Vertigo E99

[FGA Office]

Sitting in the middle of his locker room on a folding chair, we see Logan Alexander dressed for competition here tonight, gazing ahead into the camera.

???: Four months later. Back on Vertigo.

Theodore Harris then walks into the shot, moving behind Logan and across the field of view in a navy blue suit with a light blue dress shirt beneath the jacket.

Theodore Harris: That's where our story continues. Picking up after having some time to consider the losses and failings that have brought us to this point.

Theodore stops walking and turns to regard Logan with a pointed expression.

Theodore Harris: Grapland brought Logan Alexander, as the Legacy champion, to confront his latest challenger, Antoinette, who had done the work and earned her way to that match. But let's be honest, that match was not going to be a fair contest between them. Logan versus Antoinette was a mismatch on paper no matter which way you looked at it. Logan carried the advantage there. That's simple fact. During that match he demonstrated it as well. He weathered her early barrage as expected, although there were several moments that were very troubling, and then he wrestled her down to the mat and effectively neutralized her only real advantages over him.

Theodore resumes walking move back and forth behind Logan as he speaks.

Theodore Harris: Of course, standing here now with the former Legacy champion, his superior position in that match did not last and eventually the tide turned against him and it finally resulted in a new Legacy champion on that night. How did it all go so wrong when everything was working out so perfectly?

Pivoting, Theodore walks up beside Logan's chair and then crouches down on Logan's left, leaning in closer to him.

Theodore Harris: Logan... how... did you become the former... Legacy... champion?

Theodore pauses, waiting for a response or reaction. Logan remains still and silent.

Theodore Harris: Arrogance. Hubris. In a display of ego and idiocy that would have made Ashlyn De Luca proud, you fumbled away what should have been a simple victory. And for what? A moment that you could look back on with pride for doing? Would that really be something that outweighs the pride of continuing your Legacy championship reign?

Theodore stands, spreading his arms wide as he looks down on Logan.

Theodore Harris: Well, glory seeking cost you. Antoinette made you pay for trying to be fancy. All you had to do was your job! Be one of the best wrestlers in the company and finish what you started in the simplest way possible because in the end, results are what matters. That's the lesson you have taught to every one of your own students, but there you were forgetting your own words.

Stepping back around behind Logan, Theodore lowers his head down, speaking from just over Logan's right shoulder.

Theodore Harris: Now you've got nothing again, and as much as you want to get another shot at Antoinette to do what you should have done when you had the chance, that's not something you get can control. There's nothing I can do for you in that regard either.

Theodore shrugs slightly as he stands back up.

Theodore Harris: Instead, what you're going to have to do before that is avoid making any other messes out in the ring. We've talked about this before but I'm going to remind you about it. From bell to bell, your ego should not be a concern. You do what you're supposed to to win and that will do more to prove how good you are than any highlight reel move you perform ever will. Beyond that obvious point though, you need to remember to be more efficient in the ring going forward. You need to waste less time, motion and effort out there. You need to work with the scenarios put before you in your matches rather than try to craft the perfect ones for you to use. I can think of at least three instances where Antoinette took over the match because of you wanting to get something just right.

Stepping back around to Logan's left, Theodore bends down, getting closer to Logan's eye level as he continues.

Theodore Harris: And if you happen to think that what she did to you was bad... that's nothing compared to what your opponent tonight will do to you if you give her those same opportunities. Former Pride, United States and International Heavyweight champion, Savannah Taylor is quite capable of handing your backside or your head back to you on a platter. If you need an example, you can just look to Jimmy Page and see how he fared. Mess up here and you'll be counting stars in the ring and your teeth in this locker room afterwards. You know what she can do at her peak. You fought at her side as she was making her ascent to the top of the Flashpoint brand.

Theodore stands back up again, walking around behind Logan, pacing there as he speaks.

Theodore Harris: Now this could be another moment for you to step up and raise your standing here in the company. Beating Savannah would be an accomplishment for you. Overcoming a more decorated opponent in FGA is something you've been able to do before when put to the task but you will need to bring something better than what has been your best as of late. She cannot outwrestle you so that's where you need to keep this match centered as much as possible. She is entirely capable of outperforming you just about everywhere else. She can strike better, she can fly better and she can cheat better. You either find a way to neutralize her strengths with yours or you can enjoy kicking off a losing streak here tonight. It's not going to be easy, and quite frankly when is it ever, but it is something you can do. Just get out of your own way, don't worry about appealing to anyone out there watching you tonight and you can avoid setting yourself up for failure. You go out there, you take the fight to her and keep it simple. When you get the chance, you finish the kill... metaphorically... in the quickest and easiest way possible. After that... then we can see about fixing everything else.

Walking back around in front of Logan, Theodore, turns, looks down at him and offers him a friendly smile.

Theodore Harris: So, now that we've gotten all of this out of the way, are you ready to go?

Logan turns his head and looks up at Theodore before standing up and moving past Theodore. Theodore watches him go and then looks to the camera.

Theodore Harris: And away we go.

Theodore follows after Logan and the scene fades out.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Logan Alexander vs. Savannah Taylor

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

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

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

Inside me a light was turned on…

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

Then I was alive!

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

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Weighing in at 120 pounds! She is the “Las Vegas Siren”, SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

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

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

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

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

Kris Cruise: I’ve got some breaking next, Geoff.

Geoff Penzer: Yes?

Kris Cruise: The winner of this match will face the winner of Sparrow/Mark Storm on the next Vertigo for the United States Championship.

Geoff Penzer: That is huge news! Savannah is a former U.S. Champion. She’d love to win that title again. For Logan, when one door closes, another one opens.

Without any music or fanfare, Logan strides out from the entryway, dressed to compete, with Theodore Harris walking along beside and half a step behind him. Logan’s gaze focuses on his opponent standing in the ring while Theodore looks around the arena and at the assembled crowd as they walk down the entry ramp to the ringside area.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Theodire Harris! From Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 227 pounds! He is “The Quiet One”, LOGAN ALEXANDER!

Logan leads the way over to the nearest set of ringsteps, climbs up them to the ring apron and then into the ring. Theodore follows Logan up the stairs, stopping on the ring apron.

Logan moves back into the corner, leaning back against the turnbuckles, draping his arms on the top rope on either side of him and looks towards his opponent. Theodore steps over behind him and leans in close, talking softly to Logan, who merely nods slightly in response to whatever is being said.

Kris Cruise: Theodore Harris really tried to get Logan’s head in the game backstage.

Geoff Penzer: He did. I can’t remember the last time I heard Harris be that hard on Logan. But sometimes, the truth hurts. Logan’s arrogance did cost him. He needs to get back to the basics and do what he does best or, like Harris said, he’ll start a losing streak tonight.

Theodore then steps back and descends the stairs back to the ringside mats. Logan keeps his gaze on his opponent waiting for the bell to ring.

Alexander and Taylor motion for a lock up until Taylor doubles him over with a boot to the midsection. After a pair of pointed elbows across the back of the neck, Taylor goes for a bulldog until Alexander shoves her off into the ropes. The Las Vegas Siren returns off the rebound before Alexander knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then takes off into the far ropes. Alexander returns and sees Taylor turning over into the prone position. Instead of hopping over her to continue running the ropes, Alexander quickly drops, grabs a hold of Taylor’s legs and tris to play her in a half turned cloverleaf leg lace Boston Crab.

Geoff Penzer: Dying Echo!

Taylor quickly realizes what Alexander’s trying to do, so she quickly crawls over towards the side of the ring and wraps her arm around the bottom rope.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Kris Cruise: Logan tried to put this one away early, but Taylor was quick to recognize what he was trying to do and got the heck out of dodge.

Alexander lets go of the legs. He starts to step away… only to quickly march back over and put the boots to the Las Vegas Siren. Alexander reaches down and drags her away from the ropes before applying an Ankle Lock. The crowd cheers when they see Taylor screaming in pain as Alexander cranks way on the ankle. The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. Taylor refuses before pushing herself up onto her hands. She then rolls forward in an attempt to break the hold, but Alexander hangs onto the leg as he rolls through it, returns to his feet and starts cranking away on the ankle again.

Kris Cruise: Logan’s been around the block. He’s seen that counter and was able to withstand it.

Taylor turns halfway and uses her free leg to frantically kick away at Alexander. After the last kick knocks Alexander off of her, Taylor returns to her feet with a kip up until a superkick from Alexander drops her back to the mat. He then drops back down for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor kicks out.

Taylor gets whipped hard into the corner. The Las Vegas Siren stumbles away from the corner as Alexander hits the far ropes. Alexander returns off the rebound and motions for a spear until Taylor knocks him upright with a knee lift. He remains stunned while Taylor turns and hits the ropes. The Las Vegas Siren comes back before Alexander throws out another superkick. This time, Taylor catches his foot, swing the leg away from her and catches him with a spinning backfist across the back of the head. After a superkick to the back of the head doubles Alexander over, Taylor hits the ropes, returns and brings him down with the Emerald Weapon (corkscrew neckbreaker)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Alexander kicks out.

Taylor picks up Alexander, moves him into the corner and delivers multiple shoot kicks to the chest. She then delivers an irish whip, follows Alexander across the corner and connects with a corner back elbow. She then pulls Alexander out of the corner before hitting the ropes. When Taylor returns, she tackles Alexander down with a spear! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Alexander kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Taylor took a page out of Alexander’s book with that spear.

Geoff Penzer: She did, but she didn’t have enough force behind it. She got him down, but it wasn’t enough to put him away.

Taylor moves the action back into the corner. She goes for another series of shoot kicks, only for Alexander to catch one of the kicks, steps out to the apron and deliver a dragon screw leg whip across the middle rope.

Geoff Penzer: Savannah went to the well one too many times.

Taylor rolls away from the ropes and tries to get back to her feet, but Alexander is right there to hit a chop block from behind. Alexander returns to a vertical base, lifts up the leg and delivers a trio of elbow drops across it. He then places Taylor in a figure four.

Kris Cruise: ALexander could get a submission here!

Geoff Penzer: Savannah gotta turn over and reverse the pressure.

The Las Vegas Siren screams out in pain while Alexander yells at her to submit. After turning down a chance to quit, Taylor reaches over and rakes him across the eyes, breaking the hold.

Kris Cruise: Well, that’s one way o escape a figure four.

Taylor returns to her feet before Alexander nails him with a forearm strike. After an irish whip sends him into the ropes, Taylor brings him down with a drop toe hold before transitioning into an STF!

Kris Cruise: Taylor slaps on a submission on her own!

Geoff Penzer: She’s got the STF locked on. But I don’t know how I feel about Savannah keeping it on the ground and trying to outwrestle Logan. She’s fighting his style of match and keeping things on the ground could come back to bite her.

The ref gets down and asks Alexander if he wants to give up. Alexander refuses before fighting his way towards the ropes.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

The ref yells at Taylor to break the hold, but she still won’t let go.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Taylor finally lets go.

Kris Cruise: Taylor was really testing the official there.

Taylor backs away from Alexander while the ref reprimands her. The Las Vegas Siren makes her way back over towards Alexander until he pulls himself up and doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. He goes to chuck her over the top rope the floor, but Taylor lands safely on the apron. She then throws out a right across, but Alexander ducks and rocks her with a European Uppercut. He then goes to bring Taylor back in with a vertical suplex, but Taylor slips down from behind. She then takes control of his back until he hits a back elbow, performs a standing switch and follows up with A Long Pause (multiple rolling German Suplexes)! Alexander keeps the bridge held after the fifth suplex for the pin.

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

Alexander pulls Taylor into a front facelock before bringing her down with a swinging neckbreaker. He then rolls through it, pulls Taylor back to her feet and delivers another swinging neckbreaker. The Quiet One rolls through again. Instead of going for a third swinging neckbreaker, he plants Taylor with Dead Air (Implant DDT)! Alexander makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets whipped into the corner. Alexander rushes in to attack before Taylor knocks him back with a boot to the face. She then rushes out of the corner to attack until Alexander throws her down hard with a spinebuster! He then rolls across her and hooks the near leg.

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

Taylor gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Close call there for the Las Vegas Siren.

Geoff Penzer: Logan’s really taking it to her right now after taking back control of this match. Savannah’s gotta find a way to cut him off.

Alexander takes Taylor and tosses her out to the apron. He then steps out to the apron and pulls Taylor up before planting her with a DDT on the apron!

Kris Cruise: Taylor just got dropped head-first on the hardest part of the ring!

Geoff Penzer: We could hear that thud all the way over here on the opposite side of the ring!

Alexander pulls Taylor up and rolls her back inside. He then reaches back in, drags Taylor out across the apron and spikes her with Dead Silent (elevated DDT) on the floor!

Kris Cruise: Alexander plants her again!

Geoff Penzer: He’s definitely being more aggressive now.

Taylor gets rolled back inside. Alexander then rolls back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

NO!

Taylor gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Geoff Penzer: Good ring awareness there from the Las Vegas Siren.

Alexander picks up Taylor and lifts her up across his shoulders. He sets her up for Soundproofed (Cradle Shock) until Taylor rakes his eyes. She then slips down from behind, turns and hits the ropes. The Las Vegas Siren returns and goes for a leap frog into a one handed bulldog! NO! Alexander slips out of the way, catches Taylor on the way down and goes for A Long Pause! NO! Taylor counters with a back elbow to the face. She then performs a standing switch, takes control of his back and rams him sternum-first into the corner. Taylor then brings him down with an O’Connor Roll!

ONE!
.
Taylor hooks the tights!
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!
Alexander kicks out.

The Las Vegas Siren quickly rolls out of the ring before raising her arms in the air!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Just Close Your Eyes” blares throughout the arena. Harris can be seen motioning towards Alexander. He can also be hearing telling Alexander, “I told you about her.”

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor just stole this one right out from under Logan Alexander. Now, she’ll be facing the winner of Sparrow and Mark Storm for the United States Championship at the next Vertigo.

Geoff Penzer: She’s been in the ring with Storm before, so that would probably be her preference. But either way, the Las Vegas Siren has a title match lined up after sneaking away with a win.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The camera immediately cuts backstage. Cue Nina Stokes walking down a long, empty hallway. She tilts her head ever so slightly to acknowledge the camera’s presence.

Nina Stokes: Hmm. I suppose you would like a word before my match with Gareth? Is that correct?

The tiniest of chuckles escapes her.

Nina Stokes: Of course you do.

She shakes her head.

Nina Stokes: I find it fascinating that you people spend your hard-earned money to attend an event where I shall more than likely beat the holy f*** out of your idols. You boo and hurl your jeers at me. And yet, you still cling to my every word like foul leeches.

A moment passes.

Nina Stokes: So be it. I’ll deliver a word to you all and my victim.

Nina lets out a small grunt.

Nina Stokes: Gareth? Your motivations going into this match mean absolutely nothing to me. Your ambitions. Your desires. Your hopes. They’re all inconsequential. Why? It’s because my will shall always engulf yours.

She treks along in silence for a brief moment.

Nina Stokes: Lowri Moss. The Frontier Grappling Arts World Champion.The woman with a supposed heart of gold. The woman that everyone is supposed to love and adore.

She scoffs.

Nina Stokes: The image of Lowri holding that championship belt always teleports me back to my stints in Hard Knox Wrestling, Phoenix Wrestling, and the like. Times were where I was one most impactful and dominant motherf*****s on the planet. And yet, the top champion constantly had the luxury of never getting to face me. Always hiding in plain sight.

A shake of the head follows.

Nina Stokes: But things are a little bit different now. Back then, I’d sit back in silence. But I won’t be hushed and ratioed any longer.

Another moment passes by.

Nina Stokes: Gareth? You’ve been casted as the sacrificial lamb. You’ll fight hard in this match, certainly. You’ll struggle; you’ll show some heart. However, your annihilation has already been predetermined. And then I shall lift your mangled carcass and leave it on Lowri’s front lawn.

At this point, Nina halts in her tracks. Her eyes are cold and unwavering.

Nina Stokes: John Carmichael holds her attention at the present moment. But she’ll soon learn that there are far more dangerous beasts out in the wild than him. And they are currently hunting her.

The camera begins to fade out as she walks out of frame.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Nina Stokes vs. Gareth Prichard Jr

After the protocols have been done, the arena goes dark once more and the first two drum beats of “Revolt” by WildFire signal the arrival of Gareth Prichard Jr.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Cardiff, Wales! Weighing in at 180 pounds… GARETH PRICHARD JR!

Kris Cruise: Gareth better get his act together and get in the game. His care-free attitude won’t help him in this one.

Geoff Penzer: No, it’d actually be a great disservice. Nina Stokes is one of the best in the world and if you’re not taking a match with her seriously, she won’t waste any time wiping the floor with you.

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.

Melanie Sierra: His opponent, 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.

Kris Cruise: The Kodiak says she’s tired of feasting on flank steak. She wants premium cuts only from here on out.

Geoff Penzer: Well, Gareth, when he’s on, is still a solid wrestler. He’s a man that outwrestled Owen Gonsalves earlier this year to end his historic run as United States Champion. But what I found more interesting was her taken on Lowri Moss. Did you hear what she said, Kris. In her mind, Lowri has been “hiding in plain sight”.

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.

The bell sounds as Stokes and Prichard lock up. Bth grapplers jockey for position until Stokes slips her arm and gets Prichard in a Muay Thai Clinch. From there, The Kodiak is able to muscle Prichard up against the ropes before hitting him with alternating knee strikes to the head.

Kris Cruise: Gareth is getting rocked with those knees!

Geoff Penzer: He needs to find a way out of that corner and fast. One well-timed knee will put him out.

Stokes continues to catch Prichard with strikes until Prichard catches her leg. He then brings Stokes down to the mat with a back heel trip before holding up the leg and delivering multiple stomps to the hamstring. He then delivers shoot kicks to the back of the leg before delivering an elbow drop across it. Prichard returns to a vertical base before delivering a second elbow drop across the leg. He gets back to his feet, steps on Stokes’ left ankle and holds up the right leg before twisting away at the ankle.

Prichard continue to crank away on the ankle before applying a spinning toe hold. After the third spin, Stokes takes her left leg and nails Prichard right in the face, knocking him through the ropes to the floor. Prichard picks himself up and goes to catch an approaching Stokes through the ropes with a shoulder thrust, but Stokes side steps and counters with a rising knee to the chin. She then grabs Prichard’s right wrists and holds the arm out before delivering repeated kicks to the face. The Kodiak then lets go before taking off into the adjacent set of ropes. Stokes picks up speed as she runs back across the ring before clobbering Prichard with a bicycle knee across the side of the head.!

A dazed Prichard plops down to a seated position on the apron. Stokes steps out to the apron behind Prichard before pulling him back to his feet. She then takes control of his back before planting him on the apron with Requiem Aeternam (Inverted Implant DDT)! Stokes pulls up Prichard and rolls him back inside. After leaping up to the apron, The Kodiak scales the turnbuckles, jumps off from the top and lands on Prichard’s chest with a diving double foot stomp! She makes the cover.

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

Stokes picks up Prichard and whips him into the ropes. Prichard returns off the rebound before Stokes knocks him down with a running roundhouse. The Kodiak turns around, rushes over and knocks him down with another running roundhouse. Stokes yanks Prichard back to his feet before sending him for the ride. She goes to catch Prichard with a kitchen sink off the rebound, but Prichard flips over the knee and counters with a schoolboy transitioned into a powerbomb! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Stokes kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Good counter there by Gareth, but it wasn’t even enough to keep Stokes down for a two count.

Prichard picks up Stokes and goes for an Olympic Slam, but Stokes slips down from behind and catches him in a Cobra Clutch!

Geoff Penzer: She’s got it locked in!

When Prichard doesn’t give up, Stokes dumps him on his head with a Cobra Clutch Suplex! Stokes pulls Prichard back to his feet and dumps him on his shoulder with a Half Nelson Suplex! The Kodiak then holds up Prichard’s arms before raining down stomps to the neck and shoulder. After Prichard is yanked up to his feet, Stokes turns him away from her before locking on Quietus Redux (Crossface-Chickenwing)! Prichard immediately taps out!

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, NINA STOKES!

The match is called, but Stokes keeps the hold applied. To add insult to injury, she falls back, bringing Prichard down to the mat with her before she applies a bodyscissors to the crossface!

Kris Cruise: There’s no need for this, Nina! You already won!

Geoff Penzer: The ref might wanna get in there and stop this.

The Kodiak keeps the hold locked on for a couple seconds longer before eventually letting go. Stokes slowly rises back to her feet while she keeps her eyes locked on the hard camera. She looks down at Prichard before turning to the hard camera and pointing directly at him. She then emphatically steps over Prichard before exiting the ring.

Kris Cruise: I think she just sent a message with that performance, Geoff.

Geoff Penzer: Yeah, and I’m pretty sure that message reached it’s intended target…

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene opens in the backstage area. It is dimly lit but we can see someone pacing around. The silhouette smacks the container box next to him and gets closer to the camera. We see it is Ace Voltage, fully dressed in his wrestling gear.


Ace Voltage: You know… I don’t like losing. I don’t like losing more than I like winning. And at the last Vertigo I not only lost the match, but I lost my beauty! I am no longer your Pride champion. But it’s a funny world we live in, right?

Ace turns away from the camera, he is facing the wall.


Ace Voltage: Do I bend the rules every once in a while, to win? Sure. But what I don’t do is have some loser cost someone a championship!

Ace turns back to the camera.


Ace Voltage: Julian, I could’ve been a man and respected you for beating me for my beauty. But Stephy Auger is right. You sir are a cheater! The pride championship literally has the word PRIDE on the championship itself. If that is your way of being prideful, then FGA has a major problem.


Ace laughs to himself.

Ace Voltage: Lucky for me and the rest of the FGA locker room, I get to right this wrong. I get to serve justice to you Julian, to you Betsy Gallagher. I will get my redemption at Only the Strong will Survive. And this time Julian Tijerina, I hope you fight fairly.

Ace puts one boot up on the container and ties it.

Ace Voltage: Tonight though, I get some early redemption. A tag team main event? Now, I don’t usually play well with others, but HENNY, you’ll have to deal with me tonight. It’s fitting though, I never liked Owen Gonsalves in the first place. Now, I get to beat both Owen and Julian ahead of Only the Strong will Survive. Momentum is everything mi amigo.


Ace takes his boot down and stares into the camera.


Ace Voltage: HENNY, if you’re watching, wherever you are, stay out of my business tonight. Nothing personal, just business. I am the BEST wrestler in this company and tonight I will back up my words as I always do. A storm is coming Julian, and if I were you, I’d want to stay out of the rain. Because tonight, you’ll eat a boot right to the face again, and be thunderstruck.

The camera fades to black.

[FGA Office]

FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
© Sparrow vs. Mark Storm

“Short Change Hero” by The Heavy begins to play through the speakers and the lights in the arena simultaneously dim down. Smoke begins to rise from the top of the stage and appearing on the screen above are the following words;

A massive pop ensues as emerging from the back is Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm; who keeps himself composed as he stands at the top of the entrance ramp. He can't help but allow his sadistic signature smirk to appear upon his lips as he closes his eyes and spreads his arms out wide, soaking in the energy that the audience are giving him as they applaud and cheer.

Melanie Sierra:[/center] The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing the challenger! From New York, Brooklyn.. weighing in a two hundred and twenty five pounds - Your Hero, and Mine.. MARRKKKK STORMMMMMM!

He begins his walk down the entrance ramp, swaggering his way down.

This ain't no place for no hero.
This ain't no place for no better man.
This ain't no place for no hero
To call "home."

At this point, Storm is by the edge of the ring; allowing a smile to embed on his face before he jumps onto the apron and holds onto the ropes, using them to help himself up onto the turnbuckle. He's grinning from ear to ear, soaking in the rest of the cheers coming from the audience, shaking his head sideways as he lowers it, before jumping into the ring. He heads over to his designated corner and hoisting himself up onto the second ropes, a smirk upon his lips as he holds his arms up; his theme song slowly diminishing.

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm is no stranger to championship matches. He’s amassed his fair share of titles across his travels. But tonight, he’s facing one of the most in-from grapplers on the entire roster. Sparrow isn’t one to be slept on.

Geoff Penzer: Not at all. Sparrow continues to prove time and time again that he can be successful at every level. He was a great 15 Champion and a great Legacy Champion. He could be well on his way to becoming a great U.S. Champion. This is a man that’s always striving for me. A man with that determination and drive can’t be taken lightly.

“Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Yah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Uh!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Rah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Drop it.)"

From the entrance to the ring, Sparrow appears through the curtain, his championship wrapped around his waist. The West Indian Whirlwind begins high-fiving fans on his way down the ramp. He gets to the outside of the ring as “Gold Watch” continues playing before he jumps and lands on the apron.

A second jump sees The West Indian Whirlwind clear the ring ropes before throwing his hat into the audience. Impressively, the championship remained on his waist! 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.

Melanie Sierra:[/center] His opponent, making his way to the ring from South Oropouche, Trinidad! Weighing in at 205 pounds. He is the reigning and defending FGA United States Champion! He is “The West Indian Whirlwind”... SPARROW!

“Got my, gold watch and my, gold chain,
With my, fancy car and my diamond ring!
With my fancy broad and she foreign!
So its, no words and its, no slang, and I'm no trick and I'm no lame.
Its just so slick that she's so game, and its...
Yea, yea she love it over here. Its just yea, yea she love it over here!”

Sparrow leans up against his corner, holding out the championship to the referee after removing it from his person. After some discourse with the announcer and ref, the West Indian Whirlwind is ready to go.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow has a lot on his mind. It’s a “Will He or Won’t He” situation for the champion. Will he be defending the U.S. Title against his friend TJ Techniques at Only the Strong Survive, or won’t he?

Geoff Penzer: Well, before he even gets to Only the Strong Survive, he has to get through tonight. Not to mention, the winner of this match will have defend against Savannah Taylor on the next Vertigo.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow could very well lose the title on the next Vertigo or at Only the Strong Survive.

Geoff Penzer: He could very well lose it tonight!

Sparrow and Storm start things off with a lock up. Both grapplers jockey for position until Storm gains the advantage with a side headlock. He then hits a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock before Sparrow spins out and reverses into a hammerlock of his own. The champion spins Storm towards him and brings him down with a snapmare before hitting the ropes. Sparrow returns off the rebound before flattening Storm with a dropkick. NO! Storm rolls out of the way. Both grapplers scramble back to their feet until Storm brings him down with a standing double leg and flips over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sparrow bridges up, turns, turns again, hooks Storm’s arms and brings him down with a backslide pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm slips out and wraps up Sparrow with la magistral.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sparrow kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Those two were reversing pin after pin.

Sparrow beats Storm to a vertical base. He runs over to attack, only to get brought down with a pancake. Sparrow pushes himself up on all fours before Storm goes for a deadlift gutwrench sitout powerbomb. Once Sparrow’s been lifted up onto Storm’s shoulder, he catches the challenger with punches across the top of the head before bringing him down with a hurricanrana. He reaches back and hooks a leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm kicks out.

Sparrow sets up for an irish whip until Storm reveres. Sparrow returns off the rebound and sees Storm setting up a back body drop, so he cartwheels out of the way before hitting the ropes. When Sparrow returns, he forward rolls underneath a leapfrog. Once Storm lands on his feet and turns around, Sparrow rolls backwards and wraps his legs around Storm’s neck. Before he can bring Storm down with a headscissors, Storm counters with a hard kick to the chest that knocks him down. He then picks up Sparrow, moves the action into the corner and hits him with multiple forearm strikes to the chest. Storm delivers an irish whip, follows Sparrow across the ring and ultimately slams on the brakes when Sparrow executes a headstand on the top turnbuckle. As soon as Storm moves in to attack, Sparrow knocks him down with a double mule kick to the chest.

Sparrow takes Storm, moves him to the corner and connects with multiple corner chest kicks. He then pulls Storm out of the corner before sending him for the ride. Storm returns off the rebound before a leg lariat knocks him down. Storm gets back to his feet, turns around and gets sent flipping down to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri. Sparrow pulls Storm back up and whips him hard into the corner. Storm staggers away from the corner before a running front dropkick sends him right back into the turnbuckles.

Geoff Penzer: Storm looks a little shaken up after that one.

Sparrow heads over, takes Storm’s right leg and wraps it around the middle rope before pulling up. Storm yells out in pain while the ref gives Sparrow until five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE!

Sparrow breaks the hold. He then unwraps Storm’s leg from around the ropes before throwing him down with a scoop slam. He then drapes Storm’s leg across the bottom rope before delivering a seated leg senton. A second seated leg senton connects. Storm is then dragged away from the ropes before Sparrow executes a bridging single leg lock.

Kris Cruise: Ouch ouch ouch! Look at that bend on that leg!

Geoff Penzer: I don’t know how Storm is able to withstand this.

Storm yells out in pain while Sparrow keeps a perfect bridge held. The ref asks Storm if he wants to give up, but he refuses. Sparrow then changes the height of the bridge to increase the pressure of the hold, but Storm still won’t quit. The U.S. Champion then breaks the hold, only to turn Storm over into the prone position and lock him in an inverted Sharpshooter.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow’s taken a page out of Logan Alexander’s book

Geoff Penzer: Do you think he’s taunting Logan?

Kris Cruise: I don’t think so.

Geoff Penzer: But do you think Logan and Theodore Harris will take it as a taunt?

Sparrow leans forward to apply further pressure to the submission. The ref asks Storm if he wants to give up. Storm looks to be in immense pain. He looks like he wants to quit. But he doesn’t. He refuses. He tries to pull himself towards the ropes, but Sparrow puts a stop to that be transitioning into Bass Reeves (Scorpion Crosslock)!

Kris Cruise: I believe it’s all but over now.

Geoff Penzer: There’s literally nowhere for Storm to go. The only way he gets out of this is if Sparrow’s legs give out. But he’s got his legs and arms trapped.

Moments after being lifted off the ground, Storm nods his head emphatically. The ref immediately calls for the bell.

The crowd explodes with cheers as "Gold Watch" blasts over the PA.

Melanie Sierra:[/center] Here is your winner and STILL the FGA United States Champion, SPARROW!

The cheers continue as Sparrow gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow didn’t try to outstrike Mark Storm. He outwrestled him and came away with the submission victory. Now, it’s official. It will be Sparrow defending the U.S. Championship against Savannah Taylor on the next Vertigo.

Geoff Penzer: The Las Vegas Siren could very well play spoiler to be potential Sparrow/TJ Techniques U.S. Title match.

Kris Cruise: Of course, TJ also has to agree to cash in the 15 Championship.

Geoff Penzer: Very true. There’s a lot of moving parts to this story and we’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds. Coming up next, our main event. Owen Gonsalves and Julian Tijerina go up against HENNY and Ace Voltage!

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
TAG TEAM MATCH
Owen Gonsalves & Julian Tijerina vs. HENNY & Ace Voltage

The arena goes dark and "Thunderstruck by AC/DC starts blaring over the sound system. As the words "THUNDER" are shouted into the arena each time, the lights flash yellow.

I WAS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAILROAD TRACK

A white spotlight shines on the ramp and Ace Voltage appears from backstage, once the lyrics start going. He is wearing a black jacket with his name on the back and his light blue tights. He shines a smirk to the crowd, zips open the jacket to show off his torso and the rest of the lights come on, with yellow and blue lighting flashing around.

Melanie Sierra: The following tag team contest, scheduled for one fall, is your MAIN EVENT! Introducing team number one. First, from London, England! Weighing in at 15.8 stone… ACE VOLTAGE!

He walks down the ramp, nodding his head to the music, laughing to himself when he hears the boos and insults from the crowd. As he's going down the entrance ramp, he walks close to the guardrail ready to slap the hands of the one or two fans. Before he can slap their hands, he quickly rips his hands away, smirks to the booing fans and walks down to the ring. He jumps up onto the apron and steps into the ring. He walks to the corner, jumping on the second rope, looking out into the crowd. He raises an arm in the air, smirking and smiling to the fans. After a few seconds, he jumps down, takes his jacket off and waits for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Ace Voltage is coming off of two high profile losses. To Lowri Moss at Grapland and to Julian Tijerina at the last Vertigo. He does not want to find himself on the wrong end of three straight matches.

Geoff Penzer: He does have Henny in his corner. He could do a lot worse than having a multi-time champion like Henny backing him up.

The beginning of Biffy Clyro's "The Captain" blasts throughout the arena as HENNY makes his way through the curtain, reaching his mark before posing in time with each break in the music. After holding the final pose for a few moments, HENNY takes a confident glance across the crowd after performing a slow 180, breaking into an assured saunter.

Melanie Sierra: His partner, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in a 225 pounds… HENNY!

HENNY proceeds down the ramp, jawing with most of the fans leaning over the guardrail, and even threatening a member of the audience with a sudden movement and a cocked fist, causing them to flinch. HENNY laughs loudly at the fan before making his way to ringside, now waving a dismissive hand at the crowd before climbing up the steel steps.

From the apron the Swede scales the turnbuckle, his left foot planted on the second rope whilst his right is on the turnbuckle. He then begins to casually shrug off his jacket, allowing it to slide off his body to the floor before holding his arms out to his side again and tensing his muscles, inciting an extremely loud negative reaction from the audience in attendance once more.

Kris Cruise: Henny hasn't exactly been shy about voicing his hatred for all things Owen Gonsalves. The next chapter in their rivalry will be written at Only the Strong Survive.

Geoff Penzer: If Henny gets his way, it’ll be the last chapter as he hopes to close the book on Owen Gonsalves, once and for all. But that will be much easier said than done.

After hopping into the ring HENNY jogs across to the diagonally opposite turnbuckle before blowing a mocking kiss into the crowd as high pitched jeers rainout from a large contingent of the FGA faithful. As the music slowly fades, HENNY hops off the turnbuckle backwards into the ring and struts to his corner, making himself comfortable on the turnbuckle as he waits for the match to begin.

The lights go out. A few seconds later, Tití Me Preguntó by Bad Bunny plays, the lights go back on as soon as Bad Bunny begins to sing, and "El Guapo, Julian Tijerrrrrrrrriiiiiiinnaa!!!" comes out as he is introduced by the lovely Maria, bathed in red and yellow spotlight and holding his championship, which he takes the time to smooch. He then pivots slowly for the benefit of the crowd before offering the championship to Maria on one knee. Finally, he gets back up to his feet, offers an arm to Maria, and with Maria carrying his title on her shoulder, they both make their way to the ring.

Melanie Sierra: Now, their opponents! First, from Extremadura, Spain! Weighing in at 220 pounds! He is the reigning FGA Pride Champion, JULIAN TIJERINA!

Julian helps Maria on the apron before he himself gracefully climbs inside the ring. Sitting on the middle rope, he helps Maria enter the ring, admiring her assets. Once inside the ring, Julian spins Maria on her toes, touting her for everyone to see, before he does the same on his toes with both arms stretched to either side and his head towards the ceiling. He stops and slowly, almost dramatically, shows off his attractive grin.

Kris Cruise: Julian Tijerina is on cloud 9 after ending Voltage’s history reign as Pride Champion.

Geoff Penzer: But Ace isn’t ready to go away just yet. Those two will face off in a return match at Only the Strong Survive. Julian can’t get too cocky or his reign will be a short-lived one.

Julian then takes to the turnbuckle, which he climbs, and again stretches both arms to either side before applauding the fans, randomly pointing at people and then at Maria still carrying his title, blowing kisses at Maria, and occasionally winking at Maria. Finally, he goes back down, stretches with the ropes' help, and assists Maria and his title out of the ring before waiting for his opponent to get in the ring with him.

The hard bass of Run The Jewels’ “Blockbuster Night Part I” causes the floor to vibrate as the crowd instantly come to their feet, knowing fully well who is about to make his entrance. All eyes are on the curtain as they wait for his arrival. A white bright light flashes at every beat, and the fans in attendance are slamming anything they can to the beat.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

Kris Cruise: Listen to this crowd. They love Owen Gonsalves!

As soon as the incomparable Killer Mike kicks into his verse, the white flashing light stops and Owen Gonsalves bursts through the curtain with a pace that matches the rhythm of the track. He storms his way to the top of the entranceway and pauses to soak in the electric energy from the crowd, with a smirk on his face as he rolls his wrists while subtly mouthing the words to the song. Once El-P's verse begins, Wristlock Sinatra immediately begins to walk down towards the ring as he has his hands outstretched, his eyes staying focused on the ring he’s about to go to work in.

Melanie Sierra: His partner, from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is “Indestructible” OWEN GONSALVES!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow striking to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before feigning a rolling elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em' to which the camera reacts accordingly. He paces around the ring, keeping his energy high before plodding up the steps, wiping his feet as soon as he steps on the apron. He moves down the apron and faces the crowd, mouthing a few words to a few of the fans in the front row before he enters the ring. He immediately goes to a corner and begins to warm up and stretch as he awaits the start of the match.

Kris Cruise: Owen’s historic reign as U.S. Champion ended earlier this year against Gareth Prichard Jr. Owen was able to win it right back from Gareth before he found himself being targeted by Gareth, Sparrow and Henny.

Geoff Penzer: Owen lost the championship. He lost that battle. But the war with Henny rages on. Will Owen be able to survive what Henny’s bringing his way at Only the Strong Survive?

HENNY and Voltage huddle up in their corner… before running across the ring to attack Gonsalves and Tijerina!

​​Kris Cruise: Look out!

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves and Tijerina turn around in time and catch HENNY and Voltage with strikes.

Geoff Penzer: Henny and Tijerina tried to get the jump on their opponents, but Owen and Julian were waiting right for them!

Gonsalves takes HENNY, delivers an irish whip, follows him across the ring and connects with a running European Uppercut! Meanwhile, Tijerina takes Voltage and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. The new Pride Champion turns Voltage around before lighting up his chest with multiple knife edge chops. Back in the opposite corner, Gonsalves gives HENNY multiple European Uppercuts.

After looking back and giving each other a knowing nod, Gonsalves and Tijerina whip their opponents out of the corners. Instead of crashing in the center of the ring, HENNY and Voltage slam on the brakes and hold their arms out in front of them. HENNY tells Voltage to watch his face… until Gonsalves runs up from behind with a shotgun dropkick, sending HENNY smacking face-first into Voltage! The crowd cheers as both men go down.

Kris Cruise: Oh noes! Henny just got nailed right in the face!

Geoff Penzer: Aw man! Poor guy. Well, ANYWAY…

Gonsalves picks up HENNY, runs and throws him over the top rope to the floor!

HENNY picks himself up on the outside. When he turns around, Tijerina rushes over and executes a Baseball Slide transitioned to a Head Scissors to the outside, sending HENNY head first towards the ring post! HENNY stumbles back, turns around and gets caught with a Tilt-a-whirl Head Scissors that sends him back inside the ring. HENNY gets back to his feet, turns around and gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl Guillotine Choke!

Kris Cruise: Henny went from trying to get the jump on Owen to getting thrown every which way.

Gonsalves cinches down on the hold until Voltage breaks it up with a back rake. He then takes control of Gonsalves’ back until Gonsalves hits a back elbow to the face, performs a standing switch and rams Voltage into HENNY! The crowd cheers when HENNY and Voltage smack heads again, knocking HENNY through the ropes to the apron.

Kris Cruise: I’m sure Stephy is somewhere throwing a fit over Henny constantly being hit in the face.

Geoff Penzer: He’ll live…

Back inside, Gonsalves pulls Voltage back towards the center of the ring before hitting a bridging German Suplex!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Voltage gets the shoulder up, but Gonsalves maintains the rear waistlock.

Gonsalves pulls Voltage back up from behind. Instead of Gonsalves hitting another German Suplex, Voltage runs backwards and squashes Gonsalves in the corner. The boos continue as he uses his right arm to catch Gonsalves with repeated back elbows to the face. Voltage turns around and fires off a hard knife edge chop before whipping him into the far corner. The former Pride Champion runs across the ring, connects with a clothesline and follows up with a running bulldog. NO! Gonsalves pushes Voltage off into the ropes. When Voltage returns, Gonsalves brings him down with a Sling Blade!

On the outside, Tijerina climbs up to the apron and watches HENNY struggle to pull himself up with the ropes. Tijerina runs over to attack until HENNY counters with a back body drop. The crowd gasps when Tijerina bounces back-first off the ring post before hitting the floor!

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Geoff Penzer: That’ll take something out of him. That didn’t look good. It didn’t sound good. Nothing about that was good. Except if you’re Henny, then it was great.

The boos continue as HENNY catches Gonsalves with a rope-assisted gamengiri that knocks him back. He then gauges the distance between him and Tijerina before knocking the Pride Champion down with a Double Jump Moonsault!

Kris Cruise: Henny takes to the skies and knocks down the new Pride Champion!

HENNY rolls back inside and ducks a clothesline from Gonsalves before hitting the ropes. HENNY returns off the rebound before knocking Gonsalves off his feet with If U Seek HENNY (Busaiku Knee Kick)! The crowd boos as Voltage crawls over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Henny and Ace nearly got the win!

Geoff Penzer: Henny got every last bit of that flying knee.

HENNY gets tagged in. HENNY marches over and puts the boots to Gonsalves. The boos grow louder as HENNY delivers stomp after stomp. He then reaches down, picks up Gonsalves and throws him down with a scoop slam. Gonsalves gets yanked off the mat before getting throw down with another scoop slam. HENNY then pulls him up to a seated position and delivers a hard soccer kick to the back before hitting the ropes. He quickly returns off the rebound before flattening Gonsalves with a sliding forearm smash. He makes the cover.

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

HENNY makes another cover.

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

HENNY presses his forearm down across Gonsalves’ chin while he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Gonsalves kicks out.

HENNY quickly gets back to his feet before delivering several quickfire elbow drops followed by a jumping elbow drop. Voltage then gets tagged back in. The former Pride Champion takes Gonsalves and whips him into the far corner. Voltage runs across the ring, connects with a clothesline and finally hits the running bulldog out of the corner. NO! Gonsalves pushes him off into the ropes. Voltage returns off the rebound and comes to a stop when Gonsalves runs past him towards the ropes. When Gonsalves returns, the crowd boos when Voltage brings him down with a spinning sitout powerbomb!

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

HENNY gets tagged back in. He pulls Gonsalves back to his feet and delivers a snapmare follows by a dropkick to the back of the head. HENNY makes the cover.

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

HENNY brings Gonsalves back down with a snap suplex. He then hits the ropes, flips back and connects with a Lionsault! NO Gonsalves gets his knees up.

Kris Cruise: Owen blocked the Lionsault!

Geoff Penzer: Henny and Ace have been doing a number on Owen. He’s got to make a way over to Tijerina and tag out.

Gonsalves picks up HENNY, lifts him up across his shoulders and brings him down with a fireman’s career gutbuster! He then makes the tag out to Tijerina, who immediately climb the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina’s wasting no time!

Tijerina gets to the top, leaps off and connects with a Guerrero Splash (Frog Splash)!

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

Voltage dives over and breaks up the pin.

Geoff Penzer: Ace with the timely save!

Gonsalves rushes in, takes Voltage and whips him into the corner. He runs over to attack before Voltage ducks and dumps him over the top to the floor.

Back in the ring, Tijerina runs over and catches Voltage with a step-up enzuigiri in the corner. After Voltage turns and drops down across the middle rope, Tijerina goes for La Guillotina (Slingshot Leg Drop to opponent draped on the second rope)! Voltage slips out of the way, causing Tijerina to land hard on the apron.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina missed!

Geoff Penzer: He landed hard on that apron, too. That’s the second time tonight.

Tijerina falls to the floor before Voltage rolls to the outside and pulls him up. He turns and sees HENNY motioning for him to bring Tijerina back inside. Voltage does just that before rolling himself back in. The boos continue as HENNY instructs for Voltage to hold him in place.

Kris Cruise: This doesn’t look good for the Pride Champion.

Geoff Penzer: No, it could very well be over right here if Henny hits whatever he’s got in mind.

Voltage picks up Tijerina and holds his arms from behind. HENNY starts to taunt the crowd before turning back to Tijerina.

HENNY blows Tijerina a kiss before…

*CRACK*[/size]

… connecting with Shot Through the Heart (Superkick)!

… on Voltage after Tijerina rips himself free and dives out of the way at the last second!

Kris Cruise: Ace got hit!

Geoff Penzer: Tijerina got out of the way in time!

HENNY throws a fit while Voltage lays splayed out on the mat. Tijerina can be seen behind HENNY. The Pride Champion lightly taps his foot on the mat as he waves HENNY to turn around. The moment HENNY does, he gets a taste of his own medicine with a superkick! NO! HENNY catches the foot. He then wags his index finger at Tijerina before getting caught with an enzuigiri. NO! HENNY ducks. HENNY reaches down, pulls up Tijerina from behind by the back of the tights and brings him down with a belly to back suplex. NO! Tijerina rolls over the shoulder, lands on his feet and shoves HENNY over towards Gonsalves, who runs over and drives him down with a Meteora!

Kris Cruise: Draco Meteor!

Geoff Penzer: Henny could duck those first two strikes from Tijerina, but he wasn’t ducking the Draco Meteor from Owen!

Gonsalves takes HENNY, delivers an irish whip, runs into the corner and nails him with another running European Uppercut. He then whips HENNY over towards Tijerina, who delivers a high back body drop. HENNY rotates in the air before landing in the prone position!

Kris Cruise: Henny landed face-down right on that mat!

HENNY turns over and covers his face with both hands. After he struggles to get back to his feet, the crowd cheers when they see Gonsalves and Tijerina charge at him from opposite before squashing him with a shotgun dropkick to the chest and back!

Geoff Penzer: Henny just got crushed by those pair of dropkicks! This has gone from bad to worse for his side!

Gonsalves picks up HENNY, takes control of his back and brings him down with Paroxysm (Snap Dragon Suplex)! HENNY’s momentum sends him rolling backwards onto his knees before Tijerina flattens him with the Brillante Knee (Shining Wizard)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

Melanie Sierra: Here are your winners, JULIAN TIJERINA and oWEN GONSALVES!

The cheers continue as Tijerina and Gonsalves get their arms raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: What a main event that was!

Geoff Penzer: Boy did it live up to the hype!

Kris Cruise: For four grappler that aren’t a regular tag team, they put together one hell of a tag team main event.

Geoff Penzer: Both sides went back and forth. It looked like Henny and Ace has Tijerina dead to rights. But once Tijerina got out of the way and Ace got laid out with that superkick, that marked the beginning of the end. That’s now three straight for Ace with Only the Strong Survive right around the corner.

Kris Cruise: For Geoff Penzer, this is Kris Cruise signing off! We’ll see you next time, right here, on Vertigo! Goodnight, everyone!