Grapple Kingdom V (06.09.23)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Kaseya Center
Miami, FL

The scene shifts to an establishment shot of the Kaseya Center exterior. We then transition inside the arena, where red, blu and purple pyro shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid capacity crowd.

Kris Cruise: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the latest Pay Per View offering from FGA! I'm Kris Cruise.!Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! This... is Grapple Kingdom V! We have got action from top to bottom all up and down this card, don't we, Stephy?

Stephy Auger: We definitely do, Cruise. We've got people pulling double duty on an event that doesn't have a Gold Rush Rumble match. We've got people looking to win gold. We've got people looking to win back gold. We've got people attempting to me make history. We've also got people looking to finally settle some old scores.

Kris Cruise: That's right. When you're talking about pulling double duty and history, you're talking about Sparrow and TJ Techniques. These two men are fine singles competitors but recently, they've wanted to try their hand at tag team action. Now, they find themselves in position to walk out of tonight with a championship on each of their shoulders. TJ will be kicking off tonight's show when he challenges the reigning Pride Champion, Julian Tijerina. Then, later on, Sparrow will defend his United States Championship against Logan Alexander. Smack dab right in the middle of the show, those two men, collectively known as Def Before Dishonor, will try and topple one of the greatest tag champions, Silk & Cyanide, for the World Tag Team Titles.

Stephy Auger: A part of me admires the ambition. But tonight, they've bitten off more than they could chew. These two aren't just pulling double duty. TJ is competing in a match that is Best 2 out of 3 Falls. He could be completely gassed by the time the Tag Title match comes around. If that's the case, Sparrow will have to carry the load. Then, if that happens, what will Sparrow have left when he defends against Logan? They're shooting for the moon tonight. This strategy is high risk, high reward.

Kris Cruise: Those aren't the only three championship matches tonight. We've also got a Legacy Champion Match as Mara Jade Miller looks to defend their championship against Antoinette and Piper Lennon.

Stephy Auger: This rivalry has been going on for months now. Antoinette and her buddy Piper Lennon have drawn the ire of the champion. I don't know about you. But me personally, I wouldn't what to get on the bad side of a person that calls themself The Murder Theytriarch. I see our Deadly Neighborhood Mara Jade walking out the same way they walked in and that's as champion.

Kris Cruise: You mentioned people are looking to settle old scores. The first of those matches will be a Submission Match between Owen Gonsalves and longtime rival, HENNY.

Stephy Auger: On the surface, you see a Submission Match and you figure that it's tailor made for Owen. But not so fast. HENNY is still at the peak of his powers. HENNY is a man that can wrestle with the best of them. At the end of the night, one of these two will be crying "Uncle!"

Kris Cruise: Then, in another match that highlights a fierce rivalry, Chandler Scott returns to FGA to go one on one with the man that nearly ended his career, John Carmichael. It's going to be Three Stages of Hell, Stephy. The 1st fall is a standard wrestling match. The 2nd Fall will be No DQ. The 3rd Fall, if we even need it, will be a Dog Collar Match.

Stephy Auger: I don't think we will. Chandler got destroyed the last two the two of them wrestled. Flat out destroyed. The man hasn't wrestled in ages. Carmichael is hell bent on finishing the job. I don't think that one eve gets two a third fall.

Kris Cruise: Then in our main event, Lowri Moss, The Standard Bearer of FGA, will defend her FGA World Championship against Nina Stokes. I've been waiting for this one for a long, long time.

Stephy Auger: So have I. We've seen them on opposite teams in tag matches. But never one on one. These are the two premier strikers in FGA. I've heard the talk around the locker room. I've listened to the fans over the years. They've all wanted to know who would win between Lowri and Nina. We're going to find that out tonight. The Kodiak won the Gold Rush Rumble to secure this championship. She is looking to follow in Lowri's footsteps. Lowri Stokes was the last Gold Rush Rumble to win the World Championship in their title match. Stokes will look to do the same.

Kris Cruise: Like we said, we've got a ton of action tonight, including the Breakout Battle Royal! But before we send it to the ring for our opening contest, let's hear some words from one of the participants.

[FGA Office]

Our scenes fades to the backstage area where we find TJ Techniques. The sight of The Funky Technicians elicits yays and cheers from the red hot crowd. TJ is dressed to compete as he's clearly ready for not one but two championship matches tonight. Techniques stands in front of the backdrop for the evening. Palm trees, red and purple neon lights and the Grapple Kingdom V logo are positioned behind him. He addresses the camera.

TJ Techniques: When you think of TJ Techniques, what's the first thing that comes to mind? Speed? Flash? Flair? High-flyin' ability? No one would blame if you thought those things. But let me ask you another question. Do you view me as a great wrestler, or simply a high flyer? Do you view me as a great wrestler, or simply as someone that's a sideshow for y'all? Do y'all view me as an intelligent wrestler, or simply as someone that flips and flies through the air for your entertainment? Do you awe over my intelligence or do you marvel over my athleticism?

TJ gestures towards the camera.

TJ Techniques: That's what I thought. For a minute now, people have put me into a box. Even though my nickname is The Funky Technician, when it comes to technical wrestlers here, who comes to mind? Owen? Bisley? Logan? Maybe Carmichael? When you think of intelligent wrestlers, who do you think of? Probably Seth, right? But when it comes to me, I'm simply the guy that runs fast, bounces off off everything bolted down and soars through the air. It's always been, "That TJ Techniques, he's so athletic... What an athletic maneuver by TJ Techniques... He's one of the most gifted athletes we've ever seen." But it ain't never been, "TJ Techniques, he's so smart out there... TJ Techniques, he's a thinkin' man's wrestler... TJ Technique's, he's so technical gifted."

TJ shakes his head.

TJ Techniques: Y'all marvel over the athleticism. Y'all marvel over the theatrics. But I never get pops for what's goin' on up here...

TJ points to his head.

TJ Techniques: ... and I got an issue with that. Which brings us to tonight. Because I'm here to change the narrative on who J Techniques is as a professional wrestler. And that's where you come in, Julian. You asked me a while back why I would go after the Pride Championship. Look, everyone wants to be a World Champion one day, let's not kid ourselves. But there's somethin' special about that Pride Championship. In a way, it is a thinkin' man's title. It takes strategy. A sound gameplan. You can't just go 100 miles an hour in a match like that. It takes pacin', it takes smarts. I'm here tonight to show the world that TJ Techniques is more than just some aerial artist. I've been in the lab for a minute now. I won't front. I'm no black belt in jiu jitsu. I not gon' tie you up into a pretzel like Owen can. But what I can do is get you down and keep you down. Tonight, y'all gon' find out why I am Kool G. Grap. Y'all gon' find out why I am The Funky Technician. Julian, it's never been personal. But tonight, I'm winnin' that Pride Championship, my man. It won't be because I ran faster than you. It won't be because I flew higher than you. It won't be because I threw in a bunch on unnecessary flips. It'll be because you were outwitted, outmatched and outwrestled. Now peep that...

[FGA Office]

Leaning against a wall is Mark Bisley, killing a little time before the Breakout Battle Royal which he is due to take part in, but the fact that he has a camera crew in his vicinity indicates that he certainly has something on his mind

Mark Bisley: As the old saying goes, “hate” is such a strong word. Hatred is something raw, visceral, a revulsion you feel in the pit of your stomach and can feel seeping out of your pores, and let’s be real, something which you can honestly claim to feel about something or someone on such rare occasions that you could probably could the number of times when you have felt genuine hatred for something on one hand. And yet the word is overused to such a ridiculous degree that it has almost lost meaning, for example when a child says “I hate broccoli” do they really feel such a raw, visceral response to a foul-tasting relative of the cabbage? Of course they do not

A beat

Mark Bisley: So to say that I “hate” battle royals is clearly far too strong of a word. After all, it is not like they have ever done anything to me to justify such a reaction whenever I hear that I am being placed into one…not that they’ve done anything for me, ever, but it is not as if I suffered a career-risking injury in one, or whichever scenario comes to mind that would justify such a response to being placed in a particular stipulation of match. So perhaps I could say that I have a strong dislike of battle royals

The look on Bisley’s face, which is somewhere between smelling curdling milk and calling your girlfriend by your ex-girlfriend’s name, which indicates he isn’t entirely satisfied with that suggestion either

Mark Bisley: …but then again, even that sounds a little too much, doesn’t it? “Strong dislike” indicates slammed doors, raised voices, and maybe writing a passive aggressive Twitter thread, and that is not how I feel about battle royals either. But it is certainly true to say that I have a dislike of battle royals, for the very simple reason that there is no artistry to them. If you care to name any other stipulation there is at least some form of artistry to them, unless you are such a caveman that you have to compete in street fight after street fight because you have to overcompensate for your inability to hit so much as an arm drag by diving face-first into thumbtacks, broken glass, or through a table in order for somebody to notice that you are even there. But when it comes to battle royals? There is no artistry only flailing limbs as people try and bundle one opponent after another over the top rope to the floor – and that’s all the match is, over and over again, the only difference is who is being tossed over the ropes to the floor and how many people are in the ring to toss over the ropes to the floor. And when you phrase it like that, it is hardly the most interesting of propositions, is it?

For a moment it almost looks as if Bisley is posing a question to a class which is not there – but, of course, he is far from finished

Mark Bisley: Now consider this: tonight’s artless flailing of limbs is called the Breakout Battle Royal, as if victory would be by design instead of how people tend to win battle royals: luck. No seriously, there is no way to win a battle royal by design other than eating a dozen cheeseburgers a day for six to eight months, because if you do that opponents will be unable to lift you over the ropes partly due to your weight, and partly due to it being almost impossible to pick you up due to the constant sweating from the effort of standing still, coupled with the slight greasiness that your skin is exuding. That is how you win a battle royal by design, and it is artless, not least because when Brendan Fraser put on weight it was for art – and he was wearing a fat suit anyway

Bisley nods, although it is unsure if he’s doing so to underline a point, or if it’s because he’s agreeing with himself

Mark Bisley: More than anything else, whoever wins this evening’s artless flailing of limbs will hardly be able to point to a specific moment or action where they proved themselves to have climbed the ladder by defeating an opponent nobody expected them to or winning a match nobody thought they had a chance of winning. Instead what will happen is they will say “Oh, I threw somebody over the top rope” which just is not a victory, after all every single member of the Frontier Grappling Arts roster will at some point or another throw an opponent over the ropes to the outside, and does that win them a match? Of course it doesn’t, and yet that is what wins you a battle royal. At this point it should be obvious how counterintuitive the whole thing is, because you are expected to do something which will never win you any other match, and you need to do it over and over again in order to win, and yet there is a carrot being dangled in front of everybody in this match to make them think that winning is some kind of elevation when the reality is that they did not prove themselves against every competitor, in fact it is entirely possible that the final two could be made up of somebody who eliminates everybody else and somebody who managed to stay out of the way the entire match – and then the match is won by the person who stayed out of the way as the other competitor was tossing opponents left and right. Now does that sound fair? No, it does not. I mean, it could be worse: imagine a Gold Rush Rumble where the first entrant goes the distance, only to be eliminated by somebody who drew the last number? That would be ridiculous, especially if people tried to suggest the winner went through some gruelling battle when they barely drew a sweat…

The shake of the head indicated that Bisley thinks that would never, ever happen – because that would be dumb…

Mark Bisley: So this is the issue with not just the Breakout Battle Royal, but all battle royals in general. There is no winner, there is no loser, there is just somebody who is standing in the ring at the end of the match by sheer coincidence, and yet we are supposed to believe this means something. And yet it doesn’t, it really does not mean anything, it means that luck and coincidence kept somebody in the match longer than somebody else, repeated many times throughout the match, and this is why I have a dislike of battle royals because there is no obvious use of skill or strategy involved, it’s like the kid brother you have who doesn’t know the controls yet their mashing the buttons somehow is enough for them to beat you by a complete fluke. So if I come out of tonight without winning this artless flailing of limbs it will not bother me much…okay, maybe a little in the moment of elimination, but it will not bother me because I was not defeated by a better wrestler or by a smarter strategy, I was defeated by dumb luck. Emphasis on the “dumb”, by the way. But if I win…well I won, but even I know that it wasn’t a “win” it just means I have the commentators talking about how I was really, really good at throwing people over the ropes that one time and pretend that is what brought me to the dance, when you and I and everybody else knows the reality to be very different.

[FGA Office]

FGA PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP
© Julian Tijerina vs. TJ Techniques

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, being contested under Pride Rules, is for the FGA PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP!

♫ Step into a world (Klaka klaka, klaka klaka!)
Where there's no one left (Buku, buku! Alla de massive!)
But the very best (Klaka, bo bo, BDP crew, bo bo bo bo!)
No MC can test [*cut and scratch of KRS saying "but one"*] ♫

The beat kicks in as "Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight)" starts to knock through the speakers. Out through the curtain steps TJ Techniques, clad in his ring attire and hooded vest. TJ peeks out underneath the hood as he looks out to the right. He does the same to his left before flinging the hood back, smacking his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. TJ nods his head as he makes his way down the ramp on a mission.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, the challenger! Hailing from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 200 pounds! He is “The Funky Technician”... TJ TECHNIQUES!

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

Kris Cruise: Alright, Stephy. We're kicking off Grapple Kingdom V with our first championship match of the night.

Stephy Auger: It'll also be TJ's first of two championship matches. I've given TJ a lot of grief over the years. But I'll give him this. He isn't short of ambition, I'll give him that much. But wrestling two matches in one night, especially two championship matches? He might be biting off more than he can chew here.

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques told us in his video from earlier today that we're going to see the technical side of The Funky Technician.

Stephy Auger: I don't get that, either. Why? Why deviate from what works? You know what your strong suit is. Stick to that! Julian Tijerina is not the man to try out a new strategy against, especially on pay per view in a title match!

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

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Extremadura, Spain! Weighing in at 220 pounds! He is the reigning… defending… FGA Pride Champion… “El Guapo” JULIAN TIJERINA!

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

Kris Cruise: Julian Tijerina has never lacked in confidence. He is of the firm belief that he can hold off the challenge of TJ Techniques!

Stephy Auger: I do, too. TJ isn't just thinking about this match. He's also thinking about the World Tag Team Match later on. Let's say this match here goes all three falls. Will TJ even have anything left in the tank for the tag match? You know he wouldn't want Sparrow to carry the burden in that match, because Sparrow has a second championship match of his own even later on in the night!

Kris Cruise: These matches aren't back to back to back, you know.

Stephy Auger: I know, but still. My point stands. Julian Tijerina is used to this match structure. He's used to going two and three falls. TJ was a singles champion here at one point. But these Pride Title matches, Cruise, are a different beast. I don't think he's up for the challenge. Well, let me take that back. He can be up for the challenge all he wants. I just don't see him succeeding.

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

Tijerina and Techniques meet up in the center of the ring. After the referee goes over the Pride Rules, both grapplers are given the opportunity to shake hands. Both men nod before shaking hands.

Kris Cruise: Nice show of respect there between both competitors. For those at home who need a refresher on Pride Rules matches...

1) No closed fists to the head. Pokes, gouges, rakes and other illegal strikes to the eyes are also prohibited. Failure to follow these rules will result in a warning, then a rope break being taken away. However, slaps, chops and kicks to the head are all legal.
2) Grapplers are allowed three rope breaks per match. If all three rope breaks are used, then a pinfall or submission cannot be broken up by a rope break.
3) Grapplers, no matter how much animosity is between them, must shake hands at the start of the match or be charged a rope break.
4) All matches fought under "Pride Rules" will have a 20-count.
5) Finally, all "Pride Rules" matches will be contested under Best 2 out of 3 Falls.

The crowd cheers as both grapplers head to their respective corners. Tijerina and Techniques nod when asked by the ref if they're ready. The official then calls for the bell.

Kris Cruise: Here we go!

With the match now officially underway, Tijerina and Techniques circle the ring before locking up, After jockeying for position, Techniques places Tijerina in a side headlock. Tijerina goes to push Techniques off, but keeps the headlock applied. Tijerina then catches Techniques with a pair of forearms to the side before trying to push him off. But again, Techniques keeps the hold applied. Tijerina then takes Techniques, moves him into the near ropes before trying to push him off to the far ropes. Techniques blocks by keeping the hold applied while dropping down to a knee.

Techniques starts to really wrench down on the side headlock. The ref asks Tijerina if he wants to give up. The champion refuses. After Tijerina battles back to a vertical base, Techniques performs a standing switch into a hammerlock before twisting into a drop toe hold. The cheers continue as Techniques quickly transitions into a kneeling ankle lock!

Kris Cruise: Quick takedown into a hold there by the challenger.

Tijerina yells out while Techniques cranks away on the ankle. The referee asks Tijerina if he wants to give up. Again, the champion refuses.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina is in a rough spot here. He doesn't want to give up. He also doesn't want to have to use up one of his three rope breaks, especially this early. Let's see if he can find a way out of this hold.

Maria can be seen scurrying over and positioning herself directly in Tijerina's line of sight on the outside. She starts slapping the apron and tries to will Tijerina to keep fighting.

Techniques returns to a vertical base while keeping the ankle lock applied. Tijerina turns down another chance to quit before slowly pulling himself forward. The cheers continue as Tijerina scratches and claws his way towards the ropes. The Spanish Sweetheart continues to pull himself closer and closer towards the ropes.

Stephy Auger: Don't gab the rope, Julian!

Techniques nods when he sees Tijerina start to reach out for the ropes. Instead of grabbing the bottom rope, Tijerina turns over onto his back before using his leg strength to shove Techniques down to the mat.

Stephy Auger: There you go, Jules!

Techniques scrambles back to a vertical base while Tijerina returns to his feet with a kip up. The champion runs over to attack, only for Techniques to counter with a hip toss.

NO!

Tijerina steps through it and counters with a hip toss of his own.

NO!

Techniques steps through it and counters with a hip toss of his own.

NO!

Tijerina steps through it and goes to counter with a hip toss of his own, but Techniques blocks it. Tijerina tries to muscle him up for another hip toss. But again, Techniques blocks it. He then doubles Tijerina over with a hard slap across the chest, drapes his leg over the back of Tijerina's neck and performs a backflip. After landing on his feet, he quickly brings Tijerina to the mat with a side headlock takeover. Tijerina reverses into a headscissors before Techniques escapes with a kip up. The Spanish Sweetheart scrambles back to a vertical base before being returned to the mat with another side headlock takeover. Tijerina reverses into another headscissors before Techniques escapes with a kip up. After Tijerina scrambles back to a vertical base, Techniques brings him right back down with another side headlock takeover.

NO!

Tijerina blocks and counters with a belly to back suplex.

NO!

Techniques rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet, spins Tijerina towards him and follows up with an arm wrench. After Tijerina reaches over and reverses into an arm wrench of his own, Techniques rolls forward, rolls backwards, flips over with a headstand, cartwheels over, performs another arm wrench, tucks his head underneath Tijerina's arm and follows up with a release Northern lights Suplex. Cheers and applause follow while Tijerina applies an armlock.

Kris Cruise: The Funky Technician is living up to his name thus far. He hasn't gone through the air once. To this point in the match, he's kept it on the ground by outwrestling the champion.

Stephy Auger: Championships aren't won on style points, Cruise. It's all about results. He can chain together all the moves he wants. At the end of the day, he's got to get two falls over Julian to walk away the new champ.

The ref gets down and asks Tijerina if he wants to give up. After Tijerina refuses, he battles back to a vertical base. He then moves Techniques into the near ropes before shoving him off into the far ropes. The Funky Technician turns off the rebound before knocking him down with a standing shoulder block. Techniques turns and heads into another set of ropes while Tijerina gets back to his feet. When he returns, he knocks Tijerina down with another shoulder block. Techniques takes off into another set of ropes. When he returns, he knocks Tijerina back down with another shoulder block. The challenger takes off into the last set of ropes. When he returns, Tijerina scrambles back to his feet before leapfrogging over The Funky Technician. When Techniques returns, Tijerina rolls back and executes a reverse monkey flip. Techniques rotates and lands on his feet before continuing to hit the ropes. When he returns, Tijerina tries for a hip toss, but Techniques steps through it and counters with an arm drag. Tijerina gets back to his feet before Techniques throws him down with another arm drag. After delivering another arm wrench, Techniques slaps Tijerina's chest, runs over towards the corner, runs up to the top turnbuckle and brings down with a springboard arm drag.

Techniques charges at Tijerina until The Spanish Sweetheart side steps and pushes him into the ropes. When Techniques returns, Tijerina one-ups him with #ArmDragCity (Over-the-shoulder Arm Drag followed by a Wheelbarrow Arm Drag followed by a Tilt-a-whirl Headscissors Arm Drag followed by a Fujiwara Armbar)!

The crowd cheers when they see The Funky Technician caught in the submission hold. The official is quick to get down and asks Techniques if he wants to give up. When TJ refuses, Tijerina pulls back on the hold.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina's got him right where he wants him.

Stephy Auger: Julian was able to get out of that ankle lock without using the ropes. I don't think TJ will be so lucky here.

Tijerina continues to fight for the submission while he's got Techniques flattened on the mat. TJ tries to push himself up with one arm, but he can't with Tijerina's weight right on top of him. The referee asks him again if he wants to give up. The Funky Technician shakes his head no, refusing to quit. So Tijerina leans back even further, which causes the challenger to let out a yelp.

Kris Cruise: TJ may not want to tap out here, but Tijerina could do some serious damage to that arm if he doesn't find a way out of this position and fast.

Stephy Auger: This isn't looking good for Chance the Grappler.

The crowd starts to rally behind The Funky Technician as he tries to hang on. Tijerina continues to lean back, applying even more pressure. The official continues to check in with TJ and asks him if he wants to give up. Gasps are heard when he starts to raise his free arm off the mat.

Stephy Auger: Look! LOOK!

Those same gasps turn to sighs when Techniques wags his finger at the referee. He then uses that same arm to drag himself towards the side of the ring. The cheers grow louder when Techniques drags himself closer and closer towards the ropes. He then reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

ONE… TWO… THREE…

Tijerina lets go. He then rolls away from Techniques before returning to a vertical base.

Kris Cruise: TJ made it to the ropes!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but now he's down a rope break and we're not even halfway through the match yet.

Techniques shakes out the arm as he gets back to his feet. Both grapplers proceed to circle the ring. After locking up, Tijerina gains the advantage with a side headlock. He then quickly performs a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock. Tijerina then spins Techniques towards him before delivering an arm wrench. A second arm wrench is delivered. After Tijerina delivers a third arm wrench, Techniques rolls forward, leans back, kips up, flips over and reverses into an arm wrench of his own, only to quickly get met with a forearm to the face from Tijerina. The cheers continue as Tijerina is quick to muscle Techniques into the corner. From there, he lights up Techniques’ chest with knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. Tijerina starts to talk smack to TJ until Techniques answers back with a blistering knife edge chop. Tijerina delivers another stinging chop of his own before he starts to get chippy again. Techniques takes offense to this and whacks Tijerina with a Shotei. The champion shakes off the blow before piefacing the challenger. The Funky Technician responds by shoving Tijerina down to the mat. After hitting the mat, Tijerina rolls back over to his knees, returns to his feet with a front flip and quickly gets returned to the mat with a Shaolin Sidekick (Harlem Sidekick)!

Kris Cruise: Tijerina got caught with that one.

Stephy Auger: He started getting cocky instead of staying on top of TJ.

Techniques picks up Tijerina and sends him for the ride. The Funky Technician sets up for a back body drop off the return, but Tijerina hurdles over him before continuing to run the ropes. Techniques stands up, turns around and gets brought down with a running hurricanrana, which sends him rolling to the outside.

Techniques picks himself up on the floor while Tijerina hits the far ropes. When Techniques turns around, Tijerina delivers a baseball slides into a headscissors thats ends him into the ring post! The cheers continues as Tijerina delivers another headscissors that sends Techniques rolling back into the ring. The Spanish Sweetheart leaps up to the apron before springboarding to the top rope. The cheers continue as Tijerina stands up, leaps off for the Guerrero Splash (Frog Splash) and gets countered when Techniques gets his knees up in time!

Kris Cruise: The Funky Technician had him well scouted.

Tijerina bounces off Techniques’ knees before rolling across the ring. The champion turns over on all fours until Techniques rushes over and delivers an Oklahoma Roll.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tijerina kicks out.

​Ti​jerina scrambles back to a vertical base before getting rolled up with a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
​Ti​jerina kicks out.

​Ti​jerina rushes back to his feet and throws out a wild haymaker. Techniques ducks, hooks both arms and muscles him down with a backslide pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
​Ti​jerina slips out.

Before ​Tijerina can get back to his feet, Techniques holds him in place before rolling him up with a magistral cradle.

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

​Ti​jerina kicks out.

Kris Cruise: TJ nearly got him again.

Techniques takes ​Ti​jerina and whips him into the ropes. When ​Tijerina returns, Techniques brings him down with a flapjack, hooks both arms from behind and turns over into a leg trap crucifix pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Stephy Auger: What the heck!?

© Julian Tijerina - 0
TJ Techniques - 1

Kris Cruise: TJ is up a fall on the champion!

Stephy Auger: I've never seen him pull that off before.

Kris Cruise: Like TJ said in his video, Stephy, we were going to see the more technical side of TJ here tonight and he proved just that throughout this first stage of the match.

The bell sounds to start the second leg of the match. Tijerina rushes over and initiates a collar-and-elbow. The champion is quick to muscle Techniques across the ring before pressing him up against the turnbuckles. The referee gives both grapplers to the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE…. FOUR…

As soon as both grapplers let go, Tijerina quickly takes Techniques by the wrist, delivers an irish whip and follows him across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Techniques executes a Tiger Wall Flip out of the corner before hitting the far ropes. When Tijerina heads out of the corner, the crowd cheers when TJ throws out a Busaiku Knee Strike!

Kris Cruise: Set ‘Em Straight!

Stephy Auger: NO!

Techniques whiffs on the strike when Tijerina falls to his back. Techniques gets back to his feet, turns around and gets caught with a running front dropkick that sends him through the ropes to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Techniques gets sent to the outside once again by the champion.

Tijerina steps out to the apron. Once TJ gets back to his feet, Tijerina runs along the apron, leaps off and brings him down with a diving hurricanrana! He then rolls Techniques back into the ring before climbing up to the apron. After TJ returns to a vertical base and turns around, Tijerina comes off the top turnbuckle with a springboard hurricanrana! He reaches back and hooks the leg.

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

Techniques kicks out.

Kris Cruise: So close!

TJ gets back to his feet before getting caught with a superkick. Techniques remains dazed while Tijerina hits the ropes. When the champion returns, Techniques counters with a back elbow to the face. Tijerina remains dazed while Techniques hits the ropes. When he returns, he slows down to a stop as Tijerina runs past him towards the same set of ropes. The crowd cheers when TJ turns around and gets hit with a springboard roundhouse kick! Techniques tries to get back to his feet, but he gets rocked with a Buzzsaw Kick! Tijerina pulls him over onto his back and makes the cover.

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

Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: TJ got rocked by that kick, but he still got the shoulder up in time.

Tijerina sets up for an irish whip until Tijerina reverses. When Tijerina returns, he plants Techniques with a tilt-a-whirl DDT! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO

Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Tijerina whips Techniques hard into the turnbuckles. Techniques staggers out of the corner before getting brought down with a Sling Blade! The cheers continue as Techniques gets whipped hard back into the same corner. After crashing sternum-first into the top turnbuckle, Techniques stumbles back until Tijerina throws him down with a Sombra Driver (Schoolboy Suplex)!

Tijerina drags Techniques into position before slingshotting out to the apron. He scales to the top, leaps off and crashes down hard across Techniques with the Guerrero Splash!

Techniques guards his midsection before slowly turning over onto a knee. The moment he looks up, Tijerina flashes him the finger gun gestures before flattening him with the Brillante Knee (Shining Wizard)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Stephy Auger: We're all tied up!

© Julian Tijerina - 1
TJ Techniques - 1

Kris Cruise: Just like that, Tijerina was able to shake off the pinfall loss to Techniques and tied things back up at 1 a piece. This is anyone's match now.

Stephy Auger: Both of these men have been champions in FGA before. But I'm giving the edge to the champion here. Like you said, Cruise, he quickly bounced back after being down a fall. He didn't act out of character. He never got desperate. Jules went with what worked and now, he's tied this match up. I do find it funny how Jules has Maria out there supporting him. But where's TJ's support system? Is Sparrow too good to support his partner, or is Sparrow too busy being concerned with his own title match?

Kris Cruise: Don't even try to start anything, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: What, I'm not starting anything. I'm just stating the obvious.

The bell sounds to start the final leg of the match. Once again, Tijerina strikes first, sending Techniques flying backwards into the corner with a running front dropkick! After Techniques crumbles to the mat, Tijerina hops back out to the apron before running up the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina's got right back to the top!

Tijerina goes for another Guerrero Splash, but Techniques rolls out of the way!

Instead of splatting on the mat, Tijerina lands on his feet before his momentum sends him rolling forward. When Tijerina rolls back to his feet and turns around, the crowd explodes with cheers when TJ turns him inside out with Set ‘Em Straight!

Kris Cruise: He got him with the knee!

Stephy Auger: NO!

Kris Cruise: TJ blasted Tijerina with the knee! He's going for the cover!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd applauds when Tijerina gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How did Tijerina get the shoulder up? That should've been three!

Techniques picks up Tijerina and sends him for the ride. When Tijerina returns, TJ knocks him off his feet with a spinning heel kick. He then picks Tijerina back up, delivers an irish whip, follows him across the ring and nails him with a Rolling Koppu Kick in the corner! The cheers continue as Techniques takes the champion, delivers an irish whip, follows him over into the opposite corner and connects with a step-up solebutt kick. He then hoists himself up onto the middle ropes before planting Tijerina with a Tornado DDT! TJ makes the cover.

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

Tijerina gets the shoulder up.

Techniques takes Tijerina and goes for a vertical suplex, but the champion slips down from behind. He then turns Techniques around and doubles him over with a knee to the midsection. Tijerina goes for a running bulldog. But at the last second, Techniques lifts him up and counters with a belly to back suplex. The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

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

Tijerina gets the shoulder up.

Techniques takes control of Tijerina’s back before delivering a bridging German Suplex.

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

Tijerina gets the shoulder up.

Techniques hooks both of Tijerina’s arms before bringing him down with a double underhook sitout powerbomb.

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

The crowd applauds when Tijerina kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina gets his shoulder up yet again.

Stephy Auger: I know he's got to be frustrated. He's thrown everything, including his finisher, at Tijerina. But nothing has kept him down for three. It's a shame he can't tag out to his more talented tag partner right about now.

Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy!

Techniques takes control of Tijerina’s back and tries for another German Suplex. But Tijerina blocks it. Techniques tries to muscle him up. Tijerina starts to get lifted off the mat, but he kicks his legs, which forces him back down. Techniques tries for the German Suplex again. This time, Tijerina counters with a back elbow to the face. He then performs a standing switch before going for a German Suplex of his own. NO! Techniques counters with a wheelbarrow victory roll.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tijerina kicks out.

Both grapplers scramble back to their feet until Tijerina gets brought down with a standing double leg. Techniques then flips over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tijerina bridges up, turns, turns again, hooks TJ’s arms and brings him down with a backslide pin of his own.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques slips out, quickly swings over and takes control of Tijerina’s back before trying to bring him down with a deadlift German Suplex. Tijerina blocks with another back elbow to the face. He then nails Techniques with another back elbow… and another… and anoth-NO! Techniques delivers a bridging German Suplex before floating over and bridging back into a prawn hold.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd applauds when Tijerina gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: OH! I thought he had him there! That prawn hold should've done it!

Stephy Auger: Tijerina was able to power out of it, Cruise. He's not giving up the Pride Championship this easy.

Techniques slowly picks Tijerina up off the mat. He goes for Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em (Phenomenal Blitz)! Instead of hitting the clothesline to complete the combo, Techniques whiffs when Tijerina ducks the strike. TJ turns around and gets caught with Rompiendo El Hielo (Shoot Kick to the left leg, followed by a Shoot Kick to the left side, followed by a Roundhouse Kick, followed by a finger gun gesture before a Superkick)! TJ remains dazed until Tijerina brings him down with the Combinacion Letal (STO Backbreaker, followed by a Side Slam Backbreaker, followed by a Reverse STO, followed by a Koji Clutch)!

Kris Cruise: What a combo by the champion!

Stephy Auger: He's got TJ caught in another submission! It's tap out time, Cruise!

The cheers continue as Tijerina cinches down on the hold. The referee asks Techniques if he wants to give up. When TJ refuses, Tijerina pulls further back with his arms and while pushing forward with his leg, applying even more pressure.

Kris Cruise: TJ's really feeling it now!

Stephy Auger: If he were smart, he'd give up.

The crowd is at a fever pitch for both fan favorites. One moment, it sounds like the most vocal part of the crowd is chanting “TAP! TAP! TAP!” at TJ over and over. Moments later, fans are heard screaming, “PLEASE DON’T TAP!”

Kris Cruise: Listen to this divided crowd!

Stephy Auger: I'd rather not!

Techniques tries his best to hang on, but Tijerina if fighting like hell for the submission. The referee asks him once more if he wants to give up. Some fans in the front row appear shocked when TJ motions to tap out.

Stephy Auger: He gave up! He just quit!

At the last second, he stops himself. He then grunts as he drags himself forward. Tijerina continues to fight for the submission, but TJ is fighting through the pain. The cheers grow louder for The Funky Technician as he scratches and claws his way towards the side of the ring. He then kicks his leg over… and gets his foot on the bottom rope!

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Tijerina breaks the hold.

Kris Cruise: TJ's down to one rope break.

The Venomous Virtuoso slowly pulls Techniques off the mat. He then catches the challenger with a forearm strike before Techniques answers back with a forearm of his own. Tijerina connects with another forearm smash before TJ answers back with another forearm of his. Tijerina motions for a strike, but TJ cuts him off with a forearm. Tijerina goes for another strike, but TJ cuts him off again with a forearm smash. Techniques then quickly takes Tijerina and shoves him towards the ropes. After Tijerina ricochets chest-first off the ropes, Techniques brings him down with a rebound snap German Suplex. After Tijerina rolls backwards onto his knees, The Funky Technician goes to return the favor with a Buzzsaw Kick. He misses! Tijerina ducks, pops back to his feet and cracks Techniques with another superkick. The cheers continue when he brings Techniques down with the Four Amigos (Vertical Suplex rolled into a Snap Suplex rolled into a Brainbuster rolled into a Cross-legged Fisherman Buster)!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd applauds when Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How in the hell did he survive that?

Kris Cruise: TJ's not giving up easy. He could still be 15 Champion right now. But he cashed in that championship for a shot at the Pride Title. He does not want to leave this match empty handed.

Tijerina picks up Techniques and goes for another vertical suplex, but TJ knees him in the head on the way up before slipping down from behind. He then spins Tijerina towards him and throws out a kick. As soon as Tijerina catches the foot, Techniques counters with a Dragonwhip Kick that drops him. Tijerina immediately covers his eye before TJ pulls him back to his feet. After placing Tijerina across his shoulders, Techniques heads towards the corner before delivering a rolling fireman’s carry. The Funky Technician pops up to the middle ropes, climbs up to the top turnbuckle, flips off and accidentally lands right on Tijerina’s head with Don’t Sweat The Technique (Somersault Corkscrew Leg Drop)! TJ turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers as "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)" blasts over the PA

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand NEEEEEWWWWWWW FGA Pride Champion, TJ TECHNIQUES!

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

Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques has done it! He has defeated Julian Tijerina to become the brand new Pride Champion! One match into Grapple Kingdom V and we've already seen a title change hands, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: I don't believe it. Dammit, Julian!

Tijerina can be seen covering his face while Maria gets in and tends to him. Across the ring, Techniques gets handed the Pride Championship. TJ heads into the nearest corner, climbs to the middle ropes and raises the Pride Title over his head.

[FGA Office]

We then head backstage for a brief moment where we see the FGA logo in the background in the interview room. Sitting down on the first chair is one of the busiest people in the company depending on the day in Amanda Johnson as she’s dressed smartly in a ruby colored female suit. On the opposite end considering the time this is being filmed it has to have been taped earlier because Seth Iser is on the opposite chair and rather than be in his ring gear, it appears that he’s in his suit. Even just the two of them sitting on these chairs you see a truly comical height difference.

Amanda Johnson: We certainly have a jam packed event tonight here with the fifth edition of Grapple Kingdom and tonight I have the former World Champion and one of the participants in the Breakthrough Battle Royal in Seth Iser. Seth, thanks for arriving earlier and taking some time out of your schedule to take this interview.

Seth Iser: Go ahead and ask away what you want.

A blunt, direct reply from the veteran. With his arms crossed, he’s leaning back on the chair slightly but he doesn’t entirely want to be here. Amanda notices the agitation and proceeds.

Amanda Johnson: I’ll start by asking for a perspective that might be unique compared to everyone else but it comes to something you are familiar with…the FGA World Title. Lowri Moss vs Nina Stokes. I’ll point blank this question…who do you have?

Seth Iser: Nina Stokes.

There’s zero hesitation from Iser as he makes that comment. Amanda’s about to ask something to continue but he does raise his hand to let him elaborate on his own.

Seth Iser: What she’s doing right now it can also be a curse sometimes when you get that tunnel visioned on your own path to respect. I’ve been there…a lot of us wrestlers have, but that is a damn powerful motivation tool to have. Lowri’s beaten legends to retain her title but this is a completely different kind of animal she’s about to endure when that bell rings. Sometimes nothing is more ferocious than someone who hasn’t won that particular title yet and wants to taste its specific benefits for the first time. I also think style wise…Nina matches up well. She’s fast enough to not have it be a hindrance when Lowri plays the speed game and she can go from those vicious strikes to tying people up in knots at the blink of an eye. I think the winds of change are blowing and they’re going in her favor tonight.

Amanda just listens to that analysis and nods her head briefly while Seth maintains his professional look though it does seem as if he’s just waiting for the next question.

Amanda Johnson: The second question also doesn’t relate to you but it’s again a perspective I’d want to have because you’ve been in this situation…the animosity between John Carmichael and Chandler Scott. It’s bubbled out of control yet again and the two are clashing in three stages of hell. Where do you think their heads are at?

Seth Iser: It’s different then when I had my clash with Izzy…it’s more akin to when I was knee deep with Owen. You’re…consumed by hatred of the other person because you honestly feel like them still being in the wrestling industry is a blight of some sort to your own legacy. Egotistical thing to think about but when you feel wounded by somebody to that degree, it’s a conclusion your own mind comes to. So I know what they’re both thinking about one way or another. From a professional standpoint…it’s not going to end well for either of them and they have to pick up the pieces after enduring something like this. Personally though…

Seth’s face does darken slightly as he contemplates things further.

Seth Iser: I don’t particularly care for Carmichael…but I’d rather he find a way to win then Chandler Scott and if Chandler survives that encounter…I wouldn’t mind getting a piece of him myself for professional and personal reasons.

Amanda Johnson cocks an eyebrow at that as Seth’s got far more of an agitated expression over his face. It’s bordering on angry as you can see the slight vein over his eyebrow come in but he’s keeping his actual tone to his voice neutral…for now.

Amanda Johnson: Care to elaborate?

Seth Iser: Not the time to elaborate as they aren’t in my business yet but I gave you the honest answer to your previous question. Now please, ask your next question.

There’s a little more base on that last sentence then before but he’s doing his best to maintain his composure. It does seem mentioning Chandler Scott in general tends to agitate Seth but there’s nothing more coming from him.

Amanda Johnson: Well, you’re scheduled for the Breakthrough Battle Royal and there’s a prize that caught your eye obviously in being able to challenge for any title you want…where is your head space on that?

Seth’s face seems a little less agitated now that the questioning is more directly addressing something involving him.

Seth Iser: The truth of the matter is a lot of veterans really don’t like battle royals. A lot of different moving parts means more risk for injury. One bad landing for someone like me on my knee and that’s another six months on the shelf or worse considering my…history with knee injuries. But the truth of the matter is…when you give that kind of control where you are offering a free championship opportunity at any given time for the rest of the year on your terms…to someone like me, why wouldn’t you take it?

Amanda Johnson: You seem confident as you usually are that you’re winning…

Seth Iser: Why wouldn’t I be? I know my name means in that situation I’m a massive target. Just look at the Gold Rush Rumble for how often I was targeted by someone. Plus…I’m a tall, strong professional wrestler with experience. That only increases the target on my back. But this is nothing new…I’m often a target of people looking to compare themselves or advance their career. Ask Ant…the kid wanted to see where she stood just as an example. But that’s one of the prices for a sustained career and the success I’ve enjoyed over the past two decades in this industry. But I plan on winning this damn thing. I’ll do whatever I have to do…to whomever in that match to make sure I’m not thrown out. It’s the nature of the beast. I am the Game’s Greatest Cheat after all.

Amanda frowns at that while Seth has that smirk on his face.

Amanda Johnson: Do you have any plans with what you’re going to do with that.

Seth Iser: Come on now, Amanda. You know I can’t reveal that.

A mischievous grin is on Iser’s face.

Seth Iser: It could be tempting to pursue the World Title…it could be tempting to be a triple crown winner. But no counting chickens before they hatch…I have a battle royal to win. Now if you’ll excuse me…this interview is now concluded.

With that last statement, he stands up and takes off the microphone from his suit and walks off the set. It seems he’s made his intentions known.

[FGA Office]

The scene opens with Your Hero, and Mine standing in front of a Grapple Kingdom logo’d backdrop. He stares into the lens, cold and calculating.

Mark Storm: I… am addicted.

His signature smirk plasters over his lips.

Mark Storm: To all of this. The thrill, the way that I feel when I inflict pain on others… the way that I feel when they inflict it on me. This is all that I know and I’ll keep fighting the good fight for as long as I can. I’ve been here for almost a decade now, give or take, on and off, doing my thing, going through different iterations of myself, trying to find who I was for the longest of times, and then I did… I found out who I was and ever since then, I stuck with my guns, became Your Hero, and Mine and I’ve never looked back.

He clenches his fist, turning away from the camera for a moment as he reflects.

Mark Storm: This company has become my home in more ways than you can possibly imagine, it’s been a constant, a promotion synonymous with my career yet I haven’t quite broken through the benchmark. I haven’t quite lived up to the expectations I set up for myself, all those years back, when I was scheming in the cauldrons whilst others were sleeping.

Mark Storm:But once I got to the top of the throne, as a multiple time world champion in a number of promotions - but I’ll be the first to admit it, I became complacent. I spread myself too thin and used that as an excuse for why I wasn’t delivering, I did so for years. Shit, I’ve only won one title since being here… and for me, that isn’t good enough.

There’s a sincerity in his voice, an honesty that forces his voice to crack a little as he finishes his sentence. He licked his dry lips, opening them to continue:

Mark Storm: All the titles I’ve competed for, the tournaments I’ve entered, the names I’ve come up against. I haven’t been able to build momentum long enough to sustain and it’s plagued me here, I’m aware of that fact. I’m aware that it’s been tarnishing my career, everywhere that I go, this place being the one stint that haunts me… despite the fact that I love this place so much. I’ve got no more excuses.

He shakes his head sideways, with a grin beginning to stretch across his mouth.

Mark Storm: I know who I am, and I know what I can do in the ring. Last week, I proved that I still belong here, I proved that I still have what it takes to reach the mountaintop in FGA. Defeating Mark Bisley wasn't easy, especially after the loss to Logan the week prior, my head was all over the place, I’ll be honest with you.

My heads been all over the place for the last few years, as life’s been ticking and everybody else has either dipped or taken their chances… or, they’re just another footnote soon to be forgotten about, and that’s the shit that scares me the most.

Storm smiles, chuckling lightly.

Mark Storm: There’s a lot that I’ve got to rectify. A lot of mistakes that I’ve made throughout the years, all the doubts and anguish, it’s all been adding up to this moment right here, tonight, Grapple Kingdom, the Breakout Battle Royal commences. And shit, it’s about damn time that Your Hero, and Mine, rises to the top.

He points upwards;

Mark Storm: I’ve been ready for it. I’m in the best shape of my career right now, as motivated as I’ve ever been with my mind set on accomplishing some gold in the near future. What title do I have my mind set on? Let’s just say, I’m aiming for the moon and shooting for the stars and tonight, I get one step closer to destiny… from Your Hero, and Mine.

The scene gradually fades out.

[FGA Office]

BREAKOUT BATTLE ROYAL
Mark Bisley, Gwen Margolis, Monty Margolis, Patrick Jones, Ashley Sullivan,
AMC, Betsy Gallagher, Seth Iser, Mark Storm, Max Powers, Landon Knight

Seth starts walking down to the ring...glare etched on his face and listening to the fans boo him. A methodical, slow walk as he cracks his knuckles on the way down before pulling himself up onto the apron and enters the ring calmly before performing a crucifix pose at the center of the ring to revive the lights. He then goes to his corner and slinks to a seat just waiting for the bell to ring.

Kris Cruise: It's now Battle Royal time, Stephy. We've got the Breakout Battle Royal up next. One of these lucky grapplers is going to have a championship match of their choosing if they make it all the way to the end. Who are you going with?

Stephy Auger: I'm going with the biggest threat in this match and that's Seth Iser. He is Wrestling's Greatest Mind. He is the Game's Greatest Cheat. By hook, or by crook, Iser will find a way to make it out of here with a guaranteed title shot in the bag. This is the same man that won the Wildcard Lottery a couple of years back. Tonight, he's hitting the jackpot yet again.

Kris Cruise: Well I'm going to go with a darkhorse pick here and say Gwen Margolis. Her and her Uncle have been this close to getting that big win. I think that happens tonight. With a win, her and her Uncle can get right back in the World Tag Team Championship picture. Or, she might want to try her hand at a singles titles. But Gwen is who I'm going with.

Kris Cruise: Really, her? At least Ashes to Ashes have done something recently. The only thing Gwen has done of note since being here has been getting...

Kris Cruise: Stop it!

Stephy Auger: FINE! Fine...

Once the bell sounds, Bisley immediately drops and rolls to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Where is Bisley going?

Stephy Auger: Where do you think he's going?

Mark Storm can be seen motioning for Bisley to get back inside, but Bisley's in no hurry. The referees on the outside begin to admonish him. Bisley is quick to remind them that there's no disqualification, so he can stay out there for as long as he wants.

Stephy Auger: That's right, Bisley! You tell him! See, this is why he's The Smartest Guy in the Room.

Kris Cruise: ...but I thought you said Seth was Wrestling's Greatest Mind?

Stephy Auger: I don't recall saying that.

Kris Cruise: ...

While Storm is focused on Bisley, Seth Iser comes up from behind, grabs Storm and tosses him over the top rope!

Stephy Auger: There you go, Seth!

Luckily for Storm, he lands safely on the apron. He then nails an approaching Iser with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before knocking Bisley away with a back kick to the face.

Kris Cruise: Bisley tried to yank Storm off the apron, but he caught with a kick right in the mush for his troubles!

Iser goes to try and knock Storm off the apron again. But Jones hooks his arm from behind, spins him back towards him and nails him with a trio of knife edge chops.

Kris Cruise: Jones is lighting him up!

Betsy Gallagher then runs over to knock Storm off the apron, but Storm turns her inside out with a slingshot flipping lariat!

Kris Cruise: What a lariat from Storm! Lady Gallagher nearly got her head taken off on that one!

Back inside the ring, Ashes to Ashes, Illuminati PROJEKT and the SMWB are all battling with each other.

Kris Cruise: Look at the tag teams going at it!

Stephy Auger: If they were mart, they'd team up and eliminate everyone else first.

The three teams continue to trade punches back and forth with three pairs: Gwen Margolis & Max Powers, Monty Margolis & AMC and Ashley Sands & Landon Knight. Once Gwen, Monty and AMC are all dazed, Powers, AMC and Knight take off into the ropes. When they return, they get brought down to the mat with back body drops. Gwen, Monty and AMC bring them back down with dropkicks. Powers gets whipped into one corner by Gwen, AMC gets whipped into the adjacent corner by Monty and Sands gets whipped into the far corner by Knight. Knight runs over, hurls himself at Sands and connects with the Tail Attack (flying hip attack)! Monty runs in to attack AMC, but AMC turns him around with a boot to the face. She quickly hoists herself up to the middle ropes before driving him down with a diving bulldog. After Gwen sends Powers slumping down in the corner with mudhole stomps, she backs up towards the center of the ring, charges forward and squashes him with a cannonball senton!

AMC takes Monty and tries to dump him over the top rope, but Gwen is right there to stop her with clubbing strikes across the back. Illuminati PROJEKT then take AMC and dump her over the top to the floor!

(AMC - ELIMINATED)

Kris Cruise: We've got our first eliminated of the match as Gwen & Monty Margolis sent AMC to the showers.

Stephy Auger: Aw, poor AMC got eliminated early. I almost feel sorry for her.

Across the ring, Jones lights up Iser with knife edge chops in the corner. He then moves Iser out of the corner before setting up for an irish whip. Iser quickly reverses! When Jones returns, the crowd cheers when he knocks Iser down with a flying forearm! Iser gets back to his feet, turns around and gets dropped with another flying forearm. Jones takes Iser and successfully delivers the irish whip the second time around. When Iser returns, he sees Jones setting up for a back body drop. So he stops, pulls Jones into a front facelock and twirls his finger around before planting him with the Deprivation DDT (Jake Roberts-style DDT)!

Kris Cruise: OH NO!

Stephy Auger: That's what happens when you leave yourself wide open. A vet like Patty Jones should know better than that. But his judgement has also been so-so, so maybe I shouldn't be too surprised.

The boos continue as Iser takes Jones and tosses him over the top to the floor!

(Patrick Jones - ELIMINATED)

Iser backs away from the ropes until Knight leaps onto his back and applies a Sleeper Hold!

Kris Cruise: Knight caught Iser when he wasn't looking. A rare mistake from Seth.

Stephy Auger: I'll give that dork credit. He's trying to tire out the biggest threat in this match.

Before Knight can really get in clamped on tight, Iser reaches up, grabs him by the head with both hands and slams him down in font of him. Gallagher then quickly takes control of Iser's back. She goes for the Queen's Lariat (Wristlock transitioned into a Short-Arm Lariat), but Iser ducks. When Gallagher turns around, she gets caught with three jabs before getting turned inside out with a discus clothesline!

Kris Cruise: Gallagher got rocked by yet another clothesline!

Powers runs over and drops Iser down to a knee with a basement dropkick. Iser gets back to a vertical base before Sullivan runs up from behind and connects with a kick to the back of the leg. Gwen runs over and nails Iser with a kick to the left shin. After Monty nails Iser with a kick to the back of the right leg, Storm runs over and connects with a kick to the right shin.

Seth Iser: STOP F'N KICKING ME!

Illuminati PROJEKT, Knight, Storm and Sands all look at each other and shrug... before running over and kicking Iser at the same time to cheers from the crowd!

Stephy Auger: This isn't fair, Cruise!

Iser continues to get kicked until Illuminati PROJEKT, SMWB, Sands and Storm all muscle Iser over into the ropes. The crowd cheers as they try to dump iser over the top.

Kris Cruise: They've almost got Seth out!

Stephy Auger: No! Seth! Hang on!

Iser hangs on for dear life.

Kris Cruise: They've nearly got him up and over!

Stephy Auger: No! Please! Seth! Do something! Bribe them! Anything!

Quickly from behind comes Gallagher, who grabs SMWB and slams their heads together. She then takes Knight, runs and tosses him over the top to the floor!

(Landon Knight - ELIMINATED)

Stephy Auger: I guess he was all out of power ups, huh?

Powers runs over to attack, but Gallagher catches him with a back elbow to the face, doubles him over with a knee to the midsection and follows up with the British End (Pumphandle Lift dropped into a Reverse STO).

Kris Cruise: Gallagher is starting to turn this around for herself in this match. She eliminated one half of the SMWB and she looks primed to eliminate the other right here.

Gallagher grabs Powers, turns and stops in her tracks when she sees Summer Page on the apron.

Kris Cruise: What the heck is she doing out here?

Stephy Auger: She's just taking in the sights. What's wrong with that?

Kris Cruise: "TaKiNg In ThE sIgHtS". Please!

Gallagher extends her arms out, wondering what Page wants. Page can be seen mouthing to Gallagher that she should be in this match, not her. Gallagher responds by motioning for Page to get in the ring.

Kris Cruise: Lady Gallagher is inviting Page into the ring. She wants to be in so bad, come on down!

Page motions to step into the ring, then hops down to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Gallagher motions towards the ropes until Gwen runs up from behind, grabs Gallagher and dumps her over the top rope to the floor!

(Betsy Gallagher- ELIMINATED)

Page immediately picks up Gallagher, runs forward and slams her face-first into the ring post!

Kris Cruise: OH COME ON!

Stephy Auger: That's why you have to heave your head on a swivel in these matches.

Kris Cruise: Summer Page had no business being out here and you know it!

Stephy Auger: Actually, know, I don't know that.

Kris Cruise: ...

Page continues to be admonished by the referees on the outside. She responds with a smirk and puts her hands up while she backs away.

Kris Cruise: Yeah, she can smirk all she wants to. When Betsy Gallagher comes to, it won't be a laughing matter for her.

Back in the ring, Iser is able to fight off Sands, Storm and Monty eye rakes, eye pokes and eye gouges. He then scoops Sands up across his shoulders and delivers a snake eye in the corner. Sands bounces off the top turnbuckle and stumbles away from the corner until Iser comes off the ropes and knocks her down with a big boot! He then takes Sands, runs and tosses her over the top rope to the floor!

(Ashley Sands - ELIMINATED)

Kris Cruise: There goes the other half of Ashes to Ashes!

Monty looks to the outside and sees Bisley continuing to sit in a chair despite the protests of the officials. He quickly drops and rolls to the outside before slapping the apron.

Stephy Auger: Mark! MARK!

Monty rounds the ring post and makes his way over towards Bisley.

Kris Cruise: It's abut time someone gets him in the ring. If he hates these matches so bad, he could've easily declined the invite.

Bisley gets up before Monty immediately gets in his face.

Stephy Auger: You don't want these problems, Monty. I'm telling you...

Bisley motions towards the ring before doubling Monty over with a rolling solebutt. The boos continue as he hits Monty with the Iko Uwais (cravat with repeated knees to the head) before bringing him down with a snap suplex!

Stephy Auger: See? What did I tell you, Cruise!

Bisley gets back to his feet, turns and does a double take as Gwen runs along the apron before flipping off and knocking him down with a cannonball senton!

Kris Cruise: Bisley just got flattened by Gwen Margolis!

Stephy Auger: Pfft! Cheap shot...

Kris Cruise: Cheap shot!?

Gwen takes Bisley and slams him face-first onto the guardrail, then face-first onto the steel steps, then face-first onto the apron before pushing him back inside.

Stephy Auger: She could've just rolled him back inside, you know...

Bisley tries to shake out the cobwebs as he gets back to his feet. When he turns, Gwen brings him right back down with a wheelbarrow facebuster!

Kris Cruise: Bisley isn't getting off easy.

Once Monty gets back inside, Illuminati PROJEKT bring him down with a double suplex. They then take Bisley and whip him into the corner. Gwen rushes in to attack, but Bisley knocks her back with a back elbow to the face. Monty comes charging in, but Bisley ducks and dumps him over the top rope!

The crowd cheers when Monty lands on the apron, but the cheers turn right to boos when Bisley quickly follows up with the Ace Kick (triangle enzuigiri), knocking Monty to the floor!

Stephy Auger: Hell yeah!

(Monty Margolis - ELIMINATED)

Gwen rushes back over to attack, but Bisley counters with an overhead belly to belly over to the top to the floor!

(Gwen Margolis - ELIMINATED)

Stephy Auger: And that's two in a row for Mark Bisley! Oh, can we show that overhead belly to belly on Gwen to the outside? I really, really want to see that replay.

Powers runs over to attack Bisley, but he, too, gets dumped over the top rope!

Stephy Auger: That's three in a row!

After Powers lands safely on the apron, Bisley is quick to knock him off, too, with an Ace Kick!

NO!

Powers ducks. When Bisley gets back up, Powers doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before knocking him down with a Mushroom Stomp (springboard double foot stomp to an opponent's back)!

Kris Cruise: Max Powers just saved himself from elimination.

Powers gets up and ducks a clothesline from Iser before hitting the ropes. He comes back and throws himself at Iser with a crossbody, but Iser catches.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh...

Before Iser can slam him, Powers fights his way out of it with elbows to the head. He then lands on his feet, doubles Iser over and plants him with a Snap DDT!

Kris Cruise: It's-A-Me DDT!

Stephy Auger: Don't let him DDT you, Seth! You DDT him!

Powers returns to his feet with a kip up before Storm grabs him from behind. Storm runs towards the ropes before Powers pivots and tosses him over the top!

Kris Cruise: STORM IS GONE.........no!

Storm lands safely on the apron. When Powers turns around, Storm turns him inside out with slingshot flipping lariat!

NO!

Powers rolls underneath it. When Storm turns around, Powers quickly takes control of the arm before catching him with a Chain Chomp (Arm wrench into a short-arm forearm smash)! Storm gets hit with another Chain Chomp. Powers goes for a third, but Storm ducks the forearm and counters with a belly to back suplex. NO! Powers rolls over the shoulder, lands on his feet and takes control of Storm's back. After Storm catches him with three back elbows to the face, he hits the ropes. When Storm returns, Powers brings him down with a Thwomp (Diving double knee drop to a standing opponent)!

Kris Cruise: Max Powers has taken control of this Battle Royal!

Powers takes Storm and whips him into the corner. He then runs across the ring, hurls himself at Storm and connects with a Tail Attack!

NO!

Storm slips out of the way, causing Powers to crash into the corner. Powers stumbles out of the corner until Storm lifts him up onto his shoulders from behind before driving him down with a One-handed electric chair driver!

Kris Cruise: Hero's End!

Storm takes Powers, turns and tosses him over the top to the floor!

Max Powers - ELIMINATED

Storm looks across the ring and sees Iser and Bisley staring back at him.

Stephy Auger: And then there were three!

Iser gains Bisley's attention. He then motions his finger between the two of them before pointing over at Storm. Bisley nods in agreement.

Kris Cruise: This isn't good for Mark Storm.

Stephy Auger: But it looks great for me! I couldn't think of a better final two than Iser and Bisley, the smartest men in all of FGA!

Iser and Bisley start to slowly make their way over towards Storm. In a flash, they quick turn towards each other and try to shove the other towards Storm.

Kris Cruise: Of course! Those two schemers couldn't wait to turn on each other!

Iser and Bisley argue until Bisley nails Iser with a knife edge chop. Iser returns the favor with a stinging knife edge chop. Bisley cracks across the chest with another knife edge chop. Iser delivers another chop that echoes throughout the arena.

Kris Cruise: Iser and Bisley aren't backing down!

The two continue to trade chops until Bisley doubles him over with a rolling solebutt. After placing Iser in a cravat and hitting him with repeated knees to the head, Iser stands up and follows with a trio of jabs. He throws out a discus clothesline, but Bisley ducks. When Iser turns around, he gets doubled over with another rolling solebutt before getting brought down with Greetings from the Twin Cities (hangman's neckbreaker over the knee)! Storm runs over to attack, but he gets doubled over with a rolling solebutt for his troubles before getting brought down with Greetings from the Twin Cities!

Kris Cruise: Mark Bisley's in the driver seat now.

Stephy Auger: Don't waste your time, Mark. Just dump them over the top.

Bisley grabs Storms, runs and tries to toss him over the top rope. Storm blocks by hooking his arm around the top rope. Bisley then delivers forearms to the back before turning him around. Storm gets caught with rapid fire elbow smashes before Bisley tries to dump him over the top. Storm fights him off with a flurry of punches to the face. He then takes control of Bisley and sends him into the far ropes. When Bisley returns, he drops Storm to the prone position with You Didn't See That Coming (high speed running dropkick to the knee)! He then takes control of Iser and sets up for an irish whip. Iser quickly reverses! When Bisley returns, he slides though Iser's leg. Iser then turns around and gets caught with the Anaconda Bite (superkick to an opponent's leg followed by a superkick to the kneeling opponent)!

Bisley takes Iser and tries to dump him over the top, but Iser blocks by grabbing onto the ropes. So Bisley hits him with multiple knees to the midsection before tossing him through the ropes to the apron. He then drags Iser across the middle rope before bringing him down with the Left Hand Free (rope assisted single arm DDT)!

Bisley moves Iser into the corner before unleashing the Minnesota Buzzsaw (repeated shoot kicks to a cornered opponent's chest)! He goes to dump Iser over the top until Storm nails him with a forearm to the lower back.

Kris Cruise: Questionable move there by Mark Storm.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, if he were smart, he would've helped Bisley eliminate Iser. But when have you ever associated Mark Storm with intelligence, anyway?

Storm takes Bisley, runs into the adjacent corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. NO! Bisley gets his foot on the middle rope, elbows Storm, slams him face-first into the corner and follows up with the Minnesota Buzzsaw. Storm is then whipped into the far corner. Bisley runs across the ring to attack, but Storm runs out of the corner and cuts him off with a lariat that turns him inside out! The cheers turn to boos when when Iser rushes over and turns him inside out with a lariat of his own!

Kris Cruise: Everyone gets a lariat tonight, apparently!

Iser takes Storm, runs and tosses him over the to rope. He marches back over, grabs Bisley, runs and tosses him over the top rope!

Bisley and Storm pull themselves up on the apron before exchanging knife edge chops. The two continue to chop each other back and forth before switching to trading elbow smashes. Iser watches the two of them go at it before he rushes over.

Stephy Auger: Here he comes!

Iser motions to shove them both over the top. Bisley and Storm catch him out of the corners of their eyes, so they low-bridge the top rope. Unfortunately for them, Iser slams on the brakes in time. He then nails Bisley with a stomp through the ropes, then Storm.

Iser takes Storm, heads into the corner and slams him face-first into the ring post. He heads over to grab Bisley, but Bisley knocks him back with a rope-assisted gamengiri. Bisley quickly hops back in through the ropes before catching Iser with rapid-fire elbow smashes. He then turns Iser away from him before hitting a pair of rolling German Suplexes. Bisley goes to follow up with a release Dragon Suplex, but Iser breaks free, connects with a back elbow to the face, hits a standing switch, takes control of Bisley's back and delivers a release German Suplex!

NO!

Bisley rotates and lands on his feet. He runs back over to attack, but Iser counters with a spinebuster!

Kris Cruise: Spine on the pine!

Iser picks up Bisley before delivering the Mandible Claw!

Stephy Auger: The Injection of Poison!

Iser keeps the hold applied as he muscles Bisley across the ring before pushing him over the top to the floor!

(Mark Bisley - ELIMINATED)

Kris Cruise: Bisley's gone! It's down to Seth Iser and Mark Storm! One of these two are going to win this Battle Royal!

Stephy Auger: C'mon, Seth! You've got this!

Iser quickly turns around and backs himself towards the nearest corner. Across the ring, he sees Storm stepping back in through the ropes.

The two veterans slowly make their way towards the center. They stare each other down in the center of the ring. Iser stares Storm down until Storm whacks him with an open palm strike. The cheers continue when Iser gets caught with another open palm strike. Storm fires off multiple elbow smashes until an uppercut knocks Iser back. Storm takes off into the ropes. When he returns, Iser cuts him off with a running big boot.

NO!

Storm drops to his back, returns to his feet with a kip up and nails Iser with a discus forearm! He then catches Iser with a high intensity combination of strikes with his hands followed by a spinning back kick! Storm takes off into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos when Iser throws him down with a spinebuster!

Kris Cruise: Spine on the pine!

Iser picks up Storm, heads towards the corner and delivers a snake eyes across the top turnbuckle. Storm stumbles back while Iser hits the far ropes. When Storm turns around, he gets turned inside out with a running big boot.

Stephy Auger: He nearly knocked his head off!

Iser picks up Storm, runs and tosses him over the top!

Stephy Auger: Storm's gone!

Storm lands safely on the apron. He goes for another slingshot flipping lariat, but Iser counters with the Pillar of Truth (Bossman Slam)! Iser twirls his finger around.

Kris Cruise: Seth's calling for it!

Stephy Auger: It's DDT time!

Iser pulls Storm into a front facelock before planting him with a Deprivation DDT!

NO!

Storm takes the arm, spins out of it and counters with an open palm strike across the face. The crowd cheers when he tries to lift Iser up for a brainbuster...

Stephy Auger: Now way!

Iser counters by kicking his legs, which forces Storm to lower him back down. Iser goes for a suplex, but Storm slips down from behind. Storm takes control of Iser's back and goes for a German Suplex, but Iser counters with a low blow.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

Kris Cruise: Oh come on!

Stephy Auger: It's all legal, quit your crying!

The boos continue as he hits a standing switch before throwing Storm down with a release German Suplex. Iser heads over, pulls Storm up from behind and throws him down with another release German Suplex. Storm gets chucked across the ring with another release German Suplex. Iser then hits a release German that causes Storm to land face-down.

Kris Cruise: Seth's having his way with Storm after that low blow.

Iser picks up Storm and scoops him across his shoulder. The crowd gasps when he goes for a running powerslam over the top rope, but Storm gets his arms out and blocks the move by grabbing the top rope. Iser pulls Storm away, turns and goes to throw him down with another running powerslam over the top. But again, Storm gets his arms out and grabs the top rope to block it. Iser turns, heads across the ring and goes for another running powerslam over the top. Once again, Storm blocks it.

Kris Cruise: Storm's fighting to stay in this match!

As Iser backs away, Storm starts to elbow him in the face. After slipping down from behind, he spins Iser towards him before throwing out a discus forearm. NO! Iser counters with the Injection of Poison! Storm flails his arms around before grabbing Iser by the wrist with both hands.

Kris Cruise: Seth's got it locked in again! He eliminated Mark Bisley with this!

Iser's got the move locked in. When he starts to press down, Storm slowly lowers down to a knee.

Stephy Auger: Oh its over now!

Iser can be seen shaking his head. He knows victory is seconds away. Just then, Storm starts to slowly fight back to his feet. Iser shakes his head in disbelief before Storm fights back with stomps to the foot.

Once the hold is broken, Storm hits the ropes, returns and knocks Iser down 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)!

Storm slowly lifts Iser up off the mat until Iser quickly lifts him up and brings him down with the Icebreaker (Irish Curse)!

Stephy Auger: He should've eliminated Seth when he had the chance!

Iser takes Storm, delivers an irish whip, follows him into the corner and connects with a lariat. Iser delivers multiple European Uppercuts before pulling him out of the corner. Storm gets sent for the ride. When he returns, Iser flattens him with a running big boot to the face.

Kris Cruise: Iser pretty much has Storm dead to right here.

Iser reaches down, picks up Storm and scoops him across his shoulder.

Stephy Auger: He's going out!

Before Iser can drop him down into position, Storm starts to kick his legs. Storm continues to kick the legs until Iser leans back. After Storm lands on his feet, the crowd gasps when Storm reverses and holds Iser upside down.

Stephy Auger: What!?

The crowd erupts with cheers when Storm plants Iser with a jumping spinning Tombstone Piledriver!

Kris Cruise: NO WAY!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

Storm picks up Iser, lifts him up across his shoulders and brings him down with an Inverted GTS)!

Kris Cruise: Incursio!

Stephy Auger: No, no, no!

Storm takes Iser, runs and tosses him over the top rope to the floor!

(Seth Iser - ELIMINATED)

The crowd cheers as "Short Change Hero" blasts over the PA!

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, MARK STORM!

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

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm has done it!

Stephy Auger: DAMMIT!

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm has won the Breakout Battle Royal! He has now earned himself a championship match of his choosing before the end of 2023!

Storm walks around doing the belt motion around his waist before pointing out at the crowd.

[FGA Office]

There is a distinct chill in the air backstage at the Kaseya Center, which is likely due to the fact Silk & Cyanide are stalking the hallways looking for a bone to pick, or perhaps because their usual backstage fare has not arrived - or has been depleted ahead of schedule

As they stalk the halls, the pair of them walk past a seemingly innocuous item: the whiteboard with this event’s run order hastily scribbled on it with a Sharpie, which at first the pair walk past…but a moment later Erin Mariani stops in her tracks and takes a couple of steps backwards, casting her eye upon the run order at clicking her tongue with such vigour that it would almost count as using an offensive weapon

Erin Mariani: Because of course, will you look at that…

Leaning in to view, Sara Mason looks at the run order and either doesn’t get what her partner is implying, or she knows what the point is and is using the opportunity to get her partner that little bit more in the mood for ripping an opponent or two apart

Sara Mason: Look at what, E?

The response draws a sideways glance, which Mason seemed to be fully aware was coming, judging by the knowing look in her eyes

Erin Mariani: I seem to recall that, for the last show, we were told that we would be given the most important placement of the evening, as we would be competing in the final match of the night. And for a moment it appeared that maybe, just maybe, it had occurred to the whelps who continue to keep this place running through good will and better luck that we were getting our due. Of course, what they neglected to mention to us is that, once we had finished our match, the real headline act would follow: two patriarchal idiots bickering with one another like the children they so clearly are, because apparently that is what appeals to the easily-pleased waste that resides in Rhode Island

A roll of the eyes indicates that Mariani is voicing her disgust in a non-verbal manner

Erin Mariani: And yet here we are, the very next show, tucked away where nobody can see us, because the “more important” matches are getting preferential treatment – and by “more important matches”, naturally that means the people this company have given a few shows to rest up are now walking back in and we’re pushed aside. It is good to feel appreciated, really it is

Casting her eyes around the whiteboard, Mariani looks to see if the Sharpie is still there so she can do a little creative editing to the run order, but when she sees that whoever wrote up the run order took the pen with them she changes tack

Erin Mariani: Of course, that is what tonight is all about, isn’t it? People who feel more important, and as a result they feel that certain talents are beneath us. For example, this evening’s entertainment, who have spoken about how they will take our property as if it has already happened. No consideration for why there might be a valid reason why we have held these titles for so long, no consideration for how many opponents we have left in our wake, the immediate assumption as tonight is their night and it is a matter of time – and they assumed that weeks ago

Sara Mason: I noticed. Ever since they walked up to the chopping block it’s been chirp-chirp-chirp from the two of them, to the point that the idea of teaming with that Logan Alexander try-hard seemed almost bearable at the last show. Almost, but not quite…

Mason mimes sticking her fingers down her throat, which is hardly a surprise given their long and stories issues with Logan Alexander

Sara Mason: You have to wonder if there was the hope our team would break down and give the two servings of meat a little momentum boost, thinking we can’t cooperate while they were a well-oiled machine, or whatever corpo speak they’d try and use

Erin Mariani: The thought occurred to me as well, which makes it all the more delicious that those who may have been hoping for that did not get what they wished for

Sara Mason: You’d think they’d be used to us disappointing them by now, wouldn’t you?

Erin Mariani: Quite…

The two of them share a dark, knowing chuckle between themselves, and at that point they walk away from the whiteboard and continue to walk their path through the backstage area

…that is until Mason stops mid-walk, as something comes to her mind

Sara Mason: You know, there’s something else which needs to be said: if you watch them for any amount of time, even for a couple of minutes, you notice that the pair of them are incapable of doing anything without begging for the crowd’s approval. They look to hit a move, so they pose. They actually hit a move, they pose. They have gone ten seconds without begging for the crowd’s approval, so they pose. It’s like clockwork: pose, taunt, beg for approval, repeat

Erin Mariani: I’m sure that isn’t rooted in any kind of seep-seated insecurities they may have felt gestating within them from an early age…

Mason looks like she’s about to verbally agree, then she just nods – almost as if she spotted a potential double standard that would have happened if she responded in a way that may be construed as seeking approval

Sara Mason: Are we supposed to be surprised that they seem to have a track record of partners or allies getting tired of them and deciding it’s time to put their healing abilities to the test? It must be exhausting to spend any amount of time with them, standing on the apron watching them dance for a smattering of cheers. Probably explains why they both spent so much time with the 15 Championship, because anything longer than fifteen minutes in their company and I’d be looking for a crowbar so I could have a few months peace and quiet

Erin Mariani: Crowbar? I thought you were more into cheese graters these days?

Mason puts a finger to her lips to hush her partner, and a second or so later the two have a particularly evil chuckle at that one

Sara Mason: And yet, rather than the crowd’s approval because they managed to perform something they are supposed to be capable of doing 100 times in a row if needs be, there is something else they should be begging for: forgiveness, because hearing how the two of them have presumed that they will be champions and offered us zero respect is the sort of thing that could, should and will have grave consequences for them. But this time they won’t be able to beg for sympathy because somebody they thought they could trust had attacked them and left them on the shelf, oh no, instead they’ll be begging for something to take them pain away because rather than state their case to consider themselves worthy contenders they instead did something incredibly stupid: they gave us a reason to punish them. Utterly. Severely. To the point that they will wish that they had shown a little more decorum when talking themselves up because they have given us a reason not just to defeat them to keep hold of our titles, but to crush them so they won’t be dumb enough to mouth off about what doesn’t belong to them in future…if they have one, that is

Running her tongue over her teeth, Mason suddenly looks like she really, really wants to know where she left that cheese grater, as she’s coming up with a few ideas on how to leave her mark on either Sparrow or TJ Techniques this evening – one way or another, she will leave a mark on them

Erin Mariani: I do have to wonder, when we send the two of them the way of so many fools who have begged for our attention in the past and regretted their doing so when they learned that our attention is something that they most certainly want to avoid, what will be left for them? They will be unable to beg for approval as people will look at them like they do a feral dog which has clearly not eaten for days, with sympathy and yet they daren’t touch it for fear of being tainted with its disease. In fact, they may well be unable to beg for approval before we have finished with them, as it hard to hop to your feet like a jackrabbit to rouse the crowd if your body immediately tells you that you must, shall and will stay down because the pain is just too much for you to bear, no matter what your ego tells you

Sara Mason: Well there’s one thing that they can certainly beg for, and they better be ready to do so from the opening bell

A wicked smile crosses Mariani’s face, as her and Mason’s minds have intersected on the exact concept of their opponent’s impending suffering

Erin Mariani: Mercy

Letting out a particularly icy chuckle, Mariani enjoys the anticipation of tonight’s feast

Erin Mariani: …and if those fools expect us to offer them that, they deserve everything which is coming to them

With that thought so firmly planted in the minds of both members of Silk & Cyanide, there is little more for them to do until their match other than slink their way through the Kaseya Center's corridors so they can get their final preparations in place, chuckling at the thought of Def Before Dishonor's fates as they go.

[FGA Office]

Continuing a recent trend, Piper Lennon does not seem to be her usual cheery jovial self. If anything,one of our challengers for the Mid-Atlantic Championship seems quite subdued. She does have some Piper-isms about her-- she's sitting on a crate, chewing a large wad of bubble gum, but the energy has definitely shifted.

Piper Lennon: I know, I know, it's not the demeanor you want or expect between the biggest match of my life on the biggest show of the year for FGA. But, I mean ... can you really blame me for being a bit tired after all of this the last few months?

She waves her hands around to illustrate her point.

Piper Lennon: This is probably the part where I'm supposed to give a big speech or whatever, but let's be real here. I've said my motivations, I've stated my goals both tangible and abstract over and over again. So the best thing I can do, the best way to make sure I give my best performance is just to be honest here. Because I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a liar.

A sharp exhale.

Piper Lennon: So here's me being as real as I can be. Mara, as much as I've given them some shit, I totally get why they feel the way they do. It makes sense within their limited world view to think they're in the drivers seat. But ... if you look at history, you'd realize something. You'd realize that doing this---

Piper gestures to the black eye and stitches on her face from the attack last Vertigo.

Piper Lennon: --- to me? Taking me out, taking me away from being able to back up my friend and pick up the win we should've in that Main Event, was a perfect way to put someone that's wired the way I'm wired in a position to succeed.

She hops up off the crate.

Piper Lennon: And to my friend, Ant, I like you a lot ... I value you, I truly do. But, I've been nothing but honest about what I came back for and tonight that just might conflict with your goals. So, I'm sorry about what I've gotta do, I really am, but Daddy's home and it's time for some changes.

[FGA Office]

FGA LEGACY CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
© Mara Jade Miller vs. Antoinette 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. After circling halfway around the ring, she removes her jacket and camera, leaving them at the timekeeper's area.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a Triple Threat Match for the FGA Legacy Championship! Introducing first, hailing from La Jolla, California! Weighing in at 143 pounds… PIPER LENNON!

She stops in front of the announce desk, leaning back against it and staring up at the ceiling. Only then does she pick the pace up, lurching forward and sliding under the bottom rope into the ring, then popping up to her feet. She takes her corner, slouching back and drumming her fingers as she waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Piper Lennon hasn't been having the best of luck in recent Vertigos. Most recently, she was taken out by Mara Jade Miller backstage before the big main event.

Stephy Auger: You don't know that for certain.

Kris Cruise: Piper Lennon doesn't have any reason to lie about that.

Stephy Auger: So you just assume Piper is telling the truth without proof!? Let's look at what we do know. We do know that Antoinette left Piper high and dry!

Kris Cruise: She did not!

Stephy Auger: We also know that Piper saved Antoinette from getting her head knocked off with a pump kick as Vertigo 99. How did Antoinette show her appreciation? By ducking out of the way and letting Piper get smashed in the face on Vertigo 101!

Kris Cruise: That was an accident.

Stephy Auger: Suuuure! You want to know what else we know? Between Piper and her BFF Antoinette, the two of them have lost three, count em, THREE Legacy Championship matches against Mara Jade Miller. Tonight, it'll be number four and after tonight, it'll be to the back of the line for them both!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, hailing from Durham, North Carolina! Weighing in at 121 pounds… ANTOINETTE!

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

Kris Cruise: Out next is Antoinette. She would love for nothing more than to get her Legacy Championship back and get her revenge on Mara Jade!

Stephy Auger: Oh yeah? Well, she's going to have to go through her BFF Piper to do it. Then again, Antoinette hasn't acted like that much of a friend to Piper, so putting the screws to her shouldn't be too hard.

Kris Cruise: Stop it.

Stephy Auger: Antoinette can't brawl with the likes of Piper and Mara Jade. Mara Jade towers over her. Mara Jade is stronger than her. The only thing she has going for her is her high flying ways and guess what? Tonight, that flying ant gets swatted down and stomped out!

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: Their opponent, hailing from Seattle, Washington! Weighing in at 170 pounds! They are the reigning… defending… FGA Legacy Champion! They are The Murder Theytriarch, 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 comes into tonight with the belief that they will walk out the same way they walked out.

Stephy Auger: Why shouldn't they? They've yet to be pinned. They've yet to be submitted! Any losses they've suffered thus far have come in multi-person tags or the Gold Rush Rumble. They have laid waste to everyone that's been put in their path and tonight will be more of the same. Piper isn't the same Piper from years ago. If this was that version of Piper, then I'd say that she could give Mara Jade a real run for their money. But she's not as cutthroat as she used to be. She's not as dangerous as she used to be. She wants to be a better person and befriend the likes of Antoinette. She's gone soft. She might offer up some challenge, but in the end, Mara Jade will crush both her and Antoinette under their boots.

Kris Cruise: Well, you've been 0-2 thus far in your predictions...

Stephy Auger: Shut it, Cruise.

As soon as the bell sounds, Miller marches over and berates Antoinette. The boos continue when they head over towards Lennon and do the same.

Stephy Auger: Look at Mara Jade exerting their dominance already.

Miller marches back over towards Antoinette before piefacing her.

“OOOOOOOOOOO”

The Legacy Champion marches back over to Lennon and piefaces her.

“OOOOOOOOOOO”

Miller turns and berates the crowd. As soon as they turn around, the crowd cheers when Antoinette and Lennon race over and double team them with wild strikes!

Stephy Auger: They can't do this!

Kris Cruise: They sure can!

Miller doubles over and tries to cover up, but Antoinette and Lennon continues to connect with clubbing strikes and uppercuts. Miller eventually stands up and swats away the strikes before shoving Lennon down to the mat. They then turn and palm Antoinette’s face before shoving her down to the mat. As soon as Miller turns around, Lennon pops back up and whacks them with an open hand chop. Miller goes to respond with a knife edge chop, but Lennon ducks and catches them with another open hand chop. Another open hand chop connects. Lennon goes for another open hand chop, but Miller reaches out, grabs Lennon by the wrist and hits her in the face with her own hand! The crowd boos as Miller laughs while forcing Lennon to continue to hit herself with her own hand.

Stephy Auger: HA HA HA! This is great!

This continues until Antoinette runs up from behind and leaps onto Miller’s back. The crowd cheers when they see Antoinette slip on a Sleeper.

Kris Cruise: Ant wants to put the giant to sleep!

Miller turns away from Lennon and heads towards the center of the ring. They then reach up, grab Antoinette by the hair with both hands and yank her down hard in front of them. They go to follow up with a jumping stomp to the face, but Antoinette rolls out of the way. Miller then motions to go after Antoinette, but Lennon spins them around and connects with a gamengiri. Miller stumbles back until Antoinette brings them down with the Sugar Rush (Russian Leg Sweep). Lennon heads over and follows up with a spinning boot scrape across the face.

Kris Cruise: Ant and Piper have got Mara Jade down. But can they keep them down?

Stephy Auger: No!

Antoinette picks up Miller, heads into the corner and slams them face-first into the top turnbuckle. She then turns them around before delivering a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. Antoinette goes to follow up with an irish whip, but Miller blocks by wrapping their free arm around the top rope. Antoinette goes for another irish whip attempt, but again, she gets blocked. Lennon then heads over and nails Miller with a cross chop to the throat. On cue, Lennon and Antoinette deliver a double irish whip, sending Miller into the far corner. Lennon and Antoinette head across the ring to attack until Miller darts out of the corner and runs them both over with a shoulder block. The boos grow even louder when Miller turns to yell out at the crowd.

Kris Cruise: They just ran right through them!

Stephy Auger: They can't match Mara Jade. Not on their best day!

Miller picks up Antoinette and whips her into the ropes. They set up for a back body drop on the return, but Antoinette counters with a kick to the face that knocks them upright. Lennon is quick to follow up with a jumping neckbreaker slam.

Kris Cruise: The key to this match might be Piper and Antoinette working as a team to take out Mara Jade Miller.

Miller rolls towards the side of the ring. Across the ring, Antoinette and Lennon high-five each other before pointing over at the champion. Once Miller pulls themselves up using the ropes and turn around, Antoinette and Lennon run over and connect with a double clothesline, sending them over the top rope to the floor!

Kris Cruise: Down goes the champion!

Stephy Auger: Not so fast!

Miller lands on their feet before stumbling back. Once they regain their balance they head towards the ring… until Antoinette leaps through the ropes and knocks them down with a suicide dive! The cheers continue as Lennon steps out to the apron before hitting a Cactus Elbow across the champion!

Stephy Auger: This isn't fair, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: After every thing Miller has done? This is more than fair!

Lennon slams Miller face-first on the apron before pushing them back inside. After Lennon and Antoinette roll back in, they take Miller and whip them hard into the far corner. Miller staggers out of the corner until they get brought down with a double back body drop!

Lennon locks her hands together as she sizes up Miller. She then rushes over to nail Miller with a running double ax handle, but Miller beats her to the punch, knocking her down with a big boot.

Antoinette runs over to attack, but Miller reaches out and catches her by the throat. They then go for a chokeslam, but Antoinette counters with an elbow to the side of the head on the way up. Antoinette lands on her feet before taking off into the far ropes. When she returns, Miller throws her down with a Double A Spinebuster!

Kris Cruise: Spine on the pine!

Stephy Auger: Like I told you, Cruise. It was only a matter of time. They couldn't keep Mara Jade down for long. They're too tough for those two.

Miller marches over, yanks up Lennon and whips her into the ropes. When Lennon returns, Miller brings her down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

Kris Cruise: They tried to break Piper in half on that one.

Miller heads over, yanks up Antoinette, lifts her up and throws her down on top of Lennon with a powerbomb! They then kick Antoinette off of Lennon, yank Lennon up and throws her down on top of Antoinette with a powerbomb!

Kris Cruise: I've never seen anything like this.

Stephy Auger: They're getting ragdolled by the champ!

The boos continue as Miller yanks up Antoinette before powerbombing her on top of Lennon again! They then yank Lennon back up, lift her up and throw her down across Antoinette with another powerbomb! Miller puts their foot on Lennon’s chest for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Lennon swats Miller’s foot off of her.

Miller snatches up Lennon by the hair before whipping her into the corner. The champion rushes in to attack, but they get countered with a back elbow to the face. Miller shakes off the blow before rushing back in. This time, Lennon turns them around with a boot to the face. Lennon then steps out to the apron before scaling the turnbuckles. When Miller turns around, Lennon jumps off from the top and knocks them down with a diving elbow drop!

NO!

Miller counters with a pump kick in mid air! The boos continue as they make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Antoinette dives over and breaks up the pin.

Kris Cruise: Good save there by Antoinette.

Antoinette nails Miller with repeated clubbing strikes across the back. She then picks up the champion and goes for an irish whip, but Miller reverses. When Antoinette returns, Miller tackles her down with a Lou Thesz Press before raining down forearms across the face. Miller then switches to the side before hitting Antoinette with grounded knee strikes. The champion then grabs a hold of Antoinette, lifts her up and throws her down hard with a Gourdbuster. Antoinette gets up on her knees while she guards her midsection. The boos continue as Miller lines her up before flattening her with a running knee strike! They make the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Lennon breaks up the pin with a jumping double stomp across the back.

Kris Cruise: Piper returned the favor with the save.

Lennon takes Miller, marches into the corner and goes to slam them face-first into the top turnbuckle. Miller blocks by getting their foot on the middle turnbuckle. After an elbow to the face, Miller takes Lennon and repeatedly slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. From there, thye turn Lennon around before unleashing a series of back elbows strikes to the face, followed by a series of knee strikes to the midsection. They then grab two handfuls of hair before chucking Lennon out of the corner towards the center of the ring!

Stephy Auger: Piper nearly got flung all the way up to the cheap seats.

Miller marches over towards Lennon until Antoinette comes out of nowhere with a running leg lariat. Miller stumbles back and shakes off the blow while Antoinette hits the far ropes. Miller makes her way over towards her before getting brought down with a running hurricanrana.

NO!

Miller blocks, leaving Antoinette hanging upside down.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh...

Miller grabs a hold of Antoinette and swings her over into Lennon, knocking her back down. They then take Antoinette and lift them fully up to their shoulders. Miller tries for a powerbomb, but Antoinette cuts them off by raining down a flurry of right hands across the tp of the head. The cheers continue as she flips back and counters with a hurricanrana. Antoinette reaches back and hooks both legs.

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

Miler gets back, turns around and nearly gets caught with a running STO, but Antoinette can’t muscle them down. So Miller overpowers her and shoves Antoinette to the mat. Miller then approaches Antoinette before getting caught with a step-up Ant-zuigiri (enzuigiri)! Miller remains dazed while Antoinette hits the ropes. The challenger comes back, lunges at Miller and knocks them back with a diving clothesline. She then takes off into the far ropes again. When Antoinette returns, she knocks Miller further back with a running dropkick.

Kris Cruise: You almost got them, Antoinette! Keep going!

Antoinette steps out to the apron and springboards to the top turnbuckle. When Miller turns around, she leaps off and goes for the Flying Ant (diving crossbody), but Miller catches her in mid air.

Stephy Auger: See? Look at the trouble you got her into! You should've told her to run for the hills, Cruise!

Miller hoists Antoinette up, catches her across their shoulders and follows up with a Samoan Drop! The boos continue as they lean back and hook the near leg for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Lennon dives over and breaks up the pin.

Kris Cruise: Piper with another save!

Lennon sets up for another irish whip until Miller reverses, sending Lennon hard into the corner. Miller comes barreling across the ring, but Lennon dives out of the way, causing them to crash into the corner. While Miller stumbles back, Lennon runs back over into the corner before hopping up onto the middle ropes. She then points over at Miller before knocking them down with a flying knee off the middle ropes! She makes the cover.

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

Lennon picks up Miller and deliver a sitout jawbreaker. After Miller drops down to a knee, Lennon grabs them by the arm before delivering a soccer kick flurry. From there, Lennon hits the ropes, returns and knocks them down with a leg lariat. She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another two count for Lennon.

Lennon goes over and helps Antoinette back to her feet. The duo then take Miller and try for a double suplex. Miller blocks by dropping down to a knee. Lennon and Antoinette try to muscle them up for another double suplex. Again, Miller blocks it. Miller then counters by delivering a suplex on both of them simultaneously! The crowd responds with cheers and applause while all three grapplers lay splayed out on the mat.

Kris Cruise: This is some action we've seen tonight from these three, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and they've still got plenty left in the tank.

Miller is the first to sit up before turning over. Behind them, Antoinette and Lennon start to stir on the mat. Seconds later, Antoinette and Lennon slowly help each other to their feet. When they turn, they see Miller rushing over towards the both of them. The champion then throws out a pump kick. The crowd gasps when Lennon pushes Antoinette out of the way, causing her to nearly get her head kicked off!

Kris Cruise: Piper saved Antoinette from another pump kick!

Stephy Auger: You idiot!

Antoinette heads back over, turns Miller towards her and starts firing away with a flurry of right hands. She then sets up for an irish whip until Miller reverses. When Antoinette returns, Miller goes for a back body drop, only for Antoinette to slip down from behind and counter with the Sugar Crash (Backstabber)! The cheers continue as Antoinette steps out to the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle, flips off and connects with the Candy Crush (Swanton Bomb)! She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: SO close!

Antoinette picks up Miller and doubles them over with a spin kick to the midsection before hitting the ropes. Antoinette returns off the rebound, hops on top of Miller’s back and follows up with a sunset flip powerbomb!

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

Miller kicks out.

Antoinette picks up Miller, heads back into the corner and goes for a Tornado DDT. At the last second, Miller pushes her off. Antoinette runs back into the corner before Miller grabs her, lifts her up and throws her down with a chokeslam! The boos continue as Miller climbs up to the middle ropes before hitting a moonsault! They hook the leg.

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

Lennon dives over and breaks up the pin.

Kris Cruise: Piper with yet another save! But man, I don't think I've ever seen Mara Jade hit a moonsault in FGA before. Desperate times call for desperate measures, Stephy?

Stephy Auger: They aren't desperate. Far from it.

Lennon takes Miller and whips them into the ropes. When they return, they tackle Lennon down with a spear! They make the cover.

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

Miller picks up Lennon and lifts her up in the air. Instead of falling back to hit the vertical suplex, they keep Miller held in place. After 10 seconds pass, the boos grow louder as Miller keeps Lennon held up. Antoinette runs over to attack, but Miller knocks her down with a boot to the face. After 20 seconds pass, they finally fall back to hit the suplex. Miller turns over for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Antoinette dives over and breaks up the pin.

Kris Cruise: Ant makes the save.

Stephy Auger: About time. Piper's been saving her left and right.

Kris Cruise: Stop it.

Antoinette goes for an irish whip until Miller reverses. When Antoinette returns, Miller turns her inside out with a discus lariat! They then march over, hoist up Lennon and keep her held in the air before dropping her on top of Antoinette with a Gorilla Press. The boos continue when Miller follows up with a deadlift German Suplex!

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

Miller scoops up Lennon for a front powerslam. Lennon then starts to kick her legs before slipping down from behind. After another sitout jawbreaker causes Miller to stumble back, Lennon hits a running front dropkick, knocking Miller into the corner. The cheers continue as Lennon runs over and connects with a rope-assisted gamengiri before going to town on Miller with alternating jabs and knife edge chops. The crowd murmur when she sits them backwards on the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What's this?

Lennon climbs up to the middle ropes, grabs Miller and brings them down with a belly to back superplex to an explosion of cheers!

Stephy Auger: MARA!

After sitting Miller up, Lennon hits the ropes. When Lennon returns, the crowd erupts with cheers when she nails Miller with a Penalty Kick! She makes the cover.

Kris Cruise: Shutter Drag! We've got a new champion!

Stephy Auger: Kick out! KICK OUT!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Antoinette dives over and breaks up the pin.

Kris Cruise: Antoinette with the save!

Stephy Auger: No, she just screwed Piper out of winning the Legacy Championship!

Kris Cruise: Antoinette's in the match, too, you know! She wants to win that title back as badly as Piper does!

Lennon looks around in disbelief until her eyes settle on Antoinette. The former Legacy Champions return to their feet.

Stephy Auger: Oooooooo...

Kris Cruise: Enough, Stephy.

Lennon holds her arms out while she yells at Antoinette. Ant explains that she’s sorry and was just doing what she had to do. While the two are arguing, Miller comes up from behind with a pump kick to the back, sending Antoinette forward. The crowd boos when Antoinette and Lennon smack heads! Ant immediately crumbles to the mat while Lennon falls through the ropes to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Look at that! Ant just headbutted the hell out of Piper! Some friend!

Kris Cruise: What!?

Back inside, Antoinette gets brought back down with a deadlift German Suplex. The boos grow louder hen Miller chucks her across the ring with another deadlift German Suplex. They then reach down, pull Antoinette into a standing headscissors and lift her up before nearly throwing her through the mat with another powerbomb.

The boos continue when Miller reaches down, yanks Antoinette back to her feet by the throat before throwing her down with a chokeslam.

Stephy Auger: It's over!

Miller slowly peels Antoinette off the mat before doubling her over with a kick to the midsection. The Legacy Champion hits the ropes, comes back and knocks Antoinette down with The Wargasm (Corkscrew Scissor Kick)!

NO!

Miller whiffs when Antoinette slips out of the way. She quickly grabs Miller from behind and brings them down with a running bulldog! The cheers continue as Antoinette picks them up near the corner before planting them with a Tornado DDT! Antoinette heads back into the corner, climbs to the top rope and lands across Miller with the Ant-Nation Sensation (Split-Legged Moonsault)!

Instead of going for the cover, Antoinette quickly gets back up, heads over towards the corner and starts slapping the top turnbuckle as the crowd goes wild.

Kris Cruise: Antoinette is feeling it, Stephy! She's about to become a two-time champion!

Stephy Auger: Mara! Mara Jade! Get up! NOW!

Antoinette climbs to the top turnbuckle, twirls through the air and crashes down across Miller with a Corkscrew Moonsault!

Kris Cruise: THE RAVE-A-AROUND!

Stephy Auger: Mara Jade! Please!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Lennon yanks up Antoinette, turns and chucks her through the ropes to the floor! She quickly drops down across Miller for the cover.

Kris Cruise: What the...

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd cheers as "Do You Wanna Taste It" hits the speakers. There's a smattering of boos in the background.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout… aaaaaaand NEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW FGA Legacy Champion, PIPER LENNON!

Antoinette looks over at Lennon before dropping her head. Lennon looks over and sees this. So she starts to head over towards Antoinette.

Kris Cruise: Piper Lennon has just pinned Mara Jade Miller to become the new Legacy Champion. But I didn't think she'd do it like that?

Stephy Auger: Like what, Cruise? Like what?

Antoinette slowly looks up and sees Lennon offering her hand. Antoinette takes her hand and gets helped back to her feet. Lennon tries to apologize and tells Antoinette that she was only doing what she had to do. Antoinette’s dejected, but she nods anyway.

Kris Cruise: Piper's trying to explain herself to Antoinette, it looks like.

Stephy Auger: Hey, it's everyone for themself out thee. Antoinette's a big girl. She should know this.

The two notice the ref heading over to Lennon with the championship. Instead of letting the ref hand Lennon the belt, Antoinette stops him and asks for the belt.

Kris Cruise: What's this?

After taking the belt, Antoinette places the championship around Lennon’s waist and fastens it for her. The gesture is met with cheers and applause from the crowd. Lennon looks out to the crowd and cocks an eyebrow before nodding.

Kris Cruise: Aw, that's very nice of Antoinette.

Stephy Auger: Oh give me a freaking break!

Antoinette takes Lennon by the wrist and raises her arm in the air to cheers from the crowd. Lennon returns the favor. The crowd responds with some louder cheers for Antoinette. Antoinette then raises Lennon’s arm in the air to cheer and applause.

Kris Cruise: It looks like Antoinette was willing to accept whatever Piper said to her. I'm just glad there's no hard feelings between these two.

Stephy Auger: They're grown adults fighting over a championship. There shouldn't be any hard feelings. What is this, high school?

Antoinette parades Lennon around the ring before the two make their exit.

NO!

Lennon spins Antoinette towards her and doubles her over with the Heart Punch.

Kris Cruise: What?

Stephy Auger: Yes.

Antoinette clutches her chest and drops to her knees until Lennon pulls her head back by the hair. She then yells something at Antoinette before she hits the ropes, returns and knocks her down with the Shutter Drag!

Stephy Auger: YEEEAAAAH!

Kris Cruise: What the hell, Piper!?

Lennon yanks the championship from around her waist before throwing it down. She then mounts on top of Antoinette and starts screaming at her “friend” before firing off right hands.

Kris Cruise: What the hell has gotten into Piper Lennon!

Stephy Auger: Oh buddy, this has been a LONG time coming!

The official tries to pull Lennon off, but she simply shrugs him off. She then pulls Antoinette back to her feet and places her in a front facelock before planting her on top of the championship with the Snapshot ‘98 (Lifting high angle double-underhook DDT)!

Kris Cruise: This is uncalled for!

Stephy Auger: No, Cruise, this is very much called for!

Lennon grabs her Legacy Championship before slowly rises back to her feet. She then looks out at the booing crowd before raising it high above her head.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Lennon rolls to the outside. After brushing away the center plate, Lennon cradles the championship in her arms as she makes her way back up the ramp.

[FGA Office]

Sparrow: Ya know...I’m feeling...I’m feelin’ like Sara Mason must have me and you fucked up for all that talk she was droppin’. I might be wrong Teej. I might be wrong but...But go with me on this journey now. Chirp chirp chirp. You too Mason, and you too Mariani who is probably just clocking in before the actual match itself.

Live backstage at the Kaseya Center in scenic Miami, the two halves of Def Before Dishonor are suited up and ready to go. Although TJ has competed earlier tonight [however or whatever you wanna throw in here?]

The West Indian Whirlwind clears his throat, grinding a heel into the tile.

Sparrow: See it is not hard...Not hard in the slightest to acknowledge how hard a team has worked, how hard a team has struggled, how far a team has come. Have you decimated every single team that has come your way, Mason? I think Ashes to Ashes would disagree since y’all lost the straps to them and traded back and forth.

A pause from the United States champion, very brief in fact.

Sparrow: I’m damn sure HSDS would disagree since they casually clapped y’all on a Vertigo and you never got that win back, even before the United States and World Tag titles got unified. The point I’m tryna make is that y’all have been good...But y’all ain’t been great. Not that you want to hear that, not that you wanna accept that, but it’s the truth of the matter. You can call the shit chirpin’ or payin’ more attention to the tag titles than the team that holds ‘em but uh...And I mean this with all due respect. What about you need to be focused on besides those tag titles?

Sparrow straight-up shrugs and looks around for an answer, even though there isn’t one to come.

Sparrow: Y’all were Tag Team of the Year? Hey. Great. That’s a bop. Tag Team Champs too? Holla. Teej here got High Flyer of the Year and Best 15 Champ. What else...What else? I mean I’m sure after Vertigo 103 y’all feeling yourselves even though we were down one and STILL brought the fight, but honestly if us and Ant HAD won, I’d just feel too bad for us to beat you tonight, I dunno y’know.

TJ Techniques: Lemme keep it a bean. This tag team division is live right now. You got the good brothers Strike 2 Kill doin’ there thing here, and worldwide. You got Julian Tijerina and his plus one Betsy Gallagher unitin’ the empires. Who else you got? Ashes to Ashes are trying to recapture that tag team magic. Ditto for the SMWB. And as we both know all too well, Illuminati PROJEKT are dying to get back into the title picture. The tag scene in FGA is as deep as it’s ever been in a minute. With the planned return of Dynamic Duos, you know it’s only gon’ get deeper. At the top of that division, you got two teams and that’s us… and y’all.

TJ gestures towards the camera, referencing the current Tag champs. He turns to Sparrow.

TJ Techniques: For some reason, I don’t think they truly see us as worthy challengers, Sparrow. For some reason, I don’t think they see us as deservin’ of this opportunity. But if it ain’t us, then who?

Sparrow shrugs his shoulders and mutely mouths, ‘who knows’. TJ turns back to the camera.

TJ Techniques: Who else would you rather run the ones with? Or maybe, just maybe, y’all would rather stat pad and defend your titles every five months or so, because that’s the type of time y’all been on ever since you were United States Tag Team Champs in 2019.

TJ raises his index finger, indicating that another point is about to be made. Sparrow is about to offer something but politely nods and waits.

TJ Techniques: Now to be fair, schedulin’ and the frequency of certain events, those decisions are made by people far above our pay grade. But if y’all was as bad as y’all claim to be… then you would’ve had no problems defendin’ those titles abroad, instead, like O did when he was U.S. Champ a while back. Now I’m not sayin’ that y’all all overrated. I’m not sayin’ that y’all ain’t talented. I wouldn’t even call y’all whack. But your behavior most definitely has been. I mean, jumpin’ people from behind, ruinin’ matches, the fireball incident… what part of the game is that?

Sparrow: Probably the same as talkin’ up a cheese grater, brethren.

TJ shakes his head.

TJ Techniques: Y’all had y’all fun. Y’all have had y’all’s run. A lot of quality teams, whether they signed on the dotted line or was only here for Duos, have wrestled inside that ring. You could make the case that none of them have been as successful as the two of you. Two-time World Tag Team champions… two-time United States Tag Team champions… do we like how y’all get down? Hell no. But at the end of the day, you gotta acknowledge the results.

TJ raises that same finger again.

TJ Techniques: BUT… things have changed. Instead of havin’ one, maybe two other teams on the scene, you got a while division right on y’all heels. And guess who is about to move right past you for that top spot?

TJ thumbs between himself and Sparrow.

Sparrow: Y’all are going to be part of a prophecy... A prophecy of gold. We are trying to conquer multiple fronts in FGA. The Pride division, the United States division, and to top it all off, the Tag Team division. You describe it as just ‘me want title’? Nah. We want smoke, we want all the enemies, all the opps, all the accolades, and they will be had. There ain’t no escaping this for y’all. You can talk up the victimhood and the bodies you are about to mass but it’s those tag titles we want to have. There ain’t no escaping any and all of what’s coming for you.

TJ Techniques: Silk & Cyanide, we can’t take away the fact that y’all have been synonymous with Tag Team championships in FGA for the better part of the last four years. We can’t take away the fact that y’all are the reigning Tag Team of the Year. But what we can take away… is them Tag Team Titles. And we will.

[FGA Office]

FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
© Silk & Cyanide vs. Def Before Dishonor

♫ PARTY PEOPLE! YOUR DREAMS HAVE NOW BEEN FULFILLED! (Word!)
GET YOUR ASS UP, AND LET’S GET ILL!
That’s right y’all! We more than ROUGH, we callin' your BLUFF!
And when it comes to rhymes (Brick City!) ♫”

The beat kicks in as "Oooh!" starts to knock through the speakers. Out through the curtain steps TJ Techniques, clad in his ring attire and hooded vest. Sparrow emerges soon after, creep-walking to the other side. Sparrow waves his hat to the left of the crowd, and TJ peeks out underneath the hood as he looks out to the right. TJ does the same to his left while Sparrow does the right before TJ’s hood gets flung back, smacking his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. TJ nods his head as he makes his way down the ramp with purpose. Sparrow meanwhile begins high-fiving fans on his way down, even doing a half-spin.

J.A. Aldridge: The following tag team contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! Introducing first, the challengers! Making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 402 pounds! They are the team of the reigning FGA Pride Champion, TJ Techniques, and the reigning FGA United States Champion, Sparrow… DEF BEFORE DISHONOR!

TJ leaps to the apron before stepping into the squared circle. Both members of Def Before Dishonor make a beeline toward the corners and hop up to the top ropes. TJ scans the crowd before slapping his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his fingers. Sparrow does his usual Rock Lee pose, then points at Teej; both members do a backflip back into the ring from the turnbuckle. TJ then takes off the hooded vest before tossing it outside while Sparrow tosses his hat into the crowd. TJ tugs away at the top rope as he readies himself for their opponents.

Kris Cruise: Def Before Dishonor walk into tonight's match with gold around their waist. Singles gold, that is. But will they be walking out with tag gold, as well.

Stephy Auger: I don't think so. You can say all you want about Sparrow and TJ. They're good friends. They have all this potential as a team. This and that. The bottom line, Cruise, is that Silk & Cyanide are the standard of tag team wrestling in FGA. I know people don't want to hear that, but it's the truth. There hasn't been a team in FGA's history that has matched what they've been able to do.

Kris Cruise: Look, I'm not questioning the abilities of the tag champs. I just think that Sparrow and TJ have their number.

Stephy Auger: That sounds more like wishful thinking to me.

The sounds of a woman's laugh that drips heavy with contempt echoes through the arena as the arena's lights dim, and as the lights dip into pitch darkness the laughter bleeds into the intro of "Your Addiction" and the arena light bloom once more as Erin Mariani and Sara Mason slink their way onto the entrance ramp with Mariani carrying Her belt across her shoulder while Mason drags hers behind her, and once they reach the top of the ramp Mariani runs a fingertip across the face of Her title belt while Mason drops into a crouch and picks up the belt she's been dragging along behind her and the two fix their eyes on the creatures in the ring who think they have the right to take these belts away from them

Hey come in
And let me get under your skin, your skin
You started something you can't win, can't win
I am your church these are your sins, your sins
Now don't you wish you could take 'em back cause

Once the pair reach ringside they split off in two directions, with Mason walking one way and thoughtlessly chucking her belt into the ring while Mariani takes Her time walking around the ring, occasionally glancing at the opponents to remind Herself which one is which but always makes sure Her glance returns to the belt which is upon Her shoulder

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponents, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 248 pounds! They are the reigning… defending… FGA World Tag Team Champions! They are the team of Erin Mariani and Sara Mason… SILK & CYANIDE!

You've been bitten
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough
Was your decision
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough

Having decides to stop toying with their prey for a moment, Mariani climbs the nearest turnbuckle and stands there and holds Her title belt above the heads of Her opponents, on the opposite side of the ring, Mason dives under the bottom rope and slides into the ring, rising to a knee as she grabs her belt off the canvas as she sizes up this evening's entertainment while Mariani grabs the top ropes and vaults into the ring where she lands on Her feet yet somehow never breaks Her line of sight on the opponents

Kris Cruise: Silk & Cyanide have more or less laughed off the challenge of Def Before Dishonor. Sara Mason and Erin Mariani are the more established team, of course. But to dismiss Def Before Dishonor as being unworthy challengers? I think that's going to prove to be a costly mistake.

Stephy Auger: You may not like how Silk & Cyanide think so little of their challengers. But they've faced bigger threats from more established teams and guess what? They've beaten them. Silk & Cyanide are battle tested. They've been in wars. They've been through the fire. Literally. Def Before Dishonor are faster and they can jump higher. But guess what Mason & Mariani are? A well-oiled machine. The tag team champions will stay the tag team champions.

But first
Tell me you like the way it hurts, it hurts
Started a fire but you got burned, got burned
I am your god I am your curse, your curse
Don't you wish you could fade to black cause

Having made their way into the ring, Mariani and Mason decide which corner they're having for the match and Mariani takes a few steps back towards it while Mason crawls backwards, both of them maintaining eye contact the entire time just to make sure the opposition don't get too comfortable, and as they reach the corner Mariani pulls Herself onto the top rope while Mason drops to a crouch

You've been bitten
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough
Was your decision
And now you made me your addiction
Just tell me when you've had enough

As they wait for the bell to ring, Mason holds her belt in one hand while using her other to goad her opponents to come a little closer just so they can find our what will happen, while Mariani holds Her belt on her shoulder and aims an icy stare at the unfortunate souls who have been duped into being Her opponents to suggest that tonight won't be their night...

The crowd erupts with boos as Silk & Cyanide hold the World Tag Team Title belts right in Def Before Dishonor’s faces.

Kris Cruise: Some mind games being played here by the champions.

The boos turn to cheers when Sparrow & Techniques push them back.

Stephy Auger: You see that? You see how they reacted? If their buttons are pushed that easily, then this one is over before it even began.

The official is quick to diffuse the situation before motioning for both teams to head towards their respective corners. As soon as Def Before Dishonor head towards their corner, the crowd gasps when Silk & Cyanide charge from behind.

Kris Cruise: Look out!

Erin Mariani knocks Sparrow down from behind with a running elbow tackle! Before Techniques can turn around, Sara Mason drives him down with a running one-handed bulldog!

Kris Cruise: Def Before Dishonor have just been jumped by Silk & Cyanide!

Stephy Auger: If they're dumb enough to turn their backs on the champs, then they deserve what they get.

The boos continue as Silk & Cyanide put the boots to the challengers. After Mason heads back over to Mariani, Silk & Cyanide pull up Sparrow, rush towards the side of the ring and chuck him over the top rope with a double hip toss. The crowd gasps, then boos as Sparrow lands hard back-first on the outside!

Kris Cruise: Good GOD, did you hear that impact!?

Stephy Auger: That isn't going to bode well for Sparrow in this match or his match with Logan Alexander later on.

Silk & Cyanide march back over to Techniques. They pull TJ up before whipping him into the far ropes. When Techniques returns, he ducks a double clothesline before continuing to run the ropes. TJ comes back and hurdles over a double back body drop attempt before continuing to run the ropes. When The Funky Technician comes back, Mason tackles him down with a Lou Thesz Press before delivering multiple headbutts.

Stephy Auger: Sooner or later, he was going to get caught.

Mason pulls TJ back to his feet before whipping him hard into the corner. Techniques starts to stagger out of the corner until Mariani sends him flipping down to the mat with a kitchen sink. TJ lands in a seated position before Mason flattens him with a sliding clothesline! The crowd really lets Silk & Cyanide have it as they stand tall in the ring.

Kris Cruise: This crowd doesn't appreciate what they're seeing from the champions here tonight.

Stephy Auger: They've never appreciated them, so this is nothing nw.

Once Mason steps out to the apron, the ref finally calls for the bell. With the match officially underway, Mason drops TJ to a knee with a headbutt. She then pulls him back to his feet before dropping him with another headbutt. Mason then reaches down, lifts up TJ’s legs and spreads them apart before delivering a hard stomp to the lower abdomen. Techniques curls up before Mason heads over and tags Mariani in. Once Mariani gets back in, she sends TJ for the ride. Techniques returns off the rebound before getting returned to the mat with another kitchen sink. He lands in a seated position until Mariani hits him from behind with a running hip attack to the back of the head. The boos continue as she makes the cover.

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

Mariani tags out to Mason before heading back over towards Techniques. After pulling TJ back to his feet, Mariani drives him down with a half nelson facebuster. Techniques remains in the prone position as Mason hits a leg drop across the back. Mason connects with a second leg drop across the back before delivering a running seated senton to the back. The boos continue as Mason transitions into the Implied Consent (camel clutch with a double fishhook)!

Kris Cruise: The ref has to get in there and break that up quick.

Stephy Auger: He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to.

Kris Cruise: Stop it.

The ref gives Mason until the count of five to break the illegal hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Mason starts to count along with the official…

Ref: THREE…. FOUR… FIV-

Mason shoves TJ down to the mat. She then makes her way over and tags Mariani back in. After Mariani sends Techniques for the ride, she goes for yet another kitchen sink. This time, TJ flips over the knee and counters with a schoolboy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani kicks out.

After both grappelrs scramble back to their feet, Mariani gets brought down with an arm drag. The cheers continue as TJ brings her back down with another arm drag. Techniques then delivers an overflow arm drag. Mariani gets back to her feet, turns around and nearly gets dropped with a Shaolin Sidekick (Harlem Sidekick), but she ducks at the last second. TJ then turns around and throws out a kick to the midsection. Mariani is quick enough to catch his foot. Just before TJ is about to go for the Dragonwhip, Mariani counters with the Denouement (Mariani blocks an opponent's kick and pushes their leg away, catching their falling head with a rising knee)!

Kris Cruise: TJ got cracked right in the face with that knee!

Stephy Auger: They're just two steps ahead, Cruise. I told you this from the start.

Kris Cruise: It doesn't hurt that they attacked the challengers before the match even started.

Stephy Auger: No one told Sparrow & TJ to turn their backs to them. That's their fault!

Techniques desperately tries to shake out the cobwebs. He struggles to pick himself off the mat until Mariani rushes over and delivers a high knee, turning him inside out. The boos continue as Mariani pulls him onto his back before making the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: This match has been all Silk & Cyanide thus far.

Stephy Auger: You don't sound too happy about that. Were you expected a different result?

Mariani makes the tag out to Mason. She then heads back over and pulls Techniques to his feet. From there, Mariani hits a short-arm clothesline, keeps hold of the arm and rolls over TJ so the momentum pulls him to a seated position, which allows Mason to hit another sliding clothesline. The boos continue as she makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: TJ's really been getting worked over here.

Stephy Auger: He's already wrestled one match tonight, too, so he already didn't come into this one with a full tank. Of course, his partner is nowhere to be found. Maybe Sparrow decided to cut his losses and focus attention on his U.S. Championship mach.

Mariani gets tagged back in. After Mason delivers an inverted atomic drop, Silk & Cyanide kick TJ’s legs out from under him before they deliver Bad Things (Mason wishbones the opponents legs as Mariani hits a double stomp to the opponent's "midsection")!

Kris Cruise: Are we sure that stomp wasn't low?

Stephy Auger: What stomp? I didn't see anything.

Kris Cruise: Of course you didn't.

Mason pulls TJ back to his feet. Silk & Cyanide go for the Vow (one-handed bulldog by Mason over Mariani’s knee) until Techniques shoves Mason into Mariani! The cheers continue as Techniques starts to crawl across the ring.

Kris Cruise: TJ desperately needs to tag out here.

TJ gets to his feet, staggers over towards the DBD corner, lifts his arm up, falls forward and tags out to The West Indian Whirlwind.

Kris Cruise: He makes the tag!

Silk & Cyanide march towards the corner until Sparrow knocks them down with a springboard crossbody!

Kris Cruise: Sparrow takes them both out!

Sparrow rolls off the champs before pulling Mariani back to her feet. She gets sent for the ride. Mariani returns off the rebound and sees him setting up for a back body drop, so she counters with a knee lift that knocks him upright. With the US Champion dazed, Mariani turns and runs back into the ropes. When Mariani returns off the rebound, she throws out a running elbow tackle. The crowd cheers when Sparrow rolls underneath it, causing Mariani to accidentally drop Mason!

Stephy Auger: No!

Mariani does a double take. When she turns towards Sparrow, she gets caught with a running hurricanrana! Mariani gets back to her feet, turns around and gets sent over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline!

The cheers continue as Sparrow takes off into the far ropes. Instead of running all the way back, he puts on the brakes after coming off the ropes when he sees Mason standing in his way. She starts running at Sparrow, so The West Indian Whirlwind starts running backwards. As soon as he gets towards the side of the ring, he lowbridges the top rope, sending Mason tumbling to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow's just cleared the ring!

Sparrow pulls himself back up using the ropes before he runs across the ring, leaps over the top rope and knocks Mariani down with a suicide dropkick!

Stephy Auger: AH!

The cheers continue as Sparrow slides back in, runs across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and knocks Mason down with a Fosbury Flop!

Kris Cruise: Air Sparrow!

Techniques steps back in through the ropes. After Sparrow rolls back into the ring and gets back to his feet, Def Before Dishonor thumb behind each other. After exchanging a nod, they run past each other towards the opposite ropes. The crowd explodes with cheers as Sparrow hits Air Sparrow on Mariani while Techniques wipes out Mason with a Fosbury Flop of his own!!!

Kris Cruise: Def Before Dishonor have wiped out the champions on the outside! They've snatched control on this contest!

Stephy Auger: I can't believe this!

Sparrow takes Mariani and slams her face-first on the apron before rolling her back inside. He then rolls back inside to make the cover, but he can’t. The crowd boos as Mariani rolls right back to the outside.

Stephy Auger: There you go, Erin. That's smart.

Mariani rounds the ring post and tries to recover on the outside. But she doesn’t catch her breath for long as Techniques runs along the apron before knocking her down with an apron pump kick!

Stephy Auger: What a cheap shot!

The Funky Technician drops down, picks up Mariani and rolls her back inside. The West Indian Whirlwind then takes Mariani, moves her into the corner and delivers multiple corner chest kicks. After an irish whip sends her into the far corner, Sparrow runs across the ring to attack. The crowd boos when Mariani leans back in the corner and catches him with double knees to the face. Sparrow gets knocked back. As soon as Mariani hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, Sparrow rushes towards the corner, leaps into the air and sends her off the middle ropes with a hurricanrana.

Stephy Auger: How did he pull that off!?

Mariani picks herself up off the mat, turns around and gets dropped with a leaping sidekick. He then heads over and tags in Techniques. After TJ doubles Mariani over with a boot to the midsection, he hits the ropes, returns and knocks Mariani down with a Scissors Kick. The cheers continue as he returns to his feet with a Spinaroonie before dropping Mariani with a Shaolin Sidekick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mariani kicks out.

TJ pulls Mariani up and knocks her backwards towards the DBD corner with multiple forearm strikes before tagging Sparrow back in. Def Before Dishonor take Mariani and whip her into the far ropes. Mariani returns off the rebound until Def Before Dishonor bring her down with double arm drags before flattening her with double penalty kicks. The cheers continue as Sparrow makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Mariani avoids the three count, but she's been unable to avoid this tandem offense from the challengers. She's got to make a tag.

Stephy Auger: C'mon, Erin!

TJ gets tagged back in. Def Before Dishonor then send Mariani for the ride. Mariani returns off the rebound and gets stunned with stereo superkicks before finding herself on the receiving end of a German Suplex/snap leg drop combo. The cheers continue as Techniques makes the cover.

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

Techniques picks up Mariani and places her in a standing front facelock. The crowd cheers as he starts to glide backwards. Before he can fall backwards to complete the Moonwalk DDT, Mariani takes Techniques and runs forward, ramming him back-first into the corner. The boos continue as Mariani takes Techniques, delivers an irish whip and follows him across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, TJ executes a Tiger Wall Flip out of the corner before hitting the far ropes. TJ returns off the rebound and brings Mariani down with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. The Funky Technician returns to his fee tand hits another set of ropes. When he returns, Mariani gets brought down with another running hurricanana. Mariani then gets sent for the ride. When Mariani returns, she stops when TJ runs past her towards the same set of ropes. Mariani then turns around and gets caught with a spinning heel kick. The cheers continue as TJ makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Mason runs over and delivers a stomp to the back, breaking the pin.

Stephy Auger: Thank you, Sara!

Mason starts to head towards her corner until Techniques rushes over and shoves her from behind, knocking her through the ropes to the apron.

Stephy Auger: Another cheap shot!

Kris Cruise: It wasn't cheap when the champions attacked the challenge from behind before the match even started!?

Stephy Auger: Of course not! That was different.

Kris Cruise: ...

TJ heads over, delivers a scoop slam to Mariani and hits the ropes before following up with a Flashing Elbow and the cover.

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

Mariani gets caught with two forearm strikes before getting whipped into the ropes. NO! Mariani reverses, sending TJ towards the side of the ring. As soon as TJ hits the ropes, the crowd erupts with boos when Techniques gets nailed with a clubbing strike across the back of the head from Mason!

Stephy Auger: He never even saw it coming!

As soon as Techniques stands up, Mariani rushes over and crushes him with the Frisson (step up knee strike to an opponent against the ropes)! The boos continue as she takes TJ, slams the back of his head across her knee and follows up with an arm trap swinging neckbreaker. She makes the cover.

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

Mariani drags him over into the S & C and applies a foot choke while tagging Mason back in. Mariani continues to choke TJ while Mason sets up near the middle of the ring.

Kris Cruise: What does she have in mind?

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

Mariani lets go and moves out of the way, allowing Mason to hit Techniques with multiple running dropkicks. Mariani then gets tagged back in before catching Techniques with a running knee strike in the corner. Tag back out to Mason. She heads towards the center of the ring, turns on a dime, charges over and crushes TJ with Blood & Black Lace (high speed running back elbow to an opponent sat in the corner)! The boos continue as she takes Techniques and delivers the Lorelei (with the opponent in a headlock, Mason dives out of the ring to snap their neck on the ropes)!

Kris Cruise: Silk & Cyanide have gone right back to cutting off the ring and isolating TJ.

Stephy Auger: It doesn't look like he's got much left in him.

Mason reaches back inside, grabs Techniques and drags him into position before pulling down to choke him across the bottom rope!

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

Mason lets go as Mariani delivers The Morrigan (with the opponent's throat draped on the bottom rope, Mariani runs along the ring apron and hits a running stomp to the back of their head)! The boos continue as Mason pulls Techniques further out across the apron before dropping him with Diabolik (swinging neckbreaker to an opponent hanging off the apron to the arena floor)!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that!?

Stephy Auger: I'm sure he's hurt.

Mason rolls back inside, drags Techniques away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

The crowd applauds when Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Mason quickly grabs Techniques, drags him over towards the side of the ring and chokes him middle the top rope. She starts counting down with the official while he warns her to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIV-

Mason breaks the choke to take off into the far ropes. She picks up speed as she runs back across the ring, hurls herself as TJ and hits the Crystal Plumage (cross body block to the back of an opponent draped over the middle rope)!

NO!

Techniques rolls out of the way, causing Mason to take herself out on the ropes!

Stephy Auger: OH NO!

Sparrow can be seen slapping the top turnbuckle pad as he tries to will Techniques over into the Def Before Dishonor corner. The capacity crowd is quick to take their cue from The West Indian Whirlwind and start to clap in unison.

Kris Cruise: This is their opening. can TJ make the tag?

Stephy Auger: Get up, Sara, get up!

Mason stirs on the mat while Techniques continues to drag himself across the ring.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow is dying for the tag!

Sparrow starts to jump up and down on the apron as he waits impatiently for the tag. He then reaches his arm out as far as he can. The crowd gasps, then cheers when Techniques gets up, leaps over and tags out to Sparrow!

Kris Cruise: HE'S MADE THE T-

NO!!!

The gasps turn to boos when Mariani yanks Sparrow down from behind before driving him down with a half nelson facebuster!

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Stephy Auger: AH HA HA!

Techniques turns and sees Mariani on the outside. Mariani taunts TJ by beckoning him with her finger. Techniques gets back up and stalks Mariani from inside the ring until Mason comes up from behind with the Aenigma (Mason rolls up the opponent into a kneeling position with a schoolboy, where she grabs their head and slams it into the mat)! The boos continue as she follows up with the Falling Idol (hangman's neckbreaker to a kneeling opponent) before making the cover.

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

Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: TJ's still got some fight left in him.

Stephy Auger: That's already. Silk & Cyanide will gladly beat it out of him!

Mason makes the tag. Mariani then gets in before Silk & Cyanide deliver the Descent (double suplex dropped into sitout gourdbuster from Mariani)! Mariani makes the quick tag out. She then gets Techniques in position while Mason scales the turnbuckles. After she reaches the top, Silk & Cyanide deliver The Pleasure Principle (Mariani holds the opponent in a front facelock as Mason comes off the top rope to rake the opponent's back) before Mariani turns him around and follows up with a double knee backbreaker! The boos continue as Mason makes the cover.

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

The crowd applauds when Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: TJ won't stay down. Him and Sparrow don't want to walk away empty handed.

Stephy Auger: They won't walk away empty handed. Not at all. They just won't be walking away with the tag Titles!

Mason tags back out. She then waits for Mariani to get into position before the champs deliver the Vow (one-handed bulldog by Mason over Mariani’s knee)! The boos continue as Mariani quickly pulls TJ back up before Silk & Cyanide bring him down with Canto V (Mariani goozles the opponent before Mason hits a spinning leg sweep, allowing Mariani to drive the opponent to the mat)! She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd cheers when Techniques gets the shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: He's too stupid to stay down. That must be it!

Mariani drives Techniques back down with another half nelson facebuster before making the tag out to Mason. Mason then stands up from the crouched position on the top turnbuckle before crashing across Techniques’ back with a flying elbow drop! After another quick tag out to Mariani, the crowd erupts with boos as Silk & Cyanide hoist TJ into the air. They keep him held up and parade him around the ring before throwing him down hard with Haute Tension (double team inverted crucifix powerbomb)! Mason makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: It's over! The champs stay champs!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

NO!

The crowd erupts with when Sparrow leaps through the ropes and breaks up the pin at 2.99!!!

Stephy Auger: WHAT!?

Mariani rushes over, grabs Sparrow and tosses him through the ropes to the floor.

Back inside, Mason takes Techniques and whips him into the corner. She runs over, hops on top of TJ and monkey flips him out of the corner! The crowd gasps, then cheers when TJ rotates in the air, lands on his feet, rolls forward and counters with a jumping cutter to Mariani!

Kris Cruise: What a counter from the Pride Champion!

Stephy Auger: Dammit!

Mason rushes over and throws out Aphrodite’s Sweet Dream (heel kick to the back of an opponent's head)! She whiffs when TJ ducks. Mason then turns around, she gets caught with two alternating palm strikes, followed by a kick to the thigh, followed by a spinning back fist, followed by a discus lariat that turns her inside out!

Kris Cruise: Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em!

The capacity crowd rallies behind Techniques as he holds his back. He looks over towards the Def Before Dishonor corner before dragging himself across the mat. The cheers grow louder when Sparrow is seen slowly pulling himself back up onto the apron.

Kris Cruise: Sparrow's in the corner! He's ready for the tag!

Techniques continues his trek across the mat…. until Mariani reaches over and grabs his ankle.

Stephy Auger: YES!

The crowd boos turns to cheers when Techniques turns over onto his legs and nails Mariani with a kick to the head, knocking her off of him.

Stephy Auger: NO!

Techniques turns back over into the prone position. He getting up on knee, he rolls forward, dives over towards his corner… and makes the tag!

Stephy Auger: NOOOOOOO!

The crowd explodes with cheers when The West Indian Whirlwind springboards to the top turnbuckle. When Mariani gets back up and turns around, Sparrow leaps off for the The Notorious K.I.C.K. II (Top Rope Double Foot Stomp)!

NO!

Mariani rolls out of the way!

After Sparrow lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward before he catches Mason with a step-up enzuigiri that turns her inside out!

Mariani quickly takes control of Sparrow’s back and tries for another half nelson facebuster, but Sparrow wrestles himself free before catching Mariani with a back elbow to the face. After whipping her into the corner, Sparrow runs over to attack. The crowd boos when she counters with a back elbow to the face. Mariani turns her back to Sparrow before going for the Morning Spider Despair (headscissors driver into the turnbuckles)! Sparrow counters by hoisting Mariani’s legs off his shoulders before catching her with a superkick to the face while she’s upside down.

Kris Cruise: What a counter!

Once Mariani lands on her feet, Sparrow takes control of her back, turns towards the corner and follows up with a German Suplex into the turnbuckles!

Sparrow heads back over towards Mason until she catches him with the Salem Slap (palm strike to the face). After Sparrow gets hit with a cross chop to the throat, Mason whips him into the ropes. Sparrow returns off the rebound before getting tackled down with another Lou Thesz Press.

NO!

Sparrow catches her in the air and keeps her in place before Def Before Dishonor brings her down with a Flapjack from Sparrow/Leaping Reverse STO from TJ!

Kris Cruise: Mosaic Thump!

Stephy Auger: GAH!

The cheers continue as Sparrow makes the cover.

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

The crowd boos when Mason gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: That... that wasn't three!?

Stephy Auger: Thank you! THANK YOU!

Sparrow takes Mason, heads into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd counts along.

“ONE!”

“TWO!”

“THREE!”

“FOUR!”

“FIVE!”

“SIX!”

“SEVEN!”

“EIGHT!”

“NINE!”

“TEN!”

Sparrow lifts Mason up and sits her backwards on the top turnbuckle. After scaling the ropes, he takes control of Mason’s back before falling back and delivering the Izuna Drop (Spider Suplex from the top turnbuckle)!

NO!

The crowd gaps when Mason rotates and lands on her feet! Sparrow’s eyes widen as he’s upside down in the corner.

Stephy Auger: She's got him now!

The gasps are followed up with boos when Mariani chucks Mason over towards Sparrow, causing her to knock him down out of the corner with a cannonball senton!

Techniques rushes in, but he gets knocked down with double back elbows to the face. The boos continue when Silk & Cyanide hook him by the arms before heading towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: NO, NO, NO...

Techniques gets chucked over the top rope with a double hip toss!

… but he lands on his feet! His momentum then sends him rolling forward!

Mason takes off into the far ropes. She picks up speed as she runs back across the ring. Mason hurls herself through the ropes with a diving crossbody through the ropes, but Techniques counters with a dropkick in mid air!

Kris Cruise: TJ with the counter!

Back inside, Mariani pulls Sparrow into a front facelock. She’s got him set up for the Subjugation (Implant DDT), but Sparrow grabs her arm, spins out and follows up with a hook kick. Mariani shakes off the blow, rushes back over and gets knocked back again. This time, with the Leaf Hurricane (Counter Scorpion Kick followed by a Pele Kick)! After a spinning heel kick knocks Mariani down, Techniques climbs up onto the apron. When Mason gets in position, the crowd cheers when TJ knocks her down with a springboard imploding senton bomb!

Stephy Auger: What the hell!?

Techniques holds his back before rolling Mason back inside. Sparrow heads over and holds her in place until Techniques helps him bring her down with Slingshot Flatliner/Wheelbarrow Facebuster combination! The cheers continue as TJ scales to the top, flips off and hits the Don’t Sweat The Technique (Corkscrew Somersault Guillotine Leg Drop)!

TJ rolls away before Sparrow heads over for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd boos when Mason gets the shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How in the hell was that not three!?

Stephy Auger: C'mon Mason! C'mon! You can do this! They can't put you away!

Techniques steps back in through the ropes and starts waving up Mason. Once Mason gets back to her feet and turns around, TJ runs over and knocks her down with Set’ Em Straight (Busaiku Knee Strike) before Sparrow flies off the top with the Notorious K.I.C.K II!

Kris Cruise: Technical Kicks!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Kris Cruise: We've got new champs!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout… aaaaaaaand NEEEEEEWWWWWW FGA World Tag Team Champions, DEF BEFORE DISHONOR!

The cheers continue as Sparrow & TJ get handed their singles championships before getting handed the tag titles.

Kris Cruise: Def Before Dishonor have ended the reign of Silk & Cyanide. They are the new World Tag Team Champions and now, they're double champions. TJ for the first time, Sparrow for the second!

Stephy Auger: This isn't happening. This can't be happening.

Kris Cruise: Stephy, it already has happened. It's over. Silk & Cyanide have been defeated!

Sparrow and TJ raise their pair of championships before embracing in the center of the ring.

[FGA Office]

SUBMISSION MATCH
Owen Gonsalves vs. HENNY

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is a SUBMISSION MATCH!

The capacity crowd responds with cheers and applause.

J.A. Aldridge: Here are the rules. There are no pinfalls, disqualifications or count outs. The only way to win is via submission.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 225 pounds... HENNY!

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

Kris Cruise: The deep personal issues between these two have dated back about a year and a half. Tonight, it all comes to an end.

Stephy Auger: I don't know why people are counting out HENNY. As if this man hasn't bene a world class athlete for nearly two decades. He can get technical, too, you know. The HENNY Lock, K.F.H., he's got some moves in his arsenal, too. HENNY isn't afraid of getting in the ring with Boston Crab Bette Midler.

Kris Cruise: Wristlock Sinatra.

Stephy Auger: Who cares!

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

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

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

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, hailing from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is "Indestructible" OWEN GONSALVES!

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

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves has reached his limit with HENNY. The interference, the attacks. Owen is ready to end it all tonight.

Stephy Auger: Trust me, it will be end and it will happen when Owen has no choice but to tap out. Tonight, Owen cries, "Uncle!"

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

As soon as the bell sounds, the crowd erupts with cheers as Gonsalves and HENNY rush towards the center of the ring and throw out running dropkicks at the same time! The two grapplers return to a vertical base and throw out dropkicks at the same time again. Once Gonsalves and HENNY get back to their feet, they unleash a flurry of forearm strikes! The two continue to trade forearms at a rapid rate! 10 seconds later, the two continue to keep up this unreal pace! The capacity crowd in Miami stands up and applauds both men as they continue to fire off forearm strikes!

Kris Cruise: Look at them going at it!

Stephy Auger: They haven't slowed down one bit!

15 seconds later, the two finally start to slow down. Now it's Gonsalves that's in control as he continues to batter HENNY with forearms over... and over... and over... and over... and over again. After HENNY doubles over, Gonsalves nails him with three pointed elbow strikes to the back of the head. He then steps back and catches HENNY with a hard kick to the face that knocks him upright. The Technical Spectacle then knocks HENNY back with a shoot kick. Another shoot kick to the chest knocks HENNY further back. After hitting HENNY with four more shoot kicks, Gonsalves moves the action into the corner, where he fires off a blistering knife edge chop. He then delivers an irish whip, follows HENNY closely across the ring and nails him with a running European Uppercut in the corner. Gonsalves points back across the ring before heading back into the previous corner. But unbeknownst to him, HENNY is right on his tail! As soon as Gonsalves turns around, HENNY nearly knocks his head off with a corner European Uppercut! The crowd boos when HENNY returns the favor with a flurry of shoot kicks of his own. After Gonsalves doubles over, HENNY grabs him by the head before bringing him down with a one-handed bulldog.

With Gonsalves down in the prone position, HENNY mounts across his back and starts raining down forearm strikes to the back of the head. The boos continue as Gonsalves gets pounded with strikes. HENNY barks at the ref and tells to ask Gonsalves if he wants to give up. Gonsalves refuses when asked, so HENNY grabs him by the head with both hands before ramming his face into the canvas over... and over... and over... and over... and over again.

Kris Cruise: HENNY wants to pound Owen into submission!

Stephy Auger: He's well on his way!

HENNY returns to a vertical base before working his way up Gonsalves' back with stomps. He then delivers a jumping stomp to the back of the neck before keeping the sole of his foot pressed firmly down. Gonsalves can be heard groaning as HENNY squats down. HENNY keeps his foot on the back of Gonsalves' neck before hitting a leaping stomp to the back of the head.

Gonsalves immediately rolls away and clutches the back of the head with both hands. Wristlock Sinatra does his best to try and shake out the cobwebs. The moment Gonsalves turns over on all fours, HENNY is right there to deliver a punt kick to the ribs, knocking him through the ropes to the apron. From there, HENNY takes control of Gonsalves' and places him in position. HENNY turns to the booing crowd and taunts them before sending Gonsalves throat-first into the bottom rope with a catapult. Gonsalves is quick to grab at his throat before slipping out to the floor.

Kris Cruise: HENNY might have done some serious damage there.

Gonsalves remains doubled over as HENY rolls to the outside. HENNY Heartache rounds the ring post, rushes over towards Gonsalves and nails him with a hard knee to the side. After slamming Gonsalves face-first onto the apron, he hoists him up and drops him throat-first across the guardrail with a hotshot. The boos continue as HENNY starts to stomp him underneath the guardrail. HENNY reaches back down and pulls Gonsalves into position before sending him throat-first into the bottom of the guardrail with another catapult!

Kris Cruise: Dammit, HENNY!

HENNY picks up Gonsalves and rolls him back inside. After dragging Gonsalves' upper body back out to the apron, HENNY nails him with a pointed elbow strike across the throat. The boos continue as HENNY takes his bandana and chokes Gonsalves with it! As much as the ref would like to stop him, he knows that he can't.

Stephy Auger: That's right, ref! You stay right there!

HENNY continues to try and choke the life out of Gonsalves with the bandana.

Kris Cruise: The ref is helpless here.

After about 10 seconds, HENNY finally lets go before nailing him with another pointed elbow across the throat. Once HENNY climbs up to the apron, he backs up towards the ring post. From there, he heads back over towards Gonsalves before nailing him with a jumping knee drop.

NO!

Gonsalves slips back inside, causing HENNY to catch nothing but the canvas.

*THUD!*

The crowd cheers as HENNY crumbles to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Owen got out of the way just in time!

HENNY can be seen on the outside hugging the leg. After 10 seconds or so pass, HENNY starts to bend and stretch the leg before reaching up and grabbing the edge of the apron. After pulling himself back up, he gingerly pulls himself up to the apron. HENNY steps halfway through the ropes until Gonsalves grabs the leg and delivers a dragon screw leg whip against the ropes! HENNY howls out in pain before crumbling to the floor again.

Gonsalves rolls to the outside, picks up HENNY and slams him face-first onto the apron before pushing him back inside. Instead of following HENNY back in, Gonsalves reaches over, grabs the leg and delivers a dragon screw leg whip against the edge of the apron.

Kris Cruise: Owen wisely targeting the leg of HENNY. With a bad wheel, HENNY will have a hard time hitting If U Seek HENNY or Shot Through the Heart.

HENNY rolls across the ring before holding the leg. Once Gonsalves gets back inside, the former United States Champion starts to stalk HENNY around the ring. HENNY can be seen backing himself away from Gonsalves. The cheers grow louder after HENNY accidentally backs himself up into the corner. He pleads for a timeout, but Gonsalves doesn't want to hear any of that. He then motions towards HENNY as HENNY quickly tries to pull himself up in the corner. Gonsalves goes for an attack, but HENNY is right there to poke him in the eyes.

Stephy Auger: Owen fell right for the oldest trick in the book.

HENNY switches positions in the corner before lighting up Gonsalves with knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. He then shakes out the leg before whipping Gonsalves hard into the far corner. Gonsalves crashes sternum-first into the corner and stumbles back until HENNY brings him down from behind with a belly to back suplex. Hennifer Lopez returns to a vertical base and delivers quickfire elbow drops before following up with a jumping elbow drop. Instead of going for the cover, HENNY mounts on top of him and applies a two-handed choke.

The boos continue as HENNY tries to choke the life out of Gonsalves. Gonsalves then slowly reaches up and returns the favor by gouging HENNY's eye.

Stephy Auger: What the heck, Owen?

Kris Cruise: So it was fine when HENNY poked Owen in the eyes, but now that the shoe is on the other foot, you've got a problem?

Stephy Auger: Exactly!

Kris Cruise: ...

HENNY let go and rolls off of Gonsalves. Once Gonsalves gets back to his feet and turns around, HENNY throws out Shot Through The Heart (superkick)! Gonsalves taunts him by wagging his finger, but he leaves himself open for an enzuigiri that turns him inside out! HENNY returns the favor by wagging his finger at Gonsalves. HENNY then picks up Gonsalves' leg and starts to stomp away at the back of the leg. After delivering four elbow drops across the leg, HENNY delivers a grounded dragon screw leg whip. After Gonsalves turns over into the prone position, HENNY takes his leg, bend sit at 90 degrees and repeated slams the leg down knee-first across the mat! The boos continue as HENNY takes a page out of Gonsalves' book and applies the Stretch Muffler.

Gonsalves yells out while HENNY forces the shin and thigh down. When Gonsalves doesn't give up, HENNY adds insult to injury by keeping the Stretch Muffler applied while delivering stomps to the back of the head.

Kris Cruise: HENNY's got Owen tied up!

The ref checks in with Gonsalves, who is desperately trying to cover up the back of his head. When Gonsalves still doesn't quit, HENNY applied even more pressure by keeping the submission applied while kneeling on the back of Gonsalves' neck.

Kris Cruise: Oh no! Owen's in a real bad spot here!

Stephy Auger: He should just go ahead and tap out to the superior wrestler. He shouldn't feel bad about submitting to HENNY.

HENNY can be heard yelling at Gonsalves to tap, but Gonsalves won't give him the satisfaction. The ref continues to check with Gonsalves and asks the Technical Spectacle if he wants to give up. When Gonsalves refuses, HENNY switches out of the kneeling Stretch Muffler and transitions into the Sharpshooter.

Stephy Auger: It just gets worse and worse for Owen, doesn't it?

The crowd boos when they see Gonsalves writhing in pain. HENNY once again starts to taunt Gonsalves and yells at him to tap. The referee checks in with Gonsalves once more. He's asks if he wants to give up. Gonsalves shakes his head, refusing to quit.

"LET'S GO, OWEN!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

The capacity crowd continues to rally behind Gonsalves. Wristlock Sinatra reaches out for the ropes, but he's nowhere near them. He then places his palms flat on the mat and slowly pushes himself up, but he eventually collapses and lands right back face down on the mat. HENNY laughs off Gonsalves' attempt at an escape before mocking the crowd.

HENNY: "lEt'S gO oWeN!"

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

HENNY responds by blowing the crowd a kiss. Back down below, Gonsalves remains face down near the center of the ring. He's asked again if he wants to give up. Gonsalves refuses. He then reaches out before slowly pulling himself forward. Gonsalves groans as he slowly drags both him and HENNY across the mat. The cheers start to grow louder when Gonsalves pulls himself even closer towards the ropes. HENNY looks around in a state of panic... before bridging back on the Sharpshooter.

HENNY keeps Gonsalves pinned down with the bridging Sharpshooter... until Gonsalves reaches up with his right hand and gouges HENNY's eyes! HENNY lets go, only to quickly roll over and to his right and pull Gonsalves into a Triangle Choke!

Kris Cruise: HENNY is trying everything he can to get Owen to submit. He got Owen down and has kept him down by transitioning from submission to submission.

HENNY cinches down on the hold. He's fighting like hell for the submission, but Gonsalves is fighting just as hard to stay in the match. HENNY's eyes widen when he sees Gonsalves' free arm starts to shake. The ref waits with bated breath for Gonsalves to signal that he's giving up. He motions to tap out on HENNY's leg, only to stop and flip him off instead.

Kris Cruise: Owen's not giving up!

The cheers continue as Gonsalves grabs HENNY, struggles to lift him up, and counters with a modified powerbomb, breaking the hold.

An exhausted Gonsalves remains on his knees... until HENNY quickly reaches up and pulls him back into another triangle Choke!

Kris Cruise: Owen thought he was safe!

Stephy Auger: He's not out of the woods just yet!

Gonsalves slowly gets one foot down on the mat before fully standing up. Instead of allowing himself to get powerbombed again, HENNY quickly legs go and kicks out Gonsalves' left leg, knocking him back down to the mat. The crowd erupts with boos as HENNY smoothly transitions into the Crossface Oblivion Wing (Arm Trap Crossface)!

Kris Cruise: Another submission from HENNY!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, and he just put Owen in his own hold to be extra petty!

HENNY pulls back on the hold as he yells at Gonsalves to quit. Owen is given multiple chances to give up by the official. Each time, the ref is met with a strong "NO!" from Gonsalves. So what does HENNY do? He lets go of the right arm that he had trapped between his legs... only to bring down his right heel across the hand over... and over... and over... and over... and over... and over... and over... and over... and over again! The boos continue as he traps the arm again while pulling back on the hold.

Kris Cruise: HENNY is not giving up on this submission!

Stephy Auger: He isn't giving Owen a second to rest. Submission after submission after submission.

Gonsalves is asked if he wants to give up. The Submission Alchemist responds by wagging his finger at the official. So HENNY responds by repeatedly yanking back on the hold.

Stephy Auger: HENNY's nearly got him!

Gonsalves reaches out for the ropes. The fans in the front row are seen extending their arms out to him to give him their energy. They desperately want Owen to stay strong. Seconds later, the cheers turn to gasps when Gonsalves' eyelids get heavy and his arm starts to lower.

Stephy Auger: HE'S FADING!

The crowd boos when Gonsalves' arm drops to the mat. HENNY lets out a loud cackle as he knows that he's moments away from victory.

Kris Cruise: If Owen can't defend himself, this one is over!

The referee checks with Gonsalves and asks him if he wants to give up. Gonsalves doesn't respond. Owen is asked again if he wants to give up. Still no response. So the ref raises the arm before letting go. The arm quickly drops. The ref raises the arm a second time before letting go. Again, the arm drops. The ref raises the arm a third time. The capacity crowd look on as the ref lets go. It starts to fall, then stops! Cheers and applauds follow as Gonsalves shakes his fist.

Kris Cruise: NO! OWEN'S NOT DONE YET!

Stephy Auger: Don't get discouraged, HENNY! He's running on empty!

HENNY shakes his head in disbelief while Gonsalves pulls himself forward. Seconds later, Gonsalves drags himself forward again. HENNY hangs on while Gonsalves scratches and claws his way towards the ropes. He reaches out.... and grabs the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

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

HENNY doesn't let go.

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

HENNY still doesn't let go.

Kris Cruise: Oh come the hell on!

The referee then reaches down and has to pry HENNY off of Gonsalves.

HENNY and the referee get into it until he nudges the official out of the way. He then lines up Gonsalves as the Technical Spectacle struggles to pull himself up using the ropes. When Gonsalves turns around, HENNY charges at him... and gets sent over the top rope to the floor with a back body drop!

*THUD!*

The cheers continue as HENNY arches his back on the outside.

Kris Cruise: HENNY with a hard landing on the floor!

HENNY slowly picks himself up on the outside. When he turns around, he does a double take before Gonsalves leaps through the ropes and knocks him into the guardrail with a suicide dive!

Gonsalves picks up HENNY and rams him back-first against the guardrail. He then turns and rams HENNY back-first against the edge of the ring. After pushing him back inside, Gonsalves rolls back in, pulls up HENNY and brings him down with the Ultimate Eye (Half Nelson lifted and dropped into an Olympic Slam)! He makes the cover, but the ref is there to wave it off.

Kris Cruise: Owen went for the pin off pure instinct, but a lateral press does him no good here.

Gonsalves starts to pull HENNY off the mat... until HENNY drops to his knees and swings his arms up, nailing him between the legs with a low blow.

Kris Cruise: OH COME ON!

Stephy Auger: He did nothing wrong!

Kris Cruise: Yes, he did. He just can't get disqualified for it!

After Gonsalves drops to his knees, HENNY gouges his eyes before muscling him down to the mat. He then pulls up Gonsalves, lifts him upside down and plants him with a piledriver. The boos continue when Gonsalves gets planted with a pulling piledriver. HENNY continues to go after the neck. This time, with a snap piledriver. But he's not done! HENNY lifts Gonsalves upside down before planting him with a cradle piledriver. But he's still not done. The crowd erupts with boos when he drops Gonsalves on top of his head with a jumping piledriver!

Kris Cruise: HENNY's trying to break Owen's neck!

Stephy Auger: ...there's a problem?

HENNY slowly returns to a vertical base. After sitting Gonsalves up, he applies a Neck Crank. Gonsalves can be heard yelling out while HENNY tries to snap his neck. The referee asks Owen if he wants to give up. He refuses. Gonsalves remains in the hold until he slowly reaches up and latches onto HENNY's wrist. After pulling HENNY's right hand off of him, Gonsalves starts to bend the wrist in the opposite direction. HENNY howls out in pain while Gonsalves returns to a vertical base. From there, Gonsalves wrenches the arm before delivering a short-arm shoulder thrust to the arm. Gonsalves then lifts the arm up in the air before delivering an armbreaker across the shoulder. Gonsalves starts to wrench the hell out of HENNY's arm. HENNY starts to circle the ring while Wristlock Sinatra maintains controls of his wrist. He reaches over to grab Owen, but Gonsalves counters by trying to rip the arm from out of its socket. After dropping to a knee, HENNY returns to his feet. Gonsalves quickly brings him back down to a knee after yanking on the arm. He then pulls HENNY back to his feet before bringing him down with a hammerlock belly to back suplex.

Kris Cruise: HENNY landed right on his arm!

HENNY quickly sits up and guards his arm until Gonsalves wrestles away control of it. After bending the arm at 90 degrees and muscling HENNY down to the mat, Gonsalves delivers a pointed elbow stomp!

Kris Cruise: I'm sure that hurt just as bad as it looked!

HENNY yells out in pain, but Gonsalves shows him no mercy. After bending the arm at 90 degrees and bringing it down to the mat, Gonsalves delivers a hard soccer kick to the elbow that echoes throughout the arena. HENNY immediately roll away towards the ropes.

Stephy Auger: This isn't fair to HENNY.

Kris Cruise: Oh, it's more than fair!

Gonsalves approaches HENNY until he gets poked in the eyes. The boos continue as HENNY uses his good arm to hit Gonsalves with hard right hands. He then takes Gonsalves and sends him for the ride. HENNY sets up for a back body drop on the return, but Gonsalves quickly stops and counters into a rolling cross armbar!

HENNY immediately locks his hands to prevent Gonsalves from fully applying the choke. So Gonsalves lifts his right leg up before slamming it down across HENNY's face over and over. He then drops back, fully applying the submission.

Kris Cruise: Owen's got the armbar locked in!

HENNY yells out while Gonsalves tries to break the arm. HENNY Heartache continues to try and kick his way over towards the ropes, but he's not quite there. He then stops once Gonsalves arches his hips against the elbow, applying even more pressure. It looks like HENNY's about to tap... but he kicks his leg out and gets it underneath the bottom rope, forcing a rope break.

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

Kris Cruise: HENNY was that close to getting his arm broken.How he didn't give up, I'll never know.

Gonsalves reluctantly breaks the hold. He then pulls up HENNY, muscles him into the corner and proceeds to send him slumping down with a flurry of forearm strikes. After pulling HENNY back up by the hair and sitting him down on the top turnbuckle, Gonsalves slaps the taste out of his mouth before spiking him with a Top Turnbuckle Hung Cutter!

Kris Cruise: Australia Street!

Gonsalves picks up HENNY and lifts him up across his shoulder. HENNY is forced to use his bad arm to elbow his way out of the hold. After slipping down from behind, he spins Gonsalves towards him before delivering a Reverse STO into a Koji Clutch! The crowd boos as HENNY cinches down on the hold.

Stephy Auger: HENNY caught him again!

Gonsalves reaches out for the ropes, but he isn't near them. The ref gets down and asks Owen if he wants to give up. HENNY continue to taunt Owen and yells at him to quit. But Gonsalves refuses. HENNY continues to pull backwards with his arms and pushes forward with his leg, applying pressure.

The Miami crowd wants Owen to keep fighting. Owen himself wants to keep fighting. But HENNY's got him trapped. After turning down another chance to give up, Gonsalves slowly reaches out and pulls himself forward. The cheers grow louder when he drags himself toward again. HENNY shakes his head in disbelief as Gonsalves continues to scratch and claw his way towards the ropes. HENNY decides to put a stop to that by letting go and applying the HENNY Lock (Haas of Pain)! The crowd erupts with boos as HENNY leans all the way back.

Kris Cruise: This might be it for Owen!

Gonsalves yells out in pain while he lays trapped in the modified inverted reverse figure-four leglock variation. The capacity crowd does their best to push Gonsalves.

"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"

"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"

"PLEASE DON'T TAP!"

Gonsalves cries out as HENNY has him dead to rights. The ref gives him another chance to give up, but Owen refuses. Gonsalves reaches out with the arm, slowly drags himself over, reaches out... and grabs the bottom rope. Owen's fight is rewarded with applause from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: I don't know how he's still hanging in there.

Kris Cruise: Neither do I.

Ref: ONE... TWO... THREE... FOUR...

HENNY reluctantly breaks the hold. He then pulls Gonsalves into a standing headscissors, lifts him up and plants him with the Double Underhook Brainbuster!

Stephy Auger: Malmö Driver ‘91!

The boos continue as Gonsalves lays splayed out on the mat. But HENNY's not done. His eyes widen when he turns and looks up at the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What does HENNY have in mind?

HENNY looks back down at Owen and nods before snatching him up.

Stephy Auger: ...I think I know...

HENNY muscles Gonsalves over into the corner before sitting him up on the top turnbuckles. He then starts to scale the ropes. Gasps and screams are heard HENNY hooks both arms.

Kris Cruise: ....oh no... OH NO....

HENNY tries to muscle Gonsalves up for the Avalanche Malmö Driver 91’ (Top Rope Double Underhook Brainbuster), but Gonsalves blocks by keeping his legs around the turnbuckle hook. HENNY tries to lift him up for another Avalanche Malmö Driver 91’, but again, Gonsalves blocks. HENNY then lets go and nails Owen with a right hand. Owen responds with a right hand of his own. HENNY nails him with another right hand. Owen answers back with one of his own. He then blocks a right hand from HENNY before catching him with another punch. The cheers continue as HENNY gets hit with another punch... and another... and another. Owen then takes HENNY and shoves him down to the mat.

After HENNY slowly returns to a vertical base, Gonsalves stands up on the top turnbuckle, leaps off and flattens him with a Meteora!

Kris Cruise: Draco Meteor!

The cheers continue as HENNY gets dropped him with the Paroxysm (Snap Dragon Suplex)! Gonsalves pulls him back to his feet before dumping him with another Paroxysm. HENNY rolls backwards onto his knees before flopping face-first on the mat. After Gonsalves turns him over onto his back, he nearly crushes him with the The 76 (Stepover Toehold Double Wrist Clutch Curb Stomp) before transitioning into a Wrist-Bending Omoplata!

"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!"

Kris Cruise: Owen's got the Krukenberg locked on!

Gonsalves has the hold locked in tight. HENNY can be heard yelling out in pain. He tries his best to break free, but Gonsalves holds him in place. The referee asks HENNY if he wants to give up. When he refuses, the crowd cheers when Gonsalves starts to bending the fingers back!

HENNY yells out while Gonsalves has him trapped. To his credit, he still won't submit. He still won't give Gonsalves the satisfaction of tapping out. After HENNY tells Gonsalves exactly what he thinks of him, Gonsalves responds by using his free leg to stomp and kick away at HENNY's head until HENNY ultimately submit!

Kris Cruise: Owen's done it!

The crowd explodes with cheers as "Blockbuster Night Part I" blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this bout... OWEN GONSALVES!

The cheers continue as an exhausted Gonsalves sits up before getting his arm raised.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves has submitted HENNY here at Grapple Kingdom V! The war between these two is finally over and it's Owen Gonsalves that comes out on top!

[FGA Office]

One of the Kaseya Center’s locker rooms is darker than the others, with the room’s only light source focused on a folding chair placed back-to-front so the back of the chair is facing the camera while the only way that it is possible to tell this is a locker room is you can just about make out the shape of a benches and a couple of lockers at the edge of the frame

Shortly after the scene has been set, the sound of the locker room door first being opened and then being firmly closed is all we can hear, and a moment later a figure crosses the field of view before settling on the chair to reveal that it’s John Carmichael

John Carmichael carrying a length of chain with a dog collar attached to one end

John Carmichael: I am going to go out on a limb here and come to the conclusion that Chandler Scott has not asked himself a very simple question: “Is it worth it?”

Carmichael drops the chain to the floor, where it makes a particularly loud sound upon impact

John Carmichael: Instead it is abundantly clear that Chandler Scott spent far, far too long sitting at home, licking his wounds because I had the gall to run him out of this company like I said that I would, and he just could not accept that I not only proved that for all his bluster back then he was nothing but a liar, but I made it look far easier than he would ever admit to. And that just eats him up inside, doesn’t it? The one time that somebody refuses to get drawn into the myth of Chandler Scott, he gets beaten in mere minutes and doesn’t dare show his face for well over a year because he is ashamed that he took the beating of a lifetime and was exposed for what he is

A beat

John Carmichael: Correction, exposed for what he always was

Normally this would be the ideal opportunity for a smirk, but that smirk does not come

John Carmichael: And because this is Chandler Scott we’re talking about, who continues to delude himself into believing this company would have withered and died years ago without him being here to show everyone the light, that obviously means he has to walk through the door while trying not to scuff his shoes on the red carpet that is always rolled out for him, and instead of proving that he is the elite competitor that he and his ever-dwindling number of sycophants and hangers-on will tell you he is, he focuses on me because he wants nothing more than to try and hold me down yet again

Another beat

John Carmichael: And that is the reality of who Chandler Scott is: he doesn’t seek to elevate himself, let alone anybody else by association, he looks to hobble them by interfering with their momentum. Are the fans getting behind somebody? Oh look, here comes Chandler to leech some of that popularity for himself. Is somebody looking to break through into the upper tier? Oh look, here comes Chandler to tell everybody what a “real” top tier talent looks like, with the obvious subtext that the guy he’s leeching those precious moments where they need that last push of momentum to full cement themselves obviously doesn’t compare. Beat the guy so bad that he has to run away and cry to momma? Oh look, here comes Chandler to try and handwave that away and make demands that he has no right to make, what with him getting beaten down so bad the doctors backstage thought he’d been carried in from a prison riot or something. Do you see the pattern? Because I have, for several years, not least because I am a part of that rich tapestry that makes up the pattern of Chandler Scott’s controlling and egotistical behaviour – controlling and egotistical behaviour which has not only been encouraged for far too long, but has long since been normalised

Pausing for a moment to work a kink out of his neck, Carmichael finds himself looking directly at the camera, and so he reiterates his opening point

John Carmichael:So Chandler, have you asked yourself “Is it worth it?”

Placing a hand on the back of the chair, Carmichael lifts himself into a standing position and begins to pace back and forth

John Carmichael: This is the question which your ego will never, ever allow you to ask. Rather than consider what was the smart play, or the self-respecting play, or even the play which would have you sitting on your couch watching Netflix while people who actually care about this company do their thing, instead you went for the play that was all about you. How out of character…

Carmichael pauses to give a withering look to camera, before he continues

John Carmichael: Let me break down the steps you skipped over, and were allowed to skip over, because this company is run by somebody with a Chandler Scott poster hanging over their bed like they are some idealistic narish kind, and not somebody deep into middle age who has to find the best way to utilise the talent they have at their disposal 24/7/365 who put those dollars and cents and nickels and dimes and everything else into the company coffers so the next five, ten, twenty shows can take place with a roster who appreciate being paid on time and paid well. Step one: you didn’t even bother considering having a match with anyone as soon as you waltzed back in the door, because why would you want to prove you were working off the ring rust and you could still hang while also giving somebody in need of a break a lift by having them share the ring with the great, the all-powerful, the lord of all he surveys Chandler Scott? Oh no, somebody else might have benefitted from you doing that, so instead you walk through the door and flap your lip a few times, demanding matches you had no right to ask for, while also dumping on literally everybody else who appeared on those shows from a great height in order to satisfy your own ego. So, Chandler, was it worth it?

Carmichael maintains eye contact with the camera for a half second than is comfortable, but he continues immediately afterwards

John Carmichael: Step two, you never asked the audience for their support as you prepared to demand a match you decided you had the right to ask for when you so obviously didn’t, you just assumed you had them in your pocket and took them for granted – even when you walked into my city and talked to them like they were any old bunch of rubes from Podunk, Ohio – and failed to notice that the crowd in my city were not in the mood to hear you run through the same promo tropes that they had heard maybe half a dozen times in the past three years, which is my memory serves would make up 100% of your appearances in this company during that timeframe. So, once again, ask yourself “Was it worth it?”

With barely a second to allow the question to breathe, Carmichael sits down again and picks the chain off the floor, feeling the metal in his hand for a moment before he turns his focus back towards the camera

John Carmichael: Step three: you immediately asked for a match which feels less like you wanted to prove you could still hang, and more like you were looking for a way to at least say that your match lasted longer than any other match on the card…as if your opponent was not there. It is so blatant that you spent days, weeks, months searching through this company’s archives, or maybe just spent an afternoon on the company Wiki, desperately seeking something which you could claim that you were the first to do in this company – again, as if your opponent was not there. Which reminds me, that’s step four: not having a contingency plan if I suggested you stick your demands where the sun doesn’t shine – sideways. If there’s enough room up there, given your head has been so firmly planted there for so long, and it’s got plenty of company too

A beat

John Carmichael: What, that’s the sort of line the crowd used to eat up when I said it. What’s different now?

Patting the back of the chair with his free hand, Carmichael returns to the point in hand

John Carmichael: You were so desperate to try and reclaim your destiny that you demanded a match where you were risking the last embers of your toxic legacy being snuffed out, and you didn’t even have any boxes of classified documents stashed in your bathroom when it did. So let’s run down the matches you have chosen, shall we? First of all, your common or garden wrestling match. Something which I have competed in countless times, while in that same timeframe you have had maybe twenty – but don’t let anybody say you have preferential treatment, Chandler, because I am sure that anyone could demand having more free time than they would know what to do with. That’s your ego in play right there, because you want that first wrestling match you have in over a year to be against the guy who ran you out the door – and if anybody else fancied meeting you in the ring, tough, it’s Chandler’s World and nobody else matters. That’s you trying to prove you’re better than me in the ring, in spite all the evidence to the contrary and the fact I have spent well over a year showing that it’s easy to replace you because all it takes is a nickname that somebody coined for themselves and taking that move of yours because it was there for the taking. Don’t like people taking your move, Chandler? Grow a pair and talk to me, man-to-man, and say I should stop

Once again Carmichael fixes the camera with a look which lasts longer than is comfortable, although at least this time he doesn’t leave quite so much dead air when he does so

John Carmichael: So the second fall, a street fight. Oh boy, don’t we have a few things to suggest about that one, Doctor Jung! You wanted to prove you’re the better wrestler in the first fall, and the second fall you want to prove that you’re tougher by throwing rules out of the window and letting whip. What you’re forgetting is, guess what? So can I! So can I, Chandler, an if you didn’t think you were risking being shown up by being outwrestled, you’re also risking being shown up because your great equaliser is going back twenty years to when Bumfights were a thing and thinking that’s your big “Gotcha!” when it is, in fact, a rake in the middle of the road that you are walking towards. So the question there is do you step on that rake and look foolish, or do I pick up that rake before you get there and beat the hell out of you with it? Either way, Chandler, why did you never ask yourself if it is worth it?

Raising the chain into shot, Carmichael begins to wax lyrical on the final fall – which, as he so boldly stated at the last show, won’t even happen

John Carmichael: And then we come to the end of it all. Where you want to be attached to be by the neck, so there is only a finite amount of distance we can be from one another at any time, and this hunk of metal is always going to be in play. No doubt in your mind you thought this would be where you get that final victory, where you have me where you want me and with a weapon always to hand, and yet you never considered the fact you would be physically broken after the first two falls, psychologically broken after the first two falls, bruised and bleeding and plain and simple worn out after the first two falls that you never considered that the only thing holding you upright could be me, standing over you, reeling you in by the piece of chain because it is time to put you and the myth you have created about yourself out of our collective misery. I know you think this, because I have been around you enough for so long that your moves are wholly predictable to me now. And that is step five: assuming that I couldn’t see what you had in mind from a mile away, because you had it in your mind that you would make this bold declaration that would make the potted plants in the cheap seats fall in love with the hologram of a person that you are all over again and that would make everything right in the world, without considering that I might have wanted you in that position so I can humiliate you all over again. And now you’ve done it, Chandler, you’ve given me every opportunity to take my time in breaking you down as a wrestler, as a fighter, as a human being, giving me the chance to strip you down to flesh and bone and expose how little is really beneath the façade that is Chandler Scott. So with this in mind, are you asking yourself if it is worth it? Because you should

Once again Carmichael allows the chain to noisily drop to the floor, and the impact sounds even louder than before, and he is not letting his eyes focus on anything other than the camera lens as his eyes narrow

John Carmichael: You can tell yourself that you got what you wanted, you can tell your sycophants that you got what you wanted, but what you never told yourself is there is the possibility that I will prove that I am a better wrestler than you, I am a gutsier fighter than you, and I have way more determination to finish the job than you ever will. Because this is all you are now: a spiteful little coward who wants to get in my way, even though I already proved that defeating the legend in your own mind that is Chandler Scott is just a matter of willpower. And what do you have to counter that? Entitlement, as that is all that you have, as you felt entitled to make demands of me just as you felt entitled to try and find one desperate way to get yourself in this company’s record books one way or another, when every single year more and more people are writing their names into the record books not because they are trying to place themselves on a pedestal but because they just can. Do you think I walked into this company thinking that I’d make myself the measuring stick of the Gold Rush Rumble? No, Chandler, I just did that because I have the talent, the fortitude and the sheer will to drag myself to that level and those records just so happened to fall into place. Look around the roster past and present and you’ll see one name after another who have set standards far above yours, and it wasn’t because they were arrogant enough to think that the record books was where they belonged, it was just because they set records as they went along. And that’s killing you, isn’t it? The fact that people are capable of erasing your records, and you’re not even here to try and reclaim past glory because you’d rather leech onto me once again. But when the talking is done and the final bell rings, there will be a day where you look in the mirror and see a broken shell of what might look like a man, knowing that reflection who was exposed as not being the best wrestler there was, not being able to fight to their last breath to claim victory in a match they demanded, not being able to prove they were anything other than a bladder full of hot air, and not making a dent on this company’s record books because other people have surpassed you. So when you are looking at yourself, the failure etched in every scar and the humiliation etched in every single item of the record books where you name once was but has long since been replaced by somebody better, with your career so far from what you thought it was and your legend in tatters, you had better look your reflection in the eye and ask one question: “Was it worth it?”

With the question asked of Chandler Scott, a question where the answer will be made apparent later tonight, the locker room plunges into darkness.