Grapple Kingdom III

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
FGA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Fujiko Mine vs. James Edwards

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for ONE fall! It is your main event of the evening and it is for the FGA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!

The house lights go down, and the arena stays black during the garbled opening guitar riff, then, "Okay." Strobe lights move with the easy beat of the song. James appears at the top of the ramp with the hood on his ring jacket up. He takes a few moments survey everything before him. The hood goes down with the opening lyrics.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Lexington, Kentucky! Weighing in at 204 pounds! He is “The Burning Heart” JAMES EDWARDS!

Moving with the meandering pace of the music, his eyes never leave the ring. He laps the squared circle, slides under the bottom ropes, and bows martial arts style to all four corners before settling into his own.

Kris Cruise: James Edwards spent weeks out in the wilderness preparing his mind and body for this opportunity. He knows what’s at stake here. He’s as focused as I’ve ever seen him. The man is locked in. You can say a lot of things about Edwards, trust me. But you can’t say that he didn’t earn this opportunity. You can’t say he didn’t put in the work. But he knows good and well that the work isn’t done yet. He’s got to go out there and beat Fujiko Mine at her apex! That will be easier said than done as the champion isn’t ready to give up her title.

Stephy Auger: When have you ever known a champion being ready to give up their title? It gets taken from them. By hook or by crook, it gets taken from them. Ewwards is looking to take away that title, as well as Fujiko’s chance at history, away from her. We’ll see if she’s good enough to fend him off. They’ve faced off before and we all remember the outcome. But they’re both better today than they were in 2018. Who is the better of the two tonight?

The crowd cheers loudly as a small orchestra gathers on stage, all dressed with white shirts, with white blazers and ties. They organize themselves off to the side of the stage, and are joined by a conductor, dressed in inverted colors from the rest of the musicians. A few guitarists and bassists join the accompaniment.

After a quick count, the orchestra begins to play the first measures of “Life will change” by Shoji Meguro. A light shows up on the other side of the stage, showing a drum kit, keyboardist, and a woman in a mask at a microphone.

Kris Cruise: The FGA World champion, always known for her entrances, cometh!

Stephy Auger: Great, more nerd culture stuff only she and like, three people in the crowd understand.

Kris Cruise: I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that, Stephie! Fujiko Mine, for all she’s done, is experiencing her very first Grapple Kingdom, and she’s looking to make this debut a successful one!

Stephy Auger: Well enough is enough, and it’s time for a change! James Edwards spent weeks in the wilderness talking about all the work he did! He’s going to finally become the FGA champion, TONIGHT!

The woman throws off the joker mask, revealing herself to be Lyn Inaizumi. She bounces to the beat of the music as it repeats. Several people in specific Japanese school uniforms pour out from the entrance as the song kicks in.

It's not a game

I'm not a robot AI challenging you

I'm not a phantom

I'm in your face and

I'm here to see it through

As the song begins to flow, the outlet of people from the entrance cease, all lining themselves up on the sides of the entrance ramp. They sway and dance to the beat as well.

Right before your eyes

Watch us multiply

Come to claim our rights - it's time

As our power grows

Tryin' to stop us shows

(You) Might as well go try'n stop time

So you know that we're out there

Swatting lies in the making

Can't move fast without breaking

Can't hold on or life won't change

One more person emerges from the back, dressed in a skin tight black suit and an angular mask. Spiked pauldrons and gauntlets complete the look. Around their waist is the FGA World championship. Fujiko smirks down at the ring and bends at the waist, bringing a free hand up to her face. The lights fade into blackness, except for a spotlight on the champion.

And our voices ring out, yeah

Took the mask off to feel free

Fought it out in the debris

Now we know that life will change

She snaps up to her full height, tossing aside the mask. On the screen behind her, Makoto Nijima’s Ultimate Persona hovers, pointing towards the ring. The lights bounce and dance in Fujiko’s normal arrangement as she tosses aside the spiked gauntlets. As she begins to make her way down to the ring, the people framing the ramp all produce a mask, and place it on their face. As she passes them, they turn to face the ring and maneuver to close off access from behind her. Midway down the ramp, slows to a stop, posing for a moment to enjoy the adulation of the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: AND HIS OPPONENT! Residing in Milwaukee, WISCONSIN! She is the reigning FGA WOOOOORLD CHAMPION! She is “The Apex Goddess”, FUUUUUUUUUUUJIIIIKOOOOOOOO MIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNEEEEE!

She makes it to ringside, unfastening the FGA World championship from her waist and climbing onto the apron. She turns away from the ring and poses, holding the championship high above her head to the cheers of the crowd. She then stares intently at the championship, kisses the center plate, before entering the ring and standing at the center, presenting the championship to the crowd proudly. She hands the championship over to the referee, and retreats to her corner. Taking a second to remove the spiked pauldrons, she tosses them to the ringside attendant before facing James and losing all of the humor from her face.

The bell sounds as both grapplers make their way out of their respective corners before circling the ring. There are some pockets of the crowd that are in support of The Burning Heart. But the majority of the capacity crowd is behind the Apex Goddess. Both champion and challenger size each other up before heading towards the center of the ring to lock up. They proceed to jockey for position until Fujiko gains the upper hand with a side headlock. The hold doesn't stay on for long as Edwards shoves Fujiko off into the ropes. When she returns, she gets knocked down with a standing shoulder block. Edwards then runs into the far ropes. When Edwards comes back, Fujiko returns to her feet with a kip up and leapfrogs over him while he continues to run the ropes. Once Edwards returns, Fujiko goes for a hip toss. Edwards blocks it. She tries to muscle Edwards up with another hip toss. Once again, it gets blocked. She then doubles Edwards over with a punch to the midsection before draping her leg across the back of his neck. After performing a backflip, Fujiko leaps up and knocks Edwards off his feet with a dropkick. Edwards returns to is feet, only to be returned to the mat with a second dropkick. Fujiko then sets up for an irish whip when Edwards reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, she avoids an attack by sliding through his legs. As soon as Edwards turns around, he quickly spins away and drops to the mat when Fujiko throws out The Bliss (backflip flash kick)!

Stephy Auger: James!

Edwards turns over and sees Fujiko kneeling in the superhero pose next to him.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko nearly caught him! She was THAT close to ending this. The Bliss can be hit at anytime, Stephy.

Both grapplers slowly rise back to a vertical base. Edwards and Fujiko have words for each other until Edwards doubles her over with a Mongolian Chop. After wrapping his arms around Fujiko’s waist, Edwards hoists her up for a gutwrench powerbomb when she counters with a hurricanrana. The Apex Goddess pops back to her feet before taking off into the far ropes. Edwards tries to catch her off the rebound with a spinning backfist. But Fujiko ducks before continuing to run the ropes. When she comes back, she brings Edwards down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown. Fujiko then charges over towards Edwards before hitting him with a running front dropkick that knocks him through the ropes and to the floor. As Edwards tries to pick himself up off the floor, Fujiko runs back into the far ropes. The World Champion runs back across the ring and motions for a dive to the outside. At the last second, she kicks off the middle rope and twirls through the air before executing another superhero landing.

Stephy Auger: Look at her, showing off once again! She’s as arrogant as they come, Cruise. One of these days, someone is gonna give her a long overdue ass kicking and you know what? I think James Edwards is gonna do it here tonight!

Kris Cruise: You think, or you hope?

Stephy Auger: Both!

The Burning Heart takes offense to this, feeling that the champion is trying to show him up. So he tries to roll back into the ring. But Fujiko is right there to knock him back to the outside with a baseball slide to the ribs. Fujiko returns to her feet before running back into the far ropes. The crowd cheers when the champion comes back, dives through the ropes and knocks Edwards back to the floor with a topé suicida! Fujiko doesn’t stand around and pose this time. Instead, she looks to keep pouring on the offense as she rolls back inside the ring. She starts to bounce up and down while Edwards is seen stirring on the floor. As he begins picking himself back up off the floor, Fujiko takes off into the far ropes. The Apex Goddess comes back, flips over the ropes and lands on the apron before knocking Edwards back with a back to the face. She then quickly follows up with an Asai Moonsault that brings Edwards back down!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko floated through the air before taking Edwards down with that picture perfect moonsault!

Stephy Auger: Picture perfect? I give it 4 out of 10.

The cheers continue as Fujiko takes Edwards and rolls him back inside before rolling herself back in. She goes for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Edwards kicks out.

Fujiko takes Edwards and goes for an irish whip when she gets reversed again. Upon her return, she sees Edwards setting up for a back body drop. So she hurdles over him before continuing to run the ropes. When Fujiko comes back, she goes to slide through Edwards’ legs again when he reaches down and grabs her by the hair with both hands.

Stephy Auger: Edwards has a hold of that ratty hair of hers.

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.

After Edwards slowly pulls Fujiko back to her feet, she swats Edwards’ hands from off of her before knocking him back with a gamengiri. The World Champion then returns to her feet before heading back into the ropes. Fujiko then comes back across the ring and knocks Edwards down to a knee with a low front dropkick to the shin. The Apex Goddess then returns to her feet with a kip up before driving Edwards face-first into a mat with a headscissors facebuster! Instead of going for the cover, Fujiko heads back into the ropes. When she returns, she goes for a running shoot star press when Edwards gets his knees up. The Burning Heart then takes Fujiko and chucks her through the ropes. Instead of falling to the floor, Fujiko grabs onto the middle rope and lands on the apron. Edwards rushes over to knock her off the apron. But he gets countered with a rope-assisted gamengiri that knocks him back. After running across the apron, Fujiko runs up to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and knocks Edwards down with a diving shotgun dropkick! Edwards hits the mat before his momentum sends him rolling out to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Edwards is sent back to the floor!

Stephy Auger: You had to stay on her, Edwards. You can’t let her create distance or else she does stuff like this!

The Apex Goddess charges towards the ropes and motions for a dive to the outside, only to swing herself back in with a tiger feint. Fujiko looks on and anticipates Edwards rushing back into the ring to attack. But Edwards decides to slow things down by walking around ringside.

“BOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: What is this? Edwards looks like he’s in no rush to get back inside and mix it up with Fujiko! Is he having seconds thoughts? Is he questioning himself?

Stephy Auger: The man simply wants to slow the pace down. Fujiko is the one that once to bounce around and flip, flop and fly all over the place. That’s not Edwards’ game. Never has, never will. He’s a striker, Cruise. He wants to wear her down with submissions and strikes. That’s his key to victory, not trying to keep up with Fujiko and fight her game. This is smart, not cowardice.

Kris Cruise: Well these fans aren’t taking too well to it.

Stephy Auger: Who cares what they think, anyway?

Fujiko keeps her eyes locked on Edwards while he continues to rethink things on the outside. The Apex Goddess then decides to walk over and sits down on the middle rope while waving Edwards inside the ring. Instead of taking the bait and getting riled up, Edwards remains focused while he takes his time getting back into the ring. He then climbs up onto the apron before slowly stepping back in through the ropes. Both grapplers then slowly inch towards each other. Edwards goes for a lock up when Fujiko ducks under, goes behind and applies a rear waistlock. Edwards is able to reach down and pull her grip apart before performing a standing switch and reversing into a rear waistlock of his own. Before he can throw out a suplex, Fujiko cuts him off with a back elbow to the face. Two more back elbows connect before the hold is broken, allowing for Fujiko to run into the far ropes. When she returns, she ducks an outside crescent kick before continuing to run the ropes. Fujiko then comes back and ducks another spinning backfist before continuing to run the ropes. When Fujiko returns, the crowd boos when Edwards throws her down with authority using an STO! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Edwards wanted to drive Fujiko through the ring with that STO, but he only gets a two count.

Instead of letting up, Edwards immediately swings over and mounts on top of Fujiko before raining down multiple hammer fists!

Kris Cruise: James Edwards just took your advice and stayed on top of the champion after she got her shoulder up. The Burning Heart isn’t letting up with these strikes!

Stephy Auger: Now we’re talking, Edwards!

The World Champion wisely covers up. Despite her face being shielded by the blows, the strikes are still connecting with her arms. Since he can’t get a clean shot in on her head, Edwards switches back over to the side and starts going to town with knees to the ribs! He then pulls Fujiko back to her feet before locking her in a clinch. Fujiko tries to wrestle herself free. But Edwards has his hands clamped on the back of her neck. The Burning Heart is then able to muscle Fujiko into the corner before delivering multiple knees to the torso! Edwards continues to fire off knee after knee as the World Champion is unable to block them. After he pulls Fujiko’s head down, Edwards blasts her with a knee to the face that knocks her upright! While Fujiko is stunned from the knee, Edwards continues to target the head with repeated forearm smashes! Each forearm starts to send Fujiko slowly slumping down in the corner. The Burning Heart doesn’t let up and instead, whacks Edwards across the face with repeated open hand strikes!

Kris Cruise: James Edwards is going to town on the champion!

Stephy Auger: She’s got no answer for him! Sure, she can fly around the ring. She has more speed. She can fly higher. But what is she going to do when James corners her with strikes? Nothing, that’s what!

The referee tries to get Edwards to move the action out of the corner. Edwards responds by shrugging the ref off before pulling Fujiko back up in the corner. The challenger switches targets and starts to hit Fujiko with shoot kicks to the torso! After taking multiple kicks, Fujiko blocks the last kick and starts to fires off forearms of her own. But she ultimately loses the striking battle as Edwards knocks her back into the corner with a front kick to the chest. He then swarms in on Fujiko with alternating knife edge chops and kesagiri chops! Fujiko is then doubles over with a back kick before being thrown out of the corner with a butterfly suplex! Edwards is quick to rush over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Edwards puts her arm back down before presses his right forearm down hard across Fujiko’s jaw as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko kicks out.

Edwards stays right on Fujiko as he encircles Fujiko’s neck with his right arm. The Burning Heart then tries to swing over to his right to slip on a North-South Choke! But Fujiko is able to turn her body to the left, which stops Edwards from clasping his hands and firmly locking in the choke. Edwards continues to try and fully lock in the submission. But Fujiko fights it of and stays on her side before slipping her head out of Edwards’ arm and rolls away from him. Fujiko tries to scramble back to a vertical base, but Edwards doesn’t let up as he pounce on top of her and slips on a front facelock!

Kris Cruise: The Burning Heart continues to smother Fujiko with his offense.

Stephy Auger: That’s right, Edwards. Stay right on her! Don’t give her an inch!

Fujiko reaches up and tries to pull his arm from around her neck. But Edwards has both hands clasped together. The Apex Goddess repeatedly tries to pull her head free. But Edwards has the hold sunk in nice and tight. Fujiko tries to battle back to her feet when Edwards brings her down with a Gator Roll. Fujiko’s attempt at another escape is countered with another Gator Roll. In the blink of an eye, Edwards quickly slips over and gains control of Fujiko’s back from the side while the champion in on all fours. The Burning Heart starts striking Fujiko with more knees to the ribs before swinging over and fully taking control of Fujiko’s back! Fujiko tries to prevent Edwards from swinging his arm around her neck. But Edwards is able to successfully fight through Fujiko’s defense and gains control of her neck. Some gasps are heard when Edwards starts to twist Fujiko’s head to the side with a neck crank! Due to their positioning, Fujiko’s able to reach back ad grab onto the bottom rope to force a rope break.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Edwards lets go before quickly knocks Fujiko back down to all fours with a forearm smash across the back of the neck. He then wraps his arms around Fujiko’s waist before deadlifting her off the mat. The Burning Heart then walks over towards the center of the ring before hoisting Fujiko up and throwing her down with a gutwrench powerbomb! He drops down for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Cheers quickly turn back to boos when Edwards sits up Fujiko and quickly slips on a Dragon Sleeper!
Kris Cruise: Edwards with another submission!

Stephy Auger: He hasn’t let up! He keeps pouring it on! This is the opportunity that Edwards has waited so long for. He’s going to do everything he can to make sure he walks out of this arena the new World Champion!

The Burning Heart keeps the submission applied while he’s down on one knee. The referee asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. The champ refuses by waging her finger. She then starts to slowly reach up and grab the back of Edwards’s neck. She then pulls his head down before swinging up with one of her legs and kneeing him in the face! Fujiko catches him with a second knee to the face! Then a third!

Stephy Auger: Fujiko’s pulling Edwards down by his hair!

Kris Cruise: She is not!

After the fourth knee, Edwards breaks the hold. He’s seen trying to shake off the blows while Fujiko turns over to her side and favors her neck. She goes to get back to her feet when Edwards reaches over and grabs onto her ankle. Fujiko tries to pull her leg away from him, but Edwards won’t let go. So the Apex Goddess turns over and gives Edwards multiple kicks to the face until she knocks Edwards off of her. Fujiko finally returns to her feet. She then runs towards the ropes and bounces back for a handspring back elbow when Edwards catches her in mid air before throwing her down with a bridging German Suplex! The crowd sighs after the move gets thwarted.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Good bridge on the German from James Edwards, but it only gets a two count.

Edwards pulls Fujiko back to her feet before lifting her up across his shoulders. He goes to bring Fujiko down with a fireman’s carry neckbreaker when she flips off his shoulders, lands on her feet beside him and quickly counters with a pelé kick! With Edwards stunned, Fujiko gets back to her feet before taking off into the ropes. When she comes back, Edwards lifts her back up across his shoulders before bringing her down with a fireman’s carry gourdbuster! Fujiko is then hoisted up from all fours off the mat before being thrown down with a gutwrench suplex! The Burning Heart pulls Fujiko back up before lifting her up, turning and throwing her down with authority using a Sambo Suplex! He goes for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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The crowd cheers when Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Edwards can’t keep her down. I wonder when frustration will start to set in?

Stephy Auger: You would like that, wouldn’t you? You would love for James to get off his game so Fujiko can find a way to get back into this match. But Edwards isn’t gonna let it happen. He’s gonna keep his cool!

As Edwards slowly pulls Fujiko up off the mat, she starts to him him with multiple right hands until a handstand calf kick knocks him back. With Edwards dazed, Fujiko turns and hits the far ropes. The Apex Goddess then comes back when Edwards quickly throws her down with a snap powerslam! He hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko tried to fight back, but Edwards was there to stuff another comeback.

Stephy Auger: get used to it, Cruise. Edwards has everything under control.

Edwards pulls Fujiko back to her feet, muscles her into the corner with a clinch and then starts to unleash alternating knees to the head. After catching Fujiko with a jumping knee strike from the clinch, Edwards switches places with her in the corner before driving her head-first into the middle turnbuckle with a snapmare driver! Edwards then takes Fujiko and pulls her over towards the center of the ring before spiking her with a headlock driver! He goes for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Edwards snatches up Fujiko before running across the ring and tosses her through the ropes and to the apron. The Burning Heart then exits out to the apron before pulling Fujiko back up. He leans over to lift Fujiko up onto his shoulder when she wraps her right arm around the top rope while elbowing Edwards with her left arm.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko is trying to fight her way out of this!

Stephy Auger: But look at Edwards! He’s absorbing those blows like a champ! He’s determined to complete whatever he’s got in mind.

Fujiko continues to desperately fight Edwards off with elbows before letting go of the top rope and placing him in a clinch of her own. The Apex Goddess follows up with multiple knees ot the face before planting him with a DDT on the apron! The cheers continue as Edwards slowly slips down to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko stuck him with that DDT on the apron! That’s a momentum shifter right there!

Stephy Auger: ...

Fujiko picks Edwards back up before rolling him back inside. She then rolls back inside to make the cover when Edwards rolls out to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Where is he going?

Fujiko steps back out to the apron to grab him. She slowly pulls Edwards off the apron when he quickly lifts her up across his shoulders before planting her with a Death Valley Driver! The crowd erupts with boos when Fujiko gets driven down hard on the apron!

Stephy Auger: That’s it! That’s it! It’s over now!

Fujiko gets rolled back inside before Edwards climbs up to the apron and walks over towards the corner.

Kris Cruise: Edwards has Fujiko down, but he’s not going for the cover.

The crowd stands up while Edwards climbs the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top, he leaps off and connects with a diving headbutt to the back! He then pushes Fujiko over before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Edwards pulls Fujiko back to her feet and whips her into the ropes before running into the adjacent set of ropes. When Fujiko comes back, Edwards leaps up and brings her down with a jumping cutter! He then grabs Fujiko by the hair, peels her off the mat and places her in an inverted front facelock before bringing her down with a rolling cutter! Edwards pulls Fujiko back to her feet before scooping her up across his shoulders. He then lifts her high above his head with the arms. The Burning Heart then goes for a crucifix cutter when Fujiko counters with a reverse DDT before slipping on a dragonrana with bodyscissors.

Kris Cruise: Ecstasy!

Stephy Auger: NOOOO! NO NO NO! EDWARDS, GET OUT OF THERE!

The crowd erupts with cheers and applause over the counter from the champion! The crowd begins to buzz with anticipation as Fujiko fight for the submission.

Kris Cruise: What an amazing counter from the champion into one of her patented moves! This is why Fujiko is the Apex Goddess! This is why she is the two-time FGA Wrestler of the Year! This is why she’s been World Champion for nearly a year! She’s never out of a fight, Stephy! Never!

The referee gets down and asks Edwards if he wants to give up. Edwards responds by waving the referee off. Fujiko continues to fight for the submission as she pulls back as far as she can! Edwards is once again asked if he wants to give up. But Edwards refuses. He then reaches up and tries to pull Fujiko’s arm from around his neck, but it’s to no avail. The Apex Goddess arches her back as much as she can to apply more pressure!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s really got it sunk in now! James Edwards is in a world of trouble!

Stephy Auger: Don’t panic, James! Don’t panic! You’re better than her on the ground! Don’t let her beat you like this!

The capacity crowd is firmly behind the World Champion! They want to see him tap out right here, right now! But Edwards continues to deny them, and Fujiko, the submission. The Burning Heart reaches up and tries to push Fujiko’s arm from around his neck. Fujiko is seen fighting hard to keep the hold locked on. But she can’t! Edwards slips out of the dragon sleeper and sits up. Fujiko tries to apply the dragon sleeper and pull him back down. But Edwards is able to successfully fend her off with back elbows to the face!

Kris Cruise: Edwards got out!

Stephy Auger: There you go, James!

After both grapplers slowly get back to a vertical base, Fujiko goes for an irish whip until Edwards reverses. When she comes back, Edwards slips around her and locks on a Sleeper!

Kris Cruise: Another submission from Edwards!

Stephy Auger: He’s not about to let Fujiko start flying all over the place again. No sir.

Fujiko reaches out for the ropes, but she’s nowhere near them. She then tries to pull Edwards’ arm from around her neck, but it’s to no avail. The Apex Goddess then tries to escape by grabbing onto Edwards’ arm and throwing him off her back. But that also fails. She continues to try and desperately escape the hold. Her attempts prove to be futile as Edwards has the hold locked in tight.

Stephy Auger: Squeeze, James! SQUEEEEEEEZE!

The referee asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. Instead of answering, she starts to fade! The Vancouver crowd grows worried as Edwards starts to lower Fujiko down to a seated position! Edwards keeps the hold applied until quickly breaking it to take off towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: Why did James ju... UH OH!

Stephy Auger: James Edwards is about to deliver the good word. It’s time for the gospel, Cruise. THE VIOLENT GOSPEL!

The Burning Heart bounces off the ropes, charges back across the ring and motions for a Penalty Kick, only to spin around and flatten Fujiko with the False Gospel (Feigned Running PK into a reverse roundhouse kick)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: That was just the warm up, Cruise. The Violent Gospel is coming and when he hits it, you’ll have to find Fujiko’s head somewhere in the rows behind us.

Edwards pulls up Fujiko before placing her in another clinch. The Burning Heart delivers four knees to the fats before a fifth knee knocks her upright! Fujiko is then caught with the Double Tap (consecutive spinning backfists) before being thrown down with the Half Cut (half nelson suplex)! The boos continue as Edwards pulls her over and goes for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The boos turn to cheers when Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Edwards takes Fujiko and brings her across the ring before tossing to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Edwards sends Fujiko back to the apron.

Edwards steps out to the apron and slowly brings Fujiko back to her feet. After hooking Fujiko, the crowd erupts with boos when Edwards lifts her up and plants her with the Foxfire (fisherman brainbuster) on the apron!

Stephy Auger: OOOOOOHHHH, DID YOU HEAR THAT!? That’s the sound of Fujiko Mine getting KNOCKED OUT after the Foxfire! Get her back inside, James! Quick!

Fujiko gets rolled back inside. Edwards then rolls himself back in, drags Fujiko away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Fujiko gets a shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s not done! Credit to Edwards for having the ring awareness to drag Fujiko towards the center of the ring so that she couldn’t get her foot on the bottom rope. But the Apex Goddess still has some fight left in her!

Stephy Auger: Not for long. Trust me on that.

Edwards yanks Fujiko off the match before whipping her hard into the corner. After crashing into the turnbuckles, Fujiko stumbles away from the corner before Edwards throws her down with a reverse snap powerslam! He then peels Fujiko off the mat before throwing her back down with another Half Cut! The Burning Heart then marches over towards the corner before scaling the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Edwards is going back to the top!

Stephy Auger: This is gonna finish her off right here.

Once Edwards gets to the top, he flips off for a moonsault… and misses when Fujiko rolls out of the way!

Kris Cruise: Edwards missed!

Stephy Auger: Dammit!

Edwards remains face down on the mat. The official checks in both him before going over to Fujiko. He then returns to his feet before starting his count.

ONE!







TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!







FIVE!

Fujiko gets to her feet first. While Edwards is still on all fours, Fujiko heads over and snatches up his wrists! The capacity crowd buzzes with anticipation as they know what’s next. The moment Edwards looks up, Fujiko’s thrusts her knee forward and bashes him with Yount’s 3000th Hit (Double wristlock knee to face)! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

The crowd sighs when Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko takes Edwards and drops down to a knee after whipping him hard into the corner. After crashing into the corner, Edwards staggers towards the center of the ring before Fujiko connects with a running front dropkick that sends Edwards flying back into the corner! The Burning Heart crumbles to the mat before Fujiko heads into the far ropes. While he tries to get back to his feet, Fujiko runs back across the ring, grabs Edwards and plants him with a springboard Tornado DDT! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko pulls Edwards back up and delivers alternating shoot kicks to the legs before a spinning back kick doubles him over. After a shoot kick to the back of the thigh drops Edwards down to one knee, Fujiko hits the ropes, comes back and spikes him with a basement hurricanrana. Fujiko then rushes back over before hitting a standing Shooting Star Press!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s feeling it now, Stephy! The momentum has swung all the way back in her favor! Are we about to see the champ retain right here?

Stephy Auger:

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

Edwards gets his shoulder up.

As Fujiko slowly pulls Edwards up off the mat, Edwards swats her hands off of him before hitting her with three forearm smashes to the face! He then whips Fujiko towards the ropes, only for Fujiko to use the momentum to bounce back and bring him down with a handspring Ace Crusher! Fujiko gets back to her feet and pulls Edwards off the mat before bringing him down with the MIDA Multi-Tool (Lumbar Check)! The cheers continue as Fujiko steps out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s about to take it to the air! Are we about to see the Unfiltered Bliss from the champion!?

Edwards remains sprawled out on the mat while Fujiko continues to climb the turnbuckles. Once she reaches the top, she leaps off for a diving double foot stomp and misses when Edwards rolls out of the way. Fujiko’s momentum sends her rolling forward after landing on her feet. When she turns around, Edwards charges over and throws out a lariat before she ducks and heads towards the ropes. Fujiko then bounces back and catches Edwards with a handspring enzuigiri! Fujiko then goes for another irish whip until Edwards reverses and follows her across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Fujiko executes a tiger wall flip in the corner over Edwards before running into towards the far ropes. Instead of coming back and hitting Edwards with the 4-Play (running single leg dropkick), Edwards turns her inside out with a lariat!

“BOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: We’ve seen Fujiko hit that tiger wall flip into he 4-Play time after time...

Stephy Auger: But not tonight! The Burning Heart had her scouted!

Edwards staggers over and collapses against the ropes. When he turns around, he sees Fujiko slowly pushing herself up to a knee. Edwards then runs across the ring and pulls his arm across his chest before blasting Fujiko across the back of her head with the Violent Salvation (running chop elbow to back of the head of a kneeling opponent)!

*THWACK!

The air is let out of the building when Fujiko gets clobbered across the back of the head. Edwards pulls Fujiko over and makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: ONE!

ONE!
.
.

Stephy Auger: TWO!

TWO!
.
.

Stephy Auger: THREE!

THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then explodes with cheers when they see Fujiko with her shoulder up. The capacity crowd showers the champion with applause.

Kris Cruise: FUJIKO GOT THE SHOULDER UP! SHE GOT IT UP IN TIME!

Edwards goes to pick Fujiko off the mat, but she ends up slipping through his hands and falling down face-first to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko barely has anything left in her after that elbow! She can barely stand!

Edwards reaches down, grabs Fujiko and starts to lift her up before letting go. The crowd sighs when they see Fujiko fall back down face-first to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko drops down again! Escaping the pin was all that Fujiko had left in her!

Edwards reaches back down, grabs Fujiko by the hair and pulls her up to her knees. The capacity crowd buzzes with anticipation as Edwards takes off into the far ropes.

Stephy Auger: Go ahead, Edwards, kick her head clean off her shoulders! DO IT!

Edwards bounces off the ropes and comes past with intentions of knocking Fujiko’s head off with the Violent Gospel (Running PK). Before he can deliver the fatal blow, he slams down on the brakes when Fujiko pops back to her feet and runs past him towards the same set of ropes. Edwards then turns around to knock down Fujiko with another lariat until she cuts him off with the 4-Play!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko caught Edwards right in the face with the 4-Play

Stephy Auger: NOOOOOO!

Both grapplers remain on their backs. Fujiko is the first to move as she slowly turns over and reaches for Edwards. Instead of going for the cover, she latches onto his wrist. After slowly picking herself back up, she pulls Edwards up to a seated position before nailing him in the head with Sealed With A Kick (Ground arm pulled roundhouse kick)! Edwards falls to the mat, but Fujiko doesn’t let go of his wrist! The cheers continues when Fujiko nails Edwards with a second Sealed With A Kick! Again, Fujiko keeps hold of the wrist! The crowd buzzes with anticipation as she throws out a third Sealed With a Kick! At the last second, Edwards leans back out of the way before quickly rolling Fujiko up with a schoolboy

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out.

Both grapplers scramble back to their feet. The Apex Goddess is the first to return to a vertical base and takes advantage by catching Edwards kick with The Bliss! The crowd erupts with cheers as the kick connects!

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

Spittel flies out of Edwards’ mouth as his head snaps back. The Burning Heart collapses to the mat moments later. Fujiko then rushes over and makes the cover.


Stephy Auger: NOOOOO!

Kris Cruise: EDWARDS IS OUT COLD! FUJIKO’S GOING TO RETAIN!

“ONE!”






“TWO!”






“THREE!”

Stephy Auger: NO!

The crowd roars with boos when Edwards gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: EDWARDS SURVIVED THE BLISS! HE GOT HIS SHOULDER UP IN TIME!

Fujiko starts to pick Edwards up off the apron, only for him to slip through her hands and fall back to the mat. After reaching down and slowly pulling Edwards back to his feet, the crowd gasps when Edwards knocks her hands off of him before slipping on another clinch. The Burning Heart starts to fire off rapid forearm smashes from the clinch! He then unleashes the clinch before blasting Fujiko with alternating knife edge chops and kesagiri shops! Edwards returns to another flurry of forearm smashes before rocking Fujiko with the Double Tap! After catching Fujiko with a second Double Tap, Edwards turns Fujiko away from him, takes control of her back and throws her down with the RRE (reverse release exploder suplex)!!! Edwards pulls Fujiko back to her feet and unleashes alternating open hand strikes to the midsection before doubling her over with a spinning back kick! He then catches Fujiko underneath the chin with a kick, drops her down to a knee with a stomp to the foot before clobbering her with the Dead Lights (bicycle high knee)!!! NO! The crowd gasps Fujiko gets her arms up in time to block the knee! So Edwards takes two steps back before throwing out another Dead Lights with the opposite leg! This time, Fujiko catches his knee! Edwards hops up one leg while Fujiko rises back to her feet. The Burning Heart starts to fight back with repeated left hand slaps across the face! The Apex Goddess winced after each attack. But she’s able to fight through it before signing Edwards’ leg away from her. After quickly taking control of Edwards’ back, the crowd erupts with cheers when the Apex Goddess unleashes a flurry of strikes of her own with the N Loop (ripcord into alternating forearm and backfists)!!! Fujiko continues to bash Edwards with strike after striking before capping it off with The Bliss, which sends him down to the mat!!! The capacity crowd buzzes with anticipation as they see Fujiko exiting out to the apron. Fujiko then begins to climb the turnbuckles. Once the Apex Goddess reaches the top, the crowd gasps when she flips off…


















… and crashes down across Edwards with Unfiltered Bliss (Spiral Tap)!!! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheer as “Life Will Change” blasts over the PA!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand stiiiilllll FGA World Champion, FUJIKOOOOOOO MIIIIIIINE!

The cheers continue as Fujiko gets her arm raised in victory. She’s then showered wit applause after being handed her World Championship back.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko Mine has done it once again, ladies and gentlemen. The Apex Goddess has turned away another worthy challenger. This time, it was James Edwards who fell to the feet of Fujiko Mine! What a battle we just witnessed, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: …

Kris Cruise: Fujiko continues her march towards FGA immortality here tonight win another impressive and record-setting win! Credit to James Edwards for pushing Fujiko to her limit! He had an excellent game plan that he executed well. But it was not enough to dethrone the Apex Goddess here tonight!

Fujiko slowly exits to the outside and starts to high five the lucky fans on both sides of the aisle. The World Champion reaches the top of the ramp before turning to face the fans. She slowly raises the World Championship above her head with both hands before bowing to the capacity crowd.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko Mine retains once again on Pay Per View! Is there anyone that can knock off Fujiko to become World Champion!? We will have to wait and see where Fujiko’s name challenge comes from. For Spencer Burke, Jessie Pederson, Amanda Johnson and Stephy Auger, this is Kris Cruise signing off! We will see you next week on Vertigo! Good, everyone!