Vertigo E84

[FGA Office]

Stephy Auger: You know what Fujiko just whispered to Lowri, right?

Kris Cruise: What’s that?

Stephy Auger: “You’re soooooo much better than me, Lowri, it makes me sick!”

Kris Cruise: Oh stop it, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: AH HA HA!

MAIN EVENT
Fujiko Mine vs. Savannah Taylor

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the final EXODUS World Champion remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is your MAIN EVENT of the evening! Introducing first, hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada! She is the “Las Vegas Siren” SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

If you close your eyes your life,
A naked truth revealed
Dreams you never lived,
And scars never healed

Savannah makes her way up the ring steps. She looks out towards the audience for a moment before entering the ring. From there, she heads for a turnbuckle. She stands there, taking in everything. She then lifts her up on top of it. She peers out in nothing, then takes off the hood with a flashy flourish. Her blonde locks fly up in the air. They descend, shaping her face as they famously do.

In the darkness, light will take you to the other side
You'll find me waiting there you'll see, if you just close your eyes

While she stands in her corner, she closes her eyes and takes a heavy breath. When her bright eyes open, Taylor is completely composed. There is nothing more than the heat of battle awaiting her. She takes off her robe, giving it to a stagehand. She stretches her wrists before devoting her mind to the war upon the horizon.

Stephy Auger: Do you remember the last time these two faced off? It was in the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup. That match ended ended in a Time Limit Draw.

Kris Cruise: At that point in time, Fujiko was the reigning Pride Champion while Taylor was just barely under a year into her FGA career. Since that time, Taylor won the Pride Title, the US Title twice and become the International Heavyweight Champion. Fujiko ended up winning another Pride Title, the US Tag Titles, the 2018 DDT3 with Izzy Anders and set records with the World Championship on her way to a Hall of Fame induction. These two have come a long way since that initial meeting.

"Baddest do, what the baddest do (hey)"

"The baddest do (hey), we the baddest, ooh"

"Baddest do, what the baddest do (hey)"

"The baddest do (hey), we the baddest"

The heavy electronic beat of "The Baddest" kicks in, and the crowd bursts into cheers, knowing who is about to arrive. The thumping beat quickly spreads through the arena, and the crowd gets into the spectacle of audio. The lights in the arena dim, with pink and purple spotlights swirling around the arena.


"Coming at you live, real, real wild
Here to light it up, set the world on fire
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do"

The secondary lights in the arena bump to the beat, mixing between light & dark.


Never going back, nah, not that
Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do (yeah, uh)


As the rap begins, The lights near the entrance ramp go black, and a figure stands there in the darkness. As the beat drops again, The lights all focus on the figure, almost washing them out. After a moment, the lights drop back to a ‘non blinding’ level and Fujiko stands there, The Apex Goddess holds her hands up, pressing the backs of their hands against their forehead in a “crown gesture”.


"I'm doing damage, went just how I planned it
I do what I want when I say (when I say, when I say)
모두 날 따라 해, 난 끝내주잖아
To live on the edge of insane"

Over her ring attire is a shirt that has her "Apex Goddess" logo on it. Behind her, the imposing XENA enters, her arms folded. The music drops for a second, and then the beat kicks back in as she is announced.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin! She is the “Apex Goddess” FUJIKO MINE!


"Coming at you live, real, real wild
Here to light it up, set the world on fire
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do"

Fujiko saunters down the ramp. Fujiko reaches the ringside area, and follows it up with a jump onto the apron. She turns around and looks out at the crowd for a moment. She then jumps up onto the top turnbuckle, repeating her crown pose.


Never going back, nah, not that
Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do (its crazy)

She jumps down off the turnbuckle and vibes as the bridge comes in.


"Sorry for the bad news, sorry I'm so bad
Only took a minute for me to get what you had
Sorry for the bad news, know it makes you sad
I'll be here for a minute, baby
You should pack your bags"

Fujiko grins widely, then pulls the shirt off over her head and tosses it into the crowd. She then leans into the nearest corner before the match begins.

Kris Cruise: Like I said before, these two have come such a long way since that initial meeting about four and a half years ago. After everything they’ve accomplished, the story of FGA can’t be told without these two.

Stephy Auger: They’ve gone on to do great things. Will we see another draw here tonight between these two. Or will we get a definitive winner?

The bell sounds as Fujiko and Taylor start things off with a lock up. The Las Vegas Siren quickly gains the advantage with a side headlock. She tries to wrench does on the hold, but Fujiko is able to push her off into the ropes. When Taylor returns, the crowd boos when she knocks Fujiko down with a running shoulder block. After Fujiko kips up, Taylor runs into another set of ropes, comes back and knocks her back down with a second running shoulder block. When Fujiko kips up, Taylor turns and hits another set of ropes. When Taylor returns, Fujiko leapfrogs over her. The Las Vegas Siren comes off the ropes and sees Fujiko do a leg split right in front of her. So she hops over Fujiko before continuing to run the ropes. When Taylor returns, Fujiko brings her down with a grounded monkey flip. Taylor gets back to her feet, only to get sent back down to the at with a japanese arm drag. Fujiko the runs over before bringing Taylor back down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Taylor slaps the mat before getting back to her feet. She rushes over as she sees Fujiko motioning for her to bring it. Fujiko starts to run backwards as Taylor gets closer and closer. Just as Fujiko’s about to back herself against the ropes, she side steps, grabs Taylor by the back of the neck and tosses her over the top rope and to the floor.

Taylor picks herself up on the outside as Fujiko hits the far ropes. The Apex Goddess charges back across the ring and motions for the dive to the floor. At the last second, she kicks off the middle rope, twirls through the air and lands in a superhero pose to cheers and applause from the crowd. Taylor then slides back inside and tries to catch Fujiko off guard with an attack. But Fujiko’s able to quickly leap to her feet before dropping Taylor with a leaping double foot stomp. The Apex Goddess heads out to the apron before leaping onto the top turnbuckle with a springboard. When Taylor gets back to her feet, Fujiko stands up, leaps off and nails her with a shotgun dropkick to the back! The crowd cheers as Taylor stumbles forward before falling through the ropes to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Taylor’s been sent back to the outside.

Stephy Auger: C’mon, Savannah! Don’t let Fujiko show you up!

The Las Vegas Siren picks herself up on the outside. As she turns around, Fujiko leaps through the ropes and knocks her against the guardrail with a topé suicida! Fujiko rolls back inside before taking off into the ropes against. She builds up speed as she runs back across the ring. Taylor slowly moves towards the ring before Fujiko twirls over the top rope and knocks her down with a corkscrew plancha!

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays off for the Apex Goddess yet again!

Taylor gets rolled back inside. Fujiko then slides back in, drags Taylor away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor kicks out.

Fujiko takes Taylor, moves her into the corner and unloads on her with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. The thud from each kick can be heard throughout the arena. She then sets up for an irish whip when Taylor reverses, sending Fujiko into the far corner. The Las Vegas Siren runs in to attack. She’s about to strike when Fujiko goes to counter with a boot to the face. Taylor slams on the brakes at the last second and catches Fujiko’s right foot. Fujiko then raises her left leg and pulls it back before hitting Taylor with multiple kicks to the chest. But Taylor maintains a hold of her foot. So Fujiko leans back and raises her left leg high before swinging it down violently, catching Taylor right across the head with an Axe Kick. Now free, Fujiko turns and faces the turnbuckles before delivering a corner headstand into a falling double mule kick. After Taylor gets knocked down, Fujiko slingshots out to the apron before leaping back up to the top turnbuckle. The Apex Goddess remains in the crouched position while she waits for Taylor to pick in position. Once Taylor gets back to a vertical base, Fujiko stands up, leaps off and sends Taylor flying halfway across the ring with a shotgun dropkick to the chest! The cheers continue as she kips up to her feet, rushes over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for the Apex Goddess. If you’re the Las Vegas Siren, how frustrated are you right now.

Stephy Auger: Very!

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor needs to come up with something quick or else the match isn’t going to last for much longer.

Fujiko picks up Taylor, delivers an arm wrench and follows up with a hook kick that sends the Las Vegas Siren stumbling into the ropes. The Apex Goddess goes over and takes control of her wrist before executing an irish whip. Taylor rebounds off the ropes and nearly gets thrown down with a back body drop. But she slips down from behind, takes control of Fujiko’s back and runs forward before chucking her over the top rope. The crowd boos Taylor as she turns and heads back towards the center of the ring with her arms raised. But unbeknownst to her, Fujiko is hanging onto the top rope with both hands. Taylor turns and does a double take when she sees Fujiko “skin the cat” to get back inside. Taylor then runs over to send Fujiko to the outside with a running lariat. But it’s Taylor that gets sent to the floor after Fujiko dumps her over the top! No! Taylor lands safely on the floor before reaching back inside and yanking Fujiko down to the mat. The boos continue as she pulls Fujiko to the outside before ramming her back-first against the edge of the apron. Taylor then lifts Fujiko up before delivering a scoop slam across the edge of the apron. The Apex Goddess bounces off the apron before falling to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko was firing on all cylinders until Taylor started to target her back.

Stephy Auger: That’ll put a stop to her!

The ref sticks his head through the ropes and tells Taylor to bring the action back inside. Taylor pays him to mind as she lifts Fujiko up before throwing her down with authority using a Uranage! Fujiko lays writhing in pain on the outside while Taylor climbs back up onto the apron. Taylor gets confronted by the official. The ref continues to admonish the Las Vegas Siren. Taylor responds by yawning before shooing him away.

Stephy Auger: I love her attitude.

Kris Cruise: I bet you do. Two peas in a pod.

Stephy Auger: Is that supposed to be an insult?

Taylor sets up shop in the center of the ring. When she sees Fujiko start to pick herself up, she rushes into the corner before flipping over the top rope and knocking her down with a Triangle Moonsault!

Stephy Auger: Now THAT’S a dive to the floor, Cruise! She just took Fuji right out!

Kris Cruise: Taylor connected with that one, I’ll give her that.

The boos continue as Taylor takes Fujiko and rolls her back inside. She then slides back in, drags Fujiko away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Taylor takes Fujiko and whips her hard into the corner. As Fujiko staggers away from the corner, Taylor scoops her up from the side before bringing her down with a running backbreaker. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Taylor pulls Fujiko back up and doubles her over with five knee strikes to the midsection before bringing her down with a corkscrew neckbreaker. The boos continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Fujiko gets sent for the ride. When the Apex Goddess returns, Taylor throws her down with a high back body drop. Fujiko arches her back in pain on the mat before Taylor drags her into position. The Las Vegas Siren marches into the corner before scaling the turnbuckles. After reaching the rope, Taylor flips off for the Ultimecia (Phoenix Splash)! The crowd cheers when Fujiko rolls out of the way. Instead of crashing onto the canvas, Taylor’s somehow able to land on her feet before her momentum sends her rolling forward. Both grapplers return to their feet and rush towards the center of the ring. Boos ring out when Taylor strikes first with a Sling Blade! Taylor then takes Fujiko and slowly pulls her back to her feet. She then quickly slips behind Fujiko and hooks both arms before throwing her down with a Snap Dragon Suplex!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, what a suplex! Taylor just dropped Fujiko right on the back of her neck!

Stephy Auger: It was only a matter of time until the Las Vegas Siren took over this match. Look who is the Apex now, Cruise. Not Fuji!

Fujiko remains dazed after her momentum sends her rolling forward onto her knees. Taylor then heads over, crouches down in front of Fujiko and blows a kiss in her face before grabbing a hold of her wrists. The crowd erupts with boos when they see Taylor setting up for Dancing Mad (Double wrist-lock knee strike to a kneeling opponent)! Before Taylor can strike, Fujiko rolls back, leaps to her feet and counter with a front dropkick to the face, knocking Taylor down to an explosion of cheers!

Stephy Auger: What!?

Kris Cruise: Fujiko countered! Taylor took too much time taunting Fujiko! The Apex Goddess has another opening! Can she take advantage and pull out this win!?

Stephy Auger: Get up, Savannah! GET UP!

The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Fujiko picks herself back up to her feet. Once Taylor gets back up, Fujiko unleashes a kick flurry on her! The Apex Goddess then turns, runs towards the ropes, bounces back and knocks Taylor down with a handspring rebound enzuigiri! The cheers continue as Fujiko pulls Taylor up and takes control of her back before delivers the N Loop (ripcord into alternating forearms and backfists)! Fujiko hoists Taylor up for Eriana’s Vow (Lumbar Check), only for Taylor to turn in mid air, grab Fujiko and plant her with a DDT!

Stephy Auger: YESSSSS!

Kris Cruise: What a counter from Savannah Taylor!

Stephy Auger: Finish her off, Savvy!

Taylor continues to shake out the cobwebs before slowly getting back to her feet. She then grabs a hold of Fujiko and pulls her back to a vertical base before nailing her with a hard forearm! After turning Fujiko around, the crowd gasps when Taylor lifts Fujiko up across her shoulders!

Kris Cruise: UH OH!

Stephy Auger: Drop her! Drop her right on her head! End this now, Savannah!

The crowd boos as the Las Vegas Siren has her in position for A Cruel Angel’s Thesis (One handed Electric Chair Driver)! Taylor desperately tries to grab a hold of Fujiko’s neck. But Fujiko fights her off. She then hits Taylor with four hammer fists across the top of the head before flipping back and spiking her with a poison rana!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

The momentum from the reversal sends Taylor rolling over onto her knees. The Las Vegas Siren remains dazed as Fujiko reaches over and grabs both of her wrists. From there, Fujiko blasts her with Yount's 3000th Hit (Double wristlock knee to face)! The cheers continue as Fujiko takes Taylor and whips her into the ropes. Taylor comes back off the ropes before getting turned inside out with the 4-Play (Running Single Leg Dropkick to face)! The Apex Goddess grabs Taylor and slowly pulls her back to hEr feet. She then nails Taylor with four forearms strikes to the face before throwing out a spinning back kick to the midsection. The kick doesn’t find it’s mark as Taylor catches her foot in time. Fujiko then spins around on one foot so that she’s facing Taylor. The Las Vegas Siren taunts Fujiko before throwing her leg up, sending Fujiko into the air with a backflip. As soon as Fujiko lands on her feet, Taylor rushes in to attack. But before Taylor can strike, the crowd explodes with cheers when Fujiko connects with The Bliss (Backflip Flash Kick)! Spittle flies out of Taylor’s mouth as she crumbles to the mat. Fujiko then drops down or the cover…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers as “The Baddest” blasts over the PA!

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

The cheers continue as Fujiko gets her arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: That match did not disappointed! I expected nothing less out of the Apex Goddess and the Las Vegas Siren. But it was Fujiko that was able to bounce back after a tough, heartbreaking loss at All-Star Showdown IX and pick up a win here tonight! Ladies and gentlemen, stay tuned as Leonard T. Asherman is coming up next week his blockbuster announcement!

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We are back from commercial break after tonight's main event. Occupying the ring at this time is the rarely seen Leonard T. Asherman. Dressed in a grey business suit, Asherman stands in front of the social distanced crowd. Once the Vertigo theme song has fade, Asherman raises the mic and starts to address the audience.

Leonard T. Asherman: Good Evening, ladies and gentlemen! I hope you all have enjoyed the night of action that these talented athletes have provided for all of us! Give these FGA grapplers a round of applause, everyone. They're some of the very best in the
world at what they do.

The crowd complies and gives tonight's competitors a hearty round of applause.

Leonard T. Asherman: Now, for those of you newer viewers that do not know me, my name is Leonard T. Asherman and I am the President of Frontier Grappling Arts. Unlike other authority figures, I do not believe in putting myself in front of the camera. You, the paying customer, want to see our best, entertaining you show after show. You do not want to see people in suits taking up valuable camera time, especially those that look like I do.

The crowd can't help but to laugh at Asherman's self-deprecating joke.

Leonard T. Asherman: Every so often, however, I do feel the need to get in front of the camera. Over the past five years, those instances have been few and far between. For example, when I announced the first ever Wildcard Lottery for the FGA World Championship, which was won by Cordelia Stevenson.

Asherman is caught by surprise at the reaction. He expected Cordy's name to elicit thunderous applause. She was still being cheered a bit. But there were noticeable boos. Those fans didn't forget Cordy's actions towards the tail end of her match with Lowri Moss at last year's "All-Star Showdown IX."

Leonard T. Asherman: ...in addition to the announcement of the Brand Extension Draft in 2017. Which leads me into my announcement for tonight. Ideally, if we had our way, the brand extension would still be going to this day with all the talented athletes in the back, as well as others, anchoring the Vertigo and Flashpoint brands. However, the Brand Extension came to an end at the tail end of 2019. Since that time, we've seen Pendragon unify the World Tag Team and United States Tag Team Championships. However, two titles - which were born out of the fight between two warring GMs - remain. For now.

Those last two words elicit murmurs from the crowd.

Leonard T. Asherman: Since its creation in the Fall of 2018, the International Heavyweight Championship wasn't just a top championship for the Flashpoint brand. It was also looked at as being equivalent to the FGA World Championship. Over the last year and a half, the likes of Jimmy Page, Chandler Scott, Savannah Taylor and reigning champion Cordelia Stevenson have done a tremendous job at establishing the International Heavyweight Championship as a top tier title. With that being said, with the Brand Split having ended for over than a year, there is no longer a need for two top tier championships. That is why on Tuesday, April 27, we will see Title versus Title! It is time that FGA once again sees a unified, undisputed championship! You will see a unified championship because at "2021: A New Odyssey," it will be, winner take all!

The announcement causes an eruption of cheers.

Leonard T. Asherman: So, allow me to introduce at this time the reigning International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson, and the reigning FGA World Champion, Seth Iser!

The familiar lights dimming as even if he wasn’t the first one announced it seems he’s in a little bit of a rush to get there. From dimming to a black out as ‘Unsainted’ is what plays, the calling card for Seth Iser, the World Champion. Then the spotlight shining down where Iser is now standing on the ramp. He’s dressed as you’d expect from him, the three piece suit in black and red with the championship gold around his waist as he lumbers down the rampway with a tense look on his face. He’s ignoring the boobirds going his way as he is ignoring the jeers headed his way.

He reaches the ring steps and pulls himself up to the ring before making his entrance. He has a microphone in his left hand ready but he isn’t speaking, not yet. He almost has that look as if he senses something. He even exchanges a tense look toward Leonard for a moment as he just slinks to have his back to the corner and eyeballing the entrance ramp. It seems he’s also curious and wants to hear the reaction from the audience for Cordy himself as he’s eyeballing the ramp. The fans however begin a very unflattering ‘Asshole’ chant directed at the World Champion for about a minute. And he just glares at the crowd coldly...then the chant dies when he doesn’t take the bait and talks and the people boo further for a second.

The lights dim once again, and the soulful intro to “Been Down” by Nipsey Hussle begins blaring throughout the arena. The International Heavyweight Champion, Cordelia Stevenson emerges from the back, casually dressed in a Balmain Straight leg jumpsuit.The usual bounce in her step is absent as is her usual smile. The International Heavyweight Championship rests on her shoulder, for all to see. There are quite a bit of cheers for the champ, but more notably a considerable amount of boos.

Cordelia stands atop the ramp momentarily, glancing around at the crowd and gauging the reaction before simply shaking her head. She then turns her focus towards the ring where the FGA President and the FGA World Champion await her and proceeds forward. The usual interaction with the fans is nonexistent as Cordelia strides towards the ring, her eyes seemingly locked in place on the individuals inside.

She makes her way up the steps and into the ring, not even bothering to acknowledge Leonard T. Asherman as she brushes past him. She marches forward, requesting a microphone as the music then dies down. The cheers are still there, however the boos seem even more audible now and seem to catch more of her attention. The expression on her face quickly sours. Seth just glances at Cordy’s direction knowing that look from experience and rather than fight the tide, he just gestures for her to let it all out.

Cordelia Stevenson: Wow, you guys seem really, really ticked off that I beat your favorite.

The snide remark in reference to Lowri draws quite a bit of boos from her hometown New York crowd. Cordelia shakes her head in disappointment as she adjusts the International Heavyweight Championship on her shoulder. She lets out an exasperated sigh.

Cordelia Stevenson: You know, I think I’m finally beginning to understand why Zero walked out the way that he did all those years ago. You people really don’t appreciate shit.

Her words are sharp and venomous, successful in drawing the ire of the socially distanced audience.

Cordelia Stevenson: The crazy thing is? You’ve shown that to me, time and time again. I’ve given my blood, sweat, and tears for your enjoyment, your satisfaction, your… approval.

She utters that last word with a hint of disgust, frowning up her face a bit as if she’s tasted something bitter.

Cordelia Stevenson: And the only thing you’ve ever given me is your ass to kiss. This… your reaction tonight? The way that you dare treat someone who has given you nothing less than her absolute all for years on end exclusively… it shows that. The way that you… the so called ‘fans’ voted for last year’s awards… yeah, it shows that. It lets me know that you don’t appreciate the standard of excellence that I’ve set, and you never have. I gave you damn near a flawless year, the one blemish on my record being no one else’s fault but my own, but damn near a flawless year regardless, and you turned your nose up at it. Not saying that you weren’t deserving Seth…

She glances over towards the FGA World Champion and nods at him.

Cordelia Stevenson: But the way that I see it, you’re the Macklemore to my Kendrick Lamar.

She turns her attention back towards the crowd. Again, Seth offers no verbal reply sensing the situation though his face curls to a frown for a moment.

Cordelia Stevenson: I defended this title, successfully might I add, against not one, but both members of your ‘Tag Team of the Year’. Neal Durden…

She hesitates as the mention of FGA’s High Flyer of the Year draws a huge pop.

Cordelia Stevenson: And Lowri Moss….

A thundering ovation greets the name, which visibly agitates Cordelia, causing her to roll her eyes.

Cordelia Stevenson: Both members of Pendragon met failure when given the opportunity to take this title from me. Ashlyn De Luca… Savannah Taylor…

The boo birds come out in full force at the mention of those two.

Cordelia Stevenson: I put them all down. Not only did I hold this title throughout the course of the entire year, one of the ‘alleged’ biggest titles in this company, and believe me, I’ll elaborate on my reasons for saying that shortly, but I elevated it to heights not imaginable. I could give you at least three other years where I should have easily won the Wrestler of the Year award, and yet I’m forced to watch so many others celebrated for accomplishing so much less. You continuously downplay my accomplishments time and time again… and I’m sick of it. I’m sick of you.

She slowly turns on her heels, turning to face Leonard T. Asherman now.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I’m also sick of you.

Her eyes narrow into thin slits as she takes a step towards the company’s President.

Cordelia Stevenson: Oh yeah, my boy Lenny T. I can’t just lay all of the blame on them, because you… you and everyone else back there, you perpetuate this blatant disrespect and these people are simply puppets that follow suit. And this? This… unification match? It’s just another slap in the face. The latest of many. Don’t think that I don’t see what you’re doing. It’s the type of underhanded mess that I’ve come to expect from you. From day one, my International Heavyweight Championship was touted as being equal to the FGA World Championship, but you and I know that was never the case. And now you’ve miraculously drawn the conclusion that Jim Crow should have taught us a long time ago. Yeah, the whole separate but equal thing? It doesn’t really work, does it Lenny? You idly sat by and watched every other person treat me as a second rate champion. I was never held in the same esteem as Fujiko, nor am I held in the same esteem as Seth, and it is something you’ve allowed. Once again, Cordelia Stevenson is made out to be an illegitimate champion. Isn’t that the narrative that you helped paint the last time around? The first time I won the FGA World Championship? When Zero left you high and dry? You remember that, don’t you? You allowed him to walk back in and damn near negate everything I’d worked for. And it’s happening now. No matter how much work I put in, YOU…

She jabs Leonard in the chest.

Cordelia Stevenson: … go out of your damn way to somehow undermine it. YOU feed the bullshit narratives with the decisions that you make. YOU do that Lenny. YOU go out of your way to try and make me prove things that I’ve already proven my entire career, and... I’m... sick of it. I don’t have anything to prove to you, or anyone else.

She pauses for a second, as she looks the President up and down with a look of disgust, shaking her head in disapproval.

Cordelia Stevenson: So screw you and your damn unification match.

With that said, Cordelia drops her microphone and makes her way to exit the ring. The fans seem absolutely stunned by what has just taken place. For the first time since he had the microphone in his hand, Seth finally raises it to speak.

Seth Iser: Cordelia Stevenson.

He just says her name firmly for a second knowing that got her attention. Cordelia pauses, with one leg already through the rope. She glances back to see Seth looking directly at her.

Seth Iser: I had a feeling you had a lot to get off your chest. I've been where you are. I've said what you said in similar but different words. Oh yeah I've been there. Especially when I won my first world title. And I think you’re realizing one of two absolutely brutal truths about this industry. The first one...at the end of the day, the people buying the tickets are just like the Roman people looking at the Gladiators...they don’t care for our safety. They don’t care about us. They just want to see people suffer to forget about their own damned problems.

The FGA World Champion has clearly gotten Cordelia’s attention as she swings her leg back through the ropes and re-enters the ring.

Seth Iser: The awards you talk about that they empower these people to give out? I don’t know any trainee, any student or any professional wrestler for that matter who just says ‘Hey I want to be a Wrestler of the Year’ for their list of accomplishments. They want to be the World Champion. Or International champion. Or change the business. Pick your superlative. Never to just say ‘Hey I was voted this!’ Because while it’s nice to hear that type of thing...at the end of the day...that shit is vanity. And when people realize they don’t have that control over us anymore...they look at us like a Christian who they want to be fed to the lions in that damned Roman Colosseum.

Neither champion has won themselves friends with this crowd now as this time it’s Iser who ends up getting himself booed.

Seth Iser: The second thing I learned...and it finally clicked fully when I came back from my injury. We write our own stories if we never let somebody else control the pen. In almost every story from the viewpoint of an outsider...well a hero lives long enough to become the villain. It’s timeless as ever. But that’s never been the type of thing I ever enjoyed putting pen to paper to. No...I wanted control of my own story and people hate me for it. Businessmen find I’m hard to deal with because of it but that’s the way it’s always been for me these last few years. And as far as I’m concerned...someone wants to write the story for us their way…

The veteran shakes his head coldly with a calmness still in his voice, a total opposite of the venom that Cordelia was spewing earlier.

Seth Iser: I ain’t letting these people write it for me. Never have. But…

He lets that word hang for a second as he continues glancing at her direction.

Seth Iser: Disrespect won’t be the name of this story either. It can be your element to your story that you want to pen, you have that right but...from my point of view it’s different. Though I do applaud you for learning this first one on your own. Just like I applaud you for doing what you have to do, consequences be damned. You pissed off an audience...I made a deal with the devil. We have to do what we have to do to advance our own story...or if you prefer the more broad term, our legacy. But...there’s another element in our little story here that’s just true to our profession as a whole.

A sneer is creeping onto Iser’s face as he’s continuing his own verbal diatribe.

Seth Iser: There can’t be two people considered the best. That dilutes what that means to begin with. There can only be one. And who is it between us? The two title holders that currently occupy what it means to be the best. Some damn award isn’t going to determine that for us. It never has, and it never will. You’re right though. It’s impossible to treat two titles equally even if there’s a distinction that they’re supposed to be the same. Only one match can be the main event. Only one match can have the extra zero at the end of the check because you’re closing the show. And everybody wants that as well.

And then the sneer is creeping closer into that frown of his as everyone is now listening more intently to the old man of professional wrestling.

Seth Iser: So again, I’m hijacking the pen. The people want it to be one thing with these awards. I’m making it more about the essential truth of our sport. And you get what you want as well...a chance to put yourself in that position to leave no doubt. Because as far as I’m concerned...who is better between us? Truly? We think of ourselves as superior to the other. But we don’t know. And we’ll answer a question that’s just between you and me. Who really is the best wrestler in the company today...The First Lady of the company or Wrestling’s most devious son? We’ll find that out between us in our own way whether we’re loved or hated it doesn’t matter. And regardless of what the people want to believe...the peers, the wrestling historians...they’ll unearth the truth. It’s never lost even in the sands of time. It’ll be written in both our books. But...the one truth I can tell you...when what I say comes to pass and you realize it for what it is…

A frown etched on Iser’s face as he delivers this all.

Seth Iser: In good or ill...maybe in five years, maybe ten. Maybe sooner than I even think. You, Cordelia Stevenson, will be me.

He pauses as the crowd seems shocked by Iser’s wording here. And he lets it linger for a while. Cordelia stands there idly, her face an unreadable mask as she deciphers his cryptic yet chilling message. Finally she steps forward, picking up the microphone that she dropped earlier.

Cordelia Stevenson: You know, these people have always given you a lot of slack, but there is always some truth in the things you say. It’s one of the reasons why I respect you, Seth. This business is a damn minefield, and you’ve traversed it masterfully throughout the years. The simple fact that you’re standing here right now is a testament to that. After everything you’ve been through, you’re still here. The wars you’ve endured that have undoubtedly left more marks and scars than you’ll ever care to remember… you’re a fighter through and through. Your dedication to a goal, to see it through; to not let the battered and broken shell that you once were be the final memory that this business had of you… I’ve been there. I know how it feels fighting through that. Fighting through the doubt not only of others, but sometimes your own; fighting against the fear that you may have actually met the end of your career prematurely, or that you may never be as good as you once were…. I know how it feels. I love Fujiko and in my eyes she was a great champion, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t crack a smile when you beat her, and no, it wasn’t because of any ill will towards her or anything like that, it was because it felt good seeing someone with a journey similar to mine seeing their journey through to completion, because I know how difficult it was. In that moment, you Seth Iser… were me.

She nods her head as she paces forward.

Cordelia Stevenson: But you’re absolutely right, Seth. There can only be one. That is in fact the very essence of our sport. But the thing is, Seth… I already know the answer to the question. You asked who is better between us? Well, that’s an answer I already know deep down in my soul, and I don’t quite think it’s an answer you’d be too fond of. I don’t need the proof of things already understood, Seth. Without a doubt, you are one of the best competitors in the world…

A sly smirk crosses her face now as she glances up at the towering champion.

Cordelia Stevenson: But you are no Cordelia Stevenson. I know what I am, Seth. I know who I am. And I’m tired of letting them…

She points to the crowd and then turns and nods towards Leonard.

Cordelia Stevenson: … and him, try to convince me of otherwise. But I respect you enough to let you satisfy your curiosity. I respect you enough, to give you the answer that you seek. I respect you enough to share the answer that I already know.

She looks him directly in his eyes now. And Seth has his own poker face glancing back.

Cordelia Stevenson:That I… am… the one.

Seth glances at Leonard’s direction for a brief moment as if to study his expression of this situation before his eyes return toward the International Champion.

Seth Iser: You might be the one. Multiple times on top in this company now. You’re in the Hall of Fame. I’m a better wrestler at forty than I was at thirty, I predict you’ll be the same if you stay in the sport that long and that’s a scary thought to think of. Hell...you’ve been in a situation like this once before having to unite belts to have a truly Undisputed Champion, right? Grapple Kingdom in 2017. Against Zero no less. The joys of history and its potential repeats though I damn sure ain’t Zero. Oh yeah...I know who you are. I know where you’ve been. I know where you’re going to go, even...because you’re going down a road so few travel. And it’s a damn lonely road.

There’s a knowing frown on the grizzled veteran’s face as he eyeballs his counterpart further.

Seth Iser: How do I know? I’ve ten years of life experience on you. No, it isn’t about the wrestling experience, but wrestling is a people business and studying them fully and I have that over you. You learn about people, you change your approach ever so slightly not just in wrestling...but life itself. Injuries make us reflect and we’ve both been there. Learning why people think what they do...I’ve learned that, and you’re starting to discover it fully.

And for the first time since he’s been out there, a semblance of a smile is on Iser’s face. But it isn’t the predatory one...it seems more at ease and calm then the one he’ll occasionally flash.

Seth Iser: Even the one in our sport...even the person who will be me in five years...still has a little more to learn yet. And when you’re looking at me eye to eye with everything that’s going to be on the line...you’ll be the first one to fully understand what I just said and the weight it all carries. From the devil looking over my shoulder waiting to cash in...to your own journey. It’ll all make sense. You’re closer to understanding this then I was when I was a decade younger. Wrestlers say what they want even if it is the truth but we can’t lie when the bell rings. Not when you get to where we’re at.

And then the smile is gone as the familiar determined glare is etched on the veteran’s face.

Seth Iser: But the other thing you’ll learn? The ten years life experience I just talked about? That’s one hell of an advantage when that bell rings because you understand even more. I learned even more hearing you talk to me face to face just now. It’s the gift of getting older. The old man in a young person’s game is doing better than he ever did when he was a pup. That’s what I’ve become. That might be when you truly become ‘The One’...when that happens for you. But you have to wrestle the perfect wrestling match from a knowledge and understanding standpoint to beat me.

And he’s glancing at the championship that’s gleaming over Cordy’s shoulder before tapping his World Championship for a moment, returning the eye contact to his upcoming challenge.

Seth Iser: And I don’t think even you can do that right now. In time you will be me because of the similar paths we’ve traveled. But you’re not there yet. I’ll help you get closer to being ‘The One’ for what you learn...but there’s a price for everything. Always is. Believe me, I know. And the answer for how we are constituted right now?

A calmness in Iser’s voice still there as he seems so sure of himself.

Seth Iser: That small difference will make you either take that one risk you shouldn’t or make that one small mistake and that’s all I need to walk out of the ring with the answer you least expected and turn the unknown into the known: I’m better...for now. And I’ll be walking out with the gold to prove it. I’ll see you on the Twenty-Seventh.

There’s a tense staredown between the two for a moment but it seems it’s Seth who is content to leave this time but he backpedals in a way without taking his eye off of Cordy before he vacates the ring entirely. There isn’t a hint of the swagger from him but rather that sternness from the veteran.

[FGA Office]

04.27.21
MassMutual Center
Springfield, MA

Only on PAY-PER-VIEW!