Saturday Night Wrestling

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                           American Wrestling Alliance
                                 Proudly Presents
                         AWA Saturday Night Wrestling

                           Live from the WKIK Studios
                                    Dallas, Texas
                               December 12th, 2009
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[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 "AT SUPERCLASH!" where we see Juan Vasquez as he goes into a
spinning toe hold, reaching down to grab the other leg, and falling back
into a figure four leglock!]

GM:  FIGURE FOUR!  FIGURE FOUR!  VASQUEZ HAS HIM TRAPPED IN THE FIGURE
FOUR!

[The champion immediately screams out in pain, sitting straight up and
crying out as he clutches at his own leg.  Vasquez clinches his teeth,
rocking back and forth to put even more pressure on the leg.  The crowd
is roaring for the hold, hopeful that it'll finish off the champion.]

GM:  This might be it!

BW:  But there's no referee!  It might be it but we don't have a referee
out here!  That means no submission... no pinfalls... Meekly needs to
get up and do this!

GM:  He's moving a bit but he's still very dazed and-

[Suddenly, the crowd begins to buzz once more as Raphael Rhodes rises
from his ringside seat, shoving the steel chair he was sitting on under
the ropes.  Stepping through the ropes, Rhodes walks to the middle of
the ring, picking up the steel chair...]

GM:  Uh oh.

BW:  The moment of truth!  Make your decision, Rhodes!

[Clutching the chair with white-knuckled hands, Rhodes looks from
Vasquez to Scott... from Vasquez to Scott... a shout from Waterson makes
Rhodes looks up, glaring at the Agent To The Stars with the "offer you
can't refuse."]

GM:  What's he gonna do?  Who's it gonna be?

[Rhodes looks down, closing his eyes, seemingly talking to himself for a
lonnnnng moment as the crowd is roaring, trying to cheer him to make the
right decision.

Finally, his eyes open...

...and his decision is revealed!]



"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!"
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"



GM:  NO!  NO!  NO!

BW:  He did it, Gordo!  He has chosen wisely!

GM:  He has not!  That son of a- he just sold his soul to Waterson, the
Hotshot, and the Gold Bomber!

[With the crowd roaring with hatred, Rhodes holds the steel chair in his
hand that he just SLAMMED into the face of Juan Vasquez.  Shaking his
head, he throws the chair aside, looking down at the now-bleeding skull
of Vasquez...

...and promptly drops down to his knees, grabbing Vasquez by the skull
and delivering bone-crunching punch after punch after punch to the head
by Rhodes!  He drives his knuckles into Vasquez' torn flesh, trying to
split the wound open even more.]

GM:  Rhodes has busted him open!  Raphael Rhodes has split Juan Vasquez
wide open and he's... he's trying to draw even more blood out of him,
Bucky!

[With Rhodes pummeling the cut forehead, 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.  We are just a
couple weeks removed from SuperClash, the biggest event of the year for
the AWA - and Bucky Wilde, what a night it was.

BW:  You got that right, Gordo.  Good times are here and they're here to
stay.  As you saw just moments ago, Raphael Rhodes did indeed make his
decision and he did EXACTLY what he needed to do, caving in the face of
Juan Vasquez with that steel chair.  With that simple choice, Stevie
Scott retained the AWA National Title.

GM:  It was a miscarriage of justice of epic proportions and one that
you can be sure will not sit well with the man who is STILL the #1
contender to the National Title, Juan Vasquez, who we'll be hearing from
later tonight.  But we've also got new National Tag Team Champions,
Bucky.

BW:  After a year of the entire wrestling world suffering through a
reign from City Chump and Old Man Dust, we finally have champions we can
be proud of in Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman!  They'll be here
later as well!

GM:  And I'm looking forward to asking them how in the world they can
justify what they did to City Jack that night, Bucky.  But more on that
later.  For now, let's go up to the ring for our opening contest!

[In the ring, Melissa Cannon has the mic, ready to announce the opening
match.]

MC:  The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute
time limit.  Already in the ring at this time... weighing in at a total
combined weight of 475 pounds... "The Sheriff" Cody Behan and
Allan Morgan!

[The Stetson-wearing Behan removes his hat and holds it up in the air,
while Morgan raises a hand to acknowledge the fans.]

MC:  And their opponent...

[Tomoyasu Hotei's 'Battle Without Honor or Humanity' starts to play
over the WKIK Studios speakers.  Louis Matsui emerges with a smirk from
the entranceway.]

GM: Give me a break! After what these men did at SuperClash, is Matsui
still going to keep on playing the handicap card?

[Melissa continues.]

MC:  Hailing from Tokyo, Japan; weighing in at 420 pounds and being
accompanied to the ring by LOUIS MATSUI,

He is MAMMOTH... MIZUSAWA!

[The curtain parts to reveal 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.]

BW: These men are all about competition, Gordo. After what they did to
Tumaffi, what competition is there left?

[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, Louis Matsui walks over to the announcers.
Gordon Myers, ever the consumnate professional, already has a mic on
hand, as the music starts to fade. Bucky Wilde, always ready to
ingratiate himself, stands up and extends his hand for a handshake.]

GM: Louis Matsui, welcome. I hope you've come here tonight with an
answer to the question many are asking; who will-

LM: Myers, Bucky, I must apologize for a slight error on the part of Ms.
Cannon; if it seems like MAMMOTH Mizusawa and I are only out here
for yet another handicap match, it is my fault for not informing Melissa
of the true nature of our arrival here tonight. See, while my client
stole the spotlight at SuperClash and, then, proceeded to destroy the
mighty Samoan warrior, Tumaffi, the professional wrestling world is,
instead, abuzz with the American Wrestling Alliance's latest offering. I
am, of course, talking about the Stampede Cup. Now, to show the AWA
suits that, not only is my client a brilliant singles competitor,
MAMMOTH Mizusawa is also a team player, I asked for this tag match. I
have also asked for a tag team partner to be brought in, straight from
Japan, for my client. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce a
young man who has competed in one of the most premiere feds Japan had to
offer; he hails from Tokyo and weighs in at 172 pounds... 

Kazukuri... KAZ... Konoe!

[With that, Tomoyasu Hotei's 'Battle Without Honor or Humanity' starts
playing again. A slim Asian man with light brown skin, dark eyes and
short, black hair steps through the entranceway. He is dressed in a pair
of shiny black patent leather shorts with silver flames around the
thighs, black knee pads and a pair of black boots. Konoe approaches
Matsui and Mizusawa, bowing when he comes to a stop in front of them.
Matsui bows back, but Mizusawa simply stands, scowling.  Louis Matsui
points to the ring, as KAZ Konoe nods, turns, takes a running start, and
slides under the bottom rope into the ring.  Mizusawa walks over, grabs
the top rope and pulls himself onto the ring apron. In the ring, Cody
Behan motions to Allan Morgan to exit the ring, assuring his partner he
can do this.]

GM:  There's the bell and KAZ Konoe and Cody Behan lock up! Behan with a
go-behind... Konoe reverses... Behan with the go-behind again! Back
body-

BW: No! KAZ Konoe slips out of Behan's grasp and lands on his feet. He
hits the ropes... Ducks under a clothesline attempt...

[Konoe hits the ropes on the opposite side of the ring, and ducks under
Behan's grasp, again.]

GM: Dropkick! Not only has Matsui not revealed who MAMMOTH Mizusawa will
call the shot he won at SuperClash against, he's brought up more
questions like who is this young man he's introduced tonight?

BW: I have just been informed that KAZ Konoe made his debut earlier this
year in Gunyro Pro, where he very quickly found himself a part of the
Japanese fed's flagship faction, Gundan, alongside such names as Clay
Ross, Jin Ketsumo, Akira Shinashi and the legendary Macht Kraftwerk who
we saw at SuperClash as well. That is certainly not something to be
scoffed at, Gordo.

GM: And he is not done, Bucky.

[Konoe whips Cody Behan to the ropes and catches him with a knee on the
rebound. He then lands a series of kicks to Behan's legs and sides.]

GM: A flurry of kicks has Behan doubled over. Konoe hits the ropes
again... And comes back with a boot to the side of Behan's head!

[Cody Behan is dazed but manages to swing away towards his corner,
where his partner tags himself in. Allan Morgan comes charging in.]

BW: Drop toe hold takes Morgan down. And a knee drop to Morgan's side.
Followed by a leg drop... I can't keep up, Gordo!

[KAZ Konoe bounces off the ropes again and hits the laid-out Morgan
with a forward rolling senton. Konoe pops back to his feet and
celebrates with his arms raised. From the outside, Louis Matsui shouts
at him, as MAMMOTH Mizusawa holds his massive hand out for a tag.]

GM: KAZ Konoe was doing well, but it looks like Mizusawa wants in on
the action...

BW: And here comes the giant!

[Having made the tag, Mizusawa steps over the top rope and stalks Allan
Morgan, who is starting to stir. He measures him up and lands a kick to
the back of the seated Morgan.]

GM: Morgan realises he is in there with the seven-foot monster and needs
to get back to his feet. Mizusawa with a clubbing forearm to the back...
Headbutt! And Morgan goes limp...

[MAMMOTH Mizusawa wraps his hand around Allan Morgan's neck and
considers something. Rather than dispense with his opponent, however,
the Japanese giant shoves him towards his corner, urging Morgan's
partner to come in.]

GM: Cody Behan seems somewhat reluctant to step in...

BW: And why wouldn't he-

GM: No! Here he comes... Ducks under a big clothesline... And hits
Mizusawa with a shoulder tackle... That does not faze the big man!

[Behan is almost comically trying to move Mizusawa, his arms flailing
and, occasionally, landing punches over the large area of Mizusawa's
body. Another clubbing blow to the back puts an end to the flailing
and Cody Behan crumples, but before he can hit the mat, MAMMOTH
Mizusawa has his arms wrapped around his waist.]

BW: I sense a big move coming up!

GM: Behan is what's going up! Gutwrench powerbomb brings him back down
hard!

BW: Time to put him away...

GM: MAMMOTH Mizusawa has something else in store...

[Mizusawa pulls Cody Behan back to his feet. Positioning his hands in
front of him, Mizusawa pushes Behan up into a military press.]

BW: MAMMOTH Slam!

[But Allan Morgan charges in, causing Mizusawa to simply drop Behan on
his front, behind him, in order to meet Morgan. The two men exchange
punches and strikes, with Mizusawa getting the better of Morgan, until
a big haymaker on Morgan's part rattles the giant somewhat. Mizusawa
brings his hand up for an overhead chop, but just as he lands it,
Morgan lands a stinging chop across Mizusawa's chest. Both men stagger
towards their corner.]

GM: KAZ Konoe tags in for his team, but Morgan's partner is still in
the center of the ring.

[Cody Behan is trying to push himself up on all fours and crawl to his
corner, as Konoe hops over the top rope and surveys the scene in front
of him. He takes a running start and uses Behan's back as a
springboard...]

GM: Spinning heel kick on Allan Morgan in his corner!

[Morgan falls to the mat, and Konoe kicks him into position. He climbs
to the top rope and checks that Morgan is where he wants him to be.]

BW: Moonsault!

GM: He covers Morgan, but the referee is telling him that Behan is the
legal man.

[Konoe argues with the referee for a bit before turning his attention
back to Cody Behan, who hits him with a thrust kick.]

GM: While KAZ Konoe had his attention of the wrong man, Behan
recovered in time to hit Konoe with a superkick. He covers... One...
No! Mizusawa breaks it with a huge stomp to Behan's head.

[The referee warns Mizusawa off, but Louis Matsui chooses this moment
to climb onto the ring apron. The official goes over to stop Matsui,
leaving the giant free to continue stomping on Cody Behan.]

GM: Mizusawa is literally dragging KAZ Konoe back into their corner...

[Matsui, right on cue, backs down and points to his charge's corner,
as a groggy Konoe reaches up and tags in Mizusawa.]

BW: MAMMOTH Mizusawa is OFFICIALLY back in the match.

GM: But so is Allan Morgan... Who walks right in to a big boot! And
Cody Behan gets one to the back of the head as well.

[The big boot kick knocks Behan off the apron. The referee gets in
MAMMOTH Mizusawa's face again, but the giant simply stares him down.
Behind the referee's back, Allan Morgan is slowly getting back to his
feet...]

GM: And Konoe with a low blow on Morgan! MAMMOTH Mizusawa comes over
and picks him up... Military press...

BW: This is it, Gordo!

GM: MAMMOTH SLAM! Mizusawa hits the MAMMOTH Slam!

BW: Cover!

GM: ONE! TWO!!!

"DING!  DING!  DING!"

GM:  THREE!!!

MC:  Here are your winners... KAZ KONOE and MAMMOTH MIZUUUUSAAAWAAA!

[The crowd jeers the announcement as Mizusawa has his arm raised in
victory. Louis Matsui climbs into the ring to celebrate with his charge.
KAZ Konoe is jumping around for joy.]

GM: I don't know if this is a permanent arrangement, Bucky, but these
two could make for an impressive team with more matches under their
belt.

BW: Of course, Gordo! Louis Matsui only takes the best under his wing.

[The man himself is raising both Mizusawa and Konoe's arms, as they
stand on either side of him. He turns to Mizusawa and nods. Mizusawa
returns the nod and extends his right hand to KAZ Konoe, who grabs it
in a handshake. Suddenly, MAMMOTH Mizusawa pulls Konoe in and hits a
short arm clothesline.]

GM: Oh my God! Mizusawa just took Konoe out with a clothesline! What
is this about, Bucky?

[Mizusawa is not done yet, as he pulls Konoe back to his feet. He wraps
both his hands around KAZ Konoe's neck...]

BW: Tusk Crusher, Gordo! TUSK CRUSHER!

GM: MAMMOTH Mizusawa just decimated his tag team partner with a
two-handed chokeslam. But, why, Bucky, why?

BW: Clearly, he was not impressed with Konoe's performance. And, from
the looks of it, neither was Matsui.

[Louis Matsui lands a couple of stomps on KAZ Konoe, and motions for
Mizusawa to pick him back up. Mizusawa does just so, as Matsui hoists
two thumbs up, and the giant presses the helpless Konoe up in the air.]

BW: MAMMOTH SLAM!!!

GM: Now this is just a disgrace, Bucky, come on!

[Louis Matsui bends down and has a few choice words for KAZ Konoe. He
kicks Konoe on the side before exiting the ring, followed by the
seven-foot monster. Matsui literally saunters over to the announce
position as Gordon Myers gets up to question him.]

GM: What just happened, Louis? One minute you were-

LM: Shut up, Myers! My giant is bigger than any team that KAZ Konoe is,
will be, or has ever been a part of. MAMMOTH Mizusawa has shown that he
does not NEED tag team partners; he is bigger than most tag teams will
ever be, including some of the teams in your oh-so-coveted Stampede Cup.
But, if the AWA suits feel the need to shove this tournament in our
faces, then my client will do what he does best; and that is to walk
right in there and, much like he did with the Steal the Spotlight match
at SuperClash, snatch the opportunity right out of their hands. For
anyone who wants to be on a winning team, a team that will bring the
Stampede Cup, and its accompanying million dollars, home, consider the
spot open. Maybe the Gold Bomber, when his arm is healed, wants to pick
something else up for his stable, but the champion is too occupied with
champion business...

[BOO!!!]

LM: We welcome another collaboration. Or, maybe, the dangerous James
Monosso might have found another way into the AWA...

[Heel pop!]

LM: We'd welcome him, too; half of a million dollars is a grand payoff
for a hungry man. Oh, and Werewolf Gregorson...

[Face pop!]

LM:  I might be mistaken, but your words post-SuperClash sounded like a
challenge. Now, if you want to test yourself against my client, again,
that's all well and good, but you'll have to come and get it, because
as far as MAMMOTH Mizusawa and I are concerned, we are done with you. We
have nothing more to do with you and we certainly will not be wasting
the shot we won at SuperClash against you, if that is an answer to one
of your questions, Myers. So, if you do want some, Gregorson, you come
get some. Gregorson, Tumaffi, if and when he recovers from the beating
my seven-foot monster gave him, anyone at all, MAMMOTH Mizusawa always
welcomes the competition.

Now, Mr. Ben Waterson might have Raphael Rhodes taking care of his Juan
Vasquez problem, but all I'm saying is, if Mr. Waterson needs another
thorn in his side dealt with, much like how we dealt with his mighty
Samoan situation, he can always have his people call my people.

[And with that, Louis Matsui drops the mic on the announce table and,
with a sneer back at the recovering form of KAZ Konoe, walks off,
followed by MAMMOTH Mizusawa.]

BW:  Boy, he told you, Gordo.

GM:  Perhaps but he STILL didn't answer the question.  MAMMOTH Mizusawa
has a match of his choice to cash in... what's it going to be?

BW:  That's for Mr. Matsui to know and you to find out.

GM:  Very mature.  Fans, we need to take a quick break but before we do,
let's go backstage where I understand one of the teams already in the
Stampede Cup is standing by...

[We fade from the ringside area to the backstage area.  It's the locker
room of the Right Proper Thugs.  If a hurricane came through the place
it could only make it look better.  The two chairs near the back of the
room are broken.  Dozens of Guiness cans are littered over the floor. 
The Right Proper Thugs sit on the floor, backs against the lockers
drinking their pints.  Next to them, sitting on the bench is Lady
Victoria Pembroke-Burton.  They are all most likely drunk beyond the
capacity of most people.  Marcus Moore turns his blood-shot, inebriated
eyes to the camera.]

Marcus Moore:  So I guess because the powers that be banned us from the
SuperClash, we're supposed to have learned our lesson yeah?  Oh no, The
Right Proper Thugs weren't allowed to compete at SuperClash.  Boo bloody
hoo, mates.  Boo.  Bloody.  Hoo.

[Apparently Marcus finds his own comments hilarious as he breaks into a
convulsion of laughter.  Topps grabs Moore by the hair and slams the
back of his head into the locker, which just makes Moore laugh harder.]

Barrett Topps:  You yank gits just don't get it, do you?  You think
you're punishing us?  Look what happened the last time you tried to
punish us... we crippled Jackson Ross.  And then we crippled those two
little twits who thought they were going to be the AWA's next big stars.
 Don't you see where this is going?  The more you try to punish us, the
more we're just going to escalate things, see?  Whenever your bloody
Championship Committee tries to keep us down by protecting Kentucky
Pride, it just sets us off.  And what's the worst that's going to
happen?  You'll suspend us?  You'll fire us?  Oh, we're just tremblin'
in our boots.

[Moore strains to a sitting position, jabbing a finger towards the
camera, his arm drifting all over the place as he can't really focus at
the moment.]

MM:  Here's the bottom line, wankers.  Barrett and me?  We don't care if
we get fired.  We don't care if we get suspended.  It really and truly
doesn't matter to us, get it?  In fact firing us is probably the only
way to keep us from doing what we want.  And even that isn't for bloody
certain.  We could just stick around for the giggles, yeah?  Just to to
mess with everyone.

[At this, both Moore and Topps start laughing drunkenly.  Although it's
not all completely clear, they can be heard talking about how funny it
was to decimate Jackson Ross with the cane, reenacting it poorly and
clutching at their throats, making funny faces to try to make one
another laugh harder.  Lady Victoria smiles at her friends, then smiles
at the camera with a drunken leer.]

Lady Victoria:  You see, you bloody ignorant American wankers, what my
mates are trying to explain to you is that we really, truly don't care
what we do.  You think we crippled Jackson Ross because we don't like
Unfinished Business?  Don't be so bloody stupid.  We did it because we
could.  We don't give a toss about Unfinished Business, the Bishop Boys,
Juan Vasquez, or anyone else in the AWA.  Do you think we really had it
in for the Thrillmakers when we arrived here and took them out before
they could even step into an AWA ring?  Do you think we had any deep
rooted issue with The York Brothers before we ended their careers? 
Don't be stupid.  Of course not.  We did what we did because it was fun.
 That's all.  Now as for this tag team tournament... what a marvelous
time to cause some true chaos.

[And she takes her can of beer and guzzles it, letting it pour down her
chin and neck and once it's all gone she smashes the can on her forehead
and tosses it aside.]

MM:  Oh too bloody right.  We're going to have such a good time.  Bloody
good time.  Bloody being the operative term.  Because unlike all the
other teams who probably have goals of winning the tournament, we really
and sincerely don't give a rat's arse.  Not to say we're not going to
win the tourney, because... we are.... but if we don't?  We'll keep on
doing what we enjoy doing anyway.  Beating people up. 

[Moore flips a reverse V for Victory sign in the air.... which will
probably make it by the censors in the U.S.]

BT:  This tournament?  It's just the AWA putting wankers in line for us
to beat the ever lovin' hell out of them.  Simple as that.  But one way
or another, once this whole bloody tournament is over?  At some point
the AWA is going to have to finally put those gits, Kentucky Pride, in
the same ring as the Thugs.  How anyone can even be from Kentucky and
say they have pride is a mystery.  Bad enough bein' in Texas, home of
the biggest pieces of inbred American trash as I've ever seen.  But
Kentucky?  That makes Texas look like... well it still looks like a
giant slab of American garbage, but better in comparison, yeah?

LVP:  This is your final notice, AWA.  You keep on pushin' the Right
Proper Thugs, and we'll always push back harder.  Meaner.  It's what we
do.

[Victoria reaches out and pushes her hand in the face of the camera,
shoving back.  The cameraman stumbles backward and cuts 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 back up to live action where Gordon and Bucky have been
joined by some very special guests.]

GM:  Welcome back to Saturday Night Wrestling, fans.  At this time,
we're joined by the men we saw standing tall at the end of SuperClash. 
I am, of course, talking about the AWA National Champion Stevie Scott,
Ben Waterson, Gary Bright and the newest addition to their group,
Raphael Rhodes.

[Now that's one smug-looking group of individuals.  Waterson leads the
way and stops right beside Myers, which must mean he's talking first.]

GM: Ben Waterson, I suppose the four of you are quite pleased with the
stunt you pulled at SuperClash.

[The "Agent To The Stars" simply smiles and pats Myers on the shoulder.]

ATTSBW: Gordon, Gordon, Gordon.  My friend, you are so blind that you
cannot see the truth when it's biting you squarely on the backside.  _Of
course_ we're pleased with ourselves for overcoming all odds and leaving
SuperClash with the AWA National Title still on the Hotshot's waist. 
But a stunt?

[Waterson shakes his head.]

ATTSBW: If anyone tried to pull a stunt on Thanksgiving, Myers, it was
Juan Vasquez.  He's the one who set things up so he couldn't lose.

[And now a chuckle.]

ATTSBW: Or so he _thought_ he couldn't lose.

But come on, Gordon.  The stipulations on that match were the most
ridiculous things I've seen since your wife came to last year's company
Christmas party with her new boob job.

[Myers rolls his eyes while everyone else around him, Bucky included,
laughs at the wisecrack.]

ATTSBW: And still, you want to talk about _us_ as the cheats, the
scoundrels, the bad guys?  You, just like all these people out there who
were cheering for a loser like Juan Vasquez on Thanksgiving night, are
blinded by your emotions and cannot see things for what they truly are.

And the truth is, Gordon Myers...

[Another smug grin.]

ATTSBW: We're unstoppable.

[Big heel pop!  More grins and high-fives in the background.]

ATTSBW: Just take a look at us, will you?  We've got the Gold Bomber, a
man chiseled from stone by the gods and sent down to earth to be a part
of the most dominant force in wrestling.

We've got the champ, the Hotshot, the Saturday Night Delight, the
For-Real Deal with Sex Appeal.  The man who _is_, without question, the
number one man in the sport today.

And now?  Now we've got the Catch Thug, the meanest bloke from across
the pond, who made the best decision of his _life_ when he decided to
join forces with us.

[Stevie cracks a huge smile and slaps Rhodes on the shoulder.]

ATTSBW: And behind them all, the greatest mind in professional wrestling
with the bankroll to make sure it all gets done.

Tell me, Gordon Myers...who around here can stop us?

Juan Vasquez?  He already took his best shot and lost.

Tumaffi?  Don't think so, not after a little bit of green, Gold, and
MAMMOTH took care of his fat behind.

Rough-n-Ready?  There ain't much left of them after all the beatings
they've taken from the Bishop Boys... but if Sarah Sharpe wants to come
join the party, I bet the Hotshot would gladly take her for a ride.

The rookies like Fitzgerald and Anderson?  The old farts like Riley and
Sampson?  No...there is NO-BOD-Y here, or anywhere else, who can stop
us.

But we would _love_ for someone else to come try.

[Stevie, wearing a suit without a tie and holding the gold belt on his
shoulder, steps toward Myers and Waterson.]

ATTSBW: Champ, your adoring crowd awaits.

[Big heel pop!  Stevie, of course, grins it off.]

HSS: You know, Gordon Myers...this is starting to get kind of old.

How many times in the last six months have we seen someone step up to
the plate, thinking they're swinging a huge bat, and tell me, you, and
everyone else what they're going to do...to the Hotshot?  How they're
going to shut me up, take my title, and send me back to obscurity?

[Stevie shakes his head.]

HSS: It's getting old, Myers, because it seems that none of these
talentless two-bit has-beens or never-weres don't care to listen to what
I have to say.

Time and time again, I tell them what's going to happen.  And time and
time again, I've been right.  So when's it going to stop?  What's it
going to take?  More wrestlers sent to the hospital, put out of
wrestling or sent back to whatever hole they crawled out of with their
tails between their legs?

[The champ pauses and shrugs.]

HSS: I'm sure that very soon there's going to be someone come out here
and tell me the same old stuff.  Just like Juan Vasquez did.  And
they're going to end up suffering just the same fate.

[Stevie takes the belt, folding it and setting it onto the announcers'
desk, followed by his sunglasses.]

HSS: Vasquez, big boy, I hope you've learned your lesson.  I hope you
learned that you ain't the big superstar you think you are...at least
not around here.  You came down to Texas, and you took your best shot.
You weaseled your way into stacking the deck.  You had everything lined
up your way, all the stipulations in your favor, set it all up to be
what you considered a "fair fight", and what the rest of us considered
the only possible way you could beat me.

But you managed to forget something, Juan.

Your forgot that when you're talking about the cards, right now, you're
looking at the dealers.  You tried to stack the deck...but in the end,
_I_ am the one that knew what cards were in there, buddy.

And it just so happened...

[The champ stops momentarily, unable to contain a laugh.]

HSS: It just so happened, that I had an ace up my sleeve.

[Again, Stevie pats Rhodes on the shoulder.]

HSS: Remember what I told you about burning bridges, Vasquez?  It always
comes back to bite you squarely in the rear end, and buddy...it bit you
damn hard at SuperClash.

[The Hotshot turns to his newest associate.]

HSS: Raphael Rhodes, welcome to the team.

[Rhodes and Stevie shake hands as Rhodes steps over to Myers.]

RR: Pleased to be here.  Let me make one thing clear... I ain't ever
said this was over, Juan Vasquez.  You think because you beat me in that
cage... you think it's over?   You thought I was just goin' to wither up
and blow away in the wind?  You thought I was just goin' to stand aside
and let you run roughshod?  I thought I made it clear... you ain't man
enough to make it anymore.  And that little stunt you tried to pull?

[Rhodes motions to his new teammates.]

RR: Tryin' to get your way, puttin' the Agent to the Stars in a cage
around the ring, handcuffin' people to ringposts... that ain't how you
win titles.  You ain't got the confidence to overcome any odds... but
that's because you _can't do it_.  And as long as there's a gasp of
breath in my body, I'm goin' to make sure that you _never_ put the
National title around your waist.

GM: But what about Jason Keening?  What did he say to you?  I find it
very hard to believe he would encourage you to join up with these
people.

RR: That ain't none of your concern, you jessie.

GM: Well, how about this... what exactly did you get for joining up with
this group?

RR: That also ain't nothin' you need to worry about, but I will let you
in on something... havin' Ben Waterson as my agent has paid off.  The
Stampede Cup... the winner gets one million dollars, aye?

GM: That's correct.

RR: Well then, they might as well write that check now.  I'm in the
tournament, and my partner... well, the last time I went for a tag team
tournament, it was with a man with no heart.  This time, there ain't
nobody better to team with than my blood, my big brother... Simon
Rhodes.

[The crowd murmurs with anticipation for another Rhodes entering the
AWA.]

RR: And, after we take out anyone in our path, all we'll need is one
shot at those National tag titles, and all of us will be golden!

[Rhodes steps back from the microphone, as Waterson immediately takes
back over.]

ATTSBW:  As you can see, Gordon Myers... everything is comin' up roses
for the four men you see standing in front of you.  You know, Gordo...
you've called us a lot of things over the past few months.  Disgusting. 
Despicable.  Thugs.  Blah blah blah blah blah.

But none of those stuck.  Jon Stegglet you're not.

[Waterson smirks as Gordon Myers bristles.]

ATTSBW:  My phone was ringing off the hook the morning after
Thanksgiving and it wasn't my friends letting me know the Black Friday
deals.  It wasn't even the front office being all high and mighty
pulling a "how could you" on me.  

You know who it was, Gordo?  It was the AWA's marketing department - the
lovely Mrs. Dane-Michaelson herself - who was on my line.  "You guys are
the hottest thing going in the business!" they said... and who could
argue that?  "You guys are ruling the wrestling world!" they said... and
who could argue that?

But the biggest problem according to Mrs. Dane-Michaelson is that no one
knows what to call us.  We don't have the catchy name to put on posters,
on t-shirts, on stickers... we're not Redemption, Salvation, Pride,
Legion...

[Waterson grins as he pulls a duffel bag from behind the podium.]

ATTSBW:  But what we are is the strongest force in professional
wrestling.  What we are is the most dominant group that this business
has seen in a long, long time.  What we are is the sun that this entire
wrestling universe revolves around...

And on Black Friday as I was catching up on what happened in the world,
it hit me like a ton of bricks.

You know what else happened on Thanksgiving night, Gordo?

[Myers shrugs.]

ATTSBW:  The Hall of Fame inductions were announced.  Imagine my
surprise when Brian Lau got in.  Everyone cheered!  The streets were
filled with peasants chanting that he's the greatest manager there ever
was!

Key word... was.  Brian Lau WAS the greatest manager there ever was
until _I_ came along!

[Big shower of jeers from the crowd.]

ATTSBW:  And so it hit me, Gordo.  If Brian Lau is what people consider
a Hall of Famer... if Casey James and Tiger Claw are what people
consider Hall of Famers... if the Syndicate is what people consider Hall
of Fame worthy.

Then... so... are... we...

[Waterson digs into the duffel bag, yanking out a black and red t-shirt,
tossing one to Stevie Scott.]

ATTSBW:  Try that one on for size, champ.

[A second shirt is tossed to Raphael Rhodes.]

ATTSBW:  Here ya go, ace.

[A third is given to the silent and stoic Gary Bright.]

ATTSBW:  Not sure this one will hold in those guns, Bomber, but give it
a shot.

[And finally, he pulls out one more shirt before throwing the bag down. 
He stretches out the shirt, revealing the front of it.]

ATTSBW:  The Southern Syndicate has arrived, people.

Consider.  Yourselves.  Warned.

[And with that, the newly-named Southern Syndicate struts out of the
view of the camera, leaving Gordon and Bucky behind.]

GM:  Unbelievable.

BW:  It's a fitting name, don'tcha think?

GM:  It's a disrespectful name.  A slap in the face to the greatest
group of talent this industry has ever known.  The Syndicate was a
worldwide phenomenon.  These guys are... this is just not right, Bucky,
and you know it.

BW:  I think it's perfect, daddy!

GM:  You would.  Fans, I have to say this is one of the worst things
I've seen around here... and to say that after some of the stuff we've
seen recently, well... that's really saying something.

BW:  You're not gonna start with that whole "I'm holding out for a hero"
thing again, right?  Made me ashamed to sit out here with you.

GM:  You weren't the one I was talking to.  I just hope the ears I meant
to hear it got the message loud and clear.  Fans, let's go back to-

[Clad in a pair of faded blue jeans and a royal blue Ed Hardy tee, a
wide-eyed Bailey Fitzgerald suddenly appears alongside Gordon Myers and
Bucky Wilde.  With a couple souvenir welts and bruises upon his face and
neck from SuperClash, Fitzgerald slowly creeps toward Gordon Myers as
though he is interrupting.  Gordon sees Bailey and immediately moves his
microphone in front of the young Buffalo native.]

BF: Sorry to interrupt, Gordon.  I know how frustrating it's got to be
to follow your format with guys continuing to show up unannounced, but I
promise this won't take up much of anyone's time.

[Gordon nods as Fitzgerald turns toward the camera even more so now.]

BF: Quite simply, I have a message.  And it's for Corey Lawson.

[Pop!  Coming off his superb showing at SuperClash, the crowd is clearly
behind the AWA fan favorite.]

BF: I'm going to be honest, Corey.  I've never been the type of guy
whose trusted others very easily.  Without getting into too much detail,
I've been burned more times in my lifetime by people who I thought were
my friends - heck, who I thought were my family - than I care to recall.
 To me, it's always been easiest to go through life worrying about 'ole
number one...

[Fitzgerald jets a thumb toward his chest.]

BF: ...since that's the only one you can ever count on anyway.

[He shrugs.]

BF: But at SuperClash, you showed me something, Corey.  You and I didn't
know one another any more than two people walking down the Vegas strip
at four in the morning, but you were flying around that ring like a bat
out of Hell.  And I loved every second of it.

[Another pop as Fitzgerald pauses.]

BF: At the end of the night, neither of us probably accomplished what we
were looking to, but that's not what was foremost in my mind as I walked
out of the arena Thanksgiving night.  What I came away with was a
tremendous amount of respect for your wrestling ability, your
willingness to work alongside a complete stranger to nearly topple
MAMMOTH Mizusawa and Shane Taylor, and most of all, I came away with
respect for your character.

[Gordon smiles ear to ear, nodding his head in approval.]

BF: So, I wanted to come out here and publicly ask you, Corey...

[Fitzgerald pauses, almost as though he is giving second thoughts to
continuing his inquiry.]

BF: ...If you'd be my tag team partner for the Stampede Cup.

[The crowd ROARS at the idea of Fitzgerald and Lawson tagging together!]

BF: Unlike a slew of other would-be partners, I can't promise you great
times ahead and I don't want to sugar coat my proposal by saying we're
going to experience an extraordinary amount of success over the
holidays.  There are obviously some very accomplished tag teams already
locked in, so it's arguable if I'm even doing us a lot of good by
throwing a hat with our names on it into the proverbial fire.

[He shrugs, nonchalantly.]

BF: But I'd like the opportunity to put one big exclamation point on
2009 before we head into the new year.  And after what you demonstrated
at SuperClash, Corey, if there's anybody I would like to see as my
partner, I would like for that someone to be you.

[Fitzgerald offers up a half-smile, not knowing what kind of response he
may receive.]

BF: The choice is yours.

[And as he departs, Fitzgerald offers an apologetic nod to Gordon Myers
as though he occupied far too much of his time.  He heads off camera as
Myers addresses the fans at home once again.]

GM:  The race for the final spots in the Stampede Cup is heating up here
on Saturday Night Wrestling and right after this break, we'll be seeing
a tag team trying to get into that tourney in action!  Don't you dare go
away!

[And 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 Gordon and Bucky at ringside.]

GM:  Welcome back to Saturday Night Wrestling, fans, and as exciting as
SuperClash was just two weeks ago, the eyes of the wrestling world are
now on Laredo, Texas as we prepare for the two-night Stampede Cup
tournament!  Some fantastic teams have already signed on and before this
night is over, I believe we should know all sixteen teams as well as the
brackets for the tournament!  What a Christmas gift that's gonna be for
the AWA fans, Bucky!

BW:  It's going to be a crazy night of action and speaking of Christmas
gifts, one of those sixteen teams is going to walk out of Laredo, Texas
with a million dollars and a shot at the National Tag Team Champions! 
You can't get a better Christmas gift than that, Gordo.

GM:  Well, in theory they'll get a shot at the champs anyways but our
guests at this time don't believe that'll happen... ladies and
gentlemen, at this time, please welcome the new National Tag Team
Champions - "Ladykiller" Calisto Dufresne and "Subzero" Adrian Freeman!

[As the opening riffs of ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" reverberate
through the WKIK Studios, the Dallas faithful waste no time in erupting
in a chorus of boos for the most despised tag team in the AWA -
especially now that they have a little hardware - the duo of "Subzero"
Adrian Freeman and "Ladykiller" Calisto Dufresne.  The two men saunter
out from the entrance portal with smug looks of satisfaction on their
faces.  Dufresne has the championship belt wrapped around his waist
while Freeman carries his over his left shoulder.  At the mere sight of
the two men holding the titles, the crowds boos intensify if that's even
possible.  The two men head over to where Gordon Myers and Bucky Wilde
await them.]

GM: What do you two have to say for yourselves?

[Dufresne and Freeman look down at Myers, scoffing.]

AF: It's great to be king.

CD: What do we have to say for ourselves?  What the hell kind of
question is that, Myers!?  We're the National Tag Team Champions, by
God, and you will address us with respect!

GM: There's nothing to respect about the way you two carried yourselves
at SuperClash!

CD: You mean when we played within the rules that were given to us?  The
match was unsanctioned, Myers.  No rules.  Stephen Ross and company knew
_exactly_ what was going to happen when they screwed us out of our
initial chance at the titles.  They knew we wouldn't lay down like Sarah
Sharpe and just take it.  We're fighters.  We're warriors.  We're
_champions._

[A confident nod.]

CD: And as such, we demanded a rematch.  Just as Stephen Ross knew we
would.  And those two fat pigs Kentucky's Pride were more than willing
to play their little part in Ross' plan and agreed to a rematch under
any circumstances.  Which is exactly what Ross wanted.  He wanted blood
spilled.  But he wanted plausible deniability at the same time.

[Dufresne shakes his head sadly.]

CD: Well, blood was spilled alright.  But that blood didn't come from
the two men Ross had hoped it would.  It came from his two "heroes", Tin
Can Bust and City Hack.

AF: Let's not forget that those rednecks tried to half-blind Callisto
Dufrense just like we did to City Jack.  Difference is, we actually
succeeded.  So the only crime the two of us are guilty of is being
better than Kentucky's Pride.

GM: But they were just responding to your repeated attacks on the eye.

AF: "But you started it"?  Honestly, Gordon, you're such a child.

GM: What about the permanent damage you may have caused to City Jack?

CD: What about it, Gordo?  I told him five years ago that by setting his
sights on Calisto Dufresne - pardon the pun...

[A snicker.]

CD: ...he was playing with fire.  And at SuperClash, well...

[A shrug.]

CD: ...he got burned.

AF: Let's face it:everybody knew City Jack was going to get hurt in
this match.  But he took it anyway.  Don't you think he's really to
blame for his own condition?

GM: You two are despicable.  But sadly, you are also now the National
Tag Team Champions and the number one seed in the Stampede Cup
tournament coming up later this month.  Your thoughts?

CD: It's pretty simple, Myers.  See, we're fighting champions.  We'll
take on all comers.  And if Ross and company want to put together a
tournament to find out just who the best is just to get an adequate
challenge for Adrian and I, then great.  But there's a slight flaw in
Ross' calculations.  But what else is new, right?

See, he's basically put a bounty on our heads.  He's willing to pay a
million dollars to find a pair of men who can stand in the same ring as
us.  Hell, where he drug up dinosaurs like the Outlaws and Strictly
Business is beyond me.  But where he made his mistake is when he put us
_in_ the tournament!

[Dufresne laughs.]

CD: Ross, you do you realize we're just going to win the whole thing,
right?  And then your number one contender shot at our titles is going
to us?  And you basically paid the bounty you put on our heads to _us?_
Not the brightest crayon in the box, are you?

AF: There's not going to be any heroes or saviors, just a long line of
victims.  You'd better get used to seeing us with these belts, because
we're going to be wearing them for a long, long time.

[And on that note, ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" hits once again as the
National Tag Team Champions file back towards the entrance portal amid a
chorus of boos from the AWA's fans as the camera cuts up inside the ring
where Vladimir Velikov and Baron Von Klauss are standing...

...just before they rush across the ring, assaulting two opponents as
the referee calls for the bell.]

GM:  We talked about seeing a tag team tonight that's been trying to get
into The Stampede Cup tournament - here they are, Bucky.

BW:  I can't believe they haven't been invited yet.  What a crime.

GM:  This is their first match as a tag team!

[Velikov pummels a young man with "South" written down the length of his
tights into the corner.]

GM:  Young Mickey South is getting worked over in the corner by the big
burly Russian...

[A hard back elbow to the jaw knocks South off his feet while Von Klauss
fires veteran David Snow across the ring into the ropes...

...and sends him sailing high overhead with a big backdrop!]

GM:  Oooooh!  Nice backdrop by Von Klauss!

[The German immediately charges the corner, smashing his knee into the
face of the seated Mickey South.  With the referee reprimanding both
men, Velikov hauls South off the mat by the hair, chucking him through
the ropes to the floor.]

GM:  Down to the floor goes Mickey South... here comes the doubleteam...

[A double whip sends David Snow across the ring...

...where he's floored with a running double clothesline by the German
and the Russian!]

GM:  That'll take the wind right out of you - those two arms smashing
across the windpipe...

[Velikov immediately leaps up, dropping his large leg down on the throat
as Baron Von Klauss raises his mammoth hand...]

GM:  Uh oh.

BW:  Here it comes, daddy!

[The Russian hauls Snow off the mat, firing him into the corner, rushing
across to smash the veteran with a running clothesline.]

GM:  Ohhh!  The Sickle in the corner...

[And as Snow staggers out, Von Klauss grabs the veteran's head in his
hand.]

GM:  The Claw!  Von Klauss locks on the Claw!

[Snow immediately screams out in pain, flailing wildly as Von Klauss
grabs his own wrist with the other hand, increasing the pressure as he
forces Snow down to his knees...

...where the referee calls for the bell!]

GM:  That's it.  David Snow submits to that clawhold!

[Von Klauss holds the Claw for a few more moments before finally
releasing it, allowing Snow to slump down to the canvas in a heap.  A
happy Vladimir Velikov joins his partner, raising his hand high in the
air to the jeers of the crowd.]

GM:  Vladimir Velikov and Baron Von Klauss are your winners in this one
- taking this match in pretty short order, Bucky.

BW:  And you can't deny they deserve a slot in the Stampede Cup after
seeing that one, Gordo.

GM:  I certainly can't.  But that decision is up to the Championship
Committee and we'll hear that decision right before our Main Event
tonight, Bucky.  And coming up nex- hold on...

[There is no music, no fanfare, as a man emerges from behind the
curtains.]

GM:  Wait a second, Bucky.

BW:  He's not supposed to be out here!

GM:  He's certainly not but the #1 contender has something to say.  You
going to tell him no?

[However, the crowd begins to roar with cheers, as we see Juan Vasquez
making his way down the aisle. The #1 contender to the National title is
dressed in street clothes, most notably wearing an AWA "Combat Corner"
letterman jacket. He makes his way down to the ring without
acknowledging any of the fans, a serious look on his face. He grabs a
microphone from the timekeeper's table, before entering the ring. As the
crowd cheers him on, he begins to speak.]
 
JV: I...

[He frowns.]

JV: I'm sorry, guys.

[With that, the crowd falls silent. Juan seems to sigh to himself,
knowing that the last thing the fans need is more doom and gloom.]

JV: I don't know what else to say. There really isn't anything else to
say about what happened at "SuperClash," is there? I could fake a smile,
crack a joke and tell you how everything's gonna' be all right, but it's
pretty obvious things are NOT "all right."

[Some of the crowd shout words of encouragement to Juan, but he ignores
it, continuing on.]

JV: I thought Stevie Scott was a problem that could be solved with one
match. I thought Ben Waterson was a corruption that could be held back
by a couple of stipulations. I thought Raphael Rhodes was a beast that
I'd already slayed.

[Juan stares upwards, shaking his head.]

JV: And lord help me, I was wrong.

[He closes his eyes.]

JV: The beatings and the injuries...all this garbage that we're forced
to watch happen week after week?  It ain't wrestling.  It ain't got
anything to do with the sport I love. What Stevie Scott and Ben Waterson
are doing to the AWA is a travesty.  It's a joke!  It's a mockery of
everything that the AWA is supposed to stand for!

[His anger becomes more evident with every word. His voice filled with
bitterness and rage. The audience is swept up as well, growing louder
with each condemnation.]

JV: But...I let this happen. 

[And just like that, all the anger seems to leave him.]

JV: I saw the beatings. I saw the injuries. I watched the careers of
some of our best and brightest being ended week after week...and I did
nothing about it 'til the problem grew out of control. 

This was my failure.

And for that...I'm also sorry.

[The crowd doesn't even know how to react anymore. Juan Vasquez is
supposed to be unshakable, impossibly confident in himself...not this.]

JV: Gordon Myers asked for a hero to come save the day. 

[In the crowd, some fans begin to shout words of hopeful encouragement.
"Come on, Juan!" they seem to scream.]

JV: As it stands right now...I ain't that hero. 

[Shock. The crowd is shocked. It seems as if Juan Vasquez has finally
given up on the AWA.]

JV: But...it ain't always gonna' be like this, people. 

[Juan looks up, his face no longer filled with disappointment or sorrow.
This is a look familiar to anyone who knows him. This is a look of
unwavering determination. This is a look of absolute confidence. This is
the look of a man who's made a career out of willing himself to do the
impossible, to overcoming any obstacle in his way. This is...Juan
Vasquez.]

JV: It's always darkest before the dawn, but we *will* have that better
and brighter tomorrow.  Because I swear to you now, it ain't always
gonna' be like this. I promise you...I SWEAR, cross my heart and hope to
die...I SWEAR...I'm gonna' fight these bastards 'til the bitter end! 

[The crowd comes to life, cheering. THAT is what these people wanted to
hear! The shouts of the crowd almost drown him out, but Juan goes on
without missing a beat.]

JV: Whether I gotta' go at this alone or if I got a nation of millions
standing behind, I ain't gonna' stop, I ain't gonna' rest...if I gotta'
darken my heart and drag them all straight to hell with me...if I gotta'
sell my soul to the Devil himself...I'm making this promise to you now.

I'm gonna' save the AWA. 

[The crowd goes wild. And for the first time in this segment, Juan
Vasquez finally allows himself to do something he probably hasn't done
since SuperClash. He smiles.]

JV: And that's all they is...to it.

[With that, Juan throws the microphone down and raises his arms into the
air, receiving the cheers of the crowd as we fade out...

...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 to live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing.]

GM: Welcome back, fans,  and earlier in the night, we saw Bailey
Fitzgerald offer Corey Lawson the opportunity to enter the Stampede Cup
as his partner, and from what I understand, Mr. Lawson wanted to come
out here and give a response.  So, with that said, please welcome Corey
Lawson!

[Corey Lawson enters the frame to the cheers of the crowd.  He looks a
little worse for wear, his eye blackened after the events of SuperClash,
but he is sporting a T-shirt from a local softball rec league in
Tennessee, along with a beat-up pair of jeans.]

GM: Corey, the floor is yours.

CL: Thank you, Gordon, and man, let me tell you, it's good to be here
with all you wonderful fans today!

[Corey pumps his fist to the cheers of the crowd.]

CL: Now, I'm goin' to cut right to the chase here because I know the TV
time is valuable.  Bailey Fitzgerald came out here and made a mighty
generous offer to me, and I'll tell you what, I admire the kid.  I'm
pretty darn flattered that he thought so much of what I did out there.
But he wasn't the only one impressed at SuperClash... he did some heavy
liftin' out there.  We weren't the biggest dogs in that there fight but
we took it to Mizusawa and Taylor the best we could.  But Bailey, let me
tell you somethin' from the years I've been grapplin' for all these good
people.

[Lawson looks into the camera, almost as if he's directly talking to
Fitzgerald.]

CL: About wrestlin'... it ain't how many times you get knocked down,
it's how many times you get back up.  You ain't goin' to win them all,
but all you can do is learn from it and go out there to be the best you
can be.  And you're right, you and me in the Stampede Cup... we wouldn't
exactly be the favorites.  There's an awful lot of teams in there,
Gordon.  We're talkin' Hall of Fame caliber teams.  But if there's one
thing about Corey Lawson you can always guarantee on, it's that I'll
never back down from a challenge, I'll never back down from a fight, and
I'll never back down no matter how bad the odds are against me.

[Lawson points at the camera.]

CL: And I know you, Bailey Fitzgerald, are the same way.  We don't know
each other that well, but I know you've got more guts than most guys
I've seen, and I'm more than willin' to get down in the mud, the blood,
and the beer watchin' the back of someone I know has got heart.  So
Bailey Fitzgerald, the choice is mine?  The answer is yes, I will be
your partner at the Stampede Cup!

[The crowd erupts with cheers at the news of Fitzgerald and Lawson as a
team!]

CL: And the pleasure, buddy, is all mine.  Let's shake this thing up!

[Lawson walks off, shaking the hands of the fans that come over to greet
him at the entrance.]

GM:  That should be one heck of a tag team, Bucky.

BW:  Maybe but they don't stand a chance against teams like Dufresne and
Freeman... the Bishops... you name it, daddy.

GM:  We'll see about that.  But coming up next we have the debut of a
very highly touted student from the AWA Combat Corner, Bucky, a second
generation athlete whose father you had a few run ins with in your time.

BW: Unfortunately, Gordo, I ran into this kid's daddy on a number of
occasions, and let me just tell you that I know all three of his
brothers and all three of their mamas too. The gene pool's runnin' low
with this kid, Gordon Myers, believe Bucky Wilde. 

GM: Well Bucky, it seems like Todd Michaelson and the folks who run the
Combat Corner disagree with you-

BW: Imagine that.

GM: So let's head to the ring and see for ourselves.

[Cut to Melissa, looking splendiforous.]

MC:  The following match is set for one fall with a fifteen minute time
limit!

[Yay!]

MC: In the ring at this time, from Fort Myers, Florida... weighing 280
pounds... 


"ALL STAR" CHUCK TYLER!


[Tyler raises his hands in the air, showing off an impressive, yet
hairy, physique, along with a Fu Manchu and a mohawk. The lime green
tights really tie it all together.]

GM: Chuck Tyler looking to spoil the debut of this youngster, Bucky. 

BW: Don't sleep on the All Star, Gordo, he's got the skills to pay the
bills.

[To Melissa...]

MC: And his opponent... from Greenvile, South Carolina... weighing 248
pounds... 

ERIC PREEESSTTOOOOOOONNNN!!

[The fans let out a cheer as "Show Me How To Live" by Audioslave blares
in the WKIK Studios, and Eric Preston trots through the the curtains.
Preston holds his hands up to acknowledge the crowd, and then zig zags
down the aisle, slapping hands and exchanging war whoops. The chiseled
Preston is in his customary purple tights with the orange and white
waistband, and white boots with orange and purple stripes around the
top. His wrists are heavily wrapped in white athletic tape, and as he
climbs into the ring he lets the officials check him out, before
loosening up his shoulders in the corner.]

GM: The fans have already taken a liking to Eric Preston as- whoa, as
Chuck Tyler presses the issue and cheapshots Preston before the bell!


"DING DING DING!"



GM: Chuck Tyler with a shot across the back of the neck, and now hard
right hands to the mouth. Into the corner, hard back elbow, and Chuck
Tyler grabs Preston by his short black hair and tosses him to the center
of the ring!

BW: Have mercy, Toddy Mike, _this_ guy is your prize pupil?

GM: Tyler kicks Eric Preston right in the mouth, not even giving him a
chance to savor his first match in the AWA, and sends him for the
ride... clothesline ducked by Preston, off the ropes, Eric Preston-


"WHAAAAAAACK!"


GM: Whoa Nellie! A leaping, somersault clothesline from Eric Preston,
and he caught Chuck Tyler completely off guard with that! 

[Eric looks to the crowd, pumps his fist in triumph, then decks Tyler
with a right to the pleasure of the crowd. Another right hand staggers
the tall Tyler, one more makes him take a step back and Eric looks to
the crowd and shouts, "One more!" then unloads with a right hand that
lands Tyler flat on his back! POP!]

GM: A series of hard shots to the jaw of Chuck Tyler, and this Eric
Preston is impressive in the early going. Tyler, now up to his feet,
gets sent mohawk first to the corner and staggers back, into the rear
waistlock...

BW: Whoa daddy, a big German suplex by the rook! Chuck Tyler's about one
of Mama's Sunday dinners away from three bills, Gordo, that weren't no
easy throw. 

GM: Preston made it look easy, as you can see the tremendous base of
power this young man has. He grabs Tyler again- thumb to the eye from
the All Star slows Eric Preston down.

[Tyler lays in with a headbutt, then shoves the rookie into the corner,
then leans in and takes a nice bite out of his forehead. Eric grabs his
head in agony as Chuck Tyler lays in another right hand, then grabs him
in a headlock and drags his head along the top rope! Big smattering of
boos for Tyler, who laughs at the crowd.]

GM: Big elbow to the head of Preston, and Tyler sends him for the ride-
reversed by Eric Preston. Off the ropes... biiig spinning powerslam by
Preston! Lots of power from this newcomer, Bucky.

BW: Okay, but that and a quarter won't buy you a cup of coffee if you
don't know how to use it. 

GM: Preston perched on the second rope, waiting for Tyler to turn
around...


"WHAAAAAAAAACK!"


GM: Double axehandle right between the eyes! Here's the cover! ONE! TWO!
NO SIR! Kickout by Chuck Tyler!

[Preston bolts off the mat and brings Tyler with him, then sends him for
the ride...]


"OOOHHHHH!"


GM: Hard back elbow by Eric Preston, and I'm starting to think that
Chuck Tyler is beginning to feel it. Tyler is staggered once more, and
now Preston measures him... big standing dropkick, right to the kisser!
That's a pretty dropkick, Bucky. 

BW: He looks good, I'll give him that, but let's see if he can finish
it, unlike his old man.

GM: Chuck Tyler is staggered and dazed, as he goes for the short ride
once more- caught by Preston-


[BIG POP!]


GM: MY OH MY! A monstrous belly to belly suplex from Preston, who threw
him right over his head! Chuck Tyler is a big man, and he just got rag
dolled!

[Preston stands up once more and raises his right hand to the crowd, and
shouts out "GREENVILLE THUNDER!" He grabs a recovering Tyler for a
fisherman's suplex, then lifts him up... waits for a moment... and then
falls to the mat with a fisherman's buster, spiking Tyler headfirst and
rolling right into the cover!]

GM: He calls that the Greenville Thunder! Preston hooks both legs as
Michael Meekly dives for the count... ONE! TWO! THREE! This one's in the
books.



"DING DING DING!"


GM: An impressive debut for Eric Preston, who is bringing with him a lot
of expectations, Bucky. Let's go to Melissa for the official word.

[Cut to Ms. Thang outside the rang.]

MC: Your winner, in four minutes and thirteen seconds...


ERIIIC PRESTOOOOOOOOOONNN!!!


[Preston has his hand raised by the official and can't help but grin
from ear to ear, excitedly saluting the fans as Gordon Myers makes his
way to the ring.]

BW: Not a bad job by the youngster, but it don't get any easier from
here. He'll get eaten up and spit back out, back onto the junk pile
'fore it's all said and done. Mark my words.

[Gordon gets in the ring and offers his hand to Preston, who
enthusiastically shakes it.]

GM: A very impressive debut for you, Eric Preston. Congratulations on
your first victory here in the AWA.

EP: Thank you so much Mr. Myers, it is an extreme privilege to be
standing here in this ring, competing for a great organization like the
AWA. Wrestling's in my blood, as you know Mr. Myers, and being able to
come out here in front of these great fans and do my work is what it's
all about. It's what I've been building toward for a long time.

GM: It certainly looks it, Eric, because the energy you bring to the
ring with you is remarkable. Talk about that.

EP: There's a lot of things I could be doing right now, Mr. Myers, but
I'm one of the lucky few who has been able to crack the ranks of pro
wrestling. I feel like if I'm not excited about being in this ring, I
don't deserve to be in it. And my promise to you, Mr. Myers, and to all
the fans in attendance and watching at home, is that I'll bring my
absolute best every time I'm in the ring, or I won't come out. Simple as
that. 

[A few fans applaud Eric's earnest statement as Gordon nods his head.]

GM: That's honorable, Eric, but let me ask you this: the AWA is home to
some of the best competitors in the world. Veterans who have seen it all
and done it all. You're someone without a whole lot of practical
experience... how do you plan on being successful and making your mark
here in the AWA?

EP: The path to success hasn't ever changed Mr. Myers. Success comes
from old fashioned hard work, blood, sweat and tears. I'm not afraid to
pay the price, Mr. Myers, I'm not afraid to pay my dues and to put the
work in. I know that nothing comes easy, believe me, you can't breeze
your way through the Combat Corner. Nothing comes easy and nothing good
comes cheap. I'll work and I'll pay the price, and one day soon, with
these great people behind me, you'll see my name in lights. 

[Preston turns around and raises both hands for the fans, who cheer as
Gordon wraps it up.]

GM: That's what I like to hear, fans, Eric Preston is one newcomer we
should maybe keep an eye on. 

BW:  Perish the thought.

GM:  Fans, at SuperClash, Raphael Rhodes publicly made his decision and
aligned himself with Ben Waterson and his crew as he helped Stevie Scott
defend his National title against Juan Vasquez...

BW:  In what was really a no-brainer.  I mean, it was the only smart
move to make, after all!

GM:  Many were disappointed by Rhodes and his actions but another
question stems from that incident... just what advice did retired
wrestler Jason Keening give Rhodes at the beginning of the night?

BW:  Maybe Keening's finally smartened up after all these years and told
Rhodes to go out and do what he did?!?

GM:  Difficult to understand but before Rhodes joined with Waterson's
gang, he did ask for and received some private advice from the veteran
Keening.  Just what did Keening say?  Let's find out!

[On cue, the distant wailing of an air raid siren can be heard over the
P.A. loudspeakers to a mixed response from the crowd.  After a moment,
Disturbed's "Indestructible" begins playing with the deafening fury of
crunching guitars as some of the fans cheer, others boo while most
aren't quite sure how to react.  At the top of the aisle, the curtains
are pushed aside as a squat, powerful figure emerges wearing a plain
white T-shirt and jeans.]

BW:  If Keening has finally shed himself of those Boy Scout instincts
that he used to follow for so many years, I may actually start to like
him!!

[Keening's broad, heavily muscled frame stretch the seams of his T-shirt
as his long black hair hangs below his shoulders.  His Native American
heritage is clearly visible in the lines of his face and the coloration
of his skin as he walks down the aisle toward Myers and Wilde.  When he
reaches the announcers, the music dies down.]

GM:  Jason, welcome back to the AWA.  We hoped you enjoyed SuperClash.

[Keening's smile is fleeting and rueful.]

JK:  Thank you, Gordon.  It was a privilege to be invited and... for the
most part, I enjoyed watching the action quite a bit.

GM:  I have to ask you something, Jason.  At the beginning of the night,
Raphael Rhodes asked for your advice.  Later that night, he attacked
Juan Vasquez and joined Ben Waterson's group - now apparently known as
the Southern Syndicate.  Just what advice did you give him?  Did you
tell him that joining Waterson and his gang was the right thing to do?

[The grimace of distaste on Keening's face is plain to see.]

JK:  No.  Plain and simple, I did *NOT* tell Rhodes that he should join
Waterson.  What I told him was that he needed to be his own man.  I told
him that the best thing he could do was forge his own path but...
obviously he didn't follow my advice.

BW:  And a good thing too!  What kind of advice was that?  "Forge your
own path"?  What are you, Anthony Robbins??  Raphael Rhodes did the
smart thing... and of course, you and your bleeding heart instincts
tried to tell him to do the opposite!!

[Keening's face flushes with anger but he visibly bites his lip and
pauses before responding.]

JK:  I didn't originally come here to tell anybody anything.  Rhodes
asked for my advice, and I gave it to him.  He chose to ignore that
advice and...

[Before Keening can continue, the crowd boos loudly as Raphael Rhodes
strides into frame, smiling broadly, sporting a leather jacket and
sunglasses.]

RR: ... I'd disagree with that, actually.

[Rhodes takes off his sunglasses so he can looking Keening in the eyes.]

RR:  You told me to forge my own path, that's right.  You definitely
told me to be my own man, I fully agree with that.  But, Jason, what you
fail to realize is this... maybe they don't get Saturday Night Wrestlin'
at the retirement home, but I've made it very clear that I am in the
wrestlin' business for a simple reason... to increase my bankbook.  I
don't need no scrapbook with pictures of me "doin' the right thing",
because I can't take good intentions to the bank.  You come from a line
of wrestlers, right?

[Keening just stares at Rhodes, steely-eyed.]

RR:  Well, let me tell you this much.  I'm fourth-generation.  My whole
family is nothin' but wrestlers.  And for every success, like my dad or
my grandfather or myself, there's my uncle, who lives off a welfare
state because he was just like you.  He cared more about bein' honorable
and proud, and what it got him was many stays in hospital and never
risin' about preliminary status.  So your advice, it didn't fall on deaf
ears, mate.  It just manifested in a way that _you_ don't approve of..
or maybe it made you jealous?

[Keening's stare doesn't move from Rhodes, who seems to enjoy the anger
rising to the boiling point.]

RR:  _You_ never had the guts to admit this sport is all about money.
You kept tryin' to say that it's all about honor, and all about respect,
and it got you nothin', so you want to get after me because you couldn't
do the things I did.  You went to the retirement home as a nobody... a
joke.  You know what signin' that contract with Waterson got me?  It got
more money in one day than my entire run in the AWA so far, and he got
myself and my brother a spot in the Stampede Cup.  If I had listened to
the almighty and all-knowing Jason Keening, king of the poofs, what
would it have gotten me?

[Rhodes points a finger at Keening.]

RR:  It would've gotten me to where you are right now... a broken-down
nobody, sniffin' around locker rooms lookin' for a job.  So you take
your self-righteous, sanctimonious ballyhoo and you sell it to someone
else, because I ain't interested.

[With that, Rhodes walks away, the crowd even more furious than
before... but somehow, still not as furious as Keening looks right now.]

BW:  Ha!  What do you think of that, bozo!!

[Keening's angry glare shifts over to Wilde as he speaks through
clenched teeth.]

JK:  Rhodes ain't buyin'?  Fine!  But he just bought himself a whole
world of trouble!!

[And with that, Keening marches up the aisle as the fans cheer loudly.]

GM:  Fans, this situation is getting more interesting all the time. 
We'll be right back!

[Hold on a shot of Gordon and Bucky 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 fades back up to live action where we open to a shirt
covered, broad back. The muscles can be seen moving underneath with each
huge breath. The AWA camera slowly pans back revealing more of this
muscled stranger. Blonde locks end shoulder length with the top cut
short. His fists clench and relax, his pant covered legs shake a little
as this stranger looks as those he is about to erupt. Without turning
around he suddenly speaksÉ his voice aggressively deep.]

Man: For sometime now man, I have sat back and watched as the inmates
ran the asylum. I have watched week in and week out as everyone seemed
to do whatever they wanted, with no regard for the rules or officials.

[The man continues to clench his hands. He shakes his head annoyingly.]

Man: IÕve watched as the outlaws of the AWA, the men who donÕt live by
rules, have beaten men down, and have put their hands on refs. They have
laughed in the faces of the bosses. Dared them to do something about it.
Dared those to try and stop them, knowing they never physically could.

But the biggest tragedy in AWA happened at SuperClash man. A man who
stood for everything good in AWA, was cheated, was beaten down and not
ONE single person came to help him out. Not one person came down to that
ring and stood for honour man. Not one person helped the only true hero
in AWA, Juan Vasquez.

[The stranger juts a thumb at himself.]

Man: That is when I finally had enough. Watching Rhodes, Scott and the
rest of WatersonÕs henchmen parade around made my blood boil. Watching
as nobody came out to help Juan was the straw that broke the camel's
back.

So here I am AWA. I do not come as your saviour man. I donÕt come as a
hero or a angel or any of that. I come to even up the odds a little. I
come to let Juan know that from here on out, no matter what, I got his
back. That no matter if these outlaws, beat me down, bloody me up, I
will keep coming back to fight the good fight. Everybody knows the only
way to beat a bully- is to stand up to him. Let him know youÕre not
afraidÉ.

The time for that is now AWAÉ

And I am not afraid.

[We fade away from the newcomer to the interior of the WKIK Studios
where Gordon Myers is standing.]

GM:  Perhaps my call for a hero has not gone ignored, Bucky.

BW:  You're thinking real highly of yourself these days, Gordo.

GM:  I am not.  I'm just happy that-

[Without warning, "Agent To The Stars" Ben Waterson and Gary Bright -
the latter of which is rockin' a new Southern Syndicate t-shirt. 
Waterson seems quite irate as he snatches the mic away from Gordon.]

ATTSBW:  GORDON MYERS!

[Waterson is absolutely fuming as he shakes his head in shock.]

ATTSBW:  I'm sick of it, Gordon Myers.  Absolutely sick of it! 
Everywhere I look... everytime I turn around... you've got these
no-account melon farmers trying to jump on our backs.  

You've got Juan Vasquez out here, still tryin' to get our attention. 
Well, you've got it, son.

You've got some mystery guy talking about us... some guy I've never
heard of and don't give two flying cr-

[Gordon interrupts.]

GM:  Easy now!  You're on television.

ATTSBW:  Of course we're on television!  The Southern Syndicate is
ALWAYS on television because we're what drives the ratings through the
roof and puts the people in the seats, Gordon Myers.  But the
Championship Committee continues to try to line people up to take a shot
at us.

Who else?  Riley?  Anderson?  Maybe this Preston kid?  Line 'em up,
Myers, and the Southern Syndicate will knock 'em right back down just
like we always do.

[Bright strikes a double bicep pose, smirking at his manager.]

ATTSBW:  I'm sick of it though... I'm sick of hearing everyone talking
about what they're gonna do to us.  I was sick of it six months ago and
I'm sick of it now, Gordon Myers.

Suddenly, everyone wants to be Juan Vasquez' buddy.  Everyone wants to
be Juan Vasquez' pal.  They all want to stand out there with him and try
to take us on.  Well, you bring it on, boys... you all bring it on.

Even this tag team tournament - the Stampede Cup - the Committee's
bringing in teams that want a shot at us.

[Waterson glares at the camera.]

ATTSBW:  Everyone's talkin' about the Outlaws.  Everyone's talkin' about
Maverick and Holliday... how they're a future Hall of Fame team... how
they're the best team the AWA has ever seen... how the Stampede Cup, the
million dollars, and the National Tag Team Titles are all theirs in a
matter of weeks.

[A nod.]

ATTSBW:  But they're not happy with that.  They're out here talkin'
about personal business.  They've got a personal matter to attend to
here in the AWA.

[Waterson chuckles.]

ATTSBW:  I know your past, Outlaws.  I'm a student of this game and I
know exactly what you're talkin' about.  I know that you've got a
history with Vasquez.  I know you've got mutual friends and friends of
friends.  And I know you're talkin' 'bout wanting a shot at the Southern
Syndicate.

Well, I also know you're in the building here tonight, Outlaws.

[Big cheer!]

ATTSBW:  And the last time I checked, so was the Southern Syndicate. 
Starting tonight, the Southern Syndicate is making a list... and there's
only two sides to this list.  You're either with us or you're against
us.

And if you stand next to Juan Vasquez and point a finger at us, you're
DEFINITELY on the wrong side of the list.

So, Doc Holliday... Brent Maverick...

[Waterson holds up a sheet of paper - presumably the format for the
night's show since he just grabbed it off the desk.]

ATTSBW:  The list starts with you.  Myers, you go tell the Committee
that they've got a Main Event on their hands.  The "future Hall of
Famers" - the Outlaws...

[Waterson spits.]

ATTSBW:  ...taking on the newest member of the Southern Syndicate,
Raphael Rhodes and the AWA National Champi-

[But before Waterson can finish, Bright grabs him by the shoulder.  He
leans over, whispering to the Agent To The Stars.]

ATTSBW:  But your arm... your shoulder...

[Bright shakes his head.]

GB:  I want in.

[The strength in his voice causes Waterson to nod his head.]

ATTSBW:  Okay!  Fine!  It'll be Raphael Rhodes and the future of this
business, the Gold Bomber, Gary Bright taking on the Outlaws!  Sign it,
Ross!  Sign it now!

[And with that, Waterson storms out of view, a grinning Bright trailing
behind him.]

GM:  Wow!  The Outlaws vs Bright and Rhodes!  Make it happen, Stephen
Ross!  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.

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 back up to the ringside announce area where Gordon and Bucky
are standing.]

GM:  Welcome back, fans, and we've got HUGE news!  During the break, the
Championship Committee made it official - the Outlaws will tangle with
Gary Bright and Raphael Rhodes in tonight's Main Event!  What a showdown
that's gonna be, Bucky.

BW:  And if the Southern Syndicate wants to help clear the path for the
Rhodes brothers to win the Stampede Cup, they just need to take out the
Outlaws here tonight.

GM:  I'm sure that thought has crossed their mind.  And speaking of
Outlaws, Bucky... "Scorchin" Shane Taylor shocked a lot of people -
myself included - during the post-game edition of AWA Access after
SuperClash.  He was one of the survivors of that Steal The Spotlight
Showdown and with that win, he won the chance to choose his own match. 
But no one was expecting him to choose the match that he did.  

BW:  That's right, Gordo.  Shane Taylor wants his brother, "The Outlaw"
Bobby Taylor, to be his partner for The Stampede Cup.  That's the match
he wants.

GM:  We're not even sure of the extent of that contract.  I don't know
if he can select a match with someone not even in the promotion.

BW:  Bobby Taylor is a part of the AWA, Gordo.

GM:  But he's not an active member of the roster.  He's not-

[A big cheer goes up from the crowd as "The Outlaw" Bobby Taylor walks
onto the set of the WKIK Studios.  He's dressed in a black sportscoat
and jeans as he approaches, shaking the hands of both announcers.]

GM:  Mr. Taylor, this is quite the surprise.

BT:  Gordon, I needed to come out here to talk to my brother.  I've been
calling him for two weeks, trying to talk some sense into him, but he
won't take my calls.  He won't listen to reason.  So, I'm out here to
call Shane out here so I can talk to him eye to eye like a man.

[After a few moments, "Scorchin" Shane Taylor - minus Kandi Kane to the
disappointment of the male fans in the building - comes into view,
slowly approaching the podium.  A brief handshake between the two
brothers follows as Bobby looks down at his younger brother.]

BT:  Shane...

[Shane Taylor holds up his hands.]

SST:  Me first, Bobby.  I know you want to talk some sense into me or
all that jazz but I want the chance to do the same to you first.  

Look, I know you don't want to wrestle anymore... I get that.  And if
this was for a full-time tag team deal, I wouldn't even bother you at
all.  But it's not, Bobby... it's a one night... two night thing.  Maybe
three if we win it all.  

[Bobby Taylor shakes his head.]

BT:  Shane, when the AWA started, I made a promise to myself to stay out
of the ring.  I've been a professional wrestler for fifteen years and
some part of me will never be retired.  But you've seen those fifteen
years up close... you know the damage I've done to my body... you've
seen the wreck I made out of my personal life over that time.

[Shane nods.]

BT:  I just can't do it anymore.  I shouldn't have done it last year
with Stone but I let my emotions get the better of me.  

Not this time, Shane.  I'm not gonna let Kevin do it.  And I'm not gonna
let you do it.

[Shane Taylor lowers his head.]

SST:  I get it, Bobby.  I know your body's a mess.  I know all the
stories.  I know that you don't want to do it for yourself.

But do it for me, Bobby.

[Shane lets that sink in as Bobby Taylor looks down.]

SST:  How many times in my life have I come to you for something?  When
you were a big star down in Los Angeles, I pleaded with you to get me in
the door but you... "didn't feel right about it."  I understood.

When you went over to wrestle in Japan, I begged you to show 'em my
stuff too.  But you said it was just a short tour and you didn't have
any pull there.  I understood.

Even when you started the AWA and I was wrestling at the local Boys And
Girls Clubs... you told me you couldn't abuse your power that way.  I
didn't like it... I wasn't happy 'bout it... 

...but I understood.

[Shane pauses.]

SST:  So, Bobby...for once in your career... for once in your life...
think about someone other than yourself... and do this for me.  Do it
for our family.  Do it for our mother who has DREAMED of seeing us team
together for years.

Come on, Bobby...

[Bobby seems to be getting a bit emotional now.]

BT:  Shane, there's gotta be something else.  Take a shot at Stevie
Scott.  Maybe Rhodes.  Grab a partner and take on Dufresne and Freeman. 
There's gotta be a better way to get what you want out of this business.
 There's gotta be a better way to-

SST:  There's not.  This is it, Bobby.  I'm asking... I'm BEGGING you to
make this happen.

[The two Taylor brothers eye each other for a moment...

...and then Bobby Taylor speaks.]

BT:  Well, in that case, I guess there's only one thing to do.  

[Shane Taylor looks up at his brother.]

BT:  Tell thirty other men to get ready for the damndest fights of their
lives cause the Taylor Boys are comin' to town and we're gonna be ready
to go to war!

[The two brothers fall into an embrace as the crowd roars for the
reunion.]

GM:  The Taylors are in The Stampede Cup!  What a night it's gonna be in
Laredo, Texas on December 25th and 26th, Bucky Wilde!  Fans, don't you
dare go away, we've still got a HUGE Main Event to come!

[The two Taylors are still standing in an embrace 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 suddenly, a soft voice comes
through the loudspeakers in the WKIK Studios...

#Now this is what it's like when worlds collide...#
#Now this is what it's like...#

Some of the long-time fans in the crowd leap to their feet with
excitement while some of the younger fans in the crowd look around with
some confusion as the opening guitar riffs of "When Worlds Collide" by
Powerman 5000 hit the crowd with full force.  From the entrance portal
emerge two figures who haven't been seen within miles of a wrestling
ring for almost half a decade.

One man is clad in a pair of beige slacks pleated tightly down the
pantlegs with a light blue collared shirt tucked in to go along with a
pair of brown dress shoes.  His long blonde hair is pushed back out of
his face by a pair of silver Oakley sunglasses resting on the top of his
head.  Alongside him is a man sporting a green Polo shirt with the
Masters logo stitched upon the left breast.  Completing his ensemble is
a matching pair of loose-fitting tan slacks and cordovan Gucci loafers
as the man briskly moves forward with his platinum blond hair shielded
behind a black and white "Titelist" ball cap.

Other than a few more wrinkles around the eyes than wrestling fans
remember, time apparently has treated the duo of Andrew "Flash" Tucker
and "Money Driven" Mike Sebastian well.  Fans throughout the studio
cheer wildly as they realize that the tandem known as Strictly Business
has arrived in the AWA.  The two men stand in the portal for long
moments, soaking in the crowd reaction before heading towards Gordon
Myers who is excitedly waiting, microphone in hand.]

GM:  Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome two men who have held tag
team championships in both Los Angeles and Canada on numerous occasions
and were twice rated the number one tag team in the world in the early
part of this decade... Strictly Business!

[Big pop as Tucker and Sebastian nod to Myers, then wave to the crowd,
smiling.]

GM: These men will come together for the first time in almost half a
decade to battle the best tag teams in the business for a shot at one
_million_ dollars at the Stampede Cup!  Gentlemen, welcome back to the
wild world of pro wrestling!

[Myers holds the microphone out to the duo.  Tucker is the first to
respond.]

AT: Thanks, Gordon.  It's a damn pleasure to be back in Dallas.

MS: It's been what - five, six years?  Far too long, that's for sure.

[Myers pauses, allowing for the crowd to die down a bit.]

GM: All of the fans here in the AWA and the world want to know - what in
the world has Strictly Business been doing for the better part of five
years?  Unlike most wrestlers, once you stepped out of the spotlight,
you both stepped completely out.  No autograph signings, no tell-all
books... where have you been?

MS: "Where haven't I been" is probably more in line actually.  Because I
feel like I've been all over the map the last few months.  Bethpage,
Oakmont, Pebble, Augusta, Turnberry, St. Andrews, you name it.  But the
last few years, since we walked away from all of this?

[Sebastian pauses as he looks about the arena.]

MS: Here and there, really - living life.  And I know it sucks we never
offered any kind of explanation as to why we skirted out the back door.

The fact was, and I don't know about 'Drew here, but I needed to get
away from the business.  All the he-said, she-said drama and politics
that filled the places we called home just became too much to bear and I
knew for a good while it was time to walk away but stuck it out
regardless.  Probably longer than I should have.  And me, personally, I
wasn't on top of my game anymore.  I didn't give an Ivan Ramius who was
across the ring from us on any given night, just so long as we had a few
pops in us by witching hour.  And it wasn't a way I wanted to live any
longer.

[He nods, noting the seriousness in in his tone.]

MS: So when Andrew and I made the decision we were gonna walk away from
this sport, it was one we made for the better.  For our careers.  Maybe
even our lives.  And we didn't have any plans to reconvene months or
years down the line for another run at the top.  When we did it, we did
it for good.  And we did it cold turkey.  He went his way and I went
mine.

AT: As for me, Gordon, all I can say is that when we ended our last run
'bout five years ago, I was burned out.  Hell, I wasn't even 30 years
old an' I was walkin' 'round like a damned cripple.  Bein' at the very
top of this business for as long as we were, puttin' on the kinds o'
shows that we did...

[Tucker pauses, shaking his head.]

AT: ...it takes somethin' outta ya'.  We both made more money than we
could ever spend.  Well, he...

[Tucker jerks a thumb towards his partner, smiling.]

AT: ...already had more money than we could ever spend, but that goes
without sayin'.  So I decided that I'd take an extended vacation.  I cut
all ties to the business and opened a bar on the beach on a nice little
tourist hotspot down in the Caribbean.  It's warm all year and there
ain't no shortage o' co-eds runnin' 'round the place.

[A slight smirk from Tucker as Myers responds.]

GM: So the next logical question then, gentlemen, is why come back?  It
sounds like you're in no need of money...

AT: Whatever it is inside o' a man that pushes him to be the best in the
world at his craft... whatever it was that pushed us to the heights o'
this business... Well, that ain't somethin' you can just take out an'
bury.  I was sittin' on a beach one night with a brew in hand, jus'
thinkin' back to the...

[Tucker uses his fingers as quotation marks.]

AT: ...glory days... when my cell starts ringin'.  And it's this guy
next to me.

MS: There's been a lot of talk in recent weeks about the lost art of tag
team wrestling.  And let's be honest - it's been that way for years now.
 But when I caught wind of somebody putting the best sixteen teams in
the world under one roof for a chance at one giant stack of greenbacks,
I knew it couldn't be done right unless Andrew and myself RSVPed.

AT: Since our early days, Mikey was the one who handled all the business
that was Strictly Business.  I don't negotiate contracts, I beat people
within an inch of their damn lives.  Mikey, fortunately for us, is damn
good at both.  So when he says to me that he got a call from ole' Steve
Ross 'bout this big tag team tournament goin' on down here in the great
state o' Texas, I was intrigued.

See, we get a call like this once a week it seems an' Mike never calls
me 'bout it.  Never.  He knows it's a damn waste o' time for the both o'
us.  So when he called 'bout the Stampede Cup, I asked him what the big
deal was with this one.

[Myers looks at the two men.]

GM: ...And?

MS: I don't mean any disrespect to the new crop of talent running around
the business today, but the teams you see nowadays?  They just seem
so... watered down.

[He shrugs.]

MS: It's almost like two guys bunked together a time or two and just up
and decided they were gonna ransack the tag division and that'd be that.
 That's not to say 'Drew and I possessed any kind of edge that made us
any better than any other Tom, Dick or Harry that came through the front
door.  Truth be told, the both of us got kicked curbside the moment we
thought we had the necessasry talent to hold our own in the big time. 
And I see a lot of that in the young teams we're seeing today... some of
'em are just looking a little too big for their proverbial britches is
all.

The fact 'Drew and I were best friends since day friggin' one, coupled
with a workrate this side of Tommy James is what got us where we went in
this sport.  And thus far I've seen nothing that says we're not the
exception to the rule.

AT: See, when we were the young pups on the block, we were thrown to the
wolves.  To men like Thunder.  Hardin.  Annis.  Mota.  Reed.  Martinez. 
Myers.  These men all have things in common.  They're _legends_ in this
business.  They were unstoppable forces in their time.  They sold out
huge arenas all over the world.

[Pause.]

AT: And they all got their tails handed to 'em by Strictly Business.

[Pop!]

MS: And you know what's ironic about the whole deal?  All those tough
sons o' guns we stood toe to toe with?  All my years in this sport, the
toughest shots I ever took were from those guys.  And now?  Now they're
gone.  Long gone.  Some retired.  Some are just washed up.  But you can
bet damn near all of 'em are kicking back in their recliners with their
feet up, worried more about their Hall of Fame vote count than ever
having to step foot between those ropes again.

[Sebastian pauses, shooting an eye toward his partner.]

MS: But us?  Now we're those guys the new blood will be coming for. 
We're the ones with the bullseyes on _our_ backs.  The difference being
we're unafraid to stand here front and center, years removed from active
competition, and welcome the challenge.

AT: It comes down to this, Gordon: We're not here 'bout money.  We're
not here 'bout respect.  An' we're not here to try and cement any
legacy.

We're here to prove that we're _still_ the best damn tag team ever to
step foot inside a wrestlin' ring.

MS: All these teams that have been scratching and clawing to grab hold
of top seeds in the tournament, more power to 'em.  But the fact remains
we couldn't give a Rick Styles if we're projected as the best or
hundredth-best team in the world.  The fact remains, once the jolly 'ole
fat man has come and gone, Strictly Business has no qualms whatsover in
crashing the party Christmas night the same way they did nearly a decade
ago.  And at the Stampede Cup, fifteen other teams better prepare
themselves for one bitter taste of deja vu.

AT: An' if anybody in this tournament thinks that two 30-somethin's who
haven't seen the inside of a ring in five years can't rekindle the fire
that made 'em the best in the world, in jus' a few weeks, all you need
to do is show up.  We'll be more than happy to show ya' that...

[A smirk.]

AT: ...the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[On that note, "When Worlds Collide" comes across the PA system once
again as the crowd pops loudly.  Tucker and Sebastian wave to the crowd
as they head back through the entrance portal.]

GM:  Strictly Business is exactly that heading into The Stampede Cup but
the question remains... where will they be seeded?  Stephen Ross, the
Chairman of the Championship Committee, is standing by with Jason Dane
to answer that very question!  Jason?

[We cut to the locker room area where Jason Dane is indeed standing with
Stephen Ross.]

JD:  Thanks, Gordon.  Mr. Ross, we are moments away from this big tag
team Main Event but no one can even think about tag teams in
professional wrestling these days without thinking of the Stampede Cup. 
Sixteen of the very best tag teams in the world going to war for a trio
of prizes - one million dollars, the Stampede Cup, and a shot at the AWA
National Tag Team Titles!  The Committee has put together a fantastic
lineup of superstars!

SR:  Thanks, Jason.  We are very proud of the field for this tournament
that we've assembled and we are excited to hear what the fans think
about what we've got for them.

JD:  Well, let's get down to it...

SR:  Yes.  

The #1 seed, the AWA National Tag Team Champions, Calisto Dufresne and
Adrian Freeman will take on the #16 seed, Bailey Fitzgerald and Corey
Lawson!

[Big cheer from inside the WKIK Studios!]

SR:  The #8 seed, returning from their tour of Japan, The War Pigs, will
meet the #9 seed... a team that just moments ago made their
participation official... we're still signing the contracts so I can't
reveal the name of the team yet but let's say that a certain member of
the so-called Southern Syndicate will not be pleased.

[Huge cheer!]

SR:  Yep, I'm pretty excited about that one myself.  The #4 seed will be
The Bishop Boys who are coming off that loss to Rough N Ready at
SuperClash.  They'll be trying to get back on track against Shane and
Bobby Taylor who are the #13 seed.

The #5 seed will be The Right Proper Thugs who are hoping to steamroll
through this tournament and earn their shot at the tag team titles...
they'll be meeting The Fabulous Falcons, the #12 seed in the first
round.

[Pause.]

SR:  We mentioned the #2 seed earlier, Rough N Ready... they will have
their work cut out for them against a very rough and tumble tag team in
the form of the #15 seed, "Stars And Stripes" Clayton Shaw and Vernon
Riley!

The #7 seed is a team we saw just moments ago - former World Tag Team
Champions Strictly Business - who will be meeting "Supersonic" Shannon
Stokes and Bling Bling Beaumont - Simply The Best is the #10 seed!

[Another pause.]

SR:  We're about to see the Outlaws in action in just a little bit. 
They're the #6 seed and they'll be meeting the #11 seed, Vladimir
Velikov and Baron Von Klauss!

And finally, this one's a bit up in the air... the #14 seed is the
Rhodes Brothers.  They're set to take on the #3 seed which we had
previously agreed to award to the former National Tag Team Champions,
Kentucky's Pride.  However, due to the injury to City Jack, it seems
unlikely that he will be able to compete in the tournament.  

JD:  Has a replacement been named?

SR:  At this time, that spot remains open.  If City Jack can compete,
Kentucky's Pride will be the #3 seed.  If he cannot, we'll be looking to
replace them in the tournament.

JD:  Some interesting possibilities for later rounds pop up by looking
at this bracket, Mr. Ross.  And I know all of the AWA's fans are looking
forward to our Main Event so we can see the Outlaws in action in the AWA
for the very first time.  So, without anything further, let's head up to
the ring to Melissa!

[We fade to the ring where Melissa is standing.]

MC:  The following contest is your MAIN EVENT of the evening!  It is a
tag team match scheduled for one fall... being accompanied to the ring
by "Agent To The Stars" Ben Waterson... they are the team of Raphael 
Rhodes and "Gold Bomber" Gary Bright...

THE SOUTHERRRRRRN SYNNNNNDICATE!

[The jeers are overwhelming as the sounds of "Chemistry" by UNKLE kicks
in over the PA.  After a moment, Waterson is the first through the
curtain, leading Bright and Rhodes down the aisle.  The trio looks
confident as they make their way through the jeering fans...

...until Doc Holliday and Brent Maverick come storming through the
curtain from behind, assaulting the dastardly duo!]

GM:  Look out!

[The 6'1, 232 pound Holliday knocks Rhodes down to the concrete floor,
kicking and stomping the Brit as nearby, his long-time friend and tag
team partner, the 6'2, 240 pound Maverick is throwing haymakers at the
powerhouse of the Southern Syndicate.]

GM:  The Outlaws came out of nowhere - they're taking it to the Southern
Syndicate!  They're gonna fight fire with fire, Bucky Wilde!

BW:  This isn't fair!  The match hasn't even started yet!

[Out on the floor, Holliday and Maverick each grab an arm of Bright,
whipping him into the ringpost!]

GM:  Ohhh!

BW:  Down goes Bright...

GM:  The Outlaws pull him up... firing him under the ropes...

[The crowd roars as the Outlaws both roll into the ring after him.  The
referee frantically calls for the bell to start the match as Maverick
and Holliday pursue Bright across the ring.]

GM:  Maverick drags Bright up...

[The Arizona native hooks a side headlock and promptly jabs his thumb
into the throat of Bright to the cheers of the crowd, sending a gasping
Bright back to the buckles.]

GM:  Maverick grabs him... 

[The crowd audibly gasps at the impact as Maverick whips Bright
chestfirst into the buckles!]

GM:  OHHHH!  Did you HEAR that?!

BW:  I think they heard that all the way down in Laredo, daddy!

[Bright staggers backwards, clutching his arm that got sandwiched
between his body and the buckles on the whip...

...and gets DROPPED with a running clothesline to the back of the head
and neck!]

GM:  The Outlaws are all over Gary Bright early on in this one and...

[Raphael Rhodes drags himself to his feet...

...and finds himself face to face with Juan Vasquez!]

GM:  Whoa!  Whoa!

BW:  What's HE doing out here?!

[Vasquez has managed to position himself between Rhodes and the ring...

...and did we mention he's holding a steel chair in his hands?]

GM:  Vasquez has isolated Rhodes!  He's got Rhodes cut off from the ring
and...

[Back on his feet in the buckles, Gary Bright is holding up one arm,
trying to defend himself...

...and EATS a horribly stiff jab to the jaw from Doc Holliday!]

GM:  Good god!  Talk about hearing something all the way down in Laredo!

[Grabbing Bright by the injured arm, Holliday fires him across the ring,
charging in behind him...

...and running right into a raised boot from the Gold Bomber!]

GM:  Bright gets the foot up!  But how long can he survive a two-on-one
with one of the best teams in the business?!  Vasquez is holding Rhodes
at bay with that chair and...

[Bright charges out of the corner, throwing his good arm out for a
clothesline that Holliday sidesteps, hooking Bright around the head and
arm, leaping into the air...

...and SMASHING Bright down to the mat with a sitout uranage!]

GM:  ARIZONA SANDSTORM!!

[With a whoop, Holliday points to Bright as he heads towards the ropes.]

GM:  Wait a second...

BW:  Already?!

GM:  Brent Maverick pulls Bright up, hooking him around the waist...

[Maverick hoists Bright off the mat in a bearhug, bending over to lower
Bright into a horizontal position as Holliday steps up to the top rope,
waving an arm to the cheers of the crowd...

...and HURLS himself into the air, soaring through the sky, and SMASHING
his leg down across the throat of the Gold Bomber!]

GM:  The Twenty-One Of Spades!  They nailed it!

[Maverick rolls into a double leg cradle as the referee drops down to
the mat.]

GM:  ONE!!  TWO!!!  THREEEEEEE!!!


"DING!  DING!  DING!"


MC:  Here are your winners... THE OUTLAWS!

[Maverick springs off the mat, sharing a double high-five with his
partner as Juan Vasquez throws down the steel chair, joining his allies
inside the ring.]

GM:  The Outlaws have done it!  The Outlaws have beaten the Southern
Syndicate!  And on a night when many men said they would step up and
help put down the Southern Syndicate, the Outlaws have struck the first
blow!

BW:  By a cheapshot sneak attack!

GM:  Nevertheless, the Outlaws are the real deal and just what is going
to happen when they hit the ring in two weeks' time in Laredo, Texas,
for the Stampede Cup!  Fans, we're out of time!  We'll see you at The
Cu-

[Suddenly, the voice of Ben Waterson cuts in to interrupt.]

ATTSBW:  NO!  NO!  NO!  NO!  NO!  We're not goin' anywhere, Myers!  

GM:  Mr. Waterson, we are out of time and we-

ATTSBW:  What're cutting into?  Re-runs of Perfect Strangers?  Well,
spoiler alert - but it's the one where Balki does the Dance Of Joy!  You
call up WKIK and tell 'em I've got a whole bunch of money and I'm buyin'
up airtime until I say what I came over here to say.  

Juan Vasquez... you son of a...

[Waterson censors himself but he's absolutely livid.]

ATTSBW:  I'm done with you, Vasquez.  Starting tonight, the Southern
Syndicate has declared war on you and anyone standing with you.  Anyone
who wants to get on my bad side, go stand with that piece of trash in
the ring and see what happens.

I want Juan Vasquez OUT of the AWA and I'm willing to pay a very dear
price to see that happen.

[A slight smirk.]

ATTSBW:  Starting right now, the Southern Syndicate has put out a bounty
on Juan Vasquez.  $25,000 will go to the man who can put Vasquez on the
shelf and out of the AWA!

[The crowd jeers this announcement as Vasquez grins from inside the
ring, waving his arms in a "bring it on" gesture.]

ATTSBW:  One way or another, I'm getting you out of our way once and for
all, Vasquez.  Consider... yourself... warned.

[Waterson nods his head...

...and then turns to look at Gary Bright and Raphael Rhodes who have
just joined him at the announce table.]

ATTSBW:  And that brings me to you.

[The "Agent To The Stars" points a finger...

...squarely in the muscular chest of the Gold Bomber.]

ATTSBW:  I'm sick and tired of watching you fail me, Bright.  Every time
I turn around, we send you into war for us and watch you hobble back
waving the white flag with your tail between your legs.

You failed us against Pure X a few months ago.  

You failed us two weeks ago against Tumaffi and cost me hard earned
money to get a replacement for you!

And tonight... tonight when you KNEW you weren't healthy enough to
wrestle, you DEMANDED to be in this match.  On a night when the Southern
Syndicate name was born... a night that should have been filled with
triumphs for us... you continue to be a bitter failure and embarrassment
to the Southern Syndicate.

[Waterson jabs his finger into Bright's chest again.]

ATTSBW:  For months, I've put you over as the second coming of Christ
Almighty.  I told the world that you were the future of this business...
that Jesus himself had dropped down to Earth and strapped on a pair of
wrestling boots.

But that's not you, is it?  You're not the future.  You're just some
overblown punk I dragged kicking and screaming out of a feud with Scott
Pain and put you on top of the world.  You're just some blown up
bodybuilder who can talk a good game and can jump people from behind
with the best of them... just don't ask you to fight someone heads up.

[Waterson nods.]

ATTSBW:  The Southern Syndicate does not accept failure, Bright... and
unfortunately for you, that's ALL that you are...

[And with that, Waterson reaches out and SLAPS Bright squarely across
the face...

...which sees Bright pop his head up, eyes wide and filled with rage as
he glares at his presumably now-former manager.]

ATTSBW:  Now... now... wait a sec, Bomber... I don't know what you're-

[Waterson is cut off by the powerful hands of the Gold Bomber being
wrapped around his throat.  Waterson struggles against the grip, trying
to free himself...

...but Bright powers him up into a double chokelift, strangling the life
out of the Agent To The Stars to the roar of the crowd!

But the roar is short-lived as Raphael Rhodes drops down to a knee,
slamming his forearm up into the groin of Gary Bright, forcing him to
drop Waterson down to the floor.  Grabbing Bright by the head, Rhodes
throws him down to the concrete where he leaps on top of him, throwing
rights and lefts at the big man's head with Waterson screaming
encouragement.]

GM:  It's breaking down out here!  The Southern Syndicate is fragmenting
before our very eyes, Bucky!

BW:  Guys!  Can't we all just get along?!

[The powerful Bright spins Rhodes over, pushing him down to the floor
and DRILLING him with a heavy forearm smash.  A few more clobbering
blows follow, absolutely punishing the much-smaller Rhodes...

...when out of nowhere, the National Champion arrives and tackles Bright
off of Rhodes!]

GM:  Here comes the champ!  And he's all over Bright now as well!

[Stevie Scott is throwing fists as quickly as he can - his manager
adding the occasional boot to the ribs as he stands over the downed
Bright.]

GM:  Bright's trying to fight his way out of this but... wait a
second... wha-?

[Gordon Myers gets shoved aside by a rising Raphael Rhodes who climbs up
onto the wooden podium, some four feet off the ground...

GM:  Wait a second!  What are you doing up there?  Get down from there!

[Inside the ring, Vasquez and the Outlaws exit the squared circle,
moving to help the downed Bright just as the Hotshot fully extends the
injured arm, pinning it to the concrete floor...

...and Rhodes leaps off the podium, driving his kneecap down onto the
pinned arm, smashing it into the concrete!]

GM:  OHHHHH!

[Bright pulls away, screaming in pain as he cradles his arm.  The
National Champion delivers a few more right hands before Waterson stomps
the arm a couple of times...

...and the Southern Syndicate bails out, making their exit just as
Vasquez, Holliday, and Maverick pull up to the announce area, ready for
a fight.]

GM:  The Southern Syndicate... my God, what did we just see?

BW:  It's may not be Spring time, Gordo, but for the Southern Syndicate,
it was time to clean a little house.

GM:  Gary Bright is... I think his arm's broken.  We need some help out
here.  Fans, we're out of time! We've gotta go!  We'll see you at the
Cup!

[Vasquez drops to a knee, checking on the injured Gold Bomber, shaking
his head in disbelief as we slowly fade to black.]