********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** American Wrestling Alliance Proudly Presents AWA Saturday Night Wrestling Live from the WKIK Studios Dallas, Texas December 12th, 2009 ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** [As we fade in, we hear the closing theme to the Fishing With Orlando Wilson show as the shot starts to fade. It is replaced with footage marked "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.]