Vertigo E98

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Total Mortgage Arena
Bridgeport, CT

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Vertigo! I’m Kris Cruise and joining me as always in my colleague, Stephy Auger! Stephy, tonight we witness the fallout from Grapland. Ace Voltage came so close to winning the top championship here in FGA before being bested by Lowri Moss. During that match, he had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Tonight, he’s got everything to lose when he defends his Pride Championship against Julian Tijerina!

Stephy Auger: Listen here, Cruise. Ace may have come up short at Grapland. But he is not, I repeat, is not about to lose two championship matches in a row. The man is, in my opinion, not only the greatest Legacy Champion of all-time, but he’s also the greatest Pride Champion of all-time. Tonight, he will continue to prove his greatness and prove why he is The Main Event of FGA when he makes short work of Julian Tijuana!

Kris Cruise: Tijerina.

Stephy Auger: That’s what I said.

Kris Cruise: ANYWAYS… also here tonight, in our main event, Lowri Moss faces arguably her toughest test when she defends her World Championship against the Apex Goddess, Fujiko Mine!

Stephy Auger: Lowri’s had a nice little run. But there’s one match that sticks out in her mind and that’s her LOSS to Fujiko last year. Fujiko’s got her number. She beat her on the big stage, live on pay per view. Sure, Lowri’s gone on and become a champion. But Fujiko is obsessed, I tell you, obsessed with occupying the top spot here in FGA again. She desperately wants it. She needs it more than she needs air. Fuji Water knows that she can beat Lowri. At hard as she went at Lowri before, she’s going to go even harder with the World Title on the line.

Kris Cruise: That match will no doubt be one for the ages. But Lowri and Ace aren’t the only champions in action tonight. Antoinette, our brand new Legacy Champion, will be defending her title when she takes on The Funky Dragon, Cassius Reed! Speaking of funky, The Funky Technician and the The West Indian Whirlwind join forces for the first time in an FGA ring. I’m talking about the reigning 15 Champion, TJ Techniques, and the brand new United States Champion, Sparrow, linking up for a tag team match! Speaking of tag teams, our tag team opening contest is about to get underway!

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
SMWB vs. The Gourdbusters

The match starts off with Max Powers and Olé Anderson in a collar-and-elbow. Powers quickly gets the advantage with a side headlock before Anderson pushes him off into the ropes. When Powers returns, the crowd boos when Anderson knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. Anderson quickly turns and takes off into the ropes. Powers turns over onto his stomach before Anderson comes off the ropes and hops over him. Anderson continues to run the ropes. When Anderson returns, Powers pops back to his feet and tries for a hip toss. Anderson steps through it and tries for a hip toss of his own. Powers blocks it. Anderson tries to muscle him up for another hip toss. Again, Powers blocks it. Anderson then takes his free arm and tries to knock Powers down with a clothesline, but Powers ducks before reaching back and pulling him down with a hangman's neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Anderson kicks out.

Powers pulls Anderson up and wrenches his arm before pulling him over into the over. After the tag gets made out to Landon Knight, Knight hops through the ropes and doubles Anderson over with a boot to the midsection. He then takes Anderson and whips him into the ropes. When Anderson comes back, the crowd cheers when Knight before him down with a hip toss, cartwheels over and flattens him with a dropkick to the face for a two count.

Kris Cruise: The SMWB are looking pretty good thus far, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Of course they are, Cruise. They’re in there against the Gourdbusters for crying out loud! We saw what happened when they were last in there with a real tag team at Grapland.

Kris Cruise: The Gourdbusters aren’t exactly the cream of the crop. But at the same time, you have to beat whatever team is in front of you.

Knight pulls Anderson back to his feet and takes control of the wrist before blasting him with a Chain Chomp (Arm wrench into a short-arm forearm smash)! After Anderson gets doubled over with another boot to the midsection, Knight pulls him into a standing headscissors. He's about to lift Anderson up for a powerbomb when Gully Blanchard runs over and stops him with a double ax handle to the back. The boos continue as Blanchard whips Knight into the ropes. Knight returns off the rebound before getting thrown down with a back body drop. NO! Instead of landing on the mat, Knight lands on Anderson's shoulders and brings him down with a lying hurricanrana.

Kris Cruise: How about that counter!

Stephy Auger: How did he do that!?

The cheers continue as Blanchard gets knocked off his feet with a dropkick. Knight then takes Blanchard and whips him over towards Powers, who knocks him down with a Koopa Kick (Rolling Koppu Kick)! Powers then takes off into the far ropes as Knight pulls Blanchard back up before doubling him over with a knee strike to the midsection. When Powers returns, the crowd cheers when Knight hoists him up before Powers flattens Blanchard with a Mushroom Stomp (Double foot stomp to the back).

Kris Cruise: Blanchard gets take down with an assisted leaping double foot stomp!

Stephy Auger: Why hasn’t the official disqualified these two yet? They’ve been in the ring much longer than five seconds!

Kris Cruise: I believe it’s referee’s discretion?

Stephy Auger: Well this official should be suspended and sent back to referee school. This isn’t a Texas Tornado Tag, you know!

Knight then takes Anderson and whips him into the far corner. He then runs across the ring, blasts Anderson with the Tail Attack (Flying Hip Attack to a cornered or oncoming opponent) and pushes him over towards Powers. Powers quickly doubles Anderson over before planting him with the It's-A-Me-DT (Snap DDT)! The cheers continue as the SMWB put Anderson away with Super Smash Melee (Rolling fireman's carry slam by Knight, followed by a 450 Splash by Powers, followed by a springboard Phoenix Splash by Knight) for the three count.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… THE SMWB!

The cheers continue as Powers and Knight get their arms raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: The SMWB bounce back from their loss at Grapland with a win over the Gourdbusters. We’ll have to keep a close eye on them to see which direction they’ll be headed in over the coming weeks. However, we do know the destination for Strike 2 Kill, the team that defeated the SMWB at the last pay per view. Due to the undefeated run that they’ve been on, the team of Liam Richardson and Miles Watson have been named the new number one contenders to the World Tag Team Championship!

Stephy Auger: What!?

Kris Cruise: That’s right! Silk & Cyanide will defend their gold against Strike 2 Kill at the Gold Rush Rumble! Erin Mariani and Sara Mason have been in some wars with Ashes to Ashes. But the team of Strike 2 Kill is going to provide an entirely different challenge for the champions. It’ll be interesting to see how the Divine Duo prepare for another tough challenge. Right now, let’s show you some prerecorded comments from one of the newest faces in FGA here in 2022.

[FGA Office]

A pre-recorded video plays, fading in on a group of people standing around in a cemetery in the rain for what seems to be a very sad funeral. The camera slowly focuses on a familiar face, though mournful, as she looks down while holding an umbrella.

Betsy Gallagher (V.O.): Death is normal. It is inevitable. A necessary part of the cycle of life. We live, and then we die.

We see the crowd slowly dwindle, as they disappear, leaving the grave one by one, until all we see left is Betsy in all black.

Betsy Gallagher (V.O.): Recently, I've had a sort of, I suppose you can call it, a "death in the family."

The camera fades out, and when it fades back in, we see Betsy sitting alone at a table, looking through a window. It is raining outside. Everything seems so dark and dreary.

Betsy Gallagher (V.O.): But it wasn't just anyone who died: It was a part of me, a part of my life.

We catch a glimpse of a news item on the telly: A blurred out name of a promotion having recently "died."

Betsy Gallagher (V.O.): What do you do when everything falls apart? When all that you've ever known, all that you've given your life to, sacrificed everything for, disappears just like that?

The camera then focuses on Betsy again, and this time, she heaves a sigh before getting up out of her chair, taking her coat from the rack near the door, and then leaving through the same door.

Betsy Gallagher (V.O.): I'm tired of mourning. It's time to take my throne and finally reign.

We switch to a montage of Betsy's greatest "hits," both in and out of FGA: We see her recent and first win over Macy Dover with the Betsy Bomb at Vertigo E97, her loss to Laura Perelli in the opening round of the 15 Championship Tournament at Vertigo E95, her short-lived tag team effort as one-half of the Golden Goddesses in another promotion that's now gone, where she tapped out the wrong guy before her tag team partner got pinned, and her loss to now FGA Legacy Champion Antoinette at Vertigo E94. Throughout, we hear her theme as well as the old sound clip of Kris Cruise going "Betsy Gallagher fought hard. She fought damn hard! She shouldn’t have any shame with how she performed tonight" to end the montage.

The video ends, fading to black.

[FGA Office]

We fade in on Spencer Burke standing backstage, a smile on his face. He looks directly into the camera and nods.

Spencer Burke: Tonight we have quite the lineup tonight for you here at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport! The brand new Legacy Champion, Antoinette immediately puts her title on the line against The Funky Dragon, Cassius Reed; Pride Champion Ace Voltage has to rebound after his loss at Grapland by defending his title against Julian Tijerina, and Lowri Moss defends the World championship against my guest at this time, The Apex Goddess, Fujiko Mine!

The crowd cheers loudly as Fujiko smoothly slides into the frame, gripping at the collar of her leather jacket.

Spencer Burke: Fujiko, after a grueling defense against Pride champion Ace Voltage, you made your intentions known that you were looking to be next in line for the FGA World Championship. Did you expect that tonight, at Vertigo, you would be getting that opportunity?

A quick blink from Fujiko is her initial response, but she follows it up with a swish of her tongue inside her cheek.

Fujiko Mine: Despite previous accusations or rumors, I don’t have any sway around here, Spencer. This was my ‘grand scheme’ - check it. Please watch carefully, I’m going to lay my master plan out for everyone to see. Ready?

Fujiko makes eye contact with a bewildered Spencer.

Fujiko Mine: Here it is - Step one: Make sure Lowri knows I am interested in becoming a two-time FGA world champion. End of steps. If anyone else wants to be where I am tonight, I don’t know what to tell them. Was I expecting to be getting to face Lowri tonight for the championship? Absolutely not. This is a match that was billed as a “dream match” back last year at A New Odyssey. And despite the universal language of me making the title motion around my waist a couple of times, I wasn’t told anything before y’all were.

She rolls her shoulders.

Fujiko Mine: But champions get prepared when opportunity falls in front of them. So I’m not going to complain that my name got drawn tonight in front of the awesome fans here in Connecticut. And I’m willing to bet Lowri isn’t complaining, either.

The crowd cheers loudly.

Fujiko Mine: April 27th, 2021, Lowri and I made art in the ring. We put on an amazing match, and when everything was said and done - I told Lowri that she had what it takes to be the champion in this company. That she would succeed where I failed. She showed the heart of a champion, and I was grateful to get to share the ring with her.

She smiles.

Fujiko Mine: BUT that was a year ago. Since then, I proved my words correct. Lowri IS the FGA champion, she did succeed where I failed, and she still shows that she has the heart of a champion. And she is not the wrestler I faced. So there is nothing to suggest that I have any kind of ‘advantage’ over her tonight. She’s the one with all the momentum. I didn’t have a prolific defense against Ace Voltage at Grapland. I wasn’t even scheduled to appear. I just made my move when I thought it was appropriate.

Spencer Burke: Fujiko, tonight do you think Lowri Moss will be able to ‘get her win back’ in this rematch, with the championship on the line?

Fujiko smiles widely.

Fujiko Mine: Absolutely.

Spencer seems a bit taken aback by the answer.

Spencer Burke: Do you…care to clarify?

Fujiko’s shoulders drop, and she nods.

Fujiko Mine: Sure, Spencer. Listen, I try to be real in these situations. Lowri absolutely can survive me tonight. She absolutely can retain the championship tonight. I know that isn’t what people expect, they think I should tear into Lowri and call her a bum, or say that she isn’t as good as me, or what-have-you. But the reason that the matchup of Fujiko and Lowri is as good as it is is that the outcome of this match will be in doubt until the end bell. There is no shame in losing to Lowri, she has proven herself an amazing champion. BUT- that does not mean that I am going out there to become another person on her ‘defense’ list. I’m going out there to become a two-time FGA World champion. I am going out there because I want to face Lowri Moss with a championship on the line, to see how that has changed her game. I am going out there because I want to be the face of Frontier Grappling Arts once again, and I can do that. More in line - I can do that without trying to ‘throw shade’ at Lowri. It’s less about Lowri’s ability in the ring - and more about my belief that I can stand in the middle of that ring and be a threat to anyone - title on the line or no. It’s about my belief that I earned every single one of those four-hundred and eight days. It’s about my belief that I am the best wrestler in the storied history of this company, and beating Lowri Moss to become a two time World Champion goes quite a long way in that. So can Lowri beat me? Absolutely, she can. Will she? Well, that’s an entirely different question.

Spencer Burke: So, will Lowri win tonight?

Fujiko gives up a nonchalant shrug.

Fujiko Mine: If you ask her, she’d say she would. It’s not often that the FGA title switches hands on Vertigo. In fact, the last time it did was back in… January of 2019. But…if the people around here have learned anything, I think they have learned that you don’t count out Fujiko Mine. I’ve fallen from grace, got back on my feet, and clawed my way back to the top. I’ve earned my hall of fame status. I’ve become synonymous with both the Pride and World championships. It’s not often that you see a loss from ol’ Fujicakes. So I think that tonight, the FGA World Championship and Lowri Moss…are gonna go their separate ways.

She inches closer to Spencer’s held microphone, and raises her voice a bit.

Fujiko Mine: Because THAT is the will of the goddess…and her will be done…

Fujiko gives the camera a wave, and then nods to Spencer before exiting the way she came.

Spencer Burke: Thanks Fujiko, good luck tonight.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

A low whistle is heard from off-camera in the backstage area.

Piper Lennon: Wow, so that Mara … they’re a real cranky pants, huh?

We pan over to see the former Mid-Atlantic Champion slouching against a catering table, stuffing a few crackers in her mouth.

Piper Lennon: You’d think that they’d be in a better mood since the match is being billed as them ‘being in action’ like they’re facing an already in the ring local competitor instead of a pretty successful person in this company.

About half what she says can actually be made out given that she’s mumbling with her mouth full of food.

Piper Lennon: Not even saying that to be salty, just trying to embrace the norms of the company more. You know, Championships are prestigious and matter, instead of smiling and saying that all belts are an artificial construct created by an oppressive regime or whatevs I would’ve said in my younger days.

A slight shrug before she flashes a quick grin.

Piper Lennon: But this is actually exciting if Mara being …. The way they are, helps them get to where they need to be all ‘rahhhh domination and bloodshot’. Since I mean, anyone who’s seen my matches knows that tell me you’re gonna drop me on my head, kick me in the teeth and spit on my face, then well you’re just threatening me with a good time.

Piper Lennon: So I’m sure that while there may not be any deaf kids or milkshakes, there definitely will be blood and it’s time to remind people that’s where I thrive. And now that I’m a little wiser, a little … a lot more purpose driven and focused, a little more schooled at the actual wrestling thing to implement that violence?

She pauses.

Piper Lennon: … Wow, that sounded like I was reading off a script, huh? But point stands, I can’t predict the future … or whether this reality we’re in is actually real and not a simulation, but I’m pretty sure this is gonna be a good night for me. I get it, I get it, Mara’s dangerous, spending a night with them might not be most people’s idea of a good time … but I think that as much as I like to be humble? I’m gonna show that I’m wired a little different. Oh, and that Seattle’s music scene? With all due respect, a little overrated as far as actual talent. Important as part of the zeitgeist of an era for some old people, but more significant than actually good-- with all due respect.

And I'll do that right here in Bridgeport! Home of the fighting Bridges!

Peace!

[FGA Office]

Stephy Auger: Piper didn’t do herself any favors with that dig at the Seattle music scene. Now she’s really gonna get it!

Mara Jade Miller vs. Piper Lennon

The arena lights dim as “Do You Wanna Taste It” begins to play. A few moments pass before Piper Lennon ambles out from behind the curtain, pausing at the top of the ramp to survey her surroundings. She zigs and zags, taking her time as she makes her way down the ramp, taking everything in as she plays to the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from La Jolla, California! Weighing in at 143 pounds... PIPER LENNON!

After circling halfway around the ring, she removes her jacket and camera, leaving them at the timekeeper's area. She stops in front of the announce desk, leaning back against it and staring up at the ceiling. Only then does she pick the pace up, lurching forward and sliding under the bottom rope into the ring, then popping up to her feet. She takes her corner, slouching back and drumming her fingers as she waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Piper Lennon appears to be trying to walk the straight and narrow with her return to FGA. But she might have to dig into her old bag of tricks to fight someone the likes of Mara Jade Miller.

Stephy Auger: Oh yeah, there won’t be any technical wrestling in this one. Mara is gonna to come in fast and strong and look to knock Piper’s head right off her shoulders. Piper can brawl. I’ll give her that. But can she scrap with the likes of Mara Jade? I don’t think so. If this was the Piper of old? Sure. But this new Piper? I don’t know. She might be too soft for me.

Kris Cruise: Just because Piper has matured, that doesn’t mean that she’s soft. She’s gotten wiser. But she’s still a heck of a fighter and I think she’s going to show that in this one.

The opening guitar riff of IDLES’ “Never Fight A Man With A Perm” joins us as the soundtrack for our scene. Spotlights circle wildly until one of them finds Mara Jade Miller standing amongst the crowd, a leather jacket with the sleeves torn off over their gear and a flannel shirt around her waist. The Kaiju of Seattle makes their way through the people, walking at an intense pace fitting the entrance music accompanying them.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Seattle, Washington! Weighing in at 170 pounds... MARA JADE MILLER!

Reaching the ring, Mara lifts themselves up onto the apron and steps into the ring. Giving themselves a few moments to stand right in the middle of the ring and gaze out toward the fans and soak in the moment, they waste little time in shedding their jacket and flannel shirt, stepping back into their corner and leaning on the top rope. Mara Jade Miller came here ready.

Kris Cruise: Mara Jade has been on a warpath since coming to FGA. They’ve been running over everyone that’s been put in their path.

Stephy Auger: Damn right. Many have tried, all have failed and Piper is about to be the next named added to the list.

The bell sounds as Lennon's attention seems to be everywhere but on her opponent. Miller quickly picks up on this before making a beeline across the ring.

Kris Cruise: Piper, look out!

The crowd gasps just before Miller takes off Lennon's head with a discus lariat! NO! Miller whiffs when Lennon ducks out of the way. When they turn around, Lennon lights up Miller with alternating jabs and knife edge chops!

Kris Cruise: Did Piper just lure Mara Jade int a trap? I think she did!

Stephy Auger: Tricky, tricky…

Lennon takes control of Miller's wrist and tries for an irish whip. Miller blocks by grabbing onto the top rope with their free hand. Lennon tries for another irish whip. Again, Miller blocks. They then swat Lennon's hands off of them before throwing out a knife edge chop. Luckily for Lennon, she's able to lean back out of the way in time. Miller pursues her and throws out a forearm smash. Once again, Lennon avoids a strike by strafing out of the way. Miller then throws out an elbow smash. Lennon ducks and counters with a gamengiri that knocks Miller back. They shake off the blow until Lennon rushes forward and connects with a running double ax handle, knocking Miller against the ropes. Miller tries to push themselves off the ropes, but a leg lariat from Lennon knocks Miller through the ropes to the floor. They land on their feet and try to shake out the cobwebs while Lennon takes off into the far ropes. Lennon picks up speed after returning off the rebound before taking them out with a suicide dive! NO! Miller catches her mid mid air and counters with a Gorilla Press!

Kris Cruise: Look at the strength of Mara Jade!

Stephy Auger: They just caught Piper with ease!

Miller parades Lennon around the ring before dropping her face-down on the floor with a Gorilla Press Drop.

Kris Cruise: Oh man! Did you hear that thd when Piper landed on that unforgiving floor!?

Stephy Auger: She’s lucky she didn’t get the wind knocked right tout of her.

The boos continue as Miller reaches down, grabs Lennon by the back of the neck and yanks her back to her feet before slamming her face-first onto the apron. They then push Lennon back in through the ropes before climbing up to the apron. After Miller rolls back inside, they pick up Lennon, march into the corner and slam her face-first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd boos as Miller turns Lennon around before hammering away with repeated elbow smashes. Lennon then slumps down in the corner after finding herself on the receiving end of corner stomps. Miller quickly applies a foot choke while pulling down on the top rope.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Miller reluctantly breaks the choke. They then reach down, pull Lennon back up by her feet before delivering a hard irish whip across the ring. NO! Lennon gives Miller a taste of her own medicine as she blocks the irish whip by hanging onto the ropes. Miller tries for another irish whip. But again, Lennon blocks it. The crowd boos when Lennon gets absolutely crushed with a hard forearm smash right across the jaw.

Stephy Auger: HELLO!

Kris Cruise: Did you see the way Piper’s head just snapped to the side after that brutal forearm!? Good Lord!

Lennon is then sent hard into the far corner. She arches her back upon impact while Lennon comes barreling across the ring. Miller throws out another discus lariat. They miss again! The crowd cheers when Lennon slips out of the way, sending Miller into the turnbuckles. Lennon then turns Miller around and catches her with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Lennon then takes off into the far corner. She ricochets out of the corner, runs back across the ring and gets dumped over the top rope. Lennon lands safely on the apron before knocking Miller back when they turn around with another rope-assisted gamengiri. She then scales the turnbuckles, leaps off form the top and drives Miller down with a diving elbow drop! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

Kris Cruise: Piper’s got her down! She’s got the cover!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Miller kicks out.

Lennon goes for an irish whip, but Miller is quick to reverse, sending her into the far ropes. When Lennon returns, she throws herself at Miller with a crossbody. The crowd gasps when Miller catches her in mid air before hoisting her high above their head.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh…

Stephy Auger: “Uh oh” is right. She got lucky with that diving elbow. She’s not so lucky this time, Cruise.

Lennon starts to kick her feet, which causes Miller to stumble back. After Lennon slips down from behind and lands on the apron, Miller turns around and tries to knock Lennon off with a pump kick to the face. Lennon counters by lowbridging the top rope, sending Miller tumbling down to the floor! Once Miller picks themselves up off their floor and turn around, Lennon rushes forward and connects with a running front dropkick, sending Miller crashing into the ring steps!

Kris Cruise: Miller just got sent flying into the steel steps! That’ll take a lot out of The Murder Theytriarch!

Stephy Auger: Come on, Mara! Get up! Shake it off!

Miller bounces off the steps before crumbling to the floor. Lennon then climbs up onto the apron before backing up into place. Once she's got Miller sized up, Lennon rushes forward before coming off and catching them with a Cactus Elbow!

Kris Cruise: Another high-risk maneuver pays off! Piper’s feeling it, Stephy! She’s got this crowd solidly behind her, which is something I never thought I’d hear myself saying during her first run here.

Stephy Auger: You did call it, Cruise. You did say that she would have to get down and dirty and brawl to stand a chance against Mara Jade. But this one isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Lennon picks up Miller and rolls them back inside. She then rolls back in for the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Miller kicks out.

Lennon takes hold of Miller's arm before pulling them up to a seated position. From there, Lennon hits Miller with a soccer kick flurry while keeping hold of the arm. Lennon then takes off into the ropes, returns and flattens Lennon with a double foot stomp! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Miller kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Piper. Stephy, this is the most trouble I’ve seen Mara Jade in since they’ve entered FGA.

Stephy Auger: Like I said before, this match isn’t over. I’m not panicking. They’ll figure this out.

Lennon gets back to her feet and delivers a spinning boot scape across the face before applying a rear chinlock. The ref then gets down and asks Miller if they want to give up. They refuse. Miller then quickly turns over to a knee before getting back to their feet. They try to bring Lennon down with a belly to back suplex, but Lennon rolls over their back, lands on her feet and turns to hit the ropes. When Lennon returns, the crowd boos when Miller flattens her with a big boot to the face! They reach down, grab Lennon by the throat and yank her back up to her feet. They then go for a chokeslam, but Lennon counters with a back elbow to the side of the head of the way up. After being lowered back down, Lennon connects with an open hand chop. Another open hand chop connects. Lennon hits a third before Miller answers back with a knife edge chop. Lennon connects with another open hand chop before Miller answers back with a knife edge chop. The crowd cheers as both grapplers continue to trade chops until Lennon doubles them over with a cross chop to the throat. She then turns and takes off into the ropes. Lennon comes back and slows to a stop when Miller runs past her towards the same set of ropes. When Lennon turns around, the crowd boos when Miller turns her inside out with a pump kick to the face!

Stephy Auger: OH HO HO! They nearly kicked Piper’s head right off her shoulders!

Miller stands over Lennon, reaches down and dumps her with a deadlift German Suplex! They make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Lennon gets the shoulder up.

Lennon gets sent for the ride. When she returns, Miller brings her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! The boos continue as they make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Lennon gets the shoulder up.

Lennon gets sent for the ride again. When Lennon returns, she ducks a knife edge chop before continuing to run the ropes. Lennon returns off the rebound and ducks a forearm smash before continuing to run the ropes. When Lennon comes back, Miller turns her inside out with a lariat! The crowd boos as they drop down and nail Lennon with grounded knee strikes to the ribs! They then mount themselves on top of Lennon's back before raining down repeated forearm smashes to the back of the head and neck!

Stephy Auger: Look at the ground and pound, Cruise! Piper’s getting mauled in there!

Kris Cruise: The ref may need to step in if Piper can’t defend herself.

Miller grabs Lennon by the back of the tights before pulling her back to her feet. They then go for a German Suplex, but Lennon blocks by hooking her leg around Miller's. Miller goes to lift her up for another German Suplex attempt. This time, Lennon catches them with a back elbow to the face on the way up. Lennon gets lowered down before sending Miller stumbling back with a sitout jawbreaker. Miller tries to shake off the blow as Lennon hits the ropes. When Lennon returns, Miller sends spittle flying out of her mouth with another pump kick to the face! They then pull Lennon back to her feet before throwing her down with a chokeslam! The boos continue as Miller takes Lennon by the hair and slowly pulls her back to her feet. They size up Lennon before turning her inside out with a discus lariat! NO! The crowd cheers when Lennon ducks and hits the far ropes. When Lennon returns, the cheers turn to boos when Miller knocks her out of the air with The Space Needle (Pop-Up Uppercut)! They make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

The crowd boos as “Never Fight A Man With A Perm” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout... MARA JADE MILLER!

The boos continue as Miller pulls their arm away from the ref before putting the boos to Lennon.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on, Mara!

The bell repeatedly rings while Miller takes Lennon and places her in the Stretch Muffler.

Kris Cruise: What the hell are they doing!? The match is over! They’ve already won! What more do they want!?

The boos continue as Miller keeps the submission applied. Suddenly, the boos turn to cheers when Antoinette races down to the ring.

Kris Cruise: It’s Antoinette! The new Legacy Champion!

As soon as Antoinette slides into the ring, Miller releases the hold. Despite the large size difference, Antoinette gets right in Miller's space.

Stephy Auger: Antoinette is dwarfed by Mara Jade! What is she thinking?

The Legacy Champion doesn't back down an inch. Miller continues to shot daggers down at Antoinette. Their gaze then shifts to the Legacy Championship, which Antoinette is holding with her left hand. Miller looks back at Antoinette and smirks before stepping back and exiting the ring. Antoinette keeps her eyes locked on Miller as she slowly lowers to a knee to attend to Lennon.

[FGA Office]

As the show cuts away from ringside, Spencer Burke is shown standing somewhere backstage, microphone in hand.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time… the FGA World Champion… Lowri Moss!

The camera pans out, and there is a loud cheer from the audience, as Lowri comes into view. Although there are still a number of matches to come between now and the night’s main event, the World Champion is already dressed in her ring attire, plus a replica Wales rugby union jersey, with her title draped over her right shoulder.

Spencer Burke: Lowri, later on tonight, in the main event, you’re going to be making your latest defense of the World Championship, against another grappler who has held that championship in the past, in Fujiko Mine. Before we discuss that match though, I first want to talk to you about Grapland, and your most recent title defense, against Ace Voltage.

Lowri gestures for Spencer to proceed with his opening question.

Spencer Burke: That match was a repeat of one that had taken place a few weeks earlier, a champion versus champion match that had been won by Ace, which led you to propose another match between the two of you, with your title on the line. And heading into Grapland, Ace was clearly confident that he would be adding a new title to his collection, to go with the Pride Championship, but in the end, he had to settle for leaving with only the one title in his possession, not two, as you defeated him to retain your title and to remain the Standard Bearer here in FGA– how much satisfaction did you take from that victory, particularly after what had happened in your previous match with Ace?

With a smile on her face, Lowri responds.

Lowri Moss: I was pleased with the victory, Spencer, of course I was, and I was proud to still be the World Champion, but I’m not sure that I was necessarily any more pleased, or any more proud of the win because of the result of the previous match that I’d had with Ace. Obviously that previous match– not just the result of it, but how the match as a whole went– influenced at least part of my preparations for the rematch, probably most notably by spending more time game planning for The London Special, as I mentioned when I spoke to Amanda at Grapland, but again, I don’t think I felt any more satisfied, any more content after successfully defending my title against Ace than I did after either of my other two World title defences.

She gives a shrug.

Lowri Moss: I know Ace has a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way with some of the things that he says, but he was spot on when he said that he hasn't gotten where he is by luck– winning the Legacy and the Pride titles, and holding onto each of them for as long as he has, doesn’t happen by fluke. He hasn't come up short that often during his time in FGA, especially not when there has been a title at stake, although then neither have I. He bent the rules close to the absolute limit, with some… let's say, questionable tactics, which I can afford to smile about now, but I survived them, I survived The London Special, and I successfully defended my World title. Maybe one day Ace will legitimately be able to call himself the best in FGA, but there’s only room for one person on top of the FGA mountain, and right now, that spot continues to be occupied by yours truly.

As Lowri adjusts the title on her shoulder, Spencer moves on to his next question.

Spencer Burke: Someone who has occupied that spot in the past, and who has been amongst the best in FGA for several years now, is Fujiko Mine, who appeared following your victory over Ace Voltage, stepping through the curtain and applauding you, before then making the belt motion around her waist. We saw how you reacted to that, by laying down your title, seemingly inviting Fujiko down to the ring, but how did you actually feel about Fujiko making her intentions known like that?

The smile on Lowri’s face broadens a little.

Lowri Moss: Well firstly, I think in retrospect I was probably fortunate that Fujiko declined my invitation to join me in the ring– I’m not sure the odds would’ve been in my favour if I had actually attempted to defend my title against a fresh Fujiko Mine, immediately after having gone through that match with Ace!

She lets out a bit of a chuckle.

Lowri Moss: Seriously though, I’m sure some people might think that it was disrespectful of Fujiko to interrupt my moment, to interrupt my celebration like that, but I don’t have any issues with her coming out after my match, standing on the stage and calling her shot, Spencer– I would much rather her do it that way than by blindsiding me with an attack from behind… not that I’m suggesting that Fujiko would ever do that, but I have had other prospective challengers do so in the past.

Both in FGA and elsewhere.

Lowri Moss: It also meant that I didn’t have to spend any time wondering what would be next for me, which I was kinda grateful for.

That comment causes Spencer to frown, something that Lowri picks up on, and she expands upon her remark.

Lowri Moss: It’s not something that has been unique to my reign as FGA World Champion, but after defending the title against Cordy at Grapple Kingdom, I then wondered what would be next for me– or perhaps more accurately, who would be next for me– not that I had to wait too long to find out, only a week, until Royal Battle. Then after defeating Izzy in my second defence, again I wondered who would be next, and as we’ve already talked about, that turned out to be Ace. But after my match with him at Grapland, I didn’t really have to wait at all to find out who would be next, as by the time that I got back to the locker room, I already knew that Fujiko would be my next challenger– well, I didn’t know that for sure, nothing had yet been made official, but that was what I assumed, as I’m sure did everyone else. I didn’t expect that I would be defending my title against her on the following episode of Vertigo though!

Spencer Burke: This will be the second one-on-one match between you and Fujiko, following on from the “dream match” that the two of you had in April of last year, at 2021: A New Odyssey; I remember interviewing you some time after that match, and you telling me that you wanted to have a sequel to it at some point– how much was that down to Fujiko having won the match at A New Odyssey, and you wanting a chance to reverse the outcome?

A small sigh escapes Lowri’s lips.

Lowri Moss: I’m not going to pretend that wasn’t at least partly why I wanted to have another match with Fujiko, Spencer– it's why I wanted to have another match with Seth, after he beat me in the semifinals of the Wildcard Lottery tournament two years ago, and it's why I would like to have another match with Marlon Cure, if he ever shows his face in FGA again that is.

That one may well be one rematch that she will not get.

Lowri Moss: That’s not the sole reason though. I always want to continue to improve, even now that I’m FGA World Champion, I know that if I want to keep hold of this title for as long as I can, that I need to continue to improve, and I think that one of the top ways for me– or anyone else, for that matter– to improve, is by being in the ring with the best opposition there is, like Seth, like Cordy, and like Fujiko, who as you said yourself, Spencer, has been amongst the best in FGA for several years; it has been just under a year and a half since she and I last met, and this match tonight will be a test of just how much I’ve improved in that time.

Spencer Burke: Do you believe that you’ve improved enough to be able to get the better of Fujiko this time round?

Lowri answers with a nod of her head.

Lowri Moss: Yes, I do. I think what I’ve accomplished since mine and Fujiko’s previous match speaks for itself, winning the Gold Rush Rumble for a second time, ending Cordy’s reign as champion, and the three successful title defences that I’ve had so far.

Following the briefest of pauses, she continues.

Lowri Moss: Seventeen or eighteen months ago, however long ago it was, Fujiko was the better woman that night, but while I’m not taking anything for granted, as I know that one mistake, one opening, could be all that she needs to come out on top against me again, I am confident that I have now improved to such a level that I can beat her here tonight– if I can’t, then I don’t deserve to be called FGA’s Standard Bearer for much longer.

Spencer Burke: As I already alluded to, your first encounter with Fujiko was billed as a dream match, and what transpired was a fantastic contest that more than lived up to its expectations; I think the question now is, can the two of you top it?

There is another slight shrug from Lowri.

Lowri Moss: I would like to think so, Spencer, and I’m sure the same goes for Fujiko. First and foremost, the main goal for both of us will of course be to end the night as FGA World Champion, but I’m sure we’ll also both do our best to try to deliver another Match of the Year contender.

She runs a hand through her hair.

Lowri Moss: I can't help thinking back to a conversation that I had with Fujiko around four years ago, while she was in her second reign as Pride Champion, during which I joked about challenging her for that title; she knew that I wasn't being serious, but she did warn me that if I came after her title, or if she came after one of mine, that she would be ready. And now here we are, all these years later, a World title match featuring two FGA Grand Slam Champions, only the third time that has happened, I think, with me defending the title against Fujiko; there may not have been a title on the line in our match last year at A New Odyssey, but we still fought like that was the case, so just imagine what the two of us will do later tonight, when the most important prize in our sport is at stake.

Lowri casts a glance towards the championship that is resting on her shoulder.

Lowri Moss: I think a main event of me versus Fujiko for the World title ensures that the show is going to end with a bang, and all being well, it’ll end with my reign as World Champion still intact. I remember telling Amanda back in March, at Grapple Kingdom, ahead of my first title defence, that I didn’t have any specific targets for what I want to accomplish during my reign. However, I'm now nearing three hundred days as champion, and if I do win tonight, then I think I would pretty much be guaranteed to reach that milestone, plus it would be a fourth successful defence, both of which I think would put me in rarefied air in the history of FGA– being so close to achieving that, I’m determined not to fall short now, I’m determined to remain still the person to beat, still the FGA World Champion.

She then takes her leave, to finish getting ready for the main event, and the show goes to a commercial break.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Nina Stokes: I issued a warning stating that my time should not be wasted. Nevertheless, it seems that those simple words of caution fell on deaf ears.

The scene begins to come to life. Nina Stokes is seated in a stylist chair backstage. An attendant puts the finishing touches on her hair. Her naturally curly updo is silky and straight. Three partial plaits rest on the right side of head; the backside of those plaits are uncoiled to match the rest of her hair. Her attendant attempts to offer her a small mirror, but Nina waves her away. The woman nods before she gives Nina her space.

Nina Stokes: Patrick Jones is my challenge for this week.

A small grunt follows her statement.

Nina Stokes: With all due disrespect, you have never been on my radar, Patrick. Why would you be? Love me or hate me, I have been creating headlines since the moment I stepped foot through those doors. What have you done? Well, besides go through the motions and get smacked up.

Her eyes get a bit narrow as she gazes into the camera.

Nina Stokes: This match is a mistake. And I’m not in the business of making up for others’ mishaps.

There’s a brief pause.

Nina Stokes: Patrick? This isn’t going to be your shining moment of glory. I’m going to beat the mess out of you. The violence that’s going to be inflicted will be severe. And yes, I realize you had no say in all of this. You had no idea that you were going to get pitted against me. But despite everything I’ve done Frontier Grappling Arts in a very short amount of time, it feels like people are not listening. And I hate being ignored. But people will finally get the message when I leave your body splattered across the mat.

She nods her head.

Nina Stokes: Like I said before, his blood is on your hands now.

With that, the picture starts to fade out.

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
Sparrow & TJ Techniques vs. Illuminati PROJEKT

The video screen blacks out as the lights go dark and “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin starts to play. Two spotlights start chasing each other around the arena until one falls on the figure of Monty Margolis, coming out of the concession area. Monty slides down the handrails toward the ring while on the other side of the arena, the spotlight finds Gwen bouncing in place at the top of the stairs right before she takes off running down the stairs.

The pair hop over the barricade simultaneously and meet for a fist bump before hitting the ring - Gwen pulling herself up onto the apron and saluting the crowd before ducking between the ropes, while Monty climbs the ring steps and holds his pirate flag high before joining his niece.

J.A. Aldridge: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, maki-

Gwen grabs the microphone from J.A. with a mischievous wink and waves him off to the corner.

Gwen Margolis: Introducing from Austin, Texas by way of here, there, and everywhere, we are the dream warriors, we are the post-apocalyptic pirates, we are the time-travelin’, dazzlin’, ramblin’ protectors of the world as we know it, the Illuminati PROJEKT!

She hands the microphone back to John and joins her uncle in the corner, both of them watching warily for what will happen next.

Kris Cruise: The Illuminati Projekt are desperately looking to right the ship

Stephy Auger: Good thing for Gwen is that she knows half of the opposition better than anyone.

♫ 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! First, hailing from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 197 pounds! He is the reigning FGA 15 Champion... TJ TECHNIQUES!

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

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques is fresh off another successful 15 Championship defense at Grapland.

Stephy Auger: Hip Hop Harry’s got three defenses thus far. One more successful defense and he can trade in that championship for a shot at the man that’s about to walk out from the back. Does TJ have the guts to challenge for the United States Championship, or is he a coward?

“Come on. (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!)
And you say Black America! (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!)
And you say Young America! (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!)
Another day in America! (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!)"

Out from the curtain, Sparrow walks towards the ring with Calico Case at his side. The West Indian Whirlwind mouths the words to ‘American Me’ as Calico goes over some last-minute things in the match with him. He hops up on the apron and sits between the first and second rope so Calico can head into the ring first after she takes the steps. Sparrow hands Calico his fitted hat and she casually tosses it into the adoring crowd.

Stephy Auger: To think he traded in the great Caroline Dallins for… that thing. Sounds like a downgrade at manager to me.

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.

With a nod from his manager, Sparrow then takes off for the farthest side of the ring. He springs onto the second rope, executing a backflip, and lands on his feet in the middle of the squared circle. He does a sliding motion on his heel before turning and striking a Rock Lee pose to the cheers of the crowd as Calico leans an arm on him.

J.A. Aldridge: His partner, hailing from South Oropouche, Trinidad! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is the reigning FGA United States Champion... SPARROW!

“By the dawn's early light, tryin' to survive this perilous fight,
Anything that's done in the dark, time reveals when the moment is right.
The red glare from a cop's gun, shots rang consecutively,
I'm right here and I'm not done, lookin' for the American me.”

Kris Cruise: Sparrow made it out of that hellacious fatal 4-Way Match as the new United States Champion. This was a long time coming for Sparrow. This championship is now the third singles title for The West Indian Whirlwind. The sky’s the limit for the new champion.

Stephy Auger: I don’t think so. I’ve just gotten word that Sparrow is going to be defending that championship against Mark Storm on the next Vertigo show. He’s not the only one gunning for the new U.S. Champ, either.

Sparrow leans up against his corner, talking a few seconds with his manager before looking out to the crowd. After some discourse, Calico heads out of the ring, leaving the White Hat of FGA to his match.

The bell sounds as Techniques and Gwen start things off for their respective squads. Both grapplers circle the ring before TJ stops and points to the cheering crowd.

"LET'S GO, TJ!"
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"

"LET'S GO, TJ!"
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"

"LET'S GO, TJ!"
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"

Kris Cruise: Listen to this capacity crowd! They’re solidly behind the champs!

Techniques points over to Gwen before motioning towards his ear. But Gwen doesn't let the crowd affect her. Instead, she pushes forward and locks up with Techniques. Gwen is quick to gain the advantage with a side headlock. She then wrenches down hard on the hold before Techniques is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. Gwen starts to shift around before spinning out and reversing into a hammerlock of her own. Techniques then reaches back with his free arm before quickly reversing into a side headlock of his own. Gwen answers back with a pair of forearms to the side before reversing into another hammerlock. Techniques then spins out into a hammerlock of his own, spins Gwen towards him and brings her down with a snap arm drag. Gwen scrambles back to a vertical base before another arm drag brings her back down. Gwen gets back to a vertical base before Techniques wrenches the arm, runs over towards the ropes, runs up to the top rope, twirls off and brings her down with a springboard arm drag! Gwen picks herself back up, turns around and gets caught with a running hurricanrana, sending her through the ropes to the floor.

Kris Cruise: TJ wasted no time sending Gwen to the outside.

Techniques scans the crowd and points out towards them.

Stephy Auger: Don’t play to these idiots. If you’re gonna do a dive, then just do it and get it over with!

The Funky Techniques waves his arms up and down to get the crowd even more fired up. Once he sees Gwen pick herself up on the floor, he takes off into the far ropes. There's some small pockets of boos when Monty trips Techniques up from behind.

Stephy Auger: See, that’s what he gets for wasting time.

Techniques turns around and kicks the bottom rope. Monty keeps Techniques's attention as he raises his hands up defensively. The Funky Techniques continues to shout down at Monty until Gwen rolls him up from behind with an O'Connor Roll!

ONE!
.
Gwen bridges back into a prawn hold!
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Gwen nearly pulled off the upset!

Both grapplers scramble back to their feet. Gwen gets the advantage with a drop toe hold before rolling across Techniques' back and applying a grounded side headlock. Techniques is quick to fight back to a vertical base before pushing Gwen off into the ropes. Gwen returns off the rebound before a standing shoulder block knocks her down to the mat. Techniques goes to follow up with a Flashing Elbow, but Gwen rolls out of the way. She quickly gets back to her feet and targets the arm with a trio of arm wrenches. Techniques then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and returns the favor with an arm wrench of his own. He keeps a hold of the wrist before a series of kicks to the midsection double Gwen over. The 15 Champion takes off into the ropes. Techniques returns off the rebound, throws out a Scissors Kick and misses when Gwen slips out of the way. Techniques turns around before getting brought down with a standing double leg takedown. Gwen is quick to flip over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques bridges up, turns, turns again, hooks Gwen's arms from behind and brings her down with with a backslide pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gwen slips out.

Gwen is the first to her feet and takes advantage by knocking Techniques off his knees with a Penalty Kick! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Techniques kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Gwen nearly got TJ again.

Stephy Auger: I’ll give her this much. She’s coming to fight. She’s showing some hunger.

Gwen picks up Techniques and places him in another side lock. She then performs a standing switch before transitioning into a hammerlock. After Techniques spins out and reverses into another hammerlock of his own, he quickly spins Gwen towards him before pulling her into a front facelock. The crowd cheers as he proceeds to glide backwards across the mat. Before he can plant Gwen to complete the Moonwalk DDT, Gwen slips out and pushes him into his corner. TJ looks over at Sparrow and thumbs towards Gwen. Once he gets the nod of approval, The Funky Technician tags in The West Indian Whirlwind.

Kris Cruise: This crowd is going wild for the new United States Champion.

Stephy Auger: Who cares what they think. I want to see how hard Gwen is gonna go after her old flame. I expect the girl to still be a little salty. After all, she was the one that got dumped, you know.

Kris Cruise: Would you stop, please?

Stephy Auger: Hmmm…. nope!

The cheers continue as the United States Champion steps through the ropes. There's a bit of apprehensiveness on the parts of both Sparrow and Gwen before engaging in a lock up. Gwen gains the advantage with another side headlock. Sparrow goes to lift her up for a belly to back suplex, but Gwen kicks her legs on the way up before bringing him down with a side headlock takeover. Sparrow is able to reverse into a grounded headscissors before Gwen escapes with a kip up. She quickly takes off into the ropes and makes the blind tag while Sparrow picks himself up off the mat. When Gwen returns, Sparrow leapfrogs over her before she continues to run the ropes. Instead of rebounding back, Gwen hangs onto the ropes. With Sparrow's back turned, he gets taken down with The Truth Is Out There (upper to the back of the head by Monty, followed by a swinging neckbreaker from Gwen)! Monty makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Sparrow kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Gwen and Monty set Sparrow up perfectly, but they only get a two count.

Monty quickly tags back out to Gwen before the Illuminati PROJEKT bring Sparrow down with the Excellent Adventure (reverse STO from Gwen/jumping enzuigiri from Monty)! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Sparrow kicks out.

Gwen tags Monty back in. Monty moves Sparrow into the corner and deliver multiple knife edge chops.

Kris Cruise: I must say, the Illuminati PROJEKT have been the more cohesive team thus far.

Stephy Auger: Of course they are. They’re an actual tag team. Not to mention, their uncle and niece. Of course they come off like a well-oiled machine compared to Tweety Bird and Chance the Grappler.

Monty brings Sparrow out of the corner before setting up for an Irish whip. Sparrow quickly reverses! When Monty returns, he goes to bring Sparrow down with a running hurricanrana. Sparrow counters by cartwheeling out of it. The US Champion rushes over and goes for a running hurricanrana of his own, but Monty returns the favor by cartwheeling out of it. Monty then rushes forward and throws out a leaping elbow strike, but Sparrow knocks him out of the air with a leaping sidekick! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Monty kicks out.

Sparrow moves Monty into the corner before delivering multiple corner chest kicks. After Monty gets whipped into the far corner, Sparrow runs across the ring, jumps on top of Monty and monkey flips him out of the corner. Monty rotates and lands on his feet before taking off into the ropes. Sparrow rushes over and tries to cut him off with another leaping sidekick. This time, Monty ducks before continuing to run the ropes. When Monty returns, Sparrow knocks him down with a leg lariat. A second leg lariat returns him to the mat. Once both grapplers return to their feet, Sparrow quickly ducks a right and left hook before dropping Monty down to all fours with a step-up enzuigiri. The U.S. Champion follows up by flattening Monty with a Switchblade Kick.

Sparrow takes Monty and drags him over towards the corner. He then pulls Monty up by the back of the tights before chucking him into the turnbuckles with a German Suplex! The West Indian Whirlwind pulls Monty up in the corner before climbing up to the middle ropes. The cheers continue as Monty gets planted with a Tornado DDT! Sparrow makes the cover.

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

Sparrow heads over and tags Techniques back in. The 15 Champion slingshots himself into the ring before sending Monty for the ride. When Monty returns, he gets thrown down with a back body drop. The Funky Technician comes off the ropes before hitting a snap leg drop before turning over into a lateral press.

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

Techniques takes Monty, delivers an irish whip and follows him into the corner. TJ executes a Tiger Wall Flip and lands on his feet before sending Monty slumping down with a Rolling Koppu Kick. He then drags Monty into position and slingshots out to the apron before coming back inside with a topé atomico. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for the team of Sparrow and Techniques. They’re starting to pull away with this one.

Techniques takes Monty and sends him for the ride. Instead of rebounding off the ropes, Monty hangs onto them. Techniques then runs over to attack, only for Monty to duck and dump him over the top rope. TJ is able to land safely on his feet. The moment monty turns around, Techniques steps halfway through the ropes before bringing him down with a Slingshot Flatliner. Techniques pulls a dazed Monty back to his feet before taking off into the ropes. The Funky Technician returns off the rebound before bringing Monty down with a forward roll into a jumping cutter! NO! Monty nails TJ with a superkick as soon as he executes the roll. The Funky Technician remains dazed while Monty turns, rolls forward, dives over and tags Gwen back in!

Kris Cruise: Monty makes the tag!

The crowd cheers as Gwen rushes over and doubles Techniques over with a spinning back kick. A basement dropkick knocks Techniques down to his knees until a split leg drop flattens him on the mat. Gwen nudges him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.

Gwen picks up Techniques and starts knocking him back with European Uppercuts until a flurry of forearm smashes sends him slumping down in the corner. She then runs across the ring, bounces out of the far corner, runs back across the ring and squashes Techniques with a cannonball senton! The cheers continue as she drags him out of the corner before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.

Gwen goes to lift Techniques up for a Samoan Drop, but Techniques counters with elbows to the head. He then turns and takes off into the ropes. The Funky Technician returns off the rebound and comes to a stop when Gwen runs past him towards the same set of ropes. When Techniques turns around, Gwen brings him down with a wheelbarrow facebuster! She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Close call there for the 15 Champion.

Gwen takes control of Techniques from the side before bringing him back down with a russian leg sweep. She then starts to wave Techniques up. Once the 15 Champion gets back to a vertical base, she drops him with a superkick. NO! Techniques catches her foot before knocking her down with a Dragonwhip!

Kris Cruise: Gwen just got cracked right in the face with that hard kick! That may just be enough to turn the tide.

Techniques rolls forward, reaches over and makes the tag! Once Gwen is back to a vertical base, she turns around before Sparrow knocks her down with a diving crossbody!

Sparrow's momentum sends him rolling off of Gwen. The U.S. Champion gets back to his feet before Monty grabs him from behind, turns and chucks him through the ropes to the apron. Monty runs over to knock him off the apron, but Sparrow lowbridges the top rope, sending Monty tumbling to the outside. Sparrow turns his attention back to Gwen. He's about to deliver a springboard maneuver, but Monty reaches up and wraps his arms around his leg.

Stephy Auger: Monty’s not letting go!


Monty's able to successful pull Sparrow down to the mat. But Techniques is right there to run over and knock Monty down with an apron pump kick! The cheers continue as Techniques picks up where Sparrow left off and hits a springboard flying hurricanrana on Gwen. After Gwen's momentum sends her rolling to the outside, Sparrow rolls back in. Sparrow and Techniques point at each other before running forward. The crowd erupts with cheers as the two champions run past each other before hitting a pair of high risk maneuvers on opposite sides of the ring! Sparrow takes out Gwen with Air Sparrow (Fosbury Flop) while Techniques takes out Monty with a springboard Asai Moonsault!

Kris Cruise: Gwen and Monty have just been taken out on the outside!

Sparrow and Techniques pull up their respective opponents before pointing at each other. On cue, both grapplers slip back into the ring before taking off towards opposite sides of the ring. The crowd explodes with cheers when Techniques flattens Gwen with a topé con hilo while Sparrow knocks Monty down with a corkscrew plancha!

Kris Cruise: The champs connect with another pair of dives to the outside!

Techniques takes Gwen and rolls her back inside. Sparrow then rolls back in from the opposite side of the ring. The U.S. Champion rushes over and sends Gwen into his team's corner with a front dropkick. The cheers continue as he follows up with Love TKO (Shining axe kick on an opponent against the corner turnbuckle)! Sparrow continues to pour the offense on as he sits Gwen on the top turnbuckle facing away from the ring. The West Indian Whirlwind climbs up behind her before bringing her down with the Izuna Drop (Spider Suplex)! He then sits back up on the top turnbuckle, gets to a seated position, turns to face Gwen, leaps off and connects with The Notorious K.I.C.K. II (Top Rope Double Foot Stomp)! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers as “American Me” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout... SPARROW and TJ TECHNIQUES!

With the tag team match over, Sparrow leans over the ring ropes and glances Calico’s way. She motions that she’s heading to the back and leaves the custom FGA U.S. championship. The West Indian Whirlwind nods her way, picking up his title before reaching through the ropes to get a mic.

Sparrow: What a match, what a match yes. If you ain’t thinkin’ that ILLUMINATI PROJEKT should be in the World Tag Team Championship argument, you mad. I said it when I first came in, and I’ll say it to the end of days. Can we also talk about Grapland?

Sparrow takes a few steps and hops onto the top turnbuckle before he takes a seat. The White Hat of FGA taps the microphone lightly on the palm of his hand before glancing about the Total Mortgage Arena.

Sparrow: Grapland was somethin’, yes. Right there in Daytona, Florida we got to see the crowning of a new Legacy champion. Probably one of the hardest workin’ wrestlers alive that me or Teej knows. True ain’t?

TJ Techniques: Very true.

Sparrow: Counterin’ that last second Silencer into a Sugar Crash, fightin’ through the pain, the odds, everything. It’s what Antoinette, our Legacy champion is made out of.

A small “Ant” chant breaks out through the arena, and it gets louder by the second. Sparrow leans and mouths in Teej’s direction, ‘bet you anything Logan makes me pay for this later’. TJ mouths “oh, for sure” back in Sparrow’s direction. Sparrow motions for the crowd to relax before he raises the mic up.

Sparrow: Then there’s our 15 Champion who retained against...La Principessa, your opp and mine, Laura Perenelli,

One lone dissenter, a blonde woman yells ‘Laura was robbed!’ She is then drowned out by a ‘TJ Techniques -clap clap clap-’ affair. The West Indian Whirlwind grins wide and let’s this one ride for a bit too.

Sparrow: Now needless to say, between those two matches and uh, my humble... Humble contribution as your new U.S. champion? The street team is out here. Now if you ain’t too aware, TJ, Ant, and me? We causin’ a little rambunction in the junction. No disrespect of course to our Undisputed champ, Big Low, holdin’ it down.. It’s just that the young guns out here... We feelin’ ourselves just a tiiiinnnnnyyyy bit. Teeny y’know. Mini. Micro.

The U.S. champion hops out of the corner and opens the floor to the FGA 15 Champion.

TJ Techniques: Bridgeport, Connecticut!

TJ gets a cheap pop from the hometown crowd. He then gestures over to Sparrow.

TJ Techniques: Can I speak to my bro one time? Can I speak to Sparrow one time, family?

Some members of the crowd can be heard shouting “YES!” TJ turns in Sparrow’s direction.

TJ Techniques: Let me ask you a question, bro. How long we been cool with each other? Like a year and some change, right? Year and a half?

TJ nods.

TJ Techniques: In that time, we’ve both worked in the same companies. We got some mutual acquaintances. We got some mutual enemies. Know what else we got? Mutual respect.

The crowd responds with applause.

TJ Techniques: That respect has always been there. I always admired you. I brother like you inspired me. Shoot, you still inspire me. Seein’ you goin’ out there and doin’ what you do, flowin’ how you flow, it makes me want to continue to up my game and raise my level. Not to sound arrogant, but I’d like to think that I do the same for you.

TJ takes a second or two before continuing.

TJ Techniques: There have been times, like tonight, when we’ve found ourselves on the same side of the ring. Nothing official, just a random tag match every one in a blue moon. But when we link, brooooo. It’s magic.

The crowd concurs with applause.

TJ Techniques: So it got me thinking. Ain’t it crazy how we’ve never gone out there and gotten a bag together?

The crowd murmurs. Are they thinking what TJ’s thinking?

TJ Techniques: You know what I mean? We’ve never gone out there and actually gotten after it… together.

The crowd continues to murmur. What is TJ Techniques up to?

TJ Techniques: I won’t beat around the bush. So let me lay all my cards out on the table. Since you pulled up in FGA, you’ve been what? 15 Champion, Legacy Champion and now, the brand new United States Champion?

Sparrow is greeted with cheers and applause for his accomplishments.

TJ Techniques: As for me? You know, I’ve done a lil something something, too. I’ve won me a title or two in my time. You’ve got a body of work that you’re proud of. I’ve got a body of work that I can be proud of. Each of us are talented in our own right. But what would happen if you took the West Indian Whirlwind and Kool G Grap… and you put em on the same damn team.

Repeated “YES!” chants are shouted from the crowd.

TJ Techniques: Wouldn’t that be crazy? Wouldn’t y’all wanna see that?

The “YES!” chants continue.

TJ Techniques: You look at the great tag teams in FGA. The Chaotics. Pendragon. Now what if you three Sparrow and TJ Techniques up there on that list, too? Me and you on the same team? I should be damn near illegal. It ain’t even fair, if you want me to be honest. People already marvel at what you and I can do in this ring? You put us together? Bruh.

TJ shakes his head over the possibilities.

TJ Techniques: So what I’m sayin’ is, instead of these little tag matches once every 6 or 8 months… how about we make it official. How about we go out there and make this the real deal, you know what I’m sayin’? How about me and you go out there, go after those tag team titles, and etch our names down in history? Me and you can bring tag team wrestling back to FGA. So what do you say, Sparrow? What do you say?

Sparrow: ...

Sparrow looks out to the crowd--for like all of a second before he holds the mic to his lips.

Sparrow: What y’all thought I really had to say on this? The answer is yes.

The Total Mortgage Arena cheers as Sparrow extends a hand and the two champions shake on it, before re-enacting the classic Fresh Prince & Jazz dap. Before things continue however, the West Indian Whirlwind holds a hand up.

Sparrow: Before we team up, before we run the numbers, cause problems for other teams, go down as one of the great tag teams in FGA, a question has to be answered. We gotta settle it, let what shall be, be.

Sparrow begins to walk a half-circle around the ring.

Sparrow: See if y’all follow me and Teej and Ant, you know we also kick it at Liberty Pro. Now, if y’all know that, you’d know that Mr. Kool G Grap here, Grap Lo if you know, and I? We had a couple matches. My brethren here has more often than not had my number in ‘em. Triple threats, one-on-one...In fact when it’s me and you, we sittin’ at one apiece but only...Only because well, myjobwaskindaonthelineandIwouldbefired.

Spat out rather quickly but the Bridgeport crowd has a good laugh about it regardless.

Sparrow: Ehem. Before we get to it, I just want to know, one win each, with my job not at stake...Who is better. We do that, we clear any and all questions raised, and then we go and do we tings, as they does say. So. TJ Techniques. Sparrow. Only The Strong Survive. FGA 15 Champion versus U.S. Champion...

For a moment Sparrow looks as though he wanted to add to it but he’s taken up enough time.

Sparrow: Whatcha say?

TJ Techniques: You know I’m always honored to share the ring with you. So if you want it? You got it!

The crowd pops as the match has been agreed upon between both parties.

TJ Techniques: May the best man win.

“American Me” blasts over the speakers while Sparrow and TJ dap it up again. Each man heads over into nearby corners before ascending to the middle turnbuckles. Both men turn and look at each other before raising their respective championships towards the adoring crowd.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Backstage, we see Fujiko Mine sitting on a bench in the locker room, her head down as the camera slowly encroaches on her space. She does not seem to make much of a move, but after a few moments, she begins speaking. Her head does not raise, but she speaks clearly.

Fujiko Mine: It feels like forever ago when I arrived in FGA, feeling like the sky was not my limit, but rather my floor. I expected to do big things here. And I dared to be unique. I dared to do something different. I’ve always been like that. And I was punished for being unique.

She lets out a sigh, her shoulders visibly dropping as she does so.

Fujiko Mine: People who would hold their nose in the air and take their own shortcuts would chastise me for doing better than them, and getting cheered by the fans for it. So I said fine - I was done cheating. I would find other ways to be unique. And I did. After resetting myself, I came back and fought in other ways. But still, my detractors would call back to my past, refusing to let me move on from it.

She runs her right hand over her head, tousling her hair to one side, but refusing to look at the camera.

Fujiko Mine: Outlasting my detractors and reinventing myself - I proved those that said I couldn’t wrestle wrong by having an iron grip on the Pride championship.

She lets out a mirthless chuckle.

Fujiko Mine: Even then, people would call foul for me just being me. I was ‘showing up’ other wrestlers and being ‘unsportsmanlike’ by doing things like having local heroes come with me to the ring, or having elaborate entrances. Always calling foul.

She pauses for a few moments, and then continues.

Fujiko Mine: And that’s okay - because I’ve always stuck to my guns. I’ve been true to myself and despite people around me changing their attitudes and claiming that they’ve ‘seen the light’ and decided to no longer care about what the fans think? That’s never been me. And I think that eats some of them alive. When I feel like something isn’t working, I don’t change my attitude and become someone I am not. I put in the work to get stronger, to move faster, to become more resilient. I don’t turn on people, I better myself. And there isn’t a single person in FGA like me. I’ve been here for years, and not once have I been anyone other than myself. I don’t pretend to like or dislike anyone for the sake of some grand scheme. And what has that gotten me?

We cannot see her face, but one could infer that she’s smiling.

Fujiko Mine: A Legacy championship reign, two Pride titles, a tag team championship reign, a record setting World championship reign, and a hall of fame ring. I didn’t have to backstab anyone, I didn’t have to spit in the face of the fans - the reason that I do this. I’ve just been me. So why am I even going on about this?

Finally, but slowly, she brings her head up and looks at the camera.

Fujiko Mine: Because I am on the verge of becoming the FGA World champion for a second time - and despite complaints - I’ve had nothing but nice things to say about Lowri Moss, the current champion. I don’t need to insult Lowri in order to look you all in the eyes and say I am leaving tonight the new champion. Because it’s not about putting Lowri down. I want to face the best version of Lowri Moss, and say to you all that she’s incredible, because that means if I beat her, I have done something remarkable. I have accomplished something truly great. And I have done so for these fans, and for myself. I will have done it my way. Like always.

We can actually see her smile this time.

Fujiko Mine: Despite so often being labeled as an underdog, despite almost everyone trying to drag me down with my past, and burying me with it, despite the jealousy and pettiness that leeches try to latch onto me with…I march forward. I shrug it off and keep moving forward. I pick myself back up and keep moving forward.

With a mild grimace, she pushes herself up to her feet.

Fujiko Mine: And tonight, I end the myth that I somehow got lucky by winning the World title the first time. I deconstruct the falsehood that I didn’t deserve my place in the stars here in FGA. And most importantly, I put to rest the idea that Fujiko Mine is something of a pushover. Because tonight, Lowri Moss is going to have to put me out to stop me from taking the championship that she no doubt wants to keep in her possession. She’s going to have to dig mighty deep and find places that she didn’t know she had to keep her moving. She’s going to have to find a brand new version of Lowri Moss tonight, because if she does not do that - she will be leaving tonight no longer the FGA World Champion. I don’t plan on stopping my onslaught. Unrelenting, inescapable - I will keep marching forward until Lowri gives in. Because I want that championship again that badly. I’ve already proven that I am one of the most resilient wrestlers this company has ever seen. Ask Jimmy Page, Seth Iser, Tyler Storm, Chris Madison, Izzy Anders, Evan Envi, and Chandler Scott. They’ll tell you. And I intend to prove it once again tonight.

Fujiko takes a step back, and sits back on the bench.

Fujiko Mine: Because even when the spotlight isn’t on me, I find ways to shine, and I do it my way. And once again, I’m going to prove that the detractors were wrong about me when I raise that championship belt over my head, and I am the new. Frontier. Grappling. Arts. World. Champion.

She leans back into the locker space, and tilts her chin down so her eyes angle downwards at the camera.

Fujiko Mine: No catchphrases. Just facts. I will fight, scratch, claw, and bleed to once again be the FGA World champion. And I truly believe no one on the roster, past or present, wants this win more than I do.

She inhales sharply, then stands up and walks past the camera and out of the room. Shortly thereafter, the camera fades to black, and then returns to ringside.

[FGA Office]

FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
(c)Antoinette vs. Cassius Reed

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: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challenger! Fighting out of Funkytown, USA, and tipping the scales tonight at 205 pounds… 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.

“Killin It” by Krewella hits the P.A system and the fans erupt in cheers. Pink and purple lights zoom around the arena as Antoinette Sands comes skipping out from the back. With a perky smile as ever, she jumps up and down amping the fans up before she delivers one final jump, slapping her shoes down on the ground before running down the ramp. As she runs, she slaps the hands of some fans, glitter spewing from her hands as she slaps theirs. She looks down at the kandi on her wrist, tossing it into the crowd as they cheer.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Durham, North Carolina! She is the reigning... defending... FGA Legacy Champion... ANTOINETTE!

As she makes her way down the ramp, she approaches the ring as she climbs up the ring apron she stands up and removes her sparkly jacket tossing it to the side as she enters. Once she’s in the ring, she bounces up and down, screaming out to the fans who encourage her before playfully slapping hands with the ref as she awaits the arrival of her opponent.

The bell sounds as Antoinette and Reed start things off with a lock up. Reed gains the advantage with a side headlock before Antoinette quickly grabs a hold of his arm and reverses into an arm wrench. The Legacy Champion delivers a second arm wrench. She then delivers a third before the crowd boos after Reed rolls forward, leans back, kips up, spins in place, swats Antoinette's hand off him and follows up with a Pimp Slap!

Reed follows up with a boot to the face before whipping Antoinette off into the ropes. When the champ returns, Reed knock her down with a spinning back elbow to the face. He goes to follow up with an elbow drop, but Antoinette rolls out of the way. Reed gets back to a vertical base before finding himself on the receiving end of another trio of arm wrenches. He rolls forward forward, leans back, kips up, swats Antoinette's hand off him and throws out another Pimp Slap. This time, Antoinette ducks and knocks him off his feet with a dropkick. A second dropkick returns Reed to the mat. After The Funky Dragon returns to his feet, he catches a kick to the midsection before Antoinette follows up with an Ant-zuigiri (enzuigiri), sending him flipping down to the mat. The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

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

Antoinette brings the action into the corner and catches Reed with a pair of knife edge chops. She then sends The Funky Dragon into the far corner before running across the ring. She goes for a monkey flip out of the corner, but Reed catches her, sits her down on the top turnbuckle and follows up with a jumping uppercut. The boos continue as he grabs Antoinette by the ankle before yanking her off, sending her flying off the top turnbuckle and landing on her back. Antoinette turns over and slowly picks herself back up before Reed heads out of the corner and brings her down with What Da Funk (handstand handspring headscissors takedown). The Legacy Champion gets back to her feet before getting brought back down with a bridging Northern Lights Suplex. Reed then floats over and mounts himself on top of Antoinette before raining down rights and lefts.

Reed returns to a vertical base before putting the boots to Antoinette. He then takes off into the ropes before hitting a running leg drop for a two count. He then tries for a vertical suplex, but Antoinette is quick to block and counter with a small package.

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

Both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base. Reed goes to strike first with a discus punch, but Antoinette ducks and counters with the Sugar Rush (Russian Leg Sweep). She then takes Reed, delivers an irish whip, follows him across the ring and sends him slumping down in the corner after a spin kick to the head. The cheers continue as Antoinette runs back into the corner and delivers Ant Goes Marching (Running stomps to the chest of a seated opponent in the corner)! She then drags Reed out of the corner into position before stepping out to the apron. The crowd continues to remain solidly behind the champion as she scales to the top, flips off and connects with the Candy Crush (Swanton Bomb)! Antoinette makes the cover.

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

Reed reverses an irish whip, sending Antoinette into the ropes. Antoinette returns off the rebound before bringing him down with a running hurricanrana. Reed gets knocked down with a leg lariat. The cheers continue as a second leg lariat drops him back down. When Antoinette returns, Reed hoists her up in the air. Antoinette then lands on Reed's back and counters with a sunset flip powerbomb!

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

Antoinette starts to wave up Reed. Once Reed gets back to a vertical base, Antoinette runs over and goes for a step-up Ant-zuigiri. She whiffs when Reed ducks the kick. He then pulls Antoinette up by the back of her tights before going for a belly to back suplex. Antoinette then rolls over his shoulder, lands on her feet and counters with the Sugar Crash (Backstabber)! Reed remains down on the mat as Antoinette heads into the corner, scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off and crashes on top of him with the Rave-A-Round (Corkscrew Moonsault)! She hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout... aaaaaaand STIILLLLL Legacy Champion, ANTOINETTE!

[FGA Office]

The camera fades into the backstage interview area where we see Amanda Johnson standing.

Amanda Johnson: Well, we already have had a great night here on Vertigo, but we still have the Pride championship up for grabs later tonight. With that being said, please welcome my guest at this time, the Pride champion, Ace Voltage.

We hear boos from the crowd as Ace Voltage walks into the camera shot. He is holding his championship over his shoulder while wearing a black V-neck, jeans and sunglasses.

Ace Voltage: The pleasure is all yours Amanda.

Ace smirks as Amanda shakes her head in disappointment.

Amanda Johnson: So, Ace, big night for you here on Vertigo. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Lowri Moss at Grapland, you now must defend your pride championship against Julian Tijerina. What is going through your mind tonight?

Ace Voltage: Ya know, talk about the lack of respect FGA management has for the top champ in the company. I wrestled my heart out at Grapland and ya know I have to give credit to Lowri. She is tough as hell and did what nobody else could do and that is escape the London Special. Sure, that match is a dagger in my heart, but I know, I guarantee I will be back in that spot one day. That was a small roadblock in the journey of Voltage. But tonight? I have to defend my beauty against Julian. Sure, he is a formidable opponent, but I’m Ace Voltage baby. Am I 100%? Maybe not. But even at 50%, I am better than more than half the roster in FGA.

Amanda Johnson: Do you have any concerns coming from your match against Lowri? You emptied the tank and are now tasked at defending this title tonight.

Ace Voltage: Any concerns? Honey, do you know who you’re talking to? People on this roster hate me, they envy me. Do you know why? Because I can talk all I want, and I can always back it up. I’ve been doing that since day 1. The greatest Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion of all time, soon to be the greatest Pride champion of all time. I have no concerns tonight; I have never felt that I would not win a match. Sure Julian probably feels the same way but let’s be real here. Julian is not on MY level. Most of this roster isn’t on my level. Nobody really cared about me when I first got here. I was in and out of wrestling for years. But now I am back. And for the last couple of years in FGA I have proved time and time again that I am one of the best wrestlers on the planet. Give me another match with Lowri Moss and I promise you the result will be different.

Amanda Johnson: Would you say your sights are on that world championship still?

Ace takes off his sunglasses and tosses them away. He pats his championship that is laying over his shoulder.

Ace Voltage: Right now, the only thing in my sight is defending my beauty. Like I said, I will be at the top once again, fighting for that world championship. But for now, I am still the Pride champion, and nobody will be taking this title from me any time soon. While I have been given some great opportunities lately with Lowri, my number one objective right now is keeping this title over my shoulder and around my waist.

Amanda Johnson: You’ve been Pride champion for a while, what have you been doing to keep this title and better yourself for every challenge?

Ace Voltage: Being the champ has its perks. Increased pay, better travel arrangements, and more than you can imagine. Staying healthy and in shape is always my number one goal. This is often looked at as the workers’ championship. I am one of the best technical wrestlers in the world and keeping this stamina is very important. I know I’ll need all the stamina tonight against Julian. I am never satisfied, never complacent, I am always bettering myself Amanda. And you know what? There are some people that don’t think that of me. There are some people who don’t think I deserve these opportunities or that I don’t deserve to keep winning. It’s all about proving people wrong Amanda. Please keep doubting me because I will prove you all wrong as I usually do. And that will continue tonight.

Ace smiles at Amanda as he walks off to get ready for his match. The camera fades out.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Nina Stokes vs. Patrick Jones

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

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, hailing from Louisville, Kentucky! Weighing in at 235 pounds... PATRICK JONES!

He jogs down the ramp, talking to and high-fiving fans, trying to get them as pumped up and ready to go as he is. Jones goes straight from the ramp and jumps onto the ring apron before ducking through the second and third rope, giving another, slower spin just to drink in the environment.

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

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Miami, Florida! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is "The Kodiak"... NINA STOKES!

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

Nina paces around for a moment. Then she removes her jacket and tosses it into the corner. Nina pulls on the ropes and stretches before she lounges in the corner and waits for the start of the match.

Stokes immediately rushes across the ring before knocking Jones off his feet with a running roundhouse kick! The Kodiak immediately pulls Jones back to his feet and doubles him over with a rolling solebutt to the midsection before knocking him up right with a rising knee to the chin. After a front push kick knocks Jones backwards into the corner, Stokes pushes forward and follows up with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. The boos continue as she takes Jones and whips him into the far corner. Stokes runs across the ring, hurls herself at him with running double knee and crashes into the corner when Jones slips out of the way!

Stokes gets back to a vertical base before Jones brings her down with a running clothesline. A second running clothesline returns Stokes to the mat. Jones then sets up for an irish whip until Stokes reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Jones returns, he nearly gets caught with another running roundhouse. At the last second, Jones slides underneath the kick. Stokes switches directions and runs back over to attack until Jones brings her down with an arm drag. A pair of arm drags follow before Jones transitions into an underhook on the arm.

The ref asks Stokes if she wants to give up. Stokes refuses before getting back to a vertical base. She then uses her free arm to tilt Jones' head back by pushing up underneath his chin. The Kodiak continues to move Jones backwards before pressing him up against the ropes.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

As soon as Jones lets go, the crowd boos when Stokes unleashes boxing forearm strikes that send him slumping down against the ropes. From there, Stokes sizes Jones up before nailing him with a hard shoot kick that echoes through the arena. A second shoot kick to the chest produces a loud thud. The boos grow louder when Jones gets caught with a shoot kick right to the face!

Stokes reaches down, pulls up Jones and brings him away from the ropes. She delivers an arm wrench before a hook kick sends Jones stumbling back. Jones ends up slipping through the ropes before landing on the apron. As Stokes approaches, Jones tries to catch her with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. But Stokes is quick to strafe to the side before catching him with a bicycle knee, knocking him down to the apron.

Jones tries to shake out the cobwebs while Stokes slowly steps out to the apron. She reaches down, pulls Jones back to his feet and hooks both arms before hitting him with a series of trapping headbutts. Jones remains dazed while Stokes backs up towards the ring post. The Kodiak then charges forward before throwing out another bicycle kick. NO! The crowd cheers when Jones catches her leg before sending them both off the apron with a dragon screw leg whip!

The cheers continue as Jones picks up Stokes, delivers a shin breaker and follows up with a belly to back suplex to the outside! Jones pulls up The Kodiak and rolls her back inside before rolling back in for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Jones pulls up Stokes and motions for another shin breaker. Before Jones can lift her up, Stokes counters with multiple pointed elbows across the back of the head. She then shakes out her leg before hitting the ropes. Stokes returns off the rebound before Jones brings her down with a belly to belly suplex. Jones makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Jones throws Stokes down with a scoop slam before setting up for a figure four. Stokesends up using her free leg to push Jones off of her towards the corner. Jones then runs over to attack before Stokes brings him down with an STO! Stokes reaches down and pulls Jones up to a seated position before nailing him with a hard soccer kick to the back. After a shoot kick to the chest flattens him, Stokes hits the ropes, returns and lands hard across him with a jumping senton. She then pulls Jones back to his feet, delivers an irish whip, follows him closely across the ring and crushes him with running double knees in the corner. The Kodiak then takes Jones, delivers another irish whip, follows him into the far corner and crushes him with another pair of running double knees! She then leads Jones from out of the corner before bringing him down with Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT)!

Stokes yanks Jones back to his feet and doubles him over with another hard shoot kick to the midsection. After lifting Jones back up, she overwhelms him with a palm strike flurry before taking off into the ropes. Stokes returns off the rebound before Jones knocks her down with a running forearm. Jones runs back over and knocks Stokes back down with a second running forearm. The cheers continue as he takes Stokes and sends her into the ropes before taking off into the far ropes. When they both return, Jones goes for a flying forearm, but Stokes cuts him off with a leg lariat! Jones gets back to his feet, turns around and nearly gets his head knocked off with the Diving Night (Rolling Elbow)!

The boos continue as Stokes grabs Jones and holds his arms up by the wrists before raining down repeated stomps to the chest, neck and head. Stokes keeps holds of Jones' wrist as she slowly pulls him up to his knees. Jones remains dazed as The Kodiak takes off into the far ropes. When Stokes returns, she flattens Jones from behind with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma Ye Knee Strike)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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THREE!

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

[FGA Office]

The camera switches to the backstage area where Amanda Johnson is standing with a live microphone, seemingly getting some news from her earpiece. As if on cue, El Guapo, Julian Tijerina, walks into the scene, though he doesn't notice Amanda at first, instead wearing a black suit and a pair of black-tinted eyeglasses. Flanking him is Maria who looks ever stunning in her black dress. Amanda immediately rushes towards Julian to talk to him, an interested smile on her face.

Amanda Johnson: Julian! Julian! After that intense grudge match between you and Brian Stryker at Grapland, what's next for-

She immediately gets cut off by Maria who doesn't look amused at Amanda getting in their face like some cheap paparazzo. She tries to be civil, even putting on a smile, but it is clear she isn't happy at this intrusion.

Maria: As you and the rest of the world will recall, Amanda, J.T. won that match with gusto and has now put Stryker back in his place...by tapping him out. You know what that means, right? Stryker forfeits any more chances at J.T., having shown everyone that he does not have what it takes to share the ring with the handsomest, the fiercest, the most talented wrestler in the world.

Amanda tries to butt in to correct Maria who's clearly downplaying Stryker's own ferocity in that match, having almost beaten Tijerina at one point, but Maria does not give her the opportunity, all while Julian just stands there, looking away but also very proud of himself.

Maria: Now, if you'll excuse us, J.T. has an important title match tonight, an opportunity to rectify the travesty that occurred at the Royal Battle at Royal Albert Hall, and finally bring home the FGA Pride Championship, back to where it belongs, Madre España!

Maria then lightly pushes Amanda away, gesturing for Julian to proceed, which he does without addressing or acknowledging the interviewer and the camera. The two just walks away from the scene, much to Amanda's confusion.

Amanda Johnson: What the heck was that? And Julian's shades... He's probably hiding an ugly bruise, right?

The camera then fades out to the cameraman agreeing.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •