Vertigo E96 (05.31.22)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Nashville, TN

TAG TEAM MATCH
Strike 2 Kill vs. The Gourdbusters

At the start of the bout, The Gourdbusters rush across the ring to try to get the jump on S2K. But Liam Richardson and Miles Watson are ready and send them flying with back body drops. After a pair of dropkicks return The Gourdbusters to the mat, S2K rush across the ring and connect with running clotheslines, sending Olé Anderson & Gully Blanchard to the floor.

Richardson points to the outside and gives The Gourdbusters a finger gun taunt before Watson takes off into the far ropes. When The Gourdbusters return to their feet, Watson runs across the ring, twirls over the top rope and takes them both out with a Sasuke Special! Once Watson takes Blanchard and rolls him back inside, Richardson makes the quick cover for a count of two. Richardson moves the action into the corner before catching Blanchard with alternating open palm strikes to the body. After an irish whip sends Blanchard into the far corner, Richardson rushes over to attack. Unfortunately for him, he runs right into a boot to the face. Blanchard runs out of the corner as Richardson stumbles back. He tries to knock Richardson off his feet with a running clothesline, but Richardson ducks in time. Blanchard then turns around and gets lifted onto Richardson's shoulders. Richardson then delivers a rolling fireman's carry into a springboard moonsault off the second rope for another two count.

Blanchard gets set up for an irish whip until he reverses. He tries to return the favor with a back body drop of his own, but Richardson slips down from behind. When Blanchard turns around, Richardson catches him with an open palm strike to the face, a low round kick to the leg and then a middle round kick to the chest before knocking him down with an enzuigiri. Seconds later, Watson gets tagged in. Watson immediately takes control of Blanchard and doubles him over with a hard kick to the midsection. After catching Blanchard with multiple Kawada Kicks to the face, he follows up with a Fisherman Buster for a two count. Blanchard then finds himself whipped into the S2K corner. Seconds later, Watson runs in and sends Blanchard slumping down in the corner with a Discus Elbow. Watson then cartwheels away from the corner, runs back over and connects with a slingshot corner dropkick.

Richardson gets tagged back in and immediately starts climbing the ropes. Down below, Watson pulls Blanchard out of the corner and follows up with a pendulum backbreaker. S2K then deliver a backbreaker hold/diving knee drop combo! Richardson goes for the cover, but Anderson dives over and breaks up the pin at two. Anderson continues to put the boots to Richardson before sending him for the ride. Instead of returning off the rebound, Richardson hangs onto the ropes. So Anderson runs over to attack, only for Anderson to duck and dump him over the top to the floor. He then takes off into the far ropes. Richardson runs across the ring and front dropkicks Anderson through the ropes, holds on, skins the cat and holds the top rope down for Watson to hit a suicide dive through his legs!

Once Richardson pulls himself back into the ring over the top rope, he turns around and nearly gets caught with a running attack from Blanchard. Richardson counters with a double leg pickup before Watson helps bring him down with a Spinebuster/Blockbuster combo! Watson steps back out to the apron while Richardson picks up Blanchard and whips him into the corner. S2K then race over towards the corner before catching Blanchard with Strikezone (running arched big boot/enzuigiri combo)! Richardson then pulls Anderson away from the corner before S2K bring him down with The End of Days (Chasing the Dragon) for the three count!

Strike 2 Kill O || The End of Days (6:35) || The Gourdbusters X

[FGA Office]

Once again, it’s the returning Piper Lennon. Her hair is dark now, but her disposition is— allegedly– bright and colorful. She’s leaning back against a wall, but still manages to seem full of energy as she perks up, waves and flashes a smile.

Piper Lennon: Hey people, wow first show back I already saw some crazy graps, huh? And now I get to be a part of it–

She lets out a low whistle.

Piper Lennon:-- I mean don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’ll be super rusty or anything. I worked King of the Monsters last fall, I’ve done some small indy shows here and there, traveling the world. But y’know, there’s something diff about stepping back into your old stomping grounds, especially with a fresh perspective.

A beat passes.

Piper Lennon: So it’s exciting … honestly, if you couldn’t tell I’m excited I totally botched the name of my High School last show– apologies to Bill Gates for butchering his name! And speaking of excitement, I’m getting back in there with Zack Gall. Yeah, that’s right, the bleeping DRAGON.

Piper nods her head; perhaps a little too enthusiastically?

Piper Lennon: You talk about the hard hitting pure wrestling this place is known for, that strong style, look at this guy. He kicks you really hard, he elbows you, he makes mean faces … he kicks you even harder. Sounds like a great way to show what I’m bringing with my new mindset. But y’know, even if you don’t believe I’ve grown up, changed, or anything like that … which is fair, but even in that case? I think that remember me would know I was always down for a good scrap, gettin’ a lil’ bit of stank on it in a bloody brawl. So I think I’d have been right at home in any time in my life.

She leans forward as she pushes herself off the wall, and starts to stride forward.

Piper Lennon: We’ll see though, right? Feels to me like I’m driven, all that stuff wrestlers say, that I’ve got something real I’m fighting for. Do you wanna believe me? Well, guess you’re just gonna have to find out the same time as everyone else.

With a wink, she disappears out of sight.

[FGA Office]

The camera cuts backstage in the Nashville Municipal Auditorium to one of the locker rooms where the camera focuses on the FGA Legacy champion, Logan Alexander and his manager Theodore Harris. Logan is dressed for competition in his compression shirt and long tights, with the Legacy championship around his waist. With his arms folded over his chest, he stares at the camera impassively. Theodore in dressed in a black suit with a silver coloured shirt on under it. He smiles to the camera as he spreads his arms before him.

Theodore Harris: Well, it's been a while, but here we are once again with the champ looking forward to getting back into action.

Theodore glances over towards Logan.

Theodore Harris: It's another non-title outing, which always feels a bit disappointing to Logan. He enjoys a good scrap with something on the line and isn't much of a fan in regards to off week padding to a title reign. The numbers may look good to some, but he's always appreciated quality of a reign over duration.

He frowns slightly.

Theodore Harris: Of course, we don't control the booking around here. We just roll with what comes our way and we make the best of it.

He offers a shrug.

Theodore Harris: Now while Logan's match may not be anything too special tonight, and that's not a knock against you Nando, we've also got our eyes on a pair of other matches that'll be coming up on the show in a little while.

Theodore glances towards Logan and smirks briefly.

Theodore Harris: While the champ may not been defending his belt this week, there is mini-match series starting here tonight that is going to be looking to anoint one, two or potentially more contenders for his title, likely to be taking place at the upcoming Grapland event. It brings to mind AMIRA's request for competition several years back that put her in a ladder match against a large field of opponents and ended up relieving her of her role as Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion. This has potential to go in that direction. Now Logan might be looking for a challenge, but even he has a limit on how big a hole he wants to start out in. And to be fair, it's a pretty good field of potential competitors as well, all things considered.

He holds one hand in front of him while he ticks off points with his fingers.

Theodore Harris: Antoinette and Gwen Margolis are fresh off their 15 championship tournament showings and shifting into a different field with a similar end goal. The Ashleys Sands and Chase, our new Tag Team champions and former 15 champions, are back in a hunt looking for some more gold for their collection. Cassius Reed and Patrick Jones, occasional title contenders here in FGA, with nothing to show for their efforts thus far, get another crack at doing so. Now except for Gwen, everyone else has been in the ring with Logan at least once in single's or tag action.

He smirks at the camera.

Theodore Harris: Of course, up to this point though every one of them that has crossed paths with Logan came out on the wrong side of things at the end of those encounters. Needless to say, whichever one, two or however many get through the eliminator, you'd better be ready to step up your game beyond what you've brought to the ring before. Logan has shown he can hang with and get one up on one of the fastest rising stars here in FGA over the course of the last year, so keep that on your minds over the next few weeks as you try your best to get from there to here.

He pivots and motions towards Logan, who remains standing where he had been since the camera focused on the two of them.

Theodore Harris: In front of the champ.

Theodore looks back to the camera once again.

Theodore Harris: And be prepared to have something even better ready for that night, because he certainly will.

He offers another smirk for a few moments, before it fades and he draws himself up taking on a more serious and professional look.

Theodore Harris: But don't worry Nando, neither one of us is overlooking you here tonight even with all this other stuff taking place as well. Non-title matches aren't freebies by any stretch and Logan doesn't take any nights off in that ring. And Nando isn't one to make it easy out there either. He's able to set and maintain a fast pace. He's a good flyer, able to close the distance between himself and his target quickly.

Another smirk briefly flashes across Theodore's face.

Theodore Harris: You could say that he's skilled when it comes to traveling through space.

Logan gaze flicks over to Theodore for a moment. Theodore looks back over at Logan again.

Theodore Harris: Nothing?

Logan doesn't offer a response. Theodore sighs and shrugs before returning his attention to the camera.

Theodore Harris: Anyway, Nando has even shown that he can do a decent amount of mat and counter wrestling. It's not one of his main strengths, but it is something that could give him a momentum swing in a key moment if you're not ready for it. Again, it's something that Logan has had to deal with a fair bit during the last year. A lot of guys that keep a high tempo, fly all around and can do a decent amount of work on the mat itself. You're a bit different Nando, but you're nothing new. We're looking forward to seeing what you've got out there tonight.

He claps his hands together before rubbing his palms together in front of himself.

Theodore Harris: So while we already know that Logan's walking out as the Legacy champion at the end of the night, he wants the W to go with it as well. The Quiet One intends to leave you silenced by the end of your night here in Nashville. Just one more reason that no one will be able to hear you scream in space.

Logan blinks, leaving his eyes closed just a little bit longer than is usual. Theodore glances over again, but not soon enough to catch sight of that himself.

Theodore Harris: Really? Nothing at all?

Logan turns away and moves out of the view of the camera leaving Theodore alone. Theodore looks back to the camera. He smiles slightly and shrugs.

Theodore Harris: Oh well. I tried. We'll see you when he's ready to perform. Later.

He nods to the camera, then turns and follows after Logan.

[FGA Office]

Piper Lennon vs. Zack Gall

Lennon tries to go blow for blow with Gall early. But getting into a striking battle proved to be foolhardy as The Dragon quickly overwhelms the former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion with various kicks and elbows. After Lennon gets sent for the ride, Gall catches her with an overhead belly to belly off the rebound that sends her flying across the ring. He makes the cover, but he only got a two count.

From there, Gall brings the action into the corner. The Dragon continues to light up Lennon with multiple shoot kicks before a spinning back kick to the midsection doubles her over. Lennon is then brought out of the corner with a vertical suplex for another two count.

Lennon finally finds her opening. After Gall takes his time pulling her back to her feet, Lennon doubles him over with a double cross chop to the throat. She takes takes control of him from the side before bringing him down with a side russian leg sweep. Lennon rolls back to her feet and circles The Dragon before putting the boots to him with the Garvin Stomp. She follows up with a spinning boot scrape across the face. Lennon then gets down to a knee and applies a rear chinlock. The old Piper Lennon would use this opportunity to take advantage of Gall’s positioning and deliver a fish hook. But this is a new & improved + much more mature and balanced Piper Lennon. There’s no need to go with the cheap tactics anymore. Lennon keeps the hold applied until Gall battles back to a vertical base. He then tries to bing Lennon down with a belly to back suplex after multiple elbows to the midsection, but Lennon rolls over his shoulder and lands on her feet. Gall then turns around and gets knocked back with a front push kick to the chest. Gall marches back over to attack, but he gets caught with a gamengiri. The Dragon remains dazed while Lennon hits the ropes, returns off the rebound and brings him down with a running front dropkick for a two count.

Lennon keeps the momentum rolling as she catches Gall off the rebound with a flapjack. Gall pops up to a knees before Lennon catches control of his arm and follows up with a soccer kick flurry. With Gall in perfect position, Lennon takes off into the ropes, comes back and flattens him with the Photo Drag (Penalty Kick)! NO! Gall rolls out of the way in time. Lennon turns around, but she gets up getting caught with a Rolling Elbow and an Exploder Suplex for a two count. A Half Nelson Suplex gets another two count. After a second spinning back kick drops Lennon down to a knee, Gall takes off into the ropes. He returns off the rebound and throws out the Death By Knee (V-Trigger), but Lennon catches his leg! Gall tries to pull the leg away, but it’s to no avail. Lennon returns to her feet before bringing him down with a dragon screw leg whip. A pair of running dobule ax handles return Gall to the mat before a leg lariat drops him again. Lennon continues her strong comeback, nailing gall with alternating jabs and knife edge chops. After a Heart Punch doubles Gall over, Lennon takes control of both his arms before planting him with the Snapshot ‘98 (Lifting high angle double-underhook DDT)! She makes the cover and gets the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Piper Lennon O || Snapshot '98 (8:53) || Zack Gall X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We shift to the back where FGA’s intrepid reporter Amanda Johnson is standing by with a special guest.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and Gentlemen joining me at this time is one half of the New FGA Tag Team Champions, AMC.

We hear the loud cheers from the crowd who start chanting AMC.

Amanda Johnson: First off, allow me to congratulate you on your recent title victory that was contested in a flaming tables match.

AMC shakes her head smirking and then pats the title which is draped over her shoulder.

AMC: What did I tell everybody once A2A got back together full time again? I told everybody we would be your FGA Tag Team Champions!

More cheers from the crowd.

AMC: My partner Sully’s back may be jacked up but she has that gold belt to make her pain worth it. I don’t think Sara Mason can say the same since I hear she has not felt this bad since her and her partner had that outbreak of crabs.

Laughter from the crowd and stifled laughter from Amanda.

Amanda Johnson: However tonight is not about tag teams as both you and Ashley Sands will compete in separate 3 way matches.

AMC puts her hand up.

AMC: Whoa now. I am in a triple threat match not a 3 way match. 3 way stuff is all Sully and Ant not me.

More laughter.

AMC: Speaking of Ashley and Antoinette, what are your thoughts on them facing each other along with Cassius?

AMC shrugs.

AMC: It is what it is. I feel bad for Cassius err no I don’t. I hope they kick his ass and make him cry and stuff. I will say that Ant needs to watch out though because trust me first chance she gets POW Sully will take out Ant. No second thoughts, No remorse just plain lights out Ant.

Amanda Johnson: Now for your Triple Threat match you will be in the ring against Gwen Margolis and Patrick Jones. Will there be any after effects from the flaming tables match tonight?

AMC rolls her eyes.

AMC: I am freaking AMC dammit so no there will be no after effects. What there will be is a hardcore Icon in that ring with Gwen and Patrick and we all say what I was willing to do and what i did do the last time i had a match with no rules.

AMC pats her title again.

AMC: Gwen and Patrick, I am so sorry about your damn luck but I plan on becoming Ashley 2 Belts real soon and first up is winning this match by any means necessary and from there its only a matter of time until I am not only your FGA Tag Team Champion but your FGA Legacy Champion as well. See you soon.

AMC blows a kiss to the camera as we fade to black.

[FGA Office]

Somewhere backstage, Antoinette and Ashley Sands are sitting across from each other in their dressing room even though they are going to be against each other soon for a shot at the Legacy title against Cassius Reed. Each sister-in-law shakes a fist in a jerking motion and starts to count down.

Antoinette & Ashley Sands: One, two, three… shoot!

Both put out a balled up fist between each other as the pair look to be playing rock-paper-scissors to decide something.

Antoinette & Ashley Sands: One, two, three… shoot!

They repeat the process only to both hold out a pair of fingers.

Ashley Sands: Dammit, woman! Get out of my head!

Antoinette: I don’t even get why you’re in this match in the first place. You just won the tag belts and you already want to get another one?

Ashley Sands: It’s a tag belt though so I have to share. And besides, I feel off balance when I walk around with a belt on just one side. Now shoot, Miss Liberty Champ!

They try again only to both go for paper once again.

Antoinette: This sucks! There’s got to be another way of figuring out which of us should win this.

Ashley Sands: We COULD flip Cassius and call heads or tails.

Antoinette: Ooooo!! OOOO! WE COULD DO THAT!! I mean the quality humor in that situation would be amazing!!

Antoinette let’s out a laugh before she looks at her friend and sister-in-law before sitting up tall looking at her direct in the eye.

Antoinette: I just wanna make sure nothing between us changes after tonight… fun and games aside? This is a big moment for the both of us. In a perfect world we as a team have a 50/50 shot to really put A.A.A on the map even more than you already have…

She takes a moment before looking up.

Antoinette: But this is also a huge opportunity for me to really solidify my spot here in FGA. You know this, for so long I’ve never felt like I truly belonged or earned my spot on this roster. This count finally be it for me.. but I know this is also huge for you as well. That’s why this match? It’s going to be talked about for the ages…

A smile returns to her face before she holds out her pinkie.

Antoinette: We’re going to do what we do best and perform. Cassius is going to give his all, but at the end of it? I want it to be one of us… so pinkie promise that you’re going to give me your all like I’m going to give you mine?

Ashley holds out her hand to hook her finger around Antoinette’s.

Ashley Sands: Let’s do it, girl… Ohhh, I forgot. A finger is for a pencil and beats them all!… What? You never heard of that?

There’s a moment of silence before the pair laughs and the shot fades out.

[FGA Office]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED

Sat on a folding chair backstage at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, John Carmichael is less interested with the camera crew who would appreciate it if he said something as soon as the red light on the camera blinks into life and more interested in the pair of 1¢ coins he is picking up and dropping into his palm with an almost rhythmic efficiency, meaning all we can hear is the metallic clack of the coins colliding with one another in his hand

Eventually, Carmichael pauses, deciding to study the coins in his palm instead of pick them up for the umpteenth time, as a moment later he snaps his palm shut and turns his attention to the agitated camera crew

John Carmichael: It truly says it all that Izzy Anders is devoting so much time and energy into trying to get in my way. On the one hand I’m almost glad, because I told you from the start she was selfish and only focused on keeping her boot on the necks of others, but on the other hand it is truly starting to become grating that the only time she ever puts in any effort at all is when she is given the chance to try and stop my momentum. More than anything else, though, you would think she’d have learned that her attempts are always doomed to fail, after all the last time she tried to sap my momentum what did I do? Dispose of Chandler Scott in a way nobody thought possible

A pause, where you’d expect a smirk or a chuckle or something, but Carmichael is simply letting those words breathe

John Carmichael: Which means that my goal is to demonstrate what a waste of time Izzy Anders’ brief foray into acting like she cares once again, and that requires the sort of grand gesture that drags the conversation back my way whether it wants to be taken there or not

A beat

John Carmichael: Don’t worry, Monty, neither you nor your sister should feel worried that you might be part of said grand gesture

This time there’s a hint of a smirk from Carmichael, along with the slightest shrug of his shoulders

John Carmichael: More than anything else, there is one person who is in desperate need to perform a grand gesture in our match tonight, and that person is you Monty Margolis. But don’t get it in your head that you’re going to upset the odds and cement your status overnight with a win, because that is not the sort of grand gesture I’m talking about. What I am talking about is that, this evening, it is in your best interests to make yourself look like a credible performer and not somebody who is so deeply insecure that you have to risk life and limb in order to get a few seconds of applause from the crowd under the mistaken impression they care about you if you win or lose, hit your high spots or miss, walk out the arena or need to be wheeled out – you get the gist, right?

Another beat

John Carmichael: Right?

Running the palms of his hand down his face, Carmichael collects himself to try and make his point more obvious, under the assumption that Margolis needs it to be drilled into his head

John Carmichael: Let me ask you something, Monty: how many days do you wake up sore? I’m guessing a fair number, and to a point that’s understandable because everyone in the locker room wakes up sore more days than they’d like, but here’s the kicker: are you feeling sore in the joints like most of us because of the exertion, or are your knees and ankles screaming bloody murder every time you get out of bed because the mileage you put them through has aged them a couple of decades faster than the rest of your body? I’ve seen you diving, twisting, leaping, somersaulting, springing off the ropes, and for what? Approval of the crowd, who you seem so desperate to have them love you that you throw yourself around the ring to draw their attention away from their phones for just a moment, no matter what it takes. Well here’s the thing, Monty, I’ll tell you what that takes: blood, sweat, tears, aches, pains, bumps, bruises, and at the end of it all they’ll still shrug off everything you’ve put yourself through for their adoration because a shiny new toy showed up and you’re yesterday’s news and expected to just suck it up

Opening his hand again, Carmichael picks up his pair of 1¢ coins and holds them between his thumb and middle finger for a moment, but instead of letting them drop into his palm he continues

John Carmichael: This is why I want to see a grand gesture from you this evening, Monty Margolis, because I want to see that moment where your mind frees itself from all your thoughts of getting a moment of applause from the crowd and you realise that it’s not worth shortening your career and your earning potential for them, and instead you decide to prove that you’re a wrestler and not the stuntman killing yourself for a cheap pop here or a “This is awesome!” chant there. Those chants will only last a second, but if you decide that a headlock is better than hurling yourself at the top rope in my general direction, your knees will last a little while longer

A brief pause, and then Carmichael rhythmically drops those two 1¢ coins into his palm once again

John Carmichael: …is what I would be saying if you were some wet behind the ears rookie who is trying to make a splash by running through a list of eye-catching ways to shorten your career in your first half dozen matches, but that’s not the Monty Margolis I’m facing tonight, is it? No, the Monty Margolis that I am facing tonight has had twenty years to learn that there’s a reason he’s limping into the locker room before shows while his peers seem to not have ankles which feel like they’re made from crispbread and yet he never even tried, sticking to the same things which may have looked innovative twenty years ago but have long since become well-worn cliché, especially in the case of Monty Margolis as he’s hitting those same moves he was hitting twenty years ago but he’s a yard slower as it isn’t just the mileage that has caught up to him, it’s the years. Twenty years, Monty, twenty years you have had to learn how to work smarter, to find a balance between breaking down your opponents and breaking your own body, and you just couldn’t be bothered because you decided that what you do works so there’s no need to change things up. So tell me, Monty Margolis, when was the last time you saw your name at the top of the card? When was the last time you got a hero’s welcome the second you set foot in the arena? When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and thought the aches and pains were worth it because you were on top of the world?

The look on Carmichael’s face is almost the same as an elementary school teacher who has caught one of their pupils telling a little white lie in front of the class

John Carmichael: You have actually done those things at some point in your career, right?

Turning his left hand on its side, Carmichael lets the pair of 1¢ coins drop to the floor, all while maintaining his focus on the camera in front of him

John Carmichael: This is why I want to see a grand gesture out of you tonight, Monty Margolis, a gesture that you’re finally willing to think of yourself ahead of the faceless mass on the other side of the guard rail, because for twenty years you have put yourself through the wringer to please them and it’s time that you decide to put yourself first and not be so reckless every time you set foot in the ring the match is taking a terrible toll on your own body without your opponents having to lay a finger on you, because surely your life is worth more than a faceless crowd chanting “This is awesome!” in the most robotic, monotone drone possible? Because you need to take pride in what you do, not play the hits even though the hits you’re playing are twenty years old and have aged as well as Papa Roach’s music has, so the grand gesture I want from you, Monty Margolis, is you to do the one thing you have never done in your career until this point: I want to see some heart and soul from you, I want what you do to feel real and not choreographed, and I want you to do it for you and not the entitled masses who treat you like a Big Mac who is there for their convenience to be consumed, and when you look in the mirror tomorrow morning I want you to feel proud that you reminded yourself that you got into this industry because you felt like you belonged in the ring with everyone you faced and you could make something of yourself, not because you wanted to play those old and broken hits a couple hundred times more because you’re one step above having to eat a live chicken to get on the show

Once again there’s a lengthy pause, as Carmichael wants the words to hang in the air so both Margolis and the audience take the hint

John Carmichael: It’s your choice, so I hope you make the right one.

[FGA Office]

LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR
AMC vs. Gwen Margolis vs. Patrick Jones

All three grapplers slowly make their way out of their respective corners. This is a huge opportunity at stake here. For Margolis, this could be the big breakout win she’s been longing for. For Jones, this is his chance to finally right the ship. For AMC, it’s a chance to keep the momentum rolling and get one step closer to becoming a rare double champion. All three grapplers continue to slowly inch towards one another. The camera cuts to Margolis, who looks over at Jones. The camera cuts to Jones, who looks over at AMC. The camera cuts to AMC, who motions towards Margolis before darting over and catching Jones with a flurry of right hands! Jones is taken by surprise and backs up against the ropes while he covers up. But some of AMC’s punches still connect. AMC continues to unleashes a wild flurry of strikes until Margolis spins her around. Margolis catches AMC with a pair of forearm smashes before taking off into the far ropes. Margolis returns off the rebound before AMC brings her down with a back body drop. NO! Margolis slips down from behind, takes control of AMC’s back and brings her down with a German Suplex. She immediately gets up to her feet and runs over to sent Jones to the outside, but he ducks and dumps her over the top rope. Luckily for Margolis, she lands safely on the apron. When Jones turns around, she doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before bringing him down with a sunset flip for a two count.

Margolis sends Jones for the ride. When he returns off the rebound, he knocks Margolis down with a pair of flying forearms. AMC then runs over and gives Jones a taste of his own medicine by knocking him down with a pair of flying forearms! The tag champ then runs over towards Margolis and goes for a wheelbarrow victory roll, but Margolis counters with a wheelbarrow facebuster for a two count! Margolis brings the action into the corner and nails AMC with multiple forearm strikes. After an irish whip sends AMC into the far corner, Margolis runs over to attack. AMC turns her around with a boot to the face before coming off the top with a diving bulldog for a two count!

AMC sets up for a running bulldog, but Margolis shoves her off and over towards Jones, who brings her down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex. ONE! TWO! Margolis dives over to break it up. She then sends Jones for the ride before setting up for a back body drop off the return. Margolis telegraphs the move too early, which allows for Jones to plant her with a Snap DDT for a two count. Margolis gets brought down with a vertical suplex for another two count. Jones then takes control of Margolis’ side before bringing her down with a gutwrench suplex for yet another two count.

Margolis gets sent for the ride. After Jones knocks her off her feet with a dropkick, he sets his sights on AMC. Chase gets knocked back into the corner with multiple knife edge chops. He then climbs up to the middle ropes before raining down multiple punches while the crowd counts along. After the 10th punch, AMC gets whipped hard into the far corner. AMC staggers out of the corner before Jones throws her down with a back body drop. Chase remains down on the mat while Jones heads out to the apron. He scales to the top, leaps off and connects with a flying elbow drop! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! Margolis dives over to break up the pin. She then rolls Jones off of AMC before making the cover. ONE! TWO! Jones dives over and breaks up the pin.

Both Jones and Margolis return to their feet before trading forearm strikes. Jones gains the upper hand before taking off into the ropes. But unbeknownst to him, Margolis is right behind him! As soon as Jones’ back hits the ropes, Margolis catches him with a running European Uppercut. Margolis then takes off into the far ropes. But unbeknownst to her, Jones is right behind her! As soon as Margolis’ back hits the ropes, Jones connects with a clothesline that sends her over the top to the floor. Jones turns his attention back to AMC. He steps out to the apron, makes his way to the top and knocks her down with a missile dropkick! He goes for the cover. ONE! TWO! AMC gets the shoulder up.

Jones delivers an irish whip before setting up for a back body drop off the rebound. AMC sees it coming from a mile away, so she counters with the Name Dropper (Pedigree) for a two count. She sets up for another running bulldog. But once again, she gets shoved off into the ropes. AMC tries to catch Jones with a diving forearm off the rebound, but Jones drops to the mat. After AMC rolls across the mat, she gets back to her feet, heads back over and gets caught with Zoned Out (Superkick)! NO! AMC ducks underneath it. When Jones turns around, AMC drops him with the Kick of Doom (Superkick)! NO! Jones catches her foot, swings the leg away from him, takes control of her back and brings her down with a belly to back suplex. NO! AMC rolls over his shoulder, lands on her feet and reverses into an O’Connor Roll! ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Margolis breaks up the pin with a superkick to the face!

Margolis takes Jones and sends him for the ride. When Jones returns off the rebound, he gets knocked off his feet with a superkick. She then heads back over to AMC and tries for a Samoan Drop, but AMC fights out of it with multiple elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, AMC turns Margolis towards her before throwing her down with a Powerbomb! Margolis turns over to all fours and tries to pick herself back up, but AMC is quick to drive her face-first into the mat with the Full Facial (Curb Stomp) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

AMC O || Full Facial (10:42) || Gwen Margolis X || Patrick Jones X

[FGA Office]

It’s the night of Vertigo 96 and the crowd has been sensational so far in the Nashville Municipal Auditorium for yet another jam packed night of action! Our scene opens up backstage showing one of the contenders in the two triple threats for the Legacy Title, Antoinette Sands. Antoinette stands backstage dressed in her ring gear but covering her top half is an official “FGA” hoodie. She has her Liberty Pro Championship strapped around her waist, but the focus isn’t on that at all. The focus is on her face and the determination she has for this evening.

Antoinette: HIIIIIIII FRIEEEENDS!

Antoinette’s loud voice echos the halls as she bounces up and down waving at the cameras ahead of her big evening.

Antoinette: I know it’s been a minute since I’ve spoken here…and the truth is? I’ve wanted to let my actions speak louder than words. FGA has always been a special place for me. It was the first place that took a chance on me when I graduated from the RISE academy all those years ago! I felt like I’ve owed it to all of you to really do my best…and lately? I finally feel like I’m on the right track to doing just that. You see, respect is a huge thing for me. I look at the talent on this roster and I am truly blown away that I get to be included among so many amazing stars that I respect, and some of which I even looked up to for the longest time. I owe a hell of a lot to my time here in FGA, without the experiences and lessons I’ve learned here I truthfully don’t think I would have been able to find success elsewhere…but that isn’t enough for me.

Antoinette says with a smile on her face.

Antoinette: I haven’t had enough and I want more. You see, where I respect this roster I feel like I haven’t truly earned the respect of everyone here…and it’s time that changes. I was blessed to be included in the tournament for the 15 Championship. I really went out there and had it in my heart to go out there and win it for not only myself, but for each and every single one of you that have been by my side supporting me here. I know it’s not the popular decision to support the one who doesn’t have the long list of championship history or any of that but I’ve been speechless with the amount of support I’ve been receiving. With that support? It only makes me want to go further and really keep pushing myself because I just know the second I get my big moment here? It will all be worth it.

Her smile never leaves as she looks directly in the cameras again.

Antoinette: Gwen and I really went out there in the first round I had and we tore the house down. We pushed each other beyond belief and really showed just how much this meant to us, but I was able to get the job done. Getting to square off with Mark Storm was not going to be an easy task, and as we all saw…it wasn’t. As much of a show that I put on I was unable to fully deliver and he got the best of me…

Antoinette looks down, before shaking her head in disappointment before sighing.

Antoinette: That night was easily one of the best nights of my life even though I couldn’t get the job done. I don’t feel ashamed or weak knowing that either, because everyone has their moments and their nights. What I do from here is what matters and that brings us to tonight…the triple threat qualifying Legacy Title match with Cassius Reed and my sister-in-law Ashley Sands.

As Antoinette announces tonight's match, you can almost hear the fans erupt with roars of cheers for the match. Antoinette looks up, her disappointed face changing to a look of determination and anxiousness.

Antoinette: When this match was announced I literally screamed. These are two competitors that I’ve been fans of for a while so to say that this is a dream match is an understatement but the reality? The elephant in the room? One of my competitors is my stablemate. My sister-in-law. For most people? That would cause an extreme amount of stress and anxiety but for Ash and I? It’s just business!

Antoinette giggles before looking into the cameras playfully.

Antoinette: I’ve been having a lot of dream come true matches lately but this one is definitely going to be one that will be talked about forever! All three of us are walking into this match with the same goal of moving forward but only one of us can walk out advancing. As much as I love and respect both of these individuals? This is my opportunity ANTNATION!!!

Antoinette shouts, hyping herself up as she jumps up and down.

Antoinette: This is my opportunity to not only show that I am a serious threat competition wise on this roster but it is my opportunity to prove to you all that I belong here. That I wasn’t a mistake hire and that keeping me here is worth it. I’ve been here a long time and I’ve been having a blast, but I know that I need to step it up and keep showing you all that I deserve to be here!

Antoinette nods her head, feeling herself and the moment.

Antoinette: Ash…Cassius…let’s go out there and put on a damn show! I know we all want this…I know we all have our own individual reasonings and motivations behind wanting this opportunity. But I’m not going to give up. I’m going to go out there and give it till there’s nothing left to give…and I suggest you both do the same.

Antoinette says with a nod, before smiling as she skips out of sight to get ready for the match.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We return from commercial break as Spencer Burke is standing by in the center of the ring.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me at this time is the brand new FGA 15 Champion! He is "The Funky Technician" TJ TECHNIQUES!

♫ 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 a blue Yankees fitted, a black Tournament Shoot Out #23 jersey, light wash Levis and a pair of Jordan 1 Retro High Shadow 2.0. TJ smacks his chest three times before pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. TJ nods his head as he makes his way down the ramp with purpose.

TJ leaps to the apron before stepping into the squared circle. He makes a beeline towards the far corner and hops up to the middle ropes. TJ scans the crowd before slapping his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his fingers. He hops down from the corner, walks across the ring and hops to the middle ropes and scans the corner. TJ slaps his chest twice before pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. He then hops down, grabs the bill of his cap and spins the hat backwards. TJ puts his hands behind his back while awaiting Spencer's line of questioning.

Spencer Burke: TJ, first and foremost, welcome and congratulations on becoming the brand new FGA 15 Champion.

TJ's win is met with applause from the crowd. TJ can't help but to smirk at the love from the people.

Spencer Burke: Despite your big when, you are being thrown right back into the thick of things. Tonight, you will be defending your title against the man that you defeated in the finals of the 15 Championship Tournament, Mark Storm. Your thoughts?

The mention of Storm's name is met with applause. TJ has a look on his face that says, "fair enough". The Meaning of Dope proceeds to address the camera.

TJ Techniques: ​​Mark Storm may be a hero to some, but he's no hero to me. I told you that last time and the same remains true to this day. I do respect you and if anything, I've gained more respect from you. You brought it out there, Mark. You brought it in a way that I haven't seen you bring it in a long time. If I'm gonna keep it a buck, it felt like you been coastin' out here for far too long. If you ask me, it felt like you were just gettin' by on your rep instead of gettin' by on your output. But on the last show, I saw that hungry Mark Storm again. I felt that hungry Mark Storm. I went in there and experienced the Mark Storm that was willin' to fight 'till his last breath. Not the Mark Storm that pops up every couple of months, hangs around for a couple shows, then dips for months on end. What you did, Mark, was prove that you are, when you are at your very best, one of the best in the business and for that, I gotta give you your props.

The crowd gives Storm his props with a round of applause. TJ nods.

TJ Techniques: ​​You gave me a hell of a fight, my boy, and I'm lookin forward to what you got in store later on tonight.

TJ puts his index finger in the air to indicate that a "but..." is coming.

TJ Techniques: ​​But understand this. Don't think one for one second that just because you immediately beat me elsewhere, that you have my number. All you've done is even things up between the two of us. I got you one time, you got me one time. You don't have my number yet. Tonight is your chance. It's the chance for you to have my number. It's the chance for you to win the gold back that you held several years ago. It's your chance to become a champion in FGA for the first time in forever. Yeah, you been doin' your thing elsewhere. You won some gold here and there. The Funky Technician peeps game. And I don't wanna make it sound like what happens elsewhere don't matter here, because that would be disrespectful to those places and your talent. But let's keep it real, Mark. You and I both know that the standard here in FGA... is somethin' else. The level of talent here in FGA is somethin' else. You have to grind to become somebody here in FGA. I've been doin' it and you've been doin' it. We've both got the hardware to show for it. The same championship that I have now is the same that you used to hold. This is your chance to re-enter that rarified air. The rarified air of not just becomin' a two-time 15 Champion... but the rarified air of becoming a champion in one of the best company's in all of pro wrestling.

TJ nods as he hears the applause.

TJ Techniques: ​​Now I know you're gonna have your boy Greg Murphy at ringside. I know your other boys just did their thing in the opener. So I tell you what. I want em all at ringside. You bring Greg Murphy... you bring those Hooligunnz cosplayers, Liam and Miles, and you make sure that they're all at ringside. I want all eyes on that match, Mark. I want all eyes on that match because I need the people to see that for as good as the great Mark Storm is...

TJ holds his right hand up at a certain height before taking his left hand and laying it right on top of it.

TJ Techniques: ​​Yours truly is just a step ahead.

TJ puts his hands up.

TJ Techniques: ​​Hey, hey, and that's no shade. That ain't disrespect. It's just the facts. We can both come out here, shower each other with praise, dap, pound, hug, all that good stuff. Right? At the end of the night, there's gonna be a winner and a loser and let me tell you, Mark, it ain't gon' be me. It ain't gon' be me. There's power that comes with that 15 Championship, Spence. More than you and other people may even realize. I plan on exercisin' that power to its fullest.

TJ puts his index finger in the air, indicating that yet another "But..." is coming.

TJ Techniques: ​​But of course, we have to address the elephant in the room. Me and Mark are gonna be back out here in a 'lil bit. We're gonna entertain all you good people in the stands. We're gonna entertain all the good people at home. Mark Storm and myself are gonna be fightin' over my championship. But it's a championship that I don't even have in my possession. Ain't that some shit?

The crowd boos the theft that was committed by Laura Perelli.

TJ Techniques: ​​FGA, they put this tournament together, right? They put this tournament together to crown a brand new 15 Champion after my man Sparrow decided to cash it in for a shot at the U.S. Title. This 15 Championship has been across two companies, right? We've seen great champions hold that title. Great athletes. We know who they are. You still followin' me?

Spencer Burke: I'm following.

TJ Techniques: ​​Good. Now, to cap off this tournament where they crown a new champion, FGA has a brand new belt made, right? The belt is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The silver and the blue? It just pops out at you. This tournament isn't just to crown a new 15 Champion. The winner of this tournament will be the first person to ever hold this new championship. The winner of that tournament will be the first person to call that new design theirs. That should've been me. That should've been my time, Spence. That should've been my moment. I deserved, Spence, deserved to have that moment. I went through three athletes in one night to have that moment. That belt was this close to being handed to me. Yet what happened, Spence? What happened? Laura Perelli happened.

The crowd responds with a chorus of boos.

TJ Techniques: ​​I never got to sling that championship over my shoulder! I never got to feel the weight of that new championship in my hands! I never got to run my fingers across the plates! I never got to take in the smell of that new leather! I never even got to take a damn picture with that belt because Laura goddamn Perelli had to stick her nose in business that it didn't belong!

A closeup shows TJ staring a hole through the camera. His jaw is clenched. His nostrils are flared. The man is pissed to high heavens.

TJ Techniques: ​​But this ain't the first time she's done this. Hell, this ain't the first time she's done this with this very same championship. But tell me, Laura? What happened the last time? What happened the last time you pulled off this stunt? Sparrow broke his foot off in your ass, that's what happened!

The crowd reacts with applause.

TJ Techniques: ​​Yet you didn't learn, did you? You still didn't learn your lesson, you remedial motherf*cker you. Yet you have the nerve to come out here, on live TV, and cry about how other people have passed you by? You wanna give us the sob story about how lesser talents have gotten shots and won championships and how this should have been yours two and three years ago? Hey genius, whose fault is that? Whose fault is that? Whose the one that's been offering up nothing but mid for the better part of three year? Whose the one that's been putting out uninspired performances? Whose the one that's been letting these quote-unquote "lesser talents" pass them by? That's right, it's you, dummy. It's you!

TJ points directly at the camera. The crowd cheers.

TJ Techniques: ​​Laura, you wanna come out here and point fingers at everyone else but the personal that's ultimately at fault. So I'll tell you what. Let me give you some game, free of charge. Listen, you can't come out here every four to five months, give an impassioned promo, and act like everything's gonna change. Nah, you gotta put in that work! You gotta get it out the mud! You gotta thug it out 'till you get it right! But nah, nah, you don't wanna do that. You don't wanna put in no work. Nah, La Principessa or however you say that shit...

Spencer Burke: You got it right.

TJ Techniques: ​​Thank you, Spence... La Principessa wants it handed to her. But let me tell you somethin', ma. I'm not handin' you my 15 Championship. The only thing that's gonna get handed to you is your ass!

A "YES!" chant breaks out.

TJ Techniques: Breaking news, Spence. The movers and shakers in the front office? They already gave it the green light. TJ Techniques. Laura Perelli. Grapland. Live on Pay Per View. It's official!

Spencer Burke: Woah, how about that announcement!?

Another round of "YES!" chants break out.

TJ Techniques: And should I still be the 15 Champion, then my championship will be on the line. But that's down the road. Laura, I'm gonna give you a chance to make this right. I'm gonna give you a chance to return what's rightfully mine. So I'm gonna give you 'till the next show to give me my title back. Now don't think that if you hand me my title back, that I'll then take it easy on you. Hell no, this ass whoopin' you got comin' is non-negotiable. So you can forget that! But if you have any respect for yourself or any respect for this damn business, then you'll do the right thing. But if you don't, then I promise you, I will stomp... your ass down... into the ground. Now peep that...

[FGA Office]

As the attention of the camera switches elsewhere, there is a roar from the audience as the FGA Undisputed Champion, Lowri Moss, is seen standing somewhere backstage. Ahead of her participation in tonight’s main event, she is already dressed in her ring attire, as well as a replica Wales football jersey, with her title draped over her left shoulder. She offers a warm smile to the camera, as she begins by giving her familiar greeting.

Lowri Moss: What’s occurring, Nashville?

The mention of the location of tonight’s show of course earns a cheap pop.

Lowri Moss: It’s the first FGA show in a month, the first since Gauntlet for the Gold, the first for me since the previous episode of Vertigo, and we return tonight with a main event that’ll see yours truly in a non-title match against the current Pride Champion, Ace Voltage.

The mention of Ace’s name prompts some of the watching crowd to boo, which causes Lowri to chuckle.

Lowri Moss: I’m going to discuss that particular match shortly, but before I do so, I think I first need to talk about what happened six or so weeks ago, during the aforementioned previous episode of Vertigo.

There is the briefest of pauses before Lowri continues.

Lowri Moss: I went into that show on the back of having beaten Cordelia Stevenson at Grapple Kingdom 4, in my first successful defence of the Undisputed title, and having then beaten Emery Layton at Royal Battle, in what was billed by some as a “dream match.” However, I hadn’t expected to find myself competing in another big match that night, a third in as many shows– at least, not until it was revealed at the start of the show that Izzy Anders had decided she didn't want to wait to get her championship match, and that she wanted to get it there, that night; that was something that, as I told Spencer Burke when I spoke to him shortly after, I was definitely caught off guard by.

She runs her right hand through her hair.

Lowri Moss: Finding out that you’re going to be defending your title at such short notice is never an ideal scenario to be in, especially when your challenger is someone like Izzy– facing an opponent of her calibre is difficult enough when you have days or even weeks to prepare for the match, never mind just a couple of hours, as was the case for me last month. Had I not beaten Izzy though, I wouldn’t have used that as an excuse; I’ve heard it said that when you're a champion, you have to be ready for anything that comes your way, and that’s probably even more true where you’re the champion, the one at the top of the promotion, the one who everybody else wants to dethrone. Besides, I knew that the match was bound to be a really tough one, regardless of when it happened, and it turned out to be everything that I expected it to be– and more. I’ve been in a number of brutal matches during my time in FGA– multiple ladder matches, Steel Warfare, the only scaffold match in FGA history– but I don’t think I’ve ever been in a straight up, traditional match, in any promotion, that was as punishing as that one was. Short of actually hitting me with a chair, Izzy did everything that she could in order to try to take the title from me, leaving me afterwards with an aching body, a fat lip, and in need of stitches to close a wound above my eyebrow, but despite her best efforts, I also left the building that night with my reign as Undisputed Champion still intact.

Lowri casts a quick glance towards the title resting on her shoulder.

Lowri Moss: One thing that didn’t get brought up when I talked to Spencer prior to the match, was the stipulation that Izzy had added for herself, which was that if she lost, she would voluntarily call it a career. I’m sure by now everyone is aware of the admiration that I have for Izzy, and I know I spoke about having wanted a match with her for several years, to test myself against her, but I never imagined that when I did eventually get to have a match with her, that it would end up being the final match of her career. Admittedly that was something that was on my mind ahead of the match, that I could potentially be the one to end Izzy’s career, but once I was out there in the ring, I did my best to separate myself from that, to put it to the back of my mind, and thankfully, like Kris Cruise said immediately after the match, I was able to keep my cool and pick up another impressive win. I do hope though that wasn't really the last we will see of Izzy inside a wrestling ring, it’s not as if she would be the first person to ever return to the squared circle after their career was seemingly over, although whether or not she will make a comeback at some point in the future obviously remains to be seen– time will tell, I guess. But for now… Izzy… thank you.

Lowri’s smile is still present on her face, but the rest of her body language suggests that smile is now hiding a bit of sadness.

Lowri Moss: Turning back to tonight then, and as I mentioned a moment or two ago, I’m going to be facing Ace Voltage in a non-title match featuring two of FGA’s top champions– I could go a step further, and simply say that we are FGA’s two top champions, but I think that Owen Gonsalves, amongst others, would probably have something to say about that.

Her smile becomes more of a wry one.

Lowri Moss: This won’t be the first time that Ace and I have been opponents– in fact, it won’t even be the first time that we’ve been opponents in a champion versus champion match. Some of you may remember that two years ago, or just under two years ago, he and I had a match on another episode of Vertigo. Back then it was me who was the Pride Champion, in addition to also being one half of the World Tag Team Champions, while Ace was the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, and the end of the match came when he realised that he was fighting a losing battle, so decided to get himself counted out in order to save face. Since then we’ve crossed paths in each of the past two Gold Rush Rumbles– I shouldn’t need to tell you who won both of those– and we were also on opposing sides in a six man tag match a week before last year’s Only the Strong Survive, with me getting the win for my team, although granted Ace wasn’t the one that I pinned.

Lowri takes a breath, before continuing.

Lowri Moss: The last time the two of us met one-on-one, Ace claimed that he would sweep the floor with me, an assertion that was subsequently proven to be… erroneous. It won’t surprise me at all though if sometime between now and the main event, he appears on camera to make some similarly grand statements about what he’s supposedly going to do to me in our match later. But for all that he likes to talk– and boy does he like to run his mouth– there’s no denying his ability inside the ring, not with what he has managed to achieve over the course of the past couple of years. You know I won’t make it easy for him, but he has certainly improved since that match we had just under two years ago, and so I know that it won’t be easy for me either.

She takes a step closer to the camera.

Lowri Moss: Which is fine with me; I’m not sure I would want it any other way.

Lowri then gives a wink to the camera, following which the show cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR

Antoinette vs. Ashley Sands vs. Cassius Reed

Antoinette and Ashley are quick to jump Reed and double team him in the corner. The Funky Dragon tries to cover up, but Antoinette and Ashley continue to catch him with punches and kicks. They then deliver an irish whip, sending Reed into the far corner. Antoinette runs across the ring and connects with a step-up Ant-zuigiri (enzuigiri) in the corner in the corner before Ashley runs over and blasts him with the Wind Kick (running big boot to a cornered opponent)! After Ashley whips Reed back over into the previous corner, Antoinette runs over and gives him a running big boot of her own before Ashley throws him out of the corner with a monkey flip. Antoinette then heads to the apron, scales to the top, leaps off and knocks Reed back down with a missile dropkick before Sands flips off from the top with a moonsault. She makes the cover, but Antoinette is able to drag her off Reed just as the count reaches two.

The two sisters-in-law face off in the center of the ring. They stare each other down and exchange a nod before trading right hands. The two continue to go blow for blow until Ashley gains the upper hand. She then whips Antoinette into the ropes before catching her off the rebound with a spinning heel kick for a two count. Ashley then whips Antoinette into the corner. She runs over and goes for a monkey flip, but Antoinette lands on her feet before taking off into the ropes. When Antoinette returns, she brings Ashley down with a running hurricanrana. A pair of dropkicks return Ashley to the mat. She then sets up for an irish whip, but Ashley reverses. Instead of coming back off the rebound, Antoinette hangs onto the ropes. Ashley sees this, so she runs over to attack. Antoinette ducks and dumps her over the tp rope. Instead of crashing to the floor, Ashley lands safely on her feet. She then yanks Antoinette down face-first to the mat before dragging her hard to the outside. She then marches over towards Reed, but he’s able to bring her down with small package for a two count.

Reed starts to gain the advantage by peppering Sands with jabs. He then moves the action into the corner before unleashing body blows. After a discus punch rocks Ashley, Reed plants her with a Tornado DDT for a two count. Reed continues his offense with a split-legged stunner before bringing Ashley down with a neckbreaker for another two count. He then sets up for a back body drop, but Antoinette is able to pull Ashley down from behind. When Reed turns around, he gets knocked off his feet with a double dropkick. Antoinette goes to high five Ashley before getting doubled over with a boot to the midsection. Ashley then takes control of Antoinette from the side before driving her down with a reverse side russian leg sweep for a two count. Ashley takes control of Antoinette and whips her into the corner. She then runs over and throws out another Wind Kick, but Antoinette gets her hands up, blocks the move and shoves Ashley down to the mat. Ashley rolls back to her feet before Antoinette knocks her down with a leg lariat for a two count.

Antoinette brings the action into the corner. She sets up for a Tornado DDT until Ashley pushes her off mid turn. As soon as Antoinette lands on her feet, Reed brings her down with a belly to back suplex. The Funky Dragon returns to his feet and counters Ashley’s charge with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex. He then floats over, pulls Ashley back up and delivers a belly to back suplex on top of Antoinette. Reed adds insult to injury by taking Ashley and delivering a snap suplex onto Antoinette. He then rolls Ashley off of Antoinette and makes the cover, but he only gets a two count. He quickly crawls over and covers Ashley, but again, he only gets a two count. After positioning Antoinette and Ashley on the canvas so that their heads are pointed towards each other, Reed steps out to the apron. He makes it to the top, flips off for a somersault leg drop to both grapplers… and misses when they both roll out of the way. Reed yells out in paid as he remains seated until Antoinette rolls him up with a jackknife pin. She nearly gets a three count, but Ashley is right there to break it up with the Wind Whisper (rolling senton).

The capacity crowd’s attention turns to the the aisle as Erin Mariani makes her way down to the ring. The ref is quick to get out to the apron and ban her from the ringside area. When Mariani doesn't leave, AMC runs up from behind and knocks her down with a clothesline. The two continue to brawl in the aisle while Sara Mason sneaks over the guardrail before slithering into the ring. After Ashley brings Antoinette down with Into Dust (Codebreaker), she returns to her feet, turns around and gets hit with a Fireball from Mason! Ashley immediately goes down and covers her face. Her cries immediately get the attention of both the ref and AMC. At this time, Mason has already rolled out of the ring and knelled down next to the ring. The ref tends to Ashley after she rolls out to the ring to the floor. AMC goes over to help, but she ends up getting jumped by both members of Silk & Cyanide. They then bring AMC over towards the ringside area before driving her down with Haute Tension (double inverted crucifix powerbomb) across the steel steps.

Back inside, Reed crushes Antoinette with Funky Knee, Funky Do (Kneecolepsy). He then rolls to the outside, grabs the ref and rolls him back in and forces him to make the cover. ONE, TWO, TH-NO! Antoinette gets the shoulder up! Reed tries for another vertical suplex, but Antoinette slips down from behind and counters with the Sugar Crash (Backstabber)! She then goes for Candy Crush (Swanton Bomb) off the top, but Reed gets his knees up. Once Antoinette is back to her feet, Reed goes to take her out with the Pimp Slap Symposium. But instead of ending with the backhand slap, Antoinette ducks it and stuns him with another Ant-zuigiri before bringing him down with an STO. She then brings reed back down with a running bulldog before hitting the Rave-A-Round (corkscrew moonsault) off the top for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Antoinette O || Rave-A-Round (11:10) || Ashley Sands X || Cassius Reed X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Intrepid backstage interviewer Spencer Burke bounds his way down the corridor. We follow him, as he appears to have spotted someone, and he’s in hot pursuit. As we get closer to them, we notice they’re getting taller. Purple hair with an under-cut, a leather jacket and a flannel shirt tied around their waist, we realise this is in fact the monster we saw debut last week, Mara Jade Miller.

Spencer Burke: Mara! Excuse me, Mara?

Mara does not break their stride. It takes Spencer and his crew physically stepping in front of them before they stop. Like a teenager who’s just been collared on their way to a night-out, Mara rolls their eyes and hangs their head to the side. They don’t say a word.

Spencer Burke: Sorry, we were just wondering if we could get a few words regarding your match tonight?

Mara Jade Miller: No.

Mara attempts to leave but Spencer is insistent. As they walk, we walk with them. Spencer follows.

Spencer Burke: It’s just that, well, we were hoping to talk to you last week about your debut match against Patrick Jones, a successful debut which saw you beat an accomplished talent but you didn’t turn up for your scheduled interview.

Mara Jade Miller: Yeah, I didn’t really feel like it.

Spencer Burke: But, with respect, the FGA fans don’t know a whole lot about you. We know you’re a big part of the deathmatch scene these days and that you were trained by Emery Layton, but don’t you think you owe them some kind of proper introduction?

And this. This. This is the thing that makes them stop. The Non-Binosaurus Rex turns on their heel ever so slowly to face Spencer directly. They look him up and down.

Mara Jade Miller: Y’know…you’re really short. Has anyone ever told you that?

Spencer Burke: I…can’t say it gets brought up a lot.

Mara Jade Miller: Yeah, just really, really short. I feel like I could put you in my pocket. If I wanted to. I could do whatever I wanted with you. You couldn’t stop me. But I wouldn’t, because it wouldn’t do anything for me. I look at you and I think I’d just come away from a fight with you feeling just as unsatisfied and disillusioned as I felt before. It wouldn’t give me the serotonin I need. I’d need you to fight back and I’d need you to mean it. I’d need the high pressure of knowing you’re trying to win, and want it just as bad as I do. I need the sight of my own blood and yours. I need the look on your face when you see me get up from something you thought would finish me off. You don’t plan on winning any titles any time soon, do you?

Spencer Burke: ...No.

Mara Jade Miller: No, exactly. I need to fight people with goals, drive, and ambition. I need to fight winners so that I can kill them.

There is a pause. A long, uncomfortable pause. Mara waits. Spencer tries to come up with the words, but he just isn’t finding them, so it isn’t long before “Deadly Neighbourhood Mara Jade” pipes up.

Mara Jade Miller: Does that answer your question, or can I leave? I have to go and turn Jillian Clay into paste.

Spencer Burke: Uh, Mara Jade Miller, thank you.

Mara Jade Miller: Whatever.

As the crew part like the red sea, Mara walks through them and out of our sight. Spencer remains firmly within view, though, and with a wide-eyed expression he looks to us with a shake of his head. We fade out.

[FGA Office]

Mara Jade Miller vs. Jillian Clay

Miller immediately marches over and tries to grab a hold of Clay, but Clay is quick enough to slip out of the ring. When Miller turns around, Clay wrenches their arm and follows up with multiple slaps to the chest. But this doesn't effect them at all. Miller responds with a headbutt that drops Clay to the mat. Miller then stands over Cay before reaching down, grabbing her by the throat with both hands and yanking her back to her feet. Before Clay can get hoisted it, she knocks their hands off of her before following up with multiple forearm and elbow strikes. Clay then turns and takes off into the ropes. Clay returns off the rebound before Miller pounces on her with a Lou Thesz Press. Miller rains down hard forearm smashes to the face. They then switch to side control before nailing Clay with alternating grounded knees to the midsection. Clay curls up, so Miller returns to their feet before chucking Clay across the ring with a deadlift German Suplex!

Miller continues to control the action by throwing Clay into the corner. Miller rushes over to attack, but Clay knocks them back with a boot to the face. Miller shakes off the blow before rushing back in. Clay goes for another boot to the face. This time, Miller catches her foot before yanking her over into a lariat. They then reach down, grab Clay by the throat with one hand and yank her back to her feet before nearly chokeslamming her through the ring. Clay bounces off her back before rolling over into the prone position. Miller reaches down and grabs a hold of Clay again before chucking her across the ring with another deadlift German Suplex!

The crowd grows uneasy as they see Miller maul Clay with strikes. They then reach down, lift up Clay and lift them high over their head. They proceed to parade Clay around the ring before dropping her with a gorilla press slam. Clay is then whipped hard into the corner. The Saturnian Connection member stagers out of the corner before Miller flattens her with a big boot. They then pull Clay back to her feet and size her up before a discus lariat turns her inside out. Miller yanks up Clay off the mat before sending her for the ride once more. When Clay returns, Miller nearly takes her head off with The Space Needle (Pop-up Uppercut) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Mara Jade Miller O || The Space Needle (4:17) || Jillian Clay X