********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** American Wrestling Alliance Proudly Presents AWA Saturday Night Wrestling Live from the WKIK Studios Dallas, Texas November 7th, 2009 ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** [As we fade in, we hear the closing theme to the Fishing With Orlando Wilson show as the shot starts to fade. It is replaced with footage marked "TWO WEEKS AGO!" where we see "Superstar" Kevin Slater standing in the ring. Pure X is in the ring as well, ready for a fight as he stands between Slater and the downed Maniac Jack.] GM: Oh yeah! That's what these fans want to see! Not some stupid skit with Slater reliving 1997 - they want to see Slater vs Pure X and they want to see it RIGHT! NOW! [Kevin Slater throws the mic aside, glaring at Pure X, balling up his fists... ...and then laughing his head off as Shane Destiny sprints from the locker room, diving headfirst under the bottom rope, and DRILLS Pure X in the back of the head with a clothesline!] GM: OHH! Destiny! BW: He's got a match tonight, Gordo! But he's still making time to stomp Pure X's skull into the canvas! [The crowd is jeering wildly as Shane Destiny kicks and stomps Pure X down on the mat while Kevin Slater stands across the ring and looks on.] GM: Destiny drags X off the mat... [Hooking Pure X around the thighs, Destiny hoists him up and dumps him down in an inverted atomic drop that is IMMEDIATELY followed up with a running clothesline that knocks X down to the mat again.] GM: Pure X got caught offguard by Shane Destiny and the man who EARNED the nickname Legend Killer is working him over! [Hooking on to the top rope, Destiny firmly plants his boot on the windpipe of Pure X, pushing down to strangle the air out of the young upstart while Destiny screams at him.] GM: Can we get some help out here? Can we- [The crowd roars as Destiny lets up for a moment... ...and Pure X uses that moment to grab Destiny's leg, ripping it out from under him as he grabs for his foot!] GM: THE X! THE X! [But the standing anklelock is cut short as Kevin Slater BLASTS Pure X in the back of the head with a running forearm smash. He quickly hooks X in a front facelock... ...and puts him right down on the mat next to Maniac Jack with a CattleBuster DDT!] GM: OHHHHH! Come on! [Shane Destiny slowly gets to his feet, glaring at the downed Pure X. He switches his gaze to Kevin Slater, giving the fellow rulebreaker a quick nod before making his exit from the ring.] GM: Shane Destiny is walking out of here but the damage has been done, Bucky. BW: Shane Destiny just showed exactly WHY he's one of the most feared men in the business. He showed exactly why he wasn't afraid to go toe-to-toe with Tumaffi! GM: And now what is Slater doing? [The Superstar retrieves the fallen mic, moving over the downed Pure X and leaning over him.] KS: Hey, kid... consider your challenge accepted. See you in two weeks. [Slater straightens up, dropping the mic down on the chest of Pure X before turning to leave the ring as the shot freezes before slowly fading to the sounds of "One More Saturday Night" by the Grateful Dead. A large white map of the United States fills the screen as the music plays. The shot zooms through the map, different states "popping up" into view as we race past them. As we pull back from the map, it no longer is white but rather made up of the Stars and Stripes. The map goes into a spin, spinning round and round as we zoom all the way into it, dissolving into a few slow motion shots of animated men battling in a red, white, and blue ring. The animation runs through various wrestling moves from an atomic drop to a bodyslam to a piledriver. And as the blue animaniac applies a clawhold on the white animaniac, we freeze and the AWA logo fills the screen. After a moment, we fade away from the cheaply done intro to the interior of the WKIK Studios in Dallas, Texas. The back wall is covered with various flags from around the world. The bleachers on three sides of the ring stand a little taller, helping to fit a few more people into the building. The ring is sporting red, white, and blue ropes with matching buckles and is lookin' good, yo. A quick cut reveals our announce area - a brand new blue and white backdrop with a television screen currently displaying the AWA logo behind our announce duo. They stand behind a small wooden podium, all grins as the fans cheer. One is clad in a dark navy suit, white dress shirt, and red and white striped tie. He sports nicely-styled salt and pepper hair and a well-groomed moustache. He grips a wireless mic in his hand, grinning widely at the camera. In his late-50's and the epitome of professionalism, this man is Gordon Myers. By his side is... well, somewhat a bit more flashy. With a mic in one hand and a glitter covered briefcase in the other, this man is paunchy to say the least. He's got a decent sized gut pushing at the buttons on his lime green dress shirt underneath an eye-burning yellow jacket. His black hair is tousled in all directions like he hasn't run a comb through it in his life. He's in his late 30's... he's former manager "Big Bucks" Bucky Wilde.] GM: Good evening, fans, and welcome to another edition of AWA Saturday Night Wrestling featuring all the stars of the American Wrestling Alliance, _the_ major league of professional wrestling. Bucky Wilde, this is going to be one heck of a night! BW: You'd better believe it, daddy! And after the bombshell I dropped two weeks ago on the entire wrestling business, the eyes of the wrestling world are LOCKED on the AWA, Gordo. You can thank me later. GM: Your news two weeks ago certainly did make headlines. Mark Langseth has signed his contract and is now a member of the AWA active roster! BW: Hall of Famer Mark Langseth, Gordo! GM: That's for sure. We'll have more on that later tonight but what about our Main Event, Bucky. "Superstar" Kevin Slater is all that stands between Pure X and the #7 spot in the AWA Top Ten rankings! BW: All? All? That's a two-time former World Champion you're talkin' 'bout, Gordo. Pure X is a wet-behind-the-ears kid who hasn't sniffed a Main Event yet. And even if he gets past Slater, he's picked a fight with Shane Destiny! This kid is nuts! GM: You can not doubt the courage of Pure X, fans. But that's later tonight. In addition, we've got Shaw vs Velikov... Bailey Fitzgerlad challenging MAMMOTH Mizusawa again... Adrian Freeman is here... Shane Taylor, Aaron Anderson, so, so many more. Plus, I'll be talking with Raphael Rhodes later as well! But coming up first... [The opening horns of "They Reminisce Over You" by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth begins to play over the PA system as the crowd erupts into cheers.] GM: And that music can only mean one man, Bucky. The Number One Contender for the AWA National Title, Juan Vasquez, is heading for the ring! BW: Yeah, he is. And he's finally going to tell the world exactly when he's cashing in his shot at the champ. After weeks of ducking, hiding, and backjumping, he's finally gotta tell us what's going through his head, Gordo. [Big cheer! Juan Vasquez steps through the curtains with a determined look on his face. He is dressed in his trademark white tracksuit w/ black trim. He pauses at the top of the aisle and places his hands on his hips, surveying the crowd. Cracking a smile, he makes his way down the aisle, slapping a few of the outstretched hands from the crowd before rolling under the ropes into the ring. He reaches through the ropes, grabbing an offered mic from Melissa Cannon before straightening up, walking around the ring to address the fans.] JV: If you didn't hear, I've got a slightly important announcement to make. A little something involving the terms of my title shot. [The cheers almost drown him out, but Juan just smiles with approval.] JV: You're all smart people, so I'm pretty sure all of y'all already know when and where I want my title shot. But before I make everything nice and official, I suppose the big question left is *how* do I want my title shot? [Juan taps a finger to his chin and feigns deep thought.] JV: Hmmmm...Well, that was a tough one for me, folks, 'cause there were *so* many options. Seriously, the last thing a man like Stevie Scott would ever want to give to a man like me, is a choice. After all, giving me the ability to choose, is giving me the ability... ....to control. [That tone of voice he just used was filled with nothing but bad intentions, which of course, absolutely delights the fans.] JV: So while I was thinking of making the match the most torturous, painful, bloody, life-shortening experience possible...I had to realize that wasn't the way to hurt you, Stevie. That wasn't gonna' satisfy anybody who wants to see you humiliated like the cowardly dog you are. Breaking bones is your thing... [A smirk.] JV: ...but breaking spirits is mine. [Which becomes a full-fledged smile.] JV: And what's the cruelest, deepest, most painful wound that I inflict on your pride and ego? It ain't tearing your shoulder outta' your socket. It ain't compressing your vertebrae with a piledriver. It ain't being the same lowdown, dirty snake that you've been ever since you took that National title. [Juan shakes his head.] JV: Nope...it's a matter of skill and ability. It's beating you one-on-one in a straight up match, leaving you weepin' big ol' crocodile tears with no excuses 'cept for the fact... [He pauses and shouts his next proclamation, because it's music to his ears.] JV: ...that Juan Vasquez is the better man! [The cheers from the crowd seem to indicate that it's a feeling shared by many.] JV: But then I knew that as long as you had Waterson in your corner and Gary Bright at your side, there was no way I'd ever get a fair match outta' you. [The crowd boos, but Juan's smile only grows wider.] JV: And that's why...I came to this conclusion. [Juan clears his throat, his voice acquiring a much more "ring announcer" tone to it.] JV: On November 26th, 2009...at the Dallas Memorial Auditorium...in front of God, country and the world... JUAN VASQUEZ DOES BATTLE WITH STEVIE SCOTT FOR THE AWA NATIONAL TITLE!!! [The crowd roars with cheers, but Juan holds up a finger, as if to say, "Not so fast!" They quiet down quickly, anticipating Vasquez's stipulations.] JV: ...With Ben Waterson, bound, gagged and _locked_ inside a cage suspended above the ring! [Another loud roar of approval meets this announcement. However, Juan holds up his hand for quiet once more. He's still got more!] JV: And that ain't all, folks! 'Cause I ain't sure how much of him is gonna' be left after Tumaffi gets done with him, but not only are we gonna have Waterson locked away, but I'm gonna' have them drag out the remains of Gary Bright....and I don't care if all there's left of him is an eye, a nose and three toes! I'm gonna' have them drag him out here and handcuff him to the ringpost! [The crowd is giddy with excitement, but you know what? Juan asks for them to be quiet once more!] JV: I'm still not done, ya' know. [A loud cheer. Juan rubs the back of his neck.] JV: For the last couple of weeks, I've had the dangdest kink in my neck. Courtesy of a couple o' Stevie's associates. Don't think I forgot about what you did to me, 'cause the Golden Bomber ain't the only one getting handcuffed. I'm handcuffing the Bishop Boys to the rest of the ringposts!!! [With each announcement, the crowd's cheers grow larger. However, it seems that Juan has one last announcement to make? He begins to speak again, but....] "NO! NO! NO! NO! NOOOOO!" [Cue the jeers of the fans jammed into the WKIK Studios as the voice of "Agent To The Stars" Ben Waterson rings out over the PA system. Soon, the manager walks into view - followed close behind by the Gold Bomber, Gary Bright and the National Champion, "Hotshot" Stevie Scott. None look pleased.] ATTSBW: Vasquez, you son of a- how dare you?! HOW DARE YOU?! [Waterson is all fired up, finger a-pointin' in the direction of the top challenger to the National Title.] ATTSBW: This just goes to PROVE what I've been saying all along. The AWA has a CONSPIRACY against the three of us! A conspiracy! Why else would they allow a hooligan like you to set the stipulations for your title match? This man... [He gestures at Bright.] ATTSBW: This man who looks like he's chiseled out of marble? This man that made God break the mold when he realized he couldn't do better? This man who is the FUTURE of our industry? You want to chain him to a ringpost? [Waterson shakes his head as a sneering Bright glares a hole straight through Vasquez.] ATTSBW: The Bishops? The next AWA National Tag Team Champions and three FINE, UPSTANDING young men? You want to chain THEM to a ringpost? [Waterson continues to shake his head, just getting warmed up.] ATTSBW: And me... ME! THE FINEST MANAGERIAL MIND IN THE BUSINESS! Not now, not in the future... EVER, VASQUEZ! EVER! YOU WANT TO GAG ME?! YOU WANT TO TIE ME UP!? YOU WANT TO THROW ME IN A CAGE LIKE A DAMNED ANIMAL?!? [Waterson is out of control now, literally drooling from the mouth as he rants and raves... ...until Stevie finally intervenes, standing beside Waterson and putting his arm on his shoulder while taking the microphone with his other hand.] HSS: Hang on, Ben...just hang on and calm down. You're letting him play you, man. [Bright steps up on his other side, taking his run at trying to calm Waterson down. Stevie then steps away and points up toward Vasquez while still looking at his manager.] HSS: This is what he wants, Ben. You see...he _knows_ he can't beat me on talent alone, so he thinks he's got to resort to mind games and over-the-top stipulations in order to gain the edge. [Bright nods in agreement as if he's helping Waterson out by doing it.] HSS: But you see, Ben, he seems to have forgotten one...small...thing. [The champ now turns his focus to Vasquez.] HSS: It's awfully hard to beat the master at his own game. Juan, Juan, Juan...it's really cute, it is, you standing up there and telling everyone all these demands you're going to place on this match between you and me. Really amusing. And I'm not out here to say you don't have the right to do that... [Stevie pauses, glancing at Waterson.] HSS: ...to an extent, right, Ben? [Back to Vasquez.] HSS: See, Ben here, he's pretty good at contract law so don't get too married to the idea that you're going to get all the stipulations you just rattled off. But hey, you _do_ have the right to some of them. Although you've mentioned handcuffs enough times that I have to admit... it's starting to make me wonder about some of your relationship with some of your previous, uh..._partners_. [Cheap heat! Whoo!] HSS: Now back to the point at hand. I've noticed, Juan, that you're standing up there with all your friends. [Steviegrin~!] HSS: Have you thought more about that, big man? Have you pondered who's going to come your aid, to your rescue when you need it the most? Because here's the thing. All those stipulations you're cooking up? They're not going to make a damn bit of difference... [Vasquez interrupts!] JV: Pop quiz, Hotshot! [Big grin on the Number One contender's face.] JV: You're facing your toughest challenger ever in just three weeks. He's already put stipulations in place to take out your loudmouth manager, your overpumped muscle, AND your hired goons. And now, he's about to drop one more surprise on ya... If you get counted out... if you get disqualified... That belt is mine! [Big cheer!] JV: What do you do, Stevie? What do you do? [An irritated Stevie shakes his head at Vasquez. The camera overhears a "Can he REALLY do that?" in Waterson's direction before the champ continues.] HSS: I guess you've thought of everything, Vasquez. But let me get back to what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. All your rules... all your gotchas... all your stipulations aren't going to make a damn bit of difference... [A glance to Bright.] HSS: ...if you don't make it to Thanksgiving in one piece. [And with just the slightest bit of warning, Bright and Scott dive into the ring. Vasquez is ready though, dropping the mic and drilling the rising Bright with a right hand before spinning to the side and connecting with another haymaker on the National Champion!] GM: It's a two on one! Two on one! Vasquez is trying to fight them off! [Vasquez hits another right hand on Scott, knocking him back a step before spinning to drill Bright with a forearm that just barely budges the big muscleman. The #1 contender turns again, catching a stumbling Stevie Scott under the arm... ...and tossing him down to the mat with a hiptoss that gets a roar from the crowd!] GM: HIPTOSS! He takes down the champ and- OHHHHH! [The crowd groans as a rushing Bright BLASTS Vasquez with a running clothesline to the jaw, knocking him flat down to the mat.] GM: And the numbers get the edge on Vasquez! He couldn't hold them off forever and eventually, you knew Bright and Scott would get the advantage! BW: But what're they gonna do with it, daddy? GM: Big stomp by Bright... another... [After a moment, the champion regains his feet, joining Bright in the assault on the downed Vasquez, both men stomping the top challenger into the canvas to the jeers of the crowd... ...which quickly turn into roaring cheers as Eric Matthew Somers and Dave Cooper come charging out of the entryway area, heading straight for the ring. Cooper dives under the bottom rope, fists balled up as Stevie Scott looks for an exit.] GM: ROUGH N READY! ROUGH N READY! [The entrance of Eric Matthew Somers into the ring seems to be enough for Ben Waterson as he screams and shouts, calling for a full retreat of his men who rejoin him at ringside. Somers kicks the ropes in frustration at not being able to get his hands on the duo as Cooper kneels down, tending to the fallen Vasquez.] GM: Bright's out! Scott's out! Rough N Ready have cleared house and we've got ourselves a standoff! Fans, don't you dare go away, we'll be right back! [The camera holds on Eric Matthew Somers who is waving for Bright and Scott to get back into the ring before fading to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment... ...and then fade back to live action where we find the... well, the exact same scene that we left. Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers are in the ring, now joined by a standing Juan Vasquez who looks fit to be tied. Outside the ring, Bright and Scott are still at ringside, Waterson standing in front of both men, refusing to let either of them advance - Bright looking a lot more eager to get into the ring than the National Champion.] GM: Welcome back, fans - and we've still got ourselves a standoff in the WKIK Studios! Rough N Ready and Juan Vasquez want the fight to continue and Waterson's boys don't look so eager! BW: Would you be eager to get in there with the numbers against you? GM: They sure didn't hesitate when the numbers were in their favor! BW: Well, sure. That's smart, Gordo. Waterson's the greatest mind in the history of the business. You heard the man. GM: I don't know about that but- [Suddenly, the boos intensify as three more men enter the WKIK Studios.] GM: Uh oh. BW: This just got REAL interesting, Gordo! [Leading the way is Cousin Bo with Duane Henry and Cletus Lee Bishop trailing behind him. Cousin Bo is all grins as he leads his cousins from the locker room area, taking a spot next to Waterson. Cousin Bo and Waterson exchange words for a moment, all six men huddling up at ringside... ...and then the Bishops, Gary Bright, and Stevie Scott charge the ring!] GM: HERE WE GO! HERE WE GO! [Bright is the first one in, Eric Matthew Somers trying to get an edge with a pounding forearm across the back of the head. Grabbing Bright by the head and neck, Somers throws forearm after forearm after forearm onto his back. Nearby, Juan Vasquez grabs an incoming Hotshot, spinning him around backfirst into the corner where he starts lighting him up with chops across the chest. Dave Cooper takes the worst of the assault as both Bishops quickly push him back against the ropes, overwhelming him with punches and kicks.] GM: We've got a Pier Six brawl on our hands, Bucky! BW: This is SuperClash come three weeks early, daddy! [Each man grabbing an arm, the Bishops fire Cooper across the ring, knocking him flat with a big double back elbow before turning their attention to Eric Matthew Somers, knocking the big man to a knee with a double double axehandle!] BW: QUADRUPLE AXEHANDLE ON SOMERS! [With EMS on a knee, the two Bishops work together with the Gold Bomber to absolutely pummel Somers down to the mat. Outside the ring, Waterson is SCREAMING for someone to help Stevie who is getting lit up by the Number One contender to the National Title. Cousin Bo echoes the cries, causing Cletus Lee to peel away from the assault on Somers... ...and DRILL Vasquez in the back with a forearm smash. He quickly hooks Vasquez around the waist, hoisting him up in a belly to back lift.] GM: Suplex on the- OHHHH! [The crowd gasps as Cletus Lee drops to a knee, dropping Vasquez down out of the suplex across the bent knee!] GM: What a backbreaker by Cletus Lee Bishop! [Cletus Lee takes a moment to wrap his hands around the throat of Vasquez, strangling him on the canvas as a dazed Stevie Scott wanders out of the corner, stomping the choking Vasquez repeatedly... ...when suddenly the WKIK Studios crowd goes NUTS!] GM: TUMAFFI! TUMAFFI! TUMAFFI! [The massive Samoan comes lumbering out of the entryway, heading as quickly as he can towards the chaos in the ring. He nudges past Waterson and Cousin Bo with a shove... ...which is incentive enough for the dastardly rulebreakers inside the ring to hit the bricks... quickly.] GM: Look at 'em, Bucky! Runnin' away like thieves in the night! [By the time Tumaffi gets inside the ring, the only person remaining is Cletus Lee Bishop who doesn't look too eager to make a run for it... ...but a barrage of shouts from Cousin Bo eventually manages to get him outside the ring to the jeers of the crowd. An angry Tumaffi paces back and forth in front of the ropes, hurling insults in the direction of the huddled group out on the floor.] GM: And Tumaffi is HOT, Bucky! He wants him a piece of those guys in the worst possible way! BW: It looks like the Gold Bomber and Cletus Lee were willing to give him all he could handle but Waterson and Cousin Bo got them out of there. Smart move, in my opinion. You can trust a Samoan. Who knows what he'd do to get out of the match with the Bomber at SuperClash? GM: Give me a break. Tumaffi is fired up and he's lookin' for a fight! [After a bit, the other three favorites slowly get to their feet. Juan Vasquez is the last to rise, clutching his lower back as he stands. He reaches down with a wince, picking up his discarded mic from earlier.] JV: You... [He visibly winces again, grabbing at his back.] JV: If it's a fight you boys are looking for... [He looks around at the three other men in the ring.] JV: You... aghh... you know we're not hard to find! [Big cheer! Vasquez nods.] JV: In fact... if you want us so bad... [He looks around at the crowd... and then leans over the ropes, pointing right at Stevie Scott.] JV: We don't have to wait 'til SuperClash! We can do it right now! [HUGE CHEER! The crowd is absolutely ROARING at that idea! Vasquez spikes the mic into the canvas, waving with both arms for the rulebreakers to get back into the ring. Tumaffi and both members of Rough N Ready quickly strike fighting positions, ready to go if necessary.] GM: The challenge is on! Vasquez wants to do this right now! He wants to get his hands on Scott, Bright, the Bishops... all of 'em! BW: Of course he does. He's looking for any chance to hurt Stevie before the big match, Gordo. He's looking for any chance to gain a little edge on the champ. GM: As opposed to Stevie Scott who is jumping Vasquez at every opportunity? [Ben Waterson quickly confers with his clients - and as Vasquez put it, his "hired goons" - before grabbing the mic again.] ATTSBW: You seriously want this, Vasquez? You, Tons O' Fun, and the Senior Circuit want a crack at the Bomber, the Bishops, and the National Champ? [Vasquez nods as Waterson smirks.] ATTSBW: You want it? You got it! [MASSIVE CHEER!] GM: Oh yeah! They accepted the challenge! We're going to see- [Waterson interrupts the celebration.] ATTSBW: But not tonight. [The cheers turn into some of the loudest jeers ever heard in the WKIK Studios.] ATTSBW: Vasquez, Tumaffi, Rough N Ready vs the Hotshot, the Bomber, and the Bishops... an eight man tag for the ages... Oh, it's on, Vasquez. [A nod.] ATTSBW: But two weeks from tonight. With just days before SuperClash, we'll see how eager you are to put your body on the line for these other scrubs then. 'Cause that's exactly what you're doing, Juan. You're putting your body - and what little chance you have to become the National Champion - in the hands of these men... [Waterson gestures to his team.] ATTSBW: Consider. Yourself. Warned. [And with that, the Agent To The Stars drops the mic and gestures for his comrades to exit the ringside area, heading to the locker room to the jeers of the crowd.] GM: It's not gonna happen tonight but perhaps the biggest eight man tag team match in AWA history WILL go down in two weeks' time on AWA Saturday Night Wrestling! Can you believe it? Fans, we'll be right back! [The camera holds on the ring where Vasquez is exchanging handshakes with Cooper, Somers, and Tumaffi as the fans cheer the fan favorites on before we fade to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a shot of Jason Dane and Mark Stegglet in an apparently moving car.] JD: Hey, AWA fans - so much of our lives are now spent on-the-go, wouldn't you love to be able to keep track of your favorite AWA superstars when you're away from home? MS: I know I would, Jason! And I'd also love to have a place to put out all those rumors we hear during the week that never make AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. JD: You've got that right. Wouldn't it be great if we could combine both of those ideas into one? [Suddenly, a giant graphic of an iPhone appears between them!] JD & MS: NOW WE CAN! [A voiceover takes over - thank God.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access - a great new application for your iPhone where you can get all the AWA news, rumors, and happenings before the rest of the world. And don't forget to check out the "exclusive" section for matches that never aired! AWA Access - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and then back to live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing behind the podium.] GM: Fans, welcome back... joining us at this time, the youngster from Buffalo, New York we saw for the very first time just two weeks ago... newcomer Bailey Fitzgerald. [Stepping into view now is the trepid, six-foot form of Fitzgerald, who glances about his surroundings as though he finds himself entirely out of place. His cropped blond hair glistening under the house lights and sporting a white, fresh-out-of-the-box AWA tee, Fitzgerald displays a distinct apprehension to opening up before finally doing so.] BF: Great to see you again, Mister Myers. Thank you so much for having me a second time. I realize I more or less invited myself over the last time, and for that I apologize. [Gordon nods in response.] GM: It's quite all right, young man. Some might say you had somewhat of a tough draw two weeks ago when you encountered the Japanese behemoth, MAMMOTH Mizusawa. And despite the fact you gave it your all inside that ring, you ultimately came out on the losing end. Why on EARTH would you immediately ask for a rematch with Mizusawa? A man TWICE your physical size! BF: It's a great question, Mister Myers. It's a question I've been asking myself every day since. I've played that match - if you can call it that - over and over in my head and the only explanation I've been able to muster is the fact I KNOW I'm better than what I showed everyone that night. [He shakes his head in disappointment.] BF: Odds are it was my adrenaline talking when I said I wanted another shot at the mammoth. Chances are that was me being the green grappler, not ready to face the frustration and embarrassment of laying an egg my first night on the job. [A frustrated sigh.] BF: But you know something? I'm glad I did what I did and said what I said. And I'm happy I was granted a rematch with MAMMOTH Mizusawa tonight. Because I've learned from the mistakes I made the last time. BW: Obviously not, you showed up. GM: But Bailey, you must know - Mizusawa is no slouch. He's called MAMMOTH for a reason. At seven-feet tall, 420 pounds, Mizusawa has run roughshod over his opponents for weeks now... to the point the Matsui Corporation has continually griped about the lack of competition their man has received thus far in the AWA. What will be so different this time than the last? [He can simply shrug.] BF: Honestly, I can't say anything will be. All I can tell you is the guy you saw in the ring with Mizusawa two weeks ago won't be the one you see tonight. That guy didn't make any adjustments whatsoever. Rather than switching up my game plan, maybe trying something different, I stuck with what I thought gave me the best chance at victory. And as everyone saw, trying to take the big man down with clotheslines did about as much damage to him as a brisk, summer breeze does to a skyscraper. And as a result, I found myself in the one place I didn't want to be... and that's in a prone position with Mizusawa's mitts wrapped around my throat, with an unforgiving eight-foot fall coming not far behind it. [Fitzgerald gingerly reaches for his throat at the mention of the thunderous choke slam.] BF: I have absolutely no doubts whatsoever I serve as nothing more than an annoyance to Louis Matsui and MAMMOTH Mizusawa. And perhaps I shouldn't. At the end of the day, it's conceivable I really am nothing more than filler material for the Matsui Corporation and their agenda in the WKIK studios. I can't even promise I'll be the upstart to buck the trend and give Godzilla and his cohorts the run for their proverbial money they so desire. But what I can promise is this -- that I won't make the same mistakes twice. That I'll make the most of my opportunity. That I do, in fact, know what to do with my second chance... [He shoots an optimistic nod toward the squared circle.] BF: ...To make a first impression. [Fitzgerald claps Gordon on the shoulder before trotting off out of view.] GM: We'll see that young man later tonight in action and we'll see just exactly what he's learned from his showdown two weeks ago with Mizusawa! But right now, let's go up to the ring for more action! [When we fade up to the ring, we see Adrian Freeman stepping into the ring, ŌTry HonestyĶ blaring behind him. The AWA crowd is giving him nothing but grief. Freeman takes the boos with his usual gritted teeth and feigned indifference.] GM: WeÕre about ready to get our next match underway, with Adrian Freeman competing in singles action. BW: One half of the number-one contenders to the AWA National Tag Titles. GM: I wouldnÕt go so far as to say number one contenders, but he and Callisto Dufrense are the ones who are going to get a shot at those belts at SuperClash. Despite the fact that they havenÕt earned three points. BW: Hey, Freeman & Dufrense wanted the match, KentuckyÕs Pride wanted the match for some reason, and thereÕs no reason to let bureaucracy stand in the way of that. [By the way, thereÕs still a match about to happen. Adrian Freeman stares down his opponent, a dark-skinned bald man in MMA shorts. Melissa Cannon does her job.] MC: The following match is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Pedro da Silva! [A few scattered cheers, mainly for da SilvaÕs opposition.] MC: And his opponent, from Sydney, Australia, ŌSubzeroĶ Adrian Freeman! [Heel pop!] GM: As you can see, wrestlers from all over the world come here to the AWA for a chance to prove themselves. Pedro da Silva is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter whoÕs trying to make the transition to wrestling, but heÕs up against a very tough opponent in Adrian Freeman. BW: This martial arts thing is a fad. An experienced technical wrestler like Freeman is going to make short work of the karate kid here. GM: Actually, da Silva is an expert in muay thai and Brazilian jiu jitsu. [The bell rings, and the two immediately lock up. Freeman bullies da Silva into a corner, and hits a blistering chop across the BrazilianÕs chest. He whips da Silva across the ring and into the opposite turnbuckle, then comes charging in with a clothesline. Pedro catches Adrian with a high kick to the jaw as he comes in, stopping Freeman in his tracks with wobbly legs and a dazed look on his face.] GM: Big shot to the kisser! BW: It was a lucky kick. See how Adrian is manhandling him? [The two men clinch in the corner, jockeying for position. Freeman manages to maintain a headlock, while da Silva drives a few knees into the AustralianÕs midsection. Adrian noticeably winces but holds on and takes his opponent up and over with a headlock suplex. He hooks the leg for a quick pin.] GM: One, and an early kick out from da Silva. Freeman turns him over, heÕs looking for the Deep Freeze early... and da Silva counters with a leg lock of some kind! [A look of panic crosses Adrian FreemanÕs face as his opponent sinks in the heel hook. He scrambles for the ropes, but theyÕre too far away. The AWA faithful are ecstatic, thinking that they might see the hated Freeman get upset. With a look of spiteful anger on his face, Freeman manages to twist his leg out of the dangerous hold.] GM: That was a close one. BW: What are you talking about? Freeman was never in danger of getting tapped out by a sissy leglock. [Pedro da Silva keeps coming, however, throwing hard shots. An elbow to the face stuns Freeman, and da Silva follows up with a Muay Thai knee. The crowd again salivates for an upset as Adrian Freeman backpedals into the corner. But da Silva comes in with a jumping knee that Freeman ducks, and his leg connects with the turnbuckle. The mixed martial artist flops down, clutching the knee.] GM: Ouch! Da Silva had a flurry going, but he just took a hard shot to the knee, and youÕve got to believe that Freeman smells blood in the water. [Sure enough, when da Silva flops down to the canvas Freeman grabs the injured knee and uses it to turn his opponent over and into the Deep Freeze. Pedro da Silva quickly taps out to the Deep Freeze.] MC: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... Adrian Freeman! GM: Well, it was more by luck than anything, but Adrian Freeman picks up another win. BW: By luck? Freeman lured da Silva in and used the ringpost as a weapon. It was perfect strategy! GM: I guess thatÕs one way of looking at the situation. [Adrian Freeman rolls out of the ring and walks over to the announce booth.] BW: It looks like Adrian is going to join us for some words. WhatÕs on your mind? AF: That match was a waste of my time. Not even worthwhile as a tune up. GM: You looked like you were in trouble a few times. AF: Gordo, havenÕt you ever seen a cat playing with a mouse before it ate it? That was exactly what I did to whats-his-name in there. But on to fatter fish. BW: I assume youÕre talking about KentuckyÕs Pride. The Championship Committee recently allowed you and Callisto a rematch with the champs at Superclash in less than three weeks. ItÕs going to be an Unsanctioned match, your thoughts on that? AF: Well, IÕm not sure what exactly it means for a match to be Unsanctioned, other than that the AWA is trying to cover themselves from having to pay City JackÕs bills when we put him back in that hospital, this time for good. But you know what? I think Jack is old enough to get on Medicare, so they really donÕt have to worry about that. GM: Would you stop? AF: Stop what? Trying to solve peoplesÕ problems? ItÕs YOU, Gordo, and Tin Can Rust, and the people like you in the crowd, who cheerlead a man whoÕs half blind and obviously past his prime, and motivate him to do things like insist on an Unsanctioned match with a team that is younger, faster, and stronger than him. If there were more people like me in the world, maybe City Jack would realize that he canÕt hold on to that fading glory forever, and walk away from this business while he still can. But no. Because of you he insists on carrying this farce to its conclusion. And I know that Tin Can Rust will probably hear this and get rip roaring mad, or some other folksy expression, but his anger canÕt accomplish anything. When heÕs in the Deep Freeze just like da Silva was a few minutes earlier... he can get as mad as he wants, but heÕs still going to have to tap or hear the vertebrae in his back snap one by one. BW: What about Werewolf Gregorson intervening in your fight with KentuckyÕs Pride last week? AF: Listen, if Gregorson wants to get involved with us again itÕs his funeral. IÕd have thought he was at least capable of learning from pain, but apparently he canÕt make the logical leaps that most farm animals can. GM: IÕm not shocked, but these comments seem very arrogant, Adrian. But KentuckyÕs Pride has been tag champions for about a year now, and thatÕs no fluke. And with a third man on their side... AF: You might think itÕs arrogant. But itÕs not my job to convince you of anything, until I step into the ring, and then thereÕs nothing but cold, hard fact. [Adrian Freeman walks away abruptly, evidently having grown bored with the interview.] GM: Well, I guess the interview is over, fans. Don't go away, we'll be right back with more AWA action! [The camera holds on Gordon and Bucky for a moment before fading to black... ...and then back up. It's a shot of a few kids standing outside of a classroom. A fourth kid walks up to them, carrying his backpack over his shoulder.] 4th Kid: Hey guys... wait til you see what I got from AWAShop.com! [He whips open the backpack and produces... ...a JUAN VASQUEZ BOBBLEHEAD!] "Whoa!" "Wow!" "That rocks!" "I want one... now!" [The 4th kid looks pleased with himself... ...until a fifth kid walks up.] 5th Kid: Juan Vasquez, huh? That's not bad... but check this out! [The 5th kid opens his backpack and reveals... ...a CITY JACK BOBBLEHEAD!] "WHOA!" "WOWER!" "THAT ROCKS MORE!" "I WANT ONE... NOW!" [The fifth kid looks proud as the fourth kid looks sad at his Vasquez bobblehead and we fade to black... We fade back up to the backstage area where Jason Dane stands by, mic in hand, as he addresses the camera.] JD: And we're back, fans! Tonight we'll see the battle for the number seven ranking in the National Title chase and one of the men battling stands beside me now. Welcome, Pure X. [The camera zooms out a little bit to show Pure X, dressed in a black graphic T-shirt and his normal wrestling tights/boots.] PX: Good to be here, Dane - any day I get to step into the ring and get a chance to be that much closer to the National Title is a day I live for. JD: Your thoughts on tonight? PX: My match against Kevin Slater? [X rubs his forehead.] PX: My thoughts on Kevin Slater - DESPITE the cheap shot he took two weeks ago - are the same as with Bright and Houston. [Pure X looks back to Dane, continued with a serious look on his face.] PX: Slater's... just another stepping stone for me. Just another person that I've got put my foot down on before I can challenge for the title... See, unlike what Shane Destiny thinks, I HAVE to go through everyone in the AWA before I get my hands on the title to ensure that everyone knows, without a doubt, that I am the one true champion. Until that time, I don't want to even sniff the title. JD: You bring up Shane Destiny - [Pure X shakes his head, knowing he made a mistake uttering Destiny's name.] JD: He's increasingly become a thorn in your side, mainly due to your claims of being the best wrestler in AWA. PX: Yeah, yeah... JD: Care to answer him back? PX: No. JD: Uh... Wait, what? PX: Look, Dane, I ran down Slater the past month for precisely the same reason I don't want to talk about Destiny - Slater's my next opponent, not Shane Destiny. [Pure X pauses, annoyed to have to field this matter.] PX: I come to work prepared and ready to take on what I have for that day. Today, it's Slater and ONLY Slater that I'm focued on. Tomorrow? [Pure X nods.] PX: Tomorrow, sure, I'll focus on Shane Destiny - [X looks into the camera.] PX: Tomorrow I'll focus on a man that's lived on PAST glory for way too long. Tomorrow I'll focus on a man that's such a great wrestler, he can't even stay focused on his opponent DURING a match, let alone the day of the match. Soup Bone Samson, was it Destiny? [X lets a short grin grow on his face before wiping it away as he gets back on track.] PX: But tonight, my eyes are set on moving up one more spot. So, Slater, your soap opera obsession over Bobby Taylor? Put it on hold for one day and bring to the ring the old you - the man that once stood atop the sport, the man who held two World Championships. [Pure X pauses.] PX: Cause I'd really rather submit a man acting like a legend rather than the complete joke that's been before us this past year. [Pure X looks down to Dane and nods before leaving the shot.] JD: Well, a determined Pure X in the building today. Back to you, Gordon and Bucky. [We fade back to the ringside area where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Thanks for that, Jason. Pure X is all business as he gets ready for his Main Event showdown with "Superstar" Kevin Slater later tonight, Bucky. BW: A two-time former World Champion against a guy who hasn't sniffed the big time until tonight? Gee, I wonder who holds the edge. GM: I somehow don't think it's quite so cut and dry, Bucky. Now, coming up next, we have a big opportunity for some young talent! BW: Young talent. I saw this guy before the show. By the looks of him, someone picked him up off a street corner and asked him if he wanted to be a rassler! GM: BUCKY! BW: It's true! Pretty soon we'll be cruisin' the homeless shelters lookin' for someone to get in there. GM: Fans, joining us at this time, Bucky's inane comments nonwithstanding, is a young man ready to make his AWA debut here tonight in Dallas! Welcome in Allen Zane! [A fresh-faced young man, beaming with excitement, steps on screen. He's pumping his fists to the crowd, who react to his enthusiasm with applause. Allen Zane is a mid-sized wrestler with long black hair, a light fuzz mustache, and a tattoo of a tiger on his left bicep. He's wearing shiny light-green tights.] GM: Allen, you're about to wrestle your first match. What is going through your mind? AZ: Mr. Myers, I've waited my whole life for this. I know you hear a lot of guys like me say that, but my family sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today. I've got the chance of a lifetime, and with these great fans behind me, there's no way I can fail! GM: We understand that you're dedicating this match to someone very special. AZ: That's right! This one's for my mom, who's in the hospital fighting a kidney disease. Mom, I'm gonna win this one for you! GM: Best of luck, Allen, and your family will be in our prayers. AZ: Thanks, Gordon. [Allen hustles towards the ring, as Bucky can barely stifle laughter.] BW: He's got mommy issues. GW: Bucky, please! His family is struggling through a hard time, and Allen will be looking for the all-important winner's paycheck as his family is in need. Let's go up to the ring and get the introductions! [*DING*] MC: THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SET FOR ONE FALL AND A TEN MINUTE TIME LIMIT! FIRST, TO MY LEFT, FROM CUBA, WEIGHING TWO HUNDRED FIFTY POUNDS... CUBAN ASSASSIN #6! [The fans boo the perennial AWA alsoran... although he does have a bit of a cheering section as well.] MC: HIS OPPONENT, FROM KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, WEIGHING TWO-HUNDRED FOURTY-EIGHT POUNDS... ALLEN ZANE! [The young Zane jumps in over the top rope, and swings his arm overhead to the cheers of the fans.] [*DING*DING*] GM: Alright, now let's see what the newest AWA rookie can do! Collar-and-elbow tieup, and the Cuban Assassin backs Zane up into the turnbuckles! BW: Oh, no, mommy, he's pullin' my hair! GM: The Assassin indeed using the black locks of Zane, and there is no clean break as Cuban Assassin #6 fires downstairs with a series of punches. BW: Can you imagine if this punk loses to the Assassin after callin' the match for his sick mommy? His career'll be over before it starts, Gordo! GM: I seem to recall that the Assassin has a victory over Stevie Sc... BW: That never happened! It was a made-up story! GM: We were right here! BW: Big body slam by the Assassin, baby! I gotta do my job and yours too? GM: I'm still trying to figure out what your job actually IS, Bucky. Cuban Assassin #6 putting the heavy boots to Allen Zane. BW: He's gonna stomp Zane's kidney out so he can donate it to his mommy. GM: That is NOT funny. The Assassin picks up Zane, and shoots him in with the Irish-whip. Zane rebounding quickly, and ducks the big clothesline by the Assassin! Allen Zane with a head of steam... HIGH CROSS BODY! BW: What a fluke move that was. GM: A two count on the Assassin off the cross body, and Zane is fired up now! A big armdrag takedown by the young man from Kansas City. BW: He's probably gonna get fewer wins in his life than the Kansas City Chiefs'll see this year. GM: Zane hooking the Cuban Assassin 6, and a vertical suplex! A beauty! Allen Zane is in control, and now up to the second turnbuckle on the inside! These fans cheering, and a flying back elbow off the turnbuckles stuns the Assassin! BW: Oh, no. He got him right in the jaw with that! What a lucky move! GM: Allen Zane sensing victory... WAIT JUST A MINUTE! WHO IS THAT?! [A large man slides in the ring, and pastes the referee with a brutal front elbow shot! The fans boo, and some few shout in great surprise at the identity of the man in the ring.] BW: GORDO, AM I SEEIN' GHOSTS? [Whomever this ghost is, he seems awfully tangible to Allen Zane, who is summarily booted in the face by a man who must be in the six-foot-eight range, and nearly three hundred pounds. He's wearing a black-and-silver wrestling outfit... a singlet which extends to mid-thigh, silver-grey kneepads and black boots. He has stringy black hair, a large pug nose, wild brown eyes, and is wearing a cutoff pale green T-Shirt reading "PROPERTY OF STATE MENTAL INSTITUTION". And a few of the longtime wrestling fans who can remember back a decade or so seem to recognize him. Being students of the game, Gordon and Bucky are among them.] GM: That is James Monosso! I haven't seen him in almost ten years! [Monosso leaps onto Zane, and commences attempting to tear his face off. Literally. He's fishhooking his nostrils, mouth, and even the sides of his eyesockets... and PICKS HIM UP.] BW: Last I knew, Monosso was locked up in an asylum in Pennsylvania! What idiot let him out?! GM: This is savage! Allen Zane being assaulted for absolutely no reason by a man who hasn't wrestled in... I have no idea how long... look at this! [Monosso headbutts Zane several times, while still holding him up by his fishhooked face, and then spikes him straight back into the mat. The burly former psychiatric ward inmate then scoops Zane right back up, and shoulders him in a fireman's lift.] GM: This is sadistic! Why?! BW: Why not? GM: James Monosso is not an AWA wrestler! He's not even a wrestler at all anymore to the best of my knowledge! No one's seen or heard from him in... oh, good grief! [Monosso runs at the corner, and turns at the last moment to smash Zane's head into the top turnbuckle! The young Combat Corner graduate bounces back, and Monosso reverse-slams him flat on his back, absolutely wiping him out with the impressive maneuver. Cuban Assassin 6 cheers the invader on, to which Monosso answers by clotheslining the Cuban over the top rope and out of the ring!] BW: We're gonna need security, and security's probably gonna need the police. Who might need the national guard. [Another referee attempts to restrain Monosso, and he is hammered into the turnbuckle for his trouble. Monosso then drops a completely extraneous elbow drop on the first referee for absolutely no reason, before pulling down a knee pad, running at Zane, leaping high into the air, and blasting his face with a crushing knee drop!] GM: Monosso is absolutely out of control! This man was a champion in the mid-nineties, Allen Zane is no match for him! What on Earth possessed him to do this?! BW: That whole 'insanity' thing, Gordo. [As the fans shower him with boos, Monosso drops a second high jumping knee drop into Zane's face! Zane is now bleeding profusely.] GM: Security finally on the way, but Monosso is not relenting! And... no, not this! BW: If I remember Monosso... I'm hiding under the table, Gordo! [Monosso picks up the limp form of Allen Zane and presses him overhead as security hits the ring. He rushes towards the ropes and screams:] "GET OUT OF HERE!" [...and with that, he hurls Zane over the top rope onto the barely-padded concrete floor of the WKIK Studios from the gorilla press! Zane hits the floor, skids ten feet, and rolls slowly to a stop in a tangle of limbs.] GM: NO! HE COULD HAVE CRIPPLED HIM! BW: He could have thrown him in THIS direction and crippled us, Gordo! I'm gonna choose to be thankful, myself. GM: THIS IS DISGUSTING! THERE IS NO CALL FOR THIS! [Monosso exits the ring, and totally ignores the security detail trying to hustle him out of the arena. One of them tries to grab him, and gets his face slammed into the ringpost for his trouble. Monosso walks over towards Gordon and Bucky, and the look on his face is a cross between determination and bewilderment. It's unsettling, to say the least. His wide eyes are focused on Gordon, who shriks back a bit... but asks him the question anyway.] GM: James Monosso... what are you doing here?! [Monosso answers him with an unsteady voice... he seems to be having trouble choosing his words.] JM: What am I doing here? Here as in Dallas, or here as in Earth? I don't know why I'm here on Earth. Why I'm still alive; who knows, who cares? No one seemed to care for the past few years when I was rotting in a cell in the middle of Pennsylvania. No one cared when the doctors would come and inject me with who knows what, when all my so-called-friends gave up on me, and when all the wrestling fans moved on to their new heroes. Do any of you even remember me?! Did I spit up blood for fifteen years for nothing?! [James is growing angry, and security hovers close in case he tries something. But he composes himself and contines.] JM: I seem to remember I used to be a wrestler. A champion. I have other memories that people tell me aren't real, but these ones I know are true. But locked in that white room... I came to see that I was not crazy, but that I was the sane one. I was the one who saw things the way they were, and the world locked me away because they have everything backwards. And I am here in Dallas to show you all the truth. GM: How is beating up a kid wrestling his first match showing us anything?! JM: I heard this young man. Heard him say his family sacrificed for him. Heard him say his mother was in the hospital and he needed to win money for her. And I knew that he needed me. You are welcome, Allen Zane. You will now see, as I have, that sacrifice is pointless. That love and family are empty and bring you nothing but pain in the end. You'll be better off without those anchors. I had to learn the hard way, boy. It took me... how old am I? Old. A long time. Yes, it took me a long time to see that attachments are nothing but torture. If you're going to torture yourself, use needles and power tools; that way you're in control. That way you can stop when you've had your fill. And speaking of torturing people with needles and power tools, I have an announcement. [Gordon is too horrified at this line of commentary to even ask. After a brief pause, James decides to ask himself what his announcement is.] JM: I'm used to the silent reaction; after all, I gave it to myself for the past several years alone in the cell. So, self, what is this announcement? Well, self and the rest of you scumbags, I'll tell you what the announcement is. My announcement is that I am now free, and I am starting my own business. It is the business of making horrible things happen to people. You see, after years in a hole, suddenly being released, I have nothing. I probably don't smell too good because I don't have soap. I don't have soap because I don't have a soapdish to put it in. I don't have a soapdish because I don't have a shower to put the soapdish in. I don't have a shower because I don't have a bathroom. I don't have a bathroom because I don't have a place to live. I don't have a place to live because I don't have money. But that's not a problem. I noticed that people with money tend to hate other people. It's a trend. So, it's real simple. Pay me a lot of money, and I will make things like that... [James points to where paramedics are putting a halo on Allen Zane so that he can be safely placed on a stretcher.] JM: ...happen to people you hate. I have a real long resume as far as this sort of thing goes. It's like riding a bicycle. GM: You never forget how, I understand. JM: Sure, that too. I was referring to the hitting asphalt at high velocity, head-first, and bones breaking. GM: So you're nothing but a hired thug. JM: If the man with a house wants to pass judgement on the guy sleeping in alleys for wanting a warm place to stay before snow falls, then you're just another fat-faced hypocrite. I hope you suffocate in your pillow tonight, you useless piece of crap. And the rest of you who are booing me can go straight to hell, where since it's Saturday they're serving dumplings that look and taste like sawdust and that gravy they make out of recycled Vaseline. But they'll never put me back in that place! I'll do anything... _ANYTHING_... to make sure of that. And you'd have to be INSANE to think otherwise. [Monosso stalks off, security following closely (and nervously) behind.] GM: Fans, I am outraged. James Monosso is a bitter man, and I do not know how he got out of that asylum... BW: Over somebody's dead body, I bet. GM: He should be back in there after this! Allen Zane is being carried away on a stretcher, and his young career might be over! BW: On the bright side, he'll be keeping mommy company! GM: That's sick! BW: No, Gordo. You're the sick one, if you think a homeless man shouldn't do whatever he has to do to make it! Monosso ain't waitin' for an Obama handout, daddy, he's gonna take charge of his life and do what he does best! I bet he's gonna have no shortage of takers, either. GM: Fans, I'm... well, quite frankly, I'm in shock. I don't know what to say. BW: I do! Let's go to the SuperClash Control Center where Jason Dane has an announcement about a match that I think Mr. Monosso will find quite interesting. [We fade from a grinning Bucky Wilde to the funky-looking logo of the SuperClash Control Center. After a bit, the logo spins away to reveal Jason Dane seated in front of a row of television monitors.] JD: Thanks, Bucky! And yes, I do have a match to announce that Mr. Monosso might find himself taking part in... well, if he can get the AWA to license him after what we just saw. An assault on TWO referees, a pair of wrestlers, AND a security guard?! We may NEVER see James Monosso in an AWA ring after witnessing that! But if he does make it... if he does... [Dane grins.] JD: Then this will be of very special interest to him, I'm sure. In light of the recent influx of new blood and returning superstars to the AWA, the Championship Committee has decided to give ten of those competitors a shot to stand center stage in the spotlight on the biggest AWA event of the year. It's being called a Steal The Spotlight showdown. It will consist of a five-on-five elimination tag team match of the best newcomers and returning stars the AWA has to offer. And the surviving members of the winning team... [Dane nods his head.] JD: ...will each receive the opportunity of a lifetime as they will be able to participate in any non-title match of their choice in the days and weeks to come! Perhaps young Aaron Anderson will get a shot to take on Tumaffi! Maybe Vladimir Velikov can avenge his nephew's loss to Stevie Scott! How about the Fabulous Falcons getting a shot at The Right Proper Thugs? The possibilities are endless, fans. But it all comes down to who wants it the most! The Committee has stated they will not announce who will be in the match until after the final Saturday Night Wrestling before SuperClash. If you want to win it, you've gotta be in it and whoever those ten men are going to be, they're gonna have to earn it! [Dane grins as photos of Rough N Ready and The Bishop Boys appear in the corner of the screen.] JD: It was announced recently that the AWA Championship Committee had made it official. Rough N Ready and The Bishop Boys will meet for the final time... The Final Showdown if you will... but only if they sign a contract agreeing that it will be the final time they will meet in the ring. We caught up with Cousin Bo moments ago to get his thoughts. [The photos of the two teams is replaced by footage of Cousin Bo.] CB: The Final Showdown they're callin' it. [Cousin Bo nods his head slowly.] CB: Fine. Fine. On one condition... [He points a menacing finger at the camera.] CB: There MUST be a clear winner. None of this countout, DQ garbage. If I'm puttin' my boys shot at the belts on the line, I want to make sure they get a chance to end this. Once. And. For. All. [With a cold stare, the shot of Cousin Bo fades away leaving Jason Dane behind.] JD: The challenge was made. Will it be answered? Fans, I'll be back later tonight with more news about the biggest event of the year - SuperClash - coming Thanksgiving Night to the Dallas Memorial Auditorium! We'll be right back with more AWA action so don't change that channel! [Hold on the AWA SuperClash Control Center logo for a moment before we fade to black. ...and then back up on a shot of the AWA National Title belt. The super-excited voice of Mark Stegglet is heard over it.] "You've seen it on Saturday Night Wrestling!" [A shot of Marcus Broussard with the belt over his shoulder.] "You've seen it on AWA supercards like Memorial Day Mayhem and The Last Stampede!" [A shot of Ron Houston wearing the belt in a promo picture.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air fades into a shot of a young fan doing the same.] "Available NOW on AWAShop.com, get the official replica of the AWA National Title belt that only the best and brightest of the AWA superstars have held!" [A closeup of the AWA National Title slowly fades to black... ...and then fades back up to live action where Gordon Myers is standing by with MAMMOTH Mizusawa and his manager, Louis Matsui.] GM: Welcome back, fans! Louis Matsui, we are moments away from a return match between MAMMOTH Mizusawa and Bailey Fitzgerald. Is this the competition that you have been asking for? LM: Gordon, I have always said that any competition for my client is good competition. My client is more than happy to accept the challenge and step into the ring once again with Fitzgerald. GM: Still, it must have been a surprise to you that Fitzgerald would issue such a challenge after what Mizusawa di- LM: What Mizusawa did was business as usual, Gordon. People want to make a big deal about the kid asking for a rematch, but he isn't the first. Remember Jose Rivera? He got beat in a handicap match and came right back with his two flunkies for another beating. I tried to give him an out, but he did not want to take it, so I let my giant do his thing, and, just like that, another notch in the win column for MAMMOTH Mizusawa. Fitzgerald wants to prove himself? We respect that, and my client will, as always fight a fair and honourable match, so Fitzgerald doesn't have to feel too bad when MAMMOTH Mizusawa beats him again tonight. We respect his gumption, and I can assure you, my client is going to make losing as painless as possible for Fitzgerald. [Matsui walks off, followed by Mizusawa, as we cut back to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Already in the ring at this time... from Buffalo, New York... standing six feet tall and weighing in at 214 pounds... Bailey Fitzgerald! [The spunky competitor throws an arm up to a bit more cheers than he received two weeks ago.] MC: And his opponent... [Tomoyasu HoteiÕs ŌBattle Without Honor or HumanityĶ starts to play over the arena speakers. Louis Matsui emerges with a smirk from the entranceway. He is followed closely by the scowling seven-footer, MAMMOTH Mizusawa, dressed in a black singlet, black knee pads and a pair of black boots. Matsui points with his thumb over his shoulders at Mizusawa, who raises both his arms in the air. Both men start to make their way down the aisle.] MC: Hailing from Tokyo, Japan; weighing in at 420 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by LOUIS MATSUI, he is MAMMOTH . . . MIZUSAWA!!! [As Matsui walks to the ring, he pays little attention to the fans sitting on either side of the aisle, although he is still smirking. The towering Mizusawa, on the other hand, walks slowly behind his manager, glaring at the crowd. Reaching the ringside area, MAMMOTH Mizusawa grabs the top rope and pulls himself onto the ring apron, then steps over the ropes and into the ring. He heads to his corner, where he is joined by Matsui, who has climbed onto the ring apron but staying on the outside. As the music starts to fade, he is giving some instructions to Mizusawa, before climbing back down to the ringside area and leaving his charge in the ring to await the start of the match.] GM: There's the bell and here we go! [Fitzgerald moves quickly out of the corner, trying to stay low as Mizusawa strides to the middle of the ring.] GM: Time to find out if Fitzgerald really learned any lessons from his loss two weeks ago... [Dropping to his knees, Fitzgerald lunges forward, wrapping his arms around one of Mizusawa's massive tree-trunk like legs. He struggles and strains with his grip, trying to find a way to up-end the giant... ...but Mizusawa simply reaches down, grabbing Fitzgerald by the head and holding it against his own leg as he lifts his foot up, driving it back down and smashing Fitzgerald's skull into his knee!] GM: Ohhh! BW: So much for that. This one's over right now. GM: It's not over til the fat lady sings, Bucky. BW: I didn't know your wife was here tonight. [With Fitzgerald down on the mat, Matsui shouts some instructions to his massive monster who slowly walks over to his downed opponent... ...and with one hand on the top rope, steps on the back of Fitzgerald, causing the Buffalo native to cry out in pain as 420 pounds is pressed down on his prone form.] GM: Oh, come on! Get off him! [After a bit, Mizusawa steps off, leaving a wincing Fitzgerald down on the mat. A hard boot to the ribs forces him to roll under the ropes to the ring apron.] GM: Fitzgerald gets kicked out to the apron... look out now... [The seven foot monster reaches over the top rope, grabbing the downed Fitzgerald by the hair and dragging him up to his feet... ...which gives the Buffalo native just a moment to slap the grip off his hair, grabbing the giant around the neck and dropping off the apron, snapping Mizusawa's throat down on the top rope and taking him down to a knee!] GM: OHHH! He caught him with the clothesline! BW: That's an illegal move, Gordo! GM: But perhaps that's what he needs to get a chance in this one! [Fitzgerald quickly gets back up on the apron, slingshotting over the ropes and lashing out with two feet to the face of the kneeling Mizusawa!] GM: This is it, Gordo! This is his chance! [With the big man kneeling, Fitzgerald tries to seize the moment, throwing HUGE right hands into his massive skull. He quickly grabs the kneeling giant in a front facelock.] GM: DDT! He's going for a DD- OHHHHH! [The seven footer straightens up, throwing Fitzgerald up and over from his knees in a backdrop counter!] GM: Fitzgerald gets tossed to the mat but at least it wasn't from over eight feet in the air! BW: Always look on the bright side! GM: The giant's back on his feet... [Fitzgerald quickly gets back to his feet as well, not feeling much effect from the kneeling backdrop. He meets the rising Mizusawa with a big right hand.] GM: Another haymaker by Fitzgerald! He continues to bring the fight to the giant! [Leaping up, Fitzgerald slams his arms together on Mizusawa's skull in an earclapper. The double arm blow actually causes the giant to wobble back a step as Fitzgerald pumps a fist in celebration, bringing the fans to their feet. He promptly charges to the ropes, rebounding back.] GM: Off the ropes... CROSS BOD- [The cheers turns to a buzz of surprise as Mizusawa catches him across his body, holding him in the air... ...and DROPPING straight down with a layout powerslam!] GM: OHHHHHH! [The four hundred twenty pounder pushes up to his knees, looking down angrily at the hurting opposition who is now cradling his ribcage in pain.] GM: Mizusawa could probably pin him here, Bucky. BW: I think he could've pinned him during the intros if he wanted to. GM: Give me a break, Bucky. You've gotta be impressed by the heart of Bailey Fitzgerald! He's really got some fight in him! He just won't back down at all. BW: He'll back down when the big man puts him through the ring, Gordo. GM: We'll see about that. [From outside the ring, Matsui shouts some instructions to Mizusawa who slowly climbs to his feet, looking down at the still-floored Fitzgerald. With a stoic gaze, Mizusawa reaches down to haul his victim up to his feet, blasting him with a forearm smash across the chest, knocking the Buffalo native back into the buckles.] GM: Good grief! What a shot that was! [Reaching out with one arm, Mizusawa grabs Fitzgerald's wrist, whipping him from corner to corner...] GM: Fitzgerald hits the buckles hard... LOOK OUUUUUUT! [The giant stampedes towards the corner, turning away at the last moment to drive his back into Fitzgerald... ...who DIVES out of the way just in time, causing Mizusawa to SLAM into the buckles!] GM: OHHHH! FITZGERALD GOT OUT OF THE WAY!! THIS IS HIS CHANCE! BW: Stop kidding yourself, Gordo. The kid is toast. GM: Fitzgerald... up on the second rope... [The Buffalo native leaps off the middle rope with a double axehandle attempt... ...that Mizusawa blocks by grabbing Fitzgerald around the throat with both hands, snatching him out of the sky!] GM: HE CAUGHT HIM! HE CAUGHT HIM IN MID-AIR! LOOK AT THE POWER! [Turning away from the buckles, Mizusawa holds his opponent high and with a loud bellow, DRIVES him down to the canvas in a thunderous slam!] GM: TUSK CRUSHER!! HE PLANTS HIM! [Placing two hands firmly on the chest of the downed Fitzgerald, Mizusawa presses his weight on his shoulders.] GM: One. Two. Three. That's it. "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Your winner of the match... MAMMOTH MIZUUUUUSAAAAWA! [The giant pushes up off the downed Fitzgerald, glaring at him as Louis Matsui climbs into the ring to celebrate with his charge.] GM: Mizusawa with another impressive victory, Bucky. BW: And you've gotta think he just staked his claim for a spot in that Steal The Spotlight showdown at SuperClash! This man is undefeated so far and no one's even come close to beating him! If he's not in that match, it's more of an upset than- GM: Than what? BW: Never mind. GM: You were going to say something about the Announcer of- BW: Was not! GM: Yes, you were! BW: WAS NOT! GM: Well, Bucky... if Mizusawa has earned his spot in that match, don't you think Bailey Fitzgerald may have as well? BW: Are you kidding me? He lost. And he lost two weeks ago. GM: But the effort he put in- BW: Was still a loss. GM: Well, we'll see who will get their chance in the Steal The Spotlight showdown but for now, fans, I applaud Bailey Fitzgerald's heart and effort in this one... but hopefully, he's finished with MAMMOTH Mizusawa and can move on to opponents closer to his size. Fans, let's go backstage where Jason Dane is standing by with Soup Bone Samson who is coming off arguably the biggest win of his career! Jason? [We cut to the locker room area where Dane is indeed standing with the burly brawling veteran.] JD: Thanks, Gordon. Soup Bone Samson, you've gotta be feeling great just two weeks removed from defeating Shane Destiny in the middle of the ring. [Samson cracks a big grin.] SBS: Now that you mention it, it DOES feel pretty good, Jase. JD: Now, fans of Shane Destiny would point out he seemed to be on the verge of victory when Pure X's appearance distracted him just enough for you to- SBS: Lay him out with one punch? JD: Something like that. SBS: Sure, I'll agree with that. Look, the guy is a world class athlete and one of the best wrestlers in the world. He's held titles all over the globe and will go down in history as one of the best to ever lace a pair of boots. So, the fact that he had me down and in trouble ain't a big surprise now, is it? [Samson shakes his head.] SBS: But he didn't get the job done neither. We play all the way through to the end at this level, Shane. It's not about who was "about to win" or who almost got the job done. If you didn't pin my shoulders for a three count or make me holler "uncle" - well, the fact is you lost, my friend. Pure X didn't lay a finger on ya. Now, I didn't ask him to be out there but... [Another grin.] SBS: I sure ain't 'bout to get all riled up none about him showing his face. It's like I been sayin' all along, Jase. [He holds up a clenched fist.] SBS: One punch. It's all it takes. You saw it two weeks ago. I was in trouble. I was down. I was out. Then... BOOM! [He throws a right hook in the air.] SBS: Lights out. Game over. And Soup Bone Samson gets his hand raised. It can happen every night. Just. Like. That. So, Hotshot... you keep your eyes on the prize, son. You go out there with Juan Vasquez at SuperClash and you fight with everything you got. You fight harder than you ever fought before, Scott. [Samson nods his head slowly.] SBS: Cause after I finish working my way up the Top 10 to get my shot at ya... to get a little payback for the Natural, the Shark, and of course, my good friend Sweet Daddy... I'm gonna be real disappointed if you ain't there to take yer beatin', son. Real disappointed. [One more raised right hand from the camera.] JD: Soup Bone Samson has his eyes locked on the National Champion. Fans, we'll be right back with more AWA Saturday Night Wrestling! [The camera holds on Jason and a focused Soup Bone Samson for a moment as we fade to black. We fade back up from black on a white screen. Black text appears slowly on the screen.] "Thanksgiving night" [A voiceover begins.] "Once a year, the very best in the AWA gather to give the entire wrestling world something to be thankful for." [The text appears again.] "Dallas Memorial Auditorium" [The voiceover.] "SuperClash is coming." [Information on where and when to buy tickets fills the screen before fading out... ...and then back up to live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Welcome back, fans. It's already been an exciting night of AWA action and in a lot of ways, we're still just getting warmed up. And at this time, it is once again our pleasure to welcome back to AWA Saturday Night a man who many consider to be a legend in this sport, Vernon Riley. ["You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover" by Hank Williams, Jr., cranks over the PA to a big pop for the native Texan. Dressed in a flannel shirt, faded jeans, cowboy boots and a tan cowboy hat. The big man slaps a few hands on his way over to the table to join Myers and Wilde.] VR: Awwww, Gawhdon, it's a great feelin' to be back in the great state o' Texas. [Texas pop!] VR: Ol' Vern was gone a coupla weeks ago, and from the looks of things, Gawhdon...I missed a lot. Now, I know I ain't been here in the AWA very long. I know that, despite all my championships...all my accomplishments elsewhere and around the gloooooobe...I know that don't automatically put me into the spotlight here, if ya will. Like I said before, I know I gotta bide my tiiiiime...pay my duuuuuues...and that's what I'm gonna do. But that don't mean I can't come out here and pontificate on what I've been seein'. Because if I don't know nothin' else, Gawhdon...it's that I'm plenty enough of a man to back up what I got to say. [Pop!] VR: So now...I hear this old bald Ruskie comin' out here, runnin' his mouth and downin' this great country that's payin' his bills. He's gonna come talk about....Mother Russia. Well, I got another name for it, and it ain't suited for the young ears we got in this audience tonight. [Another pop!] VR: Listen here, Velikov! You got your hands full right now with Clayton Shaw, believe me when I tell ya that...but you keep on runnin' that old mouth of yours, and Shaw ain't the only red-blooded American you're gonna have to deal with, baby! [Jingo-ism pop!] VR: And Shaw, baby...if you need anyone, any time to give you a hand? You just gotta look ol' Vern right here up. [Riley slaps Myers on the shoulder, walking out of view.] GM: Let's go up to the ring for "Scorchin' Shane Taylor! [We fade to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... from Dallas, Texas... weighing in at 210 pounds... Steven Watkins! [A scrawny young man pumps a fist to some scattered cheers.] MC: And his opponent... [Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" kicks in over the PA to a decent sized shower of boos from the WKIK Studios crowd.] MC: Standing 5'11 and weighing in at 220 pounds... from Phoenix, Arizona... SCORCHIN' SHAAAAAANE TAAAAAYLOR! [The disco sounds continue as Taylor steps through the curtain, arms spread wide. He's got sunglasses pushed down to the edge of his nose, looking at the camera as it approaches... ...and then points back to the entryway.] GM: I was afraid of this. [After a moment, the curtain parts again to reveal a young and busty young lady. She walks into view of the WKIK crowd, earning quite a few wolf whistles from the fans. Dressed in a low cut top and mini-skirt along with what can only be described as stripper heels, she throws her arms around the neck of Shane Taylor before taking his hand and walking down the aisle towards the ring with him.] BW: Look at that, Gordo! Look at her! GM: I see her. BW: Have you EVER seen a woman like that, daddy? GM: I have... and so have you! Shane Taylor and Candi Kane were quite the couple in Southern Championship Wrestling down in Atlanta with us, Bucky. You remember that? BW: Oh, I do. They were a couple of real hellraisers, daddy... and if she's come to the AWA to be in Shane's corner, I'd say things just got a lot more interestin' around these parts. And around her parts too. GM: Would you stop? [Taylor pauses to kiss his lady before stepping up on the apron, leaving her to take a place in the corner. She claps as he slingshots over the ropes into the ring, all grins as he points a finger of warning at Steven Watkins.] GM: Shane Taylor telling young Mr. Watkins what he's going to do to- [Without waiting for the bell, Taylor dashes across the ring, burying a boot into the gut of Watkins. Grabbing him by the hair, Taylor throws him backwards, smacking into the buckles.] GM: Watkins back against the buckles... [Standing near the corner, Taylor snaps off a back elbow to the chin, snapping Watkins' head back against the ropes. Grabbing him by the arm, Taylor fires him across the ring. The impact causes Watkins to stagger out of the buckles into a boot to the gut where Taylor wraps his arms around the body, taking him down in a gutwrench suplex.] GM: Ohhh! Nice suplex by Shane Taylor... now what is this? [The crowd jeers as Taylor crawls on all fours over to the ropes, sticking his head between them to kiss his ladyfriend once again.] BW: You're just jealous, Gordo. And I can't blame ya. Look at her. Lawd have mercy. GM: Taylor climbs back to his feet... hard stomp to the ribs... and another... and another... [With Watkins down, Taylor leaps up into the air, dropping his knee down across the ribcage of his opponent. Watkins pops up from the impact... ...and eats a hard right hand from the Phoenix native, knocking him back down to his back. He promptly wraps his hands around the throat of the young man, strangling the air out of him.] GM: That's a choke! Get in there, referee! [At the count of four, Taylor breaks the choke, backing away as the referee reprimands him... ...which allows Candi Kane to reach under the ropes, pulling down on the windpipe of Watkins.] GM: Oh, come on! Like he really needs help with this rookie! [Taylor's face is covered in a huge grin as he walks back towards the downed Watkins, the referee missing everything about the interference... ...and promptly leaps into the air, smashing both feet down into the gut of Watkins!] GM: Ohhh! Double stomp by Taylor! That'll knock the wind right out of his sails, Bucky! [Not resting on his laurels, Taylor drags Watkins up by the hair, wrapping his arm over his neck, hoisting him up in a suplex... ...and smashing Watkins' legs down on the top rope, slingshotting him back into a picture perfect suplex!] GM: Whoa my! BW: The execution don't get any better than that one, daddy! GM: There's one... there's two... and there's three! "DING! DING! DING!" GM: Another victory for Scorchin' Shane Taylor and you've got to wonder if perhaps Taylor might be considered for that Steal The Spotlight showdown, Bucky. BW: He's been around the AWA for a couple of months now but he's still pretty new. I'm in full support of that as long as Candi's comin' with him, Gordo. GM: And hold your tongue, Bucky, cause it looks like they're coming over here to talk to us right now. [The camera cuts to the ringside announce area where Shane Taylor, arm draped over the shoulders of Candi, approaches the announce table.] GM: Shane Taylor, congratulations on another victory. SST: Thank ya, thank ya, Gordon Myers. It's a glorious day here in the ol' W-K-I-K, baby. Not only did I take another young punk to school and show 'em what it takes to be a man in this business... but my main squeeze is right back where she belongs. [The lovely Ms. Kane beams at her man.] SST: Gordo, I knew there was something missing... I just KNEW it, baby. I knew that back when I showed up to fight Slater. I knew there was something missing when I got in there with him to fight all over the Carolinas. But when I lost... and I found the real me hidin' in the shadows... I thought that was it. I thought I'd found what was missing. So, I came out here and slapped these punks around for the past few weeks... [Taylor shakes his head.] SST: It wasn't enough, Gordo. It wasn't right. [He takes a look at Candi.] SST: Now? Now, it's right. Come on, hon. [And with that, the duo walks out of view, heading towards the locker room.] GM: Fans, don't go away - we'll be right back! [The camera holds on Gordon and Bucky for a moment before fading to black... After a moment, we fade back up on a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment... ...and then fade back to live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing with "Stars And Stripes" Clayton Shaw.] GM: Welcome back, fans, and at this time, we've been joined by Clayton Shaw who is just moments away from stepping inside the ring with Vladimir Velikov! Clayton, you made this challenge two weeks ago to Mr. Velikov. [Shaw nods.] GM: And? [Shaw shrugs.] CS: And what, Gordon? GM: Well, I thought you might like to tell everyone why. CS: Not really, Gordon. In fact, I'm pretty tired of talking. Everyone out there knows why I made the challenge to Velikov tonight so I don't feel the need to explain it again. But if there's one thing I'm more sick of than talking... it's listening to Velikov talk, Gordon. [Big cheer! Shaw nods his head at the reaction.] CS: He's a punk. He's a worthless piece of scum and I'm sick of him. You know how long I was laid up, Gordon. And you know that every second I was on the sidelines, I had to listen to Velikov run his mouth about my country. [Shaw shakes his head.] CS: Tonight, that ends... tonight, that- [Shaw trails off as he spots Vladimir Velikov walking into the WKIK Studios.] GM: Now, hold on one second, guys. You've got a match in that ring in just a couple of minutes. We need to keep some control out here and- [Velikov snatches the mic away.] VV: Clayton Shaw, you are sick of me? You want to... how you say... shut me up? [Velikov waves him forward.] VV: Here is your chance... ["Stars And Stripes" doesn't need another invitation, rushing forward to pop Velikov in the jaw with a right hand, knocking him down to the floor. Shaw quickly drags Velikov off the floor, hauling him towards the ring where he fires him under the ropes... ...and gets DRILLED from behind by a slender, lanky man who rushes into the Studios from out of nowhere, smashing Shaw in the back of the head!] GM: Ohh! BW: It's the secret weapon! Velikov said he wasn't coming back to the AWA on his own, Gordo! [Grabbing a handful of Shaw's hair, the freakish-looking bald man smashes his face into the apron before rolling Shaw into the ring where Velikov immediately leaps into the beatdown, stomps and kicks to the downed former Marine. The mystery assailant is quick to join him in the ring, joining in the attack.] GM: It's a two on one assault on Clayton Shaw! Velikov and this... I don't even know what to call him, Bucky! I'm not sure- wait a second! I DO know who that is! [The camera catches a better glimpse of the assailant for the first time as he helps Velikov whip Shaw into the ropes, taking him down with a running double clothesline.] GM: Double clothesline... that's Baron Von Klauss, Bucky! BW: The German? Are you sure? GM: I'm positive! Velikov's brought Baron Von Klauss to the AWA! [Dragging the injured Shaw off the mat, Velikov holds him by the back of the neck... ...and allows Klauss to wrap a massive hand around the skull of Shaw in a clawhold!] GM: Claw! He's got the Claw on Shaw! ["Stars And Stripes" screams out in pain, pushing hard on the wrist of Klauss, trying to battle his way out of the clawhold to no avail. Klauss cackles loudly as he squeezes the skull of Shaw, Velikov screaming at the American all the while.] GM: Velikov - this is the only reason he accepted Shaw's challenge! I knew he didn't want any part of Clayton Shaw! I knew it! This was a setup all the while, Bucky! BW: You might be right, Gordo. GM: I know I'm right and- [BIG CHEER!] GM: VERNON RILEY! [The crowd cheers as Riley charges towards the ring in his street clothes, diving into the ring. Velikov rushes to meet him... ...and eats a snapping jab to the jaw! Riley snaps off another... and another... and another...] GM: He's rockin' the Russian... [With a big windup, Riley bashes Velikov over the crown of the head with a big elbowsmash, knocking Velikov down to the mat. The crowd roars as Riley rushes forward, just narrowly missing getting his hands on Baron Von Klauss as the German bails from the ring!] GM: Vernon Riley clears out the Russian and the German! Vernon Riley has saved the day for Clayton Shaw! BW: Well, we heard Riley say earlier tonight that he'd be watching out for Shaw if Shaw needed him... I'd say he needed him in a big way right there, Gordo. GM: You've got that right! [Riley drops down to a knee next to Shaw, helping him up off the mat to the cheers of the crowd.] GM: Clayton Shaw can't believe what just happened and I'm guessing there's not gonna be a match tonight with Velikov. That piece of trash Russian just pulled the wool over on all of us, Bucky. BW: Eh, I knew he wasn't going to wrestle. GM: You did not! Fans, we've got to take another break. We'll be right back! [The camera holds on the ring where Vernon Riley and Clayton Shaw are discussing what happened as we fade to black. After a moment, we fade back up on a shot of Jason Dane and Mark Stegglet in an apparently moving car.] JD: Hey, AWA fans - so much of our lives are now spent on-the-go, wouldn't you love to be able to keep track of your favorite AWA superstars when you're away from home? MS: I know I would, Jason! And I'd also love to have a place to put out all those rumors we hear during the week that never make AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. JD: You've got that right. Wouldn't it be great if we could combine both of those ideas into one? [Suddenly, a giant graphic of an iPhone appears between them!] JD & MS: NOW WE CAN! [A voiceover takes over - thank God.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access - a great new application for your iPhone where you can get all the AWA news, rumors, and happenings before the rest of the world. And don't forget to check out the "exclusive" section for matches that never aired! AWA Access - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and then back up to live action where Gordon Myers is standing inside the ring!] GM: Welcome back, fans, and ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is an AWA Original who, on our last edition of Saturday Night Wrestling, made his return to the AWA in somewhat controversial fashion. Please join me in welcoming the one and only...WEREWOLF...GREGORSON!! [Metallica's "Of Wolf and Man" begins to blast out over the P.A. as the 6'8" tall Gregorson suddenly appears at the back of the crowd, making his way through the throng of people in attendance as they cheer wildly. Dressed in blue jeans, a navy blue AWA t-shirt, and a black leather jacket, a pair of dark glasses on his face and his now shoulder-length silver-white hair tied back with a leather cord, Gregorson steps over the retaining wall and climbs the stairs into the ring, stepping over the top rope and taking his place alongside the "Voice of the AWA" as Myers extends his hand in greeting.] GM: Before we begin, Werewolf, let me just take a moment to welcome you back to the AWA and tell you what a pleasure it is to be standing here with you tonight. [Gregorson accepts the offer of a handshake as the fans start to chant his name.] WG: Thank you, Gordon, and let me just tell you how GREAT it is to be back here with you and the fans. But I don't think you called me and asked me to come out here just to say hello, now did you? GM: No, not really. I... WG (smirking): Gordon, I know why I'm here. You want to know what I was thinking last week when I was standing there in the ring with City Jack after I saved him from a beatdown at the hands of Adrian Freeman and Callisto Dufresne. Am I right? GM: Well... WG: No, it's alright. You see, I'm kind of actually wondering the same thing myself. [Shocked POP from the fans!!] WG: Hold on, hold on. Let me explain. You see, I sat at home for months recovering from my injuries... Injuries inflicted on me by the very same City Jack whose neck I saved last week... And, despite his protests of innocence about not meaning to put me on the shelf for all those months, not once in all that time did he ever bother to see how I was doing. On top of that, when my tag team partner, Despair, needed help in his fight against Adrian Freeman and Callisto Dufresne, where was Kentucky's Pride? Despair had to go OUTSIDE the AWA to find someone to help him, Gordon, and then Freeman and Dufrense put THEM on the shelf!! But where was our good Ōfriend,Ķ City Jack?!? GM: I really can't answer that, Werewolf, but, speaking of Despair, is he... WG: Despair is fine, Gordon, and he sends his regards. He's living in Orlando these days and running a wrestling school, but not a day goes by that he doesn't think about the AWA. But I'm not here to talk about Despair today. I'm here to explain my actions the other night. You see, Gordon, while it's true that I have my issues with City Jack, I also have issues with Freeman and Dufrense, which is why I chose to interject myself into their little theatrics last week. Because, as of this moment, I don't know who I'd like to get my hands on more or what I plan to do to any of them...and I certainly couldn't let City Jack get hurt before I've made up my mind. GM: But, Werewolf, your fans...aren't you worried about how they'll react if you turn on someone as popular as City Jack? WG: Gordon, my fans have been behind me since day one. My hospital room was filled with flowers, my mailman was overwhelmed by the sheer number of "Get Well" cards he was delivering to my home, and my website nearly crashed from all the well-wishers who were posting on it. I'm not afraid of what my fans will think because I know they'll always be there for me like I am for them. GM: Then your return to the AWA, your plans for the future... WG: Are still very much up in the air, though I will say this to anyone who tries to stand in my way. [Gregorson removes the sunglasses to reveal a pair of glowing yellow eyes.] WG: A new day is dawning in the AWA, Gordon Myers, and, with it, the Werewolf Gregorson of old has returned. Throw away your preconceived notions, my friend, and expect the unexpected... Because the Hunt begins anew... And I Hunt... Therefore I Am. [Gregorson cups his hands around his mouth and lets out a mighty howl as the image cuts to the backstage area where Jason Dane is standing next to "Superstar" Kevin Slater whose eyes are hidden behind a set of sunglasses as he looks off-camera.] JD: It's an exciting night here in the WKIK Studios and I am backstage with "Superstar" Kevin Slater, just a little while before your Main Event showdown with Pure X. Mr. Slater, your thoughts... [Slater doesn't immediately respond.] JD: Mr. Slater? [Slater finally acknowledges Dane, snapping his head back in his direction.] KS: Huh? JD: I was asking about your match with Pure X tonight. KS: Who? JD: Seriously? Pure X! The #8 contender to the National Title. The guy who challenged you for a match to try and win the #7 spot. This ringing any bells? [Slater looks confused and then snaps his fingers.] KS: That kid I beat up last time? JD: Well, I suppose you might say that but Shane Destiny had a hand in that too you know. KS: I'm wrestling Destiny? JD: No! Pure X! KS: Jase, I don't know what you've heard but I'm clean now. Have been for a while. I don't do that stuff anymore. JD: That's his name! Pure X! [Slater snaps the glasses off his face, a wide smirk crossing it.] KS: Ah yes. Pure X. The guy who interrupted my dramatic re-enactment of the greatest night of Bobby Taylor's life two weeks ago. The guy who came out here and said the people wanted to see me and him get it on in the ring. That guy, right? JD: Yes, that guy. KS: Yeah, not so worried about it. JD: But Mr. Slater, he- KS: Not worried about it. [Dane sighs.] JD: Okay... well, is there anything else you want to talk about? KS: Bobby Taylor. JD: Of course. KS: I just don't get it, Dane. You've been around Taylor a long time. You know him. This should have worked, damn it. This SO should have worked. Made a fool out of him? Check. Beat up his friends? Check. Beat up his family? Check. Mocked his legacy? Check. [Slater shrugs.] KS: What else can I do, Dane? What more can I do to get that yellow son of a- [Slater trails off, scratching his chin.] KS: What can I do to get him in the ring with me? There's gotta be something! There's just got to be... [Slater shakes his head, walking off the set saying "got to be" again just barely audible as Jason Dane watches.] JD: Kevin Slater remains focused... but on the wrong man. Will that cost him later tonight in our Main Event? We've only got a little while longer to go before we know for sure. [The shot holds on Jason Dane for a moment before fading to a very non descript backstage area. A blank concrete wall in one of the blank concrete hallways. Before the camera, nervously wringing his hands and barely able to keep from pacing is one "All American" Aaron Anderson. The tall, good looking newcomer to the AWA is every bit impressive as his resume might suggest. Muscular in a proportioned way, with long arms and legs and a thick neck, the former Division II wrestling champion is bred for the mats... not yet for the camera as evident by his awkward start.] AA: I... am.. Aaron Anderson. [Deep breath kid.] AA: I am Aaron Anderson, an... THE... [Keep going.] AA: ..."All American". "The All American" Aaron Anderson and last time here in the the AWA studios I made my debut in an AWA ring. Straight out of the Combat Corner I came, trained by Todd Michaelson and his staff and thrust into the national spotlight. [His confidence grows... somewhat.] AA: I have trained for a lifetime for...err... to be here. From a kid I wanted to be a professional wrestler. I may have changed my course and enrolled at Cloud St. University where I became an amateur wrestling champion, but I am in the big time now. NOW I am a professional wrestler. A _professional_ wrestler on one of the finest stages of them all, right here in the AWA. [Awkward, mistimed pause. He's searching. He's new. Give him time.] AA: I am going to go out once more into that ring, in front of the greatest fans in the world and prove my skills not only to them, but to myself. It's me, all alone. No coaches, no team mates. Just Aaron Anderson and the wrestling world hopefully... HOPEFULLY cheering him on. We'll see what happens tonight, but no matter what does, I know that I will give it my all, put all my effort in out there and come out the victor tonight. I will not let myself down. I won't let Todd Michaelson down and most importantly of all, I won't let the fans down! [Obligatory, cued and rehearsed fist pump before he walks out of view, heading presumably towards the entryway. We cut back inside the WKIK Studios where suddenly AC/DC's "Spoiling for a Fight" rattles over the house speakers, queuing the entrance of AWA newcomer "All American" Aaron Anderson. The tall, athletic young man bounds out without pause. His hand is outstretched before the fans even are, hoping for a high five from whomever might give it to him.] MC: Introducing now, from St. Cloud, Minnesota, weighing in at 245lbs... "THE ALL AMERICAN" AARON ANDERSON! [Dressed in green tights with black kneepads and boots, Anderson's gear choice doesn't cut a shocking picture, but regardless his energy is a presence as he continues to jog around the ring, giving the obligatory "COME ON!" and a fist pump before stopping, ONE HOPPING up onto the apron and with as much ease and barely a hand on the ropes, bounds right over the top rope and into the ring. He turns, smiling as he climbs to the second rope, raising his hands once more. Youthful exhuberance, you gotta love it.] MC: And his opponent... already in the ring at this time... from Parts Unknown at 280 pounds... Mr. X! [A large man dressed in all black from head to toe including a very dull looking mask raises both arms... ...and then charges across the ring towards the unsuspecting rookie who turned his back to salute the fans for just a moment, leaving his back exposed to a barrage of forearm smashes across the back and neck.] GM: Here we go and the large masked man is all over Aaron Anderson in the opening moments... BW: So much for Anderson's spot in the Steal The Spotlight showdown. [The masked man spins Anderson around in the corner, bending over to grab the middle rope and SLAMS his shoulder into the ribcage of the All-American. A few more shoulderdrives follow before he grabs Anderson by the wrist, whipping him across the ring.] GM: Mr. X charges! [The big man raises both arms up for a double axehandle blow... ...but Anderson sidesteps, forcing X to smash into the corner. A stunned masked man turns around as Anderson hooks him under the arm and around the head.] GM: Are you kidding me? [Showing off his power, Anderson HURLS Mr. X through the air, sending him crashing down to the canvas with a big biel throw!] GM: Ohhh my! Did you see that? BW: I'm right here too, Gordo. GM: I'm guessing they didn't teach him in the collegiate ranks. BW: I wouldn't think so. [Anderson drops down in a three point stance as he waits for Mr. X to regain his feet... ...and promptly bowls him over with a rushing shoulder block!] GM: Ohh! He takes the big man down again! [The Minnesota native drops down into a crouch, sizing up the 280 pound masked man as he slowly rises... ...and lunges forward with a double leg tackle, hoisting X off the mat and charging INTO the corner with him, smashing him against the buckles!] GM: Good grief! [The masked man staggers away from the corner as Anderson backs off, hoisting the big man into the air, pivoting, and DRIVING him into the mat with a thunderous powerslam!] GM: What impact! That powerslam could have- wait a second! [Anderson quickly regains his feet, dragging the dazed Mr. X into a standing headscissors. He promptly hooks one arm - then hooks the other.] GM: Look out for this! [The Division II wrestling star pauses, pulling up all his strength as he powers the masked man into the air, flipping him over, and sitting down in a powerbomb!] GM: BILLION! DOLLAR! BOMB! [The referee drops down to the mat slapping the mat once... twice... and finally, three times.] "DING! DING! DING!" GM: That'll do it right there. Aaron Anderson with an impressive victory - no doubt putting his name into the mix of those being considered for the Stealing The Spotlight showcase. In fact, I'm being told we're going back to the SuperClash Control Center right now where Jason Dane has some breaking news to tell us. Jason? [We promptly dissolve to the swirling, crazy SuperClash Control Center logo that fades to reveal Jason Dane seated in front of a row of television monitors.] JD: Thanks, Gordon - and welcome back, fans, to the Control Center! The entire wrestling world is buzzing about what'll go down in just a few short weeks in the Dallas Memorial Auditorium at SuperClash! Let's run it down for ya... The AWA National Title will be on the line when Juan Vasquez challenges "Hotshot" Stevie Scott for the gold. We heard it earlier tonight. Ben Waterson will be gagged, bound, and hung in a steel cage above the ring. Gary Bright and the Bishops will be handcuffed to the ringposts. And if the Hotshot gets himself disqualified or counted out, the title WILL change hands. Juan Vasquez certainly seems to have stacked the odds in his favor for Thanksgiving night! The National Tag Team Titles will be up for grabs as well as the champions, Kentucky's Pride, will celebrate their near year long title reign by defending against Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman. These two teams have been at each other's throats since almost Day One in the AWA and this should finally all come to a head at SuperClash in an UNSANCTIONED MATCH! The AWA has thrown up their hands and will not be responsible for City Jack's physical wellbeing after this one is over. Plus, the winning team will be given the #1 seed in the big tag team tournament to be held December 25th and 26th in Laredo, Texas! And speaking of heated tag team rivalries, yet another war will come to an end in Dallas. It's official! Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers have agreed to the challenge Cousin Bo laid out earlier tonight. Rough N Ready vs The Bishop Boys - the Final Showdown... and there MUST be a winner! And in breaking news, the Championship Committee has announced that the winning team in this one will receive the #2 seed in the tournament! You talk about the Irresistable Force meeting the Immovable Object and that's exactly what we'll witness on Thanksgiving night in Dallas when the Gold Bomber, Gary Bright, goes one on one with the walking natural disaster, the mighty Tumaffi! This should be one for the ages, fans! And I made it official earlier tonight... the Stealing The Spotlight showdown. A five on five elimination match with stakes as high as they get - non-title matches of their chosing for all of the survivors. The Championship Committee has been watching closely all night to see who deserves a spot in this match. Now, we can announce the first two in... [The screen fills with a still photo of MAMMOTH Mizusawa and Louis Matsui!] JD: MAMMOTH Mizusawa is on Team #1! And who has been named to Team #2? [A dramatic pause - and the screen fills with a shot of a victorious Aaron Anderson from just moments ago.] JD: "All American" Aaron Anderson! Wow! Two tremendous starts to what you can only imagine will be two incredible teams ready to go at it at SuperClash! [Dane grins.] JD: But I've got one more piece of news for all of you fans out there. Two weeks ago, Bucky Wilde broke the scoop - Mark Langseth has signed a contract to compete here in the AWA! Well, now, I've got a scoop of my own... At SuperClash on Thanksgiving night, Mark Langseth will make his AWA in-ring debut! [Dane nods, pleased with himself.] JD: It's going to be a historic night of action at SuperClash, fans - one that you will NOT want to miss! [Fade away to the AWA SuperClash Control Center logo where we hold for a moment before fading to black. ...and then back up. It's a shot of a few kids standing outside of a classroom. A fourth kid walks up to them, carrying his backpack over his shoulder.] 4th Kid: Hey guys... wait til you see what I got from AWAShop.com! [He whips open the backpack and produces... ...a JUAN VASQUEZ BOBBLEHEAD!] "Whoa!" "Wow!" "That rocks!" "I want one... now!" [The 4th kid looks pleased with himself... ...until a fifth kid walks up.] 5th Kid: Juan Vasquez, huh? That's not bad... but check this out! [The 5th kid opens his backpack and reveals... ...a CITY JACK BOBBLEHEAD!] "WHOA!" "WOWER!" "THAT ROCKS MORE!" "I WANT ONE... NOW!" [The fifth kid looks proud as the fourth kid looks sad at his Vasquez bobblehead and we fade to black... ...and then back up on live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Welcome back to AWA Saturday Night Wrestling, fans. It's been a wild night here in the WKIK Studios and we've still got our big Main Event of Kevin Slater vs Pure X to come, Bucky. BW: Pure X is going to wish he'd let sleeping dogs alone, Gordo. GM: What's that mean? BW: When a former two-time World Champ is busy trying to get in someone else's head, let him stay there. GM: We'll see about that but for now, let's go up to the ring for more AWA act- now what? [The fans begin to jeer as Shannon "The Truth" LaFoye walks out of the entrance tunnel, staring at the ring - and more specifically, Melissa Cannon - as she heads towards the announce position.] GM: We're about to be joined by... Ms. LaFoye, welcome back. SL: I'm sure you mean that too, Gordon. GM: Well, I have to admit that we did have other business to attend to that you're interrupting. What brings you out here? SL: Gee, Gordon. I don't know. What do you think I want to talk about? The situation in the Middle East? The shoddy umpire work in the baseball postseason? Maybe one of those girls from The Hills? [LaFoye sneers.] SL: I'm here for the same reason I'm always here. I'm here for- [From inside the ring, Melissa Cannon shouts out.] MC: Hey! [LaFoye turns her attention towards the ring, glaring at Cannon.] MC: Yeah. You. I'm talking to you! [Cannon approaches the ropes.] MC: I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking it in this building but could you please shut up? [Big cheer!] MC: We get it. You want a chance to wrestle in the AWA. I understand exactly how you feel. I've been trying to get a shot to wrestle in a company for years and keep getting shoved around to announcing duties. You want a shot to wrestle. I get it. But you don't need to come out here every week and complain about not getting it. That's not how we do things around here, Shannon. [LaFoye shakes her head, glaring a hole right through Cannon.] MC: So, please... go back to the locker room. Go talk to the Championship Committee. Go talk to the promoters. Let 'em know what you want to do. But keep these people out of your backstage drama, Shannon. [Another big cheer!] MC: And now... the following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit... [A smallish man steps through the ropes into the ring.] MC: From Austin, Texas... weighing in at 201 pounds... Dave Batts! [Big fist pump!] MC: And his opponent... ["Here Comes The Pain" by Slayer kicks in to a mixed reaction from the AWA faithful.] MC: Standing 6'10 and weighing in at 320 pounds... from Los Angeles, California... "PSYCHO" SCOTT PAAAAAAAAIN! [The big man from Unfinished Business walks into the WKIK Studios, already drenched with sweat from a pre-match workout. The muscular powerhouse looks around at the crowd, waving on their reaction as he strides towards the ring. He steps up on the apron, slinging a leg over the ropes into the ring... ...and catching an oncoming Batts around the throat with a mighty right hand!] GM: Wait a second! No! [The monster powers Batts into the air, driving him down to the canvas with a thunderous chokeslam!] GM: OHHHHHHH! [Pain cracks a grin at the protesting referee, shoving him aside as he reaches down, dragging a limp Batts off the mat, and tugging him into a standing headscissors as the referee calls for the bell. He wraps his arms around the Texan's waist.] GM: Look out for this... BW: If he hits this, it's over. [Pain powers the young man off the mat, holding him high for a moment... ...and DRIVES him down with a crushing powerbomb!] GM: OHHHHHHHHHH! [The crowd falls silent as Pain looks out over the masses, slowly inching forward and planting a boot in the middle of Batts' small chest.] GM: One. Two. And there's three. "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Here is your winner... SCOTT PAAAAAAAIN! [Pain stays just long enough to get his hand raised before stepping back over the ropes, dropping down to the floor.] GM: And it looks like Mr. Pain is about to join us here at ringside. [The 6'10 monster walks over to the announcers at ringside, resting a heavy hand on the shoulder of Bucky Wilde as he takes his place by the podium.] GM: An impressive victory right there, Mr. Pain. SP: Yeah, yeah, I guess it was. It feels pretty good, Myers. I've come out here for months now and been a part of Unfinished Business... it's just kinda nice to stand on my own for once again. GM: Speaking of Unfinished Business, Scott... two weeks ago, you- [Suddenly, Colt Patterson emerges from the locker room area to the cheers of the crowd. Patterson is all fired up though as he approaches the desk.] CP: Yeah! Let's talk about Unfinished Business, Scott. More specifically, let's talk about where the HELL you were two weeks ago when the kid and I were getting our tails kicked! [Pain shakes his head at Patterson.] CP: Come on, Scott! I want to know what's going on with you! What's gotten into your head? [Suddenly, Pain looks irate, leaning over the mic while pointing a finger at Patterson.] SP: What's going on with ME? What's in MY head? What the hell is going on with you, Colt?! [Patterson looks puzzled.] SP: We started this team to take care of each other... to watch each other's backs. We started this team so we could show the whole world that guys who've been around this business for a long, long time could still compete with the best in the world. And then you go without talking to me and try to bring that... kid... into the mix. [Patterson protests.] CP: Wait a second, Scott... we needed him! We needed to be- SP: NO! You needed him! You wanted him to be part of the group. You never asked me and you didn't give a damn what I wanted. I told you I didn't trust the kid. I told you I didn't think we needed him in the team but you did it anyways. You showed the entire world just how weak we were when you went and asked that kid to join us. [Pain shakes his head again.] SP: And it wasn't just asking... you BEGGED that kid to join us. Week after week, he turned you down and you just kept embarassing yourself by begging him. Hell, it was downright humiliating. You're Colt Patterson. You're a former World Champ. We used to make people beg to stand in the same room with us and now you're begging some punk kid to give you the time of day. [Pain spits on the floor.] SP: Makes me sick. So, you want to know why I didn't come out two weeks ago to save your tails from the Right Proper Thugs? That's why. I didn't give a damn if they crippled that kid. I didn't give a damn if they put him out of the AWA. [Patterson shouts.] CP: If you didn't like the kid, I get that... but me, Scott. They could've taken me out too! [Pain shrugs.] SP: If you've gotten that soft, then perhaps our business is finished after all. [And with that, Scott Pain turns and walks away, leaving his shocked longtime friend and partner behind.] GM: Colt? [Colt Patterson looks absolutely stunned, ignoring Gordon Myers as he slowly walks away from the announce area.] GM: Well, fans... we may have just seen the end of Unfinished Business right in front of our very eyes. Scott Pain with some very harsh words for his best friend and... well, I'll be very eager to see where this goes from here. Hang on, fans - we'll be right back with more AWA action! [The camera holds on Gordon Myers for a moment before fading to black... ...and then back up on a shot of the AWA National Title belt. The super-excited voice of Mark Stegglet is heard over it.] "You've seen it on Saturday Night Wrestling!" [A shot of Marcus Broussard with the belt over his shoulder.] "You've seen it on AWA supercards like Memorial Day Mayhem and The Last Stampede!" [A shot of Ron Houston wearing the belt in a promo picture.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air fades into a shot of a young fan doing the same.] "Available NOW on AWAShop.com, get the official replica of the AWA National Title belt that only the best and brightest of the AWA superstars have held!" [A closeup of the AWA National Title slowly fades to black... ...and then back up to live action where the shot opens to Jason Dane, standing by with the tag team champions, Tin Can Rust and City Jack. Both Kentucky's Pride members look worse for wear - Jack's eye is still bandaged with the wrap around forehead and covering the affected eye; TCR has a bandage on his forehead, covering the cut sustained via the Wham Bam, Thank You Ma'am! on the title belt from last time out. Both Jack and Rust are dressed in their street clothes, showing that they're not here to wrestle. However, they do carry their tag titles with them.] JD: Jason Dane here with Tin Can Rust and before we begin, I have to ask how is your eye doing, City Jack, after the attack by Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman? [City Jack just shakes his head.] CJ: Mr. Dane, it ain't improved none if that's what ya wonderin'. JD: Are - CJ: But, it sure ain't keepin' away for SuperClash! Them two yellow snakes'll have to put an end to my time here on God's green Earth before I give up my chance to get at 'em. JD: And Tin Can Rust, how are you? [Rust coldly looks down at Dane for a moment and then turns his head away.] TCR: I'm fine. JD: O... k, um... Well, last time on Saturday Night Wrestling, you saw the return of Werewolf Gregorson who seemed to save you. Jack. and you, Tin Can, from further injury. Your thoughts on his return? [Rust sighs.] TCR: Dane... Gregorson coming back doesn't affect us. As long as he has his wits not to interrupt our match at SuperClash, then I don't care what he does. [Jack looks back to his partner and shakes his head a bit.] CJ: I think what my partner here is sayin' is that it's good to see the man back in action. Now, I got to say, more than anyone, I SURE am glad to see him back. The way it ended last time out and all... A bad taste in my mouth ain't sayin' it all. JD: He didn't seem to show whether he was forgiving or not. CJ: Look, Mr. Dane, if the man still has some anger about it all, then so be it. I'd be piss & vinager too if I got shelved for months. But I just got to hope that at some point, he and I can hash it all for the better. JD: Alright, well changing subjects, after getting the blessing from the Championship Committee, in two weeks you finally will get your hands on Adrian Freeman and Calisto Dufresne in the Unsanctioned Match for the National Tag Team Titles. Do you have any concerns going into the match? CJ: Mr. Dane, just look at us... [Jack motions his hand towards Rust and himself.] CJ: We're old, beat 'up, half blind and mostly slow. We're going up against two people who've had a hand puttin' away better wrestler's than us two ol' sobs. They younger, faster, and got a killer instinct. [Jack pauses.] CJ: So gettin' concerned? We got worries? Mr. Dane... [Jack takes in a deep breath.] CJ: No sir, no sir, no sir! This match here is Unsanctioned, right? JD: That's correct. CJ: So if it's Unsanctioned, that means the AWA ain't enforcin' its rules none, right? JD: I... guess. CJ: And if that's true, these two ol' beat-up simple brawlers are gonna unload a new lesson on them two kids. They done been pokin' at the hive way to long, Mr. Dave. At SuperClash, Adrian Freeman and my ol' friend, Ca-lis-to Dufresne? This ain't gonna be no eye for an eye, boys... [Jack wags his finger.] CJ: After what you two've tried to pull? At SuperClash it'll be your end by the time that final bell rings. [Rust walks off as Jack pats Dane on the shoulder before following his partner back out of the shot.] JD: There you have it, the champs are ready for SuperClash! Back to you, Gordon and Bucky. [Cut back to ringside where the announce team is standing.] GM: Thanks for that, Jason. Kentucky's Pride says they're ready for SuperClash and their Unsanctioned Match for the National Tag Team Titles with Dufresne and Freeman. Your thoughts, Bucky? BW: Let it never be said that those two don't have guts. GM: Wow, Bucky. That's quite the- BW: Brains... not so much. But guts they've got. GM: Never mind. You think they're making a mistake? BW: I absolutely think they're making a mistake. City Jack can barely see out of one of those eyes. And if the rumors are true, one blow in the wrong spot by Freeman or Dufresne could not just end his career... it couid permanently blind him in one eye. When you add in the tag titles and the #1 seed in the big tag tournament coming up, there's just so much on the line at SuperClash for those two teams. GM: You'd better believe it. And speaking of having a lot on the line. Let's talk about Raphael Rhodes. Rhodes was involved in one of the AWA's hottest rivalries with Juan Vasquez for months until No Escape when he lost a grueling steel cage match. We hadn't seen him at all since then, Bucky. BW: No, we hadn't and there were a lot of rumors why. Was he hurt? Was he embarassed? Was he ashamed? The kid had nothing to be ashamed about, Gordo. That was one heck of a match he went through. GM: It certainly was. Then came the salt in the wounds when Stevie Scott and Ben Waterson called out Rhodes for a match... knowing he wasn't in the building... and perpertrated some joke where Scott defeated Rhodes by countout - a victory the Championship Committee later overturned. We knew Rhodes would be livid at this blow to his ego and I, for one, couldn't wait to see what would happen when Rhodes returned to action. Well, that happened two weeks ago when Raphael Rhodes was scheduled to be a guest on Stevie's Hotspot... let's go back two weeks and see exactly what happened... [We fade to footage marked "TWO WEEKS AGO!" As we join the footage, Stevie Scott is in the middle of the ring, his hand outstretched towards Raphael Rhodes who is glaring at the offered hand.] GM: Uhhhh. BW: I'm not sure I like the looks of this, Gordo. [Ignoring the offered hand, Rhodes strides across the ring and gets right up in the face of Stevie Scott. To his credit, the National Champion doesn't back down, returning the stare at the man from the United Kingdom.] GM: This could be about to break down at any moment, Bucky! BW: Come on! Give peace a chance! [Seeing his partner in crime in jeopardy, Gary Bright steps forward, nudging his way in between Rhodes and Scott. The powerhouse shouts a few words in the direction of Rhodes as the crowd buzzes about what may be about to happen... ...and suddenly, a voice rings out!] "STOP! STOP THIS! STOP RIGHT NOW!" [The jeers go wild as "Agent To The Stars" Ben Waterson comes rushing from the locker room area. He promptly makes his way up the steps, entering the ring to take a spot right next to the Gold Bomber. The National Champion looks at Waterson with some confusion as the Agent tries to intervene.] ATTSBW: Raphael Rhodes... you do NOT want to do this. [More boos from the fans. Rhodes' expression doesn't change at all as he continues to stare at the National Champion.] ATTSBW: Believe me. You do NOT want to do this. Raphael, I know you're a smart man. And I know you're a business man. You know when to separate a personal issue from a business issue and that's exactly the situation in front of us right now. This is a business issue. [Still no reaction from the UK warrior.] ATTSBW: Earlier tonight, I came out here and I challenged the entire wrestling world to impress us. I told them all to step up to the plate and show myself, the Bomber, and the National Champion that they were worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as us. I wanted people to prove themselves to us. Well, Raphael... without question, what you did at No Escape... you proved yourself to us. [The jeers intensify.] ATTSBW: You fought your heart out in one of the damndest brawls I've ever seen in my life. You bled, you sweated, you battled... and in the end... ...you lost. [Rhodes visibly flinches at that statement, his gaze still on the champion.] ATTSBW: I know what that felt like for you. To spend so many months in a war with someone and after all is said and done, to come up short in finishing him off. I know what it felt like. It was disappointing. No, it was heartbreaking, Raphael. And you never wanted to feel that way again. [Waterson pauses.] ATTSBW: So, the opportunity is in front of you, Raphael. You want to avoid that feeling for the rest of your career, the choice is clear... You unclinch those fists at your sides. You forget about the little fun that we had at your expense a few weeks ago. [One more pause.] ATTSBW: And you shake my hand. [The jeers go nuts as Rhodes turns to glare at Waterson, finally breaking his gaze away from Stevie Scott. Waterson slowly extends his hand.] ATTSBW: It's the easiest thing you've ever done, Raphael. You shake my hand. You shake the Bomber's hand. You shake Stevie's hand. And when it's all said and done, you join the most elite group in professional wrestling. The clothes, the cars, the houses, the jewelry, the money, the women... The opportunity to be the best in the world. Look around you, kid! [Rhodes continues to stare at Waterson.] ATTSBW: You've got the greatest mind in professional wrestling steering the ship. You've got the best body in professional wrestling - the future of our sport - watching our backs. And you've got the AWA National Champion - the best in the world - being THE MAN in this business. It's your chance, Raphael. It's your opportunity. It's your choice. [And with a gesture from the Agent To The Stars, Bright and Scott back away, exiting the ring and leaving Raphael Rhodes to stare motionlessly at them as we fade back to live action where Gordon Myers is standing.] GM: It's his choice indeed and at this time, I'd like to find out exactly what choice he's made. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Raphael Rhodes to the WKIK Studios! [A mixed reaction overtakes the crowd, as Raphael Rhodes walks from the entrance, dressed in a leather jacket and Manchester City jersey, along with faded jeans and black boots. His hair is closely buzzed, and he has a week's growth beard on his face. He calmly walks over to Gordon Myers, sighing somewhat as he offers a handshake. Myers warily accepts.] GM: Over the last few weeks, Mr. Rhodes, you have been uncharacteristically quiet. Even when you had a chance to take out Stevie Scott after his grandstand challenge, and even when you received Ben Waterson's offer to join his group, you didn't even say a word. There are a myriad of questions that can be asked, but one question that sums it all up; what is next for Raphael Rhodes? [Rhodes sighs again, struggling to even look Myers or the camera in the eyes. Myers holds the microphone under Rhodes' mouth, trying to encourage an answer, but Rhodes remains silent. After a few uncomfortable seconds... ] GM: Mr. Rhodes, I don't understand. You've never been this quiet. Is it possible that the lo-... [Rhodes suddenly grasps the microphone and pulls it towards him. He takes a moment to process his thoughts, then begins speaking.] RR: Don't you bring that up. Don't stand there and tell me how you don't understand. Don't tell me that I'm being uncharacteristic, because you don't know me, and you never will. [Rhodes finally looks to the eyes of Myers, who is growing increasingly uncomfortable at the young Briton's anger.] RR: You ain't never been in there, Myers. You never spent almost an entire year of your life plannin' and hopin' that things were going to go your way, and you never fought the best fight of your entire bleedin' life... and lost. I ain't never been gutted the way losing to Juan Vasquez gutted me. I've heard the press... seen what the fans have said... they said I earned everyone's respect that night. There's just one problem... I _lost_. Respect don't mean nothin' when you're a loser. [Rhodes lets go of the microphone.] GM: Well, you've made it quite clear that you're frustrated, but what does that mean for the future? RR: I don't know. I proved I was right all along, that my way was the right way, because I made Juan Vasquez abandon everythin' he tried to preach to me... and I lost. Now he's goin' to cash in a title shot wherever he wants, and I'm sittin' on the sidelines tryin' to put my life back together. Maybe I've made some mistakes, Gordon? Maybe I've done things that ain't right and I'm payin' for them now? I don't know what I'm goin' to do. I've been thinkin' that offer over quite a bit, though... maybe it's the right step for me. [The fans seem displeased with this, booing loudly at Rhodes even considering joining up with Scott.] GM: Well, with all due respect, Mr. Rhodes, a lot of fans are somewhat disappointed after what happened. Stevie Scott and Ben Waterson knew you were suspended and knew you wouldn't be able to answer the challenge. They made a mockery of you. With the pride that you carry yourself with, how would you be able to live with yourself if you joined up with them? [Rhodes pauses, thinking over what he wants to say.] RR: I ain't goin' to lie. I wanted to kill Stevie Scott. I wanted to rip his head from his shoulders after the way he embarrassed me. But... Gordon, I've fought alone for so long, and what has it gotten me? What has fightin' by myself gotten me? It got my forehead shredded up, it got me suspended, and it cost me the biggest fight of my life. My pride has cost me a lot. Maybe I need to swallow some of it if I want to truly reach the top. GM: So is that a yes? Are you going to join up with them? RR: I don't know, mate. I don't know about anything right now. There are so many things to consider, and I ain't ever goin' to do something unless I know what I'm gettin' myself into. So, to answer your question... I just don't know. I need some time to think it over. I'll get you the answer... on Thanksgiving. [With that, Rhodes walks away... leaving a shocked Gordon Myers behind.] GM: On Thanksgiving? Fans, that certainly wasn't the answer I was looking for here tonight. But it's the answer I got. It's Main Event time here in the WKIK Studios so let's go up to the ring to Melissa Cannon! [Cut to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: Ladies and gentlemen... this is your MAIN EVENT of the evening! It is scheduled for one fall with TV Time Remaining! Introducing first... [The sounds of Cypress Hill's "Rock Superstar" blasts over the PA system to the jeers of the crowd.] MC: From Boston, Mass... weighing in at 260 pounds... he is a two-time former World Champion... "SUPERSTAR" KEVVVVVINNN SLAAAAAAATER! [Slater emerges from the locker room in a glittering silver duster and a darker-than-night set of sunglasses. He has a bit of a swagger to him as he walks towards the ring. The "Superstar" pauses by the ringside cameraman, pulling the lens closer.] "Where you at, Outlaw? Come get some!" [He shoves the camera away with a cackle, continuing towards the ring where he rolls under the bottom rope.] GM: There he is... still focused on Bobby Taylor even as he heads to the ring for what is sure to be a tough fight with Pure X! BW: You gotta give the guy credit for being focused, right? GM: But he's focused on the wrong guy! Pure X is no walk in the park. He's the #8 contender to the National Title. He's beaten Gary Bright. He's beaten Ron Houston. This is no joke. [The music changes to "The Thing I Hate" by Stabbing Westward to a loud mixed reaction from the crowd... slowly becoming more cheers than boos.] MC: And his opponent... weighing in at 227 pounds... from Pittsburgh, P-A... PUUUUUUUURE X! [There's even more of a mixed reaction to Pure X as he steps into the studio. He wears his normal dark green baggy pants with the two swords in the form of an "X" on the side, black graphic T-shirt, and black wrestling boots. While the fans do cheer him more than boo him, X still coolly walks by them as he keeps his eyes on the ring.] GM: Pure X is a man on a mission, Bucky. He wants to beat every single member of the Top Ten rankings in order before receiving a shot at the National Title. BW: Two down so far... Slater would be #3 and put him in the #7 slot. GM: #7 and staring straight ahead at #6 who is currently Shane Destiny. And you can bet somewhere in the locker room area, Destiny is watching this one closely. [X rolls under the bottom rope... ...and immediately gets assaulted by Slater who throws himself onto the downed Pure X with a double axehandle. The referee calls for the bell while Slater grabs X by the hair, slamming right hand after right hand into X's jaw.] GM: And this one is off and running in a hurry thanks to the sneak attack by Kevin Slater! He doesn't even have his sunglasses off yet! [Nor the silver duster he was wearing. The crowd jeers Slater as he continues to pummel X into the canvas, finally being dragged aside by the official. Back on his feet, Slater pulls off his duster... ...and whips it down across the back of Pure X to even more jeers!] GM: Oh, come on! BW: Oh, come on yourself! You really think that hurt? GM: It's the principle of it, Bucky. It's an illegal action. [Slater tosses his duster down on the floored Pure X before arrogantly removing his sunglasses and handing them to a ringside attendant before turning back to Pure X who has pushed up to his knees... ...and promptly delivers a big boot to the chest of the kneeling X, stunning him from the impact. The "Superstar" moves in slowly, grabbing X by the head, and delivers a huge right hand.] GM: Ohhh! What a shot by Slater! [Dragging X off the mat, Slater connects with another haymaker, this one knocking Pure X back into the buckles.] GM: Slater's got X back in the corner... big chop by the Superstar! [An arrogant grin crosses the face of Slater before throwing another big chop on Pure X. With X stunned, Slater grabs the arm, firing him across the ring to the opposite corner.] GM: From corner to corner goes Pure X... here comes Slater! [The "Superstar" charges across the ring towards Pure X who stumbles out of the corner... ...and drops down to the mat, taking Slater down in a drop toehold that smashes Slater's upper body into the buckles!] GM: Ohhh! What a count by Pure X! [X immediately leaps on Slater, throwing him out of the corner and down on his back to the canvas. X pounces, quickly taking the mount position and grabbing Slater by the head to throw forearms into the head of the former two time World Champion.] GM: Big forearms from the mount by the technican! Ohh! What a shot that was! [A few more forearms connect before Pure X climbs to his feet, measuring Slater as the Superstar rolls to his stomach... ...and leaps into the air, dropping a knee down on the back of Slater's neck!] BW: That could put you in a bad, bad way, Gordo. GM: It certainly could. Any blows to the neck like that could cause problems either immediately or down the road. [X keeps his weight on the neck for a moment, pressing the knee down on it as Slater kicks his legs, trying to wriggle free. The Pittsburgh native gets back to his feet, reaching down to haul Slater to his feet off the mat. He quickly applies a front facelock... ...to which Slater responds by driving X backwards, smashing his spine into the buckles!] GM: Ohh! Slater with a counter to get out of trouble. He drives him into the corner... [Holding the middle rope, Slater drives a shoulder into the midsection. He pulls back, still holding the ropes before driving it in again, doubling up Pure X. Slater straightens up, grabbing X by the long brown hair and dragging him from the corner.] GM: And now it's Slater with the front facelock... setting him up... "THUUUD!" BW: Oof! He nearly shook X right outta his boots with that snap suplex! [Slater has a cocky grin on his face as he climbs to his feet, looking down at Pure X as he hits the ropes, rebounding out... ...and snapping off a flash elbow drop, smashing his arm down into the chest of X!] GM: Big elbowdrop by Slater - getting lots of momentum behind it before he drives it home... BW: That's what makes that move so effective. Slater doesn't have a ton of weight and power behind it so that momentum and speed adds the impact. GM: Dragging Pure X off the mat again... [With a handful of hair, Slater tees off with elbow strikes to the jaw of Pure X before finally letting go, causing X to spiral away into the corner. Slater quickly grabs the arm, firing him from corner to corner...] GM: X hits the buckles hard... here comes Slater! [The Superstar charges across again, this time raising his boot at the last moment to smash into the jaw of Pure X!] GM: OHHHH! BIG BOOT IN THE CORNER!! BW: A Yakuza style kick to the jaw by Slater and Pure X drops right down to a knee. Slater really rocked him with that one and if Pure X wanted to see the guy who was a two time former World Champ, I think he's seeing him right now. [A boot to the chest knocks Pure X back to a seated position in the corner. Grabbing the top rope, Slater drives kick after kick after kick to the chest of the technician before the referee backs him away from the corner.] GM: Slater working him over now - remember, fans, this match has a time limit of TV time remaining. That means we've got about five minutes remaining in the time limit, Bucky. BW: That might not be enough. We've seen both these guys in some long, long matches in their careers, Gordo. GM: We certainly have. [Slater leans down, hauling Pure X back to his feet... ...and getting pulled down in an inside cradle!] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THRE- OHHHHHH! [The crowd echoes the groan of Gordon Myers, believing that Pure X had managed to steal one from the Superstar.] GM: Pure X almost caught him right there. He just about caught him, Bucky. That was close. BW: Too close for Slater, I'm sure. [Both men scamper to their feet, each trying to get up first... ...and Pure X catches Slater with a boot to the gut on the rise, gaining a momentary advantage that allows him to hit the ropes, rebounding back...] GM: X off the ropes... [Slater desperately throws a clothesline at X that the Pittsburgh native ducks, hooking the former Wild Thing around the waist... ...and HOISTS him into the air, DUMPING him down on the back of his head and neck with a German Suplex!] GM: OHHHHHHHHHH! BW: RIGHT on the back of the neck, Gordo! GM: Pure X with one of those deadly, deadly suplexes that he utilizes so well... and if you don't believe me, you can ask Kevin Slater right about now. BW: If he's conscious. GM: Good point. [Pure X, unable to hold a bridge on the suplex, throws himself across Slater in a lateral press.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THRE- [Slater just barely throws a shoulder off the mat to break the count.] GM: Slater got the shoulder up and that waistlock suplex has totally changed this match, Bucky. BW: This match just got kicked into overdrive with these men realizing that time is slipping past them if they want to win this thing. There's no time for feeling out... there's no time for wearing down... you've gotta hit that big move and hit it hard if you want to win this tonight! GM: Pure X is dragging Slater up by the back of the trunks... [X pulls him into a full nelson, sending a cheer through the crowd!] GM: He hooks the full nelson! That's the setup for Pure Impact! BW: If he hits the dragon suplex, call it a night for the Superstar, Gordo! [Slater immediately starts to struggle after feeling the full nelson applied. He lashes out with a pair of boots to the knee of Pure X, causing X to break the hold. The Superstar spins around, hooking a front facelock...] GM: CATTLEBUST- [Pure X locks his arm, lifting Slater off the mat, and taking him over in a Northern Lights suplex... ...that X rolls right through, getting back to his feet.] GM: X rolls through it and- OHHHH! [X LUNGES forward, smashing his knee into the face of Kevin Slater!] GM: That might do it! X with the cover! [The referee drops down to count as Pure X reaches back to hook the leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- [But Slater again fires a shoulder off the mat just before the three count falls. The crowd roars with disappointment as the referee holds up two fingers.] GM: Another near fall right there! We're down to about three minutes to go, Bucky. Three minutes for one of these two men to pull off a victory! [A disappointed Pure X gets to his feet, dragging a battered Slater to his feet, hooking a front facelock...] GM: He's got him hooked! What's he- [The crowd roars as X shouts out "Brainbuster!"] GM: Are you kidding me?! BW: Pure X is not messing around here tonight, Gordo! He wants this win in the worst way! GM: Pure X is going for... he lift- [But at the peak of the lift, Slater drives his knee into the skull of Pure X, managing to drop safely right back down to the mat, still tied up with the technician... ...and returns the favor, lifting Pure X straight up in the air!] GM: Wait a second! He's got X up! He's got X- DOWN! [The crowd roars as Slater drops Pure X straight down on top of his skull in a brainbuster!] GM: Oh my! Oh my stars! Pure X just got DUMPED on top of his skull with the brainbuster! Pure X went for the brainbuster, Slater countered and hit one of his own! Unbelievable! BW: But he can't make the cover! Kevin Slater hit the brainbuster but he hasn't been able to make the cover! GM: That knee to the face... the suplex... those must have rattled him more than we thought, Bucky. He looks like he's on Dream Street right now, fans! BW: We're down to two minutes! Two minutes left! GM: Slater rolls over to his knees... BW: Crawl, Kevin! Crawl! [The Superstar edges closer... and closer... and closer... ...and throws an arm across Pure X's chest!] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- NO! NO! SHOULDER UP AT TWO! [Slater immediately pushes up to his knees, head in his hands as the crowd roars its approval of Pure X kicking out just in time. Shaking his head, Slater slowly gets to his feet. He reaches down, dragging Pure X off the mat again... ...and pulls him into a front facelock once more.] GM: He's got him hooked and- BW: He's calling for the Cattlebuster! [But before Slater can hoist him up, Pure X shoves back hard, knocking Slater into the ropes. As the Superstar rebounds, Pure X sidesteps, hooking his arm around the back of Slater's head, snaking a leg through Slater's legs... ...and SNAPPING him back in a Russian legsweep!] GM: OHHHH! [Pure X moves quickly, flipping Slater over to his stomach as he wraps his legs around Slater's... ...and finishes off the hold by hooking a facelock!] GM: STF! STF APPLIED IN THE CENTER OF THE RING! [The crowd EXPLODES at the sight of the STF being locked in. Slater immediately screams out in pain as his oft-injured left knee is tweaked, wrenched, and wrecked by the technician who cranks back on the head and neck as well.] GM: Pure X has the hold locked in! The referee is right down there to check on Slater! BW: Listen to Slater! Listen to him screaming! GM: Pure X is one of the best technicians in the business. You can bet that when he slaps a hold on like this - it's REALLY slapped on well! The execution is absolutely perfect! BW: This is a textbook STF. Like you said, perfect execution in every way and- [The crowd suddenly begins to jeer as Shane Destiny slowly walks from the entryway.] GM: What is HE doing out here?! BW: After what Pure X did to him last time, are you surprised? GM: Pure X did NOTHING to Shane Destiny! BW: He cost him a win against Soup Bone Samson! GM: He didn't physically involve himself in that match at all, Bucky. BW: Well, neither has Shane Destiny. GM: Yet. We're under a minute to go in this one! The pressure is on! BW: All Kevin Slater has to do is survive this hold. GM: He won't win the match if he does. BW: No, but he'll keep his spot in the Top 10. Pure X has to beat him to take his spot. It's almost like a championship match, Gordo. Slater doesn't have to win to keep his spot... he just has to keep Pure X from winning. [Destiny draws closer to the ring, moving himself so that he'd clearly be in Pure X's view.] GM: I think Destiny is trying to distract Pure X! BW: Obviously. GM: But to me, Bucky, it doesn't appear to be working! Pure X has his focused locked on Kevin Slater just like he said he would and Shane Destiny's appearance here is having no effect on him! We're under thirty seconds! [X pulls back even harder in the STF, screaming at Slater to give up.] GM: You can hear X shouting "Tap!" at Kevin Slater! BW: Hang on, Superstar! GM: Kevin Slater is trying to survive the hold... trying to survive the STF! [Destiny gets even closer to the ring now, grabbing the bottom rope and screaming "X! X!" to absolutely zero reaction from the technician.] GM: Destiny is dying to get Pure X's attention! But he just can't do it! He just can't- "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd ROARS as Pure X leaps to his feet, throwing both arms in the air in triumph... ...but quickly deflates as the referee rises, waving his arms in both direction as he moves to speak to Melissa.] GM: Did he get him? Did Pure X make him quit? [Melissa Cannon listens, nods, and then raises the mic.] MC: Ladies and gentlemen... this match has reached the time limit and is declared a draw! Draw! [The crowd jeers the decision... ...and then jeers more as Shane Destiny slides into the ring, drilling Pure X from behind with a running clothesline. He immediately starts stomping and kicking the downed X before reaching down to haul him up to his feet. Destiny reaches down, joining his hands between the legs of X as he hoists him into the air!] GM: Destiny's got him- [And DUMPS him on the back of his head and neck with a Teardrop suplex!] GM: Ohhh! Destiny takes him down with the Teardrop! [A hobbling Kevin Slater works to his feet, clutching his knee... ...and then dives on top of Pure X, battering the young man as Destiny continues to put the boots to him!] GM: Oh, come on! Get them off of him! Get them off of him, referee! [After a bit, Slater gets to his feet, standing next to the fired-up Destiny. With a grin, the "Superstar" raises Destiny's hand, the two men walking around the ring together as the fans continue to jeer.] GM: Fans, we're out of time! We've gotta go! We'll see you next time at the matches! [And with the dastardly duo glaring down at the fallen Pure X, we fade to black.]