Afterburn for 2021: A New Odyssey

[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+.

[Seth Iser]

We then find ourselves in the locker room and it seems that it’s a fair bit after that grueling main event. It’s an empty place, void of the celebrations you’d find for the winners and the potential lashing outs one would expect if somebody lost. But sitting in the locker room by himself is the person who is no longer the World Champion in Seth Iser. The well traveled veteran is no longer in his wrestling gear but he’s very much hobbled in just moving slightly. He isn’t responding to the camera man that’s walked in entirely as if he’s replaying something through in his head. Then it’s Spencer Burke’s turn to walk through with a microphone in hand and Seth eyeballs the man but he maintains a neutral expression, that elaborate poker face even after such a loss.

Spencer Burke: Seth...do you have time for some words?

Rather than give a verbal response you see him grit his teeth and stand up before gesturing to Spencer to stand there. Every movement right now is taxing for him.

Spencer Burke: You are no longer the World Champion after tonight...and out of curiosity, what’s going through your head?

The veteran mulls over that question briefly, doing his best to hide how much pain he’s actually in before his face finally relaxes from that poker face.

Seth Iser: I’m digesting what happened like any human being in the world would in that situation. And after taking that moment as the pain was starting to kick in fully as the adrenaline was gone...in terms of the results, Spencer? I can’t believe I’m saying this but I feel...fully at peace with what happened.

The calmness emanating from Iser goes up another notch as he even cracks a smile through the pain and it seems genuine.

Seth Iser: She scouted a tendency, found a different counter that nobody has ever done to me in that spot and beat me. Cordellia Stephenson repeated her history. So to that in front of the entire world I applaud her. She deserves her spot of one right now. And as much as losing stings...and as much as I honest to God feel like I got run over by a god damn eighteen wheeler...I just feel calm and at peace.

The smile vanishes but the calm demeanor is still purely visible as Spencer digests that answer from the former champion.

Spencer Burke: Are you going to make a claim for a rematch?

Seth Iser: No.

A simple one word response from the veteran as Spencer isn’t as shocked by this as he has done this with the Pride Title as well. That said, the interviewer is looking for the man to elaborate.

Seth Iser: I need something more before I think about challenging Cordy again. Besides...title opportunities should be earned. I’m a little more old fashioned in that regard. You have to kick somebody’s ass to earn the opportunity to stand in front of the champion. It should be hell to get to that spot. And I’m not one who likes automatic rematches. If the management decides to do the rematch that’s one thing but I’m not actively pursuing it right now. On that front I have one last thing to say. And I could tweet it but...I think it means more when you’re on camera and you say it. At least it SHOULD...

He looks sternly toward the camera but the peaceful resolve is still there.

Seth Iser: Congratulations Cordellia. Use the flame of rebellion well and burn everything you need to. There’s no animosity from me tonight. I’m many things but I’m also a man of my word. Always have been, always will be.

Spencer then pauses for a moment as Seth lets out another labored grunt.

Spencer Burke: I think I know the answer to this but the fan reaction at the start was something else.

Seth’s face contorts into a frown as he thinks a little more into it.

Seth Iser: They already had them. They wrestled before the main event. We were in the main event. Hell, whether those idiots paying the tickets know it or not that’s actually disrespectful to the performers they are chanting for as well. Have some respect for the championship itself and they didn’t...so the fans can once again kiss my ass.

This will not win Seth any friends with the paying crowd as he sneers when he says that with full sincerity. Spencer then tries to change the topic before he gets too agitated.

Spencer Burke: We saw your long time rival Owen Gonsalves return…

Seth Iser: Good for him…

Seth interjects in a flat tone.

Spencer Burke: Are you expecting another confrontation wtih him?

Seth then bluntly shakes his head at that.

Seth Iser: Not for a while. The last match we had...there was an agreement in fine print that we wouldn’t touch for quite sometime. We’re not past that point at all so even if one of us or both of us wanted to, we can’t. But I don’t think either of us are particularly game on doing so...I’m at peace with the end result of that match as well because it taught me something. As for Owen?

Seth’s face gets more contemplative as he thinks about it.

Seth Iser: Yes, he won that match at long last...but judging by what he’s been doing since that night? He’s still not over the weight of what happened that night in Australia. Even if he won’t admit himself...even beating me...might have taken a different kind of piece away from him at least for the time being.

Spencer Burke: ...Do you take any joy in that?

Seth’s face is curled fully into a frown.

Seth Iser: At this point, no. He has his own damn career to worry about so ask him about it if you get the opportunity. I’ve had my own and I think I’ve done pretty damn well since that night all things considered.

The frown is fully gone and it’s back to that relaxed neutral expression.

Spencer Burke: So...I have to ask...what is next for the man who seems to have wrestled even father time and is successfully fighting him back? What’s next for you?

Seth then frowns for a moment as he mulls that point.

Seth Iser: Debts.

He says in one word as Spencer looks at him quizzically and he’s waiting for the elaboration. Seth lets out another pained grunt as he leans forward a little, even little movements like that hurt for him at the moment with how he exerted himself.

Seth Iser: Yes, debts. No, not what you’d expect. My schedule has now cleared up for certain people to take a clear shot at me. We know who those people are. And rather than wait scared just wondering when that shot will be taken...I’ll be a little more proactive. If any of those people want that shot...better shoot it while you have that opportunity…because you won’t get another one. I’ll make sure of that.

Spencer Burke: But who all cou--

Seth Iser: Spencer.

Seth says his first name sternly while turning his attention to make full eye contact with him.

Seth Iser: I’m forty fucking years old and about to approach twenty years in the business. I hurt like hell right now. I’m sure you probably have more questions, but this is the end of our interview. I think I’ve earned my moment to have a little bit of rest before I get on the flight and go back to work.

With that, the suited up Seth lets out another grunt as he literally lumbers with a pained expression out of the view as Spencer contemplates further what he could be doing.

[TJ Techniques]

[PREVIOUSLY RECORDED]

FGA cameras catch up with TJ Techniques. The Funky Technician is somewhere in the back halls of the MassMutual Center. TJ, one half of the NEEEEEWWWWWWW World Tag Team Champions, appears to be in mid conversation. Techniques continues to pace back and forth as he and the person on the other line recall the events of the match. The audio slowly fades in.

TJ Techniques: Yo, yo saw it?... Yeeeeeeah, man... I kept telling cats, just trust the vision... Honest works always wins out in the end. But this is just the beginning, though. Winning 'em is one thing. Keeping 'em? That's a whole other beast... Of course I'm up for the challenge. I wouldn't team with Cassius if I wasn't up for a challenge...

TJ turns and sees someone approaching in from down the hall.

TJ Techniques: Aye listen, man. I gotta go do this interview thing. I'll holla at you later... Aight, one.

TJ hits the end call button on the touch screen before slipping the phone into his back pocket. He then takes the white towel from around his neck and wipes the sweat from off his face as roving reporter Amanda Johnson approaches. TJ's got a smirk on his face as he looks at Amanda before pointing to the Tag Title belt on his shoulder.

TJ Techniques: You see it, Amanda?

Amanda Johnson: Indeed I do!

TJ Techniques: I told you I knew what I was doing, right?

Amanda Johnson: I remember those conversations. It must feel good?

TJ Techniques: There's no better feeling, man. This has been a long time coming. But like I was just telling my boy, honest work always wins out in the end.

Amanda furrows her brow at that last line.

Amanda Johnson: Well, you did make it work with Cassius, I'll give you that. So congratulations.

Touched, TJ places his hand over his heart.

TJ Techniques: Thanks, fam. I appreciate that.

Amanda puts a finger up to indicate that there's a BUT coming.

Amanda Johnson: But... "honest work"? That's an... interesting... choice of words.

Now it's TJ that's furrowing his brow.

TJ Techniques: "Interesting choice of words"? What makes you say that?

Amanda looks around with a bit of a confused expression. Clearly they aren't all the way on the same page.

Amanda Johnson: Well, you are aware of what happened, right?

TJ scoffs.

TJ Techniques: Of course I'm aware. I was out there! For the first time, me and Cassius were on the same page, you know? He was tagging in and out without hesitation. There was full trust out there. With the air finally clear between us, we went out there and gelled as a team. I hate to use that "well oiled machine" cliché. But that's what it felt like, you know? We don't have fancy matching gear... yet. We don't have a cool team name... yet. But the Funky Technician and the Funky Dragon put it down out there. Cassius, man, that dude don't have a shy bone in his body and he damn sure didn't shy away from the moment. This may be a long time coming for me. But this has really been a long time coming for Cassius. He won the last Rey del Aire. But to finally call himself a champion, an actual champion, in FGA? I know Cassius is proud of what he did out there.

TJ doesn't catch it. But that last line gets an eye roll from the interviewer.

TJ Techniques: Granted, it always helps being the last team to enter in a Gantlet Match. But that was the luck of the draw. I'm sure Silk & Cyanide will throw a fit over that. But when are they ever not bitching about something, you know?

Amanda Johnson: Well, you're exactly right about Silk & Cyanide. But come here. Let me show you exactly what happened out there at the end.

TJ Techniques: Bet...

Amanda leads TJ over to one of the designated interview areas backstage. She then grabs a hold of an iPad thats nearby and is able to cue up he match on the FGA app. A few seconds pass before she scrolls towards the end of the contest. Amanda props up the iPad on top of one of the monitors for TJ (and the viewing audience) to see.

Reed turns around and nearly gets caught with a kick right between the legs. But Reed’s able to catch Mariani’s foot in time. He then swings her leg away from him, takes control of her back and goes for a belly to back suplex. Mariani counters by rolling over his shoulder, landing on her feet and shoving him over towards Mason, who doubles him over with the Lyssa (side kick to an opponent's midsection)! Silk & Cyanide start to nail Reed with clubbing strikes when Techniques rushes over and makes the save. The crowd cheers as Mason gets knocked back with repeated Shoteis. TJ takes a couple of steps back before running forward and delivering a clothesline that sends them both over the top rope to the floor!

Back inside, Mariani runs up behind Reed and goes for a double knee backbreaker. But Reed hangs onto the ropes, causing Mariani to slip off his back and smack the back of her head on the way down. While Mariani rolls towards the center of the ring, Reed reaches down the front of his tights and pulls out a golden elbow pad.

Kris Cruise: Now wait just a minute...

Stephy Auger: Do I spy a loaded elbow pad?

After slipping off his black elbow pad and tossing it out of the ring, The Funky Dragon slips on the golden elbow. The camera cuts to Mariani, who is slowly picking herself up off the mat. When she turns around, Reed blasts her with the Spanish Archer (Bionic Elbow) with the loaded elbow pad. Mariani falls like a tree before Reed drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

Kris Cruise: We’ve got new champions.

The crowd cheers as “You Suck” plays over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… aaaaaaaaand NEEEEEWWWWWWW FGA World Tag Team Champions, CASSIUS REED and TJ TECHNIQUES!

Amanda hits the power button on the iPad to turn off the screen. She then turns her attention back to TJ.

Amanda Johnson: Honest work, huh?

The camera slowly pans over. TJ closes his eyes before letting out a long, annoyed sigh. With his hands on his hips, TJ shakes his head.

TJ Techniques: ... shit...

[nealdurden]

Let’s give a round of applause to everyone.

The sound of clapping opens the scene as the camera spins and stops right in Gareth Prichard Jr face. He smiles as he stops clapping; and licks his lower lip while his eyes shift from those of a smiling man to those of a more unhinged one. Gareth takes a deep breath before speaking.

I told you I could do something… or nothing. In the end, you all saw I decided to do the latter. I sat down like every single one of you and enjoyed the show…

Gareth smirks as he continues.

And what a damn good show it was, right? I mean… new tag-team champions to live in Pendragon’s shadow; because they didn’t beat us. A returning face looking for the glory he never achieved. An old dog getting put out of his misery. The same old… same old… at the top. What’s not to love… right?

The king of failure, looked to his right side with his left hand up and it seemed as if he was about to say something, but he stopped before anything could come out of his mouth. A couple of seconds passed and he stood there saying nothing; just letting time pass by. Then, his face changes and he turns his head around to face the camera.

I said everything changes tonight… and seeing how everything went down you might be forgiven for thinking I was wrong, because nothing changed and everything stayed its course. Yet, the smell of change permeates through the whole arena. It might not be noticeable; you might not think it is there… but believe me… it’s there.

Gareth finally turns around completely; looks at the camera and smirks.

What thing could be more fitting than the son of a banker, knocking doors to collect…

He sighs and turns around to leave, but right before the scene fades to black he says some parting words.

See you at the top...

[Raphael Dallins]

The cameras catch up with the still reigning FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion long after the show has gone off the air. Sparrow is found sitting on a production crate, long dressed out of his ring gear. Having opted for cargo pants and a hooded sweatshirt, some wrestling merchandise that would be completely unrecognizable to any FGA fans. Hanging from around Mighty Sparrow’s neck, the championship that he had finally gotten back from Laura Perelli after tonight’s match.

Sparrow knows better to wear it on his right arm of course. He slowly goes about unclipping it from his neck with his left hand, and sits it in his lap on the crate. Notably, right next to Sparrow is an all white snapback cap that goes well with his black and white hoodie. Sparrow glances from his title to the camera.

Mighty Sparrow: Between Madison and Perelli I’m pretty sure my right arm is just shot to hell. Mat wrestlers ya see. Had to be mat wrestlers, but ey...What can you say when I’m still here, and still Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion.

The West Indian Whirlwind looks down at the championship belt, admiring the main plate for a few moments, an exhausted smile crossing his face before he pats the main plate.

Mighty Sparrow: This is only the beginning, you hear what I sayin’? The first of many. I’m out to prove that I don’t just deserve this championship but that I can and will be a name that rings throughout FGA for the years to come. That’s what I want. That’s what I need. That is what I am after. Laura Perelli, I gon’ say it again and again...One of the best, one of the most talented, on that mat she’s doin’ the most at all times. Even now I know that it could be the next time she and me face that---

SNAP!

The champion snaps his fingers to make his point.

Mighty Sparrow: All this comes to an end, the dream is over. Tonight though? All me. I welcome all challengers, any challengers, whoever want it, whenever, however. Name ya shot, pick ya spot, and I gon’ be there please believe because tonight?

With his good hand Sparrow picks up the white snapback next to him and lifts it up. A black ‘#1’ patch has been stitched into the front of the cap.

Mighty Sparrow: That was just the first. See me.

[Cordy]

The night has wound down tremendously. Several superstars have already given their thoughts on the evening, and things are wrapping up on an incredible night. However, Amanda Johnson’s job is still not done for the night. There is still one person that she’d love to get a word from, and she’s pretty confident that given how the night ended, that certain someone will have a whole lot to say. A bright smile lines Amanda’s face as she makes her way down the long corridor towards the locker room of the FGA World and International Champion, the now 2x Undisputed Champion, Cordelia Stevenson.

As Amanda draws nearer, several voices can be heard coming from the locker room of the champion. Amanda clears her throat and then knocks on the door. The knock goes unanswered, so Amanda knocks again, this time a bit harder to be heard over the laughter coming from the other side of the door. The door swings open, and Amanda is greeted by the smiling face of Cordelia’s little sister, Alyssa. She steps aside, allowing Amanda to enter. She looks around the room, and sees quite a few faces that are familiar to the wrestling world, such as Cordelia’s long time mentor, Kerry Windsor and his wife, Star. Dianne DeArmas is also there, standing behind a seated Cordelia, who sits with her young nephew Corey in her lap; the two exchanging words and laughing. The International Heavyweight title rests on her shoulder, and the FGA World Championship rests on the shoulder of her nephew. Amanda stands there for a moment, almost afraid to interrupt the moment.

Amanda Johnson: Cordelia…

Cordy’s eyes shoot up and she notices Amanda for the first time.

Amanda Johnson: First off, congratulations. May I have a quick word with you? I don’t want to interrupt your celebration for too long.

Amanda’s smile is bright and she readies her microphone in anticipation. Cordelia smiles as she simply gazes at Amanda. A few seconds pass by before Cordy utters one simple word that causes Amanda’s smile to fade away.

Cordelia Stevenson: No.

The response seems to catch everyone in the room off guard. The chatter dies down and the room grows silent. Amanda stands there, her face frozen in place but her eyes shifting from side to side. Her face scrunches up with uncertainty as if she heard Cordy wrong.

Amanda Johnson: Oh, um… excuse me?

Cordelia shakes her head to reiterate her statement.

Cordelia Stevenson: I said, no.

Silence. Amanda cocks her head to the side, waiting for Cordelia to say that she’s joking or something, but she doesn’t. Instead she just shrugs her shoulders and motions with her hand.

Cordelia Stevenson: They want Lowri, and they want Fujiko, right? So go give those great FGA fans what they want, because I sure as hell won’t.

Amanda just stands there in disbelief. She finds it very hard to believe that one of the more notoriously mouthy individuals on the roster is choosing to remain silent after one of the biggest nights of her career.

Amanda Johnson: But I’m sure the world would love to hear what you have to say following one of the biggest nights of your career.

Cordelia lets out a sigh as she thinks over Amanda’s words. Her eyes cut away, scanning the room and stopping on each of her loved ones in her line of sight. Finally her gaze falls back onto Amanda.

Cordelia Stevenson: No. They don’t deserve to share my joy. They don’t deserve to share this moment with me. They aren’t allowed to have that special privilege, that… access, anymore. You’re absolutely right Amanda, this moment is a big one for me; and it is one that they genuinely preferred I didn’t have, so respectfully, they can all kiss my ass.

Little Corey looks up at his aunt and covers his mouth in shock.

Corey: Ooohh, Aunt Cordy said a bad word.

He giggles, clearly amused by Cordy’s choice of wording. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head, a small smile forming on her face.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, yeah, but you better not say it.

She warns him, playfully tickling his sides before looking back to Amanda.

Cordelia Stevenson: But as I was saying, go find Lowri or something and let her feed them another sob story to tear up over. I’m good over here. As much as I know it’ll kill them to see me celebrating my moment, I’d rather kill them slowly at another time. But right now? Yeah, this is for those that rock with me, and you people don’t get the privilege of being here.

Cordelia nods towards the door.

Cordelia Stevenson: So you can see yourself out. Thank you for the congratulations by the way.

Amanda’s mouth drops open. She glances around the room and is only met with shrugs and diverting eyes. She looks back to Cordelia who has turned her attention back towards her nephew.

Amanda Johnson: Um, thank you for your time.

Amanda quickly turns on her heels and gets the hell out of dodge, quickly fleeing the uncomfortable situation.