Vertigo 102 (04.27.23)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center
New York City, NY

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Royal Albert Hall exterior. We then transition inside the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid capacity crowd.

"FGA!!!"

"FGA!!!"

"FGA!!!"

"FGA!!!"

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Vertigo! We are coming to you live from the Manhattan Center here in New York City! I'm Kris Cruise. Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger. Stephy, we've got a huge lineup of matches for tonight involving some of New York’s finest.

Stephy Auger: That’s right. We’ve got Brooklyn’s own Mark Storm going one on one with Logan Alexander! Then, straight out of Queens, The Backbone of FGA, John Carmichael, takes on Patrick Jones!

Kris Cruise: FGA’s tag team division is really heating up as we’ve got not one, not two, but three tag matches on tap. Strike 2 Kill will take on the former champions, Ashes to Ashes. The Illuminati PROJEKT will look to continue their momentum when they go up against the newly formed Def Before Dishonor. In our opener, Empires United will face off against The SMWB!

Stephy Auger: Then in our main event, FGA World Champion Lowri Moss goes one on one with Owen Gonsalves!

Kris Cruise: That one is definitely going to be a Dream Match for sure. Hopefully, HENNY won’t find himself anywhere near that main event. Before we kick things off here tonight, we’ve got another match in store. Straight from the office of Leonard T. Asherman, we are going to have a Breakout Battle Royal at Grapple Kingdom V. We saw a lot of great talent take several steps forward over the past year. However, that unfortunately wasn’t the case with everyone for one reason or another. So, Asherman is giving the ones that didn’t an opportunity to breakout over the next year with this Breakout Battle Royal. The match will consist of Mark Storm, Ashes to Ashes, the Illuminati PROJEKT, Patrick Jones, Mark Bisley, Betsy Gallagher, the SMWB, and Seth Iser! The winner of the Battle Royal can receive a shot at any title of their choosing. The only catch is that this opportunity has to be used by December 31, 2023. Good luck!

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
SMWB vs. Empires United

Julian Tijerina catches Max Powers off guard with a running front dropkick just before the opening bell, knocking him through the ropes to the floor! Knight is quick to attack Tijerina with clubbing strikes before going for an irish whip. Tijerina quickly reverses, sending him over towards Gallagher, who turns him inside out with a huge lariat! After Powers climbs back up onto the apron, Tijerina catches him with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before trying to bring him back inside with a vertical suplex. Powers slips down from behind and tries for a German Suplex, but Tijerina counters with three back elbows to the face. After the third back elbow knocks Powers back, Tijerina runs over and executes a tilt-a-whirl headscissors, which sends him over towards Gallagher before she throws him down with a Pop-up Powerbomb for a two count!

Empires United continue to control the match. Tijerina and Gallagher have Powers and Knight in opposing corners. After they hit the SMWB with multiple European Uppercuts, they go to irish them into each other. But not so fast! The Red n Green Machine reverse, sending Empires United colliding in the center of the ring! Tijerina and Gallagher stumble back before Powers and Knight bring them down with stereo belly to back suplex for a two count.

Knight controls the action after Powers tags out to him. After whipping Gallagher into the far corner, Knight runs across the ring and connects with the Tail Attack (Flying Hip Attack to a cornered or oncoming opponent) before bringing her out of the corner with the Chain Chomp (Arm wrench into a short-arm forearm smash) for a two count. A vertical suplex gets another two count. A gutwrench suplex also gets a count of two. After Powers gets tagged back in, the SMWB start to unleash their tandem offense. Knight then delivers a backbreaker and holds Gallagher in place until Powers knocks her down with a somersault leg drop for a two count. Knight gets tagged back in. After Gallagher gets sent for the ride, Knight brings her down with a drop toe hold. Powers follows up with a running Front Chancery before Knight connects with a low angle dropkick. Once Knight is tagged back in, the SMWB bring Gallagher down with the Mario Clash (Wheelbarrow Lift into a Springboard Somersault Sitout Facebuster)! Knight makes the cover, but Tijerina is there to make the save.

Powers gets tagged back in and sets up for It's-A-Me-DT (Snap DDT), only for Gallagher to counter with a release Northern Lights Suplex. After both grapplers tag out, Knight and Tijerina rush towards the center of the ring. The reigning Pride Champion strikes first, bringing Knight down with a Sling Blade. He then waves Powers back in and catches him with a Sling Blade. Once Knight is back vertical, Tijerina whips him into the corner, hits a Corner Backflip Dropkick, catches him with a by a Step-up Enzuigiri and follows up with La Guillotina (Slingshot Leg Drop to the back of the head of an opponent draped on the second rope)! Tijerina goes for the cover, but Knight is there to break it up. This brings in Lady Gallagher, who crushes Knight with repeated forearms to the face. She then takes off into the far ropes and goes for a lariat on the return. Knight is able to knock her back with a dropsault. Gallagher stumbles back, only to use the momentum to come back and turn Knight inside out with a Rebound Lariat! Across the ring, Tijerina doubles over Powers with a Pelé Kick until Gallagher brings him down with the British End (Pumphandle Lift dropped into a Reverse STO)! From there, Empires United bring Powers down with the Royal Flash (Sitout Double Underhook Powerbomb / Springboard Shining Wizard) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

SMWB X || Royal Flash (6:38) || Empires United O

[FGA Office]

The scene opens up with backstage interview Amanda Johnson standing in front of a Vertigo logo'd backdrop, with a microphone in hand and a smile on her face.

Amanda Johnson: "Ladies and Gentlemen, joining me is Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm."

A roar of cheers and applause can be heard reverberating through the backstage area, stemming from the main arena, as the camera shifts towards Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm. His signature smirk plasters over his lips, as he wraps his white tape around one of his wrists, nodding his head towards Amanda, who opens her lips to continue. 

Amanda Johnson: "Pleasure as always, Mark! We saw you in action last time round against HENNY, where you sneaked an impressive victory after a distraction from Owen Gonsalves gave you the opening for a roll-up. A different opponent awaits for you tonight in Logan Alexander, just wanted to get your thoughts going into this one."

Mark Storm: "As always Amanda, the pleasure is mine. Last time on Vertigo, I called HENNY moments before we stepped into the ring. I told him to give me everything he had, his heart, his soul - and I promised him, I'd give him everything in return. I called him out on his bullshit and called him a cheat and told him that I haven't got the time for any of his pantomime theatrics.

Mark Storm: I am here to wrestle. And I've gotta give it to him, he showed out, but karma, always comes back around. Love and respect to Gonsalves, take care of it, G, I know you've got this."

Mark Storm: "But how I'm feeling tonight, I'm feeling grateful tonight. I'm back where it all started, back in New York City, where my adventure in this crazy world began. "

He pauses, allowing the cheers to simmer down as he recollects his thoughts for a moment. 

Mark Storm: "In the Hammerstein Ballroom, one of the most sacred venues in our sport. I've competed here dozens of times before, in wins and losses and tonight The Quiet One, Logan Alexander, stands across the ring for me. A former FGA Legacy Champion, former two time World Tag Team Champion. A veteran... when it comes down to it, you're one of the most gifted technicians on this roster and you probably don't even get the respect for it, I'll be honest.

At Vertigo 100 in St Louis, Missouri - you beat me fair and square, obliterated me, no less - and that, I took that personally. Missouri, another place I have an affinity to, you wrapped me up, sandwiched me and put me down with The Silencer, in a place I call a second home... and now we meet again, in a place I city that is home... how fitting."

Once again a smirk plasters over the lips of Storm.

Mark Storm: "As grateful as I am there's a lot of wrongs that I have to right and one of them is that loss against you, Logan. Sure, I'm grateful to be back home but let's not beat around the bush Amanda, this past year hasn't been impressive. These last few years, for a matter of fact, I haven't been impressive. I'm sitting on Twitter, being constantly reminded as praise and awards go out to my peers, but me - nothing... I could bullshit you, tell you that I wasn't in the right frame of mind and some other bullshit, but I won't. I haven't been at the races. I haven't been fully here. I haven't been Your Hero, or Mine... last time out, you were the better man, but tonight, that won't be the case."

Mark Storm: "And I know what you're thinking. I've fallen. Fallen once too many times some would say but guess what? I'm still fucking standing. Do you wanna know how long I've been here, Amanda? I started my journey here in FGA back in 2014. I've been here and I've been in the dirt, I've been in the mud, clawing and trying to get my ass somewhere in this place. I've had my highs, had my fifteen minutes of fame and I've had my lows, I've seen countless names walk in and out of this company, and I'm still here, still standing. There's no getting rid of me, you can put me down but I won't be out. I always come back to the surface. Tonight, I come at you with everything I've got."

As Storm finishes his sentence, Gregory Murphy cuts into the frame of the scene.

Gregory Murphy: "Mark, I know that the last time I was out here trying to support you, you didn't want any part of it. You actually said to me that you that you didn't want me around anymore. And I got it, I did, so we took a little break from each other. But what you need to also understand is that you still need me, whether you'd like to admit it or not - the highs of your career have come when I've been by your side. You know that and you can't ignore it, not anymore, Storm. You wanna fight this war of yours alone, but we both know, you can't do it all on your own Mark. A hero, sometimes needs a helping hand..."

Murphy clasps his hands together as Liam Richardson and Miles Watson step into the frame. The duo known as Strike 2 Kill nod their heads towards Storm, who nods back at them.

Gregory Murphy: "Together, we're stronger. Just think about it. The Heroes for Hire here in Frontier Grappling Arts, ready to take this promotion by the neck! You don't have to do it alone anymore, Mark. The Heroes for Hire are at your service. Good luck out there tonight... but of course, I know you won't need it."

Murphy pats Storm on the shoulder as he brushes past him, whispering something into his ear as S2K follow suit and the scene gradually fades.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Backstage in the Hammerstein Ballroom, the camera focuses on a familiar figure standing before a closed locker room door marked for Logan Alexander. Dressed in a black suit, with dark gray dress shirt and black tie visible, Theodore Harris smiles and nods slightly to the camera before him.

Theodore Harris: Back in action once again here tonight, looking to carry out a repeat performance from November of last year. Logan faces off with Mark Storm for another go round here tonight after he tallied a victory against him five months ago. Seems a bit fitting to be having this match again. It doesn't feel like Logan's made any progress in the time between the two occurrences. Only The Strong Survive didn't offer much for us. Antoinette defended her title against a worthy contender in Mara Jade Miller. They certainly proved they had what it takes by beating Antoinette, so I'm pretty sure we aren't going to be seeing that rematch against Antoinette for the Legacy title any time soon.

He frowns in disappointment and shrugs before continuing.

Theodore Harris: TJ Techniques and Sparrow had a non title match with them both holding titles. TJ didn't want to cash in against his friend, instead holding it so that he could cash in later on against Julian Tijerina. That kept the Fifteen title out of play. As for the Pride and United States titles?

He blows out a breath.

Theodore Harris: Well, those were out of Logan's reach. He had his chance against Savannah Taylor to put his name into the mix for the US title, but she got the better of him. Then Sparrow got the better of her. Julian had his own business to take care of against Ace Voltage as well. So, Only The Strong Survive was all about the Gold Rush Rumble for Logan, but like I said going into it, we weren't expecting a win. Logan did have a pretty good showing compared to last year. Almost double the time in the rumble and tallied double the eliminations. He showed no fear in stepping up to anyone in the ring when he was in there, up to and including the Apex Goddess herself. While he did what he could to have Seth Iser's back out there, it did eventually come down to him being on the wrong side of the numbers game.

A pause.

Theodore Harris: And Sparrow got him. Again.

Theodore lowers his head and reaches up to rub the bridge of his nose. He lowers his hand after a few moments and then shakes his head before looking up at the camera again.

Theodore Harris: That's four in a row, not that I'm counting or anything. A battle royale for the #15 spot in 2021's Gold Rush Rumble, the Royal Battle and two Gold Rush Rumbles. Over the last two years Logan hasn't been able to get one up on Sparrow. Just a draw and split decision against him, and even the split decision reflects better on Sparrow than it does on Logan. Sparrow took the first fall, so under normal circumstances that would've been it. And through all of that, Logan has been hit with a lot of Notorious K.I.C.K.s.

He pauses again, with a contemplative look on his face now.

Theodore Harris: It's been a long time since Logan has had such a tough time against a particular opponent. Almost fifteen years ago he first crossed paths against an arrogant little punk by the name of Evan Heir. Logan schooled him in their first encounter, but they had a rematch only a few weeks later in which Evan beat him by submission. They had a rubber match only a few weeks after that, which Logan won. Within the following eight months, the two of them had a further four matches, having an even split between them across the seven matches with the last one being a draw. In the years since though... Logan never picked up another victory over Evan, up to and including the match they had in FGA in the finals of the 2018 Frontier Lions Cup. Just looking at the way that story panned out, it's certainly given us reason to consider that it might be worth considering that if we can't beat Sparrow, maybe we should see about joining him.

He smiles slightly and shakes his head again.

Theodore Harris: And now that all of you have had a few moments to consider that possibility, I don't think any of you need to worry about it actually happening. Sparrow has his own thing going with TJ, so the two of them aren't likely to want us around, and Logan isn't really much of a team player now considering how the last one ended.

Another pause follows, longer than the previous seemingly allowing that statement to sink in.

Theodore Harris: But to bring the topic of Sparrow to a close, I did hear his comments from last Vertigo. Laying out a challenge to Logan for the United States title and letting us dictate the terms. It's such a tempting offer. It's not often the one gets such an opportunity handed to them. However... I'm going to have to give that offer a hard 'No'.

With a look of disappointment, Theodore shakes his head.

Theodore Harris: We haven't earned the right to accept that kind of title match. Logan has scored some victories over other US title contenders, but they weren't able to become the champion, so it doesn't really do anything to enhance our standing. If FGA management decides that they want this match to happen though, we won't turn it down, but it's their call to make, not ours. Besides, with Logan's track record against Sparrow, who wants to burn their influence on getting a match that doesn't lean in their favour?

At this point, the door behind Theodore opens and Logan Alexander steps out to join him. The pair glance towards one another and nods are exchanged, as Logan stands behind Theodore, just off to his right, quietly regarding the camera before them.

Theodore Harris: For now, instead of considering future possibilities the focus has to be on what's right before us... and that's Mark Storm. I'm sure that Mark has been trying to make improvements since he last crossed paths with Logan, but Logan has been doing the same. He's looking to see if they bear any fruit here tonight. So Your Hero and Mine...

Theodore pauses long enough to scoff at that.

Theodore Harris: ...you had better be ready for another tough challenge out there in the ring, cause the Quiet One is looking to resume his climb to the next level of competition and win back some of the ground he's lost in FGA recently but that can only begin with you being silenced in the ring once more Mark. You'll have your chance to try and stop him from doing so though, for whatever good that'll do you.

Theodore smiles.

Theodore Harris: We'll see you soon.

With a glance over his shoulder, Theodore turns and steps out of the shot with Logan following behind.

[FGA Office]

Mark Storm vs. Logan Alexander

The veterans spend the initial moments of the match trading holds and reversals until Alexander brings Storm to the mat with a rear waistlock takedown. After Storm pushes himself up on all fours, Alexander shifts his positioning across his back and goes to apply a front facelock. Storm, however, is able to grab onto Alexander’s arm, spin out of the hold and reverse into a grounded hammerlock. After Alexander battles back to the vertical base, he’s able to bring Storm down with a jumping snapmare. Storm quickly returns to a vertical base and rushes in to attack, but he’s quickly brought down with a drop toe hold. Alexander is quick to apply an Ankle Lock. The Quiet One fights for the submission as he cranks away at the ankle, but Storm is able to get back to his feet and roll forward. The moments sends Alexander head-first into the turnbuckle. He then starts to stumble back until Storm brings him down from behind with a Sitout Face Slam for a two count.

Storm continues to attack the head, catching Alexander off the rebound with a calf kick. He then delivers a hip toss before cartwheeling over and flattening Alexander with a basement dropkick. Storm sends Alexander for the ride before catching him off the rebound with a flapjack into an Ankle Lock. Alexander tries to return the favor by breaking the submission with a forward roll, but Storm rolls through it and keeps the hold applied. Alexander stands up on his hands before trying to escape with another forward roll. But once again, Storm rolls through it and maintains the hold. He then makes things even harder for Alexander by dropping down and grapevining the leg. Alexander yells out while Storm cranks away on the hold. The crowd is shouting at him to tap. But Alexander won’t give in. After looking out and seeing Theodore Harris slapping the canvas, Alexander starts to drag himself towards the ropes. Harris continues to will him towards the side of the ring as he scratches and claws his way towards the ropes.

After the ref calls for a rope break, Storm lets go before taking off into the far ropes. Storm returns off the rebound for an attack before a back body drop sends him falling hard to the floor! Instead of letting Storm get counted out, Alexander stops the ref’s count and motions for him to tend to Storm. A confused Storm gets up and sees Alexander sitting on the middle rope while holding up the top rope. Storm cautiously makes his way back inside. The two veterans shake hands before the match continues.

From there, Storm and Alexander trade holds until Storm is able to muscle him into the corner. He then hoists Alexander up to a seated position on the top turnbuckle before going for a dropkick. Alexander swats the kick down. He goes to follow up with a Tornado DDT, but he gets pushed off mid-turn. Storm then rushes out of the corner to attack, but he gets brought down with the Full Stop (STO) for a two count. Alexander then doubles him over with an inverted atomic drop before knocking him down with a reverse bulldog for another two count. Storm gets brought down with a snap suplex before getting dragged towards the corner. Alexander then makes his way to the middle ropes and goes for a pointed elbow drop. Storm gets his leg up, but Alexander lands on his feet and catches the foot on the way down. He tries to turn Storm over into the Dying Echo (Sharpshooter version), but Storm uses his leg strength to shove Alexander into the corner. Alexander then rushes out of the corner to attack, but he gets caught with a lariat that turns him inside out. Storm then follows up with a deadlift gutwrench sitout powerbomb for the oNE! TWO! T-NO! KICKOUT!

Storm remains in control, hitting a yakuza kick after an irish whip into one corner. Alexander gets whipped into the far corner before getting caught with a hesitation dropkick. After a hard irish whip sends Alexander back into the previous corner, The Quiet One staggers out until a shotgun dropkick sends him flying back into the turnbuckles.

Alexander struggles to return to a vertical base. Once he’s finally back to his feet, he turns and gets dropped with the Knee to Kill (a bicycle knee that stuns Storm's opponent, forcing them down to a knee. Storm then takes off to the ropes, bouncing off of them and delivers another bicycle knee to the temple)! The cheers continue as Storm pulls Alexander up onto his knees before blasting him with Kill Storm Kill (Double wristlock to a grounded opponent followed by multiple stomps to the opponent's chest, face, and head)! Storm makes the cover and gets the ONE, TWO, THT-NO! Alexander gets the shoulder up in time.

Your Hero and Mine looks to plant Alexander with a brainbuster, but Alexander knees him in the head on the way up. He then falls behind Storm and counters with a Lungblower! Alexander goes for the cover, but he only gets a two count. Storm is then caught with the Dead Air (Implant DDT) for another two count. After Alexander gives him a flapjack of his own, he follows up with Muted (Curb Stomp) for yet another two count. Alexander then goes for a brainbuster of his own, but Storm slips down from behind. Storm goes to follow up with a German Suplex until Alexander blocks with a back elbow to the face, performs a standing switch and follows up with A Long Pause (multiple German Suplexes)! From there, Alexander motions for another German Suplex before spinning Storm towards him and bringing him down with Soundproofed (Cradle Shock) for the ONE, TWO, THREE!

Mark Storm X || Soundproofed (9:37) || Logan Alexander O

[FGA Office]

FGA returns from commercial with Spencer Burke under a spotlight in the center of the ring. The Vertigo theme fades out when the camera zooms in on the roving reporter. Burke begins to speak.

Spencer Burke: On the last episode of Vertigo, we saw the return of one of the greats! Him being inside of an FGA ring was a sight we thought we would never see again. But he's once again here tonight! So ladies and gentlemen, here is the one, the only, Chandler Scott!

With that, the house lights come back on as everyone’s attention turns to the entrance way. Just like last time, there’s no theme music. The sound of music pumping through the speakers is quickly replaced with boisterous cheers and applause once Chandler Scott makes his way through the curtain.

Kris Cruise: Stephy, Chandler Scott shocked us all when he returned on the last show. The man that was part of the main event for the very first Vertigo came back at the top of Vertigo 101 to not only announce his return, but to announce that he was challenging John Carmichael for Grapple Kingdom V.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and it was a challenge that Carmichael dismissed with the wave of of his hand. And why shouldn’t he, really? The last time these two faced off, it was no contest, Kris. The match was never in doubt. So why come back for more? It took him all of this time to finally get healthy again. To me, that’s a huge red flag. The game has clearly passed him by. Yet like the attention whore that he is…

Kris Cruise: Come on, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: … he can’t let go of the spotlight. He wants it. He craves it. He needs it more than he needs air. If he keeps this up, it won’t end well for him. Does he really want to be the next wrestler to ultimately perish inside the squared circle?

After wiping his feet off on the apron, Chandler enters through the ropes. He looks around at the crowd. He points to a section in the front that bow to him before heading over towards Burke. He and Burke shake hands before Burke motions to speak. Burke stops himself and cocks an eyebrow when he hears some pockets of boos mixed in with the cheers. Which is to be expected, given that they are on Carmichael’s home turf. I mean, someone has to like that son of a bitch somewhere, right? Chandler smiles through the boos before pointing to his ear. The boos get louder, but so do the cheers. Chandler responds with a smirk before gesturing to Burke to begin his line of questioning.

Spencer Burke: Last show, Chandler, you made your return and you challenged John Carmichael to a match at Grapple Kingdom V. Unfortunately for you, that challenge was met with a resounding no.

The announcement of Carmichael’s refusal is met with voluminous boos.

Spencer Burke: Your thoughts?

Chandler Scott: I understand that history is written by the victors. But I've got to call a spade a spade. For the past year and a half, John Carmichael's narrative on events has been nothing but a bunch of bullshit.

The crowd cheers when Chandler’s dismisses Carmichael’s version of events. There are some boos that are still audible, though.

Chandler Scott: I didn't know that my career nearly ending in that fall meant that I ran away. I didn't know that me not being medically cleared meant that I ran away in shame. But if you let Carmichael tell it, I was so embarrassed by what happened at All-Star Showdown IX that I've been hiding under my bed for all this time. It's funny, though, Spence. For a guy that's done nothing but brag about how easily he dealt with me, as soon as I pop back up on the seen, he wants nothing to do with me. Interesting.

Carmichael’s refusal to get in the ring with Chandler is once again met with boos.

Chandler Scott: You want to know why that is? It's because he doesn't know if he can do it again. Defeating me in a match? Yeah, I think he feels he can do that again. Even I'm willing to believe that Carmichael is good enough to do that. But I'm talking beating me down into the ground... having his way with me... manhandling me... running me over... rag-dolling me... treating me as if I was some amateur. Can he repeat that performance? No, I don't think that he can and deep down, he knows he can't, either.

There’s some boos to that. Yes, there are some fans that are deluded enough to think that Carmichael could squash him again. But most of the crowd, ones with actual brains between the ears, respond with cheers.

Chandler Scott: That's why he doesn't want to entertain the offer, Spence. He wants his last ever match with yours truly to have been that dominant performance. He wants those last images of the two of us being in a wrestling ring to be him outclassing me in every way imaginable. But I get it, Spence. I do. If I were scared, I wouldn't want to chance it, either.

Chandler smirks. He then continues…

Chandler Scott: So not only does he refuse the match for the reasons I laid out, but he thinks he's done something by denying me this match. He thinks he's gotten one over on me by taking away this chance to redeem myself and defeat him inside the ring. But here's the thing, Spence. Here's the thing. I don't lay awake in bed at night wondering if I'll ever have what it takes to defeat John Carmichael. You want to know why? Because I've done it already.

Part of the Manhattan Center crowd responds with boos. The locals in the crowd don’t like being remind of the fact that Chandler has gotten the better of their by more times not. Most of the crowd, though, responds with cheers and “YES YOU HAVE!” chants.

Chandler Scott: The last time I checked, the score read 4 to 2. Now, I know that you're a product of District 25, so Math isn't exactly your forté.

Just like that, Chandler is met with a tidal wave of boos for the first time in years. Chandler smirks after the crowd didn’t take too kindly to that playful dig.

Chandler Scott: But the last time I checked, 4 was greater than 2. Even if we throw out that Fatal 4-Way, it's still 3-2 in my favor. I've beaten you when the lights were at their brightest on multiple occasions. I've beaten you, on Pay Per View, multiple times. I've beaten you, with the top title on the line, multiple times. That isn't me blowing things out of portion. That isn't me over-exaggerating the facts. That is, simply put…

Chandler stops to stifle his laughter over what he’s about to say.

Chandler Scott: #FactsOnly

Chandler chuckles before winking at the hard camera. That catchphrase pops the knowledgeable FGA fans in the crowd.

Chandler Scott: Now maybe it's confidence...maybe it's arrogance... hell, depending on who you ask, it might just be flat-out delusion, but I believe in my heart of hearts that when the time comes, I can beat you again right here in the middle of this ring.

That belief is met with some boos from the NYC faithful. But it’s mostly met with cheers.

Chandler Scott: So, would I like another match with John Carmichael? Sure. But do I need that match? I don't need it, John. I can catch you in the back halls... in your locker room... even in the parking lot. But why beat you down when the cameras are off... when I can beat that ass in this ring, with the whole world watching, on Pay Per View?

Another 70/30 reaction from the red hot crowd.

Chandler Scott: What do you guys think, huh? Let's ask this totally unbiased crowd what they think. Do you think that I can beat John Carmichael?

There’s some boos. But once again, the cheers stand out more. Chandler looks around and isn’t satisfied by that reaction.

Chandler Scott: That’s it? That’s all you got, New York? We were just in Lowell last show and they were much louder than this. You mean to tell me that Massachusetts have better crowds than New York?

“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Chandler responds with a smirk.

Chandler Scott: I know you can get louder than that, New York. Can I beat John Carmichael or not?

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“FUCK NO!”
“YES! YES!”

“YES! YES! YES! YES YES!”

There were some strong dueling chants. But the pro-Chandler chants ultimately won out. Chandler turns to Burke.

Chandler Scott: They’re hot tonight, aren't they?

Burke nods in agreement. Chandler then motions to the fans.

Chandler Scott: You see that, Spence? They even love me in his own backyard. I know it pains him. You know what else pains him? The fact that me being back is a reminder of his biggest failure. Now, he failed to win The Royal Battle. He failed to take out Izzy Anders. He even failed to win back "his" World Title. But at the end of the day, he always had the one card that he could fall back on. He always had that one card that he could pull out and slam down on the table. He could always stick his chest out and brag that he was the one that finally put down Chandler Scott for good.

With that, Chandler spreads his arms out wide.

Chandler Scott: But he can't even do that, anymore, now can he? No, because he ultimately failed on that promise, too!

Chandler runs his hand over his head.

Chandler Scott: So... you can either do this now, get whatever's coming to you out of the way and go about the rest of your miserable life... or, you can continue to refuse. But just know that by refusing, you're simply delaying the inevitable. You can think you're getting one over on me by denying me this match. You can think that you're above ever facing me again. But things will never be settled until we find ourselves on opposite sides of this ring. And believe me, we will find ourselves across the ring from each other again. It won't be because I jumped up and down and threw a tantrum. It won't be because I politicked for it. It will happen... because you want it to happen. You don't want a match at Grapple Kingdom V? Fine, but here's what's going to happen if we go down that road. You're going to watch helplessly as I excel in FGA, just like you did before. You're going to watch as a climb that ladder and surpass you, just as I did because. You're going to sit there and watch me get the title shots and the main events that you think you deserve, just like you did before. And this is going to keep happening and keep happening and keep happening... until you're foaming at the mouth to come after me, just... like you did... before.

Chandler is met with cheers and applause.

Chandler Scott: You've said a lot of bullshit over the past year and half. But chief among them is this belief that "Chandler Scott doesn't exist to you." It's funny, because if I didn't exist to you, you wouldn't have been ripping off my move this entire time…

Chandler turns to Spencer.

Chandler Scott: ... and doing it badly, might I add.

He turns back to the camera.

Chandler Scott: If I didn't exist to you, you wouldn't be taking every opportunity to run down my name. No, John, I do exist to you. And I'll show you exactly where I'm at…

Chandler smirks as he points to his temple

Chandler Scott: And I'm going to remain there until you do something about it.

With that, Chandler steps back is spreads his arms out to a tidal wave of cheers. There’s some boos and jeers sprinkled in from the consumer’s of Carmichael’s Kool Aid. Chandler ascends to the middle ropes and scans the Hammerstein crowd.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

Amanda Johnson: Hey, wait! Wait...A word! Sparrow, wait...!

Backstage at the Hammerstein, Amanda Johnson is trying to move as fast as her heels will allow. She’s headed down the hall and comes right in contact with the current reigning FGA United Stated champion, Sparrow. He stops short, eyebrows up as he gives Amanda a slight smile. He’s got in place of his usual airbrushed gear or some variation there of, Def Before Dishonor’s brand new gear that combines the motifs of both the West Indian Whirlwind and TJ Techniques. Sparrow is in fact outside of the locker room where the ‘Def Before Dishonor’ sign hangs.

Sparrow: What’s poppin’ Amanda? Ey, this is a special night y’know. We are LIVE AT THE HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM. We got Lowri and Owen killin’ in the main event, a clash of youth in revolt versus aged and wily in Antoinette versus Seth, Fuji clashin’ with HENDO...HENNA? HENNERS?

Amanda Johnson: HENNY you mean?

Sparrow: Yeah that guy! Him! ...Apparently he half-suspects Owen gonna come ruin the ish for him. That’s paranoia for you, Amanda. Can’t let that kinda thing up in your space in this business.

Amanda Johnson: Speaking of Owen, your sister Carolin--

The U.S. champion immediately bugs out at the mere mention of his older sister and ex manager.

Sparrow: WHERE IS SHE?! IS SHE HERE!? TONIGHT?! FUCK--

Amanda Johnson: Sparrow...Sparrow, calm down she’s not...Here. I was just commenting that she and Owen have had a little bit of a back and forth, but I’m sure you’re not that concerned about it.

The West Indian Whirlwind shrugs.

Sparrow: If she wants Owen to clap her in the throat real quick because he has even less patience for her than I do, that’s her business yes. Not me. Anyway, you said you wanted a word with me? Because me and Teej got a match to get ready for tonight. You know Illuminati PROJEKT ain’t no joke. There’s something about throwin’ hands with your ex and her uncle that feels like it’ll bring some chants out, no matter how cool we is. Can you say awkward?

Amanda Johnson: Well I’m sure enough time has passed?

Sparrow: Oh well of course, unless your name is Stephy. One of these days someone gonna chop that throat and--y’know what. Not important right now. The real ish is that Def Before Dishonor is comin’ for the PROJEKT and it’s one more stop on the journey to those Tag Team championships and Silk & Cyanide. We’re bringing it all together, Amanda, yes. U.S. Title. Pride title. Tag titles. Def Before Dishonor will be the gold standard in FGA. Literally.

Amanda Johnson: Actually I wanted to talk to you in regards of the U.S. championship you’ve got in hand. Last Vertigo you effectively left an open contract out for Logan. Any type of match, any event, you were ready to defend against him but we’ve heard from Theodore Harris earlier tonight that his client would rather earn the opportunity to face you rather than just be handed it. If FGA management and the powers that be put the match forward, they don’t mind accepting it but for now, it seems that Logan won’t be facing you...yet. How do you respond?

The White Hat of FGA mouths a ‘yet’ as though it could all be so simple.

Sparrow: A man’s gotta be a man on his decisions and if that’s how Logan gotta play it, I’mma respect it. I might link up with Theodore later, talk that talk and see what’s good but I accept that answer. Honestly Amanda I’m about any and all fights to go on. There was a part of me that wanted to really get as many defenses going as Nina and Owen popped off, y’know. We’re kinda in a slow period as far as professional wrestling goes...A little bit of a lull if you see what I’m sayin’, so I don’t think I may ever get to do the lineage justice in the way they did....So I’ll just have to make my own way, y’know. Now that offer to Logan for him to dictate the terms will be around when it’s time. Until then...Well, I’mma play it cool. Maybe Betsy wanna try her luck in the mean time, since Teej is about to relieve Julian of his championship sooner rather than later. I mean if we gotta go, we gon’ go, you know what I mean?

Amanda Johnson: Thank you for your time and good luck tonight, Sparrow.

The West Indian Whirlwind tilts the brim of his hat in Amanda’s direction before he heads into the locker room.

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
Strike 2 Kill vs. Ashes to Ashes

Liam Richardson overwhelms Ashley Sands with knife edge chops and forearm strikes before a bicycle kick to the face drops her for a two count. He then brings the action into the corner, where he catches Sands with multiple shoot kicks to the chest. After Sands gets whipped into the far corner, Richards runs over to attack, only for Sands to knock him back with a back elbow before coming off the middle rope with a Blockbuster for a two count.

After AMC gets tagged in, Ashes to Ashes catch Richardson off the rebound with a double back body drop. Miles Watson rushes in, only to get dropped with a double dropkick for his troubles. Richardson finds himself on the receiving end of another double dropkick before getting brought down with a double front suplex across the top rope. AMC makes her way to the top before knocking him down off the ropes with a missile dropkick for a two count.

As the match continues, Sands helps AMC deliver an assisted powerbomb before combing off the top rope with a moonsault. AMC makes the cover, but she only gets a two count. Sands gets tagged back in. After an irish whip sends Richardson into the corner, she nearly takes his head off with the Wind Kick (corner big boot). She goes to follow up with a Tornado DDT, but Richardson pushes her off mid-turn. Richardson then runs out of the corner to attack, only for Sands to counter with Into Dust (Codebreaker)! AMC gets tagged in, runs across the apron and comes off the top with a moonsault of her own, but Richard gets the shoulder up in time.

AMC continues to control the action with a Snap DDT. She goes to follow up with the Name Dropper (Pedigree), but Richardson counters with a back body drop. After a forward roll and a dive into the corner, Watson gets tagged in. Watson immediately drops AMC with a discus lariat. He then ducks a running back elbow from Sands before rebounding of the ropes with a handspring elbow. Richardson runs over and gets an alley oop from Watson into a dropkick to Sands, which knocks her out of the ring. Back inside, Strike to Kill bring AMC down with a double hip toss. The duo then deliver a slap to the chest & back before delivering a soccer kick to the chest and back. Once AMC is pulled back to her feet, Richardson connects with an enzuigiri into a Dragon Suplex from Watson for a two count.

Richardson gets tagged back in. After AMC gets whipped hard into the far corner, she staggers away from the turnbuckles before getting hit with a pop-up double roundhouse kick. With AMC rocked, Strike to Kill unleash Early Onset Alzheimer's (multiple superkicks) before Richardson gets a two count. Watson gets tagged back in. Once AMC has been whipped into the far corner, Strike 2 Kill connect with the Strike Zone (Running high kick to the corner from Richardson whilst Watson delivers an enzuigiri from the apron)! After Richardson gets tagged back in, Sands comes back in to fight back. But she gets caught with an Axe Kick and a Discus Forearm Smash before Watson brings her down with an Exploder Suplex. Strike 2 Kill finally finish things off with Destination EXILE (Samoan Driver by Watson and Michinoku Driver by Richardson) on AMC for the three count.

Strike 2 Kill O || Destination EXILE (7:51) || Ashes to Ashes X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

We cut back to ringside for the next match – but the expectation that the next match will take place is tempered by the slight inconvenience of John Carmichael already standing in the ring, or to be more accurate leaning in the ring as he cuts a louche figure with one elbow resting on the top rope with the microphone jauntily held in the other with a Mets jersey under his black leather jacket, but the second he sees the red light flicker into life on the hard camera he immediately grabs the moment by its throat

John Carmichael: New York City, DADDY’S HOME!

In any other market that FGA runs in you would expect a torrent of vitriol to flow towards the ring, but not tonight – no, tonight we are in New York City and the response is far more nuanced, as there are plenty of voices who are going to cheer one of their own no matter what he says or does anywhere else

John Carmichael: First things first, how’s everybody doing tonight? Are you all good?

A heart “YEAH!” emerges from within the crowd

John Carmichael: ‘Course you’re good, we’re in my back yard, not the back yard of any puppet you care to name who only dances because their strings have been manipulated to entertain you. No, in my back yard, if you don’t use your guts or your heart don’t drive you, you better not get out of bed because you try to play that game you’re going to get eaten alive, spat out, and washed down the sewer where you belong

Nodding apparently to himself at that last point, Carmichael continues

John Carmichael: So let’s start with the more immediate topic: Patrick Jones…

There’s a slight ripple of boos from the NYC die-hards at the mention of Jones’ name, which gives Carmichael a momentary pause – a momentary pause, and a definite smirk on the corner of his mouth

John Carmichael: Patrick Jones, tonight you’re stepping into my back yard, which means I have to ask you a simple question: are you driven by your guts or your heart, or are you dumb enough to walk into New York City thinking that you can shut me up? Because if it’s the former, good, you and I won’t have much of a problem as we’re going to have a fun little wrestling match where we go do some fancy chain wrestling to feel each other out, go through our respective arsenals for a while, and we build something from the ground up that people are going to be talking about once the final bell rings and I’ve got my hand raised. So if that’s you plan, good for you, you’re learning – although maybe you need to take a few notes vis-à-vis your ring gear, because that bodybuilding hobo look you’ve got going on? It’s not 1997 anymore, bubbe, so have a little self-respect for yourself

The fans who came to cheer Jones jeer that last comment, although there’s some scattered chuckles at the expense of Carmichael’s opponent for later this evening

John Carmichael: However, if you’re going for the second option and think that you’re going to walk into the heart of NYC to make your name at my expense, then I hate to break it to you Patrick but you and I are going to have a problem. How much of a problem, I hear your inner monologue ask? Well, let me put it this way: would you like me to fly down to Louisville, knock on your parents’ front door, and sock whoever comes to the door whether it be Poppa Jones, Mama Jones, Grammy or Grandpa Jones, or any other member of your family who answers? Because that is what you’re going to be doing if you walk down the ramp with a smug grin on your face as you think that you’re going to show me up in my back yard. Now think of what happens after I’ve popped whoever answered the door in the mouth. Now I’m setting foot in your house, and anyone I see in there? Pop ‘em in the mouth, one by one, until your entire family is on the floor, their mouths bruised and their lips split, and wondering who the hell thought could walk in the door and do something like that while they watch me walk out the door like I was ordering coffee from the café on the corner of my street. And that’s what you’re going to be, Patrick, somebody who thinks they can walk into someplace they aren’t welcome and cause a little havoc before walking off as if you can get away with it, and that is why you and I will have a problem if that’s your attitude. So think it over for a second, will you? Do you want to be a problem, or do you want to live an easy life?

Pausing for a moment as if he is expecting an interruption, Carmichael paces back and forth – but when no interruption comes, he gets right back on topic

John Carmichael: On the subject of easy lives…Chandler Scott

As expected there’s plenty of cheers for the mention of Scott’s name, which causes Carmichael to practically rolls his eyes into the East River – but there’s certainly a fair amount of boos for the mention of Scott’s name too

John Carmichael: After spending so, so log licking his wounds after I ran him out the door like nobody had the beytsim to do at any point in all these years, he comes out of hiding and thinks he can make demands of me. Chandler, Chandler, Chandler, just who do you think you are? Walking into a company that I have been carrying while your ego gets its third massage of the day and thinking you can make demands of me. If you actually bothered paying attention to anything other than your own pathetic wants and needs, all of which can be summed up with the word “attention” and the rest of the dictionary can take the day off, you really should have asked yourself a simple question: When has John Carmichael ever given the entitled children what they want? Oh, you might have got a little bit of luck with that Johnny Karma guy, but if it hadn’t escaped your attention Chandler that guy’s gone, split, outta here so you’re going to have to deal with me, and I made it plain at the last show that just because you can get a bunch of sealions slapping their flippers together for you slapping on a fake smile and running through the same drek for the thousandth time. So if you think you can walk into my house, you’re going to get slapped in the face before you hope you backed up when you see me slam my door shut

A beat

John Carmichael: However, there’s something that never occurred to you, Chandler. You spent so much time and effort talking about what you want, but you never considered what I want. You say that you want a match, and in your mind that is how things must and shall happen: Chandler Scott demands, Chandler Scott gets. Because how else could this company operate without pandering to your every whim? Oh, right, it can operate very easily. But think about this for a moment, Chandler: what I want is for the easily-led audience of this company to finally learn that this company can exist without you, something they already know yet just cannot admit even though the last time I checked you haven’t been here for the last year and nobody even noticed you were gone. Think about that, Chandler. Actually, think about that everybody but Chandler: the evidence is in front of you the whole time, plain to see but you insist on keeping your eyes closed, but the reality is that this company has outgrown you and either you can accept it or you can embarrass yourself by coming back to diminishing returns until people just feel sorry for you. So with that in mind…

Carmichael tilts his head back for a moment, taking in the atmosphere as he considers his next words, and when he lowers his head his face is a picture of seriousness

John Carmichael: Chandler, I’m going to prove to this whole damn company that your time has passed. So either you crawl back under that rock until you’re ready to accept this company will never be The Chandler Scott Show you convinced yourself that it was and duped enough people into going along with it, or you give me the match that I want and I prove once and for all that all you ever were was a parasite leeching off people who wanted to do the work in this company

As soon as Carmichael finishes speaking, the very second the last of his words hits the air, he holds out the mic and lets it drop to the canvas and bails from the ring so fast that it’s hard to tell if he managed to step through the ropes to the apron as quickly as the microphone fell to the canvas, and once he’s on the apron Carmichael drops to the arena floor and straightens his leather jacket when he hits the floor and turns around, backing up the ramp as he plays to the crowd.

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The scene opens up backstage showing the former FGA Legacy Champion, Antoinette walking backstage. Dressed in her green and purple sparkly ring gear covered by her Catch Sports Academy zip up hoodie, she takes a deep breath as she rolls her neck out stretching it getting ready for tonight’s match up.

Tonight Antoinette is set to take on none other than Seth Iser. Probably one of her biggest challenges yet ahead of her, the look of confidence on the former Champions face was notable. Despite having a rough and rocky couple of weeks, the spirits were not broken on Antoinette.

As she walked further down the hall, her eyes perked up as she noticed a familiar figure sitting near the production crates. Her expression shifts, before she heads over to the figure before crossing her arms over her chest and tilts her head.

ANTOINETTE: “What are you doing sitting there?? Don’t you know we have a match tonight!?”

Antoinette says, looking at the man sitting with his back facing her. There was no response from him, which caused irritation. Stomping her foot she raised her arm tapping him on the shoulder.

ANTOINETTE: “Seth?!?!?!”

It seems as if there’s no response, not even a flinch from Seth from his shoulder being tapped but after a couple of seconds his eyes turn open and he makes eye contact with Antoinette with a neutral expression as if he’s studying her. He doesn’t even get off the crates at first.

Seth Iser: You’re too emotional and too impatient, kid. Especially if something like this agitates you.

There is little emotion out of that observation from Seth as he then gets off of the crates and you can see the height difference between the two. We can see that in that meditation, he’s in his own wrestling attire, a black and red variation with the knee brace styling in the flag of Japan. He then just tilts his head slightly while glancing down at his opponent for this evening.

Seth Iser: ...Not to mention too much in a rush.

ANTOINETTE: “Emotional?? I am not!”

Antoinette huffs out before shaking her head, before looking up. She takes this moment to look into his eyes before speaking up loudly.

ANTOINETTE: “Can you blame me for being in a rush? You know just as well as I do that this has been a long time coming. You and I have had this match set in our sights for a while now and I’m not going to let tonight slip by.”

She says, stepping closer to him dropping her arms to her side.

ANTOINETTE: “To you I’m just some kid with a lot to learn…but what you’re going to understand tonight is this “kid” is going to be in the same ring as you and give you a run for your money! And then? You’ll owe me the biggest apologies in the WHOOOOLE universe for doubting that I have what it takes.”

Seth almost has a smirk come across his face as soon as she fires back at him. But he’s keeping his arms relaxed, it’s as if he’s at ease…an air of calm going through him.

Seth Iser: Y’know, I really should keep a counter on how many times someone has told me that over the years…

He offers his own shake of the head as he mulls on that point to himself for just a brief second but he continues on after a slight pause.

Seth Iser: You’re assuming too much as well, kid. Don’t you pontificate on me, been around too long for that. It isn’t that I don’t think that you can have what it takes to do the things you’re aspiring to. It’s not a talent issue. The difference between us? It’s all here.

He points to her head with his left hand rather than his right.

Watching him smirk, her face scrunched up looking almost offended. Pouting out her lip, she shook her head and spoke out.

ANTOINETTE: You may be one of the smartest people I’ve ever watched wrestle….

Antoinette says before looking up at his finger pointing to his head, before shaking her head.

ANTOINETTE: But I’ve been watching you for a while. I am fairly confident in my abilities to outsmart you.

She says with her own smirk, looking back at him.

ANTOINETTE: And who knows old man…maybe you’ll walk away tonight learning something from the fire ant!!

She teases him, poking back at her opponent.

Seth Iser: I already have if you can believe it.

Again, no real emotion, just a calm confidence from the veteran.

Seth Iser: I’ve made a career beating people with more raw talent then I’ve ever had. You’re another one in that list…but when we’re done and the inevitable happens when you leave that one opening you never thought was an opening until somebody like me exploits it…you’ll have some homework. Read a book called The Art of War…because there’s going to be a quote that fully explains why…you’ll lose to me. But maybe you’ll learn to apply it a little in your own planning.

Antoinette listened, soaking in everything that he was saying. She listened carefully to her opponent in almost a studying manner. As he mentioned The Art of War, her ears perked up as she turned her head and smirked. She listened to him finish before looking over and speaking out smoothly.

ANTOINETTE: “Never interrupt an enemy when they’re making a mistake.”

She quotes the very book he was referring to before taking another good look at him, with a simple nod of her head.

Iser notably blinks twice, the first show of any kind of emotion since this conversation has started. He looks a little surprised though the mask comes back on after a second.

Seth Iser: Well…I’ll be damned. You read ahead then…

For a brief moment there’s a smile, not a smirk but a genuine smile from the old man as that’s brief before the game face goes on.

Seth Iser: But…reading it and applying it are two different things, Antoinette. That’s what you’ll learn tonight.

Before she can react to him actually calling her by name, Seth turns on his heel and then walks off, presumably to head to the ring for the match.

[FGA Office]

John Carmichael vs. Patrick Jones

Carmichael gets the early advantage by catching Patrick Jones off guard with the Sucker Kick (Carmichael tosses his weight belt to the opponent, and when they're distracted blasts them with a big boot). This tactic would normally get Carmichael booed, but not tonight in NYC. Carmichael continues to put the boots to Jones before moving him into the corner. From there, Carmichael lights up his chest with a flurry of knife edge chops. Carmichael stops the attack when he takes note of the Chandler chants.

The chants offer a long enough distraction for Jones to catch Carmichael with a forearm strike to the face. Another forearm knocks him back. Another forearm knocks Carmichael back towards the center of the ring. With Carmichael dazed, Jones takes off into the ropes. Carmichael shakes off the blows and goes to knock Jones’ head off with a running lariat. Jones avoids it by rolling underneath the strike. After Carmichael’s momentum sends him into the ropes. Jones catches him off the rebound with a pair of dropkicks. The boos continue as a pair of arm drags return Carmichael to the mat. After Carmichael battles back to a vertical base and moves Jones into the ropes, he takes advantage of the rope break with the One Way Trip (knee to the gut followed by a snap DDT) for a two count.

As the match continues, Carmichael brings the action to the floor as he tosses Jones through the ropes to the outside. From there, Carmichael brings Jones down with a double underhook suplex. The crowd cheers when a second double underhook suplex returns Jones to the floor. Despite the cheers, Carmichael zeroes in on the Chandler chants, which are getting louder. So Carmichael takes this out on Jones with a Half Nelson Suplex on the outside. Carmichael brings the action back inside for the cover, but Jones gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Carmichael continues to take out his anger on Jones. First, with Punch Drunk (running European uppercut in the corner followed by a running knee strike to the downed opponent)! Then, with Spite (fireman's carry into backbreaker)! Finally, Carmichael hits the Fresh Meadow (swinging rib breaker)! But again, Jones is able to beat the count. Jones quickly finds himself on the receiving end of a Sleeper, but he fights it off. He reaches out for the fan’s support. But he won’t find any in this time. Nevertheless, Jones fights through it and gets back to a vertical base. After three elbows to the midsection break the hold, Jones motions for a run to the ropes. But Carmichael is just a step to quick and brings him down with Queens Road (clothesline to the back of the head followed by a running lariat)! He goes to follow up with a jumping knee drop, but he misses.

Jones takes advantage of the opening with low kicks to Carmichael’s leg. He follows up with two shin breakers before delivering a belly to back suplex for a two count. A bridging Fisherman Suplex gets a two count. Carmichael gets dropped to a knee with a step-up enzuigiri before getting brought down with an Implant DDT. From there, Jones makes his way up to the top turnbuckle. He goes for a diving crossbody block, but Carmichael catches him in mid air before slamming him down with authority with Salt of the Earth (tilt-a-whirl over the shoulder powerslam)! Carmichael targets the back again with the Tahara (full nelson slam over the knee) before finally putting Jones away with Bloodline (swinging lifting single underhook DDT, aka swinging DNA Driver) to an eruption of cheers for the three count.

John Carmichael O || Bloodline (6:23) || Patrick Jones X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

A woman is sitting in a chair in the living room of what appears to be an expensive home. There is a large, muscular man standing behind the chair the woman is sitting in with an ominous look on his face.

Woman: I see you FGA.

The woman says with a smile on her face.

Woman: I’ve had my eye on you for awhile and to say that I was surprised when the owner of this company reached out to me about joining the ranks of FGA I was a bit surprised but I can’t say that I was completely surprised. Because they see I am a young, talented wrestler who is continuing my ascension in this business.

The woman looks confidently with a smirk on her face.

Woman: So when this opportunity arose, I knew I must take it. Simple as that. So I hope that all of you boys and girls in the FGA locker room have enjoyed their time here before me because I can assure you, the FGA won’t be the same after I am done with it.

The woman sits back in her chair.

Woman: Now I can sit here and say I want this, I want that, I want it all but I am presuming that you already know that. Just know within yourself that I will get what I want, when I want, because I’ve grown up in tremendous wealth where what I want is constantly at my fingertips. That won’t change here in FGA. So when you see my bodyguard and my right hand man, Enigma, and I, you will know that you are now in the era of #PurePerfection. That is what happens when you are “Spoiled” Summer Page.

Summer winks at the camera.

[FGA Office]

Antoinette vs. Seth Iser

Iser starts things off by offering a handshake. Antoinette isn’t so sure that she should take him up on the offer. She then turns to the capacity crowd, who are motioning for her not to do it. When she turns back to Iser, he puts his other hand behind his back to try and show her that he isn’t up to no good. Antoinette then cautiously reaches forward… and shakes his head. Things appear on the up and up… until Iser quickly yanks Antoinette over, takes his arm from behind his back and catches her in a font facelock. In a moment of panic, Antoinette breaks free and stumbles away from Iser. Iser simply points to his temple before telling Antoinette just how close she was to getting planted with the Deprivation DDT.

Iser and Antoinette proceed to circle the ring. The pair engage in a couple of collar-and-elbow tie ups. But each exchange ends with Antoinette being shoved down, shoved into the ropes and thrown across the ring. Antoinette goes to engage in another collar-and-elbow, only to hit a drop step go behind and takes control of Iser’s back with a rear waistlock. She doesn’t remain in control for long, though, as Iser is able to move her across the ring by walking backwards into the corner. After the ref starts a five count, Antoinette breaks the hold. The moment she gets her arms in the air, Iser takes advantage with a hard back elbow to the face. The boos continue as Iser lights up her chest with knife edge chops. After Antoinette gets sent into the far corner, Iser comes barreling across the ring to attack. The boos turn to cheers when Antoinette knocks him back with a back elbow to the face. Iser shakes off the blow before rushing back in. This time, a boot to the face turns him around. Before Iser can turn around, Antoinette slingshots to the top and comes off with a missile dropkick to the back of the head. Iser returns to a vertical base, turns around and gets caught with a running hurricanrana that sends him through the ropes to the outside. Antoinette then takes off into the far ropes before coming back and knocking Iser into the guardrail with a suicide dive. She brings the action back inside for the cover, but Iser kicks out at two.

Antoinette remains in control with multiple arm wrenches. After the last arm wrench, Iser returns the favor and delivers a hard arm wrench that sends Antoinette flipping down to the mat. He goes to follow up with an elbow drop, but he misses when Antoinette rolls out of the way. Antoinette is quick to take advantage by wrenching the arm multiple times. Iser is able to break up Ant’s offense with a knee strike to the midsection before sending her off into the ropes. On the return, Antoinette goes to slide through Iser’s legs, but he reaches down and grabs her by the hair in time. After Antoinette gets pulled back to her feet, she swats Iser off of her before sending him staggering into the ropes with an Ant-zuigiri (step-up enzuigiri). She the goes to clothesline Iser over the top rope, only for him to duck and dump her over the top rope! Luckily, Antoinette lands safely on her feet before yanking Iser down face-first to the mat. She then drags Iser to the outside and slams him face-first on the apron before returning to the ring to hit the far ropes. Antoinette goes for yet another suicide dive, only for Iser to smoothly counter with the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam) on the outside! Iser once again points to his temple and chastises Ant for going to the well one too many times. She gets rolled back in for the cover, but Ant gets her shoulder up at 2.5.

Iser remains in control in the corner, battering Antoinette with a barrage of back elbows to head, followed by a series of knees to the midsection, followed by multiple shoulder thrusts. Moments later, a vertical suplex brings her down out of the corner for a two count. Iser catches her on the rebound off an irish whip before delivering a pendulum backbreaker for another two count. Antoinette gets sent for the ride again. This time, Iser lifts her up, turns and drops her throat-first across the top rope with a Stun Gun. The boos continue as Iser hits a hangman’s neckbreaker for yet another two count. Antoinette then finds herself on the receiving end of a scoop slam before Iser follows up with a jumping knee drop for yet another two count. From there, Iser applies a Chin Lock.

Antoinette gets asked multiple times if she wants to give up. But Antoinette doesn’t give up. She doesn’t throw in the towel. She continues to fight. After battling her way back to a vertical base, she nails Iser with four elbows to the midsection, breaking the hold. Once free, she takes off into the ropes. When Antoinette returns, Iser lifts her up, turns and throws her down with authority with a spinebuster! He rolls across Antoinette and hooks the near leg for the ONE, TWO, TH-NO! Antoinette gets the shoulder up.

Iser bring the action into the corner. After sitting Antoinette on the top turnbuckle, he starts to climb the ropes. He goes for a superplex, but Antoinette blocks it. Iser tries to muscle her up for another superplex. Again, Antonette blocks it. After Iser lets go, Antoinette fires away with a flurry of right hands before pushing Iser down to the mat. Ant then stands up on the top turnbuckle before landing across him with the Candy Crush (Swanton Bomb) for the ONE, TWO, TH-NO! Iser gets the shoulder up.

Antoinette brings the action back into the corner before bringing Iser down with a Tornado DDT for a two count. A swinging neckbreaker gets another two count. Antoinette rushes over and tries to knock Iser off his feet with a running big boot, but Iser easily blocks the move. Iser chastises Antoinette before she follows up with another Ant-zuigiri, dropping him face-first to the mat. Antoinette then makes her way into the corner, scales to the top, flips back and knocks him down with a moonsault for another two count. Antoinette continues to control the action as she sends Iser into the ropes. When he returns, Antoinette knocks him back with a leg lariat. She then hits the ropes, returns and knocks him further back with a diving clothesline. Antoinette runs up to Iser again, but he counters with a big boot. NO! Antoinette catches his foot, swings the leg away from her and counters with the Sugar Crash (Backstabber)! She makes the cover and gets the ONE, TWO, THR-NO! Iser gets the shoulder up.

Antoinette points back up top before heading out to the apron. After scaling the turnbuckles, Antoinette leaps off from the top for the Flying Ant (Diving Crossbody), but Iser catches her in mid air. He then shifts her across his shoulder before following up with a snake eyes across the top turnbuckle. Antoinette then stumbles back and turns around before getting turned inside out with a running big boot. Iser then finishes things off with the Deprivation DDT for the three count.

Antoinette X || Deprivation DDT (12:29) || Seth Iser O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

During a timely break in the action we cut backstage to find Sara Mason all on her lonesome, sitting cross-legged on a flight case with nothing but the cheese grater she’s calmly juggling between her hands for company, which leaves us hoping that it’s a sly reference to Evil Dead Rise and not, say, her recently being inspired to try new and inventive ways to have a little fun at her opponent’s expense after seeing the cheese grater scene from Evil Dead Rise…

So with that thought in mind, she begins

Sara Mason: So now I know what it feels like to win one of those popularity contests. Oh, it’s only about a decade after popularity contests were deemed relevant by the people who based their entire existence on being seen as the popular crowd, but better late than never right? I guess now I get to see how the other half live, and the beauty part is that I don’t have to break the popular crowd’s faces for giving me all manner of shit for being the “weird” kid who didn’t fit in with their neat and tidy and so very boring view of fitting into that narrow little box they wanted their lives to be, missing the point that there’s plenty of time to spend in a narrow little box once the light dims from their eyes and they’re just maggot food like everybody else…

Tapping her fingers on the handle at the top of the cheese grater, a thought occurs to Mason

Sara Mason: Oh, in case you were wondering, E’s not here right now. Oh she flew into New York, don’t worry your empty little heads about that, but when she learned there was going to be no mention of the two of us being voted tag Team of the Year unless we walked in front of the camera and brought this little nugget of information up, she decided there’s better things for her to do. Case in point…

Mason reaches behind her and pulls out a frosted wine glass with butterflies etched into it, a glass which is about 1/3 full of red wine

Sara Mason: Crystal. Tiffany’s. Because you may as well treat yourself when you’re in the neighbourhood, right?

With that in mind, Mason takes a hefty swig out of the glass before wiping a little droplet of wine off of her lip with the back of her thumb and placing the glass on the flight case between her feet

Sara Mason: So you’d think that for the first time ever, when the penny drops and people accept the fact we didn’t trip, fall and decimate every single opponent put in front of us, there might be just a little bit of respect put on our names. A pinch of respect. Even a whisper. But oh no, we can’t have that can we? Instead all we hear is somebody chirping. Chirping, chirping, chirping, immediately deciding that they’re the ones who will come for the two of us…no, the four of us, it’s not E & I that Sparrow and TJ Techniques are chirping about but the titles we have held with distinction and with a long line of broken and maimed people who thought chirping was a bright idea behind us as we search for the next victim, because some people refuse to take heed of how what they say might have some dire consequences for them

A beat

Sara Mason: Yeah, that goes double for tryhards from Seattle

For a moment Mason looks at the camera with a remarkably dead-eyed stare – only to then let out a sound which is two parts giggle and one part hiss, although the toothy smile as she makes it indicates it’s closer to the former

Sara Mason: So instead of having just the tiniest moment to ourselves where we can enjoy the fact that finally, after breaking anybody and everyone who steps up to us did we finally get a merest hint of acknowledgment that maybe we’re actually pretty goddamn good at what we do, instead we have another couple of mindless drones who shamble in front of a camera and say “Me good wrestle, title mine now” and we once again walk on that treadmill of having to learn the names of a couple more victims. Now don’t get me wrong, having some new meat puppets to play with is always fun…

Pausing mid-sentence, Mason picks up the cheese grater and holds it up next to her face and gives it a little wiggle for the camera while smiling worryingly sweetly for somebody brandishing a cheese grater, meaning for a second she looks like a hellish QVC segment selling kitchenware until she puts it back down

Sara Mason: …but you know the best part of having somebody new to play with? It means we gets to be a little creative, digging into their past to look for any traumas, any insecurities, any past injuries…oh, there is so much to explore when delving into the past of anybody who steps up to us. Case in point: hey, TJ, do you trust your partner with your life? Oh who am I kidding, do you trust your partner with your leg, because we all remember what happened last time you did

Mason snickers at the memory of the last time she shared a ring with TJ Techniques, which not only saw Silk & Cyanide defeat Renegades of Funk for the titles they currently hold, but also saw Cassius take out TJ and injure his leg

Sara Mason: See? There’s always something to dig up. Dig into. Tear into, and the two of you decided to serve yourselves up on a platter because you couldn’t resist chirping for five minutes, could you? Chirp, chirp, chirp, story of my life: always some chatter in my ear, chatter from somebody who thinks they’re better than me, thinks I won’t do something about the chirping, and it always goes the same way: the screams, the shocked expression, the realisation that I don’t care about people who base their whole identity on being popular because being popular doesn’t magically protect you from needing stitches when I’m done with you. And that’s why it’s so much fun to suddenly win one of those popularity contests, because all this time we’ve been surrounded by people who are so determined to be popular thinking that is all they need to get one over us, and every single time we add them to the pile of bodies that we step over every single day we hold these titles. Don’t the two of you understand what’s happening here? It took long enough, but people here have started to realise that in a battle between a cut to steak and the meat grinder, the meat grinder always wins and now that meat grinder is getting its due. So the two of you can chirp about how you think how you are absolutely, positively, definitely the team that does anything other than suffer for or amusement until we decide it is time to win, but the reality is you’re just the next couple of cuts of meat for the grinder to break down

The second that Mason finishes speaking she simply gives and apologetic shrug and hops off the flight case, grabbing her glass of wine and taking another hefty swig of its contents as she walks out of shot

…only to re-enter shot a split second later and grab the cheese grater from the flight case, before giving a particularly sly look to camera

Sara Mason: I wouldn’t want to forget this now, would I…?

Without another word or even gesture, Mason slinks out of shot with the grater in one hand and wine glass in the other, whistling a tune to herself that sounds uncannily like the leitmotif for a late 80s slasher film as she goes.