Afterburn for Vertigo E106

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on Afterburn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on Frontier+.

[Chandler Scott]

We find ourselves somewhere backstage inside the EagleBank Arena. The main event of Vertigo E106 just concluded, where Owen Gonsalves was once again victorious over Chandler Scott. The cameraman is currently making his way throughout the backstage area with the hopes of capturing some exclusive footage for the latest episode of Afterburn. We take a quick turn to the right where the cameraman finds his his intended target. We follow along as the camera moves forward. Seconds later, we come across an exhausted, frustrated and hurt Chandler Scott. Chandler is currently seated on the floor. His back is against the production crate. His left arm remains motionless at his side. He's also got an ice pack pressed firmly against the back of his neck. Chandler looks off to the side and scoffs at the sight of the cameraman. A look that's equal parts frustrated and annoyed is plastered on his face.

Chandler Scott: Of course the cameras are here! Of course they are!

Chandler struggles to return to his feet. Once there, he leans up against the production crate.

Chandler Scott: Are we having fun, ladies and gentlemen? Huh? Are we having fun watching me lose? Are we having fun watching Owen beat me up?

As if on cue, a microphone enters the frame and stays right in front of Chandler's face. An annoyed Chandler looks off camera. Once we slowly pull back, it's revealed that the mic is being held by none other than Amanda Johnson. The young reporter appears to be in much better spirits than Chandler. She responds with a huge smile on her face.

Amanda Johnson: I'm actually having a lot of fun watching two of FGA's best going it, now that you mention it!

Chandler narrows his eyes before staring daggers at the interviewer.

Chandler Scott: Of course you would.

Amanda Johnson: I want to bring up a pair of names for you, Chandler. Michael Tomkins and Zero McHannon. Those are two men that can say that they are 2-0 against inside an FGA ring. Well, after tonight, we can now add Owen Gonsalves to that list! How does that feel?

Chandler scoffs before mocking Amanda.

Chandler Scott: "WeLl AfTeR tOnIgHt, wE cAn AdD oWeN gOnSaLvEs tO tHaT LiSt". Would you please stop needling me?!

Amanda Johnson: But I was just asking a question.

He lets out an annoyed sigh.

Chandler Scott: Well, stop asking questions that piss me off. That's number one. Number two, I would prefer it if I went the rest of my life never having to hear the names of those two pieces of trash ever again. Especially the latter.

Amanda motions that she's fine with that. She does her best to try and refocus the interview.

Amanda Johnson: Fair enough. Talk to us about how you're feeling, Chandler.

Chandler screws his face up over the audacity of the question. Just by looking at him, it's rather obvious how he's feeling.

Chandler Scott: How am I feeling? How in the hell do you think I'm feeling?

Chandler puts his hand up in a defensive matter.

Chandler Scott: I'm sorry for being so snippy, Amanda. I understand that you don't deserve this attitude. You're just how here doing your job. But just look at me. I can barely move my arm. I got dropped on my damn neck like half a dozen times. My arm hurts. I fingers hurt. My neck hurts. My back hurts. Everything hurts.

Amanda Johnson: You've had some time to process what went on out there in the main event. We saw a much more serious side of you in this match....

Chandler Scott: I was serious in the last match, too. Don't you buy into that narrative.

Frustrated, Amanda throws his hand up.

Amanda Johnson: Fair enough. With all that being said, you still found yourself on the losing end tonight.

Chandler sucks his teeth after that last sentence.

Chandler Scott: You just had to emphasize the still, didn't you?

At this point, the interviewer is just as frustrate at Chandler as he is with her.

Amanda Johnson: What are you mad at me for? I'm not the reason you're done 0-2 right now!

With that, Chandler narrows his eyes again. Instead of telling her off and really letting her have it, he simply nods his head before lowering his tone.

Chandler Scott: Caroline Dallins, I get it. I finally get it. I now understand why this woman annoys the hell out of you.

Amanda Johnson: What did I do?

Chandler Scott: Everything!

If she were less of a professional, Amanda would grip that mic and smack him over the head right now. Chandler again tries his best to calm himself down.

Chandler Scott: You know what? Nevermind. Again, I'm sorry. It's not you're fault. You didn't do anything wrong. But yes, I'm down 0-2. I went into this one with a different mode of attack, a different philosophy. Unfortunately for me, that didn't work out, either. So now we go right back to the drawing board. As bad as I feel right now, and I am pretty beat up physically, it's not over. It's just two matches. I will rebound from this. I will be fine.

Amanda isn't quite buying what h's selling. She gives him a skeptical look.

Amanda Johnson: I take it you didn't hear the stats that Stephy Auger gave out on commentary?

Chandler raises his eyebrow.

Chandler Scott: Stats? What stats?

Amanda Johnson: Well, if we're going with this whole basketball theme for this seven game series, there have been nearly 450 times when a series has started off 2-0. The amount of teams that have come back from down 0-2 to win...is only 49.

Chandler Scott: ...

Amanda Johnson: ...that's only 7 percent, by the way.

Chandler Scott: I'm aware of how Math works, Amanda. THANK YOU!

Amanda Johnson: Well, you famously stated during the lead up to tonight's match that, quote, "going down 0-2 in a Best of 7 series isn't exactly a death sentence. But against this caliber of competition, it may very well be".

Chandler Scott: ...

Amanda Johnson: I don't mean to upset you even more, but with those numbers I just gave out, being down 0-2 is pretty much a death sentence.

Chandler Scott: Words cannot describe how much you're pissing me off right now.

Amanda can be seen mouthing "what the hell, man?!" at Chandler.

Chandler Scott: What exactly do you want me to do with this information, hmm? Oh what, am I just suppose to wave the white flag? Why even bother trying anymore, right? What exactly am I supposed to do at this point, huh? "Gee, Owen, you're up 2-0 already? Welp, we mind as well cancel the rest of this series since there's no point in continuing". No, I pick myself up, I dust myself off, and I get back on that horse and ride again. It's a Best of 7 series, not a Best of 3. Do you understand what has happened to me over the past 56 months? The time that I've lost? The people that I've lost? The things I've had to overcome, both personally and professionally? I've fought tooth and nail to get back to right here, to this very point in time. I have been to hell and back, emotionally, mentally, physically. I am not about to just throw in the towel now. I see what the numbers are. I understand who is standing across that ring from me. I realize the very tall task at hand. After two matches, that task has just gotten taller and taller. But I didn't quit then. I'm damn sure am not about to quit now.

Amanda purses her lips as she awkwardly looks off to the side. She then interjects...

Amanda Johnson: Well, you did tap out in game one. So, in a sense, you have already quit... kind of...

Chandler Scott: OKAY! Here's what we're going to do, Amanda. Give me that microphone.

Amanda points to the mic she's got in her hand.

Chandler Scott: No, the other one. Yes, the microphone you're holding! Gimme. Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme Gimme...

Chandler quickly snaps his fingers at Amanda until she slowly hands him the microphone.

Chandler Scott: Now, you're going to turn around.

Amanda is completely confused.

Chandler Scott: Yes. Keep turning. Keep turning. Turn, turn, turn, turn...

Amanda now has her back completely turned to Chandler.

Chandler Scott: Now, what I need you to do is to keep walking...and keep walking...and keep walking...until you are as far the fuck away from me as possible.

Amanda looks over her shoulder. She narrows her eyes at at him.

Amanda Johnson: You really need to change your attitude.

The interview scoffs at him before walking as far away from him as possible.

Chandler Scott: THANK YOU!

Chandler turns his attention back to the camera.

Chandler Scott: Now then...

Chandler does a double take while looking at the mic.

Chandler Scott: Why the hell am I even holding a mic when there's a goddamn camera...

Chandler flings the mic off to the side before running his hand through his hair.

Chandler Scott: I am NOT having fun right now!

Frustrated, Chandler runs his hand down his face.

Chandler Scott: OWEN! OWEENNNN! Ooooo, you son of a bitch. I am just.... GRRRRRRRR!

He raises his balled fist to the camera before continuing his rant.

Chandler Scott: Is this where we're at right now? Is this how it's going to be between you and me? You're too good to help a brother up off the mat? You're too good to shake a brother's hand now? Okay...

Chandler nods his head before continuing.

Chandler Scott: You know... I hear the chatter. When Owen Gonsalves walks backstage, everyone's clapping their hands and throwing confetti in the air. Great job, Owen. Nice performance, Owen. Hell of a match, Owen. But when I walk through those same set of curtains, do I get a good job, Chandler? Hmm? Do I get hell of a performance, Chandler? Nah. I get people avoiding looking me in the eye. I get whispers. Hushed tones. But I hear it. I hear it all. Word around the campfire is that Chandler Scott doesn't have what it takes to beat Owen Gonsalves. Oh sure, he can win a war against John Carmichael. He was win a slugfest against Carmichael. He can win a fight. But he can't win a wrestling match anymore. He can't outwrestle Owen. He can't match Owen's technique. When it comes to trading holds, when it comes to getting it done on the mat, Chandler simply can't keep up with Owen. He's told old. He's washed. He's too this. He's too that. It's time for him to hang it up.

Chandler angrily spits down at the floor.

Chandler Scott: What's the phrase? Something about how men and women lie, but numbers don't? Well, if we look at the hard data, Owen, they would be right. You take into account the three matches we've had against each other in our career, I haven't beaten you. Not even once. You can stand here proud and say that Chandler Scott can't beat you. You can walk around these halls proud because you've done something that no one else currently in this company has. For me? I stand here battered, bruised, and beat the hell up with a record of 0 wins, 2 losses and 1 time limit draw against the Technical Spectacle. Heh.

He lets out a delirious cackle before finally composing himself.

Chandler Scott: I understand the gravity of the situation. I understand the immense pressure that is on me. But I welcome it. It's what I do. I've gone into arenas where every single wrestler in the back hated me. I've walked through those curtains and have had thousands of people try their best to boo me out of the building. You know what happens after that? The bell rings. And once that bell rings, I do what I do best, which is prove that I am one of the very best. In this company, in this ring, of all-goddamn-times. I don't need to run down the laundry list of opponents I've beaten. I don't need to run down the accolades. My body of works speaks for itself. So if you, or anyone else for that matter, are ready to call this series now and say that it's over? Then you've got another thing coming, pal. I mean, let's be serious here. Do you think I'm gong to just lay down at this point? You think I'm just going to let him sweep me? The only way that Owen Gonsalves is going to sweep me is if he kills me. Unfortunately for him, men FAR better than him have tried that. They've all failed and he will be no different. I see the numbers, I see that 2-0 lead that he's got, and I spit right in it's face. This Best of 7 series is NOT over. You've got the advantage now, Owen. You've got all the momentum in the world. But guess what, smart guy? The job's not done yet. Job's not finished, remember? And it won't be finished until you hang up 4 wins on me. You've got a long road to go, big man. This isn't delusion. This isn't "copium". This is pure facts. You can say whatever you want about me. You can call me whatever you want. But you will never be able to question my spirit. You will never be able to question my resolve. I have come too far and have worked too hard to fall short. I will will myself to the very end. You've got your two wins, and you should be happy. But know this. You haven't even seen everything yet. I haven't even thrown everything I've got in my arsenal at you. I didn't think I had to dig deep in my back of tricks this early. But here we are. So enjoy the victories, Owen. Enjoy the bragging rights. But don't get too comfortable. Don't get complacent. We've only just begun, Owen. We've only just begun...