Vertigo E83

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Melrose Ballroom
Queens, NY

Backstage, we catch up with Amanda Johnson as she arrives in front of one of the locker rooms set up in the Melrose Ballroom. She knocks on the door and awaits a response. Several moments later, the door swings open and the now familiar face of Theodore Harris comes into view from behind it.

Theodore Harris: Evening Amanda. Pleasure to see you again. Is there something I can help you with?

Amanda smiles in response.

Amanda Johnson: Hello Theodore. I was hoping to get a word with Logan before his match tonight.

Theodore smirks slightly and there is a look amusement in his eyes.

Theodore Harris: I suppose if you'd like to try there is no harm in doing so.

He pushes the door open further and steps aside for Amanda. She appears a bit confused by his response, but chooses not to inquire further about it. Instead she walks past him and into the locker room. She immediately spots Logan sitting there on one of the benches running along the wall across from the doorway. He's already dressed to compete in his new silver and black ring gear and, despite the testing measures being undertaken by FGA personnel and competitors, has his black face mask on, covering his nose and mouth and wrapping around behind his head. His eyes are closed and his head is tipped back slightly so that it rests against the wall. Amanda stops a few steps away from him and looks over to Theodore.

Amanda Johnson: He's not resting or anything, is he?

Theodore shakes his head briefly.

Theodore Harris: No. He's just been waiting like this since he finished getting changed. First match of the night and his first official show back in the fold, so there wasn't much else that he really needed to do tonight. He should be ready to go shortly though.

Amanda Johnson: Oh. Alright.

Amanda crosses the remaining distance over to Logan.

Amanda Johnson: Hello there, Logan.

Logan's eyes open and he shifts his head to look over at Amanda. She smiles at him. He remains silent though. Her smile falters a little, but she presses on.

Amanda Johnson: It's been quite a long time since you've been on a televised FGA show and even longer since you've been present for a Vertigo broadcast. How does it feel to be back after such a long absence?

Logan stares back at Amanda, occasionally blinking but not much else.

Amanda Johnson: Any thoughts regarding your match here tonight against Sarah Santa Monica?

More blinks and silence.

Amanda Johnson: After making your return at Only the Strong Survive three months ago and dispatching Ashlyn De Luca there, do you have any plans or goals in mind for the coming year?

After a few more moments of the continuing silence, Logan turns his head away from Amanda, closing his eyes and tipping his head back, resuming the pose he'd been in when she first arrived. Confused by the exchange, or lack thereof, Amanda turns away from Logan and takes a couple of steps over towards Theodore who looks amused by what had just happened.

Amanda Johnson: Did I do something wrong?

Theodore shakes his head again.

Theodore Harris: Don't take it personally, Amanda. He... has become a man of few words. The front office has yet to get a word out of him and they found that quite perturbing when they gave him that dressing down at Only the Strong Survive. Allow me to offer a response in his stead.

Amanda nods for him to proceed.

Theodore Harris: As you'd mentioned this is the first time Logan has been on Vertigo for a match in over three years. That was before the brand expansion happened. It's been about two and a half years since he's been on Vertigo at all, and that was as part of the Flashpoint counter attack when the two brands were fighting against one another because the GM's couldn't get along.

He offers a shrug at that before moving along.

Theodore Harris: Under normal circumstances, Logan might be excited to be making his return to Vertigo. It's a fresh start for him as he only ever wrestled in a handful of matches on this show up to this point. He'd be regarded as a Flashpoint mainstay, so moving from one show to the other could've been considered something of a big deal. Of course, the brand split ended what feels like a long time ago, and Logan is now just one of many FGA competitors that have made that move, so it isn't really anything special anymore. On Flashpoint, he could have been considered to be one of the standouts of the brand. Now he's just one more face in the crowd. Add to that the fact that Logan had been forced to leave FGA sixteen months ago and had his first and only match since then three months ago. When he'd left, he had been fresh off a record setting World Tag Team title reign. He had been the Frontier Lion's Cup runner up. He was ready to make a move to single's wrestling and start work on carving out a legacy for himself, building off of what he'd already accomplished. But that was then. He's starting from scratch now. It's like it's 2017 for him again, only now he's carrying the scars of the last three and a half years.

He pauses long enough to let out a breath.

Theodore Harris: That brings him to Sarah Santa Monica tonight. Opening match facing an opponent who has yet to distinguish themselves here in FGA. Two people in the same general circumstances. They both want the win here tonight. One of the major differences between them though is that Sarah has nothing going for her heading into this match. She's been in a handful of matches to this point alone or with other members of the Cali Krew and has little to no success in them. I believe her last match was a loss to the Saturnian Connection. Before that was a singles match against Nina Stokes and that was a figurative mauling in the ring. Logan's last match was against Ashlyn. He left with the victory and made a statement in the process, one way or the other. He has something to build off of, where as she does not. While they may be regarded as being on the same level here in FGA, his skill and experience are going to be expected to carry the victory here. He has work to do in FGA. The first step was facing Ashlyn. The next one is beating Sarah Santa Monica. Where he goes from there? Well, what do all wrestlers aspire to Amanda? Championships.

He smiles slightly at that thought.

Theodore Harris: This isn't going to be a repeat of what Ashlyn tried to do though. She wanted to lay claim to what Logan had laid the foundation for, but she wanted to jump right to the head of the pack and claim to the International Heavyweight Championship immediately. That didn't turn out so well for her. Logan is under no such delusions. Even back in 2019, he wasn't intending to aim for that championship as a starting point. Despite having a potential argument for such through being the Flashpoint finalist in the Frontier Lion's Cup he wasn't ever going to ask for a title match. Instead he was going earn that opportunity. He'd start from the bottom and work his way up. When the time came, he wouldn't have to ask for a title match, it would be given to him because he deserved it. Because he'd proven that he was that good. Because he'd overcome whatever challenges were put in his way. Because when that moment comes, there will be no other option.

Theodore turns and leans in closer to the camera.

Theodore Harris: Sarah Santa Monica... you are his next challenge. I hope you're ready for that role.

At this point, Logan walks past Amanda and Theodore, startling Amanda briefly as she hadn't seen or heard him as he approached from behind her. Theodore and Amanda watch as, without a word, Logan continues on through the open locker room door and disappears into the corridor beyond. Theodore turns to look back at Amanda, offering a sheepish smile and a shrug.

Theodore Harris: And that's my cue to exit. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Amanda.

He nods to her, then turns and darts off after Logan without even waiting for her to reply, leaving the camera to focus on a confused Amanda Johnson as the scene fades out.

[FGA Office]

Logan Alexander vs. Sarah Santa Monica

Alexander was able to catch a charging Santa Monica with a pair of arm drags to start off the match, followed by a dropkick for a quick two count. The action was then brought into the corner, where Alexander went to work with multiple palm thrusts before bringing her out of the corner with a vertical suplex for another two count. Alexander then set up for a bulldog when he got pushed off into the ropes. But he was quick to respond as he came off the rebound with an inverted bulldog that took Santa Monica down. With his opponent on the mat, Alexander started to go to work with stomps to the knee. Three elbow drops across the leg followed. Alexander set up for a Figure Four, but Santa Monica was able to shove him off mid-turn. Alexander then made his way out of the corner and tried to catch Santa Monica as she was rising back to her feet with a spear. To everyone’s surprised, she was able to counter with a knee lift. Alexander appeared dazed as Santa Monica threw out a boot to the midsection. But Alexander was able to catch it in time before bringing her to the mat with a dragon screw leg whip. Alexander pulled Santa Monica back to her feet. She tried to fight him off with wild punches. But Alexander fought through the punches and maintained control of her leg before throwing her down with a second dragon screw. Alexander then delivered a grounded dragon screw for good measure. Santa Monica was then dragged to her feet once more. She started to hobble on one leg after receiving a shinbreaker until Alexander took out her other leg with a chop block! Santa Monica struggled to get back to a vertical base, only to end up flipping down to the mat after Alexander caught her with a running chop block from the front! Alexander could have gone for the cover, but he wanted to continue to wear his opponent down. After pulling her to her feet by the back of her tights, he set up for a rear waist lock. Before he could perform his attack, Santa Monica caught him with a back elbow to the face. A second back elbow connected. With the hold broken, Santa Monica turned and threw out an elbow strike. But the veteran was able to duck the strike before dropping Santa Monica to her knees with an enzuigiri. After catching Santa Monica right in the face with a superkick, Alexander pulled her back to her feet before delivering the Chaotic Repeater (multiple German Suplexes)! After the third suplex was landed, Alexander pulled her back to her feet. It looked like he was about to go for a fourth, but he quickly turned Santa Monica around before driving her to the mat with the Chaotic Impact (STO)! With Santa Monica sprawled out on the mat, Alexander wasted little time turning her over into the Perfect Chaos Theory (Sharpshooter version). Within seconds of the move being applied, Sana Monica tapped out.

Winner: Logan Alexander (3:50) with Perfect Chaos Theory

[FGA Office]

We then return to the locker room but rather than it being populated by a bunch of wrestlers, it’s cleared out and fairly empty. There isn’t the usual chatter that goes on here between wrestlers, instead just one man sitting alone there with the briefcase in hand. The gleam of the prestigious FGA World Championship makes it obvious who it is but Seth Iser has always made it obvious when he wants to make his presence felt as he just glances at the cameraman walking in.

Seth Iser: Getting old actually has its benefits. While your body might be a hair slower compared to the rambunctious and rebellious twenties...it’s almost as if everything around you slows down even more if you’re paying attention to the right detail. Things that might have seemed confusing at one point...then makes perfect sense. You realize what the elders have been trying to tell you when you blew them off all those years ago...and hell might even owe them a debt of gratitude or an apology when things register.

There’s a semblance of a smile that creeps onto his face as he leans back on that chair and his posture indicates that for the moment that he’s relaxed. There’s no immediate threat. Which might be a good thing for him as he has a bandage over his forehead and a walking boot on his right foot, a pair of wounds given to him by Owen Gonsalves and Neal Durdan respectively. But despite that the veteran is still dressed in his usual three piece suit...this time of the black and red variety.

Seth Iser: First time I ever challenged for the World Title...and it feels like an eternity ago...I kind of pissed off the champion. Yeah...me pissing someone off never happens…

A knowing smirk etched on the veteran champion’s face as he trails off for a moment before he shakes his head thinking about that memory.

Seth Iser: But he really wanted to push me to a different limit. He put a fifty thousand dollar bounty on my head. Thought he was a coward. Even more so when someone took a damn crowbar to my knee after I fought off the initial wave. Missed several weeks of work after I insisted on wrestling the title match. It didn’t click with me then. Nor did it even click with me the first two times I was able to call myself a World Champion.

And then there’s a frown creeping onto his face as he leans forward onto his chair.

Seth Iser: But...after the jubilation wore off from winning the gold...it fully clicked. I was starting to piece it together the last few years mind you but...now I fully understand what was going through his head. As much fun as it is to put a rival in a compromised situation it isn’t fully about that. Not really if you actually dig deeper. Some of it is about working smarter...especially as you get older and learn some of the older tricks of the trade...but there’s another reason. A reason I’ve already stated to your face, challenger Fujiko.

And he taps the briefcase briefly before putting it down beside him. The familiar steel curtain on his weathered and aged face is often a trademark. There’s an elongated sigh.

Seth Iser: The ultimate job of a champion. And that’s to put you through hell to earn this back if you can. You might think it dishonorable...deceitful, cowardly, use whatever slanderous word from the dictionary you please on that but think a little deeper on this. I’m doing the right thing for this championship. I’m doing right for myself. Hell, I’m even doing right by you. You’ll thank me later when you’re older if you remember to.

The veteran then grits his teeth as he stands up. There’s a little bit of a ginger movement on that right foot that’s still bothering him.

Seth Iser: Even if you get through tonight...I’m not calling off the bounty until after our match. Just thought you’d appreciate that one extra thing to worry about as well. But if you get through tonight...you know what you’re dealing with. Hell, you saw AMC gameplan as masterfully as anyone has against me trying to take away my DDT. But she left herself open to a counter and that’s all it takes. But...if you think this little bounty has made me go soft...or if I’m afraid of conflict...let me show you something.

And with that Seth puts the prestigious championship on the chair he was sitting at as he starts to undo his suit jacket. There’s discomfort in his body as he’s doing this but after he disrobes the jacket he starts to take off the nice shirt. As the pain seems to be coursing through him, he finally rids the shirt through gritted teeth and he turns his back to the camera to show the lacerations of barbed wire that are still recent enough on his back from his most recent war with Owen Gonsalves. A couple are also on his shoulders.

Seth Iser: This is the price I was willing to pay for some of the sins and mistakes I’ve committed in my career. Everything comes full circle in this damn sport...but every goddamn time I’ve ever laced up a pair of boots...I know it’s closer and closer to my last. I’m forty years old now...nineteen years of doing this job. Maybe not as fast as I once was but never sharper mentally...never in better consistent shape despite these wounds. And never afraid of paying the price if that day ever comes! Just are you truly willing to pay the price?

He asks that question as he starts to get agitated and then he rips the bandage off of his forehead. Predictably, the blood starts to trickle down from his face and it starts to go into his eye.

Seth Iser: This? These wounds? This walking boot? All damn sure worth it if it means I’m in the best mental shape to kick your ass all over that damn ring at All Star Showdown! But look at me! I’ll pay that price! I’ll pay it until the day I have to hang these boots up and can’t do this for a living anymore! And I am one of the most wicked and devious players to ever play our little game to boot. So if you make it to our little match...you know who is waiting for you. Seth Iser...one of the game’s greatest hunters and one of the game’s greatest wrestlers in the world today. A man who can equally blend brutality with cunning...and the mountain you now have to overcome! I cut you above your eye last time...I’ll damn sure make it wider and worse next time if you give me half a chance. Hell, your face might be as scarred as mine if that’s what it takes.

And then there’s that devious smirk as the blood is trickling down his face as he grabs the world title and puts it in full view.

Seth Iser: And regardless of your condition...I wager this championship on the most prestigious show of the year...that I’ll cement my legacy even further at your expense whether you get there or not. While you...and anyone else who challenges me...will fight for the privilege of second best.

He wipes some of the blood from his eyes but there isn’t a maniacal smile. Despite the blood and the wounds he’s almost too calm...and that’s disturbing in it’s own right from this hardened and battle tested warrior. But he’s finished speaking and we fade from this view.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Cordelia Stevenson: The time is drawing near.

The cameras cut to the backstage area where the International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson stands in front of a vertigo banner. The Champ is already in her ring gear, her face for some reason is without a smile. There is a certain fire in her eyes as gaze directly into the camera. She inhales sharply, and then exhales slowly as she runs a hand through her hair.

Cordelia Stevenson: The anticipation is building, the buzz growing. The entire world is whispering… watching… waiting… for the inevitable clash at All Star Showdown IX. Lowri Moss. Cordelia Stevenson.

She looks down at the International Heavyweight Championship belt on her shoulder and taps it.

Cordelia Stevenson: With one of the most prestigious prizes that this business has to offer on the line. There isn’t really anything that I can say to make that match more anticipated than it already is. There’s no need for any over the top theatrics. No need for any mind games or any petty attempts at one upmanship. The match sells itself.

She pauses for a beat and then casually shrugs.

Cordelia Stevenson: But alas, we’re not there yet.

She shifts her body, slightly rotating her torso as she shifts her gaze away from the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I cannot afford to lose focus now, especially when the wolves are circling as Salem made it abundantly clear at the last show. Lowri may be the next challenger for this title, but clearly, she’s not the only threat and I must be mindful of that at all times. Everyone is jostling for position and looking for an opportunity at this.

She taps the title once more.

Cordelia Stevenson: And who’s to say that Mark Bisley doesn’t fall in the same category? How foolish would I be if I saw you as anything other than a circling wolf looking for the opportune moment to strike. How silly would it be for me to look ahead, instead of dispatching the imminent danger that threatens me here tonight. This match may not be for the title, Mark -- but you and I both know that a victory over me not only raises your profile, but catapults you straight up the FGA totem pole. Add to that the fact that I know you’re still trying to wash away the bitter taste of having lost your 15 Championship and well -- I think it’s safe to say that I will be facing a highly motivated individual tonight.

Her light brown eyes glimmer as the corners of her mouth grow taut.

Cordelia Stevenson: But so will you.

She points towards the camera and takes a step forward.

Cordelia Stevenson: So if you were banking on catching me with my mind elsewhere? I apologize to you now, Mark. You are my sole focus. I have no intention of being your ‘come up’ nor have I ever fashioned myself to be the ‘rebound’ girl. I’ve seen you work, Mark. I know just how dangerous you can be. Granted, you don’t get the credit you deserve, but use tonight to your advantage and illustrate to the world just what you’re capable of…

Her voice trails a bit, before she finally finishes her thought.

Cordelia Stevenson:--in defeat. Because mark my words, Bisley, you will know defeat tonight. And I will let it be known to you, Salem, and all of the other wolves circling around and patiently waiting to pick their spot that I’m not just prey ready to be pounced upon. I’m a hunter with a clear line of sight, and I’ve got you locked in the view.

She holds her hand up as if she’s holding a gun.

Cordelia Stevenson: You’ve got one shot, Mark… unfortunately for you, you’re not even the one pulling the trigger.

Her movement coincides with her words, as she pulls the proverbial trigger.

Cordelia Stevenson:And you better pray that I miss.

She lowers her hand back down to her side.

Cordelia Stevenson:Get familiar.

She blows one final kiss, before walking out of the shot. The scene then fades away.

[FGA Office]

The scene fades into the backstage area of the Melrose Ballroom where we see Ace Voltage standing near some crates texting on his phone. He grabs his Mid-Atlantic Legacy title from the top of one of the crates and takes a selfie with it. We hear him talking to himself.

Ace Voltage: Beautiful. Caption for tonight is “Time to Prove the Haters Wrong” hashtag Fujiko sucks. Keep it simple Ace.

As Ace is playing with his phone we see Patrick Jones walking in the hallway and Ace perks his head up as Jones gets his attention.

Ace Voltage: Oh Patty Jones! Where ya going mate?

Patrick sighs as he does not want to interact with Ace, but stops in his tracks to give in to Ace.

Ace Voltage: So, another week, another loser. Here you are Patty watching from the sidelines once again as your one chance at gold vanishes in thin air. Poof! Just like that, you are deemed unworthy of challenging for this beauty.

Ace kisses his Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship and puts it down on top of the crate next to him. PJ rolls his eyes at the showiness.

Ace Voltage: I could say I’m not surprised. Patty Jones chokes when it comes to the big stage. Even if you did win this elimination chase, you wouldn’t have stood a chance against the Main Event.

Patrick Jones: No chance? Didn't we have a match once? You did beat me...after trying to run away. I think you're pretty relieved I don't get another shot at you with that belt on the line.

Ace scoffs and rolls his eyes at Patrick's latest comment.

Ace Voltage: Oh please Patty. Losing is a blessing in disguise for you. That way you won’t have to embarrass yourself trying to keep up with the champ. I’ve finally brought prestige to this championship and I don’t plan on losing it any time soon, no matter if it is Sparrow or Laura. Why don’t you try and get some pride back for yourself and then maybe, MAYBE we can revisit this down the line.

Patrick's demeanor goes from mildly inconvenienced to serious and combative at the mention of his pride.

Patrick Jones: Get some pride back? You think one loss is going to shake my belief in myself? Nah, I'll go toe to toe with you any day with zero doubts. I hope you hold onto that title, so I can be the one to take it off you. Then we can check YOUR pride.

PJ had stepped in close to Ace while reaching out to tap the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship for emphasis when he said "that title." Ace grabs his title quickly before PJ can lay a finger on it.

Ace Voltage: Not so fast Patty boy, only people who are worthy get to touch this beauty. Besides, don’t you have anything better to do than sulking around backstage?

Ace's defensiveness brings a smile to Patrick's face.

Patrick Jones: Sulking? I was having a nice night enjoying the show until you called me over. Why wouldn't I be here? No match tonight, but I could always decide to make my mark another way. And you're facing Fujiko Mine tonight, aren't you?

Jones winks and pushes through Ace's shoulder to carry on the way he was going when Ace hailed him. Ace shakes his head in disgust and talks one last time to the camera.

Ace Voltage: Jealousy is a real thing in FGA. Example number one, Patrick Jones. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a match to prepare for. Fujiko doesn’t stand a chance against the GREATEST Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion of all time!

The camera fades to black as Ace is seen walking away.

[FGA Office]

Sloan Talbot vs. Kazu Hirano

Talbot dominated Hirano from the onset by forgoing a collar-and-elbow and catching him with a hard boot to the midsection. Hirano was soon pummeled down to the mat with clubbing strikes across the back. After Talbot threw him into the corner, Hirano was attacked with multiple back elbow strikes, followed by multiple knee strikes, followed by multiple shoulder thrusts. He was then thrown out of the corner with a hip toss into a neckbreaker. But Talbot only got a two count.

Hirano was then whipped into the far ropes. Talbot tried to catch him off the rebound with a big boot. But the only thing that was caught was Talbot’s foot! Hirano swung the big leg away from him and took control of Talbot’s back. Hirano was ready to deliver I Want To Hold Your Hand (Ripcord Lariat, but holding their hand instead of wrist) when Talbot countered with a Samoan Drop. Talbot looked to build off his lead with an elbow drop after returning from the ropes. He missed when Hirano rolled out of the way. Talbot scrambled back to his feet and went for another elbow drop. Hirano rolled out of the way again. Talbot went for a third elbow drop! Hirano rolled out of the way and made his way out onto the apron. Before Hirano could be snatched, he escaped Talbot’s clutches by catching him with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. The crowd was solidly behind Hirano as he shot himself over the ropes and tried to pull Talbot down with a sunset flip. Talbot swung his arms in a desperate attempt to regain his balance. The attempt proved fruitful! He quickly reached down, grabbed Hirano by the neck with both hands and yanked him back up to his feet. Hirano was the held in the air as Talbot tried to squeeze the life out of him with a two handed choke. Hirano attempted to pull Talbot’s hands off of him. That idea quickly went nowhere. So he countered with a bell clap to the ears. After being lowered slightly, Hirano caught Talbot with a second bell clap. This one broke the hold. After Hirano landed on his feet, he hit Talbot with a short-arm lariat. Talbot looked appalled that Hirano would even attempt such a move on him. When Talbot didn’t budge, Hirano went for plan b: a running shotgun dropkick off the ropes. This was able to knock Talbot back a few steps. But the big man remained on his feet! Hirano then went for plan c. Not Cassius Reed’s, though. When Hirano returned off the ropes, Talbot tried to catch him with another big boot attempt. This time, Hirano ducked before continuing to run the ropes. When Hirano returned, he ducked a lariat attempt from Talbot before countering with a Crucifix Driver to the shock of the crowd.

ONE!... TWO!... KICKOUT!

Hirano set Talbot up for an irish whip, only for the big man to reverse and whip him into the corner. Talbot came barreling in to attack, but he got turned around with a boot to the face. Hirano quickly seized his opportunity, hopped out to the apron and climbed to the top. He saluted the crowd before driving down with Hey Bulldog (Flying Bulldog preceded by a salute at the top rope where the crowd chants “KONCHIWA”)!

Another two count!

Hirano tried to hoist Talbot up for the Magical Mystery Tour #1 (Airplane Spin into a Death Valley Driver). But he couldn’t lift Talbot off his feet. Hirano grunted as he tried to hoist Talbot up across his shoulders again. No dice. Talbot then bashed him with three elbows across the side of the head before swatting him down with a lariat from behind. Hirano was then yanked off the mat before being sent for the ride. On the return, Talbot thew him down with authority using a spinebuster. There was a gasp when the back of Hirano’s head smacked hard off the mat. Talbot could have went for the pin. But why do they when he could inflict more unnecessary damage. Talbot scooped Hirano up into his clutches and hit a backbreaker before chucking him over his head with a fallaway slam. After Hirano’s momentum sent him rolling out to the apron, Talbot headed over and brought him back inside with Enter Tragedy (Superplex From Apron)! Mercifully, Talbot finished things off shortly thereafter with Diggin’ Graves (Gorilla Press Spinebuster) for the ONE! TWO! THREE!

… or so we thought, because Talbot WASN’T done! Talbot took it upon himself to deliver a chokeslam to poor Kazu post-match. He still wasn’t done though! Talbot looked to break Hirano in half with the Dead Saint Stretch (Stretch Muffler)... until Ashley Marie Chase and Mark Bisley(!) rushed the ring. To the surprise of everyone, the two rivals worked together to clear the ring of Talbot. The man that attacked them during their 15 Championship match had been sent packing! Talbot looked to rush after them both, but he was ultimately held back by the officials. In the ring, AMC tended to Hirano before turning her attention back to Bisley. The two of them had words for each other before Bisley made the belt motion around his waist.

Winner: Sloan Talbot (7:26) with Diggin' Graves

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The camera starts on the face of one of the final competitors standing in Elimination Chase, Laura Perelli. Perelli gives more attention to her nails than the opponent in front of her, who isn’t even afforded a cursory glance. There’s a pan on the camera slowly to the left and upward to the face of Mighty Sparrow. For contrast, Sparrow doesn’t have his focus anywhere but on his opponent tonight. He watches her like a hawk over the top of his sunglasses, but the Jersey Devil doesn’t pay the Master of the KICK any mind however. No matter how much he stares a hole through her, expecting some patronizing statement or to be pinched on the cheek again. The camera finally focuses on Amanda Johnson, standing in the middle of the two competitors.

Amanda Johnson: Zack Gall, Patrick Jones, Mighty Sparrow, and Laura Perelli. We began with four competitors in the Elimination Chase to determine the next contender for a shot at Ace Voltage’s Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship. Now with Zack and Patrick eliminated, we’re down to two. Both of you have won a match in this chase, but it still remains to be seen how things will shake out tonight and who goes on to All-Star Showdown IX. What are you guys’ thoughts?

Sparrow raises an arm to take the mic but pauses, and his eyes immediately narrow at Laura as if expecting her to snatch it away. Laura doesn’t even look up from her nails, waving one hand dismissively.

Laura Perelli: Go ahead. You can do it. Really put some oomph into it this time.

For his part, the Trinidadian wrestler eyes Laura over with a grimace but shakes his head. He does indeed reach for the camera and Amanda goes to hand it over to him. There’s one last glance at Laura, expecting the worst of her but it never comes. With a nod at Amanda, Sparrow begins.

Mighty Sparrow: Well I--

Laura immediately snatches the microphone out of Sparrow’s hand, deciding that that was plenty of time for him to make any opening statements. She wags the mic at him before bopping him on the nose with it. Sparrow closes his eyes in a face that only screams ‘and there it is’ while Laura speaks.

Laura Perelli: A formality. What did I say before all this got started, that I had already won. This has all been one big formality. I told you the smartest way for you to survive in this thing was to stay out of my way, so let me take just a second...

The Jersey Devil tucks the mic under her arm and offers a little golf clap to her opponent for the evening, a sly little smirk forming on her face as she does so.

Laura Perelli: And applaud you for understanding what your best bet was. Even managed to get a nice little win off Patrick Jones last show, which was very impressive.

Laura reaches up to pat Sparrow’s head again. He smacks her hand away in aggravation, only for her to get half a pat anyway to his annoyance. Even Amanda standing by looks annoyed for him, but it only serves to amuse Perelli.

Laura Perelli: But now, we’ve reached the crescendo, and...well, I think we both know how this ends. This one knows how it ends...

Laura tilts her head toward Amanda, who almost starts to argue with La Principessa, but either thinks better of it, or doesn’t get the words out before Laura just continues on.

Laura Perelli: Every single person in FGA knows how this ends tonight, Sparrow. Your luck runs out, made it all the way to the final, but ultimately you’ll walk away with a silver medal. You were the runner up--which, frankly, you three were fighting over anyway. So really, it’s a fitting prize for someone who followed my advice and stayed away.

Laura Perelli: But tonight? Well...if there was any more advice I could offer; it would probably be this: just...stay...down.

The Jersey Devil proceeds to walk away once again, microphone in hand. This time however, the Master of the KICK snatches it out of her hands as she passes him by. Laura stops and turns her head at him. That smirk from earlier morphs into a scowl as the diminutive Jersey native fixes her eyes on her Trinidadian rival--this time, rather than let her get away, Sparrow just stares right back at her before he raises the microphone up.

Mighty Sparrow: Luck. Maybe it mighta been luck that it wasn’t me first eliminated. Maybe it mighta been luck that it isn’t Patrick Jones staring you down right now, or Zack Gall yes. Maybe it all comes down to not just skill but luck. Luck. Like a bad poker hand, a roulette wheel spin, or a coin toss...It always comes down to that final moment when things come to a stop. Nothin’ else mattered in the long run but how we got there.

Sparrow tilts his head to the side, studying Laura for a moment with his eyes traced on her’s.

Mighty Sparrow: Ain’t no disrespect to Jones, or Gall y’know. If it was one of them standin’ here, what would my part in the story mean to them? With you though Laura, I never took you lightly not once. On the flip? You seem to do nothing but take me lightly. So one of two things...Not one but two, happen tonight. Either you do everything you say you will, as you been saying from even before I got here or you underestimate me too much and get your head stomped in. You get your head stomped in and watch me climb up Ace Voltage’s mountain and kick him off it.

Mighty Sparrow: Go ahead, Laura. Flip that coin.

Perhaps annoyed by Sparrow even having the gall to respond, Laura’s scowl twists even further at the implication that she could end this thing in second place herself. La Principessa swipes the mic from Sparrow’s hand as she takes just a half step forward, accidentally highlighting the size difference between the two for a moment. She raises the mic up, enough that it picks up a long breath in...

Before the Jersey Devil turns to leave, taking the mic with her--leaving Sparrow and Amanda to close the interview out by glancing between one another.

[FGA Office]

We open up on the painted face of Boba Fett, surrounded by Christmas decor. Huge pop, obviously, from these fanboys and fanladies in New York. As the camera pans out, we reveal that the image is Boba Fett on a Christmas shirt, sported by Evan Envi-- and thankfully for his ego, the pop is sustained! Evan is in the middle of a conversation with a member of the makeup screw, exchanging envelopes with their dialogue inaudible until--

??: Yoo. Ev.

Evan looks over his shoulder-- and his smile grows somehow even brighter as Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter walks, gingerly, into frame.

Evan Envi: Nando! A belated Merry Christmas, sir.

Evan exchanges fists bumps with the individual he was talking to before making his way over to the alien hunter and greeting him with an apparently many-times-agreed-upon elbow bump.

Nando Fresno: Same to you.

Evan Envi: Already got the telescope set up in the study. Best present I’ve gotten in years.

Nando Fresno: Hell yeah-- always looking to get people more connected. You outdid yourself with the go-cart though. Once the leg gets healed up, I’m gonna put it to good use.

Evan Envi: Ahhh, man. Yeah. How’s it healing up?

Nando Fresno: Could’ve been worse. Sprained my knee, but I might be good to go by New Year. Been trying to keep it taped up, but the lack of mobility just drives you insane…

Nando clears his throat, clearly anxious to get to something else in the conversation.

Nando Fresno: I needed to talk to you about something.

Evan Envi: Oh?

Nando Fresno: Yeah. You’re facing Jill tonight. And I know it doesn’t seem like a huge thing on the surface. I… I just think she’s been a little… anxious lately. I know she’s been following Sadie’s lead a lot. I know it’s easy to take that a certain way.

Pause.

Nando Fresno: And I don’t know what she’s gonna try to do in a match between the two of you, but she doesn’t mean anything by it. She’s just-- it’s just how she is. She gets like this. Sometimes.

Evan nods slowly, but his eyes narrow at the typically well-spoken alien hunter. Envi laughs nervously, folding his arms as he scans his surroundings.

Evan Envi: Word.

The Chief clears his throat before turning a more serious gaze on Fresno.

Evan Envi: So-- what exactly is she like tonight then?

Nando stares back blankly at Evan before he offers an honest shrug.

Nando Fresno: I don’t know. Yet. I think she’s trying to fight outside of her comfort zone. I don’t know what it means for you, but I guess you can figure that part out for yourself. I just don’t want you to hold anything against Jill tonight. Sometimes what she’s fighting for is--

The sound of heels clicking against the ground echoes in the distance before we see the camera pan up to show Zola Star. She was rocking a little red dress, very festive. She smiles over to the two men before she speaks.

Zola Star: Evan are you talking about your match tonight?!

Evan inhales sharply. His eyes dart toward the owner of the voice, while Nando’s eyes stay focused, unflinching on the Chief.

Evan Envi: Zola.

As if a switch was flipped, Envi beams at Star. She walks in between them and looks to both before she speaks. The lighting in the room was hitting her just right.

Zola Star: To think Evan is actually focused on his in-ring career tonight surprises me.

She says laughing to herself giving a playful nudge over to Evan-- who looks almost offended for a brief second-- before she looks back at Nando with a wide smile.

Zola Star: Hey sweetie, why don’t you go down the hall for me? I heard there’s some alien activity going on out there!

Nando slowly rolls his eyes away from Evan, finally looking at Zola.

Nando Fresno: Hm.

Calmly, Nando responds.

Nando Fresno: Glad to see you’re able to pinpoint stuff like that. If you’d like, we could go back and forth about some scientific facts about Stars, and the horrific ways that their lifespans tend to--

Evan Envi: I am talking about my match. Nando was just giving me a heads-up. Looks like I’m gonna have a tough fight on my hands tonight.

Nando simply sighs in response.

Zola Star: Well, Nando is pretty smart. He’s the only one I know that’s into that alien hunting stuff. Well, the only one I care to know.

Zola says, giving Nando a smile before she turns her attention back to Evan.

Zola Star: It is wise to strategize before your match. Maybe it’s a good idea.

Zola says with a smile before she then keeps her focus on Evan.

Zola Star: Great job at training the other day! I learned so much!

Nando shakes his head, eyes rolling again. Without another word, he walks away from Star and Envi, the slight limp in his walk evident. Envi’s eyes drift toward the departing Fresno for a second before returning to Zola, smiling faintly.

Evan Envi: Of course. I mean, it’s a good routine. It’s probably good for both of us to be honest. I mean, I think this is the night I start to get my own momentum back on track.

Zola Star: I think so too if you just fo-

After an audible vibration, Envi reaches into the side of his tights, retrieving his phone from the waistband, glancing just quickly at the notification that flashes across the screen. He goes to tuck it back-- but pauses as he catches Zola’s stare.

Evan Envi: Wh-- what?

She gestures to the phone.

Zola Star: Let me guess who…

Evan just shrugs his shoulders a bit in response, maybe defensively. Zola shakes her head in disappointment before she puts her hands on her hips. She sighs and then starts walking past him.

Zola Star: You need to focus or else you’ll be stuck right where you are in terms of your momentum. I’ll see you around...I’ll be watching your match.

Envi shakes his head slightly, opening his mouth to respond-- but thinking better of it. He glances down toward the vibrating phone again before shooting a glance over his shoulder toward the departing Zola as we fade to black.

[FGA Office]

ELIMINATION CHASE: One vs. One
Laura Perelli vs. Mighty Sparrow

Perelli wasted little time with the disrespect. She immediately stuck her face out, goading Sparrow into throwing out the first strike. Sparrow went right at Perelli as he raced across the ring to throw out a falling Crescent Kick. But Sparrow caught nothing but air as Perelli was easily able to roll underneath it. Perelli added insult when she returned to her feet and gave her trademark ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ shrug. Sparrow then fell right into La Principessa’s trap and charged right at her again. Perello quickly took advantage with pair of arm drags before transitioning into an armbar. Perelli got off her knee and back to a vertical base before switching to a Shoulder Claw. Sparrow remained vigilant and didn’t give up. He battled back to his feet and ended up creating distance between them with hard elbows to the midsection. Sparrow rushed the ropes for an attack. But he slowed down once he saw Perelli run past him into those same set of ropes. As soon as he turned around, Perelli brought him down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Perelli went back into the ropes with another attack in mind. But Sparrow was right there to cut her off on the rebound with a running hurricanrana. Sparrow aimed right for her jaw with a leaping forearm smash. He whiffed when Perelli slipped out of the way. She tried to muscle him down with a Fujiwara Armbar. But Sparrow got to his knees and placed his free hand flat on the mat. The Master of the KICK rolled forward, leaned back and knocked Perelli back with an upkick. With the Jersey Devil dazed, Sparrow returned to his feet with a kip up before running over and knocking Perelli through the ropes with a front kick! The crowd was pumped as Sparrow was just about to dive to the floor. At the last second, he bounced off the ropes, landed a smooth back flip and transitioned into the Rock Lee pose.

Sparrow went to catch Perelli with a baseball slide right to the head. But he fell for Perelli’s feint as she quickly slipped back to the floor, which allowed Sparrow to slide to the outside. The moment Sparrow landed on his feet, he was grabbed by Perelli before being thrown shoulder-first into the guardrail. Boos followed as Perelli hit a hammerlock Northern Lights Suplex on the outside! Perelli further attacked the arm by rolling Sparrow back inside before swinging the arm hard against the edge of the apron! She then quickly found herself back into the ring before delivering a stomp to the keylocked arm! Sparrow rolled away to create distance between the two so he could get time to recover. But Perelli wasn’t trying to hear that. She moved the official out of her way before swarming Sparrow in the corner with stinging knife edge chops. She was then able to bring Sparrow out of the corner with a hammerlock belly to belly suplex before making the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!

Perelli continued to control the match as she had Sparrow up across her shoulder. She had intentions of a shoulderbreaker. But they were unrealized as Sparrow began kicking his legs. Once he slipped down from behind, he quickly knocked Perelli off her feet with a back leg sweep. A toe kick to the midsection doubled Perelli over on her way back to a vertical base. A Scorpion Kick knocked her back before a falling Crescent Kick garnered a two count. Sparrow looked to bring Perelli down out of the corner with a Tornado DDT. Before he could spin out, Perelli took his arm, spun out of the front facelock and countered with a falling arm wringer. The crowd booed as Sparrow fell off the middle roped and crashed shoulder-first to the canvas. Sparrow fought his way back to his feet, only to get brought down with a jumping leg lariat from behind for another two count.

Perelli continued to control the action with an irish whip into the far corner. She went for a corner High Knee, but she MISSED when Sparrow slipped out of the way. This was Sparrow’s opening to swing momentum and get back into the match. After Perelli was whipped into the far corner, Sparrow didn’t run diagonally across the ring to her. Instead, he ran directly towards the corner to his left, ran up to the top turnbuckle and ran halfway across the top rope before catching her with a ropewalk dropkick! The crowd ate up Sparrow’s offense as he followed up with a successful Tornado DDT attempt out of the corner. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!

Perelli was quick to reverse an irish whip. When Sparrow returned, the crowd gasped as he leaped into the air for The Notorious K.I.C.K. (Standing Double Foot Stomp)! Perelli successfully rolled underneath it and brought him down with a running STO when he turned around. Sparrow was then sat up for a Sliding D. Perelli WHIFFED when Sparrow rolled out of the way. Another Scorpion Kick knocked Perelli back. Sparrow turned and motioned for the ropes when Perelli grabbed him by the back of the tights, yanked him into her clutches and quickly brought him down with the Dead Money (Regal-Plex)! ONE! TWO! T-NO! KICKOUT! Sparrow was then set up for a German Suplex until he fought back with elbows to the face. When he turned around, Perelli lifted him up onto her shoulder for an Ushi Goroshi. Sparrow fought back with more elbows to the side of the head. Perelli was brought down with the Obama Roll (Surprise victory roll pin. Often completed by yelling “Thanks Obama!”) Two count. Another falling Crescent Kick knocked Perelli back to the mat. Two count. Sparrow then went into the corner for a springboard moonsault, only for Perelli to roll out of the way. She then knocked Sparrow flat on the mat with a Sliding D! Two count. Perelli hit the Ushi Goroshi on her second attempt! Two count. La Principessa hooked both arms before executing Gone Bust (Floatover Butterfly Suplex)! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! KICKOUT! Perelli took control of Sparrow’s back and went for the Code of Silence (Saka Otoshi into Sleeper Hold)! But he was able to roll over Perelli’s shoulder, land on his feet and counter with the Leaf Whirlwind (Counter Scorpion Kick followed by a Pele Kick)! Perelli remained dazed until Sparrow brought her down with a one-armed Handspring DDT! She was then brought back to her feet before Sparrow hit the ropes, returned and drove her down with the The Notorious K.I.C.K! Sparrow for the cover! ONE! TWO! THREE!

Winner: Mighty Sparrow (13:53) with The Notorious K.I.C.K.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Switching backstage for the moment, a zoomed in look at the Pride Championship slowly pans out, showing the prize sat on a chair, and sitting right beside is the champion himself Tyler Storm. He's smiling a bit and shaking his head while he gets shown in focus.

Tyler Storm: Alright...alright fair game to ya, Cure. I may not like how you got the job done, but fact it, you gave me a damn good fight before the bullshit started flying there.

He sighs and laughs to himself then.

Tyler Storm: Honestly, I'll take that L. I don't know if that was all on me, but I've gotta accept that as one of the top dogs I've gotta expect the things I don't want to expect. I've gotta be better, I've gotta know better, I've got to understand that my game ain't the one everyone is playing. Now, that doesn't mean I am letting you slide free, Marlon. I still wanted to see better out of you, I still wanted to see you win without any crap behind it, because I know how good you are. But you laid out your cards, you played them regardless if you had some hiding in the sleeves, and you got away with it. That's the reality, and I still have to follow my word. If you won, you got me at All-Star Showdown IX, and I'm a man who does what he promises. So regardless of it all, I'll see you then bud, but I'll have more to say on that when the day comes for us to have the match for the Pride Championship. As for tonight though...

Tyler's eyes shoot up, slightly shining like daggers straight forward, but the smile still present.

Tyler Storm: Well tonight, I get to see if Ms. Cien has a few more tricks up her sleeve when it comes to actually being in the ring. Distracting me last week is one thing when you are playing associate, but when it's me and you in that ring, Jenny, I can assure you I'm gonna be ready for everything you throw out at me. If you are gonna be bringing Cure ringside with ya, by all means, he can have his own special tricks, but I'm not overlooking you. Anyone that steps in the middle of that ring to fight is anything but just eye candy. You've got brains, you've got wit, you've got talent to push me to my limits tonight. Who knows, you might outshine more than people realize that you can. But I'm expecting a veteran talent with top tier caliber, someone who can hoist her own gold instead of waiting for Marlon to win some to hold for him. Bring that tonight, I'll bring my fight, and when business is settled with you Jenny...well, Marlon, after that, I'll see you for the big prize.

Looking over to his left, he lifts the championship from the chair and pulls it over his shoulder.

Tyler Storm: You may have gotten Part 1, but I intend for Part 2 to fall in my favor, man. I'm ready for it, I can promise that.

He lifts himself from the chair with that, and walks off as we cut back to something else.

[FGA Office]

Savannah Taylor vs. Zack Gall

Gall started off the match hot, catching Taylor with a pair of running dropkicks, followed by a pair of running lariats. Difranco continued to cheer his client on as an irish whip into the corner was followed up with a running double knee strike. The crowd was solidly behind Gall as he grabbed Taylor and chucked her out of the corner with an overhead belly to belly suplex for a two count.

Gall remained in control as a headbutt sent Taylor stumbling into the ropes. The Dragon hit the far ropes before rushing back for an attack. But he was ultimately unsuccessful as Taylor dumped him to the outside and followed up with a Triangle Moonsault! The Las Vegas Siren brought the action back inside and makes the cover for a two count.

As the match continued, Taylor went to work with shoot kicks into the corner. After an irish whip sent Gall into the far corner, Taylor rushed across the ring before connecting with a corner back elbow. A Pele Kick followed before Gall was sent out of the corner and into the far ropes. Gall saw the back body drop attempt a mile away. So he knocked Taylor upright with a kick to the face before throwing her down with a Michinoku Driver II for a two count. Gall brought Taylor back down with a Half Nelson Suplex before climbing the turnbuckles. He leaped off for a diving knee strike, but missed when Taylor rolled out of the way. The Las Vegas Siren was quickly able to regain control with a Sling Blade for a two count. After Gall was brought down with the Emerald Weapon (corkscrew neckbreaker), she went to the top for the Ultimecia (Phoenix Splash) and missed when Gall rolled out of the way. Gall followed up with a deadlift German Suplex for a two count. A bridging Dragon Suplex resulted in a two count. Gall went back to the top and connected with the diving knee strike, but only got a two count. Taylor was then draped across the middle rope before being caught across the back of the head with the Death by Knee (V-Trigger)! Gall followed up with a Tiger Feint Kick before taking control of Taylor’s back. He threw out the Jaw Buster (ripcord rolling elbow) and got countered with a spinning backfist across the back of the neck. Taylor catches her doubled over opponent with a running bicycle knee to the side of the head before planting him with the Siren’s Song (scissored DDT) for the ONE! TWO! THREE

Winner: Savannah Taylor (7:49) with Siren's Song

[FGA Office]

The cameras cut to a room somewhere backstage at the Melrose Ballroom, and to the sight of Jessie Pederson, who offers a warm smile to the camera.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guests at this time… they are the FGA World Tag Team Champions, the team of Lowri Moss and Neal Durden-- Pendragon.

The camera pans to a different angle and into view comes the Welsh duo, who are sat together, but aside from Jessie, maintaining social distancing. They are both dressed casually, each of them with their half of the World tag titles resting on their laps.

Jessie Pederson: Neal, Lowri; thank you both for your time this evening.

Neal and Lowri both smile politely at Jessie.

Lowri Moss: You’re welcome, Jessie. After the last show, I was beginning to think that Amanda had cornered the market on these interviews.

Jessie Pederson: Well, I know that on the last episode of Vertigo, Lowri, you spoke to Amanda about your upcoming International Heavyweight title match at All-Star Showdown IX, against Cordelia Stevenson, but tonight I want to talk to the two of you about another match that’s also now scheduled to take place at All-Star Showdown: the World Tag Team Championship match between you and the Super Mario Wrestling Bros.

Lowri gestures for the reporter to proceed.

Jessie Pederson: This will of course be your second time defending your titles against the Super Mario Wrestling Bros, having previously defended them against the SMWB last year at All-Star Showdown VIII. At the time, Neal, you made no secret of your respect and admiration for Max Powers and Landon Knight, so what were your thoughts when they appeared at Only the Strong Survive, returning to FGA for the first time since last year's Dynamic Duos tournament?

Neal shrugs off the question, as if it is not important at all. Yet, Jessie presses on, leaving Neal little to no option but to answer the question she presented.

Neal Durden: Look, one thing is to have respect and admiration for what a wrestler does inside the ring. One thing is to know that once you step in the ring with certain wrestlers, you can create something special… another thing is what I know this is leading to.

Jessie acts dumbfounded with Neal’s accusation, as she seems to believe her question had no ill intent.

Jessie Pederson: I…

Neal cuts Jessie off a bit, before she continues. His attitude being somewhat of a surprise to the interviewer and uncharacteristic of him.

Neal Durden: I know, I know… you’re just doing your job. But I cannot help but to think this is going towards a follow up question of what changed. So let’s cut to the chase, and get right into that. At Only the Strong Survive they returned, and as any other wrestler in that locker room, I received the news with open arms. After all, having these belts and not having new teams to defend them against will become stale after a while. Yet, it’s obvious they aren’t the same team they were back then. They’re hungry, which isn’t inherently a bad thing… what bothers me is the insistence of making this personal, when it had no right to be. My admiration was due to their in ring abilities; now… now I don’t think of them the same way.

A slight sigh escapes Lowri’s lips, before she gives her thoughts.

Lowri Moss: We were both happy to see the Super Mario Wrestling Bros return at Only the Strong Survive, Jessie. Max and Landon returning to FGA instantly helped bolster the tag team division, which is something that we obviously have a vested interest in. We want the tag team division to be as strong as it can be, partly because that’s something that’s good for FGA as a whole, but particularly because having strong opposition-- strong challengers-- makes us better champions: defending our titles against teams of the ilk of The Chaotics, the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad, and Silk & Cyanide has helped make us the champions that we are-- it has helped make us the team that we are-- and the Super Mario Wrestling Bros are another team who fit in that bracket.

She exchanges a glance with Neal, who nods in agreement.

Lowri Moss: As you mentioned, Jessie, we’ve already defended our titles against Max and Landon before, and the prospect of a second match between us and them is something that Neal and I… I think it’s something we both probably contemplated the possibility of not long after that first match. I don’t think either of us would’ve anticipated though that by the time we came to have a second match, that things between us and the SMWB would’ve taken a bit of a hostile turn.

Jessie Pederson: Right. If your first match with the Super Mario Wrestling Bros was all about respect, this second one has definitely started to seem like something of a grudge match, especially as far as Max Powers is concerned; how surprised were you both by his apparent change in demeanour towards you?

This time, Neal leaves it to Lowri to answer the question first.

Lowri Moss: Well, firstly I just want to say that Max doesn’t have the right accent to be stealing my lines: “what’s occurring?” doesn’t sound right unless it comes out of the mouth of someone with a Welsh accent, more specifically someone with a South Walian accent.

Lowri smiles wryly, as she continues.

Lowri Moss: To answer your question though, Jessie, I think as well as being surprised, we were also disappointed. We were surprised because it’s quite a contrast to not just how amicable things were between the four of us when they challenged us for our titles last year, but it’s also a contrast to the way in which they’ve conducted themselves pretty much throughout their time in FGA up to now. And we were disappointed because, like Neal said, this has been made personal, which… if they wanted another match with us, neither Max nor Landon really needed to go about it that way…

Neal seemingly interrupted Lowri’s train of thought as he raised his voice, again, in a very uncharacteristic manner for him.

Neal Durden: BUT THEY DID… More specifically He did. As I told them, if that’s what they want, I’m gonna make them regret it. They wanted to make this personal and not just another clash between two teams wanting to prove who is better inside that ring on that given night… they wanted to make this into something bigger, for god knows what reason… well, they managed to do just that, now they’ll have to live with it. This could’ve been amicable once more, this could’ve been magic once more; but they didn’t want magic.

Jessie Pederson: I think you’ve made it clear what you think about your opponents’ current attitude, but Neal, I wanted to ask you about your own attitude heading into this match. In your most recent matches in both Underground and MWE, you appeared to be… somewhat disinterested, as if you didn’t even care whether you won or lost. However, in your and Lowri’s match with The Saturnian Connection, you looked to be putting forth more effort, with a performance that was more like what people are accustomed to seeing from you, so what should everyone expect from you at All-Star Showdown? More to the point, what should Lowri expect from you at All-Star Showdown?

A wry smirk appeared on Neal’s face as he tilted his head and looked at Lowri, before answering as honestly as he could.

Neal Durden: She knows what to expect, I don’t have to reiterate what we both know already and we both have known for the better part of four years now…

He returns his head into position to look directly at the camera as he continues.

Neal Durden: As far as the first part of your question, I’ve already made it clear last time out. You’re gonna see The King of Failure. You’re gonna see the Neal that isn’t afraid of losing, the Neal that’s willing to put everything on the line, because, what else does he have to lose? So, if that means you’ll see what you’re accustomed to see from me, so be it… but if it means you’ll see a glimpse of something else…

Neal cracks a smile as an ironic chuckle escapes him.

Neal Durden: Then… so be it.

Jessie looks towards Lowri, looking for her reaction to that; without the reporter saying anything to her, she makes a remark.

Lowri Moss: I don’t have any concerns at all about Neal’s mindset, Jessie - I don’t have any doubts that his heart will be in the match; like he just said himself, I know I can trust him to put everything on the line - I know that come All-Star Showdown, I can trust him to give the match his all, as we seek to further extend our record-setting reign as champions.

Jessie Pederson: Well, following on from that, you’ve made it publicly known, Neal, that you plan to retire at the turn of the year. If the two of you are still the World Tag Team Champions come New Year’s Day though, what happens then?

Neal hangs his head with a wide smile on his face. He clutches the belt in his hands and closes his eyes as he begins to answer the question.

Neal Durden: Simple, I gave my word… so we’ll keep defending these belts until we lose them. As far as my desire to fade away, well, so long as we hold these belts, the FGA faithful will have to deal with my ugly mug.

That last part of Neal’s answer elicits a chuckle from Lowri, who then adds her own comment on the situation.

Lowri Moss: And all being well, that’ll be for some time to come. We started the year as champions, and we want to finish the year as champions; even having held the titles for as long as we have, since May of last year, we still aren’t ready to let go of them yet, to the Super Mario Wrestling Bros or anybody else, and we intend for our reign to continue past All-Star Showdown, into the New Year… and beyond.

Satisfied with the response that she received, Jessie gives a nod of her head, before proceeding to wrap things up.

Jessie Pederson: Alright, well, thank you both again for your time, and good luck next week at All-Star Showdown.

And with the interview at an end, the show heads to a commercial break.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene opens up on a door bearing a sign-- this week, printed, rather than hand-written-- that reads “SATCON.” A fist raises, knocking loudly on the door before it drops out of frame. We pan out quickly, however, revealing Amanda Johnson. She turns to address the camera as she awaits an answer at the door.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here, hoping to catch a word with-- really everyone that I suspect is probably in this locker-room right now. Not only do I want to catch up with Jillian Clay, who’s due to take on Evan Envi very shortly here, but I’m very interested in getting a few words with the returning Jaelynn Ramsey, and the woman she aligned herself with last week, the former United States Champion, Sadi--

The door is pulled open. Yanked open. Sadie San Francisco stands in the doorway, eyes locked on Amanda. The sight of the former champion draws audible boos from the scattered live audience.

Sadie San Francisco: Amanda.

Amanda Johnson: Sadie, good evening. I was…

Amanda is interrupted by Jaelynn Ramsey who appears in the frame standing beside her new partner in crime.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Doing your job? Getting the scoop? We get it.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…”

The boos and jeers within the Melrose Ballroom grows steadily louder at the sight of the newfound friends on screen.

Amanda Johnson: Well. Making my job a little easier then. I guess my first question is-- what led to this? I’m obviously not the only person that’s… taken aback.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Allow me to save some of the details for whoever decides to write about this one day…

She nudges Sadie gently before continuing.

Jaelynn Ramsey:Sadie and I have known each other for years, and after reflecting on some things, there was a realization that we respected one another at the end of the day.

Amanda Johnson: ...but--

Jaelynn Ramsey: Of course we’ve said and done heinous things to one another in an attempt to one-up the other, yet that only sets a foundation far superior than one based on convenience and ulterior motives.

The sound that comes out of Amanda Johnson’s mouth borders a scoff, but wearing the mask of professionalism, the interviewer does her best to hide it as some version of a grunt.

Amanda Johnson: Right. I--

Sadie San Francisco: Listen.

Sadie leans forward, resting a forearm against the doorframe.

Sadie San Francisco: Nina Stokes is out there, destroying my United States Title. Not figuratively, but literally, physically, beating the hell out of my U.S. Championship belt on a regular basis. That should be driving everybody insane. Everybody. But you have the gall to come back here and ask me why I’m friends with the hardest-working woman in wrestling, Jaelynn Ramsey? You’re wild.

Sadie sighs, looking toward Jae, then back to Amanda.

Sadie San Francisco: We are two of today’s best wrestlers. Outside of this circus, that is instantly recognizable-- instantly accepted. But in these walls, we need to rely on each other. We know each other so well. And… there is nothing left for Jaelynn and I to take from each other. We went to war. And there is not a single person I respect in this business more than her.

Sadie looks admirably at Jaelynn, a wide, genuine smile crossing her face-- which only antagonizes the live audience more. Amanda nods a bit before going on.

Amanda Johnson: Alright, well, you guys have never teamed before. And tonight, in your debut as a tag team, you have to face Antoinette and Ashley Sands, a very motivated team that has plenty of tag experience. That doesn’t rattle you guys at all?

Jaelynn Ramsey: Rattle? What do you take us for, Amanda? With our experience, and being successful in one-off tag matches, I am confident that we will give them a run for their money. Not only are we familiar with one another’s style, Sadie and I have been in tune with one another.

Jaelynn looks over to Sadie to give her a chance to speak.

Sadie San Francisco: Besides. If Ashley and Antoinette had any chance at beating us tonight, they would’ve given us that impression during our last encounter. And-- I didn’t get that impression. Jae, did you?

Jaelynn Ramsey: Not quite! Their weaknesses were easily spotted. They were not ready for me, and they will not be ready for Sadie and I.

Sadie San Francisco: That’s crazy. Two out of the three of us are really confident in our chances tonight. It’s almost like one of us didn’t pay attention when Double-A got stomped last week.

Jaelynn Ramsey: What a shame...Maybe said person will have a change of heart after tonight.

Amanda exhales softly, silently looking for the words to follow up as she looks toward the pair.

Amanda Johnson: Well, you’re facing formidable opponents and I sincerely wish you the best of luck in your tag team debut.

Sadie San Francisco: Aw.

Jaelynn Ramsey: I suppose that’s a starting point.

Jaelynn mockingly grins at Amanda. Johnson looks prepared to depart-- but her eyebrows perk up as she observes somebody behind Ramsey and San Francisco.

Amanda Johnson: Jill. I actually wanted to get a word with you as well.

Heads turning to look over their shoulders, Sadie and Jaelynn part briefly, giving Amanda-- and us-- a clear look at Jillian Clay, who’s clad in her wrestling gear, fixing a curious gaze on the ongoing interview, her appearance earning a hesitant pop from the live audience. With the attention suddenly on her, Clay fidgets a bit.

Jillian Clay: Oh, yeah?

Amanda Johnson: Yes. Tonight, you have one of the biggest singles matches of your FGA career, taking on the former two-time World Champion, Evan Envi. We know you have some history with Envi, but how do you prepare for a match of this magnitude?

Jillian Clay: Well. I’ve been--

Sadie San Francisco: See, this isn’t happening.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Oh no, you are not oversharing anything. This is an important time for us, and I guess Nando. You are simply focusing on your match, Jill.

Jillian falls silent, though she smiles admirably at the two women before her, apparently unphased.

Sadie San Francisco: Jillian knows what’s on the line tonight. She could branch out into a main-event level Grappler here. You saw how she performed against Pendragon a few weeks ago. Imagine that, dialed all the way up. That’s not just what Evan Envi has to look out for, but everybody that this girl faces in the future is gonna have to deal with her getting steadily better, and steadily more focused. They’re not ready.

Jaelynn Ramsey: I believe you have everything you need from us, Amanda.

Amanda Johnson: ...thanks for your time.

Johnson offers the Grapplers a polite smile, and the door is swung shut behind her before she can even fully turn away. The interviewer walks out of frame, leaving the shot lingering on the closed dressing room door.

Kris Cruise: Well, a little later tonight, we are gonna see if Sadie San Francisco and Jaelynn Ramsey can back up those words. Completely disrespectful. Ashley and Antoinette Sands are going to see that interview. But first, Jillian Clay has a huge task ahead of her in the form of the Chief.

Stephy Auger: And it seems like she’s taking a lot of direction from Sadie and Jae. I don’t like it, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: Well, for once we completely agree.

[FGA Office]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED

Landon Knight, one half of the Super Mario Wrestling Bros, is showing making his way onto a dimly lit set from the right. There isn't any elaborate setup. There isn't an interviewer standing with a mic. Max Powers is conspicuous by his absence. It's just Landon sitting down at the table as he looks to someone off camera. The viewing audience gets a surprise as the segment transitions to another shot. This time of Max Powers making his way into the same dimly sit set from the left. Once again, no elaborate setup, no interviewer. He's sitting at the same table that Landon sat it. But Landon isn't there. Whatever this is, it was conducted at different times with the SMWB separate from each other. There's a stark contrast in their demeanor. Landon is decked out in his wrestling attire (even though he isn't wrestling) with an FGA t-shirt on. Max is contrasted in all black. Black shades, plain black tee, black leather jacket, black skinny jeans, black high top Chuck Taylors.

“THE SITUATION BETWEEN YOU AND PENDRAGON. DID IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY? DID IT HAVE TO COME TO THIS?”

Landon Knight: Honestly, dude? No. I think that the four of us could have gotten together and agreed to this match under the right terms. Max and I, I don't want to toot our own horns, but we're a team that's held in high regard. You have Pendragon who are the best tag team in the world, without a doubt. The last time the four of us got in the ring, that's what you call magic happening. We made magic that night at All-Star Showdown VIII and gave our Mario Bros and Broettes a match to remember. The four of us put on a show and the better team won. With Pendragon basically clearing out the tag team division, that pretty much left the door open for any team to come in and get a title shot fairly quickly. So we could have agreed to do this match to give them another tough challenge while also giving the fans a great match. Things didn't have to be this way. There didn't have to be this tension and... it just sucks, dude. It really just sucks.

Max Powers: Of course it had to be this way. It was destined to play out like this. Neal Durden's attitude made it this way. His actions, or inaction, made it this way.

“HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS MATCH TO YOU?”

Landon Knight: It's of the utmost importance, dude. Once upon a time, me and Max were looked at a the best tag team in FGA's history. Some years passed and then it was The Chaotics who took that title. Then came Pendragon right after them, who rightfully sit at the top of the tag team mountain. I think I can speak for my partner when I say that to be the best and be looked at as the best, you've got to beat the best and right now, there's no better team in the world than Pendragon. If we want to get the Tag Titles back and build upon our own legacy here, we have to get through Pendragon. But we both know from experience that that's much easier said than done.

Max Powers: It's of great importance. Of course the Tag Titles are on the line. These are the Tag Titles that, in my mind, are the top tag team prize in all of wrestling. But there's something more important than gold on the line. There's something personal at stake as well. Neal Durden was someone that I looked at highly and held in high regard. Even though he's younger than me, he's someone that I admired. He was someone that, at one point in time, I looked at as a friend. But Neal proved just how little I meant to him in the wake of our last tag team clash. I took that very personally. That's something that I just can't let slide. Not any longer.

“SOME HAVE NOTICED THAT THUS FAR, LOWRI HASN'T SAID MUCH IN THE BUILDUP TO THIS MATCH. THE MAIN CONFLICT HAS BEEN BETWEEN NEAL AND MAX. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?”

Landon Knight: Listen, if you think that Lowri Moss is overlooking us, then you're mistaken. Look, Lowri's a very busy woman. She wrestles a demanding schedule. Week in and week out, she shows up and gives it her all. She has a huge match coming up against Cordy Stevenson. It's a match that I could very well see her winning. But we also know that it was tag team wrestling that brought her and Neal to the dance first. She holds those Tag Team Titles near and dear and I don't think for a second she would look past us to focus solely on Cordy.

Max Powers: You sound surprised. But why should you be? Lowri pretty much acted as if she couldn't be bothered to the build for our last match as she let Neal pretty much do all the talking. I'm sure that must have been an interesting switching of roles, but that's another conversation for another day. Lowri won the Rumble. We all know it, we all saw it. It was great. We also know that she's got a huge match against Cordy Stevenson. Is it a match that I see her winning? Eh. But it's a huge opportunity nonetheless. She's been Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. She's been Pride Champion. A win over Cordy puts her right in line after her "ma'am" Izzy Anders as a Triple Crown Winner and a Grand Slam champion. It could all be done in the same night, just like her idol did. So why wouldn't Lowri care more about that than a match against a team she already beat?

“THIS TAG TEAM MATCH IS BEING FOUGHT UNDER VERY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT MAX POWERS HAS BEEN THE AGGRESSOR?”

Landon Knight: …

Max Powers: Aggressor? I think of myself as a truth teller and if that makes me the aggressor, then whatever. I said what I said to Neal's face and if he were right here right now? I'd say it again without hesitation. He is the one that made things this way. He is the one that turned this friendship into something else. But oh, that's right. Breaking news from Neal, we were never really friends in the first place, right? We were just a pair of guys for him and Lowri to cross off their little list before going on their merry way. Well, isn't that just fantastic? Success and money. They actually don't change you. They just make you more of what you already are. I think at this point, Neal Durden has made it clear exactly who he is. The King of Failure? You got that right. You're a failure of a friend. You're a failure of a man and at All-Star Showdown IX, you will FAIL to retain your Tag Team Championship.

“CAN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SMWB AND PENDRAGON BE REPAIRED?”

Landon Knight: Dude... I don't have any issue with Lowri and Neal. I honestly don't. I know Lowri and I got into a bit of a shoving match a couple of weeks back, but I think of that was just the both of us getting caught up in the heat of the moment. I still like Neal. I still respect Neal. I just hope... my hope is that when this is all said and done, no matter who wins, that we can just come to a peaceful resolution. We all don't have to be friends after this. They don't have to stream with us on Twitch channel 1UpUpAndAway. But I do hope... I truly hope... that in the end, we can just shake hands and be cool with each other again. I miss that. I honestly do and I know all the Mario Bros and Broettes out there feet the same.

Max Powers: ...

“DO YOU HAVE ANY LAST WORDS FOR PENDRAGON?”

Landon Knight: I know they're going to give it their all. They know that we're going to give it our all. May the best team win, dude. May the best team win.

Max Powers: The last time we fought, Neal Durden said that it was a Dream Match. This time? It's going to be a nightmare. We just saw a great, historic reign come to an end at Only the Strong Survive. What better way to close out the year than making sure that Pendragon's reign as tag champions ends in 2020.

“I CALLED YOU TO DO THIS INTERVIEW SEPARATE BECAUSE IN RECENT WEEKS, YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS HAVEN'T MATCHED UP WITH EACH OTHER. WITH SUCH A BIG MATCH COMING UP, IT MUST BE ASKED... ARE THE SUPER MARIO WRESTLING BROS ON THE SAME PAGE?”

Landon Knight: I know that people have seen a side to Max that they've never seen before. It's a side of Max that you're not used to and it's a side of you that you probably don't like. I can't say that I'm a fan of it, either. But when I've got the greatest tag team on the planet standing across the ring from me, there's no one I'd rather have behind me in my corner than Max Powers. We've been at this for nearly a decade. That's a decade of going up and down the roads. That's a decade of traveling across land, sea and air... going from from fed to fed and world to world. Even if we were never a successful tag team... when you've been with someone as long as I've teamed with Max, you build up a level of trust. Wrestling is a tough sport, dude. People get hurt all the time. So when you're going in there and you're going to war, you have to have complete faith and trust in the guy, or girl, that's in your corner. I trust Max Powers. I trust him with my life.

Max Powers: ... Landon hasn't exactly agreed with everything I've said and done recently. I think it's pretty obvious if you go back and watch the shows. But at All-Star Showdown IX, I know he'll have my back because I'll have his. I don't think much of Neal Durden as a person anymore. I honestly don't. But he's still one of the best wrestlers around. Lowri Moss is still one of the best wrestlers around. Pendragon... are the best tag team around. If I'm going in there against a team like that, there's only one person I want having my back. That's Landon. No one else. I trust Landon 100 percent. The SMWB are on the same page. The Red 'n' Green Machine will work as a well-oiled machine. There are a ton of teams here and abroad that have fallen to Pendragon, included us. But that changes at All-Star Showdown IX! We will 1-Up the competition and we will become World Tag Team champions again! Pendragon are the best tag tam in the world. For now. They are the longest reigning tag team champions in the company. For now. But we're coming with everything we've got, including a new finishing move. You've seen the Super Smash Melee. You've seen the Super Smash Brawl. On pay per view, you'll see the debut of the Super Smash Ultimate! Trust me, you'll know it when you see it. It's going to be the move that wins us the World Tag Team titles, so there will be no mistaking it! It's time for Pendragon to Level Up because the SMWB are coming to kick...their...ass.