Vertigo 101

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Tsongas Center
Lowell, MA

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Vertigo! I'm Kris Cruise. Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger. Stephy, we've got another solid night of action in store for the fans.

Stephy Auger: That's right. We've got two tag team matches near the top of the show and in the main event, the Legacy Championship will be on the line!

Kris Cruise: In our opening contest, former World Tag Team Champions, Ashes to Ashes, look to start their path back to the titles when they take on the Illuminati PROJEKT!

Stephy Auger: Both teams desperately want to be where Silk & Cyanide are, and that's at the top of the mountain. But only one team has had long-term success, so I'm going with the former champs.

Kris Cruise: In the other tag team match you mentioned, the new team of Sparrow & TJ Techniques will go up against the SMWB!

Stephy Auger: You're looking at team that, to my knowledge, have never tagged together versus a team that's been a unit for the last 10 years. For me, it's petty easy to tell which team has the advantage there.

Kris Cruise: Then in our main event, the new Legacy Champion, Mara Jade Miller, looks to defend their gold against Piper Lennon!

Stephy Auger: If this was the old Piper, I would give her a puncher's chance. But let's be honest with ourselves here, Cruise. The Kaiju of Seattle has been on another level since they're arrival last year. The only blemish on their record is that they didn't win the Gold Rush Rumble. Other than that, they remain undefeated. They'll walk into the ring as the champion. I think they'll walk out the same way they walked in.

Kris Cruise: We've got a ton of ac- wait just a minute.

Stephy Auger: What?

Cruise's attention gets turned to the commotion coming from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Wait just a minute!

Stephy Auger: What, Cruise?

We can see more and more fans getting out of their seats to look over at the entrance. Some fans point at ramp. Others turn to each other in disbelief.

Kris Cruise: Look! Look at the top of the ramp!

Stephy Auger: Wait... what!?

Kris Cruise: IT'S HIM!?

Stephy Auger: WHAT!? HOW!?

[FGA Office]

Out through the curtain walks Chandler Scott to the shock and awe of the crowd. The FGA Hall of Famer is showered with a cascade of cheers.

Kris Cruise: IT'S CHANDLER SCOTT!

Stephy Auger: AH!

A somber Chandler remains on the stage. He begins to take in the reaction while slowly scans the crowd from right to left. The production truck cuts to a pocket of fans giving him a standing ovation. Another camera cut shows a pocket of fans standing up and bowing. We see fans with their hands on their heads, hands on their cheeks or their hands over their moths; all in a collective shock. The cameras cut back to Chandler as he takes in all the positivity. He places his hand over his heart before gesturing to the crowd with a nod.

Kris Cruise: We haven't seen Chandler Scott in ages, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: I thought John Carmichael finished him off for good.

Kris Cruise: So did I. But Chandler is here, in the flesh! He's alive.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, BARELY!

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy...

"CHANDLER" chants ring out from all sides of the crowd while Chandler walks down the ramp. Once he gets to the end of the aisle, he makes his way over to the steps before walking up to the apron and entering through the ropes. The man can't help but shake his head over the applause. Chandler gestures to the crowd with a wave before walking over towards one of the corners. From there, he gets handed a mic from ring announcer J.A. Aldridge. He goes to lift the mic up to his mouth, but he's quickly drowned out by "CHANDLER! CHANDLER! CHANDLER!" chants. The former champion eeks out the slightest smile.

Chandler Scott: Wow, man. Just... wow.

Fans that were seated get back on their feet to shower him with more applause. Visibly moved by the cheers, Chandler lowers his head before quickly wiping his eye.

Chandler Scott: I uh...

Upon hearing another round of applause, Chandler puts his hand up.

Chandler Scott: Thank you. I really mean that. Thank you. I never said it enough throughout my career, so let me say it again. Thank you.

The crowd cheers before responding in return with "THANK YOU, CHANDLER!" chants.

Chandler Scott: But in all honesty, I don't deserve that reaction. Applause like that should be reserved for the woman that's holding the World Championship.

Right on cue, the Lowell crowd chants Lowri Moss' name at the tops of their lungs. After a few seconds pass, the fans eventually die down and let Chandler continue.

Chandler Scott: So listen, guys. Um... it's been a while since I've stepped inside a wrestling ring. I won't lie to you. For a ring that I used to excel in, I feel extremely awkward right now.

Chandler nervously rubs the back of his neck.

Chandler Scott: This is the first time you guys have seen or heard from me in quite some time. And that time away was not by choice. That decision was taken out of my hands by multiple doctors and multiple officials, both here and elsewhere. So because of that, I've been more or less dreading having to come out here and say this to you all. But...

Chandler purses his lips before looking down in defeat. This capacity crowd, that was just on the top of the world moments ago, now feel like they've just been punched in the stomach. A sense of worry starts to overcome the crowd.

Chandler Scott: I figured this time, instead of reading about it in a Tweet or seeing it on some website, you'd hear it straight from the source. See, when it comes to my health and my status as a professional wrestler, I've got some good news... and I've got some bad news.

Those last five words haven't helped to relieve that sense of worry. They only increased it. Some sighs, gasps and boos can be heard from a couple pockets of the crowd.

Chandler Scott: Before I get to that, I want to tell you guys a story because it all leads to this very moment in time. I want to take you back to the top of 2019. That reaction that you gave me when I walked out from the back? I wasn't exactly getting those same cheers at the top of 2019. In fact, I was getting the polar opposite. And to be honest? It was well deserved.

He shrugs his shoulders.

Chandler Scott: When I reignited that war with that man, I undid all the trust you people put in me. I undid all the work I had done on myself personally. I lost my way. I lost the respect of my peers. I lost the respect from you guys. I lost my mind. Because of my actions, I pushed away the two people in this world that I loved the most. The only things I had left to my name were my title and my career. And well, those were lost, too...

Chandler starts to rub his chin as he circles the ring.

Chandler Scott: At the end of 2019: A New Odyssey, I was left outside that ring a bloodied, beaten, brutalized, mangled mess of a man. I had both of my arms broken, part of my ear bitten off, 90% of my orbital floor blown out, a broken jaw and a Grade III concussion.

Chandler stops and rests his arm on the top rope. He lets out a deep sigh before running his hand over his head.

Chandler Scott: The two years that I was away was one of the lowest points of my life. I was alone. I was broken. Physically, mentally. I had the one thing - the one thing - that I was ever good at in this life taken from me. A lot of thoughts were going through my head at the time. Thoughts that, well, I didn't think would ever cross my mind. I honestly felt like giving up, in more ways than one. But I fought for this.

He points down at the mat.

Chandler Scott: I fought like hell just to get back one more chance at this. And it took a long, long time for me to get to where I was two years ago. That process was brutal and grueling and tiresome. But I wanted to give you guys the chance to see me just one more time. It didn't matter if I won or lost. It was the fact that I would be able to bow out of this sport on my own. So I offered my retirement match to the same person that offered me their retirement match back in 2017. And if you guys remember FGA Past vs Present, that match turned into a sh*tshow.

The fans respond with a massive amount of boos. It's safe to say that they definitely remember how that match turned out.

Chandler Scott: It wasn't so much the fact that I lost. It didn't even really matter who I lost to. It was how I lost.

More boos from the crowd.

Chandler Scott: I didn't want that stain on my last match. I didn't want my last match to be ruined by that garbage. So I made the decision to come back, full time, about two months later. Did I get the results that I wanted? I didn't. But you know what? I kept getting back up. I had a hell of a showing in the Gold Rush Rumble by lasting more than an hour. After that Rumble match, I felt like things were looking up for the first time in a long time. That is... until I crossed paths with an old acquaintance by the name of John Carmichael.

The mere mention of Carmichael's name results in near deafening boos from the crowd. Lowell's finest follow up with a "FUCK YOU, JOHN!" chant for good measure.

Chandler Scott: Which brings us to the last time you guys saw me in a wrestling ring. You know... I've lost big matches before. I've tapped out. I've lost on pay per view. I've lost championships. But in all of my years, I don't think I have ever experienced what happened on the second night of All-Star Showdown X. I won't lie to you. I'll be completely honest. He kicked my ass.

Chandler throws his arms in the air.

Chandler Scott: He did. And when I say he kicked my ass, guys, I mean that man ran right through me. Right through me. He made me look like an amateur out there. Now me losing on one of the biggest shows of the year? Yeah, that sucked. Losing in the fashion that I did? Yeah, it hurt the 'ol ego. But I could take that. I could come back from that. But it's what happened afterwards that I couldn't come back from... to this day.

Once again, that sense of dread has crept over the fans.

Chandler Scott: See, John, you weren't just satisfied with beating me. You took out a chain and you whipped me with it. Then you took that chain, wrapped it around your fist and you punched me over and over. Then, you took that chain, wrapped it around my neck and you dragged me all the way up to the stop of that stage. THEN... then... you threw me off that stage with reckless abandon. I wouldn't say you threw me off without a care in the word because you knew exactly what you were doing. You weren't content with beating me. You weren't content with proving that you were the better man. You wouldn't stop until you removed me from this company, permanently.

Another loud downpour of boos for the artist formerly known as John Carmichael. Chandler just stared down. He clinches his jaw after recalling the events of that night.

Chandler Scott: Due to the injuries that I suffered in that fall, I was never seen in an FGA ring again... until tonight. Which brings me to the good news and the bad news that I mentioned earlier.

The crowd murmurs after that statement.

Chandler Scott: The good news, guys, is that, well.... it could've been a lot worse. I'm lucky to not be in a wheel chair right now. I'm lucky to be able to walk around without assistance. When you've dealt with the barrage of injuries and setbacks I've had over the years, you've got to cherish whatever victories you can. So I'm extremely grateful that it wasn't worse than it is.

Chandler's eyes widen as he takes in a deep breath. He exhales while the crowd waits with bated breath.

Chandler Scott: However...

The fans in Lowell are on pins and needles. The moment Chandler looks out to them, his nostrils flare. His lip starts to quiver before he lowers his head. Gasps and groans come from various pockets of the crowd.

Chandler Scott: The um....

Chandler looks out to the crowd again. As soon as they see his eyes water, the fans respond with sighs and boos.

Chandler Scott: I'm gonna have to...

Chandler tries to fight through his emotions and get to the bad news, but he's quickly drowned out by the fans pleading "NO!" over and over. A defeated Chandler lowers his head.

Chandler Scott: The bad news................ is for John Carmichael...

There's a collective gasp...

Chandler Scott: ... because simply put, I'm back.

A defiant Chandler lifts his head back up and stares dead into the camera. The declaration is met with a huge pop.

Chandler Scott: I'm back. And I've got a half dozen qualified doctors that, after multiple tests, have told me that I'm good to go.

More cheers are heard from the crowd. Chandler starts to circle to pace back and forth.

Chandler Scott: Now you might think that those doctors did nothing but sign my death warrant. But you would be wrong again. Because they did sign my death warrant, John.

Chandler stops, turns and points right at the camera.

Chandler Scott: They signed yours.

"CHANDLER" chants break out from all pockets fo the crowd.

Chandler Scott: For the better part of the last decade, men far better than you have been trying to put me in the dirt. Despite your best efforts, you weren't man enough to get the job done, either. You strutted around here, with your chest puffed out, acting like you were the man. But you're not Him. Never have been. Never will be. And that's your real issue.

The crowd continues to applaud.

Chandler Scott: I have worked my ass off for a damn long time to get back here, to this very moment, to be able to come back to the sport that I love. I'm not taking this for granted. Not at all. I've done the World Title thing. I've done the Hall of Fame and the records. I'm the one that set the standard. Now it's about something more, like getting in there and standing across the ring with some people I've never shared a ring with before. I want to see if I can hang with the speed and the agility of the likes of TJ Techniques and Antoinette Sands. I want to know if I can outlast the striking and technical abilities of a guy like Sparrow. I want to see if I can be the one to topple the giant that is Mara Jade Miller.

Each of those possibilities are met with a roar of cheers from the hot crowd.

Chandler Scott: At the same time, I want to venture outside this company. I want to see if can keep up with one of the hottest young stars in this business in Sid St. Hughes. I want to grab myself a partner and see if we could match the skills against one of the best damn tag teams period in Stronghold. I want to see if I can overcome the raw power of someone like a Brianna Leigh Clark. Hell, I want to test my mettle against the woman that many have called the best in the world, Emery Layton.

Each of those matches gets another round of cheers from the crowd. That last match possibility gets the loudest reaction of them all.

Chandler Scott: There's a lot of people out there that I want to test myself against. But I can't do any of those things... until I finish the business at hand. John... 17 months. 17 months is what you took from me. And if I'm being perfectly honest, I'm very fortunate, because you were this close to taking much more than that. But let me make myself very clear. Those 17 months will be the last thing you ever take from me, you son of a bitch.

Chandler spits down at the mat.

Chandler Scott: At Grapple Kingdom V, karma... comes for John Carmichael.

With that, Chandler chucks the mic over his shoulder. A defiant Chandler spreads his arms out and poses while soaking in the applause. He looks around and nods along with the cheers before making a beeline to the corner. Chandler makes his way up to the second rope before pointing to the camera and mouthing, "LET'S FUCKING GO!"

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
Ashes to Ashes vs. Illuminati PROJEKT

AMC immediately gets the advantage on Gwen by catching her off guard with a barrage of forearm strikes. After sending the challenger for the ride, AMC catches her off the rebound with a pair of arm drags. AMC keeps the advantage with a pair of japanese arm drags. She then tries for a wheelbarrow arm drag, but Gwen counters with a wheelbarrow facebuster for a two count!

Gwen brings the action into the corner before lighting up AMC’s chest with chops. She sets up for an irish whip, but she’s quickly reversed. AMC runs across the ring to attack, but Gwen counters with a back elbow to the face. The moment Gwen hoists herself up onto the middle ropes to attack, AMC leaps up and whacks her with The Chase-Tizer (Hard smack across the face) before bringing her down with the Gucci Drop (Backpack Stunner)! She goes for the cover.

ONE!... TWO!... KICKOUT!

Gwen drags AMC over into the Illuminati PROEKT corner and tags Monty in. Once Monty gets in, the Margolis’ bring AMC down with a double suplex for a two count. Gwen gets tagged back in. They then send AMC for the ride before bringing her down off the rebound with a double back body drop for a two count. Tag back out to Monty. Illuminati PROJEKT remains in control as they bring AMC back down with the CONFYRMATION (Low superkick (Gwen) / running knee smash (Monty)) for another two count. Gwen gets tagged back in. After AMC gets whipped into the corner, Monty runs over to attack. AMC’s able to knock him back with a boot to the face before doing the same to Gwen. She then quickly hops out to the apron through the ropes, scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and knocks both Monty and Gwen down with It's A Bird, It's A Plane, It's A Chase (High crossbody block)!

ONE!... TWO!... DOUBLE KICKOUT!

AMC rushes over and tags Ashley Sands in. After AMC grabs Monty and tosses him through the ropes to the floor, Sands brings Gwen down with a swinging neckbreaker before following up with the Wind Whisper (Rolling Senton) for a two count. A russian leg sweep gets another two count. After Gwen gets brought down with a one-handed bulldog, Sands heads into the corner, scales to the top, flips back and connects with a moonsault!

NO!

Gwen gets the knees up!

With Sands curled up on the mat, Gwen is able to claw across the ring and tag out to Monty!

Monty comes in like a house of fire, hitting a charging AMC with a back body drop before taking care of her with a pair of dropkicks. Sands gets brought down with a flapjack for a two count. A Butterfly Suplex gets another two count. Sands tries to fight back by reversing an irish whip. When Monty returns off the rebound, she goes for a back body drop. But Monty slips down from behind, spins her around and sends her flipping down to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri for another two count.

Gwen gets tagged back in. After Sands gets brought down with a Cravat Suplex, the Illuminati PROJECKT takes care of AMC with the EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (Reverse STO (Gwen) / jumping enzuigiri (Monty))! Sands then finds herself on the receiving end up TRUTH IS OUT THERE (Uppercut to the back of the head (Monty) followed by swinging neckbreaker (Gwen)) before she gets brought back down with AREA 51 (Wheelbarrow (Monty) into a codebreaker (Gwen)) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Ashes to Ashes X || Area 51 (6:01) || Illuminati PROJEKT O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Backstage, Amanda Johnson is standing by with Max Powers and Landon Knight, the Super Mario Wrestling Bros.

Amanda Johnson: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me at this time are Max Powers and Landon Knight, the SMWB. Max, things got pretty heated between you and TJ in the buildup to tonight's match. What was that all about?

Max smirks.

Max Powers: Well let me tell you something dude. TJ and Sparrow? They're two talented dudes, man. I could never take that away from them. But they're two talented dudes... as singles wrestlers. This right here, with Landon and I? This is a tag team. This is a well-oiled machine.

Landon Knight: A well-oiled, Red 'n' Green Machine.

Max Powers: That's right! Look, man. You can't just take, like, two singles wrestlers, throw em in a bowl, add water, stir it up and bam, you got a tag team. That's not how this works, bucko! Yet TJ is acting like this win is some kind of forgone conclusion. Well if you ask me, someone should give that guy a manual because he clearly has no idea what he's doing. This takes time. Hard work. Dedication. I mean, do you guys even have tandem moves? Do you guys even have entrance music? How about a team name? Matching tights? Anything? Anything at all? Look man, the potential for those two as a team, it's off the charts. But right now, you're looking at two dudes that have done the work and have won tag titles here and elsewhere, worlds over.

Landon Knight: And when we say worlds over, we mean WORLDS over!

Max Powers: Tonight is a gut check for the both of you. Let's see if you can past the test. Tell em, Landon!

Max slaps Landon on the chest. Landon winces and rubs his chest before picking up where Max left off.

Landon Knight: I mean, Max pretty much said everything I wanted to say. Look, the two of us have never won a singles title... like, ever. If you put one of us against one of them, they should beat us nine times out of 10. It's just what it as. As singles wrestlers, they've got it. But this is tag team wrestling we're talking about here. When it comes to the SMWB, the sum is greater than the parts. That's not the case with them. Tonight, Amanda, they're gonna find out the hard way that there's a gap between them in the SMWB. Tonight, me and this man right here, are gonna 1-Up the competition once again.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Savannah Taylor vs. Patrick Jones

Jones controls the match early out of the lock up with a pair of arm drags before locking in an overhook on the arm. Taylor tries to get him off of her with a scoop slam, but Jones hangs onto the arm. After battling back to her feet, the Las Vegas Siren uses her free arm to move Jones into the ropes to force a rope break. The moment Jones lets go, Taylor blasts him with a sucker punch! A series of stomps follow, which send Jones slumping down against the ropes. Taylor then applies a foot choke before taking off into the fair ropes. The Las Vegas Siren returns off the rebound before knocking Jones through the ropes to the floor with a hesitation dropkick! Taylor heads to the outside and brings Jones back down with a neckbreaker before rolling him back inside for a two count.

Taylor continues to target the neck with pointed elbow strikes after a knee to the midsection doubles Jones over. Jones is then brought down with the Emerald Weapon (Corkscrew neckbreaker) for another two count. The Las Vegas Siren clamps on a neck crank, but Jones is able to fight through it and battle back to his feet. Three elbows to the midsection follow before Jones takes off into the ropes. Before Jones can attack, Taylor cuts his comeback short with a sling blade for a two count.

Taylor brings the action into the corner before lighting Jones up with shoot kicks to the chest. After he gets whipped into the far corner, Taylor runs across the ring, hurls herself at Jones and tries for a corner back elbow. But she catches nothing but the turnbuckles as Jones slips out of the way in time! Jones starts to mount his comeback, catching Taylor as she stumbles out of the corner with a belly to belly suplex for a two count. Jones goes for a belly to back, but Taylor rolls over his shoulder before landing on her feet. Before she can follow up with an attack, Jones cuts her off with a back kick to the midsection before bringing her down with a gutwrench suplex for a two count. A Northern Lights Suplex gets a two count. Jones then delivers a Fisherman Suplex for another two count. After a pair of running forearm strikes send Taylor to the mat, Jones brings her back down with a scoop slam. He starts to scale the turnbuckles with hopes of hitting the diving elbow drop, but Taylor runs up to the middle ropes and rakes the eyes. She then tries for a superplex, but Jones blocks. After punches to the midsection break the hold, he knocks Taylor down with a forearm strike. As soon as Jones stands up on the top turnbuckle, Taylor leaps up and yanks down on the top rope. Jones remains crotched on the top turnbuckle before slowing leaning forward and flipping down to the mat. Taylor pulls Jones back to his feet and delivers a shoot kick to the chest, followed by a spinning backfist, followed by a roundhouse kick, followed by another spinning backfist, followed by a superkick that drops Jones to his knees. From there, Taylor flattens him with the Dancing Mad (Double wrist-lock knee strike to a kneeling opponent) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Savannah Taylor O || Dancing Mad (6:55) || Patrick Jones X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We return to the arena where J.A. Aldridge is standing in the centre of the ring, ready to to introduce the next match

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall…

Before he can continue, however, he is interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Ray Manzarek’s intro to When the Music’s Over building towards The Lizard King himself gracing us with his words

Yeah, c'mon

Stephy Auger: I don’t think you’ll be introducing anybody anytime soon, J.A.

Kris Cruise: But what possible reason is there for John Carmichael to be coming out here now, interrupting somebody else’s match?

Stephy Auger: Oh Kris, you know he has a point…

The intro continues to build and build, going far beyond the point where you’d expect somebody to actually step out from behind the curtain and getting towards the point where it feels like the intro is being stretched out for the purpose of giving J.A. Aldridge plenty of time to get the hell out of the ring and take a seat at ringside, and with J.A. taking the hint and bailing the song kicks into gear at the exact right time

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

At just the moment where Jim Morrison causes all hell to break loose John Carmichael walks out at the top of the ramp with a microphone in hand, and instead of pausing to look out at the crowd he wastes no time and is already walking towards the ring at pace, not letting up until he reaches ringside and quickly scales the ring steps and steps through the ropes into the ring, and once he’s in the ring he unbuttons the top button of the white dress shirt he’s wearing under his black leather jacket and immediately begins to speak, even though the production truck haven’t cut his music yet

John Carmichael: Before I say anything else, I have a simple question: is this microphone on?

Carmichael stands in the ring, holding his arms out to his sides as he is waiting for an answer – yet he isn’t getting one

John Carmichael: I’ll ask you again: is this microphone on?

A confused murmuring fills the arena as the crowd don’t seem to be sure quite what’s happening, but amidst this confused murmuring there’s just enough voices saying that, yes, the microphone is on

John Carmichael: Okay, good, because I hate to think that I’ve been wasting my time for the past couple of years by thinking that I was using this company’s sound equipment on the basis that it worked, only to find out that nobody past the first row had a hope in hell of hearing a word that I was saying and that I was making a complete klutz of myself. So with this knowledge in mind, knowing that the audio equipment I was being passed as I made my way through the curtain is in perfect working order, this leads me to my actual question: is each and every one of you deaf?

Whereas before there was confused murmuring, now there’s a ripple of boos filtering through the crowd as those in attendance in the Tsongas Center figure out for themselves that they’re being insulted, and all it took for them to figure this out was somebody to bluntly say to them that they are being insulted

John Carmichael: Good, good, now you’re starting to catch up. I was wondering how long it’d take, but good for you that you’re just skirting on the national average…

If there was a ripple of boos filtering through the crowd before, now there’s a full-on tsunami of jeers rushing towards the ring from the cheap seats all the way through those with tickets at ringside. Not that Carmichael cares

John Carmichael: Are you done? Because in case you hadn’t figured it out, the longer you try and stall me the longer every single person backstage has to wait before they get to come through the curtain, so the longer you interrupt me the longer I stay out here

As the crowd continue to boo, Carmichael simply tilts his head back to make it abundantly clear he’s just done with crowds who loudly bellow something which might be considered a word in his direction, and without waiting for a let-up in their booing he simply starts talking without raising his voice, knowing that if the crowd want to hear what he’s saying they’d have to shut up

John Carmichael: Let me jog your memory. Not a half hour ago, the second you heard an all-too-familiar Hammond organ lick, each and every one of you were tripping over each other to be the first to roll out the red carpet while tugging on your forelocks. Well first of all, there’s a damn good reason why you don’t need to do that, and that’s because there’s plenty of people in the office who default to that response every single time so there is no reason for you to join in that behaviour

Kris Cruise: Oh come on.

John Carmichael: …but more than anything else, there is no reason for you to continue deluding yourself that you have seen the second coming in this building tonight, and there is a very simple reason for that: because the last time he showed up, I didn’t just beat the guy, I destroyed him to the point he had to spend two years licking his wounds because I not only showed that I am the better man and always was, but I proved once and for all that this company has long had a sickness and that sickness is believing the myth of Chandler Scott and putting him on a pedestal every single time he wants to show up and stroke his ego. Well there’s no need to do that anymore, not since I ran him out the door so fast they didn’t even have time to open it, proving once and for all that this company does not need Chandler Scott. But you know who this company does need?

A beat

John Carmichael: You’re looking at him

A thunderous cascade of boos flows towards the ring, and yet Carmichael doesn’t seem at all fazed, he just paces back and forth for a moment as he waits for the crowd to tire themselves out and stop wasting his time, until he raises a finger and wags it for a second before firmly pointing it upwards to say, wait, he has something important to say, and this time he waits for silence

Stephy Auger: Tell these idiots to keep it down, Kris. Carmichael’s got something to say!

Satisfied that the crowd are going to keep their yaps shut for a moment, and that commentary won’t be talking over him either, Carmichael’s voice softens a tad as he changes tack

John Carmichael: But let’s stop beating around the bush, because it did not take long for word to reach me in the back about what The Sense of Entitlement of FGA said at the top of this show. I know well enough that once the happy little sealions stopped slapping their flippers together and let him speak, he was stood out here and demanded the one thing that’s been on his mind for two years, and that thing is a match against me. A match he wants so desperately, he walked out at the top of this show and straight up demanded one. So with this in mind, and having thought it over, I have just one thing to say in response to Chandler Scott demanding a match with me

There is an almost visible sense of anticipation in the air inside the Tsongas Center as the crowd wait with baited breath for Carmichael’s response to the challenge, which Carmichael is certainly milking based on how he is slowly passing the microphone from one hand to the other to keep the crowd on tenterhooks until he is good and ready, and when he is good and ready he raises the microphone to his lips and issues his response

John Carmichael: NO.

For a half second the crowd cheers, only for the reality of what Carmichael said to hit them like a ton of bricks and instead the cheer they wanted to let out turns into a full-throated booing as the crowd make their displeasure at having the match they wanted pulled out from under them known

But does Carmichael care?

John Carmichael: Don’t you get it, Chandler? I tore you down until there was nothing left, so not only do I have no reason whatsoever to bother with you ever again, but the fact that you think you can walk in here and make demands proves that every single word, every single syllable, that I said about you was right on the money and you just don’t get it, just like the bellowing gargoyles staring unthinkingly at me right now don’t get that you don’t get to ask something off somebody who holds all the cards when you have nothing to return. So walk out of this arena right now, Chandler, because until you think of something you can offer for me to even offer the pretence of engaging with your self-serving demands, you are not welcome in my company

Kris Cruise: HIS company!?

Stephy Auger: Are you the one that’s deaf, Cruise? Who has worked harder than Carmichael? Who has overcome more than Carmichael? Who has more wins than Carmichael? This man has put this company on his back time and time again, only to get overlooked for the next shiny object. The man said it himself. He destroyed Chandler the last time he had the privilege of stepping into the ring with Carmichael. Chandler is going to have to go back to the drawing board and come up with something good if he thinks he’s getting anything out of The Backbone of FGA!

With his arms folded, Carmichael stands in the ring for a moment, before pantomiming looking at his watch and then looking towards the top of the ramp, and then looks back towards his imaginary watch

John Carmichael: You hear that, everybody? No music! Don’t you get it? Chandler’s not coming back tonight, he said his piece and bailed, because it’s easier to have his ego stroked by a bunch of clueless sycophants than say a single word to my face, all because he’s trying to rebuild the image of Chandler Scott as if I didn’t tear it to shreds and make a bonfire out of the pieces. And that’s why I’m not going to accept his challenge, because you want to know the best way to get my attention in 2023? It’s simple: you have to exist to me, and Chandler Scott does not exist to me

The second those words leave Carmichael’s lips he doesn’t dwell on them, instead he casually tosses the microphone aside into the unexpecting hands of J.A. Aldridge standing at ringside and he immediately turns on his heels and rolls under the bottom rope to the ringside area and, without breaking stride at any point, immediately begins walking up the ramp with the same pace and purpose as he had when he walked down to the ring a few minutes ago

Kris Cruise: As if he didn’t make it perfectly clear, John Carmchael has no intention of stepping into the ring with Chandler Scot ever again. I won’t say it, but some say that Carmichael is scared.

Stephy Auger: Scared!? Are you insane!? He beat the brakes off Chandler the last time they fought! What does Carmichael have to be scared of? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. I hate to break it to all you Chandler sycophants, but Chandler offers nothing of value to Carmichael in 2023. Hell, he offers nothing of value to anyone, period. If the past two years didn’t drill it into his thick skull, this business moved on from him and this company no longer needs him. If he were smart, he’d give a rest, go back home and stay there. If he tries this stunt again, then Carmichael might change his mind and make him a cripple.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
SMWB vs. Sparrow & TJ Techniques

Powers sprints across the ring and catches Techniques off guard with a spinning heel kick as the opening bell sounds! TJ is then yanked off the mat before getting whipped into the corner. Powers runs across the ring before catching him with a flying discus punch in the corner. Powers whips him into the far corner and goes for another flying punch. This time, Techniques catches him in mid air, runs out of the corner and doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop. He then pulls Powers into a font facelock and glides back before planting him with a Moonwalk DDT for a two count!

Techniques brings Powers over into his team’s corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle before tagging in Sparrow. The United States Champion gets in and lights up Powers with corner chest kicks before pulling him out of the corner and whipping him into the far ropes. Sparrow sets up for a back body drop, but Powers counters with a kick to the face that knocks him upright. He then turns and runs back into the ropes. When Powers returns, he slows down and stops when Sparrow runs past him towards the same set of ropes. When the West Indian Whirlwind returns, Powers doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop. Powers holds him in place before Knight circles over and knocks him down with a dropsault. Powers then floats over into a jackknife pin for a two count.

After Knight gets tagged back in, The SMWB deliver an irish whip. They go to catch Sparrow off the rebound with a double back body drop, but Sparrow hurdles over them before continuing to run the ropes. They then turn around and try for another double back body drop. This time, Sparrow lands on his feet before sliding to the outside. When the Red n Green Machine turn around, Techniques knocks them down with a springboard tornillo off the top rope. Techniques runs back over and hits a double rotation tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Knight, sending him staggering across the ring before collapsing across the middle rope. Sparrow then hops onto the apron, runs over and catches him with a font dropkick to the side of the head. Back in the ring, Powers reverses an irish whip and sends Techniques into the corner. He runs over to attack, but Techniques ducks and dumps him over the top rope. After Powers lands safely on the apron, Techniques turns around and stuns him with a rope-assisted gamengiri. He then takes a couple of steps back before running into the corner and going for a triangle shoulder block. TJ whiffs when Powers ducks. After taunting TJ, Powers turns around and does a double take as Sparrow runs over, leaps over the top rope onto his shoulders and brings him down to the floor with a running hurricanrana! The West Indian Whirlwind rolls back in under the bottom rope, runs across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and knocks Knight down with Air Sparrow (Fosbury Flop)! Sparrow and Techniques point to each other before rolling back into the ring. They then run past each other before diving to the outside; Techniques hits a springboard Asai Moonsualt of Knight while Sparrow hits a Suicide Dropkick on Powers! Once Knight gets rolled back in, Sparrow comes off the top turnbuckle with a springboard guillotine leg drop for a two count.

As the match continues, Sparrow tries for a German Suplex into the corner. Knight blocks, catches Sparrow with a back elbow to the face, performs a standing switch and gives Sparrow a taste of his own medicine with a German Suplex into the turnbuckles. He then sits Sparrow backwards on the top turnbuckle before taking another page out of Sparrow’s book with the Izuna Drop (Spider Suplex). Knight sits himself back up on the top turnbuckle, returns to a standing positon, leaps off, and connects with a Frog Splash across the back. He pushes Sparrow over and makes the cover for the ONE… TWO… T-NO! Techniques dives over and breaks up the pin.

As TJ heads back to his team’s corner, Powers rushes from behind, grabs TJ and chucks him over the top rope to the floor. Back in the ring, Knight delivers an inverted atomic drop to Sparrow. After Powers delivers another inverted atomic drop, the SMWB bring him down with a double standing single leg before delivering a wish bone for a two count. Powers gets tagged back in. After Sparrow gets sent for the ride, Knight delivers a drop toe hold, followed by a running Last Chancery from Powers, followed by a low angle dropkick to the face from Knight. The SMWB get another two count. Knight gets tagged in again. He the delivers a backbreaker hold to Sparrow before Powers comes off the second rope and brings him down with a somersault leg drop. ONE! TWO! KICKOUT!

Powers gets another tag. The SMWB try for a double suplex, but Sparrow slips down from behind before bringing them both down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. The West Indian Whirlwind starts to make his crawl towards the ropes while Techniques climbs back up to the apron. Sparrow continues to crawl towards his corner until Knight runs over, jumps off of Sparrow’s back and knocks Techniques back to the floor with a forearm strike. The SMWB then follow up with the Koopa Troopa Drop (Samoan Drop (Landon)/Running Corkscrew Neckbreaker (Max) combination) for another two count. Powers makes the tag out to Knight. Once Knight lifts Sparrow up onto his shoulders, Sparrow tries his hardest to fight him off with punches across the top of the head. But Knight is able to fight through it before the SMWB bring him down with the Dr. Mario Bomb (Powerbomb (Landon)/Diving Backcracker (Max) combination)! ONE! TWO! THRE-NO!

Knight brings Sparrow down with the Butterfly Bob-omb (Sitdown Double Underhook Powerbomb) before calling for the Super Smash Melee. After he brings Sparrow over towards the corner with a rolling fireman’s carry, Powers goes for a 450 Splash off the top, but Sparrow gets his knees up! Knight thinks Powers hit the move, so he springboards to the top to hit the Phoenix Splash. Sparrow counters by hitting a kip up before pushing Knight’s legs out from under him. With Knight crotched on the top, Sparrow climbs up and brings him down with the Izuna Drop. Once Sparrow sits himself back up, Powers runs into the corner and tries to bring Sparrow down with an Izuna Drop of his own. Sparrow rotates in the air, lands on his feet, turns, forward rolls, dives over and tags out to The Funky Technician.

As soon as Techniques gets in, Powers gets over to attack, so TJ drops him with a Shaolin Sidekick (Harlem Sidekick). Another Shaolin Sidekick returns Powers to the mat. Powers then reverses an irish whip. Instead of returning, Techniques hangs onto the top rope. Powers then runs over to attack until Techniques low-bridges the top rope, sending Powers tumbling to the floor. Techniques then slingshots out to the apron before knocking Powers down with a Pendulum Moonsault. He slingshots back into the ring before nearly getting caught by Knight. Techniques sidesteps the charging Knight, pushes him into the rebound and catches him with a rebound snap German Suplex. Knight rolls backwards and returns to his feet before Techniques turns him inside out with Set 'Em Straight (Busaiku Knee Strike) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

SMWB X || Set Em Straight (12:49) || Sparrow & TJ Techniques O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene opens to the familiar setting of Your Hero, and Mine - Mark Storm, looking rather somber as he stands in the backstage area, posted in front of a Vertigo logo'd backdrop. He runs his fingers through his thick locks, licking his dry lips as he notices the camera in the corner of his eye.

Mark Storm: "There's a fire in me that seemed as if it was going out not too long ago, I'll be honest with you. I've had to wake up and remind myself who I am, and why I do what I do... this business, this industry - it molded me into the man I am today. And I'm eternally grateful for that, yet still... do you ever feel like you're cursed? Like no matter what you do, you're destined to fail... when you're at a standstill and you look yourself in the mirror but you don't recognize the reflection that's staring back at you. Behind those cold, vacant eyes - lies a man who used to have the grasp of the world in his very fingertips. Fingertips away from the mountaintop..."

Storm comes to a pause, gasping as he shakes his head sideways whilst n deep reflection as he allows his words to simmer for a moment.

Mark Storm: "I'll be damned if I let my story finish the way it's been going these last few months... loss after loss, downfall after downfall - it's been inescapable, yet I'm still here - standing against whatever odds are stacked against me. I'm still standing and as long as I am, I'll continue to rise, like a phoenix from the ashes! Just because you're lost, doesn't mean it's over... no, no, no... our story, is only just beginning."

His signature smirk plasters over his lip. 

Mark Storm: "A journey back to the mountaintop... tonight, we start that journey and it starts with HENNY. Someone who's been going through the motions, after defeating Owen Gonsalves at Only the Strong Survive - he's someone who's stock has rose exponentially. You did what you had to do to beat Owen, I don't respect it, but it is what it is and you got the win, I can't hate. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna tolerate your bullshit either.

You're talented, you've won championships, you're accomplished - you don't need to be pulling the shit that you've been pulling, but hey - that's all you, whatever man. Tonight, I want you to show me something, show me that you are as good as you say you are... show me that you have what it takes without the bullshit and the pantomime crap, give me a wrestling match that'll be remembered for the rest of time, that's what I want HENNY. Give me, your heart, give me your soul, give me everything you've got and I promise you, we'll etch our names into history with this shit, I promise you that."

Once again, Storm allows a smile to overtake his face, beaming with expression. 

Mark Storm: "From Your Hero, and Mine."

Storm winks at the camera as the scene gradually fades.

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Mark Storm vs. HENNY

HENNY gets an early advantage when he motions for a collar-and-elbow before catching Storm with a kick to the midsection. Several closed-fist punches follow before Storm is whipped into the ropes. HENNY’s able to catch him off the rebound with a spinning heel kick for a two count. A snap suplex gets another two count. After running across the ring and slamming Storm face-first into the top turnbuckle, HENNY catches him with a cornered European Uppercut. HENNY goes to follow up with a one-handed bulldog, but Storm shoves him off into the ropes before bringing him down off the rebound with a hip toss. Storm cartwheels over and follows up with a basement dropkick for a two count.

Storm stays on top of HENNY with a snapmare into a running basement dropkick for another two count. After HENNY gets whipped hard into the turnbuckle, he staggers out of the corner until a lariat turns him inside out. Storm reaches down and follows up with a deadlift gutwrench sitout powerbomb for a two count. Storm continues to control the match, delivering a Butterfly Suplex before smoothly transitioning into a cross armbar. Your Hero and Mine fights for the submission, but HENNY is able to make his way towards the side of the ring before getting a foot on the bottom rope for a rope break. With the hold broken, Storm takes off into the far ropes. He gears up for an attack on the rebound, but HENNY ducks and dumps him over the top rope. After Storm lands safely on the apron, he catches HENNY when he turns around with a shoulder trust through the ropes before hitting a sunset flip. HENNY swings his arms wildly to try and regain his balance. Once he does, he drops down to his knees for the cover.

ONE!
.
HENNY grabs the middle rope with both hands.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The ref stops and sees HENNY’s blatant cheating, so he kicks HENNY’s arm off the ropes, forcing HENNY to fall back for the ONE, TWO, TH-NO! KICKOUT!

Storm sends HENNY for the ride before bringing him down with a flapjack. He then goes to transition into an ankle lock, but HENNY stands up on his hands before he rolls forward, breaking the hold and sending Storm face-first into the turnbuckle. The moment Storm turns around in the corner, HENNY is right there with a step-up enzuigiri before following up with a Snap DDT for a two count.

HENNY remains in control, hitting a snapmare into a dropkick to the back of the head for a two count. A one-handed bulldog into a Lionsault gets another two count. After Storm gets whipped hard into the turnbuckles, he stumbles out of the corner until HENNY lifts him up before bringing him down with a crucifix neckbreaker for another two count. HENNY then ventures out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. The moment he gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, Storm scrambles to his feet, darts into his corner & up the turnbuckles before bringing him down with an Avalanche Falcon Arrow for the ONE, TWO, TH-NO! KICKOUT!

Storm continues comeback, hitting a Sitout Face Slam for a two count. He then whips HENNY into one corner and connects with a yakuza kick before whipping him into the far corner and catching him with a hesitation dropkick. Storm then brings him back towards the center of the ring before planting him with a brainbuster for the ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! KICKOUT!

Storm sizes HENNY up before throwing out a bicycle knee! NO! Henny catches his leg before throwing him down with a dragon screw. Storm sits up and favors the knee until HENNY flattens him with a Sliding Forearm Smash for a two count. Storm finds himself on the receiving end of a Dragon Suplex for another two count. After a scoop slam before Storm to the mat, HENNY heads into the corner and hits a double jump moonsault.

NO!

Storm rolls out of the way.

NO!

HENNY rotates and lands on his feet. He then charges over and turns Storm inside out with If U Seek HENNY (Busaiku Knee Kick) before planting him with the Malmö Driver ‘91 (Double Underhook Brainbuster) for the ONE, TWO, THRE-NO!

HENNY connects on his second attempt at the double jump moonsault before setting up shop in the corner. He lines up Storm for Shot Through the Heart (Superkick) until "Blockbuster Night Part I" blasts over the PA. Out from the back marches Owen Gonsalves. Owen clearly hasn’t forgotten what happened at Only the Strong Survive and still wants a piece of HENNY. The moment Gonsalves makes it to the ringside area, three refs run out from the back and get between him and the ring. While HENNY taunts Gonsalves, he’s quickly wrapped up from behind by Storm with an O’Connor Roll into a bridging prawn hold fo the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Mark Storm O || O’Connor Roll into Bridging Prawn Hold (9:24) || HENNY X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

SINGLES MATCH
Fujiko Mine vs. Mark Bisley

Fujiko and Bisley start things off trading and reversing arm wrenches until Fujiko leaps up and brings him to the mat with a headscissors takedown. Fujiko keeps the hold applied until Bisley escapes via kip up. He quickly tries to wrap Fujiko up in the Minnesota Cloverleaf (Texas cloverleaf with a knee to the opponent's back), but Fujiko’s able to use her leg strength to shove him back towards the ropes. Bisley tries to catch Fujiko as she tries to get back up with basement dropkick to the leg, but Fujiko hurdles over him before hitting the ropes. When she returns, she successfully catches him with a basement dropkick of her own before bringing him down with a basement hurricanrana for a two count!

The Apex Goddess brings the action into the corner before hitting Bisley with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. After a trio of forearm strikes to the jaw, Fujiko delivers an irish whip before following Bisley across the ring. Bisley goes to counter by dumping Fujiko over the top rope, but she lands safely out of the apron before catching him in the back of the head with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Fujiko follows up with a missile dropkick to the back of the head for a two count! Fujiko remains in control, hitting a tilt-a-whirl headscissors that sends Bisley through the ropes to the floor. She then teases a huge dive to the floor before kicking off the top rope, twirling through the air and landing in a superhero pose. Before she can return to a vertical base, Bisley is quick to slip back inside and drops her with a high-speed running dropkick to the knee for a two count.

Bisley remains in control as he works over the leg. First, with the Knee DT (Foot DDT). Then, with multiple elbow drops across the leg. Bisley goes to wrap up Fujiko with the Minnesota Cloverleaf, but Fujiko rolls him up with a modified inside cradle for a two count. Fujiko tries her for a leaping forearm strike, but Bisley counters with the Paul Krause (Bisley sidesteps a leaping opponent and catches them with a shinbreaker before following up with a dragon screw leg whip). With Fujiko down, Bisley scales to the top before crashing down across her with the Sapienza (frog splash to the opponent's legs) for the ONE, TWO, THR-NO! Fujiko gets the shoulder up.

Bisley continues to pour on the offense with the Bisley Special (double underhook suplex floated into front guillotine choke)! When Fujiko doesn't submit, he pulls her back to her feet before bringing her down with Blind Destiny (Canadian backbreaker rack dropped into double knee gutbuster)! Bisley goes to finish Fujiko off with the Fujiko-Killer Combo (two rolling German suplexes followed by a release Dragon suplex), but Fujiko’s able to reverse the Dragon Suplex with a wheelbarrow victory roll for the ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Bisley kicks out. After a rolling solebutt doubles Fujiko over, Bisley looks to finally put the match away with the MOTY (Shiranui), but Fujiko’s able to break free and counter with the Eriana's Vow (Lumbar Check)! The move puts Bisley down, but it hurts Fujiko just as much, if not more. She continues to favor the leg while Bisley recovers and returns to a vertical base. After a rolling solebutt doubles Fujiko over again, Bisley brings her down with Greetings from the Twin Cities (hangman's neckbreaker over the knee) before turning her over into the L'Étoile du Nord (Canadian Maple Leaf)! Bisley fights like hell for the submission. But Fujiko’s able to scratch and claw her way towards the ropes. Bisley then drags Fujiko towards the center of the ring before going for the Corazón de Zorro (lionsault to a face-down opponent's back), but he misses when Fujiko rolls out of the way. Bisley gets up on his knees before Fujiko plants him with a headscissors facebuster for a two count!

Fujiko fights back with forearm strikes until Bisley delivers a kick to the leg before bringing her down with an overhead belly to belly suplex. He then brings Fujiko into the corner before positioning her on the middle ropes. After getting one foot on the top rope, he tries for an Avalanche Shiranui, but Fujiko’s able to fight him off, slips down to the mat and then push Bisley’s legs out from under him. Bisley remains crotched on the top turnbuckle before falling back into the Tree of Woe. Bisley tries to sit up in the corner to untie himself, but Fujiko’s able to head to the outside, scale to the top and knock him down with a double foot stomp for a two count!

Bisley gets brought into the corner before Fujiko brings him down with a Tornado DDT. She follows up with a standing Shooting Star Press for a two count. After Bisley gets sent for the ride, Fujiko knocks him down with the 4-Play (Running Single Leg Dropkick) to face before catching him with Sealed With a Kick (Ground arm pulled roundhouse kick)! She continues to use her good leg to nail Bisley with Yount's 3000th Hit (Double wristlock knee to face) before planting him with the Cadence Breaker (Ruby Cutter DDT for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Fujiko Mine O || Cadence Breaker (9:47) || Mark Bisley X

[FGA Office]

A brief period of time passes before the scene comes to life. The 2023 Frontier Grappling Art Gold Rush Rumble winner, Nina Stokes, is standing outside of the women’s locker room. She is dressed in a cognac colored leather coat, black top, black jeans, and a pair of cognac open-toed boots.

Nina Stokes: I have been told that I should still be enjoying the moment. However, I cannot―

The camera zooms in on her face.

Nina Stokes: Winning the FGA Gold Rush Rumble is a level of success that most wrestlers will never achieve in their life. And I’m aware of the fact that I am supposed to feel elated. But the fact of the matter is, the mission is not yet complete. Winning the rumble? It was merely step number one. I shall not truly be able to bask in my own glory until that world champion is resting securely on my shoulder.

A moment passes.

Nina Stokes: That means the conversation has now turned to you, Ms. Moss.

Another moment passes.

Nina Stokes: You are a fascinating one, Lowri. Your talent? That should speak for itself. You have accomplished outstanding things here in FGA. The championship reigns. The Gold Rush wins. The dream matches. Your incredible run with the world championship. Your heart in the ring? Fujiko is probably the only person here to truly rival that.

An audible pop rings through the air as a result of Nina snapping her fingers.

Nina Stokes: And yet, there’s something about you that I’ve always abhorred. It makes me want to decimate you.

She allows her words to linger in the air. It also looks as if there is something else that she wants to say. However, Nina shakes her head.

Nina Stokes: Thus far, I’ve played the role of being a pesky thorn in your side. And because of that, you likely have not taken me as seriously as you should have. But now? It is high time that I ramp things up a bit.

She nods.

Nina Stokes: Lowri? I issued you a stern warning a little while back. And curious to see if those fateful words happened to fall on deaf ears.

A few seconds tick away.

Nina Stokes: You can call me a lot of things, Lowri. However, being a liar is not one of them.

Another pause follows.

Nina Stokes: This is not going to be like your other challenges, Lowri? Most of the people you have encountered have strictly wanted that FGA World Championship. They didn’t really want to hurt you. But me? I also don’t like you.

A brief moment passes.

Nina Stokes: You know, Salem was one of my best friends on this globe. I truly loved her. But when I went to war with her, I nearly ended her life in the middle of that ring. So that begs an important question, Lowri―what the f**k am I going to do to you? Hmm?

The camera promptly fades out.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
© 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, scheduled for one fall, is your main event of the evening and it is for the FGA Legacy Championship! Introducing first, the challenger! 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 isn’t just looking to win back the title she used to call hers a couple of years ago, but she’s also look to avenge her good friend, Antoinette.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, that’s her good friend, alright. The same good friend that she eliminated in the Gold Rush Rumble.

Kris Cruise: That was an accident and you know it. Piper even apologized!

Stephy Auger: Suuuure, whatever you say. The more I think about it, the more I start to realize that the old Piper is still deep down in there. Maybe she isn’t a lost cause, afterall.

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, a flannel shirt around her waist and wearing the Legacy Championship around their shoulder and under their arm opposite, sort of like a royal sash. The Kaiju of Seattle makes their way through the people, walking at an intense pace befitting the entrance music accompanying them.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Seattle, Washington! Weighing in at 170 pounds! They are the reigning... defending... FGA Legacy Champion... "The Kaiju of Seattle"... MARA JADE MILLER!

Reaching the ring, Mara lifts themselves up onto the apron and steps into the ring, making a b-line for the rope immediately facing hard-cam, standing behind it and holding up the Legacy Championship above their head, staring us down. It belongs to them. They want us to know. Mara wastes 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 to defend.

Kris Cruise: Mara Jade Miller has simply dominated the competition since debuting in FGA last year. If 2022 was any indication then they won’t be losing that Legacy Championship anytime soon. With that being said, Piper Lennon is going to try her damndest to bring that giant to the ground. She’s a fighter, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: She can fight all she wants. The end will remain the same, Cruise. She should just bow out while she still c-HEY!

Kris Cruise: There she goes!

As soon as the bell sounds, Lennon darts across the ring and whacks Miller across the chest with a running double ax handle!

Kris Cruise: Piper’s gone right after Mara Jade!

Lennon quickly doubles Miller over with a cross chop to the throat before taking off into the ropes. When Miller stands back up, they get knocked back with a leg lariat. While Miller is dazed, Lennon takes off into the ropes again. When she returns, the crowd boos when Miller tackles her down with a Lou Thesz Press. They follow up by raining down repeated forearm smashes to the face!

Kris Cruise: Just like that, Mara Jade snatches control of the match.

Stephy Auger: They just pounced right on top of Piper!

Miller grabs Lennon by the throat before yanking Lennon back to her feet. After they muscle Lennon into the corner, they follow up with repeated back elbows to the face. The boos continue as they step back and apply a foot choke.

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

Miller barely breaks the hold in time. They then follow up with a hard forearm smash that plops Lennon down to a seated position in the corner. Another foot choke gets applied. This time, they pull down on the top rope.

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

Kris Cruise: Alright, ref, break it up!

Miller reluctantly breaks the choke. They reach down, grab Lennon by the hair and yank her back to her feet before whipping her hard into the far corner. The turnbuckles clatter when Lennon's back collides with them. Lennon slowly stumbles out of the corner until Miller brings her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! The boos continue as they make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Lennon fires her shoulder up.

Miller quickly yanks Lennon up off the mat by the hair before throwing her down with a scoop slam. They yank Lennon up off the mat before throwing her down with another scoop slam. After a third scoop slam returns Lennon to the mat, Miller takes off into the ropes. When they return, they go for a jumping elbow drop. The crowd cheers when Miller misses after Lennon rolls out of the way.

Kris Cruise: Miller caught nothing but canvas on that one.

Miller gets back to their feet before Lennon quickly latches onto the arm. After winding up on the receiving end of an arm wrench, Miller reaches over to attack. Before they can grab Lennon, the challenger quickly tugs at the arm. Miller drops down to a knee when Lennon tries to yank their arm from out of its socket. Miller gets back to a vertical base before Lennon brings them back down to a knee after another yank of the arm. Lennon slips into an underhook on the arm. When Miller refuses to give up, Lennon keeps control of the arm before hitting the champion with a soccer kick flurry. Lennon then brings Miller down to a seated position with a snapmare before applying another underhook.

The referee asks Miller if they want to give up. When the champion refuses, Lennon wraps her hand around their right fingers before bending them the opposite way. Miller grunts as Lennon continues to manipulate the joints. Lennon follows up with a pointed elbow strike across the top of the head before taking off into the ropes. The crowd cheers as Lennon tries for the Shutter Drag (Penalty Kick), but Miller blocks by wrapping their arms around her leg!

Kris Cruise: Piper tried to end it right there!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but she was just a step too slow.

Miller keeps hold of the leg as they return to a vertical base. Lennon reaches over and hits Miller with an open hand slap, but Miller just eats the strikes before yanking Lennon over into a lariat that flattens her!

Stephy Auger: That lariat knocked her into next week, Cruise.

Lennon curls up on the mat. Miller doesn't let up as she lunges down before nailing Lennon with grounded knee strikes to the back. They then pull Lennon back to her feet before bringing her down with a delayed vertical suplex. The boos continue as Miller makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Lennon gets her shoulder up.

Miller whips Lennon into the corner. The champion runs in to attack, but Lennon knocks them back with a back elbow to the face. Miller shakes off the blow before running back in. This time, they get turned around by a boot to the face. Miller stumbles away from the corner while Lennon hoists herself up onto the middle ropes. Miller turns around before Lennon knocks them down with a second rope flying knee strike! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Miller shoves Lennon off them.

Lennon does a double take before looking at the referee in shock.

Kris Cruise: Not even a kickout, Stephy! They just pushed Piper off of them with ease!

Stephy Auger: It’s going to take a lot more than that to keep Mara Jade down!

Lennon snaps out of it before taking off into the ropes. When she returns, Miller goes to flatten her with a pump kick. Lennon reaches up at the last second, catches their foot and brings them down with a dragon screw leg whip. Miller gets back to their feet, but Lennon is able to scoop up their leg before bringing them back down with another dragon screw. She goes to follow up with a figure four, but Miller uses their free leg to shove Lennon off into the ropes. When Miller sits up, Lennon comes back and flattens them with a jumping double stomp! The cheers continue as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Miller kicks out.

Kris Cruise: OH, I thought she had it! So close!

Lennon grabs Miller, heads into the corner and slams them face-first into the top turnbuckle while the crowd counts along.

"ONE!"

"TWO!"

"THREE!"

"FOUR!"

"FIVE!"

"SIX!"

"SEVEN!"

"EIGHT!"

"NINE!"

"TEN!"

Lennon turns Miller around, delivers an irish whip, follows them across the ring and connects with a leaping corner bionic elbow! After Miller gets whipped into the previous corner, Lennon runs across the ring and goes for another leaping corner bionic elbow. This time, Miller catches her in mid air. The crowd boos as Miller runs across the ring and rams Lennon into the turnbuckles. They then hoist Lennon up, turn, run back across the ring and rams her into the turnbuckles. They then step back towards the center of the ring before charging into the corner. Just as Miller's about to attack, the boos turn to cheers when Lennon ducks and dumps them over the top rope. Miller's able to land on their feet, but Lennon quickly turns around and connects with a gamengiri that sends them to the floor!

The cheers continue as Lennon exits out to the apron before landing on top of Miller with a Cactus Elbow! Lennon gets to her feet and points out at the crowd before lapping the ringside area to slap hands with the fans in the front row.

Stephy Auger: What is she doing!? She’s got the champion down! Stay on top of them!

After lapping the ring, Lennon points over at Miller. While Miller struggles to return to their feet, Lennon waves her arms up and down to get the crowd even more hyped. Once Miller turns around, Lennon charges down ringside before knocking them into the steel steps with a running front dropkick! The cheers continue as she rolls Miller back inside before rolling back in to make the cover.

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

The crowd boos when Miller gets their foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there by the Miller. If they were a couple inches away from the ropes, we might have a new champion.

Lennon picks up Miller and slams them face-first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd gasps when they pick Miller up and sit them backwards on the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What is this?

The crowd continues to murmur as Lennon climbs up to the middle ropes. She then grabs a hold of Miller, goes for a belly to back superplex...



... and gets countered when Miller shifts their weight in mid air, landing on top of Lennon with a lateral press! The boos continue as the ref slides over for the cover.

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

Lennon gets her shoulder up.

​​Kris Cruise: That was a close call for Piper.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, that high-risk move blew up right in here face!

Miller quickly grabs a hold of Lennon's wrist and yanks her up to her feet before turning her inside out with a short-arm lariat. The boos continue as Miller wraps their arms around Lennon's waist before bringing her down with a deadlift German Suplex. Lennon remains in the prone position until Miller marches over, steps over her and chucks her across the ring with another deadlift German Suplex.

Stephy Auger: They’re ragdolling Piper now!

Miller steps on the back of Lennon's neck before waving the crowd on.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Miller pulls Lennon back to her feet, lifts her up and throws her down with authority with a chokeslam.

Stephy Auger: It’s all but over now, Cruise.

The boos continue as Miller sends Lennon for the ride. When Lennon returns, Miller knocks her down with the Space Needle (Swiss Death)!

NO!

Lennon counters the pop-up with a gamengiri!

Kris Cruise: Piper reversed it!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Miller shakes off the blow. They march back over before Lennon catches them with alternating jabs and knife edge chops. She then turns and takes off into the ropes. Lennon returns off the rebound until Miller nearly breaks her in half with a spear!

Kris Cruise: Good God, what a spear!

Stephy Auger: Okay, NOW it’s over…

The boos continue as Miller pulls Lennon up before a hard knee to the midsection doubles her over. The champion takes off into the ropes. When Miller returns, they drop Lennon with The Wargasm (Corkscrew Scissor Kick)! They make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Never Fight A Man With A Perm” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout... aaaaand STILLLLL FGA Legacy Champion, MARA JADE MILLER!

The boos continue as Miller gets their arm raised in victory. Miller then rips her arm away from the official before putting the boots to Lennon.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on! What the heck is this!?

Stephy Auger: Miller isn’t done with Piper yet!

The boos continue as Miller yanks up Lennon before throwing her down hard with an Alabama Slam! Lennon gets tossed over the top rope to the outside. After Miller rolls to the outside, they grab a hold of Lennon before delivering an Alabama Slam across the edge of the apron!

Kris Cruise: They’re trying to break Piper in half! This is uncalled for! There’s no need for this! The match is over! You won! You retained your title! What more do you have to prove here!? Enough’s enough!

Stephy Auger: This isn’t over until Mara Jade says it’s over!

The crowd erupts with boos when Miller gras the protective padding and peels it bak, exposing the concrete floor underneath.

Kris Cruise: Oh no. Oh no, no, no, no, no! No! NO!

Stephy Auger: Hey, you go over there and try and stop them. I won’t!

Miller picks up Lennon and lifts her up for another Alabama Slam. The champion continues to tease the move until we see Antoinette racing down to the ring with a chair in hand.

Kris Cruise: It’s Antoinette!

Stephy Auger: What’s she doing out here!?

Antoinette rounds the corner, takes the folded up chair and jabs Miller in the midsection, forcing them to drop Lennon.

Kris Cruise: There you go, Ant!

Stephy Auger: Of course you would cheer someone hitting Miller with a chair!

Kris Cruise: They attacked Piper repeatedly after the match. Someone had to do something!

Miller remains doubled over as Antoinette tells them to stay back. The former Legacy Champion continues to protect Miller as she stares down the current champion. Miller mutters something to themself as they continue to guard their midsection. After a staredown, they simply back away from Antoinette. With the coast now clear, Antoinette drops the chair before turning her attention to Lennon.

Kris Cruise: Thank goodness for Antoinette. Who knows what Mara Jade would’ve done…

The crowd cheers as Antoinette helps Lennon up to her feet. Lennon gets applause from the crowd once she’s finally back to a vertical base. Just then, Antoinette turns around. The crowd erupts with boos as Miller cradles their Legacy Champion and goes to smash Antoinette in the face with it. Antoientte’s instincts kick in and she rolls underneath it. But this causes Lennon to get turned inside out with a belt shot to the face!

Kris Cruise: NO! NO! NO!

Stephy Auger: AH HA HA!

Antoiennte immediately crawls over and checks on Lennon. Miller can be heard mocking Antoinette while Lennon lays splayed out on the floor.

Stephy Auger: So much for helping her friend, Cruise! She just let Piper get smashed in the face with that chair!

Kris Cruise: She did not!

Stephy Auger: Oh yes she did! If she was a true friend, she’d take one for the team! This was payback for getting eliminated in the Rumble! I see what’s going on here!

Antoinette looks up and narrows her eyes at Miller as they hold the Legacy Championship high above their head.