Vertigo

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

¡Uno!
¡Dos!
¡Tres!
¡Catorce!


Hello hello
(Hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo
(Donde esta?)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something
I can feel, feel


Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea


Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Adelaide, SA

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to Vertigo! I am Kris Cruise! Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! We are coming off of a small winter break and returning for our first FGA show here in 2020! We are coming to you live from the Adelaide Entertainment Center here in South Australia! What better way to kick off a new decade for FGA than this Wildcard Lottery tournament!?

Stephy Auger: It’s going to be something else, Kris! There are grapplers who are thrilled with who they got paired up with in the first round. There are also plenty of people who feel like their partners in the first round may be detrimental to their chances of advancing. We’re going to see a lot of pairings that have never been put into a tag team scenario with each other before. But if they want to advance? If they want to make it all the way to the end and have their choice of going after the World Championship or the International Heavyweight Championship, then they’re going to have to be on the same page. At least for tonight.

Kris Cruise: Communication and cohesion will be the keys to advancing for all 16 competitors in this Wildcard Lottery tournament. Executive Committee member Leonard T Asherman brought back this rare tournament to determine a new number one contender for either the World Champion or International Heavyweight Championship. We do know that due to James Edwards’ win at Above & Beyond 6, he became number one contender to Fujiko Mine’s World Title. We then found out during the Afterburn for the Eight Year Anniversary Show that Ashlyn De Luca has been chosen to challenge new International Champion Cordy Stevenson. Fujiko & Edwards? Cordy & De Luca? They can’t look past each other. But you would have to imagine that all four will be paying attention to this tournament as well.

Stephy Auger: They would be dumb not to. For one of those two champions, their next challenger could be coming from this field of 16.

Kris Cruise: Speaking of challengers, we just got word right before we went on the air that if the champions advance tonight, they will be defending their titles against their opponents in the next round! But that’s not all tonight. We’ve got a bit of a Grudge Match later on between Ricky Valero and Jillian Clay! It was several months ago that Evan Envi was found attacked in the parking lot towards the end of one of our Vertigo events. His right hand man and fellow Good Guy, Ricky Valero, has been on the hunt ever since!

Stephy Auger: He’s no longer on the hunt, Cruise! Ricky knows good and well that The Saturnian Connection were the ones behind that cowardly attack on The Chief! I never liked those two, you know. They were always shady. They were always sneaking around. I knew they were up to no good.

Kris Cruise: Jillian Clay and Nando Fresno know that this doesn’t look good. They know that they look guilty. But they’re determined to clear their names.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, good luck with that. I know the truth. Ricky knows the truth. Even you know the truth, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: ...In addition to that, it was nearly three years ago that Owen Gonsalves made his FGA in-ring debut in this very arena. Tonight, Nicholas King, the brass Australian newcomer that has been calling Gonsalves out for months, has once again issued an open challenge right here tonight!

Stephy Auger: If Owen knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay hiding under his covers like the coward he is!

Never sell out
Sometimes you gotta talk that talk to em, Nipsey
Sometimes they can't handle it though...
But we don't care...

Yeah
This a moment, This special...

The now familiar opening of Nipsey Hussle’s “Been Down” begins to play and the crowd erupts with a load roar. As the beat finally drops, the International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson slowly saunters her way from the back to a thunderous ovation. She stops atop the ramp, and surveys the crowd, nodding approvingly at the hot crowd. She pats the title on her shoulder and then hoists it into the air, holding it proudly in the air for all to see. She slowly makes her way down the ramp, reaching out and slapping hands with some of the fans as she makes her way towards the steps. She jogs up and climbs into the ring, making sure to lean in teasingly slow and drawing whistles from those in attendance. Finally she makes her way to the nearest corner and climbs the turnbuckle. She lifts her arms into the air, drawing another thundering cheer from the crowd as she hops back down. She is handed a microphone and the music fades out, however the volume in the arena only seems to go up as the fans grow even louder with their chants and cheers. Slowly she raises the microphone…


Cordelia Stevenson: Hey Vertigo… Mommy’s home.

The response is a damn near deafening roar of approval from the crowd that causes Cordelia to laugh. She covers her face, trying to hide the fact that she’s actually blushing. She lowers her hand and paces around the ring, waiting for the crowd to die down a bit but just as she raises the microphone, a chant broke out.

Crowd: WELCOME BACK, CORDY!!!

*clap clap clap clap clap*

Crowd: WELCOME BACK, CORDY!!!

Cordelia allows them to carry on and have their fun, getting the excitement high for the evening’s events. She gives a gracious nod and the crowd finally begins to ease up a bit.

Cordelia Stevenson: Wow. How long has it been since I’ve set foot in a Vertigo ring, guys? The last time I remember being here, if memory serves me correctly, was in April of 2017. Johnny Karma and I…

A loud pop for the Karmic Lion. Cordy sighs, knowing what's to come later.

Cordelia Stevenson: Johnny and I were in this very ring with your newly crowned Undisputed Champion, Izzy Anders...

The cheers go up for the namedrop of the Mind Killa.

Cordelia Stevenson: Johnny had just won the Gold Rush Rumble and me, being fresh off a loss to Izzy, made my desire for a rematch be known. Needless to say we laid the groundwork that night for a triple threat match that never even came to fruition after I was put out of commission.

Now the crowd responds with jeers. An expected response when thinking about the cowardly attack that sidelined her back then.

Cordelia Stevenson: But here we are. Damn near three years later, minus a brand split, and finally your girl is back, this time as the International Heavyweight Champion! I’m kicking off the new year in a familiar place and you’re getting reacquainted with a familiar face, and you know something? I’m looking forward to it. Many of my finest FGA moments were had in a Vertigo ring. Some of my biggest matches in this company took place on this very show, and I see things being no differently this time around; especially now that the shows have merged once again. You guys know me, and you know that I’m a competitor and I’m always looking for a challenge. With Flashpoint and Vertigo combined once more, this talent pool is as deep as it's ever been and quite frankly I can’t wait to see the contenders that emerge from the pack.

She stops pacing and holds up her finger.

Cordelia Stevenson: But speaking of contenders… I’m not sure if you guys have heard this or not, but it seems that one has been named for my International Heavyweight Championship.

For most of the fans in the know, a chorus of boos seem to be the appropriate response for the number one contender.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, going by that response, I’m guessing it is safe to say that you heard who’s going to get the first shot at this.

She motions towards the title and chuckles.

Cordelia Stevenson: Ashy isn’t really a favorite amongst you guys, is she?

A resounding NOOOOOO is shouted in unison. Cordelia flinches and feigns surprise at the volume of the response. She holds up her hand in a halting motion.

Cordelia Stevenson: I get it, she’s not everyone’s cup of tea. She’s definitely the type of person that can rub you the wrong way; grate your nerves, and quite simply annoy the living hell out of you…

There is no disagreement there. According to the crowd, Cordelia’s summation of De Lucz is spot on.

Cordelia Stevenson: Ashlyn De Luca may be all of those things, but something that she also is -- is deserving of a shot at this title. One thing I’ve always done is give credit where it's due. Some people get off on looking down their nose at others, but quite simply, that’s just not how I roll. Say what you will about her guys, you may not like her and you may not like the way she goes about things, but one thing we simply can’t deny is the level of talent that she possesses. I know I won’t deny it or pretend that I don’t see it, because I see it as clear as day. There’s just always been something… about her. Now I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I kept track of things while I was gone, because I didn’t. But Ashlyn’s name was one I was very familiar with long before I left, and now that I’m back, it’s still ringing as loudly as ever. It’s no secret that she’s had her eyes set on the very thing that I’m in possession of, and now? Well now she’s finally going to get the shot that she desperately sought.

Cordy removes the title off of her shoulder and holds it up.

Cordelia Stevenson: After all of the crying and protesting and sitting in and lobbying, Ashlyn De Luca finally gets what she feels she deserves. But what I want to know, Ashlyn… is exactly what are you going to do with it? You’re quite the spinner, and very well spoken, we all know that. You’ve got the gift of gab and exaggeration that could put a salesman to shame, but words— although they may have helped get you into this position, they won’t be what get the job done. Not against me, So tell me, chica… what are you --

“I COME TO LIFE…”

The four words blare throughout the arena, just a second before “Suburbia” hits the PA system to an immediate chorus of boos from the Adelaide crowd. Heads swing in the direction of the entranceway as De Luca makes her way out from the backstage area, smiling broadly at the raucous masses. She feigns mild surprise, cupping a hand to her ear at the unmistakable sea of jeers, but shrugs to herself as she continues down the ramp… all the while, pointing a finger toward Cordy, offering a smile that one would flash to a longtime friend.

Stephy Auger: Finally, something a little less one-sided! Our number one contender!

Kris Cruise: Pretty sure the champ was about to invite her here anyway, but--

Stephy Auger: Don’t ruin the moment.

De Luca takes a microphone from the timekeeper before making her way up the steel steps. Her music fades as she walks across the apron, standing on the outside, keeping the ropes between herself and the International Heavyweight Champion yet again as she raises the mic to her lips.

Ashlyn De Luca: Uuuuugh, like, my god, right? It’s like-- every single show, here I am just existing, but it’s like… no one can stop talking about how great Ashlyn De Luca is. This is totally the world I wanna live in. I--

Ashlyn pauses, waving off the crowd as the boos grow loud once again.

Ashlyn De Luca: I stayed quiet back there until I was pretty sure you were totally done singing my praises. And you asked something I’ve actually been asking myself for weeks now… ever since I found out that I was the person that was gonna take the International Heavyweight Title off you, Cordy, I’ve been asking myself, “Ashlyn, yooo, how are you gonna do this? How are you gonna start this journey?” When it comes time to take my spot at the top of this roster like I’ve been saying I should be for the past year and a half-- when words are no longer enough and it comes time to action, what the hell am I gonna do… to take that?

“That” is in fact the International Heavyweight Title on Cordy’s shoulder, which Ashlyn’s eyes dart to for emphasis as she says it. With an exaggerated groan, Ashlyn steps through the ropes and enters the ring, stretching a bit after she does so before turning, giving Cordelia another broad smile.

Ashlyn De Luca: And I thought about it.

De Luca sighs, taking a small step toward the champion.

Ashlyn De Luca: And I think we can both agree it’s probably best if I just star--

SMASH! Static.

Kris Cruise: Oh my God!

Boos echo throughout the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as De Luca drives the microphone as hard as she can into the crown of Cordy’s skull! Stunned, the champion drops her own microphone, just briefly falling to a knee as De Luca pivots, rebounding into the ropes, returning to nail Stevenson with a Bicycle Knee Strike under the jaw before she can properly block the attack! This time, the belt falls from Cordy’s shoulder and to the canvas. The champion reels, now down to a knee-- until a thrust kick to the heart from De Luca finally takes her to the mat. De Luca exhales, reaching behind her head to tie her hair into a ponytail as she fixes her gaze on the fallen International Heavyweight Champion.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: What the hell is Ashlyn De Luca doing?!

Stephy Auger: Taking action! Doing exactly what Cordy just told her to do! It’s like an endless loop, haha. Cordy just isn’t meant to show up on Vertigo. Look what happens!

De Luca kneels down, looking closely at the International Heavyweight Title before turning toward Stevenson, who pushes herself up to her hands and knees, fixing a venomous glare on her number one contender. De Luca springs to her feet and stomps at Cordy, driving her sole into the champion’s back repeatedly until Cordy lies flat on the mat! Stevenson instinctively reaches a hand out, grabbing a hold of the leather strap of the championship, but De Luca swiftly kicks her hand away from the belt! With two fists full of hair, De Luca forces Cordy up to her feet and rushes the ropes, swinging her through the bottom-and-middle, clear to the floor below!

“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”

“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”

“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”

“FUCK YOU ASHLYN!”

Dropping down to the floor, Ashlyn winks into the crowd as she steps over Cordy and separates the top half of the steel steps from the bottom, leaving the flat base exposed. Ashlyn turns, kneeling down as Cordy uses the ring apron to pull herself up to a vertical base again-- but De Luca sprints forward, driving Cordy to the mat with a second Bicycle Knee under the jaw! This one rocks the champion’s head back violently, sending her quickly to the floor while Ashlyn quite literally pats herself on the back, grinning out into the crowd, exclaiming “THAT’S TWICE! I’M DOING GREAT!” She’s met with a chorus of boos, but she shrugs them off as she slowly bends down, forcing Cordy upright by the hair again.

Kris Cruise: Enough is enough. That’s our International Heavyweight Champion! This started with a cheap shot, but it’s quickly gotten out of hand here.

Stephy Auger: I disagree. Cordy Stevenson is our champion but that means she shouldn’t know the meaning of “enough.” She asked Ashlyn for this. Cordy provoked this!

Kris Cruise: How?!

De Luca half-drags, half-walks Cordy toward the exposed base of the steel steps. She hooks her for a Suplex and steps back, placing one foot on the steps.

Kris Cruise: No! She’s-- this is how Ashlyn took Logan Alexander out of action!

With a sneer, De Luca looks to lift Stevenson up for the Brainbuster, but Cordy reaches out, hooking her arm around the ring post to block it! Ashlyn tries to wrench Cordy away and succeeds-- but Cordy grabs onto the bottom rope instead! Ashlyn cries out in frustration, but quickly, Cordy grabs control of Ashlyn and hoists her up in the Suplex position-- before dropping her rib-first across the base of the steel steps with a Release Gourdbuster! De Luca’s eyes widen in pain and she pushes herself off the steps, onto the floor, mouth agape in a silent “O” of pain as Cordy falls back against the apron, regaining her own composure as she watches De Luca writhe. Chants of “YES!” echo throughout the arena.

Stephy Auger: Ahhhh no! I think Ashlyn might’ve just cracked a rib!

Kris Cruise: ...poor Ashy.

Stephy Auger: Easy for you to joke!

De Luca crawls to the ringside barrier, using it to pull herself up. Cordelia stalks behind at a distance, watching from afar as Ashlyn rises to her feet. Once she turns around, Cordelia surges forward and blasts Ashlyn with a clothesline, the momentum of the move carrying both women over the barrier!

Stephy Auger: Ahhh, not into the people! Ash hates it out there!

The fans scatter as both women hit the ground. Cordelia pushes to her feet and reaches down, grabbing Ashlyn by the hair and lifts her up. The fans howl in approval as Cordy tells De Luca that she likes it when she plays rough and then rears back and rocks De Luca with a hard right hand. Cordy delivers another and then another, staggering De Luca. She rears back to deliver one more but Ashlyn rakes at her eyes causing the crowd to boo.

Kris Cruise: And another cheap shot by the number one contender. Of course!

Cordelia stumbles away now, clutching at her eyes as Ashlyn follows her through the crowd. She grabs hold of Cordy’s shoulder and gets ready to spin her around, but Cordy reacts instinctively and drives an elbow to Ashlyn’s stomach. De Lucz keels over as Cordy runs past her, and hops onto the barricade. She then leaps back, twisting in the air and looks to connect with the Beautiful Nightmare!

...and gasps surge through the arena as De Luca quickly grabs a smaller male fan clad in a years-old “Cyncity” tee that’s taken to his feet, pulling him in front of her!

Kris Cruise: NO!

… but fortunately Cordelia is able to hold off on delivering the kick, instead landing on her feet right in front of the man whose eyes are wide with shock. As De Luca skirts out of frame, Cordy checks in on the fan, giving him a comforting hug and a pat on the back as she glowers at Ashlyn. Ashlyn has disappeared behind another wave of fans, giving Cordy a wink. Stevenson looks prepared to chase after the number one contender, but takes a moment to guide the young fan back toward a member of security to assist him to his seat.

Kris Cruise: What in the hell is wrong with Ashlyn De Luca? Using one of these paying fans as a human shield? Are you kidding me?

Stephy Auger: That fan just got the experience of a lifetime. You can calm right down.

Just at that moment, the crowd lets out a collective gasp as a slushie cup goes hurtling through the air in the direction of Cordelia and the fan. There’s not enough arm behind the throw though as it falls a bit short of its mark and falls to the floor, splashing out and making a mess. Cordelia hears the cup hitting the floor and feels some of the slushie hitting the legs of her pants. She spins around trying to see if she can lay eyes on De Luca but the woman can no longer be seen.

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn De Luca has disappea… oh, for the love of--

Stephy Auger: Hey! We’re being graced!

A new camera angle shows De Luca ducking down between Stephy Auger and Kris Cruise, pulling Cruise’s headset close to herself.

Ashlyn De Luca: I can’t stick around. But in my absence, I just want you guys to remind everyone that I’m basically a genius.

Stephy Auger: Of course! That’s what I’ve BEEN saying!

The crowd parts like the Red Sea as Cordelia Stevenson makes her way back toward the barricade. De Luca clears her throat and stands upright, giving Auger a smile-- and Cruise a frown.

Ashlyn De Luca: Good talk. Gotta go.

De Luca swings herself over the barricade behind the announce desk, half-walking, half-jogging in the opposite direction as the International Heavyweight Champion approaches the desk, looking prepared to dart after De Luca and follow… but she sighs, placing her hands on her hips, turning her attention back to the nearby fans. Boos resonate throughout the arena again as Ashlyn De Luca pauses at the arena exit, merely to tap the side of her head, grinning back at Stevenson before she disappears into the arena corridor. Cordelia watches her with a venomous glare, but the corners of her mouth slightly turn upward as she scoffs and mutters something under her breath. A ringside attendant walks over and hands her the International Heavyweight Championship as the scene fades away.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Kazu Hirano finishes his cigarette before greeting us just after the scene fades open. He's standing in front of a white wall somewhere in the backstage area.

Kazu Hirano: Heeeey!

Hirano smears it out under his foot. The Tokyo native wears an unbuttoned black galaxy-themed jacket featuring colorful stars and comets in space. The only other thing we see him wearing is a pair of silver wrestling trunks. Hirano's face has a tint of red with a light coat of sweat. His eyes are dilated. He's known for being a chill guy, but The Wanderer is clearly on something else. He might be a rookie, but he knows what a fucking wrestling promo should look like. He's definitely more animated and intense.

Kazu Hirano: My 2019 in FGA ended with a tag team win. I been here, there, everywhere. I ain't seen Annie or Dom anywhere. Didn't even seen 'em back in Tokyo. I thought they'd come around After Dark for New Years! But nah.

He shrugs. It looked like Harter and Zellor could rejoin Raka Nakasato and an After Dark Trios Championship match was in their near future.

Kazu Hirano: That's alright. Ain't nobody missin' 'em. The Wanderer moves on. Always movin'. Always on the go. Wherever I wanna get to, I get to. Sometimes I don't know where the f*ck I am. But I never worry. I enjoy the ride. 'Cuz I always find my way, baby!

Hirano takes a brief moment to compose his thoughts before continuing.

Kazu Hirano: Now it's a new year. FGA. Listen. We got this Wildcard Lottery. They made eight random teams. I'm working with Zack Gall tonight. We're gonna fight against each other if we beat Izzy Anders and Laura Perelli. Zack and Laura – they came to FGA just last year, now here to really dig in this year! Izzy wants to get back at the top of the mountain in this company! And me...

Hirano looks away and pauses briefly, weighing things before looking back at the camera.

Kazu Hirano: This could be a big thing for me, ya know? I got people sayin' shit like, “Kazu-san, imagine a guy like you – still a rookie 'n' all that shit – imagine goin' all the way. Imagine a one-hundred-kay payday and a shot at the FGA World title! Or FGA International Heavyweight title!”

Hirano grins.

Kazu Hirano: I ain't gonna lie. That would change a lotta things. There's a lotta people out there who could use some of that money. Shit's rough these days. And me? A big time champion in a place like FGA? Or just to even get that shot? Damn, man. I ain't even been wrestling for that long!

Hirano's mostly wrestled in Yamashi Promotions and FGA this past year, proving to be a reliable performer in two of wrestling's biggest companies. The Wanderer puts on fun matches for fans and his band is over. But he normally appears in the lower parts of the card and he's yet to win a title belt.

Kazu Hirano: But when it comes to all those big belts, like I say, Wanderer's Way – I always get to where I gotta go. Somehow. Someway. Someday. I'm gonna make it, baby. Don't worry about me.

Hirano gets more intense.

Kazu Hirano: But this shit? In the right here 'n' now? That one-hundred-kay? That's a helluva lotta money to stumble on. I can help people in a way I never done before. I do what I can as a wrestler to make somebody happy. Damn it would be great to use my talent to get that money and pass it around!

The white dust is kicking in now.

Kazu Hirano: So this ain't about someday! This is about today! Adelaide! I been around Australia. You've all seen better times. I ain't got what the Naked Philanthropist's got, but I gotta couple of sweet f*ckin' moves 'n' a whole lotta fight! So tonight I'm doin' everything I can so Zack and I beat these tough opponents! I'm gonna give it everything I got 'n' more to go all the way so I can come back here and give all that one-hundred-kay to relief efforts. So come on, Adelaide! Let's jam!

Hirano gives a little fist pump before walking out of the shot as we fade out.

[FGA Office]

The camera moves to the backstage area, where Amanda Johnson is stood waiting alongside none other than Cassius Reed. Cassius, for his part, is resplendent in a beekeeping suit. Because why not?

Amanda Johnson: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, tonight I’m being joined by...

Amanda pauses, looking to Cassius. Behind the netting of his mask, his face is impassive, even as he raises an eyebrow at Amanda’s pause. After a few moments, she seemingly judges it safe to continue.

Amanda Johnson: Cassiu-

Cassius Reed: HOLD IT.

Amanda sighs, knowing this would happen, and doesn’t even protest as she holds out the microphone on her open palm. Cassius snatches it up, stepping centre screen at the same time, ensuring maximum focus is on him.

Cassius Reed: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. WOMEN AND CHILDREN. KANGAROOS AND DROPBEARS. YOU HAVE THE GREAT HONOR OF BEING JOINED TONIGHT BY VERITABLE TOURNAMENT ROYALTY, THE LAST TRUE IRON KING. THE KING OF THE AIR.THE KING OF CHRISTMAS. THE MAN WITH THE SOLID GOLD NAME. THE GLORY HUNTER. THE VANILLA THRILLA. THE PUPPET MASTER. THE SNAKE EATER. THE DEVIL KILLER. THE FUNKY DRAGON. THE EBONY SALMON. THE VEEP. THE GUY YOUR GIRLFRIEND WISHES WAS BANGIN’ HER. THE GUY YOUR BOYFRIEND WISHES HE WAS BANGIN’. THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION OF KNIFEY SPOONY. THE COFFEE IN YOUR COFFEE. MOMMA REED’S FAVORITE SON. CASSIUS REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDD!

He hands the microphone back to Amanda, gasping a little for breath under the weight of his suit. Before he has a chance to interrupt her again, Amanda cuts straight in..

Amanda Johnson: OK. Sure. Anyway… tonight is the first round of the Wildcard Lottery. You seem to be on the prowl for a tournament win early this year… does this have anything to do with how close you were to closing out 2019 without your precious tournament victory?.

Cassius Reed: Cassius will have less of your sass. Yes, Cassius might have been biding his time last year, and perhaps all but the true believers lost faith in the TOURNAMENT GAWD himself, but Cassius came through with the last minute clutch three pointer from downtown like he intended the whole time. You see, Amanda, there’s such a thing in this business as SHOWMANSHIP. Cassius was merely building suspense, like a cheapass singing competition that makes your ass wait til after the commercial to find out which jackass is in the mascot suit.

Amanda Johnson: ...right. Sure. Well, as we’ve all seen, you don’t seem too impressed with the fact you’ve been put into a tag match for the opening round. Which most people consider strange, considering your partner is one half of the FGA tag champions. Can you explain your thinking there?

Cassius Reed: DAMN GIRL. How many times Cassius got to explain this to you. CASSIUS DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS. CASSIUS IS DONE CARRYING OTHER PEOPLES’ DEAD WEIGHT. NO TAGGY TAGGY. NO EL TAGGO POR CASSIUS. Cassius is the one man worldwide travelling extravaganza, and he don’t need no scraggly heroin addict looking mammajamma up there trying to share in his spotlight.

Amanda Johnson: But-

Cassius Reed: Cassius don’t need “guidance” in how to win a tag match. CASSIUS WON TAG MATCHES. CASSIUS ONE THE VERY FIRST TORNEO DE LAS LEGIONES. CASSIUS WAS A LEGION DEL HELL CHAMPION. AND HE SURE AS FUNK DON’T NEED NO FLOPPY HAIRED, PUBE BEARDED, SK8R BOI STREAK OF PISS TO “LEAD THE WAY”. DOES CASSIUS NEED TO FURTHER HIGHLIGHT FLAWS IN THIS PLAN OR DO YOU FINALLY COMPREHEND?

Amanda Johnson: Yes. Fine. Whatever!

Cassius Reed: Excellent. Now, excuse yo’self. Cassius needs to finish his preparations.

Amanda rolls her eyes a moment… before pausing, and turning back to Cassius.

Amanda Johnson: I know I’m going to regret this… but what’s up with the beekeeping get up.

Cassius Reed: OH HOW OBSERVANT OF YOUR AMELIA IT’S ONLY TAKEN YOU 10 MINUTES TO NOTICE.

Amanda Johnson: My name is Amand-

Cassius Reed: As I’m sure you’re aware we are currently stood in the most dangerous place on the planet. If it ain’t trying to eat you, it’s trying to poison you. And then eat you. CASSIUS IS TAKING PERFECTLY REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT HIS SECOND MOST VALUABLE ASSET, IE HIS DAMN FINE SELF, AND IS LAUGHING AT ALL YOU SUCKAS WALKING AROUND INVITING ATTACKS FROM THE SPIDERS WHICH ARE ALSO SCORPIONS AND THEIR TAILS ARE SNAKES. BECAUSE AUSTRALIA.

The barrage of this insanity obviously kills something inside Amanda. She looks for a moment like she might have a rebuttal… but instead closes her mouth, shakes her head as a voice inside seems to say “not today Satan”, and she turns and walks out. The camera swings around to Cassius, his million megawatt smiles shining through the netting.

Cassius Reed: HAVE FAITH, CASSIUS’ BELIEVERS. 2020 MAY BE THE YEAR OF THE RAT, BUT THIS AIN’T CHINA. 2020 MEANS ONE THING AND ONE THING ONLY TO THE PEOPLES OF THE FGA… THIS THE YEAR OF CASSIUS. AND ALL YOU SUCKAS BETTER BELIEVE IT. PLAN C IS FINALLY COMIN’ TO FRUITION, BABY!

And with that, the feed finally fades, leaving us all just a little bit grateful.

[FGA Office]

We come to a dark corridor in the building but it’s not necessarily an unfamiliar sight for what this man has often spoken from over the years. The veteran of the squared circle is already dressed to compete, even down to having his wrists taped to his black tights that have more of a scale styled imprint to them rather than the usual look. The purple trim where he needs it often a usual color associated with him to begin with but then you see the wrist tape both have the numbers 8 and 24 wrote on them. And the dark circles under his eyes indicate how little sleep he’s gotten.

Seth Iser: Never misconstrue me for a nice guy but I’ve had way too much to think about over the last couple of days. Not just about the sport of professional wrestling, my goals, but even the meaning of life a little bit. Normally I’d be yelling about tonight’s match first but...I do have a heavy heart right now. What birthed all this? A tragedy...when one of the icons in professional basketball and all of sports itself in Kobe Bryant when he, his daughter...and several others passed away in that copter crash…no survivors at all.

Seth’s voice trembled when he said the word daughter as he just closes his eyes a little bit.

Seth Iser: My daughter was the one who sent me the news about that...she was crying. We spent about an hour together weeping…and she’s not even a basketball fan. In comparison, I'm a Lakers fan and played sports through High School until the knee injury sent me into pro wrestling. Allison though, she’s smart. Smarter than I was at that age for sure. She knew the enormity of what happened. And that's what...hit both of us. And finding out that many families are without their respective loved ones...especially their kids...just...it is heart wrenching at the end of the day. And I don’t even want to think about the pain of a parent losing their kid. That’s...truly heartbreaking. Especially when I am obviously a father, myself. Just so many families without their daughter, their father...their mother even. It isn’t so much about what someone might have done or what they did...but just fate’s cruelty tearing apart the fabric of families because it was just that time...I’m trying to express the words but truthfully I’m having quite a hard time.

And there’s still that rawness of emotion in Iser, a true rarity considering the iron mask he tends to go behind as he has his head down for that moment.

Seth Iser: So where does that leave tonight? It means my words from earlier have to ring even more true than ever. It means I have to emancipate the World Title from Fujiko not just so it is represented to the professional level that it deserves. Or give the proper interviews needed in this position if James Edwards grabs it and refuses the media. No...far more than that, really. I not only need to win it...for me because I know how time is precious. If I didn’t need anymore of a slap in the face of our own mortality, I sure as hell got one when I read that because we could go at any point. That’s the damn truth of it all…

Some of the much more familiar intensity and edge to his voice is creeping in rather than what he was displaying earlier but he’s still doing what he can to keep all of that contained.

Seth Iser: But I want the joy plastered over my daughter’s face. Over Rebecca’s face...that I came home with the satisfaction and proof that all those years of sacrifice, the bull*bleep* I’ve had to deal with from fans comparing me to certain wrestlers. Hell, the years of suffering, the missed birthdays...my daughter crying when she was younger asking when Dad was going to be home for a more extended period. It’ll finally be worth it when I buck youthful trend in wrestling and win the world championship at age 39. But it all...begins tonight.

Seth’s face narrows slightly as he thinks about things further.

Seth Iser: My partner and I are getting along far better than Neal and Cassius were earlier in the week so that’s already one huge step ahead. But Ashley and I both know the score. We can’t worry about what might come up even though we both want the same thing...and I have all the faith in the world she’ll be good at what she does. She’s an experienced tag wrestler. She adapts to her situations with different partners. That's what she’s truly excelled at at the young point of her career.

And he just has that steely determination as he rattles off some of the positives of his tag partner.

Seth Iser: And she knows she can trust me tonight. Anything I do...will be for the good of the team. And for the good of both of us advancing in round 2. I know Mark Bisley shot off at the mouth stating he wasn’t thrilled. Too bad...his world title ambitions for this tournament just shot up in smoke because he won’t trust his partner. Ashley Sands will remember that. She can put on the brave face but subconsciously she'll remember that. Hesitate slightly if she needs to make a save. And they can boo that truth if they want and I know the fans might not like half of the team advancing in this situation no matter whom it is, but it isn’t about them and quite frankly I don’t give a damn. They share the same damned country as Owen Gonsalves...and that shows them where their fandom was.

Seth’s face turns to half of a smirk.

Seth Iser: But this country also produced a wonderful woman that came into my life. They did at least one thing right...

His voice trails off for a moment before he refocuses.

Seth Iser: I said I’m going to be a World Champion in 2020 and defying the youth trend of this damned sport. And winning this tag match tonight...good first step. And I wouldn’t want to be anybody getting in my way because every trick I’ve ever learned in this long odyssey I’ve gone through in this sport...I’m more than willing to use. It’s all to lead this sport to a new golden era to leave it better. And to make my family proud.

And then the sneer from Iser that’s far too familiar.

Seth Iser: And everyone else? It’ll be far too late to pay your respects. I have the receipts…just enjoy groveling over second place when I’m done.

And with that hint of bitterness the veteran scowls at the camera and walks off.

[FGA Office]

Patrick Jones vs. Antoinette Sands

“Killin It” by Krewella hits the P.A system and the fans immediately turn to cheers as it isn’t long at all before Antoinette Sands comes skipping out from backstage. She looks like a walking disco ball with how lit up she is, causing the fans to chant her name as her electric personality shines through. As her body jumps up and down three times, she looks down as her feet stomp against the ramp listening to the music as she skips down the ramp, slapping the hands of the fans.

As she approaches some desperately reaching their hands out, Antoinette playfully digs into her shorts pocket before blowing on her hand in the face of the fans, watching as pink and purple glitter mist smacks them in the face making them cheer out of excitement. Antoinette quickly makes her way to the ring, sliding under the ropes before jumping up standing tall in the middle of the ring, nodding her head as she watches for her opponent.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall! Introducing first, from Durham, North Carolina… ANTOINETTE SANDS!

"I Won't Back Down" by Burn Halo fills the arena. At the first drum beats, a spotlight flickers on the entrance way with Jones coming out as the bass starts in a surge of energy. He spins a full circle with his arms stretched out to revel in the crowd's energy. The spin completes at the top of the ramp where Jones drops to a knee with a big, over-handed fist pump. PJ takes a moment to enjoy the cheers around him and collect his thoughts before hopping to his feet. He jogs down the ramp, talking to and high-fiving fans, trying to get them as pumped up and ready to go as he is. Jones goes straight from the ramp and jumps onto the ring apron before ducking through the second and third rope, giving another, slower spin just to drink in the environment.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, from Louisville, Kentucky! Weighing in at 235 pounds… PATRICK JONES!

Sands and Jones start the opening contest off with a handshake before circling the ring. A quick collar-and-elbow follows. Jones easily wins the tussle and gains the advantage with a side headlock. Sands tries to pull Jones’ arms from around her neck, but she fails. She then tries to escape by pushing Jones off of her and towards the ropes. This, too, fails. Jones follows up with a side headlock takeover, bringing the youngest member of AAA down to the mat. The official drops down and converses with Sands. He asks her if she wants to quit. After refusing, she reverses into a legscissors. Jones doesn’t stay trapped for long, though, as he’s able to escape via kip up. Sands scrambles back to her feet, only to wind up back on the mat after another side headlock. Jones once again quickly finds himself in another headscissors. He tries to escape with another kip up. But this time, his kip up attempt is denied. Jones tries to escape via another kip up attempt. Once again, Sands blocks it. Sands squeezes her legs as tight as she can to keep the veteran grounded. The official heads back down. This time, he checks in on Jones. Before the official can even ask, Jones refuses any option to quit. He then slowly turns over onto his knees. After slowly pulling his head free from the legscissors, Jones quickly flips over and executes a jackknife pin!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Sands kicks out.

Once both grapplers are back to their feet, Sands gains the advantage with a side headlock of her own. Unlike Sands, Jones is easily able to shove her off and into the ropes. When Sands comes back, she avoids Jones’ clutches by sliding through his legs. Jones turns to face her. But he ends up getting caught with a spinning heel kick for his troubles! Sands takes advantage of the situation and quickly hops on top of Jones with a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
Jones kicks out.

Sands takes Jones and sets up for an irish whip when he reverses. Jones then catches Sands off the rebound and is able to bring her down with a belly to belly suplex. He goes for another cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Sands kicks out.

Jones takes Sands, moves her into the corner and fires off three knife edge chops. After Sands is whipped into the far corner, Jones rushes over to attack. But he ends up eating a boot to the face for his trouble! The veteran Jones stumbles back while Sands slowly makes her way out of the corner. Sands steps out to the apron, springboards to the top rope and then throws out a flying clothesli-NO! Jones counters with a dropkick in mid air! He goes for another pin.

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

Jones pulls Sands back to her feet and goes to work with low and mid kicks. He then doubles Sands over with a spinning back kick before throwing her down with a gutwrench suplex! With Sands down, Jones steps out to the apron. The Adelaide crowd continues to cheer for Jones as he begins to climb the turnbuckles. Once Jones is perched up on the top turnbuckle, he gauges the distance between himself and Sands. Jones then leaps off for a flying elbow drop… and misses when Sands rolls out of the way at the last second! Sands sees that Jones is down and hasn’t gotten back to his feet. She she rolls back over to him and tries to score the pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones gets his good arm up.

Sands brings Jones back to his feet. She then whips him into the far ropes before catching him off the rebound with a dropkick. Sands goes for another cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones gets his good arm up.

Sands doubles Jones over with two spin kicks to the midsection before placing him in a headlock. Sands motions for a running bulldog when Jones shoves her off, sending her crashing into the corner. Jones follows up with another attack when Sands counters with a back elbow to the face. Sands then hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, grabs Jones and brings him down with a Tornado DDT! She goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones gets his good shoulder up.

Jones is sent into the corner with an irish whip. Sands runs over, hops on top of him and throws him out of the corner with a monkey flip! No! Jones, somehow, lands on his feet. He quickly takes off into the ropes. Jones bounces back, leaps across the ring and knocks Sands off her feet with a flying forearm! Sands is brought back down with a second flying forearm! Jones then hooks both of her arms before throwing her down with a double underhook suplex. With Sands sprawled out on the mat, Jones steps out to the apron before once again scaling the turnbuckles. Jones reaches the top… leaps off… and connects with the diving elbow drop on his second attempt! The veteran favors his elbow while he sets up shop in the corner. Once Sands is back to her feet, she turned around and gets caught with Zoned Out (superkick)! Jones makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… PATRICK JONES!

[FGA Office]

A sweeping shot captures the raucous fans in attendance in Adelaide inside the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. For several seconds, different shots and angles capture the different signs and often-exaggerated reactions of the fans appearing on camera… until “Amazing” by Kanye West hits, lifting the fans to their feet in a fit of rage-- deafening boos in stark contrast to their jubilance just seconds prior. White and pink strobe lights start to flash throughout the arena and we pan to the top of the stage where Spencer Burke awaits, microphone in hand, turning toward the entranceway as he’s shrouded in white smoke.

It's amazing
I'm the reason
Everybody fired up this evening

I'm exhausted
Barely breathing
Holding on to what I believe in

No matter what
You'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

Ricky Valero emerges from the back amidst a cloud of fog. Lacking the typical trademark smirk, now wearing a scowl, he scans the arena, muttering under his breath in visible disapproval. Valero puts his legs together, extends his arms outward, throws his head back and basks in the building’s negative energy. He turns, looking toward Spencer Burke, taking a long, deep sigh before he slowly makes his way to the interviewer, music fading.

Spencer Burke: Ricky Valero--

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The interviewer is forced to pause due to the near-deafening chorus of boos that floods the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Ricky Valero shakes his head at the live audience, but motions for Spencer to hurry up and continue.

Spencer Burke: Ricky Valero, tonight you’re scheduled to go one-on-one with somebody that… well, to be honest, was probably nowhere near your radar a couple of months ago-- one half of Portland Pro Wrestling’s reigning Tag Team Champions, Jillian Clay. Let’s take a quick look at how this drama between you and the Saturnian Connection actually started in the first place on the previous episode of Vertigo from November.

We fade into a hectic scene with a camera operator scrambling to catch up to Spencer Burke.

Spencer Burke: Who is th…

The interviewer audibly gasps as he looks over the small crowd of officials and medical crew… and the live audience follows suit, the sound of shock flooding the arena as we see the individual being tended to-- a lacerated Evan Envi, features almost indistinguishable with blood, lying supine on the crimson-stained asphalt. Beneath the spilled blood, his face has turned almost a ghost-white and shards of glass remain stuck in parts of his cheek, neck, and arm, though medical personnel with plastic gloves work quickly to cast the shards aside.

Ricky Valero: What in the hell is so important that you literally have to walk away in the middle of me discussi--

Valero begins speaking before he approaches the scene, but stop abruptly, words seemingly caught in his throat as he sees the fallen Chief.

EMT: Everybody, out of the way! We’ve gotta get him braced and stretchered! Move!

In the near distance, the distinct ambulance sirens can already be heard. Valero’s eyes are wide, mouth slightly agape as if he’s seen a ghost. As the crowd around Envi scatter, Valero remains stood where he is, eyes locked on his partner as his face, too, grows pale. The camera remains focused on Valero, seemingly locked in on the look on his face as Spencer Burke continues asking questions, out of frame but still audible.

Spencer Burke: Did anyone here see who did this?

Driver: It was too fast. I didn’t know what was going on.

Spencer Burke: Anybody?

Our cameras cut to the medical team stabilizing Envi’s neck and maneuvering him onto the stretcher.

EMT: Load him. We’re gonna move.

The sirens grow nearer until the ambulance finally pulls into frame. Evan Envi is loaded onto the stretcher and into the back of the vehicle as the double doors open. Ricky Valero paces behind the ambulance for a moment, clenching and unclenching his fists, debating whether to enter the ambulance with the Chief or not.

Spencer Burke: Ricky?

Valero rubs at his eyes with his palms for a moment, sucking in a deep breath before he looks toward the ambulance. He grows still as the doors are shut and the sirens sound again. With a growl from the engine, the ambulance pulls off into the night.

Spencer Burke: Ricky? Do-- do you have any idea what just happened here?

Valero finally lets the breath out. A scowl crosses his face as he shoots a look back toward the arena, and then finally at Burke.

Ricky Valero: Yeah. I have a feeling I do. Move.

We cut back to real-time inside the arena where Valero looks up at the screen with the same bitter look. The scene from Vertigo’s previous episode is met with boos from the audience, and for a few moments, Burke and Valero are quiet. With Ricky clearly having nothing to add, Spencer gestures up to the screen.

Spencer Burke: And of course… that led to this at FGA Autumn Annihilation.

The camera follows Ricky during the straight journey from his starting point, all the way to the partially-opened door of Sadie San Francisco’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: 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. 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: 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. Slowly, our scene fades back to real time.

Back in real time, we cut to Valero slowly looking away from the screen and glaring at Spencer Burke.

Spencer Burke: As a result of your attack on Nando Fresno, Jillian Clay has requested a match against you tonight to--

Ricky Valero: After MY attack on Nando? What about THEIR attack on my best friend?!

Ricky raises his voice to speak above an audience that responds with a mixture of cheers, boos, and jeers.

Ricky Valero: Jillian Clay is living in this fantasy world where she can actually compete with Ricky Valero and I don’t know what the hell led her there. She and freak friend decided they wanted some clout so they decided to attack Evan in a parking lot and then play cute about it. They thought that this was their big break into the tag team division, hanging with REAL stars like me and the Chief. They thought this would finally get eyes on them in FGA. And I guess it was all supposed to culminate tonight.

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

Ricky Valero: But I’ve got some heartbreaking news for the Saturnian Connection and for all these dumbass knockoff Europeans…

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Ricky Valero: Whether it’s just the one of those clowns or both of them, they don’t hold a candle to the Franchise. And I know that’s a hard reality to accept, but maybe once the match is over, they’ll come to their senses. They’ll realize how in over their heads they were to cross the Good Guys in the first place. Spencer, my best friend is laid up in his house, broken, hurt, and depressed because of those two. He was concussed. His nose was almost shattered. He was cut to hell, Spencer, bleeding like a goddamn stuck pig. It KILLS me to see him like that. When I last talked to Evan a few weeks ago… he told me that he might never come back.

This draws an audible gasp, and a much different chorus of boos from the live audience.

Ricky Valero: Because of Nando Fresno, because of Jillian Clay, Evan Envi may never be able to compete in a wrestling ring again. Yet, when I go after the people responsible, because it wasn’t pretty, I’m made into the villain. And that’s FINE with me. You people never gave a damn about the Good Guys. You never cared about Evan. Why the hell WOULD he come back?

Valero raises his voice to shout above the boos of the Australian crowd.

Ricky Valero: What the hell have you people ever done for--?

??: Heyy… hey. Rick.

Valero looks around in confusion. Spencer looks around as well-- before directing Valero’s attention to the Tron. Valero slowly turns, looking up at the screen, eyes narrowing.

??: I can’t see you right now, but I bet you can see… me…

On the Tron, the screen is shaky, jerky, and at least temporarily indistinguishable until we finally steady. We climb out of the driver’s seat of a truck and drop down where the camera operator turns the lens on himself, revealing the alien hunter himself, Nando Fresno, earning a roar from the crowd that’s grown restless with Valero’s tirade.

Nando Fresno: Don’t worry. We’re gonna talk later tonight. I just thought you’d like to know, Ricky, that I am not in Adelaide with my tag team partner tonight.

This draws a prolonged groan and another chorus of boos from the audience. Ricky’s scowl slowly morphs into a grin and he chuckles to himself, turning to Spencer.

Ricky Valero: He’s dumber than I thought.

Nando Fresno: But I am reeeeally close to a mutual friend of ours.

Nando turns the camera around, revealing a sign off the side of the main road which reads “WELCOME TO OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND.” The crowd roars at the realization and Nando turns the camera back on himself with a small sigh. He holds a small USB drive into frame, notable by the image of an alien stuck to the front. Ricky holds his hands on his hips, glaring up at the Tron, taking deep, deliberate breaths.

Nando Fresno: Evan and I are gonna have a chat.

Pause.

Nando Fresno: And if I timed this right… this is gonna pop me when I replay this later. Ahem. Hey, Rick…

Valero, clearly annoyed, raises the mic, despite knowing Nando can’t hear him. Behind Valero, pockets of the audience loudly grow louder and louder.

Ricky Valero: What?

Nando Fresno: This is a sneak attack.

The Tron cuts to black and immediately, Ricky turns on his heel-- but he’s not quick enough to deflect a chair shot from Jillian Clay, catching him flush across the ribs! Ricky turns, clenching his fingers, tensing in pain-- and Clay delivers a second shot, this time to his spine!

Stephy Auger: WHAT THE HELL?!

Kris Cruise: There’s Jillian Clay!

Stephy Auger: Another ambush! She can’t help herself! Look out, Ricky!

Jillian raises the chair above her head, slamming it down across Valero’s back a second time! Valero pushes himself up to his hands and knees-- and lets out a deep cry of pain as Jillian slams the chair down once more, across his back and the base of his neck, driving Ricky face-down at the top of the ramp. Jillian tosses the chair aside, moving her hair out of her face as she glares down at the writhing Valero.

Stephy Auger: Where are the officials? Security? Someone from the back?! A rowdy fan? SOMEONE?!

Kris Cruise: The fact that no one came to Ricky’s aid… that’s telling!

Stephy Auger: Yeah it is! He was right! None of these people care about the Good Guys!

Jillian Clay marches past Spencer, giving the interviewer a genuine smile that abruptly jars with the display from a few seconds prior. To a chorus of “YES!” chants, Jillian disappears into the back while Spencer looks down at Valero with his mouth slightly agape.

Spencer Burke: Well-- that was your opponent for later tonight. And she pretty much answered all the questions I had for her. So… thanks for your time, Ricky.

With that, Spencer turns, walking to the back as well to an audible chuckle from pockets of the crowd. Saturnian Connection’s “Hey Sandy” plays over the PA system as Valero is left by himself, struggling to push himself up to a seated position. He yells out in anger, slamming a fist into the ramp before shoving himself to his feet while we fade away.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene turns backstage where Neal Durden stands besides Jessie Pederson. He seems a bit off, he’s not smiling as usual, yet, his demeanor seems to be quite affable still. Durden is wearing a white Pendragon shirt over his ring gear and the black and grey hoodie he usually has. He seems ready for his match up tonight, as Pederson begins the interview.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest here tonight -- one half of the FGA World Tag Team Champions, Neal Durden.

Neal waves at the camera a bit with a half smile on his face. Jessie looks at the camera, then she turns her attention to Neal and asks her first question.

Jessie Pederson: Neal, tonight both Lowri Moss and yourself make your official returns to Vertigo. How are you feeling about being here tonight?

Neal Durden: You know, Jessie, it feels good to come back home, you know. When that initial draft, that I was a part of, happened… this is the brand that believed there was something worth having in this plucky kid from South Wales.

Neal sighs, then his voice turns a bit more reflective of the situation he was in at the time and continues speaking.

Neal Durden: Sure, they already had selected Lowri Moss, and the prospect of having Pendragon should’ve been enticing… but there were a lot of picks between Lowri’s and mine… meaning, for a lot of rounds I was passed on by both GM’s at the time.

Neal shrugs with a look in his face that seems more akin to that “look at us” meme than anything, and continues.

Neal Durden: I’d like to think, Vertigo’s GM at the time is now seen as a visionary, considering how high we were picked by Flashpoint recently; and how much we’ve accomplished in the time since that draft. Hell, on my own I haven’t done badly either, so I think things worked out in the end for me.

Jessie Pederson: Speaking of things you’ve done on your own and are doing on your own. You’re part of this year’s Wildcard Lottery, how much does this opportunity mean to you?

Neal Durden: Jessie, so far in FGA I’ve been a part of the Rey del Aire tournament, which I guess will be part of a question you’ll ask inevitably… the Gold Rush Rumble and a lot of other matches that would’ve given me an opportunity at a major title on my own.

With both of his hands on his waist, Neal turns his head to the side and lets out a small sigh; one so small that if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t even notice. Then he continues speaking.

Neal Durden: I haven’t won any of those opportunities, so I guess my quest of proving I’m more than just a good hand continues in this tournament. I understand those who think that way, for the bulk of my career I haven’t been nearly as successful as my partner has been. Having her by my side, I think, was the reason we were picked so high in the last draft; if I was on my own… maybe I would’ve been in Gall’s position or Evan Envi’s back in the day.

Before Neal could continue, Jessie interjected.

Jessie Pederson: By saying that you mean you don’t feel you deserve your spot in the Wildcard Lottery?

Neal lets out a light chuckle and, before he could answer, made a movement with his head that seemed affirmative.

Neal Durden: Yes and no… what I’m saying is that even if I haven’t been as successful on my own as many would’ve predicted by this point in my career… it doesn’t mean I can’t start my climb here. Being in this tournament is important to me, because it can start to erase that stigma of me being just a tag-team wrestler; which isn’t a bad thing, Jessie… but when you’re trying to form a power couple just being good as a partner, isn’t good enough.

Jessie Pederson: Tonight you start your Wildcard Lottery journey facing two wrestlers that you know very well, even if you haven’t faced off against both of them. How do you feel about Jaelyn Ramsay and Marlon Cure?

After hearing Jessie’s remarks of him knowing both of his opponents tonight, Neal can’t help but to let out a slight laugh; followed by him scratching the back of his head with his left hand.

Neal Durden: You’re right, Jessie… Jae and I have been on opposite sides for practically my whole time here in FGA.

Looking at the distance, Neal seems to be trying to remember every encounter he has had with Ramsay to this point as he continues.

Neal Durden: It seems like this is an endless cycle of matches in which, no matter the circumstances, Pendragon ends up facing someone from the New Murder and it’s funny to me; you know.

Neal shrugs before he continues speaking.

Neal Durden: It seems like life is actually saying we belong against each other… we don’t mix… we don’t blend. Tonight is just another iteration of that battle with a lot of new assortments of ingredients.

Durden paces back and forth before continuing his remarks on both of his opponents. It’s time for Marlon Cure.

Neal Durden: One of those ingredients is Marlon Cure, who, to be honest with you, I feel I haven’t had the opportunity to face one on one or in a tag-team match before this… yet, our careers have been somewhat intertwined ever since his arrival.

Neal tilts his head back letting out a deep sigh before returning his attention to Pederson and her interview.

Neal Durden: You know, Jessie, for as long as I’ve been in FGA I’ve tried to make myself stand out. Try new things, be creative in the ring. I’ve tried to be seen as a separate entity to Lowri. Hell, she even made it clear in her interview after the Anniversary show.

Neal puts both of his hands inside his hoodie before he continues.

Neal Durden: She knows I’m trying my damnest to prove I am more than just Lowri’s partner… and part of my quest is winning what Marlon seems to have a grip on…

His eyes get a fiery brightness to them, his voice has a bit of frustration in it, as he continues.

Neal Durden: That award for the best high flyer in FGA.

Yet, even with frustration starting to boil inside his voice, Neal remains calm as he continues speaking about Cure.

Neal Durden: Yet, I’m not here to say he doesn’t deserve it… because he does. He has been such a dominant force in the air for as long as he has been here in FGA, winning titles, earning shots… being one of the top wrestlers in the world. The man is simply amazing, yet I want to prove I’m better. Tonight I get that opportunity, tonight I get that shot, Jessie.

Jessie Pederson: Yet, that opportunity might not come if your comments on Twitter have any validity to them. Care to elaborate on your relationship with your partner tonight, Cassius Reed?

A chuckle escaped Neal as he excuses with Jessie by gesturing, before he speaks.

Neal Durden: Sorry I laughed, but I knew this was coming. In fact I alluded to it earlier when I spoke about the Rey del Aire tournament.

Reminiscing of his previous encounter with the Funky Dragon, Neal seems to forget he’s even in the middle of an interview before he snaps out of it and continues.

Neal Durden: In 2018 we were the two finalists of that tournament and... he beat me. That’s something that, to this day, still lingers in my mind and is something that drives me every single day. That’s the reason we don’t like each other, we mix just as well as Jaelyn Ramsay and myself mix up. We’re oil and water and on this instance, it boiled into social media.

Before Neal could continue, Jessie Pederson stopped him by asking another question.

Jessie Pederson: Where you said you would leave him hanging, which would be counter productive with your goal of showing the world that you deserve to be considered more than just a good hand.

Neal smirks, he knows full well what he said in that interchange of words he had with Reed a couple of days ago.

Neal Durden: Jessie, not only did I say that… I doubled down by telling Owen Gonsalves I would. Sure, that’s not the most valiant thing to say; in fact that’s something someone like Dom Harter would do in my situation… yet I stand by my words.

Durden shrugs as he continues.

Neal Durden: Reed and I might not mix well, yet I know… he knows… that tonight we must work together. He might not like it, and neither do I… but he needs my knowledge of what Jaelyn might do in that ring and I need his knowledge of what Marlon can do inside that ring… and if we don’t reach an understanding I will leave that opportunity hanging. You might call it ego, others my call it pride… what I see is this… even if this is a tag-team match, this whole thing, the Wildcard Lottery, is more of an I thing… and if I don’t feel Reed and I might find a common ground to stand on, for half an hour… then… it’s not something worth fighting for. I threw away an opportunity at the International Heavyweight Championship once… I will throw this one away if I have to.

Sensing Neal’s blood starting to boil, Jessie gets herself involved in the conversation once more and tries to defuse the situation before it explodes by diverting the topic.

Jessie Pederson: We know Lowri Moss and yourself, Pendragon, have another compromise coming up. One that to many fans out there seems to be your hardest challenge yet as a tag-team… what can you tell us about that?

Neal calms a bit from his last diatribe, he knows he needs to keep his cool when talking about the HSDS and their challenge for the World Tag-Team Titles.

Neal Durden: The HSDS are one of the premier tag-teams in the world today, so are we. The upcoming match is a dream match to many fans around the world… and I know many would be thinking they might leave a mark tonight by taking Lowri and myself out of the Wildcard Lottery, just to make sure our heads are solely on them...

He smirks, giving an affirmative nod before continuing.

Neal Durden: Yet, I’d like to think… they have a bit more class and decency than my partner for the night. I’d like to think the won’t interfere in tonight’s matches and will just be content with watching from afar. After all, I KNOW they live for moments like these, where they can have bragging rights just by knocking down contenders without utilizing dirty tactics… so, let’s hope their egos are stronger than their hearts.

Neal places his left hand over Jessie’s shoulder as he speaks directly to her.

Neal Durden: I’d like to continue chatting, but, as you know… there’s a match I need to prepare for.

With a hand gesture he says goodbye to the fans watching and walks away from the scene as it fades to another part of the arena.

[FGA Office]

The camera cuts to a locker room backstage, where Spencer Burke has caught Laura Perelli, not quite prepared for her match later in the evening. La Principessa looks less than amused by her preparation being interrupted, and even goes as far as to continue wrapping her wrists while Spencer's getting himself sorted out and ready--but, nonetheless, as he straightens up, so too does the Jersey Devil.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time enters the Wildcard Lottery tonight alongside a former FGA World Champion in Izzy Anders--please welcome, Laura Perelli.

Laura finishes wrapping her left hand and offers her usual little bow to the camera as she's introduced.

Spencer Burke: Laura, after a hot start, you've hit a bump in the road, but tonight's a chance to...

Laura just shakes her head a little bit, balling her left hand into a fist a couple of times before stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets.

Laura Perelli: A bump in the road...

Laura just chuckles a little bit, surprisingly cracking a smile even at the mention of her own minor losing streak.

Laura Perelli: Let's be very honest about what happened at the Eighth Anniversary, hm? You want to know what Zack Gall proved that night? That he wasn’t ready. He escaped with the win, sure...but when you have to be coached midway through the match on the basics of a wrestling match, after talking all that talk about being on the up-swing?

Laura shakes her head again, a little more exaggeratedly this time.

Laura Perelli: It doesn’t really hold up. He got a taste of what I can do at the Eighth Anniversary show--tonight? I have...

Laura’s speech cuts off for a moment, and the camera moves to the right, to reveal an intruding Izzy Anders. She seems to be smirking, the clever Cheshire-like one that she does. She eyes Laura from where she’s standing, tilting her head several ways. She then transitions to tapping her chin inquisitively. Strolling into the frame, getting close to Laura, Izzy lets out a loud, obnoxious hum. When seemingly done, she places her hands on her hip and chuckles.

Izzy Anders: Laura Perelli. She’s a nominee for newcomer of the year. A girl striving to prove she’s somebody in one of the best companies in the world. She lost her big chance to get a headstart to one of those damn Sands--they’re almost an extinct species, y’know? Oooh, what a tragedy.

Izzy giggles. The loss to Gall may not sting La Principessa too much, but the reminder of the title loss very clearly affects the Jersey girl’s mood, her lips twisting into a smirk as she eyes Izzy up and down similarly.

Izzy Anders: Now she’s stepping up. She’s going to step in the ring for the Wildcard Lottery. She’s going to go all the way! One of those World Championships is going to be waiting for her at the end of this long-ass journey and soon she’ll be the BEST OF ALL TIME!

Dramatic as ever, Izzy lets out a long laugh, reminiscent of those haughty laughs that rich girls do in animes. However, the facade fragments into a relaxed expression.

Izzy Anders: Hiya, little one. I would ask if you’re ready, but I don’t ask stupid questions.

Laura's already...less than amused expression twists into a frown, particularly as Izzy addresses her as "little one;" silent tension hangs between the two partners for the evening, until, despite herself, Laura’s unable to stop from laughing at the statement, and after a moment of shaking her head rather dismissively, a single shoulder shrugs upwards.

Laura Perelli: Just give that little speech?

To match her facial expression, the tone of Laura's voice is not amused by Izzy's antics. Despite that, she humors the Mindkilla's intrusion, turning her attention from Spencer to her partner for the evening.

Laura Perelli: But, yanno what? You’re right--you don’t need to ask. I’ve been ready, since that...

Laura mutters something, very much not in English, under her breath, as her nose screws upwards for just a second.

Laura Perelli: ...match with Gall ended. Chance to make it right, right away? Yeah...I’m ready.

Izzy claps her hands, enough to make Spencer jump.

Izzy Anders: Wonderful! You don’t have to worry about a thing. You have a former Tag Team Champion on your side, watching your every move. I’ll make sure you don’t screw this up and embarrass yourself again. Consider me your guardian angel until what comes next...after we win.

She pauses, looking back at Spencer.

Izzy Anders: Because you have to face me. I get that you’re trying to be on the rise and everything, but I have a track record of crushing dreams of all the little upstarts that come through here. You’re good--even great. I can see that. You’re not a dime a dozen wrestler that thinks that FGA’s somewhere to coast through.

Izzy steps forward, no longer playing the role of the jester. Instead, she bears down Laura.

Izzy Anders: You carry yourself well out there, and you get a chance to face someone way beyond those two. I have a goal this year, and I don’t need you to mess this up for me. So I’ll drag you to a win tonight, even if I have to knock your lights out beforehand. Okay, little one?

Izzy's sudden attitude change isn't lost on Laura. The beratement from the Mindkilla only causes Laura's smirk to grow, even as Izzy steps in closer. Smaller than the Mindkilla by several inches, the Jersey Devil doesn't back down--her eyes stay glued to Izzy's, even as she gradually adjusts to a smile.

Laura Perelli: Believe it or not...I have a plan for this year myself, and it doesn't involve giving you, or anyone else, anything else to play with. I'll finish what I should have finished at the Anniversary show tonight, and the next time we're face to face?

Laura chuckles a little bit, her hands finally pulling out of her pockets. She reaches up and pats Izzy's cheek with her taped up left hand, smiling all the while.

Laura Perelli: We'll see what you can do about my dreams, hm?

That smile still on her face, Laura takes a half-step back from Izzy. She raises both hands up, touching her fingertips under her chin and flicking both hands toward the Mindkilla before turning to leave the room. When the camera returns to Izzy, she mimics the motion as if she was flabbergasted about the rudeness. She stares at Spencer with a grin.

Izzy Anders: The young ones are so rude these days.

[FGA Office]

WILDCARD LOTTERY (FIRST ROUND)
Marlon Cure & Jaelynn Ramsey vs. Cassius Reed & Neal Durden

The initial riffs of “Wake Up” by Rage Against the Machine start playing over the sound system; as lights start to flicker in the arena. At the first “Come On!”; Neal Durden steps out of the curtain, standing in the middle of the stage, giving his back to the public his jacket tight against his torso; as the music continues. With the second “Come On”, Neal turns around with a smile on his face as the song continues and he begins walking down the ramp. As the line “Fist in the air in the land of hypocrisy” goes off, Neal gets his right fist up as he stops and looks around, before continuing his trot towards the ring. The song continues as Neal rolls under the rope and enters the ring, as the line “the feds” hits the sound system, he kneels in the middle of the ring looking down, running his fingers on the surface of the mat. Suddenly Neal stops and looks up extending his left arm as if he was holding some kind of rifle and as the word "shot" is shouted in the song, he makes the motion of shooting and springs to his feet waiting for the bell.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a first round match in the Wildcard Lottery tournament! Introducing team number one! First, hailing from Cardiff, Wales! Weighing in at 180 pounds! He is one half of the reigning FGA World Tag Team Champions, NEAL DURDEN!

It’s not my fault your girlfriend likes me,
I do her hard like fucking warp speed,
Your Dad’s mad, it’s not my fucking fault,
That your Mom wants to fucking fuck me!

As the intro to “You Suck” by Pour Habit blasts throughout the arena, out from the back bursts Cassius Reed! Slowly rotating in his gold lined black ring robe Cassius soaks in the atmosphere for just a moment. Spinning to face the ring, he shadow boxes at the top of the ramp a short time more, before posing, spreading his arms wide, and sprinting down to the ring at full pace!

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, Fighting out of Funkytown, USA, and tipping the scales tonight at 205 pounds… CASSIUS! REED!

Sliding in under the bottom rope, he quickly rolls onto his back before kipping up! Giving a quick smirk and raised eyebrow to the referee, he turns and leaps to the top of the nearest turnbuckle, before whipping off his ring robe with a flourish. He poses just a moment at the top of the turnbuckle, smug grin on his face, robe hanging from his hand, before dropping back to the mat, consigning his entrance gear to the outside whilst he finishes warming up for the match with more shadow boxing.

Kris Cruise: Alright, Stepy! We’ve got the first of four First Round matches in the Wildcard Lottery tournament coming up right now. We’ve got the team of Cassius Reed and Neal Durden taking on Marlon Cure and Jaelynn Ramsey. What do you make of this team right here?

Stephy Auger: I think that Neal Durden needs to keep his ego in check. The true masters of the air in this match are Cassius Reed, the 2018 Rey del Aire winner and Marlon Cure, the man that’s taking home the Best High Flyer award the past two years running. He doesn’t need to be in that ring showing off to try and prove a point. He needs to know his role and follow Cassius’ lead. He wants to prove that he’s a great high flyer. He wants to prove that he’s more than just Lowri Moss’ boy toy. But right now, he just need to keep his eyes open, his mouth shut, and do what Cassius tells him to do. Plan C is about to come to fruition, Cruise! We don’t need Neal ruining the start of 2020 for Cassius.

"No Regrets" by the Sohodolls begins to play throughout the venue. A small cloud of smoke appears on stage, outlining the silhouette of a petite woman. The woman, revealed to be Jaelynn Ramsey walks through the cloud and onto the ramp. She walks down the ramp completely ignoring the fans. She then walks up the steel steps, entering through the ring ropes. As the music fades out, she backs into a turnbuckle, doing a last second stretch before go-time.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing their opponents! First, from Oakland, California… JAELYNN RAMSEY!

*Static Cut Intro*
This is a public service announcement
Sponsored by Just Blaze and the good folks at Roc-A-Fella Records.

"Fellow Americans, it is with the utmost pride and sincerity

That I present this recording, as a living testament and recollection

Of history in the making during our generation."

The arena darkens as Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement” plays, and the fans boo as Just Blaze's words echo throughout the arena following Jay's introduction and a lone spotlight appears on the stage. The ominous sounding piano goes louder as all of the lights in the arena go out, leaving it completely black as the intro ends...

ALLOW ME TO RE-INTRODUCE MYSELF, MY NAME IS HOV.

A single spotlight suddenly illuminates the entrance way to show the silhouette of a man on the stage. The lighting cuts back in and turns a golden hue as Marlon Cure stands with both arms outstretched on either side of him, eyes closed and his head tilted back, soaking in the atmosphere and energy from the crowd. The camera pans around Cure as the fan reaction grows louder and louder.

J.A. Aldridge: Her partner, hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 195 pounds… MARLON CURE!

The High Flyer walks down to the ring with purpose, oozing confidence as he hops up the steel steps and climbs up to the top rope, reaching a hand for the sky in a taunting manner before he finally drops down into the ring. Cure shrugs the sleeveless long coat off of his shoulders and places the black gold crown around a nearby ringpost as he leans back in the corner, waiting for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Marlon and Jaelynn look like they’re ready for battle!

Stephy Auger: Of course they are. Jaelynn would love to get one over on Lowri Moss by knocking her little boyfriend out of this tournament in the first round! She’s got some unfinished business with Neal herself, anyway. As far as King Cure is concerned, he’s won best High Flyer the past two years. But it still stings knowing that the Rey del Aire went to Cassius Reed. Not to mention that at the Eight Year Anniversary Show, Cassius caught Marlon slipping. King Cure doesn’t make the same mistake twice. He told me so himself. Neal and Cassius? They may not end up on the same page when this is all said and done. But Marlon and Jaelynn? I think that those two can put their heads together, execute their gameplan and walk out of this one with a W.

Jaelynn Ramsey and Neal Durden start things off for their respective teams. The two former rivals begins to circle the ring. Ramsey and Durden then motion towards the center of the ring. Just as they’re about to lock horns, Ramsey steps back at the last second. The crowd begins to boo Ramsey as she steps away from Durden, turns and slaps Marlon Cure on the chest to tag him in.

Kris Cruise: It looks like Jaelynn Ramsey didn’t want any smoke with Neal Durden!

Stephy Auger: Ha! Please, Cruise, never try and sound hip ever again, okay? You’re not cool.

Durden looks over and shakes his head at Ramsey. But Ramsey doesn’t let Durden’s disappointment affect her. Instead, she motions for Durden to keep his eyes on the legal man. Durden turns and sees Cure slingshotting himself into the ring. King Cure continues to make his way over towards Durden. The crowd starts to boo Cure as he gets right in Durden’s face.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, that’s right, Marlon! Show him who runs this ring!

Durden, to his credit, doesn’t back down. The crowd begins to cheer Durden as he stands his ground and talks right back to Cure.

Kris Cruise: Look at this! Neal’s giving it right back to him!

Stephy Auger: Neal, what are you doing!? You fool!

King Cure looks Durden up and down and scoffs at the notion of Durden backtalking him. Durden then intentionally bumps Cure in the chest, which knocks the 2018 Gold Rush Rumble winner back two steps.

“OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!”

Cure smirks as he wipes off his chest. The two then immediately lock up. After jockeying for position, Cure shoves Durden down to the mat. Durden quickly returns to his feet with a kip up, lunges forward and engages in another collar-and-elbow. This time, Cure begins to move Durden back across the ring before shoving him down to the canvas. Durden rolls over, pops back to his feet, rushes over and locks up with Cure once more. The two tussle back and forth until Cure gains the advantage. He continues to move Durden back across the ring before turning, grabbing Durden and chucking him through the ropes and to the floor! Durden gets up to his feet and slap the canvas out of frustration.

Stephy Auger: It looks like Lil Neal isn’t a match for Cure in the air or on the ground.

Cassius Reed tries to get Durden’s attention and let him get a shot at Durden. But Durden is hellbent on proving himself against Cure. So he ignores Reed and slides back into the ring.

Kris Cruise: It looked like Cassius was trying to get Neal to go with a different plan. A Plan C, perhaps.

Stephy Auger: Neal wouldn’t listen! He’s too stubborn for his own good! I don’t know how a woman like Lowri puts up with him! Then again, he’s probably the only guy that’s ever given her a second look, so the poor woman had to take what she could get.

Kris Cruise: Stephy!

Durden rushes back over to attack when Cure throws him down with a japanese arm drag. Durden returns to his feet, only to get returned to the mat with another japanese arm drag. Cure then takes Durden and whips him into the ropes. King Cure catches Durden off the rebound with a hip toss, turns away and goes for a standing moonsault. Durden rolls of the way, but Cure is able to land on his feet. Cure turns around and sees Durden gets back to his feet with a kip up. He quickly clocks Durden with a forearm strike. After slapping on a side headlock, Cure gets shoved off of Durden into the ropes. When Cure returns, the boos continues when he flattens Durden with a running shoulderblock.

Stephy Auger: You see that, Cruise? This is easy work for Marlon Cure!

Kris Cruise: Don’t count out Durden so soon. We’ve only just started the match.

The crowd boos Cure as he brushes his shoulder off before hitting the ropes. Cure comes back and sees Durden return to his feet with a kip up. Durden then leapfrogs over Cure while Cure continues to run the ropes. When Cure comes back, he stops after he sees Durden run past him into the same set of ropes. Cheers follow after Cure turns around and gets caught with a handspring back elbow. As Cure gets back to his feet, Durden hits the far ropes, comes back and throws out a big boot. No! Cure catches his foot! After swinging Durden’s leg away from him, Cure takes control of Durden’s back before bringing him down with a ripcord slingblade! The boos continue as Cure returns to his feet and takes off into the ropes. The crowd gasps when Cure goes for a running Shooting Star Press… then cheers when Durden gets his knees up! While Cure tries to get back to his feet while guarding his midsection, Durden gets up and runs into the far ropes. The cheers continue as Durden comes back and brings Cure down with a slingblade! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Durden with the first pinfall attempt of this contest! He didn’t get the three, but I liked what he did there. After finally getting the better of Cure, he didn’t gloat. He didn’t showboat. He immediately went for the pin.

Durden takes Cure and goes for an irish whip, only to get reversed and sent into the corner. Cure rushes in to attack when he gets caught with a back elbow to the face. Durden then turns to face the corner, executes a flat-footed leap to the top turnbuckle and follows up with a moonsault! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Neal Durden with an effortless leap to the top, followed by a moonsault! But he only gets two.

Durden picks up Cure and sets him up for a standing shiranui when Cure shoves him off into the ropes. Instead of returning, Durden hangs onto the ropes. So Cure rushes over to attack when Durden cuts him off with a drop toe hold across the middle rope. With Cure in position, Durden goes to hit the far ropes. As soon as Durden’s back hits the ropes, the crowd boos when Ramsey cheap shots him with a kick to the back!

Kris Cruise: Oh come on! What the heck was Jaelynn thinking!?

Stephy Auger: Yeah! She should have low bridged the top rope and sent Neal crashing to the floor instead!

Kris Cruise: Stephy!

Durden doubles over before standing back up and hitting Ramsey with a pelé kick, dropping her to a seated position on the apron. Durden returns back to his feet with a kip up, runs across the ring and connects with a tiger feint kick! The Pendragon member heads over, brings Cure back to his feet and sets him up for a ripcord knee strike when Cure cuts him off with a bicycle knee! Durden gets caught right underneath the chin as spittle flies out of his mouth. A dazed Durden stumbles back before collapsing against the corner. Reed quickly takes advantage of his partner’s positioning and tags himself in!

Kris Cruise: Cassius just tagged himself in!

Stephy Auger: Reed feels like he has to go in there and do it himself after Neal showed he clearly couldn’t get the job done. I’m sure Lowri can relate.

Kris Cruise: Stephy, what is your deal?

The Funky Dragon slingshots himself into the ring and runs over towards Cure. Cure goes to catch him with a hip toss when Reed steps through it and goes for a hip toss of his own. King Cure then reverses Cure’s reversal with a hip toss of his own. Reed blocks it. Cure tries to muscle him up for another hip toss. Again, it’s stuffed. Cure then tries to a lariat when Reed ducks, reaches back and pulls him down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cure kicks out.

Reed whips Cure hard into the corner, sending him sternum-first into the turnbuckles. After Cure stumbles back, Reed brings him down with an inverted facelock backbreaker. While Cure is down, Reed stands back up, faces away from him and flips back for Funky Knee, Funky Do (Kneecolepsy). He misses! Reed lands on his knees after Cure rolls out of his way. Reed remains on his knees while Cure gets back to his feet. He then sees Reed before following up with a savate kick to the back of the head! While Reed is in the prone position, Cure hits the ropes, returns and lands across his back with a running Shooting Star Press. He pushes him over before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Only two! I’m surprised Reed wasn’t rocked after that kick to the back of the head.

Stephy Auger: I’m sure he was. But he still had the wherewithal to kickout.

The tag gets made to Ramsey, who gets in and knocks Reed back with a short-arm clothesline. Ramsey then hits the far ropes, comes back and goes for a crooked arm lariat. But the move is countered with a floatover DDT from Reed! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Ramsey kicks out.

Ramsey rakes Reed across the eyes after he pulls her back to her feet. She then brings Reed down to a knee with a facebreaker before knocking him flat to the mat with a superkick! She goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Ramsey goes for an irish whip, only to get reversed and sent into the ropes. When she returns, she sees Reed setting up for a back body drop. So she counters with a facebuster! The boos continue as she goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Cure gets tagged back in. Reed gets blasted with a ripcord knife strike that drops him to the mat! Cure then reaches down and grab a hold of Reed’s wrists. After pulling Reed up to his knees, Cure sets him up for the Coming of Age (double wristlock knee strike) when Reed rolls backwards, pops up to his feet and counters with a front dropkick to the chest that knocks Cure onto the ropes. Cure shakes off the blow before slingshotting himself out to the apron. Cure goes for a spring diving side kick when Reed rolls underneath it. After landing on his feet, Cure turns around and gets caught with Johnny Cage (split-legged). Reed then leans back before bringing Cure down with What The Funk (kip up huracanrana)! The Funky Dragon pulls Cure back to his feet before delivering a bridging Northern Light Suplex! The ref drops down for the cover. Just as he’s about to count, Reed floats over, pulls Cure back to his feet and brings him down with a second bridging Northern Lights Suplex. The official goes back down to make the count when The Ebony Salmon once again floats over and pulls Cure back up. After a hard knee to the midsection doubles Cure over, Reed hops onto his back, flips forward and brings him down hard with SWEET CHRISTMAS (sunset flip powerbomb)!

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

Cure gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not a three count!?

Kris Cruise: I’m surprised, too.

Reed picks up Cure, moves him into the corner and unleashes a combination of rights and lefts to the body. After blasting Cure with the Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow), Reed whips him into the far corner. The Funky Dragon rushes across the ring to attack when Cure turns him around with a boot to the face. While Reed staggers away from the corner, Cure runs out of the corner and brings him down with the Moment of Clarity (somersault reverse DDT)! He makes the cover.

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

Reed gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Oh, he was so close!

Stephy Auger: I thought THAT would have been three!

Cure gets back to his feet, hits the far ropes, returns and goes for a cartwheel into a standing corkscrew 450° splash. He misses after Reed rolls out of the way! Reed looks over and sees Durden with his hand out for the tag. But instead of making the cover, Reed steps out to the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What’s Reed doing? Just tag out to Durden!

Stephy Auger: Why, so he can lose the match for them!?

Reed remains crouched up top while Cure starts to stir. As Cure slowly picks himself up, Cure starts to stand up on the top turnbuckle. Cure turns to face the corner when Reed flips off. The crowd gasps when Reed goes for a somersault huracanrana… and gets countered when Cure steps back and catches him with an inverted atomic drop!

Kris Cruise: & Stephy Auger: OOOOH!

Reed howls in pain after bouncing off of Cure’s knee and hitting the canvas. Reed turns back and forth on the mat while he continues to clutch himself. Meanwhile, Cure starts to turn and pull himself towards the corner.

Stephy Auger: Cassius is hurt, Cruise! Maybe I should run over there and give him an ice pack...

Kris Cruise: No, you’ll just stay right where you are, thank you very much!

Ramsey is seen waving Cure towards her. She looks over and sees Durden begging for the tag. But Reed is in no position to tag out to him. Cure then rolls forward, reaches over and tags Ramsey in.

Kris Cruise: Ramsey’s back in!

Ramsey steps in through the ropes. She rushes over and grabs Reed’s ankle. She goes to drag Reed across the ring when Reed uses his free leg to shove her down to the mat. Undeterred, Ramsey scrambles back to a vertical base. She marches back over and reaches down to grab Reed when he catches her by surprise with another kip up huracanrana! The Funky Dragon looks over and sees Durden pleading for the tag. Reed looks back to Ramsey before leaping across the ring and making the tag to Durden.

Kris Cruise: Neal’s back in!

Stephy Auger: Don’t blow it, Neal!

The crowd cheers when Durden springboards to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and knocks Ramsey down with a diving knee strike! He makes the cover.

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

Ramsey reverses an irish whip, sending Durden into the ropes. The crowd cheers when Durden returns and brings her down with a Slingblade! He makes the cover.

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

Durden pulls up Ramsey before lifting her up across his shoulders. He starts to go for an Airplane Spin when Ramsey rakes him across the eyes. After slipping down from behind, Ramsey hits the far ropes, returns and throws out a crooked lariat. Once again, the lariat gets ducked before Durden hits the ropes. Durden leaps through the air and catches Ramsey with a springboard roundhouse kick! Durden sets up Ramsey with a double underhook when Cure rushes in. He goes to knock Durden down with a Rolling Elbow. But Durden ducks the elbow. Before Cure can grab a hold of Durden, Reed grabs Cure, chucks him through the ropes and then takes him down on the floor with a slingshot huracanrana. Back inside, Ramsey gets brought down with a sitout double underhook powerbomb before Durden heads to the top, flips off and connects with Starlight (Shooting Star Press)!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers as “Wake Up” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… CASSIUS REED and NEAL DURDEN!

The cheers continue as Durden and Reed get their arms raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Neal Durden picks up the win for him and Cassius Reed! They have advanced to the next round of the Wildcard Lottery tournament, where their next opponents will be each other!

Stephy Auger: Neal Durden actually held up his end of the bargain. I’ll give the little runt that. But next round, it’s going to be a whole different story. He won’t have the luxury of having a partner like Cassius Reed or even Lowri Moss in his corner. Next time, Lil Neal is going to have to do it all by himself.

Durden and Reed continue to keep their arms raised until they face each other. Reed gets right in Durden’s face and lets him know what’s going to happen next time on Vertigo. But Durden isn’t backing down, just like he didn’t back down when Cure tried to intimidate him at the start of the match. Reed looks Durden up and down before purposely bumping into Durden’s shoulder. Durden watches on while Reed exits the ring. Boos begins to ring out while Cassius badmouths Durden, along with the nearby fans in the front row.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

“Devil's Sky” plays through the PA system for a few seconds until Nicholas King walks out.

Kris Cruise: Here comes Nicholas King, who is getting FAR from a hero’s welcome here in Adelaide!

Stephy Auger: Can you believe these people? They’re actually booing the King of Australia! They should be booing that coward Owen Gonsalves, who show after show has failed to answer King’s challenge! I don’t want to hear anymore excuses, Cruise. King is here in their home country. He’s in the very arena that Owen made his FGA in-ring debut in. This venue holds a special place in Owen’s heart. He just talked about visiting Adelaide last week! If he was half the man that he claims he is, then he’ll accept King’s challenge.

Kris Cruise: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Owen has nothing to prove here. He is retired. He is enjoying life as a family man. The man has no desire to return to an FGA ring.

Stephy Auger: You want to know why? Because guys like Seth Iser and Nicholas King will be right there waiting to pounce on him the moment he steps through those ropes.

He begins to walk down the ramp towards the ring while taunting the fans. Once he reaches ringside, King climbs the ring steps and steps into the ring. He takes his jacket off and throws it outside the ring. He demands for a mic as one of the camera crew gives one to him.

Nicholas King: So here we are once again with little open challenge. The good thing about this is that we are here live in MY KINGDOM of Australia. I truly look forward to wrestling here tonight and showing each and every one of you lazy, ugly, and pathetic losers why I am your king.

Stephy Auger: That’s right, King!

Nicholas King: Now then, let's get straight to business as a certain Australian owes me a match and I want his ass out here right now. Owen Gonsalves, get your ass down here right now.

Stephy Auger: It’s do or die, Cruise.

King waits for a few moments but no one comes down. He then signals for the referee to start the count. The referee soon starts to count, not wanting to get manhandled by the King of Australia again.



1!





2!





3!





4!



King paced back and forth as he waited for Gonsalves. The crowd began to chant "Gonsalves!Gonsalves!Gonsalves!" Just like from the last few shows.



Stephy Auger: Time is ticking, Owen!

Kris Cruise: The man is retired, Stephy.




5!





6!





7!


Stephy Auger: Tick tock, Owen!






8!



King grew more impatient as the count was getting close to ten until he finally had enough. He was growing tired of Gonsalves not answering his challenge and hiding like a coward.



Nicholas King: You son of a bitch!! I know your ass is in this arena! Come on down to this ring and face me damn it!!



9!





1...

"I Won't Back Down" by Burn Halo interrupts the count to King's confusion.

Kris Cruise: What in the…?

Stephy Auger: That’s not Owen’s music.

Kris Cruise: No, it’s not. That’s Patrick Jones!

King raises the mic and tries to voice his frustration but finds his audio has been cut and spikes the now useless device. Meanwhile, Patrick Jones has stepped through the entranceway onto the stage, wielding his own microphone.

Patrick Jones: Yeah, I think we are ALL tired of hearing you run your mouth about a guy who is retired.

Stephy Auger: Actually, I can go a few more weeks of King running down Gonsalves, thank you very much.

Kris Cruise: Sssshhhh!

Patrick starts to make his walk down the aisle.

Patrick Jones: Owen is perfectly happy staying in his rocking chair and being a family man. And why shouldn't he? Great kids and a wife, and he can still walk every day, which is a miracle with the career he's had. What has he not done? The man has won a wall-full of championships, main evented PPVs all around the world, and has been Australia's favorite son for most of his career.

The last comment draws particular ire from the self-proclaimed "King of Australia," but his shouted words go unheard while King shakes the ropes in frustration. Jones merely chuckles before continuing his walk.

Patrick Jones: Not very regal behavior for a "king." Owen always stayed in control, even when in a 3 Stages of Hell match. The dude never lost one. You're getting flustered just because you can't talk back, and I ruined your little charade. I already had one match tonight, but I will be more than willing to put you in your place.

Jones climbs up onto the apron before casually flipping his mic backwards.

Stephy Auger: Who does he think he is?

Kris Cruise: Patrick Jones is echoing the opinions of all these fans here in Adelaide! They’re sick of Nicholas King’s charade. If he wants a fight, then Patrick Jones is right here willing to accept!

King looks Jones up and down before motioning for him to bring it. Jones gladly accepts the invitation. Cheers are heard throughout the arena as Jones steps through the ropes. But those cheers are quickly replaced with boos when King steps back and slips out to the floor. Jones keeps his eyes locked on the self-proclaimed King of Australia while a frustrated King makes his way up the aisle and to the back...

[FGA Office]

Backstage, Chaz Holiday is shown standing by. The usual happy disposition, now replaced with a very serious look on his face.

Chaz Holiday: A champion should be someone who fights with pride. Who defends the championship with honor. One who represents, not only the championship but the company too. And Ace? He isn't what a true champion is. He's disrespectful. He's underhanded. He's egotistical. And he's selfish. The way he conducted himself at the anniversary show? Appalling, in my honest opinion. If a champion wins, great. If not? Tip your hat to your opponent and call it a night. Use it to drive yourself to do better. To make yourself a better competitor. And eventually become a better champion.

As Chaz is finishing his sentence, we hear some boos as Ace Voltage walks into the scene. He is wearing jeans and a long sleeve v-neck with his title over his shoulder.

Ace Voltage: Oh Chaz-ey boy. We’re really talking about respect and pride? Is that really all you can think of? Look, I get it. I…

Ace uses his hands as air quotes.

Ace Voltage: “Lost” to Tyler Storm. We all saw it. I told you and everyone else I was hurt. Buy my reasoning or not, it doesn’t change the fact that I have yet to be pinned or submitted in FGA.

Ace pats his title.

Ace Voltage: That will not change for a long time, Mr. Holiday. I don’t care about your history with this title, I will not be losing it anytime soon. There’s a reason I am called The Main Event.

Chaz Holiday: Look, you are right about one thing. And that's that you haven't been pinned or submitted, yet. Which, underhanded tactics or not, is impressive. I'll give you that. But… I'd be lying if I said I didn't want a chance to be the first to do so.

A small grin appears on the face of Holiday, as he takes a step closer to Ace And looks him in the eyes.

Chaz Holiday: As for main events? That's something you wouldn't, truly, know anything about, now is it?

The cocky and nonchalant demeanor of Ace quickly vanishes. Ace’s face intensifies in annoyance and anger.

Ace Voltage: I’ve wrestled all around the world, I’ve won championships in America, Mexico, Australia… I could go on. So I do know about Main Events, Holiday. And maybe, just maybe if you were actually a good wrestler, you’d get a title shot against me. Which is ALWAYS the main event.

Ace’s face de-intensifies and he gives an arrogant smirk.

Ace Voltage: But, unfortunately for you, you will not be getting the chance to pin me anytime soon. I am a fighting champion, but for people who deserve it. I will not give title matches to any bloody jerkoff who decides that they want one. Back of the line buddy. Now stop wasting my time.

Ace turns around to leave, but Chaz grabs him by the shoulder and spins him around.

Chaz Holiday: I'm not asking for a title shot. Nor do I expect one. I don't want things handed to me, on a silver platter. Never have, never will. What I do want is a match with you, next week. Non-title. If you beat me? I'll admit you're the better man. And you won't hear another peep from me. But if I win? I'd say that a W over the champion would make a good case for me to have a shot at the title. So what do you say?

Chaz looked at him, an inquisitive look on his face, as he folded his arms over his chest, waiting for Ace to respond to the challenge.

Ace Voltage: So you want a match with the champ, huh?

Ace laughs at the thought.

Ace Voltage: Listen old man. How long have you been gone? I’m shocked people even remember you. I’m in the prime of my career while you’re coming out of the retirement home for one more run to boost your ego. I’m the best FGA has to offer. You really think you can take me?

Chaz Holiday: I may be 34 years old. And I may not have had a match in over five years. But I know I've still got what it takes. Yeah, there will be some ring rust. But you know what? I've been training. Hard. Anticipating a return to the ring. It's not something I decided to do on the fly. And I'm ready. I'm ready to wrestle. I'm ready to face you. And I know I can beat you.

Ace scoffs at that last sentence.

Ace Voltage: Beat me? Funny, mate. I know what you’re trying to do. You want to take on the best champ in this company. You want to make a name for yourself again. You want to remind these idiotic fans that you’re really the best around, huh?

Ace gets in Chaz’s face and stares him down.

Ace Voltage: Well I accept your little challenge. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Ace quickly gets out of Chaz’s face and walks away with his title.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene picks up on the backstage area where we get a glimpse of Zack Gall shadowing some kicks and punches. Not far away from his client, the grim look of his manager, Dante Difranco, can be seen. Dressed in the usual all black suit, the ominous Italian man grins. Difranco gets the sleeve of the left arm of his jacket off to reveal a rather beautiful clock he’s wearing. Dante gets between the camera and his client and taps the clock, as he begins to speak.

Dante Difranco: Twenty seconds… that’s all it takes to change the tides of a wrestling match. Ten to prepare the strike; Five to land the hit; Two to make the cover and Three to earn the victory. Twenty seconds in total… but you’re smart people… you already knew that, didn’t you?

A slight smirk appears in Difranco’s face as he waits for an answer he knows he won’t get. Behind him, Gall continues throwing kicks and punches in the air, getting some reps before his big match tonight. Difranco doesn’t move, he knows what his client is doing; he knows how he prepares and how Gall gets in a zone… he simply smiles and continues speaking.

Dante Difranco: I mean, when you’re in the ring with a striker… you know it’s just a matter of finding that moment in time when everything freezes and you see the opening… you know they see red; it’s like the Red Sea just opened itself and BAM..... When you open your eyes, it’s all over and the striker stands tall, just as they predicted… but again… you already knew that.

Difranco shrugs as he his respiration slows down and he smirks, before he continues.

Dante Difranco: You knew that because you’re one of the premier strikers in the whole of FGA… for many THE premier striker in the promotion. Two years ago you ran away with the prize for the BEST striker in FGA; this past year you came in second to a woman who idolizes you… in a way, you’ve had a hand on that prize two years in a row. In fact, your striking ability is so legendary here in FGA that you’ve achieved a status of reverence reserved for very few performers. You’ve held your own against the toughest competition, if you didn’t defeat them… which wasn’t uncommon. You are a triple crown champion here… all because you pick your spots and you know when to strike… don’t you Mrs. Anders?

Without moving places, Difranco puts both of his hands in the jacket. He cracks a chuckle, which, coming from him, comes out more terrifying than it would coming from anyone else… then he continues.

Dante Difranco: Perhaps, you could teach some of that knowledge to your partner tonight; as she seems not to be all that acquainted with the striker’s mentality. She thinks my threats are vain and just a passing thing. That when I said, she didn’t know what she was getting into at the Eight Year Anniversary Show… I was trolling… because she dominated the whole match… yet she lost. She seems to think that when in the ring with a striker, the fact that she seemed to be on top for most of the match gave her an edge and that my threats meant nothing… just a bunch of words crammed together to seem ominous and terrifying… but you know better, Mrs. Anders… don’t you?

Difranco takes a look at his client behind him, still throwing punches and kicks to the air, when he turns his attention back to the camera Difranco continues.

Dante Difranco: You know one of the most famous, if not the most famous boxer in history, Muhammad Ali, utilized a technique known today as Rope-A-Dope... perhaps you could teach your partner for the night about it. Perhaps you, Mrs. Anders, could make her understand that wearing out your opponent before striking them down is a technique as old as time itself in this sport; because she doesn’t seem to understand the difference between a Technician such as herself… and a Striker such as my client.

Dante lets out a sigh, before getting his head down and moving it in a negative motion.

Dante Difranco: Perhaps, I’m asking too much of you. After all, you have your eyes set on winning this whole predicament we find ourselves right now. You, Perelli, Hirano… are all looking for the same thing my client and I are looking for. You don’t want to convince, you just want to advance. You don’t want to teach… you just want to win. Teaching Perelli about your abilities would only give her knowledge when eventually the two of you have to face each other… I understand that, Mrs. Anders. We see things the same way you do. For you, this whole tournament is an opportunity to bounce back for a bad end of your last calendar year… for Perelli this match is a way to shut me up and prove that she was right all along… for Hirano is a way to continue his momentum… for us… is the start of a new chapter. We all have something, don’t we all?

Behind Difranco, Zack Gall ends his warm up and joins his manager in the camera shot. Difranco knows where his client is standing and knows it’s time to wrap things up.

Dante Difranco: Mrs. Anders, Mrs. Perelli… I’ll leave you with the same words I’ve left every other opponent, win or lose… five words that represent twenty seconds. Five words that should serve as a warning and something you should train for… I make it public knowledge, because I know once the Red Sea parts, once time stands still, once the twenty second window opens… it’s just academic…

Difranco smiles, as does Gall… before both usher the same five words at usison.

Dante Difranco & Zack Gall: Beware the DEATH BY KICK....

After ushering those words, the pair leave the scene as it fades into another part of the arena.

[FGA Office]

Camera’s cut to the backstage area where Ashley Marie Chase is standing by wearing face paint across one side of her face while also for some reason wearing a kilt

Ashley Marie Chase: Ashley Sullivan!! At one time we close as can be. We always said we would “Ride Together and Die Together: Bad Girls For Life”

We hear chuckles from the live crowd at the obvious Bad Boys reference

Ashley Marie Chase: However how things seem to change! I came to FGA to help out a friend who was being bullied but once those bullies were put down my friend Sully abandoned me and went to the other show. Shame on you Sully!! Shame on you!!

AMC shakes her head

Ashley Marie Chase: Finally I figured out why. You see Sully knows that like the almighty Highlanders there can be only one Ashley and she knew if she stayed eventually we would do battle and that I would have no choice but to end Ashley Sullivan thus she became Ashley Sands!! You may change your name but you will never take my FREEEEDOOOOM!!!!!!!

More laughter from the fans. At this point AMC removes the kilt

Ashley Marie Chase: All joking aside tonight I wear this warpaint because this is a battle and I plan to win this battle. I know that Seth Iser wants to once again wear a championship in FGA, I want to wear a championship in FGA and if that means I have to put down the lesser Ashley then so be it.

Some ooh’s from the crowd after hearing AMC call Sands the lesser Ashley

Ashley Marie Chase: Me and Seth have the same goals in this match and that is bad news for Sully and her partner Bisley. Tonight me and Seth will do whatever it takes to win this match and then I will do whatever it takes to get that title shot. Afterwards I'll buy Sully a cookie to make up for the beating I have to give her tonight.

Crowd is a mixture of cheers and boos as AMC smirks into the camera

[FGA Office]

WILDCARD LOTTERY (FIRST ROUND)
Zack Gall & Kazu Hirano vs. Laura Perelli & Izzy Anders

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.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a First Round match in the Wildcard Lottery tournament! Introducing team number one! First, 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.

The hypnotic opening of “Bad Dreams” by Phantogram picks up throughout the arena and the lights fade into a cascade of fuschia and crimson.

♫ Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete
Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete ♫

As the colors play, the beats becomes harsher and invites Izzy Anders onto the stage. She dances around to the beat of the music until she makes to the center point of the stage. Scanning the arena with that Cheshire grin of hers, Izzy takes her time walking down the ramp. When she does, she does it with an egotistical saunter, knowing that she has the audience wrapped around her finger.

♫ To changing me
(And I believe this happened once before)
To changing me
(And I predict the world will be all gone)
To changing me
(And I can see the same things that you see)
To changing me
(‘Cause I predict the world) ♫

J.A. Aldridge: Her partner, fighting out of Holland, Michigan by way of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada! She is “The Mindkiller” IZZYYYY AAAANDERRRSSS!

Izzy climbs the ring apron, turning her back to the ring to stare at the audience. She shifts down the ropes until she reaches the turnbuckle, ascending it with a delicate air. From there, she reaches methodically for her eyepatch, removing it with flair. She lowers it into her mouth, giving it a playful bite and giving the hard cam a wink. Izzy then scales down the turnbuckle into the ring, taking her coat off. A stagehand receives it in the only way Izzy does, a dramatic fling meant to blanket them in the immense coat. The Mindkiller then takes a seat a little off center of the ring, at the very tip of her corner. She sits there with her legs crossed, staring out to the audience as her song dies out.

Kris Cruise: Our next match in the Wildcard Lottery is about to get underway momentarily. We saw Izzy Anders and Laura Perelli interact just a few moments ago backstage with Spencer Burke. Things got pretty testy between those two.

Stephy Auger: Well what do you expect to happen when Izzy barges in and interrupts Laura’s interview? Izzy was so condescending with that smug smirk stuck on her face. I’m glad that Laura didn’t back down.

Kris Cruise: Laura can think whatever she wants of Izzy Anders. But like every other participant still competing here tonight, she needs her partner. She needs Izzy Anders if she wants to advance in this tournament. Besides, having a former US Tag Team Campion and Dynamic Duos winner on your side is far from a bad thing.

A rock band with a full god damn orchestra is set up in the entryway – a collective known as SUPERNOVA. How the fuck does a pro wrestling newcomer put an entrance like this together? He went out into the world, became a regular in a few places, and made a lot of friends. These are the Watarimono's musician pals from all over – an interchanging group that is never the same for more than one gig, yet synced as if their individual destinies were meant for this performance of “I Am The Walrus.” They strike a perfect balance between the psychedelic LSD-inspired original by The Beatles and the powerful cocaine-fueled Oasis cover – a life-changing experience for everyone fortunate enough to have them make fuck to their ears. Kazu Hirano is not a technically good singer by any means, but there's a lot of energy and he never fails to nail the chorus.

HIRANO: “I AM THE EGG MAN!”

CROWD: Throwing their arms in the air when Hirano points the mic at them. “WOO!”

HIRANO: “THEY ARE THE EGG MEN!”

CROWD: Throwing their arms in the air when Hirano points the mic at them. “WOO!”

HIRANO: “I AM THE WALRUS! GOO GOO G'JOOB!”

It takes minutes for Hirano to get in the ring. He teases his entrance on the apron before turning back around to entertain the fans more. Hirano does this even past all the singing parts and well into the extended soul-awakening instrumental. This frustrates referees and opponents, but one can spend hours listening to the music and watching this wonderful man not get in the ring. Fans cheer when he finally does enter, where he'll continue playing to them unless he gets attacked or jumped.

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponents! First, Koenji, Tokyo, Japan! Weighing in at 176 pounds… KAZU HIRANO!

Stephy Auger: That entrance is never not annoying, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: C’mon, Stephy, lighten up! Let Kazu have his fun. Even the fans here in Adelaide love that entrance.

Stephy Auger: Fun? Fun!? A shot at either the World Championship or International Heavyweight Championship is on the line after all of this. The last thing on Kazu’s mind should be “having fun.”

As the first sounds of Hey man, nice shot! by Filter begin blasting through the P.A System; the arena goes dark and a single spotlight appears in the middle of the stage. After a couple of seconds, the imposing and mysterious figure of Dante Difranco appears on the spotlight followed by his client, Zack “The Dragon” Gall.

J.A. Aldridge: His partner, being accompanied to the ring by Dante Difranco! From Newport, Wales! Weighing in at 190 pounds… ZACK “THE DRAGON” GALL!

Gall shakes a bit, moving his arms and hands while shaking his head from side to side as the light slowly comes back on. Gall and Difranco look around and the Italian signals his client to move towards the ring. As the two march down, Gall takes some seconds to inspect the surroundings. Once they get near the apron, Gall slides under the bottom rope and once he’s in the middle of the ring he gets to his knees, extending his arms and hitting the mat a couple of times before getting on his feet and rushing towards the ropes making a throat cut sign.

Kris Cruise: Zack Gall and his manager, Dante Difranco, are looking to repeat what happened at the Eight Year Anniversary Show here tonight with another win over Laura Perelli.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, well Perelli has let it be known on multiple occasions that she wasn’t impressed with what she saw from Gall at the Eight Year Anniversary Show. She even mocked him for needing Difranco’s help on how to get out of a basic hold, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: Whether that hold was “basic” or not, Gall got out of it and got the win. Gall being able to escape a hold that she put on is her problem, not his. It’s up to Perelli to put Gall down and keep him down!

Stephy Auger: Oh don’t you worry, when Perelli gets Gall down here tonight, he won’t be getting back up!

The bell sounds as Izzy Anders and Zack Gall start things off for their respective teams. After locking up, Gall begins to move Anders across the ring. He’s about to move Anders into the ropes when The Mindkiller pivots and presses him up against the set of ropes. After the official calls for a rope break, both grapplers appear to make a clean break… until Anders piefaces Gall. This action would normally get the person booed. But because it’s Anders, she’s met with cheers.

Stephy Auger: Look at this disrespect from Anders!

Kris Cruise: Disrespect, or mind games?

Insulted, Gall comes off the ropes and pushes Anders back. Anders smirks as she strolls back over towards Gall while dusting off her chest, showing him just how unfazed she is. The two combatants engage in another collar-and-elbow. This time, Anders gains the advantage with a side headlock before quickly performing a standing switch, transitioning into a hammerlock from behind. Gall notices his positioning in the ring. So he heads over to the side of the ring and wraps his free arm around the top rope. After the official calls for a rope break, Anders slowly lets go of the hammerlock… and follows up by slapping Gall upside the back of the head! Once again, Anders antics are met with cheers from the Adelaide crowd.

Kris Cruise: Anders just smacked Gall across the back of the head.

Stephy Auger: The nerve of her!

Kris Cruise: What’s wrong? You enjoyed Izzy’s antics before. What changed?

Stephy Auger: She changed!

Gall slowly turns around and stares daggers at The Mindkiller. Dante Difranco slaps the apron and tries to get Gall not to fall for Anders’ antics. But it falls on def ears. Gall rushes over and throws out a running roundhouse kick. But Anders is able able to grab the leg before throwing him down with a dragon screw leg whip. Gall tries to scramble back to his feet, only to end up back down to the mat after a side headlock takeover. Gall finally finds success after successfully reversing into a grounded headscissors. His advantage doesn’t last for long, though, as Anders easily escapes with a kip up. Gall scrambles back to his feet. But he’s quickly sent flipping back down to the mat after a step-up enzuigiri. While Gall is down, Anders hits the far ropes, bounces back and executes a Tranquillo Roll right next to Gall on the canvas! Anders is met with cheers and applause as she continues to pose next to Gall on the mat.

Kris Cruise: HA HA HA!

Stephy Auger: I’m glad you’re all enjoying Izzy making a mockery of this!

Gall turns over on the mat and goes to grab Anders. But he’s cut off when The Mindkiller pops him with a punch to the face. Anders then pulls Gall back to his feet before sending him for the ride. When Gall returns, Anders brings him down with a drop toe hold. She then places Gall in a grounded hammerlock before paint brushing the back of his head with slaps!

Gall slaps the mat out of frustration before getting back to his feet. He then rushes over and gets right in Anders’ face. Gall is fuming over Anders disrespect while Ander just stands there with a Cheshire cat-like grin.

Stephy Auger:Do it, Gall! Get her. Get her!

Gall’s had enough. He then nails Anders with a flurry of forearm strikes. Each forearm knocks Anders closer and closer to the corner. After a push kick moves Anders into the corner, Gall lets off repeated forearm strikes that catch The Mindkiller flush across the jaw! The official tries to pull Gall away so that Anders cna have time to recover. Gall responds by pulling his arm free from the referee before firing off more forearm strikes! Gall then switches to a flurry of shoot kicks to the chest that nearly knock the wind right out of Anders!

Kris Cruise: Zack Gall’s reached his breaking point!

The last kick causes Anders to double over. After Gall pulls Anders up by the hair, Anders piefaces him. So Gall sends Angers slumping down in the corner with repeated headbutts! Gall steps back towards the center of the ring. He motions for an attack when Anders spits out in his direction.

Kris Cruise: That wasn’t wise of Anders to prove Gall...

Gall looks back over at Anders and narrows his eyes before charging into the corner. As Gall lunges himself at Anders with a running double knee, Anders slips out to the floor, causing Gall to crash! into the corner.

Kris Cruise: Anders set him up! She led him right into her trap!

Anders reaches back inside and throws Gall’s arm down hard across the apron before swinging the arm against the ring post! The Mindkiller rolls back inside, picks up Gall, places him in a hammerlock, turns and throws him shoulder-first into the ring post! Anders then pulls Gall out of the corner by the back of his tights before knocking him down with the Black Song (hammerlock lariat)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Gall kicks out.

Anders wrenches his arm before delivering a double knee armbreaker, sending Gall staggering around the ring. Gall favors his arm as he continues to stagger across the ring. The Mindkiller slowly approaches from behind as Gall collapses against the ropes. Anders pulls Gall away from the ropes before delivering a second arm wrench. Anders executes a third arm wrench before pulling Gall towards the ropes. To the surprise of Anders, Laura Perelli reaches over the top rope and tags herself in.

Kris Cruise: Perelli has just inserted herself into this match!

Perelli steps in, takes control of Gall’s arm and wrenches it again. After being on the receiving end of another arm wrench, Gall rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. Gall then gives a hard tug on the arm before delivering another arm wrench. He then delivers a third arm wrench, followed by a hook kick that knocks Perelli back against the ropes. Once Perelli comes back after being whipped into the far ropes, Gall lifts her up for a Death Valley Driver! Perelli’s about to be driven down neck-first to the mat when she counters with elbows to the side of the head. She then slips down from behind before bringing Gall down to the mat with the Code of Silence (Saka Otoshi into Sleeper Hold)!

Stephy Auger: She’s got him down!

Kris Cruise: Perelli got Gall trapped in one of her patented submissions. Can Gall escape and get back to his feet!?

Gall writhes as Perelli cinches in the hold. La Principessa continues to fight for the submission. She then starts to taunt Gall, asking him if he needs Difranco to teach him how to get out of another sleeper hold. Difranco narrows his eyes at Perelli as Perelli gazes in his direction with a satisfied look. She then transitions into a Front Chancery. The official once again checks in on Gall to see if he wants to give up. Gall refuses. As Difranco slaps the canvas, Gall begins to fight his way up off the mat. Once he’s back to his feet, he grabs Perelli, runs forward and rams her back-first into the turnbuckle. While Gall’s got Perelli trapped in the corner, Kazu Hirano reaches through the ropes and tags himself in.

Kris Cruise: Here comes Kazu!

Hirano slingshots over the top rope, rushes towards the center of the ring, turns, darts back over towards the corner and catches Perelli with a running dropkick to the face. While Gall steps out to the apron, Hirano hits Perelli with a lariat in the corner. Hirano delivers a second lariat, followed by a third, then a fourth! After taking hold of Perelli’s wrist, Hirano leads her out of the corner before knocking her down with a short-arm lariat! The cheers continue as the cover gets made.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli kicks out.

Perelli reverses an irish whip, sending Hirano into the ropes. When Hirano returns, he gets scooped up across Perelli’s shoulder. She goes for a shoulder breaker when Hirano starts to kick his legs. Once she loses balance, Hirano slips down from behind, reaches in front of Perelli and grabs a hold of her before knocking her down with I Want To Hold Your Hand (hand-held Ripcord Lariat)! The cheers continue as he goes for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Hirano knocks Perelli off her feet with another lariat. But it only gets two.

Hirano takes Perelli and whips her hard into the corner. After colliding with the turnbuckles, Perelli slowly slumps down in the corner. Hirano sees Perelli perfectly set up, so she charges in for a cannonball senton… and misses when Perelli rolls out of the way! Perelli then grabs a hold of Hirano by the hair and pulls him back to his feet before laying him across the top ropes. Perelli positions herself in the middle of the ring before darting back into the corner and nailing Hirano with a high knee to the gut! The knee strike knocks Hirano off the ropes and to the floor!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear the impact of that knee strike!?

Perelli sets up on the apron and patiently waits for Hirano to get into position. As Hirano gets back up and turns to face the ring, Perelli runs along the apron, leaps off and brings him down with a diving hurricanrana! The crowd continues to boo Perelli until she gets taken out with a diving knee strike off the apron from Gall!

Stephy Auger: Gall with a cheap shot!

The crowd explodes with cheers when Anders runs along the apron, jumps off and knocks Gall down with a diving corkscrew European Uppercut!

Kris Cruise: Bodies are flying everywhere on the outside, Stephy!

The Mindkiller takes Hirano and rolls him back inside before taking Perelli and rolling her back into the ring. Anders climbs up onto the apron, reaches through the ropes and tags herself back in. Once back inside, Anders takes Hirano marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After a European Uppercut rocks Hirano, Anders delivers an irish whip, follows him across the ring and connects with a corner European Uppercut! Hirano is then pulled out of the corner before being shot into the far ropes. Anders catches him off the rebound and lifts him up across her shoulders for a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Hirano tries to fight his way out of it with multiple elbows to the side of the head. But Anders is able to fight through it and brings him down with the move! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Hirano gets his shoulder up.

Anders pulls Hirano back to his feet before pulling him into a front facelock. She’s got Hirano set up for the Three Enemigos (three consecutive rolling DDTs) when Hirano pushes forward and rams her back-first into the corner. Hirano follows up with a trio of shoulder thrusts before sending Anders into the far corner. Watarimono turns to the fans and starts clapping his hands to get them worked up. As the crowd starts to follow his lead, Hirano rushes across the ring to attack. But he eats a boot to the face that knocks him backwards!

Stephy Auger: See what happens when you play to these idiots in the crowd?

Kris Cruise: I wouldn’t call these great fans “idiots.” But that showboating from Kazu came back to bite him.

Hirano tries to shake out the cobwebs while Anders hoists herself up onto the middle ropes. She then leaps off before spiking him with a diving tornado DDT! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Hirano gets his shoulder up.

Anders slowly pulls Hirano up before taking control of his back. The Mindkiller throws out the Black Song when Anders counters with a crucifix driver! The crowd cheers as Anders is left folded up on the mat in a pinning predicament.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Anders kicks out.

Hirano pulls up Anders before whipping her into the far ropes. When she returns, she stops once she sees Hirano running past her into the same set of ropes. Anders then turns around and gets caught with a Sling Blade! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Anders kicks out.

Hirano sets up for an irish whip, only to get reversed and sent into the corner. The Mindkiller rushes in for another corner European Uppercut. But this time, it’s her that eats a boot to the face. The counter from Hirano turns Anders around. As she starts to stagger away for the corner, Hirano steps out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. After ascending to the top, Hirano salutes the crowd. They respond with “KONCHIWA” before he leaps off and drives her down with Hey Bulldog (flying bulldog)! The cheers continue for Hirano as he slowly peels Anders up off of the mat. He takes control of her back and goes for I Want To Hold Your Hand when Anders uses her free hand to counter with a Stockton Slap! Hirano shakes out the cobwebs. When he turns to face Anders, The Mindkiller sends his head flying to the side with another Stockton Slap before going to town on him with Dirty Dancin’ (kick flurry)! After the last kick doubles Hirano over, Anders quickly takes advantage and drives him down with the Three Enemigos! She slowly pushes Hirano onto his back before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

The crowd cheers when Hirano gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy was THIS CLOSE to getting her and Perelli into the next round!

Anders pulls Hirano back up by his hair before pulling him into a standing headscissors. She’s got Hirano set up for a Running Liger Bomb when Hirano quickly counters with a standing double leg takedown. Hirano then wraps his arms around Anders’ legs before executing a Dizzy Miss Lizzy (Giant Swing)! The Adelaide loud cheers and counts along with each rotation.

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NINE!”

“TEN!”

After the tenth rotation, Hirano lets go, sending Anders flying across the ring. Hirano is met with cheers and applause while he stumbles back. The dazed Hirano gathers his footing before starting to play the air guitar… before plopping down to a seated position. Before Hirano can get back to a vertical base, Perelli rushes over and flattens him with a Sliding D!

Perelli returns to the apron before extending her arm out for the tag. Across the ring is Gall, who is trying to will Hirano over to their corner. Back in the ring, Hirano holds his arm out as he tries to slowly sit up, only to end up falling back down. Over on the far side of the ring is Anders, who is slowly pushing herself up on all fours. The capacity crowd is behind both grapplers in the ring. The vast majority, though, are behind The Mindkiller. Anders continues to scratch and claw her way to the other side of the ring. Hirano slowly rolls over and grabs onto Anders' heel. But Anders is able to use her free leg to kick Hirano off of her. Anders continues to crawl until she gets to her feet, staggers forward and tags Perelli back in.

The crowd boos the sight of Perelli stepping back in to the ring. She rushes over, pulls up Hirano and lifts him up across her shoulders for an Ushi Goroshi. This time, Hirano is successfully able to elbow his way out of the hold. After pushing Perelli into the ropes, Hirano catches her off the rebound with Maxwell’s Silver Hammer (Polish Hammer)! Hirano returns Perelli to the mat with another Maxwell’s Silver Hammer! Hirano throws out a third Maxwell’s Silver Hammer when Perelli ducks and heads towards the far ropes. Hirano’s momentum sends him towards the ropes, where Gall reaches over and makes the blind tag. As Hirano and Perelli run back towards the center of the ring, Perelli tries to cut him off with a jumping leg lariat. But she whiffs on the strike when Hirano slide underneath it. Once both grapplers are back to their feet, Hirano catches her with a step-up enzuigiri. The kick rocks Perelli and turns her around towards Gall, who springboards off the top rope before knocking her down with a diving knee strike! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli gets her shoulder up.

After Perelli is whipped back into the ropes, Gall catches her off the rebound with an overhead belly to belly suplex! He then runs over and hits a running front dropkick to the back, knocking Perelli down across the middle rope. Gall then hits the far ropes, comes back and throws out the Dead By Knee (V-Trigger)! At the last second, Perelli slips out of the way. Perelli then catches Gall stumbling off the ropes before trying to bring him down with another Code of Silence. This time, Gall blocks the Saka Otoshi attempt and bring Perelli down with a judo throw! Gall runs back over and throws out another Death By Knee! Once again, Perelli slips out of the way. When Gall turns around, Perelli catches him with a European Uppercut. After a forearm smash, Perelli brings him down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex. Before the referee can start his count, Perelli floats over and pulls Gall up into a seated position before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she throws out the Sliding D. She misses! Gall slips out of the way just in time. As Perelli turns over onto her knees, Gall tries to knock her head off with a buzzsaw kick! Perelli tucks her head to duck the kick. She then quickly pops back to her feet, takes control of Gall’s back and then dumps him on the back of his head with a bridging leg-hook belly to back suplex!

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Gall gets his shoulder up.

Perelli quickly pushes gall over into the prone position before locking on the Rings of Saturn!

Kris Cruise: Perelli with the New Jersey Necktie!

Stephy Auger: How is Difranco going to get Gall out of this!

Hirano rushes into the ring and tries to break up the submission. But Anders is able to intercept him near the center of the ring before trapping him in a rolling kneebar.

Kris Cruise: Now Kazu is trapped with nowhere to go! Gall’s arms are trapped! This is Difranco’s worst nightmare come to life.

Stephy Auger: Go ahead, Dante! Throw in the towel for your client yet again!

Difranco can be seen on the outside pleading for Gall to hang on. Gall is trying to hang on. He shakes his head ‘no’ when the official repeatedly asks him if he wants to give up. But he eventually reaches his breaking point and nods to the official.

The crowd boos when “United Divided” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… IZZY ANDERS and LAURA PERELLI!

The crowd continues to boo at the sight of Laura Perelli getting her arm raised. The boos then switch to cheers once Izzy Anders gets her arm raised in victory.

Stephy Auger: See? What did I tell you?

Kris Cruise: Laura Perelli got Zack Gall down and this time, she kept him down. She seized her moment after Gall got dumped on the back of his head. Anders was able to cut off Hirano and keep him at bay. Gall tried to hang on. But the pain from the New Jersey Necktie was just too much to bare. Gall wasn’t the first person to submit to the New Jersey Necktie and I highly doubt that he’ll be the last.

Stephy Auger: If there’s any justice in this world, Izzy Anders will be next.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •