Afterburn for Vertigo E90

[FGA Office]

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

[Cordy]

Spencer Burke is in the backstage area, enjoying a brief moment of down time before his next interview. All of a sudden, a loud yell catches his attention.

Voice: THIS IS BULLSHIT!!!

Spencer’s head snaps into the direction of the commotion. Instinct has his feet moving automatically and he motions for the camera to follow. There is a loud crash now, and the clanging of something metal hitting the floor.

Spencer Burke: What is going on?

As Spencer rounds the corner, he sees a couple of people heading the opposite way. Maybe it’s something that he should do as well, but then again, those other people ain’t paid the big bucks like the ‘Number One Stunna’ Spencie B. He tries to ask a few people what’s going on, but they’re too busy trying to get the hell out of dodge. A few moments later however, Spencer finds the source of the commotion as another loud shriek is heard. Spencer stops in his tracks and simply stares ahead; the camera follows his gaze and finds a hulking Cordelia Stevenson at the end of the corridor. Her immediate area is covered in trash that has apparently fallen out of a metal trash can that seems to have had some sort of unfortunate accident. The Champion’s chest heaves up and down as she stares at something on her phone screen. Spencer nervously glances at the camera, before glancing back into the champion’s direction.

Spencer Burke: Cordelia?

He says her name as he takes a hesitant step in her direction.

Cordy’s eyes snap up and lock in on him. She doesn’t respond but makes a beeline straight towards him and holds up her phone.

Cordelia Stevenson: Did you know about this bullshit?!

She pushes her phone into Spencer’s face and he cranes his neck a bit to get some distance. Looking at the screen, he nods his head.

Spencer Burke: Yes, Cordelia. It was announced during the main event. You will be defending your title on both nights of All Star Showdown… well, IF you make it past Izzy Anders on night one.

Him saying it out loud only seems to upset Cordelia even further.

Cordelia Stevenson: BULLSHIT!!!!!

Spencer looks at her, somewhat surprised by her reaction.

Spencer Burke: But, Cordelia, isn’t this what you wanted? Did you not offer a title shot to the person that eliminated Chandler Scott?

Cordelia Stevenson: I DID! But this…

She vehemently shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: No, this is not how it’s supposed to go. I could have given Izzy her shot at the next Vertigo, and then still had adequate enough time to prepare for my match with Lowri at All Star Showdown; because despite how soft she seems to have gotten as of recent, at her core, Isabella Anders is a warrior. I would love to remind her of that, but in doing so… I know the carnage that may bring and the price my body will have to endure. Leonard T. Asherman knows that. And now he’s banking on it. Here I am, generating the hype and the excitement, and Lenny is using this to his aid. Don’t you see what he’s doing, Spency?!

Cordelia shakes her head in disappointment as she runs a hand through her hair.

Cordelia Stevenson: Once again, he’s trying to put me at a disadvantage. Isn’t that what he tried to do before my unification match with Seth Iser? When he went and dug up the remains or whatever it was he could find of Chandler Scott and colluded with him to challenge me to a match right before the show? A match that was supposed to have significant meaning as it was supposed to have been Chandler’s last. But it wasn’t, now was it? No. I looked out there tonight and I saw the ghost of Chandler Scott talking to the Ghost of Fujiko MIne. It was all a ploy, something done to try and give Iser an advantage. And now this? This is being done in the same vein.

Cordelia jabs Spencer in the chest with her finger, breaking her next sentence down into syllables as she does.

Cordelia Stevenson: It’s ab-so-lute bull-shit Spence. You know it, and I know it. Izzy Anders… and Lowri Moss… on back to back nights?

She scoffs.

Cordelia Stevenson: But you know what, Leonard’s plan is only going to backfire against him.

She holds the Undisputed Championship up into the air.

Cordelia Stevenson: Knowing how badly he wants this taken from me; is motivating me that much more to fucking keep it. Leonard wants to stack the deck, that’s fine. Just don’t be mad when I knock the shit over.

Before Spencer can even say a word in response, Cordelia pushes past him and stomps away. Spencer watches as the champion storms down the corridor and then turns towards the camera with a shrug.

Spencer Burke: I guess it’s safe to say that the champ is not too pleased about the announcement made tonight,

As if on cue, Cordelia lets out another shriek in the distance that causes Spencer to jump. Smartly enough, he opts to go the opposite way and the scene fades out.

[Mister Harris]

Emerging back through the entryway, chairs in tow and with the crowd still booing them quite loudly, Logan Alexander and Theodore Harris continue onward, making their way through the gorilla position and into the back halls of the Petersen Events Center. Before they are able to successfully disappear, a set of hurrying footfalls can be heard closing the distance towards the duo. Theodore is the only one to glance back, but once he does, he lightly taps on Logan’s upper arm. Logan comes to a halt as does Theodore, but only Theodore turns to their pursuer, who moments later turns out to be Amanda Johnson. She comes to a halt, regarding to two of them indignantly.

Amanda Johnson: So, are you going to explain yourselves?

Theodore smiles politely back at her challenge.

Theodore Harris: And what would you be referring to?

She keeps her eyes on Theodore, but points towards Logan.

Amanda Johnson: What just happened out there in the ring with Logan assaulting Mark Bisley and Mighty Sparrow after their match.

Theodore continues to smile as Logan doesn’t react to her.

Theodore Harris: Oh that. You really need an explanation for that one?

Amanda narrows her eyes at him. He just shrugs slightly.

Theodore Harris: Well, it’s quite simple Amanda. Anyone who was watching the match would have seen that both Mighty Sparrow and Mark Bisley got to wipe out Logan on the floor. It’s only fair that he returns the favour to them. And why bother waiting for another opportunity when they were both right there?

Amanda Johnson: You think that justifies sneak attacking two people that had just gone through an exhausting match out there? And it also interrupted an important moment out there for Mighty Sparrow who had just defended his Legacy title and won the Fifteen title.

Logan turns his head far enough to fire a sidelong glance at Amanda. Theodore raises his eyebrows slightly in surprise.

Theodore Harris: Oh? So if I were to go back out there and punch one of the spectators in the crowd, I shouldn’t expect to have them throw a punch in retaliation?

Amanda Johnson: Sparrow and Bisley hitting Logan were both accidents out there.

Theodore rolls his eyes and glances towards Logan.

Theodore Harris: And that is what makes it excusable? You take a shot at someone like that, miss and hit someone else and suddenly you’re immune from the consequences of your actions? Because it was accidental? Are you really that naive Amanda?

Even under the stare of Theodore and glare of Logan, Amanda prepares to offer a response, only to be cut off by Logan suddenly reaching out towards her so that his palm comes to a halt just in front of her face, making her flinch back. Theodore quickly plucks her microphone.

Theodore Harris: I’ll take it from here, thanks.

At which point Logan withdraws his arm and glances away again.

Theodore Harris: It’s all really straight forward, but I suppose I need to walk everyone through it. Sparrow made a choice out there to try and attack Bisley, while he was standing right beside Logan, in an utterly reckless way. As it tends to be with him, it was a stupid choice during a big match. He decided to dive out of the ring in an uncontrolled fashion. He wiped out Logan, and he knew right away that he’d screwed up. He tried to help Logan back up to his feet, and all he succeeded in doing was setting him up in position for Bisley’s knee strike which followed almost immediately after. Bisley had already screwed up by making a choice to come over to jaw at Logan and that brought the fight over to where we were sitting out of the way, doing nothing to disturb either of them or the match itself. So the two of them got what they deserved after the bell… and it didn’t have to be that way either. Logan was ready to just crash that match and lay both of them out immediately afterwards. I just needed to remind him that Sparrow didn’t deserve to have his opportunity snatched from him in a fit of righteous anger and that being the reason Bisley got his fourth title defense or the excuse he used for not winning was not a worthwhile price to pay for laying him out.

Theodore pauses thoughtfully.

Theodore Harris: Actually, knowing Bisley, one of the first things he’s going to do is blame this loss on us. It’s been three years, but he hasn’t changed in that regard. Shintaro may not be around, but he still needs someone to blame his failings on.

He rolls his eyes again.

Theodore Harris: But Logan waited long enough to let them have the conclusive finish they and everyone deserved. There was a clear winner and there are no excuses for them. So once the bell rang, it was time to settle the debts they owed. That was done and there was nothing else to be taken care of. We didn’t bad mouth them. Logan didn’t lay into them any further. He didn’t snatch up the belts to pose with them. It was strictly business. If they still have a problem though… we aren’t going to be hard to find at all. Otherwise…

Theodore smirks to the camera.

Theodore Harris: Congratulations Sparrow. Enjoy your time being a double champion, you earned it.

With that, Theodore turns to Amanda and tosses her mic back to her casually, before he and Logan both turn and leave Amanda there as the scene fades.

[Raphael Dallins]

The fifth of FGA’s talents to hold two championships at one time is...Currently icing his neck and his knees down backstage. Sparrow looks a little worse for wear as you’d imagine, sitting on a bench and still in his ring gear after the epic confrontation with Mark Bisley. He should be making some great pains to celebrate, pop out of his seat and lift the FGA 15 championship on his left as well as the Legacy championship folded on his right. Yelling, screaming, hugging his championships, holding them high overhead. Instead, he’s sitting, hunched slightly with an ice pack taking the sting out of Logan Alexander’s Stryke Force. Far the picture of celebration as you can see.

There’s something obvious on the mind of the White Hat, eyes staring into the distance and not paying attention to the camera. His thoughts are interrupted by the click-click-click of heels that announces Caroline Dallins to him. Sparrow makes no attempt to turn around and greet her, a brief raise of the eyebrows seeming to be hope that she simply keeps walking. It isn’t to be however as Caroline simply nudges the FGA 15 championship a little closer to the new owner and takes a seat on the bench.

Caroline Dallins: What’s wrong there, Baby Bird? You ain’t gonna jump up and down on the bench, and shriek like a banshee running down the halls? This should be a great moment for you. Plenty of time to bounce off the walls and proclaim yourself the Fifth Dubarukage or some inane bullshit you probably already cooked up.

In spite of the obvious terseness he walls up when Caroline’s presence, the new double champ can’t help but crack a small, embarrassed smile. Yeah, he probably was going to call himself the fifth Dubarukage at some point. That smile fades the moment it pops up as he looks back at Caroline. The former wrestler crosses her legs and gives him a tsk.

Caroline Dallins: I can’t help but feel a little disappointed as good as you did. It’s sad knowing that this is coming to an end really quick. The situation pretty much tells on itself don’t it? Even though you won, Logan put both you and Bisley on your asses. Quick. Academic. He has something to prove because you, by hook and by crook keep getting in the man’s shit and what’s worse is you’re so damn nice about it.

He rolled his eyes at her but Caroline continued.

Caroline Dallins: Imagine proclaiming loudly about how much you two need a match to finally settle things, his manager agreeing but also leaving the impetus on you to get the match made. I mean you may be sitting pretty as one of the company’s new marketable hands, but shit! Couldn’t be me. You’ll be a good boy and eat some humble pie in advance of another Stryke Force. I know you will. Probably already got your email drafted to management on why you need to fight Logan and how much he and the fans deserve this. Bullshit but go off I guess.

The West Indian Whirlwind breathes in deep, one gust of air coming in and then a large exhale going out. Caroline however pays him no mind, continuing to extoll her opinion.

Caroline Dallins: Shit, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. This company has eyes. I’ve been at this too long, swear to God. You, Bisley, and Logan are on a collision course for All-Star Showdown. Maybe they’ll do you slow, or maybe they’ll do you the other way. You know, fifteen minute match, triple threat, every pin makes a title change hands, at the end of the fifteen minutes, something something official champion, something something, Sparrow in shambles, career piqued like seventy-five percent of this locker room. Because you know Bisley ain’t about to take you getting lucky once sitting down either. You’re a marked man, baby br-bird.

Caroline raised one single, talon nail.

Caroline Dallins: Lucky for you, I have the answer.

Sparrow’s reaction to this, without so much as looking at her was a timed eye-roll with an expression of ‘here we go’.

Caroline Dallins: Make me your manager.

Sparrow quietly glared at the old wrestler, as if making quite clear that her time was just about up. That would be a clear ‘no’.

Caroline Dallins: You don’t see it right now Baby Bird, but you will need someone like me in your corner. Yeah you doing real good for yourself right now, but eventually? It’s gonna be something or someone that ain’t got time for your goofy shit and isn’t gonna listen to the ‘weak to mat wrestlers’ propaganda. At this point you done beat or matched up against a slew of ‘em. Perelli. Voltage. Bisley. You gave Madison a nasty fight, people saw you and Tapp, you actually gave a challenge to Gonsalves outside this company. Who’s really hearing all that bullshit about you and technical wrestlers now after this? Soon, very soon, someone’s gonna be smarter, hit harder, and want it more. You’ll have no one to blame but yourself when you’re looking up at the lights. Layin’ there like ‘Man, I wish Caroline was here’.

His fingers interlinked before he made a bridge to rest his chin on, still hunched over. Caroline seemed to find some amusement over him suddenly squeezing the bridge of his nose with both thumbs. She frowned when he made a simple gesture of waving her off. After the initial pause, C simply scoffed.

Caroline Dallins: Lemme make this real simple then, since you think you don’t need my help. You are most likely taking on ‘The Smartest Man In His Own Mind’ and Old Man Logan at All-Star Showdown. See, I can do shitty pop culture references no one likes too. So let’s make a bet. How’s it go? You wanna take it on, let we take it on.

The Legacy & 15 champion slowly turned his head halfway toward her direction. He still was trying not to give her the time of day. Even though he was.

Caroline Dallins: If you walk out of All-Star Showdown both nights...With both those titles still on your shoulders, Baby Bird? You won’t see me again. No more hassling you to take me on as your manager, your advocate, whatever. Even if it could save your career and you’d be making the mistake of a lifetime leaving a wealth of knowledge about the game and how it should be played on the table. I’m done. However.

One brief pause.

Caroline Dallins: If you only emerge with one or more likely none though? Say hello to your new manager, your confidant, the voice on your shoulder. I mean I wouldn’t bet against you, as my potential client of course.

Caroline said to him, the man she was betting against. She extended her hand out but all the double champion did was look down at it.

Caroline Dallins: Maybe you aren’t that confident. I don’t blame you, Baby Bird. I wouldn’t be either. It does speak volumes that you ain’t willing to try me though. I mean everyone in the world can buy it, but if you don’ believe in your own hype, well maybe it’s just a matter of time before--

Sparrow’s hand extended and grasped Caroline’s.

Mighty Sparrow: Bet.

After a few moments, he slowly let her hand go. Caroline stood up and dusted off her slacks. Seemingly happy with getting what she wanted, the former wrestler strolls off with a smile on her face that could light up a room. Sparrow simply watches her leave for a moment. Afterward he reaches for both the Legacy and FGA 15 championships, the last image of the clip is that of Sparrow staring down at the two titles in his possession. Pride? Anxiety? It’s impossible to really put it into words.