********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** American Wrestling Alliance Proudly Presents AWA Saturday Night Wrestling Live from the Crockett Coliseum Dallas, Texas October 16th, 2010 ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** [As we fade in, we hear the closing theme to the Fishing With Orlando Wilson show as the shot starts to fade. It is replaced with footage marked "TWO WEEKS AGO!" where "Hotshot" Stevie Scott lifts the West Memphis Assasin around the waist, hoisting him off the mat, turning towards the ropes... ...and DROPS the masked man throatfirst across the top rope!] GM: OHH! HE DROPS THE HAMMER ON THE ASSASSIN! [Scott pops up, pumping a fist before diving on top of the masked man, going right after the mask...] GM: He's not going for a cover! BW: It's better! He's going for the mask! GM: I thought you said that was a bad idea! BW: It was until now! [The Hotshot quickly goes to work on the mask of the injured Assassin... ...and RIPS it off, turning away to hold it high in the air as the formely-masked man covers his head!] GM: THE MASK IS OFF!! BW: IS IT HIM?! IS IT VASQUEZ?! GM: I can't tell! He's got his arms over his head! BW: Turn him over, Stevie! Show the world who is packing their bags! Show the world- [Bucky stops in mid-sentence as the crowd ERUPTS in cheers. Why? Because someone has just stepped out onto the entrance ramp, applauding in the direction of the ring.] GM: JUAN VASQUEZ!! VASQUEZ IS OUT ON THE RAMP!! BW: What?! WHAT?! If he's there, then who is- [The National Champion, mask in hand, spots Vasquez on the apron. His eyes go wide.] "YOU?!" [Vasquez simply grins at his rival who looks shocked.] "But if you're there... then who is..." [HUUUUUUGE CHEER!] GM: OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!!! [Scott spins around, mask still in hand... ...and comes face-to-face with the man he THOUGHT he had put out of wrestling with a piledriver over a year ago!] GM: ADAM ROGERS IS THE WEST MEMPHIS ASSASSIN! [A still stunned Scott throws the mask aside and frantically throws a Heatseeker aimed at the grinning Natural... ...who sidesteps it, hooking his left arm around the upper body of the National Champion!] BW: NO!! [And SINKS his right thumb into the windpipe of the Hotshot!] GM: ASSASSIN'S SPIKE!! ASSASSIN'S SPIKE!! [Scott frantically struggles against the same hold that left him unconscious two weeks ago. Ben Waterson leaps up on the apron, screaming at the official... ...and gets YANKED down off the apron by Juan Vasquez who winds up and DRILLS Waterson with a right hand that knocks him flat! Vasquez spins around and suddenly is brawling with Calisto Dufresne and Adrian Freeman as well when Marcus Broussard emerges out of nowhere to join in the brawl!] GM: BROUSSARD! BROUSSARD AND VASQUEZ ARE BRAWLING WITH THE SOUTHERN SYNDICATE AT RINGSIDE!! SCOTT'S ALL ALONE!! [The National Champion pumps his arms, looking to get to the ropes, looking for any kind of escape... ...but slowly and surely starts to fade!] GM: Stevie's going out! The National Champion is fading fast! He's- "DING! DING! DING!" [DEAFENING CHEER!] GM: HE'S OUT! HE'S OUT!! [And with that, we fade to the sounds of the brand new intro music for AWA Saturday Night Wrestling, Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Saturday Night Special" 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 brand new Crockett Coliseum where over 4,500 fans have jammed into the building to watch their favorite AWA stars. The ring sits in the middle of the oval-shaped seating area, surrounded by a metal barricade on all sides. The ringside seats are your standard steel chairs while tall wood and metal bleachers are erected all around the rear of the oval. A long elevated entrance ramp runs from the entryway to the ring. On either side of the ramp stand two elevated platforms to be used for interviews. As we cut to the ringside area, atop thin black mats that cover the concrete floor of the former warehouse, we find two tables - one for the timekeeper and one for the announce duo. Speaking of which, the camera cuts from the cheering crowd to the ring where we find the familiar faces of "No Descriptions Needed" Gordon Myers alongside "Big Bucks" Bucky Wilde - the best announcers in the game.] GM: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another edition of AWA Saturday Night Wrestling where over the next two hours you will see all the stars of the American Wrestling Alliance, THE Major League of Professional Wrestling. I am Gordon Myers and by my side, as always, is the two-time Announcer Of The Year, Bucky Wilde! BW: Soon to be Hall of Famer! GM: I don't- I can't... oh brother. Fans, if you were not with us two weeks ago, you missed one heck of a happening. As you just saw, the mask came off and it was NOT Juan Vasquez under the mask of the West Memphis Assassin. Instead? It was "The Natural" Adam Rogers! BW: Just that one time, Gordo! GM: You continue to say that but we've seen no proof. Adam Rogers was the West Memphis Assassin. He defeated Stevie Scott in the middle of the ring. And he handed that open contract - that shot at the National Title - over to Juan Vasquez! BW: He can't do that! Vasquez doesn't get any more shots! GM: The Committee has ruled that it was completely legal and fair, Bucky. BW: We'll see what the champ's lawyers have to say about that, daddy. GM: I suspect we will but that's later tonight. Tonight is all about the end of the first round of the tournament to crown the first Longhorn Heritage Champion! We've seen six big matches - two more remain. In the first one, we'll see Brent Maverick take on "Playboy" Johnny Casanova. BW: And if that dumb hick Maverick thinks he stands a chance against "Playboy" Johnny C, his family tree is straighter than I thought, Gordo. GM: In the other match in the first round... well, that one is surrounded by a bit more intrigue. It was scheduled to be Nenshou taking on Vernon Riley. But earlier this week at a live arena event, Anton Layton and James Monosso brutally assaulted Riley. We'll be showing you the video of that attack later tonight but from what I've heard, we still don't know if the doctor will clear Vernon Riley to compete here tonight in the tournament. BW: Nenshou wins by forfeit. That's a true Main Event, Gordo. GM: I don't know if that's simple. But fans, we've got all of that plus much, much more including the National Tag Team Champions, Rough N Ready, in action. Shane Destiny is back from his suspension tonight as well. The former National Champion, Kolya Sudakov, will take on Sultan Azam Sharif! It's a big night here in Dallas plus - just where in the world will SuperClash 2 take place? We'll find out right here tonight! But for now, let's head up to the ring for our opening matchup! [We crossfade to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: Tonight's opening contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... at a total combined weight of 410 pounds... the team of Mike Davis and Kevin Keller! [No reaction for the pale young men.] MC: And their opponents... #GENERALS GATHERED IN THEIR MASSES# [The crowd ERUPTS in cheers as the team of Hammer and Sabre, also known as the War Pigs, along with their manager Richard E. Lee, come tearing down the elevated rampway. Melissa, seeing the freight tran a-comin', gets the heck out of the ring as the two powerhouses hit the squared circle running and the bell sounds.] GM: HERE WE GO! [Sabre is the first into the fray, barreling Davis back into the corner. He delivers three standing clotheslines against the buckles as Hammer floors Keller with a running elbowsmash.] GM: Ooof! Big running smash by Hammer! [Approaching the corner, Hammer grabs Davis by the arm, flinging him to the opposite buckles. He then grabs his partner's arm, whipping him across... ...right into a running clothesline on Davis!] GM: Ohhh! [Hammer follows right in from behind, connecting with a running clothesline of his own. He immediately springs back, throwing his arms back to a big roar from the crowd. Sabre rushes past him, connecting with a dropkick that puts Davis through the ropes to the floor as Hammer ducks down behind Keller, hoisting him up on his shoulders in the electric chair lift...] GM: He's got him up! Mike Davis is about to have a really rough night! [And Sabre mounts the buckles, leaping off the top where he wraps his arm around the head of Davis, riding him all the way down to the mat where he smashes the back of his head into the canvas!] GM: WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION!! [Sabre rolls over, driving both fists down into the chest as he presses his body up, sticking out his tongue with a roar as the referee counts three.] GM: One, two, and three. A short night for the War Pigs, Bucky. BW: Davis and Keller were just outmatched right there... but you can bet that when they get in there with the Moonshiners, that won't be a problem. Jug and Zeke are more than enough for these painted-up clowns to handle, daddy. GM: I'd like to see you tell them that to their faces. BW: No problem! I'll be happy to. GM: Here they come now and- BW: Oh, uh.. well, I think I'm needed in the- GM: You stay right there, Bucky Wilde. [As the camera cuts back to ringside, we see Gordon and Bucky joined by the muscle-bound, face-painted, mohawk-sportin' duo of the War Pigs with their always-dapper manager, Richard E. Lee.] GM: We're joined at this time by Hammer and Sabre, along with their manager Richard E. Lee, the War Pigs...an impressive victory right there. But I have to ask the question on everyone's minds, gentlemen. What is your response to the challenge laid down two weeks ago by Mange and the Moonshiners? H: Gordon, you gotta help me out. Did I hear Mangy Buttshiner right on the last AWA Saturday Night Wrestling? Did I hear him right? 'Cause I coulda _sworn_ he challenged not just me and the Sabre but also Richie here to fight. Is that right? GM: That's what I understood him to say, correct. [Hammer nods his head.] H: OK, good, I was afraid my hearing was going bad. Because I know those ain't-taken-a-bath-since-1981 mountain boys were dumb, but I didn't think they were _that_ dumb. [A shrug of his massive traps.] H: But hey, that just means more blood for us. Tell 'em, Sabre. S: WWWEEEEEEEELLLLLLL, Gordon Myers... [Sabre stops mid-sentence, shooting Bucky a curious look.] S: Hey Bucky, the 1970's called. They want their curtains back. ["RETURN OF THE BUCKY BURN" POP!] S: Anyway, Gordon...I'm gonna slightly disagree with my tag team partner here. [A look of mock surprise from Hammer. Sabre nods solemnly.] S: I know, bro, I know. But I just don't think the Buttshiners are that dumb. I mean, they're definitely stupid...but to challenge the two of us _and_ Richie? Gordon, they've got to be _blind_. [Hammer and Richard E. Lee both chuckle in the background.] S: See, ol' Mange...who incidentally, _looks_ like he's got the mange... ever notice that, Bucky? But anyway, he says he wants to get us in the ring for his boys, and then...I know he did this...he challenged Richie to get in there too, and called him...what was it, Hammer? Help me remember it, I'm getting fuzzy. H: Scrawny [Sabre smacks himself on the forehead.] S: Oh! Right! _Scrawny_! This is where I know he's gotta be blind, because...hey Richie, take off your shirt. [Lee, who has done nothing but smile the entire time thus far, slowly pulls off his dragon-patterned silk shirt over his head. And reveals what is actually an impressive physique for a man in his 50's. He's not bulked up by any means, but he is still - mostly - pretty chiseled and even sports a six-pack. Sabre responds by smacking him on the chest, resulting in a loud "pop."] S: 'zat look scrawny to you, Hammer? H: Nope. S: Look scrawny to _you_, Gordon? [Myers shakes his head.] S: How 'bout you, Bucky? BW: I'm stayin' out of this, daddy. S: No, he ain't scrawny! Fer crying out loud, what kinda blind _moron_ calls a guy that looks like _that_ scrawny? I know he ain't got a gut that looks like someone shoved a hot-air balloon under his skin, but that don't make him scrawny. It makes him NOT FAT! [Sabre shakes his head.] S: I can't talk about it any more. Tell 'em, Richie. [Lee extends his arm, turning it over and flexing his triceps.] REL: I have to admit it, Gordon. For an old guy? I look pretty good. [The crowd pops in agreement.] REL: You know, Mange...for you, this has been personal from day one when you and your boys attacked us in Memphis. And I imagine that somewhere, among the handful of brain cells you've got left, it was a great big old adrenaline rush. Because there for a moment, it was like you were back in the good old days. Back when the Moonshiners and the Dixie Fireballs tore down the Mid-South Coliseum...the Tupelo National Guard Armory...the Paragould High School gymnasium...with some legendary brawls. And that's why you've got to still be hanging on. Trying to keep on relieving those glory days, but here's the problem with that. Those glory days are long since gone. [Lee pauses, pulling a piece of cloth out of his black pants. He opens it to reveal that it is, in fact, a mask. A black mask with a red-and-yellow flame pattern across the side and front.] REL: That's why this mask has been sitting in a box in the top of my closet for the last 20 years. I've moved on with my life...with my career. I found a new niche. But you? You just keep on clinging to the past. So here's what I'm going to do for ya. [Lee takes the mask and slips it on over his head.] REL: You want to take a walk down memory lane? You want to relive the past? Fine with me. But be careful what you wish for, because you remember what happens when you play around with the Dixie Fireballs? You _always_ end up _burned_. [Hammer and Sabre both have major crap-eating grins as they slap Lee on the shoulders before the trio leaves the announce table.] GM: I think we can consider that challenge accepted, Bucky. BW: I want front row seats for that one. And I'm gonna make sure Mange and his boys do something especially nasty to that idiot Sabre. "The 1970s called." Sheesh. I'm a friggin' fashion plate, daddy! [Bucky does a full turn to show off his eye-scorching attire to the jeers of the crowd.] BW: These people wouldn't know good taste if they were drowning in Aunt Jemima, Gordo. GM: I see. Fans, let's go back up to the ring for more action! [And back to the ring we go where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma... Johnny Thomas! [A few cheers for the spunky-seeming Thomas as he leaps up on the second rope, pointing to the fans.] MC: And his opponent... [Tomoyasu Hotei’s “Battle Without Honor or Humanity” starts to play over the arena speakers. Louis Matsui emerges with a smirk from the entranceway. He is followed closely by the scowling seven-footer, MAMMOTH Mizusawa, dressed in a black singlet, black knee pads and a pair of black boots. Matsui points with his thumb over his shoulders at Mizusawa, who raises both his arms in the air. Both men start to make their way down the aisle.] MC: Hailing from Tokyo, Japan; weighing in at 420 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by LOUIS MATSUI, he is... MAMMOTH... MIZUSAWA!!! [As Matsui walks to the ring, he pays little attention to the fans sitting on either side of the aisle, although he is still smirking. The towering Mizusawa, on the other hand, walks slowly behind his manager, glaring at the crowd.] GM: And I believe we haven't seen MAMMOTH Mizusawa in action since Battle On The Bayou, Bucky. BW: I think you're right, Gordo. It's been a while since we've seen the giant slap some nobody around. [Reaching the ringside area, MAMMOTH Mizusawa steps over the ropes and into the ring. He heads to his corner, where he is joined by Matsui, who is on the ring apron but staying on the outside of the ring.] GM: Can you imagine arriving to the arena and finding out you're scheduled to take on a seven foot, 420 pound beast like Mizusawa? BW: There'd be a Bucky-shaped hole in the wall about two seconds later. [Matsui drops down off the apron, leaving his charge alone as the bell rings and he stalks across the ring towards Thomas who is alone in the corner... ...and rushes out, throwing himself into a dropkick, smashing both feet squarely in the chest of the giant!] GM: He comes out firin'! [Thomas pops back up, immediately throwing a second dropkick - this one actually causing Mizusawa to take a step backwards. The crowd starts to rally behind the youngster, cheering him on as he gets up off the mat. He hops up to the middle rope... ...and gets a massive hand wrapped around his throat!] GM: Whoa! He caught him on the second rope! [The giant sidesteps, simply flinging Thomas off the ropes by the throat and sending him crashing down to the mat.] GM: He had him right where he wanted him. He could have done absolutely anything to him right there but instead? He's just toying with him, Bucky. BW: It's like a cat playing with his food. A big cat. HUUUUGE cat. Like a sabretooth tiger. [As Thomas slowly gets up, Mizusawa grabs him from behind around the waist. He powers him up into a side waistlock lift... ...and HURLS him down to the canvas!] GM: Goodness! I thought we were about to see a back suplex there but instead, he threw him like a paper airplane. Just smashed him down to the mat. [The giant slowly approaches the downed Thomas, lifting his huge arm... ...and BURIES an elbowdrop down in the heart of Thomas!] GM: OHHHHH! And when is an elbowdrop not just an elbowdrop? BW: When there's 420 pounds behind it. GM: You got it. [The giant sits up on the mat, staring out at Louis Matsui who barks a few instructions to his charge. The giant nods, climbing up to his feet and looking down at Thomas.] GM: He pulls the kid up by the hair... now what? [He promptly slaps his hand around the throat of Thomas, looking out over the jeering crowd before he hoists him high into the air... ...and DRIVES him down to the mat!] GM: Big time chokeslam! That should do it. [The giant stands over Thomas for a long moment, glaring down at him... ...and simply leaps off the mat, bringing all his weight down squarely on the chest!] GM: OHHHHHH! SPLASH! One. Two. Three. "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd jeers as Mizusawa slowly rises off his flattened opponent, raising both arms high in the air in victory.] MC: Here is your winner... MAMMOTH... MIZUUUUSAAAWAAA! [The jeers intensify at the announcement as Louis Matsui steps into the ring, celebrating with his charge.] GM: MAMMOTH Mizusawa is your winner in impressive fashion and you just have to wonder where he stands with all this talk of shots at Stevie Scott and the AWA National Title going around. But right now, let's head up to the interview area where Jason Dane has a very special guest! [We cut up to the interview platform where Jason Dane is standing.] JD: Thanks, Gordon. Fans, the last time we were on Saturday Night Wrestling, we heard "Big" Jim Watkins, the Chairman of the Championship Committee, announce that this year at SuperClash 2, we would once again be seeing the Steal The Spotlight showcase elimination tag match. And this time, whoever survives that would be able to choose ANY match they want - including title matches! And that makes this match a potential show-stealer in my opinion! But we also found out two weeks ago the first person to enter that match - my guest at this time - the man who was the very first AWA National Champion, the San Jose Shark, Marcus Broussard! [“You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell blares as Broussard quickly makes his way to the announce position. Broussard wears khaki dress pants and a black dress shirt, with black alligator shoes spit shined to a polish. He raises his hand to the cheering crowd and then shakes the outstretched hand of Jason Dane, as the music dies down.] JD: Marcus Broussard, the last time we saw you, you were entering yourself into the Steal the Spotlight match almost seconds after Jim Watkins announced the stakes. MB: The stakes could not be higher, Gordon, and that’s why I was so quick to enter. In WarGames, we struck a blow to the Southern Syndicate that it will never recover from. But as long as Stevie Scott holds the gold, the job is far from over. When that title is pried out of Stevie’s hands, then we will see that den of snakes crumble for good. Then we can truly say mission accomplished. JD: But the physical toll that match takes on a man’s body, Marcus, you’ve got to know what a long night it will be. MB: How quickly we forgot, Jason. You are talking to the man who won three matches in one night to capture the AWA National Title. The very same man who made it to the end of the very first Rumble in AWA history. You are talking to THE most well conditioned, well informed and well prepared competitor in the illustrious history of the AWA. Don’t think for one moment that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to hoist the gold in the air, and don’t be fooled into thinking that winning the title again isn’t in the back of my mind. Juan Vasquez and I made a pact to take the gold from Stevie Scott. I’m man enough to say that Juan deserves that shot at SuperClash, and I’ll be rallying for him. But by winning the Steal the Spotlight match, it’s just stacking the odds in our favor. That’s an insurance policy, just in case Juan falls short, which he won’t. But if he does, I’ll have my called shot waiting. JD: What if Juan Vasquez wins at SuperClash, and you win the St- [Jason is interrupted by the arrival of Louis Matsui and MAMMOTH Mizusawa, who have stopped while making their way back up the ramp to step onto the interview platform.] LM: [Walking as he talks.] There are no what-ifs, Dane; Broussard will not win Steal the Spotlight at SuperClash. Not while my client, the co-winner of the inaugural Steal the Spotlight match, stands across that ring from him. JD: Hang on now, Louis, th- LM: Shut up, Dane! I've got a couple of things to say to Broussard and the less time you spend flapping your gums, the quicker we can get this done and over with. [Matsui comes to a stop a couple of feet away from Dane and Broussard. He raises his free hand, signalling the giant to a halt behind him. He addresses the San Jose Shark.] LM: Broussard, Broussard... Remember weeks ago, when Todd Michaelson needed you and you decided you were too good to show up? Just what are you doing here still? The job's not done, you say? I thought you came out of hiding to help take care of the Southern Syndicate? I thought you came back to even up the numbers for WarGames? Your team beat the Syndicate, that's it. Job done. But, no, here you are taking up a precious spot in the Steal the Spotlight match that should more deservedly go to someone who can better represent the future of this company. Not its past, its future! But, being the glory hog that you are, you just can't resist it, can you? This isn't about prying the title out of the hands of Stevie Scott. This is about you re-living your past glory. You said it yourself to Juan Vasquez; a race to the title, not a race to be first to beat Stevie Scott for it. The fact that you made zero effort to do the former... Hell, Adam Rogers showed himself to be a bigger gamechanger than you could ever be... It all goes to show that you're only looking out for one person and that's you. And rather than admit it... Rather than work your way up the ranks to get the shot, you're going for the short cut... A short cut to the top that, frankly, I would rather see someone else take instead of a selfish, scheming, coattail-riding... That's right; are we at all surprised that Marcus Broussard's "big" move is to insert himself into a match where he will, yet again, have other guys on his team whose coattails he can ride to victory? Well, I for one will not stand for that, and neither will my client! So, Broussard, what happens when MAMMOTH Mizusawa pries that title shot right out of your hands? Are you going to go back into hiding? Have your wife field phone calls for you and turn away your friends when they come looking for you, because you don't have the balls to stand and fight? [Broussard looks to be steaming mad at this point, fists clenched at his sides.] LM: Hey, Broussard... next time you need your wife to do some dirty work for you, the giant and I are in the penthouse down at- [That'll do it. The San Jose Shark lets one of those clenched fists fly, smashing Matsui on the jaw and knocking him flat to the roars of the crowd.] JD: Gentlemen, please- [Broussard stands over Matsui for a hair of a second... ...until he gets a big overhead chop smashed down over his skull by a 420 pound giant!] JD: Oh! Come on! [The blow knocked Broussard to a knee where he's easy prey for Mizusawa who grabs the San Jose Shark by the hair... ...and SMASHES his skull into the former champ! The crowd groans as Broussard slumps down to the floor. But the giant's not done with him, reaching down to physically deadlift Broussard back up to his feet where he hooks his hands around the Shark's throat from behind!] GM: He's choking the man! BW: No kidding! GM: Mizusawa has assaulted Marcus Broussard up on the interview platform! This is out of control! Broussard's fighting it but- [The crowd jeers as Broussard tries to get his fingers under Mizusawa's massive hands, trying to pry his choking hands free from his throat but having no luck at all.] GM: This is- this is all Matsui's fault, Bucky! BW: What?! Broussard threw the first punch! GM: Yeah, but... you heard what he said! He made an absolutely awful comment about Marcus Broussard's wife! He said- BW: The man speaks the truth. GM: BUCKY! [Broussard's face turns a bright shade of red as his struggles start to slow and Mizusawa sinks his fingers even deeper into the throat of his victim despite Jason Dane's cries to cease his attack from a few feet away.] GM: Jason should get out of there. BW: That's right. He might be next if he doesn't shut his trap! GM: There's absolutely no call for any of this and- [Suddenly, Juan Vasquez emerges from the locker room to the roars of the crowd... ...with a steel chair in his hands!] GM: VASQUEZ! VASQUEZ!! [With Mizusawa's steel grip locked on the windpipe of the San Jose Shark, he fails to notice the #1 contender as he winds up...] "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!" "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" [The roar of the crowd is for the big chairshot smashed across the back of Mizusawa, breaking his grip on Broussard and taking him down to a knee as well.] GM: Thank god! Thank god for Juan Vasquez! [Vasquez stands his ground, still holding the chair as Mizusawa rises to his full height, staring dead in the eye of the man he once put through a wall in this same city... ...and a staggering Louis Matsui throws himself between the two, shaking his head at his charge!] GM: Matsui doesn't want the giant to tangle with Juan Vasquez! BW: I wouldn't either when Vasquez has a damn chair in his hands! How is that fair? Typical Vasquez cheating that you people suck up to. I know the REAL Juan Vasquez, Gordo, and he ain't some damn baby-kissin' Boy Scout. GM: Vasquez keeping his eyes locked on Mizusawa... but Matsui's backing his man down. He doesn't want this fight to go on. BW: Smart man. Keep the giant healthy for SuperClash. Keep him healthy for Steal The Spotlight. Keep him ready to earn that shot at the National Title. [With Mizusawa and Matsui clearing out, Vasquez kneels down next to his friend, Marcus Broussard, to check on him as we fade to black. And then to a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment and then fade to a black screen. As we fade back up, we're in the backstage area of the Crockett Coliseum where Vladimir Velikov is standing next to Mark Stegglet. Velikov is dressed to wrestle, his heavy metal Russian chain draped over his shoulders.] MS: We are back live here in Dallas, Texas, and Vladimir Velikov, later tonight, your nephew, Kolya Sudakov, will take on Sultan Azam Sharif in one on one action. Your thoughts? [Velikov glares at Stegglet.] VV: My thoughts are that you continue to insult me by asking questions about my blood-traitor nephew. MS: I'm sorry? VV: You should be. Am I not AWA superstar as well? MS: You are. VV: Am I not a man who has competed in AWA Main Events? MS: You are. VV: Am I not a man who was ROBBED last week against Supernova? MS: Well, I don't- VV: I am! I was robbed against your Supernova. I was humiliated! And do you know why, Mark Stegglet? MS: I suppose I don't. VV: Because of your Championship Committee's vendetta against me. Because of that pathetic American Watkins' vendetta against me. Jim Watkins, you know you hold back Vladimir Velikov. You know the idea of true Russian power RULING the AWA makes you... how you say... wake up at night in sweat. Jim Watkins, some things never change, comrade. You would do well to remember that. [Velikov smirks as he walks out of view of the camera.] MS: What in the world does that mean? Well, Vladimir Velikov believes he was robbed in his first round Longhorn Title tournament match against Supernova but I don't believe it and I don't think anyone else does either. But who will Supernova face in the second round? We'll find out later tonight but for now, let's go back down to Melissa for more in-ring action! [We crossfade back to the ring where where Melissa Cannon is standing by with a man dressed in a white, sleeveless top, with three large, black buttons down the front; loose, white patent leather pants and white boots. He also wears a ninja-like mask with an orange, carrot-like protuberance on the front.] MC: The next match is scheduled for one fall with a five-minute time limit. Introducing first, from the Great White North, weighing in at 200 pounds... COLD SNAP! [Cold Snap does some martial arts-like flurry with his hands and throws a few snap kicks for good measure.] MC: And his opponent... [Franz Von Suppe's "Light Cavalry Overture" starts to play over the arena speakers and the crowd is abuzz as a wild-haired man in a sequinned silver robe and shades emerges from the entranceway and makes a beeline for the ring. He is followed closely by a blond woman dressed in blue jeans and a white cap-sleeved top.] GM: Scott Mayhem, a man on a mission. BW: And what mission would that be, Gordo? To lose to "Playboy" Johnny Casanova on a regular basis? [As they make their way down the aisle, the man and woman slap hands with and high-five the fans on either side.] MC: Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, weighing in at 237 pounds and being accompanied to the ring by MISS AMANDA, he is... SCOTT... MAAAAAYHEM!!! [The name receives a decent-sized pop.] GM: Following his failure to qualify for the Longhorn Heritage title tournament after being counted out in his match against the Playboy, Mayhem really needs to forget the shenanigans and focus on getting his AWA career back on track and, who knows, maybe one day he might get another chance at a title. BW: I don't know, Gordo, Scott Mayhem does not look like a man who gets over a grudge easily. GM: Well, right now, he's got this ninja from the North in front of him; he's got to at least focus on beating this dangerous competitor. Who knows what mystic Asian techniques Cold Snap has in his arsenal. [Reaching the ringside area, Scott steps onto the ring apron, followed by Miss Amanda. She holds the top and middle ropes apart for him to step through. Entering the ring, Mayhem twirls around, showing off the full majesty of his robe, then mounts the corner and poses for the crowd with his arms spread out. He climbs off the ropes and Amanda helps him out of his robe to reveal white trunks, black knee pads and black boots. Mayhem removes his shades, handing them over to her, as his wild eyes look over his opponent, who is showing off his ninja-like moves to the fans.] GM: And here comes Mayhem! Running elbow to the back of Cold Snap's head! Right in the corner. "DING! DING! DING!" GM: And now he's ramming the ninja face-first into the top turnbuckle again and again. I think he broke his carrot, Bucky! BW: Ha! Snap! [The orange, carrot-like protuberance on Cold Snap's mask has indeed broken in half, the broken half danging from the rest of it. Mayhem grabs the half that is still fully-attached to the mask and uses it to flip the mask around so that the eye holes are now in the back of Cold Snap's head. Scott Mayhem steps back, allowing Cold Snap to stumble blindly out of the corner.] GM: Massive running clothesline almost knocks the snowman- BW: Snowperson. GM: Snowperson's head off. Mayhem follows up with a HIIIIGH leaping kneedrop! BW: That could cave a person's head in. [Clearly not done with his opponent, Mayhem pulls him to his feet, with some help from the mask. He wraps his arms around the doubled-over Cold Snap and throws him over with a gutwrench suplex.] GM: Mayhem's dragging Cold Snap to his feet again... Atomic drop! Follows it up with another running elbow to the back of the head! [Scott Mayhem stands over Cold Snap and slaps him on the head a few times. Thankfully, the cameras don't quite pick up what Mayhem is saying to him. Mayhem pulls him up again by the mask.] GM: Is that the equivalent of hair-pulling, Bucky? Shouldn't the referee be counting Mayhem out? BW: Well, if it weren't Mayhem grabbing onto the mask, I don't think Cold Snap's staying on his feet very long. Plus, you know what's coming, daddy! [Indeed, while holding on to Cold Snap by the mask with one hand, Mayhem points to the top rope with the other. He runs his thumb across his throat to nail his point, before dropping Cold Snap on his back with a bodyslam.] GM: Mayhem goes to the top... LEG DROP!!! BW: JACKSONVILLE JAM, DADDY!!! GM: Cover! One! Two! "DING! DING! DING!" MC: Here is your winner... SCOTT MAYHEM! [The "Light Cavalry Overture" starts to play as we cut to a shot of Miss Amanda applauding her man. Cut back to the ring where Scott Mayhem stands over the fallen ninja and prods Cold Snap with the toe of his boot to check if he's still alive. After the referee raises Mayhem's hand in victory, he exits the ring and heads back up the ramp followed by Amanda. Jason Dane, standing by in the interview area, waves them over.] JD: Scott! Scott! A word, please. [Pulling Miss Amanda by the hand, Scott Mayhem approaches the interview area.] JD: Scott, congratulations. Following your recent losses to "Playboy" Johnny Casanova, how does it feel to- SM: How does it feel, Jay-Dee? How does it feel? How does it feel watching the love of your life being manhandled, oh yes, MANHANDLED by that she-beast? How does it feel having to choose between a shot at the Longhorn Heritage title and saving the one person you care for the most in this company? You think it's over, Jay-Dee? Does the Playboy think this is over? Casanova, this is far from over! I'm going to make you pay many times over for having your woman put a hand on what's mine, because there ain't no woman that can touch Miss Amanda like Scott Mayhem can. Let's go, babe! [He pulls Amanda away from the interview area and they head to the back.] JD: And I think it is quite clear that this situation between Scott Mayhem and Johnny Casanova is FAR from over, fans. Now, let's go across the aisle to my good buddy, Mark Stegglet. Mark? [We cut to the other side of the aisle where Mark Stegglet is on the other entrance platform lit up by a spotlight.] MS: Thanks, Jason! All right, fans, joining me at this time is a young man who has made an immediate impact on the AWA and has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Longhorn Heritage title tournament... please welcome Supernova! ["Seek and Destroy" by Metallica kicks in to the cheers of the crowd. Supernova appears in the entranceway, raising his arms to the crowd. Before approaching the interview stage, he heads toward the crowd, taking time to slap hands with the fans leaning over the railing.] GM: Supernova is here and these fans love him! BW: And I already can't stand the man... how dare he say my award was just the result of a popularity contest! GM: Well, technically, it was. BW: Don't get technical with me! I won it because I am the best and don't you forget it, Gordo! GM: The way you talk, it'll be hard for me to forget it. [After having slapped hands with many fans, Supernova heads up to the interview stage, slapping Stegglet on the shoulder.] MS: [laughing] Supernova, I have to say that you've made it clear how much you have enjoyed your time in the AWA thus far. S: Mark, I am having a blast here... not only do I get to perform in front of these great people here tonight... I also have been rising up the ranks of the AWA... hey, I just got a big win over Vladimir Velikov and now I'm moving a step closer to that Longhorn Heritage title! MS: You scored a big win over Vladimir Velikov... how big is that to grab a win over one of the top wrestlers in the AWA? S: First of all, I heard Velikov talk about how he wanted to impress Ivan Kostovich... how he wanted to take down his nephew Koyla Sudakov... but all Velikov did was look right past me, while I took the fight right to him! I can only imagine why Kostovich didn't show up that night... he figured Velikov was only going to embarass him even more than he already has! And you all saw the result... Velikov learned a big lesson that you better not go looking past the likes of me! MS: What about the next round... it will be either Vernon Riley or Nenshou facing you in the quarterfinals. S: Let me say that I have nothing but respect for Vernon Riley and everything he's done... as for Nenshou, I'd have a little more respect if he wasn't hanging around with that freak show! I'll be watching that match with great interest, but I can assure you... whoever does advance to face me, I just hope they are ready to feel the heat! MS: One other question, Supernova... Koyla Sudakov was watching your match and said it would be an honor if he were to team with you for the Stampede Cup. What are your thoughts about that? S: Hey, it would be a big honor for me to team with a guy like Sudakov... and speaking of which, his match is one I'll be watching with great interest... not just because I want to see Sudakov whip the Sultan's butt... I also suspect that, even after the beating I gave to Velikov, he's still gonna be up to no good and I may have to teach him yet another lesson. [He then turns to howl to the crowd, before turning back to Stegglet and slapping him on the shoulder once more, then departing.] MS: All right, Supernova, ladies and gentlemen... what excitement this young man has brough to the AWA! And we'll be right back so don't you dare go away! [The camera shows Supernova hanging around to trade high-fives with the fans lining the entrance ramp 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: You know, Mark... the AWA Access iPhone app has been so popular over the past year, I hear we're making a sequel! MS: Jason, that kind of news is so hot, it should be on the app! [The two men laugh very awkwardly as a giant iPhone appears.] JD: Hello, Mr. iPhone. [The iPhone speaks. Yes. Yes it does.] iPhone: Hello, Jason Dane. Did you know that former AWA National Champion Kolya Sudakov was a former Mixed Martial Artist? JD: Well, actually I did. iPhone: Mark Stegglet, did you know that Calisto Dufresne was the first and only champion in Pro Wrestling Revolution? MS(in his best Johnny Carson impression): I did not know that! [Thankfully, a voiceover starts.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access Version 2.0! This new app contains a brand new TRIVIA mode where you can get all the details on your favorite AWA superstars! Plus, be the first to see our brand new BEFORE THE AWA section where you can find matches from the best of the AWA - before they were AWA! AWA Access Version 2.0 - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and the back up to a shot of spokes of a motorcycle wheel as "Good Times" by INXS and Jimmy Barnes starts up. The shot pulls back at a bit to show the front of the motorcycle driving down a two lane highway.] # Everybody shake, Everybody groove, Everybody shake, mmm mmm ohh ohh! # [Cut to two men riding motorcycles, the choppers with the ape hangers. Both men are in a pair of blue jeans and are shirtless. Both are sporting aviator-style sunglasses. The man on the right has short, spiked hair. The man on the left has shoulder-length brown hair, which is magnificently flowing in the wind. The camera stays on the shot for a few seconds as both men ride along the road.] # Mary, Mary your on my mind, The folks are gone and the place'll be mine, Oh, Mary, Mary wanna be with you # [Cut to a shot of the spiked-haired individual striking a biscep flex showing off his muscles. We cut to the long-haired individual with his back to the screen, hands on his hips, and flexing the muscles in his back. We cut to another shot of the spike-haired individual, his back to the screen. He has one arm up flexing his biscep as he looks at his arm. We cut to another shot of the long-haired individual flexing his chest and neck.] # And this is what I'm gonna do, I gonna put a call to you, Coz' I feel good tonight, And everything's gonna be right, right, yeah # [We cut to both men wearing purple sequenced tuxedo jackets and black bowties, still shirtless. Both men are holding black top hats against their chest. The spiked-haired individual is standing in the back, showing the camera an angled left profile. In front of him stands the individual with long hair who is standing the same way. Both men are looking off camera. Cut to another shot of both men now facing the camera, same outfits. They're both wearing the top hats and smiling at the camera. We cut to another shot of the two men, this time getting a shot of their right profile. They're angled to face away from the camera a bit. They both look back over their left shoulders at the camera and smile in syncronization. Both men lift up their left hand, pointing at the camera and then turn the point into a thumbs up.] # I'm gonna have a good time tonight, Rock n' Roll music gonna play all night, Come on baby it won't take long, Only take a minute just to sing my song. # [We cut to a building. The motorcycles are parked out in front of the building. We're back to the jeans, sunglasses, and no shirt wardrobe. The long-haired individual is reclined on his motorcycle, propping up the back of his head with his hands. The spiked-haired individual is leaned forward on the handle bars, smiling. He leans up and strikes a bicep flex with his right arm. We cut to another shot of the two riding motorcycles on the road again. The camera follows as both men look at the camera and smile. They point at the camera and then turn the point into a thumbs up. The two men look back at the road and pull ahead of the camera. We fade to black. ...and then back up to live action where we get a closeup of Jason Dane's face.] JD: The Aces are coming to the AWA - yet another fantastic addition to the tag team division here in the American Wrestling Aliiance! And you just know they'll be shooting for gold! And speaking of gold... [The camera pulls back to reveal Dane is standing next to the broad-shouldered Arizonan, Brent Maverick. Maverick, whose dark brown tousled hair and stubbled face doesn't exactly present a well-groomed front, is nonetheless wearing a fancy tailored grey suit jacket, pressed dress shirt, and slacks. Dane looks practically confused by this abruptly out-of-character mode of dress for Maverick, who has the usual grim expression on his face.] JD: The Longhorn Heritage Title tournament will continue in just moments. And tonight, Brent Maverick, you are going head to head in that tournament with a man who is undefeated in the AWA, "Playboy" Johnny Casanova. But you certainly don't look like you're dressed to wrestle. I've never seen you wear anything like that; what's the occasion? BM: It ain't an occasion, it's a point. Take a look at what I got on. This suit cost two grand. Now, I ain't a rich man. But I know how ta iron a shirt an' put on a tie, if ya know what I mean, Dane. I can play dress-up, too. But Casanova, all this show, what does it mean? If I was wearin' a ten grand suit like Stevie Scott, would I be any different? If I was wearin' a five dollar T-Shirt from Wal-Mart, would I be any different? Casanova, yer tryin' ta dress yerself up as somethin' ya ain't an' never were. A playboy? A 'casanova'? A two-hunnerd ten pound superstar? Who ARE you, Casanova? Lemme help ya figger it out: yer a fat lazy scum who had God-given talent that men would kill for, an' threw it away at th' buffet line. Ain't no doubt that you could wrassle good, if ya wanted to. If ya got in a gym an' worked for it, even now at yer age, you'd be for real. But until you start sheddin' this... extra bulk. [Maverick sheds his sport coat, and starts to unbutton his dress shirt.] BM: ...so you could see yer feet without th' aid of a mirror, you ain't gonna be much longer for this sport. You ain't in the minors no more, Casanova. 'Round these parts, folks who try ta coast by without workin' hard get hurt, an' hurt bad. You been callin' yerself a playboy so long, you believe it. [Brent whips his dress shirt to the floor and punctuates his next sentence in a low, threatening growl.] BM: Wake up and look in a mirror... while you still _can_. JD: Those are strong words, but Johnny Casanova isn't to be taken lightly... no pun intended. Two weeks ago, he walked out with a second victory over the intense Scott Mayhem, and no one could argue that Mayhem isn't a hard-working potential star. In fact, his straight-ahead style reminds a lot of people of you. Might you be underestimating your opponent? [Mentioning last week causes Maverick's grim expression to tilt southward. A sour sneer is on his face as he goes on.] BM: No. I ain't. But you saw last week. Ya saw how he had his woman lay hands on Mayhem's woman... who's about eighty pounds lighter an' six inches shorter, who couldn't fight off a bee let alone a rough woman like that... it's pathetic. You gonna stoop ta anythin' an' cross any line ta win, Casanova. But ya already crossed a line too far. Long ago, I made a mistake of goin' ta watch a show up in St. Louis with my wife. Lo an' behold, she got hit. Should I have known better? Absolutely. Did it matter? Th' man that did that got his leg broke an' cain't wrestle no more. So you tell me if it mattered. Think about that, Casanova. Think about it every night when you go ta sleep. This ain't gonna be about stealin' wins in a wrasslin' match. You got past that when you crossed that line with Mayhem. That man is comin' ta destroy you, all because ya got cute with 'im ta win a match. But if you try somethin' on ME? I promise you: you really WILL be two-hundred ten pounds when I get through with ya! An' yer gonna miss those ninety pounds of limbs fer th' rest of yer life. [Maverick stomps off, leaving Dane to the wrap-up.] JD: Ouch. Brent Maverick with some words of warning for his opponent later on tonight... but we'll see just how much heed to that Johnny Casanova takes. Now, let's head back down to ringside for more action! [We crossfade to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following tag team match is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... in the corner to my right- [But before Melissa can get out another word, the men in the corner to her right, two masked men by the names of Texas Hangman #1 and #2 are assaulted by the men in the corner to her left - Scola and Mafu - the Samoan Hit Squad!] GM: The Samoans aren't even waiting for the bell! BW: There's quite a bit of that going on here tonight. The tag teams are all very aggressive - it just shows how badly they all are looking to become the National Tag Team Champions. [Mafu immediately tears into the second Hangman - the one with #2 written across his rear - with a series of throat thrusts and knife-edge chops that put the masked man back against the turnbuckles. With a shout, Mafu lights him up with a throat chop that causes the masked man to buckle down to the mat, gasping for air.] GM: Mafu's got hands and feet to be feared by everyone - he's one of the most dangerous strikers you'll find in the entire world of professional wrestling. [Across the ring, the 292 pound Scola muscles the other Hangman up onto his shoulders, going into a full spin with him. He rotates several times before shrugging the helpless masked man down to the mat, dumping him there. Mafu approaches in a steady walk, leaping into the air with a diving headbutt across the chest!] GM: Good grief! Mafu's got one of the most devastating headbutts I've seen in all my years in professional wrestling. And when he leaps up like that to deliver it, you know it's trouble. [Hangman #2 staggers to his feet, moving to help his partner. But as he rushes Mafu, the wild Samoan ducks down, backdropping the masked man through the air... ...right into Scola's waiting arms. The powerhouse holds him high for a moment before DRIVING him down to the canvas!] GM: POWERBOMB!! GOOD GRIEF!! BW: That could be it right there. GM: It could be but... [Mafu kicks the downed Hangman a few times, rolling him under the ropes to the floor as Scola hauls Hangman #1 up to his feet, hurling him into the ropes. On the rebound, Scola hooks him around the throat, lifting him up off the mat and bringing him down across a bent knee!] GM: What a backbreaker! [Scola, in one motion, gets back up, picking the masked man back up into the air... ...and HURLS him down in a brutal uranage slam!] GM: My stars. These two savages are impressive. BW: Savages? What in the world have they done to make you call them that? You disgust me, Gordon Myers! [The crowd jeers as Mafu dives to the mat, sinking his teeth into the forehead of the downed Hangman... well, into his mask mostly but you get the idea.] GM: You were saying? BW: Shut up. [At a barked order from James J. Dallas outside the ring, Mafu breaks away, delivering an overhead knife-edge chop across the throat as Scola moves to the corner, hopping up to a seat on the top turnbuckle.] GM: Uh oh... I think we know what's coming up here... [Mafu climbs to his feet, shouting something unintelligible at the masked man as he approaches the corner. The wild Samoan starts to climb the turnbuckles. As he gets to the second rope, Scola hooks a front facelock on his partner, hoisting him up in a suplex... ...and drops him chestfirst across the downed Hangman!] GM: SAMOAN SUPER SPLASH!! ONE! TWO! THREE! "DING! DING! DING!" [Mafu, tongue lolled out of his mouth, climbs to his feet with his arms in the air. Scola, still seated on the second rope, smashes himself across the chest with a fist to celebrate their win.] GM: The Samoan Hit Squad with another victory. And James J. Dallas looks quite pleased with his men, Bucky. BW: Why shouldn't he be? They're the #3 contenders to the National Tag Team Titles and if they keep winning like that, they'll be Number One in no time. GM: Oh great... here he comes now... [James J. Dallas approaches the announce desk, patting both men on the shoulder as he slips a cigar into his mouth and starts chomping on it.] JJD: Gentlemen, gentlemen... it is indeed your great pleasure and honor to have a fine Southerner like myself here to join y'all. GM: I suppose so... you seem quite happy these days. JJD: Good fortune smiles upon me every single day I wake up, Gordon Myers. First, I was blessed with these two behemoths you just saw in the ring - two brothers from different mothers from the Isle of Samoa who were bred for violence - and I just can't imagine it'll be too much longer until those big, gold, shiny belts are right there around their waists. GM: I see. Well, you are currently the #3 contenders but- JJD: But nothin', Gordon Myers. Bucky, can you educate your friend here as to the greatness that my boys bring to this ring? BW: I've been tryin', James. He just don't listen. JJD: Of course he doesn't. He's wrapped up in the idea that buffoons like those War Pigs or those pipsqueak Rockstars are the next great tag team in the AWA. He fails to recognize that the Samoan Hit Squad are comin' for the National Tag Team Titles and ain't 'bout to stop at nothin' to get 'em, boys. GM: But what about Violence Unlimited? Your rivalry with them seems to be far from over. JJD: Far from over? Far from over? What seems to be far from over to me is Jackson Haynes trying to become the Longhorn Heritage Champion. I think the Hammer is well on his way, yes sir... and I think that belt may be wrapped around his waist sooner than later. GM: I don't- wait a second... is THAT why you came out to applaud Haynes after that match in San Antonio? JJD: No, no, no - you mistake my meaning, sir. You do me wrong, Gordon Myers. I was applauding both of those men. Jackson Haynes AND Danny Morton. GM: What in the world are you talking about? JJD: I'm talkin' 'bout James J. Dallas being a man who knows true talent when he sees it. Look at my men... look at Scola... look at Mafu... you think just anyone would be able to bring the greatness out of them that I have? The same thing goes for Violence Unlimited. [Gordon shakes his head.] GM: I don't understand. JJD: Of course you don't, you simple little fella. What I'm sayin' is that Haynes and Morton... they've got true talent as well... they've got brute force and unprecedented skills on their sides... And I'm the man to show 'em the right way to bring that out. [Gordon's jaw drops.] GM: Are you saying-? JJD: I'm saying that if Jackson Haynes wants to beat The Masked Menace in the second round and he wants to move on in the tournament... He. Needs. Me. GM: I can't believe what I'm hearing. JJD: Well, believe it, Gordon. Because if Violence Unlimited listens to me and aligns themselves with the three of us, there won't be anyone... ANYONE... that can stop us. Jackson Haynes, Danny Morton, Scola, and Mafu led by me? Whew, have mercy. Ain't no one. Not the Southern Syndicate. Not Layton and his boys. No one can stop us. [Gordon looks on in shock.] JJD: Consider this an official offer, boys... and you'd do well to accept it. [Dallas grins as he pats Gordon on the shoulder, making his exit alongside his Samoans up the rampway to the locker room.] GM: James J. Dallas has offered to MANAGE Violence Unlimited! I've gotta say, I didn't see that one coming, Bucky. BW: I didn't either but... boy oh boy, can you imagine those four bruisers on the same side? They'd RULE this company! GM: But will Violence Unlimited accept? We'll try to get them out here later on to answer the question... but for now, let's go up to Mark Stegglet who has another tag team to introduce to the AWA fans here tonight in Dallas, Texas! Mark? [We fade as Mark Stegglet stands in the interview area as the opening guitar notes of "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones hit.] MS: Ladies and gentlemen, here they come... The Outcasts! Jonah "Ice" Keller and Nick Dem... [Stegglet's words trail off as arriving at the interview area is the sharp-featured, wife-beater clad Jonah "Ice" Keller... alone. He slinks to the area with a smirk on his face.] MS: Welcome to the Crockett Coliseum, Mr. Keller. But... uhh... where's your partner? [Keller grins at Jason like a man who knows a secret and won't tell.] JK: My partner? Never really needed a consistent partner, Mark. Never really fit me. I wanted to steal the spotlight, and he wasn't amenable to that. So now I don't have a partner. [The grin again as Stegglet cocks his head.] MS: I don't quite know what to make of that. Did you get rid of him? [Keller shakes his head and gently jabs his finger into Mark's chest.] JK: Get rid of him? That makes me sound so... cold. It's not for you to make anything of, my dear man. You needn't make anything but funny faces as you ask only the most obvious questions of your subjects. And look very dashing while you're at it. [Stegglet backs up a step.] JK: There's no reason to be afraid, no reason to back away. I'm here to bring you in, Mister Stegglet. To bring you inside of me. My thoughts, my desires. I'm open for you... [Stegglet gulps noticeably as Keller grins.] JK: Ask away. [Keller puts his hand on Stegglet's shoulder as Mark squirms.] MS: Uh... What exactly are you doing here in the AWA? JK: What am I doing here? [Keller chuckles.] JK: Good question, just what I expected. Mark, I'm here to ply my trade. The trade that has called to me ever since I was a very young man. I'm here to grapple, to feel the power of others and dominate them with my own. [A slight massage of Jason's shoulder as he speaks.] JK: I'm here for you. All of you. You've been fooled too often, your emotions fondled by those who look out only for themselves. I'm not that guy. I care. [The grin.] JK: I'm here to be the man you can trust. Always tell you the truth. So know this... I'm going to steal the spotlight. However I have to do it. There's no man too big for me to take, no man too small for me not to get a hold of. I was in the light once, and let it get away. When I get it this time, I'll never let it go. [Keller puts his hand over his heart.] JK: You have my word on it. [Keller grins again as he walks off camera.] MS: Well, fans, apparently the Outcasts are no more and Jonah Keller has opted to go it alone here in the AWA. [Stegglet cranes his neck, looking down the aisle. He gestures towards the ring.] MS: And don't look now, guys, but Keller's heading to the ring! [The camera moves to the ring, where a slightly flabby, thin-bearded man stands in the ring in plain black tights. Next to him is a well-tanned muscular man in bright yellow who throws up his arms, arguing with the referee.] GM: We had a match planned for The Outcasts in this spot. Obviously, there's two men in the ring but it looks like the official is trying to get young Brad Mitchell out of here. Jonah Keller has very obviously parted ways with Nick Demola - and it looks like he's heading here for one-on-one action. Bucky, what do you make of this development? BW: Well, he seems like a pretty straight-forward, honest guy to me. GM: I'm sure he does. [Melissa Cannon is ready to go.] MC: The following match is set for one fall... already in the ring at this time, hailing from Sherman, Texas, weighing in at 220 pounds... "Hard Luck" Harrison Butler! [Butler's head hangs down as he lifts a hand to the crowd.] MC: And his opponent! From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! Weighing in at 255 pounds... JONAH 'ICE' KELLER! [Keller finally reaches the ring apron, a grin crossing his face as he eyes his opponent. He cracks his knuckles and steps through the ropes into the ring.] GM: After weeks of teasing, we get Keller's debut in the AWA. Although it's not coming like we expected it to. Don't forget - this is a singles match while we were expecting him in a tag team! BW: And this poor local kid looks like he's waiting for the gallows. [The bell sounds and Keller extends his hand to Butler.] GM: A show of sportsmanship by Keller here in his debut. BW: I told you, the guy's as straight up as anyone here. GM: I seriously doubt that. [Butler extends his hand... and a handshake ensues.] GM: I stand corrected... for now. [Keller and Butler meet in the middle of the ring... and Keller takes him down with a double leg takedown.] GM: Good amateur wrestling move by Keller. BW: Why do you ever doubt me? I know people, Gordo. [Keller gets on Butler's back on the mat, and slaps the back of his head and chuckles as he rises to his feet.] GM: Was that necessary? BW: He's showing the kid who's in charge. [Butler gets to a knee and shakes his head. He lunges at Keller, who meets him with an eye poke!] GM: Oh, there's your Mister Straight Up! BW: He was going for another handshake and Butler's eye got in the way! [Butler wipes his eye as Keller stalks him from behind, and nails him with both forearms to either side of his head, sending Butler staggering into the corner.] GM: Bell clap by Keller there. BW: Hear that bell? School's in, punk! GM: Oh, you're hysterical. [Butler slumps in the corner as Keller slowly walks in on him, and gives him a boot to the midsection. He hooks Butler in a front facelock... and spins him quickly by the head, dropping him to the mat!] GM: Wow! A quick spinning neckbreaker by Keller! BW: It seems like old 'Ice' takes his sweet time getting to the action, but when he does he pounces fast! [Keller measures up Butler, hops in the air... and crashes down on Butler with two feet to his stomach.] GM: Oh! Double foot stomp by Keller right to the gut! That'll take some wind out of your sails. BW: Might send your late lunch headin' for the exits too, Gordo. [Keller grins at the crowd, who give him a mild heel pop as he picks Butler up by the hair.] GM: Now, is that necessary? That hair pulling? BW: He's trying to help the kid wake up! [Butler nails Keller with a punch to the stomach, and another one.] GM: Looks like he woke him up alright. [Butler grabs Keller by the back of the head and whips him... but Keller reverses the whip and sends Butler into the ropes.] GM: This young guy is coming off the ropes, and... [Keller SMACKS him with a left hand to the face!] GM: Dead on target! A left hand right to the jaw! A clenched fist too, I might add. Another illegal move! BW: What a shot! That's one heck of a left he's got! GM: Ignoring that it's illegal? BW: Oh, stop your crying. When Samson's around to do it, you want to adopt him so the two of you can go bass fishing together. When Keller does it, you want him hanged in the county square! [Butler lays lifeless as Keller grins at the crowd to a heel pop.] GM: He could finish this right now. Butler is out. BW: Well, yeah, probably... but what fun would that be? [Keller grabs Butler by the arm and lifts him up. He lifts Butler's arm over his head, stands behind him for a second, and...] GM: He can't be going for this! [... NAILS him with a punch to the side of the upper ribs to a crowd gasp!] BW: A heart punch! Keller with a heart punch! Wow! GM: One of the most dangerous moves in professional wrestling! [Keller releases Butler from his grasp as he falls to the mat. Keller lays on him chest to chest as the referee counts... one... two... three!] MC: Your winner... JONAH 'ICE' KELLER! [Keller grins down at Butler as he lays on the mat.] GM: He's just standing there grinning at Butler as he lays there. This guy is not right! BW: Just admiring the handiwork. The kid will be okay. GM: I sure hope so. We've all heard the legends of people who've had serious injuries inflicted to them at the hands of the heart punch and Keller delivered it with reckless abandon right there. [Keller rolls out of the ring and walks back up the ramp slowly as he shakes his head and grins.] GM: And again with the smile... just smiling like a nutcase. What's wrong with this guy, Bucky? BW: You want to be the one to find out? GM: Not one bit. Fans, we need to take a break but before we do, I understand that Jason Dane is wandering around the locker room looking for... well... you can see for yourself! [The camera opens up backstage on Jason Dane. He's standing next to a plain blue door with the words "Blonde Bombers" written across an obviously cheaply made gold star.] JD: Thanks guys, I'm back here to try to get some time with Larry Doyle, who, following the attack of Crusher Glenn at the hands of Rough n Ready that we saw on the last Saturday Night Wrestling, has been in seclusion. We're going to try to get a word. [Dane opens the door and the camera peaks inside the room, revealing an isolated Doyle standing in front of a mirror. His chubby reflection staring back at him. Doyle begins chatting with his reverse self.. oblivious to the cameras. A rare look inside the mind of a world famous ego maniac. Doyle grabs his thinning hair in frustration and yanks at it.] LD: Get it _together_, Larry. Thinkthinkthink. What happened to Crusher was _nothing_! A blip on the radar! Drop in a bucket! CG: Hey. [The handheld swivels slighting, revealing a battered Crusher Glenn.. neck brace.. two black and blue eyes.. sitting on the couch. Baldwin and Nova nowhere to be seen. Doyle looks back at Crusher through the mirror.] LD: Sorry, Crush. I meant nothing by it. I'm just so.. soo.. [Doyle reaches out to grab the words.. but comes up with air.] LD: .. so.. gah.. I don't _know_. [Doyle slams the table in front of him in frustration.] LD: Those two.. thugs. Cooper and Somers.. what they did.. I've never seen anything like it! Such atrocities! What they did to you.. was shocking.. it was heinous.. it was Bombersesque. It was like looking in a mirror. I do _not_ like looking in a mirror, Crusher. I _deeeeeetest_ it! Seeing that handsome devil staring back at me. Judging everything I do. Stop it.. stop looking at me.. _you_! [Doyle pounds the mirror.] LD: Gah.. look at me.. I'm.. I'm.. I'm sweating! _Nobody_ makes me sweat. Not the Rockstar Express.. not Violence Unlimited and most certainly _not_ those frauds we call champs. Don't worry, Crusher, bay-bee.. Uncle Larry's got this under control! [Doyle stares at his reflection.] LD: I'm Larry 'friggin' Doyle.. manager of da greeattessttt tag team this industry has evvvaarrrr seen. It's time to start acting like him. Come on Crusher, we got things to do. [Doyle looks up and notices the camera.] LD: HEY! HEY YOU! DDDDDAAAANNNNNEEEEE! GET YOUR CAMERA OUT OF HERE! [Doyle rushes the camera and shoves his hand over the lens. The image cuts and we fade to black. ...and back up to a shot of the original SuperClash logo. A voiceover begins.] "It was a night that few can forget." [We can hear announcer cries like... "ROUGH HOUSING! ONE!!! TWO!!! THREEEEEEEE!!!!" "What a night for the Matsui Corporation! They stole the spotlight and now they've beaten the mighty Tumaffi!" "FIREBALL! FIREBALL!"] "Stars were made. Careers were shortened. Lives were altered forever." [We can hear the "moment of truth" for Raphael Rhodes... "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!" "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"] "But in the end, there was only one conclusion... SuperClash... IS... wrestling." [One more soundbite. "HE DID IT! HE DID IT! STEVIE BEAT ALL THE ODDS!"] "On Thanksgiving night, show the world of wrestling what you're thankful for." [And a final graphic comes up... SuperClash 2. Thanksgiving Night. We fade back to live action where, backstage, 'Playboy' Johnny Casanova and his manager Big Mama have been found by Mark Stegglet.] JC: Are ya ready for tonight, Steggles? Are ya ready for the Playboy to take the first steps towards winning the Longhorn gold here in the AWA? MS: I'm looking forward to seeing you and Brent Maverick square off, Mr Casanova. JC: And who can blame ya? Cause after seeing me waste a couple of nights on proving to Scotty Mayhem that while that massive weight is hanging around his neck, he'll never reach the level he's capable of, ya get to watch me step in the ring with a real competitor in Brent Maverick. Maverick, ya may be rough, I'll give ya that. Ya may be tough, I'll give ya that too. But ya belong in the past, Maverick! Ya been so busy playing around with Vernon Riley and Eric Preston and the creepy crew or whatever they call themselves, that ya may not have noticed the return to prominence of Johnny Casanova! Cause when ya came out and ya started running ya mouth off about Johnny C, taking cheap shots and making dirty comments about my waistline, ya got me all riled up. And I gotta believe you're smart enough that if ya'd seen the way I destroyed my first few opponents in the AWA, and the first match I had with Scotty Mayhem, ya wouldn't want to get me riled up! So bring it on tonight, Brent, and watch the great cruiserweight fly - cause I can promise ya, you're gonna get a real close up view of this beautiful body! [And with that, we cut down to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: This is a tag team contest scheduled for one fall with a thirty minute time limit and is a non-title affair! Introducing first, to my left, at a combined weight of 475 pounds... first, from Los Angeles, California... Steve Johnson! [A blonde-haired with a slender build and dressed in blue trunks raises his arms to the crowd] MC: His tag team partner is from Italy... he is the Sicilian Stud! [A dark-haired man with a lean build and red trunks, with the Italian flag on the back, raises his arms to the crowd. The opening strands of Deep Purple's "Knocking At Your Back Door" kick in, the chords seemingly building anticipation for what is to come. And once the chords reach their crescendo and the drums kick in, that's when Rough N Ready emerges from the entranceway, immediately drawing a mixed reaction.] MC: And their opponents are the reigning National tag team champs... from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and at a combined weight of 515 pounds... Dave Cooper... Eric Matthew Somers.. the team of ROUGH N READY! [Dave Cooper wears black wrestling trunks, matching kneepads and white wrestling boots, and also wears a black T-shirt that says "Rough N Ready" in white lettering. Eric Matthew Somers wears a black singlet and white wrestling boots.Each has a tag team strap slung over his shoulder. The two come down the rampway, but as they enter the ring, Cooper is quick to remove his shirt, toss his belt aside and charge right at the opposition, with Somers quick to follow.] GM: And Rougn N Ready not wasting any time! BW: I'm not their biggest fan, but they certainly want to send a message to the Blonde Bombers! GM: And they are using Johnson and the Stud to do just that! [Cooper pummels away at the Stud in one corner while Somers repeatedly hammers away on Johnson before tossing him through the ropes. He ignores the referee's warnings to clear the ring as he goes to join Cooper in a double team.] GM: The Silician Stud whipped to the ropes... double elbow right to the face! BW: Both men just stomping away on the Stud! GM: Normally, I would expect to hear you object to these tactics from the likes of Rough N Ready. BW: Hey, they've finally realized they can't just be nice guys if they want to get anywhere in AWA. They're finally getting that killer instinct. [The referee gets in Somers' face, warning him to leave the ring or face disqualification. Somers just smirks and holds up his hands, as Cooper drags the Stud off the canvas, applying a waistlock and taking him over with a belly to belly suplex.] GM: The referee finally getting Somers out of there... Cooper with a belly to belly, now grabbing the leg and kicking away. BW: Stepover toehold applied... Cooper wrenching at that knee. GM: Cooper again with a few kicks... now spinning around the leg again... and falling back into a grapevine! [The Stud struggles on the canvas, trying to get to the ropes, but Cooper releases the hold and repeatedly kicks away at the knee again.] GM: Cooper showing a viciousness in him we have not seen before. BW: Well, unless you count what happened to Crusher Glenn last time. GM: I'm still surprised about that attack. BW: Same here, but you gotta admit, Rough N Ready lived up to their name with it. [The Stud finally gets to the ropes, forcing a break. Cooper backs off for only a moment, though, grabbing the leg again and dropping an elbow to it.] GM: Cooper trying to apply a figure-four leglock... the Stud kicks him off and into the turnbuckles! BW: But how badly is his leg hurt? GM: Cooper turning to go after him... Stud is up, though, and showing some fight! [The Sicilian Stud throws a few punches at Cooper to back him up, then tackles him, shoving him into the corner.] GM: Stud with a pair of forearms... Irish whip to the opposite side. BW: He charges in... Cooper moves! GM: Tag made to Somers! [The big man steps through the ropes as the Stud is dazed on the mat, but he is quickly dragged up and taken over with a gutwrench suplex.] GM: The Stud rolls to his corner... and there's the tag to Johnson. BW: My condolences to Johnson... he's got a big problem on his hands. GM: But Johnson not backing down... he's throwing everything he has at the big man! [Johnson unleashes several chops at Somers, but is then met with a clubbing blow to the back of the head, followed by Somers goozling the throat.] BW: And everything he had wasn't enough! GM: Big chokeslam by Somers! And now he's stepping on his throat! [Johnson clutches his neck as Somers drives his boot into the throat, drawing a warning from the referee, to which Somers just simply shrugs.] GM: Somers showing no mercy to Johnson! BW: I like it... that extra edge is what it takes to be a champion. GM: It's also called bending the rules, if not outright breaking them! And Somers just dragging Johnson off the canvas... and there's the tag to Cooper! [Cooper immediately goes to the second rope as Somers puts Johnson in uranage position, then lifts him up and brings him down as Cooper comes off with a kneedrop to the skull.] GM: Rough Housing! Cooper covers... one... two... three. This one is over! [As the Stud comes into the ring to go help Johnson, Somers is quick to nail him with a blow to the head, then grab him as well.] GM: Hold on! What is this all about! BW: Looks like Rough N Ready has decided the match isn't over yet. GM: It is over! This is not necessary! BW: If they think another message needs to be sent to the Bombers, then it certainly is! [Somers then hits the same uranage slam on the Stud as Cooper hits the kneedrop from the second rope.] GM: Rough Housing again! And the referee getting on their cases! BW: They don't care... all they care about is staying on top of the tag team division. And when you got teams like the Bombers challenging them, you better find ways to stay on top of your game. GM: But not like that! [Dave and Eric both raise their arms to the crowd, drawing more boos this time around. The two then reach over the ring to take their title belts from the ring announcer before the referee can get them, then depart the ring and head up the platform.] GM: We're going to see if Jason Dane can get a few words with these two... Jason? [We cut to Jason Dane at the interview stage.] JD: All right, Rough N Ready with the win tonight... I want to see if I can get a few words with these men... [Dave and Eric now approach the stage.] JD: We now know that these two men will face the Bombers at SuperClash 2 in just over a month's time... but what I want to know- DC: [interrupting] Jason, if you've been watching the past few weeks, you know we aren't here to be nice guys any longer! Blonde Bombers... Larry Doyle... you sure loved telling everybody how you are the top contenders to _our_ tag team titles. Well, boys, it seems to me you just didn't pay close enough attention to what we did at the Battle on the Bayou, and to what we said to every tag team in the AWA about how serious we were about making young punks like yourselves learn to respect those who have been around the horn for a while. JD: You did attack Crusher Glenn... may I ask what that was- EMS: [interrupting] Jason, first of all, I must say it's not too hard to find a fan who hates Larry Doyle and is willing to do what was necessary to get Glenn lured right into our trap. JD: Wait a minute... you are saying you got a fan to- EMS: Hold on, Jason... we didn't have to get a fan to do anything for us. All we needed to know is that Doyle never learned when it was time to keep his big trap shut and we used that against him. DC: Bombers... if I were you, I wouldn't be listening to whatever nonsense Doyle tells you... I'd listen to Crusher Glenn who can certainly tell you about what it's like to feel the wrath of Rough N Ready... and while we will be meeting you at SuperClash 2, you better realize we aren't playing games... we are here to take out every single tag team who dares to come across us! The young punks in the AWA are going to learn respect, and Eric and I are just the men to teach them what respect is about! [With that, Dave and Eric depart the interview stage and we fade to the locker room area where a television is showing the exact same shot we just saw. As the camera pulls back, we find the Rockstar Express standing alongside Mark Stegglet. Scotty Storm is in jeans with a black Motley Crue tanktop while Marty Morgan's got jeans and a t-shirt that reads "18 And Life" across the front. Morgan's also got a bandana tied around his head.] MS: Gentlemen, we just saw the National Tag Team Champions in action. We saw Violence Unlimited and the Blonde Bombers have a heck of a match two weeks ago. We saw the Samoans and the War Pigs both score victories here tonight. The AWA National Tag Team Title division is hotter than ever and just where in the world do you fit in? [Storm cracks a grin.] SS: Marky Mark, you want to know where Marty and I fit in? We fit in wherever the heck we want if you ask me, my friend. MM: That's right, Scotty. Look... we'd be out and out lyin' if we didn't say the AWA had the meanest, toughest, baddest tag team we've ever seen in one place at one time and you can accuse us of a lot of things... SS: Breaking hearts, busting up relationships, stealing your ladies... MM: But you can't accuse us of being liars, Mark! [Stegglet nods.] MS: But you have to feel a bit like you're on the outside looking in at this point, gentlemen. SS: Not at all, not at all. Sure, no one's exactly beatin' down the doors to take a shot at the hottest thing rockin' the country from coast to coast but we're waitin' and watchin'. MM: You got it, baby, and if y'all were watchin' too, you just saw Rough N Ready out there yappin' their mouths. They seem to think that just because they're the National Tag Team Champions, they can call out every tag team in this joint. SS: And when we hear words like... "young punks"... we take offense at that, Mark. MS: You think they were referring to you? MM: Well, look, Mark... when it's Old Man Somers and Geriatric Cooper talkin' about people being young, they might be referring to Soup Bone Samson, Geezer Gaines, and Moldy Meekly for that matter! SS: Young punks. You know what kind of people say "young punks", Marky? [Stegglet shakes his head.] SS: I do. 'Cause I've been called it before. It was that time when I kicked a ball on Old Man Sawyer's front lawn and went through his rosebushes to get it. He yelled, "Get off my roses, ya young punk!" MM: And that's exactly what Rough N Ready are these days. They're two old men sitting on a porch somewhere, drinkin' light beer, and shoutin' at kids to get off their front lawn. And in this case, their front lawn is the entire AWA. SS: That's right, Marty, but we don't listen so well... even to our elders. So, Marty and I are here to stay, champs... and while we may respect what you can do in the ring, we sure as heck don't respect what you're doin' outside of it these days. MM: And you know the problem with bein' the old men on the front porch, Steggs? MS: What's that? MM: Eventually someone's gonna put you out to pasture. [A high-five goes up between Morgan and Storm before they make their exit together.] MS: Well, fans, I'd say that just might be a challenge for our National Tag Team Champions. And speaking of titles, it's time for the next match in the Longhorn Heritage Title tournament so let's go back down to the ring for that one! [We crossfade back to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit and is a first round matchup in the tournament to crown the Longhorn Heritage Champion! The winner of this match will meet Wade Kennedy in the second round! Introducing first... [Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love" kicks in to a big negative reaction.] MC: He hails from Beverly Hills, California and is being led to the ring by Big Mama... weighing in tonight at... [Melissa looks shocked at her cards.] MC: Two hundred three and one-half pounds? [She shakes her head.] MC: "PLAYBOY" JOHNNY CAAAAAASANOOOOOVA! [Casanova saunters from the locker room in a set of canary yellow tights and a feather boa to match. He struts a big, pausing to look over his heart-shaped shades into the camera lens as Big Mama plants a big kiss on his cheek.] BW: Here they are, Gordo - the perfect couple! GM: According to who? BW: Well, can you think of one better? GM: I can think of a lot better. BW: Not you and any of your six ex-wives! GM: No, probably not. [Casanova reaches the ring where Big Mama sits on the middle rope, holding the ropes open for the Playboy who hits the ring and immediately goes into a spin, causing the feathers to fly.] GM: This guy is a real piece of work, you know that? BW: "Playboy" Johnny C is one of the fastest rising newcomers in AWA history - and a breathtaking aerial artist inside that ring. He'd give Nenshou a run for his money if you ask me. GM: Aerial? Are you out of your mind? This guy couldn't get more than a foot off the mat without a step ladder! [Casanova steps up on the bottom rope, planting his hands on the back of his head to give a hip swivel to the jeering fans... ...when suddenly his music changes to the southern-rock styled cover of "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" by Enrico Morricone that plays over the PA, drawing loud cheers from the crowd as Brent Maverick power-walks down the elevated rampway of the Crockett Colosseum. His dress-wear is gone; he's back in normal ring attire. Garbed in his traditional rust-red knee-length trunks (with a small yellow Arizona Sun logo near the left hip), laceless red leather 'cowboy' boots, and a brown leather vest, the compact physique of Maverick practically launches through the ropes. He raises his fingerless-gloved hands to the crowd, but keeps a sharp eye on Casanova as he does.] MC: And his opponent... from Tucson, Arizona... weighing two-hundred fourty-two pounds... BRENT MAVERICK! [Maverick ditches his vest, and walks over to the referee to tell him something or other... pointing at Casanova as he does.] GM: Brent Maverick is a man on a mission here tonight - looking to move on to the quarterfinals where he would meet Wade Kennedy in what would be an outstanding matchup in my estimation, Bucky. BW: What the heck is Maverick doing? [The crowd buzzes as Maverick insistantly points at Casanova, barking at the official who shrugs, walking over to the Playboy.] GM: Is he- he's searching Casanova! BW: What in the wide world of spots is going on? This is a travesty! Johnny Casanova is a man of integrity and sportsmanship! What would make someone think he'd try to bring a weapon into a match like this? GM: Because he's done it before! BW: Circumstantial evidence - all of it! [The referee pats down the reluctant Casanova, searching his boots and kneepads before checking the waistband of the trunks. Finding nothing, the official turns back to Maverick, shrugging his shoulders... ...and allowing Big Mama to hand something into the ring where Casanova promptly stuffs it down the front of his trunks!] GM: Did you see that? BW: Of course I saw it! We were just talking about what a crying shame it is that Maverick would stoop to- GM: No! Did you see Big Mama hand that... whatever it was... into Casanova? BW: What are you talking about, Gordo? Did you take your medicine tonight? GM: I'm not going crazy, Bucky. I saw it very clearly. Casanova has a weapon of some sorts stuffed down his trunks and- [Casanova gestures at Maverick, demanding the same search. But as soon as Maverick raises a boot to be checked, the Playboy leaps into action, rushing across the ring to assault him... ...but Maverick shoves the official aside, blocking the right hand and connecting with one of his own as the referee calls for the bell to start the match!] GM: Here we go! [Maverick quickly drives the heavier Casanova back into the ropes where he peppers him with hooking blows to the chubby torso of the big man. He promptly grabs the wrist, trying to fire him across but Casanova reverses it.] GM: The reversal shoots in Maverick to the ropes and- [There's a big cheer as the rebounding Maverick catches Casanova with a running clothesline that knocks the big man down. The alleged Beverly Hills native promptly rolls to the floor to the comforting arms of Big Mama... ...who yelps in shock, getting out of the way as Brent Maverick rolls to the floor to pursue his opponent.] GM: Brent Maverick is very focused here tonight. He knows he's a couple more wins away from being in the finals at SuperClash with the Longhorn Heritage Title hanging in the balance. This is Step #1 - put down the Playboy. BW: Not gonna happen. It's gonna be the best Thanksgiving ever at the Casanova residence when he settles down for turkey dinner with that pretty gold belt around his waist. [Maverick again batters Casanova on the floor with rights and lefts to the body. He grabs the arm, flinging the bulky Playboy into the ringside barricade to a loud clang!] GM: Ohh! Into the steel goes Casanova! [Grabbing him by his bottle blond locks, Maverick fires Casanova under the ropes into the ring. He hops up on the ring apron... ...and as Casanova grabs the official to beg for mercy, Big Mama grabs the leg of Maverick, preventing him from getting back inside the ring!] GM: Oh, come on, referee! Keep your eyes on her! BW: Just because you can't take your eyes off her, it don't mean the official has to do the same thing. He needs to call the match, Gordo. GM: That woman is interfering in a match with very high stakes and she needs to be removed from ringside, in my opinion. [The interference is enough to allow Casanova to get to his feet, jabbing a thumb in the eye of the distracted Maverick. He promptly hooks a three quarter nelson and then drops down to his butt, snapping Maverick's throat down on the top rope!] GM: Ohh! Maverick gets hung out to dry over the top rope and down he goes to the floor! [Casanova backs off, pleading innocence on the eyegouge... ..and allowing Big Mama to lay in kick after kick to the ribs of the downed Maverick!] GM: This is ridiculous! Someone needs to put a stop to her nonsense! [After a few moments, she backs away, walking around the corner of the ring so the referee sees nothing as he turns around to start his ten count. At the count of five, Maverick reaches his feet, using the ropes to haul himself up on the apron where Casanova approaches.] GM: It looks like the Playboy's gonna bring him in the hard way. [Reaching down, Casanova scoops up Maverick off the apron, turns, and PLANTS him with a heavy bodyslam!] GM: Big time slam by Casanova and- [The egotistical Playboy goes into another hip swivel to the jeers of the crowd before leaping up and burying an elbowdrop into the sternum, knocking him flat. Casanova rolls into a lateral press, shouting "Count him, baby!" as he does so.] GM: Cover for one... for two... but that's all. Brent Maverick's out at two. [Grabbing Maverick by the back of the head, Casanova creams him with a couple right hands to the temple. He shoves him back down to the mat as he climbs to his feet and delivers a pair of kicks to the ribs that causes Maverick to roll over towards the ropes.] GM: Maverick's in trouble early in this one. He got off to a fast start but some timely interference by Big Mama has really thrown his train off the tracks. [Leaning on the top rope, Casanova presses the sole of his boot down on the windpipe of Maverick, causing the Arizona native to flail wildly as the referee counts again.] GM: Casanova breaks at four - backing away... [And Big Mama reaches under the ropes, yanking Maverick's head under them so his throat is exposed... ...and SLAMS her elbow down on the windpipe!] GM: Good grief! This woman is vicious! BW: My kind of female, daddy. She don't back down from no one. [As she backs away, Casanova pushes past the referee to move back in. He leans over, grabbing Maverick's legs under his armpits... ...and drops back, SNAPPING Maverick's throat up into the bottom rope!] GM: OHHHHHH! That might be enough there. [Casanova applies another press, putting his three hundred pounds across the chest.] GM: We've got one! We've got two! We've got- [But Maverick fires the shoulder off the mat before the three count comes down, narrowly avoiding a loss.] GM: Brent Maverick just barely got the shoulder up there. And Casanova's not done with him. [Staying on target, Casanova drags him from the ropes by the foot, pulling him near the corner.] GM: Uh oh. What's he going for here? BW: Now we're gonna see it, Gordo! Now we're gonna see the high-flying! GM: I'll believe it when I see it. BW: Keep those peepers open, daddy! [Casanova backs to the corner, slowly edging up so he's standing on the bottom rope. He looks around nervously at the jeering crowd... ...and puts one foot on the middle rope.] BW: He's headed for the high rent district! GM: He's still on the bottom rope! BW: It's just a matter of time. [Casanova wipes his brow with his hand before stepping up to the second rope with the other foot. He's gripping the top rope hard, white-knuckled as he looks down at Maverick with fear.] GM: This guy's gonna have a coronary standing on the second rope! [He slowly releases the ropes, putting his hands on his head to do another hip swivel... ...and leaps!] GM: ELLLLBO- [BIG CHEER!] GM: MAVERICK MOVED! MAVERICK MOVED! [Brent Maverick uses the ropes to haul himself to his feet as Casanova rolls back and forth on the mat, clutching his lower back. A staggered Maverick hauls Casanova off the canvas by the hair into a side headlock, turning away from the ref... ...and JAMMING his thumb up into the throat!] GM: Uh oh - a little illegal action there - right out of the Playboy's playbook! BW: Are you kidding me? Casanova hasn't even bent a rule in this one - let alone break one. GM: The night's still early. [Spinning Casanova out of the headlock, Maverick flings him hard chestfirst into the corner with a whip... ...and bulldozes him with an enzuilariato on the rebound!] GM: CLOTHESLINE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD!! [Maverick flips the plump Playboy to his back, throwing himself into a lateral press.] GM: Cover for one! For two! But that's all - shoulder up at two! [The crowd roars as Maverick takes the mount, blasting his opponent with repeated blows to the skull!] GM: He's beating the heck out of Casanova in the middle of the ring! [Maverick pops up at the referee's four count, smashing himself across the chest with a right hand and hollering to the crowd.] GM: Brent Maverick is fired up tonight! [Dragging Casanova off the mat, Maverick ducks down, grabbing Casanova between the legs... ...and somehow powers him up into a fireman's carry!] GM: OH MY!! HE'S GOT HIM UP FOR ACEY DEUC- [But Casanova, knowing what's coming next, promptly rakes his hands across the eyes. He drops down behind Maverick, shoving him hard with both hands in the back... ...and right over the ropes to the floor thanks to Big Mama pulling down the top rope!] GM: OHHHHH! DOWN TO THE FLOOR!! [The crowd jeers as Big Mama begs off from the referee's quizzing, shaking her head with feigned innocence.] BW: She says she didn't do it, Gordo. GM: Of course she does. She lies and you swear to it. Makes me sick. [Big Mama continues to argue with the official when suddenly Brent Maverick pulls himself to his feet... ...and spins Big Mama around, fist at his side.] GM: Oh my god - don't do it, Brent! Don't do it! She's not worth it! BW: Look at this coward. He's gonna deck a woman! GM: No he's not - he's not gonna do it, Bucky! Look at him - he's not gonna do it! [Maverick, filled with rage, is shaking as he glares at Big Mama with his clenched fists at his sides. He looks ready to snap, to smash her in the face with a haymaker... ...but simply shakes his head, climbing back up on the apron.] GM: Maverick's back up on- [The crowd begins to buzz.] GM: Scott Mayhem! Mayhem's heading down the ramp! BW: Why? Get him out of here! [The wild-eyed Mayhem stalks down the ramp, showing no signs of his intent as he gets closer and closer to the ring.] GM: Why is Scott Mayhem out here? What does he intend to do, Bucky? BW: You want me to psychoanalyze this fruitcake? He might be out here to scout a future match or to kill everyone in the building. No clue. [Mayhem pauses just before the ring, glaring at Casanova who is gesturing wildly at Mayhem, pointing him out to the official.] GM: The referee is telling Mayhem to stay out of this! There's no need for Scott Mayhem to be out here and this could have a big effect on this matchup. [Up on the apron, Brent Maverick also spots Mayhem and seems to be reading him the same version of the riot act.] GM: Maverick wants him out of here too! He's telling Mayhem to back off and- [A furious Mayhem shouts in Maverick's direction, pointing a finger of warning at him as well. Trying to seize the moment, Casanova rushes forward with a shoulderblock that sends Maverick sailing off the apron, crashing into the ringside barricade!] GM: OHHH! INTO THE RAILING GOES BRENT MAVERICK!! The momentary distraction of Scott Mayhem just cost Brent Maverick in a big fashion! [And Casanova knows it and loves it. He backs away, mocking Mayhem loudly. He breaks into a hip swivel in Mayhem's direction, further taunting him. The referee backs Casanova away, trying to maintain order... ...when suddenly Mayhem leaps into action, quickly scaling the ropes!] GM: NO! NO!! [As Mayhem reaches the top rope, Casanova shouts at the official, pointing him out.] GM: If he does this, Maverick will be disqualified! You can't assault Casanova! You just can't do it, Scott! Think! Damn it, think for one second! [Mayhem looks down at Casanova, swirling a finger through the air... ...and then turns slightly, leaping from his perch and bringing a double axehandle down over the skull of a dazed Brent Maverick, knocking him flat!] GM: What the-?! [Seeing the attack, the referee immediately calls for the bell!] "DING! DING! DING!" [A puzzled Casanova looks on, shaking his head in disbelief as the referee talks with Melissa Cannon.] MC: Ladies and gentlemen... the referee's official decision is... due to outside interference from Scott Mayhem, "Playboy" Johnny Casanova has been DISQUALIFIED! [And that's when Casanova loses it, jumping up and down, kicking the ropes.] MC: Your winner of the match - moving on to the second round... BRENNNNNNT MAAAAAVERICK! [The camera cuts to a downed Maverick who has no idea what has just happened. A grinning Scott Mayhem climbs back up on the ramp, pointing mockingly at Casanova as he backpedals down the ramp.] GM: Mayhem did that on purpose! He knew what he was doing out here the whole time! He just cost Johnny Casanova the chance to advance in this tournament! Brent Maverick is moving on to the second round where he'll meet young Wade Kennedy in what should be one heck of a matchup, Bucky! BW: Are you kidding me? Johnny Casanova just got utterly screwed over here in Dallas and you want to talk about Wade Kennedy?! WADE KENNEDY?! ARRRGH! GM: That's EXACTLY what just happened and quite frankly, I love it! Fans, we've got to take a quick break but before we do, let's go backstage where Jason Dane has caught up with former National Champion, Kolya Sudakov! Jason? [And backstage we go to Dane and Sudakov. Sudakov is dressed in a black singlet lacking the usual gold hammer and sickle we're used to seeing on it. He does carry the Russian chain around his shoulders though.] JD: Kolya Sudakov, we're just moments away from your first major singles match here in the AWA since returning back in July. Your thoughts? KS: Jason Dane, Kolya has worked very hard since July to get back in shape. Kolya has run harder than ever before. Kolya has lifted more weights. Kolya has fought tougher opponents in training. Kolya is ready. JD: You certainly look ready. But it must be weighing heavily on your mind. The last time you stepped foot in an AWA ring for a major singles match, you lost the AWA National Title to Stevie Scott. And if I were a betting man, I'd wager you want that title back at all costs. KS: Kolya knows that if not for Ben Waterson, I still be champ, Jason Dane. I know that and you know that - the AWA fans, they know that too. And I know that Stevie Scott... he is marked man. Juan Vasquez - he want Scott. Marcus Broussard - he want Scott. Mizusawa. Rhodes. Houston. Everyone want piece of Stevie Scott. But Kolya Sudakov is former National Champion. Kolya Sudakov NEVER receive rematch for National Title. And tonight, Kolya Sudakov begins the path back to National Title. JD: Do you feel like you may be overlooking Sultan Azam Sharif at all? KS: Sharif good wrestler. Very good wrestler. And with Bathwaite in corner, Sharif very dangerous wrestler. But Sharif is no Kolya Sudakov. Bring your camel clutch, Sharif... [Sudakov holds up his right arm, still partially wrapped in tape.] KS: Because you know Kolya brings the Sickle... and it comes for you. [The former National Champion walks out of view as we fade to black... ...and then back up on a shot of the AWA National Title belt. The super-excited voice of Mark Stegglet is heard over it.] "You've seen it on Saturday Night Wrestling!" [A shot of Marcus Broussard with the belt over his shoulder.] "You've seen it on AWA supercards like Memorial Day Mayhem and The Last Stampede!" [A shot of Ron Houston wearing the belt in a promo picture.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air fades into a shot of a young fan doing the same.] "Available NOW on AWAShop.com, get the official replica of the AWA National Title belt that only the best and brightest of the AWA superstars have held!" [A closeup of the AWA National Title slowly fades to black... ...and then comes back up to live action at ringside where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Welcome back, fans, to AWA Saturday Night Wrestling. We are LIVE here in Dalllas, Texas, at the Crockett Coliseum for another great night of AWA action and we- Well, now wait just a minute... [The fans boo as the bisht-clad, kaffiyeh-topped figure of Sultan Azam Sharif sweeps down the aisle, descends the steps to ringside, and heads for the broadcast booth.] GM: Sultan, pardon me sir, but the new interview platform is over on the other side of the arena. [The Sultan politely asks Bucky for his microphone, and gets it. He wears so much outer clothing that it is hard to see his face, but apparently he's got a fairly solemn expression.] SAS: Men fathlek, Mistair Gordon Mayers. I come out here to you un Mistair Booky Vilde, because of vat it vas my manaiger, Mistair Count Batvaite, say on deh last show. I vant to opologize for dot vat he say. [The booing shifts... some boo and yell louder, because they were here and they know what Bathwaite said that got him bleeped out by WKIK. Others listen, as the Sultan does seem contrite about this.] GM: That is honorable of you. SAS: Dank you. I am honairable man, dot is vhy dey call me Sharif. Deh Sultan did not come here to AmerEcun peepell for jihad. Deh Sultan come here for to prove dot Iranian peepell, deh best peepell in deh vurld! Un Iranian at-ehl-etes deh best at-ehl-etes in deh vurld! [The people who had quieted down because of his apology now start jeering again.] SAS: Doss vhy ve not gonna talk about jihad! Ve gonna talk about AWA! Un Mistair Kooyla Sudokupff, last time, you sneak attock me! But den I vas in deh dressink room, un I vas gonna avonge my honair un break your bock! But den, Mistair EE-von Kostovich, aleyhi salaam, he come un ask me dot I should not do dot. Un I say to him, "Mistair EE-von Kostovich, salaam, but vat for did you vant dot I not gonna avonge my honair?" Un he tell me, Koolya Sudokupff, he did not know vat deh meaning of raspeck vas! Un dot is vhy dey gonna take him bock to Roosha un teach him raspeck aftair I beat him tonight. GM: Wait just a minute! What did you say? Ivan Kostovich wants... what? [Sharif puts up the palms of his hands in a placating manner.] SAS: Illi bedri bedri, welli maa bedri begool kaf 'adas. GM: That's... nice. In English? SAS: Dot mean dot deh peepell dot gotta know, dey already know it. All you gotta know is tonight! Koolya Sudokupff! [The Sultan turns to address the camera, whipping off his Kaffiyeh to reveal a focused expression on his weather-beaten visage. His black hair, mustache, and beard are as immaculately trimmed as ever, and his demeanor suggests that he's rather amped up about this.] SAS: You vas AWA shampwon! But I vas Olympic shampwon, un Pahlavn-e Keshvar, Varzesh-e Pahlavani! You got me vid deh Sickail last time, but now is gonna be compleht-ly diffrunt! OntollEgunt AmerEcun all saw dot you sneak attock me, but dey know un Iranian peepell know un Booky Vilde know! Dey know dot nobody escape deh Camail Clutch ven deh Sultan do it! Un den you gonna learn raspeck, deh way deh Iranian peepell know raspeck! But aftair I finush vid you, like I told Mistair Kostovich, il-bāb illi bijīk minnu ir-rīh, siddu wistarīH. I gonna let you go vid just dot un not deh broken bock dot I vould have give you. [The Sultan hands Bucky his microphone back, nodding and thanking him politely. Following that, the Sultan points at the cameraman, and we can hear his next directive quite clearly.] SAS: Get ready! You gonna ZOOM ven I beat dot Rooshan! IRAN! NUMBAIR VUN! [The Sultan heads off-screen as he is proclaiming this, leaving Gordon behind shaking his head as Bucky wipes the spittle off of his microphone.] GM: I have a hard time understanding him, Bucky. What did he say about Ivan Kostovich? BW: That anyone who needed to know about it already did? And that means you don't need to know, Gordon. GM: Gee, thanks... Booky. BW: ... GM: Let's go up to the ring. [We fade up to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten-minute time limit. Already in the ring, from Cambridge, MA and weighing in at 200 pounds: Carey "Crew" Crewes! [The crowd gives a curtosy pop to the guy dressed like a rowing crew member.] MC: His opponent, from Haleburg, AL; "Mr. Murder" Irvin Merrill Monford! [Irvin does not even acknolwedge the crowd as he goes straight for Carey Crewes and clocks him with a stiff right to the jaw.] GM: Mr. Murder wasting no time in his second apperance here in the AWA. BW: I told you Gordo, he's all business. GM: Monford grabbing Crewes and tossing him over his shoulder onto the mat. Crewes sits up and is greeted to a lunging forward kick to the back of the head. BW: Mr. Murder's business is whipping butt and business is picking up! [Crewes is shaking his head as Monford grabs a handful of hair.] GM: Irvin wasting no time and is trying to lift up Crewes by the hair to get him into a standing position. Carey Crewes retaliates with a fist to the stomach! And another! [The crowd cheers as Crewes starts to rally. Crewes gets a running start, trying to deliver a shoulder block when Irvin promptly leaps in the air, kicking him square in the face with an enzugiri style kick!] GM: Boombox! That big kick out of nowhere right to the face of Crewes. [Mr. Murder points at the prone form of Crewes with his right hand before dragging his thumb across his throat with his left. He drops into a cover over the prone Crewes as the referee makes the academic three count.] GM: And that three count is just a formality as Irvin Merril Monford improves upon his performance at the last time he was in that ring! BW: You don't disrespect a veteran like Irv without someone facing consequences, Gordo. GM: I've received word that "Mr. Murder" is standing by with Jason Dane. [Standing side by side is the sweaty form of Irv Monford and Jason Dane.] JD: Irv... [Irvin takes a hold of the hand Jason is holding the microphone in and brings it towards him.] IMM: Hold it. I am not wasting any more time by blabbing on and on about what I'm gonna do. Instead I'm just going to say that's #2. The second casualty on my climb up the ladder. I didn't come to play no chubby cheeked hero for all the people to cheer. I came here to get paid. That's 2 paychecks down and 98 to go. [A huff precedes IMM's stomping off.] JD: Well, it seems that Mr. Murder has 99 problems but Carey Crewes wasn't one of 'em. Let's head back down to ringside to Gordon and Bucky! Guys? [We crossfade to the ringside area where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Thanks, Jason. Mr. Murder certainly has been impressive his first couple times out here in the AWA but he has yet to face anyone of true competi... [Gordon trails off as he looks off-camera. The shot zooms out a bit as Brian Von Braun steps into view, wearing a pair of black jeans and no shirt. He has his silver, skull-headed cane with him. No sunglasses and the biggest sneer on his face.] GM: Mr. Von Braun. [Von Braun has no response.] GM: I don't believe you're scheduled to be out here yet. [Still no response, Von Braun simply glaring at Myers.] GM: Very well. We'll do this your way. Two weeks ago, you told Ron Houston he would learn rule number one of your game. BVB: An' I don't feel like rehashin' what I said, Gordon. [BVB looks towards the back.] BVB: C'mon out, Ron. I know yer back there. [A familiar tune begins to reverberate throughout the arena.. the haunting opening piano chords of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata". The crowd pops as the larger than life figure of the second ever National Champion steps out.. black cowboy hat teetering down to the brim of his eyes, long tan confederate flag trench coat.. and two clenched fists that deliver his mood in unison. Houston strolls down towards the ring slowly, eyeing his surroundings carefully.. not trusting a man who tried to set him up a mere two weeks prior. He reaches the ring and removes his trench coat.. tossing it carelessly to the side. The hat soon follows. Ready for anything Von Braun has to offer.. his body is cloaked in his traditional ringwear which consists of a pair of black trunks.. black knee pads.. black boots.. and a black arm sleeve covering the arm that almost retired him. Houston nods towards Gordon and approaches, his Athens blues staring right through BVB.] GM: New music, Ron? [Houston seems distracted.. as if he doesn't trust his environment. His eyes wander.] RH: Old music, Gordon. Just seems fittin' ta go back ta what ah started with. But that ain't why ah'm out here.. [Houston nods at Von Braun.] RH: Ah'm out here cause Brian Von Braun ain't got the gumption ta let sleepin' dogs lie. Cause week in and week out the man simply can't accept the fact that ah've got his _number_. [Houston inches in a bit closer.] RH: This could be a trap.. [Houston smiles uncharacteristically.] RH: .. but ah don't care. [Houston inches in and is practically nose-to-nose with his enemy.] RH: Because ah _own_ you, Von Braun. [Houston backs up.. almost tauntingly.] RH: And first chance ah get.. first chance ya _give_ me.. ah'm gonna take what ah've left of yer career.. [Houston motions to his broad shoulders.] RH: .. and ah'm gonna Fade.. it.. out! [Big cheer! BVB looks at Houston for a moment.] BVB: Are you gettin' paid by how many times ya say "fade", Ron? Lemme tell ya my catch phr- [A man jumps the security railing behind Ron Houston. Myers sees the man and immediately backs away. BVB takes a few steps back as well. Seeing Myers' eyes travel behind him, Houston turns around only to be met with a hard right hand to the jaw.] BW: Look out, Gordo! [The announcers clear out of the way as Houston and the other man start trading shots right next to the announce desk. Houston seems to be getting the better of the exchange... ...when suddenly, Von Braun brings the skull part of his cane down into Houston's back to the jeers of the crowd!] GM: Ohh! Cheapshot by Von Braun! That no-good... [Houston stumbles forward past Gordon, stumbling near the security railing where another man leaps over the railing, joining the fray.] GM: What the hel... can we get some security out here?! [The third man starts punching away on Houston along with the first and BVB. Houston goes down to a knee. The crowd roars its disapproval with a round of boos.] GM: These men are beating Ron Houston down to the floor! What kind of a setup is this?! Who the heck are these guys anyways? BW: Actually, I think I recognize them! Isn't that first guy Tony Thomas? GM: You're right! It is! He's Von Braun's cousin! Von Braun's got a family member attacking Ron Houston out here and... that other guy... can we get a closeup on... [The camera cuts to the other guy who is laying the boots into the ribs of the downed Houston.] GM: Yes! That's Kip Butler! He's Thomas' partner in the tag team known as Hollywood By Night! Those aren't just two random fans! Von Braun set this whole thing up, Bucky! [Von Braun drives a boot of his own into the ear of the floored Houston before barking an order.] "Get 'im inta tha ring!" [Butler grabs Houston's arms and holds them back as Thomas unloads with punches to Houston's head.] GM: Von Braun wants him in the ring and Hollywood By Night continues to pummel Houston down here on the floor! Where the heck is security in all this? None of these men work here! This is a mugging! [Suddenly, a fourth man comes over the railing... a little slower than the other two... but he's a lot more familiar to wrestling fans.] GM: That's... that's Scott Von Braun! BW: You've gotta love a man who brings his daddy to town to help stomp a punk like Houston into the floor! GM: This is completely insane! [Directing traffic on the floor, BVB gets Butler and Thomas to shove Houston under the ropes into the ring. Thomas delivers one final punch before Scott Von Braun shoves him aside, unloading a barrage of fists to the head of the former National Champion.] GM: Scott Von Braun joins in the attack! BW: What did you expect? He was going to save Houston? [As Butler lets go of Houston's arms, the East Coast Terror slumps down to all fours where all four men deliver stomp after stomp to him.] GM: This is getting difficult to watch, fans. This is a four-on-one assault on Ron Houston and is this what Von Braun was talking about? Is this Rule #1 for him? BW: It's gotta be, Gordo! Von Braun orchestrated this whole thing and Ron Houston's wishing he'd never gotten into his face at this point. [Breaking away from the pack, the eldest Von Braun climbs up on the apron, stepping into the ring as Hollywood by Night pull up Houston and roll him into the ring under the bottom rope. BVB walks over to the announce table and grabs a house microphone off the table. He holds up his index finger.] BVB: Rule number one, Ron? Blood _is_ thicker than water. [The crowd jeers as BVB drops the mic back onto the table. SVB is delivering vicious stomps to Houston as Hollywood By Night roll under the ropes to join him. A hard kick to the ribs by SVB rolls Houston onto his back.] GM: Tony Thomas is standing over him, screaming down at Houston and- "SLAAAAAAAAAP!" "OHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: Oh, come on! He just slapped the taste out of Ron Houston's mouth! [BVB slides headfirst into the ring, climbing to his feet. Tony Thomas pats his own arms, telling the eldest Von Braun to pull Houston up and hold him. The patriarch of the Von Braun clan obliges, hauling Houston to his feet and restraining his arms behind him. With a grin, Thomas raises his right arm, swinging it around once before racing to the ropes where he bounces off, barreling towards the former National Champion.] GM: Look out here! BW: LARIAT! [Thomas winds the arm back to deliver his End of the Line lariat... ...but Houston breaks free and ducks out of the way at the last possible second, leaving Scott Von Braun to take the brunt of the brutal lariat. Big cheer!] GM: HE MISSED! HE MISSED THE LARIAT ON HOUSTON! BW: But he didn't miss it on Scott Von Braun! [The roaring crowd comes to their feet, cheering loudly as a remorseful Thomas and a concerned BVB immediately go to check on the fallen SVB.] GM: Brian Von Braun is obviously concerned here for his father and- BW: Why do you sound so surprised, Gordo? It's his father! Of course he's concerned! [Kip Butler looks on, hands on hips for a moment as the other two men check on their downed partner-in-crime but as he turns... ...he finds Ron Houston on his feet staring him dead in the eye! Big cheer!] GM: Oh yeah! Get 'em, Ron! [Butler lunges forward, arm outstretched.] GM: Clothesli- ducked by Houston! [And as Butler turns to continue the fight, he gets rocked with a haymaker well-aimed at the chest!] GM: PULSE KILLER! PULSE KILLER! [The heart punch staggers Butler, sending him stumbling backwards wher ehe falls between the ropes and out to the floor. The cheers from the crowd get louder.] GM: Butler's out of there! And then there were three! [Hearing the cheers from the crowd, Thomas and BVB turn around only for each to get hit with a double lariat from the East Coast Terror. The crowd cheers even louder.] GM: Haha! Clear the lane because Ron Houston just picked up the spare! BW: Oh, that's real funny, Gordo! [Not skipping a beat, Houston grabs the stunned Thomas, peeling him off the mat. In one fluid motion, he lifts Thomas into a fireman's carry position and then drives Thomas down to the mat with the Fade to Black. HUUUUUGE cheer! As Thomas hits the mat, he immediately rolls outside of the ring.] GM: THOMAS IS OUT AS WELL! HE GOT FADED OUT! [Houston turns around, pointing to the roaring crowd... ...and then points right to the exposed back of Brian Von Braun who is in a daze grabbing at the ropes to pull himself to his feet.] GM: He's got him right where he wants him! He's got him all alone! [BVB gets to his knees, using the middle rope for support. He tries to stand, but falls with his back against the turnbuckle.] GM: Von Braun can barely stand at this point, Bucky! [Slowly, Von Braun raises his head and spots Houston who is glaring at the Rocket City Badboy. Houston looks down at the prone form of Scott Von Braun and a devious smile crosses his face.] GM: Ahaha! You know what he's thinking! BW: "I shouldn't beat up senior citizens?" [Houston moves over to Scott Von Braun and pulls the eldest of the Von Braun clan to his feet. Houston scoops SVB up onto his shoulder as the crowd gets even louder. He points at BVB. BVB looks wide-eyed at what's about to happen...] GM: FADE TO BLACK! [SVB hits the mat face-first, bouncing, and rolling under the bottom rope and to the arena floor. The Invader's eyes go from wide to wild. BVB grabs the top rope on either side of the turnbuckle and pulls himself to his feet. He charges right at the East Coast Terror.] BW: Ron just signed his death warranty, daddy! Bee Vee Bee is fired up! GM: Ron Houston has fought the odds and laid out Scott Von Braun, Tony Thomas, and Kip Butler! He's got one more to contend with! [BVB leaps at Houston with a Thesz press. The crowd roars their approval as Houston catches BVB and takes two steps back, maintaining his vertical base. A smirk crosses Houston's face as he puts his arm underneath BVB to lift him onto his shoulders and into a very bad position.] GM: This is not good for Brian! This is not a good position at all! BW: He can't do this, Gordo! [The crowd buzzes as Von Braun tries to shake himself free from the East Coast Terror. Houston takes a few steps, teasing what's about to happen...] "THUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" GM: FADE TO BLACK! Houston just Faded Brian Von Braun for the _third_ time! [The crowd roars their approval as Von Braun hits the mat face-first, bounces up, and lands on his back. The East Coast Terror sits up, with a cat that ate the canary grin.] GM: Houston is mouthing SuperClash! I think he's challenging Brian Von Braun.. on the biggest night of the AWA year! BW: Leave it to Houston to challenge a man he brutally attacked to a match.. such a slimeball. GM: Von Braun and his.. his.. family instigated this entire thing, Bucky. And you know that. But in the end, we've seen Ron Houston deliver the Fade To Black to Brian Von Braun THREE times now. And how desperate is Brian Von Braun at this point? First, he sends Kraken after Houston. When that fails, he sends his own family after him! What's next? BW: The Alabama National Guard? GM: And I bet Ron Houston would find a way to fight them off as well! Fans, we've gotta take a quick break - don't go away 'cause we'll be right back! And then fade back up to a "star field" looking background. Some crazy techno music is playing in the background as the AWA logo appears on the screen. The voice of Jason Dane is heard.] "The AWA heads back out on tour for the Road To SuperClash!" [The graphic changes to one reading: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21 LAREDO, TEXAS LAREDO ENERGY ARENA] "What better place than Laredo, Texas to see more matches in the tournament to crown the first Longhorn Heritage Title? Robert Donovan versus Jack Holland! Plus more!" [The graphic changes again - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA ABE LEMONS ARENA] "Oklahoma will be red hot as they welcome Danny Morton home as he takes on MAMMOTH Mizusawa! Plus Juan Vasquez, Marcus Broussard, and the National Tag Team Champions, Rough N Ready will be in action!" [The graphic changes once more - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23 LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS JACK STEPHENS CENTER] "The action in Little Rock will be something you will NOT want to miss! James Monosso is on the card! Eric Preston will be in action! And the National Title will be on the line when "Hotshot" Stevie Scott defends the gold!" [The graphic changes back to the AWA logo.] "Don't miss the AWA - the MAJOR league of professional wrestling - when it comes to your town!" [And the music cuts out as we fade to black. When we come back to iive action, we are backstage with Jason Dane standing in front of a locker room door. He is accompanied by the leather jacket-wearing, sunglasses-sporting "Gentleman" Jack Holland, who comes equipped with his familiar sardonic smirk.] JD: Hey, AWA fans, I'm standing back here with a man who has advanced to the second round of the Longhorn Heritage Tournament, "Gentleman" Jack Holland. GJH: How's it goin', Dane-o? JD: It's going well, Mr. Holland. Now, as I said, you advanced into the second round of this tournament, beating Tin Can Rust by somewhat dubious circumstances. GJH: That's right, and if you're listenin', Rust, I'm damn sorry about how that worked out. JD: Care to elaborate? GJH: I'm a wrestler. That's what I do. And people might have some qualms about my specific tactics when I get into the ring. They might say I bend the rules, and I ain't gonna shy away from that. But one thing I don't need is help. My own wits, my own strength, that's what gets me through night in and night out. I want everybody to know that I ain't got nothin' to do with Calisto Dufrense, I ain't WANT nothin' to do with Dufrense, and he better start prayin' to the big man upstairs that he don't have to stick his nose in my business again if he doesn't want to feel the shotgun blast. JD: That's certainly good to hear. In your upcoming tournament contest you'll be squaring off against Longhorn Wrestling Council veteran Robert Donovan, who defeated Jesse Ewiak to earn his spot, and far more convincingly than-- [Holland calmly slapped his hand over the microphone to interrupt Dane's momentum. After a second, he grabbed Dane's wrist and brought the microhpone to his mouth.] GJH: Robert Donovan, you done a lot in your career. I ain't a wrestling historian but I ain't stupid, neither. The thing is, now you're steppin' into the ring with a man on his way up. A man with a weapon you ain't never seen before. Do you know just how the Shotgun Suplex'll rip ya apart, Donovan? You ever wondered in your heart of hearts just why I chose to perfect this move? [Holland gives a pause, as if Donovan should insert his answer here. He turns to Dane.] GJH: What about you? You ever wondered? [Holland releases Dane's wrist, allowing the shaken interviewer to regain control.] JD: I have to admit, it had crossed my mind. [Quick as a flash, Holland grabbed Dane's arm and yanked him in. He looped his right arm under Dane's and slammed his wrist against the back of the interviewer's neck, torquing back in the half nelson. Dane winced, rising up to his tiptoes to try and relieve some of the pressure.] GJH: Ya feel that on your neck, Dane-o? You feel the way your shoulder's pushin' away from your neck like that? [Dane nodded rapidly but weakly.] GJH: Now think about me usin' this arm of yours to pull you up into the air. Think about how much that's gotta hurt, Dane-o. And think about you landin' on your damn head, how much that continues to pull your shoulder away, almost out of its socket. How much it wrenches your head forward. You think this is a joke, Dane-o? [Holland pulls back on the hold a little bit, and Dane whimpers, shaking his head.] GJH: I don't wanna hurt ya, Donovan. [Holland releases Dane. Dane is very shaken, rubbing his neck and wincing.] GJH: But I will. I ain't gonna shy away from usin' this hold on ya. Now I'm sure you thought this was your one last chance, you were gonna strap on the spurs and try for glory once more, but this ain't your time. Your trigger finger's a little too slow. But me, I'm sharp. I'm quick. And I've got a killer in my arsenal. If I've gotta be the one to put the old gunslinger out to pasture, so be it. But if you think that I'm all luck, if you think that I'm a shot in the dark, Donovan, lemme reassure you of one thing. [Holland mimes shooting a pistol and smirks.] GJH: A shot fired at night'll kill ya just as quick. That Longhorn Heritage Championship is comin' home to me, Donovan. [Holland slaps Dane hard on the back.] GJH: Sorry 'bout that demonstration, Dane-o. I'll see ya around. [Holland crosses in front of Dane on his way out of camera shot. Dane, still shaken, straightens his suit jacket.] JD: The always polite "Gentleman" Jack Holland. Back to you, Gordon. [As we cut to ringside, we find Gordon Myers standing alongside Vernon Riley. Riley's in a red shiny windbreaker that's unsnapped to reveal his bare chest. He's got dark sunglasses on as well.] GM: Thanks, Jason... and as you can see, I've been joined here at ringside by Vernon Riley. Vernon, there has been quite a bit of discussion this week about what happened to you at that live arena event this week at the hands of Anton Layton and James Monosso. And as a result, people are wondering if you'll even be allowed - or able - to compete here tonight against Nenshou in the final first round matchup. [Riley starts to speak but Gordon raises a hand.] GM: I, of course, want an answer to that question but before that, let's take a look at what happened to you earlier this week in Austin, Texas... [We cut to footage recorded earlier in the week in Austin, Texas at a live arena event. The voiceover is done from back in the Crockett Coliseum with Gordon speaking.] GM: Okay... so you were in action in there against a local competitor... [On the footage, we see Riley hook a side headlock in the corner, racing out to the middle of the ring where he leaps up, driving his opponent's skull into the mat.] GM: The Riley Roundup had claimed another victim. [Riley scores the easy three count but before he can even get up off the mat, he finds himself victim of a diving forearm smash to the back by James Monosso. Anton Layton and Gino Moretti join Monosso in the ring a moment later and despite the referee's protests, all three men begin kicking the downed Riley.] GM: And here they are - Anton Layton, your bitter rival - and two of his henchmen in the form of James Monosso and Gino Moretti. All three of them assaulted you there in the middle of the ring and it would only get worse from there. [We cut to a little later in the attack where Layton rips the dog collar chain off of Moretti as Monosso pulls Riley up by the arm, hooking a front facelock in tight. A gleeful Layton starts lashing the steel chain down across the back of Riley - over and over and over.] GM: He repeatedly beat you with that steel chain, really whipping you with it... but that wasn't the end, right? [One more cut shows Layton looping the chain around the throat, handing it over to Monosso who leans over, hoisting Riley off the mat in a chain-assisted hangman.] GM: They proceeded to wrap that chain around your throat and try to choke the life out of you with- [A very gravelly-voiced Vernon Riley interrupts.] VR: Turn that crap off, Gawdahn. [The video abruptly cuts out as we return to live action. Riley rubs his throat as he looks through his sunglasses at the camera.] VR: Anton Layton... you gone too far, brother. You gone TOO far! We had our date comin', Layton. You knew it. I knew it. You came out here two weeks ago and tol' the whole world so they knew it too. Ya knew I was goin' challenge you one-on-one at SuperClash 2! [Riley shakes his head.] VR: But you couldn't let sleeping dogs lie. [Riley grabs at his neck, struggling with his voice. He clears his throat hard.] VR: Instead? [Riley unsnaps his jacket in one yank, throwing it down to the floor. He spins around, jerking a thumb towards the bright red welts littering his broad back.] VR: Instead, you whip me like a damned dog, Layton! You jump me from behind - you and your boys - and you whip me like a dog who done wet on the carpet, brother. You embarrassed me. You humiliated me. And unfortunately for you, ya pissed me off. [Big cheer!] VR: So now the time is comin'... now the time is close, Layton. SuperClash? Consider it done. [BIG CHEER!] VR: Me and you? A dance with the devil in the bright, bright lights? Yeah, let's do that. And you wanna come and try to put me out? Come and try! I'm beggin' ya right now, Layton. Come and try! [Riley reaches down out of view and picks up a steel chain.] VR: COME AND TRY! 'Cause I'm ready for you. I'm ready for you and your dark Master... I'm ready for Nutjob Monosso... I'm even ready for the Disco Man... bring 'em all, Layton. After all these years, I'd think you'd know by now but obviously not... You. Can't. Put. Me. Out. [Another big cheer! Riley nods to the crowd.] VR: Percy Childes, I'm gonna assume that you... you and your boy, Nenshou... I'm gonna assume you were in on it. Don't really care if you weren't. It'll just make me feel that much better when I'm stompin' all over Nenshou to get to the second round. [The crowd keeps on cheering.] VR: Yeah, I'm still in the tournament. I'm still fightin' for gold. And don't think for a second that I ain't got enough in me to take that title AND whup up on the devil's doorman on Thanksgiving night. So, Nenshou... you better be as ready as you've ever been 'cause this blue collar son of a gun is comin' for ya later tonight. [And with the crowd roaring, Riley storms out of view.] GM: Now THAT'S a man with something on his mind - I would not want to be Anton Layton - or Nenshou for that matter - when Vernon Riley is in a mood like that. Let's go up to the ring. [Crossfade to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following match is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first, standing to my left, from Plano, Texas... Ryan Sands! [A youngish looking beanpole of a man with long blond hair, not much of a build, and blue trunks raises his right hand and waves to the crowd. After not getting much of a response, Mr. Sands jabs his thumb into his chest and then gives the crowd a thumbs up.] MC: And his opponent... [As "Save Yourself" starts, the fans immediately sound out a cheer.] MC: From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania... He is a member of the professional wrestling Hall of Fame... MARK LANGSETH! [The crowd's cheers grow louder as Langseth steps out of the entrance, dressed in his wrestling gear of a black t-shirt, dark blue baggy track pants, and black boots.] GM: Mark Langseth set for his first match since his grueling encounter with Shane Destiny last month at the Battle on the Bayou. BW: If you ask me, Gordo, I STILL think Langseth hasn't yet recovered from that one. Before the show, he looked to still have some pain in that neck. [Langseth makes his way down to the ring, stretching his head side to side and showing some discomfort as he does so. As he gets to the ring, he takes a moment before stepping through the ropes for one final deep breath.] GM: Of course, the injury that he sustained occurred AFTER his victory over Shane Destiny in effort to save referee Mickey Meekly from the very same move. BW: And look what it got him, Gordo - a month on the disabled list, a loss of momentum, and a crooked neck. He should've just left. GM: If he hadn't come back, Mickey Meekly surely would have been in the hospital much longer than he had to be! He saved that man from crippling injury! BW: And instead Langseth could have been crippled. Who knows if he wasn't? And what did Langseth get from saving Meekly? Nothing. All risk, no reward. [The referee calls for the bell to start the match, bringing both Sands and Langseth to the center. They quickly shake and then lock up, with Langseth easily transitioning to a side headlock.] GM: Langseth with the early advantage here tonight as he tries to get back on track from his injury. [Langseth goes to whip Sands to the opposite corner, but Sands puts on the brakes and attempts to the reverse. However, Langseth improvises and turns with a clothesline that knocks Sands flat. Langseth wastes no time, dropping a knee to the heart and then a gets up only to lay repeated kicks Sands hard into the side.] GM: Kicks to the ribs of Ryan Sands by Langseth... And if you ask me, he looks a bit frustrated out there. BW: Sure he is. He's been out for a month and probably's still bothered by his neck. If you have any sort of pain there, it can take away a good bit of your offense. Plus you have to be protective all the time. Really puts a wrench in a gameplan. [Langseth drops an elbow to the face and then cradles the head of Sands only to lay in fist after fist to the nose. Langseth then hooks the leg of Sands.] GM: Early cover! One, two, thr- No! Ryan Sands kicked out in time! If you ask me, those repeated punches Langseth just threw seemed out of character for him. [The Pittsburgh native gets up and puts his hands on his hips, looking down at Sands in a huff. He shakes his head a bit before dragging Sands back up to his feet. Langseth takes some time to pepper Sands with a couple of punches before taking a hold of one of the legs. As Langseth goes for a move, Sands blocks whatever he's doing with a stiff kick from the other leg.] GM: Ryan Sands with a kick to the side of Langseth's head and that staggers him into the ropes! BW: The kid caught him right where Langseth didn't want to get hit. [Sands shakes the cobwebs out of his head before climbing the turnbuckle and then flying, hitting a crossbody on the Hall of Famer that sends both down to the mat. The crowd begins to buzz as Sands hooks a leg for the cover.] GM: Sands going for the upset - one, two, three... NO! Langseth gets the shoulder up just in time! BW: Did you see his face, Gordo? Getting that shoulder up must've hurt cause he was wincing. GM: The kick may have reaggravated the injury and now it's the upstart, Ryan Sands, in the driver's seat of this match! [Sands brings Langseth back up to two feet and sends him into the opposite turnbuckle, back first.] GM: Hard Irish Whip and now Sands signals to the crowd that it's time to finish this upset bid! BW: Better just do whatever he's going to do instead of playing to these fans. [Prophetic? Well, Sands indeed goes for his move as he charges at Langseth and leaps, going for a bicycle kick... but Langseth drops down, leaving Sands to crash hard into the turnbuckle.] GM: Mark Langseth got out of the way just in time! Ryan Sands missed in that kick attempt and boy did he ever go hard into that corner! BW: Sure did - not only ate that turnbuckle, he's all tangled up in as well! [Langseth, with a bit of a sneer on his face, lay a couple hard stomps to the face of the prone Ryan Sands before stepping back to grab the back of his neck. As he does so, Langseth eyes the legs caught in the ropes... and grasps one of them, twisting it around hard to get Sands out of the turnbuckle.] GM: Langseth violently getting Ryan Sands out of the corner and - and he's got it locked in! Greatness Personified! [Ryan Sands wastes no time in tapping the mat to the anklelock, preserving his ankle. Langseth, looking down at Sands angrily, keeps the hold on for a couple of seconds before letting go as the ref approached.] MC: Here is your winner, by submission... MARK LANGSETH! [The ref raises Langseth's hand as the crowd cheers for the former World Champion. Mark, clutching the back of his neck again, drops down and says something pointedly to the pained Ryan Sands. As he gets up, he stretches out his neck a bit with a grimace as he does so and then makes his way out of the ring.] GM: Mark Langseth walks away with a win tonight, but it certainly could have gone the other way. BW: That's right, Gordo. In my opinion, Langseth should have taken another couple of weeks off. Being here only risked further injury. And I think he knows that now - he still looks a bit hot under the collar. GM: Well, it looks like we'll find out as he's making his way to Mark Stegglet. Mark? [The camera follows Langseth up the ramp to the interview stage area where Stegglet stands by.] MS: Thank you, Gordon. Mark... [Stegglet stalls as Langseth steps over to the stage, still clutching his neck.] MS: Mark, it looked like you had some problems getting started tonight. ML: Well - [Langseth stops, shoving his hand out towards the ring, pointing out to where Ryan Sands used to be.] ML: I mean, I - [Langseth stops himself again... and takes a moment to cool off a bit.] ML: The neck's still bothering me, obviously, and that... that kid did his best to try to send me back to the sidelines. So, yeah, I had some problems. MS: I don't mean to be out of line, but you seem to have been in a different mood the moment your opponent targeted your neck. ML: Well, why wouldn't I be!? I - [Langseth stops, again, and puts his hand out.] ML: Okay... Sorry... Look, I've been in pain for a month and just got a bit... "emotional" when I saw that kid trying to hit my sore spot. But I shouldn't cause it's exactly what I would have done, so... Yeah, I gotta let it go. MS: Switching topics, you weren't at the last Saturday Night Wrestling - uncharacteristic for you as you've been at every show whether or not you had a match. Why the absence? [Langseth gives Stegglet an annoyed, furrowed, quizzical look.] ML: You want to know where I was? Why I missed a show? [Langseth shakes his head - wincing in pain a bit.] ML: Look, I had things on my mind, okay? I had some things to think over, a couple words of wisdom someone recently told me and... [The Hall of Famer looks around at the Coliseum and the cheering crowd.] ML: And I just had to take some time, okay? But it was good cause I realized something important... At Battle on the Bayou, Shane Destiny was given a deal - beat me and get a title shot. Well, he didn't win... [Langseth sticks a thumb to his chest.] ML: I came out the victor! I won that match! And? I think I should be given that title shot that Destiny let fall into my hands. I should rightfully challenge Stevie Scott for the National Title. I should - [The crowd immediately begins to buzz with boos as Shane Destiny walks into the picture, dressed in a suit and tie, a smug look across his face. He pulls the microphone out of Stegglet's hand.] SD: This is the new place, huh? [Destiny looks around, a disgusted look crossing his face.] SD: It's a hole. Just like all of Dallas is a pathetic hole. Just like these fans... and just like you. [Destiny points at Langseth, a scowl now forming on his face.] SD: You. You think you're something, huh? You got one night where, for the first time in nearly ten years, you actually _accomplished_ something with your sad little life. You pinned the shoulders of the greatest wrestler alive. You must've had a horseshoe buried deep in your rectal cavity to be so lucky, Langseth, but... you did it. [Destiny smirks.] SD: How's the neck, by the way? [And the scowl returns as Langseth shakes his head, still clutching his neck.] SD: You knew there would be retribution for what happened by pinning me, Langseth... you knew that as soon as I clamped on the Destiny Strangle. You knew that when you spent a few days in the hospital, thinking about calling your precious little nephew to see just how to get yourself out of this mess, until you realized he stopped taking your calls, didn't you? [Langseth is clearly seething, but is restraining himself.] SD: Let me explain something, and I'll use small words so you understand. What happened back on Labor Day? It was a fluke. It was pure luck. It was me taking my mind off of the game... one final mistake that I won't be making again. [Langseth shouts at Destiny, just barely picked up on the mic.] ML: Is that so, huh? [Nodding, Destiny continues on with a purpose.] SD: And you... you got me suspended because you knew I would destroy you. You tried to buy yourself 30 days to run away from Shane Destiny. And now? Now _you_ want a title shot? [Destiny pauses for a second.] SD: While pinning me may be worthy of getting anyone a title shot... no. If I lost chances to get a title shot _four_ times now, all because of _you_? You're _definitely_ not getting one. Nope. Not until you can get through me. [Langseth shouts at him again, getting picked up off-mic.] ML: I already did, Destiny! One, two, three - I won! [Destiny shakes his head at Langseth's reply.] SD: What happened on Labor Day doesn't matter... anyone can be off their game for three slaps of a mat. You want that title shot, Langseth? [Destiny looks Langseth over.] SD: You'll have to beat me with the Greatness Personified. I talked to that fat cornfed oaf Watkins, and we need to iron out the details with the lawyers, but at SuperClash II? You. Me. Hold versus hold. The Destiny Strangle versus the Greatness Personified. There will be no fluke rollups, or small packages, or backslides. You want this to end? You're going to have to beat me. [The crowd lets out a cheer for the match as Destiny looks Langseth over again, smiling this time.] SD: And you can't do it. [Destiny throws the microphone back at Langseth and walks away. Langseth looks down at the mic and then at the exiting Destiny. He then turns to Stegglet.] ML: I... [Langseth nods, though he does look a bit not-so-pleased at the announcement.] ML: Alright! Alright! If I have to get prove myself - AGAIN? Then sure, I'll do it... I'll snap Destiny's ankle in two so it's HIM laying up in the hospital! [Mark Langseth tosses the other mic to Stegglet and storms off, hand still on his neck.] MS: Did I just hear that right? Did we just hear Shane Destiny challenge Mark Langseth - hold vs hold - the Strangle vs the Greatness Personified at SuperClash II?! My goodness, what a night that's gonna be! And we'll be right back, AWA fans. [Fade to black... After a moment, we fade back up on a very long shot of the exterior of a pretty dingy looking building.] "Have you ever dreamed of fame?" [Cut a little closer.] "Of glory?" [A little closer.] "Of your friends and family seeing you on television?" [And just a little closer, revealing a red, white, and blue sign that reads "AWA Combat Corner."] "Well, now you can make all your dreams come true by signing up today at the AWA Combat Corner - the official training school for the American Wrestling Alliance!" [We cut to the interior of the building where we can see lots of standard gym equipment surrounding a very basic wrestling ring. There are people lifting weights, running on treadmills, and of course, working out in the ring.] "With the very best trainers in the business, the AWA Combat Corner is the most-equipped training facility to get you in shape and get you in the ring in the shortest amount of time!" [Cut into the ring where Todd Michaelson is barking out instructions.] "With former World Champion Todd Michaelson leading the classes, you can guarantee that you will be prepared for in-ring action upon graduation and with the AWA expanding by the day, you will have a place to work on Day One!" [Two young students are grappling on the canvas.] "So, stop by the Combat Corner today... call our offices... visit our website... and let them know that you want to be the next AWA Superstar! You want to be the future of the business! You want to wrestle!" [Fade to a graphic that has all the info on the AWA Combat Corner. We freeze there for a moment... And then fade back in to the interview stage, where Jason Dane is standing by next to the short, chubby "Collector Of Oddities" Percy Childes. Percy has shaved himself bald, and is working on growing an evil-looking goatee. Clad in a grey knit sweater and khaki slacks, Childes is slowly rubbing his hands together with a defiant upturned nose at the crowd that is booing him.] JD: Percy Childes, we are just a short time away from the showdown between Nenshou and Vernon Riley. With all that has gone down between you, Anton Layton, and Vernon Riley... this can't be just a tournament match to you. PC: You would think that, yes. [Percy pauses for a minute, nodding his head slowly. He then stops wringing his hands and rather abruptly snatches the microphone from Dane.] PC: But you'd be wrong. Vernon Riley, as I said two weeks ago, you and I have a history. You've been a thorn in my side since the early days in Florida, and that's one of the reasons that I'm working with Anton. But he will destroy you on HIS time, Riley. Tonight isn't about Vernon Riley versus the Layton and Childes Unholy Alliance. Tonight is about... [Childes makes a dramatic gesture, and from out of seemingly nowhere, a red-clad figure wearing a modified Kabuki mask leaps onto the platform. Dane jumps a half-foot as Nenshou's sudden appearance has startled him greatly.] PC: ...Nenshou. Nenshou's goals and motives are not mysterious or unknowable. He wants to be the greatest wrestler... the greatest WARRIOR... ever to walk the face of the planet Earth. No, it is rather his methods; the long-lost martial techniques, the forgotten esoteric disciplines, all combined with cutting-edge preparation and the best of the modern techniques... that is the enigma. You know why Nenshou does what he does, but you cannot fathom HOW. He has returned from Japan; returned from training that, if we attempted it in the United States, would be deemed torture and result in a felony conviction. That is because people today... yes, each and every one of you... [As he references the fans, Childes sweeps his finger out across the sea of faces in front of him.] PC: ...wallows in a self-imposed state of ignorance. You cling to whatever lies you most want to believe, you hold them forever, and not even direct evidence will sway you. That's why, as we discussed two weeks ago, you all live in the past. But now, let's talk about where Vernon Riley fits into all of this. Riley, you call yourself the "Working Man". A common laborer, no different than the fans here. [Pausing briefly, Childes shakes his head slowly before practically spitting out his next line.] PC: Just who do you think you're kidding? You are a fighter, Riley! You don't go deliver pizza or unclog drains. You fight. And I will never dispute that you have the true instincts of a fighter. I will never dispute that you have the heart and soul of a fighter. I will never dispute that you have natural talents that make you far more than a common man. Which is why it makes me sick to see you pander to these common fools, trying to lower yourself to be like one of them. You lower yourself because you desperately want to be loved... and you desperately want their love to fill your bank account! [Cue the accusatory finger.] PC: You are a fraud, Riley. You had the option, with your inborn talent, to train. To hone it to a razor's edge. To get in the peak of human physical condition and become a living weapon. Had you done that, you would have been great. Not 'great' in the pedantic sense... 'great' in the way that legends are 'great'. You would have achieved greatness, and you would have been feared. FEARED. But no. You had the choice between the path of glory and the path of money. The choice to be feared like a king, or loved like a pet dog. Well, Vernon Riley, I hope all that money you stuffed in your doghouse will keep you warm when these ignorant people forget all about you, and find a new pet dog to warm up to. Love is temporary, Riley. Love is a lie. Love is something you talk about when you want something from someone. But FEAR! Fear is for real. Fear is a lasting impact. You will forget the things you love, but you will never forget the things that you fear. Nenshou has chosen the path of glory... the path of fear... and the path of greatness. Tonight, he will show the world the difference between these paths. Tonight, Vernon Riley, you will find out what could have been. You will find out what could have been... and you will know fear... [Nenshou, who has remained perfectly still during this entire exchange, raises a single index finger and points it at the camera with a flourish.] PC: ...you will know pain... [Nenshou retracts his hand, and slowly drags it across his throat with the thumb extended.] PC: ...and you will know defeat! [The Japanese enigma finishes by thrusting his thumb down, and walking towards the rampway. As he does, the lights dim and a light mist rolls out from both sides of the walkway. "Raijin's Drums" by George Sakalis plays, and Childes follows his charge, who is slowly walking towards the ring. The fans boo mercilessly.] JD: Guys, it looks like Nenshou's heading to the ring! We're getting this match right now? [And as we fade to Melissa, it appears that we are.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit and is the final first round matchup in the Longhorn Heritage Title tournament. The winner of this one will move on to face Supernova in the second round! Introducing first, making his way down the aisle... from the Land of the Rising Sun... he is accompanied to the ring by his manager Percy Childes... NENNNNNSHOUUUUU! [The crowd jeers the duo of Childes and Nenshou as they reach the ring. Childes shouts something unheard at the crowd, stabbing at the air with his crystal-topped cane as Nenshou slingshots over the ropes into the ring.] MC: And his opponent... [The music changes to "You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover" to a big cheer from the AWA faithful.] MC: He hails from Amarillo, Texas... weighing in tonight at 295 pounds... VERRRRRNON RIIIIIILEY! [The crowd roars for Riley as he busts through the curtain. Gone is the windbreaker and sunglasses but in their place, a serious attitude and a man who looks ready for a fight. He stalks quickly down the ramp, ignoring the cheering fans as he locks eyes on Nenshou.] GM: Take a look at the face of Vernon Riley. BW: Do I have to? [Upon reaching the ring, Riley steps up on the middle rope outside the ring, pointing a finger at Nenshou to the cheers of the crowd. He hops over the ropes, landing with a thud as he balls up his fists, ready for a brawl. Childes quickly gets out of the ring as Nenshou paces back and forth, ready to get going as well.] GM: This one's about ready to get going and- [And get going it does as the bell sounds and Riley charges across the ring, fists a-flyin'.] GM: One shot! Two shot! Three shots! Four! [Nenshou gets backed to the corner where Riley just keeps throwing blows to the skull.] GM: We know Riley is fired up tonight. We heard what he had to say earlier tonight. He wants Anton Layton at SuperClash but he wants to be in that Longhorn Heritage Title final as well. Riley wants gold and he wants Layton's head on a platter. BW: And it should come as no surprise looking at his waistline that he's a greedy man. I'm predicting Nenshou gives him a world-class stomachache here in this one. [With the crowd roaring, Riley continues to pound away, drilling Nenshou with haymakers... ...and finally gets dragged off by the official who steps in to physically push back the Working Man.] GM: I don't approve of that. I think the referee should lay in his count right there. Disqualify if he must. But he should NOT put his hands on a wrestler, Bucky. BW: You just liked Riley smackin' Nenshou around in the corner. GM: I won't argue that one. [Riley brushes past the official, moving back in to the corner... ...and gets caught with a stiff-fingered thrust into the windpipe!] GM: Ohhh! Come on, referee! BW: It was an open hand! GM: Into the throat! That's not legal! BW: But it sure was effective. GM: Of course it was effective. We all saw what Monosso and Layton did to Riley's neck and throat earlier this week and- [A knife-edge chop also lands dangerously close to the throat, causing Riley to stumble backwards. He coughs hard, stumbling down to a knee as he grabs at his throat. Raising both arms high overhead, Nenshou lashes out with a double chop to the sides of the neck, knocking Riley down to all fours.] GM: Down goes the man from Amarillo, Texas early on in this one. BW: Face it, Gordo. Riley shouldn't be in this match. He's physically not ready to be in this match. But his stupid, idiotic pride put him here tonight. He thinks he can fight through this throat injury... well, he's wrong. [Nenshou delivers a trio of hard kicks to the torso of Riley, forcing him to roll out to the apron. The referee backs Nenshou away, ordering him back... ...which gives Percy Childes a chance to raise up his cane and SMASH it down across Riley's exposed throat!] GM: Ohh! Give me a break, referee! Get some control out there! [A smirking Childes walks away as Riley gasps for air out on the apron. Nenshou dashes across the ring, connecting with a baseball slide dropkick to the ribs that knocks Riley out to the thinly-padded floor.] GM: Down to the floor off the apron goes Riley thanks to that baseball slide. [Nenshou steps out to the apron, measuring the downed Riley. As Riley pushes up to a knee, the man from Japan leaps off the apron, smashing an overhead chop down over the forehead, knocking Riley flat once again.] GM: We're only a couple of minutes into this match and Vernon Riley is just getting dominated by Nenshou so far. Another kick to the ribs there by Nenshou! [Childes draws closer, gesturing at Riley with his crystal-topped cane. Nenshou drags Riley off the floor by the head, hooking a snap mare, and whipping Riley over to the padded concrete in a seated position... ...and KICKS him hard in the back!] GM: Good grief. You could hear that one out in the parking lot. [Nenshou drags Riley up again, pulling him over to the ringside barricade. He drapes Riley's throat over the edge of the railing, pushing down on the back of the neck to choke him.] GM: The referee's shouting at Nenshou - ordering him to break that. BW: Don't order. Count, you idiot. This referee is a moron. GM: Mickey Meekly is a very fine official, Bucky. BW: Tell that to Shane Destiny. [The official's cries fall on deaf ears as Nenshou strangles him over the steel railing for several more seconds before breaking away to fire Riley back under the ropes into the ring.] GM: Both men back inside the squared circle right now. [With Riley down on the mat, Nenshou stands tall over him... ...and reaches way down to drive another overhead chop down, this time right into the throat! The referee steps in, screaming at Nenshou!] GM: The referee just warned Nenshou - he told him one more shot to the throat like that would be a disqualification. BW: Are you serious? Where does he get the right to do that? GM: It's called the rulebook of the American Wrestling Alliance! You should look it up! Blows to the throat are certainly not legal here in the AWA and you know that, Bucky! [Nenshou backs away, hands raised as Childes shouts instructions from the floor in Japanese.] GM: I'm sure Percy Childes is warning Nenshou as well - he wants to avoid that DQ at all costs. [The Japanese superstar hits the ropes, rebounding off, and snapping off a super quick elbowdrop, burying his elbow very close to the neck.] GM: So close to the throat there. He's playing with fire. [Nenshou kips up to his feet, dropping down to a knee and spraying green mist into the air to the jeers of the crowd.] GM: And that might be a bit of a reminder to Vernon Riley. You can never count out the mist - that dangerous green mist - when Nenshou is involved. [The camera cuts to ringside where a grinning Childes whaps his cane against the ring apron, shouting into the ring again. When we cut back to the ring, Nenshou is on his feet delivering hard kicks to the upper body of Riley. He leans down, hauling Riley off the canvas and whipping him across the ring to the corner.] GM: Into the corner goes Riley... [Nenshou backs away to the opposite side of the ring. With a leap, he goes into a graceful cartwheel, tumbling backwards... ...and DRIVING his elbow up into the jaw of Riley!] GM: Good gravy, did you see that? BW: Handspring elbow on target! FINISH HIM! [Nenshou reaches back again, hooking the cravate, and pulling Riley down into a snap mare.] GM: We saw this earlier- ohhh! Hard kick to the spine! [And with Riley cringing in pain in a seated position, Nenshou dashes to the opposite corner, spinning to run back towards Riley... ...and DRILLS him with both feet squarely to the face in a leaping low dropkick!] GM: GOOD GRIEF, BUCKY! [Riley drops backwards from the dropkick, hands shooting up to his face as Nenshou crawls across into a lateral press.] GM: We've got one! We've got two! We've got- [The crowd cheers as Vernon Riley hangs a leg over the bottom rope, breaking the pin count. An angry Percy Childes shouts at the official who explains his decision to Childes as Nenshou hauls Riley off the mat again, shoving him back to the corner.] GM: Riley's backed into the buckles... [The martial arts skills of Nenshou are on display with three snap kicks to the ribs before he pulls up, leaping, and snapping a kick backwards into the sternum of Riley!] GM: The skilled feet of Nenshou are lighting up the Working Man right now, Bucky. BW: The Working Man better work on figuring out how the heck to stop Nenshou from kickin' the heck out of him. GM: Nenshou grabs the arm again, firing Riley to the opposite corner... [He goes into another cartwheel, handspringing towards the buckles... ...where Vernon Riley leaps out of the way, causing Nenshou to slam spinefirst into the buckles!] GM: HE MISSED! HE MISSED! [Riley spins around, lighting up the chest of Nenshou with knife-edge chops.] "WHAAAAAP!" "OOOOOOOF!" "WHAAAAAP!" "OOOOOOOF!" "WHAAAAAP!" "OOOOOOOF!" "WHAAAAAP!" "OOOOOOOF!" "WHAAAAAP!" "OOOOOOOF!" "FIVE MINUTES HAVE EXPIRED! FIVE MINUTES REMAIN!" [Riley busts out of the corner, shouting out "YEAAAAH, BABY!" before turning around, rushing in... ...and SMASHING a stunned Nenshou with a running clothesline in the corner!] GM: HE'S GOT NENSHOU REELING!! [As Nenshou stumbles out of the corner, Riley busts an overhead elbowsmash onto his skull!] GM: Down goes Nenshou off the elbow! [The man from Japan staggers back up... ...and gets floored yet again!] GM: Another elbowsmash! [Nenshou struggles up to his feet once more, catching a boot in the gut. Riley quickly hooks a front facelock, slinging Nenshou's arm over his neck, and powers him into the air... ...splashing him down to the mat with a big suplex!] GM: Riley's got him down! Vernon Riley's got a second wind here in this one! [Popping back to his feet, Riley swings a hand around in the air to the cheers of the crowd. He hits the ropes, rebounding off, spinning his right arm around and round... ...and BURIES a leaping elbowdrop squarely in the chest!] GM: ELBOW!! HE GETS ONE!! HE GETS TWO!! HE GETS- "OHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: Two count! Just a two! [A surprised Riley pops up, holding three fingers in the air. The referee shakes his head, holding up two in response. Riley claps his hands together in frustration as he gets back to his feet, reaching down to haul Nenshou up by the hair.] GM: Riley whips him in to the corner... [A running knee to the midsection doubles up Nenshou. Riley reaches down, hooking a side headlock... ...and swings his free hand around in the air to a big cheer!] GM: He's calling for the Roundup! [Riley charges out of the corner, looking for the bulldog... ...but Nenshou pulls up short, shoving off Riley.] GM: Nenshou blocks it! [And as Riley turns around, Nenshou reaches up for his own throat, pulling his head back...] GM: MIST! [Riley ducks down and backwards, trying to avoid the blinding mist... ...but the mist never comes as Nenshou fluidly lashes out with a hooking kick that catches Riley on the temple as he comes around.] GM: Ohh! BW: He faked it! He knew Riley would be waiting for it and he faked the mist! [And with Riley dazed, Nenshou wraps his arms around his waist, hoisting him off the mat... ...and dropping him throatfirst across the top rope!] GM: OHHH! HOT SHOT! He stunned him! [Riley collapses to the mat as Nenshou dives across his chest, tightly wrapping up both legs.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREE!! "DING! DING! DING" MC: Here is your winner... moving on to the second round... NENSHOU! [A jubilant Percy Childes is trash-talking the ringside fans who have been giving him a hard time all match. Nenshou rolls off of Riley, down to a knee as the referee raises his hand in victory.] GM: Nenshou wins it... and wins it clean if you can believe it. He had a lot of help though. BW: From who? No one got involved in that. GM: Well, that's certainly not true but I was referring to Monosso and Layton injuring the throat of Vernon Riley earlier this week. You can not deny that played directly into the ending of this match, Bucky. BW: You're always looking for an excuse for your favorites. GM: Fans, Nenshou is moving on to face Supernova in the second round and we'll be right back! [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: You know, Mark... the AWA Access iPhone app has been so popular over the past year, I hear we're making a sequel! MS: Jason, that kind of news is so hot, it should be on the app! [The two men laugh very awkwardly as a giant iPhone appears.] JD: Hello, Mr. iPhone. [The iPhone speaks. Yes. Yes it does.] iPhone: Hello, Jason Dane. Did you know that former AWA National Champion Kolya Sudakov was a former Mixed Martial Artist? JD: Well, actually I did. iPhone: Mark Stegglet, did you know that Calisto Dufresne was the first and only champion in Pro Wrestling Revolution? MS(in his best Johnny Carson impression): I did not know that! [Thankfully, a voiceover starts.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access Version 2.0! This new app contains a brand new TRIVIA mode where you can get all the details on your favorite AWA superstars! Plus, be the first to see our brand new BEFORE THE AWA section where you can find matches from the best of the AWA - before they were AWA! AWA Access Version 2.0 - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... And then back to live action where-] #REACH OUT AND TOUCH FAITH# [Good grief. He even interrupts descriptions. "Personal Jesus" kicks into full gear as Larry Doyle emerges. His attire is horrendous.. par for the course.. but more disheveled than usual. His gold tuxedo bow is hanging off.. as if he's worn it for weeks. Behind him are "Beautiful" Bobby Baldwin, "Love Machine" Nova and a very very injured Crusher Glenn. Glenn's head protruding out from under the huge neck brace that he has on. His face battered and bruised. He winces as he follows behind. The foursome roams over to the interview area. Doyle producing his own mic. No frills and chills. No "oohhs" and "ahhhhs", Doyle gets right into it.] LD: I've done a _lot_ of soul searching following the heinous attack that transpired at the last Saturday Night Wrestling. This past two weeks have been like a nightmare. To see one of my boys get ambushed.. get abused.. and get _assaulted_.. well, it's just not something that a man of my _stature_ and _character_ is used to . Bottom line, we're classy. We run around with a bunch of neanderthals and it's bound to happen. [Doyle grabs his nose mockingly.] LD: Jealousy is a stinky cologne. And when you're as top notch.. as relevant.. and held in as high a regard as we are. There tends to be a few haters who enter your lives. We found that out the hard way last card when those two _posers_ that want some respect they don't _deserve_.. haven't _earned_.. and won't _get_ from us.. showed up and put their fists and boots to our personal security, Crusher Glenn. [Doyle puts a hand on Crusher's shoulder.. the crowd pops the Bombers finally getting some form of comeuppance.. Doyle blows up immediately.] LD: OH. MY. GOD! NO. _YOU_. DIDN'T! [Doyle points furiously at the audience.] LD: I hate you alllll.. with _every_ fiber of my being. LOOK AT MY BOY! [Doyle points at the tarnished face of Glenn.] LD: LOOK AT WHAT THOSE MONSTERS DID! [More applause. Not so much for RnR, as for seeing Doyle this frustrated.] LD: You people are imbeciles. I couldn't hate each and every one of you more. I really couldn't. I don't like you.. I don't trust you.. and I certainly don't _respect_ you. So I guess you and Rough N Ready got a little sumptin' sumptin' in common, fools. And when we're done with them.. we _might_ just come up there and put a Bomber size beat down on each.. and _every_.. one of you ingrates. We come out here every other week and give you the best nights of your lliiivvvessss and _this_ is the thanks we get. Forget you. All of you. [Doyle points at the entrance.] LD: We're out here for Bombers bidness.. we can not _work_ in conditions like this. Lord knows the AWA won't help us. They stand aside and watch all these teams, besides us, run rough shod.. cheating like it's their job. Trying to ruin my boys, simply because they're _better_. Refusing to stand up for the _integrity_ of this sport that we fight for each and _every_ night! [Boo! Yeah, right!] LD: So I'm we're taking it into our own hands.. get us.. The Masked Menace! And get him now! [As Doyle gestures, the camera cuts to show the entrance aisle, and there's a tense moment of silence. Breaking the silence, a single man in the crowd shouts "YOU SUCK!".] BW: Looks like it's a no-show, Gordo. GM: Doyle is looking nervous. Maybe he's finally realizing that he and his team have pushed the tag team roster a little too far in AWA. [13, 14, 15 seconds and still no Menace when--] BW: There he is! I knew he'd come to the rescue of poor Larry and his boys! [From the back emerges a tall and thick gorilla of a man dressed in long black trunks, boots and studded leather bracers. Instead of a head, atop his neck is a black mask patterned with a reflective black skull design in the front, and the letters "MM" in the back. Stepping out on the ramp, Menace humorlessly regards the man that summoned him.] GM: The Menace sure is taking his time getting out here. I'm not sure he appreciates being called out like that, Bucky. [Moving to the center as if to take ownership of the stage, Menace folds his arms, looks first to the biohazard symbol tattoo'ed on his left shoulder, then the nuclear symbol on his right and finally he flexes both arms, mightily, as he waits for Doyle to start talking again.] LD: Menace.. listen.. about two weeks ago. We need to talk.. [Holding out his hand, Menace waits for Doyle to hand him the microphone. Confused, Doyle hesitates.] GM: Apparently the Menace didn't think to bring a microphone. BW: I think this is a power thing Gordo. The Menace was shot down by Larry and, now, I think he's trying for a political power play. [Finally, the Menace has the microphone. He nods as if to thank Doyle, then raises the mic to the slot in his mask, bellowing out in his typical gruff, muffled way.] MM: Yo, man, 'twas my understanding that we had amicably parted ways. Me to return to my status as independent contractor and you to celebrate in your newfound success. I didn't much cotton to it but I had grown to accept it. I didn't pay no nevermind to what role my own activities may have played in that success as, well, what was done was done. I weren't no contract player. [Pause. Menace peers into Doyle's eyes. He may be smiling but it's hard to tell from this camera angle.] MM: Nothin' more to say then? No need for further discussion? Guess I'll be goin'. Have a nice life, boss. [Menace tosses the mic into Doyle's chest, and he scrambles to catch it. Looking back at Glenn, the both of them look fit to panic. Doyle looks down, collecting his will.] LD: Ah.. um.. _ok_.. _alright_... [Not breaking stride, Menace keeps on walking. Doyle's voice raises by several octaves.] LD: You werreee rrigghttt! We agree. Happy?! Elated?! Thrilled?! There, I said it.. we _need_ you, Menace. We need you bbaaaaaaddddd. You saw what they did to our boy Crusher. God forbid that happens to The Love Machine or Beautiful Bobby. I _can't_ have it, man! So.. [Standing, one foot on the stage and one on the floor, the Menace nods slowly. Doyle pauses for dramatic purposes.. he approaches Menace and holds out his hand.] LD: .. we're going to make you the offer of a lifetime. How would you like to become an _employee_ of da greatest tag team in the wooorlldd?! [Menace stares at Doyle who's nodding furiously with a big grin on his face. Almost a forced grin, one might say.] LD: That's right, we're offering you a contract position. A position of prestige that accompanies a lifestyle of the privileged. Say it with me.. Masked Menace.. Contracted Blonde Bombers Security! Whaddaya say?! [Holding the mic back out towards Menace, Doyle nods, twitchily, his words, not caught by the mic, might be assumed to be encouragement.] MM: Ah, Larry ... Laramie, Lawrence, my man, see there's a little problem. [The crowd gives a faint and expectant face pop.] LD: Problem? What problem? It's the Bombers, baby! C'mon, we're already like family, right? MM: Yeah, well, see, obviously if these guys are so bad that they can beat up that guy back there what I'd be replacin' and, well, the Bombers can't handle 'em themselves? Sounds like I'll be needing hazard pay. [Pause. Doyle considers for not-long-enough before replying.] LD: What if I told you the position paid $20,000 a night? How's that sound? [DING! Menace stands up straight and is back to the center of the stage faster than you might think a man of his size can move.] MM: Sounds like we're in business, man! [Menace gives Doyle a handshake that probably has a little too much excitement attached to it, Menace brings the manager to his knees then immediately turns to hug Glenn as Doyle tries to shake the pain away. Many fans boo, having hoped that the Menace would flip Doyle and his Bombers the collective bird.] GM: An unholy alliance if ever there was one, Bucky. BW: Are you kidding? This is awesome. Glenn was always a big strong guy but this Menace? He's a wrecking machine! [Suddenly all eyes in the crowd are suddenly diverted toward the entranceway, to which the eyes of everyone at the interview stage are also drawn. And there they would be… the National Tag Team Champions, Rough N Ready, still dressed in their wrestling attire. Dave Cooper has a serious look on his face and Eric Matthew Somers has a twisted grin.] EMS: Somebody is pretty paranoid… it’s just a question of who is more paranoid… Larry Doyle for what we did to his personal bodyguard… or the Masked Menace wondering just when he’ll get stiffed! [Dave cracks a slight grin at that remark.] DC: Doesn’t matter, Eric… as Crusher Glenn can attest, we aren’t nice guys and we aren’t here to play games… and no matter who Doyle and the Bombers pull out to tip the scales in their favor… it’s not gonna work. Because we are the best tag team in the AWA… and we kicked a lot of tail to get that distinction. And when we meet with the Bombers at SuperClash, it’s gonna be more tail we get to kick. Simple as that. [Eric chuckles a bit, as Dave’s serious look returns, then he runs a thumb across his throat and points at the contingent at the interview stage, then returns to the back.] GM: The Masked Menace has been hired on by Larry Doyle as official Bombers security... at 20 grand a night! Are you kidding me? How in the world can he afford that? BW: Don't you worry about it, Gordo. Larry's offshore accounts should cover that. GM: If I was the Menace, I'd be worried about a bounced check... and I might also be worried about what'll happen if Rough N Ready decides to come after him as well! Fans, let's go up to the- huh? Okay, well, let's go up to Mark Stegglet instead. [Shot cuts to the interview platform where Mark Stegglet stands by with a fan. A sort of sloppy looking fan. He's wearing a t-shirt that probably at some point was white, but now is a dark shade of stained yellow with a faded bold-type "Dallas Sucks" on the front. His hairy potbelly sticks out slightly below the shirt. He also wears a pair of rather faded blue jeans and workman boots.] MS: Thank you, Gordon. I'm here with the man making his debut, all the way from South Broad Street, Philadelphia... The South Philly Phighter. You requested this time to greet the audience before your match? [The South Philly Phighter holds up his hand - complete with a World Series replica pinkie ring - and his shove his head back.. and lets out a dramatic sneeze in front of him (without bothering to cover up his nose). He then snorts his nose as a disgusted Stegglet looks on.] MS: Uh, bless... you? SPP: Yea, yea... Yo, youse guys 'scuse me, alrighty? MS: Uh... Sure? [The Phighter digs out a football jersey hanging out of his back jeans pocket and holds it up so all the crowd can see... a Tony Romo jersey. And since the man has caught what seems to be a sudden case of nasal congestion, he does what any normal person would do.] SPP: Brrerpgtjtgjppptttttttt. [After blowing his nose, the Phighter takes a couple exaggerated wipes... and then clears his saliva with a spit onto the jersey. This, of course, draws the ire of the crowd as they boo the Phighter vehemently.] SPP: Yo! Wah? Wah youse guys about, huh? You means this, huh? [The Phighter shakes his rag/prized Cowboys jersey.] SPP: It don't matter anymore, ok? MS: I think they're upset at the way you've introduced yourself - especially with the jersey. SPP: I was all blocked up, all I had was that trash! Figger all youse Dallas WIMPS go get a-ffended! MS: Again, I uh... I don't think that's the best way to introduce yourself. SPP: You want a interduction, huh? Alrighty! I'm the Sow-Philly Phighter and I'm going to show all youse that a guy from the booyedeFULL city of Philly can wipe the floor with any of youse creamers! Cause Dallas? [The Phighter, in the midst of the booing, holds up his faded T-shirt, thus exposing more of his hairy belly to further disgust Stegglet and the fans.] SPP: Dallas sucks! [With that, the Phighter steps off and onto the entrance, making his way to the ring.] MS: I guess that was sort of an introduction. Back to you, Gordon and Bucky. GM: Thanks Mark - I have to apologize, first and foremost, for the words spoken by the South Philly Phighter. BW: Why? Have you ridden around the city any time lately? Or watched the Cowboys? Guy has a point. GM: He certainly does not! He had no place to make those comments. BW: 'Boys fan, eh? GM: ... [The Phighter, satisfied with himself, pulls a cigar from his jeans and firmly bites down on it from the left side of his mouth. He then gives a... choice gesture to the fans, which doesn't earn him any more favors.] GM: Uncalled for! Completely uncalled for, Bucky! BW: Yeah, no kidding... Those fans shouldn't have pushed this guy's buttons. [Crossfade to the ring where Melissa is standing.] MC: The following match is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring, from South Philadelphia and weighing in at 249 pounds... here is THE SOUTH PHILLY PHIGHTER! [The Phighter puts his hand on his hip and nods as he chumps down on his unlit cigar. The crowd still doesn't like his greeting.] BW: Does he know he's not smoking anything with that cigar? GM: I... I don't know. But I would guess the Phighter knows. MC: And his opponent... [The opening beats of Capsule's "Jumper" sounds from the PA as some people in the crowd applaud - if for nothing else than to not have to look at the Phighter.] MC: Hailing from Los Angeles, California and weighing in at 217 pounds... JOHNNY SONE! [The young third-generation wrestler steps out of the entrance, dressed in black boots and his silver wrestling shorts with a green trim & Japanese letter on the sides. With a wide smile on his face, he pumps his right hand in the air a couple of times before points upwards.] GM: Johnny Sone coming down to the ring and coming off an impressive win last win for his first victory in an AWA. He certainly shows a good deal of promise. BW: He's got the talent and he's got the skills, Gordo, but he's still green in that ring. Can't just flip a switch and get it going like you've been grinding it for years. He's going to have to take his lumps before making any waves here. [As Sone makes his way quickly to the ring, he stretches out his hands to slap the fans' hands. As he gets to the ropes and steps through, the Phighter cuts him off and attacks before the bell with an axehandle to the back of the head.] GM: The Phighter attacks before the ref could even signal the match to start! BW: Early bird catches the worm, Gordo. GM: Not before the bell! Unacceptable behavior demonstrated by - [The Phighter takes his unlit cigar he's been chomping (and slobbering) on and shoves it into the face of Johnny Sone, eliciting even more boos from the crowd.] BW: You were saying? GM: Awful! This man is a complete disgrace to the ring! BW: He had to get rid of the cigar at some point. Maybe he thought Johnny Sone was an ashtray. Sure has the personality of one! [The Phighter laughs at his actions and then drags Sone back up as the bell sounds.] GM: Finally this match is officially underway as The South Philly Phighter takes control here, laying in a couple swift jabs to the midsection of Sone. [The Phighter takes a moment to help Sone clear out some gunk from his eyes, so graciously. However, the referee starts to take issue with it.] GM: And again, The Phighter with an illegal move, raking the eyes of Johnny Sone! BW: Hey, whether you cut the corners or work over the hard way, it's all still a win in the end, right? [The Phighter peppers Sone in the stomach again and then starts biting Sone's forehead, allowing the crowd to really get on the Philadelphia native's case.] BW: Quick, someone throw a cheesesteak into the ring! The man's hungry! GM: Dispicable, Bucky. From the moment this classless man stepped out into the Coliseum, he's been nothing but crude and disrespectful! [The Phighter laughs again and then goes on the attack, delivering some hard jabs to the face. Sone fights back, though, delivering a couple blows of his own as the crowd starts to get behind him.] GM: Johnny Sone answers back, going punch for punch with the South Philly Phighter! [The slugfest, though, quickly ends as the Phighter clotheslines Sone to the mat and goes for a cover.] GM: Quick clothesline and a cover - one, two- no! Sone kicks out! [The Phighter gets up and lays a couple stomps to the face of Sone. However, seeing Sone in distress, The Phighter takes out the rag of a Cowboys jersey he used earlier and help to wipe off the brow of Sone.] GM: The Phighter's shoving that- that- that snotrag of his into the face of Johnny Sone! What a disgrace! Absolutely no respect for the ring or his opponent! BW: Why should he? I'm sure he doesn't like people from Los Angeles as much as he doesn't like Dallas. GM: It's no excuse for his behavior! [The referee, reluctant to take away the ratty jersey (much less touch it), gives a warning and starts counting down the Phighter. That's enough for him to stop the suffocating and stuff the rag back in his back pocket.] GM: How this man isn't disqualified right now is beyond me, Bucky. BW: The referee's being loose with his rules, but I'm sure Johnny Sone could get away with the same stuff if he wanted. GM: As far as I know, Sone respects the ring too much take part in these actions. BW: His loss... [With the crowd booing loudly, The Phighter drags Sone to two feet and whips him into the ropes. The Phighter goes for a clothesline attempt, but Sone ducks it and rebound off the ropes, vaulting himself backwards with an elbow that hits the Phighter.] GM: Springing back elbow connects! And now it's Sone's turn in this match as he throws a couple more elbows to the head of the Phighter! [With the crowd getting behind Sone, the young third generation wrestler uncorks a spinning heel kick to the side of the Phighter's head that staggers him around in a daze and ultimately down to the mat on one knee.] GM: Sone has the Phighter reeling! BW: About time... I guess that rag to the face didn't help, huh? GM: If anything, it probably fired up the young man. [With the Phighter in a prone position, Sone runs towards the Phighter and hits a step-up enzugiri that catches the back of the Phighter's head. The Phighter, to the fans' delight, falls flat on his face.] GM: Huge kick to the head of the Phighter and he's down! He's in dreamland now! BW: Quick, someone play some Rocky! That might wake him up! [Sone picks up the lifeless South Philly Phighter into a front facelock and - with a bit of a struggle - lifts him into a vertical position. After only a second or two, Sone drops his hands and lets the Phighter fall into a sideslam.] GM: Bloodline Movement! Sone with his vertical suplex side slam finisher and now the cover - one! Two! Three! [The crowd cheers as Sone pumps his fist into the air as the bell rings.] MC: Here is your winner... JOHNNY SONE! [A grateful Sone shakes the referee's hand and points to the sky once more.] GM: Another big win for Johnny Sone here in the AWA as he overcomes some early cheating by the Phighter to take this match. And I, for one, and happy to see that slob not getting his hand raised. BW: He got caught with a couple moves, which with this kid you have to expect will happen. He sure can throw those feet with some mastery. [Johnny Sone pumps his fist in the air again as he makes his way up the ramp, taking some time to also shake some of the fans' hands, before he makes his way back to the entrance.] GM: Johnny Sone is one to watch here in the AWA for sure, fans... and now, let's go up to Jason who has a very special guest! Jason? [Cut up to the entrance platform where Jason Dane is standing.] JD: Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please welcome the man who is the number two contender to the AWA National Title - Raphael Rhodes! [Raphael Rhodes strides over to the interview section, dressed in a black long-sleeved T-shirt and jeans. He pats Dane on the shoulder.] RR: I've got me some business to attend to, so we'll have to dispense with the formalities of the "how're you, mate?" and so on, right? The last few weeks have been quite rattly, ain't they? Everyone's abuzz about how the Southern Syndicate seems to be fallin' apart at the hinges. And, you know, I spent a year of me life workin' for that team, so part of me's a bit sad to see it. [Rhodes smiles.] RR: But there's the part of me that wants to see those right bastards crumble like a biscuit left on the counter. So let me make you an offer, Waterson... let me speed up that whole dismantlin' process, aye? I already talked to Watkins, and I told him... I don't care who, and I don't care when... you get me someone from that Syndicate in the ring. [The crowd cheers at the thought of Rhodes facing anyone from the Syndicate at any time.] RR: We all know Stevie Scott's runnin', duckin', and hidin' from Juan Vasquez, and that's fine... but I'll take on anyone from there! Von Braun may've quit, but I don't mind punchin' him right square in the teeth. He can hire that goon Mizusawa again... got some unfinished business with him, too. Or how about we get that little tin-belt-creatin' Dufresne out here and have him wrestle me, huh? [Rhodes peers off-camera, with a bigger smile spreading across his face.] RR: Or it can be this little dinnermasher from the convict island, too. [The camera pans over to see Adrian Freeman striding down the aisle, wearing a blue polo shirt and dress pants. He does not look pleased. At all. Freeman grabs a mic from ringside and steps into the ring.] AF: You shouldn't be out here tonight, Raph. [The audience buzzes a little, wondering what's about to happen.] AF: You see, this is the reason why we -- the Syndicate, I mean -- are losing respect. Here you have a guy who decides he's bigger than the group, who wants to toss away immortality for a title match he would lose... and not only do we leave him able to walk, when he comes back to screw us over, what do we do? Let him run free while we sit around picking our noses. We've been getting sorry, and I guess I sort of owe you an apology for that Raph. You should never have left the WarGames cage on your own power. [The crowd jeers the verbal blow. Freeman is glaring at Rhodes who smirks in response.] AF: And on a personal level... every time I see you, with that smug little grin on your face, I get mad. I'm not easily angered, but whenever I think about you spitting at the Southern Syndicate, the best thing that ever happened to your miserable little career... well, I find it hard to think of anything but ripping your limbs off one by one. [Rhodes steps up a bit, getting closer to Freeman as Dane tries to backpedal away. The crowd is buzzing, waiting to see what's next.] AF: So now you come out and beg me to finish you off? It's too much. You should have kept hoping we would forget about you. But now? I want to humiliate you in this ring, and I'm not going to take no for an answer. [Rhodes looks at Freeman, a steely glare his eyes... ] WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP! [... and slaps the taste right out of Freeman's mouth.] RR: That's what I think of your challenge, ya bloody bogan. [Suddenly, a shocked Freeman tackles Rhodes, as the two start trading punches with each other wildly as security swarms into the frame, trying desperately to break the two up.] JD: What the-?! Folks, we've got to get this under control! We'll take this commercial and be back after we restore order! [Fade to black. ...and then back up on a shot of the AWA National Title belt. The super-excited voice of Mark Stegglet is heard over it.] "You've seen it on Saturday Night Wrestling!" [A shot of Marcus Broussard with the belt over his shoulder.] "You've seen it on AWA supercards like Memorial Day Mayhem and The Last Stampede!" [A shot of Ron Houston wearing the belt in a promo picture.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air fades into a shot of a young fan doing the same.] "Available NOW on AWAShop.com, get the official replica of the AWA National Title belt that only the best and brightest of the AWA superstars have held!" [A closeup of the AWA National Title slowly fades to black... ...and then back up to live action where Gordon and Bucky are standing at ringside.] GM: Fans, it's been a wild night of action here in the Crockett Coliseum but we've still got a lot more to come. Yes, we are once again in OVERTIME here on Saturday Night Wrestling so those of you tuning in to see Joanie Loves Chachi tonight will have to wait just a little bit longer because right now, we're heading up to Mark Stegglet who has a very special guest! Mark? [We fade back to the interview platform where Mark Stegglet is standing.] MS: Thanks, Gordon... and at this time, I'd like to bring out a man who is a former AWA National Tag Team Champion and one of the most popular men in this company - TIN CAN RUST! [The crowd pops as the barrel chested Rust makes his way next to Stegglet, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and red/white flannel button-up. His forehead shows a significant black & blue mark; Rust's expression, as well, shows a bit of anger.] MS: Tin Can Rust, the man who lost to Jack Holland this past week in San Antonio. Rust, you once again lost a chance at a possible title shot and again it's at the hands of the man who's been a thorn in your side for a while - Calisto Dufresne. [Rust shakes his head, rolling his eyes up for a moment.] MS: What's your response to Dufresne's actions in your Longhorn Heritage Title tournament match? TCR: My response? [Rust pauses to take in a deep breath. He looks around at the crowd before leaning in to the microphone.] TCR: Mark, there's a time for talking and reasoning and then there's a time for fighting. And it seems clear to me that the time to talk to that coward's done PASSED! [Big roar from the crowd at Rust's words.] TCR: Your ego's still bruised? You want to take me on again, boy? You want to try to pick another brawl? Well, come right on! COME RIGHT ON! [Rust balls up his right hand and shakes his fist about.] TCR: You want to try to attack me again? You want to me to reintroduce you to this fist? Boy, one more chance? One more chance and I'll connect right on that jaw again and knock you right on your yellowed back! Boy, I'll jus-ahhh! *THUD* [The crowd jeers as Calisto Dufresne emerges out of nowhere, drilling Tin Can Rust in the back of the skull with the Pacific Title belt.] MS: Come on, Calisto! [Dufresne threatens a backhand in Stegglet's face before delivering a kick to the ribs of Rust. He reaches down, dragging Rust up to his knees. He rears back and SLAMS a right hand into the skull of the veteran.] GM: Look at this! Another sneak attack by this cowardly son of a- BW: Easy there, Gordo. WKIK will slap you with a fine if you keep this up. [Dufresne delivers another punch... and another... and another... and another.] GM: He's beating the heck out of Tin Can Rust up on the stage! [Dufresne laces Rust with one last right hand before reaching over and snatching the microphone away from Mark Stegglet. His eyes are wild with rage as he stands over the fallen Tin Can Rust.] CD: You thought you could wear gold that belonged around _my_ waist!? That title was rightfully mine and Watkins keeps me out of the tournament and puts you in it!? [The Ladykiller shakes his head angrily.] CD: There's no way in Hell that I was going to let that stand, you fat slob! You thought you were rid of me after Battle of the Bayou. You kept spouting off about me and you think I was going to let that go unanswered? You really are as stupid as your idiot partner City Jack! [Dufresne stands over Rust, leaning close to his face.] CD: You'll never be rid of me, Rust! Not until you're out of this sport for good just like Jack! NEVER! [He reaches back to slap the fallen Tin Can Rust across the face, but Rust quickly jabs Dufresne in the chin, sending him staggering backwards.] GM: Yeah! Yeah! Get him, Rust! [Dufresne recovers quickly, but it's enough time for Rust to get to his feet and meet the Southern Syndicate member's attempt at a right hand with a quick right of his own and begins peppering him as the crowd begins to cheer at Rust's resurgence. Before he can mount much of a comeback, however, security rushes from the entrance portal, pulling the two men apart; Dufresne's arms and legs flailing as he attempts to reach Rust.] GM: Look at these two! They just want to rip each other apart! Rust is trying to get at him and surprisingly, Dufresne's trying to get right back at him as well! BW: Get security out of there! Let 'em fight! GM: This one's been building up for a long, long time and they're just not going to be happy until one of them just totally bleeds the other one dry. What a fight we've got out here! What a- [Suddenly, the stern voice of Jim Watkins cries out from the entrance ramp.] JW: THAT'S IT! THAT'S ENOUGH!! [Rust slowly stops struggling, looking up in surprise at Jim Watkins.] JW: I've had enough of you two monkeys beating each other senseless at every chance. I worked damn hard to get that Longhorn Heritage Title created and get this tournament going and you, Dufresne, tried to ruin it in one damn night. [Watkins shakes his head at a smirking Dufresne.] JW: I've had enough of this. You know - I've always said that if two people wanted to fight in this business, we should let 'em fight. And I think it's about time to settle this thing. You two... you want to fight? You want to bust each other up? You want to bleed? I think we can accomodate ya. [Watkins pauses.] JW: Everyone knows that at SuperClash II in just over a month's time, we're going to be doing something we've never done before. In one night, we're going to be having wrestling matches in TWO buildings. One set of matches will be up in St. Louis... [The crowd jeers.] JW: And the other... will be right here in Dallas, Texas! [BIG CHEER!] JW: And I can't think of a single thing that the fans in Dallas, Texas would like to see more than Tin Can Rust and Calisto Dufresne beating the hell out of each other one more time... [HUGE CHEER!] JW: ...in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH!! [A DEAFENING ROAR fills the air as the crowd celebrates the announcement!] GM: OH MY STARS!! RUST AND DUFRESNE AT SUPERCLASH HERE IN DALLAS IN A TEXAS DEATH MATCH!! THE CROWD HERE IN DALLAS IS GOING CRAZY! [We hold for a long moment on the roaring crowd before we fade 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 come back up to live action where we find Robert Donovan sitting backstage in boring old street clothes. He doesn't look too much the worse for wear after his first match in around five years -- at least, not too much worse for wear than he looked before hand, that is.] RD: Wasn't sure I'd have anything to say after that match...hell, a little ways into it I thought I might end up slinkin' back to the retirement home, so to speak. Gotta thank ol' Ewiak, though, he did me a couple o' favors in that match. For one... [Donovan reaches up and rubs his jaw.] RD: ...he hit me damn near hard enough to knock off all the rust that's built up after five years away from a wrestling ring. Facin' a real test my first match back...well, I think he's done me a bigger favor than he ever woulda figured by knockin' me around the way he did. [Donovan chuckles.] RD: Other favor he did me was when he spoke up before our match...an' said something about me thinking I deserved the Longhorn Heritage title. Now, thinkin' about that at first actually got me a little bit riled up...I didn't walk into this thinkin' I deserved even an opportunity to fight for the damn thing, much less to be handed it outright. Then I kept thinkin'...I know, I know, not the usual Donovan maneuver...an' I started to wonder if maybe he was right. Maybe I did walk into this thinkin' that I deserved the opportunity, that I deserved a fast track to the end 'cause there was no way the LWC meant that much to anybody but myself. [Pause.] RD: But what about people who just watched it, huh? Some o' these kids are awful damn young, ain't that much a stretch of even my imagination to think they grew up watching the Longhorn Wrestling Council, that it inspired 'em to get into this business to begin with, an' if that's true, why do I deserve this opportunity any more'n they do? Answer's real simple...I don't. [Donovan shrugs slightly.] RD: Don't get me wrong...I still think I'd be the best representative of what the LWC truly meant to the people within it, but I don't _deserve_ a damn thing. Just like everyone else in this thing, if I want to represent what meant so much to me, I'm gonna have to bust my ass and earn it. Earn every victory, grind my way to the end o' this damn thing and beat somebody else with the will an' the fight in 'em to grind their way to the end of it too in order to hold that belt up high. [Donovan's face turns slightly grim.] RD: So, Ewiak, I'm gonna do somethin' I don't normally do after I beat someone -- I'm gonna thank ya. Thank ya for beatin' the hell outta me an' remindin' me of the physical part of this business, an' thank ya again for sayin' the words that actually made me step back an' look at this thing. I think maybe ya made a mistake, though, Ewiak... [Donovan grins.] RD: ...You just made it that much damn harder for everybody else in this thing. [And with that, we fade to the ring where Melissa Cannon is standing.] MC: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit and is our MAIN EVENT of the evening! [Big cheer!] MC: Introducing first... ["Saz O Avaz Mahdor" by Mohammed Reza Shajarian echoes across the Crockett Coliseum; its loud distinctively-Arabic vocals quickly striking a nerve with the crowd, who react in a chorus of boos.] BW: Rockin' out ta the best music goin' today! C'mon, Gordo, I can see your foot tapping to the rhythm. GM: This has rhythm? [A billowing plume of green, white, and red whooshes from the back as Sultan Azam Sharif's massive Iranian flag precedes him. Draped in his reddish-brown bisht (that's a robe) and white kaffiyeh (that's the famous Arabic headdress) with black agal (that's the band that keeps the kaffiyeh on), the Sultan marches down the elevated rampway. He hefts his huge flag in his right hand, while sticking his left index finger high in the air to indicate his self-proclaimed world ranking.] MC: He is accompanied to the ring by his manager Count Adrian Bathwaite... SULTAN AZAAAAAAAM SHARIF! [Behind him walks his manager, the illustrious Count Adrian Bathwaite. The Eurasian 'aristocrat' and one-time wrestling star in his own right is again wearing something that should bring the Fashion Police on him with clubs and tasers: this week, it is a gunmetal grey button-up shirt which has a veneer to it that reflects light with a dull shine. The Asian-eyed, English-toothed, five-foot-seven manager has a walking stick in one hand and a white-and-blue porcelain cup of tea in the other. Sharif reaches the ring, steps inside, and begins waving his flag proudly. Bathwaite steps in with him, and is nearly hit by a cup of clear yellow liquid. I hope that's Mountain Dew.] GM: Sultan Azam Sharif, who four weeks ago locked Kolya Sudokov in the Camel Clutch, and two weeks ago was absolutely blasted with a brutal Russian Sickle, steps into the ring. And this situation has escalated by the day. Kolya has faced the spotlight before, Bucky Wilde... but Sharif has never yet faced anything close to this level of competition before. BW: Well, there was that one little event, Gordo. THE OLYMPIC GAMES. GM: Yes, he is legitimately an Olympian, but that is an entirely different sport, no matter if they both use "wrestling" as a name. BW: Spotlights are spotlights no matter who they shine on, daddy. Sharif ain't gonna melt in it. GM: Adrian Bathwaite conspicuous by his absence when the Sultan came out to address us earlier. I wonder where he was. BW: Good point. Adrian doesn't miss too many opportunities to talk into a camera. He must have been doin' something! [For now, he's pointing his stick at some unruly fans and giving them what for. Sharif continues to wave his flag, even after his music subsides and is replaced by the heavy metal sounds of Metallica's "Creeping Death."] MC: And his opponent... he hails from Russia... He is the Russian War Machine... KOLLLLLLYAAAA SUUUUUUDAKOV! [As the music really kicks in, the Russian stomps out from behind the curtain. He strikes a pose, steel chain draped over his shoulders as he raises his arms to the sky, soaking up the cheers from the crowd.] GM: And look at Kolya Sudakov, the former National Champion, loving getting the love from these fans. BW: What a joke. GM: Excuse me? BW: The man was a killer - he was known at one point as the Pro Wrestler Hunter/Killer when he was in the Mixed Martial Arts world. He was cold blooded and violent. Brutally, brutally violent. Think about how he won the National Title. He took advantage of Ron Houston's injury and made him pay for his pride. Can you imagine the current Kolya Sudakov doing something like that? GM: Not a chance. This Kolya Sudakov is a reformed man. He's still a fantastic professional wrestler, a great warrior - but now he's on the right side of things! [Sudakov storms down the aisle, shrugging off the steel chain as he approaches the ring. He hangs the chain over the turnbuckles before stepping through the ropes into the squared circle.] GM: Sudakov's in - and listen to these fans! They want to see these two go at it in the worst possible way! Sharif struck the first blow four weeks ago but Sudakov struck back last time out. Tonight, we settle the score here in this one. [Sudakov tugs at the ropes, loosening up as Sharif continues to wave his flag from across the ring. After a moment of instruction from the referee, Sharif hands the flagpole out to a ringside attendant as the referee signals for the bell.] GM: And here we go! [The two men edge out of their respective corners, not rushing into anything as they eye one another from across the ring.] GM: Right away, we notice a difference between this one and what we've seen earlier tonight in a lot of matches. There's no big attack in this one, Bucky. BW: These two respect one another's skills and in a lot of ways, perhaps they fear one another's skills. Sudakov has that top level MMA talent, that striking skill that deserves to be feared. But don't forget that Sharif is a top flight amateur wrestler - an Olympian - he's no slouch on the mat either. [As they draw closer, it's Sharif who goes to the mat first, lunging in for a double leg takedown... ...but Sudakov shows off the skills learned in his former occupation, stuffing the takedown and shoving Sharif down to the mat. With Sharif struggling against him, Sudakov sidesteps and drives a knee into the ribcage of the Sultan!] GM: Ohh! Sudakov with a great counter to the takedown there. And that's the Mixed Martial Arts skill, Bucky, that you mentioned. BW: That's exactly what it is. He's not going to get down on the mat and grapple with Sharif. If the Sultan wants him down, he's going to have to get creative. [Sharif backs off, wincing as he grabs at his ribs. Sudakov nods his head, pacing back and forth a bit as he waits to see what's next. This time, the Russian decides to take the attack towards Sharif.] GM: Sudakov edging closer... looking to cut the ring off... [The Russian sidesteps, trying to keep Sharif in the corner... ...and then rushes forward, bullying Sharif into the buckles. Sudakov grabs the top rope, rapidly throwing three snapping body kicks to the ribcage. He backs off, squaring up with his fists clenched.] GM: Look out here! [But before he can throw a blow, Sharif ducks down, lunging in quickly to grab both legs and yanks them out from under Sudakov, taking the Russian down to his back on the canvas.] GM: Nice doubleleg by the man from Iran... [Sudakov scrambles, trying to get back to an advantageous position but Sharif hooks him around the waist, rolling him back onto his shoulders as the referee hits the canvas.] GM: One! Two! But Sudakov rolls back the other way! [With Sudakov on his side and Sharif clinging to his back, the Russian grabs the wrists of Sharif, trying to pry his grip apart.] BW: Down on the mat, this may come down to a battle of wrist strength. Is Sharif's grip stronger than Sudakov's ability to break the grip? [A few moments follow as they test that struggle... ...and then Sudakov gives up, simply lashing backwards with an elbow that catches Sharif squarely on the ear.] GM: Oof! [Sudakov tries for another elbow but this time Sharif tucks his head in close to the shoulderblades, avoiding the strike. The Russian struggles to crawl away, rolling to his stomach where Sharif promptly releases the hold, spinning across the Russian's wide back and ending up with a front facelock sunk in.] GM: Nice transition by Sharif and- [Sudakov promptly pulls guard, dropping to his back and wrapping his legs around the waist of the Sultan. Sharif looks puzzled for a moment, not knowing what to do next but a sharp right hand from the bottom seems to wake him up. He returns fire with a right hand of his own... ...which is exactly what Sudakov was hoping for as he grabs Sharif by the wrist, flinging his legs up to form a figure four around the head and neck of Sharif!] BW: Triangle choke! Watch out for the triangle! [Outside the ring, Adrian Bathwaite is shouting the same thing as Sharif wriggles like crazy to slip out of the hold before it is applied, pushing back to his feet... ...where he promptly complains to the official about the attempted submission.] GM: What's he babbling on about now? BW: He's telling the referee that Sudakov attempted to sink in a choke. GM: It's true but I believe that is an arterial choke as opposed to a trachea choke. It's similar to your standard sleeperhold in that respect, right, Bucky? BW: Uhh, yeah... sure. You've been hanging out with Dane too much. [Sudakov slides back up to his feet, eyeing Sharif from across the ring. The two men nod to one another in a possible show of respect before sliding out of their corners...] GM: Collar and elbow tieup - straight up pro wrestling now... [Sharif promptly grabs a gutwrench on Sudakov, hoisting him off the mat and taking him down with a quick suplex-style throw.] BW: Oh yeah! Look at the technique on that! [Sharif pops up, striking a double bicep pose for the crowd... ...and failing to notice Kolya Sudakov getting to his feet behind him.] GM: SUDAKOV IS UP!! [As the Sultan turns around, Sudakov cranks the right arm back, looking to separate Sharif's head from his shoulders... ...but Sharif promptly hits the mat, rolling out to the floor to the side of Adrian Bathwaite who angrily shouts at the official.] GM: Kolya Sudakov had the Sickle ready and waiting for Sharif right there. If the Sultan wasn't so quick on his feet, this one would be over right now, Bucky. BW: The Sickle is the most dangerous quick-strike weapon in this matchup. It's the one thing that Sultan Azam Sharif MUST avoid at all times. If you get hit with that, your night is over. [Bathwaite and Sharif huddle up on the floor... ...which allows Sudakov to reach through the ropes, grabbing both men by the heads and CRACKING their skulls together to a big cheer from the crowd!] BW: Ohhh! There's no call for that, Gordo! GM: Hehe... no, no there's not but I enjoyed seeing it. [A dazed Sharif catches Bathwaite who is about to fall to the floor. He wobbles over to the announce area, sitting him in an unoccupied chair.] BW: Adrian... are you alright? [Bathwaite mumbles something that no soul could possibly understand.] BW: Adrian, can you hear me? CAB: I... what hit me? GM: Your man's own skull. CAB: Wha... what are you saying? Speak the Queen's English, son! [An angry Sharif climbs back up on the apron, gesturing and shouting wildly at the official as Sudakov stands in the middle of the ring. Sharif finally steps into the ring, looking around frantically at his still-dazed manager.] GM: The match continues... [Sharif approaches quickly this time, burying a hooked boot into the ribs of the lunging Sudakov. A big double axehandle across the back of the injured neck, knocking the Russian down to a knee. He promptly hooks in a front facelock, cranking up on the neck.] GM: And Sharif's going right after the neck. I have to say that I don't like the looks of this one, Bucky. CAB: Well, maybe you should, you needle-necked serf! GM: Excuse me? CAB: Now that the cobwebs are clearing, I've decided to inflict some culture and class to this place. You can thank me later; for now, sit back and watch the Great and Honorable Sultan make short work of this ingrate. [Sharif throws a couple forearm smashes across the back of Sudakov as the Russian struggles up to his feet... ...and simply powers Sharif up off the mat, hurling him a few feet away and facefirst down to the mat!] GM: Big time show of power by Sudakov! What do you think about that, Count? BW: You don't have to answer that, Adrian. Just focus on your strategy for this one. [As Sharif gets up, all full of bluster, a running shoulderblock knocks him down to the mat. He gets right back up, catching a kick to the ribs from Sudakov who fires him into the ropes... ...and sends Sharif sailing through the air and down to the mat with a high backdrop!] GM: BIIIIIG back bodydrop! [Sharif gets right back up, ready to keep the fight going, and catches a haymaker between the eyes that knocks him right back down.] CAB: That was an illegal closed fist, referee! Where do they get them from? The Perkins School For The Blind? GM: I don't think you really want an official that pays more attention. It wouldn't really fit into your gameplan. CAB: What are you implying? GM: That Sharif doesn't stand a chance if he doesn't cheat his tail off against the former National Champion. [Sharif gets up, spots the Sickle ready again... ...and rolls to the floor to the jeers of the crowd.] GM: Sultan Azam Sharif is certainly not the most popular man in the AWA. CAB: This man is the greatest wrestler alive! Americans don't understand the natural order. He was born blooded; born superior to you. All these dirt farmers owe him their respect and unquestioned subservience. And listen to them bleat! They're not human; they're sheeple! GM: How DARE you insult the AWA fans like that? [Having had enough of Sharif's stalling, Sudakov rolls to the floor, chasing Sharif around the ring.] GM: Kolya's going after him! The Russian's in hot pursuit! [Sharif suddenly dives under the bottom rope, Sudakov sliding in after him... ...and catching a legdrop across the back of the neck!] GM: Ohh! Right on the neck again! [Sharif promptly hooks a full nelson, moving Sudakov out to the middle of the ring...] GM: A full nelson applied - perhaps trying to soften up the neck some more... CAB: That is technical wrestling. You may be unfamiliar with it, being American. So let me put it in familiar terms: it's the stuff Shane Destiny does that no one understands or appreciates. GM: Ha ha. You're a real riot, Bathwaite. [Sudakov drags Sharif towards the corner, spinning around and DRIVING Sharif spinefirst to the buckles!] GM: Ohh! That'll break the hold! [Sharif grabs on to the top rope, trying to stay on his feet. The Russian spins around, grabbing him around the head and neck and HURLING him out of the corner with a biel throw!] GM: OHHH! PURE! POWER! CAB: It's temporary, I assure you. GM: Maybe it would be if you had been plotting strategy with Sharif the whole night but we know very well that you weren't out here with him earlier tonight. Just where were you, Mr. Bathwaite? CAB: None of your business, Myers! But if you want to know, Buckworth, I was in a high level meeting. The Sultan, bless him, is a sensitive man and came out here on his own to make amends. But I want it known that I apologize for nothing. I spoke the truth and it made grown men cry. Disgusting. Real men face the things that haunt them; they don't plug their ears and scream so they don't have to hear about it! And you wonder why this country is a cesspool of moral and intellectual decay. GM: That's enough out of you! [As Sudakov delivers a big bodyslam to Sharif, leaping up to land an elbowdrop to the chest, Bathwaite seems to grow a bit nervous.] CAB: I can't chat any more, I have managing to do! *THUMP* [Bathwaite immediately starts shouting to his man, encouraging him. And as Sudakov drags the Sultan off the mat, Sharif promptly rakes the eyes.] GM: Ohh! He goes to the eyes! [The referee asks Sharif if he goes to the eyes and much to everyone's surprise, he says yes, earning a reprimand.] GM: Did he just admit to raking the eyes? BW: Sure did. That's a man of honor right there! [But then he promptly does it again before slamming Sudakov's head into the top turnbuckle. As Sudakov stumbles backwards, Sharif hooks him around the waist and hoists him into the air, dumping him down on the back of his head and neck!] GM: Ohh! High impact side suplex by Sharif and- [The crowd explodes in jeers as Sharif mimics applying the Camel Clutch.] GM: He's calling for it, Bucky! He's calling for the Camel Clutch! [Sharif moves into position... ...and then stops, shaking his head as he grabs Sudakov by the arm, dragging him counterclockwise.] GM: What is he doing? BW: Sharif won't apply the Camel Clutch unless his victim is facing east, Gordo. Sudakov was facing the wrong way. [After moving Sudakov, Sharif starts to settle in once more... ...but Sudakov simply rolls to his back, lashing out with his right foot up into the jaw of Sharif, knocking him backwards.] GM: Ohh! He took too long and Sudakov made him pay for it! [The Russian gets to a knee, waiting as Sharif charges him... ...and scoops him up into the air, rotating quickly, and DRIVING Sharif down to the mat!] GM: POWERSLAM!! POWERSLAM!! [The former National Champion throws himself into a lateral press, reaching back to hook a leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: Shoulder up! He got the shoulder up in time! [Sudakov pushes up off the mat, shaking his head as he climbs back to his feet, slowly backing towards the corner... ...and suddenly the crowd begins jeering wildly.] GM: Wait a second! Wait one second! [The crowd boos wildly as Ivan Kostovich shows up on the ramp, walking with purpose in his designer suit down the walkway.] GM: Ivan Kostovich! What in the world is he doing out here? [Upon reaching the ring, Kostovich pauses... ...and Adrian Bathwaite climbs up on the apron on the opposite side of the ring, drawing the referee's attention.] GM: The ref's distracted and- [Kostovich suddenly charges down the apron, DRILLING a surprised Sudakov in the chest with a double axehandle sledge!] GM: OHHH! BW: RUSSIAN HAMMER! RUSSIAN HAMMER! GM: Sudakov got rocked and- [And gets dragged down into a small package by Sharif just as the referee turns around.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" BW: Sharif won! Sharif beat the former National Champion! GM: I can't believe it! What the heck happened out here? What in the world is Ivan Kostovich doing? Why is he involved with this? [Bathwaite and Sharif beat a quick retreat before Sudakov can recover, joining Kostovich on the ramp. Bathwaite shares a handshake with Kostovich as the three man back down the aisle 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: You know, Mark... the AWA Access iPhone app has been so popular over the past year, I hear we're making a sequel! MS: Jason, that kind of news is so hot, it should be on the app! [The two men laugh very awkwardly as a giant iPhone appears.] JD: Hello, Mr. iPhone. [The iPhone speaks. Yes. Yes it does.] iPhone: Hello, Jason Dane. Did you know that former AWA National Champion Kolya Sudakov was a former Mixed Martial Artist? JD: Well, actually I did. iPhone: Mark Stegglet, did you know that Calisto Dufresne was the first and only champion in Pro Wrestling Revolution? MS(in his best Johnny Carson impression): I did not know that! [Thankfully, a voiceover starts.] VO: Starting today, you can download AWA Access Version 2.0! This new app contains a brand new TRIVIA mode where you can get all the details on your favorite AWA superstars! Plus, be the first to see our brand new BEFORE THE AWA section where you can find matches from the best of the AWA - before they were AWA! AWA Access Version 2.0 - coming to an iPhone near you! [Fade back to black... ...and then back up to live action down to ringside where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Welcome back, fans - it's been one heck of a night here in Dallas, Texas. We now know the Elite Eight in the tournament to crown the first Longhorn Heritage Champion. We also know a few more pieces of the SuperClash puzzle. And in just a few moments, we'll also know exactly what role Juan Vasquez had in the West Memphis Assassin ploy. BW: I know what role he had. I don't need him to come out here and try to pull the wool over my eyes, Gordo. He WAS the Assassin - plain and simple. GM: I'm sure you think- [Suddenly, the crowd begins to buzz. Without music, without fanfare, someone is on their way down the aisle... ...and she doesn't look pleased.] GM: Uh oh... Lori Dane is coming out here... Lori Dane who two weeks ago told Melissa Cannon that she needed to be ready for a fight here tonight. We don't have time for- [Dane reaches ringside, snatching a mic away from the announce desk as Melissa Cannon rises from her spot at the timekeeper's table.] LD: This is what it comes to. I'm in management in this damn company and even _I_ can't get women's wrestling any respect. I requested - hell, I DEMANDED - time this week to come out here and challenge you Melissa Cannon to a match... And when I arrived here tonight? No time scheduled. [Dane looks disgusted.] LD: And worse off, I was told by other members of management specifically not to come out here tonight. I was told there wasn't enough time to have me out here to talk to you. [She shakes her head.] LD: This is what we're up against, Melissa. This is why I'm out here to get in your face again. I told you that you had two weeks. Two weeks to make a decision - the right decision... [Dane steps closer.] LD: Your time is up, Melissa. What's your answer? [Lori offers the mic to her former student who slowly takes it and begins to speak.] MC: Lori, I really appreciate everything you've done for me - back in Los Angeles and here in Dallas. I appreciate you going to bat for me every place you've worked since we met. But my answer is still no. I will not wrestle you. [Lori looks down, shaking her head as she takes the mic back.] LD: I was afraid of that. "SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!" [Dane lashes out with an open hand slap, right across the face of Melissa Cannon, causing Cannon's head to snap back to the side as the crowd groans with sympathy.] LD: I promised you that. I told you it would happen if you said no. Now... you get one chance to change your mind. Because next time? [Pause.] LD: It won't be just a slap. [Dane smirks.] LD: See you in two weeks. [And she simply turns to walk away, leaving a red-faced Melissa Cannon behind.] GM: I don't understand, Bucky. What in the world has gotten in to this young lady? I've known Lori Dane for a long time and I never thought I'd see something like this from her. She's humiliated her former student time and again... and now she's physically attacked her for the second time! BW: I've got a better question for you, Gordo - how the heck doesn't she fight back? GM: What? BW: Melissa Cannon has been beaten up, verbally smacked around, and slapped across the face. Even if she doesn't want to wrestle anymore, doesn't her damn pride make her at least stand up for herself? GM: I don't... well, Bucky, you may just have a point there. BW: Hah! I knew it! Even you're speechless. GM: I kind of am, yes. But I'm telling you that- ["They Reminisce over You" by Pete Rock and CL Smooth begins to play over the PA system as the crowd responds with a HUGE POP!] GM: Here he comes, the man who will do battle with Stevie Scott for our sport's greatest prize at SuperClash...J uan Vasquez! BW: I don't care what they say, Gordo... he was the West Memphis Assassin! He should be banned from the AWA forever! He shou- WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!? [From the entrance way, emerges...The West Memphis Assassin! Or to be more accurate, a man wearing the Assassin's now infamous mask. However, it's doubtful the WMA would ever wear a hoodie or even the old school EMWC Alex Martinez "BURNED!" t-shirt that this guy's wearing. The faux-Assassin makes his way down to the ring, climbing up to the second turnbuckle and thrusting his arms into the air to receive the cheers of the crowd.] BW: This is a travesty...a sham! A mockery! A traves-sham-mockery! Vasquez is trying to rub it everyone's faces that he made a fool of us all! GM: I'll remind you that the West Memphis Assassin was unmasked and he was Adam Rogers. BW: No he wasn't! He was, but...he wasn't! Gah! You know what I mean! [Inside the ring, the "West Memphis Assassin" has grabbed a microphone.] "WMA": Hey, Ben...Stevie...I think you might enjoy this. ["The West Memphis Assassin" proceeds to pull off his mask, revealing the face of...Juan Vasquez! Juan gets a wide-eyed shocked expression on his face and places his hand over his mouth, gasping in mock shock.] JV: OH MY STARS AND GARTERS!!! JUAN VASQUEZ WAS UNDERNEATH THE MASK! JUAN VASQUEZ WAS THE WEST MEMPHIS ASSASSIN ALL ALONG!!! [Juan stops his Gordon Myers impersonation, drops his head and chuckles.] JV: Oh wait...that's right. [He looks up with a big grin on his face and a hell of a lot of mocking venom in his voice.] JV: It was Adam Rogers all along. [BIG POP! Like a mad scientist that's brought his abomination to life, Juan throws his head back and laughs diabolically!] JV: MUAHAHAHAHAHA! [He looks straight ahead, sighing happily.] JV: But I made it back, people. It took me months...and sometimes it seemed like years, but I finally...I _FINALLY_ got another shot at Stevie Scott... [The crowd roars at that announcement, as Juan holds up the black and red mask of the West Memphis Assassin and looks at it with a smirk.] JV: ...and it was all thanks to this mask. [Juan balls up the mask and walks over to the ropes, tossing it into the crowd as several fans battle over the souvenir.] JV: That mask...and Adam Rogers. [BIG POP!] JV: I knew I'd get another shot at Stevie some day. Independence Day was nice. WarGames was awesome. Watching the Syndicate crumble right before our eyes is just about as wonderful as it gets! [Pop!] But all of that still ain't gonna' be as good as what's to come, folks. I made you that promise that somewhere, somehow...I was gonna' get my shot and I my chance to put the Southern Syndicate outta' its misery once and for all. And I kept my promise! [Another huge roar from the crowd. Juan nods in approval.] JV: You wouldn't believe how much planning this took. Even though I got plenty of friends, even though I got plenty of allies, there was only one man I could trust to help me get here. Adam Rogers. The man I respect as the greatest technical wrestler in all the world... [Juan then slowly raises his thumb into the air.] JV: ...and the man that taught me the Assassin's Spike. [Big Pop!] JV: The move that's beaten Stevie Scott twice... [Juan takes his outstretched thumb and slowly swipes it across his throat to the roars of the crowd.] JV: ...and the move that's gonna' bring me back the National title at SuperClash! [HUGE POP! But the cheers soon turn to jeers as "Gimme Back My Bullets" starts up over the PA. After a moment, "Hotshot" Stevie Scott walks through the curtain, dressed in a stylish suit with the National Title belt secured around his waist. A few feet behind him comes "Agent To The Stars" Ben Waterson. Both look less than pleased as they make their way down the ramp towards the ring.] GM: Here comes the National Champion and his manager - who may not be on the best of terms after Waterson verbally berated his entire stable after the last Saturday Night Wrestling went off the air. BW: Well... I think... uhhh... GM: What's the problem? Can't decide who to suck up to? [Upon reaching the ring, Waterson steps through the ropes first, producing a house mic. Stevie Scott is a step behind, taking his title belt off to sling it over his shoulder. He is looking around the jeering crowd as Waterson begins to speak.] ATTSBW: Juan Vasquez... [Waterson pauses.] ATTSBW: I assume that IS what you're calling yourself this week? [Vasquez smirks at Waterson.] ATTSBW: Allow me to make myself very clear when I say... There is absolutely ZERO chance that you are meeting the National Champion, Stevie Scott, at SuperClash 2. [The crowd jeers as Vasquez shakes his head in a "What now?" type of expression.] ATTSBW: You see, Juan... you and Rogers... you pulled a fast one. I'll give you that. This West Memphis Assassin stuff was- [And then, suddenly, unexpectedly, Stevie Scott grabs the microphone out of Waterson's hand, drawing a shocked pop from the crowd and a shocked look from the "Agent to the Stars." HSS: Ben, with all due respect... Shut up. [Another shocked pop, this one louder than the first. Even Vasquez looks surprised at what is unfolding.] HSS: Look, brother, before we deal with _this_ two-bit attention whore... [The champion jabs a finger toward Juan before turning it toward his manager.] HSS: ...you and I have some business to attend to. Two Saturdays ago, Ben, I stood in this ring and listened to you run me down. Run us _all_ down. And quite honestly? I didn't care for it one bit. [Waterson, over his shock, mouths something back at Stevie.] HSS: Some things, Ben, should be dealt with in _private_, not in front of an arena full of fans and ultimately everyone who saw it in the internet. But since you and your legendary temper decided to air some dirty laundry for everyone to see? [Stevie shrugs.] HSS: Guess that gives me the right to do the same thing. I'm not afraid to give credit where credit is due. I can admit in front of everyone watching tonight that _that_ man... [Again, a point at Vasquez.] HSS: ...and Adam Rogers outsmarted me. Actually, let me amend that. They outsmarted _us_. ALL of us, if you understand what I'm saying. [Growing more furious by the moment, Waterson yells out "I wasn't in the ring! You were!" loud enough to be picked up by the microphone.] HSS: No, you weren't, Ben. You weren't. You weren't the one in the ring who had the match _won_ until the mask got pulled off the West Memphis Assassin and revealed someone who you _never_ mentioned in our planning meetings. You weren't the one who, as a result of _your_ poor planning, took an Oriental Spike to the throat. Ever had someone apply that to you, Ben? It don't feel good, I can tell you that. [Having walked away from Ben a little bit, Stevie's mic can no longer pick up Ben's yelling. But he's still doing it. And Vasquez, meanwhile, is grinning from ear to ear.] HSS: So you want to call us all out...me, Adrian, Calisto...in front of the world and tell us we're not doing our jobs. Fine. I'm the first to admit that we've been struggling lately. But brother, before you start passing blame? You better make sure you look in the mirror. You see, we haven't been getting beaten in the ring. We've been getting _outsmarted_. We've been getting out game-planned. And those failures fall on the shoulders of one man, and one man only. _YOU_. [Yep, he did. That actually drew a big pop from the crowd.] HSS: All along, you've said to trust you. To trust your planning, your strategy, your ability to manipulate any situation. Well, we've done that. We trusted you when you wanted to bring in MAMMOTH Mizusawa in a business transaction, as you called it. We didn't like it, but we went along because _you_ said to trust you. And that fat piece of crap turned out to be _completely_ worthless to us, like I said he would. We trusted you when you said you could handle all the friction with the Rhodes Brothers and Brian Von Braun and the whole associate-full member nonsense. And we see where _that_ got us. Three quality members, who completely fit the bill of what we were needing, all gone from the picture. We trusted you when you said you could handle, as you called them, "those dumb redneck imbeciles from Arkansas." And we watched while the Bishop Boys ended up taking the National Tag Titles from Adrian and Calisto. And we trusted you..._I_ trusted you...when you said you had the West Memphis Assassin business completely under control. Tell me, Ben...are things currently under control? [The champion finally pauses, shaking his head.] HSS: You know, Ben...Brian was right. He was dead right in what he said about you. You're nothing more than a former MMA failure turned pro wrestling failure. And if you don't get your head out of your butt and realize what the _real_ problem in the Southern Syndicate is? You're going to be a failure as a manager, too. And all the things we've worked for over the last 18 months? It'll all be wasted. And guys like _this_ clown... [Another point at Juan.] HSS: ...will be able to lay claim to _ending_ the Southern Syndicate. So I'm telling you right now, Ben. I'm telling Adrian and I'm telling Calisto...it's time to get our act together.... ...and that trash like _THIS_ out of the AWA _we_ built. [One more motion toward Vasquez with the word "this", and then Stevie extends the microphone to Waterson.] ATTSBW: We apparently may not agree on much these days, champ... but at least we agree on that. It IS time for us to get our act together and deal with people like Vasquez once and for all. You're exactly right, Hotshot. And that's exactly why you won't be facing him at SuperClash! [More jeers.] ATTSBW: You see, Stevie's right about something else. I NEVER saw Adam Rogers coming. [Big cheer!] ATTSBW: For all those months that I wondered who was wearing that mask... all those matches I studied, trying to figure it out... I NEVER thought it was Adam Rogers. And the reason for that is quite simple, isn't it, Vasquez? [Juan shrugs.] ATTSBW: It's because it never was! [More jeers. Juan chuckles in response.] ATTSBW: Deny it all you want, Vasquez, but we've got proof to back it up. Two weeks ago, with Adam Rogers giving this big speech about how happy he was to help you pull this off - he made a mistake. This big, magnificent ploy worthy of the Southern Syndicate had been put in place and pulled off to perfection. But in the end, there was ONE mistake. Adam Rogers said... and I quote... [Waterson holds up a sheet of paper, reading from it.] ATTSBW: "This night means so much to me. To be able to come back here for one night to the AWA... blah blah blah." But you heard the important part. For one night. [Vasquez looks a little less pleased now.] ATTSBW: In front of the entire AWA, Adam Rogers ADMITTED he had only been wearing that mask for one night. And that means someone else had been wearing it all along - winning matches to get into the Top Ten... besting opponents to earn a shot at the National Title. Someone like... [He points.] ATTSBW: You. [The crowd buzzes with confusion as Vasquez strokes his chin.] ATTSBW: And according to my legal team, there's not a judge in the country who would not grant us an IMMEDIATE injunction against any title claim you might have! The match WILL NOT happen at SuperClash! The match will NEVER happen! You will NEVER get another shot at Stevie Scott. You will NEVER get another shot at the Southern Syndicate. And you will NEVER get another shot at the National Title... ...amigo. [Waterson is all grins now as Juan slowly raises the mic.] JV: "Never"? [Juan chuckles.] JV: That's an awful long time, Waterson...and I think you should know by now that as long as I'm in the AWA, there ain't gonna' be anything that's gonna' stop me from going after the National title _or_ Stevie Scott. Not you, not the rest of the Southern Syndicate, and sure as hell not your team of overpriced ambulance chasers! [Face Pop!] JV: But that's the key phrase, ain't it? "As long as I'm in the AWA." [The crowd quiets down upon hearing that. As a matter of fact, so do Stevie and Ben Waterson. They seem to know what Juan's about to say, but no one is quite willing to believe it until the words leave his mouth.] JV: Enough is enough, boys...I'm through jumpin' through hoops and playing your little games just to get one last shot at the National title! Forget your damn lawyers and forget the damn loopholes. I'm willin' to lay it all on the line right here and now! [Juan holds up a finger.] JV: One last title shot between me and Stevie Scott. SuperClash. [Ben Waterson screams furiously at Vasquez, but Juan won't let himself be drowned out as he makes his announcement.] JV: One last shot. And if I lose? [He shakes his head.] JV: _That's it._ No more rematches. No more title shots. [Juan closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath, before staring back at Waterson and Scott.] JV: And no more Juan Vasquez. [Shocked pop! Ben Waterson stops his ranting and raving long enough to let out a confused "What!?"] JV: Do you hear me loud and clear, boys??? If I lose at SuperClash, there ain't nothing left for me here! I'll quit! I'll walk away! [He composes himself.] JV: I'll leave the AWA forever. [The crowd is pleading for Juan to reconsider, but he's got his mind all but made up.] JV: One more shot. What do you say? [Waterson eyes Vasquez for several moments. He turns to the Hotshot for a moment who seems to not believe what he just heard.] ATTSBW: One more shot? [Vasquez nods.] ATTSBW: And if you lose... you're gone... for good? [Another nod.] ATTSBW: No more crying? No more begging? No more tricks? One more shot... and WHEN you lose, you leave the AWA for good? [One final nod.] ATTSBW: Juan Vasquez... [Dramatic pause.] ATTSBW: We accept! [The crowd roars with a shocked reaction!] GM: OH MY STARS!! Vasquez is putting it ALL on the line at SuperClash! Either he walks out with the National Title around his waist... or he walks out of the AWA FOREVER! [Waterson steps aside, leaving the Hotshot and Vasquez to go face to face, nose to nose in the middle of the ring with the crowd going absolutely nuts... ...and we fade to black.]