenches her hands into fists, cheeks growing red.

Amanda Johnson: And I assume she said--?

Ashlyn De Luca: No.

It’s enough to earn a pop from the Charlotte crowd. Amanda hides a small smirk of her own, earning a sidelong glance from Ashlyn.

Ashlyn De Luca: She acted like she knew me. Said… “I know what you’re up to”. Gotta be kidding me. “I know what you’re up to” like I’m some sort of scheming, conniving child or something. Like, that’s the kind of crap I’d expect to catch you mumbling, but not the General Manager.

Amanda Johnson: And you were surprised?

Ashlyn De Luca: I was goddamn shocked.

De Luca scoffs, crossing her arms.

Ashlyn De Luca: Then she tried to point out that I had issues with all three of them. Like, OBVIOUSLY, but I have issues with all three of them equally. So basic algebra, hellooo, it totally cancels itself out and makes me a neutral party all over again. And I told her that, but she was like “nO thE whOlE rEAsoN i mAdE tHiS a ThrEe WaY daNCe tO beGiN wiTH is So tHeRe’s No cOnTroVeRsY.” It’s like she’s never watched wrestling before, I swear to God. Last time I try to help.

Ashlyn huffs. She looks off, back toward Jones’ door for a moment, cheeks growing red once more.

Ashlyn De Luca: She said I won’t be a special enforcer… a special commentator… timekeeper… cameraman-- she went down the whole list just to make sure I got the point; that I had no place here tonight.

She shakes her head a bit. The corners of her lips are pulled into a smile, albeit a bitter one.

Ashlyn De Luca: I deserve better.

These final words earn another deep chorus of boos from Charlotte, North Carolina. We fade away on Amanda Johnson, and into Geoff Penzer seated at the commentary table.

Geoff Penzer: Well, Ashlyn De Luca may be upset at not being a part of tonight’s Autumn Annihilation-- and in the eyes of some, she might have an argument, but the table is already set. Tonight, Johnny Karma and Cordy Stevenson will both challenge for Savannah Taylor’s International Heavyweight Championship. And by the looks of it, there are already a lot of eyes on that title, ready to take their shot the moment the dust from that three way dance is settled.

[FGA Office]

The scene fades in slowly, revealing the face of Sadie San Francisco to a loud-- mainly positive-- reaction from the Charlotte crowd. Sadie opens her eyes, standing up to her full height post-stretch. She’s dressed to compete, decked out in a mix of white and violet. As our camera pans out, we reveal the team of the Saturnian Connection; Jillian Clay and Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter. The reigning Portland Pro Wrestling Tag Team Champions aren’t wearing their titles, though the belts are visible in the background, lying slightly masked behind a duffel bag in the room’s locker area.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: You regret this yet?

Sadie frowns, turning to give Nando a look of disapproval.

Sadie San Francisco: Why would you even say something like that?

Fresno shrugs. His eyes drift toward Jillian Clay, who sits in a folding chair in the room, reclined, legs propped up on the wooden shelving in the corner of the locker room as she types away on her phone, clearly more enthralled in whatever’s on the screen than what her comrades are discussing. Her attention is otherwise occupied with a lollipop in her mouth and briefly, Clay’s eyes meet Nando’s, then Sadie’s before returning to her phone. Regardless, Clay shifts the lollipop to her side in her mouth, speaking in a slightly muffled tone toward Sadie.

Jillian Clay: You don’t really want the match against Kendall. You just kind of agreed to it because you felt upstaged.

Sadie San Francisco: What?

Jillian Clay: “Upstaged”? Is that the word?

Sadie San Francisco: It’s a word.

Jillian pulls the bright red lollipop out of her mouth, sighing, clearly exasperated by the act.

Jillian Clay: She caught you before you could set up a time and a place to challenge for the U.S. Title. First, you thought you could make her kind of shut up about it if you threw her out of that Battle Royal, but you didn’t. She did it to you. And then you put your shot on the line in a match against her, but you…

Jillian clears her throat, spreading her hands apart as if painting a picture for Sadie.

Jillian Clay: You got lost in the moment.

Sadie San Francisco: Ah.

Jillian Clay: And here we are.

Sadie raises her brows.

Sadie San Francisco: And to think you barely knew how to speak full sentences three months ago. Shush, Jill.

Nando sighs, shaking his head slightly.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: Jillian’s right. We’re just trying to help you understand how you got here. Don’t know if you remember this, but I told you it was stupid to risk a sure thing. You had every right to a United States Championship match. You made history as the FGA Fifteen Champion and earned that right but you let Kendall in your head, and this is where it got you. You remember what my suggestion was?

Sadie rolls her eyes, looking away from Nando, but Nando takes a step to the left to put himself right back in her line of sight.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: I told you to go get the U.S. Title. “Call your shot” I believe I said. Let Kendall worry about Kendall and fight her way back to contention. But no one listens to Nando.

Sadie San Francisco: Kendall and I had unfinished business. I already explained myself-- going after that title didn’t feel right with all that on the table.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: Hm. Then I guess we have very different ideas of what that championship represented.

Sadie San Francisco: You have no ide--

Jillian Clay: Agree to disagree.

Sadie opens her mouth to respond… but trades it for a small breath. She nods toward the pair, biting her lip for a moment.

Sadie San Francisco: Yeah.

There’s an uncomfortable silence that falls between the three friends for a few moments. Nando is the first to speak up.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: Best wishes for tonight then. Hopefully you’ve prepared as necessary. And I trust that you have. You should have nothing to worry about. You’ll do great, Sadie.

Sadie offers a faint smile, but is near-silent beyond that.

Sadie San Francisco: Thanks.

Jillian gives Sadie a matching smile and a small wave. Sadie nods, turning, walking out of the dressing room without another word toward the pair. Rather than lingering with the Saturnian Connection, however, our cameras follow Sadie during her trek down the hall…

...until she reaches a four-way cross in the corridor. Sadie continues, presumably toward the general vicinity of gorilla position--

--but our camera operator takes a few steps back, whipping his or her head to the right, catching a glimpse of Vertigo Grappler, Ricky Valero, taking long, meaningful strides down the hall. The sight of him earns a deafening, almost unanimously negative reaction from Charlotte.

Geoff Penzer: Oh my God! It’s Ricky! Ricky Valero from the Good Guys, from Vertigo-- he’s here in the Spectrum Center!

Valero pauses in the center of the hall, shooting a look over his shoulder toward Sadie before she rounds the corner, disappearing out of sight. He turns, marching toward Sadie’s dressing room, face red, already seething in anger.

Geoff Penzer: Oh. No. I think I know why Valero’s here…!

The camera scrambles to catch up with Valero, but it manages. It follows Ricky during the straight journey from his starting point, all the way to the partially-opened door of Sadie’s locker room. Without hesitation, Valero shoves the door open, stepping inside.

Nando Fresno rises to his feet, eyes narrowed as Valero strides up to him.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: What are you doing he--

CRACK!

Valero smashes his head into the face of the Portland Pro Tag Team Champion, earning a thunderous reaction from Charlotte-- and a shriek from Jillian Clay.

Geoff Penzer: Oh m…

Nando tumbles over the folding chair he’d just been seated in, falling on his back on the floor. His eyes grow wide and he looks up toward Valero-- who brings a foot down on Nando’s chest, stomping down, keeping Nando pinned to the floor.

Jillian Clay: What do you think you’re doing?!

Ricky Valero: Shut up!

Jillian’s eyes narrow into a glare. She takes a step toward Ricky, but in one swift movement, he snatches the folding chair Nando had just been sitting in and closes it shut, gripping it between both hands. Clay shakes her head, but stays frozen where she is.

Ricky Valero: You guys think you’re so clever, but you’re absolute morons. I-- HEY!

In a beat, Clay darts out of the room. Valero scrambles after her, but pauses as he reaches the doorway. Quickly, he pivots, sprinting toward Nando as he rises to his feet! Nando launches his duffel bag at Valero, catching him between the eyes! Valero staggers and Nando lands a right hand, connecting with a fist flush across Ricky’s jaw! Nando makes a run for the door just as his partner had-- but Valero grabs Nando around the waist and turns, swinging him head-first into the wall!

“OOOOOOOOOHHHHH…”

Geoff Penzer: Ricky Valero just found Nando Fresno! He believes the Saturnian Connection is responsible for Evan Envi being assaulted on Vertigo! But somebody needs to-- oh God!

Nando struggles to his feet, staggering toward the door again, but Ricky Valero grabs Nando by the base of his neck and pivots, throwing him face-first into the wall a second time! This shot creates a crater in the drywall as Nando crumbles to the ground.

Ricky Valero: How does it feel, you son of a bitch?!

Nando coughs, holding a hand up toward Valero.

Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter: You’re so quick to jump to conclu--

Valero drives his boot across Nando’s cheek! The shot sends the alien hunter sprawling across the floor of the locker room. Valero strides forward, standing over Fresno… but as he bends down to pick his foe up again, the door is thrust open. Three referees rush inside, immediately placing themselves between Nando and the Good Guy. Jillian Clay lingers behind the officials, a glare focused on Valero as he backs away.

Ref 1: Get out of here, Ricky! If security comes, they’re calling the cops.

Ricky’s gaze remains focused on Clay. He shakes his head at her, walking up to the alleged Saturnian, speaking quietly.

Ricky Valero: You guys aren’t gonna get away with this.

Clay turns her nose up at Valero.

Jillian Clay: You don’t belong here.

Ref 2: Ricky, get out!

Valero licks his lips, taking another step toward Clay, who averts her gaze as Ricky leans in.

Ricky Valero: You won’t get away with this.

Jillian shifts her eyes toward Valero, but she doesn’t react. Valero nods to himself, moving past Clay and out of the dressing room, escorted by two of the referees. Jillian sighs, walking over to her fallen partner, slowly kneeling down beside him. Nando sits upright, wiping blood away from his nose as the scene fades.

[FGA Office]

We cut back to the announce desk, where Geoff Penzer is standing by. He holds his arm out in shock over the events that just transpired.

Geoff Penzer: Wrestling fans, I don’t even know what to make of what we just saw! Nando Fresno was just attacked backstage by Ricky Valero! What in the world has gotten into him!? Valero doesn’t even work here! He’s a Vertigo talent! Valero has focused his witch hunt on Fresno after the attack on Evan Envi. But he can’t just run around going after people based off a hunch! He knows better than that, dammit! Thankfully we got some help back there before further damage could be done to young Fresno. Wherever Valero is, I hope he’s being escorted right out of the arena by security. Keep that nonsense off of our show!

Penzer takes a deep sigh before getting the papers in front of him in order.

Geoff Penzer: Folks, Autumn Annihilation continues with our next matchup. It’s going to be Sadie San Francisco going one on one with Kendall Kingham! This is quite the rivalry that has developed in recent months between these two. Tonight will mark the fifth and potentially final contest between these two fan favorites. It all comes down to this. An Ultimate Submission match where Sadie’s US Title shot is on the line. Let’s send it to the ring where our very own Melanie Sierra is standing by.

ULTIMATE SUBMISSION MATCH
Sadie San Francisco vs. Kendall Kingham

* DING! DING!! DING!!! *

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is an ULTIMATE SUBMISSION MATCH! For thirty minutes, each participant will try to gain a submission over their opponent. At the end of the 30 minute time period, the grappler with the most submissions will be declared the winner! Should the tally be tied up at the end of the time period, we will go to sudden death overtime!

The lights drop, and multi-colored ones start strobing around as "Professional Griefers" starts up to the cheers of the crowd. Kendall Kingham emerges into sight wearing her regular gear, sunglasses, and an airbrushed jacket.

Kendall bounces on the balls of her toes before making her way down the ramp, slapping a few hands along the way.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, from Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York… KENDALL KINGHAM!

She hops up on the apron, runs to an unoccupied corner, and climbs to the second turnbuckle. Raising a fist to a pop from the crowd, she slingshots herself inside, and removes her jacket and glasses as the lights come back on while her music fades.

Geoff Penzer: Kendall Kingham had an excellent 2018. She was nominated for multiple Year End Awards and won the 15 Championship on two separate occasions. In both of her championship reigns, Kingham fell short of that coveted fourth successful title defense. Doing so would have guaranteed her a shot at the United States Championship if she choose to cash the title in. But she unfortunately fell short in both of her reigns. Since that time, Kingham has made impressive outings throughout the year. She’s given some of the best in FGA a run for their money and she even set the record for the longest time in a Gold Rush Rumble this year! But none of that has brought Kingham joy. Setting the record was a cool feather in her cap. But in her eyes, what did it mean if she ultimately didn’t win the Gold Rush Rumble? Hanging in there and giving FGA’s best a tough fight is fine. But in her eyes, what does it mean if she never walked away with the big wi?. Kingham has felt like she’s been THIS close to getting that huge win in 2019. Is tonight the night Kingham finally gets that big win? Will tonight be the night where the fans of the Flashpoint Zone see their favorite break through to the next level?

The lights in the arena fade to a rose-gold color as the familiar sound of smooth jazz echoes throughout the building. “Young Nation” hits the PA system and a roar surges throughout audience. Sadie San Francisco steps out to the top of the ramp, offering a quick wink to the camera nearest before continuing past. Sadie pauses at the bottom of the ramp, performing a full turn as she gazes at the masses surrounding her.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from The West Side! She is “The Pope” SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

Nodding a bit to herself, Sadie strides around to the side of the ring facing the hard camera. She climbs onto the apron, narrowing her eyes at the camera is it pans closer to her, capturing only a cold gaze from Sadie as she spends a few seconds staring into the lens-- before slinking through the ropes, sliding seamlessly back into the ring. Sadie makes her way toward the turnbuckles, slowly ascending to the second rope, shooting a broad smile out toward the raucous audience before raising a single “V” above her head with her left hand. Sadie casually drops down from the turnbuckles and turns, leaning against the turnbuckles as she awaits competition.

Geoff Penzer: The Pope did what Kingham failed to her in her two reigns as 15 Champion and that was successfully defend the title on four occasions. Kingham pleaded with Sadie to reconsider her decision to cash the championship in. But an opportunity at the US Championship was too good to pass up. With that being said, there was still unfinished business between San Francisco and Kingham. They’ve fought on four separate occasions. Sadie has the sole win between the two while two of those matches ended in time limit draws and the last match ended in a double count out. Sadie had Kingham locked in the submission and refused to let go. Even when Kingham escaped out of the ring and fell to the floor, The Pope continued to keep the hold applied while the ref counted them both out! Kingham is looking for that big win and the US Championship Title shot that has consistently eluded her! San Francisco is looking to prove that she can submit Kingham! Both grapplers want to settle the score between them, once and for all! Who will walk out of this match the winner? We’re about to find out. Sadie San Francisco versus Kendall Kingham starts right now!

The bell sounds as both grapplers exit out of their respective corners. As they circle the ring, they’re met with supportive chants from the capacity crowd.

“LET’S GO, KENDALL!”
“LET’S GO, SADIE!”

“LET’S GO, KENDALL!”
“LET’S GO, SADIE!”

“LET’S GO, KENDALL!”
“LET’S GO, SADIE!”

Both grapplers march forward before locking up. After jockeying for position, Kingham quickly tosses San Francisco down to the mat with a fireman’s carry. She quickly tries to apply a cross armbar. But before she can fully apply the hold, San Francisco scoots herself towards the side of the ring and gets her foot on the bottom rope to force a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Kingham releases the hold and rolls back onto a knee.

Geoff Penzer: Good ring awareness there by The Pope. Remember, there are no pinfalls in this matchup. It’s an Ultimate Submission match. The only way to win is to have more submissions than your opponent at the end of the allotted time period. Both Kingham and San Francisco have patented submission holds that have gotten them multiple key victories here in FGA. It would be hard to say one is more well-versed in submissions than the other.

The former two-time 15 Champion gets back to a vertical base before stepping back towards the center of the ring. The Pope then pulls herself up using the ropes before circling the ring. Kingham and San Francisco rush forward and collide in another collar-and-elbow. After jockeying for position, Kingham gains the advantage with a side headlock. While Kingham wrenches down on the hold, the official goes over to San Francisco and asks her if she wants to give up. The Pope refuses. So Kingham brings her to the mat with a side headlock takedown. Kingham keeps the hold applied until San Francisco successfully reverses into a grounded headscissors. San Francisco then lifts up her left leg before driving it down hard across Kingham’s throat! She reapplies the grounded headscissors and squeezes as hard as she can. The official gets down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. But Kingham refuses. Kingham then tries to push San Francisco’s leg from around her neck. Kingham continues to fight for the escape before eventually returning to her feet with a kip up. San Francisco scrambles back to her feet. But she quickly gets caught in another side headlock. So The Pope goes to shove Kingham off into the far ropes. But Kingham keeps the side headlock applied. She then moves Kingham into the near ropes before getting a running start. San Francisco then goes to shove Kingham off into the far ropes. Once again, Kingham counters by dropping down to a knee while keeping the side headlock applied. San Francisco groans while Kingham continues to wrench down on the hold. The official then kneels down next to San Francisco and asks if she wants to give up. Again, The Pope refuses. San Francisco battles back to a vertical base and begins to hit Kingham with forearms to the midsection. Kingham then quickly performs a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock. Kingham keeps the hammerlock applied until San Francisco counters with a a spinning drop toe hold, bringing Kingham down to the prone position. The crowd gasps and cheers when San Francisco starts to put Kingham in Out Lady fo Sorrows (Cross Legged STF)! But before she can fully lock in the move, Kingham is able to pull herself towards the side of the ring and grab onto the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

San Francisco pushes off of Kingham before getting back to a vertical base. Kingham looks back at The Pope while she waits for her in the center of the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Oh boy, Kingham was nearly caught there. She’s still fresh. She’s still got tons of energy, so it wasn’t too difficult for her to make it to the ropes. But if Sadie got her in that submission at some point deep in the match, that could have very well resulted in a submission.

Kingham gets back to her feet before making her way over towards San Francisco. After locking up, Kingham starts to move San Francisco across the ring. Kingham continues to move San Francisco back towards the corner until The Pope pivots and presses Kingham up against the ropes. The official is quick to step in and give them until the count of five to break it up.

ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both grapplers make a clean break. The Pope then steps to Kingham and stares her down. But Kingham doesn’t back away from San Francisco!

Geoff Penzer: Uh oh! It’s starting to get heated, folks!

The crowd buzzes while Kingham and San Francisco stare each other down. In a flash, The Pope nails her with a forearm strike. Kingham gets caught with another forearm strike! The Pope then unleashes a flurry of forearm strikes, sending Kingham slumping down in the corner! The cheers continue as San Francisco delivers repeated stomps to the chest! She then pulls Kingham back up by the hair, pulls her out of the corner and whips her into the far ropes. When Kingham returns, she ducks a back elbow to the face before continuing to run the ropes. Kingham bounces back and ducks a spinning back fist before continuing to run the ropes. When Kingham returns, she avoids San Francisco again by sliding through her legs. Kingham picks herself back up. But she’s quickly brought down with a running headscissors takeover The Pope quickly transitions into an armbar. But Kingham is able to scoot herself towards the side of the ring before reaching out and grabbing the bottom rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…

San Francisco lets go. She then grabs a hold of Kingham, pulls her away from the ropes and delivers an arm wrench. The Pope delivers another arm wrench before delivering a clubbing strike across Kingham’s arm. Another clubbing strike connects before she delivers another arm wrench. The official checks in with Kingham and asks her if she wants to give up. When Kingham refuses, The Pope yanks the arm, causing Kingham to drop down to a knee. Kingham starts to pick herself back up when another hard yank of the arm drops her down to a knee. The Pope then transitions into a standing armbar. A closeup of Kingham reveals her grimacing with pain. The referee checks in with her once again to see if she wants to give up. But Kingham refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, she uses her free arm to push San Francisco across the ring and into the ropes. She then takes San Francisco and pushes her off into the far ropes. When San Francisco returns, she intentionally runs over Kingham with a running shoulder block to the left arm. The Pope is met with mostly cheers from the crowd. But there are some boos from the loyal Kingham supporters of the Flashpoint Zone. San Francisco then turns and hits the ropes. When the Pope comes back, she sees Kingham turn over into the prone position. Instead of hopping over her to continue running the ropes, San Francisco opts for a jumping knee drop across the upper back! The Pope quickly mounts Kingham’s back before pulling her up into a Camel Clutch!

Geoff Penzer: We’ve seen that time and time again from grapplers from all over. They get knocked down, turn over into the prone position and assume that their opponent will just hop over them to continue running the ropes. But not Sadie! Not this time!

The cheers continue as the official gets down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Kingham shakes her head ‘no.’ So San Francisco responds by pulling back on the hold! Kingham reaches out for the ropes. But she’s nowhere near them. San Francisco continues to keep the hold applied as she tries to get the first submission of the match. The ref continues to check in with Kingham and asks her if she wants to give up. Kingham cries out in pain when San Francisco pulls back on the hold. The official asks her again if she wants to give up. She can drop the fall, take 30 seconds to recover and have the rest of the match to potentially tie up the score and win the match. The referee is giving her an out. But Kingham refuses to take it! She turns down the opportunity to quit! The decision to continue fighting garners applause from pockets of the crowd. While San Francisco keeps the Camel Clutch applied, Kingham positions herself on her knee. After hooking her arms around San Francisco’s legs, Kingham slowly gets one foot down on the mat. The Pope widens her eyes with surprise when Kingham slowly returns to a vertical base and keeps her on her back! Kingham takes a couple of steps forward before jumping up, falling back and squashing San Francisco on the canvas! Kingham then rolls away from San Francisco while The Pope remains sprawled out on the floor. San Francisco starts to stir on the canvas before turning over on all fours. She slowly gets back to her feet while Kingham pulls herself up using the ropes. As Kingham turns around, she sees San Francisco charging over for an attack. So she ducks and dumps San Francisco over the top rope and to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s just been tossed to the outside! How did she take that fall? Is she hurt or can she shrug it off? If she is hurt, you can bet that Kingham will zero in on it.

As San Francisco starts to pick herself up off the floor, Kingham turns and takes off into the far ropes. The crowd erupts with cheers when Kingham bounces off the ropes, runs across the ring, leaps through the ropes and knocks San Francisco down with a suicide European Uppercut!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham connects with one of her signature European Uppercut variations! She dove through those ropes at full-speed and absolutely ROCKED The Pope!

Kingham picks up San Francisco and rolls her back inside. She then rolls herself back in and instinctively goes for the cover. But the official is quick to wave it off. Kingham then pulls San Francisco back to her feet, pulls her over towards the center of the ring and delivers an arm wrench of her own. Kingham delivers two more arm wrenches before San Francisco rolls forward, leans back, kips up and sends Kingham down to the mat with a somersault arm wringer. She then quickly tries to place Kingham in the 1709 (over-the-shoulder Fujiwara Armbar). But Kingham is able to fight her off by wrestling her far arm away from San Francisco. So The Pope turns over, places Kingham in a front facelock and follows up with sharp elbow strikes to the back of the head and neck! The Pope continues to hammer away with strikes before cinching down on the hold. The official drops down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Kingham responds by wagging her finger at him. San Francisco continues to cinch down on the hold as she tries for the submission. The referee keeps an open dialogue with Kingham. The former two-time 15 Champion continues to turn down opportunities to quit. Kingham starts to slowly battle back to her feet while San Francisco keeps the front facelock applied. Once Kingham is up off the mat, The Pope reaches over, takes Kingham’s arm and brings her down with a Hammerlock DDT!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie’s repeatedly gone after the arm all match but that one might have done some damage right there!

San Francisco picks up Kingham and whips her hard sternum-first into the ring post. As Kingham stumbles back, San Francisco runs over and knocks her down with a Northern Lariat! The Pope then drops down and applies another Camel Clutch before nailing Kingham with repeated left-arm clubbing forearms across the face! The last strike knocks Kingham back down to the mat. The Pope then goes back over before dropping down into another grounded front facelock.

LET’S GO, KENDALL!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO, KENDALL!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO, KENDALL!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

The capacity crowd continues to rally behind Kingham while she’s trapped in the hold. San Francisco cinches down and tries to get Kingham to give up. The referee drops down and converses with the former two-time 15 Champion. He asks her if she wants to submit. Once again, Kingham refuses. She grabs a hold of San Francisco’s arm and tries to pry it from around her neck. But it’s to no avail. The Pope then gets up on her knees while she keeps the front facelock applied. The official checks in with Kingham once more. He asks her if she wants to give up. But he doesn’t get a response. The ref asks Kingham again if she wants to quit. She still doesn’t answer. The Pope looks like she’s about to be up a fall when Kingham quickly spins out of the hold before cinching down with a Front Chancery!

Geoff Penzer: Just like that, Kingham is back in control!

San Francisco tries to crawl backwards towards the side of the ring and get one of her foot on the bottom rope. But Kingham keeps her held in place. She then forces San Francisco down before swinging her leg over her back. The crowd erupts with cheers as Kingham transitions into the Peruvian Necktie! San Francisco tries to wrestle her way out of the hold. But she’s all tied up! Kingham feverishly nods her head while cinching down on the hold. The official kneels down next to San Francisco and asks her if she wants to give up. San Francisco doesn’t respond and instead tries to find a way out of the hold. The referee questions her again. The Pope still won’t answer. San Francisco tries for an escape. But she realizes that there’s nowhere for her to go. So she reluctantly taps out on Kingham’s leg. The ref quickly calls for the bell.

Geoff Penzer: Kendall just tapped Sadie! She got the submission! Kingham is now in the lead!

SADIE SAN FRANCISCO - 0
KENDALL KINGHAM - 1

Kingham releases the hold and heads back into her corner. San Francisco slowly sits up and favors her neck. She gazes off to the side with a look of frustration on her face. Across the ring, Kingham continues to take a breather in the corner.

Geoff Penzer: Kendall Kingham looked like she was right where Sadie San Francisco wanted her. But Kingham knew what she was doing the entire time, waited for the perfect opportunity to catch The Pope with the surprise reversal. We’ve seen Chris Madison use that Peruvian Necktie to put away opponents her in FGA. But Kingham is well-versed in that move, which we all just saw


San Francisco turns over to a knee before getting back to a vertical base. The bell sounds as San Francisco charges across the ring. But Kingham is able to knock her back with a European Uppercut! She then climbs up to the middle ropes, jumps off and knocks San Francisco down with a diving European Uppercut! The cheers continue as Kingham takes San Francisco and whips her into the far ropes. When San Francisco comes back, Kingham throws her down with a japanese arm drag. A second japanese arm drag returns San Francisco to the mat. Once San Francisco is back to her feet, Kingham takes her by the arm before sending her crashing down shoulder-first to the mat with an arm wringer! Kingham quickly takes control of San Francisco’s back and tries to place her in The Tombs (grounded top wristlock submission)! But San Francisco is able to fight her way toward the side of the ring and hook her arm around the bottom rope before the hold can be fully applied.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Kingham lets go and steps back towards the center of the ring.

Geoff Penzer: If Kingham was able to fully lock Sadie in The Tombs, I believe she’d be up 2-0 right now.

As San Francisco begins to pull herself up using the ropes, Kingham runs back over to attack. Before she can strike, San Francisco ducks and dumps her over the top rope! Instead of crashing to the floor, Kingham lands safely on the apron. When San Francisco turns to face her, Kingham goes for a slingshot spear through the ropes. But she gets countered with a bicycle knee strike to the face, knocking Kingham through the ropes and to the apron!

Geoff Penzer: That did not sound good and I bet it didn’t feel good, either!

Kingham shakes out the cobwebs before touching her nose to see if it’s bleeding. After seeing zero signs of blood, Kingham starts to slowly pull herself back up. Before Kingham can fully get back to her feet, San Francisco rushes back over and connects with a bicycle kick, knocking Kingham off the ropes and sending her crashing against the guardrail! Kingham crumbles to the floor before the fans in the front row leap to their feet and look down at her.

Geoff Penzer: Kendall caught another hard strike to the head before falling hard against the guardrail. She looks to be shaken up on the floor.

Kingham starts to stir on the outside. She slowly turns over on all fours before reaching up to grab the top of the guardrail. After pulling herself back to her feet, Kingham turns around and gets squashed by San Francisco, who leaps through the ropes and connects with a suicide dive! The Pope rolls back inside before taking off into the far ropes. San Francisco comes back, leaps through the ropes and knocks Kingham back against the guardrail with another suicide dive! San Francisco rolls back inside before taking off into the ropes again. The Pope picks up speed as she runs across the ring. She then hurls herself through the ropes before knocking Kingham down with a third suicide dive!

Geoff Penzer: The Pope is taking it to Kendall Kingham right now!

San Francisco picks up Kingham, lifts her up and throws her down across the apron with a release suplex! Kingham bounces off the apron before hitting the floor. The Pope pulls Kingham back up, lifts her up from behind and brings her down with a back suplex across the apron! Kingham cries out in pain while arching her back. San Francisco then pulls herself back up onto the apron before putting the boots to Kingham. She then pulls Kingham up before setting her up for an Exploder Suplex. The Pope is about to toss Kingham to the floor when Kingham hooks her free arm around the top rope to block the move. San Francisco tries to hurl her off the apron. But Kingham blocks the move a second time. She then catches San Francisco with an elbow to the side of the head. Another elbow connects. Then another. And another. Another another! She then positions herself behind San Francisco on the apron before trying to throw her off with a German Suplex! But The Pope is able to block by wrapping her arm around the top rope. Kingham tries to throw her off with another German Suplex attempt. But San Francisco keeps her arm wrapped around the top rope. She then catches Kingham with three back elbows to the face to break the hold. The Pope escapes back into the ring before hitting the far ropes. When she returns, she gears up for an attack when Kingham leaps through the ropes and cuts her off with a slingshot spear!

Geoff Penzer: Kingham nearly drove the air right out of Sadie with that spear!

Kingham slowly pulls San Francisco up off the mat when The Pope quickly lifts her up, turns and falls back, catching her with a hotshot across the top rope! As Kingham slumps down again the ropes, Sadie takes off into the far ropes. The crowd cheers as The Pope runs back across the ring, swings through the ropes and locks Kingham in Alcatraz (tiger feint crucifix armbar)! The official gives San Francisco until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

San Francisco lets go. She looks over and sees Kingham slowly trying to crawl away from the ropes. So The Pope runs along the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. San Francisco gets to the top, leaps off and flattens Kingham with a diving knee drop! She then gets control of Kingham’s back before pulling her down into a Surfboard Stretch! San Francisco has Kingham pressed high above her while the submission is applied. The official asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Kingham shakes her head ‘no.’ The crowd murmurs when San Francisco pulls her down and transitions into a Dragon Sleeper Surfboard Stretch! Kingham howls in pain while San Francisco sits up, bringing Kingham down to her knees. Kingham groans while The Pope cinches down on the hold. She then cries out in pain when San Francisco pulls back as far as she can! The crowd gasps when Kingham taps out in San Francisco’s arm. The ref quickly calls for the bell.

SADIE SAN FRANCISCO - 1
KENDALL KINGHAM - 1

After San Francisco breaks the hold, Kingham rolls over into the prone position. She remains down on the mat while San Francisco slowly gets back to a vertical base. The Pope then makes her way over towards the ropes to wait out the rest of mandatory rest period.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie San Francisco was able to tie up the score after trapping Kingham in a Surfboard Stretch Dragon Sleeper. That move looked like it hurt and I’m sure it felt ten times worse. The Pope didn’t let the submission earlier get her down. Instead, she fought right back and was able to get a submission of her own. It’s all knotted up at one!

The bell sounds to kick off the start of the next fall. San Francisco runs over and blasts Kingham with a bicycle kick to the face, knocking her through the ropes and to the apron! San Francisco reaches through the ropes, pulls Kingham back up and goes to bring her back into the ring with a vertical suplex. But Kingham slips down from behind and places San Francisco in a Sleeper Hold! Kingham is quick to pull San Francisco away from the ropes before cinching down on the hold. The Pope tries to push herself forward back towards the ropes. But Kingham is able to keep her held in place.

Geoff Penzer: Is The Pope about to be put to sleep!?

The referee asks San Francisco if she wants to give up. She refuses. She begins to swing her arms around wildly as she tries to grab onto anything she can. But she’s not near the ropes and the ref stays just out of arm’s rest. San Francisco then reaches out and tries to pull Kingham’s arm from around her neck. But it’s to no avail. The Pope tries to pull Kingham’s arm from around her neck. Once again, she’s successful. The Pope reaches her arm out towards the ropes. But once again, she’s not close enough to reach. The official continues to talk to her. He asks her if she wants to give up. He asks her if she quits. San Francisco doesn’t answer. She’s starting to fade! San Francisco’s outstretched arms begin to lower before eventually dropping down to her sides! Kingham doesn’t let up! She keeps the Sleeper applied while San Francisco continues to fade!

Geoff Penzer: She’s going! She’s going!

The official asks San Francisco once more if she wants to give up. San Francisco doesn’t respond and instead, drops down to a knee! The crowd begins to buzz with anticipation as the ref raises San Francisco’s arm. He then lets go. The arm starts to drop, then stops. The capacity crowd cheers as San Francisco starts to shake the arm! Kingham looks over at the official in disbelief. He lets Kingham know that San Francisco is still in this match. The Pope starts to battle back to a vertical base. Once she’s back to her feet, she reaches back with both hands, grabs Kingham by the head and pulls her down into a kneeling jawbreaker, breaking the hold! Kingham holds her jaw while she staggers over towards the ropes. She shakes off the blow before stepping away from the ropes. When Kingham turns around, San Francisco delivers an arm wrench, followed by an inverted foot stomp! Kingham staggers across the ring before dropping down to a knee. She continues to try and shake out the cobwebs while San Francisco returns to her feet in the distance. Kingham slowly picks herself up off the mat. She then turns around into a kick to the gut before San Francisco brings her down with a sitout jawbreaker! San Francisco pulls up Kingham by the back of the tights before hooking both arms from behind. She then turns and positions Kingham for Vanity (Unprettier)! She’s about to drop Kingham face-first to the mat when she slips out, quickly takes control of San Francisco’s back and brings her down with a German Suplex! Kingham keeps her arms wrapped around San Francisco’s waist as she turns over before pulling her back up. Kingham delivers a second German Suplex! Again, Kingham keeps the rear waist lock applied. She pulls San Francisco back up and goes for a third German Suplex when San Francisco counters with a back elbow to the face. A second back elbow connects. She then hits Kingham with a third back elbow to the face, breaking the hold. San Francisco then turns around and knocks Kingham off her feet with a gamengiri that catches her right across the jaw!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie caught Kendall flush across the jaw!

Melanie Sierra: FIVE MINUTES REMAINING!

The crowd cheers when San Francisco pushes Kingham over onto her back before slapping on a Crossface! Kingham lets out a labored groan when The Pope starts pulling back on the hold! The referee drops down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Kingham refuses by wagging her finger at him. So San Francisco starts yanking back on the hold again! Kingham reaches up with her free hand and tries to pull San Francisco’s hands from around her. But she’s unsuccessful. The Pope then pulls back even further on the hold, causing Kingham to cry out in pain! The referee gives Kingham the chance to give up. He asks her if she wants to quit. Kingham starts to raise her hand! The ref waits with baited breath for the tap out! But it never comes when Kingham wags her finger at the official! She then starts to pull herself across the mat! San Francisco slowly her down by repeatedly pulling back on the hold. But this only stops her momentarily. Kingham continues to slowly scratch and claw her way across the ring! She lets out another labored groan as she slowly drags herself and San Francisco towards the side of the ring! The capacity crowd buzzes with anticipation as Kingham reaches out for the ropes. She’s about to grab it when San Francisco quickly breaks the hold, rolls across Kingham’s back, takes a hold of her ankle and drags her back towards the center of the ring! Before San Francisco can drop down into another submission, Kingham turns over onto her back before knocking San Francisco down with an upkick to the face!

Both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base. Kingham goes to strike when she gets caught with a forearm strike to the face. A second forearm from San Francisco connects. The Pope goes for a third when Kingham cuts her off with a European Uppercut! A second European Uppercut connects! Kingham then goes for a discus European Uppercut when she gets caught with a spinning back elbow to the face! The Pope catches Kingham with another spinning back elbow! San Francisco goes for a spinning backfist when Kingham ducks and counters with a double knee armbreaker! Kingham takes San Francisco, wrenches the arm and brings her back down with a second double knee armbreaker! The cheers continue as Kingham takes control of the arm once more before bringing San Francisco down with a single arm DDT! San Francisco clutches her right arm after rolling over towards the ropes. After San Francisco has pulled herself up using the ropes, Kingham pulls her away from the ropes from behind before bringing her down with a hammerlock back suplex! The crowd erupts with cheers when Kingham turns San Francisco over before locking her in The Tombs! Kingham pulls back on the right arm while the official asks San Francisco if she wants to give up. The Pope shakes her head ‘no.’ Kingham keeps the hold locked on while San Francisco is writhing in pain. A closeup of San Francisco reveals a look of distress on her face. The official continues to communicate with her and asks her if she wants to quit. Despite the amount of pain that she’s in, she shakes her head ‘no.’ San Francisco then cries out in pain once Kingham pulls back on the hold. She keeps her back arched to keep consistent pressure applied to the arm. San Francisco pulls at her hair with her free arm. She lets out another labored groan before slamming her fist down on the mat out of frustration. Kingham leans forward while keeping The Tombs locked on. The referee questions San Francisco once more. He asks her if she wants to give up. San Francisco doesn’t respond. The official asks her again if she wants to give up. Again, Sadie doesn't respond. The Pope then slowly reaches her arm back. After wrapping her free arm around Kingham’s ankle, she quickly yanks back, dropping Kingham down into the prone position. The crowd gasps, then cheers when San Francisco quickly transitions into Our Lady of Sorrows!

Geoff Penzer: Sadie reversed! Sadie reversed The Tombs into Our Lady of Sorrows!

Kingham howls in pain when San Francisco pulls back on the hold. The referee gets down and asks Kingham if she wants to give up. But she refuses. Kingham reaches up and is able to pull San Francisco’s hands from around her face. But San Francisco is quick to reapply the crossface portion on the hold. She starts to repeatedly yank back on the hold. Kingham reaches back up with her free arm and tries to pull San Francisco’s hands from around her. But this time, she’s unsuccessful. The capacity crowd buzzes with anticipation after an announcement from Melanie Sierra.

Melanie Sierra: ONE MINUTE REMAINING!

Geoff Penzer: The clock is ticking! Of course it could come down to this between these two! But you heard Melanie Sierra at the start of the match. If the score is tied up at the end of the period, we will go to Sudden Death! We’ve seen two Time Limit Draws and one Double Count Out between these two. GM Jones is determined to have a winner here tonight!

Kingham tries to pull herself towards the ropes. But she struggles to pull herself forward. Kingham lets out a labored groan as she struggles to claw her way towards the side of the ring. San Francisco shakes her head ‘no’ as she hangs onto the hold for dear life. Kingham reaches out for the ropes. But she’s not there yet. San Francisco repeatedly yanks back on the hold! She’s fighting like hell for the submission! But Kingham, somehow hangs on. The official asks Kingham if she wants to give up. Again, she refuses!

Melanie Sierra: THIRTY SECONDS REMAINING!

Kingham stays in place. She doesn’t try to pull herself any close to the ropes. Instead, she tries to hang on to reach the end of the time period! San Francisco pulls back as hard as she can on the hold. Kingham cries out in pain while she’s twisted up in the submission!

Geoff Penzer: It looks like Kingham might not be able to make it to the ropes to force a rope break. Can she hang on? Can she hang on for just a little bit longer!?

Members of the crowd gasp when Kingham starts to lift her hand up off the mat. San Francisco feverishly nods her head while she fights with all her might for the submission.

Melanie Sierra: TEN!

Kingham grunts as she drags her and San Francisco forward towards the ropes.

Melanie Sierra: NINE!

The referee asks her if she wants to give up.

Melanie Sierra: EIGHT!

Kingham doesn’t answer and pulls her and San Francisco closer to the ropes!

Melanie Sierra: SEVEN!

San Francisco strains herself while pulling back a far as she can!

Melanie Sierra: SIX!

Kingham continues to cry out in agony!

Melanie Sierra: FIVE!

The official asks Kingham if she wants to give up.

Melanie Sierra: FOUR!

Kingham reaches out!!!

Melanie Sierra: THREE!

Kingham continues to reach out!!!

Melanie Sierra: TWO!

Kingham’s arm is shaking!!!

Melanie Sierra: ONE!

Kingham reaches her threshold and taps out! The official calls for the bell!

San Francisco breaks the hold before rolling off of Kingham. She goes to raise her hand. But she quickly realizes she doesn’t hear her music playing, so she lowers the arm.

Geoff Penzer: Did Kingham make it? Did Sadie get the submission? I thought The Pope got the submission just a hair before time expired! But not I’m not sure! I think Kingham hung on just long enough.

The crowd murmurs amongst itself over the ending. The Pope returns to her feet and goes over to the official for his decision. But he holds her back. He then makes his way to the outside and tells something to Melanie Sierra.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that Sadie San Francisco DID score a second submission just before time experiod! Therefor, the winner of this match… is “The Pope” SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

The crowd erupts with cheers when “Young Nation” blasts throughout the arena. Sadie gets her arm raised in victory before slowly heading to the outside.

Geoff Penzer: Sadie San Francisco got the submission just before time expired. She defeats Kendall Kingham in the Ultimate Submission match! The Pope has settled the score with Kingham! With the win, Sadie will go on to challenger the winner of tonight’s United States Championship match between Nina Stokes and Salem!

After Sadie has made her exit, “Young Nation” dies down while Kingham slowly sits up on the mat. A somber Kingham looks around before burying her head in her hands. The official kneels down and asks Kingham if she’s okay. She responds with a nod. But the ref isn’t so sure about that. He offers to help her back to her feet, but Kingham instead exits the ring by rolling to the outside. A dejected Kingham keeps her head down as she slowly heads up the ramp. Kingham is met with cheers, applauds and pats on the back. But Kingham doesn’t respond to any of it.

Geoff Penzer: I want to say that Kingham fought a hard match and she gave it her all. But she’ been hearing that all year and you can tell that she’s tired of it! She wanted that big win here in 2019. She wanted it so badly. But once again, she comes away empty-handed. I’m sure every here agrees that Kingham’s got nothing to be ashamed of. She shouldn’t be hanging her head. Hopefully, she can bounce back from this and come back even stronger. I know that the fans of the Flashpoint Zone will continue to support her, no matter wh-

[FGA Office]

The camera zooms in on a hooded person jumping over the guardrail. The hooded figure quickly grabs a microphone before entering the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Now what!?

The hooded figure paces back and forth in the ring until they took their hood off to reveal themselves as Nicholas King.

Geoff Penzer: Nicholas King!? I’m looking over my run sheet right now and I don’t see him here at all! He’s not even scheduled to be here tonight! But at least he actually is a Flashpoint talent, unlike Ricky Valero.

Nicholas King: I bet you idiots weren't expecting me to show up did you!? Did you!? Well I'm here now and I'm taking over this damn Pay-Per-View!!

The crowd starts booing as some of them chant: "You suck" or "Leave the ring". This only causes king to chuckle at them.

Nicholas King: I'm not gonna leave this damn ring until you morons and the stooges hear what I have to say so SHUT UP!!!

This causes the fans to boo more loudly at King. He finally stops pacing back and forth as he stares into one of the cameras.

Nicholas King: I am one of the best Australian wrestlers that has stepped into FGA. Hell, I'm even better then that pathetic excuse of an Australian, Owen Gonsalves.

When the FGA Alumni's name left king's mouth, the fan began to cheer. "Gonsalves!" along with a few claps could be heard coming from the fans throughout the arena.

Nicholas King: I have to ask: what the hell has this man even accomplished to get himself in the FGA Alumni? Is this company letting ANYONE into the Alumni at this point. Is Owen Owens going to be in the Alumni? Is Amanda Johnson going to be in the Alumni? Is the FUCKING JANITOR backstage going to be in the Alumni!? At this point it shouldn't be even called an Alumni. Owen hasn't one a single Championship or a tournament here in FGA and only participated in one tournament, which by the way he lost when he was so close to winning...but just wasn't good enough in the end. If you can't even attempt to win a championship, much less a freaking tournament...then you’re nothing more than an enhancement talent used to make top stars like me look good in this ring but Chuckles I don't need enhancement talents to make me look good in this ring.

Nicholas King: Which now brings me to this: Gonsalves....I challenge you to a match on the next Flashpoint. It's about time that I show everyone that I am GREATEST wrestler to come out of Australia. What better way to do that then to beat the everliving crap out of Owen Gonsalves in front of you idiots. I'll be waiting for you on Flashpoint...bitch!! Oh and Gonsalves, you better answer my challenge because you don't wanna miss a chance at five minutes of being relevant...do you?

King drops the mic as he exits the ring, heading out the way that he came through. The crowd continues to boo King as the camera cuts back to Geoff Penzer at the announce desk.

Geoff Penzer: What is Nicholas King going on about? Challenging Owen Gonsalves? Owen Gonsalves doesn’t work here anymore. He’s no longer an active wrestler! He’s at home being a family man! Everyone, including Nicholas King, know this! I have no clue what Nicholas King’s angling for here, but I guess we’ll have to tune into the next Flashpoint to find out. Hold on, folks… I hear we’ve got a pair of tag team champions standing by backstage. Is that correct?

[FGA Office]

As the attention of the camera switches elsewhere, the sight of the FGA World Tag Team Champions, Lowri Moss and Neal Durden, elicits a roar from the fans present inside the Spectrum Center. The two members of Pendragon are stood in an area somewhere backstage, and ahead of their match later in the night, they are both dressed in their respective ring attire, each with their half of the world tag team titles draped over their shoulders. Neal is also wearing a replica Wales football jersey, following their victory earlier in the Euro 2020 qualifiers, whereas Lowri has on an Irish Whip Clothing branded Pendragon t-shirt, as well as an armband, which is currently down around her right elbow so that the name on it - Blaise - is visible for all to see.

Lowri Moss: What’s occurring, Charlotte?

The mention of the location of the show of course earns a cheap pop. With a smile on her face, Lowri continues.

Lowri Moss: The last time you all saw Neal and I, we were successfully defending our titles for a third time, against Bristow & Barnes - a team who had tried to claim to be the best tag team in the world, but who it took just under a quarter of an hour for us to show otherwise. Tonight, we find ourselves in another significant matchup, as although there are no championships up for grabs this time, what is at stake is a chance for us to prove what we have both been saying for a while now - tonight we intend to prove that we are… undeniably… the number one team in the whole of FGA.

Lowri holds up her left index finger, emphasising her statement. Neal mods in agreement, before he too, gets on the mic.

Neal Durden: Silk & Cyanide have — for too long — been a thorn in our side. The one team in FGA that can claim one over us… but tonight the story changes. Tonight we get rid of that thorn.

Lowri mimics pulling a thorn out from her hip and then tossing it aside.

Lowri Moss: We know that’s going to be easier said than done. We know it’s going to take more than a needle or a pair of tweezers to remove this particular thorn. Fortunately for us though, we’ve got all of the necessary tools at our disposal - the same tools that have served us so well in the tag team ranks in FGA for nearly two years now. Whether on Flashpoint or on Vertigo, we’ve been near-unbeatable; the Good Guys, the Tenacious Wrecking Crew, the Super Mario Wrestling Bros… even the Chaotics - that’s just a few of the teams that we’ve come up against, and we’ve beaten them all. But there’s one exception.

Pause for effect.

Lowri Moss: Silk & Cyanide.

After another momentary pause, Lowri continues.

Lowri Moss: The one blot on our record came… not far off a year ago now, last December on Night One of Final Frontier. On that night, our reign as the inaugural FGA United States Tag Team Champions was ended unceremoniously, thanks to Erin Mariani, Sara Mason, and a steel chair. The following month, we were drafted from Vertigo to Flashpoint, denying us a chance of a rematch, a chance to right the wrongs and regain our titles. Tonight though, nearly twelve months later, we finally have an opportunity to make up for that result at Final Frontier, and in the process, we can also gain a modicum of revenge against Mason and Mariani for some of their recent… let’s say, antics.

Neal grabs hold of the title over his shoulder and continues Lowri’s train of thought.

Neal Durden: Tonight has been a long time in the making and, as Lowri said, we’re up for revenge. Yet, that’s not the only thing in our heads as we’re out to prove we’re the best tag team in FGA without asterisks, without any if. We want to prove without a shadow of a doubt that we are on top of the food chain and if any tag team out there; any team in like the finals of the DDT3 wants to leave a real stamp, well… tonight we’re proving who they have to face.

Lowri nods her head in agreement.

Lowri Moss: Whoever wins the final, whether it’s Laurel and Carina, or Ana and Lisa, they’re going to have a choice to make as to who they then want to face, whose titles they want to compete for. In our minds though, there’s only one choice that they should make.

She points to herself, then to Neal.

Lowri Moss: We want our next defence of the world tag titles to be against the winners of this year’s Dynamic Duos tournament, whichever of the finalists that turns out to be. We missed out on getting to wrestle Izzy and Fujiko after they won last year’s tournament, thanks at least in part to Silk & Cyanide, and we don’t want to miss out again this time, all of which just adds to our motivation to beat Sara and Erin: by beating them, not only will we cement our position as the number one tag team in FGA, we’ll also leave the Dynamic Duos winners with a clear choice to make… I mean, assuming they want the best challenge, against the strongest opponents.

Neal shrugs as he speaks.

Neal Durden: A wise man once said, to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man… in this case, to be the best team, you’ve got to beat the best team, and that’s the reasoning for tonight’s match. Sure, we can add spice to it; we can tell a little bit of history… but the bottom line is that we — and I’m pretty sure, Erin and Sara do too — want to prove we’re the best. Without a shadow of a doubt, without an asterisk, without blemishes. There are no titles on the line, there’s only the notion of being The Best.

Neal drags the belt out of his shoulder and lets it hang in front of him for a while.

Neal Durden: Sure, belts are pretty shiny things… but tonight, we get into that ring to prove with actions — not words — what we already know. I can only hope Ana, Lisa, Carina and Laurel are watching.

Lowri exhales.

Lowri Moss: If they are, they’ll get a glimpse of what potentially lies in store for them, should they cross our path. And if anyone else needs a reminder of why we’ve been so successful in the past two years, then you’ll get one soon enough. Silk & Cyanide decided to insert themselves into our business on Flashpoint, but…

Neal senses something and he gives Lowri a look before taking over.

Neal Durden: But, they’ll soon know the mistake they made by poking the bear. There’s a reason someone like Laurel Anne Hardy said you have a claim to be called the best wrestler in 2019… the Pendragon they faced almost a year ago, isn’t the same Pendragon they’re gonna face tonight; nor our motivations are the same any more. If it’s a fight they want, a fight they’ll get.

A wry smile crosses Lowri’s face.

Lowri Moss: And you know how I do it - you know how we do it: train… fight...

She pauses, allowing Neal to finish the motto.

Neal Durden: Win.

With the Welsh pair looking the picture of confidence ahead of their upcoming champions versus champions match, the camera then cuts elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

Geoff Penzer: Wrestling fans, it’s all come down to this! Two months ago, we started with a field of 18 tag teams from all over! Now, we are finally down to two. From the Vertigo side of the bracket, we have Laurel Anne Hardy and Carina Eventide. On the Flashpoint side of the bracket, we have Anastasia Hayden and Lisa Seldon of The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad! One of these two teams will… wait just a minute. What are YOU doing out here?

The capacity crowd at the Spectrum Center boo the arrival of Stephy Auger. The color commentator cups her ear to the booing crowd while she makes her way around ringside. She then opens her arms out wide towards Geoff Penzer before making he way over towards him. Auger is given a chair from a ringside attendant. Once seated, she puts on the headset.

Stephy Auger: You’re welcome, Penzer! The pleasure is all yours.

Geoff Penzer: Stephy Auger, what are you even doing out here? You don’t even work here on Flashpoint. You’re a Vertigo commentator! Did you sneak in here with Valero?

Stephy Auger: Gee, it’s nice to see you, too, Penzer! The thing is is that I’ve spent the past two months watching Laurel Anne Hardy and Carina Eventide make their way through the Vertigo side of the bracket. So I figured, since they made it here to the finals, why not help you commentate the match?

Geoff Penzer: So you just walked into the building and thought that you could join me here on commentary?

Stephy Auger: Actually, your esteemed General Manager, Kayden Jade Jones, gave me the O-K to come out here. That KJ is something else, you know. She’s much better than that hack you used to have, Hadley Herrera. She also blows our idiot GM Jenevieve Geroux out of the water.

Geoff Penzer: Well I wouldn’t call Ms. Geroux an “idiot” and Ms. Herrera was far from a “hack.” But Ms. Jones is a great GM, I agree. So, since you’re here, give me your thoughts on this upcoming match.

Stephy Auger: I will be completely honest with you. I hope and pray that the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad win here tonight. Nothing, and I mean nothing, would make my day like seeing Laurel Anne Hardy lose here tonight.

Geoff Penzer: What exactly is your issue with Laurel Anne Hardy? I think she’s great.

Stephy Auger: That woman has called me a tosser! She’s questioned why I still have a job! She’s called me the worst person in wrestling. She even threatened to punch me, you know!

Geoff Penzer: Well, given all of the jabs you’ve taken at her over the years, how can you blame her for being upset?

Stephy Auger: She’s a professional. She needs to have thicker skin.

Geoff Penzer: Well, perhaps you could take heed of your own advice and be a little more professional yourself.

Stephy Auger: Excuse me?

Geoff Penzer: Look, I don’t want to get you more riled up than you already are. So let’s send it to the ring where Melanie Sierra is ready to give the ring intros to the finals of DDT3!

*DING! DING!! DING!!!*

Melanie Sierra: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is the Finals of the 2019 DYNAMIC DUOS TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT!

DYNAMIC DUOS TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT (FINALS)
Carina Eventide & Laurel Anne Hardy vs. The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad

The lights dim until the arena falls black. There’s an ominous hammerfall as "Destroy 2000 Years of Culture" by Atari Teenage Riot hits the ground running.

♫
IT'S A DEAD WORLD AND IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME TO CLEAR THINGS HERE!
ONE GENERATION FOLLOWS ANOTHER
BUT SOMETHING IN MY HEAD SAYS KEEP GOING
DON'T GIVE UP
♫

Lisa and Ana, a pair of Hellcats burst from the curtain amidst a swirling mass of red and purple spotlights. Ana steps forward, throwing up her weird, surfer dude hand gimmick. Lisa hangs back and leaves her to it. Ana chucks her mouthguard in and marches her way to the ring. Lisa saunters after.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 258 pounds! They are the team of Anastasia Hayden & Lisa Seldon, THE HELLCAT SPANGLED DEATH SQUAD!!!

♫
DESTROY 2000 YEARS OF CULTURE
DESTROY 2000 YEARS OF CULTURE
♫

Ana hops up onto the apron and throws another hand up to the crowd. She then steps through the ropes and gives up the floor. Lisa jumps to the apron in a single stride, leans back to shoot a wink down the camera barrel and then goes up and over the ropes into the ring. Ana has already taken her perch on the top buckle, arms folded, chewing her mouthguard idly. Lisa steps in front of her and leans back into the corner.

Geoff Penzer: The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad look ready to bring home those trophies, Stephy! The Hellcats beat the talented Canadian Chainsaw Massacre in the First Round. They beat last year’s runner ups, Best for Business, in the Quarterfinals. Then in the Semis, they defeated the Big Coffin Hunters! This is a team that’s battle tested, Stephy. We’ve seen them reach the pinnacles of both singles and tag team success elsewhere. Can they bring home those DDT3 trophies tonight?

Stephy Auger: You obviously know where I stand. But putting my bias aside, yes, they absolutely can. You’re looking at a pair of wrestles that have been World Champions in singles competition. We’ve seen them reach the top of the tag team division in places like Rose City and Union Battleground. You may not like some of the remarks they’ve made towards their competitors throughout this tournament. But look at the results. They’ve talked the talk and thus far, they've walked the walk.

As Tash Sultana's "Synergy" begins to rise, the lights dim... but not to complete darkness. The figures of Laurel Anne Hardy and Carina Eventide stride out, their attire and makeup glowing softly - sharp-eyed viewers may note the red streaks across their noses - and stand surveying the interior of the Spectrum Center.

Voice: Ladies and gentlemen... Carina Eventide and Laurel Anne Hardy proudly present to you... Crescendo.

They remain still for a moment. Between the darkness and their luminous sheen, it's hard to get a proper look at their faces - but as far as one can tell, they look totally emotionless. Slowly, glacially, they begin to move side by side... almost drifting, as impossible as that sounds, towards the ring. Cheering fans stretch out hands to greet them; Carina and Laurel return the gesture, albeit slowly, each reaching one arm out to allow the crowd to tag them. But neither woman takes her eyes off the ring, and feelings are gradually creeping into that impassive look they share - focus, confidence, determination.

Something else is changing - they're getting faster as they get closer, picking up the pace in time to the swells of the music. By the time the beat kicks in, they're walking with purpose and their eyes are sharpened with razor focus. Then, as the beat drops away for the vocal section, Laurel - in her third DDT3 final - drops to a knee and bows her head, eyes closed tight, right in front of the ring. Carina stands just behind her, resting a hand on the shoulder of the woman who invited her into this tournament. Those paying close enough attention might notice Laurel's hand press against the floor and tighten, her fingernails leaving small scratches.

Then the beat returns and Carina leapfrogs over Laurel onto the apron, and a moment later, Laurel dives between her legs and rolls to the centre of the ring. They both explode against opposite sets of ropes, that determination having risen all the way to a bloodthirsty war cry. They rush back to the middle and embrace like football players hyping one another up, then pound fists, then turn back and throw their arms out to lead the audience in a huge roar.

Geoff Penzer: This tournament has been a coming out party for Carina Eventide. With the help of the world renown Laurel Anne Hardy, Eventide’s style has been exposed to a larger audience. To Eventide’s credit, she hasn’t shied away from the bright lights. Thus far, she has excelled under those bright lights and has helped Hardy reach the Finals of the Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament. For Hardy, this will be her third opportunity to bring home those DDT3 trophies. In the first ever DDT3, the semifinals match between The UK Dragons and The Murder would determine the tournament winners after the other semifinals match ended in a No Contest. The following year, the #sparklebuddies were defeated by the Young Guns in the Finals. Two years later, Dragons Unleashed were defeated in the quarterfinals by Silk & Cyanide. She’s teamed with Wulf. She’s teamed with her brother. But she’s never been able to bring the title of DDT3 home. She’s a former two-time World Tag Team Champion here. But she’s never been able to win Dynamic Duos. Stephy, is this the year when it finally happens?

Stephy Auger: *sigh* It might. It just might. As much as I hate to admit it, it just might. You heard her say it herself. She’s not driven by shiny objects. She doesn’t let titles and accolades and achievements define her career. But this right here? This Dynamic Duos tournament. This means something to Laurel and we all know just how tough of an opponent she can be when she really wants something. If it was Leanne Evangelista teaming with Hardy tonight as opposed to Eventide, I would give Hardy some higher odds. But, it’s like you said, Eventide hasn’t shrunk under the pressure. So who knows.

Geoff Penzer: Hardy and Eventide have gone by many names during this tournament. Polyffoni Cósmica, The Mirror, Anima Mundi, Crescendo. If Hardy and Eventide get their way, you’ll only have to refer to them by one name at the end of the night: winners of the 2019 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament.

The bell sounds as Hardy and Seldon will be starting things off for their respective teams. Both grapplers begin to make their way out of the respective corners. They then rush towards the center of the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Seldon moves Hardy across the ring before pressing her up against the ropes. Hardy tries to move Seldon back towards the center of the ring. But Seldon is able to push Hardy back up against the ropes. The referee quickly makes his way over and gives them both until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

After collar-and-elbow is broken up, Seldon quickly places Hardy in a Muay Thai Clinch! Hardy tries her best to block. But Seldon is able to nail her with alternating knees to the face. The crowd cheers as Seldon continues to drive knee after after knee after knee into the face of Hardy. After the last knee connects, Hardy immediately drops down to all fours. The crowd gasps and cheers upon seeing Hardy in perfect position for The Man Opener (roundhouse kick to the side of the head of an opponent on all fours).

Geoff Penzer: Go ahead, Lisa. Knock her head right off!

Seldon throws out the kick… and misses when Hardy pushes herself away from Seldon, slipping out underneath the bottom rope and landing on the outside. Seldon makes her way over to the ropes when Hardy reaches back in and yanks her down to the mat. Hardy then yanks Seldon hard out of the ring, sending Seldon flying off the apron before hitting the ground with a thud! Hardy then takes a few steps back before running over and following up with a Rolling Thunder senton! The cheers continue as Seldon is pulled back up before being rolled back inside. Hardy quickly slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Seldon kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Early nearfall there for Hardy. She mentioned that her and Carina Eventide have gone up against teams in every round that had more experience than them, only t end up winning. What do you make of that?

Stephy Auger: She isn’t lying. I would love to say that she is. But she’s not lying. Though here’s thing thing, Penzer. Hardy and Carina? They haven’t been in the ring with a team like The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad.

Hardy takes Seldon, moves her into the corner and nails her with a Battlegrounds Uppercut (European Uppercut while using the other arm to push the opponent’s head down). Seldon gets rocked with another Battlegrounds Uppercut. Then a third! Seldon is then brought out of the corner before being whipped into the far ropes. When Seldon returns, she sees Hardy drop down to the prone position. So she hops over her before continuing to run the ropes. When Seldon comes back, Hardy pops back to her feet before leapfrogging over Seldon. Seldon continues to run the ropes. When Seldon comes back, her and Hardy continue to trade hip toss attempts across the ring before Hardy brings her to the mat with a Labai throw. Hardy pulls Seldon back to her feet before bringing her down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex! The ref goes to make the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy bridges over, pulls Seldon back up and brings her down with another bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy bridges over, pulls Seldon back up and delivers a third bridging Northern Lights Suplex! The ref drops back down for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
The crowd cheers and applauds Hardy as she bridges over and pulls Seldon back up. But instead of delivering a fourth Northern Lights Suplex, she doubles Seldon over with a kick to the midsection. She then lifts Seldon up onto her shoulders for a powerbomb! Before Hardy can deliver the move, Seldon reaches out for the tag. Hayden then climbs up onto the middle ropes, reaches over the top rope and makes the tag! Hardy begins to make her way back towards the center of the ring to deliver the powerbomb when Seldon counters with a flurry of right hands to the top of the head. After Seldon drops down in front of Hardy, Hayden quickly pulls Hardy down from behind with a jumping neckbreaker! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy kicks out.

Hayden takes Hardy and whips her into the ropes. When Hardy returns, Hayden scoops her up from the side before delivering a side slam backbreaker! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy kicks out.

Hayden pulls Hardy back up before throwing her back down with a Snap Suplex. She then sits up Hardy before nailing her with a hard kick to the lower back! The crowd cheers when Hayden nails Hardy with another hard kick to the back! Hayden then unleashes a series of hard kicks to the back. Each kick knocks Hardy forward on the canvas. Hardy then slaps the canvas before returning to a vertical base. After getting socked with a right hand, Hayden answers back with an open palm strike to the face. Hardy rocks Hayden with another punch to the face before Hayden answers back with another open palm strike to the face. Hardy throws out another punch. This time, Hayden blocks and counters with an open palm strike. Hardy motions to throw another punch when Hayden cuts her off again with another open palm strike. After another open palm strike catches Hardy, Hayden turns and hits the far ropes. When she comes back, Hardy doubles her over with a double palm thrust to the sternum. She then turns and hits another set of ropes. Hardy returns and throws out the Punctum (knee strike to the side of the head). But Hayden slips out of the way and catches Hardy in a rear waistlock. She goes to lift Hardy for a German Suplex. But she gets caught with a back elbow to the face when Hardy’s on the way up. Hardy gets lowered back down before hitting tow more back elbows to the face. With the hold now broken, Hardy goes to run into the far ropes when Hayden cuts her off with a dropkick to the back of the head! Hayden then pulls Hardy up by the hair from behind and throws her down with a snap German Suplex! Hardy rolls over onto all fours while Hayden hits the far ropes. When she comes back, she flattens Hardy with a double foot stomp across the back. She then pulls Hardy over before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy gets her shoulder up.

Hayden pulls up Hardy, wrenches her arm and follows up with a hook kick that sends her stumbling against the ropes. She then rushes over to send Hardy to the outside when Hardy ducks and her lifts her up for a Death Valley Bomb. The crowd cheers as Hardy tries to deliver the move. But Hayden blocks by grabbing onto the top rope with both hands. Hardy tries to pull Hayden off. But Hayden’s got a death grip on the top rope. She then begins to hit Hardy with multiple elbows to the side of the head. Hayden continues to fire off elbows until Hardy dumps her over the top rope with a fireman’s carry. Hayden hits the apron while Hardy staggers away from the ropes. She starts to shake off the blow before seeing Hayden pulling herself up on the apron. Hardy then runs over and goes to knock Hayden to the floor with the Gáe Buide (Spear). But Hayden is able to side step and counter with a Scorpion kick, catching Hardy across the back of the head! After pulling Hardy out onto the apron, Hayden grabs her from behind before dropping her with a Reverse DDT on the apron!

Geoff Penzer: Hardy just got dropped right onto the apron with that reverse DDT! That’s the-

Stephy Auger: Let me guess Penzer, it’s the hardest part of the ring, right? We know. We know.

Hardy lands on the apron with a hard thud before falling to the floor. On the outside, Hayden pulls Hardy back up before holding in place. The crowd begins to stand up as Seldon runs along the apron. They then erupt with cheers after Seldon runs up to the top turnbuckle, flips off and knocks Hardy down with a Spaceman Plancha!

Geoff Penzer: Seldon takes it to the skies before taking out Hardy on the floor! Seldon dove off the top with no regard for her own well being. As long as she hurt Hardy in the process!

Stephy Auger: Lisa will do what she has to do to get the job done. This match started back and forth. But now we’re starting to see the Hellcats take over.

Hayden picks Hardy back up before rolling her back in. She then rolls herself back in to make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Eventide dives over to break up the pin.

Eventide picks up Hayden and goes for an irish whip when Hayden reverses, sending her into the far ropes. When Eventide comes back, she ducks a roundhouse kick before continuing to run the ropes. Once Eventide hits the far ropes, she gets yanked down to the mat from Seldon. Seldon then drags her to the outside before rocking her with a roundhouse kick. While Eventide is still dazed, Seldon climbs back up onto the apron. She tries to leap up for a tope rope no-hands Asai Moonsault when Eventide reaches up and grabs a hold of her ankle. Seldon tries kick Eventide off of her while Hayden takes control of Hardy back in the ring. Hardy gets whipped into the far ropes. But instead of bouncing back, Hardy hooks her arms around the top rope. Hayden then runs forward to attack when Hardy ducks and dumps her over the top rope. This time, Hayden lands safely on the apron. She goes to catch Hardy with a shoulder thrust through the ropes when Hardy side steps and catches her with the Punctum! While Hayden remains doubled over, Hardy runs across the ring, hurls herself at Seldon and tackles her off the apron with the Gáe Buide!!! The crowd erupts with cheers when both fly off the apron before crashing to the floor!

Geoff Penzer: Seldon just got SMASHED with that spear off the apron!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Hardy rolls back inside, runs back across the ring, flips over the top rope and throws Hayden down to the floor with a sunset flip powerbomb to an explosion of cheers!!!

Geoff Penzer: Hayden likely got the air knocked out of her after getting thrown down hard to the floor with a sunset flip powerbomb!

Stephy Auger: That nutjob isn’t satisfied! Look a her. She wants more!

Hardy’s not done! She rolls back inside, runs across the ring, hurls herself over the top rope and lands across the downed Seldon with a no hands somersault plancha to more cheers from the crowd!!!

Geoff Penzer: Laurel Anne Hardy’s like a house of fire out there!

Hardy runs down ringside, pulls Hayden back up and rolls her back inside. After sliding back in, she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hayden gets her shoulder up.

Hardy goes over and tags in Eventide. The crowd cheers when Eventide gets in, takes Hayden and whips her into the corner. She then runs across across the ring, leaps into the air and connects with a corner splash. Eventide then takes Hayden, delivers an irish whip, follows her across the ring and connects with a corner dropkick. Hayden slumps down in the corner while Eventide circles the ring. She then turns, charges back over into the corner, hurls herself at Hayden and squashes her with a low angle corner crossbody block. Eventide then drags Hayden from out of the corner before flipping over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hayden gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Eventide’s picking up where Hardy left off and gets a two count on Hayden. The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad looked like they were about to start pulling away with this match until that offensive explosion from Hardy derailed tem. They’ve yet to recover!

Stephy Auger: Give it time, Penzer, give it time.

Eventide picks Hayden back up before whipping her into another free corner. She runs over, hops on Hayden and throws her down with a monkey flip before returning to her feet with a kip up. Eventide then leaps to the top turnbuckle with no hands, leaps off and crashes down on top of Hayden with a reverse facing diving senton! She reaches back and hooks the near leg for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hayden gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Eventide crashed down hard across Hayden, but she was still able to get a shoulder up. Between these two teams, who do you think Silk & Cyanide or Pendragon would prefer to face?

Stephy Auger: If they were smart, they’d hope that these two teams damn near kill each other! Whatever’s left would be easy pickings for them!

Geoff Penzer: Silk & Cyanide may agree to that line of thinking. But Pendragon have more honor than that.

Stephy Auger: What, are you trying to tell me that Silk & Cyanide aren’t honorable?

Geoff Penzer: Stephy, you know good and darn well Silk & Cyanide don’t know the first thing about honor!

Eventide heads over and tags Hardy back in. Hardy then picks up Hayden before whipping her ito the far ropes. When Hayden comes back, Hardy scoops her up with a sack of potatoes lift before spinning her into a sidewalk slam! She hooks the legs for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hayden gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another two count. Hayden’s been avoided the dreaded three count. But she’s overdue for a tag.

Stephy Auger: The Hellcats need to get the fresh man in, I agree.

Hardy pulls up Hayden before placing her in a standing headscissors. She’s got Hayden set up for a powerbomb when Seldon comes in from behind and pulls Hardy off of her partner. Seldon’s about to deliver a German Suplex when Hardy counters with three back elbows to the face. After performing a standing switch, she shoves Seldon into Hayden. The Hellcats smack heads, causing Hayden to stumble back before slipping out onto the apron. Seldon stumbles back over towards Hardy, who turns her around before bringing her down with the Winter Garden Photograph (sitout butterfly throatbreaker)! Hardy gets to her feet and looks out to the apron. But Hayden isn’t there. Her gaze then shifts upwards to see Hayden leaping off the top rope before knocking her down with a flying crossbody!

… but Hardy rolls through it and hooks the leg!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hayden gets her shoulder up.

Hardy pulls Hayden back to her feet before sending her back down to the mat with a Labai throw. Hardy then pulls Hayden up to a seated position before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she goes for a cartwheel roundoff into a dropkick to the face. But Hayden rolls out of the way. Hardy quickly turns over onto her knee. She goes to get back to a vertical base. But Hayden beats her to the punch and flattens her with Human Target Practice (sliding forearm)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardy gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Hayden only got the two count. But she got momentum back kn the Hellcats side!

Stephy Auger: That sliding forearm stopped Hardy dead, didn’t it?

Hayden takes Hardy and whips her into the corner before running across the ring and blasting her with a corner yakuza kick! She then runs across the ring into the far corner. But unbeknownst to her, Hardy is running right behind her! When Hayden hits the far corner, the crowd cheers when she turns around into a Legitimate Haafu Businesswoman Kick (Running high kick) from Hardy! While Hayden is rocked, Hardy goes to run back over into the previous corner. But unbeknownst to her, Hayden is running right behind her! When Hardy turns around in the corner, the crowd cheers when she gets caught with a lariat! Hayden then scoops Hardy up before placing her in the Tree of Woe. The crowd begins to murmur when Hayden steps to the outside before climbing the turnbuckle. Once she reaches the top, she looks down and sees Hardy trying to sit up. So Hayden goes to knock her down with Romanov Grace (diving double foot stomp) when Hardy leans back to avoid the strike. Hayden then lands on the mat before her momentum sends her rolling forward. She turns around and sees Hardy sitting up to try and free herself from the Tree of Woe. Hayden runs back over, leaps up onto the middle ropes, grabs Hardy and delivers a German Suplex! Hardy turns in mid air before landing in the prone position. While Hardy is still down, Hayden crawls over and makes the tags Seldon back in.

Geoff Penzer: Hayden with the huge German before finally making the tag back out to Seldon.

Stephy Auger: Can she pick up where Ana left off?

Hardy pushes herself up on all fours. She tries to get up when Seldon leaps across the ring and flattens her with a springboard leg drop across the back of the neck! She pulls Hardy over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

The crowd cheers when Hardy gets her shoulder up.

Seldon pulls up Hardy, grabs her from the side and then drives her down with an Angle Slam lift into a Fisherman Driver! The ref slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Hardy gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Lisa drove Hardy with authority there, but she only gets a two count. Wrestling fans, we are coming to you tonight from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina for Autumn Annihilation! This is the finals of the 2019 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament! One of these two teams will challenge the winner of tonight’s Champions versus Champions match, which is still to come.

Seldon takes Hardy and whips her hard across the ring. The turnbuckles rattle when Hardy crashes sternum-first into them. Hardy then stumbles back until Seldon brings her down with a reverse X-Factor! Seldon then drags Hardy into position before making her way back out to the apron. She scales to the top turnbuckle before flipping off for a cannonball senton. She misses! The crowd cheers when Hardy rolls out of the way, causing Seldon to crash onto the mat!

Geoff Penzer: That time, the high risk failed Seldon!

Stephy Auger: C’mon! Get up!

Eventide is seen reaching out for the tag. She’s motioning for Hardy to crawl over towards their corner. Hardy begins to slowly turn herself around on the mat and starts to drag herself towards Eventide. Across the canvas lays Seldon holding her leg. She quickly rolls over and grabs a hold of Hardy’s ankle. Hardy tries to pull herself free from Seldon. But she can’t. So she uses her free leg to repeatedly kick Seldon in the face. Now free, Hardy gets to her feet, staggers towards the corner, raises her arm up and then falls forward, tagging Eventide back in on the way down.

Geoff Penzer: Carina’s back in!

Eventide slingshots herself back into the ring, runs over and blasts the kneeling Seldon in the face with the Bubble Burst (bicycle high knee to a kneeling opponent)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Seldon gets her shoulder up.

Eventide takes Seldon and whips her into the ropes. When Seldon comes back, she gets hoisted into the air before being thrown down with the Red Cube (Pop Up Powerbomb)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Seldon gets her shoulder up.

Eventide picks up Seldon and whips her into the corner. She then runs across the ring and catches her with a corner spinning kick. Eventide places Seldon in a headlock and goes for a running bulldog out of the corner when Seldon shoves her off into the ropes. When she returns, she sees Seldon setting up for a back body drop. So she hops onto her back, flips forward and counters with Red Cube on a White Canvas (leg trap sunset flip powerbomb)!

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Hayden breaks up the pin with Human Target Practice to the back of the head!

Geoff Penzer: Ana makes the timely save!

Stephy Auger: Phew!

Hayden takes Eventide and whips her into the corner before running across the ring and connecting with a corner yakuza kick! She then steps out of the way as Seldon runs into the corner and delivers a step-up enzuigiri. Eventide starts to stagger away from the corner until Seldon takes her and whips her back into the far ropes. When Eventide comes back, The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad knock her down with One Year More (Lisa goes low with a Legsweep, sending them falling forward as Ana runs through them with her Running Single Leg Dropkick)! The Hellcats return to their feet and quickly turn to the side of the ring. The crowd cheers when Hardy flies into the ring and knocks them both down with the Mas Queraid (Slingshot front flip split kick to two opponents)!

Stephy Auger: Where the hell did she come from!?

Hayden slowly turns over on all fours as Hardy hits the far ropes. Hardy returns, steps off Hayden’s back and goes for Anus Horriblis (step-off seated senton to the back of an opponent’s head on all fours). She misses when Hayden slips out of the way, leaving Hardy in a seated position on the mat. Before Hardy can get up, Seldon quickly flattens her with a sliding dropkick! She then takes Hardy, picks up turns, turns and chucks her through the ropes and to the floor. Seldon then rushes back over and makes the cover on Eventide.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

The crowd cheers when Eventide gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Eventide’s still got some fight left in her.

Stephy Auger: That’s okay. The Hellcats have no problem beating whatever life is left out of her.

Seldon goes over and tags Hayden back in. Once Hayden’s back in, the Hellcats stand on opposite sides of Eventide.

Geoff Penzer: This doesn’t look good, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: For Eventide? Oh no, it looks awful.

The Chilean grappler turns over on all fours and struggles to push herself back up to her feet. Once she’s finally back to a vertical base, Seldon runs right at her before the Hellcats deliver Ginger Snaps (shotgun dropkick knee strike from Lisa into a snap German Suplex from Ana)! Hayden turns Eventide over and makes the cover.

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

Eventide gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Eventide was able to get the shoulder up in time!

Stephy Auger: How? She nearly got dropped on her neck!

Hayden tags Seldon back in. After Eventide is brought down with a scoop slam from Hayden, she turns and hits the far ropes. Seldon then catches her off the rebound before the Hellcats deliver Gravest Consequences (with an opponent down, Ana runs towards Lisa, who push her straight into the air, allowing her to land with the Double Stomp)! Seldon makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Eventide gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Eventide avoids another three count!

Stephy Auger: How is she doing this!?

Seldon steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles.

Stephy Auger: She’s going to the top again!

Geoff Penzer: Clearly she didn’t learn her lesson from last time with the high risk!

While Seldon is climbing the turnbuckles, Hardy climbs up onto the apron and holds her in place. Seldon tries to knock Hardy off of her. But it’s to no avail. Hayden then climbs up onto the apron behind Hardy, pulls her off of Seldon and wraps her up from behind for a German Suplex off the apron. Back in the corner, Seldon gets one foot on the top turnbuckle. Before she can stand up on the top turnbuckle, Eventide runs into the corner, runs up to the top turnbuckle and brings Seldon down with an avalanche hurricanrana! Back on the apron, Hayden throws Hardy to the floor with a German Suplex. But Hardy is able to rotate in the air and land on her feet! Hayden pulls herself back up using the ropes. But she when turns around, Hardy runs towards her and takes a hard swipe at her legs, causes Hayden to fall forward and hit the apron before falling to the floor. Back in the ring, Eventide steps out to the apron and waves her arms up and down to get the crowd hyped up. Once Seldon is back to her feet, Eventide leaps into the ring and spikes her with the Morningstar (springboard reverse frankensteiner)! She makes the cover.

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

Seldon gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: OOOOH, ONLY TWO!

Stephy Auger: That was too close, Penzer!

On the outside, Hardy is seen climbing up to the top turnbuckle. After Hayden gets back to a vertical base, Hardy leaps off for a diving elbow drop… and misses when Hayden tuns and dives back into the ring through the ropes, causing Hardy to crash hard to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Hardy missed the diving elbow! She just hit the floor with a sickening thud! Stephy, she might be hurt.

Stephy Auger: Well, how about that.

Hayden rolls back to the outside and pulls Hardy up from behind before spiking her with the Black Star (reverse Frankensteiner) on the floor!

Geoff Penzer: OOOOOH! Hardy was just dropped right on her head on the floor! That might have just taken her out of this match.

Stephy Auger: We can only hope.

Back in the ring, Eventide pulls Seldon up to a seated position before hitting the ropes. Seldon comes back and goes for the Bubble Burst II (Soccer Kick to the chest of a sitting opponent) when Seldon wraps her arms around her leg. Seldon keeps hold of the leg while Eventide hops up and down on one foot. Eventide continues to hop up and down on one foot until she counters with an enzuigiri, sending Seldon stumbling back over into the ropes, where Hayden makes the blind tag. Eventide heads over, pulls Seldon off the ropes and whips her into the far ropes. Eventide goes to catch Seldon off the rebound with a spinning back elbow strike to the face. But Seldon rolls underneath it. Eventide then turns around and gets caught once again with One Year More! The cheers continue as Seldon then lifts Eventide up on her shoulders before the Hellcats bring her down with Call The Doctor (Lisa picks up an opponent in a Fireman’s Carry. She then pushes the opponent off backwards toward Ana, who catches and drops them with a High-Angle German Suplex)!!!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Destroy 2000 Years of Culture” blasts throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners of the 2019 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament, THE HELLCAT SPANGLED DEATH SQUAD!

Anastasia Hayden and Lisa Seldon get their arms raised in victory before posing with the DDT3 trophies.

Geoff Penzer: Ana Hayden and Lisa Seldon have done it! They’ve defeated Laurel Anne Hardy and Carina Eventide in the finals! They are your 2019 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament winners! Since the moment that their names were announced for this tournament, they were looked at as one of the strong favorites to win it all. Two months later, The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad are the last team standing! They will now have their choice of which set of tag team champions to go after. Last year’s DDT3 winners elected to challenge the United States Tag Team Champions. Will the Hellcats follow suit? Will they go after the World Tag Team Champions, no matter what? Will they let the results of tonight’s Champions versus Champions match determine their decision? We will be looking to have that answer in due time. For Laurel Anne Hardy, it’s another tough loss here in DDT3. Tonight, Hardy and Eventide found out what a lot of teams have found out the hard way throughout DDT3: The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad are as good as advertised!

[FGA Office]

As the crowd continues to show their support over the close of the Dynamic Duos Tournament finals, the scene switched to the backstage area. Immediately coming into focus is the poster for Autumn Annihilation situated above the trademark red Frontier Grappling Arts lion head. Standing off to the side with her microphone in hand and a pleasant smile on her face is Flashpoint’s ace interviewer Amanda Johnson.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, the reigning International Heavyweight Champion, Savannah Taylor.

The crowd shows their feelings towards the champion with a rousing chorus of boos as Savannah steps into the frame, dressed in her black and silver ring attire and the International Championship over her right shoulder.

Amanda Johnson: Savannah tonight you make your second defense of the International championship in a Three Way Dance against Johnny Karma and Cordy Stevenson. Now both of them have been placed in this match because of what happened in the Battle Royal a few weeks ago.

Savannah Taylor: Let me guess. You want to know how I feel about the whole thing, right? You want to know how I feel about having to defend MY title against two people whom many view as the cream of the crop. Is that it?

Amanda Johnson: Well in a sense ...yes.

The champion rolls her eyes slightly as she somewhat nods her head.

Savannah Taylor: I figured as much. You know something, Amanda. As angry as I should be about having to defend my International championship against two other people, where I could very well leave without it in my possession, I’m not angry. As a matter of fact, I’m feeling somewhat...sympathetic.

Amanda’s eyebrow raises slightly.

Amanda Johnson: Sympathetic? You?

Savannah Taylor: Contrary to what people think, I am capable of showing sympathy towards my fellow man. I can’t help but feel sorry for Johnny Karma here. Here you have someone who has been a cornerstone of FGA since before I came along. He has been to the top of the mountain and has had a pretty solid run at the top. I get his hunger and I get his wanting to reach the top of the mountain. The Battle Royal was his chance to step back into the spotlight……..but someone screwed that up for him. Someone didn’t want to take a backseat to letting Karma have his moment in the sun. So for someone who has a track record and the accolades that he has to be forced to share the spotlight with a certain other person...I'd be furious if I were him.

A pause.

Savannah Taylor: But Johnny, just because I am sympathetic to you and how you had your moment stolen from you doesn’t mean that this will be easy for you. You’re stepping to a whole other kind of person. You’re stepping to the damn Queen here. You’re stepping up to a whole other type of match here, Karma Chameleon. You want to go back to your former place at the top. I get it and I appreciate it. But I will be damned if you do that at my expense. Because if you try and take my championship, then I will slap you back down the ladder so fast that you’ll be lucky to get a Fifteen Championship match. Think about that before you do something stupid.

Amanda Johnson: Then there is the OTHER person in the match, someone who has returned with authority ever since the Draft, that being Cordelia Stevenson.

Savannah’s eyes narrow slightly as she rubs the bridge of her nose. Dropping her hand, she looks at Amanda with an almost calm expression. We all know that is merely a facade.

Savannah Taylor: Amanda, let's take a step back in time, shall we? The date was December tenth, two thousand sixteen. The place was Boston, Massachusetts. Our dear Cordelia was a month removed from winning the FGA World Championship. And who was one of her very first matches since winning the big one? You guessed it...me. Now keep in mind that my twenty sixteen was nothing to write home about, so a match against the World Champion was about the best thing to happen to me. Now naturally, I lost. But what I took away from that was a sense of pride that, at the time, I was just somewhat happy to have been able to stand toe to toe with someone as LAUDED and RESPECTED as Cordy Stevenson.

She rolls her eyes as she adjusts the International Championship over her shoulder.

Savannah Taylor: But do you want to know what Cordy said to me prior to that match, Amanda? She ACTUALLY said, and I quote, “But if you really want to be a victim, well I can grant you your wish tonight. You tell an amazing story and paint such a vivid picture with your words, but let’s just see how well that fire translates into the ring. And tonight I plan on handling my business. Do you? I hope you’re on your A game Savannah because I’ll definitely be on mine and regardless of how you feel about me, the one thing you and everyone else will do in the end…. Is respect me.” Now I get that she was the champ and had to treat everyone, no matter how insignificant she may have deemed them, as if they were a threat. But let’s be real here. I may have shown some sliver of respect towards Cordelia Stevenson before, but not anymore. How funny that the roles have been reversed and now SHE is the one on the outside looking in? SHE is the one who is the hunter.

Savannah turns so she is facing directly at the camera.

Savannah Taylor: I know for a fact that you don’t like me. Quite frankly I’m not too fond of you either. Three years ago, you put me in my place several rungs on the ladder below you. Three years ago, you showed me that I was nowhere near ready for the main event. Now? I AM the main event. Now I am the champion and you are the one nipping at my heels, wanting what I busted my ass to get. You couldn’t stand to see me sitting at the top of the mountain, so that is why you made your grand return, causing the poor Twitter guy to have a heart attack. I get that you have unfinished business with me. You want to know what happened to the last person who said they had unfinished business with me? I left him in a bloody heap in the middle of the ring. So Cordy, honey, sweetie, babygirl, you had better think carefully if coming back was a wise decision. Later tonight, I’m going to make an example out of you and Johnny Karma that there is a new guard in town and there is nothing anyone is going to be able to do to stop me. Get familiar with THAT….chica.

With that, Savannah turns away from Amanda and walks off down the hall as the scene switches to another part of the arena.

[FGA Office]

Our cameras cut back to the commentary table where Geoff Penzer greets the viewing FGA audience with a nod.

Geoff Penzer: Welcome back to Autumn Annihilation, ladies and gentlemen. We’ve already had a hell of a night and in case for some reason you’re just joining us-- well, I think you still paid full price for this event.

Somewhere in the yonder, pockets of the crowd grow steadily louder. It captures Penzer’s attention only for a second before he focuses squarely on the lens again.

Geoff Penzer: We’ve already crowned our 2019 Dynamic Duos in The Hellcat Spangled Death Squad but the tag team action isn’t over quite yet! We still have champions versus champions when our World Tag Team Champions and the United States Tag Team Champs collide!

The crowd grows louder and fans seated directly behind Geoff Penzer and the barrier rise to their feet, trying to get a better look at whatever has captivated so many people inside the Spectrum Center.

Geoff Penzer: But before that, it looks like we have a Grappler paying a visit to the… fans…?

We cut to a section of the FGA faithful closest to the ramp. Several fans have turned around to interact with somebody that’s making her way through, flanked by a member of arena security. De Luca exchanges some words with a few fans, but dismissively waves a group of teenagers off as they launch into a chant of “YOU STILL SUCK!”, bellowing into the face of De Luca.

Geoff Penzer: As we can see, Ashlyn De Luca is making her way down to the front row. She was told, in no uncertain terms by Flashpoint GM Kayden Jade Jones that she wasn’t a part of tonight’s main event. She was told that the show was already scheduled and would proceed without De Luca’s involvement, but…

De Luca stops beside a heavy-set, twenty-something year old fan who wears an oversized “SEX SELLS” tee and a pair of cargo shorts. He pushes his glasses up onto his nose, looking up at De Luca, who rests one hand on his shoulder, giving him a wink while she uses her free hand to retrieve her phone from the security guard. Geoff Penzer struggles to listen and decipher what De Luca and the fan are discussing.

Geoff Penzer: I can’t hear all of this, but I think-- I think Ashlyn De Luca is legitimately offering to Venmo a fan money for his front row seat. I…

The fan takes his phone out of his pocket, nodding, agreeing to De Luca’s request-- though the dozens of fans surrounding him urge him against it!

“NO!”

“NO!”

“NO!”

“NO! “

The fan stands up, typing away at his phone, face growing red as a result of the screaming fans on every side of him-- and finally, Ashlyn De Luca shows her phone to him, displaying a confirmation message on the Venmo app. The fan nods again, sliding his own phone back into his pocket-- and retrieving a Spectrum Center front row ticket, which he hands over to Ashlyn De Luca.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Geoff Penzer: Looks pretty official to me.

Ashlyn blows the fan a kiss as he moves past her, allowing himself to be escorted up the stairway. De Luca blows several more kisses to the raucous fans around her as she takes her seat, laughing all the while.

Geoff Penzer: Ashlyn De Luca can’t even be asked to leave the Spectrum Center now; I think that’s the point she’s trying to make here. She is a paying member of the audience and she’s got every right to stay here until the end of the show… specifically, until the end of our International Heavyweight Championship main event! What in the world is she playing at?

The camera pans away from De Luca and back to Geoff Penzer who sighs, shaking his head.

Geoff Penzer: Well, in any event, folks, we’ve still got champions versus champions and an explosive three-way dance coming your way. Don’t miss it!

[FGA Office]

The Frontier Grappling Arts United States Champion is seated comfortably in a directors chair as the picture comes to life. Behind her rests a mirror, one massive enough to uncover any flaws.

Nina herself? She’s dressed pretty casually. Black sweater. Black leggings. Black Michael Kors booties. But it is her crimson leather jacket on her shoulders and the United States Championship on her waist that add a vibrant splash of color to her ensemble.

Her eyes happen to wander down towards that belt for a brief moment before they rise up and return the camera’s gaze.

NINA STOKES: Well, would you look at that.

A partially stifled laugh escapes her lips.

NINA STOKES: Nina Stokes versus Salem—two out of three falls. One. Last. Fateful. Encounter.

She nods her head.

NINA STOKES: Though, it would appear that the circumstances are a bit different this time, yeah? You were the woman to bear last go-around, Salem. You were the champion; you held all the cards.

NINA STOKES: Now? The woman to beat is me.

There’s a small pause.

NINA STOKES: You probably think that I am ripping and raring to go—

The trained viewer is able to notice a tiny shift in Nina’s demeanor.

NINA STOKES: You’d be wrong.

Her facial features soften up just a bit. And there’s a tinge of quietness to her voice.

NINA STOKES: I had this grand idea in my head of how it would feel when I finally gave you what you deserve. The thought of giving you just a fraction of the hurt and pain that you inflicted upon me? It made me salivate.

There’s another tiny pause in her speech.

NINA STOKES: Beating the mess out of you was euphoric, for a time. And capturing the FGA United States Championship? It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

NINA STOKES: But, I miscalculated—

She’s pauses once more, though, it’s a bit longer this time.

NINA STOKES: Despite my justifiable rage, defeating you was not easy for me. I thought it would be, but it wasn’t. It took a lot of fortitude to slay the woman that once considered to be my best friend—

NINA STOKES: However, I was able to fight through my emotions. I was able to endure. I got the job done, just like always.

There’s a noticeable shift as Nina’s standard demeanor returns once again.

NINA STOKES: All I’ll do the same at Autumn Annihilation.

A second passes where in which Nina simply stares at the camera.

NINA STOKES: Salem? You’ve been a lost soul for a very, very long time. But, you don’t have to worry any longer. Why? Because I’m going to clear your mind. I’m going to set you free. Yeah. I’m going to splitter that broomstick and make sure that you’ll never soar again…

NINA STOKES: I owe that much, as your friend.

A final smirk creeps across Nina’s face just before the picture fades.