Grapple Kingdom III

[FGA Office]

We blink into a world of color in a shot that overlooks Vancouver’s Stanley Park and the sea wall. The glistening body of water is absent of any boat or any one person at the moment, though the camera lingers, just briefly on a trio of cyclists as they pass by, each clad in bright, warm colors.

The camera pans away from the scenery and continues to do so until it’s clear that we’re standing on a hilltop that overlooks Stanley Park’s entrance. Sadie San Francisco stands just beyond the crest, dressed in a denim jacket, hair blowing just slightly in the cool weather, conveniently giving us a clear shot of the number one contender’s face as she turns toward the lens.

Sadie San Francisco: So. I came out here because I thought it’d be peaceful. Thought it would offer an opportunity for some… I don’t know… introspection. Still. To be honest, I didn’t think it would be this quiet.

She takes a step down the hill, drawing in a small breath as she sets her gaze forward, toward the sea wall. She slides her hands into the pockets of the jacket.

Sadie San Francisco: I can appreciate it though. It’s how I like to prepare anyway. Physically, emotionally, mentally, I’m at my best-- at my strongest-- when I’m preparing completely by myself before a match like this. And I acknowledge that it comes with its own faults. If there’s a hole in my game, or something I’m missing, I might be lacking that second pair of eyes to catch it. I have to adjust on the fly and remember it for next time. Usually that’s enough.

The number one contender takes another few steps down the hill until she approaches a flat patch of grass, gaze still set ahead, past the cyclist’s path and into the water.

Sadie San Francisco: But I’m questioning myself out here. Like, “is it enough?”

Four, five silent seconds pass.

Sadie San Francisco: Never for a second did I think you weren’t a violent competitor, Nina. I always knew you were and I always knew you had this ability to focus and control that. It’s what makes you truly dangerous because you really… really are a great athlete. You’re legitimately a game-changing striker.

Sadie slowly sinks down, taking a seat, gaze still set ahead.

Sadie San Francisco: You think, in my head, this isn’t about you. You think it’s never been about you. Just the U.S. Title.

Exhale.

Sadie San Francisco: And you’d be right. Can’t go back and rewrite history. How I felt was pretty obvious. I’ve been working toward that championship and moments like tonight for the better part of the past year. When I had this vision of me holding up the United States Title, I never imagined who it was that was lying on the ground beneath me. There’s always… someone. There’s gotta be someone. But there was never a face, you know?

Sadie San Francisco turns to look into the camera again. She smiles faintly and leans forward just a bit.

Sadie San Francisco: Now there is though.

She takes another breath, leaning back slightly, resting on her palms. She narrows her eyes, pondering something as she looks ahead, past the seawall again.

Sadie San Francisco: You have to understand that it isn’t personal. I’ve wanted this for so long because it represents the next step in my career. For years, I fought to have my own identity as a wrestler… not a part of a group… not doing someone else’s dirty work…

Three, four seconds of silence.

Sadie San Francisco: ...and it hasn’t been the most graceful rise in history, but…

She trails off again, leaving the thought incomplete, nodding softly.

Sadie San Francisco: I know I can beat you. I’m not ignorant like you want to imagine I am. My priority was always to win the U.S. Title. It was never to deprive you of something-- but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about how to beat you; what moves to avoid, and what to look out for. You’re not some faceless figure, Nina. You’re a wrestler and you’re holding the title that I cashed in my FGA 15 Championship for. I made history to come after that title, and if it honestly makes you feel better-- that means made history to come after you.

Once more, the number one contender turns to look at the camera. The familiar smirk that she’d sported in the weeks prior makes its return.

Sadie San Francisco: And so far, you’ve tripped over yourself trying to get your hands on me. It’s just-- it’s gonna be deflating when you finally do and the results are the complete opposite of what you expected.

As if for emphasis, Sadie rolls her eyes, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.

Sadie San Francisco: Personally, I don’t think I’ve deserved all the hate and all the threats you’ve had for me since I became the number one contender. I think you made your mind up about who I am as a competitor based off of one tag team match and a couple brief exchanges-- and I think the opinion you formed is gonna end up getting you hurt.

A small shrug.

Sadie San Francisco: Right now I’m as prepared as I’ll ever be. Any doubts I have-- they’re not gonna be erased here in this park. That’s what tonight’s for. So…

The number one contender sets her gaze forward.

Sadie San Francisco: Nina.

Pause.

Sadie San Francisco: I hope you find a quiet place like this to reflect after I become the new United States Champion.

Slowly, we pan away from Sadie San Francisco and out to the calm, empty seawall just outside of Stanley Park. The scene fades to black.

[FGA Office]

A camera finds Lowri Moss sat on a crate in a corridor somewhere backstage. Her hair moist with sweat, Lowri is sat with a bottle of water in one hand, and her two championship belts hanging loosely over her shoulders, as she gazes off into the distance, taking a moment to reflect alone on how the World Tag Team Championship match has just ended. She continues to absentmindedly stare into space for a couple more seconds, until she becomes aware of the presence of the camera, and as she turns her head to look at it, she lets out a sigh.

Lowri Moss: It wasn’t supposed to end like that. A contest between two of the best tag teams in the world. The best team in FGA versus one of the best teams from outside of FGA, in a match that an awful lot of people, not least the four of us involved, had been eagerly awaiting since the end of last year. It was a match that deserved to have a proper, definitive ending, but we were all denied such a conclusion, thanks to the intrusion of two people who seemingly just can’t keep themselves out of our business.

If Lowri is angry about what happened, she is doing a good job of hiding it, with her tone remaining calm and measured.

Lowri Moss: I probably shouldn’t be surprised about what happened. Maybe we should’ve even expected it - maybe we should’ve seen it coming. After Autumn Annihilation, when Neal and I beat Silk & Cyanide, I thought we were done with them, but… perhaps I should’ve known otherwise. I knew they weren’t happy that Ana and Lisa chose to challenge me and Neal for our titles, I knew they felt disrespected by that, so maybe we should’ve anticipated that they would find a way to make this about them.

With her free hand, Lowri takes the two belts off her shoulders and puts them down beside her on the crate, one belt either side of her.

Lowri Moss: We’re going to settle this. Whether it's at Only The Strong Survive, or whether it's before then, we’re going to settle this. And when we do, we’re going to settle it once and for all.

She then unscrews the cap on the bottle of water, before taking a drink from it.

Lowri Moss: That’s for another night though. I need to put all of that to one side for the time being, because right now, I’ve got something else that I need to focus on.

After taking another sip of water, she screws the cap of the bottle back on.

Lowri Moss: While I’m far from pleased with how the world tag title match ended, it does mean that I’m going to leave here tonight still a double champion in FGA. And as if that wasn’t enough, I still have a chance for something more - a chance to earn a shot at one of the top two titles in this promotion. Maybe it’s greedy of me to want to claim a shot at another championship when I’ve already got two to my name, while the majority of the roster has none. I think I can say with absolute certainty though, that if anyone else was in my position, if they had this opportunity laid out in front of them, then they would want to grab it with both hands, and make the most of it-- which is exactly what I’ve got my sights set on doing.

Lowri places the bottle of water by the side of her on the crate, as she continues.

Lowri Moss: Ten days ago, it was the anniversary of the first time that I set foot inside an FGA ring, when I made a successful debut in a match against the long-since-departed Ian Cross. I’ve been in FGA for three years now, and although there are other promotions in which I also ply my trade, having been here for all but six months of my career, this is the place that I consider to be my home. And just like pretty much everyone else who has ever been part of the FGA roster, my ultimate goal has always been to win the top prize in this promotion. In the past two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my fair share of success, as--

She pauses in mid sentence, reconsidering her choice of words.

Lowri Moss: Actually, maybe “fortunate” isn’t the right word. That makes it sound like I’ve been lucky, and although we do all need a bit of luck sometimes, everything that I’ve accomplished… it hasn’t been a fluke, it has been hard-earned. I just don’t want anyone to think that, all of the success I’ve had-- that I take it all for granted. I can still clearly remember the struggles that I went through during my first year in FGA, how desperate I was to become a champion, the disappointment and the setbacks that I suffered along the way, and how it took me until I was nearly eighteen months into my career to finally win my first title. Now I’m sat here having been one half of the first ever United States Tag Team Champions, one half of the first team to have held both the US tag titles and the World tag titles, the second ever double champion in FGA, and the only ever two-time double champion in FGA history. And if you’ll pardon the pun, I’m immensely proud that I’ve managed to accomplish all of that.

Lowri looks down at the Pride Championship, lying next to her on the crate.

Lowri Moss: I’ve had this belt in my possession for a month now, and I still don’t think it hasn’t properly sunk in yet.

She quickly turns her attention back to the camera.

Lowri Moss: If anything, all of the success I’ve had, knowing what I’ve been able to achieve, that just adds fuel to my ambition to one day stand atop the mountain here in FGA. And depending on what happens over the course of the next couple of hours, that day might not be all that far away.

That remark is followed by Lowri giving a wink to the camera.

Lowri Moss: I have, of course, had other opportunities before now to earn a shot at the world title or the international heavyweight title. There was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in the Gold Rush Rumble three years ago, two other battle royals that I can think of off the top of my head, and the Beat The Clock Challenge that took place on an episode of Flashpoint a year ago this month, when I missed out by a mere five seconds. The Wildcard Lottery though, now that we’re down to the last four, I believe that this presents me with the best opportunity I’ve had so far to earn a shot at one of the top titles - although it could be argued that it some ways, it’s actually the worst opportunity I’ve had.

She chuckles, in spite of herself.

Lowri Moss: Battle royals are always unpredictable; with so many people in the ring at any one time, there’s a lot that’s out of our control. And in a Beat The Clock Challenge, you can still only control what you do in your match - you can’t affect what other people do in their matches. But in a knockout tournament like this, we very much have things in our own hands. For all four of us that are left in this tournament, there’s a clear picture in terms of what we need to do: two matches, a semifinal and a final, both against one opponent, not multiple opponents, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes us to get the job done, it only matters that we win. Winning those two matches will be easier said than done, but still, for each of the four of us, things are in our control - barring any more outside interference tonight - and so that’s why I believe that this is the best opportunity I’ve had so far to earn a shot at one of the top titles.

Lowri leans forward, gripping the edge of the crate with her hands.

Lowri Moss: As for why it might be the worst opportunity that I’ve had? Well, just look at my one guaranteed opponent and my two potential opponents. If I make it to the final, I’ll either be facing one of the three grapplers to have completed a grand slam here in FGA, or the one person in this sport who knows me better than anyone else. And before I even get that far, in the semifinals, I’m going to be up against by far the most experienced grappler left in the Wildcard Lottery, one of the most intelligent people in this sport, whose wrestling acumen is matched equally by his ability inside the ring.

A wry smile appears on her face.

Lowri Moss: As Seth alluded to last week, this matchup, me versus him, is one that I’ve been wanting to happen for quite some time. I remember there was a tweet posted six or seven months ago, by Katya Djurdjevic, in which she asked other wrestlers to name ten competitors who they would love to faceoff with. While there are at least a few people who I’ve wrestled previously that I would like to wrestle again, including a couple of people here in FGA, I elected to name ten people who I’ve never faced before in a one-on-one match - and who in some cases, I’ve never faced in any kind of match. And although it wasn’t intentional, the list that I came up with ended up being ten grapplers who are all either current or former members of the FGA roster - another indicator, I guess, of the fact that FGA, more so than anywhere else in this sport, is my home.

Following the briefest of pauses, Lowri continues.

Lowri Moss: Anyway, in the months that have since passed, I’ve actually gotten to cross off two of the names on that list, with Seth soon to become the third name to be crossed off - although he’s the first one that I’m going to be facing inside an FGA ring. My desire to want to wrestle Seth - and for that matter, each of the other nine people on my list - goes back more just than half a dozen or so months though. After I namechecked him, Seth replied to me, saying that a match with me would be a good challenge - and that’s the reason why I want to wrestle him, as well as all of the others that I named: because I want to continue to challenge myself. Challenges help us to grow and to improve, whether in our personal life or our professional life, and even putting to one side what’s at stake, this match is a chance for me to test my ability against one of the best grapplers on the roster - it’s another chance for me to prove, not just to all of you watching, but also to myself, that I have the capacity, the effort and the discipline to overcome hurdles that at times might seem insurmountable, and that I have the ability, or at least the potential, to accomplish my ultimate goal.

Taking her hands off the edge of the crate, Lowri then sits up straight again.

Lowri Moss: And if anyone is wondering, yes, Izzy is also on my list. Of all the names on there, she might be the one that I’ve been wanting to wrestle one-on-one the longest, and if the two of us were to end up meeting later in the final, that would definitely be an occasion that I would relish. I don't want to talk too much about possibly facing either Izzy or Neal in the final though, because I don’t want to get ahead of myself, and lose sight of the immediate task at hand. Especially not given who my opponent in the semifinals is.

She runs a hand through her still-damp hair.

Lowri Moss: I know Seth feels like he doesn’t get the respect that he deserves round here, but I, for one, have no problem showing him that respect. I’m not going to sit here and wax lyrical about him for minutes on end, but I respect what Seth has accomplished during his lengthy career in wrestling, I respect the fact that he has been able to perform at such a high level for as long as he has, and I respect what he achieved during the nearly eleven months that he held this.

Lowri prods the faceplate of the Pride Championship with her index finger.

Lowri Moss: Anyone would be foolish to try to discredit what Seth did during his time as Pride Champion. I’m certainly not about to do that. Together with the likes of Tony Carmine, Riley Owens, Chris Madison, and - I know he probably won’t like me saying this - Fujiko, Seth set the standard that I now have to follow.

Lowri moves her hand away from the title belt, extending her arm towards the bottle of water.

Lowri Moss: At the same time, I don’t feel disrespected by Seth continually referring to me as “young Lowri,” or even simply “kid.” Some people might see that as being derogatory, but it’s not like it’s not true. I am still relatively young, and compared to Seth, I am still a kid; as he pointed out last Saturday, he’s the only grappler remaining in the Wildcard Lottery who’s the wrong side of thirty. In fact, I’m still two months away from my twenty-fifth birthday, and well as for Neal, he’s even younger!

She unscrews the bottle cap and takes another drink.

Lowri Moss: Seth is fourteen years older than me, and he has fourteen more years’ experience in this sport over me, not to mention almost a foot in height and one hundred pounds in weight. It doesn’t matter how big someone is though, or how experienced they are, because if you have passion, and if you have desire - and I have bucketloads of both those things - then you have no limits.

After guzzling some more water, Lowri puts the cap back on the bottle, which she then puts back down on the crate.

Lowri Moss: Seth said last week that he’s going to kick my arse all over the ring; he gave me the same warning last summer. That doesn’t worry me though. There’s no trepidation on my part. Everyone should be aware now that I don’t fear anyone who I set foot in the ring with, and for everything that Seth dishes out, I’ll have a receipt waiting.

Lowri uses her hands to push herself up off the crate and onto her feet.

Lowri Moss: He may well have been right when he said that he’s unlike any opponent I’ve ever faced before-- there is one thing that he got wrong though. He said that he’s going to tear me apart, and that there isn’t anything that anybody can do about it.

She shakes her head.

Lowri Moss: No, Seth. I--

She then puts her index finger to her chest.

Lowri Moss: Can do something about it; I intend to do something about it.

Lowri reaches behind her to retrieve her two championship belts from the crate, placing them back over her shoulders.

Lowri Moss: What you’re capable of inside the squared circle can’t be denied, nor can how much you know about this sport. I’m sure there’s plenty that you could teach me, and maybe someday you will, but this match of ours tonight isn’t about to turn into you giving me a wrestling lesson in front of however many thousands of people. I belong in that ring with you, I belong in the closing stages of tournaments like this, and I believe that I’m good enough and I’m talented enough to belong in a world title match at one of the biggest shows of the year; we’ll soon see whether I can get there.

Lowri then grabs the bottle of water from off the crate, and as she begins to make her way back towards the locker rooms, the camera cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Nina Stokes vs. Sadie San Francisco

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest, scheduled for ONE fall, is for the FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from The West Side! Weighing in at 129 pounds! She is “The Pope” SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

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

Kris Cruise: Sadie San Francisco has waited months for this opportunity, Stephy. As 15 Champion, she was able to do what former two-time champion Kendall Kingham couldn’t do and that was successfully defend that title four consecutive times. With the fourth defense, The Pope had a choice to make. She could either stay 15 Champion or relinquish the belt for a guaranteed match for the United States Championship. After engaging in another war with Kingham where Sadie put her title shot on the line, San Francisco emerged victorious with her sights set on the US Championship. Tonight, she looks to do what Brian Stryker didn’t have the opportunity to do after he relinquished his title and that’s win the higher tier title. Sadie has never meant to disrespect Nina Stokes. This has been about Sadie and her pursuit of the US Title, a pursuit that she embarked on back in the Fall of 2019.

Stephy Auger: And it’s a pursuit that will lead to her downfall here tonight. I don’t are what Sadie “meant” to do. It’s all about what she did and that was disrespect Nina Stokes, repeatedly, for the whole world to see. Tonight, Nina Stokes will make good on her promise of busting Sadie’s head open to the white meat… for the whole world to see.

The lights in the arena dim to a fairly darkened level. A couple of seconds pass before MUCC’s “Sei to Shi to Kimi” begins to play. The base of the entrance becomes fills up with heavy smoke. Nina Stokes makes her way out from the back a few seconds later. She emerges from the smoke after a moment or two. She gives a sly sneer to camera before she makes her way towards to the ring.

Her pace down to the ring deliberate and leisurely. The camera zooms in on the U.S. Championship that rests on her waist. She tosses a couple of glances towards the crowd, but for the most part, she keeps her eyes fixated on the square circle. Nina flexes her arms a bit as she reaches the end entryway. She cracks her neck and completely circles the ring one time. Afterwards, Nina cracks her knuckles and slides into the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Miami, Florida! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is the reigning… defending… FGA United States Champion! She is “The Kodiak” NINA STOKES!

Nina paces around for a moment. Then she removes her jacket and tosses it into the corner. Afterwards, Nina removes the championship belt from her waist and walks to the center of the ring. She hoists the U.S. Championship high into the air as a wick smirk forms. When she is done, she casually gives the belt to the referee. Nina pulls on the ropes and stretches before she lounges in the corner and waits for the start of the match.

Kris Cruise: Nina complains about the “disrespect” that Sadie supposedly showed her. What about her disrespect towards her former friend, Salem?

Stephy Auger: What disrespect? Salem made her bed and Nina was more than happy to help her lay in it. Sadie has treated Nina like an obstacle, not a person. She’s treated Nina like just another rung on the ladder. That disrespect is gonna get her hurt here tonight!

The bell sounds as Stokes and San Francisco make their way out of their respective corners. Stokes turns to the referee and beckons him over to her. She puts her hand out, calling for her United States Championship belt. After the belt has been placed back in her hands, Stokes heads right over to San Francisco. The Challenger locks eye with the champion before her attention once again turns to the US Title belt. Stokes looks down at the title. The Kodiak turns back to he Pope and slowly holds the champions right up in Sadie’s face. Stokes then releases her grip, letting the championship drop in front of them. Sadie continues to stare down Stokes until Stokes gestures down at the US Title. San Francisco slowly kneels down in front of the US Championship. Sadie reaches out to grab it, only to have Stokes stomp her foot down on the belt.

“OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!”

As Sadie goes to look up at Stokes, Stokes blasts her with a rising knee to the chin, which snaps Sadie’s head back!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: A cheap shot from Nina Stokes right from the get go!

Stephy Auger: Nina told her to keep her eyes on her and not the championship! You can’t say she wasn’t warned!

Before Sadie can return to her feet, Stokes reaches down, snatches a hold of both of her wrists and raises her arms up while she delivers rapid curb stomps! Stokes continues to rain down stomp after stomp to Sadie’s face! The Pope remains defenseless from the attack. With her arms trapped by Stokes, the only thing she can do is close her eyes as she braces herself for each vicious stomp.

Kris Cruise: This is uncomfortable to watch, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: As bad as it looks, I bet it feels ten times worse!

The official pleads with Stokes to let San Francisco up. But the champion just ignores him while she continues to try and put her foot through Sadie’s face! The referee tries again to plead to Stokes. But his pleas fall on deaf ears. The assault on San Francisco finally comes to a stop when the official moves Stokes off of her. He then scolds the champion for not heeding his words. The Kodiak simply looks the official up and down before nudging him out of her way.

Stokes marches back over, yanks San Francisco back to her feet by the hair before heading towards the corner. The Pope gets slammed face-first into the top turnbuckle. She’s then turned around before Stokes lights her up with a palm strike flurry. The alternating palm strikes rock San Francisco and slowly send her slumping down in the corner. But Stokes isn’t done. She reaches down, pulls San Francisco up by the hair and delivers knee strike after knee strike in the corner. Stokes motions for another knee strike when Sadie lowers her guard, which leaves her open. Stokes quickly takes advantage of the opening and doubles San Francisco over with a punch to the throat. After grabbing San Francisco by the hair with both hands, Stokes runs from out of the corner and launches Sadie towards the side of the ring. The crowd gasps as The Pope flies through the ropes before crashing hard on the floor!

Kris Cruise: Stokes just chucked San Francisco to the outside with no regard!

Stephy Auger: I mean, she IS the opponent. Would you like for Nina to gently lay her down on the floor?

The Kodiak rolls to the floor and immediately puts the boots to the challenger. After pulling San Francisco up by the hair from off the floor, she slams Sadie face-first onto the announce table. The smack from the impact can be heard throughout the arena. Sadie is then taken by the wrist before being whipped hard down ringside. The fans in the row row jump back as San Francisco crashes back-first against the guardrail! San Francisco lays up against the guardrail, writhing in pain, as he champion lines her up. Stokes then charges down ringside before hurling herself at the challenger. The crowd gasps when she crashes into San Francisco with running double knees! Stokes then takes control of San Francisco before whipping her hard down ringside and sending her crashing into another section of the guardrail! Stokes rushes down ringside before nearly driving the air out of San Francisco with another running double knees! Stokes is far from done! The Kodiak rips San Francisco off the guardrail before whipping her down ringside with all her might. After San Francisco’s back collides with another portion of the steel guardrail, Stokes runs down towards her intended target. The US Champion picks up before before hurling herself at the challenger. San Francisco lets out a guttural wail as Stokes crushing her with another pair of running double knees!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Stokes is just laying into San Francisco, my goodness!

Stephy Auger: Nina told her! She told Sadie what would happen!

Stokes stands over San Francisco, who is hacking up a lung. The Pope remains curled up on the floor while Stokes slowly turns and eyes the last corner of the ringside area. J.A. Aldridge quickly puts two and two together and gets the heck out of dodge. The timekeeper is quick to follow Aldridge’s lead and retreats to safety. Back down on the other end of the aisle, Stokes reaches down before slowly pulling San Francisco from off the floor. After San Francisco is whipped hard into the timekeeper’s table, The Kodiak begins her charges down the ringside area. Stokes continues to pick up more speed. She hurls herself at Sadie… and misses! The crowd gasps, the explodes with cheers when Sadie dives out of the way at the last second, causing Stokes to crash hard into the corner!

Kris Cruise: Nina missed! Sadie lunged out of the way just in time!

Stokes bounces off the guardrail before hitting the floor. The US Champion can be heard groaning on the floor while she curls up. A few steps away from her is San Francisco, who is slowly pulling herself across the floor.

Kris Cruise: Sadie has been beaten down from the start of this match. But now, she’s finally got an opening.

Stephy Auger: She better take advantage because this won’t come along too often.

The Pope slowly reaches up and latches on the edge of the apron. Sadie then slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron before rolling back inside the ring. San Francisco remains on her back while she tries to recover as best as she can.

Back out on the outside, Stokes is still seen down on the floor. The champion continues to lay on her side before slowly turning over into the prone position. Stokes begins to slowly pull herself across the floor as the audience switches their attention back to activity inside the squared circle. The Kodiak can be seen struggling to push herself up on all fours. After a few seconds, Stokes puts one foot firmly on the floor before finally returning to a vertical base. The moment Stokes turns her attention back towards the ring, the cheers as San Francisco launches herself through the ropes before knocking her down with a suicide dive! Sadie rolls back inside before picking herself back up. The Pope then takes off into the far ropes. San Francisco bounces off the ropes, runs back across the ring and launches herself through the ropes, crashing into Stokes’ right side with a suicide dive. Stokes’ left side is crushed against the guardrail before she drops to the floor. But San Francisco isn’t done! The Pope rolls back into the ring before rushing towards the far ropes. Back on the outside, Stokes is seen reaching up and grabbing onto the top of the guardrail with both hands. As she starts to pull herself back up, San Francisco leaps through the ropes and connects with a third suicide dive to the back, sending San Francisco face-first into the guardrail!

Kris Cruise: OH!

San Francisco picks up Stokes and slams her face-first onto the apron before pushing her back into the ring. As Stokes slowly turns over into the position, San Francisco climbs up to the apron. The challenger then makes her way towards the ring post before scaling the turnbuckles. When she reaches the top, she looks down and sees Stokes on all fours. Before Stokes can pick herself back up, The Pope leaps off the top turnbuckles before flattens Stokes on the mat with a diving knee drop! The cheers continue as she pushes the champion over before making the cover.

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

San Francisco takes Stokes and moves her into the corner. From there, The Pope fires off a series of knife edge chops. San Francisco continues to deliver chops until Stokes grab her by the hair with both hands, tosses her into the corner and follows up with a flurry of shoot kicks to the chest! She then takes San Francisco, delivers an irish whip and follows her across the ring. Before Stokes can follows up with an attack, San Francisco bounces out of the corner and knocks her down with a bicycle kick to the face! San Francisco pulls the champion back up before whipping her hard across the ring. Stokes ends up crashing sternum-first into the top turnbuckle. As the champion stumbles away from the corner, The Pope charges in from behind before knocking her down with a Northern Lariat! Instead of going for the cover, San Francisco heads towards the far side of the ring before repeatedly bouncing her back against the set of ropes. The Pope waits impatiently while Stokes struggles to push herself up off the mat. While Stokes is doubled over, San Francisco runs across the ring, leaps up for a Fameasser and misses when Stokes slips out of the way. Stokes quickly grabs the challenger from behind, turns and chucks her through the ropes. Instead of hitting the floor, San Francisco grabs onto the middle rope to land safely on the apron. Stokes then approaches to attack when San Francisco knocks her back with a rope-assisted gamengiri. While Stokes is dazed, San Francisco heads over towards the ring post. She starts to climb the turnbuckles when Stokes rushes back in, runs up to the middle ropes and stops her with a boxing forearm strike. After trapping both of San Francisco’s arms, Stokes cracks her repeatedly with headbutts! Stokes lets go San Francisco’s arms before turning around on the middle ropes. With her back turned to San Francisco, Stakes is able to lift her up across her shoulders. She then jumps off before bringing San Francisco down with an avalanche fireman’s carry gutbuster! The crowd boos as she makes the cover.

Kris Cruise: That might be enough to retain her championship...

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
San Francisco gets her shoulder up.

Stokes makes the cover again.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
San Francisco gets her shoulder up.

Stokes drives her elbow down hard across San Francisco’s jaw before making another cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
San Francisco gets her shoulder up one again.

Stokes quickly latches onto the rist of the raised arm and pulls San Francisco up to her knees. From there, Stokes hits her with multiple wristlock face kicks. The thud from each kick can be heard throughout the arena. She then yanks San Francisco back to her feet, only to drive her down hard with an STO! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
San Francisco gets her shoulder up.

Stokes yanks San Francisco off the mat by the hair before whipping her hard into the corner. After San Francisco crashes back-first into the turnbuckles, she crumbles down to the mat. Sadie can be heard groaning in pain. But Stokes no signs of sympathy. Instead, she delivers a hard stomp to the gut before ripping San Francisco up off the mat. After Sadie is whipped hard into the far corner, she staggers over towards the center of the ring until Stokes turns her inside out with a lariat!

Stephy Auger: Stokes nearly took her head off!

San Francisco turns over as she tries to get up, only for Stokes to knock her back down to the mat with a push kick to the face. San Francisco then turns over into the prone position. After San Francisco pushes herself up on all fours, Stokes knocks her back down to the canvas with a push kick to the side of the head. She reaches down, slowly pulls San Francisco back up by the hair before quickly slipping behind her and applying a cobra clutch. Stokes cinches down on the hold while Sadie reaches out to safety. She tries to grab onto the ropes. But she’s more than an arm’s length away. Stokes makes the situation worse for San Francisco by pulling her back towards the center of the ring. The Kodiak continues to apply pressure on the hold as San Francisco desperately tries to hang on. The referee asks San Francisco if she wants to give up. Sadie refuses. So Stokes tries even harder to choke out the challenger. The capacity crowd in Vancouver starts to rally behind the former 15 Champion. San Francisco reaches out towards them. Sadie starts to feet off the energy of the crowd until Stokes dumps her with a Cobra Clutch Suplex, resulting in boos from the crowd! Instead of going for the cover, Stokes pulls San Francisco up off the mat before throwing her back down with a snap Saito Suplex! Stokes isn’t done. The boos grow louder when she pulls San Francisco back up, only to dump her on the back of her neck with a half nelson suplex! Sadie tries to push herself up, but she ends up collapsing and falling face-first back to the mat. Stokes makes her way over to her motionless challenger. She could easily go for the cover. Instead, she opts to grab San Francisco by the hair and slowly peels her off the mat. The crowd continues to boo Stokes while she holds up her defenseless challenger. After taking control of San Francisco’s back, Stokes goes for a German Suplex when San Francisco counters with a back elbow to the face. Sadie catches Stokes with a second back elbow to the face. A third back elbow connects before San Francisco performs a standing switch. San Francisco has Stokes set up for a German of her own when Stokes returns the favor with a back elbow to the face. The US Champ performs a standing switch, takes control of Sadie’s back with a rear waistlock and runs her into the corner. Stokes goes for the Chaos Theory (Front Turnbuckle Smash into Back Roll German Suplex). But Sadie hangs onto the top turnbuckle, sending Stokes down to the mat. After Stokes rolls back to her feet, San Francisco charges out of the corner and throws out another bicycle kick to the face! NO! Stokes catches her foot in time! The champion keeps Sadie bouncing on one foot until she swings her other leg away from her. The Pope then uses the momentum to come back and whack Stokes with a spinning backfist! The crowd cheers when Sadie connects with another spinning backfist. San Francisco then unloads on Stokes with alternating knife edge chops and forearm strikes! While Stokes is dazed, San Francisco throws out a spinning back elbow. But she misses when Stokes quickly ducks and throws her down with a German Suplex! NO! The crowd gasps at the athletic display of Sadie rotating and landing on her feet! As Stokes scrambles back to a vertical base, Sadie rushes forward before nailing her in the chest with a bicycle kick! The kick sends Stokes back before she collapses against the ropes. Before Stokes can get off the ropes, San Francisco runs over towards her and locks her in Alcatraz (tiger feint crucifix armbar)! Sadie lets out a frustrated scream while she fights for the submission. But she’s applying a submission in between the ropes, which is illegal.

Stephy Auger: Get her off, ref! She’s trying to break Nina’s arm!

The referee then gives her until the count of break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

San Francisco reluctantly breaks the hold. Instead of backing off of Stokes, San Francisco pulls her up by the hair before climbing up onto the middle ropes. The crowd starts to murmur when San Francisco reaches over and slips on an inverted front facelock. Anticipation starts to built as members of the crowd start to stand up. The capacity crowd gasps… then cheers when Sadie brings Stokes to the outside with an inverted superplex to the floor to a thunderous thud!!!

“OHHH!!!”

Kris Cruise: What a move from The Pope! Sadie’s going all out to win the United States Championship!

Stokes remains in the prone position while San Francisco stays on her back. She starts to stir before turning over on all fours. Instead of getting back to her feet and bringing the action back into the ring, Sadie takes control of Stokes’ back and applies a Cross Legged STF on the floor.

Kris Cruise: Our Lady fo Sorrows!

The Pope lets out another frustrated scream while repeated yanks back on the hold. Stokes then lets out a guttural wail while Sadie twists her neck as she pulls back on the submission.

Stephy Auger: Sadie can’t win the match on the floor!

The referee tells Sadie that she can’t win this match on the floor. It’s not Falls Count Anywhere. She has to bring the action back inside. But The Pope pays him no mind. Undeterred, the referee continues to try and reason with Sadie. But his pleas fall on deaf ears!

Kris Cruise: Sadie has to get the match back into the ring if she wants to win!

Stephy Auger: Sadie’s blocked all that out! We’ve seen her get into this zone before versus Kendall Kingham!

San Francisco continues to pull back on the hold while Stokes lays helpless on the floor. The ref has seen enough. The crowd erupts with boos when he pulls Sadie off the champion.

Stephy Auger: Finally!

The referee scolds San Francisco as she gets back to her feet. Once again, she pays the ref no mind as she brushes past him.

Kris Cruise: Sadie’s not done on the floor!

The ref holds Sadie back by her arm. The Pope responds by pulling her arm away from him. San Francisco narrows her eyes at the referee before turning her attention back to Stokes. She makes her way over to the challenger and reaches down. Sadie grabs Stokes by the hair with both hands and starts to pull her up off the floor. Stokes then quickly grabs Sadie and rams her back-first against the side of the ring!

Stokes pulls San Francisco away from the ring, only to ram her back-first against the side of the ring again. Sadie lets out a loud groan upon impact. The Kodiak pulls Sadie away from the ropes before taking control of her back. She then drags San Francisco into position before quickly looking over her shoulder. She then heaves Sadie over her head with a German Suplex, sending The Pope rotating in the air and lancing hard in the prone position on the announce table!

Kris Cruise: LOOK OU-

While San Francisco hangs over the edge of the announce table, Stokes slowly turns over to a knee before getting back to her feet. The Kodiak then charges forward before blasting Sadie across the side of the head with a bicycle knee that knocks her off the table! San Francisco is then rolled back into the ring before Stokes slides back in. She makes the cover.

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

San Francisco puts her foot on the bottom rope.

Stokes grabs San Francisco and drags her over towards the center of the ring before making the cover.

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

San Francisco gets her shoulder up.

Stokes pulls up San Francisco before taking control of her back. The Kodiak then rams San Francisco sternum-first into the corner before throwing her down with the Chaos Theory! The referee slides into place for the count.

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

San Francisco gets a shoulder up, but Stokes keeps the rear waistlock applied. The Champion slowly drags San Francisco back to her feet before heaving her over her head with another German Suplex. The crowd gasps as Sadie lands folded up on the mat. Instead of going for the cover, Stokes up to pull Sadie back to her feet to inflict more damage.

The crowd boos as Stokes hooks both arms from behind before dumping San Francisco on the back of her neck with the Bloody Rose (bridging Dragon Suplex)!

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

The crowd cheers when San Francisco kicks out.

Stokes pulls San Francisco back to her feet before placing her in an inverted front facelock. She hoists San Francisco up off the mat before planting her with the Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT)! Stokes drags San Francisco into position before stepping out onto the apron. The crowd begins to buzz with anticipation once more as The Kodiak walks along the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Once San Francisco reaches the top turnbuckle, she leaps off for a top rope splash… and connects! The crowd boos as she crashes down hard across The Pope. Instead of opting for the pin, Stokes gets back to her feet before exiting back out to the apron. The referee questions Stokes as she scales the turnbuckles. Stokes reaches the top before jumping off and crashes down hard across San Francisco with another top rope splash! Once again, Stokes opts out a pin by rolling to the apron. The crowd lets Stokes have it while she climbs to the top turnbuckle once more. Once Stokes arrives on the top turnbuckle, she leaps off for a diving double foot stomp… and drives her feet down hard onto Sadie’s gut! The Pope lets out a guttural wail as she curls up. The boos continues as Stokes goes for the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers when San Francisco gets her shoulder up. Stokes makes the cover again.

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

Cheers are heard when San Francisco gets her shoulder up. Stokes looks over at the referee. But the referee holds his ground and holds up two fingers in her direction. Frustrated, Stokes yanks San Francisco up off the arm, turns and chucks her shoulder-first into the ring post!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that!?

Stokes slowly pulls San Francisco away from the corner, only to turn, run towards the opposite corner and heave her shoulder-first into the far ring post!

“BOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Oh come on, Nina!

Stokes pulls San Francisco from out of the corner before slipping on a Crossface Chickenwing!

Stephy Auger: Quietus Redux!

The boos continue as Stokes drags San Francisco back towards the center of the ring. She tries to trip up Sadie so she can bring her down to the mat and lock her in a bodyscissors. But San Francisco resists and is able to stay on her feet.

Kris Cruise: Sadie is fighting with all her might to stay vertical!

The referee asks San Francisco if she wants to give up. But The Pope refuses by shaking her head ‘no.’ Stokes is seen desperately trying to lock her hands. But San Francisco continues to fight her off. The Pope starts to feed off the energy of the Vancouver fans as they rally behind her. The challenger slowly reaches up and grabs Stokes’ arm. She then quickly spins out, takes control of Stokes’ back and throws her down with an inverted Exploder Suplex!

Kris Cruise: Sadie countered the submission!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Stokes remains down in the prone position while San Francisco remains on her back. After checking on both grapplers, the referee starts his count.

ONE!






TWO!







THREE!






FOUR!









FIVE!







SIX!

San Francisco starts to stir on the canvas while Stokes slowly pushes herself up on all fours. Before Stokes can push herself back to her feet, San Francisco beats her to a face and delivers repeated stomps to each hand. The Pope then runs into the far ropes, comes back and clobbers Stokes with a running bicycle knee to the back of the head! The Pope reaches down, grabs Stokes by the hair and pulls her back up to her knees before running towards the far ropes. San Francisco bounces off the ropes, comes back and flattens Stokes with a bicycle knee to the face! Sadie reaches down, grabs Stokes and slowly pulls her back to her feet before driving her back down face-first to the mat with a Downward Spiral! San Francisco reaches over, grabs Stokes by the hair and slowly pulls her back to her feet. After hooking both of Stokes’ arms from behind, San Francisco turns and goes for Vanity (Unprettier) when Stokes slips out and shoves her off into the ropes. When Sadie returns, Stokes clocks her with the Divine Night (rolling elbow)! Stokes blasts San Francisco with a second Divine Night, then a third before doubling her over with a rolling solebutt to the midsection. A rising knee to the chin knocks Sadie upright before a bicycle knee sends San Francisco stumbling back before dropping down to a knee! While Sadie shakes out the cobwebs, Stokes turns and heads towards the far ropes. Stokes bounces off the ropes, runs back across the ring and hurls herself at Sadie. The crowd gasps when Stokes aims to crush San Francisco in the face with the Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike)! But Sadie rolls underneath it! Stokes turns around and nearly gets caught with a spinning back elbow when she blocks the block, takes control of San Francisco’s arm and reverses into the Quietus Redux!

Kris Cruise: Sadie’s in a bad spot here!

Stephy Auger: Yes! Pull her down, Nina, and finish this!

The crowd erupts with boos when Stokes slips the submission back on! Sadie starts to panic as Stokes tries to trip her up and get her down to the mat. But The Pope stays vertical. Stokes continues to try and bring Sadie down to the canvas while Sadie tries her damndest to get to the ropes. The Pope continues to fight off Stokes before eventually reaching forward and wrapping her arm around the top rope!

Kris Cruise: Sadie got to the ropes! She got the ropes!

The referee calls for a rope break. But Stokes won’t let go! The boos grow louder when Stokes refuses to break the hold. When the referee puts his arm on Stokes to pull her off, The Kodiak lets go of the hold. She then swings her arm back, throwing the referee off of her and sending him down to the mat. Stokes looks on in disbelief at the nerve of the official to touch her. Stokes then turns her attention back to Sadie when The Pope quickly touches her throat before spewing Red Mist right in Stokes’ face! The crowd erupts with cheers as Stokes covers her eyes. Stokes continues to stagger the ring until Sadie catches her with a spinning backfist to the face. After a spinning back elbow finally connects, San Francisco throws her down with a Backdrop Suplex! A second Backdrop Suplex brings Stokes back down to the mat! Sadie then slowly pulls Stokes up off the mat before hooking both arms from behind, turning around and driving her face-first to the mat with Vanity! She then slowly pushes Stokes over before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… and now, the NEEEEEEWWWWWW FGA United States Champion, SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

The crowd explodes with cheers when “Young Nation” blasts over the PA!

Kris Cruise: Sadie San Francisco has done it! She’s done it! The Pope has given Nina Stokes her first loss in an FGA ring to win the United States Championship! Sadie traveled a long road to get to this point. Judging by the look on her face, I’d say that the journey was worth it.

Stephy Auger: NO! NO NO NO! Sadie spit that mist right in Stokes’ face! Where was the disqualification!?

San Francisco is met with cheers and applause when the referee kneels down next to her and presents her with the United States Championship. The Pope slowly takes hold of the belt. She analyses the belt before making her way back to her feet. Sadie then lifts the belt high over her head with both hands before hugging it tight.

[FGA Office]

Earlier Tonight

We fade in on the shot of the Rogers Arena VIP parking lot where a black Ford Explorer pulls into one of the nearer parking spots. Emerging from its passenger door is the young, bushy-haired security guard that many keen-eyed viewers would recognize from Vertigo’s previous episode. He moves to the rear of the vehicle, removing a pair of bags as the rear door opens, first revealing the older, bald-headed hired guard, who is far less animated about his duties. He steps out of the way, allowing Ashlyn De Luca to emerge from the SUV, earning a chorus of boos from the audience watching live from the Tron-- but De Luca turns toward a peculiar sound in the pre-recorded video.

“ASHLYN!”

“ASHLYN!”

“ASHLYN!”

The younger security guard is visibly taken aback as he closes the liftgate of the SUV, looking half-annoyed, half-bewildered as he looks toward the sound.

Security Uno: ...what?

The camera pans out to reveal a crowd of fans, separated by the small chain link barrier that keeps the special-events line from the parking lot; all chanting De Luca’s name, all of their faces hidden behind masks that aren’t quite clear from the distance. Ashlyn smirks, walking toward the crowd as she shoots a wink over her shoulder toward her hired security.

Ashlyn De Luca: See that, goons? These are fans that actually know what the hell is going on in the world! Fans of some real goddamn quality.

The younger “goon” rolls his eyes, though the older one remains stoic-- refusing to accept one of the two bags-- following behind De Luca as they approach the crowd.

“ASHLYN!”

“ASHLYN!”

“ASHLYN!”

Ashlyn De Luca: Me! Me! Finally, a place that makes sense! I’m glad that not all of the Great North is super butt hurt about the whole Logan Alexander thi… whaaat the hell are you guys wearing?

A different angle reveals the crowd of fans, faces hidden behind the masks that become familiar to De Luca around the same time they’re visible to the camera. Her smile fades, gazing upon the small sea of FGA fans clad in the “Get Familiar” facemasks. She stands there, frozen for a moment as if looking to every single mask in the crowd before shaking her head a bit.

Ashlyn De Luca: Ew. Real cute, you guys.

Security Uno: Yeah. I’m getting mixed signals. Why were you guys chanting for her? You guys are-- ohp-- hello.

The “hired goon” cuts himself off, eyes darting to the center of the now-parting crowd as the International Heavyweight Champion makes her way from amongst them. She casually strolls up, glaring at Ashlyn before taking a look at her hired goons. Instead of making a beeline for Ashlyn however, Cordelia offers a friendly smile and hands a copy of her petition to the guards.

Cordelia Stevenson: Well won’t you look at this. Two more friendly faces to sign my petition. Take a look at that, will ya guys? I’m sure that is something you’d give your support to!

Security Guard Dos takes the clipboard and looks the clipboard over. Security Guard Uno reads the paper attached to it from behind him, looking over his shoulder. Ashlyn crosses her arms, glare fixed on the International Heavyweight Champion-- separated only by the thin, chain link barrier.

Ashlyn De Luca: Ballsy, Cordy. Rubbing yourself all up on the regulars out here at a time like this? God. I dunno what I expected. You know, you’re so--

Security Uno: Oh, wow. It’s a petition to have the United States consider you for the Olympic track-and-field team. Probably because you’re evasive. And you’re known for fleeing.

Ashlyn De Luca: Shut the f… gimme that.

Security Uno: I’m not done signi--

Ashlyn De Luca: Give it to me.

With a sigh, the goons hand the petition over. Ashlyn reads through it rapidly, mumbling to herself before glaring at Cordy, lip curled in disgust.

Ashlyn De Luca: Ohhhh, classic, Cordy! You think you’re so funny but REALLY you are SOOO desperate to mask the fact that you’re afraid! You’re trying to distract from the fact that you know you can’t beat me! Going SO FAR in fact that you’re even trying to get me recruited by an Olympic team to get me out of your hair. Sick, Cordelia. Sick.

Cordy laughs.

Cordelia Stevenson: Not as sick as you’re going to be when you see me raise this baby at the end of the night and realize that the only thing you’ve got left to hold onto is that Olympic dream.

She adjusts the title on her shoulder and then glances at the crowd behind her while Ashlyn pantomimes gagging.

Cordelia Stevenson: At least you know you’ll have our support in your future endeavors. Right guys?!

A loud roar of approval goes up from the crowd as Cordy turns back around to face Ashlyn with a radiant smile.

Cordelia Stevenson: Why don’t you gorun along now, chica. You’ll reach your finish line by the night’s end anyway, believe me.

The crowd cheers in approval for Stevenson but the number one contender shakes her head in disgust.

Ashlyn De Luca: Dude-- trust me, Cordy, I know what’s at the finish line.

De Luca’s eyes drift toward the International Heavyweight Title. Shaking her head, she backs away from Cordy and the half-masked crowd, nudging Uno and Dos as she does.

Ashlyn De Luca: Oooh, you just wait. It’s all a joke to you now but understand that you’re not walking out of Vancouver the way you came in, mkay?

Out of the corner of her eye, the number one contender sees Goon Uno whistling to himself, prepared to pull the Get Familiar mask up onto his face, having evidently signed the petition moments prior-- but De Luca swiftly swats it out of his grip and to the ground.

Security Uno: Man.

Ashlyn turns her nose up and leads the way into the Rogers Arena, ignoring the jeers and hollers of the crowd behind her. The fans turn their attention back to Cordy, each one vying for the champ’s attention as the camera pans away, toward the closing doors of the arena… though Goon Uno doubles back, grabbing his mask off the ground before following De Luca inside. We fade to black.

[FGA Office]

SANCTIONED FIGHT
Evan Envi vs. Ricky Valero

Our camera fades in, capturing a sweeping shot of the ill-advised capacity crowd inside the Rogers Arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen… up next is an UNSANCTIONED FIGHT.

The audience erupts at the announcement, many springing to their feet in anticipation!

J.A. Aldridge: First, please welcome… “The Franchise” … the self-proclaimed “King of Wrestling” … “The Good Guy”... RICKYYYYY VAAAAALEEEERO!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Amazing” by Kanye West hits, lifting the fans to their feet in a fit of rage. White and pink strobe lights start to flash throughout the arena.

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. With that trademark smirk stretched across his face, he scans the arena with hubris. Dressed in a pair of black jeans and boots as opposed to his wrestling trunks, Valero puts his legs together, extends his arms outward, throws his head back and basks in the building’s negative energy. We see a referee trailing behind Valero, lingering just out of the traveling spotlight as Valero’s entrance continues.

It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin', it's amazin'
So amazin', so amazin', so amazin', it's amazin' (Let's go)

He makes his way toward the ring intentionally ignoring the outstretched hands of front row fans along his route. He circles the ring, before reaching the far corner. Slowly he climbs up the steps and leans his back against the ropes, bouncing against them a few times with his arms wrapped over top of them before slipping into the ring. The referee spotted earlier waits patiently at ringside.

I'm a monster
I'm a killer
I know I'm wrong, yeah

I'm a problem
That'll never
Ever be solved

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


Kris Cruise: Listen to this place. There is absolutely no love for the Franchise. This man turned his back on his so-called best friend and put him on the shelf back in October because… he felt the Chief was holding him back. He didn’t like the connections that Evan Envi was making. He didn’t like the way Evan Envi behaved in front of the camera. Valero’s entitled to his opinion and that is absolutely fine, but in my eyes, and in the eyes of these fans here in Vancouver, it’s no justification for the brutal assault that Evan suffered. Envi was concussed; his nose was broken, and his jaw was wired shut for over two months. We didn’t know if he was ever coming back. Say what you will about Evan Envi, but no competitor deserves that.

Stephy Auger: Look. I’m not saying I would’ve done what Ricky did. Buuut it already happened! I thought you were progressive. What’s done is done and I’m willing to look past some of his actions and pay respect to the brilliant competitor gracing us right now!

Kris Cruise: ...shocking…

Stephy Auger: All I’m saying is, we don’t have to pretend that Ricky doesn’t deserve the spotlight, Cruise. How long can we blatantly undervalue one of the most talented Grapplers on the roster?!

Ricky spins around in the center of the ring with his arms extended out, absorbing the crowd's disdain. He walks towards the ropes on the far side of the ring and simply smiles. The music slowly quiets down as Ricky turns and leans against the ropes closest to the entranceway, demanding a microphone from the ref that followed him to the ring.

BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! BUMP! BUMP!

The sound echoes throughout the arena as Valero raps his knuckles against the top of the microphone in an effort to hush the raucous crowd. Boos rain down on him regardless, however, earning a chuckle from the Good Guy.

Ricky Valero: Look. I don’t think I’m shocking anybody when I say that this, uh… “unsanctioned fight” that FGA decided to brilliantly advertise to you is not going to happen.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Ricky Valero: Don’t boo me. I’m not the one that sold you people this match. In fact, I was BLATANTLY against it! I never wanted to come out here and end Evan Envi’s career, and that’s what FGA management wanted me to do. That’s what you people wanted me to do, despite the fact that Evan Envi, as of forty-eight hours ago, was nowhere near being medically cleared for competition. And as far as I can tell…

Ricky gestures to the ramp.

Ricky Valero: Evan didn’t even make it here tonight!

Though this comment earns boos from many in the audience, its nature leaves many in the fans deflated. Hushed. Valero chuckles a little, winking.

Ricky Valero: Ahh, yeahh, didn’t like that news, did you? Reality really sucks, doesn’t it? The REALITY is that Evan Envi can barely walk straight. The REALITY is that Evan Envi’s body is depleted from being bedridden, from spending every waking second of the past five months in pain and nausea. But… the reality… is that Evan Envi is a stubborn man. And even though he’s not here tonight, I know he’s gonna try to come at me in the future. He’s already got this IDEA in his head that he has to do to me what I did to him.

Scoff.

Ricky Valero: But he won’t.

Ricky shakes his head, looking toward the hard camera, smiling bitterly.

Ricky Valero: He won’t do that. Because he can’t do that. I will never allow it.

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

Valero rolls his eyes away from the camera, gesturing to the official standing at ringside as he continues to pace.

Ricky Valero: “No match? Ricky, why’d you drag the ref out here then?” I’ll tell you why. Because when that referee announces that, by way of a forfeit, I am the winner of this match-- sanctioned by FGA or not-- Evan Envi has no right to ask me for anything. Not a brawl. Not a fight. Not an arm wrestling match. Not a thumb war. Not even the dignity of eye contact on camera. Evan Envi is effectively BANNED from the life of “The Good Guy” Ricky Valero from here on out. And thank God, because we can finally move onto the things that really matter, and that’s--

“Helter Skelter” by the Beatles blares against the PA system. The audience erupts, with every head swiveling toward the entranceway as the familiar multicolored strobes dance through the Rogers Arena! Ricky looks toward the ramp, mouth hanging slightly open in mid-speech.

Kris Cruise: Welp!

Valero shouts at the referee, audibly demanding to know what’s going on, but the referee merely shrugs as he walks up the steps and enters the ring. Valero runs his hands down his face in frustration, pacing back and forth in the center of the ring. He turns, preparing to shout something else at the official, but his words are drowned out as the audience erupts once more upon the sight of Evan Envi, slowly stepping out to the top of the ramp, dressed in a blacked-out version of his wrestling tights, and the familiar black Good Guys t-shirt which simply reads “DO GOOD.”

Kris Cruise: Looks like he’s walking just fine to me.

Stephy Auger: Evan, it’s not too late! Turn back! Save yourself!

The Chief gazes out into the masses within the Rogers Arena, nodding softly to himself… before his eyes lower to the ring, locking on Ricky Valero.

Kris Cruise: For two years, Ricky Valero and Evan Envi have helped each other and guided one another to absolute megastardom. With Ricky Valero as his manager, as his confidant, and his tag team partner, Evan captured his first career World Championship after eleven years of fighting and clawing--

Stephy Auger: And what does Ricky have to show for it? Nothing, Cruise. Evan would’ve never reached the heights he did without Ricky Valero, but once he got there and got comfortable, he treated Ricky like a nuisance! Ricky had to take second and third place to people like Kazu Hirano and Fujiko Mine. He didn’t deserve that!

Kris Cruise: I think you both have an equally distorted recollection of events.

Envi stays planted at the top of the ramp, staring back down toward the pacing, seething Ricky Valero. In contrast to Ricky’s beet-red face, Evan’s look is one of contemplation-- if not sadness. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides, but visibly shaking. He mumbles to himself under his breath, staring down at Valero with a look of determination. Valero steps back to the center of the ring, gesturing for Evan to join him. Envi slowly takes step by step down the ramp, taking in deep breaths. He’s evidently blind to the outstretched hands hanging over the barrier on either side of him.

Stephy Auger: Look into the eyes of the Chief, Cruise. He’s a broken man! Even if his legs weren’t jelly and his brains weren’t scrambled, you think he’d come out here with the fire and the hatred necessary to take down the Franchise?! No! Evan is walking into a losing battle here, no matter which angle you look at it from!

Evan comes to a stop in front of the ring. He doesn’t look up at the eyes of Ricky Valero, but rather at his boots. Evan’s gaze is blank; distant.

Stephy Auger: See? He’s having second thoughts!

Shaking his head slightly, Evan turns, slowly dragging his feet back toward the ramp to a frustrated groan from the audience-- and a knowing chuckle from Valero inside the ring.

Stephy Auger: He came all the way out here just to forfeit! He could’ve done that from the back! He should’ve--!

In a blink, Evan pivots and turns, darting into the ring! He slides in beneath the bottom rope and springs to his feet. Valero takes a single step back-- and he’s immediately taken to the canvas courtesy of a Thesz Press! Evan unloads with wild, uncalculated closed fists down to the head and neck of his former tag team partner!

Kris Cruise: SECONDS THOUGHTS MY ASS! EVAN ENVI IS UNLOADING!

Valero scrambles to his feet, half-stumbling, half-running away from the Chief, but he finds himself in the corner! Ricky turns, raising his arms to get his guard up, but Envi hammers away with kicks to the legs, followed by knee strikes to the stomach, followed by the ribs, then the chest! Valero loses his balance, finding himself wedged in the corner as Evan drives his knee against his throat, pinning Valero awkwardly against the middle turnbuckle!

Stephy Auger: Ref! Ref, this is a choke!

Kris Cruise: It doesn’t matter, Stephy! There are no rules! I don’t even think this match has officially starte…

DING!

Kris Cruise: --and there it is! Rules be damned, record-books be damned, this thing is underway and there’s no turning back now!

Valero slowly drags his face down the turnbuckle, popping free from the choke as he slips between the middle and bottom rope! Ricky grabs a hold of the ring skirt, dragging himself out of the ring! Envi stands on Valero’s leg with one foot, using the other to stomp viciously into his back! Valero howls out in agony, dragging himself and Evan to the ropes! Valero slides out to the apron while Envi is stopped by the ropes. Evan drops down, grabbing Valero’s right ankle before he can throw himself out-- and with a cry, Evan locks in the Ankle Lock!

Kris Cruise: The Chief isn’t letting Ricky go anywhere! Valero is dangling from the ring right now, trapped in a deathgrip Ankle Lock!

Valero frantically flails, trying to get his hands on the floor… and Envi drops down to a seated position, locking in a grapevine on Valero’s leg! Evan twists the Ankle Lock violently, throwing himself from side to side while Valero howls in pain, reaching out for anything, but finding nothing!

Stephy Auger: He’s-- he’s gonna snap his ankle!

Kris Cruise: At least.

Stephy Auger: Wha-- listen to yourself! This is a man’s livelihood we’re talking about, you monster!

Envi cries out, visibly straining to maintain the two hundred and twenty-seven pounds of Ricky Valero! Gravity brings Valero inevitably to the ground and Evan against the bottom rope, forced to break his grip! Valero drops to the ground and rolls away to the barricade, clutching at his ankle. Hurriedly, he tries to pull his boot off-- but Envi quickly slides out of the ring beneath the bottom rope and charges Valero, delivering a soccer kick to his ribcage! Valero rolls onto his side, but Envi hauls back and kicks him a second time! A third! A fourth! Fifth! Sixth! Seventh! Eighth! Ninth! Tenth!

Stephy Auger: Why, God?!

Finally, Envi stumbles backwards, catching his breath as he leans against the apron…

...and then he charges forward again, stomping relentlessly at the writhing body of Ricky Valero! Chants of “YES!” thunder through the Rogers Arena!

Stephy Auger: These people in Vancouver are just as sadistic as you are! I hope the ref makes a judgment call here!

Kris Cruise: The popular opinion is that Ricky’s getting exactly as he deserves, Stephy. And the referee isn’t here to make a judgment call. He’s here to count a pinfall inside the ring or any type of submission-- whether physical or verbal. Beyond that, his only function is to acknowledge to the timekeeper if one of these two Grapplers is absolutely incapacitated; absolutely unable to continue.

Envi rips Valero to his feet, holding him by the base of the neck-- before swinging him spine-first into the edge of the ring apron! Valero cries out, staggering forward into a Snap Suplex that sends his legs into the barricade and his neck-and-shoulders into the ground! Valero clutches at his head, attempting to bring his deadweight groundward as Envi goes to pull him up again. This time, the Chief wraps a hand around Valero’s throat, forcing him upright, backfirst against the barricade-- and Valero throws a thumb up, gouging Evan’s eye!

Stephy Auger: Hah! There ya go!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Boos resonate through Vancouver as Envi stumbles back, throwing a hand over his face in pain. Valero heaves, breathing heavily as he rests against the barricade, waiting for Evan to turn around… and once the Chief does, Valero delivers a Jumping Corkscrew Roundhouse Knee to the face, sending Evan sprawling to the ground to another deafening chorus of boos! Valero lands on the floor next to him, but slaps the ground in frustration, reaching down to massage his right ankle.

Stephy Auger: Dream Street!

Kris Cruise: Valero just bought himself some space, and more importantly, some time but Evan came in here like a house afire and just did a number on his right ankle and leg. Ricky’s definitely hurting.

Valero pulls himself upright, stretching his right leg while Envi rolls onto his stomach, trying to gather his bearings. Valero makes his way over to the timekeeper, grabbing the bell hammer off the table in front of him. The audience groans as Valero brandishes the hammer and walks back over to the stirring Chief. Valero stands over Evan, raising the hammer above his head as a groggy Envi pulls himself up, back turned to his former partner.

Kris Cruise: Ricky Valero has horrible intentions! He said he didn’t want to end Evan’s career but I think he’s full of--!

CRACK!

Envi hits Valero with a Pele Kick before he can strike! Valero drops the hammer, clutching the side of his face as he staggers backwards. Envi rolls through and pulls himself to his feet next to Valero, only to take him to the ground with a Russian Leg Sweep! Upon impact, Envi floats over on top of Valero and unloads with a flurry of rights and lefts!

Kris Cruise: Right back to the relentless assault!

This time, Valero grabs Envi by either side of his head and pulls him into a sharp headbutt! The audience groans again and Envi, stunned, rolls off of Valero, holding a palm to his forehead as Valero hurriedly crawls away, making his way under the ring!

Kris Cruise: That headbutt, ugh. It was cold. It was callous-- you could hear it!

Stephy Auger: These are dark times, Cruise, and Ricky is doing what he needs to do. I hope he’s okay!

Kris Cruise: And now he’s making a run for it, but Evan’s back up to his feet!

As Valero begins to crawl under the ring, Evan grabs a hold of his right foot and pulls him into an Ankle Lock for the second time! The audience roars in approval and Envi takes a stride back, dragging Ricky out from beneath the ring. Ricky rolls onto his side best he can-- but as he’s dragged into plain view, we see he’s holding onto a kendo stick with a white-knuckle grip! He swings as hard as he can, catching Evan across the wrists with a CRACK! Evan tenses, but doesn’t release his hold until a second swing from the stick! A second CRACK! seconds wood splinters flying through the air and finally, Envi breaks the hold, one of his hands falling away!

CRACK!

Another shot to the wrist and Envi releases Valero completely! Valero rises to his knees, swinging at Envi again, catching him across the thighs! CRACK! Then the abdomen! CRACK! Another shot catches Evan across the ribs! CRACK! Then another as Valero reaches his feet! CRACK! Boos resonate through the Rogers Arena again as Valero rears back and unloads with another shot, catching Evan across his heart! CRACK!

Kris Cruise: Shot after shot!

Stephy Auger: And each one’s louder than the one that came before it!

CRACK! A shot to the shoulder! CRACK! A shot to the ribs! CRACK--!

Evan blocks a shot to his skull by raising both hands. He winces as the kendo stick connects with his palms, but his eyes meet Valero’s-- and he rips the stick aside, throwing it to the ground! In the same motion, Valero delivers a thunderous right hand to Evan’s jaw! Evan staggers and Valero follows up with a running boot, catching the Chief between the eyes! Evan hits the ground and rolls head-over-heels! He shoots up to a knee, right into a standing headscissors from the prepared Valero, who hoists him up-- and charges, launching him into the ring post with a Running Release Powerbomb!

Stephy Auger: PERFECT! Praise the adaptability of this man! No buckle for your Buckle Bomb? Use the ring post!

Envi pounds a fist against the floor in agony. Valero grabs him immediately by the back of his shirt, swinging him into the ring beneath the bottom rope! Valero crawls after Evan, yelling for the ref to get into position!

Kris Cruise: Ricky’s telling the ref to get ready to count. We’re about to see the first pinfall attempt of the match!

Ricky dives across Envi’s upper-body and the ref counts!

ONE
.
.
Kickout!

Envi shoves Valero off and slides out from beneath him. Ricky crawls after him and goes to hook Evan’s leg, but the Chief immediately traps Ricky’s left arm and forces him onto his stomach, locking in a Crossface! Ricky’s eyes widen and he uses his right arm to pry at Envi’s fingers to no avail! Emphatic chants of “TAP!” quickly echo throughout the venue!

Stephy Auger: RICKY, NO!

Kris Cruise: Valero let his guard down and now he’s caught in the BPA!

Fingers locked, jaw clenched, Evan leans back as far as he can with the Crossface! Valero cries out in pain, but emphatically shouts “NO!” as the referee asks if he’ll submit! Valero digs his elbow and knee into the canvas, crawling-- but Envi abandons the face lock and instead reaches across Ricky’s back, pulling his right arm into an Armbar as well, bending it behind Valero’s body!

Kris Cruise: The Chief just transitioned into his own version of the Rings of Saturn! Valero’s very familiar with this hold after his battles with Jillian Clay and the Saturnian Connection!

The audience chants for Valero to “TAP!”, now shouting at the tops of their lungs as Valero howls out in agony in the hold! Valero squirms, trying to rock himself into a position that gives him leverage, but Envi casually changes his positioning on the hold, pulling Valero’s arm into an angle that looks as if his flesh is being pulled from his shoulder! Valero cries out, but shakes his head when asked again if he’ll submit! Envi releases his grip on Valero’s left arm and slowly pushes himself to his feet, still keeping Valero’s arm pulled snugly behind the back of his own body!

Stephy Auger: What the hell is he…

Forcing Valero onto his sides and both of his arms behind his back, Envi pins Valero’s hands to the mat with his left foot… before relentlessly stomping across the shoulders and neck of Valero with the other!

Stephy Auger: NO!

Kris Cruise: Oh my God!

After the fifth stomp, Valero manages to wrench his right arm free. For good measure, Envi stomps down on his left hand a second time, then third! Valero rolls into a seated position, holding his hands under his arms-- and Envi races forward, delivering a thunderous soccer kick to the left side of Valero’s head! Ricky’s eyes roll into the back of his head as he slowly falls onto his side. Envi paces the ring, seething, clenching and unclenching his fists as the audience reaches a fever pitch.

Kris Cruise: This-- this is a dismantling.

Valero breathes heavily, trying to push himself upright on the mat, but he gasps in pain, unable to support his weight on his hands… and another cry escapes his mouth as Envi walks forward, stomping down on Valero’s fingers again! Immediately, Valero throws himself to his knees and strikes out at Envi in rage, but Envi strides back, then forward again with a knee strike under the jaw! Valero’s head snaps back and spit flies into the ether. Envi grabs a hold of Valero’s wrist and pulls him upright and into an Exploder Suplex, throwing him overhead. Envi sits up, taking deep breaths as he slowly pulls himself up.

Kris Cruise: The Chief is looking to calm himself down a bit here, and that could be a wise move. These strikes are uncalculated. They have no rhyme or reason, and he’s not focused on wearing down any one specific part of Ricky Valero. I know he wants to punish the person that betrayed him, but at the end of the night, he doesn’t want to lose this match.

Valero gingerly uses the ropes to pull himself up, wincing each time his fingers close around the ropes. Before he can turn around, Envi races forward, hooking him in a Straightjacket Hold-- before launching him up-and-over with a Release Straightjacket Suplex, sending Valero roughly onto the back of his head and neck! Valero shoots upright, but Envi follows up with a Half-Nelson Suplex-- before dragging him upright and following up with another Half-Nelson Suplex, this time releasing Valero! Valero lands head-and-neck first again before bounces onto his stomach! Slowly, he rolls onto his back, mouth open in a silent “O” of pain. Envi runs a hand down his face, muttering to himself as he paces back and forth on the far side of the ring.

Stephy Auger: Look-- if Envi was ever, ever a real friend to Ricky, he would call this off now! He didn’t come here for a match! He didn’t even come here for a fight! He came here to try to maim Ricky Valero. How is this right?! What must Keke be thinking?!

Valero climbs up to a knee, holding his hands up to Envi. Breathlessly, Valero asks Envi for a break. He places his hands together, begging for “just a moment, PLEASE” before turning to the referee, demanding a microphone. The ref shrugs, telling Valero that it isn’t his job-- but Valero insists and the referee begrudgingly retrieves the mic Valero dropped earlier, handing it to him.

Valero breathes heavily into the mic while Envi continues to pace on the far side of the ring, staring at him, unflinching, unblinking.

Ricky Valero: Evan. Please. Look, I--

CRACK!

The shot echoes throughout the arena as Envi blasts Valero with a Super Kick to the jaw!

Stephy Auger: Are you kidding me?! I thought they were about to have a moment!

Kris Cruise: Envi wanted none of it! What a kick!

Valero flops onto his back and the microphone rolls out of his hand. Envi steps through the ropes and out to the apron, eyes locked on Valero as he ascends to the top rope, earning a roar from the crowd. He stands upright, steadying himself before leaping from the top for the 450 Splash!

Kris Cruise: Helter Skelter!

...but Valero gets his knees up! Envi crashes hard onto the knees of Valero and howls in pain! Valero grabs Envi and rolls him into a tight Inside Cradle! The referee slides into position and Valero grabs a handful of pants for leverage!

ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THRE-!

Envi pops out of the pinning predicament to a roar from Vancouver!

Kris Cruise: Ricky almost stole it! Could you imagine what that would feel like for the Chief after everything he’s gone through?!

In a second, both men are back to their feet. Envi swings at Ricky, but “the Franchise” hits the canvas and slides out of harm’s way. Envi hops to his feet and races to the ropes, looking to swing through the middle and second to hit Ricky with a Wrecking Ball Dropkick, but Valero side-steps! As Envi lands, Valero races forward, looking for a knee strike, but Envi side-steps! He grabs Valero’s arm and twists it behind him, looking to hit a Hammerlock Back Suplex on the outside-- but Valero rolls through, landing on his feet before shoving Envi forward! The Chief collides face-first with the steel ring post!

Kris Cruise: Again, a shot to the head! Envi just came back from a concussion!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, Ricky is fully aware.

Disoriented, Envi stumbles back as Valero reaches his feet again-- before delivering the leg-hook Belly-to-Back Suplex, driving Envi down onto the bottom of the steel ramp!

Stephy Auger: Phew. Sweet justice.

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi just took every single bit of that PinnaclePlex on the outside! Right on the foot of that steel ramp!

Ricky sits at the foot of the ramp, eyes closed, trying to squeeze the feeling back into his fingers for a few seconds before he stands upright and approaches the ring. He throws the ring skirt up, reaching beneath it, retrieving a steel chair. As if demonstrating its sturdiness, he raises it above his head and brings it loudly across the steel steps with a CLANG! before charging toward Evan and swinging it into the small of his back! Evan cries out and stumbles forward, up the ramp. He turns around, right into a javelin-like shot from the chair into his ribcage-- followed by a second into his sternum, taking him to his back! Valero presses his weight against the chair, pushing it down toward Evan’s throat! Evan blocks the choke as best he can, but struggles beneath Valero.

Kris Cruise: Jesus Christ. He’s trying to decapitate Evan Envi!

Stephy Auger: If the tables were turned, you’d probably be cheering the Chief on just like all the fairweather fans!

Envi pushes the chair off his neck, knocking it out of Valero’s grip. Valero rips Envi to his feet and hoists him upright-- before slamming him to the floor with another Snap Suplex! Envi arches his back in pain and Ricky lifts the chair up again. He raises it above his head and slams it down across Envi’s ribs! Envi squeals out in agony and Ricky slams it down a second, third, and fouth time! He forces Envi upright and Irish Whips him into the barricade, but Envi collapses before reaching it, colliding with it head-and-shoulder first. The crowd drowns Ricky Valero in boos as he raises double V’s high in the air, mocking his former partner.

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

“RICKY SUCKS!”

Ricky slowly walks to the ring and lifts the ring skirt again, reaching under to drag out a table, earning a thunderous mixed reaction from Vancouver…

...which devolves into outright boos as Ricky dismissively drops the table, waving it off and digging under the ring for something else instead.

Stephy Auger: The crowd didn’t like that. Obviously they wanted to see some wood, but it looks like Ricky found something a little more swift and to the point!

Ricky grins as he emerges from beneath the ring with a lead pipe. He points it at a few booing members of the audience before pointing it toward the rising Evan Envi with a scowl.

Kris Cruise: And the Chief has no idea…!

Ricky charges forward and swings the pipe at Envi’s head-- but Envi ducks beneath it! Ricky swings so hard that he spins himself around and Envi launches him with a German Suplex, sending Ricky into the barricade! Ricky shakily stands up, but Envi delivers a Spinning Heel Kick to the side of the head! Ricky falls against the barricade, maintaining a grip on the pipe. With a glare, he staggers toward Envi, swinging the pipe-- but Envi takes a step back before responding with a stomp to the gut! Ricky doubles over and Envi nails a Swinging Neckbreaker, sending both men smashing into the bottom of the ramp! Finally, the lead pipe rolls out of Valero’s grip! Envi rises to his feet and steps over Ricky, bending down to retrieve the pipe! The audience roars as Envi’s demeanor visibly shifts upon holding the weapon. He turns, looking for Valero… but Ricky scrambles to his feet, charging up the ramp!

Stephy Auger: Get outta there, Ricky!

Envi strides after Valero. Ricky shoots a look over his shoulder and pushes himself to his feet with a grunt, breaking into a half-limp, half-sprint toward the backstage area-- with Envi just a pace behind to a roar from the crowd! A second later, the ref runs after them, disappearing behind the curtains to the back and we cut to a wide shot of the Vancouver audience.

Kris Cruise: Ricky’s making a run for it and Evan’s right on his heels! We need a camera in the back!

As if on cue, a camera operator shakily follows behind the action in the brightly lit backstage corridors. Ricky Valero is visible first, darting through gorilla and down the halls. He look over his shoulder, eye widening and pace quickening as we see Envi break into a sprint to follow him, still wielding the lead pipe! Valero nearly trips over himself as he rounds a corner, running toward the arena exit!

Kris Cruise: Remember, this isn’t a Falls Count Anywhere match, but if the referee acknowledges that one of these Grapplers has become incapacitated-- even if it’s in the back-- this match still stops!

Stephy Auger: Poor Ricky didn’t agree to this! This was supposed to end in a forfeit! And Evan’s insurance will never cover him now!

Valero approaches a set of brass-colored double doors. He pushes against the left door, yelling out in frustration as it refuses to budge. Evan continues forward, shifting the lead pipe in his hand to hold it as if ready to launch a spear. Valero moves to the right door, throwing himself against the crash bar as Envi hurls the pipe! The door opens and Ricky tumbles to the outside with the pipe sailing over his head, landing in the darkness with a CLUNK! Ricky pushes himself upright again, running into the parking lot as Envi strides behind him.

Kris Cruise: These two have made it outside into the VIP parking lot! Ricky-- oh!

Ricky Valero pulls a plastic garbage can off of the ground and pivots, lauching it toward the Chief! Envi dives out of the way and Valero darts between a pair of cars. Back on his feet, Envi slides across the trunk of a sedan, dropping to his feet behind Valero, who’s making a beeline for an unoccupied box truck! Envi catches Valero in a rear waist-lock, but Valero throws his head back, driving his own skull into Envi’s face!

Kris Cruise: No! What a headbutt!

Valero follows up with a back elbow that stuns the Chief, before he Irish Whips Envi as hard as he can into the side of the box-truck! Envi bounces off, stumbling back-- and Valero charges at him, grabbing him by the base of his neck, driving him into the side of the truck again! Envi bounces back-- and Valero throws him face-first into the box truck for a third time! Envi collapses to the ground and Ricky points to the referee, eyes wide.

Ricky Valero: He quits! Evan, tell him you quit!

Envi coughs and gags, using Ricky’s leg to pull himself up, but Ricky unloads with a series of clubbing blows to the spine and neck! He pulls Envi’s “DO GOOD” t-shirt up and around his neck, turning himself and Envi back-to-back before leaning forward, using Evan’s own weight to choke him with the t-shirt!

Stephy Auger: I bet he quits now!

Kris Cruise: He’s choking the hell out of Evan Envi! Envi’s feet aren’t even touching the ground! He’s gonna break his damn neck!

Envi’s face first grows red-- before rapidly losing color as Ricky tightens his grip around the shirt and hunches forward, adding more torque to the back-to-back choke! Envi reaches his foot up, planting it against the side of the box truck… then his other foot… and he walks upward, performing a backflip over Ricky, freeing himself of the shirt and landing in front of the Franchise!

Kris Cruise: Evan escapes!

CRACK!

A knee strike catches Valero across the jaw and sends him staggering back, slumping against the side of silver Dodge Charger. He clenches his fist, glaring at Envi, opening his mouth to say something-- but a charging European Uppercut sends him sprawling across the hood of the car instead!

Stephy Auger: IS THAT MY CAR?!

Envi steps onto the front wheel and then up to the hood of the car, turning to pull Ricky up with him while the audience inside the arena cheers in delight!

Stephy Auger: EVAN! GET OFF MY CAR!

Kris Cruise: This isn’t looking good. Not for Ricky… not for your personal vehicle…

Envi pulls Ricky up to the roof of the car-- and Ricky fights back with a punch to the gut. Then a punch to the ribs. A knee! Another bunch! An elbow! A knee! A punch! A--

--swift kick between the legs from the Chief! Ricky drops to his knees, shaking in pain as Envi falls to a knee as well, hurting from the strikes, exhausted from the battle.

Stephy Auger: That is absolutely unfair! What kind of a real man fights like that, Cruise?!

Kris Cruise: A man that doesn’t give a damn about morals anymore! A man that just wants to see his former best friend in pain!

Envi reaches his feet first, tilting his head back, taking a deep breath… before he rips Valero upright in a double-underhook and quickly drives him head-first through the sunroof of the Charger with a Double-Arm Snap DDT!

Stephy Auger: M… m… m-m-my car…

Kris Cruise: The Blues right on the roof of the car! Right through it.

Envi sits on the roof of the car, eyes closed, breathing in the moment as the audience inside the Rogers Arena erupts.

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

Envi slides down from the Charger, admiring the damage for a moment before nodding to the ref. Envi pulls open the driver’s door and gets inside-- starting the car right up! The ref shakes his head in disapproval, but quickly runs around to climb into the passenger seat as Envi throws the Charger into drive with Ricky still stuck, motionless upside-down in the broken sunroof!

Stephy Auger: THIS IS GRAND THEFT AUTO! SOMEBOD-- IS THER-- ARE WE JUST LETTING THIS HAPPEN?!

Kris Cruise: Why’d you leave your keys in the ignition?

Stephy Auger: EVERYONE LEAVES THEIR KEYS IN THE IGNITION!

Kris Cruise: That’s just not true. I’ve got mine right h… anyway, Envi is driving around to the side entrance into the Rogers Arena! I think they’re coming this way!

Stephy Auger: Uuughhh, he’s gonna scratch my paint!

As the car disappears from view of the camera, we cut to an interior shot of the capacity crowd, all on their feet, eyes turned toward the entrance in anticipation.

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

“EVAN ENVI!”

Nearly a half minute passes before the spotlight finally pan past the ramp, toward a large, curtained entranceway to its right. The Dodge Charger pulls through and out to the side of the ramp. Ricky Valero’s lower half is still sticking out of the roof. The ref exits first, before Envi emerges from the driver’s side, gazing out into the audience. He nods a bit at the pop before he reaches inside, pulling Valero through the sunroof and into the car’s front seat! Disoriented, Ricky falls backward, tumbling out of the passenger side. Shakily, he crawls to the ramp. It’s clear now that blood is streaming down his face. Envi uses the hood of the car to support himself, walking around it as he stalks Valero. Ricky turns onto his back, scooting toward the ring, raising one hand up toward Envi as he backs away, begging him off, audibly pleading with the Chief… but Envi slowly shakes his head as he closes in.

“YOU DESERVE IT!”

“YOU DESERVE IT!”

“YOU DESERVE IT!”

“YOU DESERVE IT!”

Ricky turns onto all fours as he reaches ringside and uses the steel stairs to pull himself up-- only to be driven down as Envi charges in from behind, driving Valero into the stairs with a Bulldog! Ricky cries out in pain, clutching his already-lacerated face as he bounces onto his back. Envi staggers to his feet and turns, stepping over Ricky to the table that had been abandoned before! Wasting no time, he flips it over and begins to set it up, earning deafening chants of “YES!” from Vancouver.

Stephy Auger: Hasn’t he been through enough?!

Kris Cruise: Evan doesn’t think so and neither does anyone in this building, Stephy. And if Ricky wanted this to end-- he can end it by telling the referee he submits.

Stephy Auger: His pride won’t let him!

Kris Cruise: That’s probably true. But for his sake, he’d better have a plan! That table’s set up and it’s got his name on it!

Envi slaps the table as if testing its sturdiness before turning to Valero. Envi kneels down, hoisting Valero upright by his arm. He positions the self-proclaimed Good Guy for a Suplex-- but out of nowhere, Valero rakes Envi’s eyes and pulls him onto his shoulders in a Fireman’s Carry before launching him through the table with a modified Ushigoroshi!

Stephy Auger: THY WILL BE DONE!

Kris Cruise: Out of nowhere! Envi just got driven right through that table with that modified version of Thy Will Be Done! Oh my God!

The audience is initially thunderous with a mixed reaction at the shock-- but boos begin to flood the arena as Ricky drags himself to his feet with the apron, using one arm to pull Evan up with him. Ricky grunts, using both arms to hoist Evan upright onto the apron and then shoving him into the ring! He follows in behind him, wiping blood out of his eyes before diving across the chest of the Chief, hooking both legs! The ref counts the shoulders!

ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THRRRE-!

Evan throws his shoulder off the mat, defiantly!

Kris Cruise: Kickout!

Stephy Auger: I swear. This referee is terrified of the number three!

Vancouver erupts and Ricky drags his hands down his face, shaking his head. He leans back, hooking both legs again and the referee counts again!

ONE
.
.
.
.
TWO
.
.
.
.
THR-!

Stephy Auger: …

Kris Cruise: Evan! Evan gets his shoulder up again! Valero can’t believe it!

Valero raises a fist to pound on the mat in frustration… before clenching his beard in frustration instead… until with a cry of rage, he mounts Envi, unloading with punch after punch. The Chief tries to cover up, and Valero switches to elbows! He alternates! Elbow! Punch! Elbow. Punch. Envi places his hands on Ricky’s face, pushing him away! Ricky yells out in anger once more, standing upright, ripping Envi to his feet by the wrist-- and unloading with a punch that sends an echo through the arena like a gunshot! Both men collapse!

Kris Cruise: What an absolutely sickening shot. Evan Envi might be out right there. Ricky’s exhausted but Evan’s legs just-- they went limp.

Stephy Auger: The ref might be able to go ahead and call this thing…

Ricky rolls out to the apron, wiping blood from his face and casting another glare over his shoulder at the motionless Evan. Ricky drops down to the floor and takes a few steps over to where the match essentially began-- where he’d dropped the timekeeper’s hammer. Ricky kneels down, deaf to the thunderous booing of Vancouver.

Kris Cruise: At this point in the match, is this really necessary?

Ricky spins the hammer in his hand, taking a deep breath, thinking the situation over as he makes his way to the steel steps, walking up them… walking across the apron…

Stephy Auger: We all knew this wasn’t gonna be pretty, Cruise. If you don’t have the stomach for it, I advise you look away now!

Chants of “NO!” greet Valero as he steps through the ropes. Envi reaches his knees, glaring up at Ricky-- who spits his own blood in Evan’s face. Evan recoils, swaying as Valero raises the hammer above his head!

...and with one last gasp, Evan springs to his feet, throwing a solid punch into Valero’s throat! Valero gags, raising one hand to his throat as his eyes widen-- and Envi snatches the hammer out of his hand! Ricky turns, prepared to dart away, but Envi strides after him and leaps up, bringing Ricky to the mat with a Backstabber!

Stephy Auger: God in Heaven, if you ever loved Ricky Valero, you would help him right now!

Envi flips Valero onto his stomach and grapevines his right arm between his legs before reaching around Ricky’s jaw-- and using the handle of the hammer, pulled back against Ricky’s mouth to apply a Crossface!

Kris Cruise: The BPA is locked in! That hammer is gonna tear Ricky’s jaw right out of his skull!

The audience screams for Valero to “TAP!” and for a brief moment, Ricky pulls at the fingers-- at the hammer-- at anything, but to no avail! He grunts in agony. His eyes grow redder and redder, welling with tears. Valero slumps downward… and weakly taps against the canvas, to a deafening eruption from the audience! The ref signals to the timekeeper that the match is over!

Kris Cruise: That’s it! That’s it! There’s no bell because the hammer is in Ricky Valero’s mouth but that’s it!

“Helter Skelter” hits the PA system as the referee tries desperately to pull Envi off of the now-motionless Ricky Valero. Envi says something to Ricky, loud enough for him to hear, but too quiet for the cameras and mics to pick up. Finally, he releases the hammer, allowing the unconscious Valero to slump to the mat.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner… EVAAAAAN ENNNNVIIII!

The audience roars in approval as Envi sits upright, backing into the corner, staring in a daze at Ricky Valero as his music plays over the PA system.

Kris Cruise: Good for you, Evan.

Stephy Auger: I hope he’s happy. I hope his bloodlust is satisfied here tonight. All of this was at the expense of his best fr--

Kris Cruise: Oh, stop it. This was about retribution. Ricky Valero was taken to Hell tonight and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. This is what happens when you interfere with somebody’s livelihood. This is a lesson that the Franchise isn’t gonna soon forget.

Envi stares a hole through the still-motionless Ricky Valero before pulling himself out of the ring beneath the bottom rope. Envi pauses, looking to the fans closest to him, leaning over the barricade with outstretched hands. He turns, looking out around at the audience in the arena-- many of whom stand to applaud him. Envi’s eyes fall shut for a moment before he turns, making his way up the ramp without another word, nor another look back toward Valero.

Stephy Auger: He’s not even gonna put my car back.

Envi disappears through the curtains and to the back while we fade to black on the stirring, bloodied face of a disoriented Ricky Valero.

[FGA Office]

Previously Recorded

The night sky feels different tonight. Less noises, less rumblings. A breeze of fresh air comes crashing against the window of this hotel room. Sitting there is a shirtless Neal Durden; arms crossed hugging his left leg, twisting his neck every now and then and gazing to the horizon every time he feels like it. You get a tired feeling from just looking at him. He has a sad smile on his face as he begins to sing.

Neal Durden: One… Two… Freddy’s comin’ for you... Three… Four… you better lock your door...

A light chuckle escapes Neal as he turns his head towards the window. He takes a look at Vancouver; the lights in the buildings surrounding this hotel are the only shows of life besides his own.

Neal Durden: Yet, what if closing the doors do nothing. What if you still have the nerves of your spine creeping with cold as the light fingers of destiny sweep up and down your back. You’ve got to be on your toes, expect the unexpected; get to know the unknown; study what you thought you already knew.

Neal Durden: The Wildcard Lottery has been; for lack of a better word… wild... on one side one of the most dominant tag-teams in FGA history look to keep writing it as they will try to win three matches in one night. On the other, two of the most dominant forces in FGA history look to keep writing it as they steamroll the competition on route to a well deserved title match. Chaos reigns supreme.

Neal turns around, letting his legs hang from the indent he’s sitting on and having both of his hands free for the first time since the camera started rolling. He takes a deep breath as he closes his eyes taking in the gravity of the situation he’s in. Letting out a smirk, he continues.

Neal Durden: I have to admit, I might be the dark horse in this race… without a doubt I’m the Cinderella man in these semi-final matches simply because of history. I’m the one most fans will be clinging on to come Grapple Kingdom. My weaknesses are well documented and have been on display recently. The world is in a turmoil that makes me even more vulnerable; but I shouldn’t speak in hyperbole… she said as much.

Neal Durden: I’m the one no one gives a chance to go far… I’m the one people respect by proxy; not by merit. I’m the one fighting an uphill battle. I’m perceived as the weak link. I shouldn’t even be in this position to begin with; yet here we are.

Durden jumps to his feet. His torso showing the scars of battles past. The recklessness that has entertained fans around the globe has obviously taken a toll on his body and right now, there are no lights to hide them. There’s no smoke and mirrors. This is not a show; he’s not putting up his best face. He’s a tired man, a vulnerable man… a man that shouldn’t even be here.

Neal Durden: I’ve seen all of this before. The doubt, the lack of respect… It’s not a surprise anymore, it’s just annoying at best.

Neal twists, getting his head back as he takes a big gasp of air before resuming.

Neal Durden: For many, being in the position I am right now might be a dream come true. A pivotal moment in their careers… but… is it really? When you compare the accolades of my peers besides mine… it’s clear that I’m not a world beater. So I understand when betters make me the biggest underdog in wrestling history going into this match against Izzy Anders. I know even my own partner in life isn’t rooting for me going into that match and, even if it stings… I understand her.

Neal turns back around to face the camera, letting a deep sigh escape him. His tired eyes are more prominent now that he’s closer to the camera and he simply smirks.

Neal Durden: I’ve got no chance… not against the dreamkiller. I’ve got no chance… not against the grand slam champion. I’ve got no chance… and I know it... but I’m tired.

Durden moves closer to the camera, the scars from the battles he had inside the Slaughterhouse are now visible with all their details. He’s a wounded man, everyone knows that. The way his chest inflates as he breathes looks funny, he’s asthmatic and everyone knows that. The longer he fights, the harder it gets for him… and everyone knows that. Yet, he always seems to have a smile on his face, just as he does right now.

Neal Durden: Sometimes, having your worst nightmares become a reality could be really liberating… and I’m living my worst nightmare. I’m in that vulnerable group of people that could easily die from that virus shit that’s spreading around the world… I’m facing one of the toughest tag-teams in the world just before I face the woman that the love of my life admires the most in the whole universe. Yet… I’m the one who should be scared according to many.

Neal Durden: I should be scared because I won’t last more than five minutes against Izzy. I should be scared because she’s bringing the Dream Killer back to an FGA ring. I should be scared because the HSDS will take the tag-team titles away… I should be scared because without Lowri Moss I’m nothing…. But I’m the one that’s liberated.

Neal walks close to the office desk that stands in front of the bed in this room and taps on it two times, to calm himself down. He then turns his attention back to the camera as he sings.

Neal Durden: One… Two… Freddy’s comin’ for you…

A smile draws in Neal’s face as he takes a pause after the singing bit.

Neal Durden: I’m the one who has nothing to lose at Grapple Kingdom 3. I don’t have a reputation as a killer or a veteran of this sport. No one gives me a flying fuck of a chance to even make it out on my own two feet from my matches. I’m not a double champion. I’m not a favorite. I’m just a fucking guy who doesn’t know just when to quit… and at Grapple Kingdom 3… I plan on throwing a wrench to everyone’s plans. Like it or not… you better lock your doors.

Neal final words echoe as the scene fades to black.

[FGA Office]

WILDCARD LOTTERY (SEMIFINALS)
Lowri Moss vs. Seth Iser

The lights dim down as the music begins to play. Soon enough, Seth Iser slowly walks through the curtain with that familiar scowl on his face. He starts walking down to the ring...glare etched on his face and listening to the fans boo him.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a semifinals match in the Wildcard Lottery! Introducing first, hailing from Morgantown, West Virginia! Weighing in at 243 pounds… SETH ISER!

A methodical, slow walk as he cracks his knuckles on the way down before pulling himself up onto the apron and enters the ring calmly before performing a crucifix pose at the center of the ring to revive the lights. He then goes to his corner and slinks to a seat just waiting for the bell to ring.

Kris Cruise: Throughout Seth Iser’s storied career, one thing that has always escaped him if a big tournament win. Tonight, he is just two wins away from being crowned the winner of the Wildcard Lottery. But standing in his way is reigning Pride Champion, Lowri Moss. Can he do it? Does the self-proclaimed greatest mind in all of wrestling have a plan in place to get to the very end and win?

Stephy Auger: When have you ever known Seth Iser to not have a plan? Besides, this is a matchup that he’s been salivating over. The fact that Lowri Moss has been annointed as the next big thing/the heir apparent bothers him. Lowri has had some singles success inside and outside of FGA. I’ll give her that. But she’s never been in the ring with someone like Seth.

“Loner Boogie” by Boy Azooga plays over the PA system, and once the song's intro finishes, through the curtains - and out onto the stage - walks Lowri Moss, who is greeted by a cheer. Lowri takes a moment to scan the crowd, before gingerly making her way towards the ring, and as she does so, she slaps the hands of some of the fans that reach out to her.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Llanelli, Wales! She is the reigning FGA Pride Champion and one half of the reigning World Tag Team Champions, LOWRI MOSS!

After arriving at ringside, Lowri slowly climbs the steps up onto the ring apron and steps through the ropes, before heading for one of the corners and carefully climbing to the second rope. There are further cheers and applause for Lowri from the fans, and as she again surveys the crowd, she gestures to them by making the ILY sign with her right hand, in acknowledgement of their reaction to her arrival.

Kris Cruise: Lowri Moss competed in that barnburner of a Tag Title match against the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad earlier tonight. Unfortunately for Lowri, that match ended in a Double Disqualification when Silk & Cyanide attacked both teams.

Stephy Auger: The Hellcats and Pendragon threw everything they could at each other before Silk & Cyanide made their presence felt and dominated both teams. I’m not surprised that Lowri gutted it out and made it to the ring. She’s too stubborn to stay in the back and avoid the ass kicking that Seth Iser’s about to give her. But you and I both know that she’s barely got anything left in the tank!

Kris Cruise: The Hellcats went after Lowri’s knee. Silk & Cyanide beat the heck out of her with those tag title belts. But despite the rough shape that she’s in, there was no way in hell that Lowri was going to lay down. Even if it was Neal she was facing this round, she would give it her all no matter what. She owes her to her ‘mam’ Izzy Anders, to her fans and to herself. People like you, Erin Mariani and Sara Mason can call Lowri whatever you want. One thing you’ll never call is a quitter.

Stephy Auger: Well that’s too bad. After the beating that Seth puts on her, she’ll wish she waved the white flag!

Iser begins to stalk Moss around the wing while the double champion tries to keep a bit of distance between the two of them. After Moss accidentally backs herself up against the ropes, Iser rushes in to attack. But Moss is able to slip out of the way. Undeterred, Iser continues to stalk Moss around the ring. The former Pride Champion continues to apply pressure and causes Moss to accidentally back herself into the corner. Iser wastes no time trying to pounce on Moss. But again, Moss is able to slip out of the way. Iser keeps his eyes locked on Moss while he calmly makes his way out of the corner. Instead of continuing to stalk Moss around the ring, he waits for her in the center of the ring. The crowd boos when Iser raises his hand to call for a test of strength.

Moss looks out to the crowd before turning back to Iser. Against the audience’s wishes, Moss slowly inches over towards Iser. She keeps her right fist balled up just in case Iser tries to try anything slick. But Iser insists he’s on the up and up. He even puts his left hand behind his back. Moss continues to cautiously inch over towards Iser. As she reaches her arm up to lock hands with Iser, the crowd erupts with boos when Iser quickly brings his left arm from about his back and hooks Moss’ right leg. Moss bounces on one leg as she tries to keep Iser at bay with with wild strikes. Iser is able to lean away from the strikes before throwing Iser down with a dragon screw leg whip!

Iser pulls Moss back to her feet before throwing her back down to the mat with another dragon screw leg whip!

Kris Cruise: Iser went right after the knee that the Hellcats worked over!

Stephy Auger: What did I tell you, Cruise? Look at Lowri now. Like I said, I bet she wishes she waved the white flag. It’s only going to get worse from here. Trust me.

The crowd lets Iser have it when he holds up Moss’ right leg. He looks around to various sections of the crowd before going for a figure four leg lock. But he’s blocked when Moss uses her free leg to kick in the face, sending him down to the mat. Both grapplers try to return to a vertical base. But Iser beats Moss to the punch and sends her right back to the mat with a Wrestling II Knee Lift. Iser once again holds up Moss’ right leg before going for another figure four attempt. This time, Moss shoves Iser off of her as Iser is in mid-turn around the leg. The push off sends Iser staggering forward a couple of steps. But he’s able to quickly gather his footing before turning his attention back to Moss. Moss is able to finally get back to her feet. But she doesn’t remain standing for long as a running big boot to the face flattens her! The boos continues as Iser grabs a hold of the right leg once more before finally applying a figure four leg lock!

Kris Cruise: Iser’s got the Figure 4 on!

Stephy Auger: Third time’s the charm.

Moss cries out in pain while Iser has the submission locked in tight. She shakes her head ‘no’ when the ref asks if she wants to give up. Iser responds by repeatedly falling onto his back, which applies more pressure to the hold.

Stephy Auger: Look at her, Cruise! Look at the pain on her face! You know she wants to quit! Her hanging on not only screws her over, but it will screw over Neal when Lowri isn’t 100% for the next Tag Title defense!

Moss sits up and tries to untie Iser’s legs from around hers. But it’s to no avail. She then delivers wild clubbing strikes to Iser’s leg. But it doesn’t help her attempts to escape. Moss reaches over and tries to grab Iser. But Iser’s able to easily lean out of the way before socking her with a hard right handed punch. The punch knocks Moss flat onto her back while still stuck in the figure four. The referee spots both of Moss’ shoulders on the mat and goes to make his count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Moss gets a shoulder up. She starts to reach out towards the capacity crowd. The Vancouver faithful start to rally behind the double champion. Moss starts to slowly shake her fist while chants of “LOWRI! LOWRI! LOWRI! LOWRI!” ring throughout various pockets of the crowd. Iser continues to fight for the submission. But Moss is hanging in there. She’s continuing to feed off the energy of the crowd, which spells bad news for Iser. His eyes widen when Moss turns over to her left. Iser is able to block her, only for Moss to turn over to her right. Iser is once again able to block her. He keeps Moss from turning the table on him until Moss quickly turns back to her left. Both grapplers are on their side as Iser desperately tries to stop her comeback. Moss can be seen frantically waving her arm over while Iser shakes his head in disbelief. He then lets out a groan when Moss turns over, bringing them both into the prone position and reversing the figure four leg lock. The crowd cheers at the sight of Iser getting the figure four reversed!

Kris Cruise: Moss has turned the tables on Iser!

Iser howls in pain before letting go. He pushes himself up on all fours as Moss limps over and knocks him down with a Switchblade Kick to the back of the head. As she reaches down and slowly pulls Iser up off the mat, Iser grabs her, runs forward and rams her back-first into the corner. The boos continue as Iser delivers multiple shoulder thrusts to the midsection. While Moss is doubled over, Iser lifts her up and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. The crowd begins to murmur as Iser climbs the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Iser’s looking for that superplex already!

Stephy Auger: Why prolong the inevitable?

Once Iser climbs up onto the middle ropes, he grabs a hold of Moss and tries for a superplex. But Moss blocks the move. Iser tries to muscle her up for another superplex attempt. Once again, Moss blocks the move. So Iser hits her with four punches to the ribs. He then groans as he goes for a third superplex attempt. Once again, Moss blocks by hanging on for dear life. Iser lets go of the hold and throws out a hard right handed punch. This time, Moss blocks the punch and counters with a headbutt. A second headbutt is delivered, then a third. While she’s got Iser’s defenses down, she rocks him with a European Uppercut that knocks him down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Lowri fought him off!

Stephy Auger: No!

Moss starts to slowly climb up to a crouched position while Iser stirs on the mat. When Iser gets back to his feet and faces the corner, Moss stands up, leaps off and knocks him down with a diving crossbody!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser kicks out.

Moss goes for an irish whip when Iser reverses. Moss starts to head towards the ropes until she crumbles to the mat. The Vancouver crowd gasps as they see Moss curled up on the mat and hugging her knee.

Iser senses his opening and immediately goes over and grabs a hold of her right leg. He drags Moss back towards the center of the ring and goes for another figure four when Moss reaches up and reverses into a modified small package!

Kris Cruise: Lowri has him! She was playing possum!

Stephy Auger: That little bi...

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser kicks out.

Once both grapplers are back to their feet, Moss catches Iser with a European Uppercut. A second European Uppercut connects. Another a third European Uppercut knocks Iser back, Moss presses forward, grabs Iser and moves him into the corner. From there, the crowd cheers as Moss unloads on Iser with the Scarlet Barrage (Alternating rapid-fire knife edge chops and forearms to a cornered opponent)!

Kris Cruise: Moss is firing away with everything she’s got!

Stephy Auger: Hang in there, Seth! Just try and weather the storm!

Moss continues to fires away with strikes on Iser before hoisting him up onto the top turnbuckles! Moss looks around at the crowd and nods before scaling the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Is Lowri… is she going to try and bring Seth down with a superplex?

Stephy Auger: She can’t do it. She can’t!

Moss climbs up to the middle ropes and looks around at the crowd again. She shakes her head ‘no’ before stepping up to the top ropes!

Kris Cruise: Moss is going to the very top!

The fans in attendance leap to their feet as Moss pulls up Iser. Iser tries to fight off Moss. But she fights through it and keeps a hold of him. She lets out a wail as she slowly lifts Iser up, jumps off the top turnbuckle and sends him down to the canvas with a superplex to a thunderous thud! The crowd erupts into cheers and applause for the double champion!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Kris Cruise: Moss just brought Seth down with authority! The ring just shook with that superplex!


Both Moss and Iser remain motionless on their backs. The ref is quick to attend to both grapplers. After checking on them both, he returns to his feet and starts to count.

ONE!









TWO!







THREE!








FOUR!








FIVE!








SIX!







SEVEN!








EIGHT!

Moss slowly turns over and drapes her arm across Iser’s chest for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets a shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Thank you, Seth. Thank you!

Moss slowly pulls Iser up off the mat. Once Iser is back to his feet, he swats Moss’ hands from off of him before socking her with a hard right handed punch! Moss finds herself on the receiving end of yet another hard right handed punch before Iser lets off three jabs. He goes to follow up with a discus clothesline when Moss ducks, floats across his back and throws him down with a Crucifix Driver!

Stephy Auger: NOOOO!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
The crowd sighs when Iser kicks out.

Moss takes Iser and whips him into the ropes. When he returns, Moss knocks him off his feet with a spinning heel kick! She crawls over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets a shoulder up.

Moss pulls Iser back to his feet before throwing out a shoot kick to the chest with her left leg. A second shoot kick connects, then a third, followed by a fourth! Moss connects with yet another shoot kick before knocking Iser back with a Scorpion Kick. The kick snaps Iser’s head back as he stumbles back before collapsing against the ropes. Iser tries to shake out the cobwebs as Moss tries hobbles into the far ropes. Moss comes back and hurls herself at Iser with a crossbody block, sending them both flipping over the top rope as the crowd gasps.

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Instead of crashing to the floor, Iser lands safely on his feet with Moss in his clutches! The crowd gasps as Iser runs forward and rams Moss back-first against the ring post! He then turns and drops Moss face-first across the steep steps with a snake eyes! The boos continue as Iser drags Moss over towards the guardrail. After pulling Moss up, Iser lifts her up into the air before dropping her throat-first across the guardrail with another snake eyes! While Moss is curled up on the floor, Iser staggers back cover towards the ring and rolls himself back in. The crowd starts to boo Iser as they see him waving at the ref to keep counting.

Kris Cruise: How desperate is Seth Iser!? He’s willing to win this match by countout! What happened to “kicking Lowri’s ass”? Or did he underestimate Moss and she had more left in the tank than he imagined?

Stephy Auger: Can it, Cruise. There’s nothing wrong with winning by count out. A win is a win, is it not? Seth doesn’t get extra points for winning by pinfall or submission. Again, a win is a win. Seth Iser has waited too long to call himself a tournament winner. He’s waiting too long to call himself a top champion. He’ll do whatever he has to to advance!

Iser crawls over towards the far side of the ring while the referee continues to count.

FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!





Stephy Auger: Faster, ref, faster!







SEVEN!











EIGHT!









NINE!










TE-

Stephy Auger: What!?

Moss is met with cheers and applause as she rolls into the ring to beat the ten count. After Iser pulls himself back up using the ropes, he turns around and does a double take when he sees Moss back inside. He looks over towards the ref for clarification. When the official tells him that Moss made it back inside in time, he rubs his hand down his face in disbelief.

Kris Cruise: Seth can’t believe it! He was sure he had the win in the bag!

Iser narrows his eyes at Moss as she struggles to pull herself up using the ropes. As she starts to turn around, Iser charges across the ring. He motions to throw out an attack when Moss ducks and dumps him over the top rope and to the floor! Moss holds her back before dropping down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Moss dumps Iser to the outside! She just brought herself some time!

Moss slowly pulls herself across the mat and into the corner while Iser stirs on the outside. She uses the turnbuckles to pull herself back up before climbing them.

Stephy Auger: What is she up to now?

Iser picks himself up on the outside. When he turns to face the ring, he doesn't see Moss. He then turns again and looks up to see Moss flipping off the top turnbuckle. The crowd erupts with cheers when she knocks Iser down with a moonsault to the outside!!!

Kris Cruise: Seth Iser has been taken out!

Iser lays sprawled out on the floor while Moss is seeing favoring her knee. After a few seconds, she pulls Iser up before pushing him back into the ring. She then rolls herself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Moss takes Iser and brings him towards the center of the ring before pulling him into a standing headscissors. She motions for a cradle piledriver when Iser counters with a back body drop. While Moss is still down, Iser heads back over towards her legs and tries for a Sharpshooter. But Moss is able to use her leg to shove Iser back, sending him into the corner. While Moss tries to pick herself back up, Iser rushes out of the corner and motions for a lariat. But he gets cut off when Moss knocks him down with a dropsault. Iser turns over onto a knee before Moss rushes over and flattens him with a Shining Wizard! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets a shoulder up.

Moss takes Iser and whips him into the ropes. When he returns, Moss throws out Breuddwydion Melus (Superkick)! But Iser is able to catch her foot. He then swings the leg away from him before quickly taking control of her back with a rear waistlock. Moss tries to escape with a back elbow to the face. But it doesn't break it. Moss hits another back elbow. Again, Iser keeps control of her back. So Moss fires off back elbow after back elbow after back elbo-NO! Iser hoists her over his head and nearly sends her across the ring with a release German Suplex!

Stephy Auger: Yes! Yessss!

Iser makes his way over to Moss before pulling her back to his feet. He quickly takes control of her back once more. Sensing that another German is coming, Moss grabs a hold of the top rope. But Iser is able to pull her away from the ropes before launching her across the ring with another release German Suplex! Moss tires to pick herself up. But she quickly collapses back down to the mat. Iser doesn’t waste any time as he stays on top of Moss. Moss is pulled back to her feet before being whipped hard into the corner. After crashing hard into the corner, Moss staggers back over towards the center of the ring before Iser launches her across the ring with a release belly to belly suplex! The boos continue as he heads over and makes the cover.

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

Moss gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Stephy Auger: She’s lucky that she landed where she did or else that would have been there!

Kris Cruise: You call it “luck,” I call it “ring awareness.”

Moss is pulled off the mat before being sent for the ride. When she comes back, Iser scoops her up from the side before bringing her down with a pendulum backbreaker. He goes for the cover.

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

Iser takes Moss and lifts her up before bringing her down with a vertical suplex. He turns over into a lateral press for the cover.

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

Iser pulls Moss back to her feet before firing off another trio of jabs. He throws out another discus clothesline that Moss ducks before hitting the ropes. When she comes back, Iser scoops her up before throwing her down hard with the Icebreaker (Irish Curse)! Iser snatches Moss off the mat before throwing her down with another Icebreaker!! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Moss gets a shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How is she still in this match?

Kris Cruise: She’s got a ton of fight in her, that’s how. We knew that her knee wasn’t at 100% going into this match. But neither was her back after Silk & Cyanide whaled away at her with both of the World Tag Title belts. Iser wisely went after her knee before targeting her back.

Iser brings Moss back to her feet before bringing her back down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Instead of going for the cover, Iser makes his way into the corner. The crowd starts to stand back up as he scales the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Are we about to see the moonsault from Seth Iser?

Stephy Auger: If he hits this, it’s over!


When Iser gets to the top, he flips back for a moonsault. Instead of landing across Moss’ torso, Iser purposely crashes down across her legs! The boos continue as he drags Moss towards the center of the ring before turning her over into a Sharpshooter!

Stephy Auger: He’s got it locked on again!

Kris Cruise: Iser wasn't trying to knock the wind out of Moss with that moonsault! He was looking to cause further damage to both of her legs!

Moss cries out in pain while Iser has the hold cinched in. She shakes her head ‘no’ when asks if she wants to give up. A few moments pass before she turns down another chance to quit. Iser hears this, so he applies more pressure by pulling back on the hold. The Vancouver crowd boos the sight of Moss trapped in the center of the ring with nowhere to go.

Stephy Auger: Just give up, Lowri. Look on the brightside. Your ‘mam’ couldn’t get it done against Seth, so don’t feel bad that you can’t, either! HA HA HA!

The referee continues to check in with Moss and asks her if she wants to give up. Again, Moss refuses. She tries to pull herself towards the far side of the ring. But Iser is right there to drag her back towards the center of the ring.

Stephy Auger: Not so fast!

Kris Cruise: Lowri really needs to get out of this hold. She is in a terrible spot.

Iser continues to fight for the submission while Moss is essentially defenseless. The capacity crowd does their best to try and rally behind the double champion.

"LET’S GO, LOWRI!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

"LET’S GO, LOWRI!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

"LET’S GO, LOWRI!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

Moss starts to feed off the energy of the crowd. She lets out a roar as she slowly pushes herself up off the mat. The cheers from the crowd grow louder as Moss starts to walk towards the side of the ring.

Kris Cruise: Yes, Lowri! You’re almost there!

Moss is well on her way to a rope break when Iser stands up, drags Moss back towards the center of the ring before sitting back down in the Sharpshooter!

Kris Cruise: OH COME ON!

Stephy Auger: Ha Ha Ha! What were you saying, Cruise?

Iser scans the booing crowd as he’s got Moss right where he wants her. The official asks Moss once more if she wants to give up. She doesn’t respond. The referee asks her again. But he still doesn’t get an answer. He continues to try and get an answer out of Moss or else he’ll have no choice but to stop the match. This time, Moss shakes her head ‘no’ at the referee. Moss groans as she slowly pushes herself forward. The Vancouver crowd cheers Moss on while she scratches and claws her way towards the far side of the ring. Iser is seen hanging on for dear life while she shakes his head in disbelief. He tries to slow Moss down. But he can’t! Moss continues to pull herself forward more and more until she reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope!

Kris Cruise: Lowri got to the ropes!

Stephy Auger: Dammit!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Iser reluctantly breaks the hold. He pulls Moss back to her feet before shooting her off into the far ropes. Iser goes to catch her off the rebound with a lariat when Moss ducks and floats over across his back. She motions for another Crucifix Driver when Iser counters with a Samoan Drop! The crowd boos while Moss is then dragged into position. Iser heads back over into the corner. He looks back and sees Moss still splayed out on the mat before he climbs the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top, he flips back for another moonsault… and misses when Moss rolls out of the way!

Stephy Auger: NOOOOO! SETHHHHH!

Iser lands hard on the mat with a thunderous thud!

Kris Cruise: Seth missed! The high risk didn’t pay off for him!

The officials checks on both grapplers before starting his count.

ONE!






TWO!







THREE!








FOUR!








FIVE!










SIX!










SEVEN!






Moss and Iser are finally back to their feet. Iser throws out another jab when Moss swats it away and counters with a shoot kick to the chest! Moss connects with another shoot kick… and another… and another! After the last shoot kick doubles Iser over, Moss pulls him into a standing headscissors before planting him with a cradle piledriver! The cheers continue as she turns over to make the cover.

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

Iser gets his shoulder up.

Moss picks up Iser and goes for an irish whip when he reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Moss returns, Iser lifts her up, turns and throws her down with a spinebuster! He then rolls across Moss while hooking the near leg for the cover.

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

Iser picks up Moss before shooting her back into the ropes. When she returns, Iser scoops her up before slamming her down with the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam)! He goes for the cover.

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

Moss gets a shoulder up.

Moss is sent back into the ropes with another irish whip. When she returns, Iser turns her inside out when he finally connects with the discus clothesline! He then pulls Moss into a front facelock while pulling her back to her feet. He’s got Moss set up for the Deprivation DDT (Jake Roberts styled DDT) when Moss takes him by the wrist, spins out of the front facelock and counters with a bicycle knee! Iser then caught with a Question Mark Kick before getting whipped into the ropes. When he comes back, the crowd explodes with cheers when Moss knocks him off his feet with the Breuddwydion Melus!!!

Kris Cruise: Moss got all of that superkick! She’s three seconds away from advancing to the Finals!

Stephy Auger: NOOOOOOOO!

She falls back on top of Iser and hooks the near leg for the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then sighs when Iser gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Phew!

Kris Cruise: That should have put Iser down! That should have been enough for three!

Stephy Auger: Even though she used her good leg, that bad wheel is still effecting her, Cruise! She can’t put all the force behind those leg strikes like she wants to!

Undeterred, Moss slowly steps out to the apron before gingerly climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Moss could be looking for the 450 off the top!

Before she steps foot onto the top turnbuckle, Iser rushes over and socks her with a hard right handed punch!

Stephy Auger: There you go!

Iser climbs up onto the middle ropes before pulling Moss into a front facelock.

Kris Cruise: Seth’s got Lowri set up for another superplex!

Stephy Auger: Bring her down hard, Seth!

Instead of going for a superplex, the crowd gasps when Iser falls back and plants Moss head-first with an avalanche Deprivation DDT!!! The crowd sits in stunned silence while Moss’ body lays motionless on the canvas. Iser nudges her over onto her back before going for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

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

The boos continue as the ref kneels down next to the seated Iser and raises his arm in the air.

Stephy Auger: Seth wins! Seth wins! Seth wins! He’s done it yet again, Cruise! Wrestling’s greatest mind never stops working! He saw his opportunity. But instead of superplexing Lowri off the top, this 39 year old veteran comes up with another move to add to his arsenal on the spot! Bravo, Seth, bravo! Job well done, sir!

Kris Cruise: Bravo? Job well done? Yeah, he won! But look at what he had to do! A Deprivation DDT from the very top rope! He could have seriously hurt Lowri Moss! After all that talk from Iser about how Tyler Storm shouldn’t have superplexed him off the top rope to the floor at All-Star Showdown Eight, he goes and pulls something that’s arguably even more dangerous! The hypocrisy!

[FGA Office]

Earlier today

Rather than cutting to the backstage interview area, or even a corridor backstage, instead we cut to Jessie Pederson in a studio where she’s sitting in an interviewer’s chair, although her interviewee isn’t visible for the time being

Jessie Pederson: Hi folks, welcome to an interview that I conducted earlier today with somebody who a lot of the FGA fanbase have been wanting to hear from in recent weeks, especially considering what happened on the first show of this year. So without further ado, allow me to introduce my guest for this evening’s show, Cherry Baum.

The came zooms out to reveal Cherry Baum sat opposite Jessie, attempting to be cordial yet feeling more than a little awkward with the current situation – and, more than anything else, vulnerable

Cherry Baum: Hey.

She attempts to smile and act relaxed, but her glancing towards the camera once she responds makes it obvious that she is anything but

Jessie Pederson: The first question I have to ask you, one which has been on the mind of a lot of people in recent weeks, is how are you feeling?

Shifting awkwardly in her chair, Cherry tries not to meet Jessie’s gaze as she formulates her answer

Cherry Baum: I’m…I’m okay, I guess.

Jessie Pederson: Are you sure that you’re okay?

Cherry Baum: Yeah…

The overly-defensive tone of Cherry’s answer says more than her brief response ever could

Cherry Baum: I mean the world’s pretty scary right now, with things getting cancelled at the last minute left and right, so if I’m here that means that it can’t all be bad…right?

Cherry tries to reassure Jessie with a smile, but it’s as reassuring as finding yourself trekking through Alaska in your boxer shorts

Jessie Pederson: Okay, moving on, a lot of people have been wondering where Johnny Karma has gone since we last saw him. Considering how close the two of you have been for the past few years, do you have any idea?

Cherry Baum: None.

The bluntness of Cherry’s response takes Jessie aback, and as a response she momentarily loses her place in the interview, which allows Cherry to chip in

Cherry Baum: A lot of people have asked me that, but they have as much of an idea as I do, and that’s just…

Cherry’s voice starts to break towards the end of her half-sentence, and as a result she puts the walls up once again

Cherry Baum: Do you have another question?

Jessie Pederson: Well, uhhh…

Jessie glances at her cards to see what question is next, but noticeably she looks at the card and takes it out of the pile and shuffles it to the very back, something Cherry can’t help but notice

Cherry Baum: What was the question you just skipped over?

Jessie Pederson: It’s nothing.

Cherry Baum: Please…

Pausing for a second, Cherry realises there’s a large hint of desperation in her voice, which she attempts to push down when asking again

Cherry Baum: Please, just ask it, there’s no need to walk on eggshells around me. I mean, anyone watching this will have seen me getting kicked to the kerb on national TV already, so don’t pretend that it didn’t happen just because you feel awkward.

Jessie Pederson: Okay…

With a sigh, Jessie pulls the card back to the top of the pile, knowing that the response might not be as pleasant as she was expecting

Jessie Pederson: The question was…the question is how do you feel about what happened a few weeks ago? At the time you looked crushed, so how are you feeling now?

Cherry Baum: How did I feel at the time? Honestly, I felt like I was being told that I had wasted my life. But it’s not what was said that felt like that was being said, that I can deal with…over time, maybe, but I can deal with it eventually. But in that moment I felt like I had spent so many years thinking that I was helping somebody become the best that they could be, pulling them through their lowest moments and being there when they celebrated the highest ones, yet in that moment there was no person there, there was just bitterness and selfishness and I found myself asking if I had been blind to this all along. What if the likes of Izzy Anders were right and I was wrong?

For a moment it seems that Cherry is considering this, but then common sense steps in to remind her that Izzy is hardly the most reliable judge of character or, for that matter, most pleasant human being

Cherry Baum: How do I feel about it now? I feel the same, as I’ve had so much time to pick through and I find myself looking for any clues that I missed at the time, or maybe missed out on what people were trying to tell me, but the thing that gets me the most is that so much of the time I’m just imagining this stuff was there as I try to tell me that maybe this was always the way, but at the back of my mind there’s a voice telling me that he put all this pressure on himself to succeed and because he failed, he snapped. But that’s the thing, I don’t know where he is, I barely get three rings before he hangs up when I try and call, and that’s as good as anyone else has gotten but somehow I’m seen as the person to ask for news, and that’s hard, Jessie, it’s so damn hard given everything he and I went through over the years.

Placing her face in her hands, it’s obvious that Cherry’s having a hell of a time trying to deal with everything that’s come her way in the past few weeks

Cherry Baum: So if he’s out there and listening, please, say something – anything – because at the end of the day I’m still worried sick and I know I shouldn’t be. I shouldn’t, but…but…

Jessie Pederson: It’s okay, you can…

Cherry Baum: It’s not okay. It’s not, okay? That’s why I’m here and he isn’t, because I’m the wreckage left behind and I don’t know what I should do anymore, while he’s doing whatever the hell he wants to do and not have to deal with the fallout. It’s not fair on me, Jessie, because I’m the one who has to answer the questions yet I’m the one who needs the answers more than anyone else.

Shaking her head, and appearing to swear under her breath in her thick Broolyn accent, Cherry comes to the conclusion that most people came to a few minutes ago

Cherry Baum: This was a mistake, Jessie. I’m just not ready for…

Gesturing around her to the cameras and the lights and the person asking questions, Cherry makes her point obvious

Cherry Baum: I’m sorry, but I should go.

Covering her face with one of her hands, Cherry gets out of her chair whilst shaking her head and walks out of shot, and as she reaches the very edge of the frame she appears to be on the verge of tears at the thought of everything that has happened.

[FGA Office]

WILDCARD LOTTERY (SEMIFINALS)
Izzy Anders vs. 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 slowly 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.

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

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.

Kris Cruise: Our second semifinal of the Wildcard Lottery is about to get underway. Neal Durden has had a little bit more time to recover from what happened earlier than his partner, Lowri Moss. But standing across the ring from him is someone who is going to bring the fight to him and that’s Izzy Anders.

Stephy Auger: This poor kid is way in over his head. Isn’t he asthmatic, too? When you combine that with what happened earlier tonight, I don’t see this match going very long.

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: His opponent, fighting out of Holland, Michigan by way of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada! She is “The Mindkiller” IZZY ANDERS!

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: Izzy Anders and Laura Perelli were able to advance past the first round of the Wildcard Lottery before Anders defeated her partner in the second round. Now, Izzy looks to kill the dreams of another hopeful right here in the semis.

Stephy Auger: Even though I am VERY disappointed with Izzy and her actions over the past year or so, I think it’s safe to say that you can pencil her in for the finals. Neal might give her a good little fight for about five minutes or so. But this is The Mindkiller we’re talking about here. FGA’s second ever Grand Slam champion! With Iser being the one that awaits the winner of this one in the finals, that just gives Izzy even more motivation!

Kris Cruise: Izzy lost to Seth Iser early on in the 2018 Frontier Lions Cup before losing two other Pride Championship matches to him. The Mindkiller would love for nothing more than to get some long overdo payback.

Stephy Auger: Don’t think that Iser hasn’t forgotten about Izzy purposely breaking Vincent Moretti’s leg, too. He may have won their last meeting, but that heinous attack is still on his mind.

At the sound of the opening bell, Anders charges across the ring before sending Durden flying into the corner with a running front dropkick!

Kris Cruise: Izzy wasting no time here!

Durden pulls himself up using the top ropes. Before he can exit the corner, The Mindkiller rocks him with a running European Uppercut. Anders follows up with MUDA MUDA MUDA (machine gun punches), knocking Durden’s head from side to side while he slowly slumps down in the corner. She then drags him from out of the corner before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Durden kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Anders with a nearfall early. She has a sense of urgency to her.

Stephy Auger: Izzy could drag this match out, which would be worse for Durden. But with the Finals taking place immediately after this match, it makes sense for Izzy to get this match with Durden over and done with as soon as possible.

Durden is sent for the ride into the far ropes. When he comes back, Anders scoops him up across her shoulder. She then turns and goes for a Lawn Dart into the corner when Durden slips down from behind and shoves her into the corner. As Anders stumbles back off the turnbuckles, Durden takes control of her back before throwing her down with an Olympic Slam! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders kicks out.

Kris Cruise: The counter there by Durden gets two. Durden is looking to try to shock the world tonight by leaving Vancouver with a top title shot and a hundred thousand bucks. But he has to get past The Dreamkiller first. Durden has heard all the chatter. He’s seen the betting lines. He’s taken in all of the talk on Twitter. Everyone is counting him out! He even thinks that Lowri would rather see Izzy win this match than him!

Stephy Auger: Wow, his own girlfriend isn’t rooting for him in this match! HA HA!

Durden takes Anders, moves her into the the corner and fires off a series of knife edge chops. He then goes for an irish whip when Anders uses her free arm to grab onto the top rope. Durden tries for another irish whip, but he gets blocked again. He then gets caught with a kick to the midsection before Anders tosses him back into the corner. The Mindkiller overwhelms him with a second series of MUDA MUDA MUDA strikes! Durden tries to cover up, but Anders keeps firing away until she breaks through his defense. She then takes Durden by the wrist before whipping him into the far corner. Izzy rushes across the ring for another running European Uppercut, but Durden catches her with a back elbow to the face. After stumbling back, Anders shakes off the blow before rushing back in for another running European Uppercut. This time, Durden goes to counter with a boot to the face. At the last second, Izzy slams on the brakes and catches his foot. The Mindkiller pulls Durden back towards the center of the ring. She then begins to taunt Durden before swinging the leg away from her. She then takes control of Durden’s back before knocking him down with the Black Song (hammerlock lariat)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Durden kicks out.

Stephy Auger: I’m surprised she didn’t knock the wind out of him.

Anders brings Durden back to his feet and delivers an arm wrench. After a second arm wrench is delivered, Durden heads over towards the side of the ring, grabs the top rope with his free hand, performs a backflip and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. Durden moves Izzy away from the ropes and executes a second arm wrench before she rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses the hold. Durden then rolls forward and leans back. As soon as he kips up, Izzy takes him by the hair and yanks him down to the mat! Durden gets back to his feet with a kip up, only for Izzy to grab him by the hair and throw him back down. She then kneels down next to Durden while maintaining control of his arm. The official gets down and asks Durden if he wants to give up. He refuses. After turning over onto his knees, Durden flips over with a headstand before reversing into another arm wrench. He then transitions into a hammerlock before Izzy spins out and reverses into a hammerlock of her own. She then throws out another Black Song when Durden ducks and heads towards the ropes. Durden bounces off the ropes and comes back with a handspring back elbow when Izzy counters with a roundhouse kick across the back of the head! She then hits the far ropes, comes back and catches Durden when he’s back to his feet with a step-up enzuigiri, which sends Durden flipping down to the mat. Instead of going for the cover, The Mindkiller heads back into the far ropes. Anders comes back and delivers a running knee drop across Durden’s face. Izzy runs back into the ropes, returns and drops another running knee across Durden’s face. She then hits Durden with a third running knee drop for good measure before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Durden gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Izzy. She’s been a step faster than Neal thus far in the early goings of this match.

Stephy Auger: Of course she has. The kid is dog tired.

Anders pulls Durden back up before scooping her up across her shoulders. She’s got Durden set up for a fireman’s carry neckbreaker when Durden starts to fight her off with elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, Durden hops back onto her shoulders. He then quickly spins around and tries for a hurricanrana. But Anders quickly counters by throwing him down hard with a Running Liger Bomb! The crowd cheers over the reversal as the referee slides into place for the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Durden gets a shoulder up.

Anders pulls up Durden from off the mat before scooping him up across her shoulders. The Mindkiller then charges towards the corner before launching him into the turnbuckles with a Lawn Dart! Anders makes her way over to Durden before tossing him through the ropes and to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Durden doesn’t look good.

Stephy Auger: It’s Neal Durden. When has he ever look good?

Kris Cruise: Be nice, Stephy.

Anders steps out onto the apron before slowly pulling Durden back to his feet. She then slowly hooks one of Durden’s arms, then the other, before throwing him down to the floor with a Snap Dragon Suplex off the apron! Durden remains folded up on the floor while the crowd murmurs amongst itself.

Kris Cruise: Good GOD what a suplex!

Stephy Auger: Yep, he’s dead.

Anders waits in the center of the ring while the crowd’s attention is diverts to the entrance way. A spotlit illuminates part of the aisle to reveal none other than Seth Iser.

“BOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: What is Seth Iser doing out here?

Stephy Auger: Whaaaat, he can’t come out here and scout his potential opponent?

Kris Cruise: He can scout from the back!

Stephy Auger: True, but there’s nothing like seeing the action up close and personal.

Kris Cruise: If I’m the referee, I’m telling Iser to turn right back around. Neal already wrestled one match here tonight that resulted in outside interference. We don’t need to see another!

The crowd continues to rain boos down on Iser while he slowly makes his way to the ring. Anders narrows her eyes at the sight of her former rival approaching. The official turns his attention towards Iser and motions for him to go to the back. Anders, however, sits down on the middle rope while waving Iser into the ring. Instead of fighting with Izzy, Iser puts his hands up defensively and waits in the aisle.

Stephy Auger: See? He comes in peace!

Kris Cruise: I don’t trust Seth Iser as far as I can throw him.

Anders stands back up while she continues to motion for Iser to get into the ring. But Iser doesn’t bite. He remains in the aisle. While Anders’ back is turned, Durden rushes up from behind and brings her down with an O’Connor Roll!

Kris Cruise: Durden rolls Izzy up!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders pushes him off, sending Durden through the ropes and to the apron. Iser is seen muttering something to himself after the kickout.

The Mindkiller rushes over to knock Durden off the apron. But Durden is able to catch her with a rope-assisted headscissors, pulling Anders over the top rope and to the floor. While Anders is on the floor, Iser motions towards her until the referee runs over towards the ropes and warns him. Again, Iser puts his hands up defensively while he backs away from Anders. Iser makes his way over to one of the corners of the ringside area.

Kris Cruise: Come on, ref. He purposely tried to get Izzy distracted. Then he was well on his way to attacking Izzy until the referee caught him. Iser needs to be tossed out of here.

Stephy Auger: Seth Iser hasn’t raised a finger towards either grappler in this match. Just calm down.

Back in the ring, Durden sets up shop near the far ropes while he waits for Anders to get back up. Once Anders is back to her feet, Durden runs across the ring, jumps over the top rope and goes for a slingshot hurricanrana. Instead of Durden flipping back, Anders catches him on her shoulders, turns and throws him down with another Running Liger Bomb a few steps away from Iser.

“OHHH!!!”

Kris Cruise: Izzy with a powerbomb on the outside!

Stephy Auger: And right in front of Iser! She’s trying to send him a message!

Anders picks up Durden and rolls him back inside. Instead of immediately following up with a pin or an attack on Durden, Anders turns her attention over towards Iser. The former Pride Champion stares Izzy down as she walks over to him.

Kris Cruise: This isn’t going to end well.

Stephy Auger: ...for Izzy? I agree!

The crowd buzzes with anticipation while the Grand Slam winner narrows her eyes at him. Iser lets out the slightest smirk once he realizes that Izzy is being counted out. The Mindkiller finally keys in on the in fact that the ref’s count has reached six. She then takes a few steps back before turning to face the ring. Iser motions towards her before thinking better of him. Back inside, Izzy goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Durden gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy almost let her emotions get the best of her.

Stephy Auger: It’s a shame that she didn’t.

Anders again targets the arm by turning Durden over into the prone position before delivering repeated knee drops while applying a grounded hammerlock. Durden is then pulled back to his feet before The Mindkiller delivers a double knee armbreaker. Durden clutches his arm while he staggers across the ring before collapsing against the ropes. While Durden tries to recover, Izzy approaches from behind before wrapping his arm around the top rope. The ref is quick to give Izzy until the count of five to break the illegal hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders breaks the hold before delivering a front push kick to the shoulder blade. She then pulls Durden away from the ropes before bringing him down with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. From there, Anders is quick to apply a Stepover Armlock!

Kris Cruise: The Breakup, Part III!

Durden cries out as Anders cinches in the hold. He wags his finger at the official when questioned if he wants to give up. On the outside, Iser draws the ire of Anders when he slaps the apron while trying to encourage Durden to hang in there. Despite how deep Anders has the submission locked in, Durden is able to reach over with his leg and get his foot on the bottom rope to force a rope break.

ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders reluctantly breaks the hold. She looks over and narrows her eyes at Iser while he applauds Durden.

Kris Cruise: Iser badly wants Durden to advance. Not only because Durden has already been put through the ringer tonight, but he knows that if he faces Izzy, he’s in trouble.

Stephy Auger: Trouble? Need I remind you that he’s beaten Izzy three times.

The Mindkiller makes her way back over to Durden and starts to slowly pull him up. Durden begins to hit her with left hands to the midsection before Izzy quickly pulls him into a front facelock. The crowd cheers as she falls back and plants him with a DDT! Anders rolls over, pulls Durden back to his feet and plants him with a second DDT! She goes for a third DDT to complete the Three Enemigos rolling DDT combo when Durden lifts her up, runs and rams her back-first into the corner.

Kris Cruise: Durden stopped the Three Enemigos!

Anders leans against the turnbuckles while Durden slowly stumbles back towards the center of the ring. After shaking out his right arm, Durden rushes back in to attack, only to get knocked back with a boot to the face. Durden shakes off the blow, rushes back in and gets knocked back with a European Uppercut. Izzy then hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, jumps off and plants him with a diving tornado DDT! Durden’s head bounces off the mat before he falls back to the canvas. Izzy then rushes over to make the cover.

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

Durden gets his left shoulder up.

Anders looks over and sees Iser applauding obnoxiously on the floor. The referee puts his hand out in front of her to hold her back. But she swats his arm out of the way while she makes a beeline over towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: Don’t fall for it, Izzy.

Stephy Auger: Wrestling’s Greatest Mind has the so-called Mindkiller wrapped around his finger.


Anders sticks her upper body through the ropes as she beckons Iser over towards her. The Mindkiller simply nods while Iser has choice words for her and Fujiko Mine. Iser continues to go off until Anders knocks his head to the side with a Stockton Slap! The crowd explodes with cheers.

Stephy Auger:What the hell!?

Iser stumbles back before clutching the side of his face. He then marches forward before grabbing the ropes. The Mindkiller then hits the far ropes, comes back and performs a Tranquillo Roll in front of him. She poses on the mat with a smirk on her face while an enraged Iser climbs the apron. He tries to get in the ring, but the official holds him back.

Stephy Auger: Let him go!

Kris Cruise: No, it’s time for Iser to get out of here!

The crowd explodes with cheers when the ref’s had enough of Iser’s presence and tosses him from the ringside area.

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

Iser repeatedly shakes his head ‘no.’ But the referee isn’t having it with him. The former Pride Champion looks around before reluctantly dropping off the apron. He looks back over towards Anders and mouths something at her before turning his back and marching back up the aisle.

Kris Cruise: Finally!

Back in the ring, Anders heads over to Durden. She starts to pick him up when he quickly surprises her with a small package!

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

Anders kicks out.

Both grapplers try to scramble back to their feet. Izzy wins the race back to a vertical base and quickly flattens Durden with the HEAD BOOT (Shining Yakuza Kick)! She makes the cover.

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

Durden gets his left shoulder up.

Anders pulls Durden back to his feet and hits him with four European Uppercuts before running towards the ropes, leaping back and knocking him down with a diving corkscrew European Uppercut. She then pulls Durden up to a seated position before pointing to a random fan in the crowd. The Mindkiller runs into the ropes, comes back and throws out A Gift For You (Penalty Kick) when Durden wraps his arms around Anders’ leg.

Kris Cruise: Neal blocked it!

The crowd buzzes with anticipation while Durden returns to his feet. Izzy continues to bounce up one foot before throwing out an enzuigiri. She whiffs when Durden ducks the kick. He then reaches down, pulls Anders off the mat and takes control of her back before throwing out the ripcord knee strike. NO! Anders cuts him off when she gets spun around with a Stockton Slap! Durden turns to face Anders and gets rocked with another Stockton Slap! Izzy takes advantage of the stunned Durden by unleashing Dirty Dancin (kick flurry) on him! Anders continues to unload alternating kicks to Durden before pulling him into a front facelock and planting him with the Three Enemigos! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Durden gets his shoulder up.

Izzy pulls Durden back to his feet, lifts him up and drops him with the Aniplex (Cutthroat Brainbuster)! She goes for the cover.

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

The crowd gasps Durden gets his shoulder up.

Anders pulls Durden back to his feet before delivering a European Uppercut. She then hits Durden with a roundhouse kick before following up with another European Uppercut. Durden gets overwhelmed with a barrage of alternating roundhouse kicks and European Uppercuts until an Axe Kick to the head drops him down to a seated position. Anders turns and points to a random fan before hitting the ropes. When she comes back, she flattens Durden with A Gift For You!

Kris Cruise: Izzy nearly kicked his head off!

Anders reaches down and slowly pulls a dazed Durden back to his feet before hitting the ropes. Izzy bounces off the ropes, rushes back over and throws out the Capetown Sunset (540 Kick)! The crowd gasps when Durden ducks, which causes the ref to get caught with the kick! The referee collapses to the mat.

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Stephy Auger: Disqualify her! She hit the ref on purpose!


While Durden is still down, Anders goes over to check on the ref. She gives him a slight shake. But the official doesn’t respond. The Mindkiller is then pulled away from the ref by Durden before getting caught with a ripcord knee strike! The knee strike snaps her head back before she stumbles back, slips through the ropes and falls to the outside.

As Anders tries to shake out the cobwebs on the floor, the crowd erupts with boos when Iser marches back down the aisle.

Stephy Auger: Well, well, look who it is?

Kris Cruise: Oh no, this isn’t good. Izzy, get up!

Iser peeks into the ring and sees the referee still out. He then looks over and sees Durden down on all fours. Iser turns his attention over to Anders, who is trying to pick herself back up. He then marches over and snatches her up into a front facelock. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as they know what’s next.

Stephy Auger: Plant her, Seth! PLANT HER!

Iser’s got Andrs set up for a Deprivation DDT when Anders grabs his wrist, spins out and rocks him with another Stockton Slap! After a kick to the gut, Izzy takes Iser and plants him on the outside with the Three Enemigos!

Kris Cruise: Seth’s plan blew up in his face!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Anders gets back to her feet and turns to face the ring when she gets flattened by Durden with a somersault plancha to the outside!

Kris Cruise: Durden takes it to the air and takes out Anders!

Durden takes Anders and rolls her back inside before climbing up to the apron. He then heads over to the ring post before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Neal’s not done! He wants to put this away right here!

Durden makes his way to the top turnbuckle. The crowd gasps as he leaps off for Starlight (Shooting Star Press)!














… and gets countered by Anders! The crowd lets ou a collective sigh.

Kris Cruise: Izzy got the knees up!

Durden bounces off of her knees before rolling over towards the ropes. The Mindkiller slowly turns over to a knee before getting back to her feet. She then turns around and faces Durden before rushing over towards him. Just as she’s about to strike, Durden pops back to his feet, lifts her up and throws her down with a sitout scoop slam piledriver! The referee crawls over to make the count.

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

Durden pulls Anders back up and hits her with a forearm strike before she comes back with a European Uppercut. Durden delivers another forearm strike before Anders answers back with another European Uppercut. The Mindkiller then moves Durden across the ring and against the ropes with a flurry of European Uppercuts before heading into the far ropes. Izzy comes back when Durden counters with a low dropkick to the legs that drops her across the middle ropes. Durden gets to his feet, hits the far ropes, comes back and knocks her down with a Tiger Feint Kick! He then heads over towards the ring post before scaling the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Neal’s going back to the top!

Stephy Auger: He hasn’t learned his lesson yet!

Durden leaps off and catches Izzy across the side of the head with a diving knee strike! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders gets a shoulder up.

Durden takes Anders and whips her hard into the corner. After Anders crashes sternum-first into the corner, she stumbles away from the corner before Durden hooks her from behind. He then looks around at the crowd before bringing Anders down with a Rolling Cutter! Durden pulls Izzy back up from behind before bringing her back down with a standing Shiranui! While Anders is splayed out on the mat, Durden steps through the ropes before climbing the turnbuckles again.

Kris Cruise: Neal Durden, ever the daredevil, wants to try his luck again.

Stephy Auger: I hope his luck runs out!

Durden gets to the top. He gauges the distance between him and Izzy before flipping off… and crashes down across her with the Starlight!

Kris Cruise: HE GOT IT! HE GOT HIT!

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

The crowd gasps, then explodes with cheers when Anders gets her shoulder up. Durden looks over at the official in shock. He can’t believe it.

Kris Cruise: Neal thought that was three. It should have been three.

Durden picks up Anders and pulls her into a front facelock. He motions for A Simple Twist of Fate (180 Stinner) when Anders slips out and shoves him off into the ropes. As he comes back, Anders goes to catch him off the rebound with the Capetown Sunset! At the last second, Durden rolls underneath it. Anders then rushes back over for another attack when Durden lifts her up across his shoulders for Nirvana’s Fall (Fireman Carry into an Overhead Kick)! Before he can deliver his finisher, Anders hits him with multiple elbows as she desperately tries to escape. After slipping down from behind, she spins Durden back towards her and throws out another Stockton Slap. This time, Durden ducks before catching her with a jumping back kick to the face. He then scoops Anders up across his shoulders before bringing her down with Nirvana’s Fall! NO! Anders catches his leg on the way down! She then pulls Durden back to a vertical base, lifts him up and then drops him with the Shotgun Party II (Ki Krusher)!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Stephy Auger: NO!

The crowd erupts with boos when Iser drags the referee out of the ring.

Kris Cruise: What the hell, Seth!?

The referee gets in Iser’s face and starts to admonish him. Back inside the ring, Anders is seeing red as she looks out to Iser. The Mindkiller gets back to her feet before taking off into the far ropes. Anders picks up speed as she runs back across the ring. She then hurls herself through the ropes… and ends up colliding with the referee when Iser slips out of the way!

Kris Cruise: The ref got caught!

As soon as Anders gets back to her feet, Iser rushes over and throws out a discus clothesline. Anders is able to duck out of the way before catching Iser when he tuns around with a kick below the belt! The cheers continue when she takes Iser and whips him hard into the ring post. Iser smacks face-first into the post before crumbling to the mat!

Kris Cruise: Iser’s been finally taken out!

The Mindkiller rolls back into the crowd. The crowd murmur as Anders sets up shop and waits for Durden to get into position for the Capetown Sunset. But the murmurs aren't for Izzy preparing to hit her finisher. It’s for Johnny Karma, who rushes through the crowd!

Kris Cruise: What is he doing here!?

Karma leaps over the guardrail with a steel chair in hand. His appear draws shock and awe from the capacity crowd. Karma then slips into the ring before rushing over…

*CRACK!*

… and cracking Anders across the back of the head with the chair!!!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: What the hell was that for!?

Karma kicks Anders over onto her back before marching across the ring, grabbing Durden by the back of his tights and dragging him over next to her. He then quickly rolls to the outside, hops over the guardrail and rushes through the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders has just been laid out by Johnny Karma! I don’t understand!? What’s the meaning behind this!? I thought Karma had given up wrestling for good!?

On the outside, the referee slowly pulls himself up using the edge of the apron before slipping back inside. He looks over and sees both Anders and Durden down. As Durden comes to, he senses Anders down on the mat. So he instinctively reaches his arm out and drapes it across her chest for the cover. The referee then drags himself closer to them before making his count.

ONE!
.
.
.
.
.
TWO!
.
.
.
.
.
THREE!

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

[FGA Office]

Before Durden can celebrate his win, Iser charges from behind before knocking him down with a running boot to the back of the head!

Kris Cruise: Dammit!

Stephy Auger: Izzy’s out of the tournament! Neal has barely anything left! I don’t see what the problem is. This is great!

WILDCARD LOTTERY (FINALS)
Seth Iser vs. Neal Durden

The bell sounds as Iser yanks Durden back to his feet before whipping him into the ropes. When Durden returns, he gets turned inside out with a running big boot to the face! Iser marches over, yanks Durden off the mat and whips him hard into the ropes, sending him flipping over the turnbuckles before falling to the outside!

Kris Cruise: What’s wrong is that Izzy Anders was robbed!

Stephy Auger: Eh, what goes around, comes around. I guess you could say this was… karma coming back to bite her! HA HA HA!

Kris Cruise: ...

Iser rolls to the outside, pulls Durden up into a bear hug and then rams him back-first into the ring post! Iser takes a few steps back before ramming Durden back-first against the ring post again! He then takes Durden and throws him down to the floor with a vertical suplex.

Kris Cruise: Durden is getting thrown around like a ragdoll!

Stephy Auger: I told you that this was a dumb idea for them to be facing the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad on the same night as the Wildcard Lottery! They did this to themselves! Don’t feel bad for them!

Iser rolls back to the ring and waves the ref over to keep counting.

FOUR!





FIVE!







SIX!





Kris Cruise: Neal Durden’s dreams are about to go up in smoke. He never even got the chance to have a fair fight!

SEVEN!






EIGHT!








NINE!

Durden is met with cheers and applause from the crowd as he slowly climbs up onto the apron. Before he can get back inside, Iser marches over, pulls back the top rope and then shoves forward, sending Durden flying off the apron and landing hard on the floor! A loud cracking sound when the back of Durden’s head smacks hard against the end of the aisleway.

Kris Cruise: NEAL!

Stephy Auger: Ooooo, that did not sound good.

Durden stirs on the floor before clutching the back of his head with both hands. While Durden remains curled up on the floor, Iser demands that the ref counts him out. The ref tells him that he has to go outside and check on Durden. He tries to step through the ropes until Iser pulls him back inside and orders him to count him out.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Come on, Seth! Let the man attend to Neal!

Stephy Auger: Nursing Neal Durden’s boo boo can wait! Seth Iser has a Wildcard Lottery to win!

Kris Cruise: How low is Seth? How desperate of a man is he? All that talk about respect and honor and he’s continued to pull nonsense all night long!

The officially reluctantly gives into the demands of the towering Iser and starts to count Durden out.

ONE!





TWO!






THREE!






FOUR!





Kris Cruise: C’mon, buddy...





FIVE!







SIX!








SEVEN!








Kris Cruise: C’mon, Neal...

Stephy Auger: Faster, ref! Faster!






EIGHT!









NINE!










TE-NO!

The crowd erupts with cheers and applause as Durden rolls in at the very last second to beat the ten count. The camera pans over to Iser, who simply shakes his head while he stands with his hands on his hips.

Stephy Auger: How? HOW!?

Kris Cruise: Neal Durden isn’t going to lay down!

Iser marches over, yanks Durden up off the mat by the hair and tosses him through the ropes and to the apron. He then steps out onto the apron, pulls Durden up and takes control of his back. Gasps are heard from the crowd as Iser tries to hurl him off the apron with a German Suplex! But Durden wisely wraps his right arm around the top rope to block the move. Iser then yanks Durden’s from off the ropes before going for another German Suplex. This time, Durden stops Iser with a back elbow to the face. Iser gets hit with a second elbow, then a third. After the rear waistlock is broken, Durden stumbles forward towards the ring post. He then runs back over to Iser until Iser hurls him off the apron with a release belly to belly suplex! Durden lands on the hard with a hard splat!

Kris Cruise: Neal!

Stephy Auger: Did you hear that!? Hey, guys in the truck! Can we get a replay of that?

He then runs back over to Iser until Iser hurls him off the apron with a release belly to belly suplex! Durden lands on the hard with a hard splat!

Iser slips back into the ring underneath the bottom rope and once again, instructs the ref to start counting Durden out.

ONE!






TWO!







THREE!









FOUR!










FIVE!









SIX!








SEVEN!









EIGHT!











NINE!










T-NO!

Durden rolls back in to beat the count!

Stephy Auger: That little runt! Just stay down!

Before Durden can get up, Iser marches over and puts the boots to him. The crowd boos Iser as he continues to stomp away at Durden’s chest. He then goes to the outside, drags Durden’s upper body out onto the apron before delivering several clubbing strikes across the back. Iser climbs back up to the apron, rushes forward and delivers a leg drop across Durden’s back. He then turns Durden over onto his back before climbing back up to the apron. After backing up towards the ring post, Iser presses forward before delivering another leg drop. Iser positions himself on the apron and goes for another leg drop. This time, Durden slips back inside, causing Iser to land hard on the floor!

Kris Cruise: He missed!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

The referee rolls to the outside and checks on Iser, who is holding his left leg. Back inside, Durden slowly turns over on all fours before picking himself back up. He then heads over towards the side of the ring, grabs the top rope with both hands, flips over the top rope and lands down across Iser with a topé atomico to the outside!

Kris Cruise: Neal landed down right across Seth!!!!

Durden favors his back before turning his attention back to Iser. He pulls the former Pride Champion back to his feet before slamming him face-first onto the apron. After pushing Iser back inside the ring, Durden climbs up to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Neal’s going right back to the top!

Durden crouches down while he waits for Iser to get in position. Once Iser is back to his feet, Durden stands up, leaps off and connects with a diving knee strike to the back of the head, sending Iser crumbling to the mat. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser kicks out.

Durden goes for an irish whip when Iser reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Durden returns, Iser throws out another big boot to the face. This time, Durden catches his foot, knocks Iser off his feet with a leg sweep and follows up with a standing corkscrew moonsault! Durden is greeted with cheers and applaud from the crowd as the ref makes the count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser kicks out.

Stephy Auger: How the hell did he pull that off? Where is he getting this from? He shouldn’t have anything left in the tank! He should be running on E!

Durden takes Iser and is successful with his second irish whip attempt as he sends Iser into the corner. After sizing Iser up, Durden runs towards the corner, hurls himself at Iser with a corner slash. But he gets caught in mid air!

Kris Cruise: Uh oh...

The crowd gasps as Iser runs all the way across the ring before ramming Durden back-first into the corner! The boos continue as Iser doubles Durden over with multiple shoulder thrusts to the midsection While Durden is doubled over, Iser takes several steps back before rushing forward and snapping Durden’s head back with a Wrestling II Knee Lift! While Durden is in a seated position in the corner, Iser stays on top of him with a foot choke. The crowd continues to boo Iser while the ref gives him until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FI-

Iser break the choke. The ref gives him a warning for pushing it. But Iser pays him no mind. He rains down three hard right handed pushes to the face before taking several steps back. He then rushes forward before bashing Durden in the face with a running knee strike. Iser reaches down and pulls Durden back to his feet before sitting him up on the top turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: That’s it, Seth. Finish this right here, right now! Don’t give these people any hope!

Iser climbs up onto the middle ropes when Durden fights him off with a flurry of right hands. Iser tries to cover his head, but some of Durden’s strikes still slip through. He then grabs Iser before pushing him off the ropes, sending him down to the mat. Iser rolls over, gets back to his feet and rushes over. But Durden is able to fend him off with a double front kick to the face. While Iser tries to shake off the blow, Durden pushes himself up to his feet on the top turnbuckle. He then jumps on the top turnbuckle, turns and lands facing away from the ring before flipping back and knocking Iser down with a moonsault! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for Iser! This has to be infuriating him! He had to have imagined that this would be a walk in the park.

Durden gets another irish whip reversed. When he returns, he avoids a punch to the face by sliding through Iser’s legs. When Iser turns around, Durden knocks him back with a dropkick. He then hits the far ropes, comes back and nails Iser with a running dropkick that knocks him through the ropes and to the apron. Iser pulls himself up on the apron as Durden runs into the corner, bounces off the middle turnbuckle and knocks him down with a springboard roundhouse kick! Durden gets up on a knee and starts slapping the canvas to get the crowd riled up. He then slowly returns to his feet and catches his breath while looking to the outside. The camera cuts to Iser as he starts to pick himself up off the floor. Back in the ring, Durden bounces in place before taking off towards the far ropes. He comes back across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and knocks Iser down with a somersault plancha!!!

Kris Cruise: Neal soars through the air before taking out Iser.

Stephy Auger:

Durden catches his breath on the floor before getting back to his feet. He takes Iser and rolls him back inside before rolling back in for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Iser gets a shoulder up.

Durden moves Iser into the corner and hits him with four shoot kicks to the chest before catching him with a jumping back kick to the face. He then climbs up onto the middle ropes before raining down punches on Iser! The crowd counts along with each punch…

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NI-”

Iser grabs Durden, rushes out of the corner and doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop before planting him with the Deprivation DDT!

Stephy Auger: YES! YES!

The crowd leaps to their feet and stand in stunned silence at Iser pulling out his finisher from out of nowhere. Iser sits and laughs before pushing Durden over onto his back. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Kris Cruise: NO!

Iser on in shock when Durden’s arm shoots up off the mat. He looks over to the referee for confirmation. After the ref points to Durden’s shoulder being up, Iser shakes his head in disbelief. But the referee stands his ground and holds two fingers up at Iser.

Stephy Auger: Are you kidding me?

Iser turns his attention back to Durden and pulls him up by the hair. He then pulls Durden into another front facelock. Durden tries to fight out of the hold. But Iser keeps the front facelock on tight before falling back and planting him with another Deprivation DDT! Durden’s head bounces off the mat before turns over to the prone position. The boos continue as Iser crawls over, pushes Durden over and makes the cover.

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

Durden gets his foot on the bottom rope. When Iser looks over at the ref and gets two fingers held up at him, he slaps the mat out of frustration.

Iser grabs Durden and slowly pulls him up off the floor. After catching Durden with three jabs, Iser throws out a discus clothesline when Durden ducks. When Iser turns around, Durden catches him with a flurry of right hands. Durden continues to nail Iser with punch after punch until Iser swats one of the punches away and clamps on the Mandible Claw!

Kris Cruise: Injection of Poison!

Iser presses down as hard as he can on the hold. Durden reaches up, grabs Iser’s arm with both hands and tries to pull Iser’s fingers from out of his mouth. But he can’t! He then tries to deliver wild strikes to Iser’s arm in a desperate attempt to break the hold.

Stephy Auger: He can’t escape! It’s all over, Cruise!

The energy is let out of the crowd as Durden starts to fade. Iser continues to fight for the submission as he senses that the end of near. Durden’s legs grow weak and he eventually drops down to a knee. The ref then raises one of his arms. He then lets go of the arm and watches it falls. The referee raises Durden’s arm again before letting go. The crowd lets out a sigh when it falls. Iser can be seen nodding his head. A win is moment’s away for him. The referee raises Durden’s arm for a third and final time before letting go. The arm falls, then stops halfway down! Iser’s eyes widen with shock as Durden’s arm starts to shake. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Durden battles back to his feet. He then quickly rips Iser’s hand from out of his mouth, hoists him up across his shoulders and brings him down with Nirvana’s Fall (Fireman Carry into an Overhead Kick) to an explosion of cheers!

Stephy Auger: NOOOOOOO!

Kris Cruise: Neal brought Seth down with Nirvana’s Fall!

Iser remains splayed out on the mat as Durden struggles to sit up. The capacity crowd is at a fever pitch as they continue to cheer for Durden. Members of the crowd point behind Durden and yell at him to go for the pin. An exhausted Durden slowly turns over and starts to pull himself across the ring.

Kris Cruise: Pin him, Neal! He’s right there!

The Vancouver crowd continues to wave Durden over towards Iser. Durden then reaches out to drape his arm across Iser’s chest for the cover when Iser slowly rolls out to the apron.

Stephy Auger: Now that’s ring awareness, Cruise!

Both grapplers slowly make their way back to their feet. Iser catches Durden with a punch to the face before Durden answers back with a punch of his own. Iser connects with another punch to the face before Durden returns the favor with a punch of his own. Iser throws out a hard right handed punch when Durden ducks and doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He goes to bring Iser back inside with a vertical suplex when Iser blocks and counters with a vertical suplex off the apron! The crowd erupts with boos when Durden lands on the floor with a hard splat!

Stephy Auger: Neal has to be done after that. He has to.

Iser slwoly picks Durden up before ramming him back-first against the edge of the apron. He then pushes Durden back inside before rolling himself back in. Iser drags Durden away from the ropes before making the cover.

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

Durden gets his shoulder up.

Iser takes Durden and shoots him for the ropes. When Durden comes back, Iser lifts him up, turns and throws him down with a spinebuster! He then rolls across Durden as he hooks the near leg for the cover.

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

Durden gets his arm up off the mat.

Durden keeps his arm in the air and starts to shake it as he feed off the energy of the crowd. Iser reaches down and snatches Durden up by the arm before yanking him over into the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam)! The boos continue as he makes the cover and hooks the leg…

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

The crowd cheers when Durden gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Neal is continuing to hang on!

Iser pulls Durden from off the mat and sizes him up before throwing out a discus clothesline. The crowd cheers when Iser whiffs after Durden ducks and heads towards the ropes. He bounces back for a handspring back elbow when Iser catches him in mid air and counters with a release German Suplex!

Stephy Auger: What a counter!

He crawls over, pushes Durden onto his back and makes the cover.

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

Durden gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: No! How was that not three!?

Iser drags Durden into position before heading into the corner. The boos grow louder as he starts to climb the turnbuckles. As soon as Iser climbs to the top turnbuckle, Durden leaps over and yanks down the top rope. The crowd cheers when Iser slips and ends up crotched on the top turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: Ah!

Durden heads into the corner and climbs up to the top rope. He then starts to rain down punches on top of Iser’s head while the crowd counts along.

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NINE!”

“TEN!”

Durden then hops onto Iser’s shoulders, flips back and spikes him with an avalanche poison rana to an explosion of cheers and applause from the crowd!

Kris Cruise: WHAT A MANEUVER!

Stephy Auger: Seth, get up! Please!

Durden crawls over, pushes Iser onto his back and makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs when Iser gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Thank you! Thank you!

Durden pulls up Iser and whips him into the corner. He then charges into the corner before nailing him with a running arched big boot! Durden delivers another irish whip, follows Iser across the ring and blasts him with another running arched big boot! He then pulls Iser from out of the corner before hitting the far ropes. The crowd cheers when Durden comes back and brings Iser down with a Sling Blade! He catches his breath before making the cover.

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

Iser gets a shoulder up.

Durden takes Iser, heads into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle before struggling to hoist him up onto the middle ropes. He then steps out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Durden is going back to his bread and butter: the top rope!

After climbing up onto the top turnbuckle, Durden hops onto Iser’s back before throwing him down with an avalanche leg trap sunset flip powerbomb! He’s met with cheers and applause from the crowd as the referee drops down for the count.

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

The crowd sighs when Iser gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Super close call there for Iser! He didn’t expect this fight from Durden! He didn’t expect this match to still be going past a certain point.

Durden takes Iser and pulls him back over towards the center of the ring. After a kick to the gut doubles Iser over, Durden slowly hooks one of Iser’s arm. After hooking Iser’s other arm, he tries to hoist him up for a sitout double underhook powerbomb. But Iser’s able to break free and counters with a back body drop. Iser goes over and sets up for a sharpshooter when Durden uses his legs to shove Iser off, sending the former Pride Champion into the ropes. Durden returns to his feet before rushing over for an attack. He goes to strike Iser when he gets countered with a Stun Gun! Iser brings Durden back to his feet before pulling him down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. He goes for the cover. Iser pulls Durden back to his feet, takes control of his wrist and throws out a short-arm lariat. He whiffs on the strike when Durden ducks. He then quickly takes control of Iser’s back before hitting him with a ripcord knee strike! He then turns and heads into the far ropes. When Durden turns, he slows and down and stops as Iser runs past him into the same set of ropes. Iser then comes back and turns Durden inside out with a lariat! He then pulls Durden back to his feet and throws out a discus clothesline. But Durden ducks, hits, the ropes, comes back and brings Iser down with a Sling Blade! Durden then drags Iser into position before stepping out to the apron. Durden proceeds to climb the ropes while the crowd is solidly behind him. Once he’s on the top turnbuckle, he stays crouched before slowly rising to a standing position. The capacity crowd is at a fever pitch as he flips off for the Starlight (Shooting Star Press)! A roar of cheers quickly turns to a collective gasp when Iser rolls out of the way, causing Durden to land hard chest-first on the canvas! Durden lands with a hard thud before turning over and clutching his chest. Iser is back to his feet as he’s met with a downpour of boos. He wastes little time pulling Durden off the mat before pulling him into a front facelock. Durden tries his hardest to pull himself out of the front facelock. But Iser has the hold locked on nice and tights. Iser looks down at Durden and shakes his head ‘no’ before falling back, driving the top of his skull into the mat with the Deprivation DDT! Durden’s motionless body lays prone on the mat until Iser nudges him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… and your 2020 WILDCARD LOTTERY winner… SETTTTTHHHHHH IIIIIISERRRRRRR!

The boos continue as Iser gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Seth Iser has one the Wildcard Lottery tournament! But we’ve got to credit Neal Durde-

Stephy Auger: No, we don’t have to credit him for anything! He lost! This is Seth Iser’s moment! He should be celebrated like the winner he is! Ashley Sands, Mark Bisley, Ashley Marie Chase, Lowri Moss and now Neal Durden have all fallen to Wrestling’s Greatest Mind in the Wildcard Lottery! Not only is Seth now $100,000 richer, but now he has his choice of either challenging for the World Championship or the International Heavyweight Championship. If I’m Fujiko Mine, Cordy Stevenson, James Edwards or Ashlyn De Luca, I’m constantly looking over my shoulder because Seth Iser is gunning for the gold!

[FGA Office]

Voice: Cordelia Stevenson is scared of cardio.

The mere sound of the International Heavyweight Champion’s voice ignites a thunderous response from the audience in attendance, before the actual visual of her can even be seen. Finally the camera fades in and we see the champion standing in front of a Grapple Kingdom backdrop, already dressed for her title defense later in the evening against Ashlyn De Luca. She still dons a ‘Get Familiar’ face mask, which hides her expression, but the sarcasm in the tone of her initial statement simply can’t be hidden.

Cordelia Stevenson: That’s the narrative that our soon to be Track & Field Olympian wants to try and push to you fine people.

Cordelia simply shakes her head and rolls her eyes. Her cheeks slightly shift upward and you can just envision the smirk hiding behind that mask.

Cordelia Stevenson: Nevermind the fact that I’ve built my entire career off of being able to run laps around the competition. But Cordelia Stevenson is afraid of cardio.

She scoffs at the thought and gives a slight shrug.

Cordelia Stevenson: Ashlyn, baby girl — you’ve gone out of your way to poke the bear. You’ve done everything in your will to enrage me, to get me angry, to get on my bad side… and why? I honestly don’t know. Common sense and history would say that isn’t the smart thing to do; but then again, one thing I have learned throughout my time in this business is that common sense isn’t that common. And one thing you’re showing me is that maybe I have given you too much credit. Maybe you aren’t as intelligent as I thought you were, and truth be told, I can’t help but to feel a tad bit disappointed. Here you are, with the biggest opportunity of your career right in front of you, and yet all I’ve gotten from you -- is more of the same. The same short term line of thinking that has kept you from truly living up to your potential for how many years now?

She inhales sharply and turns her head away from the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Phoenix Wrestling, HKW -- your book is a tale of underachievement and what could have beens, highlighted by a few highs that only serve as a reminder to us all of what you should have been. You’ve shown flashes, chica. That light has flickered on and off constantly, and as a fan of the business, I’ve always hoped that you could somehow get it to stay. It’s truly frustrating, to see such talent go to waste; to know what you’re capable of, yet having to watch you continue on your treadmill of mediocrity and complacency. Your name should be mentioned as one of the greatest wrestlers this business has ever seen, but it isn’t. And it’s all because even after all of this time, you still haven’t learned to get out of your own damn way. You see, the thing about you Ashlyn? It’s that you are your own biggest obstacle. Your tendency to self sabotage is truly remarkable, and it makes me wonder if you really want this as badly as you claim you do, or are you simply just afraid to come get it.

Cordelia slides the International Heavyweight Championship off of her shoulder, and holds it in the palms of her hands.

Cordelia Stevenson: Because you’re always looking for a shortcut, chica. You’re always looking to cut corners. You’re always looking to outsmart everyone else and try to find an easy way to get things done, when sometimes---

Cordy shakes her head and lowers the title to her side.

Cordelia Stevenson: --- sometimes there just isn’t a way to do that. Sometimes there are no shortcuts to take. Sometimes there simply aren’t any corners to cut. And this is one of those times, Ashlyn. This is one of those times where you’ve planned and you’ve plotted your little heart out, only to realize that there's simply no way around it.. No matter how you try to map your course, if you want this International Heavyweight Championship, then the only road is through me. I can be afforded the luxury of...

She motions with her hand.

Cordelia Stevenson: ... being afraid of cardio as you like to say, because the truth of the matter is, I don’t have to do any chasing at all. I’ve done so because it's something to do. I’ve done so because I just like playing your game. It’s amusing to me. But at the end of the day, if you want what I have, then you’re going to have to come to me and you’re going to have to take it, and I think that scares you. Because you know, you’re stepping into the ring with someone that acknowledges you for the threat that you are and that has prepared accordingly. Your greatest asset is the fact that it’s hard to take you seriously and lowkey, you bank on that. Most see the obnoxious and loudmouth brat; the annoying chihuahua that is constantly yelping and crying for attention and they overlook you. They tune you out and they don’t consider you a threat. And you bank on that. You try and look for that window of opportunity to somehow slither out on top, using their lack of judgment against them. But that’s a window you haven’t found with me. You even said it yourself, Cordelia Stevenson was the one that acknowledged you all along. While others overlooked you, I gave you praise. When your usual song and dance didn’t work on me, it left you paranoid. Your whole schtick is to try and make a fool of someone; to show that you aren’t the weakling that they perceived you as; that you are more than the yelping chihuahua that they tend to overlook. You want to prove people wrong, yet the only thing I’ve asked of you this entire time…

There is a slight pause, and a smirk.

Cordelia Stevenson: ... is to prove me right. I’ve never doubted your skill. I’ve never doubted what you are capable of. I’ve never doubted that you’ve had greatness in you. All I’ve asked is for you to show me the thing that I’ve seen all along and clearly it has thrown you off balance. I get it. It’s easy to live up to expectations when there are none for you. It’s a much more daunting task dealing with the weight of seemingly insurmountable ones. But that is what greatness is. Setting a bar so high that you may never reach it, but the effort that you put in alone is enough to have you in a territory where not many are willing to venture. That is the separation. That is the distinguishing factor. You too can reach that level, Ashlyn. But are you ready to take that step? Tonight, that’s something that you have to ask yourself, because if you aren’t? Then it is going to be a long ass night for you chica. If you want this title, then we’re going to have to see the best Ashlyn De Luca we’ve ever seen; and you have to come in with the understanding that even that might not be enough, but the willingness to bring that out, the willingness to go that extra mile and do things that you’ve never done before could be the very thin line that separates you from where you are and where you aspire to be. I’m not unbeatable by any means; but throughout the course of my career, it’s something that only a handful of people have managed to do. If you don’t think I’m going to give you the fight of your life, then just stop by Savannah’s locker room before she gets massacred and ask her what it was like trying to put me away. She gave it everything she had, and she simply... couldn’t ...do ...it.

Cordy adds extra emphasis on that last phrase, allowing the question to linger a bit before adding.

Cordelia Stevenson: Can you?

She takes a step forward now, leaning in towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Cordelia Stevenson is afraid of cardio…

She gives another casual shrug and chuckles.

Cordelia Stevenson: … but she isn’t afraid of whooping your ass, and win, lose, or draw… best believe you’re going to feel this in the morning. Get familiar.

The crowd can be heard going crazy in the background as Cordelia slings the title back over her shoulder and walks out of the scene.

[FGA Office]

Our camera cuts to the backstage area, against a nondescript, woodgrain background. The Vancouver audience immediately boos upon the sight of the International Heavyweight Champion’s number one contender. Visible for the second time of the evening, now clad in purple-and-green, Hulk-inspired gear is Ashlyn De Luca. Her arms are folded and her jaw is tightened as she frowns in disapproval, looking straight ahead, past the camera. Panning out reveals that we’re standing outside of De Luca’s designated locker room, and the ever-present Amanda Johnson stands to her left, microphone in hand, clearly-forced, clearly-strained smile on her face.

Amanda Johnson: Ashlyn--

Ashlyn De Luca: Amanda. Look. I need you to do something for me here.

Ashlyn takes a deep breath and turns, looking toward the interviewer with narrowed eyes.

Ashlyn De Luca: You… you understand that tonight-- this is one of the biggest nights of my career. Like, you get that, right?

Amanda Johnson: Of course. I appreciate that and it’s what I’d expect. It’s not every wrestler that gets an opportunity to compete for--

Ashlyn De Luca: Good. So you get it.

Amanda Johnson: Yes. I get it.

Ashlyn De Luca: Okay. So, do me a solid, and don’t ask me something that’ll undoubtedly piss me off before this match, Amanda. Hype me up. Get me in the mood. Get me psyched to go out there and win the International Heavyweight Title-- the second World Championship of my entire career.

Johnson nods in understanding.

Amanda Johnson: Alright.

Ashlyn De Luca: Alright?!

Amanda Johnson: I got it.

Ashlyn De Luca: Great. Hype me up.

Amanda Johnson: Is your hired security going to accompany you to ringside? And if so, are they gonna wear those?

Ashlyn De Luca: Wha-

We pan out even farther, revealing the hired goons themselves, Security Uno and Dos standing about five feet from Ashlyn. While Dos is casually wearing his “GET FAMILIAR” facemask, arms folded as he leans against the wall, dozing off, Security Uno is blatantly setting up to take a selfie in his.

Ashlyn De Luca: Are you two kidding me right now?!

Dos jerks upright, looking around casually, trying to pretend he wasn’t just asleep on his feet. Security Uno shrugs, lowering his phone, using a thumb to pull down the Cordy-supplied facemask.

Security Uno: What’s the problem?

Ashlyn groans under her breath and rolls her eyes back toward Amanda.

Ashlyn De Luca: No, they are not coming out there with me.

Amanda Johnson: Cool. So you’re just going to go out there and face Cordy by yourself, no tricks, no theatrics, and you’re just-- prepared to do that?

Ashlyn De Luca: Of course I’m prepared to d… what the hell, Amanda?!

Johnson sighs slightly, offering a shrug toward the number one contender.

Amanda Johnson: Every time you’ve come in contact with the champion, you’ve fled, Ashlyn. I’m not trying to spin it in a way that’s disrespectful-- but it’s true. Sure, Cordy’s “Olympic track and field” petition was largely just a joke but the implications behind it were pretty spot-on, don’t you think? Be fair here, Ashlyn; how exactly does your strategy net you a championship?

Ashlyn scoffs, shaking her head, looking away from Johnson as if the question was--

Ashlyn De Luca: Absolutely ridiculous.

With a raised brow, she looks to Johnson again.

Ashlyn De Luca: You know… personally I think it’s pretty important that I’m not just willing to show my hand against Cordy. The less she’s able to anticipate when that bell rings, the better off I am. Everybody is so preoccupied with wondering what happens when Cordy finally catches up to me, but they’re missing the really important stuff.

A scoff. A bitter laugh.

Ashlyn De Luca: I already know that she can’t catch me unless I want her to. She hasn’t proven me wrong yet. And it’s alllll by design. It’s because I dictate the rules of engagement, not her. That’s-- that’s the amount of power I already have. When Cordy is running across an entire goddamn foreign country just because she wants the chance to get her hands on me, just to prove that she can get her hands on me-- that’s… that’s power.

Another bitter laugh as Ashlyn guides her own hands to her heart.

Ashlyn De Luca: Cordy was lured here.

A deep sigh as Ashlyn’s gaze travels into the distance.

Ashlyn De Luca: And by the end of the night, she’s gonna realize she never wanted to catch me. She’s gonna need a hell of a lot more than these stupid masks to protect her from what’s coming.

She turns to Amanda, lips stretched into a small smile… though the smile fade as she casts a look over her shoulder toward Uno and Dos. Instinctively, both men yank their facemasks down, stuffing them into their pockets. Ashlyn shakes her head slightly, leaving the scene without them, heading off toward gorilla as we fade to black on Amanda Johnson.

[FGA Office]

FGA INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
(C) Cordy Stevenson vs. Ashlyn De Luca

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest, scheduled for ONE fall, is for the INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!

The lights in the arena blink to darkness, prompting a loud but indecisive reaction from the audience, many of which have grown used to being plunged into darkness-- but the mixed reaction becomes dominated by boos as the words “I come to life…” echo throughout the arena over the soundsystem, followed by the familiar deep drums, with the text CHAOS appearing in blood red on the Tron. Kavinsky’s “Suburbia” plays on the PA and the lights in the arena slowly return with a red hue. Ashlyn De Luca steps out of the darkness and onto the top of the ramp, smirking at the reaction of the audience. She turns her back briefly, flashing the back of her black-and-pink “Chaotics” jacket before making her way down toward the bottom of the ramp. Ashlyn pauses, looking out at the crowd around her before sprinting to the ring, sliding in beneath the bottom rope and rising to a knee in the center.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia! Weighing in at 133 pounds… ASHLYN DE LUCA!

Ashlyn walks toward the ropes, calmly climbing to the second, scanning the audience before blowing a sarcastic kiss toward the mainly-jeering crowd. She peels her jacket off, tossing it onto the face of the nearest cameraman before pushing herself off of the ropes, mouthing along to the lyrics of her theme as she makes her way toward the corner, ready for action.

Kris Cruise: There’s nowhere to run for Ashlyn De Luca tonight. She can’t hide from Cordy Stevenson any longer. If she wants that International championship, she’s going to have to fight for her,.

Stephy Auger: You’re just like Cordy with those tired “Track & Field” line. The only running Ashlyn is gonna do tonight is when she runs right through Cordy to become the new champion!

The lights dim down and take on a purplish hue as a light smoky mist fills the entranceway. The soulful opening to Nipsey Hussle’s “Been Down” begins playing as Swizz Beats offering the tracks opening monologue.

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...

As the beat drops, the crowd gives a loud pop as Cordelia Stevenson emerges from the mist with a bounce in her step and dancing to the music. She comes to a stop atop the walkway, glancing around and taking in the reception. She rolls her neck around before bowing her head and letting her hair fall in front of her face. A few seconds go by before she snaps her head up, whipping her hair back from in front of her face.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Freeport, Long Island! Weighing in at 147 pounds! She is the reigning… defending… International Heavyweight Champion… CORDY STEVENSON!

She continues on down the ramp, working from side to side, slapping the hands of the fans along the way. Before she reaches the ring, she stops and pulls off her face mask, giving it to a lucky fan before hopping onto the apron and entering the ring. She immediately heads towards the turnbuckles, climbing up and raising a fist. After drawing cheers from the crowd, she hops down and heads to the other side of the ring, to repeat the process. Finally she hops down and saunters over to the corner as the music fades out.

Kris Cruise: Cordy Stevenson returned to FGA after retiring when her love for the game called her back. Since returning last fall, Cordy earned her shot at the International Heavyweight Championship on one of the last editions of Flashpoint before going on to win the title at Autumn Annihilation! Cordy isn’t looking for her time as International champion to end the same way her World Championship reign did.

Stephy Auger: First off, she didn’t miss “the game,” Cruise. She missed the spotlight! Like the glory hog she is, she came back and stole the spotlight from Ashlyn De Luca! The nerve of her to slander Ashlyn De Luca’s good name. She thinks this is all just fun and games. But we’ll see whose laughing when she natches that International championship from her!

The match starts with both Stevenson and De Luca make their way towards the center of the ring. Champion and challenger waste little time in immediately getting into a word of words. The bell rings to officially start the contest, but Stevenson and De Luca continue their verbal sparring. The two continue to jaw at each other before taking several steps back. Champion and challenger begin circling the ring before they head towards the center to engage in a collar-and-elbow. After jockeying for position, De Luca gains the advantage with a side headlock. De Luca wrenches down on the hold before adding insult with a noogie. De Luca chuckles at the booing crowd before continuing to wrench down on the hold. While Stevenson struggles to get out of the hold, the referee asks her if she wants to give up. Cordy refuses before finally shoving De Luca off of her into the ropes. When De Luca comes back, Stevenson knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. She then turns and runs into another set of ropes. When she comes back, De Luca turns over into the prone position. Stevenson then skips over her before continuing to run the ropes. De Luca then gets back to a vertical base before Stevenson comes back and knocks her back down with a running shoulder block. Cordy looks down at De Luca and smirks before running another another set of ropes. When Cordy comes back, she skips over De Luca before continuing to run the ropes. After De Luca returns, De Luca scrambles to her feet and leap frogs over Stevenson. When Cordy comes back, De Luca returns the favor and knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. She then turns to run into another set of ropes. But she stays in place and kicks her feet back to simulate kicking dirt back onto Cordy.

“BOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Real mature, Ashlyn.

Stephy Auger: Ashlyn, immature? How about you get on Cordy and tell her to start acting like a champion!

De Luca smirks before heading into the ropes. When she comes back, Stevenson returns to her feet with a kip up before leap frogging over De Luca. De Luca continues to run the ropes. When De Luca comes back, the crowd gasps when Cordy leap frogs over her without turning to face her. De Luca continues to run the ropes. When she comes back, she sees Cordy running past her into the same set of ropes. So she slows down to a stop. As De Luca turns around, Stevenson comes back and brings her down with a running hurricanrana. De Luca scrambles back to a vertical base as Cordy runs over and brings her down with a step up Tijeras. Cordy then hits the far ropes as De Luca gets back to her feet. When Cordy returns, De Luca tries to cut her off with a back elbow to the back. But Cordy ducks as she continues to run the ropes. She then comes back and executes a double rotation tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown, sending De Luca rolling underneath the bottom ropes and to the floor. As De Luca starts to pick herself up on the outside, Cordy turns and heads back into the far ropes. When Stevenson comes back across the ring, she motions for a baseball slide until she spins around underneath the bottom rope, poses on the apron with her head rested against her palm and puckers her lips at De Luca. The crowd cheers Cordy while De Luca narrows her eyes at the champion.

Stephy Auger: She’s trying to show Ashlyn up.

Kris Cruise: Oh, she isn’t “trying,” Stephy. That’s exactly what she’s doing.

De Luca starts to make her way around the ring. The official can be seen following De Luca from the inside and calling her to get back inside. But De Luca pays him no mind. De Luca then turns and sees Cordy making her way across the ring. Stevenson then sits down on the middle rope while holding the top rope up for her. De Luca responds by flipping her off.

BOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn isn’t winning over any of these fans in Canada.

Stephy Auger: As if Ashlyn cares what these sheep think.

De Luca continues to circle the ring before finally hopping up to a knee on the apron. She then rises back to her feet before slowly stepping back into the ring. Both grapplers proceed to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, De Luca once again gains the advantage with a side headlock. De Luca wrenches down on the hold until Stevenson slips out and reverses into a hammerlock. De Luca howls in pain as Stevenson applies pressure to the shoulder joint. The ref asks De Luca if she wants to give up. De Luca quickly refuses. She then fakes an elbow shot to the face before quickly spinning out and reversing the hold. De Luca is met with boos when she laughs after the successful reversal. She continues to mock Cordy until Cordy spins out and reverses the hammerlock. De Luca stomps her foot out of frustration after finding herself on the wrong end of the hammerlock. She then fakes likes she’s going to grab onto one of Cordy’s legs before reaching back up and catching Cordy with a back elbow to the face. The boos continue as she spins out and reverses into another hammerlock. De Luca keeps the hammerlock applies until Cordy returns the favor with a back elbow to the face. Instead of spinning out and reversing into another hammerlock, Cordy spins out of the hold as she brings De Luca down to the mat with a drop toe hold. Saint Sexy then takes control of De Luca’s back on the mat before paint brushing the back of her head with slaps. The crowd continues to cheer and laugh as Stevenson gets back to her feet before walking over De Luca and heading towards the side of the ring. The International heavyweight Champion leans back against the ropes and beckons De Luca with her index finger. De Luca sneers at her as she rises back to her feet.

Kris Cruise: Cordy Stevenson is trying to get her challenger off her game.

Stephy Auger: Keep playing with her, Cordy. I can’t wait until Ashlyn knocks that smirk off her face.

Cordy continues to smirk at De Luca while she makes her way off the ropes. She then circles the ring before inching back over towards De Luca. Champion and challenger engage in another collar-and-elbow. Stevenson and De Luca tussle back and forth until De Luca starts to move her across the ring. After Cordy is pressed up against the turnbuckles, the referee heads over and gives both grapplers until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR..

Both grapplers make a slow, clean break. De L smirks at the champion while she steps back towards the center of the ring. Cordy then proceeds to slowly make her way off the ropes and over towards her challenger. Another collar-and-elbow ensues. Bth grapplers tussle back and forth until Stevenson gains the advantage. The capacity crowd cheers Cordy on as she continue to muscle De Luca across the ring. At the last second, De Luca pivots and presses Cordy up against the ropes. Stevenson starts to move De Luca back until De Luca regains the advantage and muscles her back against the ropes.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both grapplers make another slow, clean break. While Stevenson’s arms are in the air, the crowd gasps when De Luca motions for a punch. She then pulls the punch and goes in to give Cordy two condescending taps on the cheek. De Luca again smirks at Cordy while she backs up towards the center of the ring. Saint Sexy flashes a smile that quickly switches to a scowl. She then makes her way off the ropes and engages in another tie up. After jockeying for position, the crowd boos as De Luca starts to move Stevenson across the ring. At the last second, Cordy pivots and presses De Luca up against the ropes. De Luca goes to move Cordy back when she gets overpowered and pressed back against the ropes. The two continue to tussle against the ropes when the ref goes over and ives them until five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both grapplers break it up. Stevenson then quickly motions for a punch, which causes De Luca to flinch. Stevenson smirks as she pulls back on the punch. When De Luca lowers her hands, the crowd cheers and laughs when Stevenson returns the favor by giving De Luca two condescending taps to the cheek. De Luca is quick to slap Cordy’s hand away from her before pushing her back. The boos continue as De Luca makes her way over towards Stevenson near the center of the ring and shoves her again. Stevenson purposely steps in De Luca’s face, which gets the crowd to murmur and cheer. Champion and challenger once again start jawing at each other until De Luca piefaces Cordy.

“BOOOOOOO!”

The International Heavyweight Champion smiles as she slowly turns back over towards De Luca… and shoves her down to the mat!

Kris Cruise: What a shove from the champion!

Stephy Auger: Cordy didn’t shove her down. Ashlyn tripped.

De Luca quickly rolls back to her feet and gets back up in Stevenson’s face. This time, it’s mostly De Luca doing the jawing until she flicks Stevenson right between the eyes.

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn’s showing no respect for the champion!

Stephy Auger: Why should she? If Cordy Stevenson treated me like she’s treated Ashlyn, I wouldn’t respect her, either!

De Luca continues to go off on Stevenson until she gets her head snapped back by a slap from the champion.

Kris Cruise: Hello!

De Luca looks around to different sections of the crowd. The challenger starts to become more and more agitated as they taunt her and rally behind Cordy. De Luca then shifts her eyes back to the champion, who is motioning for her to return the favor. De Luca then narrows her eyes as she pulls her arm back. She motions for a slap, then stops. The crowd erupts with boos when De Luca opts to perform a jerking motion in front of her abdomen before throwing the imaginary substance in Cordy’s face.

Kris Cruise: Real mature, Ashlyn.


Stevenson just stands there with her hands on her hips as she shakes her head at De Luca. She then rolls her eyes over De Luca’s behavior when she gets caught with a slap across the face!

Stephy Auger: There we go!

“BOOOOOOOO!”

De Luca quickly doubles Stevenson over with a kick to the midsection before slapping on another side headlock. She tries to wrench down on the hold. But she doesn’t maintain control for long as Cordy is able to push her off into the ropes. De Luca bounces off the ropes, comes back at full speed and knocks Stevenson down with a running shoulder block. Boos rain down on De Luca as she dusts her shoulder off down towards Stevenson. The boos don’t last for long as Stevenson returns to her feet with a kip up. Cordy then gets right in De Luca’s face and returns the favor with a smirk while brushing her shoulder off. Cordy continues to smirk as De Luca until De Luca shoves her down to the mat. The challenger then quickly goes and runs into the ropes. When she returns, Stevenson quickly returns to her feet with a kip up before leapfrogging over her. De Luca continues to run the ropes. When she comes back, Stevenson goes for a hip toss and De Luca steps through it and goes to counter with a hip toss of her own. But Cordy remains on her feet. De Luca then tries to muscle Stevenson up for another hip toss attempt. Again, Stevenson stays on her feet. Cordy is then doubled over after a punch of the midsection. De Luca then drapes her leg across Cordy’s neck before performing a back flip. As soon as De Luca lands on her feet, Cordy flattens her with a stiff clothesline!

Kris Cruise: That is not what Ashlyn had in mind!

Stephy Auger: How would you know, anyway?

Stevenson picks up De Luca, moves her into the corner and starts hacking away at her chest with knife edge chops. The cheers continue as Stevenson connects with chop after chop. Once she’s finally finished, Cordy takes De Luca and whips her hard into the far corner. De Luca “Flair Flips” in the corner before falling off the top turnbuckle and tumbling to the floor!

Kris Cruise: Cordy put something extra behind that irish whip!

While De Luca is picking herself up off the floor, Cordy plays to the crowd by turning her attention to them and yelling, “LET’S GET IT!” Saint Sexy continues to be met with cheers while De Luca slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron. She then sneers at Stevenson before rolling back into the ring. De Luca charges across the ring to attack Stevenson from behind until Stevenson quickly turns around and throws her down to the mat with an arm drag. De Luca returns to her feet, only to get returned to the mat with another arm drag. De Luca finds herself on the receiving end of a third arm drag before Stevenson’s transitions into an arm bar. Frustrated, De Luca starts kicking her feet.

Kris Cruise: Look at Ashlyn throwing a tantrum like a child!

Stephy Auger: Once again, you mock her!

The ref goes to ask Ashlyn if she wants to give up. De Luca responds by kicking in his direction. The ref quickly scoots back and warns De Luca for trying to hit him. Stevenson just shakes her head and smirks at De Luca’s antics while maintaining control of the armbar. The official then cautiously makes his way back over towards De Luca and asks her if she wants to give up. De Luca responds by whining about Cordy cheating. She then motions to the official that Cordy pulled her hair. The crowd starts to lightly boo the official when he turns to Stevenson and questions her about De Luca’s claims. While Stevenson is taken aback by the absurdity of De Luca’s claims and the referee questioning her, De Luca takes advantage of the distraction by reaching up and raking her across the eyes.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Stevenson lets go of De Luca as she turns and staggers a couple of steps towards the corner. De Luca approaches from behind, places Stevenson in a headlock and proceeds to rake her face across the top rope. After Stevenson staggers into a nearby corner, De Luca stalks her from behind before delivering a forearm smash across the lower back. De Luca catches Stevenson with two more forearms across the back before grabbing her by the back of the tights and delivering a headbutt to the lower back. She then pulls Cordy away from the corner, spins her around towards her and then rams her back-first into the corner. From there, the boos continue as De Luca doubles Stevenson over with repeated shoulder thrusts. De Luca then stands over Stevenson and jaws at her before slapping down across the back of the neck! After De Luca grabs Stevenson by the hair and pulls her back up, Stevenson swats her hand away from her before socking De Luca with a right hand that sends her stumbling back towards the center of the ring.

Kris Cruise: Cordy swung for the fences on that punch.

Stephy Auger: If she had any real power, she would have knocked Ashlyn put.

Kris Cruise: Ask Savannah Taylor and a long list of others if Cordy has knockout power.

Stephy Auger: ...

Stevenson marches out of the corner and nails De Luca with a second punch. A third punch connects before she moves De Luca into the near ropes. Cordy goes for an irish whip when De Luca reverses, sending Cordy into the ropes. When Cordy returns, she slows down and stops once she sees De Luca running past her into the ropes. As Cordy turns around, De Luca comes back and nearly takes her head off with a rolling elbow. But De Luca whiffs of the blow when Cordy ducks before heading into the ropes. When De Luca turns back around, the crowd cheers when Cordy floats through the air before knocking her down with The Beautiful Nightmare (Disaster Kick)! Cordy then drags De Luca into place before stepping out to the apron. The champion takes in the cheering crowd before slapping the top turnbuckle twice. The cheers grow even louder as they know exactly what Cordy is calling for.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s got Ashlyn down and out! She’s going to the top to put this one away!

The fans buzz with anticipation as Cordy climbs the turnbuckles with purpose. As soon as Cordy gets to the top, she motions to flip off… then stops. The crowd boos when De Luca rolls to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn wisely got out of the way...

De Luca continues to be met with boos as she looks out to the crowd while pointing to the side of her head. When she turns back towards the ring, she does a double take as Stevenson stands up, flips off and knocks her down with a skytwister plancha to an explosion of cheers!!

Stephy Auger: ASHLYN!

Stevenson goes over and mounts herself on top of De Luca before raining down right hands to the face. picks up De Luca and slams her face-first onto the apron before shoving her back inside the ring. She then rolls herself back inside and picks up De Luca before heading into the corner and slamming her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning De Luca around, the crowd cheers as Stevenson lights her up with a flurry of right hands to the face. She then takes De Luca by the wrist before going for an irish whip. She gets reversed! De Luca then runs into the far corner to attack, only to get knocked back with a boot to the face. De Luca rushes back in and gets caught with a back elbow to the face the second time around. Stevenson then hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, jumps off and plants her with a Diving DDT! She then turns over to make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
De Luca gets a shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up De Luca, brings her towards the center of the ring and brings her down with a snap suplex. Stevenson then heads off into the ropes, runs back and hits a snap leg drop across De Luca. She heads back into the far ropes, runs back and delivers a second snap leg drop across De Luca. Stevenson scrambles back to her feet and quickly hits a third snap leg drop. The IHC then heads back into the ropes. When she returns, she lands down across De Luca’s torso with a rolling senton! The cheers continue as she reaches back and hooks the near leg for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
De Luca reverses into a grounded crucifix…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.

Stevenson kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Cordy got cocky and it almost cost her!

Stevenson beats De Luca back to a vertical base and goes to take her head off with a Buzzsaw Kick. De Luca is able to duck out of the way before quickly rolling Stevenson up in a schoolboy.

ONE!
.
De Luca grabs the tights!
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Stevenson kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Dammit.

Both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base. De Luca makes the first moving by latching onto Stevenson’s wrist. She then catches Stevenson with a short-arm forearm smash. After a second forearm smash connects, De Luca turns and heads into the ropes. When she returns, she goes to knock Stevenson’s head off with a bicycle kick. At the last second, Stevenson reaches her hands up and catches De Luca’s foot. De Luca hops up and down on one foot. She takes wild swipes at Stevenson. But Stevenson is easily able to lean back out of the way. Stevenson continues to shake her head at De Luca until De Luca sends her flipping down to the mat with an enzuigiri. After turning over onto her back, De Luca gets back to her feet with a kip up. She then starts to mock Stevenson by yelling out to the crowd, “Let’s get it!”

“BOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Imitation is the sincerest from of flattery.

De Luca picks up Stevenson and pulls her into a front facelock. She goes for a vertical suplex when Stevenson hooks her leg around the back of hers to block it. De Luca goes to muscle Stevenson up for another vertical suplex. Once again, it gets blocked. Stevenson then takes a hold of De Luca and goes to lift her up for a suplex of her own until De Luca counters with a Stunner! Stevenson stumbles back before collapsing against the ropes. De Luca then marches over and bashes her with elbow strikes. The boos continue while De Luca continues to rain down elbows across Stevenson’s face! The referee ties to get De Luca to let up, but De Luca is obsessed with knocking Stevenson’s head off! The referee then grabs onto De Luca’s arm, only for De Luca to rip her arm away from the ref before resuming the flurry of elbow strikes!

Stephy Auger: Stay on her, Ashlyn! Don’t let the referee save her!

Stevenson slowly slumps down against the ropes as she continues to get caught with elbow after elbow! Once Stevenson is seated against the ropes, De Luca adds insult to injury by repeatedly nudging Stevenson’s head with the toe of her boot. She then reaches down, grabs onto Stevenson’s hair and slowly pulls her back to a vertical base. After a back elbow catches Stevenson’s flush across the jaw, she’s then sent for the ride into the far ropes. When she comes back, De Luca heads over towards the center of the ring before setting up a back body drop. Stevenson sees it coming, so she stops and counters with a kick to the face that knocks De Luca upright. While De Luca is stunned from the kick, Stevenson turns and heads back into the ropes. When she returns, she ducks a clotheslines from De Luca and counters with a Floatover DDT!

Kris Cruise: De Luca got dropped on her noggin with another DDT! Cordy goes for the cover...

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
De Luca gets a shoulder up.

Stevenson takes De Luca by the hair and starts to slowly pull her back up when De Luca grabs Stevenson, charges forward and rams her back-first into the corner. De Luca pulls Stevenson out of the corner, only to ram her back-first into the turnbuckles again. She then takes a hold of Stevenson and looks like she’s setting up for an irish whip. But she ends up catching Stevenson with yet another short-arm forearm smash. Stevenson is then whipped over into the far corner. De Luca runs across the ring to attack when Stevenson ducks and dumps De Luca over the top rope. Instead of crashing to the floor, De Luca lands safely on the apron. When Stevenson turns around, she ducks a right hook, then a left hook from De Luca before doubling her over with a shoulder thrust. Stevenson takes several steps back before rushing back into the corner. Stevenson goes for a triangle DDT on the apron… only to get caught by De Luca! Stevenson then shakes her head ‘no’ before De Luca counters with a release northern lights suplex! The crowd boos as Stevenson bounces off the edge of the apron before falling to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Go ahead and say it, Cruise. “WHAT A MANEUVER”!

Kris Cruise: ...

De Luca pulls herself on the apron using the ropes. She then looks down and shakes her head while Stevenson is seen writhing in pain on the floor.

Kris Cruise: That Triangle DDT would have likely put Ashlyn in a bad spot. But now it’s Cordy that finds herself in a bit of trouble.

Stephy Auger: “A bit of trouble”? No, she’s in a WORLD of trouble!

De Luca looks on in disbelief as the referee rolls to the outside and attends to the champion.

Stephy Auger: Oh here we go again! Why don’t we get a fan and a bottle of water for Cordy while we’re at it!?

Kris Cruise: He wants to check on the champion and see if she’s okay!

Stephy Auger: Clearly she’s not! So just call the match and give Ashlyn the champion!

Kris Cruise: It doesn’t work like that.

Stephy Auger: Of course not. Anything to protect FGA’s Golden Girl!

De Luca narrows her eyes at the referee continuing to “console” the champion. She then starts to shake her head in disgust as the referee slowly helps Stevenson back to their feet. When the ref looks over towards the ring, he does a double take at what he sees. He then quickly dips out of the way, leaving Stevenson to get knocked down by an Asai Moonsault from De Luca!

Stephy Auger: There you go, Ashlyn! Stay on her! You can’t give Cordy an inch! This match is clearly two on one. Cordy and her referee buddy against Ashlyn!

De Luca picks up Stevenson before whipping her hard down ringside. The fans in the front row jump back when Stevenson crashes back-first into the guardrail! De Luca goes over, grabs Stevenson by the hair and runs down ringside before flinging her as hard as she can against the guardrail! The crowd boos when Stevenson bounces off the guardrail before dropping to the floor!

Stephy Auger: I’m surprised Ashlyn didn’t yank out Cordy’s bad weave there with that throw.

Kris Cruise: Stephy, enough!

When the referee instructs De Luca to bring the match back inside, De Luca taunts him by telling him to pick Cordy up off the floor again! She then finally pulls Stevenson up from off the floor before rolling her back inside. De Luca rolls herself back into the ring. Instead of going for the cover, she makes her way into the far corner. The crowd starts to boo De Luca when they see her undoing the middle turnbuckle. The ref then heads over and sees what De Luca’s up to. He tries to stop De Luca, but he’s unsuccessful. After De Luca rips off the turnbuckle pad to expose the steel turnbuckle, she wags the turnbuckle pad in front of the referee’s face. The ref goes to grab the pad when De Luca pulls it away and stuffs it in her tights. She then makes her way back over towards Stevenson, who is slowly pushing herself up on all fours. De Luca runs over and nails Stevenson with a kick to the ribs that knocks her over onto her back. She then slowly pulls Stevenson up by the hair before whipping her hard into the far corner. The crowd boos when Stevenson crashes back-first into the exposed turnbuckle! The champion quickly crumbles to the mat as she howls in pain.

Stephy Auger: I wonder if that hurt as badly as it looked?

Kris Cruise: You know damn well it did, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: I’m sure the “great” Cordy Stevenson will fight through it. I mean, she’s tough, right?

De Luca heads back over, pulls Stevenson back up and then throws her into the corner with a snap suplex into the exposed turnbuckle! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson gets her foot on the bottom rope.

De Luca takes Stevenson and whips her into the far ropes. When she comes back, De Luca scoops her up before bringing her down with a sidewalk slam! She hooks the near leg for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson pushes De Luca away from her.

De Luca scrambles back to her feet and puts the boots to Stevenson before pulling her back up. She then doubles Stevenson over with a hard knee to the midsection before bringing her down with a double underhook backbreaker! The boos continue as she makes the cover.

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

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for the challenger! Ashlyn targeted the back with strikes early on. But after Cordy was whipped into the exposed turnbuckle, De Luca has ramped up her attack!

De Luca picks up Stevenson, lifts her up and brings her down with a vertical suplex lift flipped and dropped into a double knee backbreaker! De Luca crawls across the ring and makes the cover.

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

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

De Luca takes Stevenson by the hair before pulling her back to her feet. After doubling Stevenson over with a hard punch to the gut, De Luca hoists her up onto her shoulders, charges across the ring and throws Stevenson into the corner with authority with a Running Buckle Bomb! Instead of bouncing out of the corner, Stevenson drops down to a seated position in the corner. De Luca then takes control of Stevenson’s leg, drags her out of the corner and then turns her over into a single leg Liontamer!

Kris Cruise:

Stephy Auger: The New Chaos Theory!

De Luca keeps her knee pinned down on Stevenson’s back while she continues to pull back on the leg. “De Lucz” keeps the hold applied while demanding that the ref “ask her!” if she wants to quit. He then gets down and checks in with Stevenson before asking her if she wants to quit. Stevenson responds by shaking her head ‘no.’ Saint Sexy tries to fight through the pain. But the pain increases when De Luca pulls back on the leg, further contorting her while she lays helpless on the mat.

Stephy Auger: Cordy isn’t laughing now! She isn’t smirking now! I bet she doesn’t find anything funny now!

Stevenson groans while she remains face down on the mat. De Luca once again calls for the ref to “ask her!” if she wants to quit. The ref turns back to Stevenson and asks her if she wants to give up. A look of pain and anguish is shown on Stevenson’s face while remains on the wrong end of the submission. The ref asks Stevenson again if she wants to give up. This time, Stevenson responds by refusing. The capacity crowd starts to rally behind the International Heavyweight Champion with the hope of her getting back into the match.

“LET’S GO, CORDY!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

“LET’S GO, CORDY!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

“LET’S GO, CORDY!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

“LET’S GO, CORDY!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

Stevenson starts to feed off the energy of the Vancouver crowd. She then plants her palms on the mat as she readies herself for her next move. Cordy strains as she starts to slowly push herself up off the mat. Stevenson keeps herself held up until De Luca uses her knees to push her back down to the mat. De Luca starts to taunt the crowd after getting Stevenson back into position.

'Stephy Auger: Awwww, so much for that comeback!

The referee gets all the way down on the mat and asks Stevenson if she wants to continue. She turns her head and sees that she’s nowhere near the ropes. Stevenson turns back towards the referee, who asks her again if she wants to give up. Stevenson refuses. Once again, the champion starts to feed off the energy of the capacity crowd. Cheers soon follow as Stevenson reaches out in front of her before slowly pulling herself forward. Cordy’s supporters get even louder when she reaches out in front of her before slowly pulling herself forward. The crowd is at a fever pitch as Stevenson scratches and claws her way across the canvas. De Luca is seen shaking her head in disbelief. She holds on for dear life, both to Stevenson’s leg and to the hope that she was seconds away from winning the International Heavyweight Championship. But the closer Stevenson gets to the ropes, the further De Luca gets from a submission victory. Stevenson lets out another labored groan as she drags both herself and De Luca closer towards the side of the ring. The capacity crowd is on pins and needles as Stevenson reaches her arm out. The champion goes for the bottom rope… and makes it! The crowd erupts with cheers when Stevenson gets to the ropes to secure the rope break!

Kris Cruise: Cordy made it to the ropes!

The crowd continues to cheer Cordy making the ropes. But those same cheers quickly turn to boos when De Luca refuses to release the hold. The ref tells her that Cordy got to the ropes so she has to let go. De Luca responds by shaking her head ‘no.’ So the official gives her until the count of five to break the submission.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

De Luca breaks the submission as late as possible. The ref is quick to admonish her and warns her that if she does it again, he will disqualify her. De Luca simply ignores the ref as she slowly makes her way across the ring.

Kris Cruise: De Luca is testing the ref’s patience. She better tread carefully.

Stephy Auger: Don’t you worry. De Lucz knows what she’s doing.

A frustrated De Luca kicks the bottom rope before slowly turning around. She eyes Stevenson reaching up and slowly pulling herself up using the ropes. De Luca narrows her eyes once she locks in on her target. As Stevenson starts to turn around, De Luca charges full steam ahead across the ring. Some fans are seen bracing for Stevenson to get hit with a blow when she ducks and dumps De Luca over the top rope. Luckily for De Luca, she lands safely on the apron. De Luca tries to catch Stevenson with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. But Stevenson knows it’s coming and counters with a knee lift right to the face. With De Luca doubled over on the apron, Stevenson takes a couple of steps back away from the ropes. She then shifts her focus towards the corner. Cordy then charges in towards the corner, bounces off the ropes and spikes De Luca with a triangle DDT on the apron!

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn was just driven head-first onto the hardest part of the ring! She has to be out of it!

Stevenson picks up De Luca and pushes her back into the ring before rolling herself back in. She goes for the cover.

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

The crowd boos when De Luca gets her foot on the bottom rope. Stevenson slaps the canvas out of frustration.

Stephy Auger: Ashlyn’s not out of it yet!

Stevenson pulls up De Luca and goes for an irish whip. But she gets reversed. De Luca sends Stevenson hard into the corner off the reversal of the irish whip. After crashing hard into turnbuckles, Stevenson staggers out of the corner as De Luca runs over and spikes her with the Phenomena (Running step-up high knee transitioned into a Snap Frankensteiner)!

Stephy Auger: Yes! Yes Yes Yes! C’mon Ash! Stay on her!

With De Luca down on the apron, De Luca gets back to her feet and heads towards the far side of the ring.

Kris Cruise: What is De Luca going for?

De Luca steps out to the apron before making her way over towards the ring post. After ascending to the top turnbuckle, the crowd murmurs as De Luca walks along the top rope. Once she’s got Stevenson lined up, the crowd gasps as De Luca leaps off for a guillotine leg drop. She misses! The crowd cheers when Stevenson rolls out of the way, leaving De Luca howling in pain as she stays seated on the mat!

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home!

Stephy Auger: Ashlyn, get back up!

Stevenson heads back over to De Luca and grabs her by the leg. She then throws the leg back, which rolls De Luca over onto her knees. Stevenson then rushes over before planting De Luca with a Kneeling DDT! She goes for the cover.

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

De Luca gets the shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up De Luca and whips her into the ropes. When De Luca comes back, she slows down and stops as Stevenson runs past her into the same set of ropes. As De Luca turns around, the crowd gasps when Stevenson throws out the Rolling Elbow! Stevenson whiffs on the strike when De Luca ducks to hit the ropes. As soon as Stevenson turns around…

*THWACK!*

The crowd boos when De Luca knocks her off her feet with the Syxx Kick (running double spinning wheel kick)! She makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: Cordy’s out cold! We’re gonna have a new champ!

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

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Cordy still has some fight left in her!

De Luca places Stevenson in a front facelock before heading towards the ropes and planting her with a springboard Tornado DDT! She makes the cover.

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

Stevenson gets a shoulder up.

De Luca picks up Stevenson and places her in a front facelock and turns so that they’re back to back. The crowd erupts with boos as De Luca taunts Stevenson by stealing her hip swivel taunt before bringing her down with her own move, the Deadly Seduction (hangman’s neckbreaker)! She turns over to make the cover.

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

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: That would have been three if the ref didn’t count slow! But I understand. He saved Cordy from getting beat with her own move.

De Luca pulls Stevenson back to her feet before pulling her into a front facelock. She goes to lift her up for a brainbuster when Stevenson counters by kicking her legs on the way up. After De Luca is forced to lower Stevenson back down, she goes to muscle her up for another brainbuster. This time, Stevenson drops down to a knee to block the move. So De Luca lets go, quickly steps back and then launches into Stevenson with a Shining Wizard! The boos continue as De Luca pulls Stevenson back up to her feet. She goes to lift her up for a brainbuster when Stevenson knees her in the head on the way up. Stevenson gets lowered back down before she turns to hit the ropes. When Stevenson returns, De Luca turns her around with a bicycle kick. Stevenson remains dazed from the kick before throwing out a desperation Pelé Kick!

While De Luca is dazed, Stevenson heads towards the ropes. She bounces back with a handspring back elbow when De Luca counters with a Backstabber in mid air!

Kris Cruise: What a counter from De Luca!

Stephy Auger: It was picture perfect!

The boos continue as a smirking De Luca grabs Stevenson by the hair before slowly pulling her back to her feet. She hoists Stevenson all the way up for a brainbuster when Stevenson slips down from behind and counters with a leaping reverse bulldog!

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn was denied another brainbuster!

The referee checks on both champion and challenger. With both grapplers down, the referee returns to his feet to start the count.

ONE!









TWO!







THREE!







FOUR!






Kris Cruise: Cordy and Ashlyn are still down! Who is going to get back to their feet first?

Stephy Auger: Come on, Ash. You’re THIS close! Don’t let Cordy Stevenson take this away from you!






FIVE!









SIX!








SEVEN!






Both grapplers continue to remain motionless on the mat until Stevenson leans back, returns to her feet with a kip up and shouts out “let’s get it!” to the red hot crowd.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s back to her feet!

Stephy Auger: Show off!

Stevenson picks up De Luca and whips her into the ropes. When De Luca comes back, Stevenson knocks her off her feet with a jumping calf kick. A second jumping calf kick returns De Luca to the mat. As De Luca picks herself up off the mat, Stevenson runs towards the ropes, rebounds back and knocks her down with a handspring back elbow. De Luca slowly turns over on the mat while Stevenson takes off into another set of ropes. When De Luca gets up to a knee, Stevenson comes back and knocks her down with The Friendzone (Flying hip attack to the head of a kneeling opponent)! She goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
De Luca gets her shoulder up.

Stevenson grabs De Luca, heads into the corner and repeatedly slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle while the crowd counts along.

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NINE!”

“TEN!”

After turning De Luca around in the corner, Stevenson lights her up with multiple shoot kicks to the chest before sending spittle flying out of her mouth with The Foot Fetish (jumping back kick)! The kick drops De Luca to a seated position in the corner. But she doesn’t stay seated for long as Stevenson pulls her up by the hair. She then returns the favor with an irish whip, sending De Luca crashing back-first into the corner with the exposed middle turnbuckle. While De Luca slowly staggers out of the corner, Stevenson charges across the ring and delivers a running front dropkick, sending De Luca flying backwards into the crowd. The crowd cheers when De Luca smacks the back of her head against the exposed turnbuckle!

Stephy Auger: NO! ASHLYN!

Kris Cruise: Ashlyn might be out of it!

De Luca slumps down to her side as Stevenson heads over towards her. The champion grabs De Luca by the ankle, drags her over towards the center of the ring before rolling up by near leg for the cover.

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

The crowd sighs when De Luca gets her shoulder up. Stevenson slaps her own hand out of frustration.

Kris Cruise: How did De Luca get her shoulder up?

Stephy Auger: I don’t know, but thank God that she did!

Stevenson slowly pulls up De Luca before nailing her with a forearm strike. A second forearm strike finds its mark. Stevenson blasts De Luca with a third forearm strike. A fourth forearm strike rattles the jaw of De Luca. The crowd continues to cheer Stevenson as she starts laying in a rapid flurry of forearm strikes! Stevenson caps off the strike by rocking De Luca with a Rolling Elbow! While De Luca is dazed, Stevenson turns and points to the far ropes. The capacity crowd erupts with cheers.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s calling for The Real is Back!

Stevenson runs towards the side of the ring, springboards onto the middle ropes and leaps back for The Real is Back (Oscutter)! NO! De Luca blocks by grabbing Stevenson when she’s on the way down. She then wrestles control of Stevenson’s arms before pulling her down with a straightjacket backbreaker! De Luca then pushes Stevenson over into the prone position before heading into the corner. After stepping out to the apron, De Luca scales to the top turnbuckle, walks halfway across the top rope before leaping off and crashing down hard across Stevenson’s back with a Frog Splash! She pulls Stevenson over and makes the cover.

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

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

De Luca latches onto the arm that Stevenson just raised before slowly pulling her back to her feet. The crowd boos De Luca as she lays into Stevenson with repeated short-arm forearm smashes. With Stevenson rocked, De Luca turns and heads into the far ropes. The anticipation builds as De Luca runs back across the ring…








… hoists herself into the air for The Flyleaf (leaping sitout facebuster)...








… and gets countered when Stevenson catches her across her shoulder, rushes towards the corner and returns the favor with a running Buckle Bomb!

Stephy Auger: OH NO!

Kris Cruise: Cordy blocked The Flyleaf!

While De Luca slowly rolls away from the ropes, Stevenson heads out to the apron. De Luca remains sprawled out on the mat while Stevenson climbs the turnbuckles. Once Stevenson gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, De Luca scrambles back to her feet, runs up the ropes, hooks Stevenson and throws her down with an avalanche Butterfly Suplex! The crowd erupts with boos over the reversal. De Luca turns over and grabs Stevenson by the hair before pulling her back to her feet. The crowd gasps when she hoists Stevenson up before planting her on the top of her head with a brainbuster! De Luca turns over to make the cover.

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

The crowd explodes with cheers when Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

De Luca heads across the ring before stepping out to the apron. She then makes her way over towards the ring post before climbing the turnbuckles. De Luca finally scales up to the top turnbuckle when Stevenson gets back to her feet, leaps across the ring and yanks down the top rope. The crowd cheers when De Luca slips down onto the top turnbuckle. Stevenson slowly makes her way over into the corner before climbing the turnbuckles. She then hops up onto De Luca’s shoulders, flips back for an avalanche hurricanrana, and gets stuck when De Luca holds onto her. The crowd gasps while Stevenson hangs upside down. Another round of sighs are heard when De Luca stands up on the middle ropes. De Luca carefully hooks her legs around Stevenson’s arms before jumping off and driving Stevenson down with an avalanche Styles Clash!!!

Stephy Auger: CRASHLANTA! IT’S OVER, CRUISE! IT’S OVER!

De Luca turns over and sits up for the pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!







Kris Cruise: NO!

The crowd erupts with cheers when Stevenson just beats the three count by getting her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: NO NO NO! THAT WAS THREE!

Kris Cruise: IT WASN’T! CORDY GOT HER SHOULDER UP IN TIME!

De Luca looks over at the referee in disbelief. She questions the referee over the three count, but he maintains his ground. She then gets up in his face and holds up three fingers. But the referee lets her know that it was only two. Frustrated, De Luca stomps her feet before heading into the corner.

Stephy Auger: Ignore him, Ash. Remember, he’s on Cordy’s side! He’s not there to help you!

De Luca heads over towards the corner with the exposed turnbuckle and frantically starts to undo the top turnbuckle pad. The crowd erupts with boos when De Luca rips off the top turnbuckle pad, exposing the steel turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: That’s enough, Ashlyn!

De Luca heads over towards Stevenson, pulls her off the mat and then pulls her into a standing headscissors.

Stephy Auger: She’s gonna Buckle Bomb her into the exposed turnbuckles!

De Luca lifts Stevenson up onto her shoulder. She motions for a running Buckle Bomb into the exposed turnbuckle when Stevenson counters with a flurry of right hands to the top of the head. Stevenson contains to rain down the desperation punches until she flips back and spikes De Luca with a Frankensteiner.

Kris Cruise: Cordy fought like hell to prevent that Buckle Bomb!

Stevenson turns over onto her knees and starts slapping the mat to get the crowd riled up. She then pulls De Luca back to her feet and fires off four forearm strikes before a spinning back kick doubles her over! After a kick to the face knocks De Luca upright, Stevenson sends her for the ride. When De Luca comes back off the ropes, Stevenson returns the favor with a Syxx Kick of her own! De Luca is then pulled back up off the mat before being whipped hard into the corner. As De Luca staggers out of the corner, Stevenson leans forward before throwing her down with a back body drop! De Luca turns over and slowly gets back to her feet as Stevenson heads towards the side of the ring, springboards onto the middle rope, rebounds back and knocks her down with another Beautiful Nightmare! Stevenson then takes De Luca, places her in a facelock and turns so that they’re back to back. The champion is met with catcalls from the crowd as she swivels her hips before pulling De Luca down with the Deadly Seduction! The crowd remains at a fever pitch as Stevenson heads across the ring before stepping out to the apron. Saint Sexy proceeds to scale the turnbuckles before crouching down on the top turnbuckle. As a dazed De Luca struggles to pick herself up off the floor, the fans in the arena rise to their feet in unison with Stevenson rising to her feet on the top turnbuckle. She then points over towards her challenger before leaping off and delivering Get Familiar (The O-Face) to an explosion of cheers! De Luca lays splayed out on the mat while Stevenson stays seated. She looks out and scans the crowd before shaking her head ‘no.’ Stevenson then turns over, grabs De Luca and slowly pulls her back to her feet. She then takes off towards the side of the ring, springboards onto the middle ropes, leaps back and then brings De Luca down with The Real Is Back! Stevenson turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd expldoes with cheers as “Been Down” blasts over the PA!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… AAAAAAAANNNND STILLLLLL the International Heavyweight Champion, CORDYYYYYY STEEEEEVENNNNSONNNNN!

The cheers continue as Cordy is handed her championship belt before getting her arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Cordy Stevenson successfully retains her International Heavyweight Championship be beating Ashlyn De Luca! What a hell of a match by both grapplers! There was a point there where I thought that Ashlyn had her! I thought the Crashlanta off the ropes was going to end it, Steph-

Stephy Auger: Shut up, Cruise! I don’t want to hear it!

Kris Cruise: I know that you and the other two Ashlyn De Luca fans are saddened. But Ashlyn has nothing to hang her head about. Even thought I didn’t like her antics leading up to this match or even in the early portion, I won’t lie. She gave Cordy Stevenson a hell of a fight. She may have even given Cordy a tougher fight than Cordy anticipated. When De Luca finally got settled in, there wasn’t any running and hiding. She took it to the champion. Unfortunately for her, the champion was just better here tonight. With Ashlyn De Luca out of the way, now Cordy Stevenson has to worry about where her next challenger comes from. Will Seth Iser choose to challenge her for the championship after winning the Wildcard Lottery? Or will her next challenger come from elsewhere? We’ll be eagerly waiting to find out.

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: But coming up next, Stephy, we’ve got the latest chapter in the rivalry between Savannah Taylor and Jimmy Page! This could very well be the final chapter in this rivalry as these two will face off in a Chivalry is Dead Match!

Stephy Auger: This won’t just be the last chapter in their rivalry, it’s gonna be the last chapter in Jimmy Page’s career!

Kris Cruise: As I mentioned at the start of the Pay Per View, these Chivalry is Dead matches are reserved for the bitterest of rivalries. This is the point of no return for both competitors. I think it’s safe to say that neither will be the same after tonight.

Stephy Auger: Of course not! One of them won’t have a career after this! One of them won’t be able to provide for themselves with wrestling! If I’m Jimmy Page, I take a good, long look at these sheep when he comes out here. I hope that he enjoys that walk down to the ramp. It will be his last walk down that ramp if the Las Vegas Siren has anything to say about it.

CHIVALRY IS DEAD
Savannah Taylor vs. Jimmy Page

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Chivalry is Dead match!

A roar of cheers and applause can be heard from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: There are no disqualification! No countouts! The only way to win is by pinfall or submission!

A song crashes into the P.A. system that sounds of static and a guitar. The lights begin to flash a violent red frantically. As the song "Murdered Out" by Kim Gordon really kicks in, the lights continue to flash red. A silhouette appears at the entrance. With a controlled stagger, Jimmy Page comes from the back, head down and arms out from his sides. Page swaggers down to the ring in at a methodical pace. The camera gets a close up of his hair covered face as he makes his way down the aisle. He stops at the top of the ramp, flinging his hair from his eyes and glaring around, chewing on a piece of gum. Through the static red, a spotlight follows Page as he makes his way to the front of the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, hailing from Flint, Michigan! Weighing in at 237 pounds! He is “The King of the F’n World” JIMMY PAGE!

He takes a running start, sliding on top of the apron. He stands, gets in the ring, then climbs on top of the turnbuckle. Page spits his gum outside of the ring, into the crowd. Jimmy leaps down from the turnbuckle, and begins to slither down into a seat on the lower turnbuckle; Placing his head against the middle turnbuckle, knocking the back of it against the corner gently as he awaits the bell.

Kris Cruise: Jimmy Page knows how high the stakes are in a match like this. He’s been in more of these matches than anyone in FGA history! The last time we saw Page in a match where the hatred was this palpable and out of control, it was a year ago when he ended the career of Chandler Scott! Will Page’s rage claim another career here tonight!?

Stephy Auger: You people would love that, wouldn't you? You would love for him to disfigure the Las Vegas Siren. It just goes to show you that all of Jimmy Page’s talk about “recovering” and “wanting to live a better life” was just that. Talk! All it took was one little nudge and look at him! He’s returned to being the savage that we all knew he was deep down! He never changed! He just got better at trying to hide his ugly ways! King of the F’n World? More like “Scum of the Earth” to me! I hope that Savannah Taylor does the world a favor and puts him out of his misery!

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the final EXODUS World Champion remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body with barbedwire bat in hand.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada! She is the “Las Vegas Siren”... SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

If you close your eyes your life,
A naked truth revealed
Dreams you never lived,
And scars never healed

Savannah makes her way up the ring steps. She looks out towards the audience for a moment before entering the ring. From there, she heads for a turnbuckle. She stands there, taking in everything. She then lifts her up on top of it. She peers out in nothing, then takes off the hood with a flashy flourish. Her blonde locks fly up in the air. They descend, shaping her face as they famously do.

In the darkness, light will take you to the other side
You'll find me waiting there you'll see, if you just close your eyes

While she stands in her corner, she closes her eyes and takes a heavy breath. When her bright eyes open, Taylor is completely composed. There is nothing more than the heat of battle awaiting her. She takes off her robe, giving it to a stagehand. She stretches her wrists before devoting her mind to the war upon the horizon.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor has continued to escalate this war with Jimmy Page. But she might have bitten off more than she could chew. She can’t go back. There aren’t enough apologies to stop what’s about to happen. She pushed Jimmy Page to this point. She couldn’t eave well enough alone!

Stephy Auger: You think Savannah wants to apologize? Savannah isn’t scared of Page. She has beaten him in that very ring twice and tonight will be the third. The Las Vegas Siren will get rid of Jimmy Page, once and for all.

The capacity crowd cheers and applauds at the sound of the opening bell. The anticipation builds as Page and Taylor shoot daggers at each other from opposite corners. Closeups of both combatants reveal the contempt Taylor has for Page and the hate Page has for Taylor. After continuing to cheer for the madness that this match will likely descend into, the crowd breaks out into a chant in support of Page.

“Jimmy’s Gonna Kill You!”

“JIMMY’S GONNA KILL YOU!”

“JIMMY’S GONNA KILL YOU!”

“JIMMY’S GONNA KILL YOU!”

“JIMMY’S GONNA KILL YOU!”

“JIMMY’S GONNA KILL YOU!”

Stephy Auger: Listen to these psychos!

A look of disdain is etched deeply into the face of the Las Vegas Siren as she scans the combative crowd. Her gaze turns back to Page, who shockingly turns his back towards her. But his stance isn’t a display of disrespect. Instead, he turns his back to feverishly undo the top turnbuckle pad. The King of the F’N World is then met with cheers when he rips off the pad to expose the steel turnbuckle underneath. Page tosses the pad to the outside before turning his attention back across the ring. Taylor narrows her eyes at the display before turning her back to do the same. While Taylor tries to undo the top turnbuckle pad in her corner, the crowd buzzes with anticipation as Page charges across the ring.

Kris Cruise: She just turned her back to Page!

Stephy Auger: Savannah, LOOK OUT!

Taylor senses Page’s presence closing in of her. So she slips out of the way and ducks a running corner elbow smash! While Page stumbles away from the corner, Taylor turns and takes off into the far ropes. Taylor comes back and tries to catch Page when he turns around with a spinning backfist. But Page is able to duck the blow. When she turns around, Page tries to take her head off with Sole Destruction (discus big boot)! But Taylor rolls underneath it. Page and Taylor then turn back towards each other before before firing off a flurry of right hands!

Kris Cruise: Look at em go, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: get him, Savannah! Knock him out!

The fists continue to fly while Page and Taylor trade punches with no signs of slowly doing! Fans are seen moving their heads from left to right as Page and Taylor continue to go back and forth with punches! The Vancouver crowd then stands up and applauds while Page and Taylor continue to exchange blows!

Kris Cruise: They’re still going at it!

Page and Taylor continue to go back and forth until Page blocks a punch before countering with a punch of his own. He then blocks another punch before quickly socking Taylor with another right hand. She then motions to throw out a punch when Page cuts her off with another right hand. After an uppercut stuns Taylor, Page goozles her, moves her across the ring and presses her up against the rope. The cheers continue for Page as he tries to choke the life out of her! The ref’s first instinct is to give Page until the count of five to break the choke. But he can’t. There’s no disqualification! All he can do is stand back and watch on as Taylor continues to be choked out by Page. She reaches up, grabs Page by the wrists and tries to pull his hands from around her neck. Taylor starts to fade until she thrusts her knee upwards in a desperate attempt to break the choke. Boos quickly follow when the knee catches Page below the belt, breaking the hold. She then places Page in a headlock and rakes his face across the top rope before slamming him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Page around, the crowd boos when Taylor slaps the taste out of his mouth.

Kris Cruise: Why, Savannah?

Page slowly turns back to taylor when the Las Vegas Siren knocks his head to the side with another arm slap.

Kris Cruise: Why oh why does she continue to provoke him?

Stephy Auger: Because he can’t beat her! Because he can’t do anything about it! He can throw Taylor around the ring. He can hit her with his best moves. But at the end of the day, Taylor is always the one left standing and tonight won’t be any different!

Taylor throws a third slap when Page catches her by the wrist! With his free hand, Page goozles Taylor before tossing her into the corner. From there, Page delivers a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the body! Taylor starts to double over from the blows, but Page doesn’t let up. Instead, he just hits Taylor even harder. Taylor lets out a groan as each punch connects with her ribs! Page then grabs her by the hair and holds her head up before socking her with an uppercut that snaps her head back! The impact from the punch echoes throughout the arena. The King of the F’n World sizes Taylor up before socking her with a right hand across the face that snaps her head to the side! The cheers continue as Page starts to send Taylor slumping down in the corner with mudhole stomps to the chest. Once Taylor is in a seated position in the corner, Page doesn’t stop the stomps! Instead he switches targets and begins stomping away at Taylor’s face! Taylor tries to cover up. But Page keeps stomping away until he kicks through her arms and starts connecting with the strikes. He then reaches down, pulls Taylor back to her feet by the hair and sends her into the far corner with an irish whip. Page charges across the ring and bashes Taylor in the face with a running corner elbow smash! After Taylor drops down to a seated position, Page turns and takes off into the far ropes. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Page comes back full steam ahead and smashes her across the face with a running knee facewash! Taylor’s given little time to recover as Page turns and takes off back into the far ropes. Page bounces off the ropes, comes back across the ring and smashes her across the face with another running knee facewash! Page stares down at the groggy Las Vegas Siren. A closeup of Page shows him fuming at the sight of her. He slowly turns away from Taylor before taking off into the ropes once more. Page charges back across the ring full steam head before rocking her with another running knee facewash!

Kris Cruise: I don’t know if Page was trying to knock her head off or knee her face in!

Page reaches down, grabs Taylor by the hair and slowly pulls her back to her feet. After grabbing another handful of hair, Page takes a few steps forward before hurling Taylor across the ring! Taylor slams down hard on the canvas. The Las Vegas Siren is seen arching her back in pain after the impact. Page then marches over and flattens her with a hard stomp to the midsection before yanking her back up. Page grabs two handfuls of hair before launching her across the ring with another hair toss. This time, Taylor crashes back-first across the mat before turning over into the prone position. Page hears Taylor moaning on the mat as he slowly stalks her. He then reaches down, grabs two handfuls of hair and pulls her back to her feet. The King of the F’n World stares a hole right through Taylor before running across the ring. The crowd gasps as he yeets Taylor over the top rope and sends her landing on the outside with a hard splat!

Kris Cruise: Taylor was spinning through the air like a propeller before landing HARD on the floor! I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone thrown like that before! You think Savannah is regretting taking things too far yet?

Stephy Auger: Savannah is a big girl. She can handle this.

Kris Cruise: The only thing getting handled right now IS Savannah!

Taylor remains on the floor writhing in pain. She reaches her arm up, but there’s no one there to help her. She’s all alone in this battle against arguably the most destructive force to ever step into an FGA ring. Back in the ring, Page holds up his balled fist and opens it up, revealing blonde strands of hair. He tosses the hair out of his hand before heading to the outside. Page reaches over and kicks Taylor over onto her back. Instead of pulling her up, Page puts the boots to her. Taylor lets out a groan each time Page’s hard boot stomps across her. Page continues his flurry of stomps at a rapid pace. He’s like a man possessed. It’s almost as if he wants to put his foot right through Taylor. He finally let’s up… but yanking Taylor off the floor before ramming her hard back-first against the side of the ring!

*THUD!*

Page hoists Page back up with another double leg pickup, runs down ringside and squashes her back-first against the guardrail! Taylor howls in pain. But her anguished sounds fall on deaf ears. Page hoists her up into a bearhug, turns rushes forward and rams her back-first against the ring post!

*THUD!*

Page then grabs two handfuls of hair. After pulling Taylor’s face uncomfortably close to his, he then thrusts her head forward, ramming the back of her head against the ring post!

Kris Cruise: Good GOD, what a sickening thud!

The cheers continue as Page pulls Taylor’s head forward before ramming the back of her head against the ring post again…

And again…

And again…

Taylor can barely stand. The only thing keeping her upright is being leaned up against the ring post. While the Las Vegas Siren is in another world, Page scans the ringside arena. He continues his quest until his he casts his gaze at the announce table.

Stephy Auger: What the hell is he looking over here for!? Quick, shield me!

Kris Cruise: Wait, what!? Where are you going?

Page makes a beeline towards the table. Kris Cruise puts his hands up while Stephy Auger cowers behind him. But Page has no intention of going after them. Instead, he snatches up the empty glass pitcher from off their table. The crowd sighs and murmurs as they know what’s next.

Kris Cruise: Oh no. We’ve seen this before. Shades of the Chivalry is Dead match from All-Star Showdown a couple years back...

Page looks down at the glass pitcher before slowly turning back around and locking in on Taylor. Page’s grip on the pitcher’s hand tightens as he rushes over. A collective gasp is heard when he swings the pitcher at Taylor’s head with all his might.

Stephy Auger: Savannah, NO!

*SMASH!*

The glass pitcher smashes into pieces against the ring post after Taylor dives out of the way in time.

Kris Cruise: Taylor just barely escaped!

As Taylor turns over on the floor, Page reaches down and picks up a shard of broken glass.

Stephy Auger: Cruise, look!

Page marches over towards Taylor, kneels down over her head and swings down! Taylor’s able to get both arms up and grab a hold of Page’s wrist. Some fans in the crowd shriek in horror as Page continues to try and drive the broken glass into Taylor’s head! Taylor desperately tries to hold him back.

Stephy Auger: Page has snapped! Do you see what he’s trying to do!? Page isn’t fit for professional wrestling! He’s not even fit for society!

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor has no one to blame for this but herself! She pushed Jimmy Page back to this place! She pushed the issue! She poked and prodded and needled him! She continued to attack him when it wasn’t warranted!

Page takes his free hand and places it on top of his other wrist before pressing down! Both Page’s and Taylor’s arms shake as he tries to overpower her! Taylor’s eyes widen as the glass gets closer and closer to piercing her face! At the last second, she’s able to roll back and nail Page with a kick between the eyes that knocks him down.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor was extremely lucky there.

Taylor pulls herself up using the edge of the apron before rolling back into the ring. Back on the floor, Page shakes off the blow before turning over and getting back to his feet. After climbing up onto the apron, he starts to step through the ropes when Taylor darts over and purposely kicks up the middle rope to nail Page between the legs!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Damn her!

Stephy Auger: “Damn her”? She nearly got stabbed with a shard of glass! You were perfectly fine with that, but you want to act like a low blow is the worst thing in the world?

Page howls out in pain and crumbles to the mat after the middle rope hits him in the privates! Taylor doesn’t give Page time to recover as she rushes back cover and returns the favor with stomps to the body. The boos continues as she drops a knee across Page’s throat and chokes him with it while pulling back on the middle ropes. Page is seen kicking his legs while he’s helpless on the mat. The Las Vegas Siren then mounts on top of Page before raining down a flurry of right hands. Taylor continues to pummel Page with right hands until she grabs two handfuls of hair. She scans the booing ground before returning the favor by repeatedly ramming the back of his head against the canvas! Taylor then positions Page underneath the bottom rope before taking control of his legs. After looking out at the crowd, Taylor leans back and catapults Page throat-first against the bottom rope! She then slips to the outside before pulling Page back out with her. After placing Page in a headlock, she rakes his face across the edge of the apron before slamming him face-first into the steel steps! While Page remains doubled over across the top of the steps, Taylor makes her way over towards J.A. Aldridge and makes a shooing motion with her hand. The longtime ring announce takes his cue from Taylor and gets up out of his seat. The sound of the chair behind closed shut garners boos from the crowd. Instead of hitting Page with the chair, Taylor grabs him by the hair and pulls his head back. She then tucks the top of the backrest under Page’s chin before throwing his head down.

Kris Cruise: NOOOOO!

As soon as the feet of the chair hit the floor, the crowd erupts with boos when the back wrist is driven into Page’s throat! Page immediately grabs at his throat as he staggers over and collapses against the guardrail.

Kris Cruise: Jimmy Page is hurt! Savannah Taylor might have just crushed his larynx!

Stephy Auger: Good!

Kris Cruise: “Good”!?!?

Taylor slowly makes her way over towards Page and mocks him while touching her own throat. As she inches closer towards him, Page throws out a few kicks to keep her at bay while he leans back against the guardrail. Once she gets within striking distance, she swats away the last kick before pouncing on him with a flurry of right hands. She then turns Page away from her, takes control of his back and then chokes him across the guardrail by pressing down across the back of his neck.

Stephy Auger: That’s right, Savvy! Choke him! Choke him out!

Taylor continues to try and choke him out until Page starts to drive multiple elbows into her midsection. The last elbow knocks Taylor off of him and sends her stumbling away from him. She then turns and rolls back inside. Back on the floor, Page continues to guard his throat while he staggers back over towards the ring. He then climbs back onto the apron. As he starts to step back inside through the ropes, Taylor rushes over and tries to kick up the middle rope to hit Page below the belt. Page wisely slips back out to the apron just before Taylor makes contact with the ropes. She then goes to grab a hold of Page when he ducks and counters with a shoulder thrust to the midsection. The crowd gasps when he grabs a hold of Taylor and tries for a vertical suplex off the apron. But Taylor blocks the move. Page starts to hoists her up with another suplex attempt when Taylor starts to kick her legs, which forces him to lower her back down. After hitting Taylor with a couple of punches through the ropes, the crowd gasps when Page hoists her up for his third attempt at a vertical suplex to the floor. But on the way up, Taylor catches him with a knee to the head. Once she’s lowered down to the apron, Taylor socks Page with a punch to the face. Page comes back with a punch of his own. Taylor socks Page with another punch to the face! Page comes right back with another punch of his own! Taylor throws out another punch when Page blocks and counters with a punch of his own! He then cuts off Taylor with another punch! The King of the F’n World fires off three more punches that daze the Las Vegas Siren! Taylor is then doubled over with a kick to the midsection before being planted on the apron with a DDT!

Kris Cruise: Oh, did you hear that thud!?

Page snatches up Taylor by the hair and flingers her against the side of the announce table! While an exhausted Taylor lays seated against the table, Page marches back over and grabs hold of the steel chair.

Kris Cruise: I don’t think he’s looking to take a seat, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: You think?

Page makes his way back over and grips the chair hard before swinging it with all his might!

*SMACK!*

Page hits the side of the announce table with the chair when Taylor slips out of the way! She then quickly rolls back inside. Page then takes the chair and tries to go after Taylor when she rushes back over towards the ropes and sends the steel chair right into his face with a baseball slide!

Stephy Auger: There we go, Savvy!

Page shakes off the blow as he turns over on all fours. After slowly getting back to his feet, Page turns around and gets caught with a triangle moonsault that knocks him down!

Kris Cruise: Taylor soared through the air before knocking Page down!

Stephy Auger: I didn’t even see her come into the picture until the last second. I was too busy looking at Page.

Taylor rolls over towards the ring before slowly pulling herself back up using the edge of the apron. As she turns around, she sees Page starting to pick himself up off the floor. When Page turns to face the ring, the crowd erupts with boos when Taylor runs forward, lunges herself at Page and spears him against the side of the announce table.

*THUD!*

Page howls in pain as he arches his back. The King of the F’n World slowly drops down to a knee as Taylor staggers over before rolling herself back into the ring. The Las Vegas Siren then runs into the far ropes while Page starts to pick himself up on the floor. Taylor runs back across the ring before flipping over the top rope and taking Page out with a topé con hilo! NO! The crowd gasps when Page catches her across his shoulders.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh…

Kris Cruise: This isn’t good for the Siren...

Taylor shakes her head while Page walks over towards one of the corner of the ring. The crowd explodes with cheers when he takes Taylor and throws her down hard with a one shoulder powerbomb across the steel steps!!!

Kris Cruise: Taylor might be broken in half!

Taylor rolls off the steps before attempting to slowly crawl around ringside. She doesn’t get very far as Page rushes towards her and knocks her onto her back with a kick to the ribs. Page then pulls Taylor up by the hair before rolling her back inside. Page then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Page then yanks Taylor up by the hair before tossing her through the ropes and to the floor. The King of the F’n World rolls to the outside and stalks the Las Vegas Siren. Taylor is then brought back to her feet before Page whips her hard down the ringside area. Instead of crashing into the guardrail, Taylor leaps over the guardrail and lands in the crowd! Page sees this and charges over towards her until Taylor cuts him off with a springboard forearm strike! Taylor then takes Page, slams him face-first against the ring post and pushes him back inside. She then slides back into the ring before bringing Page into the corner. Taylor struggles to sit Page up on the top turnbuckle before pulling him down into the Tree of Woe. Page tries to sit up and free himself until Taylor gives him multiple stomps to the midsection. Taylor then reaches over and starts to undo the black tape around her right wrist. The Las Vegas Siren is then met with boos when she takes the tape and wraps it around Page’s ankles! Taylor takes a few steps back before dropping down on all fours. The crowd boos as Taylor starts to taunt Page while he’s upside down. She beckons him with her finger while he yells at her. Taylor leans her face towards Page, only to pull back when he tries to grab her. She then chuckles as she makes her way to the outside. Taylor proceed to unroll the black tape from around her left wrist before wrapping it around Page’s neck! The crowd erupts with boos when she pulls back and chokes Page with the tape! Page frantically claws away at his neck as he tries to get to the tape off. But it’s to no avail. The referee then heads to the floor and pleads with Taylor to stop choking him. Taylor responds by putting her foot on the ring post before pulling back to try and choke the life out of him! The ref looks over and sees Page gagging. Even though the match is No DQ, he can’t just stand by and watch this happen. So he moves Taylor off of Page and starts to unwrap the tape from around his neck.

Stephy Auger: Oh give me a break! Savvy nearly got stabbed with a shard of glass and this so-called referee just stood there with his hands in his pockets. But Page gets choked and now he wants to help? First that other official kept trying to help Cordy Stevenson all match. Now this referee is coming to Page’s aid.

While the official continues to tend to Page, Taylor makes her way down the ringside area before picking up the steel chair. The chair gets tossed into the ring before Taylor rolls herself back inside.

Kris Cruise: What does she have in mind?

Taylor takes the chair, makes her way over towards Page and places the chair in front of his face. The crowd starts to murmur as they put two and two together.

Kris Cruise: … wait just a second. She’s not...

Taylor starts to head over towards the ropes until she hears something behind her. She turns around and sees that Page has knocked the chair from out of his face. So the Las Vegas Siren snatches up the chair, runs over and repeatedly jabs Page in the midsection with it! The boos continue as she leans the chair against Page’s face before exiting out to the apron. After walking along the apron, Taylor scales the turnbuckles. Members of the crowd stand up as they see Taylor slowly standing up from the crouched position on the top turnbuckle. Taylor raises her arms to her side and basks in all her glory as the capacity crowd lets her have it. A wicked smirk forms before she makes her move. Gasps are as Taylor leaps off the top turnbuckle…














...soars across the ring…











… and smashes the chair into Page’s face with a corner-to-corner front missile dropkick!

“OOOOHHHHH!!!”

Taylor turns over one a knee and looks over at Page. Another wicked smirk forms on the face of the Las vegas Siren as Page hangs motionless in the corner.

Kris Cruise: Good GOD!

Stephy Auger:Savannah just went coast to coast!

Taylor rises to her feet before heading into the corner to unwrap the tape from around Page’s ankles. She throws Page down out of the corner before Taylor then grabs Page by the hair and places him sternum-first against the middle turnbuckle. After marching across the ring into the opposite corner, Taylor charges back across the ring before nailing Page with a running bicycle knee strike across the back! Taylor marches back across the ring before charging back over to blast Page with another running bicycle knee strike to the back! The Las Vegas Siren sets up in the opposite corner before pulling down her kneepad. She then points over at Page before charging back across the ring and cracking Page across the back of the head with a running bicycle knee strike! The boos continue as Taylor pulls Page up by the hair, pulls him over towards the center of the ring and brings him down with the Emerald Weapon (corkscrew neckbreaker)! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Page gets a shoulder up.

Taylor pulls Page back to his feet. She hooks him for a Uranage when Page starts to fight out of it with repeated elbows to the side of the head. He then turns to head towards the ropes when Taylor reaches out and grabs him by the back of the tights. After pulling Page into a knee to the lower back, she runs past him towards the ropes. Taylor bounces off the ropes and readies for a spear when Page counters with a knee lift that knocks her upright. While Taylor is dazed, Page turns and hits the ropes. When he returns, he throws out a rolling elbow. But he whiffs when Taylor ducks the blow before rushing into the ropes. Taylor bounces off the ropes, comes back and throws Page down with a sling blade! She goes for the cover.

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

Page gets his shoulder up.

Taylor takes Page, marches back over into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Page around, Taylor whips him into the far corner. She points across the ring before charging out of her corner. She then hurls herself at Page with a corner back elbow. The crowd cheers when Page catches her in mid air.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh!

Page keeps Taylor held as he takes a few steps out of the corner before throwing her into the turnbuckles with a half nelson suplex!

Kris Cruise: What a counter from Page!

Page picks up Taylor and moves her against the ropes. After hooking both of Taylor’s arms around the top rope, he pulls up the middle ropes and ends up twisting the ropes around Taylor’s arms.

Kris Cruise: Savannah’s trapped!

Stephy Auger: No, no. Referee, untie her!

Taylor kicks her legs while she remains tied up in the ropes. Instead of immediately striking Taylor, Page steps out to the apron. After grabbing a handful of hair, Page yanks her head back before bashing her across the nose with a hammer fist! Page yanks Taylor’s head back before trying to break her nose with another hammer fist! He then sticks his middle & ring fingers in the corners of her mouth and applied a fish hook! The crowd cheers as Page tries to rip her mouth apart. Taylor can be heard howling in pain while she kicks her legs helplessly. It’s the ref’s first instinct to give Page a five count to break the illegal hold. But he once again remembers that he can and slowly puts is arm down. A close up of Taylor’s face shows her lips start to crack while Page does his damndest to rip her mouth apart. A few seconds later, Page surprisingly releases the hold. He then turns his gaze over to Taylor’s left hand. After grabbing a hold of the hand, the ref winces when he sees Page trying to yank her thumb out of its socket! The ref turns away when Page twists Taylor’s index finger!

*POP!*

Taylor cries out in pain when Page yanks her pinky finger to the side!

*POP!*

Some fans in the front row cringe and turn their heads away when Page grabs Taylor’s ring and middle fingers before yanking them back!

*POP!*

Taylor remains tied up in the ropes while Page hops down to the floor. Page scans the area before he locks in on a target. The camera pans to the right to reveal the pink barbed wire baseball bat that Taylor brought out with her.

Kris Cruise: Oh my God.

Stephy Auger: Ref! REF!

The crowd murmurs amongst itself as Page makes his way over to the bat. He reaches down, lifts up the bat and looks it over before turning his attention back to Taylor. Back inside the ring, Taylor is seen kicking her legs. Taylor then slowly turns to her right. She does a double take when she looks up at the Video Tron. The large screen shows Page with the baseball bat in his hands! Taylor eyes widen with shock as Page taps the bat on each steel steps before climbing up to the apron!

Stephy Auger: Referee, do your damn job and untie her! NOW!

Page heads over next to Taylor. After gripping the baseball bat, Page takes it and jabs Taylor on the side of the head with the knob of the bat! He then takes the bat and grips the hand before swinging hard, nailing Taylor right across the back through the ropes with the barbed wire-wrapped barrel! Page then takes the bat and slowly raises it over Taylor head before slowly lowering it in front of Taylor’s face. Page deliberately keeps it held in front of Taylor’s face as she fights like hell to free herself. The crowd erupts with cheers when Page takes the bat and pulls it against Taylor’s face!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Stephy Auger: Savannah!

Most of the fans cheer when Page takes the bat and grinds it back and forth across Taylor’s forehead! Some fans turn away when Taylor continues to be attacked with the bat.

Stephy Auger: Do you condone this, too!?

Kris Cruise: ...

The referee has seen enough. He then rushes over and frees Taylor from the ropes.

Stephy Auger: What the hell took you so long?

Taylor collapses down to her knees and right arm while she pulls her left hand close to her. Part of her long, blond hair is starting to turn a shade of red. Page continues to eye his adversay before slipping back into the ring from behind. The King of the F’n World slowly circles Taylor. There’s a feeling on uneasiness as Page is just waiting to strike at any moment. In a flash, he strikes down at Taylor with a stomp to the back of her right hand. Taylor tries to pull her hand away, but Page presses down and keeps the hand firmly under his boot. Page slowly crouches down in front of Taylor and gives her a look of utter contempt. Taylor slowly looks over at Page. A crimson mask now covers the face of the Las Vegas Siren. She slowly lifts up her free hand and struggles to hold up a middle finger. But once she finally forms it, she holds it up defiantly in Page’s face! Page nods before yanking Taylor up off the mat. He then scoops her up across his shoulders before running towards the corner and dropping her face-first across the exposed steel turnbuckle with a snake eyes! While Taylor stumbles back, Page turns and heads into the far ropes. As a dazed Taylor turns around, Page comes back and sends spittle flying out of her mouth with Sole Destruction!

Taylor remains sprawled out on the mat while Page heads to the outside. He then kneels down next to the ring and pulls up the ring skirt as he searches for something. His search doesn’t last for long as he slowly pulls out a railroad spike. The reveal of the respect garners a collection of gasps and cheers from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: This isn’t good, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: We’’ve seen Page try to drive that railroad spikes through his enemies faces before! Tonight, we may very well succeed!

Page rolls back inside and sees Taylor slowly pulling herself across the ring towards the far corner. After pulling herself up slowly in the corner, a groggy Taylor turns around and sees Page charging forward with railroad spike in hand. Screams are heard as Page launches himself into the air and rears his arm back! There’s a collection gasp from the crowd when he swings the railroad spike down with all his might at Taylor’s face!!!

Kris Cruise: SAVANNAH!

Stephy Auger: NO!

… but he misses when Taylor dives to safety at the last second. A closeup shot reveals the railroad spike stuck in the top turnbuckle pad!

Kris Cruise: That spike was THIS CLOSE to be driven right int Taylor’s face!

Page turns around and sees Taylor crawling across the ring before slowly picking herself back up. After staggering over towards the ropes, Taylor turns around and sees Page charging back towards her. This time, Page hits his intended target as a lariat sends them both flipping over the top rope and landing hard on the outside! Taylor remains on her back while Page turns over on all fours. Page then crawls forward before lifting up the ring skirt once more. Seconds later, Page is met with cheers from the crowd when he pulls out a table.

Kris Cruise: Jimmy Page has found more plunder.

Page takes the table and sets it up at ringside. He then grabs a hold of Taylor and yanks her back to her feet by the hair. He then climbs up to the apron before yanking Taylor up with him. The King of the F’n World quickly takes control of Taylor’s back and tries to delivery a half nelson suplex off the apron through the table below! But Taylor wisely wraps his free arm around the top rope to block the move. Page tries to muscle her off the apron with another half nelson suplex attempt. But Taylor is able to successfully block the move. So Page lets go and connects with a forearm strike across the back of the neck. After hooking Taylor from behind, shrieks are heard from some fans in the front row as he tries to hurl Taylor off with another half nelson suplex. But once again, he’s denied when Taylor hangs onto the ropes. So he lets go of Taylor, turns her around and catches her with a forearm strikes. A second forearm connects. Page goes for a third forearm when he gets cut off with a boot to the midsection. Taylor then fires off a flurry of right hands before knocking him back with a front kick to the chest. Taylor then runs forward before throwing Page down with a sling blade on the apron!

Taylor takes Page and slams him face-first onto the apron before rolling him on top of the table. The Las Vegas Siren then makes her way onto the apron. She readies to jump off the apron, only to stop at the last second. She slowly turns to her left and looks up at the top turnbuckle. A wicked smirk forms as she looks back down at Page.

Kris Cruise: The Las Vegas Siren’s got some evil intentions behind that smirk.

The fans in attendance start to stand up as Taylor climbs the turnbuckles. Once Taylor reaches the top, the crowd gasps when she flips off and before Page through the table with the Ultimecia (Phoenix Splash)!

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

Both grapplers remain motionless at the lay amongst the debris of the table. After about 10 seconds or so, Taylor slowly grabs Page before pulling him back to his feet. Page is then pushed back into the ring before Taylor rolls herself back in. She goes for the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Page gets his shoulder up.

Taylor picks up Page and whips him into the corner before rushing in and catching him with a corner back elbow. Page is then whipped across the ring before crashing into the corner with the exposed top turnbuckle. The Las Vegas Siren then charges across the ring, hurls herself at him and connects with another corner back elbow. As Page collapses to the canvas, Taylor rolls to the outside. She then kneels next to the ring before sticking her head underneath it. Seconds later, two steel chairs and pulled out. The crowd murmurs amongst itself as Taylor slides both chairs into the ring. Taylor then heads back inside before opening up both chairs. After the seats of the chairs are placed against each other, Taylor pulls Page back to his feet before slowly lifting him up onto the middle ropes. She starts to favor her back before exiting out to the apron. While Page is still hurt, the Las Vegas Siren starts to scale the turnbuckles. Once she gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, she reaches back and wraps her arms around Page’s neck. The crowd gasps as Taylor flips off before driving Page through the seated of both chairs with Welcome to Sin City (avalanche shiranui)! Page is then dragged out of the chairs before he gets covered for the pin.

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

Page gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not three?

Taylor goes for the cover again.

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

Page gets the shoulder up.

The Las Vegas Siren goes for another cover.

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

Page gets his shoulder up.

Frustrated, Taylor grabs Page by the hair and repeatedly rams the back of his head against the mat. She then slowly pulls Page back to his feet before pulling him into a front facelock. Another wicked smirk forms when she hooks Page’s arm. The crowd starts to buzz with anticipation as the set up of this move looks familiar to them. Taylor nods before trying to muscle Page up off the mat. She struggles to lift Page up before planting him with the DNA Driver (Bloody Sunday)!

Stephy Auger: YES!

Kris Cruise: Talk about adding insult to injury!

Stephy Auger: She’s gonna beat him with Chandler Scott’s move

Page lays motions on the mat while an exhausted Taylor sits cackling out towards the crowd. She then slowly turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
Page shoves Taylor off of him to an explosion of cheers from the crowd!

Stephy Auger: WHAT!?

Kris Cruise: PAGE KICKED OUT AT ONE!

Taylor looks over at Page, who slowly sits up. The Las Vegas Siren looks on in absolute shock.

Kris Cruise: She shouldn’t have done that! Savannah hitting Jimmy Page with one of his hated rivals patented moves? That just put Page over the edge.

Stephy Auger: That put him over the edge? Let’s not act like Jimmy Page didn’t go off the deep end years ago!

Taylor looks over at the referee and starts to shake her head in disbelief. But he confirms to her that Page kicked out at one. Taylor slowly gets back to her feet while a trembling Page slowly returns to a vertical base. She starts to put her hands in front of her defensively while she backs away from Page.

Stephy Auger: Savannah, get out of there!

Taylor continues to circle away from Page before charging at him. She throws out a punch, only to get blocked and knocked to the mat when Page counters with a punch of his own. Page drops Taylor to the mat with three more punches before taking off into the ropes. When he comes back, he ducks a spinning backfist from Taylor as he continues to run the ropes. Page then comes back and turns Taylor inside out with a falling lariat.

Page slowly crawls back over towards Taylor while she turns over into the prone position. Once both combatants are near each other, they get up on their knees and nail each other with a punch to the face. Page socks Taylor with a right hand before returns the favor with a punch of her own! Taylor gets socked with another right hand before answering back with a punch of her own! She tries to catch Page with a punch, but he once again blocks and counters with a punch of his own!. Page then fires off punch after punch after punch until Taylor desperately rakes him across the eyes. Page drops down to all fours as Taylor reaches down and looses the laces of one of her boots. She then slips her hand down into the boot… and pulls out a railroad spike of her own!

Kris Cruise: Look at what she just pulled out, Stephy!

Taylor gets back to her feet, grabs Page by the hair and pulls his head back and stabs him in the forehead with the spike! The referee squints and turns away when Taylor swings down and strikes Page in the forehead over and over with the railroad spike! Page gets caught with the spike for a third time before Taylor muscles him down to the mat while grinding the spike against his forehead! Fans in the front row turn away while Page howls out in agony. The Las Vegas Siren then turns back to her feet and tosses the spike out to the floor. She stands defiantly in the center of the ring with her arms held out while the crowd lets her have it.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Taylor continues to bask in her glory as a closeup shot reveals Page’s face covered in blood.

Kris Cruise: This is sick! Absolutely sick!

Taylor makes her way across the ring before exiting out to the apron. She then walks along the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Once she gets to the top, she crouches down while patiently waiting for Page to get in position. Down on the mag, a pool of blood forms below Page’s face as he rests on all fours. Once he slowly picks himself back up, Taylor stands up on the top turnbuckle and flips off for the Ruby Weapon (Dragonrana). Taylor lands on Page’s shoulders and flips back before he blocks the completion of the move, leaving Taylor hanging up side down.

Page shakes his head ‘no’ as he slowly lifts Taylor back up onto his shoulders. Taylor then shakes her head in disbelief as Page runs towards the corner. The crowd cheers when he launches her into the corner with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb into the exposed turnbuckle! Taylor crumbles from out of the corner before arching her back. Page snatches Taylor up off the mat, scoops her up with a double leg pickup and rams her back-first into the corner. Page tries to drive the air out of her with repeated knee strikes to the midsection. He then unleashes a flurry of forearm strikes that rock the Las Vegas Siren. Each forearm sends a mist of blood flying off Taylor’s face! Taylor is then whipped into the corner with the exposed turnbuckle before Page rushes over and bashes her with a running corner elbow smash! Page then delivers another irish whip, follows Taylor into the opposite corner before nailing her with another running corner elbow smash! Page grabs Taylor and takes a few steps away from the corner. He then hooks Taylor before turning around and hurling into the turnbuckles with an Exploder Suplex! He quickly yanks Taylor back up before hurling her towards the center of the ring with another Exploder Suplex! Page reaches down, grabs Taylor by the hair and drags her across the mat while he marches over into another corner. After snatching Taylor up by the hair, Page slams her face-first onto the top turnbuckle before lifting her up onto the top turnbuckle. Page then proceeds to climb up onto the middle ropes before stepping up onto the top ropes. Fans in the crowd stand up when Page reaches down and hooks Taylor in a half nelson. After pulling Taylor up, the crowd explodes with cheers when Page throws Taylor halfway across the ring with an avalanche half nelson suplex! Taylor bounces off her shoulder before rolling over into the prone position.

Kris Cruise: JIMMY PAGE WITH A HUGE SUPLEX OFF THE TOP! TAYLOR WAS THIS CLOSE TO LANDING RIGHT ON THE BACK OF HER NECK!

Instead of going for the cover, Page circles the ring while he waits impatiently for Taylor to get back to her feet. After Taylor struggles to push herself up onto her knees, the crowd erupts with cheers when Page charges forward before smashes her across the face with the Boma Ye!

Kris Cruise: TRAUMA SYMPHONY!

Once again, Page opts out of going for the cover. Instead, he paces back and forth while waiting for Taylor to get into position. Over on the mat, the referee is trying to get an answer out of Taylor. But the Las Vegas Siren is glassy eyed while she lays in the prone position. Seconds later, she slowly puts her palms flat on the mat before struggling to push herself up. Once Taylor gets up to a knee, Page charges back over and blindsides her with a second Trauma Symphony to the side of the head!

Kris Cruise: HE JUST CLOBBERED TAYLOR WITH ANOTHER KNEE!

Stephy Auger: No, no, no! It wasn’t supposed to end like this!

Page marches across the ring before throwing his back against the turnbuckles. He slowly slides down to a crouched position in the corner as he locks in on Taylor. Page keeps muttering to himself while Taylor starts to stir on the mat. Once Taylor pushes herself up to a knee, the crowd erupts with cheers when Page stands up, charges out of the corner and cracks her across the head with a third Trauma Symphony!

Kris Cruise: PAGE NEARLY TOOK HER HEAD OFF!

Page grabs a hold of Taylor by the hair and slowly peels her up from off the mat. After taking control of Taylor’s back, the crowd gasps and Page throws out the Concussion (ripcord rolling elbow)... and misses when Taylor ducks, drops to her knees and low blows him!

Kris Cruise: OH!

The boos continue while Page slowly drops down to a knee.

Stephy Auger: That low blow was perfectly legal in a match like this!

A groggy Taylor gets back to her feet before stumbling against the ropes. Another wicked smirk forms when she sees Page right where she wants him.

Kris Cruise: What’s going through the evil mind of that witch?

Taylor makes her way off the ropes, rushes over and nails Page across the face with a superkick! A second superkick connects, then a third! She then reaches down and grabs control of both of Page’s wrists. From there, Taylor blasts Page across the face with Dancing Mad (Double wrist-lock knee strike to a kneeling opponent)!

*CLUNK!*

Kris Cruise: OH, WHAT A KNEE!

Taylor keeps hold of both of Page’s wrists before rocking him with a second Dancing Mad!

*CLUNK!*

Stephy Auger: That’s right, knee his face in!

Taylor slowly crouches down and taunts Page by blowing him a kiss. She then quickly takes control of his wrists before nearly knocking his head clean off his shoulders with a third Dancing Mad!

*CLUNK!*

Taylor makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
.
TWO!
.
.
.
THREE!

The air is let out of the building when “Just Close Your Eyes” blares throughout the arena.

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

Several cuts to the crowd show fans shaking their heads in disgust/hanging their heads in disappointment/clenching their fists and raising their arms in exasperation.

Stephy Auger: Look at those losers, Cruise! They really thought Page was gonna win! They thought that this was finally gonna be the night. HA! Savannah Taylor owns Jimmy Page!

The ref goes to raise Taylor’s arm in victory, but she pulls it away before going over to put the boots to Page. She then mounts herself on top of him before raining down a series of right hands to the face!

Kris Cruise: What the hell is this about!?

Stephy Auger: Oh, you thought Savannah was done? Didn’t she tell us that she was gonna end Jimmy Page here tonight? A win doesn’t satisfy her! She wants Jimmy Page carted out of here!

Taylor rolls to the outside, reaches underneath the ring and pulls out another steel chair. She then slips back inside with the chair. The boos continues as Taylor goes over and scissors the chair around Page’s neck before heading back out to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Savannah’s going to snap his neck! She’s going to cripple him!

Stephy Auger: You reap what you sow, Cruise!

The Las Vegas Siren walks along the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Once she gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, she cups her ear to the booing crowd.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Taylor smirks before fully climbing up to the top turnbuckle. She leaps off and goes to snap Page’s neck with a diving double foot stomp off the top. At the last second, Page slips out of the way. Taylor’s momentum then sends her rolling forward after landing on her feet. Once she rolls back up, she turns around and charges towards Page until he yeets the chair at her face.

*CRACK!*

The crowd cheers when Taylor drops to the mat after the chair bounces off her face! Taylor turns over on all fours as Page heads over and snatches up the chair.

Kris Cruise: Page has the chair again!

Once Taylor is back to her feet, Page rushes over and whacks her across the back with the chair! Taylor howls out in pain while she arches her back. After she drops to a knee, Page doubles her over by jabbing the chair into her midsection. He then raises the chair above his head before whacking her across the back with another chair shot!

Taylor rolls over onto her back. Page then grips the chair and whacks her across the legs…

*WHAP!*

Then across the chest…

*WHAP!*

Then back across the legs…

*WHAP!*

Then back across the chest.

*WHAP!*

Page then stands over Taylor as he takes the chair and presses it down hard across her throat. Taylor is seen kicking her legs while Page tries to choke her out with the chair. The referee pleads with him to stop this. Surprisingly, his pleas are effective in getting Page to stop choking her. Page then lets go… before quickly raising the chair over his head and whacking Taylor across the face with it!

*WHAP!*

Page takes the chair and scissors it around her left arm before rolling to the outside. After grabbing another steel chair, Page rolls back inside. The referee pleads with Page to responds this madness. But Page just stares right through the official before nudging him out of the way. He then heads over, raising the steel chair above his head and then swings it down violently at the chair across Taylor’s arm.

*WHAP!*

Taylor cries out in pain as she turns over and clutches her arm. Page then tosses the chair to the outside before taking control of Taylor’s back. After placing Taylor’s right arm in a hammerlock, he wrestles control of Taylor’s left arm before looking out at the crowd.

Stephy Auger: He’s gonna break her arm, Cruise! Someone get him off of her!

Taylor continues to groan while Page keeps the hold locked on. Page sneers down at Taylor before yanking back with to deliver Icarus (hammerlock arm snap)! Taylor cries out in pain as she immediately clutches her arm.

Stephy Auger: This is uncalled for! Page should be getting dragged out of here by security!

Kris Cruise: This is all Savannah Taylor’s fault! She’s getting what she asked for!

Stephy Auger: How can you sit here and say that with a straight face!?

Kris Cruise: Because it’s true! Taylor has always been the one that’s pushed the issue! She never left well enough alone! When she beat him at Only the Strong Survive, she attacked him with the championship belt after the match and busted him open! When she beat him at All-Star Showdown, she repeatedly attacked him with the chair after the match! Taylor tried to do the same thing here tonight, but this time, she got caught!

Page stares down at the screaming Taylor before slowly exiting to the apron. He hops down and motions to leave towards the aisle when he turns and sees the steel steps.

Kris Cruise: ...

Stephy Auger: ...

The crowd murmurs amongst itself when Page slowly makes over and places his hands on the steps.

Kris Cruise: Okay, now it might be time for something to be done here.

Stephy Auger: Now? NOW!?

Page closes his eyes as past memories of him and those steel steps come to mind. He’s trying to fight those dark thoughts off. But as soon as he opens his eyes and looks over at Taylor, he yanks up the steel steps and throws it into the ring over the top rope. The referee looks over and does a double take when he sees the steps inside the ring. Page climbs up to the apron and goes to step back inside when the official cuts him off. He won’t let Page get back into the ring. He refuses to have this attack go on any further. Page nods and climbs down to the floor… before reaching back in, yanking the ref down to the mat and dragging him to the outside! Page then rolls himself back into the ring before heading over and clutching the steps. The crowd grows uneasy as he takes the steps and makes his way over towards Taylor, who is still down on the mat. When she looks up, her eyes widen when she sees Page standing right over her head. Gasps and shrieks are heard from various parts of the crowd from various parts of the crowd.

Kris Cruise: JIMMY, DON’T DO THIS AGAIN!

Stephy Auger: HE’S GONNA CRUSH HER SKULL!

Just as Page is about to throw the steps down violently at Taylor’s face, he’s tackled down by various agents and officials from the back. They keeps Page held down while the official directs medical personnel over towards Taylor. Page continues to try and fight through them. But they are about to keep him at bay while Taylor is attended to.

[FGA Office]

Slowly, the camera tilted down to see a figure lying prone, face up on the floor. Rich brown hair braided in pigtails close to her hair, a vision not normally seen by the champion. Over her torso is the FGA World championship, which she holds in place with her left hand. Underneath that is an “FM” hoodie, zipped up to the neck. She stares up at the ceiling of the hallway she has chosen in the Rogers Arena, blinking occasionally but focusing in the distance. There is a slight glance over into the lens of the camera, which elicits something of a smile before she returns to her neutral expression.

Her fingers lightly brush along the metal of the championship lying on top of her, as if she was soothing an upset child. Her lips part lightly, in preparation for her thoughts to spill forth.

Fujiko Mine: I’m sorry, that’ll be twelve ninety nine to know what it is that I’m going to say.

She keeps a stoic look on her face, which only holds for a few moments before she breaks into a little giggle.

Fujiko Mine: Kidding, obviously. But that’s all I will joke about tonight.

She lets her eyes flutter closed.

Fujiko Mine: Some people in my position might brag. They might talk about how invincible they feel right before a match like this. They might speak on the caliber of foes they have vanquished, and how that means that they will carry that through tonight.

She lets her eyes open again.

Fujiko Mine: But all I can think about is how vulnerable I am.

She cannot hide her sadness.

Fujiko Mine: James Edwards does not care that I am one defense away from tying the record for most defenses of this title. He does not care that I am rapidly approaching the one year mark of being the FGA World champion. He does not appreciate what history I am capable of making. He only cares for taking away this championship, and establishing himself as the best in FGA. As established, I am not an opponent to him, I am an obstacle.

She shrugs her right shoulder.

Fujiko Mine: To me? Obstacles are meaningless. They are just things to overcome. But for me? These are opponents. They are people. Few people remember the nuance of an obstacle. But look at the list of people I’ve clashed with? Johnny Karma, Jimmy Page, Marlon Cure, Izzy Anders, and...

She pauses for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: …Evan Envi.

Her fingers momentarily stop as she says the name of the Chief.

Fujiko Mine: And without them, my accomplishments are lessened. Without them, my story means less. And I cherish every battle I’ve had with them.

She takes a moment, then pushes herself off the floor and into a seated position. She toys with the braided pigtails for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: My opponent for tonight has been treating this like a fight, down to putting himself in a fight camp out in the wilderness. Well, this is what he is asking for, and this is what he will receive.

She focuses her gaze down at the floor, setting the FGA championship down on the floor between her legs.

Fujiko Mine: James Edwards wants my championship to prove that he is the best. He wants to stand at the top of the mountain. He believes having faced me before will help him.

A sad chuckle escapes her.

Fujiko Mine: He couldn’t be more wrong. He is going to find that with requesting a fight with the Apex Goddess, he is going to get exactly what he asked for. I am going to go out there, at my very first Grapple Kingdom… and I am going to show James Edwards what it is like to tangle with someone who refuses to relinquish their mantle.

She raises her head slightly, but not enough to let the camera see her eyes.

Fujiko Mine: James has won championships before. He should know that winning this alone doesn’t make one the best. It’s what you do with it after winning it that is the determining factor.

??: You think he thought that far?

Fujiko’s eyes lit up as she lost track of her plan to look introspective, and guided her head in the direction of the voice. Evan moved quietly into frame. Though cleaned up and wearing different clothes than he half-walked, half-stumbled out of the heart of the Rogers Arena with an hour prior, the abuse of battle is obvious. He offers a small smile, shrugging softly.

Evan Envi: Eh. Of course he thought that far. Doesn’t matter though, right?

His eyes travel over Fujiko, subtly, but immediately the Chief’s eyes find the reigning World Champion’s gaze and he continues, his voice just a note quieter than intended.

Evan Envi: Jim’s a great wrestler. Think he gets a hard-on when people deny him that, to be honest. He is. But he doesn’t have it in him… to beat a great champion… not now. Not tonight.

Envi looks away, distracting himself with whatever else is in the room silently, thoughtfully considering his own words before he looks back to the champ.

Evan Envi: I’m confident in that at least.

Fujiko’s eyes told the whole story. There was something there that she wanted to say, but she couldn’t transfer that thought into a way that would reach the ears of the man she last interacted with months ago. Placing her right hand onto the championship, she pushed back, forcing the wall to cooperate in helping her into a standing position. She exhaled for what seemed like half a minute.

Fujiko Mine: Glad to see you’re still walking.

She put an expression on her face that felt like unfinished business. Her eyes glanced over the form of her former(?) rival and she nodded.

Fujiko Mine: But you’re right. He has thought that far. I wouldn’t insinuate otherwise. I also would agree that he finds...pleasure in being underestimated. It’s not a trait he and I share.

She tilted her head knowingly at Evan, and then she looked into the camera.

Fujiko Mine: As has been well documented, I have been an underdog only to those who haven’t been paying attention. To me? That time has been long dead. I look back at the girl who stepped into FGA almost a decade ago with aspirations to be here, and it is like she is a completely different being entirely. But one thing between her and I persists.

She let humorless chuckles pass her rosy lips.

Fujiko Mine: We have always aspired to be the best.

She let the FGA Championship dangle in her grip. Normally she’d grip it tightly, a symbol of the hold she’d had on it since she’d pinned The Chief almost a year ago. But now, her mind was elsewhere. The camera told exactly where.

She moved her gaze back to Evan.

Fujiko Mine: I was wondering where you were.

She sighed and shook her head.

Fujiko Mine: Tonight, James Edwards. I’m going to continue to be the standard bearer. The top champion. The best in FGA. And the dream of being the one to defend this more than any title in FGA history? The dream of making the hall of fame? The dream of being the best this place has ever seen?

She offers a warm smile.

Fujiko Mine: It will be a reality, with our bout tonight being a chapter of the tale.

Fujiko places her hand at her waist, and produces a mouth guard with the word “APEX” emblazoned with gold on it. She shows it off for the camera.

Fujiko Mine: It’s the will of the goddess, James. Don’t resist.

Placing the guard in her mouth, she bares her teeth for the camera, and then turns and nods to Evan before walking out of the scene.