Afterburn for Vertigo E76

[FGA Office]

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

[Chaz Holiday]

*** The cameras catch up with Chaz Holiday, back in the locker room. He's sitting in a steel chair, leaned over and unlacing his wrestling boots. ***

Chaz Holiday: I went out there and I gave it all I had. And at the risk of sounding too confident, I think I was on my way to, not only winning the match but earning the title opportunity.

*** He kicked one boot off, tossing it to the side, clearly discouraged and frustrated. ***

Chaz Holiday: And if you think I'm going to go out like that, you clearly don't know me. Cassius Reed, I don't know why you felt the need to stick your nose in my business and attack me from behind but let me tell you something...

*** Standing up, Chaz looked dead into the camera - his usual cheerful demeanour now replaced with one of complete and utter seriousness. ***

Chaz Holiday: I'm not one to stand around and make idle threats. But you now have a Chaz Holiday problem, pal. And Ace? Don't think I'm forgetting you. Because I still want that title match. I think I showed the world that I can still hang at that level. One thing is for sure..

*** He takes a step closer to the camera. ***

Chaz Holiday: I'm not walking away on that note. That's not the final chapter in my book. The only way the book on my career is ending, will be when I say, on my terms. I'll see you boys, soon.

*** With that, Chaz walked out of the scene. ***

[Fujiko Mine]

Backstage, the camera catches Spencer Burke standing by the FGA interview area. He takes a second before nodding to the camera.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time...The FGA World Champion, Fujiko Mine.

On cue, Fujiko saunters into the frame, still in her ring gear. However, she has a Pendragon shirt draped over the shoulder not already occupied by the FGA World championship. She beams to the camera, and then directs her smile at Spencer.

Fujiko Mine: Long time no talk, Spencer. I do apologize for the delay. I had to go purchase this shirt. A certain member of that team won the Pride championship tonight.

She smiles even wider.

Fujiko Mine: But I’m not here to gush about Lowri Moss. I’m here to give my opponent at Grapple Kingdom some attention.

Spencer Burke: Fujiko, tonight you and the International Heavyweight champion, Cordelia Stevenson defeated Bristow & Barnes en route to your respective title matches against James Edwards and Ashlyn De Luca, respectively. Do you have any thoughts?

Fujiko adjusts the championship, looking up at the ceiling for a moment before coming back to bring her gaze to Spencer.

Fujiko Mine: My thoughts? Here are my thoughts, Spencer. I’m going to sound like a broken record, but it bears repeating. There may be some who believe that I’ve gotten complacent with the championship. That I’m too comfortable. There are some who refuse, even now, to give me the respect I’ve earned. And there are some…

Fujiko loses the smile quickly. She turns to fully face the camera.

Fujiko Mine: ...some that consider me an obstacle, rather than an opponent.

Fujiko’s head dips down for a second.

Fujiko Mine: This may be foolish, but here’s a secret to Fujiko’s success. I have made a name off of taking the expectations of my opponents and smashing them apart. When Evan Envi saw me as an obstacle that he needed to overcome in order to preserve the ‘sanctity’ of his championship reign.

Fujiko shakes her head.

Fujiko Mine: Marlon Cure saw me as the last stepping stone, the last box he needed to check in order to place the crown upon his head. He saw the match against me as a formality. He was ready to hoist the title above his head before the bell even rang.

The Apex Goddess exhales slowly.

Fujiko Mine: Sara Mason saw me as an opportunity for vengeance. And to pivot. Everyone expected something out of Izzy Anders. I keep hearing about ‘If Izzy had done this, she would’ve won.’ or ‘if the old Izzy faced Fujiko, she’d be champion right now’. Because apparently my championship reign..my victory over my rival turned friend...was not by my own ability, but by an act of mercy from The Mindkiller.

A look of disgust appears on Fujiko’s face.

Fujiko Mine: James Edwards doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

She slowly pulls the championship down off her shoulder, and holds it at waist level. She looks down into the plate for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: James sees me as a puzzle that needs to be solved. If he can just ‘figure out’ how to do what Sara, Izzy, Marlon, and Evan couldn’t….he can ‘slay the goddess’. The last time we faced each other, James saw me as undeserving of what I earned and asked for. Now, he sees me as an enigma.

Fujiko grasps the championship close to her chest, place facing her.

Fujiko Mine: Here’s the secret, so listen closely, please. I’m only going to say this once. I am not an enigma. I’m not a stepping stone. I’m not your focus of vengeance. I’m not a fluke, and I am not an obstacle. I am none of those things. I am simply…

She takes a step towards the camera, leaving Spencer to cheat away so that she takes center frame of the camera.

Fujiko Mine: ...the best wrestler in FGA. I’ve proven it by winning that award in back to back years. I’ve proven it with this championship reign. I’ve proven it with my reign as Pride champion. I’ve proven it over and over and over again and until you all begin to recognize that fact? This championship is going to stay in my grasp. So prepare for whatever you think is coming at Grapple Kingdom, James. I guarantee you that you aren’t going to have an answer for what I am about to bring. You are good. There isn’t going to be any debate about that. I think that you doubt yourself too much for your own good, but that you are a worthy challenger. However…

She turns the championship around, so that the gorgeous faceplate may be seen once again.

Fujiko Mine: You are not the best, and your Great Value fight documentary on the road to facing me won’t change that.

Her intense stare burns into the camera, until she chooses to back away.

Fujiko Mine: Thanks for having me, Spence.

Fujiko gives him a smile, then exits the view of the camera before the scene fades.

[bbbaseball96]

This was filmed a few minutes after Vertigo went off the air.

The camera fades into a shot of the locker room door with a name plate on it saying “Ace Voltage.” The cameraman knocks and enters the room. We see Ace sitting in a chair, using his cell phone. He is out of his wrestling gear and in his casual clothes.

Ace: Let me guess, you and the rest of the world wants to know what happened tonight, mate?

Ace chuckles to himself and puts his phone down.

Ace: Everyone always wants answers to things they can’t figure out, right? Nobody can handle not knowing something. You all want instant gratification. You want to be the “smart fan.” Well, I don’t owe anyone anything after tonight. You see this?

Ace gets out of the chair and goes over and picks up his Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship belt.

Ace: There is a reason I have this title. There’s a reason I was given the opportunity. And you know what? Some people are starting to take notice. You don’t want to be on the bad side of the best champ in FGA. That’s just not good for business.

Ace kisses his title and places it back down.

Ace: Some have money, some have power. I have both. What does that get me? You can make assumptions, but one thing for certain is that this locker room of FGA stars are envious of that. Mr. Reed wants to be on the right side of history. He knows that Chaz deserves [bleep]. He knows what I have been telling everyone the last few weeks. That Chaz Holiday doesn’t deserve anything he has gotten. Mr. Reed finally wants some recognition around here. 

Ace motions over to his locker that has his title along with some merchandise.

Ace: I’ve earned my spot and my respect in FGA. Because of my wrestling ability and my star power, I have won a title AND sold out my merchandise within months of being here. Chaz returns for a few weeks and hasn’t done anything. I’m the one selling tickets, I’m the one selling merchandise, and it seems like I am the one who has the respect of the locker room, not Chaz.

Ace walks closer to the camera with a more serious face.

Ace: Heed my warnings Chaz. You don’t deserve my title. If you keep your little “return” shtick up, who knows what will happen to you? Of course, I wouldn't know what could happen next.

Ace laughs.

Ace: Don’t you ever forget Chaz-y boy. I AM the Main Event of FGA. The Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship is mine and not for the taking. Now, if you want some more specific answers, I suggest talking to Mr. Reed himself. Regarding that manner, I will not have any more comments. Now get out of my face.

Ace pushes the camera away and the scene fades.

[David]

Shortly after Vertigo has gone off the air, Lowri Moss is seen backstage at the Horncastle Arena, having just passed through the Gorilla position following the main event. Lowri is clearly feeling the effects of the lengthy match that she has just been through with Tyler Storm, but even as fatigued as she feels right now, her tiredness is still far outweighed by how happy she is at this very moment, as the grin on her face indicates. With her newly-won Pride Championship fastened around her waist, and her half of the World tag team titles draped over her right shoulder, Lowri slowly makes her way back towards the locker rooms. However, she does not get very far before she comes to a stop, when she sees the one person who-- above all others-- she wants to share this moment with.

After having had his ribs checked by the trainer, following his win against Cassius Reed in the opening match of the night, and after having then gotten showered and changed before settling down to watch the rest of the show, Neal Durden is now there in the corridor backstage, waiting to greet his partner. He quickly makes his way towards Lowri and wraps his arms around her, embracing her.

Neal Durden: Shows how much we know… doesn’t it?

Neal lets out a slight snicker at his comment, looking at the two belts that Lowri now has in her possession. Sweating and panting as she looks to recover from the gruelling match that she just had, Lowri looks at Neal with a bit of an expression of disbelief on her face. He kisses her on the cheek before he continues speaking.

Neal Durden: I mean, we both came in knowing we would have to leave it all on the line if we wanted to advance to the semi-finals, no expectations whatsoever, a huge challenge on the horizon and still… we came out swinging. I’m proud of you.

Lowri’s cheeks redden, and although it barely seems possible, her already wide smile broadens further slightly.

Lowri Moss: Thanks.

Neal smiles back at Lowri, the pair looking warmly at one another. Letting out a sigh of contentment, her eyes then drift down towards her midriff, and her latest accolade.

Lowri Moss: I can’t believe it, you know? Even being stood here with the belt around my waist, it still doesn’t seem real to me. I played down my chances of winning to such an extent that I had actually pretty much convinced myself it wasn’t going to happen.

She lifts her head back up, returning her attention to her other half.

Lowri Moss: Of all of the titles that I’ve managed to win so far in my career… I think this one is definitely going to take the longest to sink in.

Neal shrugs, almost looking at the distance without a bit of care in his face. He smirks and chimes in.

Neal Durden: You don’t have to let it sink in, just enjoy it. After all, tonight is not the toughest challenge on our road and we both know that. This was a night to enjoy ourselves and settle some old scores… we did that. Now we have to refocus not to lose the belts we fought for since day one.

Lowri nods her head lazily in response.

Lowri Moss: After what we’ve both done tonight though, you know what this means now, don’t you?

Neal nods, knowing full well what awaits them at Grapple Kingdom.

Neal Durden: Probably the toughest night either of us has had in wrestling…

The ominous tone in Neal’s voice probably gives away how seriously the pair are taking the challenges ahead. They know neither of the two matches they have for certain will be easy, and the prospect of a third match for either of them might be too much.

Neal Durden: Let’s not pretend otherwise… we have probably the toughest challenge yet for these belts…

He says as he taps Lowri’s tag belt.

Neal Durden: Pairing it up with two singles matches against two opponents that are probably the opposite of what either of us is in that ring. I know we have what it takes to hang in there, but it doesn’t make it any less daunting of a task.

In contrast to Neal’s more serious mood, Lowri remains jovial, lightening the tone of the conversation.

Lowri Moss: I’m sure it’ll be especially daunting for you, knowing that you’re fighting Izzy for my affection.

She gives her boyfriend a wink. Neal snickers, but he then looks at his ribs and taps on them.

Neal Durden: You know what this means, right?

He lowers his head and brings it back with a bit of a smirk on his face, but yet, he remains serious in his tone.

Neal Durden: Of course you do… you saw what happened against Tiff Rollins, you know about my struggles with asthma… after tonight, I don’t know if I can last one match, let alone two. I’m a bit scared, to be honest.

Lowri Moss: Awww…

Lowri puts her arms around Neal, hugging him tightly, as she attempts to reassure him.

Lowri Moss: I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Durden knew this was out of good faith, but for him, there was a striker waiting to make him suffer and a tag match against one of the toughest tag teams in the industry. He clearly was not the predator in this situation and he could feel it. Nevertheless, he shrugs it off and started to guide Lowri away from gorilla, where they have been standing all this time.

Neal Durden: You’re probably right, yet it’s something I… and we… must prepare for.

Lowri readjusts the belt that is resting on her right shoulder, before putting her other arm around Neal.

Lowri Moss: All in good time.

She then leans in to kiss him.

Lowri Moss: You said that I should enjoy this--

With her free hand, she taps the faceplate of the Pride Championship.

Lowri Moss: So for what's left of tonight, that's what I want to do.

Neal smirks and tilts his head.

Neal Durden: Weeeeelll… what ya’ wanna do, champ?

Lowri gazes up at the ceiling in careful consideration, as a number of ideas run through her head.

Lowri Moss: I’m thinking… a six pack of beer, a large meat lover’s pizza, aaand a tub of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.

Neal scratches his beard, almost as if he was thinking another thing. Nevertheless, he kept things as PG as possible.

Neal Durden: Ordering twelve beers, not Corona; probably two large pizzas, and the tub we’ll arrange later.

He wraps his arms around Lowri and gives her a wink; she simply responds with a thumbs up. And as the couple make their way towards the locker rooms, so that Lowri can herself get showered and changed before they head back to their hotel for some food, drink, and Netflix and chill fall asleep, the scene comes to an end.