All-Star Showdown X: Night 1 (10.29.21)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Addition Financial Arena exterior. We then transition inside the arena, where orange, red and yellow 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 the Addition Financial Arena! Welcome, everyone, to Orlando, Florida! Welcome, everyone, to ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN X! I am Kris Cruise! Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! Stephy, what an honor it is to be here to call the 10th installment of All-Star Showdown!

Stephy Auger: We haven't been here for every All-Star Showdown. But we've been here for most of them. A lot of championships have changed hands at these events. Scores have been settled. Feuds have been reignited. We've seen returns. We've seen debuts. I think the most surprising thing of all is that you're somehow still around, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: We're not even a minute into the pay per view and you're already starting, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Would you expect anything less?

Kris Cruise: Actually, I wouldn't! Stephy, you talked about scores being settled at All-Star Showdowns in the past. Well in our first match of the night, both the Renegades of Funk and Ashes to Ashes are looking to settle their issues with Silk & Cyanide once and for all. That's right. We're kicking off All-Star Showdown X weekend with a big Triple Threat Tag Team Match!

Stephy Auger: Renegades of Funk, Silk & Cyanide and Ashes to Ashes all believe that they can walk out of here as the World Tag Team Champions. However, only one team can win, Cruise. It's first fall to a finish, too. Can Cassius Reed drag TJ Techniques to another big win? Can Ashes to Ashes finally put it all together? Or will Silk & Cyanide finally be able to call themselves World Tag Team Champions when it's all said and done?

Kris Cruise: In our next match, Owen Gonsalves will defend his United States Championship! Standing across the ring from him will be none other than the Las Vegas Siren, Savannah Taylor!

Stephy Auger: Owen's very first match in FGA was a tag team loss to Izzy Anders and Savannah Taylor. The Las Vegas Siren handed Owen his first loss and she's about to hand him his latest loss tonight. Owen’s little run as US Champion has been cute. But it ends here tonight.

Kris Cruise: Well that remains to be seen. Speaking of Owen Gonsalves, an old rival of his will be in action as Seth Iser goes one on one with Brian Stryker!

Stephy Auger: I still can't get over the fact that Stryker colluded with those Philadelphia mascots to attack Iser. The nerve and the audacity of Stryker to do such a thing. It's bad enough that he screwed Iser over in the Gold Rush Rumble. Then, he tries to embarrass him in front of the whole world. Stryker is going to get what's coming to him tonight.

Kris Cruise: The phrase "Dream Match" has been thrown around over the past year. But Stephy, this is a match that we thought we would never see. But tonight, the fans will be in for a treat. Two of the greatest FGA World Champions will finally face off in the ring. It's going to be the FGApex vs the FGAce as Fujiko Mine takes on Chandler Scott!

Stephy Auger: Fujiko Mine has been been begging for this match forever. But before careful what you wish for, Fuji. I think that she's in for a rude awakening tonight. This isn't going to be a match where Chandler shakes her hand and plays nice. We are currently witnessing what is probably the longest losing streak of Chandler's career. At this point, he's desperate for a win and I see him doing whatever it takes, Cruise, to walk out of here a winner. What better place to snap the streak then at All-Star Showdown X?

Kris Cruise: That could very well happen. Then, finally, our main event. Cordelia Stevenson, the reigning Undisputed Champion, will defend her championship against Izzy Anders. Stevenson has urged Izzy to bring out the Izzy of old. But I'm not so sure that's the best idea, especially given what Izzy did last year to John Carmichael at this very event. Carmichael wanted to bring out the old Izzy. He wanted to drive her back to her old ways and unfortunately for him, he paid the price inside a Steel Cage. Could a similar fate lay ahead for the Undisputed Champion?

Stephy Auger: Could it? Sure. Do I think that's what will happen? No. You have to understand, Cruise, that once upon a time, Izzy Anders ended Stevenson's Undisputed Championship reign before it could really even get off the ground.

Kris Cruise: Thanks to interference from Savannah Taylor.

Stephy Auger: You got that right! Heroes Never Die and, in particular, Savannah Taylor, were responsible for the injury that took Stevenson out for most of 2017. But it was that loss to Izzy that still bothers our esteemed champion. No one, not Fujiko, not Chandler, not anyone in this company's history has been on the run that she's been on. Since she returned to wrestling in 2019, Cordelia Stevenson has damn near been untouchable in the ring. FGA's handpicked replacement, Fujiko Mine, got humbled by Cordelia on pay per view. Everyone tried to build up Lowri Moss as the heir apparent. But Cordelia was quick to shut that down at last year's All-Star Showdown. She even finally got her long-awaited payback at Past vs Present against Chandler Scott. In a battle of FGA's best, she defeated Seth Iser to unify the World and International Championships. She's beaten Savannah. She's beaten Carmichael. There's only one more score to settle and that's with none other than The Mindkiller. Stevenson has been waiting years for this moment, Cruise. If I'm a betting woman, I'm putting the house on Saint Sexy!

Kris Cruise: We’ve got a full night of action in store for you all. But before we kick off All-Star Showdown X with tonight’s opening contest, let’s send it backstage to Amanda Johnson. She’s standing by with one of tonight’s challengers. Amanda...

[FGA Office]

With a timely break in the action we cut to Amanda Johnson stood in the backstage interview area deep in the bowels of the Addition Financial Arena where she’s eagerly waiting her cue with her microphone in hand.

Amanda Johnson: Hey guys, Amanda Johnson here, and I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank tonight’s sponsors, because without them…

Before we get to hear just how important tonight’s sponsors are, Amanda falls silent as the camera is bodily ripped from the cameraman’s hands and, by the sound of it, the cameraman is shoved aside so that he takes the hint that he’s not in charge anymore – but an all too familiar voice gives an indication of who might be.

Sara Mason: We’ll be taking this, thank you.

The point, however, has not been laid on thick enough, as the camera then turns its attention towards Amanda and crash zooms in on her so hard that she’s momentarily out of focus, although when the camera regains focus it’s patently clear that she wants to get out of there.

Sara Mason: You don’t mind, do you?

Rather than directly answer, Amanda shakes her head, and as she does Erin Mariani walks into frame right next to her.

Erin Mariani: Then I suggest you leave.

Needing no further encouragement, Amanda retreats to a safe distance while Mason’s hand emerges in front of the camera to shoo her away like some pesky rodent – which, given Silk & Cyanide’s recent extracurricular activities involving production staff, is as far away as humanly possible, and the cameraman beats a similarly hasty retreat.

Once the area has been cleared out, Mariani tilts her head back as she takes in a sharp intake of breath, shaking her head just a little to loosen her hair as it flows down her back and letting the insignificant waste watching wait until She is good and ready to address them.

Erin Mariani: Words. When used correctly words have meaning. When used wisely, words have power. When used succinctly, words are enticing with promises of all manner of untold yet barely hinted at pleasures. And yet words have the power to hurt, to wound, to damage. And yet…

A cocked eyebrow indicates a drop in the temperature of Mariani’s words.

Erin Mariani: …and yet, no word can be as harmful, as wounding, as damaging as a lack of words. And no, in case you were making some lazy presumption, I am not saying that actions speak louder than words – actions simply speak for themselves. But to be ignored, that is harmful, and yet that is what this evening’s opponents seem to have convinced themselves is the best policy. They have known that we were waiting for them, that we had a legitimate reason to end not just their title reign but also their hopes of feeling such emotions as hope or happiness ever again, and yet they decided the best way for them to approach the match was to encase themselves in a bubble and convince themselves that there were only two teams participating in the match. And how do they think this makes us feel? Do they think it makes us feel unloved? Insecure?

The dead-eyed stare that Mariani gives to camera indicates that is not a rabbit hole that is going to see daylight ever again.

Erin Mariani: Or do they not realise that it makes us feel vengeful? Not only have they stolen from us, not only have they inserted themselves into something which does not involve them in any way, but now they sit amongst themselves, chattering like a flock of particularly bothersome birds, clucking to one another while paying no mind to where they are. Because that perch they have convinced themselves is sturdy isn’t the safe, dependable branch that they have convinced themselves it is. What they are sat on is a bonfire, and all it will take is a single flame and what they thought was a safe, dependable branch will engulf them in flames, and the last thing they will experience is a combination of sheer agony as the flames render their skin to ash, and as it does so they will smell their feathers burn to cinders. And yet nobody will talk about what happened to them, no, instead people will talk about who set the fire beneath them and watched them burn.

Letting out a chuckle as dark as the depths of Hell itself, Mariani’s eyes widen just enough to indicate that not a single syllable of this is hyperbole – She genuinely wants to see both the Renegades of Funk and Ashes 2 Ashes suffer for what they have done, and is letting the world know just how much.

Erin Mariani: However, do not think for a moment that will be the end of it. For once your days as an active member of society have been ended, and instead you skulk in the shadows too afraid to let people see the broken shell of what you now are yet drawn to look on from the sidelines by the memory of what you once were and could once do, but because we will be expected to defend those titles which you have been so determined to deprive us of we will do exactly the same to those who seek to take them from us as we did to you. Imagine such a thing: your days will not be lonely in the shadows where you hide yourselves to try and ignore the pain, because you will be joined by husk after husk after husk, because we have no interest in winning or defending those titles by technical superiority – we intent to win and defend them by process of elimination, thinning out the numbers until there is nobody left to challenge us because nobody will dare. But don’t think that is a reason to retire the titles, don’t you dare think it, because we intend to stand as a warning to those both present and future: if you steal, you will face the most severe punishment that we see fit.

A faint smile, a smile, crosses Mariani’s face for a split second – but only a split second.

Erin Mariani: And just think: for us it was originally about winning the titles and nothing else, but the four of you insisted on making it personal, and for what reason? Did you think that you could mock us from afar without us coming after you? Did you think you could interfere in our business without receiving justified retribution? All you needed to be was a set of compliant little puppets who served one purpose and you would have had minimal bruising, and a fair share of that would have been to your egos. But now…?

Another dark chuckle emanates from deep within Mariani’s being

Erin Mariani: Now seeing us raise the titles will be the final humiliation after we inflict upon you the pain, the suffering, the mental and physical torment which you deserve, and at the end of it you will be in no doubt that we are not only deserving of those titles no matter how much effort the four of you put in to keeping them from us, but you will thank us for teaching you a strict lesson in discipline. But, by all means, feel free to continue chattering amongst yourselves to try and convince yourselves that we aren’t a threat…

As soon as Mariani finishes speaking a particularly wicked smirk crosses her face as she stares directly down the camera lens, and with her point made she sweeps out of shot and returns to the depths of the Addition Financial Arena

Once Mariani has left the scene, Mason follows with the camera for a moment before thinking better of it and instead places it on a nearby flight case, sarcastically waving down the lens before following her partner down the hallway.

[FGA Office]

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
FGA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Renegades of Funk vs. Silk & Cyanide vs. Ashes to Ashes

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. 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.

"I Bring the Darkness (End of Days)" by Jim Johnston featuring Tommy Vext begins to play as the aisle way fills up with smoke. AMC rises up from the smoke in full face paint and is trying not to cough from all the smoke.

”Who do you think you are?
You’ve now gone much to far!”

AMC steps through the smoke and looks around at the crowd she then slowly walks toward the ring basically strutting with a smirk as she fist bumps some of the fans

”I bring the darkness!
I am the thunder!
I come from HELL
And I’ll pull you under!”

AMC walk up the steps, taking a moment to wipe her feet on the apron before getting into the ring. AMC then drops to her knees in the middle of the ring and stretches out her arms and looks out toward the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: The following tag team contest, scheduled for one fall, is a Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challengers! Currently in the ring, weighting in at a total combined weight of 242 pounds! They are the team of Ashley Sands and Ashley Marie Chase... ASHES TO ASHES!

Kris Cruise: Ashley Marie Chase and Ashley Sands were victorious in their singles matches on the last Vertigo. They’re heading into this match with all the momentum as the defeated both TJ Techniques and Erin Mariani, respectfully.

Stephy Auger: AMC was able to get her long-awaited revenge on Mariani while Sands took it to Techniques. Ashes to Ashes made it clear that they didn’t come out a couple of weeks back to save the Renegades of Funk. They ran out to get a piece of Ashes to Ashes. They’ve targeted Silk & Cyanide while also throwing a bit of shade at the Tag Team Champions. Tonight, it’s time for these two t put up or shut up.

The sounds of a woman's laugh that drips heavy with contempt echoes through the arena as the arena's lights dim, and as the lights dip into pitch darkness the laughter bleeds into the intro of "Your Addiction" and the arena light bloom once more as Erin Mariani and Sara Mason slink their way onto the entrance ramp, where Mariani stands with a look of pure disgust on Her face while Mason stands beside her with a look on her face as if she's relishing the excuse to destroy somebody, and as they stand at the top of the ramp the two turn their heads towards one another and share a conspiratorial look before walking towards the ring in step with one another with purpose.

Hey come in
And let me get under your skin, your skin
You started something you can't win, can't win
I am your church these are your sins, your sins
Now don't you wish you could take 'em back cause

Once the pair reach ringside they split off in two directions, with Mason walking one way and grabbing the chair which is nearest to her and casually hurling it into the ring while Mariani takes Her time walking around the ring, occasionally glancing at the opponents to remind Herself which one is which.

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponents! First, 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!

You've been bitten
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough
Was your decision
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough

Having decides to stop toying with their prey for a moment, Mariani climbs the nearest turnbuckle and stands there to literally look down upon Her opponent while, on the opposite side of the ring, Mason dives under the bottom rope and slides into the ring, rising to a knee to size up this evening's entertainment as Mariani grabs the top ropes and vaults into the ring where she lands on Her feet yet somehow never breaks Her line of sight on the opponents.

But first
Tell me you like the way it hurts, it hurts
Started a fire but you got burned, got burned
I am your god I am your curse, your curse
Don't you wish you could fade to black cause

Having made their way into the ring, Mariani and Mason decide which corner they're having for the match and Mariani takes a few steps back towards it while Mason crawls backwards, both of them maintaining eye contact the entire time just to make sure the opposition don't get too comfortable, and as they reach the corner Mariani pulls Herself onto the top rope while Mason drops to a crouch.

Kris Cruise: Silk & Cyanide are still complaining to anyone that will listen that they have been screwed over in this tag team division. Will tonight finally be the night where they become World Tag Team Champions?

Stephy Auger: If there’s any justice in the world, yes! Once again, let the record show that they’re the only team in recent memory to beat Pendragon with the Tag Titles on the line. The former U.S. Tag Team Titles, that is. Silk & Cyanide never got their tag team rematch against Pendragon. Instead, they were placed in a Triple Threat Match with the Hellcat Spangled Death Squad. After Pendragon barely, and I mean barely, escaped that match with both sets of Tag Titles and unifying the titles, Pendragon ended up vacating the Tag Titles a couple of months down the line without giving Silk & Cyanide their proper rematch. On top of that, Cassius Reed used a loaded elbow pad to beat Silk & Cyanide to win the Tag Team Gauntlet for the vacant titles at 2021: A New Odyssey back in April. Then, on top of THAT, Silk & Cyanide had the Renegades of Funk right where they wanted them at Only the Strong Survive in July, only for the match to end when the ref called for the bell after Ashes to Ashes attacked. Silk & Cyanide won the match by DQ, but the Renegades of Funk were able to keep their titles thanks to the belts not being able to change hands by disqualification. You can say that Mason & Mariani do nothing but whine and complain. But when you lay it all out there like I just did, it’s clear as day why they feel the way that they do. They’re completely justified in their actions and whatever happens tonight, Ashes to Ashes, Renegades of Funk and FGA brought it on themselves.

You've been bitten
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough
Was your decision
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough

As they wait for the bell to ring, Mason gestures for the opponents to come a little closer just so they can find our what will happen, while Mariani has a bemused smirk upon Her face as she looks down upon the insects sharing Her ring .

♫ 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 unstraps the tag team championship from around his waist and raises it in the air with both arms. After hopping down off the ropes, he takes off the hooded vest and tosses it to the outside. TJ gazes at his championship before handed it over to the official.

Stephy Auger: I hope he got a good long look at that title, Cruise. He might be kissing it goodbye.

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques was able to make this unlikely partnership with Cassius Reed work. These former rivals have become the class of the tag team division here in 2021. But they’ve got a huge target on their backs tonight.

Stephy Auger: If they make it out of this match still the champions, it will because Cassius devised the winning strategy. We’ve seen TJ “accidentally” knock Cassius off the apron twice. We’ve seen him turn down Cassius’ attempts to cheat, even though he agreed to do whatever Cassius asked him to do. I think TJ is starting to become a bit ungrateful.

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.

Kris Cruise: Despite whatever turmoil the tag team champions may have been going through, they were able to successfully turn away the challenge of the Illuminati PROJEKT a couple of weeks back on Vertigo. But tonight, they face their toughest challenge to date. Ashes to Ashes, Silk & Cyanide, Renegades of Funk. One of these three teams will be walking out of All-Star Showdown X as the World Tag Team Champions!

The bell sounds as both the Renegades of Funk and Ashes to Ashes rush across the ring to attack Silk & Cyanide. The crowd boos when Mason & Mariani drop and roll to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Where do they think they’re going?

Stephy Auger: What, you wanted them to just stand there and let themselves get double teamed? I don’t think so!

Mason motions for Renegades of Funk and Ashes to Ashes to go after each other. AMC stares daggers down at Mason until Reed quickly runs up and brings her down with a schoolboy!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sands breaks up the pin with a stomp.

Kris Cruise: Cassius nearly stole a pin!

Techniques goes over to Sands and spins her towards him. Sands responds with a push. Techniques holds his arms out until Sands doubles him over with a boot to the midsection. She then delivers an irish whip. Instead of Techniques returning off the ropes, the crowd boos when Silk & Cyanide yank him down to the mat before dragging him to the floor. From there, they lift Techniques up before bringing him down with Descent (double suplex dropped into sitout gourdbuster from Mariani)!

Stephy Auger: That’ll knock the air right out of you!

Back inside the ring, Ashes to Ashes take Reed and whip him into the corner. The cheers continue as AMC runs across the ring and nails Reed with a running pump knee to the face. AMC slips out of the way so Sands can run over and blast Reed with a Wind Kick (running big boot in the corner)! After Reed crumbles out of the corner, AMC holds Reed’s legs down while Sands steps out to the apron and climbs the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Sands is looking to put this one away right here!

Stephy Auger: Sara! Erin! Quick, do something!

Just as Sands is about to step fully onto the top turnbuckle, Mariani jumps up to the apron, tags herself in on Sands’ thigh and shoves her off! The crowd gasps, then boos when Sands flips off the top turnbuckle before landed back-first on the floor!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, did you hear that landing!?

AMC immediately gets up and runs over towards the corner to knock Mariani off the apron. Mariani wisely jumps to the floor at the last second. AMC starts to shout at Mariani until Mason comes up 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: AMC fell right into that trap. Her temper got the better of her again! She got played like a fiddle, Cruise!

Mason rolls to the outside, reaches back in and drags AMC partially out to the apron before bringing her down with the Diabolik (swinging neckbreaker to an opponent hanging off the apron to the arena floor)!

Kris Cruise: AMC got dropped right on her neck!

Stephy Auger: I know she’ll be feeling that one in the morning.

Mariani slides back inside and watches as Reed struggles to pick himself up off the mat. Mariani crouches down just far enough out of reach and uses a finger to beckon him closer. She then launches herself at Reed and catches him in a grounded front chancery before delivering repeated knees to the head. The boos continue as she muscles Reed over to his back and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Mariani sits Reed up and delivers a kick to the spine, followed by an eye rake, followed by a knee drop. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Reed kicks out.

Mariani makes the tag back out to Mason before holding Reed in place. After Mason climbs to the top turnbuckle, Silk & Cyanide deliver The Pleasure Principle (Mariani holds the opponent in a front facelock as Mason comes off the top rope to rake the opponent's back)! Mason follows up with the Falling Idol (hangman's neckbreaker to a kneeling opponent)! She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Silk & Cyanide.

Stephy Auger: They’re showing you why they are just as good as they see they are. They’ve isolated their opponents. They’ve cut the ring off. They’re making quick tags. They’ve taken out the other teams. This has been great so far!

Mason takes Reed and whips him into the ropes. Reed returns off the rebound before getting doubled over with an inverted atomic drop. Mason goes to follow up with a running one-handed bulldog when Reed pushes her off, sending her into the ropes. Mason comes off the rebound and goes for a Lou Thesz Press until Reed catches her and returns the favor with an inverted atomic drop of his own. He goes to follow up with a DDT until Mason grabs him, runs forward and rams him back-first into the corner. Reed gets whacked with a Salem Slap (palm strike to the face) before he slumps down in the corner after getting hit with the Lyssa (side kick to an opponent's midsection). The boos continue as Mason follows up with multiple running dropkicks in the corner. Mason drags Reed out of the corner before flipping over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Techniques rolls back in, grabs Mason’s legs and drags her off of Reed and to the outside.

Kris Cruise: TJ makes the save!

Stephy Auger: It’s about time he do something for this team!

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.

Techniques takes Mason and goes for an irish whip. Mason reverses and follows Techniques down the ringside area. Instead of crashing into the guardrail, Techniques executes a Tiger Wall Flip off the guardrail and over Mason before knocking her down when she turns around with a Koppu Kick!

Kris Cruise: TJ used the environment to his advantage before dropping mason with that kick.

Stephy Auger: It was a cute little move. But remember, style points don’t win matches.

Techniques takes Mason and rolls her back inside. Reed quickly makes the cover.

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

Reed tags out to Techniques. TJ gets in, takes Mason and whips her into the ropes. Techniques knocks her off her feet off the rebound with a spinning heel kick. He then heads over and tags Reed back in before hitting the far ropes. The crowd cheers when he comes back with a Rolling Thunder Senton across Mason. Reed then runs over, hops over Mason and follows up with Funky Knee, Funky Do (Kneecolepsy)! He makes the cover.

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

Reed drags Mason over into the Renegades of Funk corner before tagging Techniques back in. Techniques takes Mason, slams her face-first into the corner and catches her with a Shotei before moving her out of the corner. He goes for an irish whip when Mason reverses, sending him towards the far ropes. As soon as he hits the ropes, the crowd boos when Mariani nails him with a knee to the back.

Kris Cruise: Cheap shot from Mariani!

Stephy Auger: Where!? I didn’t see anything!

Kris Cruise: Sure you didn’t.

Stephy Auger: Honest!

Techniques favors his back until he turns around and knocks Mariani off the apron with a savate kick.

Stephy Auger: Now there’s a cheap shot!

Mason runs over to attack until Techniques ducks and dumps Mason over to the top to the floor.

Kris Cruise: TJ just took out the trash!

Stephy Auger: Excuse me!?

The Funky Technician through the ropes. As soon as Mason picks herself up, the crowd cheers after Techniques knocks her down with a pendulum moonsault off the apron!

Kris Cruise: What a move by TJ Techniques!

Techniques picks himself up the same time as Mariani picks herself up. The two motion towards each other until they look off to their sides. They do a double take as AMC leaps off and knocks Techniques down with a diving high crossbody from one corner while Sands knocks Mariani down with a moonsault from the adjacent corner!

Kris Cruise: OH MY!

Stephy Auger: Where did they come from!?

The cheers continue as Sands mounts herself on top of Mariani and fires off a flurry of right hands.

Kris Cruise: Sands is firing away with those punches on Mariani!

AMC picks up Techniques while Sands picks up Mariani. The crowd cheers when Ashes to Ashes irish whip them into each other! Techniques and Mariani crumble to the floor after the collision. Sands then takes Mason and rolls her back inside before climbing up to the apron and tagging herself back in. Sands drops back down and drags Mason back out to the floor while AMC rolls Techniques back inside. Sands rolls back in and makes the cover.

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

Sands takes Techniques and whips him into the corner. She runs across the ring and throws out the Wind Kick until Techniques catches her foot on time. He then pushes Sands down to the mat. When Sands rolls back to her feet, Techniques runs out of the corner to attack. The crowd cheers when Sands jumps up and brings him down with Into Dust (Codebreaker)! She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Good counter by Sands, but it only gets a two count. We’re seeing some great action in this Tag Team Title match.

Stephy Auger: We are and this is only the opener!

Sands whips Techniques into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers when he brings Sands down with a forward roll into a jumping cutter. NO! Sands pushes him off into the ropes. He returns off the rebound and stops after seeing Sands run past him towards the same set of ropes. When Techniques turns around, Sands brings him down with the Pink Velvet (Lethal Injection)! NO! Techniques counters the handspring cutter by pushing her off into the ropes. When Sands returns, Techniques finally brings her down with a forward roll into a jumping cutter! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

The crowd cheers when AMC breaks up the pin with a jumping stomp to the back.

AMC steps back out to the apron while Sands gets whipped into the corner. Techniques runs over into the Renegades of Funk corner, sends Sands slumping down with a running Shotei and tags Reed back in before taking off into the adjacent set of ropes. The cheers continue as he returns and catches her across the face with the Buck 50 (running facewash)! Reed drags Sands away from the corner before stepping out to the apron. He then leaps off from the top rope before connecting with a springboard diving left elbow drop! He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays for Cassius, but he only gets a two count.

Reed takes Sands and brings her down with a snap suplex before stepping back out to the apron. The Funky Dragon springboards to the top, flips off with a diving somersault leg drop… and misses when Sands rolls out of the way!

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home that time!

Stephy Auger: If TJ was looking out for Cassius, he’d get in, drag Cassius over into their corner and make the tag.

Reed clutches his leg while Sands turns over into the prone position. She looks over and sees AMC waving her over. In the opposite corner, Techniques tries to get the crowd to rally behind the Renegades of Funk while slapping the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Both TJ and AMC are dying for the tag! Who will get tagged in first!?

Sands slowly crawls over towards the Ashes to Ashes corner while Reed tries to drag himself into the Renegades of Funk corner. The crowd cheers when Sands dives over and makes the tag out to AMC!

Kris Cruise: Chase is back in!

Reed struggles to pick himself up. Once he looks over to Techniques, he rolls forward, leaps over and makes the tag! NO! Techniques drops off the apron.

Stephy Auger: See!? What’d I tell you!

Kris Cruise: Don’t you even start, Stephy! One of Silk & Cyanide, I think it was Sara Mason, just yanked TJ to the floor!

AMC runs over and puts the boots to Reed. She picks up Reed off the mat and shoots him for the ride. Reed returns off the rebound before getting knocked down with a diving forearm. AMC runs over and drops him with a second diving forearm. She makes the cover.

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

AMC sets up for an irish whip when Reed reverses, sending her into the corner. Reed heads into the corner to attack until AMC turns him around with a boot to the face. She steps out to the apron, scales to the top, leaps off and drives him down with a top rope bulldog! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

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

AMC pulls Reed back up before hitting him with repeated chest kicks. Shen takes off into the ropes, comes back and nails Reed with a running pump kick to the face, sending Reed stumbling back before he collapses against the ropes. AMC turns and takes off back into the far ropes. When AMC returns, Reed comes off the ropes and doubles her over with a running knee to the midsection. The Funky Dragon turns and hits the ropes. When he comes back, he brings AMC down with SWEET CHRISTMAS (Sunset Flip Powerbomb)! The ref slides into place for the count.

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

The crowd cheers when AMC gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: So close!

Stephy Auger: Reed is fighting with everything he’s got left. After his partner just turned on him, Cassius has to fend these other two teams off by himself!

Kris Cruise: Will you stop!?

Reed picks up AMC and goes for a belly to back suplex. AMC rolls over his shoulder, waits for him to turn around and nails him with the Kick of Doom (superkick)! NO! Reed catches her foot, swings the leg away from him and counters with an inverted facelock backbreaker. The Funky Dragon goes to follow up with Funky Knee, Funky Do! AMC rolls out of the way, causing Reed to land on his knees. AMC gets back to her feet and knocks him down with a Kick of Doom! She makes the cover.

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

Reed gets the shoulder up.

AMC goes for an irish whip when Reed reverses. AMC returns and sees Reed setting up for a back body drop. So she counters with a sunset flip! But Reed rolls through it before quickly flipping over into a jackknife pin!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
AMC bridges up, turns, hooks both of Reed’s arms and brings him down with the Name Dropper (Pedigree)! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Reed gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: AMC nearly had him! I thought that was going to do it!

Stephy Auger: You thought wrong!

AMC takes Reed, moves him into the corner and lifts him up onto the top turnbuckle. As she turns around to lift Reed up onto her back, Mason reaches up and makes the tag on AMC’s ankle. The cheers continue as AMC brings Reed out of the corner with the Gucci Drop (Backpack Stunner)! She makes the cover, but the ref doesn’t count. AMC then slaps the mat before looking over at the ref. But the official still won’t make the count. As soon as he tells AMC that she’s no longer one of the two legal grapplers, Mason delivers a running seated senton across the back.

Sands goes to make the save until Mariani knocks her through the ropes to the floor with a running elbow tackle. The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide pull AMC to her feet and hook each arm. They then head towards the side of the ring before chucking AMC over the top rope to the floor with a double hip toss over the top rope! Mason steps out to the apron while Mariani rushes back over, picks up Reed and heads towards the ropes. Mason starts to climb the turnbuckles while Reed gets tossed out to the apron through the ropes. Mariani reaches out and drags Reed into position across the apron before Silk & Cyanide bring him down with The Infernal Council (combination rope-hung DDT from Mariani and diving splash to the opponent's back from Mason)! Reed is then picked up off the mat before getting hoisted up in the air. Silk & Cyanide keep Reed held up until they throw him down to the mat with Haute Tension (double team inverted crucifix powerbomb)! Mason makes the cover.

ONE!
.
Techniques rolls back into the ring.
.
TWO!
.
Techniques dives over for the save!
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as "Your Addiction" blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… aaaaaaaaaaand NEEEEEEWWWWWWWWW FGA World Tag Team Champions, Silk & Cyanide!

The boos continue as Mason & Mariani raise each others arms in victory.

Stephy Auger: YES! YES YES YES YES YES! FINALLY! FINALLY! FI-NAL-LY!

Sands helps up AMC on the outside. Ashes to Ashes are disappointed after feeling like the match was stolen from them. Fans reach over the guardrail to give them a supportive pat on the shoulder as they exit the ringside area and head up the aisle.

Kris Cruise: Silk & Cyanide have done it! They are the new World Tag Team Champions and are now the second team to win both the US and World Tag Team Titles!

In the ring, Techniques stands with his hands on his hips. He looks over and sees Reed picking himself up off the mat. Reed is visibly upset. He can be seen yelling at Techniques. TJ hangs his head in response. Reed gets in his face and tells Techniques to look at him when he’s talking to him. This gets a reaction out of the crowd. Reed wants to know why Techniques jumped down from the apron when he was going for the tag. Techniques tries to explain that Mason yanked him off the mat. Before he can even get his answer fully out, Reed cuts him off and talks about the two times that Techniques knocked him off the apron. Techniques tries to explain it away and tells him that it was an accident. Before Techniques can finish explaining that point away, Reed cuts him off again and wants to know why he refused to take the steel chair on Vertigo. Reed reminds him that this tag team wasn't his idea. He never wanted to team with TJ or anyone else. He was doing more than fine by himself. When Reed decided to buy fully into the idea of teaming with TJ, he told TJ point blank that he would do whatever it took to win. He’s the reason why they were the tag champions, not TJ. Reed continues to let out his frustrations while pointing his hand in Techniques’ face.

Kris Cruise: This isn’t good, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Of course it’s not! Cassius has had enough and he’s letting TJ have it! He’s scolding TJ like he’s his child!

Techniques lets him know that this is just a bump in the road. They can get over this and they can get back the tag titles. He then puts his hand out to Reed.

Stephy Auger: Not this again!

Kris Cruise: It looks like despite the loss, TJ isn’t ready to give up on Cassius. He wants this team to continue.

Reed looks down at the hand before looking out to the crowd.

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd wants to see it!

The crowd boos when Reed turns and walks away from TJ.

Stephy Auger: HA! Take a hike and go mooch off someone else, TJ!

Reed starts to step through the ropes, then stops. He makes his way back over to TJ… and shakes his hand.

Kris Cruise: Alright!

Stephy Auger: What!? What are you doing, Cassius!?

Reed drops to the mat and rolls to the outside. Techniques follows him to the outside. A dejected Renegades of Funk start to make their way up the aisle. The camera cuts back to Cruise and Auger at ringside.

Kris Cruise: As it turns out, this isn’t the end of the line for the Renegades of Funk. They lost here tonight. But they’ll be back. Silk & Cyanide haven’t heart the last of them. We just witnessed a great match there to kick off All-Star Showd-WHAT THE HELL!?

The camera quickly cuts back to Techniques who is now face down in the aisle. The crowd erupts with boos.

Stephy Auger: Yeah! YEAH! That’s what I’m talking about, Cassius!

Reed picks up Techniques, runs over and whips him hard into the steel steps! Techniques smacks his knee against the steps before flipping over them. The camera cuts to Techniques hugging the knee.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Kris Cruise: Cassius Reed has just turned on TJ Techniques!

Stephy Auger: No, TJ Techniques has been a piss poor partner for weeks on end! The Funky Dragon has had enough!

Reed marches down ringside, pushes J.A. Aldridge out of his seat and snatches up his chair. The crowd erupts with boos as Reed marches down the ringside are before whacking Techniques across the leg over and over and over and over and over again with the chair!

*DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!*

The bell repeatedly rings, but Reed won’t stop. Reed’s not done. He reaches down and pulls Techniques into a front facelock before planting him with a Snap DDT on the chair!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord!

Reed’s still not done. After rolling Techniques back into the ring, he yanks TJ forward and crotches him against the ring post. After throwing TJ’s leg repeatedly against the post, Reed adds insult to injury by delivering a figure four leg lock around the ring post.

*DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!*

Kris Cruise: Enough’s enough, dammit!

Stephy Auger: It’ll be enough when Cassius says it’s enough.

Techniques cries out in pain while Reed continues to keep the hold applied. The referee court rushes down to the ringside area and yells at The Funky Dragon to break the hold. When Reed refuses, he has to be physically pulled off Techniques. Officials tend to Techniques while Reed finally backs away from the scene. Reed continues to make his way up the aisle before turning to the camera. He lets the viewing audience know that he ever needed TJ. He never needed anyone but himself.

[FGA Office]

”Tick...tock...tick….tock.”

The feminine voice echoed in the empty stretch of hallway as the cameras switched from the ringside area. Standing in the hallway was the source of the voice, the number one contender to the FGA United States championship, Savannah Taylor. Her ivory and black entrance robe hung over her right arm and her ring attire, normally black with pink accents, had been reversed, pink with black and silver accents, done only for the month of October. She runs her free hand through her hair as she clears her throat.

Savannah Taylor: The time for waiting is done. The time for talking is done. Now all that is left to do is go out to the ring in mere minutes and take on someone who is widely considered to be one of the most gifted wrestlers anywhere on the planet. Someone who puts in the work day in and day out and has established himself as one of the top guys around.

She scoffs slightly as she shakes her head.

Savannah Taylor: Someone who is decidedly in way over his head. Someone who genuinely doesn’t know what he is about to face. Owen Gonsalves is many things, and I’d like to think that stupid is not one of them. Naive, maybe. Stubborn? Yes. But stupid? Never. Which begs the question, given my track record and the things that I have done, why would ANYONE risk everything to step to me, especially when there is a title on the line? Owen, surely you know what was going to happen the minute you won the United States championship. You had yourself a nice little target on your back and you found yourself living on borrowed time. You see, while you are just another name added to the history of such a championship, let’s not forget just WHO is responsible for starting that history. Let’s not forget just WHO started the legacy behind said championship.

She pauses for a second before slipping her robe on, zipping it closed over her ring attire.

Savannah Taylor: Owen, I can appreciate the fact that you want to elevate this title to the heights that it rightfully deserves. I can appreciate that you want to defend it against anyone who wants to step up to you. I hate to break it to you, but that happy little notion ends tonight. Your dreams of further glory come crashing down the minute that bell rings. I am taking everything that you hold dear and the only thing that you are going to be able to do is sit back and watch as I make history yet again….all at your expense.

With that, Savannah flips the hood of her robe up, covering her hair and face and walks towards the location where the gorilla position was as the scene switches elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

We now head into the locker room where there is a different atmosphere than the norm even when you consider who is occupying the locker room. It’s an abandoned place, save for the man...someone who has often tended to isolate himself for one reason or another in Seth Iser. For the first time in a while he’s dressed in his ring attire, a black and red variant with his knee brace in the Japanese flag design wise by striking contrast. He’s kept his body in great shape but the hair is showing a little more grey as is his slightly disheveled beard.

Seth Iser: It’s almost here Brian. All this talk I’ve said for a while...that stunt you pulled in both Philly and at the damned Rumble. We’re here now...and you don’t have to worry...I’m fully cleared to wrestle. And when I was on that long flight over here...I didn’t read, I didn’t catch up on scouting or potential sleep...I was just thinking. The entire time. And it wasn’t just about you...what you did. But rather...why. Among a couple of other things brewing in my mind. Hell, for the first time in a little while I’ve really had to think about what I’m going to say. There’s a lot going on in my brain. So let me rewind a little…

Seth gestures with his right hand while leaning back on his chair. He has full intention of just letting some things out.

Seth Iser: I haven’t been in that ring in two months. Over the last couple of years...this hasn’t been the first time I’ve had some sort of ailment that’s forced me to either work at a compromised state or miss time altogether from my work. I’ve broken my hand in Australia. I had the fear that I might have broken my neck the last time I wrestled Owen…

There’s particular grimness as he recounts that injury as he had begun rocking back and forth on that chair. He even shakes that right hand, a similar gesture as he was being loaded in the ambulance recounting how much feeling he had in his extremities.

Seth Iser: It turned out to be a bad stinger but then that damn cell with Gareth...broke a bone in my foot. More missed time from that. And unlike muscles or nerves...you’re just waiting for the bones to heal. You can keep the rest of yourself in shape...working around your issue but you’re still just waiting. Fast forward a little bit...and I find myself injured yet again. My most recent one...and it’s at my most notorious trouble point…that left knee.

The gleam of the brace does shine through on his knee as Iser stretches his joint out with a touch of discomfort. A longer pause as he lets out a sigh.

Seth Iser: A surgery is still a surgery. Rehabilitation...is still rehabilitation. Unlike the bone...there is that...routine for lack of a better term. But you’re still sidelined again...the world moving on without you while all you can really do is spend time with family and watch everything going on around you. It’s isolation...it’s purgatory. It’s...just hell. A hell I’ve been way too familiar with the past couple of years…

He just closes his eyes for a moment before once again shaking his head, a touch more defiance then before.

Seth Iser: It’s something I’ve had to work through too and for the first time I had to admit I couldn’t entirely do that on my own to help...rationalize all of this. You just wake up looking around and have that feeling that the world is moving around you like that. My daughter is hitting a certain age and having her own very real battle with her own anxiety as well. We are...sometimes, our own worst enemy. The biggest opponent. And I’ve had to tackle all of this without the outlet...that is professional wrestling the last two months. Yes, I’ve finally gotten back on the road but...a wrestler doesn’t feel whole unless they’re in that ring.

You can see his lips curl into a frown fully, leaning back on that chair.

Seth Iser: It makes me wonder if it’s been some hideous luck or a sign the end is coming sooner than I’d like. Is what you said about my body not keeping up...Brian...are you correct in your assessment?

He lets that question hang, a brutally honest one that he doesn’t have a full answer to quite yet.

Seth Iser: It’s the sobering reality any athlete has to deal with...what that all means. You call what I am as bitter...and that’s merely a half truth. I don’t feel bitterness without reason...so when I see people who have natural talent not achieve...yeah, as a guy who IS professional wrestling, that tends to put me in a bad mood. When I feel like I should’ve achieved more in my youth and don’t see people learning from MY mistakes in one form or another…

Now we see Seth’s face contort to a more...familiar expression: he’s agitated as you can see his forehead scrunched, his tone is even a little lower but far sharper, more coarse.

Seth Iser: That makes this old man...bitter, Brian. Then what happened in Philly...

There’s a little more bite coming in after that sentence as he glares a hole through the camera for a couple of seconds before he reaches back behind him to start taping up his wrists, the last part of his attire. It’s almost as if that’s keeping him from flipping his lid.

Seth Iser: You endangered our match with that little stunt, Brian. You can brag and say...oh it could’ve been because you and your damned mascots could’ve done a number on me. What you did was an actual criminal action you fool…what good would you trying to prove your point be if you ended up in a jail cell and just like that...being another goddamned statistic in yet another light because YOU had to indulge. YOU had to give in just for that cheap little ‘tout’ video and to earn some applause from people whom already hate me and will adore you. THAT...Brian...that REALLY makes me...bitter because someone of your well traveled expertise really should’ve known better than to pull that crap.

Seth lets out a quick, humorless chuckle, almost some disbelief coming into his face.

Seth Iser: And you want to know the worst part? The people...loved your illegal stunt. There will be young kids motivated by your illegal tactic and end up in a jail cell for that display of malice. Those people will be chanting ‘Stryker...Stryker’ like they chant for Chandler when he incorrectly slandered me about MY character, my parenting when people like you two...AREN’T the goddamn hero! The fact that someone like ME...a former drug addict and a man who went down the roads I did looks like a damn hero in comparison to YOU, Brian...is what doesn’t just make me bitter...no, I’d take it a step further, it makes me sick to my god-damn stomach. I still feel the knots in there...the knife twisting and turning with THAT thought that’s invaded since the damn plane ride to Orlando. So add THAT on top of not being able to wrestle...for two months. My big return to the ring was nearly selfishly taken away...because of YOUR stunt! You...nearly robbed me of something I have been looking forward to the day I had to get that god damned operation...

And then after letting out that stewing anger for a moment he just lets out a sigh as he reigns himself back in...as he’s venting all of this.

Seth Iser: No morals anymore...just when I think people can’t reach the bottom, people always find a way to limbo lower. Sycophants...degenerates...and so many people should be ashamed if I’M the one who is looking like a beacon of morality in comparison. Because newsflash...I’m not exactly a fucking role model! A fantastic professional wrestler, but not someone who is supposed to be a credit to society in comparison! The thought that this is where we’re at now...that scares me more than anybody ever could in THIS profession.

And after letting that out, Seth’s face contorts again into that frown.

Seth Iser: Oh...I never heard a ‘thank you’ for not pressing charges and letting YOU compete with ME, Brian.

Biting sarcasm from the veteran as his right hand shakes slightly from his anger.

Seth Iser: I was well within my rights to tell you to go to hell and rot for a couple of months with another black mark on your career...but I didn’t. I didn’t want to rob this company of something they advertised. Selfishly...I didn’t want to rob myself of competing in this company’s flagship show because of your stupid stunt…

And after he says that, he has finished taping his wrists before discarding the athletic tape. He also runs his hand through his jaw where Stryker sucker punched him at.

Seth Iser: But for as angry as I am...I’ll admit I might have been wrong about you on one thing. I felt some of your fire when you cracked me in the jaw. Rung my bell a little. Wasn’t expecting that one...so guess what...maybe I do believe you a little more now that you’ve got the fire...that will to survive. The desire...to get to where I was.

And with that there’s that calmness creeping back in as Iser has that glare etched on his face, the mask fully back on in a way...the thing that spells doom for so many others.

Seth Iser: But I want you to think about one thing before we step into that ring. Another question...and it’s a very simple one. Why didn’t I strike back when you floored me? Was it really the surprise of your punch? No...it wasn’t. And it certainly isn't because I'm craven because...look at the line of work we're in. You can't afford to be craven to make it after all. We both know I could’ve fought back and we could’ve both ended up in a jail cell for a night...and bring another round of bad press to our wrestling industry with a literal street fight with your stupid god damned mascots also getting a mugshot that'll be used for internet photos for all of eternity.

He pauses for a moment before narrowing his eyes, that glare getting more intimidating by the second.

Seth Iser: Better yet...why didn’t I crack you with a crutch when I crashed your little interview? You know I damn sure could have. I was never going to intervene in someone’s title opportunity for an arbitrary reason like you did in the Rumble. That’s...never how I went about my business. The answer...it's really quite simple if you just dig beneath the surface.

He lets that question sink in for a few seconds before taking a brief step forward left leg first. He shows no sign of wincing...either putting on a brave face or he is indeed at full strength.

Seth Iser: The fire in your eyes Brian...it’s a wild thing. It can bring success but it torches indiscriminately...including yourself. The flame of rebellion...that courses through others. But the fire in my eyes? It comes from a criminal mind. And I’ve already premeditated several different ways I’m going to humble you in that ring. It took a while but...my flame has helped forge this wrestling machine you see today. As good and as explosive as your flame is...you’re not where I’m at. I’m the greatest mind in Professional Wrestling. Hell...I AM PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING! The name Iser is synonymous now with the sport for better AND for worse and I accept that as fact. I am one of the last true hallmarks of what this sport used to be and showing that my brand of old school wrestling makes me one of the best in the world today, and one of the best to ever play our little game. That...is what you, Brian Stryker are up against…

And there’s that cold sneer creeping onto his face. A literal example of both fire...and ice.

Seth Iser: And for the first time in a couple months...I’ll be back in a professional wrestling ring….and truly feel whole while reminding the industry and the entire world...I am who I’ve always said that I am when that bell rings...and there won’t be a damn thing you can do about it.

With that last statement...he’s sneering at the camera before he walks off.

[FGA Office]

FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Owen Gonsalves vs. Savannah Taylor

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the Las Vegas Siren remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada! She is the “Las Vegas Siren”... SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

If you close your eyes your life,
A naked truth revealed
Dreams you never lived,
And scars never healed

Savannah makes her way up the ring steps. She looks out towards the audience for a moment before entering the ring. From there, she heads for a turnbuckle. She stands there, taking in everything. She then lifts her up on top of it. She peers out in nothing, then takes off the hood with a flashy flourish. Her blonde locks fly up in the air. They descend, shaping her face as they famously do.

In the darkness, light will take you to the other side
You'll find me waiting there you'll see, if you just close your eyes

While she stands in her corner, she closes her eyes and takes a heavy breath. When her bright eyes open, Taylor is completely composed. There is nothing more than the heat of battle awaiting her. She takes off her robe, giving it to a stagehand. She stretches her wrists before devoting her mind to the war upon the horizon.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor is looking to make history tonight at the expense of Owen Gonsalves here at All-Star Showdown X!

Stephy Auger: That’s right! The US Championship started with Savannah Taylor. She was the first two-time US Champion and the only other two people to match that feat are Salem Cartier and Nina Stokes. Some would argue that “The Kodiak” is far and away the best US Championship in company history. But the Las Vegas Siren feels that honor belongs to her. As she should! Tonight, though, Savannah could leave no doubt by not only becoming the first three-time US Champ, but by also joining a rare list of grapplers to have ever held a single championship on three different occasions.

Kris Cruise: That’s a very short, exclusive list, Stephy. Savannah Taylor could be joining some rarified air by tonight’s end.

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 unzips the jacket revealing his United States Championship around his waist.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: Her opponent, hailing from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is the reigning… defending… FGA United States Champion… 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 as he raises his United States Championship high above his head before he enters the ring. He paces around the ring with the championship before he places under the bottom turnbuckle in a corner while he warms up and stretches, awaiting the start of the match.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves has been wrestling at breakneck pace since dethroning the nearly unstoppable Nina Stokes back at Only the Strong Survive. In just a few short weeks, he’s racked up successful defenses against Brendan Samuel’s at Jackie Fowler’s “For The People,” Mighty Sparrow at “Emeryville,” Brian Stryker on Vertigo, Graham Baker during the “CSF Championship Tournament” and our old pal Ethan Giles on Night Two of Death Graps’ “Tag Team Classic.” He’s already racked up five wins against a wide variety of opponents. Wristlock Sinatara is looking to make some history tonight himself. No singles competitor has ever successfully defended a championship more than five times. He currently shares that honor with Izzy Anders, Cordelia Stevenson and the woman he just beat, Nina Stokes. He could separate himself and get number six here tonight.

Stephy Auger: He could, but he has to go up against Savannah Taylor. Like I told you before, Cruise, Savannah helped hand Owen his first loss here in his very first FGA match way back in 2017. It was just recently on Vertigo where The Las Vegas Siren wiped the mat with Gonsalves She’s in his head. She’s got him doubting himself. Usually, Boston Crab Bette Midler would be in the back running his mouth. But he’s been as quiet as a church mouse since he got humbled by Taylor on Vertigo. I told you that this reckless pace would catch up to him. Savannah Taylor is a better wrestler than him as is. But she wisely took advantage of an exhausted Gonsalves on Vertigo. Tonight, she finishes the job and becomes the first three-time, three-time, three-time United States Champion.

The bell sounds as Gonsalves and Taylor make their way out of their respective corners before locking up. Taylor quickly wins the battle by placing Gonsalves in a side headlock. She quickly performs a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock from behind. It doesn't take long for the Technical Spectacle to spin out and reverse into a hammerlock of his own. Gonsalves keeps the hold applied until Taylor uses her free arm to nail Gonsalves with a back elbow to the face, breaking the hold. She then performs another standing switch before delivering three hard forearm strikes to the lower back. The crowd boos when Gonsalves drops down to a knee.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is still hurting from that missed dive to the outside a couple of weeks back. Taylor is wise to immediately go after it.

Stephy Auger: She would be a fool not to.

Taylor turns and takes off into the ropes. When Taylor returns, she brings him down to the mat with the Emerald Weapon (corkscrew neckbreaker)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Gonsalves kicks out.

Taylor takes Gonsalves, heads into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. The Las Vegas Siren continues to pour on the offense with three more forearm strikes to the lower back, followed by a trio of knee strikes to the back, followed by a trio of shoulder thrusts to the lower back.

Taylor hooks Gonsalves' arms across the top ropes before unleashing a series of shoot kicks across the back. The thud from each kick echoes throughout the arena. The Las Vegas Siren points to the far corner before taking off across the ring. Taylor ricochets off the turnbuckles, runs back across the ring and nails Gonsalves with a bicycle knee strike across the back! The boos continue as she runs back across the ring, bounces out of the corner, runs back over and nails Gonsalves with another bicycle knee strike! Taylor heads back across the ring. She ricochets off the turnbuckles, runs back across the ring, hurls herself at Gonsalves and connects with a corner back elbow! NO! The crowd cheers when Gonsalves slips out of the way, causing Taylor to crash into the corner!

Kris Cruise: Taylor missed! She went to the well one too many times!

Gonsalves goes on the offensive with a series of shoot kicks of his own. The cheers continue as he lights up Taylor's chest with shoot kick after shoot kick. After knocking Taylor's head back with a European Uppercut, Gonsalves sends her slumping down in the corner with a flurry of forearm strikes. Gonsalves steps back past the center of the ring. After pointing over towards the corner, Gonsalves rushes across the ring and nails Taylor with a shotgun dropkick! He then drags Taylor out of the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Taylor kicks out.

Gonsalves pulls Taylor up to a seated position before nailing her with a hard soccer kick to the back. Taylor arches her back in pain before Gonsalves nails her with another hard soccer kick to the back. The cheers continues when Gonsalves switches targets and flattens Taylor with a shoot kick to the chest. Taylor starts to sit back up until Gonsalves flattens her with another shoot kick to the chest. He then reaches down, pulls Taylor back to her feet and lifts her up across his shoulders. Taylor's able to fight him off with elbows to the side of the head before slipping down from behind. As soon as she places him in a rear waistlock, Gonsalves runs towards the ropes, hooks his arms around the top rope and yanks back, sending Taylor down to the mat. Taylor rolls back to her feet and runs back over until Gonsalves lifts her across his shoulders again. He heads over towards the center of the ring before bringing her down with a fireman's carry gutbuster. Taylor stays on all fours while Gonsalves hits the ropes. He returns off the rebound before nailing Taylor with a hard kick to the right arm.

Kris Cruise: Did you hear the impact from that kick!? Man!

Stephy Auger: He tried to punt her arm into the crowd!

Gonsalves reaches down, pulls Taylor back up and wrenches the right arm. The cheers continue as he delivers a second arm wrench. Gonsalves delivers a third arm wrench. The US Champion then delivers an arm wrench counterclockwise before wrenching the arm again clockwise. Gonsalves continues his assault on the arm by lifting it up before delivering an armbreaker across the shoulder. Gonsalves delivers another arm wrench before delivering a short-arm shoulder block. Taylor quickly drops to a knee. She starts to get back up until she drops back to a knee after another short-arm shoulder block. After muscling Taylor down to all fours, Gonsalves takes the right arm and presses the back of the hand against the canvas before delivering a jumping stomp to the triceps!

Stephy Auger: Ah! Savannah!

Kris Cruise: That didn’t look good, Stephy!

Taylor turns over onto her back before clutching the arm. Gonsalves then gets a knee down on Taylor's chest before wresting away control of the right arm. After bending the arm at 90 degrees and placing the palm of her hand against the canvas, Gonsalves delivers a pointed elbow stomp!

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves is just battering that arm!

Stephy Auger: He’s trying to maim her! He should be disqualified!

Gonsalves takes control of Taylor before placing her in a Surfboard Stretch. Taylor cries out in pain while Gonsalves keeps her held in the air. She's asked if she wants to give up. When Taylor refuses, Gonsalves pushes her off and sends her to the mat. He delivers an irish whip, sending Taylor into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Gonsalves slips around her and locks in a Sleeper Hold. When Taylor doesn't submit, Gonsalves brings her down with an inverted headlock takeover before transitioning into a Grounded Top Wristlock!

Kris Cruise: Golden Arm ‘55!

Taylor cries out in pain while Gonsalves twists the arm. The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. Taylor refuses. Gonsalves continues to apply pressure to the arm. But Taylor is eventually able to claw her way across the mat and get to the ropes, forcing a rope broke. Gonsalves lets go, pulls Taylor up and brings her into the corner. Gonsalves climbs up to the middles ropes and goes for a Tornado DDT. Taylor then slips out and connects with a dropkick, sending Gonsalves flipping over the top rope and landing hard on the outside!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Stephy Auger: That might just be enough to take him out!

Taylor crawls over towards the center of the ring before setting up shop in the far corner. When Gonsalves gets back to his feet on the outside, Taylor runs across the ring, flips of the top turnbuckle and knocks him down with a Triangle Moonsault!

Kris Cruise: What a maneuver by the Las Vegas Siren!

Taylor struggles to pick Gonsalves back up before rolling him back inside. She then rolls herself back in before sending Gonsalves into the corner with an irish whip. The Las Vegas Siren then runs across the ring before finally catching Gonsalves with a corner back elbow. After pushing Gonsalves out of the corner, the champion staggers forward while Taylor steps out to the apron. She scales to the top, leaps off and knocks him down with a missile dropkick to the back of the head! The boos continue as she drags Gonsalves into position before heading into the corner. Taylor scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off and crashes down across Gonsalves' back with the Ultimecia (Phoenix Splash)! She pulls him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Stephy Auger: What!?

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not three!?

Taylor slowly pulls Gonsalves back up before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she tackles him down from behind with a spear to the lower back! Taylor nudges him over to his back before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
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THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Taylor purposely targeted the back again. But Owen still won’t stay down!

Taylor pulls Gonsalves back up before dropping him face-first to the mat with an enzuigiri. The Las Vegas Siren heads into the corner, scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off and lands across his back with a Corkscrew Moonsault! She nudges him over onto his back before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Owen gets the shoulder up just in the nick of time!

Stephy Auger: How is he doing this!?

Taylor pulls Gonsalves back to his feet before hitting him with an openhanded chop across the chest. Gonsalves gets hit with another open handed chop. Taylor follows up with a shoot kick to the chest before whacking him with another open handed chop. The Las Vegas Siren connects with a spinning backfist. Gonsalves gets rocked with a second spinning backfist. Taylor goes for a third when Gonsalves swats the backfist away from him and counters with a bridging German Suplex!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Taylor turns over to get her shoulder up. Gonsalves maintains the rear waistlock as he pulls Taylor back to her feet. The cheers continue when he hits a second bridging German Suplex!

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Taylor gets the shoulder up. But again, Gonsalves maintains the rear waistlock. After slowly pulling Taylor back to her feet, Gonsalves lets go of the rear waistlock before quickly hooking her arms from behind and throwing her down with the Paroxysm (Snap Dragon Suplex)!

Kris Cruise: Owen is feeling it! He can sense that the end of near!

Stephy Auger: Get up, Savannah! Get up!

Gonsalves steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. The Las Vegas Siren struggles to push herself to all fours. The crowd cheers when Gonsalves flies off the top and flattens her with a diving knee drop across the back of the right shoulder! Gonsalves pulls Taylor back to her feet before throwing her down with a Hammerlock Suplex! Taylor sits up and cradles her right arm while Gonsalves hits the ropes. When he returns, he connects with a basement shotgun dropkick to the right arm, sending her tumbling across the ring. He goes over, pulls Taylor back to her feet and delivers a hard irish whip into the corner. Taylor crashes into the corner and staggers out before flying back into the corner after another shotgun dropkick! The cheers continue as Gonsalves takes Taylor and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. After bringing Taylor down with Australia Street (top turnbuckle hung cutter), Gonsalves drags her away from the ropes before spinning over into the Krukenberg (Wrist-Bending Omoplata)! Taylor tries to hang on, but she ultimately submits!

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… aaaaaand STIIILLLLLLL FGA United States Champion, OWEN GONSALVES!

The cheers continue as Gonsalves gets his arm raised before being handed the US Championship.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves has done it! He’s retained the US Championship after fending off the challenge of the Las Vegas Siren! That defense number six for Gonsalves! What’s next for Owen!? How much farther can he go!? Who will be able to stop this incredible run!?

[FGA Office]

Backstage at the Addition Financial Center, FGA’s 15 & Legacy Champion stands by with both title belts on his person. On his shoulder, Sparrow has the Legacy championship he’s been carrying since he won it from Ace. The new 15 Championship however is around his waist. Along with his trademark sunglasses and white hat, the West Indian Whirlwind is wearing clean-looking white slacks and a matching waistcoat. He’s got a red dress shirt underneath and his long black-tie game is fresh today. It is All-Star Showdown X after all so the White Hat of FGA decided to go professional since he’s competing on night two. Ignore the white snapback obviously. Standing by is Amanda Johnson, also dressed to the nines for this event.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time...The FGA Legacy AND 15 Champion... Sparrow! You are standing here tonight as the fifth-ever double champion of Frontier Grapple Arts. Tomorrow night however, one or both of those championships could be gone from your possession when you face Mark Bisley and Logan Alexander in a Two Falls Triple Threat Match. The first pin will decide the FGA 15 Championship that was formerly Mr. Bisley’s. The second of course...Will be deciding the Legacy Championship. Of course, before we get to all of that, I have to touch on Vertigo 91. You were a spectator during Logan Alexander and Mark Bisley’s match but you kept seeming to find yourself at the receiving end of different machinations.

Sparrow: Now Amanda, you might be wonderin’ why I ain’t raise a hand to Mark Bisley for...Accidentally tryna take my head off when he was goin’ for Logan. Why I ain’t put any hands on Logan for faking out Bisley in the first place, why I ain’t put any hands-on Bisley for doing the same to win the match. I mean I’m sure since he won this time, if anything, any interference or presence had no bearings on what woulda been his match to win. Smartest Man In The...Where ever I s’pose. Bet anythin’ and I won’t be shocked when I hear him say it, if he does.

Amanda for her part silently mouths ‘well I was wondering’, but waits until The White Hat of FGA finishes before inquiring properly.

Sparrow: Now similar to Logan’s feelings on the title versus title match? The sanctity of the match needed to be left alone. Didn’t stop Mark of course but nothin’ was going to. No raising hands on anyone, and why even bother to touch anyone if they both kept comin’ to make trouble or conversation, dependin’ on who you wanna ask. Most I did was get up on the apron and as you could see...Well, that was a mistake on my part, ain’t? Now tomorrow however, since I have some receipts to hand out Amanda...? What better time to bring some out for Vertigo’s incidents and defend my championships while I’m at it. Ain’t no spectating for anyone, ain’t gonna be no excuses. Someone may walk out with both championships, someone may walk out with one.

He smiled slightly.

Sparrow: I’m tryna be something of a good example for any of our younger viewers watching. Don’t get mad, don’t show your anger. Just grind.

Amanda seemed to find that extremely sweet, even mouthing an ‘aww’.

Sparrow: Someone has to. Ain’t gonna be Auger. Stephy can barely stop herself salivating over my misery long enough to call a match.

The interviewer looks slightly apologetic at the double champion.

Amanda Johnson: Sparrow, you realize she’s probably going to do it more now right?

Sparrow: No............................Yes. Ugh.

The West Indian Whirlwind throws his hands up in frustration and Amanda decides to quickly change subjects.

Amanda Johnson: Just out of curiosity, given what went down at Vertigo 92 and the Undisputed Champion’s comment on social media, would you be interested in Cordelia being the referee for your Two Falls match?

The double champion side-eyes Amanda as though he’s not sure he can believe what she’s asking him. With...A curiously blank look on his face, Sparrow rapidly blinks.

Sparrow: After watching how she handled refereeing Chandler and Ace’s match, bana? That Chandler is out for her blood now? Well, the metal cup this time was smart. Anyway...I think I might just have to pass on what I...Again am led to believe is a “teaching” moment. I term everything, every single thing Cordy does as a “teaching” moment in m’head.

Amanda looks about as convinced as...No. No actually she doesn’t look convinced by Sparrow’s statement whatsoever. As though there’s absolutely nothing to be learned from the Undisputed champion as of recent. The White Hat of FGA however looks entirely earnest, glancing over the top of his glasses.

Amanda Johnson: Okay. Teaching moment. Please explain for the viewers at home.

Sparrow: Well it came to me when she was laying in with those forearms in the champions’ showcase. I actually--

Sparrow suddenly goes silent as he looks ahead. The camera pulls out a little bit and standing right in front of him is one Caroline Dallins. The veteran wrestler looks as though she just came from speaking to one or more of the backstage attendants. Amidst her black business suit, a backstage pass can be seen hanging off a lanyard rests around her neck. Amanda looks a little awkward to be standing there. Maybe she’s having a flashback to the last time Caroline intruded on her segment with Sparrow. Caroline wholly ignores her presence for the moment.

Caroline Dallins: The only teaching moments you need concern yourself with, Baby Bird, are those I have in store for you after I win our little bet. Because we have...A lot of ground to cover and so little time to do it in. The things I see out there with some of these competitors. It physically has me hurting sometimes, I tell you. Shit. The mistakes, the lack of real killer instinct. It’s like watching salmon fight off wolves.

Amanda Johnson: Ms. Dallins, what do you--

Caroline’s plants her whole hand over Amanda’s face before pushing her backwards, out of the middle of the shot and next to Sparrow.

Caroline Dallins: Begone, basic. You ask me questions when I tell you to ask me questions.

Amanda Johnson: Excuse me, I am part of the interviewing team and I’m not going to be talked to--

Caroline has a single hand cocked, palm flat and ready to chop the interviewer across the throat. Before she can, Sparrow stands right in front of her. The double champion stares down at the veteran wrestler who...Responds with but a single smug smirk.

Caroline Dallins: Feeling protective? The way your ex is going, maybe throwing Amanda here at her would a real challenge. Couldn’t be me. I’d smack her around before I got the ring boots back on.

Sparrow nostrils flare, increasing anger written all over his face. His tone is frosty.

Sparrow: Yes because Gwen needs to waste her time folding up a fuckin’ has-been wrestler who ain’t had a shred of shine in...Three years? Stop the bullshit. What do you want?

Within moments, Caroline Dallins is nose-to-nose with Sparrow, staring a hole through his head. Her fingers are clenched and for a second it looks as though the two may come to blows.

...

Suddenly she breaks into a smile and straightens his tie like an older sister worrying over her sibling. He steps back and smacks her hand away in irritation.

Caroline Dallins: Me? Nothing, Baby Bird. I’m just a concerned advocate checking in on my future client. All that cursing and getting on though? You need more help than I thought. What kind of example for kids are you?

The West Indian Whirlwind looks...Beside himself in disbelief. Literally not even five minutes after saying that, it’s undone in a heartbeat. Caroline sighs in the most dramatic fashion possible before walking past both the double champion and interviewer. Amanda glared at the back of Dallins before she looked at Sparrow...Still with the exact same expression and pose. If not for the occasional blink, someone would assume he was a statue.

Amanda Johnson: ...Speaking off-record. How hard will you be fighting to keep both championships from Logan and Mark?

Sparrow’s lips parted briefly before closing. He eventually found his voice.

Sparrow: Like my life depended on it.

[FGA Office]

Seth Iser vs. Brian Stryker

“Watch Me Burn” starts playing as Brian Stryker comes walking out from the back. Putting his hands on his hips, he looks around for a moment proudly as he makes his way down the ramp. He steps up the steel steps walking the edge of the ring as he holds the ropes for leverage as he flips himself over the top and lands feet first in the ring. He climbs up the turnbuckle and sits himself on the top rope and holds his arms out egging the crowd to get louder

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from Maui, Hawaii! Weighing in at 225 pounds… BRIAN STRYKER!

Stephy Auger: That man should be rotting in a jail cell right now! He should have been arrested for that stunt that he pulled! Seth Iser wasn’t even fully recovered when Stryker orchestrated that gang attack on him!

Kris Cruise: Brian Stryker has his reasons…

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and none of them are legitimate! Did you hear him when he explained why he screwed over Iser in the Rumble? “Because he felt like it.” What kind of excuse if that!

Kris Cruise: Listen, I may not be in total agreeance with what Stryker did…

Stephy Auger: You shouldn’t be in agreeance, period!

Kris Cruise: … but Stryker is going to have to deal with the challenge that Iser brings in the ring tonight.

Stephy Auger: Well I can tell you right now, he’s not ready.

The lights dim down as the music begins to play. Soon enough, Seth Iser slowly walks through the curtain with that familiar scowl on his face. He starts walking down to the ring...glare etched on his face and listening to the fans boo him.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Morgantown, West Virginia! Weighing in at 240 pounds… SETH ISER!

A methodical, slow walk as he cracks his knuckles on the way down before pulling himself up onto the apron and enters the ring calmly before performing a crucifix pose at the center of the ring to revive the lights. He then goes to his corner and slinks to a seat just waiting for the bell to ring.

Kris Cruise: We haven’t seen Iser step into an FGA ring in several weeks now. We know that Iser will be out for revenge in this one. But will his body be able to hold up?

Stephy Auger: They don’t call him Wrestling’s Greatest Mind for a reason. Even if Iser came into this match at less than 100 percent, he would be able to put together a winning strategy. But Iser is 100 percent, Cruise, and he’s going to give Stryker the beating that he deserves tonight.

The bell sounds as Iser and Stryker circle the ring. Stryker quickly rolls over, executes a forward roll and takes a swipe at Iser’s leg. Iser is quick enough to step back. Stryker runs over and tries to take out Iser’s leg with a basement dropkick. But Iser’s able to strafe out of the way just in time. Stryker quickly gets back to a vertical base and walks Iser down. He goes to fake a couple of takedown attempts before finally committing to a single leg. Iser goes to counter with a sprawl, but he eventually loses his balance and collapses against the ropes. With both grapplers in the ropes, the ref quickly gives Stryker until the count of five to move back.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Stryker lets go of Iser’s leg and backs up before Iser makes his way off the ropes. Both grapplers circle the ring before going for a lockup. NO! The crowd cheers when Stryker opts out of the collar-and-elbow and instead, drops Iser down to a knee after a basement dropkick. Stryker then hits the ropes, comes back and brings Iser down with a spiking hurricanrana! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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Iser kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Stryker with the first nearfall of the match.

Stephy Auger: He already tried to go the cheap route and target Iser’s leg. I’d expect nothing less from someone that orchestrated a gang assault on one of the most upstanding citizens in pro wrestling.

Kris Cruise: …

Stryker quickly goes after the leg again. After returning to his feet and holding Iser’s leg up, Stryker delivers three elbow drops across it. Stryker keeps the leg pinned down on the mat before grabbing Iser’s foot and bending the leg. Iser yells out in pain until he gouges Stryker’s eyes from behind to break the hold.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Stephy Auger: Hey, he had it coming!

The ref admonishes Iser for gouging Stryker’s eyes. Iser is quick to remind the ref that he was just beaten up by a group of mascots, so if anyone should be complaining, it’s him! Iser then takes Stryker, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd boos when Stryker gets his head slammed into the top turnbuckle for a second time. After his head gets thrown into the top turnbuckle a third time, Stryker drops to a knee. Iser pulls Stryker back up, turns him around in the corner and lights up his chest with multiple knife edge chops. He then takes Stryker and whips him into the far corner. Iser charges across the ring to attack, but Stryker catches him with a back elbow to the face. Iser shakes off the blow before rushing back in. This time, Stryker knocks him back with a boot to the face. Iser rushes back in and goes for a running shoulder tackle, but Stryker counters with the Tarantula! The crowd cheers when Iser is trapped in the submission.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Stryker lets go. Iser staggers away from the corner while Stryker scales the turnbuckles. The cheers continue when he leaps off and connects with a missile dropkick, sending Iser stumbling before before falling through the ropes to the floor.

Kris Cruise: The high risk paid off for Stryker! He’s got Iser right where he wants him!

Iser struggles to pick himself up off the floor. Once he finally gets back to his feet and turns around, Stryker flips off and knocks him down with a springboard moonsault to the outside!

Kris Cruise: Down goes Iser!

Stephy Auger: SETH!

The cheers continue as Stryker takes Iser and rolls him back inside. Stryker slides back into the ring, heads into the corner and purposely comes down across Iser’s legs with a springboard Phoenix Splash! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Iser gets the shoulder up.

​​Kris Cruise: Stryker only gets a two count.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but did you see what Stryker did? He intentionally landed across Iser’s legs! He’s trying to take Iser out!

Stryker takes Iser and drags him over towards the center of the ring. He tries to turn Iser over into a single leg crab, but Iser uses his free leg to kick Stryker off of him. Once both grapplers are back to their feet, Stryker runs over to attack until he gets knocked down with a big boot to the face. The crowd boos as Iser drops an elbow across Stryker and lays on him for the lazy cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Stryker kicks out.

Iser takes Stryker and whips him into the ropes. Iser goes to deliver a back body drop off the rebound when Stryker slips down from behind. Stryker sets up for a German Suplex until Iser catches him with a hard back elbow to the mouth. He then performs a standing switch, grabs Stryker, heads across the ring and tosses him through the ropes to the floor. NO! Iser thinks Stryker’s down on the floor as he turns around and raises his arms in the air. But Stryker was able to land on the apron. Once Iser turns around, he does a double take as Stryker comes off the top rope and knocks him down with a springboard missile dropkick! He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Stryker nearly got the three count!

Stryker takes Iser and whips him into the corner. The crowd cheers when he runs across the ring, catches Iser with a corner elbow and follows up with a CCS Enzuigiri! Stryker then turns Iser around and sits him on the top turnbuckle (facing away from the ring) before he starts to scale to the top.

Kris Cruise: Stryker could be on the verge of putting Iser away!

Stephy Auger: Seth. Seth! Fight back!

As soon as Stryker gets up on the middle ropes, Iser catches him with a pair of back elbows to the face. Stryker is then caught with two more back elbows. Iser lands a fifth back elbow for good measure that knocks Stryker down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Iser just saved himself here.

Stephy Auger: Good! Now get down, Seth!

The crowd looks on with bated breath as Iser gingerly steps up to a crouched position on the top turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: Seth, I said get down! Not go to the top!

Iser slowly stands up, flips back and connects with a moonsault! NO! The crowd explodes with cheers when Stryker rolls out of the way!

Kris Cruise: Seth missed! Nobody was home!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Iser immediately turns over onto his back and grabs at his legs. Stryker pushes himself up to all fours, looks over and sees Iser is still down. He then gets back to his feet, heads over, takes control of Iser’s legs and turns him over into a Texas Cloverleaf.

Kris Cruise: Iser’s locked in the cloverleaf!

Stephy Auger: NO! SETH!

The crowd cheers while Iser yells out in pain.

Stephy Auger: Seth! Seth! This way!

The ref asks Iser if he wants to give up. When Iser refuses, Stryker pulls back to increase the pressure of the hold. Iser lets out a wail.

Kris Cruise: Iser’s THIS close to tapping!

Stephy Auger: He is not! He wouldn't give Stryker the pleasure!

The ref continues to check in with Iser. He’s asked over and over if he wants to give up. Iser refuses. Wrestling’s Greatest Mind starts to pull himself forward across the mat. Stryker can be seen hanging on for dear life. But Iser continues to scratch and claw his way forward. Iser eventually reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope.

Stephy Auger: Thank you! THANK YOU!

The rope break is met with a combination of groans and boos from the crowd.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Stryker reluctantly breaks the hold.

Iser starts to pull himself up using the ropes while Stryker takes off into the far ropes. When Stryker returns, the crowd gasps, then boos when Iser sends him over the top to the floor with a back body drop!

Kris Cruise: Stryker just landed hard on the outside with a sickening thud!

The ref heads to the outside and immediately checks in on Stryker. He hasn’t gotten up off his back. But he’s still writhing in pain on the floor. Iser rolls to the outside, pulls Stryker up and rams him back-first against the edge of the apron. The boo continue as he hoists Stryker back up, turns, runs and rams him back-first against the guardrail! Iser lifts Stryker back up, turns, heads down ringside and rams Stryker back-first against the ring post! The former World Champion continue his assault as he lifts Stryker back up, turns around and drops him throat-first across the guardrail with a Stun Gun!

Kris Cruise: Iser’s having his way with Stryker!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and he didn’t have to hire a bunch of goons to do it, either!

Stryker remains sprawled out on the floor while Iser rolls back inside. Wrestling’s Greatest Mind crawls away from the ropes before motioning for the ref to count Stryker out. The ref thinks better of it. But after being scolded by Iser, the ref reluctantly starts to count.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!

Stryker remains sprawled out on the floor.

Kris Cruise: Stryker still hasn’t gotten up, Stephy!



FIVE!






SIX!

Stryker starts to stir on the floor.

Stephy Auger: He’s not going to make it back in time!




SEVEN!

Stryker tries to sit up. The crowd gasps when they see him fall back down!








EIGHT!

Stryker slowly turns over to all fours.








NINE!






TEN!

NO!

The crowd explodes with cheers and applause when Stryker rolls back into the ring at the last second.

Kris Cruise: Stryker just made it! Barely, but he made it!

Stephy Auger: What!?

Across the ring, Iser pulls himself up using the ropes. He turns around and does a double take when he sees Stryker back in the ring. Iser goes over and tells the ref that he got counted out. But the ref shakes him off and tells him that Stryker made it back in time. Iser throws his arms in the air in disbelief.

Stephy Auger: I can’t believe it either, Seth!

Iser heads over to Stryker and stats to stomp the hell out of him! After pulling Stryker back to his feet, Iser whips him into the far ropes. When Stryker returns, Iser chucks him across the ring with a release belly to belly suplex! Iser heads over, pulls Stryker back to his feet and throws him down with another release belly to belly suplex. The boos continue as Iser goes over, pulls Stryker back to his feet, takes control of his back and throws him down with a release German Suplex! Stryker gets thrown down with a second release German Suplex! A third release German leaves Stryker folded up on the mat! A fourth German sends him rotating in the air before landing in the prone position!

Kris Cruise: Stryker’s getting ragdolled!

Iser heads over, reaches down, grabs Stryker by the back of the tights and pulls him up with one arm before walking across the ring. Iser keeps Stryker held by his side like a briefcase before dropping him down to all fours. Iser reaches down, takes control of the back and yanks Stryker back to his feet before chucking him over the top rope with another release German. The crowd gasps when Stryker rotates over the top rope before landing hard in the prone position on the floor!

Kris Cruise: Good Lord, what a suplex!

Stephy Auger: The ref mind as well call the match now. There’s no getting up from that!

Iser motions to the ref before pointing his thumb behind him. The official once again starts his count.

ONE!






TWO!






THREE!






FOUR!








FIVE!







SIX!







SEVEN!

The camera cuts to a shot from the canvas level. Stryker can be seen grabbing onto the edge of the apron. He struggles to try to pick himself up before falling back down and dropping out of the frame! We cut back to the hard camera, where Iser is raising his arms while the crowd boos.

EIGHT!







NINE!












TE-NO!

Stryker is met with cheers and applause as he slips back into the ring at the last second. Iser looks over and just shakes his head.

Kris Cruise: Stryker continues to beat the count!

Stephy Auger: He should’ve just stayed down! Whatever comes next, he brought it on himself!

Iser marches over, pulls up Stryker and moves him into the corner. After sitting down on the top turnbuckle, Iser starts to scale the ropes. He then grabs a hold of Stryker, lifts him up and brings him down hard with a superplex! Iser slowly turns over on top of Stryker for the pin.

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

Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Iser pulls up Stryker, scoops her up from the side and delivers a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Stryker gets the shoulder up.

Iser pulls Stryker back up, lifts him up and brings him down with the Icebreaker (Irish Curse)! He makes the cover.

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

Stryker gets the shoulder up.

Iser takes Stryker and whips him hard into the corner. Stryker staggers out of the corner until Iser grabs him and whips him hard into the far corner. Stryker staggers over towards the center of the ring until Iser lifts him up, turns and throws him down with a spinebuster! He rolls across Stryker and hooks the near leg.

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

The crowd cheers when Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Yet another nearfall for Seth Iser! He can’t quite put Stryker away!

Stephy Auger: This is so frustrating, Cruise.

Iser grabs Stryker and pulls him back to his feet. Stryker gets popped with a snapping jab. Iser rattles off a second jab. After a third jab connects, Iser goes to lay Stryker out with a discus clothesline. Stryker ducks! When Iser turns around, the crowd cheers when Stryker sends him crumbling to the mat with a basement dropkick to the knee. Mr. Experience gets back to his feet before hitting the ropes. When he returns, he lands across Iser’s legs with a running Shooting Star Press! He makes the cover.

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

Stryker picks up Iser and goes for an irish whip when Iser reverses, sending Stryker into the corner. Iser massages his knee before rushing as best he can into the corner. Stryker sees him coming a mile away and counters easily with a back elbow to the face. He then turns his back to Iser, grabs a hold of him and brings him down with the Overdose (Straightjacket Shiranui)! The cheers continue as Stryker pulls Iser back to his feet, hooks the leg and throws him down with a dragon screw leg whip. Without letting go of the leg, Stryker pulls him back to his feet before bringing him down with a second dragon screw. Stryker maintains control of the leg before pulling Iser back to his feet. He follows up with Stryke-2 (leg-hook Saito Suplex)! Stryker makes the cover.

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

Iser gets his shoulder up.

The cheers continue as Stryker pulls Iser back to his feet, takes control of the back and brings him down with the Insomniac’s Dream (Crossface Chickenwing Suplex)! He makes the cover.

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

Iser gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Stryker nearly got him! These two have been so close to getting that elusive three count.

Stryker pulls up Iser and doubles him over with a knee to the midsection. After grabbing a hold of Iser, Stryker lifts him up and brings him down with the Freak Accident (pumphandle neckbreaker lift into a cutter)! NO! Iser counters with multiple elbows. The crowd gasps when he pulls Stryker into a front facelock and starts twirling his finger!

Stephy Auger: He’s calling for it!

Iser takes Stryker and plants him with the deprivation DDT (Jake Roberts-styled DDT)! NO! Stryker grabs the arm, spins out and counters with First Stryke (arm twist/hook kick combo)! Iser stumbles back while Stryker turns and hits the ropes. When Stryker returns, Iser scoops him up before slamming him down with authority with the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam)! The boos continue as Iser quickly pulls Stryker up, pulls him into another front facelock and plants him with the Deprivation DDT! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Unsainted” blares throughout the arena.

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

The boos continue as Iser gets his arm raised in victory.

[FGA Office]

Cordelia Stevenson: Isabella Anders.

The name comes out in a low and breathy whisper. The FGA Undisputed Champion, Cordelia Stevenson, lets out a disappointed sigh as she runs a hand down her face. The champ appears to be a bit agitated. Already dressed for what she’s hoping to be a war later in the evening; the champ paces back and forth somewhere in a secluded section of the Addition Financial Arena with the Undisputed Championship draped over her shoulder and her cell phone in her hand. She looks down at the phone now and shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: You say that you haven’t changed and that I’m a damned fool for believing that there’s a… new you.

The last two words are delivered with air quotes as Cordelia lets out a soft chuckle.

Cordelia Stevenson: --and that I never really knew you to begin with, and you know something-- maybe you’re right. Maybe I am the biggest fool in the fucking world for ever believing that the true Izzy Anders was better than-- whatever this is that you are now.

She motions with her hands as she holds up her phone towards the camera, scrolling through the brief interaction they’d had on twitter a few hours prior, which is clearly very still on her mind.

Cordelia Stevenson: Maybe I am a fool for not only being unable to see through the facade...

She briefly pauses and there is a growing solemnity to her expression.

Cordelia Stevenson:...but believing in it. The Izzy Anders that I thought I knew was one of the most headstrong women that I’d ever met. She didn’t always have the confidence but underneath that veil of uncertainty was a determination that didn’t know how to die. It was something that you couldn’t help but to admire. The Isabella Anders that I thought I knew, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She didn’t speak in riddles, or, if she did, didn’t hesitate to provide any needed clarity to make sure her point was completely understood. Anything she said? It was said with conviction and you knew that it was a hill that she’d die on without question.

Cordelia steeples her hands together, resting them in front of her face as she takes a deep breath.

Cordelia Stevenson: And now? You can’t even answer a simple damn question without doing the Fujiko Mine two-step.

She sways side to side in a mocking dance move before scoffing in disgust.

Cordelia Stevenson: I swear it must be a staple in the Renati dojo.

She smirks and gives a casual shrug.

Cordelia Stevenson: They always say ‘be wary of the company you keep, for they are a reflection of who you are or who you want to be’ and my God, chica, it’s become all too obvious that you’ve basked in the midst of Fujiko Mine’s stink for far too long.

The words are venomous and the disdain is laced into every single syllable. Her face is the perfect visual representation of the disgust and disappointment she feels at the very moment.

Cordelia Stevenson: But then again, you were always drawn to her; smitten; a puppy yearning for attention and acceptance, no matter how ill she may have treated you. Willing to give loyalty to someone who didn’t care about you at all until you showed that you were willing to play nice and not call her out on her bullshit anymore. Someone that flat out told you, ‘I don’t care what you say, you’ll never be better than me.’

The champion folds her arms across her chest, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

Cordelia Stevenson: You’re right. I think back over time and I see what you’ve become, and I can’t help but to think that maybe you hit the nail right on the fucking head, Izzy. Maybe I never knew you at all. So now I’m left trying to determine what’s more disappointing: realizing that you’re not who I imagined you to be or realizing just exactly who you are. One is downright heartbreaking if I’m being honest. If this is truly who you perceive yourself to be, then... quite frankly it’s no wonder you’ve faded.

She leans forward as if she’s letting the world in on a secret.

Cordelia Stevenson: There’s no maggots around me telling me that either.

She throws out, her words laden in sarcasm. She holds up a finger.

Cordelia Stevenson: Hold on, and very quickly, where was all that energy when Fujiko’s peanut gallery popped up out the woodwork to outright lie on my name and attack me?!

She tilts her head to the side, her gaze questioning and accusatory all the same.

Cordelia Stevenson: Oh wait, let me guess. You didn’t see that. You weren’t aware of that. You had noooo knowledge of that.

Cordelia rolls her eyes, already knowing the excuses that Izzy would rattle off. She fans away the notion.

Cordelia Stevenson: Go ahead and miss me with all of that chica, because we’ve already long established that you turn a blind eye to the shit that you want to when it’s appropriate. So don’t worry about who’s around me, when the few people you keep around you can’t even bother to keep it a buck with you. There’s absolutely nothing worse than having people around you who claim they love you but don’t mind seeing you stagnant. Granted, you’re probably more than happy to let them blow smoke up your ass; the whole sense of belonging thing, I get it Izzy, I do. You just want to be loved, you just wanna be loved.

Her words are sung to the tune of Miguel’s “Quickie”, her own little remix for the occasion. A small smile momentarily lines her face and then just as quickly disappears as her tone softens.

Cordelia Stevenson: But at what cost?

She arches an eyebrow and rests her cheek in the palm of her hand.

Cordelia Stevenson: You see, I’ve got no reason to lie to you. Your feelings aren’t my concern therefore I’m afforded the luxury of giving it you straight chica, because I could give a fuck how you feel. It affects me none. The reality of the situation is you aren’t nearly as esteemed as you should be around this place, Isabella. You aren’t revered like someone of your abilities should be. That's a goddamn fact and it genuinely pains me to say that, especially seeing how much you’ve grown over the years. That doesn’t bother you?

Her brows furrow as she desperately tries to understand.

Cordelia Stevenson: After all you’ve done and all you’ve accomplished? You have one of the most impressive resumes in this company, you’re a damn hall of famer and yet —

She throws her hands up in the air and shrugs.

Cordelia Stevenson: I don’t know. You just don’t have that same aura around you that you used to. The certain spark that made you special just isn’t there anymore and we all see it. Maybe the success made you complacent. Like Thanos after the snap, maybe you felt your job was done and was more than happy to ride off into the sunset. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that if that’s how you felt chica, but then my question to you is…

A pause.

Cordelia Stevenson: Why the hell are you here?

She jabs her finger towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: What purpose do you serve now? You’ve gone from a powerful voice to an antagonistic gnat that only pops in every now and then to give an opinion that is quickly losing its importance. Allow me to give you a word of advice.

Cordelia reaches out, grabbing the camera and steadying the lens on her face.

Cordelia Stevenson: If you’re too removed from the bullshit to truly care? Then just remove yourself entirely. Do you need assistance with that, Izzy?

The question comes off as more suggestive than anything.

Cordelia Stevenson: Because if you do, just say the word and I’ll make sure that our match tonight is your final goodbye. I can turn what could possibly be our final classic to a mercy killing if you so choose. Maybe it would be for the best after all cause I’d hate to see you follow along the lines of our good old buddy, Chandler.

There’s a hint of mischief in the not so innocent smile that forms on her face.

Cordelia Stevenson: He should have stayed gone. Maybe you should have too, Izzy because it’s clear your hunger just isn’t the same. That appetite appears to have long been satiated and maybe it’s just time for you to get the fuck up from the table and stop wasting space. The crazy thing is, I honestly feel like you have so much more left to give. I don’t think you’ve truly begun to even tap into the fullest of your potential. You just haven’t found the proper motivation to ascend and be greater. Maybe you’re just like me before I retired. I mean, look at what the time away did for me.

She shifts her gaze to the Undisputed Championship resting comfortably on her shoulder.

Cordelia Stevenson: Maybe you need to redefine your purpose. You’ve grown. You’ve accomplished a lot, your ambitions are different. Don’t let this go over your head chica. There’s a difference between having something to prove and having something to fight for. There is absolutely nothing left for you to prove. But just exactly what are you fighting for?

Cordelia allows the question to linger in the air as she raises an eyebrow.

Cordelia Stevenson: You don’t deserve to be here. That’s how you feel. Crazily enough, I feel as if you don’t belong anywhere else. You need to be here. Well…

She shrugs.

Cordelia Stevenson: Correction, the version of you that I thought I knew needs to be here. She represented power. She represented the shift in balance. She was the middle finger flashed directly into Leonard T. Asherman’s face. You better leave this spineless road to redemption version of you in the locker room tonight chica, or else you’re going to get packed the fuck up and it’s not going to be nothing nice.

She brushes her hair from her face, tilting her head upward and looking down her nose at the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Regardless of how you feel, you’re here; on the biggest stage and fighting for the grandest prize. All Star Showdown can be either one of two things for you, chica. Your rebirth…

She closes her eyes and lowers her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: or your funeral. Ultimately, that decision is yours.

She blows a kiss towards the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Get Familiar.

The scene slowly fades away as Cordelia remains there with her head down, getting her mind ready to attend this funeral.

[FGA Office]

“DREAM MATCH”
Fujiko Mine vs. Chandler Scott

The lights dim as the sound of a guitar plays throughout the arena. Multi-colored lasers soon begin to shoot out from the stage. Once their attention has been captured, the crowd turns to the entryway to prepare for the man that's about to walk out. At the 25 second mark, “Animal Ghosts” bursts through the speakers. Chandler Scott steps through the curtain with outstretched arms to a loud ovation from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from Westwood, Massachusetts! Weighing in at 221 pounds… CHANDLER SCOTT!

Chandler heads down the ramp with purpose. Once he's reached the aisle of the aisle, he rolls himself into the ring just as the lights come back on. Chandler times his ascension onto the middle ropes with the beginning of the chorus. The crowd sings along with the chorus while Chandler poses with outstretched arms. When the chorus ends, Chandler hops off the middle ropes, turns and lands on his feet. He begins tugging on the top rope as he awaits for his opponent.

Kris Cruise: Alright, Stephy. We are just moments away from one of the biggest matches of the year here in FGA. As we mentioned earlier tonight, the phrase Dream Match has been thrown around over the last year or so. But when it comes to FGA, there’s arguably no bigger match that the one we’re about to see right here!

Stephy Auger: Well first off, if you’re talking about big matches, then there’s no bigger match than the one that Cordelia Stevenson is involved in. So let’s give some respect where it’s due.

Kris Cruise: You know what I mean!

Stephy Auger: I know exactly what you mean. You want to elevate these two losers so that they’re out of control egos can be soothed. But let’s remind the people of something. Cordelia Stevenson humbled the both of them this year. Fujiko Mine has disappeared off Twitter. Chandler Scott won’t dare to mention her name because if he does, Cordelia will be right there to smack him down again like she has all year. She’s gotten the best of him time and time again. She ruined his comeback at Past vs Present. She made sure that he entered the Rumble at number one after Leonard T. Asherman tried to gift his golden boy the number 30 spot. Thanks to her bounty, Chandler didn’t win the Rumble. She even helped guide Ace Voltage to a win over Chandler in the most recent main event of Vertigo. After years of him rubbing his success in her face, Cordelia has turned the tables and has orchestrated his downfall here in 2021. The cherry on top is seeing him be relegated to wrestling under Cordelia on both nights at All-Star Showdown X! You know he can’t stand it!

Kris Cruise: How about we save all the Cordy talk for the main event and focus on the individuals that are actually in this match?

Stephy Auger: Well why do that when we can keep talking about how great Cordelia is?

Kris Cruise: …

"Baddest do, what the baddest do (hey)"
"The baddest do (hey), we the baddest, ooh"
"Baddest do, what the baddest do (hey)"
"The baddest do (hey), we the baddest"

The heavy electronic beat of "The Baddest" kicks in, and the crowd bursts into cheers, knowing who is about to arrive. The thumping beat quickly spreads through the arena, and the crowd gets into the spectacle of audio. The lights in the arena dim, with pink and purple spotlights swirling around the arena.


"Coming at you live, real, real wild
Here to light it up, set the world on fire
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do"

The secondary lights in the arena bump to the beat, mixing between light & dark.

Never going back, nah, not that
Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do (yeah, uh)

As the rap begins, The lights near the entrance ramp go black, and a figure stands there in the darkness. As the beat drops again, The lights all focus on the figure, almost washing them out. After a moment, the lights drop back to a ‘non blinding’ level and Fujiko stands there, The Apex Goddess holds her hands up, pressing the backs of their hands against their forehead in a “crown gesture”.

"I'm doing damage, went just how I planned it
I do what I want when I say (when I say, when I say)
모두 날 따라 해, 난 끝내주잖아
To live on the edge of insane"

Over her ring attire is a shirt that has her "Apex Goddess" logo on it. Behind her, the imposing XENA enters, her arms folded. The music drops for a second, and then the beat kicks back in as she is announced.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Weighing in at 152 pounds! She is the “Apex Goddess” FUJIKO MINE!

"Coming at you live, real, real wild
Here to light it up, set the world on fire
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do"

Fujiko saunters down the ramp. Fujiko reaches the ringside area, and follows it up with a jump onto the apron. She turns around and looks out at the crowd for a moment. She then jumps up onto the top turnbuckle, repeating her crown pose.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko Mine is dying for this match. She practically begged and pleaded for it as soon as Chandler’s return was announced. She feels like her career won’t be complete if she doesn’t test herself against the DNA of FGA.

Stephy Auger: Well she should be careful what she asks for. Chandler hasn’t won a match since his return. You think he isn’t desperate to finally get a win? What better way to finally break this streak than by beating the so-called FGApex. Chandler isn’t walking into this match with heart eyes like Evan Envi. He isn’t walking to the ring infatuated with her like Izzy Anders. He’s here to finally get a win in 2021 on the biggest stage.

Never going back, nah, not that
Diamonds on drip 'cause I came to make a splash
Gonna break rules and hearts in twos
'Cause that's what the baddest do (its crazy)

She jumps down off the turnbuckle and vibes as the bridge comes in.

"Sorry for the bad news, sorry I'm so bad
Only took a minute for me to get what you had
Sorry for the bad news, know it makes you sad
I'll be here for a minute, baby
You should pack your bags"

Fujiko grins widely, then pulls the shirt off over her head and tosses it into the crowd. She then leans into the nearest corner before the match begins.

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

Kris Cruise: Listen to this capacity crowd, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: I’d rather not!

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

“LET’S GO, CHANDLER!”
“FUJIKO!”

Scott reaches out and extends his hand for a handshake. Fujiko looks down at the hand before taking a couple of steps back.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh. Trouble in Paradise, Cruise?

Kris Cruise: Fujiko may feel a ways about Chandler’s recent comments.

Stephy Auger: Why? She needs to get over the fact that not everyone is going to bow down and kiss her feet.

Scott smirks before stepping back as well. Once the ref motions for them to engage, both grapplers start to circle the ring. They then size each other up before walking forward and locking up. Fujiko quickly gains the advantage with a side headlock before Scott shoves her off into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Scott knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then turns and hits another set of ropes. When Scott returns, Fujiko returns to her feet with a kip up before Scott knocks her down with a running shoulder block. Scott then takes off into a third set of ropes. Scott returns off the ropes before knocking Fujiko back down with another running shoulder block. He stares down at Fujiko before taking off into the fourth set of ropes. When Scott returns, Fujiko returns to her feet with a kip up before leapfrogging over him. Scott continues to run the ropes. As Scott comes back, the crowd cheers when Fujiko leapfrogs over him without turning around. Scott continues to run the ropes. When Scott returns, Fujiko knocks him down with a dropsault. Scott scrambles back to a vertical base before Fujiko returns him to the mat with another dropkick. As Scott rushes to get back to his feet, the crowd gasps when Fujiko throws out a Backflip Flash Kick!

Kris Cruise: The Bliss!

Scott quickly spins around, drops to the mat and rolls out of the way. He runs his hands through his hair before letting out a sigh of relief.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko was THIS close to knocking Scott’s head off!

Stephy Auger: He better be thanking his lucky stars he got out of the way in time.

When Scott turns his attention back to the ring, he sees Fujiko walk over towards the ropes, crouch down in front of him and hold her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. Scott smirks before continuing to circle the ring.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko just let him know how close he was to getting knocked out.

Stephy Auger: Typical cocky Fujiko.

Scott climbs up to the apron before stepping back inside. Him and Fujiko size each other up before engaging in a lock up. After jockeying for position, Scott throws her down with an arm drag. Fujiko turns over to a knee before returning to a vertical base. She looks over and sees Scott smirking at her while the two circle the ring. Seconds later, they engage in another collar-and-elbow. Scott lets Fujiko move him back a few steps before returning her to the mat with another arm drag. Scott heads over to the kneeling Fujiko and holds his hand out for her. Fujiko motions to grab his hand until Scott smoothly walks off towards the ropes. Fujiko can be seen nodding before returning to her feet.

Kris Cruise: Would you look at that.

Stephy Auger: I’m liking the spiciness, Cruise. I have to admit it.

Scott and Fujiko circle the ring once more. They stop to size each other up before pushing forward and locking up. They jockey for position until Fujiko turns the tables with an arm drag of her own. Scott looks over at the ref in disbelief before returning to his feet. He sizes Fujiko up before pushing forward and locking up with her again. The two grapplers tussle back and forth until Fujiko brings him back down with another arm drag. Scott slaps the apron out of frustration before scrambling back to his feet. He runs over to attack, but Fujiko uses his momentum against him and brings him down with a side headlock takeover. Scott is quickly able to reverse into a grounded headscissors. Seconds later, Fujiko returns to her feet with a kip up. Scott scrambles back to a vertical base before being thrown down with another side headlock takeover. After Scott reverses into a grounded headscissors, the Apex Goddess escapes with another kip up. Fujiko rushes over to attack while Scott gets back to his feet. Scott is able to catch Fujiko in time with a side headlock takeover of his own. After Fujiko reverses into a grounded headscissors, Scott escapes with a kip up. NO! The kip up attempt is stuffed by Fujiko! Scott goes for another kip up. Again, it gets blocked. Scott tries for a third kip up, but it’s to no avail.

The ref gets down and asks Scott if he wants to give up. Scott refuses. The DNA of FGA starts to stir on the mat before turning over onto his knees. Fujiko then sits up while she keeps his head locked between her legs. Scott then reaches down, puts his hands down on top of Fujiko’s legs and executes a headstand. A couple of seconds pass until he’s able to push himself up out of the grounded headscissors. As soon as Scott lands on his feet, the crowd gasps when he immediately grabs a hold of Fujiko’s legs. Scott desperately tries to turn her over into the Scott Lock (Scorpion Death Lock), but Fujiko counters by rapidly kicking both legs. Fujiko’s eventually able to catch Scott with an upkick to the face that knocks him down. Both grapplers scramble back to their feet before Fujiko throws out another Bliss. Scott ends up stumbling back before dropping to a seated position against the ropes.

Kris Cruise: That’s twice now that Chandler’s nearly been hit with The Bliss.

Stephy Auger: The third time might be the charm, Cruise.

Fujiko heads over, crouches down in front of Scott and holds out her thumb and index finger about an inch apart again. The Apex Goddess stands up and backs away towards the center of the ring. Scott then pulls himself back to a vertical base before circling the ring. The two grapplers size each other up before locking up. After jockeying for position, Scott muscles Fujiko across the ring before pressing her up against the ropes. The Apex Goddess tries to fight her way off the ropes. But Scott is able to overpower her and press her back against the ropes. The ref then heads over and gives them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Both grapplers make a clean break. Fujiko flinches when Scott motions for a punch! Instead of sucker punching Fujiko, Scott simply gives her three condescending pats on the side of the face. Scott smirks as he steps back towards the center of the ring. A camera cut to Fujiko shows that the FGApex isn’t amused.

Kris Cruise: I think the fun and games might be over, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Of course. When Fujiko does it, it’s okay. But when someone does it to her, she ends up on the verge of tears. Like I said, typical Fujiko.

Fujiko makes her way off the ropes, marches over to Scott and locks up with him again. After jockeying for position, Scott shoves Fujiko down to the mat. Fujiko returns to her feet with a kip up and gets right in Scott’s face. Scott smirks before piefacing Fujiko.

Kris Cruise: Woah!

“BOOOOOOO!”

Fujiko turns back to Scott before getting shoved down to the mat!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

[/i][/center][/size]

Scott goes to grab a hold of Fujiko’s legs before she brings him down with a kip up headscissors takeover. Scott scrambles back to his feet, rushes over and get stuck with a kick to the midsection. NO! Scott catches the foot in time. He then takes Fujiko’s foot and swings his arm upward, sending Fujiko flipping in the air. After Fujiko lands back on her feet, the crowd explodes with cheers when she flips back again and catches Scott with The Bliss!

Kris Cruise: SHE GOT HIM!

Scott gets his arm up in time and ends up getting caught with The Bliss across the forearm. He drops to the mat before turning over to knee. Scott can be seen holding the forearm until Fujiko knocks him down with a front dropkick to the chest. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Scott kicks out.

Fujiko pulls Scott back to his feet and wrenches the arm that got caught with The Bliss. Scott winces with pain when he winds up on the receiving end of another arm wrench. After a third arm wrench is delivered, Scott rolls forward, leans back and kips up until Fujiko knocks him back down with a back heel trip while keeping the wristlock applied. Fujiko bends his arms at 90 degrees, places his palm flat against the mat and goes for a jumping stop to the elbow. The crowd gasps when Scott’s able to roll out of the way just in time.

Fujiko goes over, crouches down in front of Scott and holds her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. This time, Scott responds by quickly snatching a hold of Fujiko’s wrist! Scott gets back to a vertical base before delivering an arm wrench. He tries to yank the arm from out of its socket before delivering another arm wrench. Scott tries to yank the arm out of its socket again before delivering a third arm wrench. He goes to try and yank the arm from out of its socket before delivering three clubbing strikes across the arm. Scott delivers yet another arm wrench before Fujiko runs over to the corner, runs up to the top turnbuckle and counters with a springboard arm drag. As Scott gets back to his feet, Fujiko runs over to attack until Scott counters with a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam!

Kris Cruise: Chandler put something extra behind that slam! He makes the cover…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out.

Scott takes Fujiko and whips her into the ropes. Scott goes to catch her off the rebound with a kitchen sink, but Fujiko flips over the knee and reverses into a schoolboy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Scott kicks out.

Once both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base, Scott yanks her back down with a standing double leg takedown. He then steps through Fujiko’s legs, crosses them around his before trying to turn her over into the Scott Lock, but Fujiko’s uses her renowned leg strength to shove him off and into the corner. The Apex Goddess scrambles back to a vertical base before rushing into the corner. Scott knocks her back with a back elbow. Fujiko shakes off the blow before rushing back into the corner. This time, Scott turns her around with a boot to the face. Scott hoists himself up to a seated position on the top turnbuckle before Fujiko quickly answers back with a Pelé kick, sending Scott flips backwards over the top rope and bounces off the steel steps before the floor!

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Stephy Auger: He might be hurt after that landing.

Scott turns over on all fours before shaking out the cobwebs. Once he starts to get back to his feet, he sees Fujiko running full steam ahead at the ropes. Scott tucks his head and ducks when Fujiko motions for a dive to the outside. But instead of performing a high risk move to the floor, Fujiko kicks off the top rope, twirls through the air and lands in a super hero pose before grinning at her fooled opponent. Scott quickly rolls back inside to rush over for an attack. Fujiko quickly pops back to her feet, runs over and tries to catch Scott when he rises up off the mat with The Bliss, but Scott wisely rolls back to the outside. He looks to a couple of fans in the front row and shakes his head at them. But unbeknownst to him, Fujiko has bounced off the far ropes and is running back across the ring. When Scott turns around, he doubles a double take before Fujiko knocks him against the guardrail with a topé suicida! Fujiko slips back inside before taking off into the far ropes. Scott makes his way off the guardrail before Fujiko leaps through the ropes and knocks him down with a second topé suicida. While Scott remains on the floor, Fujiko slips back inside, grabs a hold of the top rope with both hands before launching herself to the outside and crushing him on the floor with a corkscrew plancha!

Kris Cruise: Chandler just got crushed on the floor!

Fujiko picks up Scott and rolls him back inside. She then slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO
.
.
Scott gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Fujiko returns to her feet before stomping Scott underneath the bottom rope and out to the floor. The Apex Goddess bounces on the balls of her feet while Scott tries to pick himself up on the outside. She then takes off into the far ropes before running back across the ring. Scott turns away when Fujiko motions for a dive over the top rope. But instead of crashing to the floor after Scott moved out of the way, Fujiko simply slingshots herself out to the apron. When Scott turns around, Fujiko nails him with a back kick to the face before knocking him down with an Asai Moonsault!

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays off again for the Apex Goddess!

Stephy Auger: Chandler can’t keep up with Fujiko’s speed and agility. She’s just too fast for him!

Kris Cruise: If Chandler wants to stand a chance, he’s got to get Fujiko down.

Stephy Auger: He’s tried to put her in the Scott Lock multiple times, but she keeps escaping!

The cheers continue as Fujiko takes Scott and rolls him back inside. She then rolls herself back in, drags Scott away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Fujiko takes Scott, moves him into the corner and catches him with two forearms before following up with a pair of shoot kicks. She then sends Scott into the far corner with an irish whip. Fujiko then runs across the ring before connecting with a corner dropkick. After climbing up onto the middle ropes, Fujiko takes Scott and plants him with a Tornado DDT! NO! Scott pushes Fujiko off mid turn. After landing on her feet, Fujiko runs back into the corner to attack until Scott ducks and dumps her over the top rope. Fujiko lands safely on the apron before knocking Scott back when he turns around with a rope-assisted gamengiri. The cheers continue as Fujiko connects with a springboard missile dropkick, sending Scott stumbling back before dropping to the mat and rolling to the outside.

When Scott starts to pull himself up using the edge of the apron, Fujiko turns and takes off into the far ropes. The FGApex picks up speed as she runs back across the ring. She flips over the top rope and flattens Scott with a topé con giro! NO! Scott dives out of the way, causing Fujiko to land back-first on the floor!

Kris Cruise: Chandler got out of the way!

Stephy Auger: Fujiko looks like she’s hurting, Cruise!

Scott picks up Fujiko and rolls her back inside. After rolling himself back in, he grabs Fujiko, drags her away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Scott scoops up Fujiko and brings her down with a rib breaker before making the cover.

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

Scott takes Fujiko and whips her into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Scott brings her down off the rebound with a high back body drop. Fujiko catches a ton of hangtime until she lands hard on her back. The Apex Goddess arches her back in pain until Scott flattens her with the lateral press.

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

Scott takes Fujiko and brings her down with a snap suplex. He then swivels around on the mat, pulls Fujiko back to her feet and delivers a second snap suplex. Scott turns over, pulls Fujiko back to her feet and drags her over towards the corner before delivering a snap suplex into the turnbuckles! Scott drags her away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott takes Fujiko and whips her hard into the corner. Fujiko staggers away from the corner until Scott scoops her up from the side and brings her down with a running backbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Chandler continue to target the back. But Fujiko is able to get her shoulder up just in time.

Stephy Auger: He hasn’t gotten the three count yet. But he’s slowed this match all the way down, which has turned things around in his favor.

Fujiko gets pulled back to her feet before being sent for the ride. Scott catches her off the return with a kitchen sink. Fujiko flips down to the mat and stays in a seated position until Scott executes a rolling neck snap. He makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott pulls Fujiko back to her feet and delivers two Rolling Vertical Suplexes before follows up with a Shotgun Stunner. The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott takes Fujiko and whips her hard into another corner. After crashing back-first into the turnbuckles, Fujiko staggers back over towards the center of the ring until Scott doubles her over with a hard punch to the midsection. He follows up with a swinging neckbreaker before making the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott pulls Fujiko back to her feet, hooks the leg and brings her down with a snap fisherman neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Yet another nearfall for Chandler. He’s having his way in there now.

Stephy Auger: This match has been all Chandler after Fujiko missed on that dive to the outside.

Scott takes Fujiko and moves her into the corner. After sitting her down on the top turnbuckle, Scott starts to scale the ropes. After Scott climbs up to the middle ropes, Fujiko stops him with a punch to the face. She catches Scott with another punch to the face. The crowd rallies behind Fujiko when she fires off a flurry of right hands before shoving Scott down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s fighting back!

Stephy Auger: Can she follow up, though?

Fujiko starts to slowly stand up on the top turnbuckle. But she’s not able to follow up as Scott scrambles back to his feet, darts over and pushes her legs out from under her. The Apex Goddess remains crotched on the top turnbuckle while Scott scales the ropes. Scott climbs up to the middle ropes, looks around at the crowd and shakes his head before climbing up to the top ropes.

Kris Cruise: Chandler’s climbed up to the very top!

After pulling Fujiko up, Scott throws her down with authority with a superplex off the top ropes! Scott slowly turns over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott grabs Fujiko by the hair and slowly pulls her back to her feet. The FGAce sizes Fujiko up before bashing her with a forearm strike. He size Fujiko up again before staggering her with another forearm strike. A third forearm drops Fujiko down to a knee. Scott stares down at Fujiko as she tries to shake off the blow. She then reaches up and grabs onto Scott to try and slowly return to a vertical base. Once Fujiko’s back to her feet, Scott sends her head snapping back with a hard European Uppercut that drops her to the mat. Scott reaches down, pulls Fujiko back to her feet before nailing her with a hard forearm strike that turns her around and sends her staggering over into the ropes. Fujiko drops to a knee once more before using the ropes to pull herself back up. Before Fujiko can turn around, Scott marches over and nails her with four hard forearm strikes to the lower back. He then grabs Fujiko by the back of the tights with both hands before delivering four headbutts to the lower back. Scott takes Fujiko, lifts her up and sits her down on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring. He then climbs up to the middle ropes before raining down four clubbing strikes across the back of the neck. Scott then delivers four pointed elbow strikes across the back of the neck. After taking Fujiko’s right arm and draping it across the back of his neck, Scott stands up on the top ropes. Members of the crowd stand up and look on with bated breath while the FGAce and the FGApex are at the very top.

Kris Cruise: This isn’t good, Stephy..

Scott lifts up Fujiko, jumps back and brings her down with a belly to back superplex! NO! The crowd cheers when Fujiko shifts her way in mid air and lands down across Scott! She stays in place for the lateral press!

Kris Cruise: She reversed!

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

Scott gets his shoulder up.

Fuiko rolls away from Scott while he grabs the back of his neck with both hands. After Scott slowly turns over to a knee, Fujiko gets up, runs over and plants him with a basement hurricanrana! She makes the cover.

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

Scott is met with applause when he gets the shoulder up.

Fujiko reaches over, grabs the arm that Scott raised off the mat and pulls him up to his knees. The Apex Goddess sizes Scott up before nailing him with Sealed With a Kick (grounded arm pulled roundhouse kick)!

Kris Cruise: What a kick by Fujiko.

Fujiko maintains hold of the wrist before nailing Scott wit another Sealed With a Kick!

Stephy Auger: She nailed him again with that kick!

Fujiko blasts Scott with another kick to the chest!

“YES!”

… and another kick!

“YES!”

… and another kick!

“YES!”

Fujiko continues to nail Scott with kick after the kick. The chants come faster with each kick.

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

“YES!”

Fujiko lets go of Scott’s wrist and sizes him up before nearly knocking his head off with a Buzzsaw Kick! NO! Scott quickly wraps his right arm around the leg and returns to his feet before bringing Fujiko down with a dragon screw leg whip!

Scott maintains a hold of the leg as he returns to the vertical base. The DNA of FGA delivers a grounded dragon screw keg whip before following up with a rolling leg snap!

Scott gets back to his feet, lifts up the right leg and delivers another rolling leg snap!

Fujiko can be seen holding the right leg. Scott heads back over and wrestles away control of the leg before delivering a third rolling leg snap!

Scott pulls Fujiko back to her feet. He then delivers a shin breaker. While Fujiko is hobbled, Scott takes a couple of steps back before running forward and kicking the right leg out from under her. Fujiko ends up flipping backwards before landing on the prone position. Scott heads over, drops to a knee and bends Fujiko’s right leg at 90 degrees before slamming the knee against the canvas over… and over… and over… and over… and over again. Fujiko rolls away from Scott before clutching the leg.

Kris Cruise: Chandler looked to be all but out of it after those kicks to the head. But he’s come right back to take back control of this match.

Scott goes over, grabs Fujiko’s right ankle and tries to drag her back over towards the center of the ring. But Fujiko hangs onto the bottom rope for dear life. So Scott lets go of the leg and starts to stomp away at Fujiko’s midsection. She then kneels down across Fujiko’s chest before hitting her with four right hands to the face. Scott pulls Fujiko back to her feet, pulls her back over towards the center of the ring and delivers another shin breaker. Fujiko remains hobbled while Scott hits the ropes. Scott picks up speed as he runs past Fujiko and into the opposite set of ropes. When Scott returns, the crowd explodes with cheers when he turns Fujiko inside out with the Roaring Hammer (running Polish Hammer)! He makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: It’s over!

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

Fujiko is met with applause when she gets the shoulder up.

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

Scott picks up Fujiko and pulls her into a font facelock. He gives a thumbs up gesture before switching to a thumbs down gesture.

Stephy Auger: Chandler’s about to put this one away!

Scott’s about to plant Fujiko with the DNA Driver until she grabs his arm, spins out and connects with The Bliss, dropping him to the mat!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko hit it!

An overhead shot shows Scott splayed out on the mat with his eyes wide open.

Kris Cruise: Chandler’s down! He’s down, Stephy!

The crowd is at a fever pitch while Fujiko struggles to turn over into the prone position. Scott remains motionless on the mat while Fujiko slowly pulls herself closer and closer to her. The crowd looks on with bated breath as Fujiko lifts her left arm in the air.

Kris Cruise: Do it, Fujiko! Make the cover!

Fujiko leans over and drapes the arm across Scott’s chest for the cover! NO! Scott turns over into the prone position at the last second. Fujiko hangs her head.

Stephy Auger: He’s not out of it yet! He had the wherewithal to roll out of the way.

Fujiko nudges Scott back over onto his back before making the cover.

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

Scott is met with applause when he gets the shoulder up. Fujiko slaps the canvas out of frustration.

Kris Cruise: She was so close, Stephy!

Fujiko grabs Scott and slowly tries to pull him up off the mat. In the blink of an eye, Scott quickly brings Fujiko down with a double leg takedown before turning her over into the Scott Lock!

Kris Cruise: There it is!

The ref gets down and asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. Fujiko refuses. The crowd cheers when Fujiko puts her palms down on the mat before slowly pushing herself up. She goes to make her way towards the side of the ring. Scott then stands up, drags Fujiko back to the center of the ring and drops back down into the Scott Lock. Fujiko can be seen writhing in pain.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko is back in the center of the ring! She’s trapped! Does she have enough left to make it to the ropes!?

Stephy Auger: Not at all!

The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. Fujiko refuses. Scott pulls back on the leg while Fujiko continues to howl in pain. The ref checks back in with Fujiko to ask if she wants to quit. Once again, Fujiko refuses. The capacity crowd tries to get behind the Apex Goddess and will her towards the ropes. Applause can be heard as Fujiko struggles to push herself up on the mat. She begins to make her way towards the ropes. Scott looks around in disbelief as Fujiko continues to pull herself towards the side of the ring. Scott shakes his head ‘no’. But once again, Fujiko will not be denied. Fujiko goes to reach out for the ropes when Scott sits up, drags Fujiko back towards the center of the ring and drops back down into the Scott Lock! The crowd sighs after seeing Fujiko denied once again. Scott then leans back to increase the pressure of the hold.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s been dragged back to the center of the ring!

Stephy Auger: I’s over, Fuji! Just quit!

While Scott is yelling at Fujiko to tap, the ref checks in with the FGApex. She’s asked if she wants to give up. Fujiko tugs at her hair while she groans in agony. The ref asks her again if she wants to give up. Fujiko balls her hands into fists. She tries to hang on. Fujiko is then seen biting her knuckle while she lets out another groan. Scott continues to keep the Scott Lock applied. He doesn’t get discouraged in the least bit. If she won’t tap, she’ll eventually pass out. She’s got nowhere to go.

Kris Cruise: How much longer can Fujiko hang on for?

Stephy Auger: Not for long by the looks of it!

Fujiko continues to remain in no man’s land. She’s trapped in the Scott Lock in the center of the ring. She’s trying her damndest to hang on. The capacity crowd, which has been split between the FGAce and the FGApex, starts to rally behind the Apex Goddess.

“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”
“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”
“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”
“PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

Scott is seen shaking his head at the crowd before shouting at Fujiko to tap.

“NOOOOOOOO!”

The crowd cheers as Fujiko reaches forward and starts to pull herself towards the side of the ring. Scott’s eyes widen when he feels himself moving backwards. The DNA of FGA starts to shake his head in disbelief. But it’s really happening. The capacity crowd continues to will Fujiko towards the ropes a she scratches and claws her way across the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s almost there!

The closer Fujiko gets, the faster the claps and the louder the cheers get. Fujiko reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope! The crowd erupts with cheers when the rope break has been forced!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THRE! FOUR!

Scott reluctantly breaks the hold.

Scott reaches out and slowly pulls Fujiko back to her feet. He then turns Fujiko towards him before she nails him with a right forearm. Fujiko quickly comes back with a left forearm. Scott motions for a strike until Fujiko cuts him off wit another right forearm. Scott is then caught with a left forearm. The FGApex continues to hit Scott with alternating forearm strikes until he cuts her off with a kick to the right knee. Scott then takes Fujiko and goes for an irish whip. Fujiko doesn't get far until she crumbles to the mat and hugs her knee.

Stephy Auger: Her knee just gave out, Cruise!

Scott goes over, pulls Fujiko back up and goes for another irish whip. Again, Fujiko crumbles to the mat and holds her right leg.

Kris Cruise: This doesn’t look good for Fujiko, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: It doesn’t. But then again, she could be faking.

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: You know I’m right. She’s used gamesmanship to get ahead before.

Scott goes over, picks up Fujiko, delivers an irish whip and follows her into the corner. Instead of crashing into the corner, Fujiko runs up to the top turnbuckle and backflips over Scott! When Fujiko lands on her feet, her right leg buckles before she plops down to a seated position. Before Fujiko can get back to her feet, Scott darts over and flattens her with a Sliding D! He makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Scott picks her up and goes for a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. Fujiko fights out of it with elbows to the side of the head before slipping down from behind. She then turns Scott around and knocks him back with a handstand calf kick. Scott shakes off the blow before running over and throwing out a discus Roaring Hammer! Scott whiffs on the strike as Fujiko ducks and heads towards the ropes. When Scott turns around, the crowd cheers when Fujiko brings him down with a handspring rebound Ace Crusher! She makes the cover.

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

Scott gets the shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Scott and goes for an irish whip. Scott reverses. When Fujiko returns off the ropes, she executes a forward roll before planting Scott with a leaping DDT! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Scott gets the shoulder up.

Fujiko grabs Scott and pulls him over into the corner. The Apex Goddess climbs up to the middle ropes before planting him with a Tornado DDT! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Scott gets the shoulder up.

Fujiko crawls over and climbs through the middle and bottom ropes to the apron. She pulls herself up using the ropes before scaling the turnbuckles. Once Scott gets back to his feet and turns around, Fujiko rises up from a crouched position on the top turnbuckle before leaping off and planting him with a Diving DDT! She makes the cover.

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

Scott is met with applause when he gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for Chandler!

Fujiko takes Scott and whips him into the ropes. When Scott returns, he gets knocked off his feet wit the 4-Play (running single leg dropkick)! Fujiko heads over, grabs Scott by the wrist and pulls him over onto his knees. The Apex Goddess sizes him up before thrusting her knee forward.

*THWACK!*

Fujiko clobbers Scott with Yount's 3000th Hit (Double wristlock knee to face)! Scott remains dazed on his knees until he leans forward and plants face-first on the mat. Fujiko positions herself behind Scott, reaches down, applies a rear waistlock and slowly pulls him back to his feet. She maintains control of the back before pulling Scott into the N Loop (ripcord alternating forearms and backfists)! After the last forearm strike turns Scott away from him, Fujiko quickly turns, grabs Scott and lifts him up horizontally across her back before planting him with the Cadence Breaker (Ruby Cutter DDT)! She rolls across him and hooks the near leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s done it!

The crowd explodes with cheers as “The Baddest” blasts over the PA!

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

Fujiko turns over and drapes her arm across Chandler’s chest. He says something in his ear before slowly returning to her feet.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s done it! That last DDT finally put Chandler Scott away! The FGApex prevails here tonight at All-Star Showdown X! I cannot imagine the rush of emotions she must be feeling right now. This is something that she’s wanted for years. She never thought this moment would ever be possible. But tonight, Fujiko finally got to share a ring with Chandler Scott and got the victory over one of FGA’s past greats! Congratulations, Fujiko!

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
FGA UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) Cordelia Stevenson vs. Izzy Anders

The hypnotic opening of “Bad Dreams” by Phantogram picks up throughout the arena and the lights fade into a cascade of fuschia and crimson.

♫ Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete
Bad dreams never affect me
I'm not afraid of the concrete ♫

As the colors play, the beats becomes harsher and invites Izzy Anders onto the stage. She dances around to the beat of the music until she makes to the center point of the stage. Scanning the arena with that Cheshire grin of hers, Izzy takes her time walking down the ramp. When she does, she does it with an egotistical saunter, knowing that she has the audience wrapped around her finger.

♫ To changing me
(And I believe this happened once before)
To changing me
(And I predict the world will be all gone)
To changing me
(And I can see the same things that you see)
To changing me
(‘Cause I predict the world) ♫

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders received this opportunity by eliminating Chandler Scott in the Gold Rush Rumble. But Izzy didn’t want it this way. She wanted to earn it.

Stephy Auger: She did it earn it! Cordelia put the bounty on Chandler’s head. You didn’t even have to win the Rumble. As long as you eliminated Chandler, the title shot was yours. Why do you think AMC was so quick to take Cordelia up on her offer? Why do you think Brian Stryker decided to finally come out of retirement? Izzy knew what the stakes were. Besides, it’s not like she’s ever been best friends with Chandler, anyway. So chucking him from the Rumble should have been a bonus. Instead, she’s acting like Cordelia is giving her a handout. She’s acting like Cordelia wanted her to get the title shot first because she thinks she can beat The Mindkiller. Well first off, duh! She’s beaten Izzy before and she’ll beat her again tonight. But two, Cordelia has done nothing but show love and support for Izzy when she had no business to. Instead, Izzy doesn’t return the love. Instead, she’s taking cues from Fox News Mine’s playbook. She’s trashing Cordelia’s friends for sticking up for her. Yet where was Izzy when Fuji Water had her merry band of thugs come out of the woodwork to run Cordelia’s name through the mud? Nowhere to be found, of course! You know what, Cruise? Cordelia was spot on when she said she was wrong about Izzy. I’ve been saying it for years and I’m glad our honorable Undisputed Champion finally agrees. The Mindkiller has been defanged. She no longer spits venom. Izzy’s complacent now. She’s just happy to have her seat at the Hall of Fame table. But you know who isn’t complacent? Cordelia’s Stevenson. She’s still hungry. She’s performing at an even higher level post-Hall of Fame while people like Fujiko, Chandler and now Izzy have fallen off a cliff. If Izzy doesn’t come correct, Cruise, then Cordelia will have no problem making short work of her.

Kris Cruise: You and Cordelia couldn’t be any further from the truth when it comes to Izzy Anders. The Mindkiller is going to show Cordelia just how bad she wants it here tonight. This has been a long time coming.

Izzy climbs the ring apron, turning her back to the ring to stare at the audience. She shifts down the ropes until she reaches the turnbuckle, ascending it with a delicate air. From there, she reaches methodically for her eyepatch, removing it with flair. She lowers it into her mouth, giving it a playful bite and giving the hard cam a wink. Izzy then scales down the turnbuckle into the ring, taking her coat off. A stagehand receives it in the only way Izzy does, a dramatic fling meant to blanket them in the immense coat. The Mindkiller then takes a seat a little off center of the ring, at the very tip of her corner. She sits there with her legs crossed, staring out to the audience as her song dies out.

"And this is what it feels like..."

The lights dim down and take on a purplish hue as a light smoky mist fills the entrance way. The soulful horns in the intro to "What It Feels Like" by Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z blare over the speakers.

"And this is what it feels like..."

As the beat drops, the shapely silhouette of Cordelia Stevenson forms in the midst of the smoke. After a few seconds she casually breaks through the misty veil, stepping forward onto the walkway and stopping for the perfect photo op. Lifting her head towards the sky, she thrusts her Undisputed Championship into the air as the fans shower her with boos. She lowers her head, a satisfied smirk on her face as she proceeds down towards the ring, mouthing off at the crowd and reminding them that she is the New DNA of FGA every chance that she gets.

Kris Cruise: You were right about one thing, Cruise. This has been a long time coming. Cordelia’s has been waiting years to whoop Izzy and what better place than All-Star Showdown X? Izzy is the one that screwed Cordelia out of the Undisputed Title years ago. But Cordelia eventually forgave her. She even understood why The Mindkiller did what she did. Yet where was Izzy to return the favor? Where was Izzy when Fujiko’s friends tried to assassinate Cordelia’s character? Where was Izzy when the fans were calling Cordelia every name but a child of God? Exactly! Over these past few weeks, Izzy has revealed her true self to Cordelia. The Mindkiller let our champion know where her allegiance truly lies. Izzy is the enemy and tonight, she’ll get dealt like one. Izzy will get what’s coming to her in more ways than one.

Finally she makes her way up the steps and walks along the apron before stepping through the ropes in an almost teasing fashion. She steps into the ring and walks directly to the center of it, looking out at the crowd with a disapproving gaze as she holds her championship belt into the air once more. As the music dies down, she hands her title off to an attendant at ring side and makes her way towards her corner.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is your MAIN EVENT of the evening… and it is for the FGA UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP!

The capacity crowd breaks out into applause.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, fighting out of Holland, Michigan by way of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is “The Mindkiller” IZZYYYYYYY AAAAANNNNNNNDERRRSSSSS!!!

The crowd explodes with cheers as Anders takes a couple of steps out of her corner.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Freeport, Long Island! Weighing in at 155 pounds! She is the reigning… defending.. FGA UNDISPUTED CHAMPION! She is “Saint Sexy,” “The Real,” “FGA's First Lady,” “The Lioness of the Frontier,” “The New DNA of FGA,” “Cordelia The U-”

The crowd erupts with cheers when Anders snatches the mic out of Aldridge’s hand and chucks it to the outside.

Stephy Auger: Hey!

Kris Cruise: Izzy said enough with the talking. Let's fight!

Stevenson goes over towards Anders and raises her Undisputed Championship in the air.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Stevenson takes it a step further and holds the championship right in front of Anders’ face.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The referee gets in between the two and motions for them both to head into their respective corners.

Kris Cruise: It’s getting heated already, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: You can cut the tension with a knife!

The bell sounds as both champion and challenger remain in opposite corners. They continue to keep their eyes locked on each other, though. Neither grappler makes a move, which makes the anticipation to see the first strike grow even more. Suddenly, Stevenson’s eyes dart out towards the crowd as they begin to chant.

“LET’S GO, IZZY”
“CORDY SUCKS!”

“LET’S GO, IZZY”
“CORDY SUCKS!”

“LET’S GO, IZZY”
“CORDY SUCKS!”

“LET’S GO, IZZY”
“CORDY SUCKS!”

“LET’S GO, IZZY”
“CORDY SUCKS!”

Stephy Auger: This woman is wrestling a level that none of her contemporaries could ever reach. Especially Chandler. Yet this is how they repay her? Ungrateful fuc-

Kris Cruise: Stephy, please!

Stevenson narrows her eyes as she locks back in on Anders. Both champion and challenger circle the ring before locking up. Anders quickly gains the advantage with a wrist lock before delivering an arm wrench. Stevenson reaches over to try and reverse, but Anders cuts her off with another arm wrench. Stevenson then ends up on the receiving end of another arm wrench before dropping to a knee. The champion gets back to her feet until a jerk of the arm drops her back down to a knee. Stevenson slowly stands back up until Anders jerks the arm, bringing her right back down to a knee. She touches her shoulder while letting out a groan. The official asks Stevenson if she wants to give up. Stevenson shakes him off.

Stevenson slowly returns to a vertical base. She then rolls forward, leans back, kips up, spins in place and follows up with a poke to the eyes. The champion laughs off the boos before slapping on a side headlock.

Anders is quick to shove Stevenson off of her and into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, she knocks Anders down with a running shoulder block. To add insult, Stevenson puts her foot on top of Anders’ chest for the cocky pin.

ONE!
.
.
Anders slaps Stevenson’s foot off of her.

Kris Cruise: Did you see that arrogant cover? Maybe Cordy doesn’t view Izzy as a threat, afterall.

Stephy Auger: Oh, she does. She’s just returning the same disrespect that was given to her.

As Anders gets back to her feet, Stevenson grabs her and whips her into the ropes. When Anders returns, Stevenson knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. She then puts her foot on top of Anders’ chest for another cocky pin.

ONE!
.
.
Anders slaps her foot away from her.

As Anders gets back to her feet, Stevenson grabs her and whips her into the ropes. When Anders returns, she slides through Stevenson’s legs. When Stevenson turns around, Anders gets up and knocks her down with a European Uppercut. The cheers continue as Anders knocks her down with another European Uppercut. And another! Once Stevenson gets back to her feet, Anders grabs her and goes for an irish whip. But Stevenson reverses, sending Anders into the ropes. When Anders returns, Stevenson goes for a back body drop. But Anders slips down from behind. After Anders applies a rear waistlock, Stevenson catches her with a back elbow to the face. She then performs a standing switch and returns the favor with a rear waistlock of her own. Anders runs forward, wraps her arms around the top rope and yanks back, sending Stevenson off her back and down to the mat. As Stevenson scrambles back to a vertical base, the crowd explodes with cheers when Anders rushes over and throws out the Capetown Sunset (540 Kick)! The Mindkiller misses when Stevenson ducks and heads towards the ropes. Shen then turns around and gets caught with a handspring enzuigiri. Stevenson turns over to a knee and dusts off her shoulder while Anders rolls to the outside.

Stephy Auger: She makes it look so easy, Cruise. Izzy thought she had Cordelia dead to rights with the Capetown Sunset. But just like that, Cordelia is able to counter and send Izzy retreating to the outside.

Anders can be seen checking her lip to see if it's bleeding. She then turns and does a double take when Stevenson runs towards the ropes. Instead of diving to the outside, Stevenson taunts Anders by stealing her Tranquilo Roll. The boos intensify when Stevenson holds her fist out towards Anders.

Kris Cruise: She’s making a mocker of this!

Stephy Auger: It’s no fun when the shoe is on the other foot, is it?

The Mindkiller climbs back up to the apron before stepping back inside. Both champion and challenger immediately get in each others face.

Kris Cruise: This is going to get real ugly real quick.

The two look into each other’s eyes as no words are said. Their eyes do all the talking. Stevenson starts to get vocal. She can be seen telling Anders that she’ll always respect her, but she wants the old Izzy back. That’s the one she wants to beat. She then gestures up and down before continuing that if she’s fighting the new and “improved” Izzy tonight, she’s gonna die… respectfully. Stevenson adds a grin after that last part. The crowd cheers when they see Anders telling the champion to shut the fuck up.

Stephy Auger: She can’t talk to Cordelia like that!

Stevenson smirks. She looks off to the side and gestures to the crowd to get a load of Anders… before sucker punching her with a right hand! NO! The Mindkiller knows it’s coming, so she blocks and counters with a punch of her own! The cheers continue when Stevenson gets caught with another punch. Anders quickly grabs Stevenson by the throat, muscles her over into the corner before sending her slumping down with MUDA MUDA MUDA (machine gun punches)! Anders reaches down, yanks Stevenson back to her feet and sends her slumping down again with MUDA MUDA MUDA! Anders still isn’t done! She reaches down, grabs Stevenson by the hair and slowly pulls her back to her feet before sending her slumping down one more time with MUDA MUDA MUDA! The camera swings over to Stevenson. The champion looks to be on dream street.

Stevenson remains down and dazed in the corner while Anders hits the far ropes. The Mindkiller returns off the rebound and gears up for a running facewash. But before she can hit the move, Stevenson wisely slips to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Stevenson escaped to the floor just in time!

The boos continue while Stevenson calls for a timeout. The Undisputed Champion tries to shake out the cobwebs. She peeks over her shoulder and does a double take when she sees Anders rolling to the outside behind her. Stevenson quickly takes off! Anders proceeds to chase Stevenson around the ring. After Stevenson laps the ring, she rolls back inside. She goes to quickly catch Anders when she rolls back in with an elbow drop, but Anders wisely slips back out, causing the champion to catch nothing but the canvas. Stevenson returns to her feet before Anders reaches back in and pulls her down to the mat. Anders then yanks Stevenson out of the ring, sending Stevenson flying off the apron before smacking hard back-first on the floor. Anders heads over, pulls Stevenson back to her feet and throws her down with a scoop slam. The cheers continue when Stevenson winds up on the receiving end of another scoop slam. Anders looks off to the crowd.

“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”
“ONE MORE TIME!”

Stephy Auger: Don’t listen to these idiots!

The Mindkiller obliges. She picks up Stevenson, lifts her up and throws her down with a delayed scoop slam. The crowd cheers when they see Stevenson arching her back in pain. Anders reaches down, sits Stevenson up and delivers a hard kick to the back before marching up the aisle.

Kris Cruise: Where’s Izzy going!?

Stephy Auger: Maybe she finally smartened up, figured out there was no way for her to win, so she’s taking a hike!

The crowd watches as they see Anders make her way all the way up to the top of the ramp. She then looks out to the crowd before pointing to a random fan.

Kris Cruise: Is Izzy setting up for what I think she is?

The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Anders races down the aisle. Anders picks up speed before blasting Stevenson with A Gift for You (Izzy points to a random fan, before charging a downed foe and connecting with a Penalty Kick), sending the champ rolling over into the prone position! Anders is quick to pull Stevenson back up and rolls her back inside. She then rolls back in and makes the cover.

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

Stevenson kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s lucky Izzy didn’t kick her head off!

Anders takes Stevenson, places her in a Muay Thai clinch and doubles her over with multiple knees to the midsection. After hammerlocking the arm, Anders takes the champion, runs over towards the corner and throws her shoulder-first into the turnbuckles. The cheers continue as The Mindkiller takes Stevenson, runs across the ring towards the opposite corner and throws her shoulder-first into the turnbuckles. Stevenson stumbles back, turns around and gets throw down with an arm drag. Anders quickly follows up with a trio of leg drops across the arm. She then returns to her feet, scissors her legs around the arm and follows up with a knee drop.

Stevenson howls in pain as she rolls away from the challenger. The Undisputed Champion gets up on her knees and holds the bad arms against the her midsection. Anders marches over, wrestles the arm away from Stevenson and follows up with a jumping seated senton across the back of the arm. Stevenson again rolls away from Anders and heads over into the corner. Stevenson uses her good arm to pull herself up in the corner. As Anders approaches, Stevenson throws out a boot to the midsection. Anders quickly catches the foot. Stevenson uses her good arm to try and hang onto the top rope. But Anders is able to easily drag her out of the corner. The champion continues to hop on one leg until Anders throws her down with a dragon screw. Stevenson rolls over onto her knees until Anders pulls her up into a front facelock before bringing her down with a swinging neckbreaker. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson kicks out.

Anders yanks Stevenson back to her feet and throws her down with a hammerlock scoop slam. Stevenson gets pulls back to her feet before winding up on the receiving end of a hammerlock belly to back suplex. The Mindkiller pulls Stevenson back up before delivering a hammerlock suplex. The cheers continue as she turns over and makes the cover.

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

Stevenson kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Izzy is targeting the hell out of Cordy Stevenson’s arms.

Stephy Auger: We’ve seen Izzy put someone on the shelf for six months by going after there arm!

Anders immediately tries to place Stevenson in a Top Shoulder Lock, but Stevenson wisely swings her leg over and gets her foot on the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

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

Anders reluctantly breaks the hold. She then sits Stevenson up before delivering a hard kick to the back. The champion arches her back in pain until Anders flattens her with a kick right to the shoulder. The Mindkiller reaches down, pulls Stevenson back to her feet, runs across the ring and throws her hard down to the mat near the corner. The crowd gasps when Stevenson slides across the ring and collides shoulder-first with the ring post.

The champion continues to howl out in pain while Anders rolls to the outside. She then heads over, grabs Stevenson’s right arm and looks out at the crowd.

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd wants to see it, Stephy!

Upon hearing the cheers, Anders turns back to Stevenson and delivers an armbreaker into the ring post.

Kris Cruise: The Break Up, Part II!

Anders delivers The Break Up, Part II again!

“YES!”

… and again!

“YES!”

Stevenson starts to roll away from the ropes. But Anders is able to roll back in, snatch the arm and gain control. She then pulls Stevenson back to her feet, delivers an arm wrench and goes through the ropes before delivering an armbreaker against the middle rope!

Kris Cruise: The Break Up!

Stevenson stumbles back before crumbling to the mat. The Mindkiller slips back in and starts to make her way over to the champion. Anders stops when she sees Stevenson get on her knees and plead for mercy.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s begging for her life!

Anders makes a beeline over to Stevenson. The crowd boos when Stevenson leaps up and rakes her across the eyes.

Stephy Auger: She should have pounced on Cordelia when she had the chance.

Stevenson gets back to her feet, places Anders in a headlock and drags her towards the side of the ring. She then proceeds to scrape Anders’ face along the top rope. Stevenson follows up by slamming Anders face-first into the top turnbuckle. She then turns the challenger around and uses her left arm to deliver a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. The champion sets up for an irish whip when Anders reverses, sending her into the far corner. The Mindkiller picks up speed as she runs across the ring for an attack. Anders gets into the corner and snaps Stevenson’s head back with a running European Uppercut! NO! Stevenson slips out of the way, causing Anders to crash into the corner.

Anders turns around and gets caught with multiple left forearm strikes in the corner. Stevenson follows up with a Rolling Elbow, dropping Anders to a seated position in the corner.

Izzy was rocked by that elbow!

Anders can be seen trying to shake out the cobwebs. Stevenson just stands over her challenger before slapping her across the top of the head. The boos continue when Stevenson slaps her across the head again. Anders slowly looks up at Stevenson before the champion uses the sole of her boot to nudge The Mindkiller’s head back. Stevenson then crouches down directly in front of Anders before slapping her across the face again.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s just adding insult to injury.

Both champion and challenger return to their feet. The crowd cheers when Anders knocks the champion back with a European Uppercut. A second hard European Uppercut knocks Stevenson further back. After a third European Uppercut snaps Stevenson’s head back, Anders turns and takes off into the ropes. Anders comes back and knocks Stevenson down with a running European Uppercut. She then takes off into another set of ropes. Stevenson gets back to her feet, turns around and gets dropped with another running European Uppercut. Anders heads into the corner, jumps back and knocks Stevenson down with a diving corkscrew European Uppercut! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson kicks out.

Anders takes Stevenson and sets up for an irish whip until the champ reverses. Stevenson sets up for a back body drop off the rebound, but Anders stops, lifts her up across her shoulders and brings her down with an inverted shoulderbreaker! She pushes Stevenson over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson fires the left shoulder off the mat.

Anders pulls Stevenson back to her feet, wrenches the arm and delivers an armbreaker across her shoulder. Stevenson doubles over and goes to cradle her arm until Anders wrestles away control and applies a hammerlock. The Mindkiller keeps the hammerlock applied until she pulls Stevenson down into a rear naked choke with bodyscissors.

The crowd cheers when they see Stevenson trapped in the submission. The ref asks the champion if she wants to give up. Stevenson reaches over, hooks her arm around Anders’ leg and bridges back, pinning the challenger’s shoulders to the mat.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders lets go.

Both grapplers get back to their feet until Anders doubles Stevenson over with a stomp to the midsection. She then pulls the champion into a standing headscissors before pointing across the ring.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s looking for the Liger Bomb…

Anders lifts Stevenson up onto her shoulders, rushes across the ring and slams her down with a Running Liger Bomb! NO! Stevenson counters at the last second with a hurricanrana, sending Anders through the ropes to the apron.

Anders picks herself up until Stevenson runs over into the corner, jumps off and plants her with a Triangle DDT on the apron!

Kris Cruise: Right onto the hardest part of the ring!

Stephy Auger: You love to see it!

Both champion and challenger remain on their backs. Suddenly, Stevenson returns to her feet with a kip up. The crowd boos as the champion as she does The Woo Dance to taunt Anders.

Kris Cruise: Oh give me a break!

Stephy Auger: I love it!

Stevenson rolls back inside and stats motioning for the ref to keep counting her out.

FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!






SEVEN!






EIGHT!





NINE!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Anders rolls back inside to beat the count. Anders is rewarded with applause from the crowd. But she ends up being punished by Stevenson with a hard baseball slide to the side, knocking her back out to the floor.

Stevenson steps out to the apron, looks out to the crowd and taunts them by stealing Lowri Moss’ “ILY” hand gesture before squashing Anders with an Apron 450 Splash!

Stephy Auger: That’ll drive the air right out of you!

Anders curls up on the floor while Stevenson gets back to her feet. Stevenson disrespectfully steps over Anders before kicking her feet back to signify in her challenger’s direction. Stevenson then heads over and rolls back into the ring before motioning for the ref to keep counting.

FOUR!





FIVE!






SIX!







SEVEN!







EIGHT!






NINE!




Stevenson marches over and doubles Anders over with a hard shoulder thrust through the ropes. She then lifts Anders up and takes a couple of steps back before bringing her down with a vertical suplex. The boos continue as she turns over into the lateral press for the cover.

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

Stevenson takes Anders and brings her down with a snap suplex. She turns over into a lateral press for another cover.

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

Stevenson takes Anders and whips her into the ropes. She doubles Anders off the return with a spinning back kick before knocking her off her feet with a spinning leg sweep. The champion scrambles back to a feet before follows up with a snap leg drop. She pins over into another lateral press.

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

Stevenson takes Anders, delivers an irish whip and follows her across the ring. As soon as Anders hits the ropes, Stevenson is right there to crush her with a Rolling Elbow! The boos continue as she delivers another irish whip, follows Anders across the ring and crushes her again against the ropes with another Rolling Elbow. Stevenson pulls Anders away from the ropes and doubles her over with another spinning back kick. The champion hits the ropes, returns and drops Anders to a knee with a running knee smash before planting her with a Keeling DDT! She makes the cover.

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

Anders gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy gets the shoulder up in time. This mach has been back and forth. But right now, the champion is once again in control.

Stephy Auger: Just like I knew she’d be. Izzy’s a good wrestler. But she’s no Cordelia Stevenson. In fact, no one is and she’ll drive that point home when she leaves Night Two STILL the Undisputed Champion!

Stevenson slowly pulls Anders back up until The Mindkiller swats her hands off her and counters with a step-up enzuigiri. While Stevenson is dazed, Anders gets back to her feet and takes off into the ropes. When Anders returns, the crowd boos when Stevenson brings her down with a Frankensteiner before flattening her with a Shining Wizard!

Stephy Auger: The Love Connection!

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

Anders gets the shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up Anders, turns and places her in an inverted headlock. The crowd boos when Stevenson starts to gyrate her hips. She’s about to bring Anders down with the Deadly Seduction (Rude Awakening), but Anders slips out and counters with the Black Song (Hammerlock Lariat)! Anders hooks the leg and keeps Stevenson’s left wrist pinned down to the mat.

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

Stevenson grunts as she lifts her injured arm off the mat.

Anders pulls Stevenson up before hooking her right arm from behind. She’s about to hook the left when Stevenson counters with a series of back elbows to the face. The champion motions towards the ropes, but Anders reaches out, grabs Stevenson by the back of the tights and yanks her over into a hard forearm strike to the back. The Mindkiller turns Stevenson back towards her and lifts her up across her shoulders. Stevenson is forced to use her hurt arm if she wants to counter. Anders has her set up for a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. But Stevenson hits Anders with multiple right elbows to the side of the head. The champion slips down from behind and clutches her arm before hitting the ropes. When Stevenson returns, she slows down and stops once she sees Anders running past her towards the same set of ropes. Anders bounces off the ropes, comes back and stops when Stevenson takes off into an adjacent set of ropes. Anders turns to her left before getting brought down with a step-up Tijeras! Anders quickly returns to her feet before getting dropped with a jumping calf kick. Anders gets back to her feet, turns and gets knocked back down with a one-arm handspring back (left) elbow! The champion gets back to her feet and takes off into the ropes. Anders turns over to a knee and tries to get back to her feet, but Stevenson knocks her back down on the way up with The Friendzone (flying hip attack to a kneeling opponent)! The boos continue as the champion hits the ropes, returns and lands across Anders with a Rolling Senton before immediately following up with a standing moonsault double knee drop! Stevenson makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Anders gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Cordy can’t quite put Izzy away!

Stephy Auger: Shut up, Cruise! Of course she can!

Stevenson takes Anders and whips her into the ropes. She then sends Anders crumbling to the mat off the rebound with a running basement dropkick! Anders gets back to her feet, but Stevenson darts over and sends her crumbling back down to the mat with a front chop block! The champion lifts up Anders’ right leg and delivers a trio of (left) elbow drops across it. She then gets back to her feet and returns the favor by scissoring her legs around Anders’ before delivering a jumping knee drop.

Stevenson returns to her feet and lifts up Anders’ right leg. She’s about to lock her in the Figure Four when Anders catches her with an upkick when she turns around. Anders grabs a hold of Stevenson, brings her back to her feet and wrenches the arm before yanking her over into a fireman’s carry neckbreaker! The cheers continue as Anders throws Stevenson back down with another scoop slam before placing her right arm off to the side on the mat. The Mindkiller slowly heads out to the apron before climbing the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: What’s Izzy going for here?

Anders climbs to the top. She rises up from a crouched position, leaps off and lands down hard across Stevenson’s arm with a diving double knee drop! NO! The crowd gasps when Stevenson rolls out of the way in time! Boos follow after The Mindkiller crashes down on the mat!

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Anders rolls across the mat after landing and holds her legs. Stevenson smirks as she returns to her feet. She heads over, kicks Anders back over onto her back and takes control of the right leg before executing a Figure Four Leg Lock!

Anders yells out in pain when Stevenson cinches down on the hold. The ref asks The Mindkiller if she wants to give up. Anders shakes her head and refuses to quit. Stevenson sits up before repeatedly falling onto her back to apply more pressure to the hold.

Stephy Auger: She should give up while she still can!

Anders continues to yell out in pain. She reaches over and hits Stevenson’s leg with wild strikes. But they have to effect on the champion. The challenger then tugs at her hair before she slowly leans back and rests her shoulders on the mat. The ref quickly notes Anders’ positioning and makes the count.

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

Anders sits back up.

Stevenson slowly leans back up and taunts Anders. The Mindkiller reaches out to grab Stevenson’s face, but Stevenson wisely leans just far enough out of reach. The Undisputed Champion continues to taunt Anders before leaning forward and slapping her across the face. The slap triggers something in Anders, who immediately stops yelling out and instead, just stares coldly at Stevenson.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh..

Stevenson slaps Anders again. This time, Anders responds by narrowing her eyes at the champion. Stevenson goes for a third slap. This time, Anders reaches out and grabs her wrist. Stevenson’s eyes widen with shock.

Stephy Auger: Cordelia!

Stevenson tries to pull her hand away from Anders. But she can’t. The crowd cheers when Anders turns to her left and reverses the Figure Four! Stevenson howls out in pain.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s reversed the hold!

The ref asks Stevenson if she wants to give up. The champion refuses by frantically shaking her head. She eventually lets go of Anders before rolling over towards the side of the ring. Stevenson uses her left arm to pull herself up using the ropes. When she turns around, Anders is right there with another hard European Uppercut. Stevenson is then sent for the ride into the far ropes. When Stevenson returns, Anders knocks her down with a spinning back elbow. Stevenson gets back to her feet until a forearm strike knocks her back down. Once the champion gets back up, she ducks a second forearm from Anders. When Anders turns around, Stevenson throws out another Rolling Elbow. The challenger ducks, turns Stevenson away with a roundhouse kick and takes a page out of the champion’s book with a leaping reverse bulldog! She then pulls Stevenson back to her feet, pulls her into a font facelock and turns so that they’re back to back in an inverted headlock.

Stephy Auger: Don’t you dare, Izzy! Don’t you dare!

Anders gives Stevenson another taste of her own medicine by gyrating her hips before pulling her down with a hangman's neckbreaker.

Kris Cruise: Deadly Seduction!

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

Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

Anders takes Stevenson and tries to lift her up for a brainbuster. Stevenson counters by kicking her legs on the way up, which forces Anders to lower her back down. Anders tries for another brainbuster. Stevenson blocks by hooking her leg around Anders’. The Mindkiller goes for a third brainbuster. This time, Stevenson blocks by dropping down to a knee. Anders quickly takes advancing by returning the favor with a Kneeling DDT!

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

The crowd boos when Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

Anders picks up Stevenson and pulls her into a standing headscissors. She then lifts Stevenson up before bringing her down with a Running Liger Bomb! NO! Stevenson counters with a standing double leg takedown before turning Anders over into a Scorpion Death Lock!

Stephy Auger: CHANDLER COULD NEVER!

The ref asks Anders if she wants to give up. Anders refuses. So Stevenson pulls back, increasing the pressure of the hold.

Stephy Auger: She’s beaten Chandler with this move. She’s beaten Fujiko with this move. She’s about to add Izzy to the list!

The referee continues to check in with Anders. He’s giving her every opportunity to give up and quit. But Anders won’t take it. So Stevenson applies even more pressure by leaning back.

Kris Cruise: How much more can Izzy take!?

Stephy Auger: Not much by the looks of it. She’s ready to give up!

The Mindkiller tries to make her way towards the side of the ring. Stevenson stops that when she stands up, drags Anders back to the center of the ring and drops back down into Chandler Could Never. Anders continues to writhe in pain.

Stephy Auger: It’s over, Izzy! Just give up!

The ref checks in on The Mindkiller once more. Anders continues to deny Stevenson the submission. Stevenson pulls back on the leg while Anders lets out a wail. The ref checks back in with Anders to ask if she wants to quit. Once again, Anders refuses. The capacity crowd tries to get behind the 20202 Hall of Famer.

"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"
"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"
"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"
"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"

Anders grunts as she reaches out and slowly pulls herself forward. She lets out another groan as she struggles to drag herself and Stevenson towards the side of the ring. The Undisputed Champion shakes her head in disbelief while The Mindkiller continues to drag herself towards the ropes. Stevenson yells at Anders to quit. Anders defiantly refuses! She continues to scratch and claw her way towards the ropes. Anders reaches out for the ropes. But she’s not quite there. She slowly pulls herself closer. The Mindkiller reaches out. She’s still not close enough! Anders cries out in pain as she struggles to pull herself forward before making once last ditch effort towards the ropes. She's got it! The crowd explodes with cheers when Anders swings her arm out and grabs onto the bottom rope. The effort is met with applause from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Izzy made it! She made it to the ropes!

Stephy Auger: Don’t let go, Cordelia! Use those extra five seconds!

Stevenson picks up Anders and pulls her back towards the center of the ring. She catches Anders with three forearm strikes before dropping her with a Rolling Elbow! NO! Anders ducks the elbow and hits the ropes. Anders returns off the rebound and throws out a running clothesline! Stevenson ducks and hits the ropes. Both grapplers head back towards the center of the ring before they knock each other off their feet with dueling clotheslines!!!

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Stephy Auger: THEY’RE BOTH DOWN!

The crowd buzzes with anticipation while champion and challenger remain sprawled out on the mat.

The ref checks on both grapplers before starting to count. The crowd joins in.

“ONE!”




“TWO!”





“THREE!”





“FOUR!”

Stephy Auger: C’mon, Cordelia! This is your moment! This is your chance to make up for what happened four years ago at Only the Strong Survive! This woman stole your championship from you! Now it’s your turn to deny her the top spot in FGA!

“FIVE!”



“SIX!”

Stevenson and Anders slowly turn over onto their knees. Stevenson catches Anders with a forearm strike.

“BOO!”

Anders answers back with a forearm of her own

“YES!”

Stevenson nails Anders with another forearm strike!

“BOO!”

Anders answers back with another forearm of her own!

“YES!”

Stevenson nails Anders with another forearm strike!

“BOO!”

Anders answers back with another forearm of her own!

“YES!”

Stevenson motions for another forearm until Anders cuts her off with a hard forearm strike!

“YES!”

Anders blasts Stevenson with another forearm!

“YES!”

And another!

“YES!”

And another!

“YES!”

The Mindkiller rears her head back before swinging it forward violently and cracking Stevenson in the face with a headbutt! Stevenson crumbles to the mat before Anders makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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THE-NO!

The crowd boos when Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

Anders pulls up Stevenson. She goes for another brainbuster, but Stevenson slips down from behind. She then spins Anders towards before catching her with a forearm strike! The crowd boos when Stevenson follows up with a Rolling Elbow that rocks Anders! The boos grow louder when Anders gets caught with another Rolling Elbow! Stevenson goes for a third, but Anders counters with a Stockton Slap! A mist of sweat flies off Stevenson’s face upon impact. The champion gets nailed with a second Stockton Slap before Anders busts out a Kick Flurry!

Kris Cruise: Dirty Dancin’!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

The Mindkiller continues to unleash the kick flurry on Stevenson until the champion hooks one leg and counters with a dragon screw!

Stephy Auger: There you go, Cordelia!

Anders holds her leg while Stevenson crawls across the ring and out to the apron. The champion pulls herself up using the ropes before scaling the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Cordy’s going up top!

Anders gets back to a vertical base, turns around and gets spiked with a Diving DDT from the top rope! The boos continue as Stevenson makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd cheers when Anders gets the shoulder up.

Stevenson pull Anders up and nails her with a forearm strike! The Mindkiller then gets rocked with a Rolling Elbow! Stevenson dazes the challenger with The Foot Fetish (jumping back kick) before taking off into the ropes. When she returns, she plants Anders with Head Over Heels (Running Blockbuster DDT)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Anders gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders WILL. NOT. STAY. DOWN!

Stephy Auger: C’mon, Cordelia! Put her away!

Stevenson pulls Anders up into a font facelock. She motions for The Allure (Twist of Fate) until Anders grabs the arm, spins out and reverses into a Fujiwara Armbar!

Kris Cruise: The Amputator!

Stephy Auger: NOOOO!

The crowd cheers while Anders repeatedly yanks back on the arm.

Kris Cruise: Cody’s trapped! She’s right where Izzy wants her! The Mindkiller worked over that arm repeatedly during this match for this very moment right here! Are we on the verge of seeing a new champion!?

Stephy Auger: Hell no!

Stevenson can be seen screaming in agony. The ref asks the champion if she wants to give up. When Stevenson refuses, Anders bridges back while she applies even more pressure to the hold.

Stephy Auger: NOOOOO! CORDELIAAAAA!

Stevenson continues to scream out while Anders tries to rip her arm off. The Mindkiller is yelling at Stevenson to tap. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Stevenson’s free hand starts to hover over the mat.

Kris Cruise: CORDY’S ABOUT TO TAP! SHE’S ABOUT TO TAP OUT!

Stephy Auger: DON’T DO IT, CORDELI! FIGHT DAMMIT!

Stevenson swings the hand down, then stops! She raises the arm again and motions to swing it down, then stops.

“TAP!”
“TAP!”
“TAP!”
“TAP!”

Stevenson’s free arm is shaking. The champion can’t take it! She can’t take the pain anymore! She taps!!! Stevenson taps out!!!

NO!

Stevenson stops herself at the last second and instead, flips off the crowd.

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The boos continue as Stevenson fights through the pain and starts to drag herself towards the side of the ring. Anders continues to hang on. She remains undeterred. But so does Stevenson. The champion grunts as she claws her way towards the side of the ring. She then swings her leg out and gets the foot on the bottom rope!

Stephy Auger: YES! YES YES YES YES YES!

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

Anders reluctantly breaks the hold.

Anders takes Stevenson, brings her back to the center of the ring and delivers an arm wrench into a double knee armbreaker. Stevenson drops down to a knee before The Mindkiller hits the ropes, returns and flattens her with the HEADBOOT (Shining Yakuza Kick)! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd boos when Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

The Mindkiller picks up Stevenson, hoists her up and plants her with the Aniplex (Cutthroat Brainbuster)! She makes the cover.

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

The crowd boos when Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

Anders pulls Stevenson into a front facelock before giving her a taste of her own medicine with The Allure!

Stephy Auger: HEY!

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

The crowd sighs when Stevenson gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Stevenson fought through The Amputator! She’s kicked out of everything that’s Izzy thrown at her!

Anders takes Stevenson and dazes her with a hard forearm strike! She then turns and heads towards the ropes. But unbeknownst to Anders, Stevenson is right behind her. Anders goes to bring Stevenson down with The Real is Back (Oscutter)! But as soon as Anders springboards onto the middle rope, Stevenson counters with a leaping reverse bulldog!

Kris Cruise: What a counter by the champion!

Stevenson rolls out to the apron before pulling herself up using the ropes. She starts to scale the turnbuckle while Anders slowly turns over onto all fours.

Stephy Auger: This is it, Cruise! She’s about to put Izzy away!

The Mindkiller slowly gets back to her feet, turns and gets caught with Get Familiar (The O-Face)! The crowd erupts with boos as Stevenson makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

NO!

The crowd cheers when Anders fires her shoulder off the mat.

Stephy Auger: WHAT!?!?

Kris Cruise: Izzy got the shoulder up! Unbelievable!

Stevenson picks Anders up off the mat before The Mindkiller scoops her across her shoulder. The crowd cheers as she runs across the ring and Lawn Darts Stevenson into the corner!

Stephy Auger: CORDELIAAA!

Stevenson cries out in pain as she clutches her neck.

Kris Cruise: Cordy looks to be hurt, Stephy.

The ref goes over to check on Stevenson. Across the ring, Anders has Stevenson lined up. When Stevenson starts to pull herself up with her good arm, The Mindkiller rushes across the ring to attack. The crowd cheers when she nails Stevenson with a corner yakuza kick! NO! The crowd erupts with boos when Stevenson pulls the ref in the way!

Kris Cruise: OH COME ON! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT, CORDY!?

Stephy Auger: What do you mean? The ref just threw himself in front of Cordelia to protect her! WHAT A HERO!

Kris Cruise: Cordy Stevenson has a lot of nerve! She called Chandler Scott a damn “terrorist” and convinced referees to boycott his last match on Vertigo due to an incident that happened years ago. Then, she turns right around and throws one of our officials into the line of fire!

Stephy Auger: I can’t believe that you would just line on Cordelia’s name like that. Actually, I can!

Stevenson staggers away from the corner before dropping down to a knee. But the Mindkiller is right behind her! Anders picks up Stevenson, turns around and gets doubled over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. The boos continue as Stevenson pulls her into a front facelock to set up The Allure.

Stephy Auger: It’s over, Cruise!

Stevenson takes Anders, turns and brings her down with The Allure! NO! Anders slips out and pushes Stevenson into the ropes. When Stevenson returns…

Kris Cruise: CAPETOWN SUNSET!

The crowd explodes with cheers when Stevenson gets knocked off her feet with the 540 kick from Anders!

Stephy Auger: NOOOOOOOOO!

Stevenson remains splayed out on the mat as Anders crawls over and makes the cover.

“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”

Anders slaps the mat three times, but there’s still no count from the official.

Stephy Auger: The ref hasn’t recovered! Great, there’s still time for Cordelia to get back in this match.

The Mindkiller returns to her feet, heads over and starts shaking the referee. The crowd gets ancy as a commotion breaks out.

Kris Cruise: Izzy should be Undisputed Champion right now!

Anders turns around to go back to Stevenson. But she gets cut off! The crowd erupts with boos when Seth Iser kicks her in the midsection before planting her with the Deprivation DDT!

Kris Cruise: WHAT THE HELL!?!?

Stephy Auger: YES!

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Iser rolls to the outside and disappears up the ramp.

Kris Cruise: What the hell was that for!?

Stephy Auger: I told you, Cruise. I told you that Izzy Anders would get what’s coming to her in more ways than one! You said it yourself at the start of the match that this was a long time coming! Boy, you had no idea how right you were!

Back inside, Anders remains in the prone position while Stevenson starts to stir. The Champion then turns over to a knee before slowly to pick herself back up. She looks over and smirks when she sees Anders struggling to push herself up on all fours.

Kris Cruise: That damn Cordy Stevenson had an ace up her sleeve this entire time!

Stephy Auger: Hey, Cordy said it herself. Whatever happens, it’s only business!

Stevenson slowly positions herself behind Anders. As Anders slowly returns to a vertical base, Stevenson runs past her, rebounds back off the ropes and drops her with The Real is Back! The boos continue as she pushes Anders onto her back for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
.
.
.
TWO!
.
.
.
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Invincible” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand STIIILLLLL FGA Undisputed Champion, CORDELIA STEVENSON!

The boos continue as the ref kneels down and raises Stevenson’s arm in victory.

Kris Cruise: Cordy Stevenson retains her Undisputed Championship here tonight. But let the record show that it was not without controversy!

Stephy Auger: Look at you, Cruise. Just look at you. It hasn’t even been a minute since the match ended and you’re already trying to downplay Cordelia’s big win.

Kris Cruise: She stole the damn match from Izzy!

Stephy Auger: It doesn’t feel good when the shoe is on the other foot, huh? Izzy brought this all on herself. She disrespected Cordelia. She didn’t return the love that Cordelia showed her. She sided with Lowri, Fujiko and the establishment instead of siding with Cordelia. Our champion has shown us time and time again that she’ll do what she has to do to retain her title. Especially when Leonard T. Asherman has it out for her. Tonight was just another example. Plus, you have to remember, Seth Iser was well on his way to the ring during Izzy’s match with Chandler during the summer. He was hell bent on laying someone out until he was held back by the officials. I think it’s safe to say that we now know who he was going attack.

Kris Cruise: Cordelia might be happy that she retained. She might be relived that she escaped this match by the skin of her teeth. But deep down, she knows that Izzy had her beat.

Stephy Auger: The only thing she knows deep down is that Izzy can’t get the job done anymore. If this were the Izzy of old, she would have had Cordelia’s number. But Izzy’s gone soft. She failed here tonight and now, she gets to go to the back of the line with her good buddy Fuji Water.

The boos continue as Stevenson heads into the corner. She scales to the middle ropes, kisses her Undisputed Championship and raises it high for all to see.

Kris Cruise: For Stephy Auger, this is Kris Cruise signing off! We’ll see you back here tomorrow night for Night Two of All-Star Showdown X! Goodnight, everyone!