Vertigo E83

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
Sadie San Francisco & Jaelynn Ramsey vs. Ashley Sands & Antoinette Sands

Sadie and Jaelynn wasted no time as they attacked the sister-in-laws before the opening bell. With Ashley disposed on the outside after being tossed through the ropes, San Francisco and Ramsey took turns double teaming Ant Sands in the corner. Ant Sands found herself on the receiving end of throat thrusts from Ramsey, followed by stinging knife edge chops from San Francisco. The Pope then caught Ant Sands him forearm strikes before Ramsey came in with forearms of her own. The two then whipped Ant Sands into the far corner. The Pope rushed in for an attack, only for her to get knocked back with a boot to the face. Ramsey came charging in for an attack and got dumped over the top rope. She landed safely on her feet, but Ashley Sands was right there to yank her off the apron. The crowd cheered when Ramsey smacked her face on the apron on the way down. Ashley Sands then got up on the apron before running across and bringing Ramsey down with a Blockbuster on the floor! Back inside, Ant Sands brought San Francisco down with a middle dropkick for a two count.

Ashley Sands was tagged in and continued to go to work on Sadie with a flurry of right hands in the corner. The Pope was then sent for the ride before being knocked off her feet with a pair of dropkicks. Ashley Sands followed up with a hurricanrana for a two count. Ashley Sands went for a bulldog until San Francisco shoved her off into the ropes. Ashley Sands came off the rebound and caught Sadie with a spinning heel kick for another two count. After Sadie was brought down with a side russian leg sweep, Ashley set up for the Wind Whisper (Rolling Senton) off the ropes. But as soon as Ashley hit the ropes, the crowd booed when Jaelynn pulled down the top rope, which sent Ashley crashing to the floor. Jae continued her assault on Ashley with stomps on the floor until Ant Sands ran across the ring and knocked her down with a suicide dive. Antoinette rained down rights and lefts on Jae until The Pope snatched her up from behind and sent her face-first into the ring post.

The Pope brought the action back inside before tagging her in newfound BFF. Jae maintained control of her team as she turned Ashley inside out with a short-arm clothesline for a two count. Jaelynn caught Ashley off the rebound after an irish whip with a superkick for another two count. She then dove off the middle ropes to bring Ashley down using With A Twist (hurricanrana), but Ashley countered with a sitout powerbomb! ONE! TWO! Sadie made the save!

Ashley brought Jaelynn to the center of the ring and brought her down with a side russian leg sweep before delivering a pair of Wind Whispers across the midsection. She faked another move on Jaelynn, only to turn, charge into The Pope’s corner and knock her off the apron! Ashley then made her way to the top turnbuckle. She was about to end this with the Sunset (Swanton Bomb) until Sadie scrambled back to the apron and held onto her leg for dear life. This gave Jaelynn enough time to rush into the corner and catch Ashley with a rake across the eyes. Sadie was then tagged in before Jalynn brought Ashley down with a superplex. With Ashley sprawled out on the mat, The Pope leaped off the top turnbuckle and crashed down hard across her with a diving knee drop! She went for the cover and got the ONE! TWO! T-NO! Ant Sands made the save!

The Pope brought the action into her team’s corner. She pressed her luck as she kept a foot choke applied past the five count. As she stepped back and allowed herself to be scolded by the official, Jaelynn took advantage of the distraction and choked Ashley with the tag rope! Antoinette saw enough of this and hopped off the apron. She raced around the ring towards Jaelynn, who quickly hopped off the apron and took off. Ant continued to chase Jae around the ring until Jae rolled back in to safety. Ant slid in after he and continued her pursuit, only to run right into the Palo Alto (Corkscrew Roundhouse Knee Strike)! Jae and Sadie gave each other a double high five before sending Ashley into the corner with an irish whip. Jaelynn ran in for an attack and got dumped over the top rope. She once again landed safely on the apron and quickly held Ashley in place from behind! The Pope ran across the ring and went for a corner high knee. At the last second, Ashley broke free and dove out of the way, causing Jae to get knocked off the apron! A shocked Sadie turned around and got caught with the Wind Kick (corner big boot)! Ashley followed up with a Tornado DDT before making the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!

Ant was tagged back in. The Sands’ threw Sadie down with a double back body drop. The Pope was knocked down by a dropkick from Ashley, followed by a dropkick from Ant, followed by a double dropkick! After a double irish whip, Ashley ran across the ring and connected with another Wind Kick! Once Sadie slumped down in the corner, Ant ran across the ring and caught her with the Alien INVASION (Bronco Buster). The crowd was solidly behind the Sands’ as they brought Sadie down with a double vertical suplex. Antoinette had Sadie set up for the Cotton Candy Crush (Shooting Star Press) until Jaelynn jumped to the apron and shoved her off, sending her crashing to the floor! Sands ran over and knocked Jaelynn off the apron with a Wind Kick before The Pope brought her down from behind with a Northern Lariat! Sadie went to the outside and retrieved Antoinette. Back inside, Sadie made the tag out to Jae, who climbed to the top before finishing things off with Down by the Jae (Moonsault) for the ONE! TWO! THREE!

Post-match, Sadie and Jaelynn took Ashley and tossed her to the floor before turning their attention back to Antoinette. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the two slowly crept up behind Antoinette. After Ant returned to her feet, she turned around and got sprayed with black Poison Mist from both Sadie and Jaelynn!!! Ant Sands let out a harrowing scream as she collapsed to the mat. The Pope and Jaelynn looked to pounce on Ant until Ashley Marie Chase rushed the ring and chased them both off with a steel chair! AMC and Ashley Sands soon called for help after Ant cried out that she couldn’t see! Moments later, medical personnel made their way to the ring. AMC and Ashley Sands looked for Sadie and Jaelynn. But by this point, the two had once again made their way out through the crowd. The two admired their work from a distance before escaping through the same exit doors from the previous show.

Winners: Sadie San Francisco & Jaelynn Ramsey (11:02) with Down by the Jae

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Evan Envi vs. Jillian Clay

Clay caught the Chief off guard as found himself on the receiving end of rapid forearm strikes soon after the opening bell. Clay then took control of his arm and applied a wrist lock. She followed up with repeated slaps to the chest. Clay continued to slap away at Envi until the Chief had enough. He muscled Clay into the corner before unleashing rapid, alternating European Uppercuts and knife edge chops. The crowd continued to “WOO!” after each strike until Clay was whipped into the far corner. Envi rushed in for a running European Uppercut, only to catch nothing but the corner when Clay slipped out of the way. She followed up with a step-up knee before bringing Envi down with a running somersault arm wringer. The Chief was then pulled back to his feet, only to be quickly brought back down with a single arm DDT for a two count.

Envi was then pulled into a seated position before being flattened with a running cannonball. Clay went for a Lionsault to follow up when Envi got his knees up in time. She then used the ropes to pull herself back up as Envi approached from behind. The Chief went for a running clothesline when Clay lowbridged the top rope, sending him tumbling to the floor. Clay was then able to hit not one, not two but three suicide dives in a row (shades of Sadie San Francisco). Envi was then planted with a DDT on the floor before getting rolled back inside. Clay went up top for a corkscrew moonsault! But she caught nothing but canvas when Envi rolled out of the way just in time.

With both grapplers back to their feet, Envi ran over and brought Clay down with a step-up hurricanrana. Clay turned over onto her knees and got caught across the side of the head with a Buzzsaw Kick. The Chief cracked her across the head with an Axe Kick before bringing her down with a Running Cutter for a two count. Envi picked up Clay and set up for a Uranage when Clay elbowed her way out. With Envi doubled over, Clay hit the ropes, came back and connected with a Koppu Kick. The kick sent Envi staggering across the ring before collapsing against the middle ropes. Clay then slipped out to the apron and knocked Envi back inside with a running knee lift that snapped his head back. Clay made the cover and got a two count. Clay continued to fight an at aggressive pace as Envi was forced to cover up from rapid, altering forearm and elbow strikes in the corner. Envi’s protegé(?) Zola Star could be seen in the crowd shouting at Envi to fight back. The Chief was able to reverse an irish whip attempt. But after charging in for an attack, he got turned around with a boot to the face. Clay then brought him down with a victory roll into a double foot stomp for another two count.

As the match continued, Clay took control of Envi’s back and tried to lock on the Schwarzes Loch (Grapevine Crossface Chickenwing)! But before she could fully lock her hands and pull Envi down to the mat, the Chief spun out and countered with a Cobra Clutch! Star cheered Envi on as he tried to fight for the submission. Once it became apparent that Clay wouldn’t quit, Envi brought her down with a Lifting Cobra Clutch Bomb for a two count.

Clay reversed an irish whip. She went to catch Envi off the rebound with a pop-up hurricanrana. But she was caught in mid air! Envi then positioned her across his shoulder before sending her flying into the corner with a Lawn Dart! The Chief then paid tribute to his pal Kazu Hirano by bringing Clay out of the corner with a Running Liger Bomb! ONE! TWO! T-NO! KICKOUT!

Envi continued his comeback with pop-up elbow strike, followed by a Uranage. The Chief made his way into the corner, climbed to the top, flipped back and caught Clay with the Classics (Diving Moonsault) for another two count! Clay tried to fight back with rights and lefts to the midsection as she was pulled up off the mat. But Envi withstood the blows before planting her with The Blues (Snap Double Arm DDT)! Envi finished things off soon after with Guess Who (inverted headlock into a snap backbreaker) for the ONE! TWO! THREE!

Winner: Evan Envi (9:37) with Guess Who

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

As the show returns from the commercial break, we cut to one of the corridors backstage at the Melrose Ballroom, with a camera catching sight of Lowri Moss. Standing alone, with no sign this time of her boyfriend/tag team partner, Neal Durden, she is looking at something on her mobile phone when she is approached by the woman who will be her opponent at All-Star Showdown IX-- the International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson.

Cordelia Stevenson: You were absolutely right, you know that?

Cordelia asks as she casually approaches the next challenger for her title. She stops, directly in front of the number one contender and stares directly down into her eyes. Cordelia’s usual smile is absent, however her demeanor isn’t hostile by any means. Instead, the champ looks rather intrigued as she studies the woman before her. Instantly recognising Cordelia’s voice, Lowri quickly looks up from her phone, her eyebrows raised, confused by what had just been said to her.

Lowri Moss: Right about what?

Cordelia Stevenson: What you said in your interview, about feeling as if I were challenging you… because I was.

Cordelia shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I knew you’d accept, for the very reasons that I said in mine.

Lowri Moss: In which case, I’m glad I didn’t let you down.

As Lowri places her phone in one of her pockets, a smile crosses her face.

Lowri Moss: I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, you know? Especially when that challenge comes from someone such as yourself, Cordy.

Cordelia nods.

Cordelia Stevenson: I know, chica. We’re cut from the same exact cloth. I—

She begins to say something but then stops as if changing her mind. She looks at her title belt and then looks at Lowri.

Cordelia Stevenson: I know how badly you want this. But as crazy as it may sound, I think I wanted—

She motions back and forth between her and Lowri with her hand.

Cordelia Stevenson: —this, even more. This match, you just don’t know what it means to me, chica. I may be the champion, but make no mistake about it Lowri, you are definitely the hunted. I will say that is a testament to you and your abilities, because for the first time in my career, I feel as if people truly believe I don’t have a shot.

Cordy’s words do not come easy. The truth seems to be a hard pill for her to swallow. She lifts her chin, holding her head high and proud.

Cordelia Stevenson: A wise man once told me that there’s nothing more dangerous than a champion that feels like a challenger. And that’s exactly where I am right now.

Lowri Moss: I find it hard to believe there’s anyone who thinks that you don’t stand a chance of beating me, Cordy.

Lowri audibly scoffs at the suggestion.

Lowri Moss: I do know, however, that if you believe there are really people out there who feel that way, then that’s probably not a good thing for me. I know you’ve made a career out of proving people wrong, people who thought you would never get anywhere near the heights that you’ve reached in your career; it’s just one of the many things there are about you that’s to be admired.

There is a genuine warmth to Lowri’s words, not to mention her smile.

Lowri Moss: There’s something I have to ask you though. You talked about how much you wanted this--

Much like Cordy did a moment or two ago, Lowri gestures to herself and then to Cordy.

Lowri Moss: This isn’t just about what happened in Japan, is it?

There is a moment of hesitation before Cordelia finally shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: No, it’s not just about Japan.

She answers honestly.

Cordelia Stevenson: This… it’s something that started long before Japan. You’re something I haven’t quite seen, Moss. I don’t think anyone has, to be quite honest. It’s exactly why I want this. And truth be told, Japan only made me want it that much more.

Her voice trails off a bit and her eyes narrow.

Cordelia Stevenson: You’re special, chica. Ain’t no doubt about it. And the scary thing is, you’re really only getting started. This test is more mine than it is yours. But, just like yourself, I’m always up for a challenge. All I ask, is that when all is said and done, you do just one thing.

That again causes Lowri to raise her eyebrows, curious as to what Cordy could possibly be referring to.

Lowri Moss: What’s that?

Cordelia’s gaze is unwavering.

Cordelia Stevenson: Forgive me.

She does not elaborate any further. Before Lowri can even attempt to decipher the cryptic statement, the champion simply turns on her heels and walks away.

Lowri Moss: What do you mean, forgive you?

Cordelia ignores Lowri’s question, leaving the Welsh grappler standing there confused, with a frown on her face; she raises her voice a bit, as she calls out to Cordelia once more.

Lowri Moss: Cordy?! What do you mean?! Why am I going to need to forgive you?!

But it is to no avail, and as Lowri reaches into her pocket to retrieve her phone, she mutters something to herself, recalling an incident involving Cordy and Chandler Scott that occurred following a title match at Grapple Kingdom in 2017.

Lowri Moss: I hope she isn’t planning on hitting me in the face with the belt after our match.

With Lowri still left wondering what Cordy could possibly have meant, she returns her attention to whatever she was looking at previously on her phone, and the camera then cuts elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

Tyler Storm vs. Jenny Cien

Storm’s attention quickly shifted from Cien to his number one contender soon after the start of the opening bell. Marlon Cure’s music rant throughout the arena as Cure continued to point at the champion as he made his way down the aisle. This allowed Cien to take advantage and knock Storm to the floor with a running dropkick from behind! Cien continued to take advantage of Cure’s distraction by putting the boots to Storm on the floor. Cien pulled Storm up to his knees and held his arms back as Cure crouched down right in front of the champion. The 2019 Gold Rush Rumble winner let Storm know just what he thought of him before taking a puff of his trademark cigar. The crowd booed as the smoke was blown right in Storm’s face! Cien followed up the insulting display with an Inverted DDT on the floor. Storm was rolled back inside before Cien made the cover for a two count.

Cien remained in control after several knife edge chops in the corner. Then, her irish whip attempt was reversed. As she staggered dout of the corner, Storm ran across the ring and nearly took her head off with a bicycle kick. The Pride Champion hit the ropes before he came back and knocked Cien down with another kick. This one of the Scissors variety across the back of the head for a two count. Storm went for an Alabama Slam when Cien reached out to the ropes and blocked the move. Cien continued to hang on for dear life until Cure climbed the apron and pulled Cien to safety. Cure continued to check in on his partner until Storm ran over and knocked him off the apron with a bicycle kick!. Cien was then brought back inside with a vertical suplex. Storm circled Cien before delivering stomps to each limb. A standing elbow drop followed for another two count.

The Pride Champion remained in control as he took the match into the corner. Storm hacked away at Cien with blistering knife edge chops until she was whipped into the far corner. He then rushed in for an attack before getting knocked back by a back elbow to the face The veteran quickly took advantage of the situation by hopping onto the middle ropes. She went for a diving crossbody, only to get caught in mid air. The crowd cheered as Storm repositioned her across his shoulder. Storm raised her up even higher for the Bite Wound (Crucifix Cutter) when Cien slipped down from behind and brought him down to a knee with a chop block. Cien quickly followed up with a Shining Wizard for a two count. She stayed on top of Storm with a pair of sentons for another two count. After a Facebuster brought Storm down, Cien went to the top for the Jennysault (moonsault)! But she was countered when Storm got his knees up!

Storm mounted a comeback. First, by catching Cien when she got back to her feet wit the Hardcastle Treatment (springboard roundhouse kick)! Cien was then whipped into the ropes before nearly getting her head knocked off with a yakuza kick! The crowd was solidly behind Storm as he threw Cien into the corner with a Buckle Bomb before following up with a spinebuster for a two count! Cien then found herself doubled over after getting the Hybrid Crackdown (Inverted Headlock into Rolling Elbow). Storm dropped her moments later with the Rolling Tide (Air Raid Crash Neckbreaker)! The Pride Champion held Cien high in the air as he made his way across the ring. He purposely stared right at Cure before dropping Cien with the Bite Wound! This was enough to get Cure to climb the apron once more. Cure and Storm shouted at each other while the ref tried to de-escalate. But it was to no avail. Cure moved him out of the way and threw a right hand at Storm. The Pride Champion ducked in time before knocking Cure back to the floor with a spinning forearm. The crowd cheered as Storm appeared to be moments away from a win. He was indeed moments away from that win. But not in the way in which he wanted. The moment Storm turned back to his opponent, Cien took her trusty bat and jabbed Storm in the midsection with it, doubling him over and prompting the DQ. Storm was then dropped down to a knee after taking a bat shot across the back of the leg. Cien continued her attack as she choked Storm from behind with the bat before striking him across the back. The crowd let the duo have it as Cure made his way into the ring and put the boots to Storm. King Cure then proceeded to add insult to injury by dropping Storm with The Blackout (fireman’s carry dropped into an overhead kick). Cure then posed over Storm with the Pride Championship before dropping the title onto Storm’s chest.

Winner: Tyler Storm (10:49) by Disqualification

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Cordy Stevenson vs. Mark Bisley

Bisley started off the match trying to take Stevenson down to the mat. But the IHC was able to slip and strafe out of the way. Bisley eventually caught a hold of Stevenson and muscled her into the corner. Both grapplers broke clean on the ref’s count of five. Bisley tried to catch Stevenson with a knife edge chop. But Stevenson ducked out of the way and caught Bisley with chops of her own when he turned around. Stevenson then set up for an irish whip when she got reversed. Bisley then charged into the corner when he got knocked back with a boot to the face. With Bisley stunned, Stevenson look to end things early with The Real is Back (Oscutter) out of the corner. But as soon as she hopped onto the middle ropes, “Smart” Mark dropped and rolled to the outside to safety. But he wouldn’t remain safe for long as Stevenson stepped up to the top turnbuckle before knocking him down with a suicide skytwister plancha!

Stevenson brought the match back inside and got a quick two count. The International Champion kept control of the bout with a pair of arm drags off an irish whip rebound. Bisley was then brought back down to the mat with a step-up Tijeras. Stevenson knocked Bisley back down to the mat with a handspring back elbow for a two count. Stevenson moved the action into the corner and connected with three more knife edge chops. She remained in control until Bisley quickly tossed her into the corner and unleashed the Minnesota Buzzsaw (repeated corner chest kicks)! The International Champion was then brought out of the corner and was hit with the Iko Uwais - cravat with repeated knees to the head before Bisley from her down with Greetings from the Twin Cities - hangman's neckbreaker over the knee for a two count.

Bisley didn’t let Stevenson get back to her feet and quickly went after the leg. A pair of elbow drops across the leg soon followed. The former 15 Champion set up for a KneeDT (Foot DDT) when Stevenson used her free leg to kick him off her. Bisley regained his footing and rushed back over to Stevenson when he got caught with a grounded monkey flip. Stevenson returned to her feet with kip up and played to the ground before taking off into the ropes. When Bisley turned over onto a knee, he nearly got caught with The Friendzone (Flying hip attack to the head of a kneeling opponent), but he fell back to the mat, which send the champion tumbling across the mat. Stevenson rolled back to her feet and ran after Bisley. But she ran right into his trap as he countered with an overhead belly to belly for a two count. Stevenson was then whipped hard into the corner and staggered out until Bisley caught her off the rebound with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another two count. Bisley found success on his second attempt at the KneeDT, which caused Stevenson to roll out to the apron to create separation.

Stevenson pulled herself up using the ropes. But Bisley was right there to pull her leg in from the outside and deliver a dragon screw leg whip against the ropes! Stevenson fell to the floor and appeared to be in a good amount of pain. The ref tried to hold Bisley back, but he wouldn’t be denied. Multiple stomps followed before Stevenson was given a shinbreaker. Bisley brought the match back inside and made the cover, but he only got a two count. As the match continued, Bisley was able to bring Stevenson down with the Orbital Heel (running corner elbow smash followed by a chop block to the staggered opponent) before delivering a second KneeDT. The crowd booed loudly as Bisley was able to muscle Stevenson over into the L'Étoile du Nord (Canadian Maple Leaf)! Stevenson howled out in pain as Bisley pulled back on the leg. The ref gave Stevenson multiple chances to give up. But with the crowd behind her, Stevenson couldn’t do it. They willed her across the mat until she reached the ropes for a rope break. Bisley then dragged her back to the center of the ring before hitting the Corazón de Zorro (lionsault to a face-down opponent's back) for another two count.

Bisley threw Stevenson down with a scoop slam before he heading to the apron. Once on top, Bisley attempted the Sapienza (frog splash to the opponent's legs) and caught nothing when Stevenson rolled out of the way! Bisley eventually made his way up to his knees before getting knocked over with The Friendzone for a two count. Stevenson then set Bisley up for the Deadly Seduction (A Standing Neckbreaker. Cordy adds a little flare to it though, gyrating her hips before falling to the mat). But she played to the crowd too much! Bisley broke free, took control of her back and went for a belly to back suplex. Stevenson rolled over his shoulder, landed on her feet and immediately dropped to the mat after her knee buckled. Bisley went to pick Stevenson up off the mat. But it was all a ploy as Stevenson rolled him up in a small package! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! KICKOUT!

Bisley tried to catch Stevenson with You Didn't See That Coming (high speed running dropkick to the knee)! But the champ was able to sidestep. Bisley returned to his feet and got caught with multiple forearm strikes until the The Foot Fetish (Jumping Back Kick) knocked him off his feet for a two count. Bisley was then sent for the ride before getting brought down with The Love Connection (A Frankensteiner, followed up with a shining wizard off the rebound) for another two count! This time, Stevenson wasted less time as she quickly brought Bisley down with the Deadly Seduction! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! KICKOUT! Bisley was then whipped hard sternum-first into the corner. As he staggered back, Stevenson hit the ropes before knocking him off his feet with The Beautiful Nightmare (Disaster Kick)! A dazed Bisley was then brought back to his feet before Stevenson hit the ropes, jumped back and brought him down with The Real is Back! ONE! TWO! THREE!

Winner: Cordy Stevenson (14:22) with The Real Is Back

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Roving reporter Spencer Burke is backstage ready to conduct yet another interview on this busy evening.

Spencer Burke: With me at this time is TJ Techniques! TJ, come on in.

Into the picture walks TJ Techniques. The relative newcomer is greeted by a warm applause from the small crowd in attendance.

TJ Techniques: My man Spence. What's good.

Spencer Burke: I'm just doing the best I can in these uncertain times.

TJ nods.

TJ Techniques: I feel you on that.

Spencer Burke: I would ask what's good with you. But I think it would be better to talk about what isn't good. Like your loss on the last Vertigo against Cassius Reed, for instance.

TJ lets an annoyed sigh escape him.

TJ Techniques: I peeped that little segue way.

Spencer Burke: This isn't my first rodeo.

TJ gives him a nod as if to say, touché.

TJ Techniques: Understood. You wanna talk about Cassius? Aight, bet. Let's talk about the man then. If you know me, you know I always keep it a bean. I don't know anyway else to do it. The last time me and Cassius fought? He didn't catch me slipping. He didn't catch me lacking. But I'll tell you this. He caught me with a mean 1-2. He caught me with a couple of the classics. What he caught me with, Spence, was that damn Plan C. Once Plan C succeeded, it was curtains for me on that night. Cassius was the better wrestler and I got no problems admitting it. He didn't just go out there and set the bar for everyone else on the card to follow that night. Most important of all, he went out there and showed why he is one of the most underrated talents in the world of wrestling. Now peep what I just did there. Respect, adulation, honesty, no excuses. It'a stark contrast to what you heard from Cassius Reed. Which was what? "Conspiracy" this, "fluke" that. Excuse after excuse after excuse.

Spencer nods.

TJ Techniques: Now I don't know where this issue between Cassius and myself came from. I honestly don't. Yeah, I came in here with a little chip on my shoulder for that United States Open Challenge. I damn sure didn't bite my lip when it came to Ricky Valero. But quiet as kept, I wanted to come into FGA on the peaceful tip. I wanted to come into this company peaceful. But what happened, Spence? The minute I became an official card carrying member of this roster, I start beefing with a brother. That don't sit right with me. That don't sit right in my spirit. As far as I'm concerned, this whole thing between me and Cassius could have been avoided. Win, lose or draw, we could have been went our separate ways after my debut match. But you wouldn't allow that to happen.

TJ turns his attention back from Spencer to the camera, as if he’s talking to Cassius directly.

TJ Techniques: Your ego couldn't allow that to happen. Even after you pinned me in the middle of that ring, clean as a damn sheet, you still had to get one last dig in to make yourself feel better. It makes no sense to me, Cassius, because since the moment that first match was signed, I gave you your flowers. Not only have I shown you respect, but you've received more respect from me in my short stay here than you're received from anyone in your entire time in this company!

TJ lets that last little bit linger before continuing.

TJ Techniques: If I beat you, I said I would offer my hand. If I lost? I told you I would stand there as a man, admit defeat, and still extend my hand. But time and time again, you “Big Time” me. Time and time again, you "Lil Bro" me. You think I'm not good enough to share a ring with you. You think you're too good to lower yourself to shaking my hand. They say respect is a two way street. But since this thing between you and I kicked off, the respect has only flown one way. You've made it clear that you think I don't rate. You've made it clear that you don't respect me. Well, I think it's about time we change that and I can't think of a better time... than All-Star Showdown IX!

Spencer Burke: Is this going where I think it's going?

TJ Techniques: You said it yourself. This ain't your first rodeo. So you know damn well where this is going. After losing to me in my singles debut, Cassius went and ran to them people up in the Front Office to cry for a rematch. Well, after my loss to you, I went to those same people. But there weren't any tears in my eyes. I just had a simple request: get me Cassius in the ring for the Pay Per View. You won one. I won one. I think the people want to see you and I going at it one more time. I want this match to break this tie. Deep down? I know you feel the same. You ain't about to come out here and admit it on camera, because you got an image to protect. But when these cameras are off, when there's no one in that room with you, you know that you're not satisfied with just the one win. You want one more chance to drive the point home that you're better than me. Well? Here's your chance. I'm giving you your chance to show and prove. And what a better platform... than All-Star Showdown IX.

He continued.

TJ Techniques: Now, it's come to my attention that Cassius doesn't have the night off. Matter of fact, he's got a United States Championship match coming up shortly. Ain't that something? Now, no disrespect to Nina Stokes' fine self. Lord knows I wouldn't want her trying to knock my head off. But when it comes to that match tonight, I'm gonna be rooting for you. I'm gonna be rooting for you for selfish reasons. If by some chance you win tonight, that means I get the next crack at the new champion at the Pay Per View. Whether it gets made into a title match or not, that's out of my hands. But it will be a fact that I'll be the first one to face the new U.S. champ should you win tonight. That would get me one step closer to the title that I came THAT close to winning just a couple of months ago. So go out there and do the damn thing, Cassius. I want you to show everyone why and how you won Phoenix Wrestling's Iron King Tournament. I want you to go out there and prove to Nina and the rest of the people why you the Funky Dragon. Cassius, I want you to show up, show out and show FGA just how truly talented you are. 'Cause if you win? I'm coming for you. Even if you don't win, I'm coming for you. A certain someone, after winning the 2020 NBA Finals MVP, told the world that he just wanted his damn respect. Cassius, I want my damn respect. At All-Star Showdown IX? I'm coming for mine. So we can do this the easy way... or the other way. You can either give it up willingly... or I can beat it out of you. Now peep that.

[FGA Office]

UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP

(c) Nina Stokes vs. Cassius Reed

Stokes started off the match by trying to weaken Reed’s legs with kicks. But Reed, to his credit, was able to check Stokes’ kicks. Once The Kodiak was able to cut off part of the ring, she knocked Reed into the corner with a front push kick. Shoot kicks to the chest followed before a rolling solebutt to the midsection doubled him over. The Funky Dragon was then whipped into the far corner. Stokes rushed across the ring to attack when Reed dumped her over the top rope. Stokes landed safely on her feet. But she didn’t remain standing for long as Reed turned and knocked her to the floor with a Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow)! Stokes made her way back to her feet before Reed brought her back down with a slingshot huracanrana to the outside. The Funky Dragon brought the action back inside, made the cover and got a count of two.

Reed took the match into the corner and went to work with right and left hooks to the body. Stokes was able to cover up and withstand the strikes until she switched positions with him in the corner. From there, Stokes caught Reed with a palm strike flurry. Reed was then whipped into the far corner before Stokes came charging in again. This time, a back elbow to the face knocked Stokes back. Reed hoisted himself up to the middle ropes and went for a diving Spanish Archer. But he gets caught in the way down with another rolling solebutt to the midsection. Reed remained doubled over until Stokes sent him back into the far corner with an irish whip. The Kodiak rushed across the ring before crushing Reed with double running knees in the corner! Stokes pulled him out of the corner and lifted him up for a fireman’s carry gutbuster. But Reed was able to slip down from behind and counter with a belly to back suplex for a two count. Reed tried to go for another suplex of his own. This one of the vertical variety. But like Reed seconds before, Stokes was able to slip down from behind. She quickly took control of his back and rammed him-sternum-first into the nearest corner. She attempted to roll him back to deliver the Chaos Theory (Front Turnbuckle Smash into Back Roll German Suplex), but Reed hung onto the top turnbuckle for dear life. Stokes was sent off his back and down to the mat. After Stokes rolled back to her feet, Reed rushed out of the corner and threw out a discus punch. But he whiffed as Stokes ducked before hitting the ropes. The Kodiak came back on the return and nearly took Reed’s head off with a running roundhouse for a two count!

As the match continued, Stokes latched onto Reed’s wrist. After hitting him with multiple wristlock face kicks, she hit the ropes, came back and flattened him with a jumping senton across the back. Reed was then pulled over onto his back before getting caught with a jumping senton across the midsection. Stokes went for another cover, only to get a two count. Stokes went for another fireman’s carry gutbuster. This time, Reed fought his way out of the move with multiple elbows to the side of the head. He then spun Stokes around and set up for a Northern Lights Suplex. Before he could deliver the move, Stokes returned the favor and fought her way out with elbows to the back. With Reed doubled over, Stokes grabbed him by his afro and pulled his head back before bringing him down with the Requiem Aeternam: Inverted Implant DDT! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!

Stokes grabbed Reed by the hair and pulled him back to his feet. The Kodiak sized up her opponent before catching him with a hard shoot kick to the chest. Another hard chest kick echoed throughout the venue. After being on the received end of a third kick, Reed doubled over. Stokes then knocked him upright with a rising knee lift before being brought down with a running leg lariat! ONE! TWO! T-NO! KICKOUT! The Kodiak then made her way out to the apron. Just as she climbed up to the top turnbuckle, Reed scrambled to his feet, ran over and threw her down out of the corner. With the champion down, Reed stepped out to the apron, made his way to the top turnbuckle, flipped off and connected with a diving somersault leg drop! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! KICKOUT! Reed started to lift Stokes up for a suplex when she countered with a knee to the head on the way up. Reed was then doubled over with A Slice of Grace (Throat Punch) before being dropped to a knee with a bicycle knee! The champion slowly pulled Reed back to his feet. She threw out the Divine Night (Rolling Elbow Smash) and missed when Reed ducked out of the way. When Stokes turned around, she got caught with the Pimp Slap Symposium (Quick Right Handed slap to opponent’s face to get opponent to drop their guard, into a quick Right Jab - Right Jab - Left Hook Boxing Combo, dazing the opponent, and ending with a Michael Jackson style spin straight into a (Left Handed) Spinning Backhand Slap to opponent’s face WITH AUTHORITY)! Stokes was then doubled over with a boot to the midsection before being brought down with SWEET CHRISTMAS (Sunset Flip Powerbomb)! ONE! TWO! TH-NO! KICKOUT!

Reed threw Stokes down with a scoop slam before returning to the apron. He went to the high rent district with a springboard left elbow drop… and got burned when Stokes rolled out of the way. The Kodiak waited patiently as she watched her challenger struggle to return to a vertical base. When he did, she looked to knock his head into the crowd with the Divine Night. But she missed again! Reed ducked out of the way just in time. When Stokes turned back towards him, she got doubled over with Johnny Cage (split-legged punch to the midsection). The Funky Dragon got back to his feet, wrapped up Stokes and pulled her into the corner before planting her with a Tornado DDT! Undeterred, Reed went back to the outside and hit the springboard diving left elbow drop on his second attempt! The Funky Dragon returned to the apron as he waited impatiently for Stokes to get into position. Once the champion got back to her feet, Reed went for the Funkensteiner (Springboard Huracanrana)... and got countered with an inverted atomic drop on the way down! After another bicycle knee to the side of the head dropped Reed down to a knee, The Kodiak took off into the ropes before clobbering him across the back of the head with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike)! She made the cover. ONE! TWO! THREE!

Winner and STILL U.S. Champion: Nina Stokes (14:11) with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

EARLIER TODAY

We fade up in an empty arena. We see a ring, adorned with FGA’s customary red ropes and ring skirts. We see the announce desk, with no commentators. There are no fans occupying seats. The entrance ramp is lifeless. The titantron is off. But one presence remains.

Fujiko Mine, former FGA World Champion, sits perched on the top rope, in street clothes. A Yugen shirt, and leather leggings. She displays an emotion not often revealed in front of FGA cameras.

Nervousness. She picks at her nails and deliberately does not look at the camera. Her brunette locks sway down from behind her shoulders, and she curls her bottom lip into her mouth, sinking her teeth into it gently.

Fujiko Mine: I knew that my reign as FGA World champion was not going to last forever. I knew that something like that never does. I knew eventually, someone was going to get my shoulders to the mat and take my title. But honestly, I did not expect it to be Seth Iser.

She shrugs, almost involuntarily. It’s the only thing she can do to punctuate her statement.

Fujiko Mine: Seth Iser is known for just talking. That isn’t to say he’s a bad wrestler. He’s good, but personality wise he’s a Great Value Bond Villain. Pontificating for the sake of hearing his own voice, speaking as if he was truly the smartest person in the room. He’s not.

For a brief moment, her eyes catch the camera, but they are elusive and move away shortly thereafter.

Fujiko Mine: He had a little more to go on that one night, and my world...my goal...my historic reign as champion....fell with me.

She exhales, slightly dramatically.

Fujiko Mine: I wanted to shut Seth Iser up more than anyone, because of that fact. Part because of how good it felt the last time I denied him of a championship, and part because he was another in a line of pedantic challengers who thought they were dealing with a long dead version of me: A woman whose dreams of reaching the top were verbally stomped on every single time my name was mentioned as a part of an FGA card. So his victory, his clean victory over the longest reigning FGA World champion in company history...was especially bitter. Because then I knew I had to listen to him gloat.

She shakes her head, bitter disappointment staining her face.

Fujiko Mine: I knew by losing, not only did I let the fans down, but I subjected them to having to listen to a justified Seth Iser. A man whose ego will take a proverbial mile when given the proverbial inch. So I pushed myself. I pressed myself. I didn’t even let Pendragon setting the record I made explicitly clear was to be mine deter me. I wasn’t yet done.
She turns her head away from the camera.

Fujiko Mine: But for once, I didn’t have the strength to get my shoulder off the mat.

Her lips lift into a proud smile.

Fujiko Mine: My name in FGA has become synonymous with resiliency. I outsmarted and outlasted the dangerous Jimmy Page - A man who I would dare to call an ally at times. I took punishment that broke other wrestlers and managed to leave the arena on my own two feet. I have been beaten nearly to unconsciousness by the likes of Evan Envi, Silk & Cyanide, and James Edwards only for me to find a way to leave with my hand raised in victory. I even managed to do one thing members of the current FGA hall of fame have never done - become Wrestler of the Year in back to back years. There are really only a few things on the checklist. But I am not interested in those things now.

She brings her gaze back in front of her, just below the lens of the camera.

Fujiko Mine: I am interested in rectifying my mistake. I am interested in walking around the halls of this place, the FGA World championship in my grasp once again. And at All Star Showdown IX, I’m going to end Seth Iser’s reign as champion.

She lets out a short laugh.

Fujiko Mine: I said on Vertigo a few weeks ago that there was not a sentence Seth Iser could say that would stop me from reclaiming my throne. That includes the sentence “I’m putting a bounty on Fujiko’s head.”.

She lets a smirk play on her face for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: Kudos to him for trying, I suppose. A bounty is not what I expected in the least - but the end game is the same - I beat Seth Iser and get my championship back. Let him sew his desperate trap: I am not running away. I don’t care who it is that tries to take me out, I assure you that they will fail. I will still make it to All-Star Showdown, and I will ruin Seth Iser’s night.

She finally draws her eyes upward, making eye contact with the camera.

Fujiko Mine: That brings me to another person I am tired of hearing of - Ace Voltage. This man who eats, breathes, and sleeps his own hype. I know that giving him the time of day just feeds into his ego, but you’ll understand why I’m doing so in just a moment.

She puts up her left index finger and wags it back and forth.

Fujiko Mine: Ace Voltage burst on the scene and made his way to the Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship, and has had all of his success put him on cloud nine. He’s been able to keep the championship, and his streak alive. And then he got into a match with me.

She shrugs with a knowing look towards the camera.

Fujiko Mine: This man...honestly believes that in a year in which I dominated...400 plus days as champion...that he was better?

She shrugs again.

Fujiko Mine: Ace, you have my attention - something I am sure you have been absolutely pining for since you entered FGA. But please believe that you are going to be experiencing some regrets as a result of getting what ‘you were owed.’. Please hope that someone cashes in on that bounty before our match, because if I make it to the main event? I am going to drag you kicking & screaming back into reality. A reality where you are good...but you are not on the level of the Apex Goddess. You are just another obstacle I have to overcome. And if you all have learned anything about me over the past few years...I am the queen of overcoming obstacles. I will find a way, and Ace, Seth, and anyone else who wants to try me will understand why I am the baddest FGA has ever seen. Period. Point blank. Inescapable.

She stares through the camera lens, her smirk and arrogance gone. She stares without blinking for a time, the only movement being her body responding to the gentle inhale and exhale of her breathing. The view begins to fade, and before the view of the Apex Goddess is gone, you see her eyes slowly close.

[FGA Office]

Our cameras pan to the backstage area, opening up on a shot of the United States Champion, Nina Stokes, making her way through the corridors, presumably toward her locker room. Behind her is the low, droning sound of scratching-- scraping… and as the camera pans past Stokes, we see her dragging the tattered, dented FGA United States Championship belt behind her.

??: Hey-- Nina!

The champion continues her trek forward, unflinching, unresponsive to the voice that calls out behind her.

??: Nina? Just a second. Please…!

Silence as the champion continues on.

Kris Cruise: The champion is in no mood for interviews right now.

Stephy Auger: What else is there to say, Cruise?! We all just saw that performance. What are you gonna say to the Kodiak?

The person trailing Nina jogs to catch up, their boots scraping across the floor.

??: Hey!

Popping into frame is none other than Jillian Clay! She steps into Nina Stokes’ path, halting the U.S. Champion. Never for a second does a look of amusement cross Stokes’ face. Her eyes narrow impatiently at the Saturnian Connection member, but before Stokes can utter a word--

CLANG!

Nina is blasted with a chair shot in the center of her spine! She doesn’t cry out, but clenches her jaw in pain, letting the belt fall to the floor as she shakily staggers forward-- CLANG!-- until a second shot takes her to her knees! CLANG! A third shot slumps Stokes against the corridor wall, and the camera pans out slightly, revealing the figure of Sadie San Francisco!

Sadie San Francisco: You see that, Jill? You saw that, right? She didn’t have enough respect for you to even turn her head! She…

Nina glares up at Sadie, pushing her own weight against the wall, slowly pushing herself to her feet. Again, before she can say anything--

CLANG!

Sadie San Francisco: NO! Sit there! Stay there!

Ignoring the command, Stokes begins to push herself upright-- but this time a chair is thrust into her ribs like a spear! Jaelynn Ramsey wields the weapon, using the chair to drive Stokes against the wall. Stokes grunts in pain, sliding back to the floor as Ramsey backs away. Sadie kneels down in front of Nina, leaning forward against the chair as she glares at the champion.

Sadie San Francisco: You know-- I voted we use sledgehammers. But Jae said, “no, that’s not our style.”

Sadie looks toward the mangled, broken United States Title. As if seeing it for the first time, the color seems to drain from her face. She takes a sharp breath and turns back to Nina, glaring venomously.

Sadie San Francisco: But I’m starting to disagree. I’m starting to think that should be our style. I think we should do to you what you did to MY title!

Tears well up in Sadie’s eyes as she says it. Her voice cracks. She spares another look toward the mangled United States Title belt-- and that’s when Nina Stokes pushes herself up, prepared to lunge forward again, but Jaelynn swings the chair into Nina’s body, smashing her against the wall! Sadie rises to her feet and rears back, doing the same, smashing the chair into Nina’s ribcage!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOO…”

Nina collapses into a seated position, a defiant glare still on her face as she bites her lip in pain.

Sadie San Francisco: But we can’t do that. Because my championship deserves better than-- than being handed over on a technicality. And you’d love that. You’d-- you’d love to disrupt the lineage of the United States Title by having to forfeit it with broken ribs… or a shattered collarbone, or-- or--

Sadie shakes her head, pacing back and forth. Jillian’s gaze remains pointed toward the ground, hands at her sides, though Jae remains poised… calm, but ready to strike again as Nina’s glare travels from Ramsey to San Francisco.

Sadie San Francisco: No. No! You don’t get to make excuses.

Sadie points a finger at Stokes.

Sadie San Francisco: You want this. You want this just as bad as I do. You need this just as bad as I do. So do it. Give me my rematch. Give m…

Sadie looks at the remnants of the United States Title again. Again, her face falls. Her lip quivers. Sadie glares, gripping the legs of the chair, turning… and as she raises the chair to strike the champion again, Nina Stokes lunges forward, Spearing Sadie to the ground!

Jillian Clay: Oh, god!

Pockets of the live crowd shout in approval! Sadie shrieks, thumping to the ground as the chair clatters next to her! Nina raises her arm, driving one, solid elbow strike into Sadie’s eye! Sadie cries out, covering up as Nina raises her arm, prepared to unleash a second blow--

CLANG!

Nina yells out as Jaelynn Ramsey drives the chair down across her upper-back and shoulder blades! Stokes collapses to the floor as Sadie hurriedly scrambles to her feet, a hand covering the side of her face where she’d been struck. Nina rolls onto her back, trying to regain her own composure, clearly worn down from the two-on-one assault. Sadie moves toward the champion and stands over her, a hand still covering half of her face.

Sadie San Francisco: Don’t let this go.

Sadie gives Jaelynn a nod before turning, storming off in the opposite direction. Ramsey smirks down at the fallen Nina Stokes, tucking the steel chair proudly beneath her arm and to her side as she turns, following behind Sadie San Francisco. Jillian Clay lingers behind, gaze still pointed downward for a few seconds before she finally shoots a look toward Nina Stokes. Clay frowns, taking a single step forward-- but she gasps as Nina groans, beginning to stir again. Clay turns, running down the corridor to follow behind Jae and Sadie as we fade to black on the seething, rising Nina Stokes and the destroyed United States Title.

Nina Stokes: The folly of fools and cowards...

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
Fujiko Mine vs. Ace Voltage

Before the match could get underway, “Unsainted” blared throughout the arena. Soon after, FGA World Champion Seth Iser made his way onto the stage. Across his shoulder sat the FGA World Championship belt. In his hand was the briefcase. The briefcase that was filled the $100,000 that, unfortunately for Iser, had yet to be collected. He nodded to the reigning Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion before raising the briefcase. What Iser signaled for was by no means subtle. Before Voltage could get the jump on Fujiko, the Apex Goddess turned and caught him with a handstand calf kick! With Voltaged dazed, Fujiko went for the ropes, rebounded back and brought him down with a handspring rebound Ace Crusher! She went for the cover, but only got a two count.

Fujiko tried to keep control of Ace. But he quickly reversed an irish whip, sending the record-setting former World Champion into the ropes. Instead of catching Fujiko on the return, she was able to slide through his legs. Voltage then turned around to got brought down with a headscissors takedown. The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion scrambled back to his feet before finding himself back on the mat after a running hurricanrana. Fujiko was successful on her second irish whip attempt. But she threw out a front dropkick too early, which allowed for Voltage to hang onto the ropes as she landed on her back. Voltage sauntered over to attack until Fujiko caught with with a kip up headscissors! Fujiko moved the action into the corner before hitting Voltage with multiple knife edge chops. He then grabbed Fujiko, threw her into the corner and tried to take her head off with a haymaker. But the Apex Goddess slipped out of the way and caught him with even more knife edge chops when he turned around. After Voltage was sent into the far corner with an irish whip, Fujiko rushed in to attack. Voltage dumped her over the top rope, but she landed safely and knocked him back with a rope-assisted gamengiri when he turned around. Fujiko then climbed the turnbuckles with hopes for a missile dropkick. Voltage ran over to try and shove her off to the floor. But Fujiko was too quick and jumped over him before landing in the ring. Voltage ran over and tried to catch Fujiko as she got back to her feet with a running lariat. But Fujiko countered into a Floatover DDT for a two count.

After Voltage rolled to the outside to catch a breather, Fujiko looked out to the entrance and spread her arms out wide. The gesture was a call to anyone to try and take her out before her rematch with Iser. The World Champion looked on with narrowed eyes as Fujiko hit the far ropes. The Apex Goddess geared up for a dive to the floor when she kicked her foot off the middle rope, twirled through the air and landed in her superhero pose. Voltage quickly rushed back in for an attack, only to get thrown down to the mat with a japanese arm drag. Fujiko returned to her feet with a kip up before hitting the ropes. She threw herself at Voltage off the rebound with a crossbody. But Voltage was able to catch her in mid air. The crowd gasped as Voltage tossed Fujiko in the air, caught her across his shoulders and hit a Samoan Drop for a two count.

Iser’s demeanor changed as Voltage brought the match into the corner. The FGA World Champion nodded as Fujiko slumped down in the corner after a flurry of right hands. Voltage pulled Fujiko back to her feet before catching her with a series of forearm strikes. After being placed in a headlock, Fujiko had her face raked across the top rope before being slammed face-first into the corner. Iser continued to nod with approval as Voltage turned Fujiko around and raked her across the eyes. Voltage went a step further as he climbed up to the middle ropes and began to gouge Fujiko’s eye! From the stage, Iser could be seen motioning with his hands, as if to tell Voltage to dig deeper! Iser’s enjoyment soon came to a stop as Fujiko wrestled control of Voltage’s wrist and pulled him down, trapping him in the corner as she escaped through his legs. The Apex Goddess then shook off the attack before knocking Voltage out of the corner with a Cheeky Nando’s kick for a two count.

As the match continued, Fujiko set up for an irish whip and sent Voltage into the corner. The former World Champion rushed in to followed up with an attack. Unfortunately for Fujiko, she got caught with a back elbow to the face. Fujiko stumbled away from the corner before dropping down to a knee. Voltage’s eyes lit up as he saw Fujiko in perfect position. Without wasting another second, Voltage charged out of the corner and flattened Fujiko with the Ace of Spades (Shining Wizard)! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Voltage brought Fujiko back down with a vertical suplex before making the cover. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Voltage then went for a brainbuster when Fujiko kneed him up on the way up. After Fujiko was lowered back down, Voltage continued to feel the effects of that knee as he stumbled into the far ropes. The Apex Goddess looked to take advantage by hitting the far ropes. When she returned, she motioned for a clothesline when Voltage ducked and threw her over the top rope with a back body drop! The crowd gasped as Fujiko landed hard back-first on the floor!!! Iser could be seen holding his back, as if he himself could feel the pain that Fujiko was in. The Apex Goddess laid splayed out in the floor. The official quickly went to the outside to check on the former champion. He wanted to know if Fujiko wanted the match called. The moment that Fujiko heard that, she immediately grabbed the official by the arm and shook her head ‘no’. If the match was going to end, it was going to be because Voltage put her down, not because the ref threw in the towel.

Voltage saw that Fujiko wasn’t quitting, so he went to the outside. A hard irish whip sent the Apex Goddess crashing into the steel steps! Voltage went over and kicked off the top half of the steps before pulling Fujiko to her feet. Voltage lifted her up across his shoulders before hitting a Samoan Drop across the steps! The boos continued as Voltage took Fujiko and chucked her into the guardrail with a Butterfly Suplex! Voltage then brought the match back inside and made the cover.

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

Voltage took Fujiko and tossed her out onto the apron. The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion then made his way out and grabbed the Apex Goddess. Voltage brought Fujiko back to her feet before planting her with a Cradle DDT on the hardest part of the ring! Fujiko was then dragged back to the center of the ring before the cover was made.

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

Both Iser and Voltage grew visibly frustrated. Voltage took control of Fujiko ‘s back after pulling her back to her feet. From there, Voltage delivered three rolling German Suplexes. The last of which left Fujiko folded up on the mat. He went for the cover.

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

Iser’s frustration grew as he ran his hand down his face. Back in the ring, Voltage took Fujiko and whipped her into the corner. Voltage charged in, connected with the clothesline and went to follow up with the running bulldog when Fujiko shoved him off, sending him crashing sternum-first into the corner. Voltage began to slowly stumble back as Fujiko made her way out to the apron. The Apex Goddess scaled to the top turnbuckle, jumped off and knocked Voltage down with a shotgun dropkick! Both grapplers remained motionless on the mat… until Fujiko returned to her feet with a kip up. Fujiko quickly favored her back as she dropped down to a knee. With the crowd solidly behind her, Fujiko slapped the canvas to psyche herself back up. She returned to her feet before sending Voltage off into the ropes. When he returned, Fujiko knocked him off his feet with the 4-Play 9running single leg dropkick). The Apex Goddess made her way back over to Voltage and caught him with Sealed With a Kick/SWAK - Ground arm pulled roundhouse kick. Before turning him over to his knees. Fujiko grabbed a hold of his other arm before blasting him across the face with Yount's 3000th Hit - Double wristlock knee to face! Fujiko looked ready to put Voltage away. Suddenly, there was a commotion behind her as two individual could be seen jumping the guardrail. Fujiko turned to defend herself… when she got tackled down by the returning Silk & Cyanide!

Iser breathed a sigh of relief as he looked to the heavens. The crowd erupted with boos as Erin Mariani and Sara Mason put the boots to their old foe. The bell repeatedly rang as Silk & Cyanide brought Fujiko down with the Canto V (Mariani goozles the opponent before Mason hits a spinning leg sweep, allowing Mariani to drive the opponent to the mat)! The boos continued as Silk & Cyanide dropped Fujiko with the The Infernal Council (combination rope-hung DDT from Mariani and diving splash to the opponent's back from Mason)! Iser continued to nod with approval until he felt a gust of wind breeze past him. Out from the back like a bat out of hell ran Evan Envi. iser quickly put two and two together… and started slapping the briefcase and holding up three fingers, as if to say Envi, Mason and Mariani could split it up three ways. But this wasn’t the Envi of old. The Chief was here to make the save! The crowd exploded with cheers when jumped to the apron, springboarded onto the top rope and tackled Mason down! Envi fired off a flurry of rights until Mariani gouged his eyes from behind. Mariani continued to put the boots to Envi until Fujiko returned to her feet and met her with forearm strikes. Fujiko and Envi ultimately cleared the ring of Silk & Cyanide. The camera cuts back to Iser, who pinched the bridge of his nose as his plan for the night failed. But he quickly regrouped. He mouthed to Fujiko that his bounty was still well and good until their match. The Apex Goddess didn't back down as she once again spread her arms out to invite anyone to bring it. Iser got the final word in by simply raising the World Title.

Winner: Fujiko Mine (18:45) by Disqualification