Only the Strong Survive

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

A single spotlight flickers on and casts away the darkness from our screen. Our Undisputed Champion, Cordelia Stevenson, stands in the midst of it, her long flowing hair down and loose, wisping behind her as if being carried by a light breeze. She is elegantly dressed in a purple form fitting gown. Her ‘Holy Trinity’ of Championship belts draped around various limbs of her body. She takes a seductive step forward, her long shapely leg pushing forth out of a slit in the gown and the tile underneath her foot illuminates.

Cordelia Stevenson: The Boulevard of Broken Dreams…

Cordelia continues to walk, each tile remaining lit as she proceeds, creating a pathway of light that she walks down.

Cordelia Stevenson: An unfortunate path that many have blindly stumbled upon during their search for success. Paved on the dashed hopes and tears of fallen warriors. It all began on this night…

Cordelia continues walking until she finally comes to a stop next to a large monitor. On the screen is a still shot of then newly appointed Flashpoint General Manager, Kayden Jones. Cordelia reaches out and touches the screen, causing the video to spring to life.

Kayden Jade Jones: I am one who believes that regardless of standing, every member of Flashpoint deserves a chance to shine. With that said, here are your competitors in this match.

KJ gestures to the tron, where a photo of Laura Perelli shows up. The crowd boos as she appears.

Kayden Jade Jones: Laura Perelli. Joining her…

A photo of Kendall Kingham fades in next to her, to cheers.

Kayden Jade Jones: Kendall Kingham…

A photo of Sadie San Francisco appears next to the other two, bringing more cheers.

Kayden Jade Jones: The “Pope”, Sadie San Francisco…

One half of the World Tag team champions, Neal Durden appears to even more cheers.

Kayden Jade Jones: Neal Durden…

The United States champion, Salem, is next. A mixed reaction emerges from the crowd as she appears.

Kayden Jade Jones: Our US champion, Salem…

The somewhat bitter reaction is replaced as Lowri Moss appears next to Neal.

Kayden Jade Jones: The other half of our tag team champions, Lowri Moss…

The crowd cheers loudly as Cordy Stevenson’s visage appears.

Kayden Jade Jones: Cordelia Stevenson…

The video stops right there, the picture of Cordelia frozen on the screen as she continues down the ‘Boulevard’.

Cordelia Stevenson: That was merely the beginning. The beginning of something historic.

Cordelia continues along her path, surpassing a large billboard with the faces of Savannah Taylor and The grappler formerly known as Johnny Karma x’d out.

Cordelia Stevenson: The beginning of something that would change not only the careers, but the lives of anyone unfortunate enough to cross this path. An inevitable fall from grace awaited anyone brave enough to challenge the keeper of the boulevard.

Tile after tile lights up as Cordelia literally retraces her path of destruction. The face of Ashlyn De Luca appears in a portrait with a milk carton frame. The caption underneath reads ‘Where is she now?’ Title defense #1. An almost sinister smile appears on Cordelia’s face as she glides along the path gracefully. There is something haunting about her eyes, a growing darkness as she emerges down the path.

Cordelia Stevenson: This is the place where goals and aspirations have come to die.

Another screen this time. This one playing back the ending of her match with Neal Durden where she is seen hitting him with The Real Is Back. Title defense #2.

Cordelia Stevenson: And where Kings of Failure have lived up to their names.

She stops next to the screen and glances up at it, admiring the still shot of her arm raised in the air before continuing down the path.

Cordelia Stevenson: Rivalries have been ended and wars have been won. Sworn enemies disposed of accordingly. The Boulevard, growing, as the remnants of the fallen’s broken dreams meld into the very pavement in which I walk.

The lighted path continues towards a wall bearing a ripped and tattered poster showing the face of one Savannah Taylor with the words Title Defense #3 scribbled underneath. Cordelia snatches the poster from the wall before holding it up and allowing a gust of wind to carry it away.

Cordelia continues on along the winding path but suddenly comes to a halt. Her eyes narrow and grow even darker as she stares down a larger than life statue of Lowri Moss alongside the path. Draped on the arm of the statue is the pair of tights that Lowri gifted her. At the base of the statue there is the inscription; Title Defense #4.

Cordelia Stevenson: The end of innocence and the fall of the righteous marks a turning point in history, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Cordelia turns her gaze forward and continues along her path; the statue of Lowri begins to crack as she passes by. Once Cordelia is past, the statue crumbles.

Cordelia Stevenson: But sometimes, the unexpected can happen along this boulevard. Respect can be born from war; alliances forged amidst the rebirth of The Unifier.

A large screen shows a montage of her dealings with Seth Iser. The unification of the titles and a mutual respect shared amongst the two warriors. At the end of the montage are the words Title Defense #5.

Cordelia Stevenson: And now, another wanderer has found her way onto the Boulevard; eyes wide and full of wonder, anxious to find the road to success.

In the distance the sound of an approaching vehicle can be heard. Cordelia gazes back over her shoulder a devilish smirk appearing on her face as she turns back towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Little does she know….

She stretches her hand out to the side and sends a bunch of nail spikes scattering across the path. She steps aside and shakes her head as she walks past the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: … that this ain’t it.

An impish smile is the last thing seen before the screen fades to black. The sound of the approaching car gets louder until suddenly the screeching of tires pierces through the darkness. You can’t see it, but you can already tell from the sound of the crash, that the Boulevard has claimed its newest victim.

Cordelia Stevenson: Fujiko Mine.

The name is spewed with vitriol as the Undisputed Champion twists her face up in disgust. The vignette has ended and the camera has cued up to a shot of Cordelia who is already dressed in her ring gear. She is seated in the empty stands and you can tell this was done hours before the show.

Cordelia Stevenson: The Apex Goddess. The quote unquote Blissbringer.

For some reason that name causes Cordelia to laugh. She shakes her head and runs a hand through her hair. She glances down at the Undisputed Championship that she holds in her hand, lifts it chest level and taps it with a finger.

Cordelia Stevenson: Fujiko Mine wants to win this title just so that she can say that she is better than each and every one of you; that she’s… the best. Isn’t that what we’ve heard from her ad nauseum? My God, Fujiko wants that distinction so badly and she’s already proven that she’s willing to do absolutely any and everything for it. She’ll lie; which she’s done plenty of in recent weeks with her shoddy memory and fairy tale crafted recollection of events — and hell, I wouldn’t put it past her to transform into vintage Fujiko and cheat to get the job done tonight. She and her merry band of goons were even willing to put the personal business of her mentor and loved ones out for all to see; digging up skeletons long buried and bringing up names that haven’t been relevant in years, and for what? To try and portray me in a negative light? I admit, the world of an impressionable 21 and 22 year old Cordelia Stevenson was a messy one. That’s not something I’ve ever hid. I lived, I made a ton of mistakes, and I learned. That’s life. That’s my life and I’ve made peace with that. I’ve grown from that. But the world knowing that the man who trained you is nothing more than a cuckold? Quite honestly Fuji, that’s an embarrassment that you should have never put on him…

She places a hand across her heart and tilts her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I am so sorry that she did that to you Tj. Her selfishness truly knows no bounds, and all she’s done is prove to be everything that I’ve said she is over the course of these past few weeks. Fujiko Mine cares about no one and nothing…

Cordelia leans forward with a steely gaze, her tone growing a tad bit colder.

Cordelia Stevenson: … nothing except being the best.

A smirk now finds its way on her face as she holds the title out towards the camera, allowing it to dangle tauntingly in the air.

Cordelia Stevenson: The best at what actually? Wrestling? Because that’s highly questionable and unlikely. Talking on the microphone? Yeah, we all know that’s a negative. What exactly are you trying to be the best at Fuji? The best is such a broad term and I bet you have no real definition for it in this context, but it is something you’re going to great lengths to obtain. Well if you want it that badly, then here chica. Take it.

She shoves the title forward towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: That is what this title represents to you right?

Cordelia cranes her neck now, looking at the title and inspecting it. Finally she snatches it back and motions the camera closer with her finger, and begins talking in a hushed tone.

Cordelia Stevenson: Come here. Let me let you in on a little secret, Fujiko. One that you should have realized by now, and one that you should have definitely realized when you were the FGA World Champion.

The camera zooms in as Cordelia creeps closer, cupping her hand around her mouth as if telling a heavily guarded secret. Her eyes shift towards the title as she whispers into the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Even with this belt in your possession at the end of the night, which it won’t be by the way, not a single soul will ever say that you are the best.

She inhales sharply and gives a nonchalant shrug as she takes a step back and points a finger at the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: And that is because you lack the one thing that could ever place you in the conversation.

Her eyes narrow and her mouth curves into a smile.

Cordelia Stevenson: Impact.

The word escapes her lips with a certain umph and emphasis behind it.

Cordelia Stevenson: How many days were you the FGA World Champion? How many successful title defenses did you have? I hope you realize I’m being a smart ass. I think everyone around here knows the answers to those questions because they are things that you would never let us forget. You reminded us every second of the record breaking reign and despite it all, you still felt the need to try and establish yourself above everyone, because even with what you considered to be the biggest title in the company; the one with all of the history attached… no one believed that Fujiko Mine was ‘the best’, even with the company trying to hype you as such.

Cordelia runs her tongue along her teeth and shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: Even with that historic reign under your belt, you’re still out here chasing ghosts. You see, ‘the best’ is a subjective term, is it not? The criteria changes from person to person and a debate will always be held. This title? It only plays a part in the grand scheme of things. Make no mistake about it, it is thee accolade that everyone chases and wants, but this title doesn’t make the person chica. Being the best is something that extends far beyond this. All the accomplishments and titles to your name; all of the awards wins, what do they really mean? Take a moment and be completely honest with yourself Fujiko. What impact have you really made? Til this day, despite all of your incredible feats, the thing people most associate you with is a damn hashtag, and even that has lost its luster.

Cordelia scoffs and raises an eyebrow.

Cordelia Stevenson: This is what separates the good from the great. This is what differentiates the Fujiko Mines… from the Cordelia Stevensons of the world, and dare I even say it… the Chandler Scotts. Impact. As I’ve said before.. Your resume is astounding. Padded with so many reigns and titles that someone like myself or Chandler Scott... simply don’t need. The impact we’ve made just cannot be quantified by title reigns or award wins. Since you love to use Michael Jordan gifs so much, I’ll use him as the example for you. MJ doesn’t have the most rings, he doesn’t come close. But his impact on the league… his ability to transcend the sport and inspire… that is what catapults him far beyond anyone else. When Chandler Scott comes around… hate him or… yeah, hate him, he makes a wave. When Cordelia Stevenson comes around… I ...make … a wave. Whether we have this title or not, the atmosphere changes with our mere presence. When I made my return to the ring, it was a big deal. Chandler returned? And it has been a big deal no matter how bad he’s looked since.

The misfortune of Chandler Scott brings forth a genuine cackle.

Cordelia Stevenson: Fujiko, sweetie, I’ll keep it real with you. You could throw a tantrum tonight and walk away like you’ve tended to do in the past after a big loss and the world wouldn’t bat an eyelash. No one would miss you besides IzzyPop, and even that is only a possibility. Not a single soul would care. You’re forgettable, and it doesn’t matter what context you frame it in, that is something that the best simply cannot be. That is why you’ll never be the heart and soul of a company. That is why you’ll never be on the level of a Chandler Scott or a Cordelia Stevenson no matter what you do or no matter how many accomplishments you’ve got to your name. Win or lose, the talk of the night will be Cordelia Stevenson. What will she do next? What will she say next? How will she screw the establishment over this time?

Her knees rock from left to right as she slides the title up her arm to rest it on her shoulder.

Cordelia Stevenson: You want to know what your problem is, Fujiko? You’re too narrow minded. Tunnel vision can be an amazing thing at times but more often than not, it’s just extremely limiting. You’re unable to think outside the box, unable to think of anything outside of yourself and it’s boring. You won’t beat me tonight and the reason why is simple. Your goal isn’t bigger than my vision and I’m far more motivated to see my vision come to fruition.

She makes a grand sweeping gesture with her hand.

Cordelia Stevenson: I want better for this company. Them finally deciding to acknowledge Nina and the work she’s put in? That was merely the first step. But the path to true change is still a long and exhausting one, but this…

Cordelia pulls the title back off her shoulder and dangles it in the air.

Cordelia Stevenson: … this is power. This is leverage. This is so much more than the impossible ghost you’re chasing; So much more than what you’re trying to trivialize it to. The best…

She spits the word venomously, sarcasm oozing from her tone.

Cordelia Stevenson: That is something you will never be. Not when there are so many others around that can do what you do but better. Not when there are more complete packages around. You’ll always be more like a Russell Westbrook. All the padded stats in the world but hardly mentioned in the discussion of the greatest. This title won’t change that for you no matter how much you think it will and I refuse to let such a worthy prize be delegated to such a pointless cause. Not when it can be used for something so much greater. Not when it is the key and the catalyst for a better FGA. Not when it can be used to bring about serious change.

Cordelia’s voice softens a bit. She leans forward, resting her elbows on her thighs and gazes straight into the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: This match was never personal, although in the end you and your family made it that way. The problem with you Fujiko is you always think you’re bigger than you really are; more significant than you actually are. I don’t care about you. You’re just a pawn and an eventual sacrifice in this game of chess being played. I don’t care about Tj Jones. I don’t care about the bullshit that happened when I was 21 and 22 years old, and guess what? No one else does either. No one cares about Tj’s public statements or his family life because absolutely none of that has any relevance on what is going to happen tonight; on what is going to happen to you. What I do care about is what you represent and to whom. The establishment. Leonard T. Asherman. You’re his lab created gem, Fuji.

Cordelia takes a deep breath and leans closer towards the camera. Her eyes narrow as she grits her teeth together.

Cordelia Stevenson: And tonight, I show him that his lab created gem just doesn't shine as bright when it’s in the mix with a real one.

A low chuckle escapes her as she leans back and rises to her feet.

Cordelia Stevenson: The Real is Back.

A confident smile and a nod.

Cordelia Stevenson: And you’re successful title defense #6.

She blows a kiss at the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Get familiar.

She walks off camera as the scene fades away.

[FGA Office]

And now, Frontier Grappling Arts presents… ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE!

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Royal Farms Arena exterior. We then transition inside the arena, where white and purple pyro shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid capacity crowd.

Kris Cruise: Welcome, everyone, to Baltimore, Maryland! Welcome, everyone, to the Royal farms Arena! This is Only the Strong Survive! Hello, everyone! I'm Kris Cruise and joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! Tonight, FGA returns to Pay Per View! Fans are back at full capacity! This has the makings to be an amazing night, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: It is! Every title is on the line tonight! The Gold Rush Rumble is main event! We've got a full capacity crowd, which means thousands of fans will get to see Cordelia Stevenson show up Fujiko Mine in the center of the ring! You love to see it!

Kris Cruise: Well that last part definitely remains to be seen. But you are right. Every single active championship will be on the line tonight. For starters, Mark Bisley kicks things off tonight when he defends his 15 Championship against Patrick Jones!

Stephy Auger: Patrick Jones was lucky to get a non-title victory over Mark Bisley during the Beat The Clock Challenge. Lightning won't strike twice. Sorry, Patty!

Kris Cruise: The next match won't have a championship on the line. But pride will be on the line when Logan Alexander and Sloan Talbot collide in the center of the ring on pay per view!

Stephy Auger: Logan Alexander has felt a way towards Sloan Talbot after Talbot ran James Edwards out of FGA. Logan wanted to be the one to have that honor. Since then, he's called out Talbot repeatedly. Talbot let it be known that Logan got his attention. But Talbot also let it be known that Logan's barking up the wrong tree. Things have gotten physical between the two in recent shows. Tonight, referees and officials won't be able to hold them back.

Kris Cruise: After that will be our second championship match of the night. Mighty Sparrow will defend his newly-renamed Legacy Championship against Ashley Sands!

Stephy Auger: Ashley Sands has been able to call herself a champion in the past. But it's been a long time since she's held gold. Tonight, she's looking to rewrite the book on her. She doesn't want to go down in history as someone that wasn't good enough. What better way to secure her legacy than with a Legacy title win.

Kris Cruise: After that, the World Tag Team Titles will be on the line as the Renegades of Funk defend against Silk & Cyanide!

Stephy Auger: Silk & Cyanide once again feel like they've been screwed over. Tonight, they finally get their chance challenge for the World Tag Team Championship in a standard two on two tag team match. There won't be a third team involved. Just the two of them against Cassius Reed and TJ Techniques. Silk & Cyanide are going to try and make the most of this opportunity. The Renegades of Funk, on the other hand, are going to continue to try and make this makeshift team work. So far, so good. Tonight, though, Silk & Cyanide might just be too good for them.

Kris Cruise: On the back half of tonight's pay per view, Nina Stokes will defend her United States Championship against Owen Gonsalves! Can Gonsalves stop the dominate run of Nina Stokes/ Will he be the one that dethrones The Kodiak?

Stephy Auger: Can he? Sure. Will he? I don't know. Ever since Stokes won the belt back from Sadie San Francisco, she's had a death grip on that championship. I don't see Owen, or anyone for that matter, being able to wrestle it away from her. Screw her out of it? Sure. But outwrestle The Kodiak? I don't think so.

Kris Cruise: The rivalry between Tyler Storm and Ace Voltage continues as Storm defends his Pride Championship against the self-proclaimed Main Event of FGA!

Stephy Auger: They each have a victory over the other. Ace Voltage feels that he is the better man. He is determined to walk out of here tonight the new Pride Champion. But Tyler Storm has been a tough out since regaining the Pride Championship last year. That mach could be the sleeper match of the night.

Kris Cruise: In our next match, Cordy Stevenson will defend her Undisputed Championship against Fujiko Mine! This was supposed to be a Dream Match between two of FGA's most accomplishment grapplers. But this one has quickly turned ugly, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Of course it has and we've only got one person to blame for that.

Kris Cruise: Cordy.

Stephy Auger: No, Fujiko! She's the one that got her sycophants to come out the woodwork and throw dirt on Cordelia's name. Our Undisputed Champion had no choice but to defend herself, which meant airing out some dirty laundry. But it would have never come to that if Fujiko and her band of misfits didn't start taking the low road. Whatever happens to night, Fujiko brought it all on herself.

Kris Cruise: Then in our main event, it's the Gold Rush Rumble! 30 grapplers will enter the ring. Only one will be left standing. The winner will go on to challenge the winner of tonight's Undisputed Championship match at All-Star Showdown X!

Stephy Auger: 29 entrants will be leaving this match broken hearts. But for one, their dreams will come true. I don't know who will win. But I can tell you who won't. Chandler Scott! Like Fujiko Mine, Chandler also had to run his mouth. So Cordelia, being the intelligent champion that she has, has put a bounty on his head. To the other 29 participants in the Rumble, it's simple. They don't have to win. They don't have to make it to the end. All they have to do is eliminate Chandler Scott and they've got themselves an Undisputed Championship match guaranteed. Not only does Chandler have a bounty on his head, but thanks to Cordelia, he'll also be entering tonight at number one. Suffice to say that he won't be winning anything tonight.

Kris Cruise: Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a ton of action for you tonight. But right now, I'm being told it's time to send it backstage where one of tonight's guests is standing by.

[FGA Office]

The cameras cut to the concessions area where Tapp Wrestling is walking around championship strapped to his waist, and a bunch of flyers in his hand. There are a few fans waiting in line and the Submission Expert approaches them with the phoniest smile ever.

Tapp Wrestling: WRISTLOCK ACADEMY! THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE ONLINE TRAINING SCHOOL! CHECK OUT THIS FLYER! THERE’S A COUPON ON IT!

The fans in line swiftly begin to scatter away from Mr. Wrestling, clearly not interested in his offer. Tapp, now fuming from being ignored, hurls the stack of flyers sending papers flying all over the place.

Tapp Wrestling: Idiots….

Suddenly a familiar voice can be heard speaking in his direction.

Voice: I hope you didn’t really expect any better from them.

The camera pans over to reveal the source of voice. The FGA Undisputed Champion, Cordelia Stevenson. She looks around at the FGA faithful and shakes her head in disgust.

Cordelia Stevenson: Come on Tapp. They cheer for Fujiko Mine. Of course they wouldn’t appreciate a man of your talent.

She looks at the scattered stack of papers and plucks one up off of the ground. She looms it over and smirks.

Cordelia Stevenson: I know quite a few people that could use this. I’ll keep this one handy.

Tapp gathers the remaining flyers from the ground and straightens the stack of papers on the concession stand counter. He repositions the championship on his waist and points at the flyer in Cordy’s hand.

Tapp Wrestling: You might want to act fast. That free trial coupon is only good for about two and a half more hours. It may not seem like much. But I could teach a man more in three hours than most can teach in months. But anyways, how are you feeling heading into your match tonight, Champ. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling like I've already got this one in the bag. I mean I put my Championship on the line. That’s how confident I am in my skills.

Cordelia smiles. Confidence is definitely something that she knows he does not lack.

Cordelia Stevenson: I’m feeling amazing Tapp. Ready to go out and do the damn thing like only I can to be honest with you. A lot of eyes are on this match. This is high stakes, but that’s when I go the hardest. Nothing excites me more these days than knowing I’ll be sending these people home mad as fuck that I embarrassed another one of their favorites.

A sly smirk spreads across her face as she looks at Tapp with a side eye.

Cordelia Stevenson: Speaking of which, Champ…

She points a finger at Tapp.

Cordelia Stevenson: You have the chance to do the exact same thing in the Rumble. You’ve heard about the little bonus perk I’m throwing in for tossing out Chandler Scott, correct?

TWFKA Tapp Addams nods his head. That smug look that he’s become known for reappears once more.

Tapp Wrestling: You’ve got nothing to worry about. He’s as good as gone. His chances really dropped the moment I entered the picture. But NOW? Well now I’m actively gunning for him. And he knows it. That’s enough to break even the strongest of competitors in all honesty. I’ve got a lot to look forward too tonight. The next couple of weeks even. This may be my first FGA appearance. But I’m a free agent now. It definitely won’t be the last.

He nudges Cordy with his elbow and even winks at her.

Tapp Wrestling: So you might just have to honor your word sooner rather than later. Hope you’re prepared.

Cordy nods.

Cordelia Stevenson: I’m always a woman of my word Tapp. And besides, if all goes well tonight, that means I’ll be retaining my title and you’ll be doing the same. And you know what that means right?

She returns the nudge and winks at him as she nods towards his title.

Cordelia Stevenson: Another title for my collection.

Tapp Wrestling: And as good as this Championship would look as a centerpiece or on your mantle, it’ll be hell taking it from me. But much like myself you seem to look forward to challenges… But look. I've got to go start getting prepared. I’d wish you good luck but I don’t think you’ll be needing it.

He yells at Cordy as he turns and heads down the corridor. Cordy folds her arms across her chest and watches as he walks away.

Cordelia Stevenson: I don’t think you will either Tapp. I think you’ll be quite alright. Can’t say the same for Chandler though.

An evil smirk appears as she turns on her heels and heads the other way.

[FGA Office]

FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Mark Bisley vs. Patrick Jones

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

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a 15 minute time limit! It is for the FGA 15 CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky! Weighing in at 235 pounds… PATRICK JONES!

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

Kris Cruise: Patrick Jones is looking to gain his first championship here in FGA. Will tonight be the night?

Stephy Auger: I don’t think so, Cruise. I know he thinks he’s on a roll because he won a championship elsewhere. But when it comes to FGA, he hasn’t come through in the clutch.

Kris Cruise: He did beat Mark Bisley to earn this championship match in the first place. That was also during the Beat The Clock Challenge, too. Was that not clutch?

Stephy Auger: Okay, I’ll give him that. But that was a non-title match, Cruise. The stakes are even higher tonight.

The arena lights dim to almost pitch blackness, save for a couple of blue lights that pulse in sync with the intro to "Storms End" that is rising in pitch and intensity until the main hook burst forth and, at that very second, the ramp is bathed in blue light as Mark Bisley strides onto the ramp before he turns his head towards the title resting upon his shoulder and raises the belt high above his head while wearing one hell of a self-satisfied smirk upon his face.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota! Weighing in at 201 pounds! He is the reigning… defending… FGA 15 Champion, MARK BISLEY!

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

Kris Cruise: Mark Bisley continues to impress in his second run as 15 Champion. He slipped against Kazu Hirano before defeating him when the title was on the line. Will “Smart” Mark repeat that performance tonight?

Stephy Auger: You bet he will! Right now, Bisley is making that title his and when it’s all said and done, you won’t think of Kendall Kingham or Selfish San Francisco when you think of that title. It’ll be one man and one man only: The New Ace!

As he stands on the turnbuckles with the title held firmly in his hands, Bisley fixes his eyes on his opponent as he looks down on them and the smirk leaves his face entirely as his eyes move from his opponent to the title and then back to his opponent once more, at which point he climbs down from the turnbuckles and the second his feet meet the canvas he whips the towel from around his shoulders and chucks it to the referee without taking his eyes off his opponent, as he takes a few steps forward so he's stood in the centre of the ring where he drops to a knee and carefully places his title on the mat where he runs his hand over its faceplate while looking his opponent dead in the eye to remind them of one fact: this is my title.

The bell sounds as Jones and Bisley start things off with a lock up. Both grapplers jockey for position until Jones brings Bisley down with an arm drag. As Bisley gets back to his feet, Jones takes control of his wrist before whipping him into the ropes. Bisley nearly gets caught off the return with a back body drop, but he slips down from behind. He then takes control of Jones’ back before running forward into the ropes. Jones wraps his arms around the top rope before yanking back, sending Bisley falling off his back to the mat. Bisley rolls backwards back to his feet before Jones flies over and knocks him down with a diving forearm. The cheers continue as Jones rushes over and knocks him down with another flying forearm. Bisley is then doubled over with an inverted atomic drop before getting brought down with a DDT. Jones makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bisley kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Quick nearfall there for the challenge. Jones is going right after the champion.

Stephy Auger: With only a 15 minute time limit, you don’t have all day to mess around.

Jones takes Bisley, moves him into the corner and delivers an irish whip before whipping him into the far corner. Jones runs over to attack until Bisley ducks and dumps him over the top rope. Jones lands safely on the apron and goes to catch Bisley when he turns around with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Bisley sidesteps, grabs a hold of Jones’ arm and brings him down with the Left Hand Free (rope assisted single arm DDT)! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Good counter there by Bisley for the two count.

Stephy Auger: I’d love to se Bisley go after the legs to take away that Zoned Out superkick. But even taking out an arm will hamper Jones.

Bisley pulls Jones back to his feet and immediately goes after the right arm with multiple arm wrenches. After the fifth arm wrench is delivered, Bisley follows up with an armbreaker across his shoulder. Jones immediately doubles over and cradles the arm until Bisley takes advantage of his positioning and gives him the Iko Uwais (cravat with repeated knees to the head) before bringing him down with Greetings from the Twin Cities (hangman's neckbreaker over the knee)! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Jones gets the left shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another two count for the champion. Bisley went after the head and neck there.

Stephy Auger: He did. They don’t call him ‘Smart” Mark for nothing. Jones’ health was still questionable after Seth Iser countered his suicide dive attempt with a DDT last week.

Bisley takes Jones, moves him into the corner and delivers the Minnesota Buzzsaw (repeated shoot kicks to a cornered opponent's chest)! The boos continue as Bisley sends Jones slumping down in the corner with rapid fire elbow smashes. Jones gets pulled back up in the corner before getting whipped int the far corner. Bisley runs across the ring before catching him with a hard step-up enzuigiri that echoes throughout the arena.

Kris Cruise: Did you heard the impact from that kick, Stephy!?

Stephy Auger: I’m sure you could hear it from outside the arena!

Bisley takes Jones and whips him back into the far corner. The 15 Champion runs back over to attack until Jones counters! The crowd cheers when Jones ducks and dumps him over the top rope. But Bisley luckily lands safely on the apron. After knocking Jones back with a rope-assisted gamengiri to the back of the head, he follows up with with a missile dropkick off the top, sending Jones tumbling to the floor, underneath the bottom rope and out to the apron.

Stephy Auger: That didn’t go how he planned it, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: Jones is in trouble here...

Jones pulls himself up on the apron until Bisley doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. The crowd boos when Bisley plants him with a Slingshot DDT on the apron!

Kris Cruise: BAM! Say it! Go ahead and say it, Cruise! What was Patty Jones just DDT’d on?

Stephy Auger: …the hardest part of the ring...

Jones gets pulled up before getting rolled back inside. Bisley then rolls himself back in for the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Jones gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Stephy Auger: Bisley retai-WHAT!?

Kris Cruise: Jones got his foot on the bottom rope! He broke up the pin! There’s still some fight left in Patrick Jones!

Stephy Auger: Not for long!

Bisley yanks Jones off the mat before whipping him into the ropes. The crowd boos when Jones gets brought down off the return with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Jones slowly turns over into the prone position before Bisley heads towards the side of the ring and lands across him with the Corazón de Zorro (lionsault to a face-down opponent's back)! The boos continue as Bisley drags Jones into place before stepping out to the apron. He scales to the top, leaps off and lands across the back of Jones’ legs with the Sapienza (frog splash to the opponent's legs)! Instead of going for the cover, Bisley pushes Jones over onto his back before heading back out to the apron. Bisley scales to the top, leaps off and crashes down across Jones’ legs with another Sapienza! Kind of! The crowd boos, then cheers when Jones lifts his knees up!

Kris Cruise: Jones countered!

Bisley bounces off the knees before rolling across the ring. The 15 Champion continues to guard his midsection while Jones favors his legs. Both grapplers slowly return to a vertical base. The moment Bisley turns around, Jones throws him down with a belly to belly suplex! He hooks the leg.

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

Jones takes Bisley and whips him into the ropes. The crowd cheers when Bisley gets thrown down off the rebound with a back body drop. Bisley gets back up, turns around and gets doubled over with a spinning back kick before Jones throws him down with a gutwrench suplex. He makes the cover.

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

Jones pulls Bisey back up, takes control of his back and throws him down with a Half Nelson Suplex! He makes the cover.

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

Jones throws Bisley down with a scoop slam before stepping out to the apron. He climbs to the top, leaps off for a flying elbow drop and MISSES when Bisley rolls out of the way!

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home!

The boos continue as Bisley takes Jones, heads into the corner and slams him face-first onto the top turnbuckle. After hoisting Jones up onto the middle ropes, Bisley steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. The 15 Champion gets one foot on the top turnbuckle before reaching back and grabbing a hold of Jones. Bisley sets up for an avalanche version of the Move of the Year (Shiranui)! Just before Bisley can flip back and bring him down, Jones slips out, grabs Bisley and brings him down with a belly to back superplex!

Stephy Auger: NOOOO!

Kris Cruise: The high risk did NOT pay off for the champion!

Bisley remains sprawled out on the mat while Jones rolls out to the apron. He pulls himself up using the ropes and walks down the apron before climbing the turnbuckles. Once Jones reaches the top, the crowd cheers when he leaps off and nails Bisley with a flying elbow drop!

Kris Cruise: He got him that time!

Jones sets up shop in the corner. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as he starts to wave the champion back up to his feet. Once Bisley returns to a vertical base and turns around, Jones comes out of the corner before nearly knocking his head off with Zoned Out (superkick)! NO! Bisley catches Jones’ foot, swings the leg away from him and follows up with the Jones-Killer Combo (​​two rolling German suplexes followed by a release Dragon suplex)! The boos continue as Bisley goes over and wraps up Jones’ legs before turning him over into the Minnesota Cloverleaf (Texas cloverleaf with a knee to the opponent's back)! Jones tries to hang on. But he ultimately taps out! The ref calls for the bell.

The crowd boos as “Storms End” plays over the speakers.

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

The boos continue as Mark Bisley gets handed his championship back. Bisley then raises the 15 Championship to even louder boos from the crowd.

[FGA Office]

We cut backstage and Tapp Wrestling is still parading around, showing off “his” championship. Stopping anyone that walks by, the Free Agent repeatedly shoves his title in front of everyone’s faces. Backstage workers, lost audience members, even FGA wrestlers. At one point he spots Sparrow stretching for his match, and decides to approach the Trini.

Tapp Wrestling: You know. If you subscribed to Wristlock Academy, you could improve your stretching technique. You’d be more limber going into matches.

The cameras catch Sparrow using two unfolded chairs to do a split legged stretch as he rolls his wrists, looking up at Tapp.

Mighty Sparrow: Bana, you know that’s a good idea but I ain’t too sure I could be more limber.

He glances behind Tapp to see an aggravated member of the janitorial staff, staring at the once clean floor that Tapp just tracked his boot prints all over.

Mighty Sparrow: …You uh…Nevermind.

Tapp glances over his shoulder and eyes the janitor quickly turning back around and shrugging his shoulders. Mr.Wrestling readjusts the championship over his shoulder and shakes his head at The White Hat.

Tapp Wrestling: For someone competing in multiple matches tonight I didn’t expect you to be so complacent. There’s always work to be done. Even if you don’t think so. I cover more on the topic in Module 12.7.2. You should check it out. We’ve got a free two hour trial.

Mighty Sparrow: If I were to sign up now, wouldn’t that make me miss the Gold Rush Rumble we both in? Nevermind all the other festivities like—

He reaches down off camera, still doing the split-legged stretch on the chairs to lift up the Legacy championship, shined up to a mirror sheen.

Mighty Sparrow: Besides which, I ain’t exactly made to play the mat technician like you and Owen y’know brethren. I’m more…Kicky Cantrell than Wristlock Sinatra. Uhhh, more Mr. Capoeira AKA instead of Mr. Wrestling 4K. Any of these references doin’ it for you? Nothin’? …Alright lemme get my phone. Where do I go for this two hour trial?

A goofy grin appears on Tapps face as he bends over to get a better look at Sparrow’s screen as the scene fades.

[FGA Office]

Shifting backstage, the camera is focused on Jessie Pederson, standing there with mic in hand and a polite smile on her face.

Jessie Pederson: Standing by with me at this time are Theodore Harris and his client, Logan Alexander.

The camera pans off to her left, bringing Theodore and Logan into the shot. Theodore is smiling back to Jessie and has his hands clasped together in front of him, standing there in a dark grey suit. Logan is dressed for the ring, staring coolly towards Jessie, the lower half of his face obscured by his wrap-around face mask.

Jessie Pederson: How are the two of you doing tonight?

Theodore Harris: We’re doing fine, Jessie. Just counting down the ticks on the clock until our time arrives.

Jessie Pederson: Looking forward to the match with Sloan Talbot I take it?

Theodore nods slightly.

Theodore Harris: That’s certainly part of it. It’s been three months since Sloan issued his message and made his mission clear. This is his opportunity to do so. But for us, this night is something we’ve been waiting ten months for. It was last year at Only the Strong Survive that Logan made his return to FGA. He came back intent on delivering retribution to Ashlyn de Luca for her assault on him from the year prior. Since then, it’s been a long waiting game for us to get back onto a supershow event. How interesting that it’s the same event with another grudge match where Logan is once more waiting to deliver retribution to his opponent. Unlike Ashlyn, Sloan may know it’s coming, but that knowledge will do him no good.

His smile widens a bit, and he seems to radiate confidence.

Theodore Harris: I’m sure he’s there in his locker room or lurking somewhere else in the building thinking that this’ll be the night he’s going to put Logan down out there in the ring and then put the ‘old boy’ out to pasture.

Theodore turns slightly and looks over to Logan. Logan glances back briefly and Theodore turns to regard Jessie again. He leans a bit closer to the mic.

Theodore Harris: He’s got no idea what he’s in for.

He eases back from Jessie. She regards him a bit skeptically.

Jessie Pederson: Well, I would just like to mention that over the course of the last six weeks, Logan and Sloan have come to blows on several occasions. In most of those encounters, the two of them appeared fairly evenly matched before they were broken up by a third party. The only time that didn’t happen, Logan was helped away by FGA trainers afterwards.

Theodore's smile doesn’t falter at all as he responds.

Theodore Harris: Of course. Jessie, thank you for pointing out the obvious here. Yes, Logan and Sloan have spent almost the entire time they have been face to face brawling with one another. During and after matches as well as backstage, just throwing punches, kicks and trying to choke one another with their bare hands. Based on all of that, of course it appears that Logan is over matched against Sloan.

Logan turns away from them, folding his arms over his chest, as though taking offense with that statement. Theodore glances towards him for a few moments before resuming.

Theodore Harris: Logan is a rather underrated brawler and striker here in FGA. He’s not one of the best in the company, but he does it well. But anyone who looks at this match through that context with the encounters those two have had thus far, is missing out on the most important facts here tonight. Logan Alexander is still one of the best counter and technical wrestlers in the world today, even if you’re not likely to see him win the yearly popularity contest indicating such. He performs at the highest levels of proficiency. Sloan Talbot isn’t getting a brawl or a fist fight out there tonight. He’s going to be stepping foot in Logan’s domain this time, and Logan isn’t going to indulge him by fighting on his terms. It was fun for a while in the lead up towards tonight, but the games end here. Just think back to the Dogs of War and what happened to them. He brutalized the two of them and took out both members of that team on his own. Rumble Reyes is a bigger and more formidable opponent than Sloan Talbot could ever hope to be, and he was lucky to not be carted out on a stretcher at the end of that fight. And yes, Reyes did have the upper hand in every backstage fight the two of them had before that match finally happened.

Theodore motions over towards Logan.

Theodore Harris: This man is not worried about Sloan Talbot. He’s going to break him apart piece by piece in the ring or around it. In the end, Sloan better hope that Logan knocks him out for a three count rather than make him have to choke on everything he’s said and done to this point and force him to submit out in the ring.

His expression grows more smug as he concludes.

Theodore Harris: The man who finishes his opponent by diggin’ graves is going to find himself lying in the hole he dug for his opponent here at the end of his match tonight.

Jessie regards Theodore for a moment.

Jessie Pederson: Well I’ll say that you certainly seem confident going into this. Now, I’d like to get your thoughts on your second scheduled match tonight though, the Gold Rush Rumble.

Theodore just smirks at that.

Theodore Harris: I don’t think my opinion has changed much in the weeks since I was last asked about that by you. It’s an interesting opportunity for Logan. He’s only ever been in one match remotely of this style in his career and he didn’t have much of a showing there. Despite doing rather well in multi person wrestling matches, matches like battle royals are tougher for him to excel in. Dumping people over the top rope isn’t something that comes naturally for him.

He shrugs at that.

Theodore Harris: But if there is one thing Logan knows how to do, it’s fight and survive inside the ring. You stay attentive to as much as you can in the ring for a match like this. This is something Logan already does well and then I’ll also be out there to help him in that regard. He’s not going to get fixated on grudges in the ring either. Obsess over one person in the match, and someone else will be right there to dump you out. You need to be able to switch tracks at a moment’s notice. Last week’s battle royal was a different story. Logan didn’t care about getting the fifteenth spot. He doesn’t care where he starts from because it has no bearing on whether you win or lose. Will. Talent. Execution. Awareness. Those are the things that really determine who will win out there. Logan possesses all of those.

Theodore’s expression changes from being confident and becomes serious.

Theodore Harris: Of course, there are a lot of other people who will be in the Rumble that do as well. It’s more a matter of who will be able to put all of those things together when it matters most and who can make the most of the opportunities that arise. Logan will be watching for them and doing his best to make them count. He might not win, but it won’t be for a lack of trying. He’ll give his all and see how it plays out.

He then smirks once more.

Theodore Harris: But, before we can get to the fun part of the evening, business will need to be taken care of first.

He looks over to Logan, who looks back at him.

Theodore Harris: So, if you’ll excuse us.

Jessie nods to him.

Jessie Pederson: Of course. Thank you for your time gentlemen.

Theodore nods back.

Theodore Harris: You’re welcome.

With that, the pair turn and walk off.

[FGA Office]

Sloan Talbot vs. Logan Alexander

Without any music or fanfare, Logan strides out from the entryway, dressed to compete, with Theodore Harris walking along beside and half a step behind him. Logan’s gaze remains locked on the ring while Theodore looks around the arena and at the assembled crowd as they walk down the entry ramp to the ringside area.

Logan leads the way over to the nearest set of ring steps, climbs up them to the ring apron and then into the ring. Theodore meanwhile walks around the ring towards the opposite corner of the ring with the other set of ring steps.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Theodore Harris! Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada... weighing in at 227 pounds… LOGAN ALEXANDER!

Logan walks across the ring to the opposite corner, turns around and leans back against the turnbuckles, draping his arms on the top rope on either side of him. Theodore climbs up the ring steps behind Logan, stepping onto the ring apron behind him. He leans in close talking softly to Logan, who merely nods slightly in response to whatever is being said.

Theodore then steps back and descends the stairs back to the ringside mats. Logan fixes his gaze on the entryway, waiting for his opponent’s arrival.

Kris Cruise: Alright, Stephy! Only the Strong Survive continues with this next bout. We’ve got Logan Alexander taking on Sloan Talbot and really, this all came about from Logan picking this fight with Sloan.

Stephy Auger: I really have to wonder what Logan was thinking starting this. For a man that’s a veteran, I expected him to be smarter than this. Sloan Talbot is someone that you don’t want to have an issue with.

Kris Cruise: I believe Logan’s issue is that Sloan was the one that drove James Edwards out of FGA. Logan is someone that has unresolved issues with The Burning Heart. He wanted to finish things between the two of them. But thanks to Sloan, Alexander never got the chance to settle things between him and Edwards. This is a grudge that Logan’s been holding onto for the last several months.

Stephy Auger: Well, it’s something that could get his career cut short.

The first few operatic bars of Slipknot’s “Unsainted” begin to play as the lights pulsate in time with the music. Slowly the curtains part, and Sloan Talbot steps through - his pace slow and methodical as the song slowly builds.

“Oh, I'll never kill myself to save my soul
I was gone, but how was I to know?”

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Claire Fox! Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia… weighing in at 253 pounds… SLOAN TALBOT!

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

Stephy Auger: Man, is Sloan focused tonight or what?

Kris Cruise: Look at those eyes, Stephy. Those are the eyes of a killer.

Stephy Auger: I’m sure that’s great news for Logan.

The bell sounds as both grapplers charge out of their respective corners before colliding in the center of the ring with running shoulder blocks. The two bounce off each other and stumble back before rushing back over towards the center of the ring. Talbot goes to take Alexander’s head off with a lariat. Alexander ducks. When Talbot turns around, Alexander nails him with a punch. Talbot returns the favor with a punch of his own. Alexander nails him with another punch! Talbot answers right back with another punch of his own! Alexander connects with a third punch! Talbot comes right back with another punch of his own! Another punch from Alexander finds its mark! Talbot answers back with another punch! NO! Alexander blocks and counters with a punch! Talbot throws out another punch, only to have it blocked and countered with another punch from Alexander! Alexander cuts Talbot off with another punch! Talbot gets rocked with another punch! Alexander goes for the knockout blow when Talbot cuts him off with a knee strike to the midsection! He then nails Alexander with a clubbing strike across the back of the neck, knocking him down.

Kris Cruise: It wasn’t wise for Logan to try and trade strikes with Sloan. But in all fairness to him, he held his own.

Stephy Auger: Yeah? How’s he fairing now?

Kris Cruise: Now too well.

Stephy Auger: Exactly.

Alexander pushes himself up to his hands and knees until a punt kick from Talbot knocks him over onto his back. Alexander rolls back over onto all fours until Talbot knocks him onto his back with another punt kick to the ribs. Before Alexander can turn over, Talbot delivers a hard stomp right to the center of the ring. Talbot keeps the foot pressed firmly on Alexander’s chest. Alexander tries to push the foot off of him, but it’s to no avail. Talbot then takes the heel of his boot and starts to grind it into Alexander’s chest.

Kris Cruise: Talbot’s just having his way with Logan now.

Talbot continues his assault by mounting on top of Alexander and raining down right hands. Alexander is able to slip out of the way of one of the strikes before rolling over on top of Talbot. Alexander starts to return the favor with a flurry of right hands. Alexander continues his attack until Talbot rolls back over and rains down another flurry of right hands! Talbot continues to pummel Alexander with shots until Alexander rolls over, mounts himself on top of Talbot and starts raining down rights and lefts! Talbot continues to get caught even after getting his arms up to block. Alexander reaches down, pulls Alexander’s arms apart and applies a two-handed choke.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

The ref gets down and pulls one of Alexander’s arms off of Talbot. While Alexander eyes the official, Talbot quickly rolls back over on him before stunning Alexander with a forearm strike across the face. He then applies a two-handed choke of his own!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Theodore Harris can be seen repeatedly slapping the apron before telling the ref to get Talbot off his client. The ref does that just. He tries to pull one of Talbot’s arms off Alexander, but it’s to no avail. Talbot continues to try and choke the life out of Alexander while the ref wraps his arms around Talbot’s right arm.

Stephy Auger: The ref just put his hands on Sloan. He must have a death wish!

Talbot flings the official off him, knocking him down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: That might have just gotten him DQ’d!

Stephy Auger: Why? The official was the one on him!

The ref gets to his feet, heads back over and gets in Talbot’s face before pointing to his referee shirt. The admonishment comes to a halt when Talbot quickly gets up off Alexander and towers over the official. The ref wisely starts to back away from Talbot. But Talbot isn’t about to just let anyone talk to him the way that the official did. So he starts stalking the ref around the ring. The ref goes to turn and step through the ropes, but he sees Claire Fox standing in his way on the outside. The ref backs away from Fox before bumping into Talbot.

Stephy Auger: There’s nowhere to run now.

The official turns around before begging and pleading for mercy. Talbot balls up his fist. Before Talbot can make a move on the official, Alexander spins him towards him and connects with another right hand! Alexander fires off four right hands before going for an irish whip. Talbot reverses, sending Alexander into the ropes. Alexander comes back and ducks a haymaker before continuing to run the ropes. He comes off the ropes and ducks a back elbow before continuing to run the ropes. Alexander rebounds off the ropes and ducks a big boot before continuing to run the ropes. On the way back, he slides through Talbot’s legs. NO! Talbot reaches down and catches him by the neck with both hands.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh!

Stephy Auger: Logan could only avoid Sloan but for so long.

Talbot yanks Alexander back to his feet. Alexander quickly swats Talbot’s hands off him before catching him with a step-up enzuigiri. Talbot shakes off the blow before a superkick stuns him. Alexander turns and heads back into the ropes. But unbeknownst to him, Talbot has taken off into an adjacent set of ropes. Alexander comes off the rebound before coming to a stop when he doesn’t see Talbot in front of him. Alexander stops, turns to his left and…

*CRACK!*

Talbot flattens him with a running big boot! Alexander immediately covers the lower half of his face with both hands.

Kris Cruise: That big boot nearly took Alexander’s head off!

Talbot marches back over, yanks up Alexander and heads into the corner. He slams Alexander face-first onto the top turnbuckle. Talbot keeps his grip on Alexander’s neck, pulls him back and slams him face-first onto the top turnbuckle over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again! Alexander ducks over until a punch to the liver drops him to a knee.

Stephy Auger: Stay down, Logan!

Talbot yanks Alexander back to his feet before slamming him face-first onto the top turnbuckle again. Alexander gets spun around towards Talbot before winding up on the receiving end of a series of back elbow strikes to the face, followed by a series of knee strikes to the gut, followed by a series of shoulder thrusts. Talbot then takes Alexander and whips him into the far corner. Talbot comes barreling across the ring for an attack until a back elbow knocks him back. He shakes off the blow before rushing back into the corner. This time, Alexander knocks him back with a boot to the face. Talbot shakes off the blow, runs back over and throws out a running lariat. Alexander slips out of the way, causing him to crash into the corner. Alexander then spins Talbot around towards him before unleashing another flurry of right hands on him. The ref tells Alexander to watch the punches, but he gets paid no mind. Alexander continues his assault of Talbot until the ref gets in the way and moves him back.

Stephy Auger: What’s the ref doing!? First he puts his hands on Sloan. Now, Logan?

Kris Cruise: I don’t care how heated this thing gets between the two of them. They still have to adhere to the rules.

Alexander waves off the ref and heads back into the corner. Before he can strike, Talbot grabs him, tosses him into the corner and socks him with a right hand! He follows up with a two-handed choke! Talbot leans in and tries to choke the life out of Alexander as the ref counts to five.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Talbot deliberately breaks the choke late. He starts to step away from the corner before marching back over and applying a foot choke! Talbot pulls down on the top rope while the ref issues another five count.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

Talbot breaks the choke. Alexander can be seen dropping down to all fours while he gasps for air. Talbot then puts his hands defensively in the air as he steps away from the corner. While the ref heads over and reprimands Talbot, Fox scurries over, grabs Alexander and chokes him across the bottom rope while pulling down on the back of his neck with both hands!

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Stephy Auger: The ref can’t call what he doesn’t see!

Fox continues to choke Alexander until she lets go and scurries off after Harris heads over towards her. Back inside, Talbot heads back over towards Alexander. He reaches down and starts to pick Alexander up until Alexander catches him with a back elbow to the gut. Alexandr buries another back elbow to the midsection. He motions for a third when Talbot knocks him down with a high knee lift. Alexander tries to shake out the cobwebs. But Talbot gives him no time to recover as he delivers multiple stomps to the throat. Talbot reaches down, picks up Alexander and whips him into the far ropes before bouncing against the near ropes. Both grapplers head back towards the center of the ring until a diving lariat turns Alexander inside out!

Kris Cruise: What a maneuver from Sloan Talbot!

Stephy Auger: I don’t think we’ve ever seen that from him before!

Fox is seen applauding on the outside while Talbot heads over, kicks Alexander over onto his back and makes the cover.

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

Talbot slowly pulls Alexander up until Alexander swats his hands off him and follows up with a rake across the eyes. Alexander then gouges Talbot’s eyes as he moves him into the corner. The ref is quick to give him another five count.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV-

Alexander breaks the illegal hold, places Talbot in a side headlock and rakes his face along the top rope. He then slams Talbot face-first into the top turnbuckle before nailing him with three kidney punches.

Kris Cruise: This match continues to get dirtier and dirtier.

Stephy Auger: Hey, what did you expect, some technical wrestling? These two want to beat each other up. That’s it!

Alexander turns Talbot around, climbs up onto the middle ropes and rains down another flurry of right hands before applying another two-handed choke!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIV-

Alexander drops down, takes Talbot and whips him into the far corner. He runs across the ring to attack until a boot to the face knocks him back. While Alexander tries to shake off the blow, Talbot runs out of the corner to attack until Alexander lifts him up, turns and throws him down with a spinebuster! He rolls across Talbot and hooks the near leg.

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

Kris Cruise: Only two! He almost had him.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, ALMOST!

Alexander takes Talbot and goes for a running bulldog until Talbot shoves him off, sending him crashing sternum-first into the top turnbuckle! Alexander slowly stumbles back until Talbot takes control of his back. He goes for a belly to back suplex until Alexander rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet and counters with a running leg sweep.

Alexander reaches over, drags Talbot’s right leg and drags him over towards the corner. He then rolls to the outside, reaches back in and grabs the right leg before dragging Talbot into the corner. Alexander then takes Talbot’s leg and throws it hard against the ring post! Talbot’s gets his leg thrown against the post again and again and again! Alexander continues his assault with a figure four leg lock around the ring post.

Kris Cruise: Logan can’t win the match here!

Stephy Auger: He’s not trying to win the match. He’s trying to break Sloan’s leg!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

The ref continues to admonish Alexander, but he won’t let up. So the ref has to physically pull him off Talbot. While the official continues to read both Alexander and Harris the riot act, Talbot rolls away from the corner. He starts to pick himself up in the center of the ring as Alexander rolls back inside. Alexander runs over and connects with a dropkick. Talbot stumbles back. He marches back over towards Alexander before getting knocked back with another dropkick. Alexander hits the far ropes, comes back and connects with a running dropkick, knocking Talbot further back. He then takes off into the far ropes again. Alexander picks up speed on the return before throwing himself at Talbot. The crowd gasps when Talbot catches him in mid air.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh.

Stephy Auger: That’s not good.

Talbot brings Alexander down with a backbreaker across the right knee. Without letting go, Talbot lifts him back up before delivering a backbreaker across the left knee. Talbot keeps a hold of Alexander as he stands back up. He then chucks Alexander over the top rope with a fallaway slam, sending him crashing hard to the outside!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear the sound on that fall!?

Stephy Auger: I wouldn’t be shocked if Old Man Logan broke a hip!

Talbot rolls to the outside and puts the boots to Alexander. After reaching down and yanking Alexander up off the mat, Talbot lifts him up before throwing him down with a chokeslam across the edge of the apron! Alexander immediately crumbles to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Good Lord! The thud from that chokeslam across the apron was something else!

Stephy Auger: If Logan didn’t have any broken bones from that fallaway slam to the floor, he definitely has some now!

Talbot reaches down and grabs a hold of Alexander. He starts to slowly lift Alexander up off the floor until Alexander lifts him up, turns and drops him with a Flapjack across the announce table! Talbot bounces off the table before crumbling to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Talbot smacked face-first off the table! That’ll ring his bell!

While Talbot tries to shake out the cobwebs, Alexander reaches down, grabs the protective matting and peels it back, exposing the concrete floor.

Stephy Auger: Logan wants to turn it up a notch!

Talbot picks up Alexander and pulls him into a front facelock. The crowd gasps when they see Alexander set up for the Chaotic Shockwave (Implant DDT)! Talbot motions to lift Alexander up until Alexander lifts him up, runs and rams him back-first into the ring post!

Kris Cruise: Good recovery from Sloan Talbot!

Stephy Auger: If Logan hit that DDT, it would’ve been over!

Talbot pushes Alexander back into the ring. He then climbs up onto the apron before stepping back into the ring. Just as he steps back in, Alexander wisely rolls back out to the apron. But Talbot is able to reach over, grabs Alexander and pull him up before stepping up onto the bottom rope. The crowd gasps when Alexander gets brought back inside with Enter Tragedy (superplex from the apron)! He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Alexander gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Logan got the shoulder up just in time!

Talbot pulls Alexander up and into a front facelock. He then hoists Alexander in the air before planting him with a one armed Brainbuster! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Alexander gets the shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: You sure that wasn’t a three count!?

Talbot pulls Alexander back to his feet before holding him high above his head! Talbot’s about to drop Alexander with Diggin’ Graves (Gorilla Press Spinebuster) when Alexander stars to kick his legs. He slips down and lands behind Talbot with Talbot in an inverted font facelock. Alexander quickly turns and drops Talbot with an Ace Crusher!

Kris Cruise: Stryke Force!


ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!





NO!

Stephy Auger: NO!

Kris Cruise: What!?

The crowd gasps when Talbot gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How was that not three!?

Alexander crawls over into the corner before using the ropes to pull himself up. He turns, leans up against the turnbuckles and waits for Talbot to get into position. Once Talbot’s back to his feet, Alexander points towards him with a finger gun. The moment Talbot turns around, Alexander gives him a throat slash taunt before charging out of the corner and tackling him down with a spear! Alexander returns to his feet and gives Talbot not one, not two but three curb stomps before pulling Talbot up to a seated position. He takes off into the ropes, returns off the rebound and flattens Talbot across the mat with a Penalty Kick to the face!

Kris Cruise: Was that what I think it was?

Stephy Auger: It surely looked like James Edwards’ Violent Gospel!

Alexander drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

Alexander rolls off Talbot and sits up. Once Harris makes his way into the ring, Alexander returns to his feet before getting his arm raised.

Kris Cruise: What a battle! These two were trading fists from the moment the bell rung. This wasn't a technical masterpiece. This wasn’t a high flying affair. This was two men beating the hell out of each other! Unfortunately for Sloan, he winds up on the wrong end of this result. Logan Alexander, your winner here tonight!

[FGA Office]

Backstage at the Royal Farms Arena, Amanda Johnson is standing by with the Legacy champion, Mighty Sparrow. Tonight the FGA Legacy champion’s ring gear has the names or nicknames of every single other competitor in the Gold Rush Rumble. However, each of the names has a trifecta of tiny red lines scratched through, as if a bird’s talons raked across the name. “Ash Sands” is right there at the forefront, owing to her challenging for the Legacy championship later.

Names like “Iser”, “Siren”, “Lowri”, “Cure”, “Johnny”, “Izzy”, “Perelli”, “Ace”, “Stryker” and “Tapp” appear all over the tights. “Owen” is on the outside of the right boot crossed out, while “Chandler” is on the side of the left. Single “?”s are on the insides of the boots, “Sloan” on the left knee pad, “Stokes” on the right and so on. Even Gwen Margolis’s name is listed, on his white baseball hat, crossed out with red stitching lines.

Amanda spots this and immediately pulls a face like the Trinidadian wrestler has made a huge mistake. Sparrow looks back at her.

Mighty Sparrow: She’s as dangerous as any other competitor out there tonight and I ain’t ‘bout to disrespect my girl by treatin’ her anyway else. Unless you wanna see me get yeetplexed over the ropes in under a minute. That however might be me jumpin’ ahead.

Amanda nods in agreement.

Amanda Johnson: In just a few moments, Sparrow, you will be defending your Legacy championship against Ashley Sands. Did anything Ashley said at Vertigo change your outlook on this match?

The White Hat of FGA shakes his head.

Mighty Sparrow: Not one single iota, Amanda. She will still get everything I got and more come match time and hopefully, we both have enough in the tank for later in the evenin’ but if I lose I am still all about puttin’ the title around her waist myself, and raisin’ her hand. Will she do whatever it takes to win? That...Is okay by me if it’s the case. I ain’t about to turn my nose up to anyone. If it’s a gray or black hat you wear out of choice, because you been at this longer than me and you seen where puttin’ the white one on gets you, fine. If ya career has not turned out the way you wanted or needed and it is your only option left to push the boundary...I ain’t about to be the one to judge. Somewhere down the line...I will tell you, and everyone else why it’s that way with me.

Amanda Johnson: ...Well, alright. Now in regards to the Gold Rush Rumble later tonight, at the last show you proved to have a nearly winning strategy in getting as many eliminations in a single rumble as possible. You don’t want to go for John Carmichael’s record of total eliminations rather than Chandler’s most in a single rumble?

The Legacy champion glances around as if looking for someone before looking at Amanda.

Mighty Sparrow: To catch up to Carmichael’s record, I would need to go at least two more Gold Rush Rumbles. First record’s first yes? Most eliminations in a single rumble.

Amanda Johnson: Well, speaking of him...? At the Battle Royal for Spot Fifteen at Vertigo Episode 89, you scored four eliminations. Savannah Star, Logan Alexander, Sloan Talbot, and Laura Perelli. It even came down to you and John Carmichael in those last moments before he was victorious. On social media earlier today, when you and the FGA Undisputed Champion Cordelia Stevenson conversed, she pointed out about you potentially taking Chandler Scott as one of your nine. With him as #1, does that change any strategy going into tonight or is it business as usual just like the Legacy championship?

The West Indian Whirlwind is silent for a few moments, adjusting the Legacy championship secured snugly around his waist. He parses through his words very carefully before the champion speaks.

Mighty Sparrow: 2017. Only The Strong Survive LIVE...In Tampa Bay. Undisputed Champion Cordelia Stevenson facing Izzy Anders the challenger. On that night Amanda, as I take you on this walk down memory lane, some kid named Ra--

He paused automatically, catching himself. Sparrow course corrects and continues.

Mighty Sparrow: Some kid was watching before startin’ his own professional wrestling career as Mighty Sparrow. I watched that night as Chandler Scott snatched one life after the next, whether he was doin’ it with a few others to rid the rumble of Blake Jones, or just snuffin’ out Emery Elysian and Yazzmin Villa. At number eighteen, Chandler took no less than eight names off the board and came...So close to winnin’ it if not for the...”Battle Royal God”, Johnny K--Carmichael. Wouldn’t you know it, Amanda...Fast-forward a few years later and in what could be described as a preview for the Gold Rush Rumble, the same Battle Royal God stopped me from winnin’ after I came...That close.

Amanda Johnson: It’s funny that you mention the 2017 Gold Rush Rumble actually. Owen Gonsalves--

Mighty Sparrow: “Indestructible” Owen Gonsalves.

Amanda gives Sparrow a funny look but continues.

Amanda Johnson: --and Brian Stryker were both in that rumble, as well as Savannah Star.

Mighty Sparrow: Right, right. The more things change, so the sayin’ does go. I say that to say this. That was four years and some odd months ago. One could argue that the lineup in this year’s rumble is tougher than ever, as star-studded as it is. Chandler’s startin’ at number one. The man who just happens to be too good at this, Carmichael? Number fifteen. I’m sure I did myself no favors showin’ m’whole backside in that battle royal and makin’ myself a target for a few people if they wanna win. ...There’s so many factors to take into account. How many are gonna go after Chandler, and try and wipe him out, gettin’ themselves wiped in the process, knowing that he’s a walkin’ coupon for a shot at Cordy’s Undisputed championship. How badly does he just wanna survive the night? What happens if he just eliminates himself? Can Lowri or Marlon do it a second time? Will it be Seth? Will it be Izzy? Will it be Ace? Gareth? Will it be someone who is a mystery entirely? There are a thousand questions, a thousand points and counterpoints to the rumble tonight Amanda and to pretend my strategy is foolproof is foolhardy. So I’mma stick to my plan and let the dice fall where they may. Tonight I might be gone in seconds, no championship, no Rumble win, and back to the drawing board.

Sparrow pauses.

Amanda Johnson: --or?

Mighty Sparrow: Ooooorrrrrr...I will shock everyone, in that locker room, in that crowd, in that commentary booth and prove to be the fastest rising, dangerous new threat in FGA. You know why Amanda? Because I am just too fly--

The undercurrent of the crowd can be heard finishing the catchphrase, even form backstage. A small smile plays up on the corner of Sparrow’s lip.

Mighty Sparrow: At. Being. Too. Fly.

Amanda murmurs “Thank you” as the Legacy champion walks off with a single nod.

[FGA Office]

FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Mighty Sparrow vs. Ashley Sands

The opening guitar riff of "Warrior" by Skarlett Riot begins to play over the sound system seconds before the Hybrid Champion Ashley Sands walks out onto the stage. Pointing out to the fans all over the arena, Sands walks down to the ring. Once she gets down to ringside, and gets on the apron before climbing the turnbuckle from the outside. She nimbly climbs the turnbuckle from the outside to perch atop the top rope as she sits on her knees.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Bradley Beach, New Jersey… ASHLEY SANDS!

With her name being announced, Ashley holds both of her arms up as she lays back on the turnbuckle post behind her. Flashing from cameras going off all around her, Sands rolls forwards to flip down into the ring and land on her feet.

Kris Cruise: Ashley Sands desperately wants this. She says she needs this, Stephy. She needs this to secure her legacy not just here, but in pro wrestling.

Stephy Auger: Ashley doesn’t want to be someone that came THIS close to being great. She wants to be great. She doesn’t want to be someone that’s remembered as missing the greatness threshold by THAT much. But if she continues to come up short time and time again, that’s exactly what she will be - someone that was good, but just not good enough.

“Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Yah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Uh!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Rah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Drop it.)"

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

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from ! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is the reigning… defending… FGA Legacy Champion, MIGHTY SPARROW!

“Yeah yeah, them niggas over there, it’s just,
Yeah, yeah, now look at what I wear!
Got my, gold watch and my, gold chain,
With my, fancy car and my diamond ring!”

Sparrow leans up against his corner after handing his championship to the ref. He talks a few seconds with the referee before looking out to the crowd. He mouths a few of Lupe’s lyrics to himself casually and takes one last glance about. Sparrow grabs the ropes in his corner, again with a few last second leg stretches before he is ready to go.

Kris Cruise: The White Hat of FGA is ready to not only successfully defend his Legacy Championship tonight, but he’s made it his mission to set the record for most eliminations in a single Rumble.

Stephy Auger: If you ask me, he’s more interested in doing that than retaining against Ashley Sands. You can say a lot about Ashley Sands. I know I have! But this is a woman that did hold the World Tag Team Titles at one point in time. She is a former 15 Champion. She was the 2016 Rumble to Destiny winner over in HKW.

Kris Cruise: Can Ashley Sands add onto her legacy by winning the aptly named Legacy Championship here tonight? We’re about to find out!

The match starts off with both grapplers shaking hands before locking up. Sands quickly win the battle and places Sparrow in a side headlock before getting shoved off into the ropes. Sands rebounds off the ropes before getting knocked down with a standing shoulder block. Sparrow then turns and hits the ropes. He comes back he sees Sands rolling over into the prone position. So he skips over her before continuing to run the ropes. When Sparrow comes back, Sands pops back to her feet and goes for a hip toss. Sparrow counters by stepping through it and going for a hip toss of his own. Sands counters his counters by stepping through it and going for a hip toss of her own. The crowd gasps after Sparrow steps through it and goes to hip toss Sands over the top rope! Sands blocks the move. Sparrow tries to muscle her up for another hip toss to the outside. Again, Sands blocks the move. So Sparrow connects with a slap to the midsection, doubling her over. He then drapes his left leg across the back of Sands’ neck and executes a back flip. As soon as Sparrow lands on his feet, Sands knocks him down with a spinning leg sweep to the back of the leg. Sands returns to her feet and motions for an elbow drop, but she stops when Sparrow wisely rolls out to the apron.

Kris Cruise: Sands got the better of that exchange. But she has to stay on top of Sparrow.

Stephy Auger: That’s right! Don’t prance around and definitely do play up to these idiots in the stands!

Sparrow pulls himself up using the ropes and nods towards Sands before carefully stepping back in through the ropes. Both grapplers circle the ring before locking up. This time, Sparrow gains the advantage with a side headlock. The Legacy Champion keeps the hold applied until he performs a standing switch and and transitions into a hammerlock from behind. Sands remains in the hold until she escapes with a spinning drop toe hold, bringing Sparrow down to the mat. Sands rolls across the back and places him in a grounded side headlock until Sparrow quickly slips out and reverses into a grounded hammerlock. Sands is asked if she wants to give up. She refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, Sands reaches back with her free arm, grabs Sparrow by the back of the neck and brings him down with a jumping snapmare! NO! Sands escapes, but Sparrow lands on his feet! He quickly hits the ropes. He comes back and sees Sands setting up for a back body drop. So he performs a running flip over Sands before continuing to run the ropes! Sands stands up, turns and gets caught with a running hurricanrana. Sands returns to her feet before a front dropkick knocks he through the ropes to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow’s insane athleticism was on display there and it got the better of the challenger.

Sands starts to pick herself up as Sparrow runs towards the ropes. He motions for a dive to the outside, only to hit a rebound backflip off the ropes before landing in a Rock Lee pose. The West Indian Whirlwind motions for another dive. Sands ducks out of the way, but she falls for the feint as Sparrow simply swing through the ropes with a Tiger Feint. As soon as Sands stands back up, Sparrow leaps through the ropes and knocks her down with a suicide dive!

Kris Cruise: The high risk paid off for the champion! He’s got to get her back inside, though. You can pin her on the outside.

Stephy Auger: It doesn’t look like Sparrow is interested in getting back in the ring just yet.

Sparrow takes Sands, lifts her up and throws her down across the guardrail with a front suplex. Sands continues to hang over the guardrail while Sparrow climbs up to the apron. The Legacy Champion measures the distance before knocking Sands down with a spinning guillotine leg drop off the apron! The cheers continue as Sands gets rolled back inside before Sparrow slides in for the pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sands gets her shoulder up.

Sparrow takes Sands and whips her into the corner. The champion then runs across the ring, hops on top of Sands and throws her down with a monkey flip. NO! Sands lands on her feet before hitting the ropes! Sparrow returns to his feet before Sands brings him down with a running hurricanrana of her own! Sparrow gets back to his feet before getting knocked down with a dropkick. A second dropkick knocks Sparrow right back down. Sands goes to knock Sparrow off his feet with another spinning leg sweep. This time, Sparrow hops over the attack before countering with a Switchblade Kick! He then pulls Sands back to her feet and goes for a vertical suplex. Sands slips down from behind, takes hold of Sparrow and brings him down with a reverse side russian leg sweep. Sands pushes him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sparrow kicks out.

Kris Cruise: First nearfall of the night for Sands. She has to feel good about that.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, I guess? So she got a pin attempt on the champion. Great? What she needs is a three count, Cruise. Getting a two count isn’t good enough.

Sands takes Sparrow and whips him into the corner. She charges across the ring and throws out the Wind Kick (running big boot in the corner)! Sparrow reaches up and catches her foot in time before shoving her down to the mat. While Sands rolls backwards back to her feet, Sparrow rushes out of the corner and throws out a Falling Crescent Kick. Sands ducks the kick before running into the corner. She turns around and sees Sparrow rushing at her. Sands counters with a back elbow to the face before hoisting herself up onto the middle ropes. She’s about to grab Sparrow for a Tornado DDT when he goes to counter with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Sands swats down the kick and counters with a front kick to the face, knocking him back. The cheers continue as Sands flips off and brings him down with a Blockbuster! She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another two count for the challenger! She’s getting close.

Stephy Auger: This isn’t horseshoes, Cruise. It doesn't matter how close you came. It’s all about sealing the deal and getting the 1-2-3!

Sands picks up Sparrow and goes to deliver a snap suplex. Sparrow blocks it. Sands goes for another snap suplex. Again, it gets blocked. Sparrow then takes her by the arm, delivers an arm wrench and follows up with a hook kick, knocking her down. Sparrow picks up Sands and sets up for an irish whip. Sands reverses, sending him into the corner. Sands rushes in to attack until Sparrow doubles her over with a toe kick to the midsection. He quickly hits an Axe Kick across the back of the head, followed by a toe kick that knocks her upright, followed by a Falling Crescent Kick that knocks her down. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Quick combination of kicks there by Sparrow. But he only gets a count of two.

Stephy Auger: So much for Sparrow and his “educated feet”. He must’ve went to JuCo.

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.

Sparrow takes Sands, moves her into the corner and delivers four corner chest kicks before following up with a jumping side kick. He then delivers an irish whip, follows Sands across the ring and throws her out of the corner with a monkey flip. Sparrow steps out to the apron, leaps to the top rope and connects with a springboard guillotine leg drop! The cheers continue as he reaches over and looks the near leg.

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays off for The White Hat of FGA! He’s got the cover!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sands kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Ashley Sands is proving to be a tough out for the champion.

Stephy Auger: If Sparrow leaves himself open, it’ll be him that get puts out!

Sparrow takes Sands and whips her into the ropes. He sets up for a back body drop off the return until Sands counters with a kick to the chest, knocking him upright. Sands goes to follow up with a kick to the midsection when Sparrow catches her foot and counters with a Windmill Kick! Sands rolls to the outside before Sparrow returns to his feet and takes off into the far ropes. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Sparrow builds up speed on his way back across. Sparrow hurls himself over the top rope with Air Sparrow (Fosbury Flop)! The crowd gasps when Sparrow crashes to the floor after Sands dives out of the way!

Stephy Auger: Uh oh! Looks like Air Sparrow just crash landed!

Kris Cruise: This isn’t funny, Stephy.

Sparrow can be seen curled up on the outside. The ref quickly makes his way to the floor to check in on the Legacy Champion. Sparrow nods when asked if he’s okay. He slowly turns over to a knee before making his way back to a vertical base. Sparrow looks around for Sands. He then does a double take when he looks up. The crowd cheers as Sands flips off the top turnbuckle and knocks him down with a moonsault!

Kris Cruise: My Lord, what a moonsault from Ashley Sands! Did you see the hangtime!?

Sands high fives a couple of the fans in the front row before taking Sparrow and rolling him back inside. She rolls back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Sparrow gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Sands was this close to becoming the new Legacy Champion!

Stephy Auger: Maybe if she didn’t high five these instead of immediately going for the pin, she’d be a champion right now!

Sparrow gets sent for the ride. He returns off the rebound before getting knocked off his feet with a spinning heel kick! Sands makes the cover.

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

Sands pulls Sparrow back up and doubles him over with a knee to the midsection before bringing him down with a swinging neckbreaker. She then hits the ropes, comes back and delivers the Wind Whisper (Rolling Senton)! Sands turns over for the lateral press.

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

Kris Cruise: Two more nearfalls for the challenger!

Stephy Auger: I think desperation is starting to creep in on Ashley Sands.

Sands sets up for an irish whip when Sparrow reverses, sending her into the ropes. Sands comes back off the rebound before executing a tilt-a-whirl into an Octopus Hold!

Kris Cruise: Web!

Stephy Auger: Sands has him trapped!

Sparrow yells out in pain. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. Sparrow refusing by shaking his head. So Sands uses her free arm to nail Sparrow with a pointed elbow strikes to the ribs. Sparrow gets caught with another pointed elbow. He lets out a labored grunt after a third point elbow to the ribs. The referee continues to keep dialogue with the champion. He asks Sparrow if he wants to give up. Again, Sparrow refuses by shaking his head.

Kris Cruise: That submission is starting to drain the energy out of the champion.

Stephy Auger: Sands couldn’t keep up with Sparrow’s speed. She had to do something to slow him down.

Sparrow tries to hang on. He tries to block out the pain. He’s asked again if he wants to give up. Sparrow refuses. The champion then slowly tries to waddle his way towards the ropes with Sands still on his back. Sands continues to fight for the submission. But she’s ultimately unsuccessful as Sparrow reaches out with his right leg and gets his foot on the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow made it to the ropes!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Sands breaks the hold before whipping Sparrow into the far ropes. Sparrow comes off the rebound before getting caught with Into Dust (Codebreaker)! Sparrow drops to a knee before Sands flattens him with a Shining Wizard! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps and cheers when Sparrow gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How much close can you get!?

Stephy Auger: Sands thought she had it won!

Sands takes Sparrow and whips him into the corner. She runs across the ring and throws out another Wind Kick! It gets blocked again by Sparrow! The champion shoves Sands down to the mat. Sands rushes back in to attack before getting countered with a back elbow to the face. Sparrow then takes Sands and lays her across the middle ropes. He steps back towards the center of the ring before running back into the corner. Sparrow goes for the LAUNCH PAD (Running double knee on an opponent draped over the middle turnbuckle)! He misses! Sands slips out to the apron, causing Sparrow to land on both knees of the mat! Sands quickly steps up to the top turnbuckle. She leaps off for the Sunset (Swanton Bomb)! Sparrow counters by getting his knees up! Sands bounces off the knees before rolling across the ring. Instead of immediately going after Sands, Sparrow remains on the mat as he holds his knees.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow countered the Sunset. But he may have done more damage to himself.

Stephy Auger: May have!? That’s exactly what happened! How foolish could he be?

Kris Cruise: Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to stop a move that would take you out.

Sparrow eventually makes it back to a vertical base. He rushes over as best he can and throws out a spinning wheel kick. Sands ducks, doubles him over when he turns around with a boot to the midsection and plants him with a DDT! She turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Sparrow gets the shoulder up.

Sands gets back to her feet. She points over to the top turnbuckle as she makes her way over towards the corner.

Kris Cruise: Sands is headed back to the top!

Stephy Auger: But look at her though, Cruise! She had to make a big show of it. Don’t point to the top. Just go!

Sands starts to climb the turnbuckles. Unbeknownst to her, Sparrow scrambles back to a vertical base. As soon as Sands climbs up to the top turnbuckle, Sparrow leaps over and pushes her left leg out from under her. Sands slips and ends up crotched on the top turnbuckle. Sparrow then scales the turnbuckles, takes control of Sands’ back and brings her down with the Izuna Drop (Spider Suplex from the top turnbuckle)! He slowly sits back up onto the top turnbuckle, returns to a vertical base, turns around, leaps off and crushes Sands with The Notorious K.I.C.K. II (Top Rope Double Foot Stomp)! The cheers continue as Sparrow pulls himself back over towards Sands before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Kris Cruise: Sparrow retains!

The crowd cheers as “Gold Watch” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaand STIIIILLLLL FGA Legacy Champion, MIGHTY SPARROW!

The cheers continue as Sparrow gets handed the Legacy Championship. Sparrow takes the title and holds it above his head with both hands.

Kris Cruise: Ashley Sands gave Mighty Sparrow a tough, tough fight. I thought she was THIS close to becoming our new Legacy Champion on a couple of occasions. But Mighty Sparrow was able to pull through, caught Sands from behind with the Izuna Drop and finished it off with The Notorious K.I.C.K. II for the 1-2-3. Mighty Sparrow, STILL your Legacy Champion.

[FGA Office]

We fade in backstage at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. We are not at the interview set, or in one of the hallways, but rather in one of the dressing rooms. Specifically, the dressing room of the challenger for the FGA Undisputed Championship, Fujiko Mine. Surprisingly, she is alone, still in her street clothes. Jeans torn at the knees, and her black jacket on her upper body. She has her head bowed, her chocolate hued hair falling at either side of her head. After a few moments of her sitting in introspection, she brings her head up. Her face is calm. If any nerves are left, she hides them well. She takes a moment to focus her eyes in the camera lens, then she gives a little shrug.

Fujiko Mine: Cordelia has tried everything thus far. Everything. She’s claimed that I’m not a saint - this isn’t a secret. I’m a human being, I’ve talked about it before back with Molly Reid. I’ve never claimed to be perfect, and those claims come more from my detractors than they ever have from me. It’s a plain fact a lot of what Cordy Stevenson had to say on social media is conjured up by Cordy Stevenson. A lot of what she had to say about me was stuff that goes back half a decade ago or more. And I simply pointed out that she could not seriously be trying to point out that I am not perfect as if she was above me.

She licks her lips, reclining back until the wall stops her from going further.

Fujiko Mine: I can’t speak to KJ’s part in things, but just in mine. I don’t need to try and pull Cordy Stevenson down, because she did it far better than I could have ever hoped to. She showed not only who she is, but who she has been for a long time. Her bombshell news? Wasn’t news to us. Arkia, Tj, KJ, Angel, and I knew about what she did. She chose to put it on the timeline, not because she was pressed. It was premeditated. She could not wait to drop that, as if she was exonerating herself. All she did was show how desperate and awful she’s been at her core.

She shakes her head in disgust.

Fujiko Mine: Most of what Cordy has said has nothing to do with this match. Has nothing to do with her having to defend her championship against me. Has she proved herself to be the champion of talking on Twitter? Absolutely. Tweeting at all hours of the day? Going on inane rants and desperately trying to drum up social media support in an effort to...prove that she is not only messy, but that she’s unremorseful? I even set a trap for Cordy, just to show how truly desperate she is to discredit me, even at her own expense.

She shrugs to herself, a small smile creeping up on her face.

Fujiko Mine: Tweeting in my native language would have been too obvious. It’s the internet in twenty-twenty-one. But I figured I could still stay one step ahead. So I started tweeting in Base sixty-four. It’s easy to decode, if you know what it is that you’re looking at. So I told Izzy, Nina, Lyza, and a few others and sat back and watched. Cordy had no idea what the tweets even said, but she couldn’t help herself from saying something, anything. Context be forgotten.

She taps her temple.

Fujiko Mine: Either she quote tweeted it, or name searched herself, or did her own side commentary. It shows you one thing. Cordy Stevenson cares about her social presence. She needs to be seen in the eyes of the masses as right. She’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that. Even to her own detriment.

Fujiko places her palms on her thighs as she rests back.

Fujiko Mine: I’ve never been one to really do much back & forth on social media. I’ll admit it was a mistake to indulge Cordy as much as I did. Not just because she’s great at talking, but also because it allowed her to try to control the narrative. But even then, she looked a bit like Chris Paul - trying to keep a handle on the ball but ultimately losing the handle. She started tweeting like Brandon Banks, just on-going verbal nonsense. She started accompanying her posts with pictures...kind of like me. She started blaming Leonard T. Asherman, as if he was the head of some secret cabal featuring Chandler Scott and myself, when we haven’t really seen him in months.S he started becoming a…

She scrunches her face up a bit.

Fujiko Mine: Well, a basic copycat villain. And if that is what you wanted to do, Cordy? You could’ve just said your little catchphrase and rolled on out.

A slight roll of the eyes occurs, before she continues.

Fujiko Mine: She tried to frame me as an egotist...using her own special parameters. Forgetting things like…

She trails off, and a picture and picture shows up to the right of her head.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time...The FGA World Champion, Fujiko Mine.

On cue, Fujiko saunters into the frame, still in her ring gear. However, she has a Pendragon shirt draped over the shoulder not already occupied by the FGA World championship. She beams to the camera, and then directs her smile at Spencer.

Fujiko Mine: Long time no talk, Spencer. I do apologize for the delay. I had to go purchase this shirt. A certain member of that team won the Pride championship tonight.

She smiles even wider.

Fujiko Mine: But I’m not here to gush about Lowri Moss. I’m here to give my opponent at Grapple Kingdom some attention.

And she started bringing up outside people to try and assemble people towards her cause, saying I didn’t respect them…

The picture in picture switches now.

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.

It remains frozen in the last frame as Fujiko continues.

Fujiko Mine: Cordy would even say things like, I was chasing people like Chandler Scott for matches...which is true, but also a bit head scratchingly strange. Because for one, he’s proven himself to be one of the best FGA has to offer, of course I want to face him...and two, she seems to have forgotten once upon a time she was chasing a match with yours truly herself...

Cordelia Stevenson: I know, believe me, I know. I was devastated when I heard the news. I was definitely looking forward to making my mark there, but, as much as I am sad, I’m also ecstatic. The merging of the brands opens up an array of possibilities and the prospect of --

Her voice trails off as she cocks her head to the side, looking into Fujiko’s direction.

Cordelia Stevenson: -- Some interesting matchups.

Cordelia flashes a smirk as she adjusts the International Heavyweight Championship on her shoulder. The crowd seems to catch her hint and the Spectrum Center immediately erupts into a madhouse.

Fujiko’s nose wrinkles as she lets the scene play out. A short pause happens after the footage is over, and then she smiles.

Fujiko Mine: But it seems that Cordy’s not the only one with a bad memory on things. After all, when she tried to justify cheating to beat Lowri Moss, she certainly forgot that this happened once upon a time.

Cordelia Stevenson: Burn FGA down. That’s all you spoke about. You claimed that was your one and only goal, and here you are with the chance to do just that, and look at you… afraid to pull the damn trigger. Typical Izzy. Just like at Only The Strong Survive, you had the chance to prove the one thing that you’ve always wanted to prove… that you were indeed the best in the world; and what did you do? You had thrift store ‘I used to be good but now I’m hardly mediocre’ Barbie come out and ruin what damn well could have been your shining moment. Yeah, you won Izzy, but you and I both know that you didn’t prove a damn thing. You didn’t answer any questions, nor did you silence any doubters. All you did was open a huge can of worms, and all you did was open yourself up to constant scrutiny. All you did was give these people something to hold over your head.

Cordelia leans in and whispers.

Cordelia Stevenson: The truth.

Cordelia smirks.

Cordelia Stevenson: All you did was prove that whenever Isabella Anders needs to get something done… she needs help doing it.

Fujiko Mine: Amazing how things change. But speaking as someone who has never turned their back on the fans…

She offers a coy shrug.

Fujiko Mine: But let me guess - that was a lie. The ol’ Molly Reid special. That’s the one other constant that people like Cordy forget when they try to come after my character. When I’ve failed, I’ve owned up to it. I didn’t shy away from things when I lost to Seth Iser either time. I marched down to the ring, told people what the deal was, and most importantly, I told them what I was going to do about it. I don’t need to rehash history, you can go back and see it. This “egotist” even stuck with the plan after Izzy beat me clean for the Pride title, and I worked with her to win the US tag team titles. Other people would’ve been looking for ‘revenge’. Other people would have tried less hard. Others would have been demoralized. Not me. And do you know why? Because I trusted the process. When Izzy told me we would win the tag titles, I pushed all my chips in with her, and we did it. And you can call it ego, you can call it posturing, or whatever you’d like, but you know what? There is years of evidence to the contrary that I would do something like that. You making this about ‘ego’ is the dumbest argument I’ve heard because we are wrestlers. You aren’t in this ring night in and night out strictly out of the goodness of your heart. I can’t believe I have to say this again, but you’re being paid to be here, and you claim to be the best. That’s about you. And I have said I want to be the best, that’s about me. The difference though, is that I go the extra mile for them, because of what they’ve done for me. They supported me, when things were bad, and when things were good.

Fujiko leans forward a bit.

Fujiko Mine: Speaking of good, you seem to have selective memory on who you’re facing. You jump back and forth and back and forth on my ability level. You can’t decide if I’m good enough to acknowledge or not seemingly based on your mood. You’ve said you were going to make a ‘stain’ on your boot, then you go on and on about how you gotta be ready for a fight. Cordy, you’ve faced a lot of people. You’ve even faced some people who have beaten me. But you have never faced me directly. So for you to assume, at any point, that this is going to be ‘easy’ for you is, well...not the move. Again, another Molly Reid Special. Because if you lose, everyone is gonna know that instead of putting that time in the gym, watching tape, and getting your cardio up, you were worried about squeezing that extra twitter like or comment out at 5am, or something other than getting ready for me.

She supports her upper body by placing her elbows into her thighs.

Fujiko Mine: I know you think you really ‘lit a fire’ under me, Cordy...but no. You haven’t. The FGA Undisputed championship has. Because taking that from you has been on my mind 24/7 since I won the right to face you for it. Getting to face and beat you for it will be sweet from a wrestling standpoint, to be sure - but you haven’t really said anything my previous opponents haven’t already said. It doesn’t make me ‘fired up’, or angry to hear your “fresh new take” on the same crap people like Molly, Johnny Cannon, and Tony Carmine said.. But like I’ve mentioned before, I know this is all a distraction.

Fujiko gently rocks herself from side to side.

Fujiko Mine: Even with Covid pausing championship reigns, you have held a major title in FGA since November of Twenty-Nineteen. It’s not a feat to be downplayed. It’s not a feat to scoff at. You’ve been a top champion here longer than some people’s FGA careers. And you’re addicted to all of that. It’s put some blinders in places for you, but you don’t want the ride to end. You want the wheel to keep on spinning. But you’ve lost the handle on the proverbial ball, Cordy - twitter isn’t where this championship is decided. You can own the proverbial narrative out there, that’s fine. But what you aren’t going to do is run circles around me in that ring. What you’re not about to do is act like you have all of this under control. Because one look at your timeline shows that that just isn’t true. And beyond all of that, I didn’t come this far just to let you write the story of how this went down. This isn’t the story about how ‘poor abused Cordy’ overcame the odds. You’ve already put me as the underdog. It’s where every opponent puts me. It’s Giannis levels of disrespect thinking that I can’t do this, that I can’t have this. I’ve said before that I’m coming for everything they said I couldn’t have. It's Bucks in 6; Fujiko in 1.

Fujiko pushes into her heels, and stands up to her full height. The camera moves with her as she stands.

Fujiko Mine: You are going to push me in this match. You are going to remind everyone how good you are in between those ropes. One of the best to do it. The Hall of Fame Ring proves it. But like I said, I’m going to drag you into unfamiliar territory. I’m going to pull you out into the open water, where you can’t escape. And then I’m gonna take away your means to survive, one by one. You’ll watch as your best weapons fail you. You’ll show the same desperation in the ring that you showed on social media. And as you give your best shot...and the referee tells you that it was only a two? That’s going to be when you realize where you are. And so, you’ll dip into the reserves. You’ll pull out that shooting star leg drop...and even if you hit it, you’ll find that it won’t be enough. You’ll learn how truly relentless I can be. And once you learn that, you’re gonna run out of air. You’re going to understand why I am the Apex. You’re going to understand why I called myself inescapable. You’re going to learn that same lesson that everyone else has. Fujiko Mine is a different breed of wrestler. And you’re going to see why I don’t need to call myself the best.

There is a cheer coming from the crowd. A serendipitous reaction.

Fujiko Mine: They already do it for me.

Fujiko brings her arms up, and then jams her hands into her pockets. Her head drifts over to the left as the camera lowers its position slightly.

Fujiko Mine: This isn’t a story about you ‘exposing people’. You’re almost entirely focused on things that either happened years ago and were ultimately your doing, or you focused on things that happened years ago that simply don’t matter in the grand scheme of this title opportunity. When I've won, you've downplayed it. You’re not Cordy the benevolent. You’re Cordy the manipulator. The deceiver. The hypocrite. The fraud. And this will not be a story about how you keep getting away with things like you have. Like you interfering in Izzy’s match. Like you imitating Izzy’s mantra, but warping it for your own ends. Like when you mocked Savannah Taylor for imitating you, then you go around imitating others. You're not even original in that. You’ve lost your way, so I’m going to help you find it, Cordy. Not because I hate you, I don't. I’m not even angry at you. I see everything that you’ve done thus far, and you know...I feel sorry for you. Because you have people around you telling you that they love what you’re doing on the timeline. They love seeing Cordy ‘read people for filth’, or whatever. What they should be doing is helping you realize how far down that dark path you’ve gone. But you don’t want to stop. You’re addicted. And the best way to help you is remove that validation. Remove the FGA Undisputed championship from your possession. And I’m not doing that out of the goodness of any heart I supposedly may sway. I’m doing it because I want to be the champion. If helping you realize that you’ve done nothing but ruin yourself is a side effect, then call it a win-win.

Fujiko moves towards the door. The camera moves to keep her in profile as she gets to the door. Her voice is calm and level, even more so than before. She lowers it, forcing the camera closer to catch her words.

Fujiko Mine: You’re not about to tell these people that everything they’ve witnessed about me for the past four years is a lie. You’re not about to tell everything that everything I’ve done for the past four years is sub-par, is nothing. You can’t focus on what really matters...my in-ring ability, and my tenacity, my resolve, like it pales in comparison to yours. It doesn’t. And tonight, I will prove that. That is the will of the Goddess, Cordy. For me to get you familiar with failure. And tonight, that will be done.

Fujiko gives the camera a look of pity, aimed directly at the Undisputed champion. It lasts for only a moment before she opens the door. The camera does not follow, instead it fades to black.

[FGA Office]

FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Renegades of Funk vs. Silk & Cyanide

The arena lights dim as the sound of a woman's laugh heavy with contempt echoes through the arena, which soon segues into the bassline of "She's Gone Away" signals the arrival of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason as the duo slink onto the entrance ramp and pause for a moment, with Mariani looking towards the ring in disgust while Mason looks as if she's waiting for any excuse to start a fight.

You dig in places till your fingers bleed
Spread the infection, where you spill your seed

The pair turn their heads towards one another and share a conspiratorial look before they slowly turn their attention back towards the ring and without a moment's hesitation the pair begin to walk towards the ring, keeping in step with one another and maintaining focus on what they have planned for the sorry individuals that await them.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following tag team contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challengers! Making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 248 pounds! They are the team of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason… SILK & CYANIDE!

I can't remember what she came here for
I can't remember much of anything anymore

Once the duo reach ringside Mariani climbs the ring steps and climbs the ropes so she's perched with one foot upon the top turnbuckle as she literally looks down upon Her opponent while, at the same time, Mason dives under the bottom rope and slides into the ring and quickly rises to a knee and looks directly towards their entertainment for this evening.

She's gone, she's gone, she's gone away
She's gone, she's gone, she's gone away

Having staked their place in the ring, Mariani vaults over the ropes and twists in mid-air so she lands on Her feet in the corner while looking directly towards the opponent while Mason slowly crawls back towards the same corner while maintaining a stare in the opponent's direction the entire time before she reaches to her sides to pull herself into a crouching position.

Kris Cruise: After months of complaining, Silk & Cyanide have gotten their shots at the World Tag Team Championship!

Stephy Auger: That’s right. They don’t have to worry about challenging for the titles in a Triple Threat Match. They don’t have to worry about some Tag Team Gauntlet. Tonight, it’s just them and their prey. Believe me when I say that we will see new Tag Team Champions. Erin Mariani and Sara Mason won’t get screwed over any longer.

Away...
Away...

As the duo await the opening bell Mason gestures towards the opponents, daring them to come a little closer to see what will happen, while Mariani wears a bemused smirk upon Her face knowing full well what the duo have in mind for the poor souls standing across the ring from them.

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponents! Introducing first, hailing from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 188 pounds! He is one half of the reigning… defending… FGA World tag Team Champions, TJ TECHNIQUES!

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

Kris Cruise: You claim that we’ll see new Tag Champions tonight. But not so fast! If you’re looking at tag teams in FGA in 2021, the Renegades of Funk are number one on that list and they’ve got the hold to prove it.

Stephy Auger: For now. We all know that Cassius Reed is the engine that makes this team go. TJ Techniques, however, is the weak link. Cassius was there to save him in that Six Man Tag. But TJ was way too slow with his lazy attempt at breaking up a pinfall. TJ simply isn’t pulling his weight anymore and if the Renegades of Funk lose tonight, it’ll be because of him.

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: His partner, fighting out of Funkytown, USA and tipping the scales at 205 pounds! He is one half of the reigning… defending… FGA Word Tag Team Champions, CASSIUS! REED!

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

The bell sounds as Reed marches over, spins Erin Mariani towards him and nails her with a right hand.

Kris Cruise: Reed’s gone right after Mariani! He hasn’t forgotten about that low blow from two Vertigos ago.

The crowd cheers when Reed nails her Mariani with another right hand. Mariani gets knocked back with yet another right hand. The Funky Dragon then takes Mariani, moves her up against the ropes and unleashes a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the body. Mariani tries to cover up, but some of Reed’s punches slip through her defense. Reed follows up with an uppercut that rocks Mariani before taking off into the far ropes. He picks up speed as he runs back across the ring. The crowd cheers when a clothesline is delivered, sending them both flipping over the top rope! Reed falls to a seated position on the apron while Mariani hits the floor. The Funky Dragon reaches up, grabs the top rope with both hands and pulls himself over the top and back into the ring.

Kris Cruise: Cassius put a little some extra behind that clothesline.

Mariani slowly starts to pick herself up off the floor. Reed sees this, so he turns and takes off into the far ropes. Reed picks up speed off the rebound. He gears up for a dive. But he slams on the brakes at the last second. The crowd boos after Sara Mason intentionally steps in Reed’s way on the apron to prevent the dive.

Kris Cruise: Mason just denied Reed a direct path to the outside!

Stephy Auger: That’s smart! HEY!

The boos continue until TJ Techniques runs along the apron, runs to the top turnbuckle, flips off and knocks Mariani down with a Diving Tornillo!

Kris Cruise: Mason stopped Reed, but she wasn’t able to stop TJ Techniques!

Mason turns and shouts down at Techniques until Reed runs up from behind and connects with a dropkick, knocking her off the apron and sending her crashing to the floor. Mason slays sprawled out on the floor while Reed scales to the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Cassius is heading up top! What does he have in store for Mason?

Reed looks down and measures the distance. The crowd gasps before Reed leaps off and crashes down across Mason with a diving leg drop to the floor!

Kris Cruise: What a maneuver from Cassius Reed! Unbelievable!

Stephy Auger: Reed just hit a guillotine leg drop to the floor! Not down to the mat or through a table. To the floor! That man is putting his body on the line for the good of HIS team. You won’t see TJ Techniques doing something like that.

Techniques picks up Mariani and slams her face-first onto the apron before pushing her back inside. Back on the outside, Reed slowly returns to his feet before rolling back inside. He then crawls over and makes the cover on Mariani.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani kicks out.

Reed takes Mariani and sets up for an irish whip. Mariani reverses, sending him into the ropes. Reed returns and sees Mariani setting up for a back body drop. So he stops and counters with a Snap DDT! The cheers continue as Reed hits the ropes, returns and connects with a running leg drop. Reed returns to the feet before delivering a handstand leg drop. The Funky Dragon heads back into the far ropes and returns before connecting with a left elbow drop. The cover gets made.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani kicks out.

Reed heads over and tags in Techniques. Techniques gets in, takes Mariani and whips her into the corner. Techniques runs over and executes a Tiger Wall Flip out of the corner before following up with a Koppu Kick. He pulls Mariani over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there by the challenger.

Techniques picks up Mariani, pushes her back into the corner and delivers a knife edge chop before whipping her into the far corner. The cheers continue as he rushes across the ring before connecting with a step-up high knee. Mariani plops down in the corner as Techniques takes off into the adjacent set of ropes. Techniques then comes back across the ring before catching Mariani with the Buck 50 (running face wash in the corner)! He drags Mariani out of the corner before making the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for the champions. The Renegades of Funk have gotten the better of Silk & Cyanide thus far. I expected more of a back and forth match.

Stephy Auger: It’s still early. I’m not concerned. Silk & Cyanide have been in the ring with tougher and come out victorious. This is just a rocky start. They’ll get it together.

Techniques sets up for an irish whip until Mariani reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Techniques returns, he ducks a running elbow tackle from Mariani before running forward, flipping over the top rope and knocking Mason down with a Fosbury Flop!

Kris Cruise: What a dive from TJ Techniques!

Mariani rushes over and slides to the outside to attack Techniques. But Techniques is a step too quick and slides back in to avoid her. Mariani climbs back up to the apron before getting caught with a step-up gamengiri. The cheers continue as he runs over into the corner, leaps over the top rope and connects with a triangle shoulder block, knocking Mariani off the apron and back to the floor!

Kris Cruise: Mariani’s been sent back to the outside!

Stephy Auger: Come on, you guys! Get it together!

Techniques heads to the center of the ring. He points to one side of the crowd before cupping a hand to his ear. He looks back and sees Silk & Cyanide helping each other up off the floor. So he takes off into the ropes. The crowd cheers as he runs back across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and knocks Silk & Cyanide down with a diving topé con hilo!

Kris Cruise: TJ with yet another huge dive! The high risk continues to pay off for The Funky Technician time and time again!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, until it doesn’t! One slip up. That’s all it takes, Cruise, for him to crash and burn.

Techniques picks up Mason and holds her in place while Reed steps into the ring. He hits the far ropes and runs across the ring. Techniques lets go of Mason and steps away as Reed leaps over the top rope and brings Mason down with a slingshot huracanrana!

Kris Cruise: The Funky Dragon is getting in on the action! The Renegades of Funk have dominated this one!

Stephy Auger:

Techniques takes Mariani and rolls her back inside before hopping onto the apron. He brings himself back inside with a topé atomico before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani gets her shoulder up.

Techniques takes Mariani and whips her over into the Renegades of Funk corner. The cheers continue as he runs across the ring and catches Mariani with a Shotei before tagging Reed back in. The Funky Dragon gets back in and positions himself on the middle ropes before planting Mariani with a Tornado DDT! He makes the cover.

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

Mariani gets whipped into the ropes. Reed goes to bring her down off the rebound with a back body drop. Mariani’s able to slip down from behind and takes control of his back with a rear waist lock. Reed frees himself with a back elbow to the face before performing a standing switch and following up with a belly to back suplex. He returns to his feet and faces away from Mariani before crushing her with Funky Knee, Funky Do (Kneecolepsy)! Reed makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for the champions. They’re running away with this!

Stephy Auger: I don’t like what I’m seeing, Cruise. Not one bit.

Reed picks up Mariani and brings her down with a snap suplex before stepping out to the apron. The Funky Dragon starts to climb the turnbuckles until Mason leaps up to the apron and wraps her arms around his right leg.

Kris Cruise: What is she doing?

Stephy Auger: What does it look like, Cruise.

Reed repeatedly tries to shake Mason off of him. But it’s to no avail. He then starts to rain down right hands to the head. After the last punch breaks Mason’s grip, the crowd cheers when he kicks Mason in the face, knocking her off the apron and to the floor. The cheers quickly turn back to boos when Mariani rushes into the corner and shoves Reed off, knocking him off the turnbuckles and to the floor!

Kris Cruise: Cassius might be shaken up after that tumble to the outside.

Mariani steps out to the apron before climbing up to the middle turnbuckle. Once Reed finally gets back to his feet, Mariani leaps off before knocking him down with a second rope diving clothesline. Silk & Cyanide then take a hold of Reed before throwing him into the ring post with a double hip toss!

Stephy Auger: That’ll slow him down!

Mariani rolls Reed back in, then back out to restart the count. Mariani takes Reed and rolls him back inside before placing him into a front facelock. She drags him into position across the apron while Mason scales to the top turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: You know what’s coming next, Cruise?

The crowd erupts with boos when Silk & Cyanide bring Reed down with the apron-hung version of The Infernal Council (combination rope-hung DDT from Mariani and diving splash to the opponent's back from Mason)!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord!

Mariani takes Reed and rolls him back inside. After Silk & Cyanide roll themselves back in, Mariani makes the cover while Mason stays on lookout.

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

The crowd cheers when Reed gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there by The Funk Dragon.

Stephy Auger: Good thing Reed was close enough to reach the ropes because his sorry partner sure wasn’t going to break up the pin!

Kris Cruise: Mason was on guard. What did you expect TJ to do?

Stephy Auger: Something, anything!

Mason steps out to the apron before getting tagged in. Silk & Cyanide take control of Reed and deliver a double arm wrench before knocking him down with stereo palm thrusts to the chest. The boos continue when Silk & Cyanide deliver Bad Things (Mason wishbones the opponents legs as Mariani hits a double stomp to the opponent's "midsection")! Mariani steps out to the apron while Mason makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Reed gets the shoulder up.

Mason tags Mariani back in. Silk & Cyanide then take a hold of Reed, lift him up and bring him down with Descent (double suplex dropped into sitout gourdbuster from Mariani)! Mason then steps back out to the apron before getting tagged back in. She then positions herself up on the apron while Mariani drags Reed into place. The crowd boos when Silk & Cyanide follow up with F.W.Y. (Mariani slingshots the opponent into the ropes as Mason hits a slingshot crossbody to drive them onto Mariani's knees)! Mason makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Reed gets the shoulder up.

​​Kris Cruise: Cassius needs to think about tagging out here.

Stephy Auger: Why, so TJ can lose this match for them? He’s better off staying in there and fighting through this.

Mason takes Reed, heads into the Silk & Cyanide corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. She then turns Reed around before tagging Mariani back in. The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide send Reed slumping down in the corner with mudhole stomps. Mason heads back towards the center of the ring and glares at Techniques with a wide-eyed stare. She then turns and runs back over towards Mariani. Mariani gives Mason a hip toss, sending her crashing into Reed with a cannonball senton! Mariani drags Reed away from the corner and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Techniques leaps over and breaks up the pin.

​​Kris Cruise: TJ makes the save!

Stephy Auger: FINALLY! What took so damn long?

Techniques goes to head back into his corner until Mariani rushes up from behind and connects with a running elbow tackle, knocking him through the ropes and to the floor! Back in the ring, Mariani pulls Reed back to his feet by the hair before delivering an inverted side headlock takedown. She then heads towards the ropes, rebounds back and lands across Reed’s back with a handspring moonsault! The boos continue as she pushes Reed over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Reed gets his shoulder up.

​​Kris Cruise: Reed will not stay down!

Stephy Auger: He’s a fighter! He’s the heart & soul of this team!

Mariani takes Reed and whips him into the corner. She runs over, hops on top of Reed and throws him out of the corner with a monkey flip! NO! Reed rotates in the air and lands on his feet. The Funky Dragon runs back over, grabs Mariani and plants her with a springboard Tornado DDT!

​​Kris Cruise: Great recovery there from Cassius Reed!

Stephy Auger: Roll over! Roll over and make the cover, Cassius!

With both grapplers down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!




TWO!





THREE!




Both grapplers start to stir on the mat.





FOUR!






FIVE!





Reed slowly turns over and stats to crawl over towards the Renegades of Funk corner. Meanwhile, Mariani slowly turns over to a knee. She tries to shake out the cobwebs before returning to a vertical base. Mariani staggers over towards the corner before tagging Mason back in!

​​Kris Cruise: Mariani made the tag! Will Cassius try and tag out to the fresh man? Or will he stay in and fight?

Stephy Auger: He mind as well stay in and fight! TJ will undoubtedly drop the ball like he did during the Six Man Tag from Vertigo!

Mason quickly gets in and runs access the ring. She dives over to grab Reed’s leg to hold him in place. But Reed rolls to the side, gets up to a knee, rolls forward, dives over and tags Techniques back in.

​​Kris Cruise: TJ’s back in!

The crowd explodes with cheers after seeing the hot tag. Reed rolls out to the apron and takes a breather while Techniques springboards to the top turnbuckle and knocks Mason down with a Tornillo! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason kicks out.

Mason reverses an irish whip, sending Techniques into the ropes. As he returns, he sees Mason setting up for a back body drop. The crowd cheers when Techniques cartwheels to the side, knocks Mason off her feet with a spinning legsweep and follows up with a Flashing Elbow. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason kicks out.

Reed takes a knee on the middle portion of the apron while he continues to try and recover. Back in the ring, Techniques takes Mason and whips her into the corner. He runs across the ring, executes a Tiger Wall flip and lands on his feet. Mariani comes back in and tries to blindside Techniques with a running elbow tackle. Techniques ducks out the way and catches Mariani when she turns around with a boot to the midsection. The crowd cheers when he knocks Mariani down with a Scissors Kick before returning to his feet with a Spinaroonie! Techniques keeps his pose held until Mason comes from behind and brings him down with the Aenigma (Mason rolls up the opponent into a kneeling position with a schoolboy, where she grabs their head and slams it into the mat)!

Stephy Auger: See? That’s what he gets for showing off!

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

Mason takes Techniques, doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop, knocks him upright with a kick to the face, doubles him back over with a cross chop to the throat, knocks him back upright with another kick to the face before dropping him to a knee with the Lyssa (side kick to an opponent's midsection)! The boos continue as Mason brings him down with the Falling Idol (hangman's neckbreaker to a kneeling opponent)! She returns to her feet and motions for a moonsault splash, only to hit a back kick to the Technique's head instead. Mason makes the cover.

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

​​Kris Cruise: TJ came in hot. But Mason, to her credit, has done a good job cooling him off and taking back control of the match for Silk & Cyanide.

Mason sets up for an irish whip when Techniques reverses and follows her across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Mason hops through the middle & top rope before knocking him back with a pendulum overhead kick in the corner! While Techniques stumbles back, Mason fully slips out to the outside before scaling the turnbuckles. As soon as Mason gets a foot up on the top turnbuckle, Techniques darts into the corner, races up to the top rope, grabs her and throws her down with an avalanche Spanish Fly!

​​Kris Cruise: What a counter from TJ Techniques!

Stephy Auger: Get up! GET UP!

Techniques continues to be met with cheers and applause as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd sighs when Mason gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Thank you, Sara! THANK YOU!

​​Kris Cruise: How much closer can you get!? TJ thought he had it!

Techniques takes Mason and delivers an irish whip. NO! Mason reverses, sending Techniques crashing right into Reed just as Reed stands back up on the apron! The crowd gasps when Reed flies off the apron before crashing against the guardrail!

​​Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Stephy Auger: TJ intentionally knocked Cassius off the apron!

​​Kris Cruise: What!?

Stephy Auger: He could’ve stopped himself! He could’ve gotten out of the way! TJ’s been waiting for weeks to attack Cassius!

​​Kris Cruise: He has not! What is wrong with you!?

Stephy Auger: There’s nothing wrong with me! I’m simply telling the truth!

Techniques looks on in shock as he sees Reed down on the floor. He places his hands on the top of his head and slowly steps back until Mariani brings him down from behind with a half nelson facebuster!

​​Kris Cruise: TJ never saw Mariani coming from behind!

The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide put the boots to Techniques.

Stephy Auger: Get up! Stomp him out!

Silk & Cyanide take Techniques and move him into the corner. They apply stereo foot chokes! Techniques can be seen gasping for air while they try and choke the life out of him.

​​Kris Cruise: Come on now! This is a two on one attack! The ref hasn't to get in there and stop this!

Stephy Auger: Would you want to try and break this up and end up on the bad side of Silk & Cyanide? I don’t blame him for keeping his hands in his pockets!

Mariani lets go and marches into the far corner. Meanwhile, Mason continues to choke Techniques before pummeling him down in the corner with a series of palm strikes to the chest followed by an elbow to the face. Mariani then comes running back across the ring before delivering the Libertine (running double stomp to a seated opponent)!

​​Kris Cruise: TJ is getting the hell beat out of him!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and thanks to him, Cassius can’t make the save!

The ref continues to admonish Silk & Cyanide. But they pay him no mind. After dragging Techniques to the center of the ring, Silk & Cyanide pull him back to his feet before hooking each arm. The crowd gasps, then boos after Silk & Cyanide rush forward before chucking Techniques over the top rope with a double hip toss! Techniques lands hard back-first on the outside!!

​​Kris Cruise: TJ’s down! TJ’s down! TJ has just been thrown over the top to the floor by Silk & Cyanide! TJ landed with a sickening thud after being launched over the top rope with reckless abandon! He could have a broken back for all we know! The referee has to step in here! This two on one attack has gone on long enough! What is he waiting for here!?

Stephy Auger: If the ref knows what’s good for him, he’ll swallow the whistle and continue to let them have their way with TJ.

Silk & Cyanide peer over the top rope to observe the damage that’s been dealt. Techniques lays writhing in pain, but is unable to move. The camera cuts to Reed, who is still down after crashing into the guardrail. The gaze of Silk & Cyanide goes from Techniques… to the announce table. Mason & Mariani turn and nod to each other before rolling to the outside.

Stephy Auger: It might be time for us to take off, Cruise!

Mariani goes over to clear off the announce booth. But Mason puts her hand on her arm to stop her. Mariani agrees.

Stephy Auger: They’re not even going to clear off the table! They want this to be as painful as possible!

​​Kris Cruise: Why? Why!? What did TJ Techniques ever do to them!

Stephy Auger: He was in their way! He helped steal the World Tag Team Titles from Silk & Cyanide! Erin Mariani and Sara Mason have been screwed over by this company for far too long. You can blame everything that’s happening to TJ on them.

The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide head over and grab Techniques. They lift him up high in the air before moving him over towards the announce booth.

​​Kris Cruise: NO! NO, NO, NO, NO, NO...

Silk & Cyanide take Techniques and drive him through the announce booth with the Haute Tension (double team inverted crucifix powerbomb)! NO! The crowd gasps, then cheers when Ashes to Ashes rush the ringside area and pull Techniques down to safety. Silk & Cyanide turn around before quickly getting pummeled with kicks and punches from Ashley Marie Chase and Ashley Sands. The ref calls for the bell.

​​Kris Cruise: Ashes to Ashes are here! Ashes to Ashes have made the save for TJ Techniques!

Stephy Auger: What the hell are Thing 1 and Thing 2 doing out here!?

Silk & Cyanide continues to get attacked until they push Ashes to Ashes away. The crowd boos as Mason and Mariani retreat around ringside and get to higher ground on the ramp.

​​Kris Cruise: Ashley Marie Chase and Ashley Sands have chased off Silk & Cyanide! TJ Techniques was a second or two away from getting driven right through this table!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me of his decision. Due to the outside interference of Ashes to Ashes, your winners of this bout as a result of a disqualification… SILK & CYANIDE!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Stephy Auger: YES! YES! YES!

J.A. Aldridge: HOWEVER, the World Tag Team Championship CANNOT change hands via countout or disqualification. Therefor, STILL the FGA World Tag Team Champions… RENEGADES OF FUNK!

Stephy Auger: How lucky can you get!? TJ Techniques was about to be put through this table and be put out for good. Silk & Cyanide were moments away from becoming World Tag Team Champions!

​​Kris Cruise: If you ask me, they should have been the ones disqualified, not Renegades of Funk!

Stephy Auger: Silk & Cyanide had the match in hand. They had the titles all but won. But once again, they get the screws put to them. If the Renegades of Funk think this is over, they’re wrong. This isn’t over by a long shot. As far as Ashes to Ashes go, they just put a bullseye on their backs.

[FGA Office]

Only the Strong Survive continues as we fade to the backstage area, where Jessie Pederson is standing by.

Jessie Pederson: Joining me at this time, Chandler Scott.

The mention of Chandler’s name elicits a pop from the packed crowd. An even louder roar of cheers follows when Chandler steps into the frame. Chandler is decked in his wrestling gear as he’s ready for the long night ahead of him in the Gold Rush Rumble. He rubs his wrist before addressing Jessie.

Chandler Scott: Can you feel it? The electricity in the air? The aura? The excitement? There’s nothing like an FGA pay per view and tonight, we’ve got ourselves a crowd that’s packed to the rafters. It’s been a minute, roughly two and a half years to be exact, since I’ve competed on an FGA pay per view. I’ve missed this feeling. And who do we all owe this to? None other than our Undisputed Champion.

Chandler smirks as the mear acknowledgement of Cordy gets the fans booing at the top of their lungs.

Chandler Scott: You heard her say it herself. People are talking about FGA because of her. She is The Energy. She’s brought out all the big stars to see her tonight. If you look out towards the crowd and you take a gander along the front row, you can see every notable bottle server, InstaThot and lingerie football player from across the eastern seaboard. No one knows how to bring out a crowd quite like Cordy Stevenson.

Those last two lines generate laughs from the crowd. Jessie chimes in with a question.

Jessie Pederson: Chandler, I know this is probably a stupid question, but how are you feeling heading into tonight’s main event? Thanks to what transpired at the end of last Vertigo, you will be entering tonight’s Gold Rush Rumble at number one. Making things that much more difficult for you is the fact that Cordy Stevenson has essentially put a bounty on your head. According to her, whoever eliminates you will get a shot at her Undisputed Championship. How are you feeling with the deck stacked up against you?

Chandler Scott: How am I feeling? How am I feeling, you ask? Well, let's see. I can go about this one of two ways. Either I could say nothing and be accused of “running and hiding”. Or I can give you my honest answer and be accused of being "bad mad".

Chandler holds his hands out and moves them up and down, as if he’s weighing both options. He quickly disregards both notions with a dismissive wave of the hand.

Chandler Scott: You know, Cordy Stevenson worked very diligently to try and rabble rouse the roster. She tried her hardest to stir the pot. That woman tried to incite as many people as she could to get angry over the stipulation to last Vertigo’s main event. But the only people who felt similarly to her were Seth Iser, Marlon Cure and Johnny Karma.

The crowd roars with boos at the mention of that trio.

Jessie Pederson: He’s actually going by John Carmichael now.

Chandler Scott: Changing his name won’t help him outrun his failures.

There’s a loud “OOOOOOOOOOH!” that comes from the crowd. The reaction from the crowd causes Chandler to smirk. Jessie, meanwhile, purses her lips while she waits for him to continue.

Chandler Scott: Don't worry, I'll get to them shortly. But let me address our esteemed Undisputed Champion, Cordelia the Persecuted. It seems as though our champion has once again been out here showing her ass. But not in the way that she normally does.

Once again, the crowd goes “OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!”

Chandler Scott: For a woman that claims to be "The Energy", she damn sure doesn't keep it consistent. It's blasphemous that I would be given a shot at either entering first or last in this year's Gold Rush Rumble. It's a miscarriage of justice for me to have been put in that spot. But where was that same energy for Izzy Anders, a woman that had wrestled...

Chandler starts mumbling under his breath as he pretends to count using his fingers.

Chandler Scott: ONE MATCH SINCE NEW YEAR'S EVE! Where was that same outrage for Izzy Anders, a woman that hadn’t wrestled a singles match since 2020? From where I'm sitting, taking two of the perceived threats in that match - two Hall of Famers, at that - and making them fight to see who enters first and last is a hell of a twist. Now I could see if I was being put in there against Gully Blanchard or Thurston Thousand Oaks with these stakes. By all means, throws a hissy fit if that were the case. But that wasn’t the case, now was it? No, I was being put in there against a Hall of Famer. A woman that's accomplished things in this company that I never have. A woman that’s accomplished things in this company that you never have, either. You see, Cordy's outrage was never about me getting that shot over Seth Iser or anyone else. Her issue was never about fighting for freedom, justice and equality. Her issue was that despite all the public asskissing that she did, she never viewed Izzy Anders as a threat to me. She never viewed Izzy being on the same level as yours truly. So that's why she stomped her feet and pissed and moaned to everyone that she possibly could about the Big Bad Chandler getting this opportunity. She wouldn’t have given a damn if Seth was put in that match instead of me. She wouldn’t have given a damn if Owen Gonsalves was put in that match instead of me. She wouldn’t have given a damn if former winner Marlon Cure was put in there. She clearly didn’t give a damn that Izzy Anders was put in that match. She cared because I was was put in that match. She cared because I was the biggest threat. She cared because she knew that if I entered that Rumble at 30, that match was as good as mine. That's why she couldn’t just let the match play out. That's why she didn't believe in Izzy Anders’ abilities to kick out of the DNA Driver. So that's why she went out there and managed to navigate her way to my private parts for the second time now.

Another round of boos are heard for Cordy after the crowd is reminded of her penchant for low blowing Chandler.

Chandler Scott: Izzy Anders.

The crowd pops for the mention of The Mindkiller.

Chandler Scott: We all know you've been salivating at the chance to drop me on my head ever since I dropped you on yours on the first ever episode of Vertigo. How poetic that you beat me with the same moved that I knocked you out with six years prior. I'd love to stand here and claim with confidence that I would have kicked out of the Capetown Sunset had you pinned me. The truth is, I can't. We can only speculate. The only thing for certain is that you got the win, you got number 30 and yours truly has a very, very, very, very, very long night ahead of him. One day, Izz. One day, we'll do this once again and when we do? It'll be even bigger and better than last Vertigo because that's what people like us do.

The crowd cheers over the mention of a future match between the DNA of FGA and The Mindkiller.

Chandler Scott: As far as tonight goes? You enjoy watching 29 other competitors enter that match before you. You enjoy watching most of those competitors trying and failing to make it to the end. By the time you finally enter, I can guarantee you that there will be at least one man out there waiting for you. You're looking right at him. Me and you. One on one. We'll do it again one day and it will be great. Tonight, however? Tonight belongs to me.

The proclamation of a win is met with cheers. Chandler continues.

Chandler Scott: Now, let's get to the three men that apparently had such a problem with me being in that Vertigo main event. Let's talk about Marlon Cure.

The mention of the so-called King is met with boos.

Chandler Scott: Marlon, I don't even know why you're commenting on my business. Apparently me being placed in that match was BS. Though I wonder, was it also BS when you had to have Jenny Cien do your dirty work and take out TJ Techniques with a baseball bat a couple of weeks back? Hmm? Listen up, you little bald headed punk. You might walk like a King. You might talk like a King. You might even call yourself a King. But we all know that you're anything but. You came into this company strong. Once upon a time, you were red hot. You even won this very Gold Rush Rumble. That deserves to be commended. But Marlon, your results as of late? They've been a bit lacking. They leave a lot to be desired. One could even say that you had a spark when you started but now…

Chandler smirks as even all the way from the back, he can hear a pocket of fans out in the arena finishing off the last half of that lyric. Chandler turns to Jessie.

Chandler Scott: Marlon Cure's a big Jay-Z fan. Half his moveset is dedicated to the man. So I'm pretty sure he's smart enough to put two and two together and finish off the rest of that bar.

Chandler turns his attention back to the camera.

Chandler Scott: Marlon, you've lost your clout. You've lost your status as the best high flyer and if you're thinking that you're seeing me in the ring? Then clearly you’ve lost your mind, too. So do yourself a favor, Marlon. Stay in your lane and stay where it's safe. Which for you, is hiding behind Jenny Cien's skirt.

Another “OOOOOOOOH” comes from the crowd. Chandler’s fiery tonight.

Chandler Scott: You need to be very, very careful, Marlon. This is our first pay per view in well over a year with a full crowd. It’s jam packed out there. We’ve even got new eyes checking us out on pay per view. So watch yourself, Marlon. Don’t make me expose you to them folks that don’t know you.

Chandler smirks after using another line from Cure’s favorite against him.

Chandler Scott: Then there’s Seth Iser.

The mention of Iser gets the crowd to unleash a torrential downpour of boos.

Chandler Scott: You know, I caught that little bit with him and Cordy. I thought it was rather touching that Cordy could squeeze in some quality time with her Father Figure to cry crocodile tears over little old me. I got a real kick out of him whining about “the message that it sends to the young wrestlers of today” in reference to me getting a shot at #30 in the Rumble. I also found it interesting that he brought up his daughter, of all people, feeling ashamed of this sport we call professional wrestling. Tell me, Seth, did your daughter feel ashamed of the sport when you screwed Izzy Anders over in her semifinals match against Neal Durden in the Wildcard Lottery? Did she feel ashamed of the sport when you put a $100,000 bounty on Fujiko’s head? Were you concerned about “the message being sent to the young wrestlers of today” when you were using a roll of quarters to beat the likes of Fujiko Mine and Velma Jones? Were you thinking of those “poor, young impressionable wrestlers” when you were using brass knuckles to beat Izzy Anders? How about you do us all a favor, Seth. Go take your self righteous ass and go fall off a cliff!

The crowd breaks out into a “YES!” chant. Chandler puts his hand up, gesturing for them to dial it back. After the crowd eventually calms down, he continues.

Chandler Scott: You run your mouth a lot of a guy that's never in my presence. You're such a tough guy when it's a dozen on one. Yet for all yours braggadocio, you've never been able to talk big and bad to my face. So here's an idea, Seth. You wanted to make a big show about how you were going to come out and DDT me last Vertigo? I’ll tell you what. Since's everything's corrupt, since everyone's on the take, since’s you’ve clearly subscribed to the conspiratorial rantings of QAn*n Cordy, I've got a hell of an idea. How about you take some of those Wildcard Lottery winnings, provided you haven't blown it all already…

Chandler smirks.

Chandler Scott: But how about you take those Wildcard Lottery winnings, grease a couple of palms backstage and make sure that you enter the ring at number two. That way, for you, you can finally get the chance to say everything you need to say to my face. For me? I can finally show you first hand the difference in skill between a guy like you...

Chandler holds his left hand about chest high.

Chandler Scott: and a guy like me.

The crowd roars with cheers when he takes his right hand and raises it over his head.

Chandler Scott: But we all know that you won't do that, Seth, and it's for two reasons. One, you simply don't have the balls to do it.

Once again, another “OOOOOOOHHHHHH!” from the crowd.

Chandler Scott: But even if you did have the stones, Seth, there's another reason why you won't do it and it's for an even more important reason. That little nickname of yours? Wrestling's Greatest Mind? It's an earned nickname. Well-earned, in fact. Simply put, you're not dumb enough to take the bait. So whether fate has you falling between 2 and 14 or between 16 and 29, I will see you out there. I will see you face to face and I will see to it personally that you go flying over that top rope!

The crowd breaks out into another “YES!” chant.

Chandler Scott: But one person’s number is not up for guessing, besides my own and Izzy’s, and that’s yours, Johnny Karma.

John Carmichael, or rather, the mention of his former wrestling moniker, is met with a downpour of boos. Chandler turns to Jessie.

Chandler Scott: You know, for all of Cordy and Seth’s rantings, it seems like he’s the one with a stick up his ass when it comes to me. We once again had to be subjected to Johnny Karma’s favorite pastime: pissing and moaning about how it’s just not faaaaaaaiiiir. This time, it’s because how yours truly has allegedly had the red carpet rolled out for him over and over and has gotten all of these undeserved title shots.

Chandler turns back to the camera.

Chandler Scott: Say, Karma, which World Title shot of mine was undeserved? Was it the one that I earned in 2016 by winning the Frontier Lions Cup, a tournament that I had to win a qualifying match for just to even enter? The same tournament that I won by winning three matches in one night? The same tournament where I beat who in the Finals, Jessie?

Jessie Pederson: ...Johnny Karma.

Chandler Scott: That’s right, same Johnny Karma that got a BYE into the Finals and still couldn’t beat me despite being well-rested! Clearly he couldn’t be talking about that title shot, am I right? Or maybe, just maybe, he’s talking about 2018, where I became the first-ever International Heavyweight Champion. Is that the title shot he’s referring to? The one at Above & Beyond? The same match where I had to win a Fatal 4-Way just to even get that shot? The same title I won by beating who again?

Jessie Pederson: Chandler, you know who it was that you bea-

Chandler Scott: My memory is awful, Jessie! Cordy says it all the time! But please, educate me, who was it that I beat to win that International Title?

Jessie Pederson: ...Johnny Karma.

Chandler Scott: Well, how about that? Is anyone else sensing a theme here, or if it just me? Karma thought he was free and in the clear after he survived Izzy Anders and retired Evan Envi to The Woodlands of Ocean Pines. But me being back means that he’s got a huge obstacle that’s standing between him and the Undisputed Championship. That’s bad news for him. Karma, I would ask you to get the hell over it. But we all know pitching a fit has been your calling card for six years and running. If you think it’s bad for you now, I’m really going to give you something to cry about and that’s when I send you over the top rope. The only sad part is that the lovely Cherry Baum won’t be there to pick you up and console you this time. But who knows, maybe if you put a little sincerity in your voice and apologize for being a horse's ass, she might actually return your calls.

“OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!” goes the red hot crowd.

Chandler Scott: You talk real big and bad, Johnny. But we both know where you stand when it comes to me and that’s behind me. This isn’t 2017 anymore. It’s 2021 and to steal a phrase and put it into words that you could understand: you don’t have the chutzpah to come after me. I’m not Evan Envi. I’m not Rickly Valero. I’m not even Izzy Anders. I’m Chandler Scott and if you think making an enemy out of me is a wise move, then you’re sadly mistaken. Tonight, I will prove that the so-called Battle Royal God is a false god when he, along with 28 others, go over that top rope. I might be entering at number one tonight. 29 of the best will enter after me and some might even be dumb enough to believe Cordy and come after me. But when the dust settles, every head will bow and every tongue will confess that Chandler… Reigns… Supreme!

Chandler stares a dagger into the camera while the crowd cheers him on.

[FGA Office]

A moment or two passes before the picture comes to life. We are introduced to a lashish private study room. Mounds of vintage books and tomes are neatly secured on numbers black shelves. The camera pans over to the left to reveal a dark wooden desk and plush black leather chair. Seated in the chair is Nina Stokes. She leans back in her seat and places a hand under her chain as she stares forward. Her eyes are fixated on the Frontier Grappling Arts United States Championship that rests on the desk. It’s appearance isn’t worse than usual. In fact, there’s a couple of pieces of tapes securing things in place.

Nina Stokes: Are you displeased?

The rhetorical question goes unanswered, but of course. Even still, Nina does pause as if one is on its way.

Nina Stokes: You had quite the rocky road before I came along. The majority of the people that came before me were not truly interested in you. All they wanted was a tiny bit of recognition within the company. They wanted the chance to say that they were a champion in FGA so that they could go on to do bigger and better things.

She halts for a moment.

Nina Stokes: Everyone knows that I should be a world champion. And yet, I’ve elected to put my stock behind you. I’ve built you up. I’ve turned you into one of the most coveted championships in the entire world―

Another moment passes.

Nina Stokes: So let me ask you, was all the pain worth it?

There’s no answer.

Nina Stokes: The pain that you’ve endured is not unlike what I’ve suffered throughout the course of my career. What they neglect to teach students in wrestling school is that there’s a burden to being great. You will be attacked. You will be disrespected. You will be ridiculed. The pain that you will go through? It’s unfathomable.

Silence wraps itself around the room for about five seconds.

Nina Stokes: But if you can harness that pain? If you can channel it? Then no one in this world can stop you. No one.

Nina lets out a sigh as she leans back even further in her seat.

Nina Stokes: Do you honestly believe that Owen has your best intentions at heart? Hmm? Do you think all he wants to do is shine you and restore you to perfect health? Or is there some sort of ulterior motive at play?

A sly smirk crosses her face.

Nina Stokes: Owen is a competitor. Owen is talented. But Owen is also intelligent. He knows that he needs to do something special for his come tour to be deemed a success. Something like winning a championship, yeah?

She snaps her fingers.

Nina Stokes: But let’s be real about it, the specific championship itself probably never mattered to Owen. He would have taken any championship on the shelf. You and I? We just happened to catch his eye first. That’s it. He views you as a means to an end, not means in and of yourself.

Silence falls upon the room once again.

Nina Stokes: But you can’t say that about me. I know that you are special. I’ve fought for you. And I’ve been honest with you from the very beginning. I told you that my goal was to uplift you until it was time for us to go our separate ways. I’m unsure when that fateful date will rear its head. But I believe that we’ll have just a little bit more time together.

A tiny smirk comes to her face just before the camera fades to black.

[FGA Office]

FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Nina Stokes vs. Owen Gonsalves

The hard bass of Run The Jewels’ “Blockbuster Night Part I” causes the floor to vibrate as the crowd instantly come to their feet, knowing fully well who is about to make his entrance. All eyes are on the curtain as they wait for his arrival. A white bright light flashes at every beat, and the fans in attendance are slamming anything they can to the beat.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

As soon as the incomparable Killer Mike kicks into his verse, the white flashing light stops and Owen Gonsalves bursts through the curtain with a pace that matches the rhythm of the track. He storms his way to the top of the entranceway and pauses to soak in the electric energy from the crowd, with a smirk on his face as he rolls his wrists while subtly mouthing the words to the song. Once El-P's verse begins, Wristlock Sinatra immediately begins to walk down towards the ring as he has his hands outstretched, his eyes staying focused on the ring he’s about to go to work in.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is “Wristlock Sinatara” OWEN GONSALVES!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow striking to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before feigning a rolling elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em' to which the camera reacts accordingly. He paces around the ring, keeping his energy high before plodding up the steps, wiping his feet as soon as he steps on the apron. He moves down the apron and faces the crowd, mouthing a few words to a few of the fans in the front row before he enters the ring. He immediately goes to a corner and begins to warm up and stretch as he awaits the start of the match.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves earned this opportunity by winning the Beat the Clock Challenge a month ago. Shockingly enough, this is Owen Gonsalves’ first chance at FGA gold. Will he make the most of that opportunity here tonight and knock off the dominant Nina Stokes?

Stephy Auger: In a word, no. Owen didn’t earn a title shot by winning the Beat the Clock Challenge. He won himself a beat down at the hands of Nina Stokes. The Kodiak has mauled her competition, Cruise. That’s not hyperbole. I don’t care how technical he may be. Those holds won’t do him any good when he’s knocked out on his back.

The lights in the arena dim to a fairly darkened level. A couple of seconds pass before MUCC’s “Sei to Shi to Kimi” begins to play. The base of the entrance becomes fills up with heavy smoke. Nina Stokes makes her way out from the back a few seconds later. She emerges from the smoke after a moment or two. She gives a sly sneer to camera before she makes her way towards to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Miami, Florida! She is the reigning… defending… FGA United States Champion! She is “The Kodiak” NINA STOKES!

Her pace down to the ring deliberate and leisurely. The camera zooms in on the United States Championship that rests on her waist. She tosses a couple of glances towards the crowd, but for the most part, she keeps her eyes fixated on the square circle. Nina flexes her arms a bit as she reaches the end entryway. She cracks her neck and completely circles the ring one time. Afterwards, Nina cracks her knuckles and slides into the ring.

Kris Cruise: Salem, Kazu Hirano, Marlon Cure, Cassius Reed, Sadie San Francisco. Those are just the names that Nina Stokes has ran through when it comes to United States Championship defenses. We would be here all day going through the list of names she’s defeated in non-title action.

Stephy Auger: Nina Stokes came onto the FGA scene in 2019 and two years later is one of the greatest champions in company history. She is far and away the greatest US Champion ever. Within that time frame, I’d argue that she’s been one of the top grapplers here. Only Cordelia Stevenson and Fujiko Mine have surpassed what she’s done in that time. Once again, The Kodiak will remind you all of what greatness is in that ring shortly. Owen Gonsalves is just going to be the latest name in a long list of names that have been slaughtered by The Kodiak.

Nina paces around for a moment. Then she removes her jacket and tosses it into the corner. Afterwards, Nina removes the championship belt from her waist and walks to the center of the ring. She hoists the United States Championship high into the air as a wicked smirk forms. When she is done, she casually gives the belt to the referee. The referee goes to grab the belt until Nina drops to the mat and punt kicks it out of the ring. Nina pulls on the ropes and stretches before she lounges in the corner and waits for the start of the match.

The bell sounds as Stokes and Gonsalves circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Gonsalves gains control of Stokes’ right arm. He wraps his left arm around her right arm before grabbing her right wrist with his right hand. Gonsalves keeps the position held before using his left arm to deliver a pointed elbow strike across the arm. Wristlock Sinatara delivers another pointed elbow across the arm before quickly transitioning into an arm wrench. The cheers continue as Gonsalves delivers two more arm wrenches. The ref asks Stokes if she wants to give up. The champ refuses. So Gonsalves yanks her over and catches her in a side headlock. Gonsalves cinches down on the hold before performing a standing switch and transitioning into a hammerlock. He keeps the hammerlock held until Stokes spins out and reverses into a hammerlock of her own. Stokes keeps the hammerlock applied until she spins Gonsalves towards her and catches him in a side headlock. The ref asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. The challenger refuses. Gonsalves goes to shove Stokes off into the ropes, but the champion won’t budge. Gonsalves tries to shove her off a second time. Again, Stokes stays on him. After catching Stokes with a forearm shot to the ribs, Gonsalves goes to shove her off. Once again, Stokes keeps the side headlock applied. Gonsalves then takes Stokes and moves her into the near ropes. He goes to get a running start before shoving her off into the far ropes. Stokes counters his escape attempt by dropping down to a knee while keeping the side headlock applied. Gonsalves groans as Stokes cinches down on the hold.

Stephy Auger: Awwww, what happened? I thought Boston Crab Bette Midler was a technical spectacle? You mean to tell me he can’t escape a simple side headlock?

Kris Cruise: Stokes has it locked on tight, Stephy. She’s more than just a striker. The Kodiak was quick to point that out to Spencer Burke during their sitdown interview.

The ref gets down and asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. He refuses by wagging his finger at the official. After battling back to a vertical base, Gonsalves grabs a hold of Stokes’ wrist and tries to push her arm from off of him. The crowd cheers as Gonsalves slowly but surely starts to slowly spin out of the hold. The Kodiak tries to overpower Gonsalves and swing her arm back down to reapply the side headlock. But it’s Gonsalves that overpowers her. Wristlock Sinatara ends up escaping the reversing into a top wristlock. Stokes winces after Gonsalves applies further pressure to the wrist. He tries to bring the champion down to the mat, but Stokes stands her ground. Gonsalves ends up putting a stop to that by sending Stokes to the mat with a back leg trip. After placing Stokes’ right palm down flat on the mat, Gonsalves quickly leaps up and throws out a jumping stomp to the elbow. The crowd gasps when Stokes rolls out of the way at the last second. The Kodiak spins over to a knee and sees Gonsalves holding his thumb and index finger about an inch from each other. Stokes responds with a “hmm” before returning to her feet.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves let Stokes know just how close he was to stomping that elbow.

Stephy Auger: No, what he’s doing is being a cheeky little schmuck.

Champion and challenger circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Gonsalves quickly drops down to a knee before sending Stokes to the mat with a fireman’s carry takeover. He quickly spins out on his knee and tries to place Stokes in a cross armbar. Once again, Stokes is able to roll out of the way. She turns to a knee and once again sees Gonsalves holding his thumb and index finger about an inch apart.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for The Kodiak and Gonsalves is letting her know exactly how close it was.

Stephy Auger: Keeping talking trash, Owen. Keep being an arrogant punk. Watch what happens to him when Nina Stokes catches him again

Stokes returns to her feet. Champion and challenger proceed to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Gonsalves wins the battle by placing Stokes in a side headlock. Gonsalves maintains the hold before performing a standing switch and transitioning into another hammerlock. He goes to apply pressure to the arm until Stokes uses her left arm to nail him with a back elbow to the face. Gonsalves clutches his jaw while she takes off into the ropes. Stokes rebounds off the ropes when Gonsalves throws out a shoot kick to the chest. The Kodiak reaches up in time, catches his leg and throws him down with a dragon screw leg whip. Gonsalves immediately turns over onto his knees. Stokes throws out a roundhouse kick to the head. The crowd gasps when Gonsalves ducks out of the way at the last second. Gonsalves pops his head back up, looks over at Stokes and once again holds his thumb and index finger about an inch from each other. Stokes has head enough of this.

*CRACK!*

The crowd erupts with boos when Stokes blasts Gonsalves in the face with a bicycle knee!

Kris Cruise: GOOD GOD WHAT A KNEE!

Stephy Auger: That’s what he gets for being cocky!

Gonsalves turns over to a knee. Stokes quickly snatches a hold of his wrist before nailing him with multiple wristlock face kicks. The boos continues as The Kodiak yanks Gonsalves up to his feet before knocking him back with a shoot kick to the chest. Another shoot kick to the chest knocks Gonsalves back until a front push kick to the chest sends him into the corner. Stokes wastes little time pouncing on Gonsalves with a series of boxing forearm strikes. Gonsalves tries to cover up. But Stokes keeps up the intensity and breaks through his defense before nailing him with uninterrupted strikes to the head. The Kodiak takes Gonsalves, delivers an irish whip, follows him across the ring and crushes him with running double knees to the chest! Gonsalves plops down to a seated position in the corner while Stokes runs back across the ring. The Kodiak ricochets out of the far corner, picks up speed as she runs back across the ring, throws herself at Gonsalves and crushes him with another pair of running double knees!

Kris Cruise: Stokes just drove those knees right into the face of Gonsalves!

Stephy Auger: He doesn’t look too cocky now, does he?

Gonsalves slowly slips out to the apron before falling to the floor. The capacity crowd tries to get behind the Technical Spectacle while he tries to shake out the cobwebs. Gonsalves returns to his feet, but immediately doubles over. He continues to try and shake out the cobwebs until Stokes marches over, steps out to the apron, jumps off and knocks him down with a diving double foot stomp across the upper back!

Kris Cruise: Stokes isn’t giving Gonsalves time to recover!

Stephy Auger: Why should she, especially after he repeatedly thumbed his nose at her. She told him before that if he kept it respectful, there wouldn’t be any problems. Apparently he didn’t take any lessons at all from seeing Selfish San Francisco getting destroyed.

Kris Cruise: Well to be fair, Nina Stokes made it seem like the outcome of this match was a forgone conclusion no matter how respectful Gonsalves chose to be. I don’t think that was exactly “respectful” behavior from her, either.

Stephy Auger: Oh yeah? Why don’t you go in there, tell Nina that, and see what happens to you.

Kris Cruise: No, I’d rather not. I like having my head attached to the rest of my body.

Stephy Auger: Smart guy.

Stokes picks up Gonsalves before ramming him back-first against the side of the ring. She then nails him with a shoot kick to the chest before doubling him over with a rolling solebutt. Gonsalves is then rolled back inside before Stokes slides back in for the cover.

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

Stokes takes Gonsalves and whips him into the ropes. Gonsalves returns off the rebound before getting knocked off his feet with a running roundhouse kick. Gonsalves sits up and guards his chest until Stokes runs up from behind and nails him with a soccer kick to the back that echoes throughout the arena. Gonsalves arches his back before getting flattened with another shoot kick to the chest. The Kodiak then hits the ropes, comes back and lands hard across Gonsalves with a jumping senton. The boos continues as Stokes returns to her feet before delivering another jumping senton. Stokes goes for a third jumping senton! NO! Gonsalves gets his knees up in time!

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves countered! Stokes went to the well one too many times.

Instead of letting Stokes bounce off his knees, Gonsalves quickly reaches up and holds Stokes across them before placing her in a Bow & Arrow Hold. The crowd cheers as they see the champion trapped in the submission. The ref gets down and asks Stokes if she wants to give up. Stokes refuses. Gonsalves then pushes up with his knees while pulling Stokes across them, bending Stokes’ back. The ref continues to check in with Stokes and gives her a chance to give up. Again, Stokes refuses. The Kodiak then reaches up, grabs Gonsalves’ left hand and starts to pull it from around her head. She then rolls off the knees and into a lateral press.

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

Stokes grabs the arm, pulls Gonsalves over into her guard and goes to apply a Kimura!

Kris Cruise: Stokes is going for the Kimura!

Stephy Auger: Yes, Nina, yes! She’ll break that arm if he doesn’t tap!

Stokes is seen trying to fully apply the submission. Gonsalves fights like hell to keep Stokes from putting his right arm behind his back.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is fighting for his life in there. How much longer can he hold her off?

Stephy Auger: He’s fighting a losing battle, Cruise. He’s only delaying he inevitable.

Gonsalves continues to fight off the hold. After getting one foot on the mat, he uses his free arm to grab Stokes’ left left. The crowd gasps as Gonsalves struggles to lift Stokes up off the mat. He remains in the grapevine kimura until he drops to his knees, slamming Stokes onto her back to break the hold. Gonsalves’ escape is met with applause. Stokes remains sprawled out on the mat while Gonsalves holds his left arm. Seconds later, the applause is replaced with boos when Stokes quickly snatches him down into a Triangle Choke!

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves just got caught in another submission! He thought he had time to recover, but Stokes was able to quickly trap him in yet another hold.

Stephy Auger: He thought he was home free! NOT!

The crowd buzzes with anticipation while Gonsalves’ left hand hovers over the mat. The ref checks in and asks him if he wants to give up. Gonsalves refuses. The Kodiak squeezes even tighter as she applies further pressure. Gonsalves howls out in pain.

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd is solely behind Gonsalves! They don’t want to see him quit! They want to see a new champion!

Stephy Auger: Well who cares what they want!? The Kodiak has shown time and time again tonight that she’s the real technical spectacle in this match, not Toehold Tony Bennett over there!

The crowd gasps when they see Gonsalves’ arm reach up. Gonsalves trying to fight through the pain! He’s trying to push through it! He wants to hang on! He’s desperately trying to hang on! But he can’t! He slams the arm down to the canvas to tap out! NO! The crowd breathes a momentarily sigh of relief when he stops his arm about an inch or so above the canvas. Stokes continues to fight like hell for the submission. Gonsalves, to his credit, continues to hang on. He then grabs Stokes’ right leg with his free arm before countering into a stacked pin!

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

Stokes breaks the hold.

Kris Cruise: We almost saw a new champion!

Stephy Auger: Thank GOD we didn’t!

Both grapplers return to their feet. Stokes goes right after Gonsalves’ right arm, nailing him with repeated shoot kicks to the arm. After the last shoot kick doubles him over, she steps back before knocking him upright with a rising knee to the chin. After another rolling solebutt to the midsection doubles him over over, Stokes drops him down to a knee with a shoot kick to the back of the thigh before a roundhouse kick to the back of the head drops him face-first to the mat. The boos grow louder when Stokes immediately drops down, traps the left arm between her legs, places Gonsalves in an inverted cravate and yanks back.

Kris Cruise: Hangman’s Clutch II! I don’t think we’ve seen Stokes use this move in FGA before.

Stephy Auger: Gonsalves is making her dig a little deeper into her submission bag, Cruise. But Stokes isn’t phased at all. As you see, she’s got an answer for everything.

Kris Cruise: Stokes is definitely proving that she’s more than just one of the greatest strikers in the sport. She’s arguably been outwrestling Gonsalves on the mat.

Stephy Auger: There’s no “arguably” about it, Cruise. She’s going to take that Wristlock Sinatara moniker right after she takes his arm.

Gonsalves cries out in pain while Stokes pulls back on the hold. The ref gets down and asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. Gonsalves responds by wagging his finger at the official. So Stokes pulls back further on the hold, applying even more pressure. Some members of the crowd start to sigh and lower their heads. They know the inevitable is right around the corner. Others, however, keep their faith in Gonsalves and implore him to keep fighting.

“LET’S GO, OWEN!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP, CLAP*

“LET’S GO, OWEN!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP, CLAP*

“LET’S GO, OWEN!”
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP, CLAP*

Stephy Auger: “LeTs gO, oWeN! LeTs gO, oWeN!” Shut up!

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd continues to will Gonsalves towards the ropes.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, good luck with that!

Stokes continues to apply significant pressure to the neck and shoulder by repeatedly yanking back on the hold. Gonsalves can be heard crying out in agony. At this point, the ref is pleading for Gonsalves to give up.

Stephy Auger: Look at him. Just look at him, Cruise! Even the referee is begging for him to quit! You would never see Tapp Wrestling in a position like this. But Owen Gonzalez is an inferior technical wrestler, so this should come as no surprise.

Gonsalves reaches out to the official. The referee waits with bated breath for the confirmation of a submission. But he doesn’t get it. The crowd cheers when Gonsalves waves him off with another wag of the finger!

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves won’t quit! There’s still fight left in the Technical Spectacle

Stephy Auger: Yeah, there might still be some fight left in him. But it will only take less than five minutes for Stokes to beat the rest of it out of him!

Gonsalves reaches out with his right arm and right leg before slowly dragging himself across the mat. He grunts as he slowly drags him across the mat again.

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

The Kodiak starts to repeatedly yank back on the hold. This stops Gonsalves in his tracks. But only momentarily. Gonsalves cries out in pain as he slowly drags himself towards the side. The cheers grow louder and louder as Gonsalves continues his trek across the mat.

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

“OWEN!”

Gonsalves pulls himself closer and closer and closer to the side of the ring. He then reaches out with his right leg… and gets the foot on the bottom rope, forcing a rope break!

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves made it to the ropes!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Gonsalves’ effort is met with cheers and applause from the crowd. The ref then gives Stokes to the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Stokes reluctantly lets go. The Kodiak quickly returns to a vertical base before stomping away on Gonsalves. The boos continue as she pulls Gonsalves back to his feet, knocks him up against the ropes with a front push kick before craacking him across the chest with a shoot kick.

*THUD!*

Gonsalves gets caught with another shoot kick.

*THUD!*

The Kodiak blasts Gonsalves with a third shoot kick.

*THUD!*

Stokes sizes Gonsalves up before a fourth shoot kick connects.

*THUD!*

The crowd boos when the last kick drops Gonsalves to a seated position against the ropes. The Kodiak then stands over Gonsalves before raining down boxing forearm strikes across the face. Gonsalves remains in a daze while Stokes turns and takes off into the far ropes. The champion picks up speed as she heads back across the ring. She then lunges forward…

*CRACK!*

The crowd gasps when Gonsalves gets clobbered with a bicycle knee to the face! Stokes turns, heads back into the far ropes, charges back across the ring and cracks him across the face with another bicycle knee!! Stokes isn’t done! The boos grow louder when Stokes hits the far ropes, returns and nearly knocks Gonsalves’ head off with yet another bicycle knee!!! She then drags Gonsalves away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How in the world did Gonsalves survive all those knees to the face!?

Stokes pulls Gonsalves off the mat. After hooking both of his arms, The Kodiak nails him with multiple arm-trapped headbutts. She then lets go of his arms, turns Gonsalves away from her and takes control of his back before rushing into the corner. Stokes goes for the Chaos Theory (Front Turnbuckle Smash into Back Roll German Suplex)! But Gonsalves wraps his right arm around the top turnbuckle hook and yanks back, sending Stokes falling off his back to the mat. Stokes rolls back to his feet, runs into the corner to attack and gets knocked back with a boot to the face. The Kodiak shakes off the blow before charging back in. This time, a back elbow to the face knocks her back. Stokes runs back in again. This time, she gets caught with a European Uppercut. The crowd cheers as Gonsalves hoists himself up to the middle ropes before driving Stokes down with a Meteora!

Stephy Auger: Nina! NO!

Kris Cruise: Draco Meteor from Owen Gonsalves! Stokes is down! Gonsalves finally has Stokes back down! This is his opening! Can he capitalize?

Gonsalves rolls over towards the center of the ring before returning to a vertical base. Once he sees Stokes getting up on her knees, Gonsalves marches over and nails her with a shoot kick to the chest.

*THUD!*

Stokes gets caught with another shoot kick to the chest.

*THUD!*

Gonsalves blasts her with a third shoot kick to the chest.

*THUD!*

Stokes gets caught with another shoot kick to the chest.

*THUD!*

The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Gonsalves sizes her up. He throws out a Buzzsaw Kick! Stokes ducks, leaps to her feet and takes control of his back! The Kodiak goes for a German Suplex, but Gonsalves counters with three back elbows to the face with his good arm. He then performs a standing switch, takes control of Stokes’ back and brings her down with a bridging German Suplex! The ref drops down to make the count. But he stops when Gonsalves turns over, pulls Stokes back to her feet and brings her down with a bridging Tiger Suplex! The ref drops back down for the count. He goes to make the count until Gonsalves turns over, pulls Stokes back to her feet and throws her down with the Paroxysm (Snap Dragon Suplex)! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd sighs when Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How did Stokes survive all those suplexes!?

Stephy Auger: Come on, Nina! Don’t let Owen win! Don’t let him take your precious away from you! He doesn’t deserve it!

Gonsalves takes Stokes and whips her into the corner. After rushing across the ring and catching her with a running European Uppercut, Gonsalves whips her over into the far corner. Gonsalves runs across the ring to attack before getting knocked back with a boot to the face. The crowd gasps when The Kodiak charges out of the corner and throws out the Divine Night (Rolling Elbow)! Gonsalves ducks, heads into corner, throws out Sky Uppercut (Springboard Corkscrew European Uppercut)... and gets clobbered with another bicycle knee in mid air!!!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, what a knee!

Stephy Auger: That’s it! It’s over!

Stokes makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Gonsalves is met with applause when he gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: I thought that knee would have knocked Gonsalves into next week! But he had the wherewithal to get his shoulder up!

Stokes takes Gonsalves and whips him into the ropes. Gonsalves returns off the rebound before getting thrown down with an STO! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Gonsalves gets the shoulder up.

The crowd boos when Stokes gets to her feet, holds up Gonsalves’ arms and starts to rain down rapid curb stomps to the neck and head! She then yanks Gonsalves back to his feet, delivers an irish whip and follows him across the ring. As soon as Gonsalves hits the ropes, Stokes is right there to crack him across the face with the Divine Night! Gonsalves immediately crumbles to the mat. Stokes makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Gonsalves gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Stokes returns to a vertical base before stomping Gonsalves out to the apron. The Kodiak steps out through the ropes and pulls Gonsalves back to his feet before delivering Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT) on the apron! The boos continue as Stokes slowly pulls Gonsalves back up before pushing him back inside. Stokes rolls back in, drags Gonsalves away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Gonsalves is met with applause when he gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is hanging in there!

Stephy Auger: Barely! Just quit already, Owen!

Stokes pulls up Gonsalves before knocking him down with a hook kick. The Kodiak makes her way to the top, leaps off for a top rope splash and catches nothing but the canvas.

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home! Gonsalves moved out of the way just in time! That was a rare mistake we just saw from The Kodiak! Can Gonsalves take advantage of this opening?

Gonsalves rolls to the outside before using the ropes to pull himself up. Back inside, Stokes is seen slowly pushing herself up on all fours. Gonsalves starts to scale the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top, the crowd cheers when he jumps off and flattens Stokes with a diving knee drop across the back of the neck! He pushes Stokes over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THE-NO!

The crowd sighs when Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How did Nina Stokes survive THAT!?

Stephy Auger: He tried to break her damn neck!

Gonsalves takes Stokes and whips her hard into the corner. Stokes starts to stagger away from the corner until a running shotgun dropkick sends her flying back into the corner! While Stokes remains seated in the corner, Gonsalves heads over towards her. He towers over The Kodiak before dropping to a knee and unleashing a flurry of forearm smashes across the face! Gonsalves then returns to a vertical base and pulls Stokes up with him. He gets up on the middle ropes and goes for a Tornado DDT, only for Stokes to push him off mid turn. After he lands on his feet, Stokes runs out of the corner to attack. The crowd cheers when Gonsalves counters with a Sling Blade! He then pulls Stokes back into the corner, gets up on the middle ropes and plants her with a Tornado DDT! He makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs when Stokes gets her shoulder up.

Gonsalves pulls Stokes back to her feet before throwing her down with a Michinoku Driver!

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

Stokes gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves has to be wondering what in the world he has to do to put Stokes away!

Stephy Auger: Many have been asking themselves that question since she made her debut here in 2019. Very few have ever had the answer.

Stokes gets pulled back up before she catches Gonsalves by surprise with A Slice of Grace (Throat Punch)! Gonsalves remains doubled over until a kick to the face knocks Gonsalves upright. Stokes throws out the Divine Night. Gonsalves ducks, counters with an inverted headlock takeover and transitions into an Arm Trap Crossface!

Stephy Auger: NO! NO NO NO NO NO!

Kris Cruise: Crossface Oblivion Wing!!!

The crowd erupts with cheers when Stokes is put in the hold! Gonsalves pulls back, applying further pressure. The ref asks Stokes if she wants to give up. Stokes refuses.

Stephy Auger: Hang on, Nina! HANG ON!

Gonsalves yanks back on the hold over and over as he fights to get the submission victory. But The Kodiak continues to deny him. She turns down multiple opportunities from the referee to quit. Stokes then starts to pull herself towards the side of the ring. Gonsalves shakes his head in disbelief as The Kodiak continues to drag herself closer and closer towards the ropes. She then reaches out with her free arm… and grabs the bottom rope. The crowd boos over the escape.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Gonsalves lets go.

Kris Cruise: Maybe if both arms were 100 percent, he could have kept Stokes in the hold and applied more pressure.

Gonsalves takes Stokes, pulls her back to her feet and leans her up against the ropes before firing off multiple shoot kicks to the chest. He then hits the far ropes as he gears up for a strike. Gonsalves returns off the rebound before getting cut off with a running leg lariat! The boos continue as Stokes takes Gonsalves and delivers an irish whip. The Kodiak charges into the corner, connects with a lariat and follows up with the Divine Night! The boos grow louder when Stokes spins in place and blasts him with yet another Divine Night! Gonsalves is then pulled back towards the center of the ring before finding himself in an inverted facelock. Seconds later, Stokes brings him down with the Final Cut! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Stokes pulls Gonsalves back to his feet and delivers an armbreaker across her shoulder, doubling him over. The Kodiak takes advantage of Gonsalves’ positioning by bringing him down with a hammerlock DDT! The boos continues as Gonsalves gets whipped hard into the corner. There’s a loud clang as he crashes sternum-first into the top turnbuckle. Gonsalves starts to stagger backwards until Stokes starts to apply a Crossface Chickenwing!

Kris Cruise: Uh oh!

Stephy Auger: Quietus Redux! There’s no escaping this!

The crowd erupts with boos when they see Gonsalves get caught in her patented submission. The referee asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. He refuses! He tries to pull Stokes’ arm from around his neck, but it’s to no avail. Stokes then tries to trip Gonsalves down to that she can lock him in a bodyscissors. But Gonsalves fights off the trip attempts and remains vertical. The Kodiak then tries to lock both hands. She’s this close to guaranteeing that Gonsalves meets the same fate as Sadie San Francisco and many others. But Gonsalves fights like hell to get out of the submission. Gonsalves reaches up with his free arm again, grabs Stokes arm and slowly starts to pull it from around his neck. In a flash, the Technical Spectacle spins out and reverses into a Crossface Chickenwing of his own! The cheers continue as Stokes gets dumped on her head with a Crossface Chickenwing Suplex! Gonsalves turns over to a knee and clutches his arm before returning to his feet. He takes Stokes, moves her into the corner and delivers another European Uppercut before sitting her up top. He then places Stokes in a three quarter facelock before driving her down with Australia Street (Top Turnbuckle Hung Cutter)! The crowd continues to buzz with anticipation as Gonsalves uses his good arm to place Stokes in a front facelock before dragging her towards the center of the ring. Gonsalves pulls her into a standing headscissors, hooks both arms, lifts her up and plants her with the Angel Duster (Double Underhook Piledriver) to an explosion of cheers! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers as "Blockbuster Night Part I" blasts over the PA!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand NEEEEEEWWWWWWW FGA United States Champion, OWEN GONSALVES!

Gonsalves drops to his knees in disbelief once he sees the United States Championship being presented to him. Gonsalves graciously receives the championship. He runs his fingers across the damaged championship belt before kissing the center plate. Gonsalves continues to be met with cheers and applause as he embraces the championship with a hug.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves has done it! Owen Gonsalves has just knocked off Nina Stokes! Owen Gonsalves has won the United States Championship! He can finally call himself a champion here in FGA!

Gonsalves slowly returns to a vertical base. The referee grabs a hold of Gonsalves’ good arm and raises it in the air. Wristlock Sinatra makes his way over to the near corner and climbs up to the middle ropes before raising the US Championship to the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves did what so many couldn’t do! He did what every past challenger couldn’t do! Owen Gonsalves has defeated Nina Stokes, cleanly, in the center of the ring! We just witnessed an unbelievable match between these two! These two came to fight and fight they did! Neither gave an inch! Neither held anything back! Gonsalves took every shot that Stokes threw at him and vice versa! We witnessed a dominate run from The Kodiak as United States Champion! But right now, it’s the dawning of a new day and the sun is shining on the “Indestructible” Owen Gonsalves!