Afterburn for Past vs Present

[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+.

[Cordy]

Directly after the show, Amanda Johnson is seen waiting in the backstage area. “Been Down” by Nipsey Hussle is still heard blaring in the background. The International Champion, Cordelia Stevenson pushes through the curtain, her head held high in the air. Amanda motions over towards her.

Amanda Johnson: Cordelia, may I please have a word?

The International Champion gingerly walks towards Amanda, occasionally stretching out the right leg that Chandler went to work on earlier in the evening.

Cordelia Stevenson: You can, but what is there really to say? Certainly these people don’t want to hear anything from me, and I certainly don’t want to waste my breath on them. But, I can see there are certain questions plaguing your mind, Amanda, so being the kind person that I am, I will gladly answer them for you.

Cordelia takes a deep breath as she slings her International Heavyweight Championship over her shoulder.

Amanda Johnson: Well, I appreciate that, but I, as well as the FGA fans would like to know. Why? Why do that to Chandler Scott in his farewell match?

Cordy raises an eyebrow.

Cordelia Stevenson: Why do what, Amanda?

Amanda shakes her head.

Amanda Johnson: Don’t play innocent Cordelia. Why resort to such tactics and blatant disrespect for someone who has done so much for this company and this business.

There is a certain level of disgust in Amanda’s tone that Cordelia picks up on.

Cordelia Stevenson: Because, it pisses you off.

There is a coldness and honesty in Cordelia’s tone that appears to catch Amanda Johnson off guard. A satisfied smile creeps over Cordelia’s face as she leans in closer to Amanda.

Cordelia Stevenson: Oh I can see it in your eyes, Amanda. I can hear it in your tone…

She holds up a finger.

Cordelia Stevenson: And those very feelings, the same ones that you don’t even care to try and hide are the very feelings that I wanted you and every other person in this arena to feel tonight. Chandler Scott knows that I respect him. He will go down in history as my greatest adversary and that will never change. What we’ve done, all that we’ve been through…

Cordelia’s voice trails off for a bit as she ponders over their history. Finally, she vehemently shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: But tonight wasn’t about him. What happened to him out there? It wasn’t personal. Chandler just so happens to be the pulse of the people and unfortunately for him that was all the incentive I needed to snuff him out. But in doing so, I gave him the greatest honor that anyone in this business could give him.

Amanda cocks her head to the side.

Amanda Johnson: And what honor is that?

Cordelia looks Amanda dead in her eyes.

Cordelia Stevenson: I immortalized him.

Silence fills the air between them. Amanda is clearly waiting for an elaboration that Cordelia does not give. Amanda can’t help but to try and satisfy her curiosity,

Amanda Johnson: You… immortalized… Chandler Scott?

Cordelia nods.

Cordelia Stevenson: I did. The pity you felt after seeing what I did to him tonight? That will only cause the people to revere him more because they’ll realize that they were the very reason that it happened. Cordelia Stevenson didn’t do that to Chandler Scott. No.Chandler Scott died for the sins of the people tonight and all of his past transgressions have been washed away. In the eyes of the people, he’s forgiven. He’ll be hailed as a saint. In my benevolence, that is what I did for Chandler Scott tonight. That was my parting gift, because let’s be honest here, Amanda. Do you honestly think I needed to cheat to beat Chandler Scott here tonight? Me? The greatest International Champion that this company has ever seen? The woman who is currently having the best stretch of an already Hall of Fame career?

Cordelia grows more and more animated with each passing second as she talks with her hands.

Cordelia Stevenson: The truth of the matter is that I sent Chandler Scott away with his dignity intact which is something these leeches around here would have never cared to do. All they wanted was to try and capitalize off of his name and add it to a list to feed their already over inflated egos. The thirst was extremely real and quite embarrassing to watch honestly. That is why I made sure to offer them a little bit of shine tonight; especially since Chandler didn’t think they were worth his time. If you know, you know.

An arrogant smirk lines her face as she shrugs her shoulders.

Cordelia Stevenson: But getting back to my original question, the answer is no, Amanda. I could have easily embarrassed Chandler tonight, and you want to know something? His eyes told me that he knew it. I could have easily destroyed that man but being the benevolent soul that I am, I opted not to. Instead, I offered him the gift of doubt. Now he’ll always be able to roll around that what-if in his head. 'What if she didn't low blow me.' Yeah, I’m sure it’ll give him many smiles in the retirement home. You see, once upon a time, Chandler Scott was FGA’s best, but as you heard me tell him tonight, this isn’t 2015 anymore and that’s ok. His career was phenomenal, but it’s over now. What I am, what I have become, is a monster far greater than anything Chandler Scott has ever seen or known. I’m not that same girl from back then. I’m not even the same woman that I was when I retired. I’m better. And the scary thing is I’m only getting better. I’m finally starting to hit my stride and that is a scary thing for everyone involved. I am the New DNA of FGA, Amanda. I am this company’s past…

She pats the International Heavyweight title that is resting on her shoulder.

Cordelia Stevenson: I am this company’s present. And after I defeat Seth Iser at A New Odyssey to once again become the Undisputed Champion, I will only solidify what the world already knows but apparently is afraid to admit -- that I am this company’s future.

Cordelia takes the International Heavyweight Championship from her shoulder and lifts it into the air.

Cordelia Stevenson: Cordy… reigns...supreme.

Her eyes are alight with mischief as a low laugh escapes her. She places the title back on her shoulder and pushes past Amanda Johnson as she hobbles away towards the locker room. Amanda simply looks at the champion and shakes her head. 

[nealdurden]

“‘are you drinking?’ he will ask.
‘are you getting your
exercise, your
vitamins?’
I think that I am just ill
with life, the same stale yet
fluctuating
factors.
even at the track
I watch the horses run by
and it seems
meaningless.”
Are You Drinking? - Charles Bukowski

So the river flows… innit?

We open up in what can only be described as an empty ballroom; complete with painted arches and lofty decorative ornaments. A couple of palms inside huge pots stand guard in the corners of this room. In the middle, a sofa… the most common looking sofa you could’ve ever thought of. The sofa that could be the primordial sofa in Plato’s world of ideas. A sofa so common that it couldn’t possibly be inside this room full of what could be seen as riches; yet, here it is… and here we are.

Never stayin’ in the same place; never doin’ the same thing twice. Even when it has a mighty name, it roars with the might of a thousand lions. The river wants to be heard, even when it’s shallow and safe. The river wants you to know it’s dangerous and treacherous… so it flows, never to be the same again.

The words echo through the emptiness of this room, yet there’s no face. Only the paintings on the arches, the palms in the corners and the sofa in the middle are here. Then, steps. The distinct sound of someone walking closer and closer. There’s no hurry for whoever is walking; they know the background is interesting enough that even if they don’t show their face; someone will be watching the whole thing until a face appears. So they walk, as slow as they can, as peaceful as they want… and they talk, calmly, softly…

Just like the river has a name that carries through history… so do we. Yet for many our name carries no value at all. We’re mere drops of water in the river; flowing wherever that who carries a bigger name wants us to go. Some fancy themselves the DNA, the Genesis, the Best… and want everyone to scream their names in fear… even when it’s shallow, even when it’s safe… even when sayin’ such a name seems trivial and meaningless. They still crave the tour de force that comes with the illusion of importance.

Me… I don’t crave anything… anymore…

As the last word was uttered a man appeared; hands tucked inside the pockets of his pants. A white casual shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal the forearms; scruffy hair and a condescending air to himself. He walks slowly towards the sofa, but doesn’t turn to let his face be seen completely, just yet.

You see… I understood carin’ was my biggest problem. I cared too much. I put too much stock into what other people thought of me. I thought that I needed to please everyone else to be someone worth caring about. I thought being what you wanted of me would bring me your favour. Yet time and again; try as I might… I got the same result over and over and over again. I became ill with life. So ill in fact that I found it hard to swallow being amongst that thing that brought me the life I wanted to live. So ill in fact that everything that I got felt meaningless. So ill in fact that I failed to see none of you were even listening.

This man jumps to the most common sofa ever and lays there, finally showing his face to the world. Gareth Prichard Jr was now “with his butt on the couch”, smiling at the camera. He seemed relaxed, too relaxed for someone who has just been appearing in MWE, briefcase in hand to stir the pot and make every champion uncomfortable. Too relaxed for someone who just appeared after the match between “Mighty” Sparrow and Chris Madison to warn Madison about his intentions. Too relaxed for someone who will be taking on Aries Armadaist for “THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS TITLE IN THE WHOLE WORLD”.... THE LEG!... Too relaxed… too relaxed.

But contrary to all of you, I have been listening. I have heard every single word you’ve said over the past few months. I have seen what you’ve done to what I loved and I have seen what you think you deserve. True, I have failed many times… but so have each and every single one of you. My failures are nothing compared to yours. I’ve always been the same dumbass I’ve said I am. I find stuff funny that no one else does. I believe in things none of you would understand and yet… we’re all here, aren’t we? With a river screaming it’s name; wanting US to think like it does… wanting US to do what it wants… wanting US to call it however it wants. But I won’t… and if the river wants a shining star on its forehead for defeatin’ me, I’ll gladly put it there. I’m tired of fightin’ against the river… now, the fun begins.

[bbbaseball96]

Somewhere on the road
Ace Voltage’s Car a few hours after Past v.s. Present

We see a fuzzy video pop up, it appears Ace Voltage has his phone mounted on his dashboard while he is driving home from Past vs. Present. He has an annoyed look on his face.

Ace Voltage: Is this thing on? I really should not be doing this but this is what vlogging is right?

Ace pushes his screen again and the video is much more clearer.

Ace Voltage: Ah there we go.

Ace focuses on the road, being a good driver, but still talks to the phone.

Ace Voltage: So, here we are. Hours after one of my biggest wins in FGA! I have conquered the past of FGA. I have sent A.J. Fairchild back to the retirement home. Maybe he can room with Chaz Holiday!

Ace laughs to himself.

Ace Voltage: Like I said I would, I showed Fairchild and the rest of FGA that I am here to stay. I am the PRESENT of FGA and the future too! Unfortunately, some were not as lucky as I was tonight. But, I wouldn’t call it luck. I don’t need luck to win. I showed you all that I am superior than the former world champ. That I am the best around here. And now, Tyler Storm gets to learn that.

As Ace is stopped at a red light, he looks towards the phone.

Ace Voltage: Tyler Storm sure had a lot to say about me tonight. He wanted to run his mouth about me, about how he almost beat me in our first match. About how he is a honorable and gracious champion. I watched his whole speech from top to bottom. I was not impressed, Ty.

We hear a honk from the car behind Ace. He throws his hands up and continues driving, looking at the road.

Ace Voltage: To be real, I am not all that impressed with Tyler Storm at all. His reign as champion? Not impressive. He is not even close to being the best Pride champion of all time and here I am, barely into my FGA career and I have already established myself as a top tier wrestler and the BEST Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion of all time! Tyler, what is your legacy here? What will you be remembered for? Nothing right now. The difference between the two of us is that I will be easily remembered while you will fall into the shadows. Kind of like my opponent tonight.

Ace stops again and looks at the camera.

Ace Voltage: Ya know, I don’t know if A.J. or anyone else really understood how important this match was for me. When I was champion, I was petitioning for better treatment for the champions of FGA. I wanted the respect I deserved. I wanted to be noticed for my accomplishments, to be rewarded for bringing merchandise sales up and ratings back up. So finally. FINALLY. FGA Management listened to me. They gave me this opportunity to show that I truly belong against the greats of FGA. Hell, I almost beat the amazing Fujiko a few months ago! So you all may not see it, but this match was very important to me.

Ace starts driving again and looks at the road.

Ace Voltage: To beat a former world champion like Fairchild, when nobody thought I could? It feels great. I beat Piper Lennon almost a year ago when nobody thought I could. I beat Chaz Holiday when nobody thought I could. I almost won the Gold Rush Rumble when nobody thought I had a chance in hell! Now, of course nobody thinks I can beat Tyler Storm. But, just like everything else I’ve done here, I will prove the doubters wrong. I will defeat Tyler Storm and be a better champion than he can ever dream to be! The last thing Tyler Storm will remember, is tapping out as he loses his precious championship.

Ace stops again and turns off his car as he is at his destination.

Ace Voltage: And that my friends, is a guarantee.

Ace flashes his smirk to the phone as he ends the “blog.” Camera fades to black.