Afterburn for Grapland

[FGA Office]

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

[Raphael Dallins]

Nearby is the Ocean Center parking lot as Grapland comes to a close in scenic Daytona Beach, Florida. Amanda Johnson is caught trying to speak with someone in a rental, but the driver’s side window rolls up on her. The white sedan takes off with a screech on the pavement. The back lights flash briefly, hitting the brakes, and then continue driving off. Amanda looks at the camera and holds her microphone up before immediately getting started.

Amanda Johnson: Amanda Johnson here and ladies and gentlemen, I was trying to get a word with Caroline Dallins. She just got in a car at the end of the show and sped off without her client and the new Frontier Grappling Arts U.S. Champion---

Sparrow: Former client.

Looking a bit worse for wear but standing tall, the West Indian Whirlwind pops his head into the camera shot. He’s currently lacking the U.S. championship that he had won earlier in the night but seems rather pleased at the outcome. His hands are in his hoodie pockets as his head turns to watch the car continue speeding off into the evening. All the way until it is gone, taking a hard left.

Amanda Johnson: At Empire Pro, the other company you work for, it was noted that she hasn’t really been seen with you all that much. You’ve taken a...Uh, well a lot of abuse from her in the past and I have to wonder what was it, what was the straw that broke the camel’s back?

Sparrow: Well, it wasn’t any straw from me. All I did was tell her to cut her bullshit off time, and time again. She didn’t seem to like that so she quit before she even hit strike two with me. You have to believe me Amanda, I was patient, I was the epitome of it but I’m sure my sister will be jjuuuusssttt fine. I see her trying to sign up to clientele like Man Like Malik, or trying...Desperately trying to work with Dante Cutler. You catch her cozying up to Anthony Gates over at King’s Road? She has many wrestlers in her purview and honest as the day is long, it was just a matter of time until she threw me to the wolves one way or the next. You tell me she wouldn’t have tried to segueway a championship match with HENNY...And then help him win?

Amanda nods honestly.

Amanda Johnson: Well, I see your point. So what will you do without a manager? I noticed you don’t have your U.S.--

Sparrow: Nah, nah. I’m still gon’ have a manager. Just one I picked. Not one tryna climb down my throat or use me to get herself clients that she’ll like more.

Just then a short brunette in a rather expensive looking Givenchy sequined chiffon gown emerged from a nearby exit door. It wasn’t like a fancy reveal through a curtain but it would have to do. She was holding a bundle wrapped in purple velvet. She smiled at Amanda, and then nearly tripped as her heel caught on a crack in the concrete walkway. She steadied herself and turned back, a shy dimpled grin on her lips. She stopped beside Sparrow and gave Amanda a sheepish wave.

Calico Case: Oh hey, hi… um. So yeah, I’m Calico. Calico Case. As you might guess, or maybe not, I’m the new manager. Timing is a little eh, but you know. It’s like shift change at Target, hey?

Amanda seems stunned, and lets the mic dip momentarily before regaining composure.

Amanda Johnson: This is a bit sudden I have to admit.

Calico almost winced and shakes her head.

Calico Case: Is it though? Anyone who’s been watching and keeping up with what’s going on knows this is a long time coming. Heck, here’s a little secret: between Sparrow and I, it’s BEEN known. When the other shoe finally dropped, this was a break glass in case of emergency type of situation. Sparrow means the world to me and vice versa. This is just taking it to the next level. Thing is, my philosophy is about 180 degrees from Caroline’s. Tough Love? No thank you. It was frankly borderline terrorism on her own flesh and blood. Get ready for a new era, because I practice Soft Love. We do more than try a little tenderness here. Here’s a man that has earned so much, who deserves so much. He’s proven he can live a little, paint outside the margins and still succeed. And after his victory tonight? We’re starting off fresh and clean.

Calico peels back the folds of rich vibrant velvet in her grasp to reveal something shiny, something luxuriant. Silver plates polished to blinding precision. A brown leather strap mastercrafted in stitching and thoroughly oiled. Both Amanda and Sparrow look impressed.

Calico Case: So here we are, Sparrow… #KickZaddy, the West Indian Whirlwind, do you accept this belt as a symbol of my devotion and my superb managerial skills? A new championship belt for the NEW Frontier Grappling Arts United States Champion?

The West Indian Whirlwind lets out a whistle, admiring the custom version of the U.S. championship, before hefting it up in his hands.

Sparrow: Accepted Calico. This is gonna be the start of somethin’ great. I can feel it. Now, I’m sure Savannah was probably thinkin’ she could get a free ride, probably go on about how she beat Caroline once already so no strategies comin’ from this camp was gonna help but uh...You see her anywhere? Nah. So uh...Good luck if you wanna get this new, luxurious strap from me. Shall we?

As the U.S. champion and his new manager head off to a car, Amanda is left still a little perplexed. She raises the microphone to say something but the microphone dips again.

[Antoinette]

The scene cuts backstage of the Ocean Center Arena in Daytona, Florida after what was just an intense night of action. We are taken backstage where we see the newly crowned FGA Legacy Champion, Antoinette sitting backstage. She is surrounded by medical attention as they examine her leg that was targeted during this evening’s bout. Dressed in her oversized FGA hoodie, her eyes look like they are crying glitter as her sparkly makeup runs down her face. A mix of pain and happiness, it is unsure where the tears stemmed from first but the young woman sits there on a table, looking up at the cameras as she looks up at the medics. 

ANTOINETTE: “I’m okay…I’m really really okay! It hurts but it’s nothing I can’t handle! This…this was worth every second!”

Antoinette fights back more tears as she looks down at her newly won Legacy Championship clutched in her hands, before sniffling. It was a true battle to get to this point, and the look on Antoinette’s face could tell that.

ANTOINETTE: “Thank you guys for making sure I’m good! But could you give me a second? I think I owe the people and the whole ANNNNNNTNAAAAATIOOOOOON some words!”

Antoinette sings out as she looks up at the staff nodding her head before they smile at her before heading out of the scene. Antoinette takes a look down at her Legacy title before wiping her eyes, the makeup from the night smearing down her face as she looks up at the cameras.

ANTOINETTE: “I did it..I really…really did it! FRIEEENDS! Tonight was something really special that I can’t even find the words to describe how I’m feeling! I’ve been on a mission ever since I was given the amazing opportunity to come back to FGA. I wanted to prove to you all that I wasn’t a mistake and that I could really add something spectacular to an already amazing place! And tonight…tonight I did just that. The road to get here was not easy, and I even had to go through my friends to get here..”

Antoinette sighs out, before gripping harder on her championship…

ANTOINETTE: “To get to one of the most challenging matches of my career against one of the best people on this roster, Logan Alexander. Logan didn’t go easy on me, as a matter of fact he did the complete opposite. He took me to the edge and really made me push myself and show not only him but each and every single person here just how much this match and being in this position meant to me. I was not going to settle for anything but defining my own legacy in FGA and tonight was the start of that. I didn’t tap out, I didn't quit! I fought till there was nothing left in me and it all paid off in the end! I finally achieved my goal and became the Legacy Chaaaampiant!”

More tears run down her face as the words come out of her mouth. It doesn’t seem to really hit her as she keeps looking down at the belt before holding it up close to her face as she keeps her grips on it.

ANTOINETTE: “There are so many thoughts and so many things running through my mind but honestly? All I could think at this moment is you all…the very people that kept me going and that I fight for in this ring day in and day out for. The people who never stopped supporting me and never stopped believing in the work that I set out to do. Thank you to each and every single person in the ANNNNTNAATION who never…never lost hope. I know at the beginning I didn’t give you much to hope and believe in but those days are over! The Fire Ant is here to stay and tonight just marked the start of something new! An era where the unexpected competitor overcomes the obstacles and proves everyone wrong!”

Antoinette shouts before holding her newly won Championship close to her face before nodding her head, the tears never stopping.

ANTOINETTE: “This is it…this is really it! I love you all..I love this…this is all of yours just as this is mine! WE DID IT!!!”

She shouts once more before the scene closes out on an emotional Antoinette taking in her moment. 

[El Dragón]

The camera switches to the parking lot area where we find Julian Tijerina holding an ice pack to the back of his neck and staggering while Maria drags a suitcase on wheels behind him. Amanda Johnson runs up to them with a live microphone in hand, eager to get a final interview with El Guapo before the night is done.

Amanda Johnson: Julian! First of all, amazing match with Brian Stryker! Second-

She gets interrupted by Julian almost at the same time as the camera moves closer to his clearly banged-up face. Julian tries to lightly push the camera away, wincing in pain at the light and other things, before trying to cover his face. He clearly does not appreciate getting ambushed like this. 

Julian Tijerina: Listen, Amanda, I love the energy and the enthusiasm, and I know you're just doing your job, but this is not the time. I feel like shit, I went through hell, Brian Stryker almost beat me in that whirlwind of a match... Daddy needs his rest, all right, mi amor? I'll talk to you guys some other time.

Julian puckers up to blow her a kiss before quickly entering his Lamborghini Gallardo, leaving a giggling Amanda to remain watching him. That was, until Maria makes her presence known, squinting at Amanda with a playful smirk and then lightly pushing her away, so she can get in the same vehicle as El Guapo, his suitcase already stowed in the trunk of the car while everyone was busy trying to get an unflattering close-up of Spain's favorite son. 

Maria: Gracias, Amanda! Vete, perra.

The car then speeds the hell out of there, with Amanda and the cameraman still watching them. Amanda then turns to the camera, squealing excitedly like a fan girl.

Amanda Johnson: Did you see that? He blew me a kiss! Julian Tijerina just blew little old me a kiss! I can finally die happy!

The camera then fades out to the cameraman half-sighing, half-chuckling, as we hear a half-hearted "Maria will probably help with that" from the same man.