Afterburn for Vertigo E86

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on Afterburn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on Frontier+.

[LΞCAVALIΞR]

Nina Stokes: Do you feel liberated?

A shot of the bent and dented Frontier Grappling Arts United States Championship is shown as the picture comes to life. The belt sits gingerly atop a glass table. The camera slowly pans to the left to reveal Nina Stokes sitting in a leather chair. A black romper and matching ankle booties complete her attire. She leans back and waits for a moment as if she’s waiting for some sort of response.

Nina Stokes: You certainly should. Just think about it for a moment. You are no longer within the grip of a conniving fabricator. Additionally, I hand-picked some of the most talented wrestlers in FGA to challenge me and fight for your honor. The process has surely been painful, however, you are now one of the most coveted prizes in professional wrestling now. Doesn’t that make you giddy?

Another rhetorical pause followed.

Nina Stokes: In fact, you are now so special that I’ve nearly run out of viable warriors for you. But don’t you fret. This last victim shall raise your stock to unimaginable heights―

Nina played in her hair for a moment.

Nina Stokes: Sadie San Fransico has been a blight on this company. She’s been a black mark on your history list. But if I snap her f*****g neck in the middle of the ring, that should clear everything up.

She nods her head.

Nina Stokes: Yeah. I think that is a grand plan.

The camera shiftly fades out.

[STORM]

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and Gentlemen, joining me at this time is a man who has just recently resigned to Frontier Grappling Arts, a former FGA Fifteen Champion, Your Hero, and Mine... Mark Storm. Mark, it is so great to see you back with us, I just wanna know how are you feeling about the comeback, and how have you been?

Mark Storm: I've always considered this place a home and being welcomed back with open arms, it means a lot because now I can go about my business, repay that faith by putting on stellar performance after stellar performance, and pick up where I left off. This last year has flown by and I've been working up to this return, training day in and out, so I'm feeling good and confident in myself. It’s been a while though, hasn’t it? 

Storm chuckles as he sits opposite Amanda Johnson with his hands clasped together. His familiar smirk etches onto his face as he takes a moment to compose himself, dressed in a black long-sleeved 'Your Hero and Mine' t-shirt, black jeans and black timbs to complete the fit.

Amanda Johnson: It definitely has! You say you've been working and training for some time now, was there any specific reason as to why you wanted to come back?

Mark Storm: Legacy is what we all do this for. You can't look back and have any regrets, you've got to know that you did everything you possibly could in the moment. But at the same time, whatever happens, happens. Either way I'm leaving my heart, blood, sweat and tears every time I step into that ring. I've been in this industry for a while now and I've done for fair share, been there and done it all. 

He pauses to once again compose himself.

Mark Storm: I guess you could say there's unfinished business. One hundred percent. I'd be lying if I told I haven't experienced sleepless nights, pondering on the what if's, the what could've been and the maybe's. There's too many unanswered questions that have to be known. I look at my career as a whole and think about the promotions I've conquered. The accolades I've collected throughout the years. The matches that have shaped me into Your Hero and Mine, The Reckoning of Professional Wrestling, the Visionary Veteran - who has seen it all and lived it on the grandest stages of them all, who despite all of that, has one promotion he holds the dearest.

Mark Storm: For me, it's the number one promotion on the planet with the best talent in the world and it's been that way for a long time. Here, there's no easy ticket to the top, you've got to work for it each and every week on Vertigo. That's what I'm looking to do and the journey, well, it's going to be a joyride. I don't care who they put in front of me, at the end of the day they're just another obstacle I'll have to overcome, I know the drill. I've walked this road before.

Amanda Johnson: What do you hope to accomplish for the remainder of your time here, what are some of your main goals?

Storm chuckles lightly, running his fingers through his hair. 

Mark Storm: Everything, Amanda. I'm coming for it all, you name it, I'll be there - ready to fight with everything in my veins. You wanna know the truth? I look back at my time here and I don't look back with fond memories of glorious moments.

His face suddenly turns from cool to one of disgusts, as she shakes his head sideways.

Mark Storm: I see failures. I see fifteen minutes of fame. I see naivety.

He scoffs once again. 

Mark Storm: I see the boy, Mark Storm, and not the man, the man he should've been and could've been. I've spent a lot of time thinking, Amanda. Hell, I bet we all have, going fucking nuts in our isolated spaces whilst the world around us seems to be falling down at a hundred miles an hour. But through all of that, brought revelations and a lot of our eyes have been opened... I could look back at the past and wallow, sit in a pool of pity piss and watch the next guy take all the reigns, or, I could wake the fuck up and do something about it. I've spent years thinking, months preparing, and it'll only be a matter of weeks until I'm back inside that four sided ring ready to go again.

[Mister Harris]

The camera is focused on a locker room door backstage with the name Logan Alexander displayed on it. After a few moments, the door swings open and out steps Theodore Harris, dressed in the same suit he accompanied Logan to the ring in, earlier in the night. He smiles to the camera, as the door shuts behind him.

Theodore Harris: Well, I had intended to make a showing earlier in the night to do this sort of thing. I was looking forward to showing up and getting a chance to play the hype man again for Logan’s match against Ashley Marie Chase. It’s been his biggest match since his unexpected return at Only The Strong Survive last year where he settled some things, but not everything, with Ashlyn De Luca. It wasn’t a grudge match or anything of the sort here tonight though, but I was hoping to talk up the competitors. Ashley, as a competitor on the rebound from a tough loss, facing off against Logan, as a former… well, I guess star isn’t the right word. Guess I’ll just settle for mid to upper tier competitor in this case. Either way, he’s trying to regain his former standing. Then I could compare and contrast their styles and discuss their recent showings. And I’d probably slip in a snarky remark about Sloan Talbot somehow too. Why stop a good thing?

He smirks at the camera.

Theodore Harris: Unfortunately, due to poor judgment on my part, along with other circumstances tonight, I missed my chance to do so. Was almost late for Logan’s match as well. Wouldn’t that have been something?

He looks sheepish at that point.

Theodore Harris: Would have missed a good match as well. Ashley did offer a good challenge for where Logan currently stands. She had him beat in a lot of her key areas. She was racing all over the ring and making use of her speed from start to finish and she dominated the aerial portion of the match as well. There was no way that Logan was going to keep up in those areas. Of course, she didn’t get much chance to use her high flying arsenal and from my point at ringside, her speed wasn’t as big of a benefit as one might initially think. She set the pace certainly, but when she spent most of the match running back and forth from Logan to land one move, she was burning herself out. Never a good idea to waste your own energy like that when you’re facing a mat wrestler of Logan’s calibre. It’s also not a good idea to try and match him in his own game either. Ashley learned that very quickly. She tried for that figure four leglock early on and then quickly shifted away from that type of attack.

He fixes the camera with a confident looking smile as he continues.

Theodore Harris: Those are two things that paid off for Logan once he brought her to the mat for that ankle lock though. That impacted her ever so slightly for the rest of the match. She wasn’t quite as fast afterwards and her Kick of Doom and pump kick didn’t hit as hard as they normally would have with her ankle bothering her. You saw it all come together right at the end too. Her Kick of Doom only brought Logan to one knee and he shook it off quickly, taking control from her right away. She looked a bit gassed coming out of the corner after the Irish whip. Stryke Force she never saw coming. One, two, three.

Theodore held up one hand a counted along with his fingers before lowering his hand again.

Theodore Harris: That’s three in a row. It’s a good start. Now we look forward to what comes next… and of course we have no idea what that might be right now.

He frowns at the camera.

Theodore Harris: Tomorrow night is FGA’s Past versus Present show, which Logan isn’t going to be a part of. Sort of befitting his limbo status in that sort of discussion. A veteran, but not of FGA’s past, while also not established in FGA’s present yet. It should be an interesting watch though. Then in about two weeks is A New Odyssey. At the moment, neither Logan nor I have seen him scheduled anywhere for that particular event either, which is quite disappointing. It’d be unfortunate to be missing out on the first two big events of the year, but that’s where we stand. Perhaps FGA management has something in mind, but just hasn’t gotten around to announcing it. That could be the case… I’m not going to hold my breath on that though.

He rolls his eyes to punctuate that remark.

Theodore Harris: So instead, I’ll just say that if anyone else in the locker room, with a free evening on the 27th, would like to have an opportunity to be on the big show doing something other than spectating, consider this an open invite to step in the ring. Any reasonable challenge will be accepted, even from someone like Sloan Talbot.

Theodore smirks once again at the camera.

Theodore Harris: I’m sure that Logan could spare the five or so minutes required for that one, even if a better challenge would be preferred.

He then winks to the camera after that.

Theodore Harris: We hope to hear from someone soon. Until then.

He nods once, before turning away from the camera and opening the locker room door behind him. He steps through the doorway and closes the door behind him, leaving the camera watching the door once again before the scene fades to black.

[Fujiko Mine]

EARLIER TODAY

Backstage, cameras showcase a large conference room that has a few masked members of the press spaced out in. Cameras are mounted on stands, and the few press members hold small recording devices at the ready. As they await their company, a door at the far end of the room opens, and the woman known as the Apex Goddess emerges through the threshold, wearing a red and gold colored bell bottom romper with a pair of matching heels. She smiles as automated flashes fire over the mounted cameras. She moves with purpose over to the table, noting the placed microphones across from each other.

Fujiko Mine: We do things differently…

She says with a grin. Moving to take a seat at the table, She takes a moment or two to get comfortable.

Fujiko Mine: Just going to speak on something a bit before Lowri arrives. Tonight, I’m going to get the opportunity to face off against my Renati brother, Cassius Reed…

The crowd gives a mixed reaction, which Fujiko does not react to.

Fujiko Mine: And I promise you, it is going to be an absolutely amazing match. Cassius is more formidable and dangerous than given credit for, and beating him tonight will not be easy. But I am going to find a way.

Fujiko raises an eyebrow.

Fujiko Mine: Cassius has proven how formidable he is in places like Phoenix Wrestling, and even here in FGA. It’s going to be an honor to finally get to face this amazing athlete. But I cannot and will not stumble so closely to this match. And while I may not have originated in Frontier Grappling Arts - I believe I have become synonymous with it. It doesn’t matter if some refuse to acknowledge me… I have proven my point with my hall of fame induction, and my record setting title reign. And believe that sooner over later, I will be the FGA Undisputed Champion.

The door that Fujiko entered through now opens again, and through it this time walks Lowri Moss, dressed typically for her in jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of Chuck Taylors. With a smile on her face, she makes her way over towards the table, taking a seat about half a dozen or so feet apart from Fujiko; Fujiko gently taps the folder between the two of them.

Fujiko Mine: This is the contract for Fujiko Mine versus Lowri Moss at 2021: A New Odyssey. I thought that you and I would buck the trend once again. We are committed to doing this with honor. Lowri…. you have never needed to do things any other way, and I… learned that this way is the best way. Lady Luck only dreamed of getting this far… but she had to become the Apex Goddess to get here. And The Apex Goddess isn’t finished yet. Enter you.


Fujiko pulls the contract towards her, and after flipping a few pages - signs it.

Fujiko Mine: I meant what I said when one day, you would get to the top of the mountain. That truth remains static no matter the outcome of our match. There is no contendership on the line. There is no guarantee that the winner will receive a title match. But both you and I know that if things were different.... it would be us unifying those titles. And so, it is one of us that is going to be waiting on the other side of that unification match.

She places the pen back in its place, and moves the folder towards Lowri.

Fujiko Mine: We know what it means to win with honor. To win with dignity. And we know how important it is to the other that we win this match the right way. So we will… knowing that it will lead us where we’re meant to be.

Lowri reaches across, dragging the folder towards herself.

Lowri Moss: After what happened four months ago, at All-Star Showdown IX, it’ll be good to be in the ring with an opponent who I can be certain also wants to do things “the right way.”

She gestures to her forthcoming opponent.

Lowri Moss: When some people-- naming no names-- say that they’ll do whatever it takes to win a match, what they mean is that they’re ready to resort to taking shortcuts-- cheating, even-- when all else fails. When I say it though, what I mean is that I'm willing to risk it all at any time with a bold move to try to swing the match in my favour-- and I think I’m safe in saying that the same applies to you as well, Fujiko.

Fujiko gives her a knowing nod, her eyes still trained on the contract.

Lowri Moss: You mentioned the possible future title implications for whichever one of us wins our match, and that certainly is a hefty incentive for the both of us, but I feel like even if we were to put all of that to one side, that this has all the makings of a pretty big match, that it has the potential to be something special, something that will be remembered fondly by the fans for some time to come.

Lowri opens the folder and flicks through the contract, to the page that requires her signature.

Lowri Moss: When the brand split was dissolved, sixteen months ago, it was said that the merging of the rosters would lead to some dream matches, and I remember saying at the time that I had some dream matches of my own that I would like to happen; a couple such matches have taken place since then, and later tonight, another one is going to happen, when I take on Savannah Taylor.

Lowri picks up the pen.

Lowri Moss: And you and me, Fujiko? That’s definitely a dream match in my eyes; it’s a dream match for me… judging by the reaction from the fans, it’s a dream match for them too… and I would like to think that it’s a dream match as well for you.

She then proceeds to sign the contract, following which she puts down the pen and closes the folder. Fujiko smiles when Lowri’s hand signs the contract, and she looks up at Lowri again.

Fujiko Mine: There’s a lot of talk about what’s been going on around us, Lowri… but to me? You and I are the best that FGA has to offer. We’re the ones who have been making history, carrying FGA’s top divisions through the pandemic. We were the ones who set the standards for this place.

Her gaze tightens away from Lowri.

Fujiko Mine: And while I lost my championship and I could not regain it, that does not deter my drive to prove that I am the best. The fact that I, after 400 days as champion, still get overlooked does not deter me. And you… you recognize that, Lowri.

Fujiko’s smile takes a little of a sad turn.

Fujiko Mine: My entire career, I’ve had to endure being overlooked and dismissed. From the first female singles champion in FGA, to tying the record for most defenses of the Pride Championship, to now. You get it. And you appreciate it. And beyond just getting to match skills and wits with you… knowing that you respect that makes it all the sweeter.

Lowri acknowledges Fujiko comments with a nod of her head, sharing the sentiment.

Lowri Moss: You know, you bringing up your second reign as Pride Champion reminds me of the first time I think we ever talked about the two of us maybe having a one-on-one match-- do you remember that? It was two and a half years ago, the final night of the 2018 Dynamic Duos Tournament. Gareth and I were about three months into our reign as the inaugural United States Tag Team Champions, and I attended the show to check out the potential challengers for our titles. I remember seeing you backstage after the final, congratulating you on yours and Izzy’s victory, and then we chatted for a bit.

The smile on Lowri’s face widens a little, as she continues her recollection.

Lowri Moss: Prior to the show, you had spoken about you and Izzy both being halfway towards completing a grand slam in FGA, so I reminded you that you weren't the only ones in that position, and I joked that the next step for me would be to win the Pride title, which was of course in your possession at time. You said that you would be happy to give me a match if I wanted one, and I said that we would definitely have to do it one day, but... I don't know, I’m not sure that back then either of us would’ve thought that we would have to wait quite this long to have our first one-on-one match.

She gives a shrug of her shoulders.

Lowri Moss: You talked earlier about how you didn’t begin your career in FGA, but that this is where you’ve become synonymous with, and I actually remember your first appearance in FGA, about six and a half years ago, when I was just a fan, a few thousand miles away in the UK, still a couple of years away from beginning my own career. I’ve witnessed your rise in FGA, first as a fan, then more recently as one of your peers, and I absolutely respect everything that you’ve achieved.

Lowri again nods her head, this time to emphasise the last part of her statement.

Lowri Moss: In the past four years, I’ve had a similarly meteoric rise of my own, accomplishing my own record-breaking feats along the way, all while making FGA my home too. The one thing I haven’t done yet though, the one thing that I’m still yet to accomplish, is that unlike you, I haven’t yet reached the very top of FGA. But I remain confident in my belief that I will get there, and I know that you believe I will as well-- you said as much a few moments ago, which I really do appreciate. And who knows? When we eventually come to have a second one-on-one, whenever that may be, perhaps it’ll be for the Unified World Championship. For now though, I’m just looking forward to 2021: A New Odyssey, a match between two competitors who are both intensely motivated in the ring, who are always eager to lay in their shots, and who no matter who they're inside the ring with, no matter the placement on the show, or no matter how many people are in the audience, will always give the best that they have; I think that’s what everyone wants, and I have no doubt that we’ll both deliver.

Fujiko leans back in her seat, closing her eyes and folding her hands on the table.

Fujiko Mine: I do remember all of that, and I also remember wondering what it would’ve been like to face you and Gareth… and when I got my chance with the titles on the line? You and him switched into another gear. Not unlike me defending the FGA World Championship. There may not be a title on the line at A New Odyssey, but we will fight like there is one, and I know you and I are gonna steal the show.

Fujiko moves her hands to press herself away from the table, and then she stands up. She bows deeply, and then backs away from the table and towards the door.

Fujiko Mine: Until then, Lowri. But for now, I’ve got to prepare for tonight.

Fujiko has no smile now… just a bit of a stare before she turns and exits. Having watched Fujiko depart, Lowri then reaches into the pocket of her jeans and retrieves a face mask that has a Welsh flag pattern on it. After putting on the mask, she gets up from the table, and she too takes her leave, to go and get ready for her own match later this evening.