All-Star Showdown IX

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: Welcome, everyone, to the city that never sleeps! Welcome, everyone, to the Hammerstein Ballroom inside the Manhattan Center! Welcome, everyone, to ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN IX! Ladies and gentlemen, I'm Kris Cruise and joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! Stephy, it's still a shock to the system seeing All-Star Showdown being held during this time of year.

Stephy Auger: I know, right! All-Star Showdown is a summer spectacular. This is an event that we're used to seeing being held in June or July, not in the winter time! But 2020 screwed up a lot of things for a lot of people. But no matter the time of the year, All-Star Showdown is still one of the premier FGA events so you can expect nothing but the best from these grapplers here tonight.

Kris Cruise: That is an excellent point, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: I always make excellent points, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: We're not even a minute into this broadcast and you're already starting!

Stephy Auger: I'm simply correcting you. There's no need to be so sensitive, Kristopher.

Kris Cruise: ...are you ready to rundown this Pay Per View?

Stephy Auger: Of course!

Kris Cruise: Well, kicking things off tonight is a Second Chance Triple Threat Match. We're talking Zack Gall vs. Patrick Jones vs. Laura Perelli. The winner will receive a Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship match!

Stephy Auger: This is their second chance, like you just said. All three of these grapplers were apart of the Elimination Chase that Mighty Sparrow stole from Laura Perelli. Will Perelli get her rightful title match this time around? Can Patrick Jones get arguably the biggest win to date for him here in FGA? Or will Zack Gall finally turn it around while also getting some revenge on Perelli?

Kris Cruise: In our next bout, it's the rubber match between Cassius Reed and TJ Techniques. These two have one win a piece. Who will will this third and decisive match?

Stephy Auger: Will it be TJ Techniques, the cheap imitation, that slithers away with another one? Or will the genuine article, Cassius Reed, show that he is the real deal?

Kris Cruise: In our first championship match of the night, it's a triple threat affair as Ashley Marie Chase defends against Mark Bisley and Sloan Talbot.

Stephy Auger: Can AMC put this business with Mark Bisley to an end once and for all? Can Bisley reclaim the title that AMC and Ashley Sands conspired to steal from him? Or will we see Sloan Talbot become a two-time 15 Champion right here at All-Star Showdown IX?

Kris Cruise: In our second championship match of the night, Ace Voltage defends his Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship against Elimination Chase winner, Mighty Sparrow.

Stephy Auger: Will the Sparrow soar to new heights and claim his first championship in his young FGA career? Or will Ace Voltage prove once again why he is the greatest Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion of all-time?

Kris Cruise: After that, we've got another championship match. We saw this match last year at All-Star Showdown VIII. But the difference this time around is night and day. I'm talking about the World Tag Team Title match where Pendragon will defend their titles against the Super Mario Wrestling Bros.

Stephy Auger: This one has quickly turned personal between the two teams. In particular, Max Powers and the seemingly departing Neal Durden. Can the SMWB finally climb back up the mountain and once again win the World Tag Team Titles? Or will Pendragon prove once again why they are the best tag team on the planet?

Kris Cruise: After that, we've got a Grudge Match as Salem takes on Savannah Taylor.

Stephy Auger: Can The Phenomena finally get the title shot at the big gold by getting past Savannah Taylor? Or will the Las Vegas Siren prove that she is not the lady to mess with?

Kris Cruise: We've got another Grudge Match. This time, a Steel Cage. This rivalry between Izzy Anders and John Carmichael has been brewing for the better part of a year. Tonight, it all finally comes to ahead when they're locked inside a 15' high steel cage.

Stephy Auger: Two will enter. Only one will walk out. Will it be The Mindkiller or will it be The Former Johnny Karma?

Kris Cruise: In our next championship match, Tyler Storm will be defending his Pride Championship against Marlon Cure.

Stephy Auger: Will the King be crowned here tonight, or will Storm be able to pull out another huge win?

Kris Cruise: Next, the United States Championship will be on the line when Nina Stokes defends against Sadie San Francisco.

Stephy Auger: We both know how I feel about Selfish San Francisco. Nina Stokes tapped her out to win the US Title and she'll do it again tonight. Better yet, she's gonna rip Sadie's arm off and beat her over the head with it. She stole the title from Nina in the first place and she got exactly what she deserved a few weeks back. The Kodiak finishes her off tonight. That's a guarantee, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: After that, we'll see the International Championship on the line as Cordy Stevenson defends against the 2020 Gold Rush Rumble winner, Lowri Moss.

Stephy Auger: Lowri Moss had her choice between Cordy and Seth Iser. She chose Cordy. Will that decision turn out to be the right one? Will Lowri Moss make history here tonight? Or will Cordy Stevenson deny yet another challenger to her throne.

Kris Cruise: Then, in our main event, new World Champion Seth Iser defends against the former record-setting champion, Fujiko Mine. This is for all the marbles, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: It's all come to this match tonight. Fujiko dominated like we've never seen before. For over 400 days, she remained at the top of FGA. But it was Seth Iser that was able to do what so many couldn't. He was able to defeat the Apex Goddess in the center of the ring. He could cap off this amazing run with yet another win over the Hall of Fame-bound Fujiko. Or, Fujiko could make Iser a one-and-done champion. The stakes couldn't be any higher.

Kris Cruise: Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a stacked night of action here on Pay Per View. But before we send it down to the ring for our opening contest, let's send it to the backstage area where one of tonight's competitors is already standing by.

[FGA Office]

We then head ourselves to the backstage area and the place is decorated simply enough...a banner for the All Star Showdown is there as is a singular stool as this isn’t an interview. Rather, it seems that the World Champion has taken this place to be where he’s speaking. And even though it’s the beginning of the show, the man has changed into his wrestling attire for the evening. He’s adorned in a simple black and red variation of his ring attire with his hands taped a little more than usual, his boot seemingly a wee bit larger than normal on his right foot and the familiar shine of that knee brace.

Seth Iser: Omnia causa fiunt, Fujiko.

He begins with that verse in Latin with the tone that he’s obviously warning her about something. The gleam of the World title shines around his waist as does the glare of that black briefcase behind him that’s barely in focus. Like before, there is this calm air to him even as his head is still bandaged.

Seth Iser: I heard what you said...crystal clear. Wasn’t the message you probably wanted to send because I study little nuances...but your pride betrayed you in that brief little moment. One of the things that’s got me in position to do what I did to you...is a simple little detail of how the human mind operates. It isn’t just the little surface level things that people are greedy for trinkets, accomplishments...or money. No...as I stated last time when I was the challenger...we’re nothing but a never ending list of desires, wants, and contradictions.

There’s a faint smile on his face thinking about the human mind as he continues on for a moment and he brushes his greying hair back.

Seth Iser: But you felt great disappointment in your pride when you felt like you just...in your own words...fed my own ego. Though the irony of it all...your pride and ego both...betrayed you in that moment. You might be replaying how that match went over and over again in your mind...but you didn’t learn the lesson meant from that match. If you did you could’ve approached it with a little more humility but alas...other than the championship now being around my waist...I feel similar to our last encounter.

And the veteran just shakes his head as he just leans forward on that stool ever so slightly. The gleam of the championship shining ever so brightly even as there is the darkness on his eyes.

Seth Iser: I’ve never been one to talk to just hear the sound of my own voice. There is always a reason why I say something, challenger. But as you’re looking front, back, center...and everywhere in between...I need you to understand something. If you think I’m just going to roll over and let you have this...or that I’ll quit on adversity...you’re sadly mistaken.

As peaceful as he seemed moments ago, a frown just is etched on his face. His face is growing darker.

Seth Iser: I can’t...and won’t let that happen. Because even though it isn’t blinding me here...my ego and pride are powerful things themselves. They can enshrine you here...and fine, well deserved. No sour grapes on that...but for nineteen years I’ve finally reached this point as a professional. And I finally feel like I’m ready to perform the ultimate duty and that’s be the world champion.

That sneer is etched on Seth’s face as he stands up, not limping or being ginger on that foot for the moment. He isn’t ripping off his bandage from his forehead at least.

Seth Iser: And right now...you’re going to be the person I set the tone against. On top of wondering if tonight is the night someone cashes in on the bounty I set...you literally have to wrestle the perfect match against the perfect mental wrestler. You have aerial artistry. You have offense with your legs...but this might be the ugliest match of your career. A gory, horrific, but beautiful picture. The kind of thing that I forbid my daughter to watch!

The tone of his voice is getting a little louder after that proclamation.

Seth Iser: Grit, grind, and brains. The pride of West by god Virginia. The people might not like how I do it...but I damn sure get the job done! It’s the style of wrestling I do better than anybody else in the world. I came into your world and took the championship, Fujiko. But...can you beat me in my game? I’m wagering the gold and saying that you can’t. If you overcome the bounty...you pin my shoulders to the mat for three or make me submit...then fair play. You did it. You’re a two time World Champion…

And then there’s that smile...born from his confidence bordering on arrogance.

Seth Iser: There’s just some things the best in certain fields can’t do...and that’s not a knock. Few people can. I just know right now I match up against you better than anybody in the company. Even over Izzy. But I’ve said this for a while now...and I’ll say it until I retire...beware the old man who wins at a young man’s game. We know far more than we’ve even shown…

The smile recedes slightly into that knowing smirk as he taps the gold around his waist and grabs the briefcase and his ring jacket behind it. He’s even starting to put on the ring jacket before he concludes.

Seth Iser: If you didn’t learn it last time...I’ll teach it a different way tonight. Just don’t let your pride overload your brain this time when the inevitable occurs.

After that last statement the veteran turns his back to the camera after putting on said black ring jacket. It simply has 16:18 in simple red font on the back before he then walks off from the view.

[FGA Office]

SECOND CHANCE TRIPLE THREAT
Zack Gall vs. Patrick Jones vs. Laura Perelli

The arena goes dark for just a moment, as the opening riffs to Voodoo Johnson's "United Divided" play through the PA, before the white lights are replaced by swirling blue and yellow replacements. A few seconds pass, though, and it’s only when the drum beat kicks in that the curtain is pushed aside, and Laura Perelli comes spinning through, immediately spreading her arms out wide, a sly little smile on her face as she glances out into the arena. She holds her spot in the center of the stage, rolling her neck out to either side, only making her way down the ramp when she’s good and ready.

Laura’s not exactly in a particular hurry, as she more saunters down the ring, occasionally glancing to either side of her to take in the fans at the aisleway. It’s never for more than a moment or two, though, as the most regard Laura’s willing to give is a little tilt of the head to one fan in particular trying to get her attention--whatever he may have been saying, it didn’t do much to faze her, and she just continues to move on. At her own pace, she eventually reaches the ring steps, pausing with one boot on the bottom step, closing her eyes for just a second before quickly jogging up onto the apron, casually wiping the soles of her boots off before spinning around to face the crowd--if only to smirk a little bit.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Triple Threat Match and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from Trenton, New Jersey, weighing in at 127 pounds, this is LAURAAAAA PERRELLIIIIIIIII!

Laura swings herself through the ropes, spinning in a half circle to face the opposite side fans and stretching both arms out, holding the pose for more than a couple seconds before eventually backing herself into her corner, shrugging her jacket off and dumping it out of the ring. Grabbing the top rope with one hand, she leans down, stretching her opposite leg out in preparation for the match.

Kris Cruise: Laura Perelli made it all the way to the final stretch before losing to Mighty Sparrow in the Elimination Chase.

Stephy Auger: You mean she had that match stolen from her by Sparrow. It should be Laura Perelli wrestling for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship here tonight, not Sparrow. But it’s okay, Cruise. She had the chance to right that wrong here tonight in this Second Chance Triple Threat.

"I Won't Back Down" by Burn Halo fills the arena. At the first drum beats, a spotlight flickers on the entrance way with Jones coming out as the bass starts in a surge of energy. He spins a full circle with his arms stretched out to revel in the crowd's energy. The spin completes at the top of the ramp where Jones drops to a knee with a big, over-handed fist pump.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Louisville, Kentucky! Weighing in at 235 pounds… PATRICK JONES!

PJ takes a moment to enjoy the cheers around him and collect his thoughts before hopping to his feet. He jogs down the ramp, talking to and high-fiving fans, trying to get them as pumped up and ready to go as he is. Jones goes straight from the ramp and jumps onto the ring apron before ducking through the second and third rope, giving another, slower spin just to drink in the environment.

Kris Cruise: Patrick Jones is still looking for that one big win here in FGA. He’s gotten his fair share of victories. But he’s yet to get that defining one that takes him to the next level. A win here could give him just that, as well as putting him directly in line for a Mid-Atlantic Legacy title shot!

Stephy Auger: Patty over there has more experience than his two opponents combined. He should be used to wrestling in high pressure situations like this. He has the tools to get the job done. But can he put it all together when it matters most?

As the first sounds of Hey man, nice shot! by Filter begin blasting through the P.A System; the arena goes dark and a single spotlight appears in the middle of the stage. After a couple of seconds, the imposing and mysterious figure of Dante Difranco appears on the spotlight followed by his client, Zack “The Dragon” Gall.

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Dante Difranco! Weighing in at 190 pounds! He is ZACK “THE DRAGON” GALL!

Gall shakes a bit, moving his arms and hands while shaking his head from side to side as the light slowly comes back on. Gall and Difranco look around and the Italian signals his client to move towards the ring. As the two march down, Gall takes some seconds to inspect the surroundings. Once they get near the apron, Gall slides under the bottom rope and once he’s in the middle of the ring he gets to his knees, extending his arms and hitting the mat a couple of times before getting on his feet and rushing towards the ropes making a throat cut sign.

Kris Cruise: This has been a rough couple of months for Zack Gall. But he could turn it all around with a big win here tonight.

Stephy Auger: You just know that Zack and Dante Difranco would love for nothing more than to stick it to Perelli by winning this Second Chance Triple Threat.

Perelli immediately drops and rolls to the floor as soon as the bell sounds. Gall darts across the ring and motions for a dive to the outside. Perelli quickly spins out of the way and gives her trademark ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ shrug. But instead of crashing to the floor, Gall swings back inside at the last second with a tiger feint. When Perelli turns around, Gall knocks her down with a topé con hilo!

Kris Cruise: Perelli got too cocky there and Gall made her pay with that dive.

Stephy Auger: Can you blame her? Gall isn’t exactly known for his smarts. If I were her, I would have expected him to take the bait and crash to the outside, too.

The cheers continue as Gall mounts on top of Perelli and rains down right hands to the face. Perelli tries to cover up, but some of Gall’s punches break through. Gall continues to fire off punches until Jones grabs him from behind and pulls him back to his feet. The Dragon is quick to smack Jones’ hands off of him and shove him down to the floor! He marches back over to Perelli and continues with the mounted punches.

Kris Cruise: Gall isn’t interested in engaging with Jones. He wants Perelli!

Jones scrambles back to his feet before marching back over to Gall. He pulls Gall off of Perelli before rolling him back inside. Jones then climbs up to the apron before getting caught with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Gall then pulls Jones halfway through the ropes before hitting the side of the ring. The Dragon comes back off the ropes and goes for a running knee drop across the back of the head. Jones slips out at the last second, causing Gall to hit his knee on the mat!

Kris Cruise: Gall landed hard on the mat after that missed jumping knee drop!

Stephy Auger: That’ll slow him down.

Gall picks himself back up and gets caught with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Jones then goes for a suplex to the outside, only for Gall to slip down from behind. Before Gall can take advantage, Perelli places him in a hammerlock before she turns and tosses him shoulder-first into the guardrail!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that crash, Stephy?

Stephy Auger: Yes and I would love to hear it again. Throw up the replay, boys.

The boos continue as Perelli takes Gall’s right arm and swings it hard against the guardrail! Perelli turns to get back into the ring when Jones runs off the apron and knocks her down with a flying crossbody!

Kris Cruise: Perelli gets taken out with another dive! This time, from Patrick Jones! Perelli and Gall took their eyes off Jones and he’d made them pay.

Jones takes Perelli and rolls her back inside. He climbs back up to the apron, heads over towards the ring post and starts climbing the turnbuckles. Jones reaches the top before jumping off and knocking Perelli down with another flying crossbody!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Jones hits with another crossbody, but he only gets a count of two. Once again, the winners of this match will face the winner of Ace Voltage and Mighty Sparrow for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship.

Jones sets up for an irish whip when Perelli spins and brings him crashing shoulder-first to the mat with an arm wringer. The boos continue as Perelli positions Jones on the mat before delivering a stomp to his keylocked arm.

Stephy Auger: Ooh, I bet that hurt!

Kris Cruise: It didn’t take long for Perelli to target Jones’ arm.

Perelli pulls Jones back to his feet and takes control of his back before trying for a hammerlock belly to back suplex. But she can’t lift him up. Perelli goes for another suplex attempt when Jones counters with elbows to the back of the head. As soon as Perelli lets go, Jones takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he slows down when he sees Perelli running past him into the same set of ropes. Jones turns around and gets brought down with a running STO! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Jones gets his good arm up.

Perelli quickly steps over Jones and applies an armbar to his good arm.

Kris Cruise: Perelli’s now targeting the opposite arm.

Stephy Auger: Sounds like a good strategy to me. Jones can’t block anything if he’s got two bad arms.

The ref gets down and asks Jones if he wants to give up. Jones refuses before battling back to his feet. He goes to bring Perelli down with a scoop slam, but Perelli hangs onto his arm and brings him down into another armbar. After refusing more opportunities to quit, Jones battles back to his feet. He then uses his free arm to move Perelli into the near ropes before shoving her off into the far ropes. Perelli comes off the rebound and executes the Italian Arm Trick (Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissor Armbar)! The boos continue as Perelli pulls back on the arm. Jones gets asked if he wants to give up. He groans before shaking his head ‘no.’ The crowd gasps when Jones drops down to a knee. Perelli keeps the hold applied while Jones kneels in agony.

Kris Cruise: Perelli’s done a good job at working that arm over. How much more of this can Jones take?

Stephy Auger: He’s about to quit. I can feel it.

Perelli continues to fight for the submission until she gets blindsided with the Death By Knee (V-Trigger)!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, what a knee!

Stephy Auger: What a cheap shot, you mean!

Gall takes Perelli, runs into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. The Dragon turns Perelli around and unleashes a series of shoot kicks. The cheers continue as Gall continues to unload on Perelli with this flurry of kicks. Perelli continues to get caught with kicks until she slumps down in the corner. Gall then runs across the ring, bounces out of the corner, charges back across the ring and nails Perelli in the face with the Death By Knee! The Dragon darts across the ring, ricochets off the turnbuckles, rushes back over and bashes Perelli with a second Death By Knee to the face! He looks out to Dante Difranco, who is holding up his index finger. Gall nods before running back across the ring. He bounces out of the corner and picks up speed before blasting Perelli with a third Death By Knee! Gall drags Perelli away for the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Perelli gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How did Perelli survive that?

Stephy Auger: I have no idea, but I’m glad that she did. Let’s go, Laura!

Gall picks up Perelli and pulls her into a front facelock before planting her with a Snap DDT! He then swings over into a back mount position. After pulling Perelli back to her feet from behind, Gall throws her down with a Half Nelson Suplex! Perelli is pulled back to her feet before being whipped hard into the corner. Perelli staggers out of the corner until Gall chucks her across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Gall sets up in the corner and crouches down before waving Perelli up. Difranco can be seen slapping the canvas repeatedly as he salivates over Perelli getting her head knocked off. The crowd continues to buzz with anticipation as Perelli stirs on the mat. She slowly turns over to a knee before finally getting back to her feet. Perelli is still dazed as she slowly turns around. Gall rushes over for another strike when Jones comes out of nowhere and snaps his head back with Zoned Out (superkick)!

Kris Cruise: Jones nearly took his head off!

Stephy Auger: Gall’s gotta be out cold after that!

The cheers continue as Gall drops to the mat. Jones then slowly falls back and lands back-first across Gall. Jones remains in place for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

Perelli runs over and executes a running jackknife pin!

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Jones kicks out.

Perelli pulls Jones up and struggles to lift him up across her shoulders. She has Jones set up for the Head Shot (Ushi Goroshi) when Jones counters with elbows to the side of the head. Jones slips down from behind before bringing Perelli down with a belly to back suplex. The cheers continue as Jones heads out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Perelli and Gall are both down! Jones has made his way to the top! Who’s he going to tagte here?

Stephy Auger: Hit Gall. Hit Gall!

Jones looks back and forth between both grapplers. The crowd gasps, then cheers when he leaps off… and crashes down across Perelli with a diving elbow drop!

Kris Cruise: Perelli caught a diving elbow right to the heart!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Jones sets up shop in the corner. He starts to wave Perelli up as La Principessa stirs on the canvas. Jones’ waves get faster and faster the closer Perelli gets back to a vertical base. Once she’s finally back to her feet, she turns around and gets caught with Zoned Out! NO! The crowd gasps when Perelli catches his foot! She then swings Jones’ leg away from her before following up with the Code of Silence (Saka Otoshi into Sleeper Hold)! The crowd boos when they see Jones get placed into the submission. Jones tries to pull Perelli’s arm from around his neck, but it’s to no avail. The ref gets down and asks Jones if he wants to give up. Jones refuses, so Perelli pulls back on the hold. Perelli continues to fight for the submission until Gall breaks up the pin with a running punt kick to the back of the head!

Kris Cruise: Gall with the save! I don’t think Jones was going to submit. But he was in danger of being choked out.

The cheers continue as Gall lifts Perelli up before planting her with a Cradle Piledriver! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Perelli gets her shoulder up.

Gall scoops up Perelli before throwing her down with a Michinoku Driver II!

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Perelli gets her shoulder up.

Gall pulls up Perelli and hooks both arms from behind before bringing her down with a Dragon Suplex!

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Jones dives over and brakes up the pin.

Gall reverses an irish whip, sending Jones into the ropes. When Jones returns, he ducks a running lariat before hitting the far ropes. As both grapplers return towards the center of the ring, the crowd cheers when Jones lunges forward and knocks Gall off his feet with a flying forearm! Gall gets back to his feet before being knocked back down with another flying forearm! Jones then throws Gall down with a scoop slam before returning to the apron. The crowd cheers when Jones scales to the top, jumps off and knocks him down with a flying crossbody! NO! Gall counters with the Death by Knee in mid air to the midsection!

Kris Cruise: Jones got caught right in the gut with that bicycle knee!

Stephy Auger: That’ll stop him right in his tracks.

Gall looks between Jones and Perelli before taking Jones and tossing him through the ropes.

Kris Cruise: Gall once again zeroes in on Laura Perelli!

Stephy Auger: He should’ve gone after Jones!

Gall marches over and pulls Perelli back to her feet before planting her with another Snap DDT! The cheers continue as he slowly pulls Perelli back to her feet before taking control of her back. Gall then swings for the fences and nails Perelli with the Jaw Buster (ripcord rolling elbow)! NO! Perelli ducks and counters with a forearm smash. Another forearm smash finds its mark before she knocks Gall’s head back with a European Uppercut. Gall is then caught with a knife edge chop before being sent into the ropes. When Gall returns, he throws out a running lariat! Perelli captures his arm, spins and tries to muscle him down into a Fujiwara Armbar! Gall drops down to his knee and places his free hand down on the mat. Gall escapes by rolling forward onto his back, but Perelli is able to quickly counter into a Jugi Gatame armbar! Gall is equally quick to keep his hands locked. Perelli tries to break his grip, but Gall’s got his hands locked together tight. After turning over onto his knee, Gall groans as he slowly lifts Perelli off the mat. The crowd cheers when he slams her down, breaking the submission. Gall then stumbles away from the center of the ring before collapsing against the turnbuckles. He massages his arm as he waits for Perelli to get into position. As soon as Perelli is back to a vertical base, he charges out of the corner and throws out another Death by Knee! Perelli escapes by rolling underneath it! Perelli scrambles back to her feet, rushes back over and gets caught by Gall! He’s got Perelli set up for an Exploder Suplex until she fights her way out of it with elbows. After a knee to the midsection doubles him over, Perelli hooks both arms before bringing him down with Gone Bust (Floatover Butterfly Suplex)!

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Gall gets his shoulder up.

Perelli pulls Gall back to his feet and takes control of his back before bringing him down with Dead Money (Bridging Leg-Hook Belly to Back Suplex)!

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Gall gets his shoulder up in time.

Perelli take Gall, lifts him up and brings him down with the Royal Flush (Swinging Fisherman’s Suplex)!

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

The crowd boos as “United Divided” hits the speakers.

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

The boos continue as Perelli gets her arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Laura Perelli puts down Zack Gall with the Royal Flush! She wins this Second Chance Triple Threat and has now earned a shot at the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship!

Stephy Auger: It’s been a while since Perelli has gotten a championship match here in FGA. This is long overdue. After enduring the Elimination Chase and winning the Second Chance Triple Threat, Perelli isn’t about to let this opportunity slip through her fingers. Perelli is coming to collect on the next Vertigo.

[FGA Office]

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

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and Gentlemen...Please welcome at this time the FGA 15 Champion Ashley Marie Chase!!!!

AMC walks into frame and looks down at the chair in the room before finally taking a seat, placing her FGA 15 Championship over her shoulder.

Jessie Pederson: Before we get to your match tonight Ashley, I wanted to ask about Antoinette Sands. Last week we saw what happened to her and the reports are that she may be out for quite a while. So is there anything else you can tell us about her condition and future in FGA?

AMC grits her teeth but seemingly calms herself before answering.

AMC: Ant still has not fully recovered her eyesight. Is it better than last week? Yes it is, but it is not where it once was and all we can do now is wait and hope that she fully recovers her vision. Until then, her time in FGA is obviously on hold all because two jealous bitch err I mean two jealous women decided to try and make a name at her expense. But I assure you they will get what is coming to them and Sully has promised me she will handle things in due time.

AMC takes a deep breath and tries to smile.

Jessie Pederson: I must say you are much calmer than how we saw you on Afterburn, Ashley.

AMC: Well if Ant was here today she would say she didn’t want me to be so agitated with a title match coming up. Ok actually, she would probably say something about Aliens and talk my ear off for an hour about how Trump is an Alien and so is the republican party and this election mess going on is an alien conspiracy to take over the USA and then the world but I think she also would want me to stay calm for my match thus I am staying calm.

Jessie tries not to laugh but she can’t help letting out a giggle before she continues on.

Jessie Pederson: Moving on to tonight, where you defend your FGA 15 Championship against Mark Bisley and Sloan Talbot. Now last week we saw both you and Mark run down to stop a Sloan beatdown and you two seemed to be working together. Have the two of you made some kind of pact to work together to eliminate Sloan form the equation?

For the first time AMC’s expression changes and she breaks out into laughter before she composes herself.

AMC: Now that is funny Jessie. Me and Markie Mark as a team? Let me explain how this works. Do I need Markie’s help? NO! Do I want Markie’s help? HELL NO! However, if Markie wants to interject himself and eliminate Sloan from the equation in this three way match so that we can finally end this thing between us, then so be it. I have no problem dealing with Sloan on my own at a different time and place if it means I get to kick Markie Mark’s ass one more time thus putting an end to the debate of whether he can beat me when we all know the answer is no. I beat him for this title and I had him beat in the rematch until Sloan showed up so tonight, I have no problem finishing things and then if Sloan wants this belt then he can try and take it from me. But if you thought I was tough before, just try me now that I am pissed off! Last week Seth Iser felt my wrath so much that he had to resort to tight pulling to beat little ole me so Markie and Sloan, be warned that I am here for a fight and I will happily make you two bleed and cry like bitches or should I say, cry like a Sadie San Francisco after losing to Nina.

AMC smirks at the camera.

Jessie Pederson: Well there you have it folks and I can’t wait to see what happens in that three way match tonight. Thank you for your time tonight Ashley.

[FGA Office]

Cassius Reed vs. TJ Techniques

♫ Step into a world (Klaka klaka, klaka klaka!)
Where there's no one left (Buku, buku! Alla de massive!)
But the very best (Klaka, bo bo, BDP crew, bo bo bo bo!)
No MC can test [*cut and scratch of KRS saying "but one"*] ♫

The beat kicks in as "Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight)" starts to knock through the speakers. Out through the curtain steps TJ Techniques, clad in his ring attire and hooded vest. TJ peeks out underneath the hood as he looks out to the right. He does the same to his left before flinging the hood back, smacking his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. TJ nods his head as he makes his way down the ramp with purpose.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 188 pounds… TJ TECHNIQUES!

TJ leaps to the apron before stepping into the squared circle. He makes a beeline towards the far corner and hops up to the middle ropes. TJ scans the crowd before slapping his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his fingers. He hops down from the corner, walks across the ring and hops to the middle ropes and scans the corner. TJ slaps his chest twice before pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. He then hops down and takes off the hooded vest before tossing it to the outside. TJ tugs away at the top rope as he readies himself for his opponent.

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques is ready to settle the score with Cassius Reed. These two have a win each against each other. Tonight is the tiebreaker.

Stephy Auger: Hip Hop Harry over here got lucky in his debut against Cassius Reed. But The Funky Dragon sure showed him in their second match and he’ll win again tonight!

It’s not my fault your girlfriend likes me,
I do her hard like fucking warp speed,
Your Dad’s mad, it’s not my fucking fault,
That your Mom wants to fucking fuck me!

As the intro to “You Suck” by Pour Habit blasts throughout the arena, out from the back bursts Cassius Reed! Slowly rotating in his gold lined black ring robe Cassius soaks in the atmosphere for just a moment. Spinning to face the ring, he shadow boxes at the top of the ramp a short time more, before posing, spreading his arms wide, and sprinting down to the ring at full pace!

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, fighting out of Funkytown, USA and tipping the scales tonight at 205lbs… CASSIUS! REED!

Sliding in under the bottom rope, he quickly rolls onto his back before kipping up! Giving a quick smirk and raised eyebrow to the referee, he turns and leaps to the top of the nearest turnbuckle, before whipping off his ring robe with a flourish. He poses just a moment at the top of the turnbuckle, smug grin on his face, robe hanging from his hand, before dropping back to the mat, consigning his entrance gear to the outside whilst he finishes warming up for the match with more shadow boxing.

Kris Cruise: Cassius Reed hasn’t been shy on his feelings about TJ Techniques. He’s gone so far as to call TJ an imposter. I don’t agree with that at all. But Cassius has his chance to show that he’s better than him here tonight.

Stephy Auger: And he will! TJ has the nerve to call himself The Funky Technician. Well there’s only one man with the funk in FGA and it damn sure isn’t TJ Techniques! It’s Cassius Reed, the Funky Dragon! The Iron King! A soon-to-be-champion! This match here is just a pit stop on his way to the gold.

The match starts off with a collar-and-elbow tie up. The Funky Dragon is able to over power Techniques and muscles him across the ring and into the corner. As Techniques is pressed up against the turnbuckles, the ref heads over and gives them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Just before the count reaches five, both grapplers make a clean break. Techniques keeps his arms in the air until Reed motions for a punch, which causes him to flinch. Reed points at TJ and smirks before stepping away from the corner. Techniques slowly lowers his arms and nods before heading out of the corner. He starts to circle the ring before heading back over to Reed. Another collar-and-elbow follows. After jockeying for position, The Funky Dragon once again muscles his opponent across the ring. This time, he presses Techniques up against the ropes.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

As soon as both grapplers make a clean break, the crowd boos when Reed pushes Techniques.

Stephy Auger: This match just started and Techniques is already getting punked out.

Kris Cruise: He is not.

Reed steps back towards the center of the ring and motions for Techniques to bring it. Techniques looks off to the side. He narrows his eyes before charging at Reed! The crowd cheers over anticipation from a strike from Techniques, but those cheers turn to boos when Reed throws him down with an arm drag. A second arm drag returns Techniques to the mat. Techniques gets back to his feet and quickly gets caught in a side headlock. Techniques groans as Reed wrenches down on the hold. The ref asks Techniques if he wants to give up. TJ refuses. He takes Reed, moves him into the near ropes and goes to shove him off when Reed drops down to a knee while keeping the side headlock applied. Techniques fights back to a vertical base, takes Reed and goes for a belly to back suplex. Reed counters by rolling over his shoulder, landing on his feet, spinning Techniques towards him and throwing him down with a side headlock takeover. The ref gets down and asks Techniques if he wants to give up. Again, TJ refuses. The Funky Technician battles back to a vertical base, only to be muscled down to the mat with another side headlock takeover. TJ is eventually able to reverse into a grounded scissors. But he doesn’t remain in control for long as Reed escapes with a kip up. The Funky Dragon takes off into the ropes as Techniques gets back to his feet. The crowd boos when Reed comes back and knocks him down with a running shoulder block. Reed smirks as he takes off into another set of ropes. Techniques gets back to his feet, only to get knocked back down with another running shoulder block. Reed then brushes his shoulder off before running into another set of ropes. When Reed returns, Techniques turns over into the prone position. Instead of Reed hopping over him to run the ropes, Reed quickly delivers a left elbow drop across the back before applying a grounded headscissors. Techniques slowly fights his way back to a vertical base before finally shoving Reed off into the ropes. TJ goes for a leapfrog when Reed catches him in mid air, counters with an inverted atomic drop and follows up with a DDT! The crowd boos when Reed returns to his feet with a kip up before doing the Ali Shuffle.

Kris Cruise: Reed is awfully full of himself now.

Stephy Auger: Why shouldn’t he feel good about himself? He’s been dominating since the opening bell.

Reed takes Techniques, heads into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. The Funky Dragon turns him around before delivering rights and lefts to the body. After an irish whip sends Techniques into the far corner, Reed runs across the ring and connects with a clothesline. He then sends Techniques back into the previous corner before running across the ring. Reed goes for a jumping Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow) and misses when TJ slips out of the way. The crowd cheers as Reed stumbles away from the corner. He then turns around and gets caught with an arm drag. A second arm drag brings Reed back to the mat. Reed is then whipped into the ropes before being thrown down with a japanese arm drag. A second japanese arm drag brings Reed back down. Techniques then executes an arm wrench before running across the ring, running up to the top rope and bringing Reed down with a springboard arm drag. Techniques takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he brings Reed down with a wheelbarrow arm drag. Reed picks himself up off the mat before Techniques rushes over and executes a running hurricanrana, sending him through the ropes and to the apron. The Funky Technician gets the crowd behind him as he waves his arms up and down. Reed starts to pull himself up as Techniques rushes into the corner. He springboards to the middle ropes and motions for a Triangle Shoulder Block. Reed ducks the move, but Techniques doesn't go flying over the top rope like he did in their last match. He remains on his feet on the middle ropes. The moment that Reed stands up tall, Techniques jumps off and connects with a dropkick, knocking Reed off the apron!

Kris Cruise: TJ sends Cassius to the floor! These two are quickly becoming well-acquainted with each other. We’ve seen them reverse and counter each others signature sequences over the past couple of matches.

Stephy Auger: I would disagree. TJ Techniques has thrown everything at Cassius Reed while Cassius hasn’t even shown him half of his arsenal.

The cheers continue as Techniques hits the far ropes, comes back across the ring and knocks Reed down with a diving topé con hilo!

Kris Cruise: What a dive by TJ Techniques! The Funky Technician just took out The Funky Dragon.

Stephy Auger: For now, Cruise! For now! This is still early. Don’t count Cassius Reed out just yet.

Kris Cruise: I wouldn’t dare.

Techniques takes Reed and rolls him back inside. He hops onto the apron before bringing himself back inside with a topé atomico before making the cover.

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

Reed gets moved into the corner before Techniques gives him three knife edge chops. He then sets up for an irish whip when Reed reverses and follows him across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Techniques executes a Tiger Wall Flip and lands behind Reed. The moment Reed turns around, Techniques knocks him down with a Koppu Kick! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Techniques takes Reed and sets up for another irish whip when he gets reversed again. As TJ approaches the far side of the ring, he executes a Tiger Feint through the ropes. Reed runs over to attack when he gets dumped over the top rope. The Funky Dragon lands safely on the apron before Techniques catches him with a Shotei. He’s then doubled over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before getting the upper half of his body is pulled through the ropes. TJ then hits the ropes, comes back and throws out a Scissors Kick. But he whiffs when Reed slips out of the way. The crowd boos when Reed quickly grabs Techniques from behind and delivers a reverse hangman across the top rope! As Techniques staggers towards the center of the ring, Reed climbs back up to the apron before climbing up the turnbuckles. The Funky Dragon reaches the top, leaps off and knocks him down from behind with a flying Spanish Archer! The boos continue as he pulls TJ over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: TJ got caught with that diving overhead elbow. But he kicks out at two.

Stephy Auger: He’s lucky that didn’t split his head open.

Reed takes Techniques and brings him down with a neckbreaker before delivering a leg drop. The Funky Dragon returns to his feet before delivering a handstand leg drop. The boos continue as he hits the ropes before delivering a running leg drop. He makes the cover.

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

Reed delivers a snap suplex before dragging Techniques over towards the ropes. The Funky Dragon hops to the apron through the ropes and follows up with a slingshot left elbow drop. He makes the cover.

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

Reed makes another cover.

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

Reed with another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.

Frustrated, Reed swings over and mounts himself on top of Techniques before raining down rights and lefts!

Kris Cruise: Cassius Reed is nailing TJ Techniques with those piston-like right hands!

Stephy Auger: He’s bounding TJ into the ground, Cruise!

The boos continue as Reed pulls Techniques up, throws him into the corner and goes to work with more rights and lefts to the body. Reed follows up with a series of snapping jabs before socking Techniques with a right hook. He then feints a right hook before socking Techniques with a left hook. TJ is caught with a straight right before being socked with another left hook. The Funky Dragon changes targets and fires off four right hooks to the body before an uppercut snaps TJ’s head back and drops him to a seated position in the corner. Reed steps back towards the center of the ring before charging forward. As he launches himself at Techniques, Techniques flinches and covers up. Reed then lands in a handstand before launching back away from him and landing on his feet. The Funky Dragon chastising him for flinching as he lands. Techniques starts to pull himself up in the corner until Reed runs in and catches him with a European Uppercut. Reed sets up for an irish whip when Techniques reverses, sending him into the far corner. Techniques shakes off the strikes from earlier before rushing back in. But that little bit of a break gives Reed enough time to recover and catch him with a back left elbow to the face. With his opponent dazed, the crowd boos when Reed brings him down with Pussy on the Chainwax (corner springboard handstand sunset flip)!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Cassius Reed.

Stephy Auger: The Funky Dragon has been doing a number on TJ over the last several minutes. He is firmly in control now.

Reed picks up Techniques and goes for a belly to back suplex when TJ rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet, grabs him from behind and tosses him through the ropes. Techniques goes to catch Reed with a shoulder thrust through the ropes when Reed sidesteps and catches him with a knee lift. He then drags Techniques out through the ropes and sets up for a DDT on the apron. Before Reed can deliver the move, Techniques brings him down with a standing double leg takedown before sending him flying into the ring post with a catapult!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

The ref goes down and checks on Reed. The Funky Dragon is seen shaking out the cobwebs before checking his nose and mouth to see if he’s bleeding. Once he sees that he hasn’t been busted open, he starts to slowly turn over on all fours. Reed then tries to get back to his feet. Reed finally gets back to a vertical base and turns around when Techniques leaps through the ropes and plants him with a Torpedo DDT! The cheers continue as Reed gets rolled back inside before Techniques makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Only two! I thought that diving DDT was going to be it, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: It was going to take more than that to keep Cassius down!

Techniques takes Reed and delivers an irish whip before running across the ring and catching him with a step-up high knee! He then sends Reed into the opposite corner with an irish whip before rushing in and following up with a spinning heel kick! Techniques rolls over the top rope and out to the apron as Reed staggers out of the corner. When Reed turns around, Techniques springboards to the top turnbuckle before knocking him down with a diving Tornillo! He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays off, but he doesn’t get the three count.

Stephy Auger: He’s starting to get frustrated, Cruise. He thought he had this match in the bag. But he’s starting to realize just how much harder he has to work to beat Cassius again.

Techniques picks up Reed and pulls him into a front facelock. The crowd cheers as he moonwalks across the ring. He’s about to plant Reed to complete the Moonwalk DDT when Reed runs forward and rams him back-first into the corner! Reed follows up with multiple shoulder thrusts before pulling him away from the corner and bringing him down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed floats over, pulls Techniques back up and brings him down with another bridging Northern Lights Suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed floats over, steps over Techniques and squashes him with Funky Knee, Funky Do (Kneecolepsy)! He makes the cover.

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

Reed pulls Techniques back to his feet, lifts him up from the side and brings him down with a belly to back suplex. TJ continues to lay on the mat while Reed heads out to the apron. The Funky Dragon scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off with a diving somersault leg drop and misses when Techniques rolls out of the way! The crowd cheers when Reed catches nothing but canvas!

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home! TJ was able to roll out of the way to safety.

Stephy Auger: Come on, Cassius, get up! Get up!

Both grapplers slowly make their way back to their feet. Techniques catches Reed with a Shotei. Reed answers back with a European Uppercut. Techniques hits Reed with another Shotei. Reed answers back with another European Uppercut. Techniques throws out another Shotei when Reed ducks and counters with a European Uppercut. The Funky Dragon swats a Shotei out of the way before catching Techniques with a Spanish Archer! TJ gets caught with another Spanish Archer! The boos continue as Reed starts to deliver the Pimp Slap Symposium with a slap, followed by a Right Jab-Right Jab-Left Hook Combo. Reed throws out a spinning backhand slap to finish off the combo when Techniques ducks and catches him with forearm strike → punch → shoot kick → spinning back fist → spinning lariat combo!

Kris Cruise: Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

The cheers continue as Techniques picks up Reed and doubles him over with a boot to the midsection before hitting the ropes. TJ comes back off the rebound and knocks him down with a Scissors Kick! TJ looks out at the crowd before getting back to his feet with a Spinaroonie.

Stephy Auger: Show off!

Techniques heads over, picks up Reed and lifts him up across his shoulders before heading towards the corner and bringing him down with an Accordian Rack Backbreaker. The cheers continue as Techniques steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. Techniques remains crouched down as he slowly scans the crowd. TJ slowly rises to a standing position. The crowd cheers when he flips off and crashes down across Reed’s back with Know The Ledge (Shooting Star Press)! TJ pulls him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers as “Step into a Word (Rapture’s Delight)” hits the speakers.

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

The cheers continue as Techniques gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques has done it! TJ’s picked up the victory here tonight. For the second time in three matches, he’s gotten the better of Cassius Reed!

Stephy Auger: No, no, no, no, no! It wasn’t supposed to be like this! This wasn’t supposed to happen! This was Cassius Reed’s night! Cassius was supposed to win! Cassius was supposed to put him down and leave him in the dust!

Techniques continues to celebrate his win while Reed starts to come to. Reed stirs on the mat before using the ropes to pull himself back up. The ref heads over to check on Reed. Reed is quick to motion to the ref that he’s okay before heading towards the center of the ring. Across the ring, Techniques climbs down from the middle ropes. TJ turns and stops in his tracks once he sees Reed staring at him in the middle of the ring.

“Step into a World” slowly fades out as TJ makes his way over towards Cassius. The crowd starts to murmur while Techniques and Reed stare each other down.

Stephy Auger: Go ahead, Cassius, knock him out!

Kris Cruise: Be quiet, Stephy!

Techniques says a couple of words to Reed before extending his hand. Reed looks down at the hand before turning to the crowd. He takes in the cheers of the crowd before slowly running his hands through his hair. Reed then slowly turns back to Techniques and stares him down… before shaking his hand! The crowd cheers at the handshake between The Funky Technician and The Funky Dragon.

Kris Cruise: Alright!

Stephy Auger: What the heck is this?

Kris Cruise: What does it look like? It’s Cassius Reed giving TJ Techniques the respect that he’s asked for all along! You love to see the sportsmanship between two grapplers.

Stephy Auger: Speak for yourself. As far as I’m concerned, TJ got lucky again here tonight. In my eyes, Cassius Reed is still the better wrestler.

[FGA Office]

Mark Bisley claps his hands together right in front of the camera, which is either done to immediately grab our attention with some loud noises, or because doing anything else will draw attention to the somewhat drab decor backstage at the Hammerstein Ballroom

Mark Bisley: So I have your attention? Good.

Or to set up a pun. Whatever…

Mark Bisley: Since I have your undivided attention, perhaps each and everyone one of you watching can do me a teeny, tiny favour. Just picture the following scene: you prove yourself time and again against a slew of opponents both capable and hopelessly inferior, until you finally get into a position where you are rewarded for your hard work with an opportunity, one you prove you are more than deserving of. It happens to most of us at some point in our lives, including a decent number of people watching this very show. However, once you have taken this opportunity, along comes somebody to ruin it for you and they crowbar you out of the way to steal your opportunity due to being a petty and jealous lump of flesh, bone and muscle who cannot allow anyone to achieve more than they have in their meagre existence, yet they also have the nerve to expect everyone to be okay with this. That, too, has happened to us all at some point, be it the precocious child who screams and screams and screams until they get the lead role in the third grade production of A Christmas Carol to that one person at Walmart who just will not accept that you picked the last carton of Ben & Jerry’s out of the freeze while they were waddling their way up the aisle several yards back. And yet it doesn’t stop there, because then somebody else demands to have what you earned even though somebody else has stolen it and expects you to stand aside, for example the pushy parents of that precocious child threatening to sue the school because daddy’s little trooper didn’t get the role of Bob Cratchit or the litter of mewling infants who really, really want some Cherry Garcia, all because people have come to believe their sense of entitlement is more important than whether or not they are entitled to something.

Pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Bisley manages to still look at the camera with the sort of expression usually reserved for the disapproving English teacher

Mark Bisley: I think that covers the last couple of months of my Frontier Grappling Arts career, don’t you?

Letting out a groan that combines both boredom and mild irritation, Bisley continues

Mark Bisley: So not only do I have a pair of Ashleys conspire to steal from me in order to prove they’re really real friends after all and there’s definitely no backstabbing in the works there no you’re a backstabber shut up, which is the latest version of The Saga of Ashley Knifing Ashley, but we also have Sloan Talbot stomping in saying he deserves a shot at the title because he’s big and, as we all know, sighs matter. Sorry, I meant to say size matters, not that I’m implying that Sloan is in any way boring. In fact, I don’t know where that thought came from…

With a snap of the fingers, he does

Mark Bisley: Oh, right, now I remember: I heard the two Ashleys saying that exact quote about you backstage at the last show, Sloan, laughing about how dumb you are because you’d need somebody to explain that joke to you. Of course, the fact one of the Ashleys weren’t laughing as their eyes were firmly fixed of the 15 Championship belt also needs to be mentioned, especially because it was the Ashley who isn’t getting their grubby fingerprints all over something which does not belong to them. I hope you have the opportunity to raise this with them, Sloan, because that sort of behaviour should not go unpunished and those who have wronged you need to be made an example of.

The assertive nod that Bisley is giving does little to mask the knowing look in his eyes

Mark Bisley: But I have to ask one thing, Sloan: why did you think you had to resort to physical measures in order to claim a shot at the 15 Championship? After all, if I were champion, all you would have needed to do is ask me for a shot and I would have willingly given it to you, since I encourage competition and am strongly opposed to kicking the ladder down behind me. Unlike certain other people in this match.

Bisley clears his throat. Yes, really, that’s what he’s doing…

Mark Bisley: And that’s the obvious issue, Sloan, you cannot trust Ashley as she will stack the deck against you in order to steal from you, so you have to make her a non-factor so you can have the 15 Championship match you deserved to have, just you and me without any outside factors trying to take something from either of us. And just think, if we manage to remove her from the equation, who will be laughing then Sloan? Who will be laughing? I can tell you who won’t, Sloan: Ashley won’t, as you will have shown her that she should have taken you seriously instead of mocking you.

Once again Bisley nods, although he’s still not doing a very good job of masking the fact he may have ulterior motives…

Mark Bisley: Just think about it, Sloan: you, me, and the 15 Championship title, with nary an Ashley in sight. And all it takes is a little cooperation on our part and a lot of getting tossed around the ring on Ashley’s and we can have the straight one-on-one match the two of us deserve, one which will showcase the two of us. On one side of the ring, Sloan Talbot looking to prove he can overpower a technically proficient opponent to claim victory, on the other side of the ring will be myself looking to prove that deftly wielding a scalpel is so much more effective than blindly swinging around a broadsword. And the best thing, we won’t have anyone interfering and ruining the matchup that people want to see and, just as importantly, you and I will be able to prove not only who the better competitor is but also who is the most deserving of holding the 15 Championship, and that is something which is far more important than petty grudges or catcalling behind somebody’s back, and that is why we need to make this match as close to a one-on-one match as it is possible to get without somebody getting loaded onto a stretcher. But of course, I don’t need to tell you this, you already know it to be true, so we just need to come to an arrangement that will make this happen so that the true, most deserving competitors will fight for the 15 Championship. Think about it, Sloan, because we can make it happen.

[FGA Office]

Awaiting backstage of the Hammerstein Ballroom is of course Amanda Johnson and the number one contender for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship, Mighty Sparrow. Tonight Sparrow has a particular theme going on for his ring gear. Instead of the usual Trinidad theme, his attire is gunmetal gray with green accents. The same goes for the armbands and the wrist tape. His wrestling briefs are hunter green, as are the boots. The kneepads, however, bring it all together. The front of the left knee pad sports a logo in the design of MF DOOM’s mask. The right knee pad has a graffiti script that reads, ‘PAY DOOM IN BEERS’.

Amanda, dressed in a casual blouse and dress pants combo lifts her microphone and turns to the camera.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time made it through the Elimination Chase against the likes of Zack Gall, Laura Perelli and Patrick Jones. He debuted in that very first Fatal Fourway and now...He is one step from becoming the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion if he can do what so many before him have not. Beat Ace Voltage. My guest at this time...Mighty Sparrow.

Sparrow opens his mouth, ready to speak...

Amanda Johnson: If that is your real name.

The Trinidadian native’s head tilted. He gave Amanda a side-eye and she smiled wryly only in response, gently needling him with comments from Ace Voltage. He clears his throat in his hand and she held back a laugh before nodding.

Amanda Johnson: In record time Sparrow, you went from debuting in FGA to find yourself standing up against one of the best technicians in the company for his championship. What are your thoughts going into this match against Ace Voltage?

Mighty Sparrow: I look at Ace Voltage, the GREATEST Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion and I see a man without a contemporary.

Amanda looks at Sparrow inquisitively as she hands him the microphone, expecting more to expand on this point. For his part, the West Indian Whirlwind turns his attention to the camera and motions to get in a little closer.

Mighty Sparrow: See make no mistake, that Ace Voltage is one of the best. Hol’ on, hear what I sayin’ here. Make no mistake. One of the best. You watch him versus Cassius Reed at OTSS and y’know...One of the best. Against Fujiko when he ain’t having whole conniptions that he can’t put she down. One of the best. Take it all the way back, before gettin’ a bit stupid facin’ Nando, before Ace clenched it. One of the best. It don’t matter the corner, whether foot on the ropes with Chaz at Grapple Kingdom III, to Piper Lennon treatin’ you like you that man to step on. What happened Ace? You clapped her down. The man knows what he doin’.

Sparrow tapped at his temple.

Mighty Sparrow: Always...Ace Voltage always believin’ he was better...The problem with that is that there is always someone better. Just a little bit faster, a little bit quicker, a little bit sharper. Even when you believe there ain’t. You see no contemporaries. The next person will always come for ya Ace. Say hello to me, cuz here I am. You wanna make that same mistake Laura did? Go ‘head. You wanna make the same mistake Piper did before you came for she? Go ‘head. A smart man once said... Well. Sing along if you know the words. Amanda...If you could please?

A slow smile, sure and calm played upon the lips of the number one contender before he quoted Ace Voltage in his match to win that same Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship that had not parted from him since. That same match at Above & Beyond VII, with Amanda Johnson taking the place of Spencer Burke.

Amanda Johnson: Do you think Ace Voltage will overlook you at all tonight?

Mighty Sparrow: I hope he does. I’ve done all I could to get his attention but if he overlooks me tonight then that’s his problem. I’ve shown Ace and everyone else here that I deserve this title opportunity. I will not let this go to waste and I can promise you after this match, Ace will never forget the name Mighty Sparrow.

Sparrow put an arm behind his back and the other raised up in a gesture of ‘bring it’. He nodded once at Amanda before walking out of the shot.

[FGA Office]

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Ashley Marie Chase vs. Mark Bisley vs. Sloan Talbot

The first few bars of “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” begin to play as the lights pulsate in time with the music. Slowly the curtains part, and Sloan Talbot steps through - his pace slow and methodical.

“You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down...”

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Triple Threat Match! It is scheduled for one fall with a 15 minute time limit and it is for the FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing the first challenger! Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia! Weighing in at 247 pounds… SLOAN TALBOT!

Sloan runs a hand through his hair as he makes his way down the aisle, a stoic expression on his face. Completely ignoring the fans either side of him Talbot reaches ringside, placing a knee on the apron before pulling himself up using the middle rope. He takes a quick glance around the arena before stepping into the ring and making his way to the corner.

Kris Cruise: Sloan Talbot laid out both Mark Bisley and Ashley Marie Chase a couple of weeks back during their championship match. The situation between those two was going to be resolved once and for all until he made his presence known.

Stephy Auger: It’s been far too long since Talbot has been in a title picture. He’s a former 15 Champion, you know. Now I don’t know if Talbot or Bisley will win this match tonight. But one of them will leave this ring as a two-time 15 Champion. I’m calling that right now.

Kris Cruise: You aren’t giving the champion a chance to walk out of here with her title?

Stephy Auger: Zero.

The arena lights dim to almost pitch blackness, save for a couple of blue lights that pulse in sync with the intro to "Storms End" that is rising in pitch and intensity until the main hook burst forth and, at that very second, the ramp is bathed in blue light as Mark Bisley strides onto the ramp with his head bowed and an arm raised before he comes to a stop on the ramp and raises his head to survey the arena wearing one hell of a self-satisfied smirk upon his face.

Keeping his arm raised as he makes his way down the ramp, Bisley walks at his own pace as he confidently walks to the ring at his own pace right up until he reaches the ringside area, and once he reaches the ringside area he lowers his arm and breaks into a short dash to give him the momentum to hop onto the ring apron where he crouches for a moment and taps the side of his head a couple of times to the song's beat before he rolls backwards into the ring and quickly gets back to his feet

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing the second challenger! Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota! Weighing in at 201 pounds! He is The Smartest Guy in the Room, “Smart” MARK BISLEY!

Once he's got to his feet Bisley makes his way to the nearest corner and climbs the nearest turnbuckles where he stands with one foot on the top rope and his arms held out wide as he slowly tilts his head back for a few seconds until he turns his head and peers back into the ring and climbs down, removing the towel from around his shoulders the second his feet touch the canvas and casually tossing it in the referee's direction as he takes a few steps forward so he's standing in the centre of the ring where he drops to a knee and runs his hand on the canvas to say one thing: this is my ring.

Kris Cruise: We heard Bisley make his pitch to Talbot earlier tonight. He wants to work together to take out AMC so that the two of them can fight it out one on one. That sounds like a man that’s scared.

Stephy Auger: Bisley, scared? What are you even talking about, Cruise? If Bisley was scared, he would try and take out Talbot first as he’s the biggest physical threat in this match. What he wants to do is get rid of that nuisance AMC once and for all. AMC and Ashley Sands conspired to steal Bisley’s 15 Championship from him. He’s not about to let her steal another win from him.

"I Bring the Darkness (End of Days)" by Jim Johnston featuring Tommy Vext begins to play as the aisle way fills up with smoke. AMC rises up from the smoke in full face paint and is trying not to cough from all the smoke.

”Who do you think you are?
You’ve now gone much to far!”

AMC steps through the smoke and looks around at the crowd she then slowly walks toward the ring basically stutting with a smirk as she fist bumps some of the fans.

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponent, hailing from Beverly Hills, California! She is the reigning… defending… FGA 15 Champion, ASHLEY MARIE CHASE!

”I bring the darkness!
I am the thunder!
I come from HELL
And I’ll pull you under!”

AMC walk up the steps, taking a moment to wipe her feet on the apron before getting into the ring. AMC then drops to her knees in the middle of the ring and stretches out her arms and looks out toward the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Ashley Marie Chase has endured a lot over the past year. Mark Bisley successfully pitted her and Ashley Sands against each other. But they were ultimate able to reconcile on AMC’s route to the 15 Championship. Unfortunately, their fellow friend and partner, Antoinette Sands, was just recently blinded after a double mist attack from Sadie San Francisco and Jaelynn Ramsey.

Stephy Auger: You have to wonder where AMC’s head is at. She’ll put on a brave face. She’ll act like she’s got this under control. But does she really? Is her mind on retaining her championship? Or are her thoughts with Antoinette?

The bell sounds as Bisley makes his way over to Talbot. The crowd boos as Bisley moves his finger between him and Talbot before pointing over at AMC.

Kris Cruise: Bisley’s still trying to sell Talbot on taking out AMC first.

Bisley smirks before raising his arm in the air for a high five. Moments later, the smirk on Bisley’s face slowly fades when Talbot stares a hole right through him.

Kris Cruise: … but Talbot’s not buying it! He’s not buying what Bisley’s selling!

Stephy Auger: You don’t know what you’re doing, Talbot! Think this through!

Bisley slowly backs away from Talbot. The former 15 Champion turns around and immediately starts to get into it with AMC over his failed plan. The two rivals continue to argue back and forth utility they charge across the ring at Talbot! Talbot goes to knock them both down with a clothesline, but AMC rolls underneath the strike while Bisley slides underneath it. As soon as Talbot turns around, Bisley cuts him down with You Didn't See That Coming (high speed running dropkick to the knee). Bisley follows up with a rolling solebutt right to the face! He then reaches down, hooks Talbot’s leg and delivers a KneeDT (Foot DDT)! AMC heads over and pulls Talbot over onto his knees before firing off repeated chest kicks. The 15 Champion takes off into the ropes, comes back and knocks him down with a running dropkick! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Bisley yanks AMC off of Talbot, runs and chucks her over the top rope!

Stephy Auger: There you go! Throw her out like the trash she is!

AMC lands safely on the apron before getting caught with an Ace Kick (triangle enzuigiri) from Bisley, knocking her down to the floor.

Back in the ring, Bisley slingshots out to the apron and waits patiently for Talbot to get into position. Once Talbot is back to a vertical base, Bisley motions for a springboard lariat. At the last second, AMC reaches up, grabs his ankle and yanks him down to the floor. The crowd cheers when Bisley smacks his face against the edge of the apron on the way down! AMC then takes a hold of Bisley before bringing him down with a swinging neckbreaker on the outside. AMC gets back to her feet and immediately gets her hair grabbed by Talbot. The challenger yanks AMC back up to the apron before bringing her back into the ring with Enter Tragedy (Superplex From Apron)! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
AMC kicks out.

Kris Cruise: AMC with a shocking kickout.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, it should have been three!

Talbot takes AMC, grabs her by the throat and moves her into the corner. From there, Talbot delivers clubbing strikes across the chest. With AMC doubled over, Talbot takes her by the wrist and whips her into the far corner. Talbot comes barreling across the ring for a running clothesline when he gets turned around with a boot to the face. He remains dazed as AMC steps out to the apron. The champion scales to the top turnbuckle and motions for a diving bulldog when Bisley climbs up to the apron and wraps his arms around her leg. The boos continue as Bisley hangs on for dear life. AMC tries to kick Bisley off of her, but he won’t let go. AMC then reaches down and starts punching Bisley across the head. Bisley continue to get hit with punch after punch until he releases her leg. AMC then takes her foot and shoves Bisley down to the apron. As soon as she turns her attention back to Talbot, she gets grabbed and launched down to the ring with a slam! Talbot wastes no time as he rushes out of the corner before delivering a jumping elbow drop. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
AMC kicks out.

Kris Cruise: AMC nearly got her chest caved in with that elbow drop. But Talbot only gets a two count.

Stephy Auger: Chase should have been taken out already. All Talbot had to do was follow Bisley’s lead. Bisley is literally the smartest guy in the room. The man knows what he’s doing!

Kris Cruise: The only thing Mark Bisley knows how to be is self-serving.

Stephy Auger: Sound like a pretty smart guy to me!

Talbot looks behind him and sees Bisley pulling himself up using the ropes. So he scoops up AMC and delivers a backbreaker before chucking her over his head with a fallaway slam! AMC flies over the top rope and knocks Bisley off the apron!

Kris Cruise: Bisley and Chase just took a hard fall to the floor!

Stephy Auger: Talbot’s starting to have his way with them. Bisley better think of something quick.

Talbot circles the ring while Bisley and AMC stir on the floor. Once Talbot sees them starting to pick themselves up, he marches over towards the ropes. Talbot makes his way to the outside, grabs both Bisley and AMC and tries to suplex them on the floor. But his two opponents block the suplex attempt before countering with a double suplex!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that thud!? Talbot landed hard on that double suplex on the outside! That’ll take something out of him.

Stephy Auger: That should have been AMC getting double suplexed out there, not Talbot. He should’ve listened to Bisley when he had the chance. Now look at him!

AMC and Bisley return to their feet before turning their attention to each other and start trading fists. They continue to trade blows until AMC doubles him over with a knee strike to the midsection. She then rolls into the ring before taking off into the far ropes. Chase runs back across the ring, leaps through the ropes for a suicide dive and crashes to the floor when Bisley dives out of the way!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Stephy Auger: AH HA! Did you see that, Cruise? It was a Bird. It was a Plane. No, it was a Chase and she just crashed and burned on the outside!

Kris Cruise: Why are you laughing!? She could be hurt!

Stephy Auger: … so?

Bisley slides back into the ring and crouches down as he waits patiently for AMC to get int position. As AMC starts to slowly pick herself up off the floor, Bisley stands up and takes off into the ropes. Bisley rebounds off the ropes, runs back across the ring, leaps through the ropes and knocks AMC down from behind with a suicide dive!

Stephy Auger: Now THAT’S how you do a suicide dive!

Bisley rolls back into the ring and takes off into the far ropes. He comes back across the ring and goes for a suicide dive on Talbot! At the last second, Talbot snatches him by the throat!

Kris Cruise: … you were saying?

Stephy Auger: Shut up, Cruise!

Talbot moves Bisley over towards the ring before lifting him up and throwing him down with a chokeslam across the apron! Bisley arches his back as he howls in pain.

Kris Cruise: That chokeslam nearly broke him in half!

Talbot slides back into the ring, drags Bisley back in underneath the bottom rope and makes the cover.

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

Talbot snatches Bisley up off the mat before chucking him across the ring with a release Fisherman Suplex. Bisley slowly rolls out to the apron as Talbot approaches. Talbot reaches over the top rope, grabs Bisley and brings him back to his feet. He goes to bring Bisley back inside with Enter Tragedy when Bisley counters with a knee to the head of the way up. After Bisley slips back down to the apron, he shoves Talbot, knocking him off the rope and sending him stumbling back towards the center of the ring. Bisley grabs the top rope with both hands before knocking Talbot down with a springboard lariat! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Talbot kicks out.

Bisley sets up for an irish whip when Talbot reverses, wrenches Bisley’s arm and yanks him over before scooping him up across his shoulders. He sets up Bisley for a Samoan Drop when he gets countered with elbows to the side of the head. Bisley then slips down from behind and applies a three quarter facelock. The crowd gasps as they see Talbot set up for the Move of the Year (Shiranui)! Before he can deliver the move, Talbot shoves him off into the ropes. When Bisley returns, he avoids Talbot by sliding through his legs. Talbot then turns around before knocked off his feet with a missile dropkick from Chase! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bisley yanks AMC off of Talbot, runs and chucks him through the ropes and to the floor.

The boos continue as Bisley steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. The Technical Assassin leaps off and crashes down across Talbot with the Sapienza (frog splash to the opponent's legs)! Instead of going for the cover, Bisley heads back out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. Bisley leaps off from the top and connects with another Sapienza! He opts out of another cover and turns him over into the Canadian Maple Leaf!

Kris Cruise: L'Étoile du Nord!

Stephy Auger: Bisley’s gonna make Talbot tap! I don’t think we’ve ever seen Talbot tap! But there’s a first time for everything and we’re about to see it right here!

Bisley keeps the submission applied until AMC flies off the top rope and drives him down with a diving bulldog!

Kris Cruise: Chase makes the save!

Stephy Auger: Dammit!

The cheers continue as she pulls Bisley over and makes the cover.

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

AMC crawls over, pushes Talbot over and makes the cover.

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

AMC picks up Talbot and doubles him over with a boot to the midsection. After picking Bisley back up, she grabs Bisley ad Talbot and slams their heads together with a double noggin knocker!

Kris Cruise: Bisley and Talbot with a meeting of the minds!

The cheers continue as she hooks them both down with an inverted facelock before bringing them down with a Scorpion Death Drop!

Kris Cruise: Chase takes them both down!

AMC steps out to the apron. She cups her ear to the crowd before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Chase is feeling it, Stephy! She’s finally gotten control of this match!

Stephy Auger: I hope she misses on another dive!

Chase stays crouched down on the top turnbuckle as she waits for both Bisley and Talbot to get into position. When they both return to their feet, AMC stands up, leaps off and knocks them both down with It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Chase (high crossbody)!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bisley & Talbot kick out.

AMC sets up shop across the ring as she waves Bisley back up. Bisley starts to stir on the mat before turning over onto all fours. When he finally gets back to his feet, AMC charges across the ring. The crowd cheers when she hurls herself at him for the Walk of Fame (spear), but Bisley slips out of the way. Talbot then catches AMC with a front facelock before planting her with a suplex lift DDT! Talbot returns to his feet and gets caught with rapid fire elbow smashes from Bisley. Talbot remains dazed as Bisley hits the ropes. Bisley comes back when he gets caught by the throat once again. Talbot lifts him up for a chokeslam when Bisley catches him with an elbow to the side of the head. Bisley drops back down, grabs Talbot and gives him the Iko Uwais (cravat with repeated knees to the head) before bringing him down with Greetings from the Twin Cities (hangman's neckbreaker over the knee)!

The boos continue as Bisley sets up shop in the corner. Once Talbot turns over to a knee, Bisley charges out of the corner. The crowd gasps when he goes for Lux Aeterna (Busaiku Knee to a kneeling opponent)...






… only for AMC blindside him in mid air with a running dropkick!

The cheers continue as AMC runs over, leaps up and drives Talbot down with the Full Facial (Curb Stomp)! She makes the cover.

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

The ref stops his count when he sees Jaelynn Ramsey climb up to the apron!

Kris Cruise: Jaelynn Ramsey! What in the hell is she doing out here!? She’s not even scheduled to compete here tonight!

Stephy Auger: Can’t you see? She’s just dying for an update on Antoinette Sands! Wow, this woman really has a heart of gold?

Kris Cruise: Oh please!

AMC rushes over to knock Ramsey off the apron. But Ramsey hops off just in the nick of time. AMC continues to shout insults at Ramsey as she steps away from the ropes. Before she can turn around, Bisley grabs AMC, runs and tosses her over the top rope and to the floor! The boos continue as he pulls Talbot back to his feet before bringing him down with the Move of the Year! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd boos when “Storms End” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaand now, the NEEEWWWWWWWWW FGA 15 Champion, MARK BISLEY!

The boos continue as Bisley is handed back the 15 Championship. Bisley snatches the championship away from the ref before holding it over his head. Back on the outside, Ramsey hightails it to the back once AMC starts to get back to her feet.

Kris Cruise: Mark Bisley has won back the 15 Championship. But it was thanks in large part to a huge assist from Jaelynn Ramsey!

Stephy Auger: I don’t understand the hate. The woman felt legitimately sorry over what happened to Antoinette Sands. The suspense was killing her! She couldn’t wait any longer and just had to come out to get a medical update from Ashley Marie Chase!

Kris Cruise: Jaelynn came out here with the sole purpose of costing Sands the 15 Championship. She’s happy now. But she won’t like what comes next.

[FGA Office]

The camera fades into the backstage area of the Hammerstein Ballroom. We see Ace Voltage in his full ring gear, walking towards the “gorilla” position as his match is up next. He has the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title around his waist, but before he is able to get where he needs to, Amanda Johnson pops out to get a few words from Ace before his title defense.

Amanda Johnson: Ace, any last minute words before your title defense against The Mighty Sparrow?

Ace rolls his eyes as he doesn’t really want to be interviewed right now.

Ace Voltage: Where did you even come from, babe? It’s like you snuck up on me. Anyway, I don’t even think words can do any justice to what is about to happen. I am going to destroy Sparrow’s career in FGA before it even begins! Ya know, I thought FGA was doing something great with this Elimination Chase. But it turns out, the most undeserving wrestler won! Now, Sparrow gets a taste of the Main Event and he better take it all in tonight, because he will never get this chance again.

Amanda Johnson: Seems like you are taking Mighty Sparrow lightly?

Ace Voltage: Oh please, honey. I never take anyone lightly. I’m just saying Sparrow isn’t worth my time and is not worthy of this championship. Nobody is worthy of my beauty!

Ace takes his title off of his waist and kisses it. He raises it in Amanda’s face.

Ace Voltage: I did not become champion by accident. I earned my shot and took advantage of it. Will Sparrow do that tonight? Well, he will try. But all he will get is a big boot to the face and be looking up at the lights as the ref counts to three.

Ace places his title back around his waist.

Amanda Johnson: You talk a big game there, Ace. If you didn’t take Mighty Sparrow lightly, did you do any prep work for this match? Study some matches, get a new training partner or start a new diet?

Ace Voltage: Since you mentioned it, I actually have been training with some MMA coaches and fighters. As a technical wrestler, my fighting skills aren’t where I want them to be. You can’t hold a title this long without adapting to the rest of the company. Sure, I am the best technical wrestler in this company, but is that enough? Maybe. After all, I am the GREATEST Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion. But, you still need to adapt. By becoming a better fighter on my feet, there is no way anyone will take this title off of me.

Amanda Johnson: Actually a smart move by you Ace.

Ace has an annoyed look on his face.

Ace Voltage: What do you mean actually, mate? Like I said, I didn’t get here by accident. I’m the best that this company has to offer. I’m no idiot. I do what it takes to stay the best.

Amanda Johnson: You sure do make a good point there. Looks like your match is about to begin, good luck Ace.

Ace gives a smirk at Amanda.

Ace Voltage: Luck… I don’t need luck. I was so close to beating Fujiko! The only one who needs luck tonight is Mighty Sparrow. Maybe he’ll get lucky and last ten minutes with me. Maybe he’ll get lucky and get a few near falls on me. But one thing is for certain. Ace Voltage will retain the Mid-Atlantic Legacy championship, like he always does. Voltage out.

Ace quickly walks away from Amanda as he gets ready to go through the curtains and defend his title.

[FGA Office]

FGA MID-ATLANTIC LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Ace Voltage vs. Mighty Sparrow

“Tell dem ah feelin’ good, like a new machine!

Like morning dew, fresh on the scene!

And we gon’ party to the full extreme, and light it up like gasoline!”

From the entrance to the ring, Mighty Sparrow appears through the curtain. He gets in some last minute leg stretches before the West Indian wrestler begins high-fiving fans on his way down the ramp. He gets to the outside of the ring as “Full Extreme” continues playing before he jumps and lands on the apron. With a second jump he clears the ring ropes before taking off for the farthest turnbuckle. He springs onto the second rope turnbuckle, executing a backflip and lands on his feet. He does sliding motion on his heel before turning and striking a pose to the cheers of the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA MID-ATLANTIC LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from South Oropouche, Trinidad! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is THE MIGHTY SPARROW!

Sparrow leans up against his corner, talking a few seconds with the referee before looking out to the crowd. He grabs the ropes in his corner, again with a few last second leg stretches before he is ready to go.

Kris Cruise: The Mighty Sparrow survived the Elimination Chase, outlasting Laura Perelli, Zack Gall and Patrick Jones to earn this opportunity. He’s been on a roll since his recent FGA debut. Does that hot streak that he’s been on continue here tonight? Are we on the verge of seeing a new Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion?

Stephy Auger: Absolutely not. Remember what you just said, Cruise. He “survived” the Elimination Chase. Was he out there putting Gall, Perelli and Jones down week after week? No he was not. He stole this match from Perelli. Even Ace Voltage just said that the most undeserving person won. Mighty Sparrow’s luck will run out here tonight.

The arena goes dark and "Thunderstruck by AC/DC starts blaring over the sound system. As the words "THUNDER" are shouted into the arena each time, the lights flash yellow.

I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAILROAD TRACK

A white spotlight shines on the ramp and Ace Voltage appears once the lyrics start. He is wearing a black jacket with his name on the back and his light blue tights. He shines a smirk to the crowd, zips open the jacket to show his shiny championship around his waist as the rest of the lights come on, with yellow and blue lighting flashing around. He walks down the ramp, nodding his head to the music, laughing to himself when he hears the boos and insults from the crowd. As he's going down the entrance ramp, he walks close to the guardrail ready to slap the hands of the one or two fans. Before he can slap their hands, he quickly rips his hands away, smirks to the booing fans and walks down to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from London, England! Weighing in at 15.8 stone! He is the reigning… defending… FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion… ACE VOLTAGE!

He jumps up onto the apron and steps into the ring. He walks to the corner, jumping on the second rope, looking out into the crowd. He raises his championship in the air, smirking and yelling to the fans, "I am the Main Event." After a few seconds, he jumps down, takes his jacket off and waits for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Ace Voltage has had quite the reign as Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. He has held onto that championship with a vice-like grip since beating Piper Lennon at Above & Beyond VII. I know that Mighty Sparrow is new here and Voltage has faced some tough competition. But I would argue that Sparrow might just be Ace’s toughest challenge yet.

Stephy Auger: Really, the Mighty Sparrow is Ace’s toughest challenge? I’m sure Cassius Reed will be thrilled to hear that. Listen, Ace Voltage has carved out a legacy for himself at the greatest Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion ever. He’s held onto that title for dear life and his grip on that title isn’t loosening anytime soon. Mighty Sparrow can throw a couple of nice kicks. I’ll give him that. But Ace Voltage is a technician, Cruise. He can break down and ground an opponent with the best of them. Sparrow can’t throw his kicks when he’s on the ground. He can’t throw out his kicks with a bad wheel. Voltage has yet to debut The London Special, his patented submission, since joining FGA in 2019. I can’t think of a better place than right here at All-Star Showdown. Sparrow has done well for himself thus far. But tonight, it all ends with him tapping out in the middle of the ring.

The match starts with both grapplers face to face in the center of the ring. The two continue to have words until Voltage raises his arms and exclaims that he’s the real Main Event.

“BOOOOOOOO!”

Sparrow points at Voltage before cupping his hand to his ears. Voltage then steps back before circling the ring. The champion inches back over towards Sparrow before locking up. The two jockey for position until they shove each other back. Voltage and Sparrow rush forward and engage in another collar-and-elbow. Once again, neither is able to gain the advantage as they shove each other back. A third lock up ensues. After jockeying for position, Voltage is able to gain the advantage with a side headlock. Voltage wrenches down on the hold. While keeping his right arm around Sparrow’s neck, he takes his free hand and starts to pull at Sparrow’s dreads.

“BOOOOOOO!”

The ref scolds Voltage for the cheap tactics. He reluctantly lets go of Sparrow’s hair before wrenching back down on the side headlock. Sparrow tries to shove Voltage off of him, but Voltage doesn’t budge. Sparrow then moves Voltage into the near ropes before running back towards the center of the ring to push him off. Voltage blocks by dropping down to a knee. He shakes his head ‘no’ as he keeps the side headlock applied. The ref is quick to ask the challenger if he wants to give up. Sparrow refuses to quit. Sparrow then battles back to a vertical base until Voltage performs a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock from behind. Voltage keeps the hold applied until Sparrow reaches back with his free arm and brings him down with a jumping snapmare. Voltage gets back to his feet, turns around and takes a running shoulder block. He stumbles back a few steps, but remains on his feet. Voltage heads back over to Sparrow before wagging his finger at him. Sparrow then turns and hits another set of ropes. The challenger returns and hits another running shoulder block. Once again, Voltage remains on his feet. Voltage points to another set of ropes as he dares Sparrow to try and knock him down. Sparrow obliges and turns to hit another set of ropes. Voltage tries to cut Sparrow off with a running lariat. But Sparrow ducks and hits the far ropes. Sparrow comes back and ducks a back elbow to the face before continuing to run the ropes. The crowd cheers when he knocks Voltage down seconds later with a leaping forearm smash! Voltage gets back to his feet as Sparrow hits the ropes. Sparrow comes off the ropes and brings Voltage back down to the mat with a running hurricanrana. The champion rushes to pick himself up off the mat. He turns around before a running front dropkick sends him flying into the corner.

Kris Cruise: Mighty Sparrow got the better of that exchange.

Stephy Auger: You’re exactly right. He won THAT exchange, not the match.

The cheers continue as Sparrow heads over, pulls Voltage up in the corner and hits him with five corner chest kicks. He sets up for an irish whip when Voltage reverses and follows him across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Sparrow jumps up into a handstand on the top turnbuckle. Voltage stops in place to stare at Sparrow. He then rushes in to knock Sparrow off. But Sparrow catches him with a mule kick, knocking him down.

Kris Cruise: Ace got caught with that kick right to the face!

Sparrow pulls Voltage up off the mat when Voltage pushes him back. The crowd boos when Voltage drops and rolls to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Where’s Ace running to now?

Stephy Auger: Running? Ace Voltage is simply changing the pace.

The ref heads over and motions for Voltage to get back inside. Voltage turns to the official and gives him the timeout gesture before walking around ringside.

Kris Cruise: Ace is taking his sweet time getting back inside.

Stephy Auger: Hey, we wrestle on the champion’s time, not the other way around.

Sparrow keeps his eyes locked on Voltage as the champion takes a breather. Voltage then stops and does a double take when he sees Sparrow running towards him. He then turns, tucks his head and ducks when Sparrow motions for a suicide dive. But it’s all a ploy by Sparrow as he rebounds off the ropes with a backflip before landing in a Rock Lee pose! Voltage looks over and sees Sparrow posing in the ring. So he gets up and goes to slide back in. Sparrow quickly cuts him off with a baseball slide, knocking him back to the floor.

Voltage picks himself up, turns to the ring and gets knocked down with a corkscrew plancha! The cheers continue as Sparrow takes the champ and rolls him back inside. Sparrow leaps up to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. He then proceeds to walk halfway across the top rope before hitting Voltage with a ropewalk dropkick to the back! Voltage staggers forward before collapsing across the middle ropes. Sparrow flips back to his feet before hitting the ropes. He runs back across the ring and goes for a leaping body guillotine. The crowd gasps when Voltage rolls out of the way at the last second, causing Sparrow to get crotched when he lands across the middle rope.

Kris Cruise: Oh my!

Stephy Auger: That’ll slow Sparrow down.

Voltage gets back to his feet, runs over and purposely kicks up the middle rope, hitting Sparrow right in the nether region.

“BOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Sparrow howls in pain as he quickly crumbles to the mat. Voltage goes over and stomps away at the challenger. Voltage follows up with a knee drop across the chest before making the cover.

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

Voltage drags Sparrow away from the ropes before making the cover.

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

Voltage takes Sparrow, moves him into the corner and delivers a hard knife edge chop that echoes throughout the arena. Sparrow doubles over after winding up on the receiving end of another stinging knife edge chop. Voltage grabs Sparrow by the hair and slowly lifts his head back up before raking him across the eyes. The crowd boos Voltage while the official scolds him. Voltage pays him no mind as he whips Sparrow into the far corner. The champion runs across the ring, connects with a clothesline and follows up with a bulldog out of the corner. He then pulls Sparrow up to a knee before knocking him down with the Ace of Spades (Shining Wizard)! The boos continue as Voltage makes the cover.

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

Voltage takes Sparrow and doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop before planting him with a Cradle DDT! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

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

Voltage takes Sparrow and hooks both arms before throwing him down with a Butterfly Suplex. Sparrow remains sprawled out on the mat as Voltage heads out to the apron. The champion scans the booing crowd before walking over towards the ring post. Voltage scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and crashes down hard across Sparrow with a flying elbow drop! Sparrow turns on his side and guards his chest before Voltage turns him back over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another two count for the champion. Ace Voltage has turned this match around over the last couple of minutes.

Stephy Auger: It was only a matter of time until Sparrow got caught?

Kris Cruise: ...with a low blow. Ace Voltage is too good to have to resort to those kind of tactics. But he felt he was getting outwrestled. So he got desperate.

Voltage sits Sparrow up and places him in a rear chinlock. The ref gets down and asks Sparrow if he swats to give up. When Sparrow refuses, Voltage lets go of the hold and swats Sparrow across the face with a clubbing forearm strike. The boos continue as Voltage reapplies the rear chinlock. Sparrow is asked again if he wants to give up. He responds by wagging his finger at the official. Voltage responds to his refusal by yanking back on the hold. He then keeps his hands locked underneath Sparrow’s chin as he gets back to his feet. He then drives his knee down right into Sparrow’s spine before reapplying the hold! Sparrow reaches up and tries to pull Voltage’s hands off of him. But he’s unsuccessful. He’s again asked if he wants to give up. Sparrow reaches out to the official. The ref is ready for the verbal submission or a tapout. He continues to wait with bated breath. Voltage feels the submission coming. But his instincts are proven wrong when Sparrow waves off the official. Sparrow then starts to wave his hand up and down to get the crowd to rally behind him. The crowd takes their cue from Sparrow and try to will him back into the match,

LET’S GO, SPARROW!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*

LET’S GO, SPARROW!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*

LET’S GO, SPARROW!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP!*

Sparrow starts to shake his arm as he feeds off the energy of the crowd. Voltage shakes his head in disbelief as the challenger turns over to a knee. Sparrow then gets back to his feet before nailing him with an elbow to the midsection. Another elbow finds Voltage’s midsection. Sparrow breaks the hold with a third elbow. Now free, Sparrow turns and hits the ropes. He comes back and ducks a lariat before swinging across Voltage’s back. Sparrow tries for a crucifix pin, but he gets countered with a Samoan Drop!

Kris Cruise: What a counter by the champion!

Stephy Auger: This could be it right here!

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

Voltage picks up Sparrow and takes control of his back. He tries for a German Suplex, but Sparrow counters by hooking his right leg around Voltage’s. Voltage tries to hoist him up for another German Suplex. Sparrow counters by squatting down. Voltage goes to muscle him up for another German when Sparrow counters with a back elbow on the way up. After being lowered back down, two more elbows break the hold. Sparrow goes to run towards the ropes until Voltage reaches out, grabs Sparrow by the dreads and yanks him back into his clutches! The crowd boos when Voltage hits a bridging German Suplex! Voltage turns over, pulls Sparrow back to his feet and delivers a second bridging German Suplex! Voltage goes for a third German when he gets caught with a back elbow to the face. Four more elbows break the hold before Sparrow hits the ropes, rebounds back and brings him down with a Handspring DDT!

Kris Cruise: What a maneuver by Mighty Sparrow! The champion is down! The challenger is down! Who will get back to their feet first!?

The ref checks on both grapplers before starting his count.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!

Champion and challenger are finally back to their feet. Voltage socks Sparrow with a right hand. Sparrow goes to respond when Voltage cuts him off with another punch. Voltage then rattles off four snapping jabs before throwing out a haymaker. Sparrow kicks the punch away and counters with a step-up enzuigiri! Voltage drops down to a knee before getting knocked down to the mat with a Switchblade Kick! The cheers continue as Voltage makes the cover.

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

Voltage reverses an irish whip. When Sparrow returns, Voltage tries to take out his leg when a running dive to the knee. The crowd gasps when Sparrow avoids it with a somersault. The challenger lands on his feet before hitting ropes. Sparrow returns with a running hurricanrana, sending Voltage through the ropes and to the floor. The crowd cheers when Sparrow hits the far ropes, comes back and flips over the top rope before knocking Voltage down with a Fosbury Flop!

Kris Cruise: Mighty Sparrow just took flight with Air Sparrow!

Sparrow takes Voltage and pushes him up onto the apron. He then rolls himself back in, pulls Voltage up on the apron and goes to bring him back inside with a vertical suplex. Voltage slips down from behind, grabs Sparrow and brings him down with two rolling Germans! Voltage goes for a third when Sparrow counters with a back elbow, performs a standing switch and brings him down with Byron Lee’s Dragonaires (Back-to-back rolling dragon suplexes)!

Kris Cruise: Sparrow returned the favor with a pair of suplexes of his own!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Sparrow sets up in the corner. He points across the ring at Voltage before waving him up. The crowd starts to buzz with anticipation as Voltage slowly pushes himself up on all fours. Voltage slowly gets back to his feet as Sparrow runs across the ring. The crowd gasps when he leaps up for The Notorious K.I.C.K. (standing double foot stomp)! Sparrow misses when Voltage slips out of the way. Sparrow lands on his feet, turns around and gets rammed back-first into the corner by Voltage! The crowd boos when Voltage pulls Sparrow back towards the center of the ring before ramming him back-first into the corner again. Sparrow is then whipped into the far corner. The crowd gasps when Voltage points over at him.

Stephy Auger: You know what’s coming next!

Kris Cruise: Yes I do! If Voltage hits this, it WILL be over!

Voltage charges across the ring. He throws out the corner running big boot…

Stephy Auger: Thunderstruck!

… only for Sparrow to catch his foot at the last second. Voltage’s eyes widen at being countered before Sparrow pushes him down to the mat. Voltage’s momentum sends him rolling back onto his feet. Voltage runs back over as Sparrow runs out of the corner, leaps up and drives him down with The Notorious K.I.C.K.!!! Voltage lays splayed out on the mat as Sparrow makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers as “Full Extreme” hits the speakers.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow’s done it!

Stephy Auger: What!?

Kris Cruise: Mighty Sparrow’s done it!

Stephy Auger: WHAT!?

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand NEEEEWWWWWWWW FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, MIGHTY SPARROW!

The cheers continue as Sparrow walks around the ring with his arms raised. When he returns to the center, he’s presented the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship by the official. Sparrow cradles the title in his arms and stares in amazing before raising it high over his head.

Kris Cruise: Mighty Sparrow has dethroned Ace Voltage to become the new Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion! Ace Voltage had a damn good run as champion. Unfortunately for him, he met his match here tonight.

Sparrow continues to celebrate with the championship until he turns and sees Voltage rising back to his feet. The new champion lowers his title belt as Voltage makes his way towards him. Voltage looks down at the championship that was once his before looking Sparrow dead in the eyes. The former champion has some brief words for Sparrow before extended his hand out. The crowd murmurs over Voltage offering a handshake. Voltage keeps his hand out while Sparrow mulls over the offer. Sparrow slowly reaches his hand out… and shakes Voltage’s hand. The crowd cheers at the show of respect between current and former champion. Voltage then exits the ring and storms up the aisle while Sparrow resumes his celebration.

[FGA Office]

Voice: Well-- I feel really bad about it. Obviously. I’ve been trying to call Ashley Sands and get an update on Antoinette, but… it’s like she doesn’t wanna talk.

The scene’s audio hits us before the picture does. In an instant, we blink into color, revealing Sadie San Francisco, looking toward Nando Fresno: Alien Hunter with a potentially apologetic expression on her face. Nando, for his part, has his arms folded-- an almost distant gaze set forward, focused on nothing in particular.

Sadie San Francisco: Maybe we got carried away. But that doesn’t have to define who we are as wrestlers; as people.

The camera pans out a bit more, revealing that Jillian Clay is seated in the dressing room a few feet behind Nando, seated in a folding chair but focused on the conversation in front of her. Jaelynn Ramsey is standing to Sadie’s right, her eyes narrowed at Nando.

Sadie San Francisco: Okay, so we’ve been a little heavy-handed for your taste, am I right?

Nando scoffs, finally looking toward Sadie.

Nando Fresno: “Heavy-handed.” That’s not even--

Sadie San Francisco: --but we’ve had to be though. After four years here, I’ve learned how little people listen to what you have to say when you’re not holding a belt. There’s-- there’s just a certain amount of noise you have to make so you don’t get forgotten. That’s where we’re at. And it’s already paying off.

Nando Fresno: Is it? Because we’re at All-Star Showdown and you’re the only one of us on the card.

Jaelynn Ramsey: And her match is for the United States Championship! She is up against one of FGA’s fiercest, and with Sadie’s talent, this is not a match to miss! Have you no gratitude, Nando? We will be reaping the rewards in no time.

Sadie San Francisco: Aw! Jae.

Sadie’s eyes seem to light up as she turns, beaming at Jaelynn. She gestures toward Jae as she turns back to Nando.

Sadie San Francisco: Once again, she’s right.

Sadie snakes her arm around Nando, pulling him closer into a side-hug-- which Fresno simply accepts, rather than reciprocates.

Sadie San Francisco: Something that Jae, Jill, and I all seem to know-- and I really wish you would get on board with this-- is that I’m moments away from proving through wrestling, through tactical skill that I’m better than Nina Stokes. I’m about to take the U.S. Title back. For all of us.

As Sadie releases Nando, she turns toward Ramsey again, her smile somehow growing even wider than before.

Sadie San Francisco: You have this, like… bitterness toward Jae, but you should be thanking her. I’m better because of her. She brings the absolute best out of me and I’ve never felt stronger than I feel when she’s at my side. And you’ve seen Jill out there. When Jae and I are stronger, she’s stronger. You’re stronger, Nando. We’re all…

Steadily, the jeers and boos of the audience in attendance grow louder. Jaelynn places a hand behind her ear to take it all in.

Sadie San Francisco: ...we’re gonna be unstoppable.

Jaelynn Ramsey: Some things do not always make sense at first…

Nando Fresno: Hm.

Jaelynn Ramsey: I also believe we will be unstoppable because we have already achieved the impossible-- by not killing one another.

Nando turns, looking toward his partner, Jillian Clay for support, but she remains seated, almost disconnected, looking away from the trio. Nando rolls his eyes back toward Jae and Sadie.

Nando Fresno: “Unstoppable.” You guys keep throwing that word around. What-- is this kind of like how you guys were “unstoppable” when you ambushed Nina Stokes three-on-one at Vertigo? Is that the vibe we’re going for?

Sadie San Francisco: ...kind of like that, yes. Why are you saying it all snide-like?

Jaelynn Ramsey: You can throw the self-righteous card out the window, Nando.

Sadie San Francisco: Immediately. We need your support right now. I need your support right now. Not just as a teammate but as a friend. This match-- it means a lot to me. Now we can debate and, I guess reevaluate how we handle business as a team moving forward, but tonight? For Christ’s sake, just be on my side tonight.

Jaelynn narrows her eyes at Nando, who looks ready to say something to her about it… but he stops, thinking better of it. Frustrated, the alien hunter runs a hand through his hair, taking in one deep breath before he offers a defeated shrug.

Nando Fresno: Yeah. I am. I want the best for you tonight. I sincerely hope you beat Nina the way you said you would; just through wrestli--

Sadie San Francisco: Yes, yes, I know what I said.

The former U.S. Champion hurries Nando along, almost dismissively.

Sadie San Francisco: And I will. Just do us a favor and get in the mood to celebrate. I’m not making the same mistakes I made last time with this title.

She turns toward Ramsey with a smirk.

Sadie San Francisco: And right now? I’m going to do what we restrained ourselves from doing two weeks ago. I’m gonna… bust Nina’s head to the white meat.

Sadie laughs to herself, mocking the former words of her opponent as she walks out of the locker room. Jaelynn gives Nando one more cold, stern look before she follows Sadie San Francisco out into the corridor. We linger on the Saturnian Connection for a moment. Nando turns, looking at Jillian Clay, who continues to look elsewhere, remaining utterly silent as we fade away.

[FGA Office]

FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Pendragon vs. Super Mario Wrestling Bros

"Rockit" begins to play over the speakers as the the lights in the arena dim. Two individuals step through the curtains wearing jackets that flash red, blue, green and yellow colors. At the 28 second mark, the lights come back on, revealing the SMWB to a positive reaction from the crowd. Max Powers and Landon Knight slap hands with the fans on their way down the aisle.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challengers! Hailing from the Mushroom Kingdom! Weighing in at a total combined weight of 373 pounds! They are the team of Max Powers and Landon Knight… the SUPER MARIO WRESTLING BROS!

After sliding underneath the bottom rope and into the ring, they push themselves up and head into opposite corners. After climbing up onto the second rope and trowing their index fingers in the air, they climb to the top turnbuckle and backflip off, landing safely on their feet in the ring to cheers.

Kris Cruise: The last time these two faced off at All-Star Showdown VIII, it was a Dream Match for everyone. Especially for Neal Durden. This match, however, is being fought under much different circumstances.

Stephy Auger: Yes it is. It’s personal between Max Powers and Neal Durden. Max Powers was put on the shelf for the better part of the year with an injury during the 2019 Dynamic Duos Tournament. He thought that if anyone would check on him, it would be his “friend”, Neal Durden. But Max’s poor whittle feelings were hurt when Pendragon didn’t bother so much as to make a phonecall to check in on him. Neal let the world know a couple of weeks back that him and Max weren’t really all that tight. Neal told us that there’s very few people in this business that he’d stick his neck out for, and the SMWB aren’t even close on that list!

Kris Cruise: Stephy, please.

Stephy Auger: What? Those were his direct words, not mine! The SMWB were nothing but a Dream Match for Neal Durden. Max has taken all of this very personally, and now this thing between the SMWB and Pendragon is about to blow. Neal warned Max about making this personal. I think we’re going to see a much more aggressive Neal Durden out there tonight.

Kris Cruise: It’s no secret that there’s a huge rift going on right now between Pendragon and the Super Mario Wrestling Bros. Okay, so maybe Max and Neal weren’t good friends or even friends, afterall. But one thing that can’t be denied is the huge amount of respect that both teams had for each other. I hope that when this is all said and done, they can leave it all in the ring, shake hands and move forward.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, good luck with that.

The lights flicker as "Take A Chance" by CFO$ begins to play over the PA system, and out through the curtains walks Neal Durden, followed closely by Lowri Moss, each of them with their titles wrapped around their waists. The Welsh duo stand side by side on the stage for a moment, surveying the crowd, before they make their way towards the ring, with Neal leading the way.

J.A. Aldridge: There opponents, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 320 pounds! They are the reigning… defending… FGA World Tag Team Champions! Lowri Moss… Neal Durden… PENDRAGON!

After climbing the steps and entering the ring, Lowri heads for one of the corners, climbs to the second rope, and takes the title from around her waist and holds it aloft as she looks out at the cheering fans, while Neal simply stands in the middle of the ring with his pinky finger up and a smirk on his face.

Kris Cruise: On one hand, this match is now personal for Neal Durden thanks to the words and actions of Max Powers. But for Pendragon as a team, history is once again at stake. The longer they hold those titles, the bigger the gap is between them and all the champions that came before them. No one, be it a tag team or a singles competitor, has held a championship longer than them. No one, be it a team or a singles competitor, has successfully defended a title more than Pendragon have. If they make it past the SMWB here tonight, I can’t see a team currently in FGA that can beat them. I just can’t.

Stephy Auger: That’s a big if, Cruise. Say what you want about Max Powers, but the SMWB are probably underrated at this point. This is a team that has won tag team gold in virtually every company they’ve competed for. They are big match wrestlers.

Kris Cruise: Yes they are. But for as good as they are, Pendragon have been better. The SMWB have the tools to get the job done. But Pendragon have beaten a who’s who in tag team wrestling, including the SMWB. This match is going to be something else, I can already feel it.

Lowri Moss and Landon Knight step out to the apron, leaving Neal Durden and Max Powers to start things off. Durden and Powers head towards the center of the ring and immediately get into each others faces.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh...

Stephy Auger: You can cut this tension with a knife, Cruise.

The bell sounds as the two continue to have words for each other. Seconds later, Powers shoves Durden back.

[center “OOOOOHHHHH!”[/center]

Durden heads back over to Max and gets shoved again.

“OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!”

Durden walks back over and drops Powers with a right hand!

“OH!!!”

Power gets back to his feet before getting socked with another punch to the face!

Kris Cruise: Powers got dropped again!

Durden pulls Powers back up and sets up for an irish whip. Powers reverses, sending Durden into the ropes. Durden returns and sees Powers set up for a back body drop. So he hurdles over his challenger before continuing to run the ropes. Powers stands up, turns around and gets tackled down to the mat! Durden mounts on top of Powers and fires multiple right hands to the face. Powers covers up his head before rolling over on top of Durden. Powers returns the favor and starts hitting Durden with right hands. Durden continues to get hit with punches until he rolls back over on top of Powers. The two continue to roll across the mat until they roll underneath the bottom rope and fall to the floor.

Kris Cruise: The action’s spilled to the outside now. With the way these two are throwing fists back and forth, we may need to clear out of the way!

Stephy Auger: Good call!

The ref heads to the outside as Powers and Durden get back to their feet. Durden quickly rushes Powers and rams him back-first against the edge of the apron. He then takes Powers and whips him hard against the guardrail. Durden heads over, lifts Powers up and throws him down across the top of the guardrail, crotching him.

Kris Cruise: Oh man!

Stephy Auger: You KNOW that hurts!

Powers howls in pain before Durden whacks away at his chest with multiple knife edge chops. He then grabs Powers by the head with both hands before slamming him face-first onto the top of the guardrail. Durden pulls Powers off the guardrail before throwing him down on the floor with an Olympic Slam!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that thud!?

Stephy Auger: Hell yeah I did! Durden put something extra behind that suplex.

Powers arches his back while Durden goes over, reaches down and peels back the protective matting to expose the concrete floor.

Kris Cruise: Come on now, Neal...

Stephy Auger: Hey, he warned Powers about making this personal.

Durden motions to go after Powers when the official heads over and blocks him. He tries to talk some sense into Durden before blocking off the area with the exposed floor.

Kris Cruise: The ref is doing the wise thing here. I understand that Neal and Max have had a falling out. But you don’t want to do something that you’ll live to regret.

Stephy Auger: I think Neal’s made it perfectly clear that he couldn’t care less about Max Powers’ well being.

Durden turns away from the official, grabs Powers and throws him down across the edge of the apron with a scoop slam. He then rolls Powers back inside the ring before positioning his upper body out on the apron. Durden then climbs up onto the apron and nails Powers with multiple stomps across the chest before backing up towards the ring post. The crowd gasps as Durden runs across the apron and throws out a jumping double foot stomp to the face!

Kris Cruise: Neal! NO!

Durden whiffs when Powers slides into the ring at the last second. Durden hits the floor before his momentum sends him rolling forward. He rolls back to his feet before sliding back inside. Durden charges at Powers until he gets thrown down with an arm drag. Durden gets back to his feet before being taken back down with another arm drag. He gets back up once again before getting caught with a back kick to the midsection. While Durden is doubled over, Powers turns and motions towards the ropes. Durden reaches out, grabs Powers by the back of the tights and yanks him into a forearm strike the lower back. Durden then hits the ropes, comes back and brings Powers down with a Sling Blade! He makes the cover.

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

Durden looks over to Moss and nods. Moss drapes her foot across the top rope before Durden runs into the corner and slams Powers face-first into her boot. He makes the tag. Pendragon take Powers and whip him into the far ropes before throwing him down with a double hip toss. Moss reaches down, pulls Powers up to a seated position before flattening him with a shoot kick across the chest. Powers bounces off the mat and sits back up before Moss flattens him with another shoot kick. After flattening Powers with a third shoot kick, she pulls Powers back up before whipping him into the ropes. Powers comes back off the ropes before being knocked off his feet with a spinning heel kick. The cheers continue as Moss goes for the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another two count for the champs. Max needs to make his way over into that SMWB corner and make the tag out to Landon Knight.

Moss wrenches Powers’ arm, drags him over towards the Pendragon corner and tags Durden back in. Durden doubles Powers over with a kick to the midsection before wrenching his free arm. Pendragon then whip Powers into the ropes before throwing him down with a double japanese arm drag. Durden walks next to Powers and turns away from him before crashing down across him with a standing corkscrew moonsault! The cheers continue as he hooks the leg.

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

Moss is tagged back in. She then feeds her foot to Durden before they deliver an assisted standing moonsault! She hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Knight runs over and yanks Moss off Powers.

Kris Cruise: Landon with the timely save.

Stephy Auger: Finally! His partner is in there taking a beating.

Knight heads back out to the apron as Durden gets tagged back in. After Pendragon whip Powers into the far corner, Durden charges across the ring and connects with a clothesline. Durden steps away from the corner while Moss runs across the ring. The crowd cheers when Pendragon goes for an assisted dropkick, only to gasp seconds later when Powers dives out of the way.

Kris Cruise: Powers got out of the way in time!

Stephy Auger: This is his opening. You gotta make the tag!

Durden goes over to check on Moss. He then turns and sees Powers trying to drag himself across the mat. So he marches over and stomps away on Powers’ back! Durden reaches down, pulls Powers back to his feet and whips him into the ropes. He catches Powers off the rebound with a fireman’s carry. The crowd cheers as they see Powers set up for Nirvana’s Fall (fireman’s carry into an overhead kick). Before Durden can deliver the move, Powers hits him with multiple elbows across the side of the head. He then slips down from behind before pushing him over towards Knight, who lifts Durden up into a fireman’s carry of his own.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh!

Powers runs across the ring while Knight runs towards the same corner. He slingshots out to the apron as Knight brings Durden down with a rolling fireman’s carry! Powers follows up with a springboard 450 Splash! He then rolls off before Knight delivers a springboard Phoenix Splash!

Kris Cruise: Super Smash Melee!

Stephy Auger: We’re about to have new champs!

Knight rolls to the outside as Powers makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Moss dives over and pushes Powers off of Durden to break the pin.

Kris Cruise: Moss makes the save! If she didn’t get there in time, surely we would be looking at new champions right now.

Stephy Auger: Absolutely. I don’t think the Super Smash Melee has ever been kicked out of.

Powers takes Durden and whips him into the ropes before knocking him off his feet with a spinning heel kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Powers covers him with another lateral press.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Powers covers him again.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Powers swings over on top of Durden into a mount before raining down alternating hammer fists to the face! Durden covers up, so Powers starts whacking away at his arms until he breaks through.

Kris Cruise: Powers isn’t letting up! He’s trying to bash Durden’s face in with those fists.

Powers continues to swing down with hard fists to the face before getting back to his feet. He starts putting the boots to Durden. Powers purposely targets the chest as he rains down stomps. He then snatches Durden by the ankle before dragging him over into the SMWB corner. Knight finally gets tagged back. He picks up Durden before bringing him down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Knight bridges over, pulls Durden back to his feet and rams him back-first into the SMWB corner.

Knight remains doubled over and keeps Durden held in place as Powers tags himself back in across his back. He slingshots himself over the top rope and heads towards the center of the ring. Powers then charges into the corner and leaps over Knight’s back with a corner dropkick to Durden’s face! After hooking Durden’s arms, the SMWB run out of the corner. They throw him down with a double hip toss over their own, followed by a double cartwheel, followed by a double dropkick to the face. Knight purposely crouches down and guards Powers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: The SMWB only get a two count. But the challengers continue to maintain control of this match.

Stephy Auger: Powers was getting worked over by both members of Pendragon. But after they hit the Super Smash Melee, the challengers have been the ones with the advantage.

Knight heads back out to the apron before getting tagged back in. Durden get whipped into the ropes. When he returns, Knight brings him down with a drop toe hold. Powers follows up with a running Front Chancery before Knight comes off the ropes with a low-angle dropkick to the face! Knight pulls Durden back to his feet and smashes him with the Chain Chomp (arm wrench into a short arm forearm smash)! Durden gets smacked with a second Chain Chomp. A third one rocks him before being doubled over with a boot to the midsection. Knight then pulls him into a front facelock before scanning the crowd. He looks around and nods before dramatically hooking his right arm. He then dramatically hooks the left arm. He’s about to lift Durden up when he does a double take. The crowd cheers as Moss darts over and steps off Durden’s back to knock Knight down with a Shining Wizard!

Kris Cruise: Moss with a Shining Wizard off of Neal’s back!

Stephy Auger: Where the heck did she come from!?

Moss heads back out to the apron. Back in the ring, Knight shakes out the cobwebs before turning over on all fours. He goes back over to Durden and tries to pick him up. But he gets brought to the mat with a double leg takedown. Durden quickly hooks his arms around Knight’s legs before leaning back. The crowd cheers when Knight soars into the corner with a catapult before smacking his face against the top turnbuckle. Knight continues to stumble back before being thrown down with an Olympic Slam! No! Knight slips down from behind and takes control of Durden’s back. Durden quickly counters with three back elbows to the face. He then performs a standing switch, hooks Knight and brings him down with a Rolling Cutter! The cheers continue as he pulls Knight into a standing headscissors of his own before throwing him down with a sitout double underhook powerbomb!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Powers runs over and kicks Durden square in the back, breaking the hold.

Kris Cruise: Powers breaks up the pin with a hard kick right to the back.

Powers looks down at Durden as he continues to arch his back. Durden slowly turns and looks up before Powers knocks him down with a jumping stomp to the face. Powers gives him a quick kick to the back before finally heading back out to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Come on, Max! You already broke up the pin. You made the save. Just get back out to the apron.

Back inside, Knight takes Durden and brings him down with a snap suplex. He pulls Durden back to his feet before delivering a backbreaker. Knight keeps him held across his knee before Powers runs over and knocks him down with a somersault leg drop. Durden is pulled back into a standing headscissors by Knight before being thrown down with the Butterfly Bom-omb (sitdown double underhook powerbomb)!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: NO! Only two!

Stephy Auger: Another close call for the champs.

Kris Cruise: The SMWB, to their credit, haven’t gotten frustrated over the near falls. They’ve been so close to getting that three count. But they remain undeterred.

Knight heads over and tags Powers back in. He heads back over, takes Durden and lifts him up into a fireman’s carry. The SMWB are about to deliver the Koopa Troopa Drop (Samoan Drop/Running Neckbreaker combo) when Durden elbows Knight, slips down from behind and pushes him into Powers. The crowd cheers when the SMWB smack heads!

Kris Cruise: Neal’s got his opening! Will he try to make something work here? Will he tag out to Lowri?

Powers stumbles back before slipping through the ropes. Back in the ring, Knight continues to stumble back until he’s brought down with an Olympic Slam. Durden then marches back over as Powers tries to pull himself up using the ropes. Durden grabs the top rope with both hands and pulls back before thrusting the ropes forward. Powers flies off the apron before crashing back-first into the guardrail! Durden turns and takes off towards the far side of the ring. He bounces off the ropes and picks up speed before leaping through the ropes and knocking Powers down with a suicide dive!

Kris Cruise: Durden takes out Powers with that dive to the outside.

Stephy Auger: I don’t think he’s done...

Durden pulls Powers back to his feet before rolling back in and taking off into the far ropes. He rushes across the ring before launching himself through the ropes and sending Powers crashing against the guardrail.

Kris Cruise: Powers is driven into that guardrail again!

Durden rolls back inside before running across the ring. He runs back across the ring and hurls himself over the top rope, delivering a topé con hilo that knocks Powers down while sending himself over the guardrail!

Kris Cruise: What a maneuver from Durden!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, he almost took out a couple of people in the front row!

Durden climbs back over the guardrail before taking Powers and rolling him back inside. He takes Powers and brings him over towards the Pendragon corner before spiking him with a sitout scoop slam piledriver. Moss then gets tagged in before climbing the turnbuckles. She then sits down on the top turnbuckle as Durden climbs the ropes. The crowd cheers when Pendragon deliver an aided hurricanrana somersault leg drop across Powers! Moss makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Powers gets his shoulder up.

Durden gets tagged back in. The cheers continue as Pendragon bring Powers down with a gutbuster/corkscrew neckbreaker combination! Durden pulls Powers back up and hooks him before bringing him down with a Rolling Cutter! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Powers gets his shoulder up.

Moss gets tagged back in. She then holds Powers in place before Pendragon bring him down with a Reverse STO/step-up enzuigiri combination! Moss pushes Powers over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Powers gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Powers escapes another three count! How does he keep getting his shoulder up after all these double team moves?

Stephy Auger: You’re seeing just how bad he wants it.

Kris Cruise: But what does he want more - helping Landon win the Tag Titles or beating Neal?

Stephy Auger: Why not both?

Moss takes Powers and whips him hard into the corner. After crashing sternum-first into the turnbuckle, Powers stumbles away from the corner before being brought down with a Tiger Suplex transitioned into a bridging double chickenwing!

Kris Cruise: Severn Bridge!.

Stephy Auger: Oh man, this isn’t good

Powers howls out in pain as Moss applies the submission. The ref immediately gets down and asks Powers if he wants to give up. Powers refuses. But Moss doesn't get discouraged as she applied further pressure to the hold.

Kris Cruise: Powers is in a bad way here! He’s in the prone position with both of his arms trapped!

Moss keeps the hold applied. Across the ring, Knight can be seen rolling back in. He charges over to make the save when he gets cut off by Durden, who rushes over and catches him in a front facelock!

Stephy Auger: Now Knight is stuck! Both members of the Super Mario Wrestling Bros are stuck in submissions!

Durden does his best to move Knight across the ring. Knight then grabs Durden before pushing forward. He’s about to send Durden crashing into Moss when Durden lets go, spins and muscles him down into a Fujiwara Armbar!

Kris Cruise: Landon’s been brought to the mat with another submission!

Stephy Auger: The SMWB are seeing their title hopes fading before their very eyes!

Knight yells out as Durden pulls back on his arm. Inches away from, Powers can be seen kicking his legs as he lays helpless inside the Severn Bridge.

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

“TAP!”

The ref asks Powers if he wants to give up. Again, Powers refuses. The camera cuts to Knight as he tries to drag himself over towards Powers.

Kris Cruise: Powers is desperately trying to hang on! But I don’t think he can hang on for much longer!

Knight groans as he reaches out with his free arm to drag himself closer to Powers. The crowd buzzes with anticipation for Moss to submit Powers. Meanwhile, Knight continues to scratch and claw his way across the mat. Just as Knight and Durden get next to Moss and Powers, Knight uses his free leg to reach back and kick Moss in the head! Knight continues to kick Moss in the head until she breaks the hold!

Kris Cruise: What a save by Landon Knight!

Stephy Auger: Max Powers was surely done for. If he wasn’t going to tap out, he was going to pass out.

Durden yanks up Knight, runs and chucks him over the top rope. Knight flies over the top rope before landing hard on the outside! Knight arches his back while Durden turns and hits the far side of the ring. He bounces off the ropes, runs back across the ring and hurls himself over the top rope before flattening Knight with a somersault plancha!

Kris Cruise: Oh man! Knight just got squashed on the floor!

Back in the ring, Moss takes Powers and whips him into the corner. Durden rolls back inside before he sends Moss into Powers with an assisted dropkick! Durden then steps back towards the center of the ring before charging forward and blasting Powers with a running arched big boot! The cheers continue as Moss runs over and catches Powers with Just For Kicks (running big boot to a cornered opponent followed by a running facewash)! After sitting Powers up onto the top turnbuckle, the crowd stands up as Pendragon climb the ropes in the corner.

Kris Cruise: What are Lowri and Neal setting up for here?

Pendragon climb up onto the middle ropes before bringing Powers down with a double superplex! Moss circles the ring and waves her arms up and down to hype up the crowd. Durden, meanwhile, crouches down in the corner as he narrows his eyes at Powers. In the center of the ring, Powers can be seen favoring his back. Moss sees Powers starting to stir, so he sets herself up in the opposite corner. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Powers slowly turns himself over on all fours. The moment he gets one foot on the mat, Pendragon charge from out of their respect corners. The crowd cheers as they go to crush Powers with Dewin Ddraig gleiniog (Double Shining Wizard)!

… only for them to crash into each other when he falls down to the mat!

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Powers reaches forward before dragging himself forward. He reaches his arm out and drags himself further across the mat. Powers looks over and sees Knight slowly pulling himself up using the edge of the apron. He then slaps the canvas over and over to try and get the crowd to rally behind them. Powers continues to drag himself inch by inch across the mat as he tries to get back into the SMWB corner. Knight reaches up and slowly pulls himself up onto the apron using the ropes. He then reaches his left arm through the ropes for the tag. But Powers isn’t quite there. Powers then pushes himself back up to all fours and starts to crawl towards his corner. Powers reaches out for the tag when Pendragon dive forward and each grab him by a leg!

Knight reaches his arm out as far as he can. Powers does the same. But the tag can’t be made as he helplessly watches Powers get dragged all the way over to the Pendragon corner! Durden steps out to the apron before being tagged back in. Moss then pulls Powers up to his knees and nails him with another shoot kick to the chest, which drops him back down to all fours. She then cracks him across the back of the head with a Switchblade Kick! Powers is pulled away from the corner before Moss starts climbing the ropes. Pendragon go for another aided hurricanrana somersault leg drop. The crowd gasps when Durden crashes onto the mat after Powers rolls out of the way.

Kris Cruise: Max got out of the way just in time!

Durden holds his leg while Powers turns over before dragging himself across the mat.

Stephy Auger: Durden might be hurt here, Cruise…

Moss continues to check on Durden before doing a double take as she sees Powers getting closer to the corner. She rushes across the ring to grab Powers.

Kris Cruise: Lowri’s trying to cut off the tag!

Moss dives over… and catches Powers by the ankle! She slowly starts to drag Powers away from the corner until he breaks free, dives forward and tags Knight back in!

Kris Cruise: Powers makes the tag!

The crowd cheers when Knight knocks Moss down with a springboard dropkick! Knight takes Moss and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, she sees him set up for a back body drop. So Moss stops and knocks him down to a knee with a Switchblade Kick! Moss turns and hits the ropes. She comes back with hopes of hitting a Shining Wizard, but Knight quickly stands up and knocks her down with a dropsault! Durden turns over and spins Knight towards him. Knight knocks him down with a dropsault before landing across Moss! Knight takes Durden and whips him into the corner. The crowd cheers as he runs across the ring and hurls himself at Durden with the Tail Attack (flying hip attack)! Durden is whipped across the ring into the opposite corner before Knight rushes over and connects with a second Tail Attack! He then brings Durden from out of the corner before whipping him into the ropes. When Durden returns, Knight knocks him down with a 1-Up Uppercut (pop-up European Uppercut)! The cheers continue as he runs across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and knocks Moss down with a somersault plancha!

Kris Cruise: Knight soared through the air before taking out Moss! No Power Ups needed for that one!

Knight climbs up onto the apron before scaling to the top turnbuckle. Seconds later, Durden gets back to his feet and turns around before being driven down with the THWOMP (diving double knee drop to a standing opponent)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Durden gets his shoulder up.

Knight picks up Durden and nails him with another Chain Chomp before whipping him into the SMWB corner. Powers holds Durden in place as Knight runs over and crushes him with a third Tail Attack! Powers gets tagged in as Knight takes Durden and lifts him up for a powerbomb. Powers then reaches back and grabs Durden. The crowd explodes with cheers when SMWB bring him down with a sitout powerbomb/avalanche Sliced Bread #2 combination! Powers sits on top of Durden and hooks a leg.

Kris Cruise: Super Smash Brawl!

Stephy Auger: NOW we have new champions!

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

The crowd cheers when Durden gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How was that not a three count?

Stephy Auger: I have no idea.

Powers picks up Durden and pulls him into a front facelock. He looks around at the crowd and nods before planting him with the It’s A Me-DT (Snap DDT)! Durden gets dragged into position before Powers scales to the top turnbuckle. Powers looks out at the crowd, flips down and lands down hard across Durden’s back with the Starman Special (Imploding 450 Splash)! He pulls Durden over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd cheers when Durden gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How was THAT not a three count?

Stephy Auger: Durden may be content with riding off into the sunset. But he’ll be damned if he lets Max Powers and the SMWB end Pendragon’s reign as tag champs!

Powers slaps the canvas multiple times out of frustration.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh. Someone’s starting to crack under pressure.

Kris Cruise: Max has to stay focused. He’s got Neal on the ropes. He has to help Landon put this thing away if he wants the titles.

Powers turns over to a knee and looks at Knight. He makes a twirling motion with his fingers before nodding. Knight nods in agreement before stepping back into the ring.

Kris Cruise: What in the world do they have in mind for Neal Durden? They hit him with the Super Smash Melee. They’ve hit him with Super Smash Brawl. Moss made the save after one move and Neal got his shoulder up after the other. What could possibly be left?

Stephy Auger: Super Smash Ultimate. Remember, Max teased that they would debut this move right here tonight. If their other two big moves couldn’t put Neal away, then this has to be their last resort.

Knight heads over, pulls up Durden and hoists him up onto his shoulders while Powers steps out to the apron. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Powers climbs up to the top turnbuckle. He looks over at Durden before slowly rising up from a crouched position. Powers points over at his former friend before flipping off the top turnbuckle. The crowd gasps as the SMWB plant Durden with a Doomsday Canadian Destroyer!!!

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

Stephy Auger: Super Smash Ultimate! It’s over, Cruise! It’s OVER!

Durden stands dazed on his knees before planting face-first onto the mat. Powers yanks him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

Kris Cruise: NO!

The crowd gasps, then explodes with cheers when Moss dives through the ropes and breaks up the pin at 2.99!

Kris Cruise: Lowri Moss just saved Pendragon’s tag team title reign! Neal wasn’t getting up from that!

Stephy Auger: You think!? He’s lucky if his neck isn’t broken!

Powers slaps the mat out of frustration before getting back to his feet. He grabs a hold of Moss, runs and chucks her through the ropes and to the floor! Powers then turns and motions for Knight to climb the turnbuckles. Knight does as asked while Powers takes Durden and lifts him up across his shoulders with a fireman’s carry.

Kris Cruise: SMWB have him set up for another Super Smash Melee!

Powers runs towards the corner before Durden slips down at the last second. He then shoves Powers forward, sending him crashing into Knight! Powers inadvertently knocks Knight’s legs out from under him, causing him to slip and end up crotched on the top turnbuckle!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Durden takes Powers and pulls him away from the corner. He takes control of his back and throws out a release Tiger Suplex! NO! Powers is able to rotate and land on his feet! He charges over and throws out a running clothesline! He whiffs when Durden ducks and hits the ropes. Powers goes to catch him off the rebound with a knee to the midsection! Durden then flips over the knee before throwing Powers down with a schoolboy transitioned into a powerbomb! Durden immediately favors his back before dropping down to a knee.

Durden looks over and sees Moss calling out for the tag. But he shakes his head ‘no’ before placing his hand on his chest.

Kris Cruise: Moss is ready for the tag. But Neal wants to be the one to finish this between him and Max.

Durden heads over and hoists himself up onto the middle ropes. As soon as Powers gets back to his feet, Durden leaps off and sends him tumbling down to the mat with a diving knee strike to the back of the head! Powers is slowly pulled up off the mat before being whipped into the corner. Durden then charges across the ring before snapping Powers’ head back with a running arched big boot! He pulls Powers out of the corner before taking off into the ropes. The cheers continue as Durden comes back and leaves Powers folded up on the mat with a hard Sling Blade!

Durden grabs Powers and pulls him over onto his knees before hitting the ropes. He picks up speed before flattening Powers with a Shining Wizard! Durden reaches down, pulls Powers off the mat and takes control of his back before nailing him with a ripcord knee strike! He reaches down, pulls Powers back to his feet and takes control of his back before snapping his head back with a second ripcord knee strike! A groggy Powers drops down to his knees in front of Durden. Durden looks down at Powers and narrows his eyes before pulling down his right knee pad. He then positions himself behind Powers, wraps his arms around him and slowly pulls him back to his feet before clobbering him with a third ripcord knee strike!

*CRACK!*

Powers crumbles to the mat. Durden goes to grab Powers when Knight takes control of his back. He pulls Durden away from Knight and goes for a German Suplex when Durden counters with a back elbow to the face. He then performs a standing switch and pushes him forward, sending him stumbling right into the Breuddwydion Melus (Superkick) from Moss!

Kris Cruise: Lowri nearly knocked his head right off! Man!

Knight collapses to the mat as Durden turns his attention back to Powers. Powers gets yanked up off the mat before Durden doubles him over. He turns, reaches back and hooks Powers’ arms before turning over, lifting Powers up and planting him with the Strike Back (Vertabreaker)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

The crowd gasps when Durden pulls Powers up.

Kris Cruise: Huh?

Stephy Auger: Neal’s not done with Max just yet.

Moss doubles a double take when she sees Durden pulling Powers back to his feet.

Kris Cruise: Even Lowri can’t believe this.

Durden hooks Powers’ arms before lifting him up. He keeps Powers held upside down for several seconds before dropping straight down, leaving him folded up on the mat with another Strike Back! Durden pushes him and presses down hard on Powers’ jaw as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers as “Take A Chance” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… aaaaaaand STIIILLLLLL the FGA World Tag Team Champions, PENDRAGON!

The cheers continue as Pendragon get their arms raised in victory. Moss starts to play up to the crowd while Durden continues to stare a hole through Powers.

Kris Cruise: Pendragon have done it once again! Lowri Moss and Neal Durden have turned away another formidable challenge to retain their Tag Team Titles! Is there a team out there that can take those titles off of Pendragon?

Pendragon are given their titles by the official. Moss swings her half of the belts across her shoulder. She goes to hand Durden his half of the titles when she sees him continuing to stare at Powers. Across the ring, Knight is seen attending to Powers on the mat. After another ten seconds or so, Powers starts to come to. Both Knight and the ref slowly help him back to his feet. Power is seen favoring his neck after being given the Strike Back twice from Durden. The Super Mario Wrestling Bros eventually lock eyes with the champions. Powers turns to Knight and put his hand on his chest before telling him that he has to do this. “Take A Chance” starts to fade out as Powers slowly makes his way over to Pendragon.

Kris Cruise: What’s this?

Durden continues to stare daggers at Powers while Powers shifts his focus between both members of Pendragon. The camera can’t exactly pick up what Powers is saying. But whatever is being said, Powers does it while holding his hand over his heart. He then wipes his hand off on his pants before extending his hand to both members of Pendragon.

Kris Cruise: Would you look at this? We’ve seen TJ Techniques and Cassius Reed shake hands. We’ve seen Mighty Sparrow and Ace Voltage shake hands. Are we about to see Pendragon and SMWB bury the hatchet?

Stephy Auger: Do you see the look on Neal’s face? He’d rather bury the hatchet right in Max’s head!

Durden doesn’t react and continues to keep his narrowed stare. Moss, meanwhile, turns to see what the crowd thinks. Upon taking in their reaction, Moss turns back to Powers, slowly reaches her hand out… and shakes his hand with him.

Kris Cruise: Alright!

The cheers continue as Moss and Powers have appeared to put any past issues behind them. Powers takes a hard gulp as he turns and extend his hand to Durden. Durden’s expression remains unchanged. Powers lets out a sigh before once again putting his hand out. Durden responds… by turning his back to Powers and exiting the ring.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Stephy Auger: Well, so much for that reconciliation, huh?

Durden continues to march up the aisle without looking back. Moss turns her attention back to Powers and shrugs before exiting the ring. Powers slowly lowers his hand before dropping his head.

[FGA Office]

As All-Star Showdown rolls on, we find Amanda Johnson at her customary position in the backstage interview area. She gives a warm greeting to the camera.

Amanda Johnson: And now fans, please welcome…

Amanda is interrupted by a black fingerless gloved hand covering her microphone, as the camera trails to the side to reveal a scuffed black leather jacket, and the mirrored sunglasses on the face of Salem. She has a bandage covering a healing stitched up wound on her forehead.

Salem: Oh hey kiddo, look I’m not in the mood for a lot of snappy banter back and forth tonight, so I’ll take it from here okay? You get paid either way, no big whoop.

Amanda nods, ceding the floor to FGA’s resident unpredictable magical one. She smirks and opens her coat to reveal a white t-shirt that says in big block letters: IZZY MADE ME DIZZY! It also is covered with old blood stains.

Salem: Hey kids, like my shirt? It’s a hot ticket collector’s item, kinda like when KISS sold the comic books with their blood in the ink. It’s made with real Salem, so you know it’s purty good. But I’m not here to talk about all that! Hoo boy, like Fall Out Boy said: thanks for the memories, even if they weren’t so great. I’m looking forward to the future. The immediate future… so imminent and in your pretty face, Savvy Tay-Tay. It’ll be good to see you tonight… I almost forgot what you looked like. I haven’t seen you since…

Salem paused and tapped her chin looking away. Then she raised her finger in a moment of “Ah ha!”

Salem: That’s right, since I prevented the atrocity of you cheating to win back the International Heavyweight Championship. And you got so mad you… sort of vanished? I mean you did show up last Vertigo. Sorry I couldn’t make that.

She pointed to her head.

Salem: Ding dang ol’ concussion flared up. Know what I mean? I am so glad you got sooo upset with me that you sent a strongly worded missive to the FGA Management requesting this match. Very businesslike, so corporate, much wow. What, smoke signals and carrier pigeon machine down or something? So I’ve been wondering if you’re scared to face me, or so annoyed that you can’t be bothered with your good ol’ monkey wrench pal from days gone by? All you had to do was ask. But see, I think I know what it is… and it’s sort of an epidemic in this grand ol’ business of pro wrestling in general. You got too many irons in the fire, kiddo. You’re burning that candle at too many ends. That is, working in too many gosh darn places! If you prefer quantity over quality, baby girl… have at it. Far be it for me to say what you should do. But you’re doing it wrong. My two cents. Sure, I used to moonlight here and there. Had me a stint in England, another in Australia, I dare say I even wrestled underground awhile. Lighting is terrible down there, I might add. What I’ve found is if you’re not a true blood homer they let you taste some good good at first, dangle that carrot… then you realize the fine print in your contract has you putting over a wunderkind rookie or the owner’s kid or some shit. Am I exposing the business? Well fudge… Results may vary.

Salem shrugs and just laughs, taking off her sunglasses.

Salem: So I’m done blazing new frontiers is what I’m getting at. The only one I concern myself with is Frontier Grappling Arts. And the current International Heavyweight Champion… you may know her, Cordelia Stevenson… the Sex Sellin’, Ass & Titty Havin’, Certainly Not Rotten Tomato Certified Fresh Legend? I thought we were really getting somewhere, we had just had this conversation where I’d poured out my heart and a bucket of blood to her. After all that she called me a wolf! I was so red faced.

She looked up at her head wound.

Salem: As if I run in any sort of pack! But she’s not wrong… I want the whole enchilada. But this tonight? This just feels like the chips and salsa with a side of chunky guacamole. Er, that was NOT a fat joke… you’re rail thin, babe. Savvy, I know you’re a former champ. Have you been paying attention? It’s not been the former champions' brightest shining moment when they’ve been facing me lately. They’ve all lost something… the match, their cool. I’m collecting each piece from them, a trinket here and there. Like the Queen album, I am a Live Killer, and I’m collecting trophies, one by one. What do you have to give me, sweetheart? Seems I’ve already taken so much from you. But I just want more.

She scratched her head in thought a moment.

Salem: How about a handshake after all this is over? No hard feelings? Hmmm. It’s really not personal, I swear! You already seem to want to keep it professional, so why not? Put ‘er there, ex-champ!

She smiled ear to ear, putting an arm around Amanda.

Salem: See Mandy, it took me long enough to realize… all these monikers are so silly. Best in the World? Better Than You? Las Vegas Siren? Sigh… I don’t aspire to be any of those things. Like the smiling kid with the MAGA hat smirking in the face of the dancing Native American, that moment crystalized how I see myself in the wrestling industry. The Phenomenon. To hell with your traditions, and your sacred untouchables. I wanna touch. I’m gonna touch. Cooly, calmly. Does it piss you off? Oh no! Best in the World? No honey, I’m the Absolute Worst. The Necessary Evil. But I’m having so much fun. Friends? Enemies? Pffft. Grass is greener on one side or the other? Baby I’m tiptoeing down the fence spying on every backyard and seeing it’s all fertilized with bullshit.

She put the sunglasses on Amanda.

Salem: Can’t you see it? It’s all so ugly and beautiful at the same time. Like our match tonight, Savvy. But if anyone calls you ugly I’ll rip their lungs out, toots. One professional quality Grade A all business ass-kicking coming up. This has been Salem, and I approve this message.

Salem shoots Amanda a thumbs up and walks away. She touches the sunglasses and seems a bit flabbergasted.

[FGA Office]

We cut to show one of the Hammerstein Ballroom’s locker rooms, which is completely bare

No, not completely bare.

Sitting in the centre of the locker room, with its whitewashed walls and the bare minimum of décor to make it feel like a locker room instead of a maintenance cupboard, is a single steel chair already set up directly in front of the camera

But nothing else. Nobody else is here. But we already know there will be

True to form, the uncomfortable silence of looking at a locker room with nothing but a folding chair sitting within it is broken by John Carmichael walking past the camera into shot, and as soon as he walks into shot he picks up the folding chair and folds it under his arm before dropping it to the floor with a loud crash, and for a few seconds he stands there looking directly into the camera with his arms folded, because now you’re on his time

John Carmichael: Tonight.

Exhaling deeply, Carmichael waits a moment before deciding to continue

John Carmichael: Tonight is the night where I expose Izzy Anders for what she truly is. Not the elite star she’s conditioned you to believe that she is. Not the vicious competitors she thinks she can intimidate me by claiming she is. No, tonight I expose her as nothing more than a coward, a coward who has to hide behind other people to even stay level with other competitors, let alone get ahead. And the fact is that each and every one of you allowed her to spread her poison, let her drip it into your minds, until you too believed she was everything she claimed to be. And tonight that goes away, because when she lies in the ring surrounded by four sides of steel that prevented anyone coming to her aid, you will realise that the reason your icon was crushed so decisively was because that was the only way you would realise your mistake.

Once again he pauses to look accusingly at the camera, and after a moment he picks up the folding chair from the floor, flips it open, and places it on the floor with the back facing the camera and sits upon it

John Carmichael: And you know what the problem is? Even after I do this, you will not get it. And you will continue to not get it even when I move on to your other icons, be it Fujiko Mine, or your brand new toy Lowri Moss, or whoever I move onto, because unlike the hydra there’s only so many times I have to remove the head before no new ones grow in its place.

A smirk crosses his face

John Carmichael: But don’t let my thinking ahead give you reason to doubt I am taking tonight’s match lightly. I can assure you, I am not looking past this match, rather I am hoping that my future opponents will be looking backwards, at my match tonight, when they see what happens when I have a reason to make an example out of somebody.

He pauses for a beat, and there’s a steely look in his eyes as he does so, because he absolutely believes what he is saying.

John Carmichael: For weeks, all I have heard from Izzy Anders is threats that she will dig deep within herself to find the dark heart of who she truly is, the dark heart she has hidden away from so many people who simply wanted her to hide it so they wouldn’t feel bad cheering her because she’s been here long enough that must make her a good person, and she believes that is enough to make me back off. Well I’m sorry to break it to you, but it doesn’t, it inspires me to push that little bit harder because I remember that dark heart, I remember what it did to me, and I remember exactly why I put myself through hell in order to try and silence it. So if that is what Izzy wants to come at me with, then by all means dig deep and drag your true self to the fore, because you’ll only prove that you have been lying to people who were so desperate to have the wool pulled over their eyes, and they will turn their backs on you. And when they do, what will you do Izzy? Do you have any friends to fall back on, or did they all abandon you because they were sick of having to prop you up for so long?

Another pause, and with it Carmichael cocks his head to one side for a split second

John Carmichael: Oh, did you think I forgot? For you to go back to what you were means you have to bring out Heroes Never Die to watch your back at all times, Izzy. And are you willing to do that? Time will tell if you’re willing to do so, and if you do…well, not only do you prove that you’re a coward, it’s not like they can help you as it’s a cage match.

With a shake of the head, Carmichael genuinely looks like he’s either going to burst out laughing, or possibly burst into tears

John Carmichael: I told you, I told everyone, that animals belong in cages, so if you have to sink that low that proves one thing: you’re the animal, calling your pack into the cage with you, and that’s why you all belong there.

Brushing his hair out of his eyes, whatever glimmer of amusement rapidly leaves Carmichael’s face

John Carmichael: And there’s something else you really didn’t notice, Izzy. Those animals on the other side of the cage, not your former partners but the people you’ve been pandering to because you want them to forget who you really are as you crave their cheers, they want to see us tear each other apart. Not you tearing me apart, they want brutality and don’t care where it comes from, and they’re just as likely to lose their minds when I bounce you off every side of the cage as if the roles were reversed. You’re just a body to them, something to be used for their entertainment, and you will realise this when you wipe the blood from your face and you hear the crowd cheering not because they’re rallying you to come back at me, because I gave them what they wanted and it was at your expense.

A beat

John Carmichael: But it won’t be for them, it will be for me, because it’s time you learned what it is like to be victimised just like you victimised me, and if you think threatening me by saying you’ll act like the Izzy Anders of old will protect you, I have a secret to tell you: I know how that Izzy Anders operates, and I know how to beat them. The difference is you don’t know what you’re up against, or what I’m willing to do in order to make you feel pathetic and useless because somebody has put so much time and effort into making your life miserable.

Without warning, Carmichael slides out of the chair and stands up, swatting the chair aside with a swipe of his arm while maintaining eye contact with the camera

John Carmichael: But you will. I promise you that.