********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** American Wrestling Alliance Proudly Presents AWA Saturday Night Wrestling Live from the Crockett Coliseum Dallas, Texas April 9th, 2011 ********************************************************** ********************************************************** ********************************************************** [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 MAMMOTH Mizusawa has Juan Vasquez pressed high overhead in a gorilla press.] GM: MAMMOTH SLAM!! HERE IT COMES!! [But a determined Juan Vasquez won't give up, shaking and twisting his body, slipping free... ...and grabbing onto the giant's neck with his left arm on the way down the back, hanging off the challenger's broad back!] GM: What the-? What's he- [The crowd EXPLODES as Vasquez holds up the heavily-taped right hand... ...and JAMS IT into the side of the throat!] GM: ASSASSIN'S SPIKE!! HE'S GOT THE SPIKE APPLIED!! [Mizusawa instantly recoils in a mixture of pain and panic, trying to reach back to grab Vasquez but the National Champion is hanging on tight, gritting his teeth as he shoves the taped thumb deep into the side of the neck, screaming as he resists being bucked off.] GM: The giant's trying to get free! The giant's in trouble! [A frantic Louis Matsui is slamming his fists on the mat outside the ring, screaming and shouting at his challenger who wanders around the ring, turning his back... ...and SLAMS the champion into the buckles, crushing him beneath 420 pounds!] GM: INTO THE BUCKLES!! BW: That's how he broke the sleeper of Raphael Rhodes! [But as the giant stumbles out of the corner, Vasquez is still clinging to his back, showing every ounce of the determination and fighting spirit that has made him the best of the world, his knuckles turning white from the grip he holds on the back of the big man!] GM: He's still hanging on! Vasquez still has the Spike on him! BW: And now it's Mizusawa who is fading! It's Mizusawa who is losing consciousness! [Vasquez is hanging on, pushing his thumb as hard as humanly possible, screaming "DOWN!! GO DOWN, YOU SON OF A BITCH!!" The crowd roars for Vasquez' intensity, shouting their voices hoarse as the National Champion staggers the giant... ...who suddenly slumps down facefirst to the mat, Vasquez still clinging to his back, still with the thumb driven deep!] GM: HE'S DOWN! THE GIANT'S DOWN!! [The National Champion hangs on to the hold, nodding his head fiercely as the referee steps in to check... ...and spins to the side, signalling for the bell!] "DING! DING! DING!" [DEAFENING ROAR!] GM: HE DID IT!! HE DID IT!! VASQUEZ HAS SLAIN THE GIANT!! [The National Champion releases the hold, pushing up to his feet in a burst of adrenaline he soon regrets, visibly wincing as he grabs his badly-injured ribs. The official steps in, raising his hand as we fade to black and fade to the sounds of 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 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. One of these platforms is the home of Todd Michaelson's Money Pit, a "set" with fake walls and bags of money that is supposed to look like everyone's vision of the inside of a bank vault. 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 ringside area 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 once again to another edition of AWA Saturday Night Wrestling where you will see all the stars of the American Wrestling Alliance, THE Major League of Professional Wrestling. I'm Gordon Myers and by my side, as always, is the three-time Announcer of the Year, Buckthorn Wilde! BW: My mama calls me Buckthorn, Gordo. And only when she's mad at me. Are you mad at me, Gordo? GM: Not one bit. Fans, we are just two weeks removed from the AWA's Third Birthday party... The Main Event was something else, Bucky. BW: It sure was. Great action, big surprises, shocking moments - everything the AWA's known for, daddy! GM: You saw it moments ago - the National Champion, Juan Vasquez, conquered the odds and slayed the giant two weeks ago in that ring right behind us. BW: I STILL can't believe it, Gordo. GM: The Assassin's Spike claimed another victim, putting the giant down for the count which is something I don't think any of us saw coming. BW: And now I hear the giant is missing! GM: I've heard the same. But I understand we'll be checking in with Louis Matsui later tonight to get details on that situation. In addition, we've been told by our medical team that Calisto Dufresne has not only been ordered NOT to appear here tonight due to injuries he suffered inside that brutal steel cage showdown with City Jack... but we're hearing Dufresne has received an indefinite medical suspension! We don't know when he'll be back either! BW: Juan Vasquez has been touched by an angel, daddy! Two of his top contenders are missing or hurt... but there ain't no shortage of top flight guys looking to knock that crown off his stupid head, Gordo. GM: Some of the very best in the world are taking aim at the National Champion as we speak and with those banged-up ribs, I think Juan Vasquez is in a very vulnerable state right now. Fans, it was a big night at The Main Event, as we said, and we're sure to be talking more about it throughout the night. And in one of the biggest moments two weeks ago, we saw the arrival to the AWA of the world-famous Lynch brothers! BW: Not those twerps. Please no. GM: Yes, fans, were going to get our first glimpse of the legendary Lynch family on Saturday Night Wrestling here tonight as Travis Lynch makes his singles debut right now! BW: Can I take five, Gordo? GM: You stay right where you are. Travis Lynch put in a good showing in the Battle Royal two weeks ago... BW: He didnt win so a good showing means nothing. GM: You're incredible. Phil Watson, take it away, my friend! [We crossfade to the ring where Phil Watson is standing in his black tuxedo and white dress shirt.] PW: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's opening contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring from Jamestown, Colorado he stands in at an even six feet and weighs two hundred and twenty one pounds... Kyle Houlder! [Very little reaction for the man from Colorado.] PW: And his opponent [Tom Sawyer by Rush hits the speakers.] PW: And his opponent... on his way to the ring, hailing from Dallas, Texas... [Big hometown cheer!] PW: Standing six feet, three inches, and weighing in tonight at two hundred and sixty pounds... TRAAAAAAAAAVIS LYNNNNNNCH! [The curtain parts as the youngest of the Lynch clan strides into view. The screams of the ladies in the crowd nearly down out the sounds of Rush. A grinning Travis heads down the aisle in his classic white trunks with a yellow and black stripe along the top. He's also sporting white boots and kneepads.] GM: And would you listen to this reaction for this young man, Bucky? BW: Sounds like the Mid-South Coliseum did for me the night I lost that tuxedo match to Candi Martin back in '95, Gordo. [Halfway down the entrance ramp, Travis breaks out into a little jog, leaning down to slap the hands of the fans lining the elevated walkway. Reaching the ropes, Travis steps down the staircase onto the floor, making his way over to the barricade where the fans reach over to slap his arms and shoulders. A rather enthusiastic young lady nearly throws herself over the railing, wrapping her arms around Lynch's neck and yanking him into a kiss on the cheek before security steps in to free him up. Smiling at the reaction, Lynch slides under the bottom rope, popping to his feet to throw a muscular arm in the air to even more cheers as the referee points him back... ...and then calls for the bell!] "DING! DING! DING!" [As the bell rings, Travis Lynch pulls down on the top rope stretching his arms and shoulders for a brief moment. He slowly turns around and is met by a quick kick to the midsection that doubles him up.] GM: Cheap shot by Houlder to get an early edge... into the side headlock now... [Lynch quickly pushes Houlder back to the ropes, powering out by shoving Houlder across the ring. On the rebound, the man from Colorado ducks under a lariat attempt, rebounding once again off the ropes and leaps into the air with a cross body block.] GM: Cross body... [The crowd cheers as Travis catches Houlder, spinning and DRIVING Houlder into the canvas with a thunderous slam...] GM: Ohh! Whatta slam by the Texan! And just like that, Travis Lynch takes the cheapshot from Houlder and turned the momentum quickly onto his side! [Lynch dives atop the downed Houlder, grabbing him by the hair to throw overhead elbowsmashes to the skull.] BW: Travis on the attack with a lil' ground and pound... but you'd think for being a guy these fans love to cheer, he might be able to figure out how to follow the rules, Gordo. GM: I'm sure Travis Lynch knows the rules quite well. BW: Handful of hair, blows to the grounded opponent - sure looks like it, Gordo. [After a barrage of elbowsmashes, Lynch pops up to his feet, throwing an arm into the cheer to more squeals from the females in the crowd. As Houlder tries to regain his footing, Lynch grabs him by the arm, hurling him into the turnbuckles... ...and then charges in behind him, smashing the Colorado native with a clothesline in the corner!] GM: Travis Lynch showing the Houlder what the Lynch boys are all about! BW: What's that? Breaking the rules and pounding on a man when he is defenseless? Some heroes. But they're definitely Texan. [With Lynch leaning on Houlder, the referee orders a break in the corner. Lynch raises both arms, stepping back... ...and eats a left hand on the jaw, startling the youngster!] GM: Ohh! Lynch got caught there! [A right hand creates some space between the two men, allowing Houlder to leave his feet, lashing out with a standing dropkick that knocks Lynch off his feet and down to the mat!] GM: Nice elevation on the dropkick by Houlder! [Houlder pops up, throwing both arms into the air to mock the crowd and deservedly getting booed for it. He waves off the fans, leaping up to drop a knee down on the temple of Lynch before applying a rear chinlock.] GM: Houlder has grounded the powerful youngster, Travis Lynch, and he's using that chinlock as a chokehold, Bucky! BW: A choke?! Please, Gordo... that's no choke. The referee is checking and so far he hasn't deemed it a choke hold, Gordo! Why do you always assume the worst in people? GM: His forearm is under the chin and across the windpipe! With all the years I've spent in this business, I think I can recognize a choke when I see one, Bucky! [Houlder pulls Lynch up to his feet and whips him to the far side ropes. But Lynch grabs the ropes, blocking a rebound... ...so Houlder charges him, connecting with a clothesline that takes both men over the ropes and down to the floor!] GM: Ohhh! A long, hard fall down to that thinly-padded concrete floor for both of these men! Houlder being very aggressive there and he ended up sending both men crashing to the floor right out here in front of these fans! [A few female fans scream horrified as the pretty boy of the Lynches spills out in front of them. A dazed Houlder drags himself to his feet, shouting a few words in the direction of the women reading him the riot act for his treatment of Travis Lynch.] GM: There's no call for that! Keep your mouth shut, Kyle Houlder, if you can't treat these ladies with some respect! BW: Respect? You seen those slophogs, Gordo? [The referee begins the standard ten count as a stunned Travis Lynch holds his head, slowly rolling to the side before climbing up to a knee. Houlder grabs the hair of Lynch, finishing the job in pulling him to his feet... ...and gets caught in the gut with a right hand to the gut!] GM: Ohh! Lynch caught him in the breadbasket! [But Houlder fires back, throwing a knee into the gut of Lynch. He promptly wraps his arms around the waist of the Texan, DRIVING him backfirst into the ring apron!] "OHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: Lynch just got his spine driven into the hardest part of the ring! BW: And that'll take some of the wind out of that punk's sails. [With the count getting higher, Houlder shoves the hurting Lynch under the ropes into the ring.] BW: Great sportsmanship there as Houlder helps the fallen Lynch back into the ring. GM: It was the least he could do after slamming him into the ring apron. BW: And I'm starting to get a good feeling about this one, Gordo! How great would this be if Houlder could score the upset on this punk kid? How great would it be for this hyped punk to get knocked off on his debut match here on Saturday Night Wrestling? GM: I'm sure these fans wouldn't enjoy that one bit. BW: These are the same fans who enjoy watching the Dallas Cowboys, Gordo! What the heck do they know? [Houlder rolls back into the ring as well, dragging Lynch up to a knee. He applies a front facelock, looking for a snapping DDT... ...and DRIVING Lynch skullfirst into the canvas!] GM: OHH! HE GOT ALL OF THAT!! [Houlder flips Lynch to his back, brushing his shoulders off like he's brushing off dust.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! [But the crowd roars with relief as Lynch fires the right shoulder off the mat.] GM: Kyle Houlder looks steamed but Travis Lynch has a lot of heart and its going to take more than that to finish him off. [Houlder glares at the referee, obviously telling him to learn to count faster. The delay in keeping up the fight allows Lynch to get to a knee before Houlder moves in.] BW: Houlder needs to stay on him, hit him with something big here and- [Lynch is the first to strike, again throwing a big right hand. The crowd roars as the Texas struggles to his feet, throwing a second haymaker, this one knocking Houlder back to the ropes. Grabbing the arm, Lynch fires him across the ring, greeting him with a boot to the gut on the rebound.] GM: Ohh! Down low goes Lynch! [And grabbing a handful of hair, Lynch leaps up off the mat, SMASHING Houlder's face into the mat!] GM: Faceslam! He drives the man's face into the mat! [A fired-up Lynch climbs to his feet, quickly striking a single bicep pose to the cheers of the ladies in the crowd.] BW: Look at the ego on this kid - out here showboating. GM: He enjoys being in the ring. BW: Please. He's trying to flirt with these slophogs in the house. [A rising Houlder gets doubled up with a knee to the gut before Lynch powers him off the mat in a gutwrench, dropping him down across a bent knee!] GM: WHOA! Look at the power of Travis Lynch! That might do it! [Lynch dives across the chest of the downed Houlder, earning a two count before the Colorado native slides a shoulder up.] GM: Lynch couldn't quite hold him down there... [Climbing to his feet, Lynch fires Houlder into the ropes again, this time catching him on the rebound... ...and fluidly pressing him overhead in a gorilla press!] GM: WHOOOOOOA MY! Look at that, fans! [The crowd roars as the youngest Lynch lowers Houlder down and presses him back up a full three times before stepping out from under him, allowing him to smash chestfirst down to the canvas. And that roar gets even louder as Lynch holds up his left hand, gripping his wrist with his right hand.] GM: Oh yeah! He's calling for it, Bucky! He's calling for the Iron Claw! The Lynch family trademark! [And as Houlder stumbles up to his feet...] GM: HE LOCKS IT IN!! [HUUUUUGE CHEER!] GM: LYNCH HAS GOT THE CLAW LOCKED IN AND THESE FANS ARE GOING NUTS! BW: Come on, ref! Hes trying to gouge his eyes out! GM: He is not! Give me a break! [Houlder reaches for the ropes but is just mere inches away from it.] GM: Houlder's fighting it! He knows he needs to get out of this thing and quickly! [A screaming Houlder fights against Lynch's power, trying to get to the escape of the ropes as the official askes him if he wants to quit.] GM: This hold has brought the Lynch family notoriety for years. [With Houlder still fighting it, Lynch suddenly breaks the hold, going into a full spin... ...and CRACKING Houlder upside the jaw with a discus punch!] GM: HE KNOCKS HIM FLAT!! [Lynch dives across the motionless Houlder.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" [Lynch pops to his feet, soaking up the cheers of the Dallas crowd as he raises both arms in triumph.] GM: He got him with the discus punch and- BW: That's illegal, Gordo! It's a closed fist! Tell it like it is! GM: Well, it's certainly at the referee's discretion if he wants to count. BW: Oh, that's a load of hinky! This punk got a hometown call! That punch is illegal and that pin NEVER should have been counted! Kyle Houlder just got robbed! GM: A great showing for Kyle Houlder... very impressive... but not enough for him as Travis Lynch just had too much heart. BW: Bah. He had too much clenched fist. GM: Nonetheless, a big win tonight for Travis Lynch in his debut - and fans, you'll be excited to hear that his brothers will be in tag team action here later tonight! BW: Are you kidding me? All of the Lynches in one night? Pluck out my eyes, daddy! Do me a favor! GM: Fans, the situation between the Unholy Alliance and Robert Donovan took a definite turn in an ugly direction two weeks ago at The Main Event. We caught up with the veteran Donovan earlier tonight to get some words from him so let's take a look... [Cut to the back, where Robert Donovan stands, looming over the camera slightly. The cameraman takes a quick step back, which draws a chuckle from the big man.] RD: Don't sweat it, buddy -- you ain't the one in danger tonight. [Donovan leans back slightly and stretches his right arm out, and there's an audible popping noise as he rotates his shoulder.] RD: You hear that, Polemos? Been makin' that noise ever since you yanked me outta the ring you tried...an' failed...to save 'at jerk holdin' your leash. Now, guys my age who've been in the business long as I have, ain't many joints we can move around like that an' not hear some kinda noise...but this one's new. This is somethin' you did to me, Polemos, an' while it ain't that big a deal, every time I hear that click... [Donovan rotates his shoulder again, for emphasis.] RD: I get a lil' more angry. See, I had a hell of a good shot at winnin' that Rumble. I had a hell of a chance to come out on top, really make some noise, an' really tick off the Unholy Alliance in the process, an' you went and screwed it up. How come you weren't in there yourself, big man? Seems kinda odd that someone tryin' to pass himself off as some horrible, frightenin' monster hides behind a man a foot shorter an' a hundred pounds lighter than he is. [Donovan laughs derisively.] RD: Guess you didn't want a piece of this old man quite yet, huh? For a guy heralded as a God of War, you sure looked a lot more like Hermes, speedin' yer way up that aisle as fast as you could after I got up. Well, Polemos, you keep on runnin'. Keep pokin' that nose o' yers into other people's business, an' eventually, I'm gonna get my hands on ya. [Donovan cracks his knuckles.] RD: An' when I do, Polemos...well, I don't wanna spoil it, but bad things are gonna happen. [Donovan turns and leaves on that note as we fade to the interview platform where Jason Dane stands shadowed by the bulky, tall frame of James Monosso. The madman is, as ever, clad in his pale green PROPERTY OF STATE MENTAL INSTITUTE cutoff T-Shirt, black singlet with silver trim, and matching boots. His head bears a mop of stringy black hair, turning grey at the temples. He's shifting his weight from one foot to the other, staring off into space with a faint smile on his face. He is greeted with a loud round of boos. Also present is his manager, the "Collector Of Oddities" himself, Percy Childes. Bald and chubby, Childes is wearing a dark purple polo vest over a long-sleeved white undershirt, as well as black pants. Tucked in one arm is Nenshou's Longhorn Heritage Championship belt, which Percy never seems to part with no matter whether he's with his champion or not, and in his other hand is his crystal-ball-topped walking stick. It is the latter object that Percy is regarding as the interview begins.] JD: With me at this time: the manager, Percy Childes, and his man, James Monosso. James, everyone is talking about that big, big collision you had at the Main Event against Alex Martinez, where you came closer than possibly anyone has come to downing the Last American... Tough Guy. But in the end, you fell just a little short of winning. JM: Why do you bother interviewing people, Dane? [Jason wasn't expecting that particular answer, though his posture indicates that he was ready to bolt if the answer was "DIE! RHHHHAAAAAAAA!" He fidgets for a moment until he's certain that this was not a rhetorical question. Then he answers.] JD: Because it's my job? JM: Funny. I'd think they'd hire somebody who actually listens to his subject, and remembers what they said! I didn't fall short of nothin'! I did EXACTLY what I went to the Main Event to do! I did EXACTLY what I was paid to do! I took a piece... just one piece... out of Alex Martinez, an' if you don't believe me, shake his hand when you see him. You'll figure it out. JD: But in the end, Martinez picked up the win. JM: Do you even know what the word 'win' means? [Another pause. Sorry Jason, James doesn't ask rhetorical questions.] JD: It means you pinned your opponent or made him sub... JM: WRONG. Idiot! Win means succeed! Look it up in a dictionary! If I learned anything over the years, it's these things: one, I learned a couple hundred ways to severely injure a man. Two, I learned the wrestling business is a graveyard that eats up the wrestlers to leave them nothin' but bones an' dust. An' three, I learned that 'wins' an' 'losses' the way you call them happen to everyone. I could pin anyone in the AWA. And there's a few that could pin me. But why, Dane? Why pin somebody? Why make them submit? What is the reason for it? [Now this questioning is REALLY confusing the heck out of poor Jason. Percy is trying to contain his laughter at Dane's helpless reaction.] JD: ...because the point of wrestling a match is to win? JM: NO! Idiot! The point of wrestling a match is to make money! Didn't I tell you what the wrestling business was just now? What the heck do you think we're fighting for? Fame? Glory? Only these dumb kids think that; I've been tryin' to show them for over a year now! Didn't Eric Preston teach you nothin'? It all goes away! Once you're trapped in this hellhole, this death trap, all you can do is grab for all the money you can until your body gives out an' you're a helpless cripple! It'll happen to me someday, someday soon probably. Why would I have any goal at all but money?! And I was being paid real, real good to do just what I did to Alex Martinez. Why would I want the match to end? THINK, DUMMY. [Monosso's smile is gone, replaced by the frustration of not being understood. His hands open in a grasping motion in front of him... either he's resisting the temptation to tear Dane apart, or he's locking the iron claw on his invisible friend. This being Monosso, there's even odds. Percy decides to lean in and give a helpful illustration.] PC: You know, Dane, I'd like you for just one moment to imagine an entire world full of madmen. Of delusional lunatics who are unable to discern reality from illusion. An entire planet filled to the brim with disassociative individuals with no grasp on reality at all. Close your eyes. Imagine it. [Pause. Jason seems to be waiting for Percy to finish the thought. When that doesn't come, he moves the microphone to his mouth to ask a follow-up question. Before he can, Monosso reaches over and forces his eyelids shut.] JM: CLOSE YOUR EYES AND PICTURE IT. I'm gettin' sick of you not understandin' plain English, Dane! JD: Okay, okay... yes, I am imagining a whole world where everyone's insane. I... don't like it. PC: Good. Now. In this world you have pictured, tell me... who gets locked up? JD: ...uh, I guess the craziest... PC: THE SANE ONES. [Dane pauses for a moment before opening his eyes. His expression is most distressed.] PC: That's right, Dane. When the whole world is mad, it's the sane ones who are the outcasts. And I submit to you that this is the case. You and all of these fans have this ludicrous perception of wrestling that does not correlate to reality. You obsess over the past and call failures successes... Nenshou and I have proven our point in this regard. You buy into this narrow vision of glory, considering a randomly-selected portion of the available talent to be 'elite' and you equate success with an ill-fitting metric of actual fighting ability. In the same breath you glorify the victor and despise the ones most willing to do anything to obtain the victory you glorify. Tell me, what part of this way of thinking seems sane to you? JD: You're... you're just twisting words! Twisting concepts! JM: Twisting necks! [Monosso clasps a meaty hand on the top of Dane's head... Jason quickly shuts up.] JM: I got a match now. And this time, I gotta get that pin or submission to win, because nobody's payin' me to do anything else to whoever this guy is. You can glorify your heroes all you want, but understand this. No one needs to win more than me. NOBODY. My time is runnin' out! Every check could be the last one I ever get in my life! If winnin' means pinnin' somebody, then I'll do it. If it means bustin' somebody up, I'll do it. If it means stuffin' what's left of 'em in a shoebox, I'll do it. If it means runin' a life, two lives, everybody's lives... I'll do it. If it means burnin' you alive over a spit, Dane, I'll do it. I'll do anything to win. ANYTHING. I fight like my life depends on it... 'cause my life DOES depend on it! [Monosso turns his gaze to the ring, where a young wrestler stands waiting, stretching out. The young man has black hair, a lean build, a largish nose and a slight acne problem. He wears white gi pants and a green cloth belt. He is going to wrestle barefoot, with athletic tape around his feet.] JM: HEY! HEY, KID! WHY'RE YOU FIGHTIN', HUH? ARE YOU FIGHTIN' FOR YOUR LIFE?! HUH? ARE YOU FIGHTIN' 'CAUSE YOU'LL DIE IF YA DON'T?! [He waits for an answer from his opponent, who stands with mouth agape, not sure how to answer that.] JM: I AM! SO YOU BETTER BE! [With that, Monosso marches off, power-walking down the aisle to the ring about as fast as he can, intently glaring at his opponent. Seeing that this one will start quickly, Phil Watson starts right away.] PW: The following contest is set for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Already in the ring... from Colorado Springs, Colorado... weighing two-hundred thirty-three pounds... Albert Showens! [Showens' gaze is on the looming figure of Monosso, who is just now reaching the ring. Phil gets ready to run out of the ring, but for whatever reason, James stops his charge. He motions for him to finish.] PW: And his opponent... accompanied by his manager Percy Childes... from The State Of Confusion... weighing two-hundred eighty-eight pounds... JAMES MONOSSO! [Now he runs out of the ring, as Monosso charges!] "DING! DING! DING!" GM: Odd behavior by Monosso... LEGSWEEP BY SHOWENS! [The fans cheer as the sweeping kick knocks Monosso's feet out from under him; the big bulky brute bounces off the buckles like especially alliterative ammunition slung sideways from a slingshot. Or... something like that.] BW: Ya better follow up real fast an' real hard, kid! Monosso means business! GM: Indeed he does, and I think his words intimidated Albert SHowens, who is moving in too hesitantly. Side judo takedown of some kind as Monosso gets to his feet! Albert Showens is a Yonkyu rank judo player; he has the skills to ground Monosso if he applies them! BW: Judo is a game, Gordo. This is a fight. GM: I don't know about that. Showens catching a wild swing in a shoulder-throw takedown... Monosso not letting go of his hand! James Monosso with a knuckle-lock of sorts... [Slowly, Monosso rises from the canvas, unhurt by the offensive flurry of his judoka adversary. He's glaring his man down, eye-to-eye, as he gets to his feet and towers over his prey. Showens recoils from the pain of the knucklelock, and tries to turn this into another throw. Monosso counters with a straight blatant one-hand choke, screaming at Showens as he does.] JM: FOR YOUR LIFE, KID! FOR YOUR LIFE! "THUUUUUUUUUUUUD!" GM: BRUTALITY! SHEER BRUTALITY ON THE CHOKESLAM! BW: James doesn't lift a man when he chokeslams him, he just whips him straight down backwards hard, using his strength and not his height! Ya just don't see nobody else do it that way. GM: The results are unquestionably effective. Monosso... DOUBLE STOMP! RIGHT TO THE RIBS! BW: An' ya know what that was? That was a call-out to Anton Layton. Lettin' the Prince O' Darkness know he's on th' same page with him. GM: Childes nodding in approval, so I presume that's correct. The Unholy Alliance didn't like Monosso's decision to do freelance work, but James made it quite clear that he'll do it whenever he can. He needs the money to live, he says, and that's why he fights so desperately. BUT LOOK AT THIS! [Monosso fishhooks Showens' mouth, nose, and eyesockets... steps on his lower back, and pulls upwards! He's still screaming "FOR YOUR LIFE!", and the fans try to scream him down.] BW: Yeah, take a good long look. He'll do anything, Gordo... didn't ya hear him? GM: I heard him. Monosso breaking at the count of four; as he said earlier, he is here to win the match because that's where the money is. But anyone who saw the Main Event knows that he was trying to win the match against Martinez as well! BW: Yeah, I'm sure he was. That would be a double-dip... winner's pay and the Dragon money. But considerin' what the Dragon has to be able ta shell out ta bring back Da Bombahs AND the Masked Menace? I bet that winner's pay was peanuts next ta that! GM: Possibly. Monosso with the Irish-whip... Albert Showens ducking the clothesline! Showens off the far ropes... RUNNING- NO! BW: You got it right; a running ST-NO. [Showens goes for the STO, which is a legsweep very similar to some of the techniques in Judo. Monosso doesn't budge. Instead, he glares. Clearly intimidated, Showens makes a second effort to take him down with this before getting easily scooped overhead in a military press!] BW: Guess what, Albert? You looked so much like you wanted ta "get out of here" that Monosso's gonna give ya the chance! "GET OUT OF HERE!" [And with that exclamation, the mad Monosso sprints to the ropes and hurls Showens out over the top rope, sending him flying down the ramp and rolling a good fifteen feet before slowly skidding to a halt at the edge of the ramp...which he then sort of limply spills from in a heap! The fans give a loud reaction to the awe-inspiring display, but boo due to the unnecessary carnage of it all.] GM: That should be an automatic disqualification! BW: You say that about half of Monosso's offense. GM: Because about half of Monosso's offense should be an automatic disqualification! I know we don't have an over-the-top disqualification rule by popular demand, but this man abuses it! Flagrantly! BW: Would ya prefer he abused it sneakily? GM: And what is this? Percy Childes is putting his hands on a wrestler! Another justification for a disqualification! [Childes has retrieved Showens, and is dragging him back to the ring while the referee is admonishing Monosso. He rolls Albert Showens in under the bottom rope and backs away quickly... the referee turns around to see a groggy Showens and has an impressed look, like he can't believe the young man got back in so fast.] GM: WHY? Why? I don't understand it! Monosso just needs wins... why brutalize the kid?! BW: Monosso probably ain't the one who is callin' fer this, Gordo. Percy wants blood. An' when Percy wants blood, daddy, alert the Red Cross, because somebody's gonna need a pint or two of type O negative tonight! GM: Monosso off the ropes... GOOD GRIEF! KING KONG KNEEDROP! THAT HAS TO BE ALL! [James goes for the cover, but scoops one of Showens' shoulders off the mat with a half-nelson while looking to Childes impassively... as if querying whether the manager needs to see anymore. Childes holds up one finger. Monosso thus picks his man up.] GM: RING THE BELL ALREADY! BW: Ya know, Gordo, he's really only hit three or four moves. It ain't like he's pilin' on yet. GM: When one of those moves involves throwing the man thirty feet from the ring to the floor, and then the King Kong Kneedrop... yes, this is piling on! He could have easily pinned him! And now... Monosso hooking the chin, swinging him sideways... BW: _SANITY CHECK_! It's over now! GM: The Hangman neckbreaker! This move has been in Monosso's arsenal for almost twenty years, and it's just claimed another one! [Needless to say, Showens submits immediately.] "DING! DING! DING!" [Monosso drops his man... the hard way, sitting out into a neckbreaker. He then kneels over his vanquished foe and screams some more... "GET OUT OF THIS SPORT, KID! YOU AIN'T FIGHTIN' FOR YOUR LIFE! GET OUT BEFORE IT KILLS YOU!" More jeers accompany this.] BW: An' that's compassion. James is tryn' ta spare this kid the sufferin' he went through. GM: If you call an extraneous attempt to severely injure him 'compassion'! BW: Ya gotta break a bone ta set a wound! PW: The winner of this contest, by submission... JAMES MONOSSO! [We didn't have time for the theme music before the match, but "The Theme From Halloween" plays now. Monosso rolls out under the bottom rope, apparently finished here. Childes simply looks at the broken body of Albert Showens with a sadistic grin before following behind with a spring in his step. The capacity crowd serenades them with hate on their way out.] GM: With his business for the Dragon apparently done, the only question that remains is where James Monosso goes from here! BW: And I'd like ya ta think long an' hard about that. Here he is, the most dangerous man in the sport... GM: Arguable. BW: No, not really, if ya think about it. Monosso is worse than a man with nothin' ta lose; he's a man who already lost everything! He said it himself... he has a real, real short amount o' time ta operate. Everythin' he does is done with desperation that noone else can even _fathom_, daddy! An' the only thing more dangerous than a desperate man is a big crazy desperate man who only knows how ta cripple people. An' the scariest thing of all? He's free ta do whatever he wants to. GM: I see your point. With no clear agenda for the immediate future... BW: Ya think maybe when he threw that kid over the top... he was practisin'? GM: The Rumble. Of course; if Monosso wants money, what better way than to become the National Champion! BW: Not 'wants'. NEEDS. Gordo, James Monosso NEEDS ta win th' Rumble. NEEDS ta win th' National Title! Would you wanna be Juan Vasquez for anythin' in the world right now? GM: We'll be back after these messages. [Fade to black on the exiting James Monosso. 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 back up to the backstage area. Mark Stegglet is standing by with the bespectacled Louis Matsui, looking slightly the worse for wear in a dark blue suit and lavender shirt. He doesn't even have a tie on and there is no sign of his characteristic smirk. Also conspicuous by his absence is the seven-foot-tall MAMMOTH Mizusawa.] MS: Louis Matsui, at The Main Event, Juan Vasquez successfully defended his title against your client, MAMMOTH Mizusawa. I'm guessing you are not too pleased with that outcome. LM: Do I look like a happy man, Stegglet? Do I? You call it a successful title defense, but I've heard it described in worse ways these past couple of weeks. Everyone's talking about how David defeated Goliath... How Juan Vasquez is the first man to beat MAMMOTH Mizusawa in a one-on-one match... In fact, there are some in the back who say Vasquez has vanquished the giant once and for all... MS: Is that the reason why MAMMOTH Mizusawa is not here with us? LM: Interrupt me again and I'll slap the taste out right out of your mouth, Stegglet! I might not have my monster by my side, but I'm pretty damn sure I can take you, Mark! Right here, right now! Let's go... You know what? This interview is over! Just like Vasquez has earned his reprieve, I'm giving you one, but mark my words, Stegglet, I am far from done! [Matsui walks off, still muttering to himself, leaving Stegglet looking confounded.] MS: A very upset Louis Matsui, fans... but where in the world is MAMMOTH Mizusawa? Gordon, Bucky... back down to you at ringside! [We crossfade back to the ringside area where Gordon and Bucky are standing.] GM: Thanks, Mark... and Bucky, you're the man with all the scoops... so where is Mizusawa? BW: I have no clue, Gordo. The biggest man in the world and not a single soul can find him. And if Louis Matsui knows where he is, he ain't talkin', daddy. This is one scoop that eludes even me. GM: Well, one scoop that doesn't elude either of us is the huge news we just received from "Big" Jim Watkins during the break. Later tonight, in six man tag team action, we will see Sultan Azam Sharif, Vladimir Velikov, and Kolya Sudakov take on Supernova, Corax, and Tyler Lee! And after what went down in that Battle Royal on the Main Event, you just know that's gonna be a Pier Sixer! BW: It's gonna be wild! The Battle Royal Champion in the house tonight! GM: The Battle Roy- oh, brother. Fans, let's go up to the ring. [We crossfade to the ring for the smiling Phil Watson.] PW: The following contest is set for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... in the ring at this time hailing from Arlington, Virginia. He stands six foot four inches tall and weighing in at 261 pounds... Rashan Hill! [Hill pumps his fist and plays to the crowd a bit by jumping up and down and rolling his neck.] PW: And his opponent... [The beginning chords of "Country Boy" by Aaron Lewis begins to play.] GM: Well, folks here we go. The debut of former PCW mainstay and all around tough guy- "Dirty" Dick Bass. And I gotta tell ya Bucky, I think this was quite a signing coup for the AWA. BW: I can't agree more, Gordo. This guy is big, he is mean and he is tough as nails. And if you're not scared of that, then maybe you'll be scared of his "Delilah". GM: His trusty bullwhip he carries to the ring that he affectionately calls "Delilah". The past has shown he's not afraid to use it as Dick Bass has been suspended many times over for using that whip on opponents. [Watson continues.] PW: Coming down the aisle and hailing from Tampa, Florida... he stands six foot four and weighs in at 265 pounds... "DIRTY" DICK BASS! [Bass walks into view to a shower of jeers from the Texas crowd familiar with him. The big man is decked out in simple black trunks, knee pads, boots, and a leather vest - all in the same color. His brown eyes are almost covered by the black Stetson he has tipped close to his brow. A thick handlebar moustache rainbows his tense lips, while his trusty whip "Delilah", is clutched in his heavily taped right hand. Ghazi continues to jaw at the crowd as they hit ringside.] GM: Look at the concentration on the mug of Dick Bass, Bucky. This guy is all business. BW: This is a big night for him - his first ever match in the AWA. With as many stars as we have Gordo, he wants to prove he belongs. [Bass holds his Stetson as he ducks between the ropes... ...and immediately cracks the whip, sending the referee, ring announcer, and his opponent scurrying from the ring.] GM: My stars! Dick Bass almost hit the ref, Bucky! Look at this wildman snapping that whip all over the place! BW: With some wrestlers, I'd say he was trying to get a psychological edge on his opponent but we both know he'll take the skin right off someone with Delilah if he feels like it, daddy! [The big man from Florida cracks the whip again, staring holes through Rashan Hill before threatening the ref with his bullwhip once more.] GM: The referee is trying to restore some order from out on the floor, trying to get Bass to put that whip down. Rashan Hill is complaining to the ref, he's not getting in there until that whip is gone too... and if looks as though Dick Bass is finally going to comply with the official, hanging that whip over the ringpost... BW: I'm not really sure it matters if he has the whip or not. He's one crazy son of a gun, Gordo. [The official slides in, nodding with approval as Bass hangs the coiled Delilah over the ringpost, patting it gently as he turns to face his opponent. A concerned Hill cimbs up on the apron as Bass hands his hat and vest to the ringside attendant, revealing hair buzzed close to the skin... ...and promptly charges across the ring, barreling a freshly-in-the-ring Hill back into the corner with a forearm smash and then a pair of haymakers to the skull!] GM: Bass is all over him! BW: The official just called for the bell - this one's underway... GM: And look at him use that taped fist. You talk about an illegal blow, Bucky. That's an illegal blow! BW: Hey, it was no problem for you when Travis Lynch was out here kissing babies and throwing closed fists! [Bass drops back, grabbing Hill by the back of the head, and blasting him between the eyes with a taped right hand, causing Hill to nearly fall to the mat.] GM: Big shot by Bass! That taped fist on target! [A second one knocks Hill to a knee as Bass keeps his grip on the hair. The official step in, shouting at Bass to back away... ...but one more blow lands, knocking Hill down to the canvas as Bass backs away, patting his taped right hand. The official is protesting his head off, causing Bass to spin around and stalk the referee across the ring.] GM: The ref's out of there again! This guy is certainly an intimidating figure! [Bass turns around, marching back across the ring, grabbing the rising Hill and scooping him up into the air, turning around before he drops Hill throatfirst across the top rope!] GM: Ohh! Dick Bass is showing he isn't here to play games, Bucky! He's out to prove a point here tonight in the Crockett Coliseum! BW: And that point might be, forget the Lynch boys - Dick Bass is the biggest signee from PCW! I told you, Gordo! I told you he was mean and nasty - just look at him now! [Action back in the ring shows Bucky is right. Using the top rope as leverage, "Dirty" Dick Bass presses his knee on the face of Hill, only breaking at the referee's count of four.] GM: Get him up, ref! [Bass stands up, pointing a warning index finger at the official before turning back to the downed Hill. He leans over, dragging Hill up by the hair... ...and with a snarl in the official's direction, he creams Hill with a headbutt between the eyes that causes Hill to stumble back into the corner.] GM: Rashan Hill is getting manhandled, roughhoused all over ringside by "Dirty" Dick Bass who- [Bass promptly grabs Hill by the arm, yanking hard to tug him into a short-arm clothesline that ends with Hill down flat on his back on the mat.] GM: Good grief! Dick Bass is destroying this young man! [Showing no mercy, Bass stays on the attack with a series of hard stomps to the ribcage of a stunned Hill.] GM: They weren't kidding when they said this man doesn't fool around! This guy is just plain vicious, Bucky! [The official steps in again, nudging Bass away... ...and getting shoved aside for his efforts as Bass leans over, grabbing Hill by the hair. The weary man from Virginia throws a few weak punches to the midsection of Dick Bass, drawing a small smirk from the big man.] GM: I don't like that smile. [A hard shot to the temple of Hill stuns him and allows Bass to power him up, dropping him down across his bent knee!] GM: Ohh! Inverted atomic drop! [Slipping past Hill, Bass reaches back to hook an reverse neckbreaker... ...and drops down, jamming Hill's neck into the shoulder!] GM: Good grief! That's the kind of thing that can break someone's neck and end a career! [Bass doesn't relent, popping right back up to continue to lay boots into the seemingly unconscious Rashan Hill. The fans are all over Bass as he leans down, dragging Hill off the mat and into a double underhook...] GM: Uh oh! I think we know what's coming now! [Bass powers Hill up off the mat... ...and DROPS him down across a bent knee!] GM: OHHH! There it is! He calls that move the Bass Breaker! BW: And what impact is it! A perfectly executed double underhook backbreaker. If you can patent a move, I'd slap one on this, daddy! This kid might get CARRIED out of here tonight 'cause there's no way he's walking out on his own. [Bass rests on his knees a minute, watching Rashan squirm in pain, a look of satisfaction on his face. He grabs Rashan by the shoulder and rolls him on his back, lazily lying on top for the cover that the ref is quick to count.] "DING! DING! DING!" GM: What a debut by "Dirty" Dick Bass! [Phil Watson is about to make it official when suddenly Dick Bass marches to the corner, grabbing his bullwhip off the post.] GM: What the heck is he doing now? Someone get some control out there! There's no call for this! BW: He's got Delilah, Gordo! [The referee steps in his path, pleading with him to back away and leave the ring. Still coiled in his hands, Bass eyes the downed Hill The crowd is all over Bass at this point as he starts to uncoil his "leading lady" in his hands.] GM: Somebody get in there and stop this man! [But instead of lashing the whip down across the downed Hill, Bass simply loops it around his throw, pulling back.] GM: He's choking him! Bass is choking the life out of him! [Bass grits his teeth as he pulls back as hard as he can, lifting the poor youngster off the canvas.] GM: Here comes some AWA officials... we need some help out here and I think we're about to get it... BW: But is it too late? GM: This kid has a family! He's got a career! And Dick Bass is trying to rob it from him! [With three officials up in his face, Bass releases the choke, uncoiling the whip and turning towards the officials, shouting in their direction as he raises his whip hand menacingly. From the floor, another trio of officials grab Rashan Hill by the legs, dragging him under the ropes to safety. An angry Dick Bass shoves past the officials, stepping to the floor where he snatches a house mic away from a stunned Phil Watson.] DB: All week long, all I have heard is how lucky I was to get my chance in the American Wrestling Association. But the fact of the matter is, it's the AWA that was lucky up till now! [Bass wipes away the trickles of sweat that run down his brow. He addresses the crowd again.] DB: See, up till this point I was busy raisin' hell in the PCW. I was content making everyone's life their as miserable as possible. Burt when they closed the doors and the AWA came a callin' [shrugs] well now it's the AWA who is going to find out just how lucky she was before I opened up the doors. Tonight was just a small taste of somethin' I did regularity in my old stomping grounds. The AWA is going to see just how much the playing field has changed the minute I put my "John Hancock" on the bottom of a contract. You bring on the biggest, toughest, meanest son-of-a-guns you got and I can guarantee you I can hang with all of 'em. This place is gonna have the stench of me all over it and my stench, ladies and gentlemen- is a stench of fear! Every time my music hits, the stench is going to radiate from whoever stands in that ring, whoever stands outside the ring, in the stands [snarls] even in the damn parking lot. I didn't come here to play games. I didn't come here to make friends; I came here for a fight! [Dick once again wipes sweat from his brow with the back of his taped right hand. He smoothes down his handlebar moustache then continues.] DB: All of you AWA fans and wrestlers are curious to see if us 'PCW Guys' have what it takes to go toe to toe with all of you? Well, I can't answer for the rest of 'em, but I can guarantee you that when "Dirty" Dick Bass' name is across from yours, you better be ready for the fight of your life. [Points an index finger at the camera.] DB: Because if you're not [snarls] you'll find your liver on the mat and your jaw somewhere in the third row. [Looks lovingly at his bullwhip] DB: And who knows, maybe just maybe, my pretty lady will come out and dance again just like she did tonight. [Bass laughs loudly before shoving the mic back in Phil Watson's direction before heading back up the entrance aisle to a chrous of boos.] GM: That man has problems, Bucky. BW: None that a bottle of Jack Daniels and a night with sweet Delilah won't cure. GM: You're as twisted as he is! Unbelievable! Fans, like we said, The Main Event was full of surprises... and perhaps no surprise was bigger than after Alex Martinez had successfully survived and beaten James Monosso. The Minion appeared... we were all wondering who was next... well, that question was answered with the return of Larry Doyle and the Blondee Bombers, Bucky. BW: Hollywood Larry is back! The Bombers are back! Even the Menace is back! The boys are back in town and this three-time Announcer of the Year couldn't be happier, daddy! GM: But why, Bucky? Why have they returned? Larry Doyle is standing by and hopefully he'll shed some light on the answer to that question. [Cut up to the interview area where stands a familiar face. One hand jammed into the pocket of a two-tone pair of green slacks atop one expensive-looking cowboy boot and a common loafer, he postures himself in a serious way that belies his appearance.] LD: "Hollywood Man" Larry Doyle here, people. You're welcome. [Then there's above the waist, expensive gold watch, check, purple jacket that doesn't match his slacks, check. Oh yeah, and a microphone poised in front of a bulbous nose. It could be none other than Larry Doyle. Pulling a pair of thick glasses from a breast pocket, he slips them on and gives the fans at home an unsavory smirk.] LD: Just call me Lazarus 'cause I'm back from the dead, baby! The old Grim Reaper tripped on his robe and I stomped his stupid skull in with this-- [Gestures to his well-known loaded boot.] LD: --right before my boys put him out in the compost heap to grow my pentunias! Why would they do that? I would think that, by now, it's pretty damned clear that I don't like to get my own hands dirty. [Hand swinging out of the pocket and wildly to one side, Doyle becomes instantly animated as his agitation becomes clear.] LD: But where have I been? Where was Larry Doyle? I was back in LA livin' it up like I always do, waiting for when my boys were ready to make a comeback. Where were the boys? None of your business! Oh sure, there were some rumors flying about how Rough N Ready put 'em out of the business, but that was a bunch of horsecrap. Where was the Menace!? Why, he hasn't been seen since then either. Oh yeah, there were rumors, that Jackson Haynes busted Menace up and he went to ground so as to recuperate. You people have seen the Menace. Do you actually think a redneck like Jackson Haynes could hurt him? [It's odd, whereas Doyle was a silly and slightly crazy man before now he fairly burns with spite and bile. Standing perfectly still for a moment his smirk fades slow as the fans fall silent.] LD: Do you really think that it matters what any of you think!? [Aaand the heel heat starts up anew.] LD: You talk amongst yourselves, thinking this and that about your betters and wasting your lives wondering between shifts at McDonalds what we're doing. You don't get to know because I don't want you to know. We took a step back, that's true, but the truth, whose details we keep, is that we came back when the time was right to make an _impact_. Momentum broken by a team with more muscle than brains, we evaluated what made us great and what could make us better. That is the mark of a true genius; not resting on your laurels. The Bombers hit the gym double hard and even the Menace took it up a notch. When the time came and we saw an opportunity... [Doyle shakes his head, trembling with anger.] LD: And that opportunity came when the AWA decided we didn't exist. Four weeks ago, you people had a little Awards Night. Tell me - did you hear the name "Larry Doyle" mentioned that night? [Pause.] LD: DID YOU?! No! No you didn't! Do you people even know that I, Hollywood Larry Doyle, got voted, out of all of wrestling as the Best Interviewee of 2010?! No! No you didn't! Did the AWA recognize this tremendous accomplishment? No! No they didn't! Not a word, not a card, nothing, and none of you peasants stood up and told them any different! What a slap in the face! To me, to the boys! And the AWA thought we'd just stand by and take it. They thought we'd roll over and just whimper in the tall grass. They were wrong. [Doyle is seething now.] LD: And coincidentally, just when we were trying to figure out how to repay the AWA in spades for that insult... we got a call. Seemed this "Dragon" character was looking for knives to jab into the spleen of a certain top heavy tower of power. That sack of dough put my moneybags back in the black, gave me the leverage to renegotiate my contract with the Masked Menace and set us on the path to legendry. [Doyle pauses, almost mumbling the next line.] LD: Good thing too. I had to give the guy my solid gold wheelchair. He actually melted it down and sold it off. Unbelievable. [He clears his throat, speaking up.] LD: An opportunity to get paid - and paid quite well - to beat the AWA's new golden child into a bloody, broken, beaten pulp? Where do I sign? [Doyle snickers.] LD: It was an opportunity I wasn't about to let slide... and neither were my boys. Ladies and gentlemen... without further ado, and you know I love ado, let me just introduce to you ... the NEW Blonde Bombers! [From stage right comes a bleach Blonde man of average build, spray tan with a round face in black, blue and white tights, boots and knee pads.] LD: New? Oh yeah baby, and improved! First out we got "Ravishing" Robert Baldwin! Say goodbye to Bobby; a boy has become a man. [Squinting at the camera, the tight-lipped Baldwin looks downright furious for no apparent reason. Maybe he's just raring to go. Behind him comes a slightly taller, thicker man with a more natural tan and natural Blonde hair who wears matching gear.] LD: And his partner, you knew him as Johnny Nova, say hello to "the Machine" Johann Avalon - a man who has embraced his roots, gone into the shadows of what he once was, and come out a force of nature that you just don't wanna get too close to. [Behind them, a 6'6" over-thick beast in a mask stalks out, crossing his arms behind the Bombers.] LD: And my MAN, the Masked Menace! Don't know his real name, don't want to. If you listen to him, he is the mask and that body's just the sack of muscle that moves him around. I hope he's lying 'cause otherwise, I'm scared. Instead, everybody else should be scared. Let me just serve notice right now! If you mess with the Bombers, you get the Menace! This man, this MONSTER does my bidding! This ain't like what we had before with that glass man Crusher Glenn. Menace can get it done, inside the ring and out. Need more proof that we _are_ the attraction in the AWA? Stay tuned. For now... [Doyle spreads his arms wide to gesture to his grouping.] LD: This union, this right here, this is intensity, united under the banner of one man ... ME! We are the attraction! We are the talent! This story told by every man, woman and child in every arena that the AWA goes to, on every television set, cathode, flat, projector, 2D, 3D, whatever! This is _our_ story! [Doyle looks around with disgust at the jeering crowd.] LD: And it doesn't matter one bit what you think about it! This is our celebration, ours, not yours. This marks the most momentous occasion in the history of the AWA; the return of the Blonde Bombers... [Menace cocks his head at Doyle.] LD: Oh, and the Masked Menace too. And that's why tonight we're going to celebrate our return the only way we know how. We're gonna have a match! [Pause for effect.] LD: OH yes, you heard me right. Match. The Blonde Bombers have a match. Some might call it a challenge, but not me. Challenge indicates that one party asks the other for a fight, but dammit, we are the attraction, we are the show, we are the AWA! As such the match is MADE! You see, we came back to the AWA to put Alex Martinez on the shelf - to put the AWA's golden boy on the shelf... but then we got a gift. It was Christmas in March for the Bombers! Because the AWA's sheltered little champion, Juan Vasquez, stuck his nose into our business too. [The crowd cheers, starting to see where this is going.] LD: So, tonight... we receive the opportunity of a lifetime. In one night, in one match, we receive the chance to take out the AWA's poster boys and cement our place at the top of the food chain! [Dramatic pause.] LD: Tonight its MY Blonde Bombers taking on the team of Alex Martinez and Juan Vasquez! [HUGE CHEER! Doyle shouts over the cheering crowd.] LD: When it's all said and done these ... these ... MEXIPOWERS-- [HUGE CROWD CHEER! Doyle looks irritated.] LD: Now Mexipowers, don't even THINK about backing out! When my boys take you down it's a done deal that the Dragon is gonna heap us up in gold and we'll all be in the Hall of Fame as of tomorrow! We don't wait in line. We don't ask. We are the best, we want it all, and we want it now! We're taking it. Period. Vasquez, Martinez ... see you later tonight. #Reach out and touch faith.# ["Personal Jesus" plays as we watch the quartet making their way off the stage.] GM: That sounds like a challenge to me! BW: It's not a challenge. GM: The Blonde Bombers wanna take on Alex Martinez and the National Champion, Juan Vasquez! Will it happen? We'll find out as soon as we can but we've gotta take a quick break, fans! Don't go away 'cause we'll be right back with more Saturday Night Wrestling! [We fade to black. And then fade back up to a black screen with the AWA logo splashed across it. A voiceover begins.] "The American Wrestling Alliance is hotter than ever and as they inch closer to Memorial Day Mayhem - do not miss your chance to catch your favorite AWA stars in person before they hit the road for the summer!" [The logo scales down to the top of the screen as white lettering appears on the black background.] "SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH - FORT WORTH NISSAN" VO: Don't miss it when Scotty and Marty, the Rockstar Express, come to Fort Worth for a special personal appearance. The hottest tag team in Rock and Roll will be signing autographs and taking photos at Fort Worth Nissan on Seventh Street!" [The text changes.] "TUESDAY, APRIL 12TH - HOUSTON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB" VO: It's a special fundraising night for the Houston Boys And Girls Club with Eric Preston and Johnny Sone signing autographs! Plus, a special three-match card featuring the Moonshiners, the Aces, Tommy Fierro, and so much more! "FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH - ARENA EVENT IN DOWNTOWN SAN ANTONIO" VO: The AWA comes to San Antonio on April 15th for a special arena show at the San Antonio Rose Palace! On the show, you will see Anton Layton, Robert Donovan, "Playboy" Johnny Casanova, plus the National Tag Team Titles will be on the line! The TV cameras will be in the house in San Antonio and you just never know what's gonna happen! "SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH - ARENA EVENT IN LAREDO" VO: The great wrestling city of Laredo, Texas gets more of the fantastic action that only the AWA can bring with a special arena event. Robert Donovan makes his return to Laredo when he meets the Longhorn Heritage Champion, Nenshou, in one on one action! Sweet Daddy Williams does battle with Sultan Azam Sharif! And Alex Martinez will be in the house in Laredo! [The AWA logo fills up the screen.] VO: For more information on there and other upcoming AWA events, visit the AWA website for all the details and we'll see YOU at the matches! [Fade to black. And then come back up to live action to ringside where Gordon Myers and Bucky Wilde are standing.] GM: Welcome back, fans, and during the break, Jim Watkins made it official! Tonight, in the Main Event, we will see the Blonde Bombers taking on the team of Alex Martinez and Juan Vasquez - a duo that Larry Doyle has crassly dubbed the Mexipowers - in tag team action! I can't wait for that one. BW: Neither can Hollywood Larry. The chance to put Vasquez AND Martinez on the shelf in the same night? This could be a heck of a night for the Bombers, daddy! GM: But speaking of tag team action... coming up in just a few minutes we're going to see a rematch from The Main Event, as the Moonshiners take on Eric Preston and Macht Kraftwerk. And standing with Jason Dane right now is Eric Preston, moments away from that big match. Jason? [Gordon nods from afar at Dane, standing on the interview platform with Eric Preston. Preston is dressed to wrestle in dark blue tights with a diamond pattern at the belt line, white boots and a black elbow pad on his left arm, and a grey Combat Corner t-shirt.] JD: Eric, you were so close at The Main Event to finally getting a victory, only to have the match end in a controversial disqualification. EP: Watch the tape again, Jason, there's no controversy at all. I was so, so close to busting out of this slump, but Zeke the Moonshiner punched out the ref at the last second. It's great to have my hand raised, it's great to be announced the winner, but there's no feeling in the world like pinning a man to the mat, one two three. I almost forgot what it was like, and just as I was about to remember... ...you took it away. Just like that, Zeke the Moonshiner, you took away something that I've been trying to get back for a long time. You stole it from me, brother, and I don't take real kindly to people taking what's mine. Just like that, in an instant- [Preston snaps his fingers.] EP: -you made it personal, boys, you took it to a whole new level. I need that three count like you can't imagine, Jason, I need it like I need oxygen. For these weeks and months, I've been choking, I've been gasping for air. I need it to live, Jason, I'm starting to fade and _just_ as I get, just as I _earn_ a much needed victory... it gets taken away. But singin' the blues won't do me any good, Jason, cryin' about it gets nothing done. Tonight's a second chance to right a wrong, daddy, and I won't miss the mark. You took something I needed so badly and ya ran like a yellow dog, you took the easy way out instead of being a man and taking your medicine. That's my mistake. That's our mistake, Macht and me. We gave you a way out. There won't be a side door tonight, Moonshiners, we won't give you the opportunity. _I_ won't give you the opportunity to run like little girls, because once that bell rings, boys, you're gonna find yourselves in a world a pain. You might have thought you were in for another night at the fights, but what you are is between a very desperate man... [Preston points his thumb at himself.] EP: ...and something he very desperately needs. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can just about function like a human being, all because of this losing streak, all because of this rut. I've been scrambling for so long, so long, just so I didn't get swallowed up, I paid out of my own pocket for a damn interview, just so the people wouldn't forget I'm here. I was on the verge of losing it, fellas, but now I'm about to lose it on you. You took my win, you took my moment, you took my peace of mind, and now you're about to take a beat down. Don't bother looking for the easy way out, don't look for the side door, because I won't make the same mistake twice, I won't get fooled again. Saturday Night Wrestling, daddy, Macht and EP are going to right a wrong and take our pound of flesh in the process. Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice.... there won't be a next time. Not tonight, not ever. I'm ready, and so are these people, Jason... [Preston points to the crowd, cheering their homegrown star.] EP: Tonight we put six long months in the rear view mirror and turn the page. Moonshiners, bring your lunch, because you got a long night ahead of you. [Preston claps his hands together, heading up to the entrance ramp where he's joined by Macht Kraftwerk as Audioslave's "Show Me How To Live" starts up to a big cheer and the voice of Phil Watson fills the air.] PW: The following tag team contest is set for one fall with a fifteen minute time limit. First, on their way down the aisle... at a total combined- [But before Watson can even get going, the Moonshiners strike!] GM: Moonshiners! [Jug and Zeke are instantly on the attack, knocking both Preston and Kraftwerk down off their feet with a rushing assault. Mange brings up the rear, shouting encouragement to his men as they stomp and kick the downed pair of fan favorites. After a bit, Jug drags Eric Preston to his feet...] "Ya wanna prove somethin', bawh?" [A hard slap across the face spins Preston around where Zeke hoists him up into the air... ...and SLAMS him down on the wooden ramp!] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: HE SLAMMED HIM! SLAMMED HIM ON THE RAMP!! [With Preston down, Jug sinks his fingers into the eyehole of Kraftwerk's mask, dragging him down the ramp towards the ring where he slings him through the ropes into the squared circle.] GM: Zeke sends him in... and now both Moonshiners are in there with Macht Kraftwerk! [Jug and Zeke stand over the downed Kraftwerk, shouting insults at him as the crowd jeers. The official shouts for them to clear one man out so he can start the match but a hard double axehandle across the back of the kneeling German cuts him off.] GM: Get one of 'em out, ref! This isn't supposed to- BW: It's not even an official match yet! They can do whatever they want! [A barrage of forearms, fists, and axehandles rain down across the back of the rising Kraftwerk, knocking him right back down. A sneering Jug clears out of the ring, forcing the official to call for the bell to start the match as Zeke shoves Kraftwerk back to the corner... ...and lunges backwards, cracking his elbow into the jaw of the masked man!] GM: Good grief! Big elbow to the jaw! [Grabbing the arm of Kraftwerk, Zeke hurls him across the ring, rushing in behind... ...and gets knocked flat as Kraftwerk leaps up to the midbuckle, blinding leaping back off with a cross-body that knocks Zeke down to the mat!] GM: Crossbody for one! Two! [But Zeke easily powers out of the pin attempt, leaving Kraftwerk to attempt to crawl to his corner as Zeke rises up... ...and mockingly applauds the German who reaches the corner to find no help.] GM: Preston's not there! Eric Preston is still trying to recover from that slam on the ramp. He's up to a knee down there... BW: A lot of good it does his partner! And when Eric Preston's sitting in a soup kitchen somewhere wondering where it all went wrong someday, moments like these are what he'll remember! GM: Preston sees his partner in trouble! Preston's up! [The crowd cheers the Combat Corner graduate as he staggers down the ramp towards the ring, forcing himself towards the squared circle where his partner has been dragged into the middle of the ring by Zeke before he drops a heavy elbow across the back of the head.] GM: Big elbow by Zeke... [Rolling to his feet, Zeke drags Kraftwerk by the foot to the corner where he slaps the hand of Jug. Jug promptly steps in, winds up, and drops a heavy elbow to the back of the head of his own!] GM: Another one to the skull! Kraftwerk's taken two hard elbowdrops to the head. [Jug grabs the mask in both hands, SLAMMING Kraftwerk's covered face into the canvas before rolling him to his back.] GM: Jug with a cover for one! For two! But that's all! Kraftwerk slides a shoulder out of that pinning predicament at two. [Jug balls up his fist, slamming it repeatedly into the skull of Kraftwerk to the jeers of the crowd.] GM: He's all over Macht Kraftwerk! Just beating him to a pulp! [Reaching up, Jug slaps the hand of Zeke to bring him back into the match. The two men stand over Kraftwerk for a moment and then drop a pair of elbows in tandem on the chest of Kraftwerk!] GM: Double elbowdrop! Goodness! BW: The Moonshiners are double tough brawlers who can throw down with the best of 'em. And when they get in there with someone smaller than them like Kraftwerk, they can really do some damage, Gordo. GM: They certainly can. Two of the hardest hitting brawlers I've ever seen. [Zeke rolls Kraftwerk to his back, delivering a pair of hard stomps to the sternum before stepping back and dropping forward, smashing his own head into the chest of the German with a falling headbutt!] GM: Good grief! And there's a ton of impact on that! [Zeke applies another press, shouting "Count 'im, ref!" as he does so.] GM: We've got one! We've got two! [But Kraftwerk fires a shoulder up at two, refusing to stay down. An angry Zeke promptly wraps his hands around the German's throat, squeezing as he ragdolls Kraftwerk around on the mat. He breaks the choke at four, rising to his feet where he slaps the hand of Jug.] GM: Both Moonshiners in on the tag... [Eric Preston arrives on the apron, shouting something to his partner as the brawlers send Kraftwerk into the ropes... ...and the spunky German cruiserweight ducks under a double clothesline attempt, leaping to the middle rope, and springing back off!] GM: Off the rop- DOUBLE DROPKICK! [The crowd roars as each of Kraftwerk's feet catch a Moonshiner in the mush!] GM: A beautiful counter by Macht Kraftwerk and he's got the mountain men from Arkansas reeling! [Kraftwerk hits the mat, crawling on all fours across the ring... ...but Jug grabs his ankle, preventing a straining Kraftwerk from making the tag!] GM: Look how close he is, Bucky! Kraftwerk's gotta be literally inches from the tag! BW: Close don't count, Gordo! He's gotta make the tag! [A dazed Jug gets to a knee, still holding a struggling Kraftwerk by the ankle. Macht promptly rolls to his back, coiling back his free leg... ...and LASHING OUT, driving it into the mush of the brawler!] GM: Ohh! He caught him in the face! BW: But Jug's hanging on! [Kraftwerk throws the kick again, catching Jug on the bridge of the nose. But a starry-eyed Jug continues to hang on, now getting all the way to his feet and dragging Kraftwerk up with him who hops on one foot to steady himself... ...and leaps up, smacking his foot into the back of Jug's head!] GM: HEADKICK! HEADKICK!! BW: An enzugiri on target by Kraftwerk and- [BIG CHEER!] GM: TAG! HE MADE THE TAG!! [The tag brings in a slightly-wobbly Eric Preston who steps into the ring, rushing across, and leaping up to land a back elbow on the jaw of an incoming Zeke, knocking the redneck through the ropes and out to the floor to a big cheer from the crowd!] GM: Preston clears out Zeke! [Pulling Jug to his feet, Preston drills him with a quartet of haymakers that backs the Arkansas native into the corner. Grabbing an arm, he flings Jug across the ring...] GM: Corner to corner comes Preston... [And leaves his feet, leaping into the air, and smashing home a lunging clothesline across the chest! He spins, grabbing the arm again, and hurling Jug to the opposite corner once more before charging across... ...and landing a second leaping clothesline in the buckles!] GM: Two big clotheslines connect! And listen to these fans, Bucky! [The roaring fans are in support of Eric Preston as he backs off, pumping a fist to the cheers of the fans as Jug stumbles out of the corner... ...and gets dropkicked clean off his feet by Preston to another big cheer!] GM: Preston puts Jug down with a dropkick! [A fired-up Preston drags Jug off the mat by his wild hair... ...and catches a haymaker to the breadbasket that stops his offense short!] GM: Ohh! Jug caught him there! [Grabbing a handful of the youngster's hair, Jug SLAMS his face into the top turnbuckle! He spins Preston around, smashing home a pair of forearms to the chest before sinking his teeth into the forehead!] GM: He's biting him! Jug's biting Eric Preston! [Jug breaks his illegal assault at four, grabbing Preston by the arm to fire him across the ring into the buckles.] GM: Jug charges in and- [BIG CHEER!] GM: PRESTON BRINGS THE BOOT UP!! [With Jug wobbly, Preston springs up to the middle rope, spinning his arms over one another in a somersault gesture... ...and leaps off the ropes, catching Jug's wild hair as he sails over him in a front flip, and SMASHES him down to the mat with a neckbreaker!] GM: WHOOOOHAH! A somersault neckbreaker! [Preston hurls himself across the chest of the prone Jug.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- [The crowd jeers as Zeke throws himself across the back of Preston, breaking up the pin... ...which brings in Macht Kraftwerk throwing rights and lefts at Zeke, stunning the bigger man with their intensity. An angry Preston pulls Jug up, shoving him back to the corner.] GM: Kraftwerk's on Zeke! Preston's on Jug! [The Dallas fans cheer wildly for the double pummeling on the Moonshiners... ...and grow louder as Preston and Kraftwerk each mount a buckle!] "ONE!" "TWO!" "THREE!" "FOUR!" "FIVE!" "SIX!" "SEVEN!" "EIGHT!" "NINE!" "TEN!" [To another big cheer, the fan favorites hop down to the ring, each grabbing an arm... ...and send the Moonshiners crashing into one another in the middle of the ring!] GM: Oh yeah! The 'Shiners are dazed! [And Kraftwerk snaps off a picture perfect superkick that sends Zeke sailing over the ropes to the floor!] GM: OHHHHH! DOWN GOES ZEKE!! [Preston nods his head, hooking Jug in a front facelock... and SNAPPING him over in a suplex!] GM: Big suplex! He nearly takes Jug out of his boots! [And the crowd roars as Preston gets to his feet, pointing to the corner!] GM: Preston's going up! He's heading for the high rent district! BW: And this is where it happens, Gordo. This is where Preston screws up and loses again! GM: You don't know that, Bucky! Maybe this is the night! Maybe this is Eric Preston's night! [Preston steps to the middle rope, then to the top as Jug starts to stir on the canvas... ...and Macht Kraftwerk breaks into a sprint, leaving his feet to drive them into the face of Mange on the floor!] GM: OHHH! MACHT TAKES OUT MANGE! BW: What?! Why?! What right does he have to put his hands on a manager?! GM: Jug's to a knee... to his feet... [And as he staggers around, Preston takes flight off the top rope, catching him squarely across the chest and knocking him flat!] GM: HIGH CROSS BODY!! WE'VE GOT ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" [The crowd EXPLODES as an almost-shocked Preston pops up to his feet, looking around in surprise... ...and then breaks into a huge relieved grin as the official raises his hand!] GM: HE DID IT!! PRESTON DID IT!! [Kraftwerk regains his feet, falling into an embrace with the young fan favorite who has struggled for so long to get back on track.] PW: Here are your winners... the team of Macht Kraftwerk... ANNNNNND ERRRRRRRIC PRESSSSSSSTON! [Preston throws his arms in the air again, this time falling to his knees as he shakes his head back and forth.] GM: I'm not even sure Eric can believe it yet! He's fought so long, so hard, to get back to the winner's circle. Eric Preston with a huge win here tonight on Saturday Night Wrestling and- can we get him over here for some comments? BW: Must we ? GM: Eric Preston, Macht Kraftwerk, come on over here! [The crowd cheers their heart out as Preston, sweaty but victorious, catches a towel thrown to him and makes his way to the announce position, a mile wide smile on his face. Macht Kraftwerk is nearby, shaking hands with some of the ringside fans and allowing Preston to have his moment.] GM: It's been a long time since we've had a post-match interview after a victory, Eric. EP: You're not kidding my man, it feels like forever, but it's just like I remember it. Six long months, Gordo, damn near half a year where I couldn't do anything right. Every bump in the road, every banana peel, I slipped on 'em all. But through it all, these people have been behind me, Gordon. All over the country, all over the South, the people have had my back and have supported me when even I didn't think I deserved it. When I didn't believe in me, these folks did, and I'll tell you what, I won't forget it. I won't forget the love and the support, and I'm fixin' to repay every bit of it. [Preston runs his hand through his hair, spraying Myers with a little sweat.] EP: I learned my lesson, Gordon. I'm not gonna come out here and predict the future, I'll leave that to guys like you. But what I will tell you is that to build somethin' great, you gotta start at the ground floor, daddy. You gotta lay the foundation one brick at a time, piece by piece. You can't just go from the ground floor to the penthouse. So what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna lay the bricks, one at a time. I'm gonna roll up my sleeves and get the dirty work done, and I'm gonna rebuild the foundation of Eric Preston. One win at a time, one match at a time, I am going to right this ship. I owe it to myself, and I owe it to these beautiful people, daddy, at home, in the stands and around the world. [Preston turns around, motioning to the people.] EP: For the people who had my back when I was down and almost out, I've got something for 'em. I'm gonna repay you for what you've given me. We start the receipts on the next Saturday Night, Gordo. In more ways than one. [Preston happily slaps Myers hard on the back as he leaves, jostling the revered announcer and making even Bucky Wilde snicker.] GM: What a big moment for Eric Preston! Could this be a turning point in this young man's career? And what does he mean that payback starts in two weeks' time? Fans, we've gotta take another break but... wow, what a moment! We'll be right back, fans! [We fade to black. And then back up on an animated Jason Dane... no, he's not just moving a lot. He's LITERALLY animated - like Porky Pig style.] JD: They say I'm the man with all the answers. [A cut to a different angle of animated Dane.] JD: They say I'm the man who gets all the scoops. [Another cut. Another angle.] JD: They say I'm- is all this really necessary? It's not like I'm Geraldo, guys. [A voice off camera shouts "CUT!" and animated Jason Dane walks off a green screen set through a crowded studio.] JD: I'm not the "most feared man in America," fans. What I am is a pretty good reporter who has an eye for the stories you're gonna want to know about. That's why AWA Access has been one of the most downloaded apps ever and that's why the AWA gave me permission to start my own website! I'll be bringing you the hot news, the big stories, and the stuff not fit to air. [Animated Dane strokes his animated chin.] JD: Maybe I AM the most feared man in America! [A "BZZZ!" sound of electricity is heard as animated Jason Dane fades away and a title graphic appears.] "JASON DANE - COMING TO A BROWSER NEAR YOU!" [Fade to black. And then fade back up to live action where Mark Stegglet is standing up on the interview platform with the crowd cheering.] MS: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is one of the most popular men in the entire AWA and he says he's got a big announcement to make for us here tonight. Please welcome... SWEET DADDY WILLIAMS! #WHO WAN' SIT ON SWEET DADDY'S LAP TAAANIIIIIGHT?# [As "I'm Gonna Be Your Sweet Daddy" starts up over the PA, the rotund fan favorite springs through the curtain to a big cheer. He points out to the crowd, jabbering away with words we can't hear as he repeatedly turns and points to different parts of the Crockett Coliseum. Williams is in a pair of blue jeans and a red t-shirt with "SWEET DADDY" written in white lettering across the front. He makes his way to Stegglet's side, shaking the announcer's hand as the music fades.] MS: Sweet Daddy Williams, you made quite the showing for yourself two weeks ago on The Main Event in that Battle Royal. SDW: Thanks, baby... and I like to think if just a couple more cookies had crumbled in ol' Sweet Daddy's direction, I'd be the guy entering the Rumble at #30 and not that no-good guttersnake Sharif. [Big cheer!] MS: Speaking of Sharif, what do you think of the way he won the Battle Royal? [Williams shakes his head.] SDW: Look, Kolya Sudakov and I ain't best buddies... but even I know that Kolya's got more guts than that. He's been jerked around like a puppet on a string by Kostovich and Bathwaite... and I can't wait for those strings to get cut to see what happens, baby. MS: Fair enough. You told me you had a big announcement to make tonight. SDW: That's right, Markus. For months now, ol' Sweet Daddy's been tellin' the world that my 2011 plans are clear. I want some gold around this big ol' flabby waist. Whether it's Nenshou... those big ol' Rough N Ready bulls... or my good friend, Juan Vasquez... I'm takin' on someone in 2011 and walkin' out with some gold. Believe that. And that's why I went to the Championship Committee two weeks ago and made it REAL clear that I'M gonna be in the Rumble! [Big cheer!] MS: You're entering the Memorial Day Rumble? SDW: That's right. And I got two goals in there. The first and the most important is to win the whole thing and go on to face the National Champ for that shiny chunk o' gold. MS: And the other? SDW: The other is to make sure no stinkin' America hater like Sharif walks out the winner on one of America's most special days! [HUGE CHEER!] MS: Sweet Daddy, it was several weeks ago you told the world that this would happen - an AWA where men like Sharif and his allies and the Unholy Alliance and now this group that Mark Langseth has put together... you told us that they would tear the entire AWA apart trying to be the top dog! What do you see now? [Williams shakes his head.] SDW: I been around this business a long time, baby. So, the Sweet Daddy knows what he's talkin' 'bout. To see what they done to Supernova... what they done to Von Braun's special lady friend... to see what they did to Violence Unlimited. It makes this ol' dog sick to his stomach, Mark. MS: So why not do something about it? I'm sure Von Braun would love your help with the Unholy Alli- [Williams holds up a hand.] SDW: I ain't helpin' Von Braun, Mark. I just don't trust him. And this ol' dog's been down that road before if you know what I mean and all it got me was a briefcase to the noggin and a busted up leg. MS: Speaking of which, your old friend and enemy Stevie Scott made his return at The Main Event. Any old scores to settle there? SDW: You would think there might be, right? You would think I'd be gunning to bust up his leg like he did mine - put him on the shelf like he did to me. But I was there at SuperClash, remember? I was right there at ringside when Juan Vasquez planted him with that piledriver and put him out. [Williams shakes his head.] SDW: I figure we're even after that. Unless he jumps on ol' Sweet Daddy's back, the Hotshot's welcome to go his own way and not worry about this ol' dog. MS: Sweet Daddy Williams - the first man to announce his entry into the Memorial Day Rumble! Thanks for stopping by, Sweet Daddy, and now, let's go down to the ring for more action! [Crossfade to the ring where Phil Watson is standing.] PW: The following contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... from Apple Springs, Texas... weighing in at 250 pounds... Rick Scott! [The man with the black mullet and goatee stands on the middle rope, waving an arm to a mixed reaction. He hops down, turning to face the entrance.] PW: And his opponent... [Ugly Kid Joe's "Everything About You" kicks in to a mixed reaction.] GM: Here he comes, Bucky - the former National Champion! BW: The former National Champion that _I_ brought back to the AWA! Stick that in your pipe, Michaelson! [As the music picks up, the reaction grows louder - but still decidedly mixed.] PW: From St. Louis, Missouri... weighing in at 228 pounds... he is a former two-time AWA National Champion... "HOTSHOT" STEEEEEEEEVIE SCOTT! [Scott leaps through the entrance curtain, striking a Superman Pose at the top of the aisle. He holds for a moment... ...and then points a finger at the ring before breaking into a march down the aisle.] GM: Stevie Scott, fresh off his return at The Main Event, will be making his first appearance inside an AWA ring in over four months, Bucky! BW: All thanks to me! [Stevie's clad in full-length tights, with flames airbrushed down the outside of each leg, his dirty blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. He stops a couple of times, looking around at the split crowd, and breaks into a grin... a STEVIEGRIN~! perhaps? Upon reaching the ring, Stevie points at his opponent again, stepping through the ropes... ...and immediately gets charged by Rick Scott who drills him with a forearm to the ear!] GM: Ohh! Rick Scott caught him coming in! [The official calls for the bell as Scott throws a pair of haymakers to... uhh... Scott, knocking him back against the ropes.] BW: Do you think these two men are related, Gordo? GM: I highly doubt that. [Rick Scott grabs Stevie by the arm, flinging him across the ring. He sets for a backdrop as the Hotshot rebounds... ...but Stevie pulls up short, grabbing Rick Scott by the head, and SNAPPING him backwards, his head bouncing off the canvas!] GM: Ohh! Big counter by the Hotshot and- [The crowd cheers a bit as Stevie highsteps across the ring, strutting his stuff a bit... ...and then drills a rising Scott with a knee to the face. He drags Rick Scott off the mat, shoving him back to the corner where he drills him with a haymaker on the chin.] GM: What a shot that was! [Grabbing Rick Scott by the arm, Stevie goes for a whip... ...but pulls up short, FIRING him back into the corner where he smashes chestfirst into the buckles, stumbling back out...] GM: Stevie hooks him... lifts him up... [And drops him down in an atomic drop, sending Rick Scott sailing over the ropes and crashing down to the floor below!] GM: ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR!! [Wasting no time, Stevie steps out to the apron, dropping down to the floor. He leans down, dragging Rick Scott off the floor by the mullet, grabbing the arm...] "CLAAAAAAAAAAAANG!" GM: He FIRES him into the steel barricade! And we're seeing a bit of a wild side out of Stevie Scott here tonight! We're used to the cold and calculating Stevie Scott - the Southern Syndicate Stevie Scott who wore fancy suits, stayed in penthouse suites, and drove around in stretch limousines. This is obviously a very different Stevie Scott. [Dragging Scott off the floor, Stevie blasts him with a right hand on the jaw again, sending him falling back into the barricade. He grabs a handful of Rick Scott's hair, pulling him towards the ring... ...and SMASHES his face into the ring apron!] GM: Goodness! [The Hotshot shoves Rick Scott under the ropes, rolling in after him...] GM: Both men are back in now... big stomp... another stomp... a third... [Scott drops to his knees, grabbing a handful of hair, and smashes home a series of right hands to the mush of Rick Scott as the referee shouts at him, trying to get him to break off the attack.] GM: Stevie drags him back up... [Hooking a front facelock, Stevie slings Rick Scott's arm over his neck, hoisting him off the mat... ...and dropping him down facefirst to the canvas!] GM: Whoooa my! That'll do it! [The former National Champion rolls Rick Scott to his back, dropping down in a lateral press for a one, two, and three.] "DING! DING! DING!" GM: Wow! What an impressive victory for the returning Stevie Scott, Bucky! BW: He hasn't lost a step, has he? And if I'm Juan Vasquez, I just got more than a little bit nervous. He may not be looking at facing Mizusawa or Dufresne anytime soon but the former champ is back and he wants his title back! GM: You may be right, Bucky. We're going to try and get a quick word here. Stevie? Stevie, over here! [The victorious Hotshot, having wrapped up his return victory, confidently strides over to the announce position where he is greeted.] GM: Stevie, allow me to welcome you back to the AWA although your appearance on The Call of the Wilde at The Main Event...well, it left a lot of people still wondering exactly where you've been and why you're back in Crockett Coliseum tonight. BW: Yeah, daddy! What's up with that? We had a deal! You made me look like a buffoon! [Stevie smirks (a Steviesmirk~! perhaps?) as he listens, pausing for effect before he responds.] HSS: First of all, Gordo...great to see you again! Lookin' good, bro...really, Bucky, he doesn't look a day over 73, does he? [Myers goes :/ ... really, I don't know how to explain it otherwise.] GM: I'm 64. HSS: Course ya are, big guy. And you, Buckster...that outfit you're wearing does a much better job of making you look like a buffoon than I ever could? What'd you do, steal some curtains from Graceland and get Stevie Wonder to sew your clothes? [Now it's Bucky's turn to get upset, visibly moreso than Myers. Stevie can't hold back a little chuckle before he continues.] HSS: Buuuuuuut...since the Hotshot is a nice gentleman AND in a giving mood tonight, let's talk a little bit. Whadda ya wanna know? [Confused as to why he has to repeat the question, Myers slowly does it anyway.] GM: Let's start with where you've been since Juan Vasquez put you on the shelf. [Stevie rubs his chin with his thumb and index finger.] HSS: Where have I been? Where...have...I...been? Good question, Gords. So here's the real scoop. See, after Juanny piledrove...piledrived? Piledroved? Anyway, after he dumped me on the ol' noggin here, it seems that I suffered from a case of amnesia. [Myers and Wilde both look surprised.] GM: Amnesia? HSS: Yeah, man, it was rough. For a while there, I thought I was Justin Timberlake. And then I thought I was Justin Bieber. And THEN I got _really_ messed up and thought I was a rapping western artist called Country Mike. [Finally, Stevie slumps his shoulders and looks exasperated.] HSS: Where do you think I was? I was rehabbing my neck, you morons. I had three compressed vertebrae. It was either that, or spend the rest of my life with about 50 percent usage of my arms and legs. Returning to the AWA wasn't a blip on the radar for a long while there. And I admit it...I even entertained the thought of calling it a career. [Gordon raises his eyebrows, more surprise. Catching this reaction, Stevie looks directly at the longtime broadcaster.] HSS: Dude, I cannot begin to explain to you how intense rehab for a screwed-up neck is. It's nothing like the water aerobics you do every morning at 6:30, Oldilocks. [Myers seems a little shocked that Stevie actually knew that. Bucky, of course, gets a chuckle out of the insult, as does some of the crowd.] HSS: But, being the superior athlete I am, I got it done twice as fast as the doctors said I had any right to. I mean, it shocked _them_, but it shouldn't be a shock to anyone who knows the Hotshot. So once that got out of the way, that's when my thoughts went back to Dallas, Texas, and the American Wrestling Alliance. [AWA pop!] HSS: And... ...to Juan Vasquez. [Well, that got the crowd's attention, as well as Myers and Wilde's.] BW: So you _are_ here for Vasquez! Why didn't you just say so on The Call of the Wilde, daddy? HSS: Because, Buck-o, how obvious would that have been? If there is anything the Hotshot is...and he's a whole damn lotta things...but if there's anything the Hotshot is? It ain't predictable. [Another smirk.] HSS: Yes, gentlemen, if you must know...I _am_ back for Juan Vasquez. In fact... ...I got a little message for him that I'mma deliver _real_ soon. [And with that, the former two-time National Champion simply walks away.] GM: Well, that shed a LITTLE more light on Stevie Scott's motivations... I think. He has a message of some sorts for Juan Vasquez. BW: And by message, you know he means a piledriver that'll put Vasquez' rear end on the shelf just like he did to the Hotshot, daddy! I can't wait to see that! GM: Jason Dane is standing by with the ever-disturbing Percy Childes! Jason? [Jason Dane stands by once again with Percy Childes, the "Collector Of Oddities". The rotund, bald manager is wearing a dark purple polo vest over a white undershirt and black pants. He clutches the Longhorn Heritage Championship under his left arm, with the crystal ball atop his walking stick tucked into his left hand. He slowly stroes his Van Dyke goatee with his other hand, an evil smile upon his face.] JD: Percy Childes, on The Main Event, we all saw how you more or less ducked out of Nenshou's championship match against Brian Von Braun! How could you justify ordering Nenshou to assault an innocent woman? PC: Innocents don't take sides in war, Dane. She was there, she came out for a match, so clearly she understood the risks... isn't that a fair assumption? And even if she didn't, you know, ignorance of risk does not mitigate risk. If you don't believe me, read your insurance policy... those of you who can read, anyway. As far as I'm concerned, Nenshou defended my Longhorn Heritage Championship at The Main Event. Von Braun came to the ring, and left without the title. I'll call it a countout. And in so doing, he has earned a night off. He has other business to see to, Dane, business which doesn't concern you. [Jason's tone goes low, as he broaches a sensitive subject.] JD: I... assume you're referring to the devastation in his home country of Japan. PC: That was a tragedy. My heart goes out to Mr. Matsui... he was affected most of all. JD: Louis Matsui? Did he lose loved ones? PC: No, no... far more than that! JD: His home? His... immediate family? PC: If only the price had been so low. No, the true tragedy was how that random natural disaster cost Mr. Matsui his justly-deserved National Championship. Clearly, you all saw how distracted Mizusawa was, and how Vasquez took advantage of it to steal a win he otherwi- JD: WHAT?! [The fans boo violently, and Dane is furious. Percy seems puzzled by the reaction.] PC: The National Championship. It's why we're all _here_, Dane. He had to wait almost two years to get a sh- JD: How can you call THAT a tragedy when... when... PC: When thousands of people died and lost their homes? What about it? It happens _every day_, Dane. Should I walk around in an insensiate stupor because of the thousands of people that die each week in automobile accidents? Or heart failure? Or watching too many old Robert Donovan matches? Dane, what we saw at The Main Event was that the giant Mizusawa had a weakness that no one knew about. He was soft inside. And it wouldn't have mattered, because Juan Vasquez was incapable of attacking him that way. For a freak accident to destroy years of planning for a man... that is the real tragedy, because let's face it... human life isn't nearly as sacred as you seem to think it is. And as evidence, I submit to you this: name me one single person who didn't lose theirs in the end. JD: ...you're a monster. You're worse than Monosso! [Percy can only smile at that.] PC: Ah, if only that were true. But my point, Dane. No, Nenshou is not grieving Japan. To him, it was an inconvienience, as his property was in the North and he had to return home to ensure that none of his secrets had become... vulnerable. Thankfully, he found that not to be the case, and has already returned to the United States. I believe I mentioned this very very recently, Dane... but Nenshou has no attachments. None. There is no one he cares about. Not even me, and I prefer it that way... it would be too easy for some thug to strike me for an advantage if that were the case. Attachments make a man weak, Dane. They make him vulnerable... [And the smile grows broader as it all connects:] PC: ...as Brian Von Braun just found out! Ahahahaha! [Percy laughs, a deep belly laugh that expresses just how much joy he finds in the suffering of others.] PC: You see, what happened to Ms. Megan was not a freak accident. Not a random bizarre fluke. Not the so-called "hand of fate". No, that was the hand of Nenshou, and now Von Braun will never get a chance at my title again! You lost, Von Braun... you chose to walk away from the thing you said you wanted the most. Just as I predicted, Brian... just as I predicted. You left something else undone. So now, Dane... now do you know what wll happen next? JD: Brian Von Braun is going to be out here any moment. PC: I know. And I will be seated at ringside, watching. Watching... not to scout him. After all, he's already used up his title match. No, I'll be watching because I want to see the look on his face first-hand when he sees me with my Longhorn Heritage Title, and realizes that he's failed. Again. [With those words, Percy Childes strides down the rampway towards the ring with a sneer on his face.] JD: That man has a death wish... and I can't help but hope that he gets it granted! Back to you, Gordon. [We crossfade to the ringside area where Gordon Myers looks absolutely disgusted.] GM: Fans, I- I can't- I'm speechless. I'm truly speechless. On behalf of the entire AWA, I want to apologize for the words of Percy Childes. We here at the AWA were greatly stunned by the recent tragedy in Japan and have made contributions towards relief funds and for Percy Childes, that son of a- BW: Easy, Gordo. GM: Easy? EASY?! I can't- let's go to a break. [Fade from Myers' red face to a black screen. Slowly, the words "MEMORIAL DAY MAYHEM" appears on the screen in white lettering. The letters slowly fade to be replaced by "2008." The screen stays dark, we can only hear the sounds.] "Ladies and gentlemen... after twenty-eight minutes and six seconds of hard-fought action... your winner of the match... And the FIRST AWA NATIONAL CHAMPION... MAAAAAARRRRCUS BROUUUUUSSARRRRRRD!" [The sounds fade as the lettering does - both replaced by "2009."] "OH MY STARS! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT!" [The sounds fade again as "2009" is replaced by "2010."] "Both men on the apron! Both men on the apron! Rhodes is down! Rhodes is on a knee on the apron! RUNNING KNEEEEEEEE!" "DING! DING! DING!" "Ladies and gentlemen... here is your winner of the Memorial Day Rumble... RAPHAEL RHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODES!!" [The sounds fade. The letters fade. A completely black screen remains. Slowly one final batch of text arrives.] "What will 2011 bring?" [And then we fade all the way to black. We fade back up on the announce position where Gordon Myers is obviously still fuming much to the amusement of Bucky Wilde.] GM: Fans, welcome back to Saturday Night Wrestling. I'd like to apologize for my demeanor before the break but to be honest, I just couldn't help myself. Bucky, tell me you can't excuse Percy Childes for what he just said. Please tell me that. BW: Of course not, Gordo. I've got a heart too. I feel for the people of Japan and all those affected by what happened there. But you have to give Percy Childes credit for knowing how to push some buttons. You have to give Percy Childes credit for being able to get into someone's head. He's got you all worked up - imagine all the other people he's got fired up in the back. GM: And speaking of fired up, Brian Von Braun's about to come out here and I hope he cleans Childes' clock! [Almost on cue, the sounds of "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant starts up to a big cheer from the fans. After just a moment, Brian Von Braun storms through the entranceway, his cane clutched in his white-knuckled hand. He points the cane down the ramp, heading quickly down the elevated platform.] GM: Von Braun's coming out here! BW: Why? He hasn't been announced! We don't have his opponent out here yet! We don't even have a referee out here yet! What does he want? GM: I'll give you one guess! [As Von Braun storms down the ramp, we can see him muttering to himself as he draws closer. Percy Childes suddenly looks a bit concerned, pointing his own crystal-topped cane in Von Braun's direction, shouting at the Invader.] GM: Von Braun's comin' for Childes! He's comin' for Childes! [Von Braun reaches the end of the ramp, hopping down off the platform. He charges around the ring where Childes was seated. Now, the manager is backing away, still pointing his cane...] GM: Get him, Brian! [Von Braun tosses his cane over his head into the ring, reaching out... ...and gets Childes' cane jabbed into his midsection!] GM: Ohh! He caught Von Braun in the gut! [Winding up with the cane, Childes looks to bust it over the back of Von Braun... ...who brings his hands up, blocking the swing. He buries a boot into Childes' gut to the cheers of the crowd. Throwing that cane into the ring as well, Von Braun drags Childes by the arm, throwing him under the ropes into the ring to a huge cheer!] GM: Yeah! Listen to these fans! They're gonna get to see Childes get his! [Von Braun rolls under the ropes, snatching up his own cane as he approaches Childes who is crawling away... ...and SMASHES the cane down across Childes' ankle!] GM: OHHHH! [Childes screams out in pain, rolling back and forth as he grabs at the ankle he just had smashed.] BW: Von Braun's trying to hobble him! He's trying to stop him in his tracks, prevent him from getting away! [A furious Von Braun stands over the screaming Childes, cane still in hand... ...and SLAMS it down across the midsection of Childes!] GM: OHHHHH! He hits him again! BW: This isn't right, Gordo! This isn't fair! Percy Childes is NOT a wrestler! GM: He wants to get involved? He wants to call people out? This is what he gets! BW: Where's Nenshou? Where's Monosso? Get some help out here for Percy! [Von Braun drops down to his knees, pressing the wooden cane against the throat of the manager, choking the air out of him!] GM: He's choking him! He's choking Percy Childes! [And suddenly...] GM: What the-?! BW: NENSHOU! HE WAS UNDER THE RING!! GM: Another setup! This is was another setup! [Nenshou rolls under the ropes behind the back of Von Braun, completely out of sight. He tugs off his cloth mask, grabbing at his own throat with his thumb and forefinger, taking a wide stance...] GM: Look out! Look out, Brian! [Von Braun straightens up, still holding the cane as he turns around... ...and has his face COVERED in a black substance spewed out of the mouth of Nenshou!] GM: AHHHHH! WHAT IS THAT?!? BW: It was black! We've never seen him spit anything black! [We instantly know that the black mist is something far different as Von Braun screams out in pain, rolling back and forth with his hands rubbing at his eyes. His cries are chilling as Nenshou stands over him, black liquid dribbling down the corner of his mouth as he moves to help his manager off the mat.] GM: Nenshou has struck and- oh no... [The crowd explodes in jeers as Anton Layton, James Monosso, and the monstrous Polemos come walking through the curtain!] GM: Here comes the Unholy Alliance! All of them in full force! BW: And you called it a setup, Gordo... it sure is! The Unholy Alliance had this planned all along! They said they were gonna take out Von Braun for getting in their business and we may be about to see that happen right now! [Upon reaching the ring, Layton pauses, saying something to Polemos who nods, turning his back to the ring as Monosso and Layton enter, immediately stomping the blinded Von Braun!] GM: The Unholy Alliance - a three on one assault on Brian Von Braun! [Dragging Von Braun off the mat, Monosso wraps his arms around the waist, hoisting him up and DUMPING him on the back of his head and neck with the Descent Into Madness backdrop driver.] GM: GAHHH! Right on the head and neck! BW: This is it, Gordo! You're witnessing the end of Brian Von Braun right here tonight! GM: We need some help out here! We need some help for Brian Von Braun! [Anton Layton leaps into the air, driving both feet down into the midsection of Von Braun before Nenshou drops to his knees, wrapping his hands around the throat of the Invader as Percy Childes leans in the corner, waving for Layton to hand him his cane.] GM: What is th- [BIG CHEER!] GM: DONOVAN! ROBERT DONOVAN IS COMIN' TO THE RING!! [The seven footer is full of fire as he marches down the ramp towards the ring.] BW: Layton knew! Layton knew Donovan would try to stop this and that's why he left Polemos out there with him! The God of War is standing between Robert Donovan and the ring! [The big man winds up, throwing a huge haymaker that lands on the masked man to the roars of the crowd!] GM: Donovan rocks Polemos! [Inside the ring, Childes waves for Layton and Monosso to hold Von Braun up... ...and SMASHES Von Braun's own cane over his skull!] GM: OHHHHH! HE SHATTERED THE CANE ON THE MAN'S HEAD!!! [Von Braun falls limply to the canvas as Childes shouts instructions to the men in the ring who circle the downed Von Braun. Out on the ramp, Polemos fires back with a right hand of his own - the crowd roaring as the two giant stand and trade heavy blows on the ramp!] GM: Donovan can't get past Polemos! Polemos is keeping him at bay while his partners do the damage on Von Braun! [Nenshou and Layton take turns stomping the downed Von Braun as Childes shouts an instruction at James Monosso, holding the crystal-topped cane high enough for Monosso to see it. The madman nods, gesturing to Layton who grabs Von Braun by the leg, pinning his ankle to the mat...] GM: No, no! BW: We've see this before! GM: This is what they did to Vernon Riley! This is how they took out Riley! [With a loud bellow, James Monosso leaps into the air, dropping the King Kong kneedrop down on the pinned leg! Von Braun screams out in pain, grabbing his leg as Layton and Nenshou stomp the knee. Out on the ramp, Donovan is fighting harder, throwing a barrage of haymakers that force Polemos backwards... ...until the God of War reaches out, wrapping his hand around the throat of Donovan!] GM: Brian Von Braun's been- [BIG CHEER!] GM: SWEET DADDY WILLIAMS!! SWEET DADDY WILLIAMS!! [The fan favorite comes charging down the aisle, a piece of wood gripped in his hands. He rushes the ramp... ...and SMASHES the board over the back of Polemos, breaking his grip on the seven footer!] GM: OH YEAH!! [With Donovan freed, both fan favorites hit the ring hard, the board swinging and Donovan throwing big blows, clearing the ring within moments. An angry Donovan stands guard, shouting at the fleeing Unholy Alliance from inside the ring as Williams drops down next to Von Braun, resting a comforting hand on the wounded man's arm.] GM: They cleared the ring. Donovan and Williams cleared the ring but it's- I think it might be too late, Bucky. BW: Between that horrible black mist and the kneedrop on the leg... I think Von Braun's done for, Gordo. [Sweet Daddy Williams, angry as can be, gets to his feet, grabbing the house mic from Phil Watson.] SDW: Hey! Hey, you yella buncha backjumpin' dogs! [Big cheer!] SDW: I told myself I wasn't gettin' involved with this. I said it wasn't none'a mah business! But what IS my business is what you did to my good friend Vernon Riley. You busted up his leg... and I ain't forgot that. And when I sat back there and watched you do the same damn thing to this man? [Williams shakes his head.] SDW: I couldn't take it. I just couldn't take it. Now, big man... [Williams turns to Donovan.] SDW: We don't know each other one bit. But I'm guessin' we got at least one thing in common... we both want to bust up those pieces of trash runnin' up the aisle right now... [BIG CHEER!] SDW: I say the two of us climb in this ring in two weeks... and we take on ANY TWO OF THEM WHO WANNA SHOW UP! [HUUUUGE CHEER!] SDW: And it sounds like these people agree. You in, big man? [Donovan nods.] SDW: Consider it a challenge. [Williams tosses the mic down, returning to Von Braun's side as AWA medical team members arrive on the scene.] GM: That's a challenge for the next SNW! Williams and Donovan against the Unholy Alliance and you can bet, I for one, want to see that, fans! Fans, we'll be right back with more Saturday Night Wrestling! [The camera holds on the medical team working on Brian Von Braun for a moment, trying to rinse out his eyes, before fading to black... ...and then back up on a shot of the AWA National Title belt. The super-excited voice of Mark Stegglet is heard over it.] "You've seen it on Saturday Night Wrestling!" [A shot of Marcus Broussard with the belt over his shoulder.] "You've seen it on AWA supercards like Memorial Day Mayhem and The Last Stampede!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A final shot of Juan Vasquez, battered yet triumphant with the gold belt held in both hands 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 we come back up to live action where the interview platform is full as once again, Jason Dane is preparing to interview the foreign contingent: the Russians, Vladimir Velikov and former National Champion Kolya Sudakov, along with their... manager? handler? boss?... Ivan Kostovich. And with them, their allies Count Adrian Bathwaite and Sultan Azam Sharif. Ivan Kostovich stands in front of his two warriors, dressed in a stylish olive green suit over a dark crimson dress shirt. He strokes his goatee lightly as the camera rests on him. Behind him stand the Russians, both already dressed to compete in matching black singlets with a golden hammer and sickle splashed across the front. The heavy Russian chain is draped over Velikov's shoulders while Kolya looks on passively. Bathwaite is next to Dane, wearing a paisley-and-maroon dress shirt that looks like it either cost five hundred dollars or fifty cents, depending on where he got it. The Elder Of Etiquette, who is a silver-haired Eurasian man with an odd blend of ethnic features, taps his cane impatiently on the platform. And off to the far right is the cloth-draped shape of Sultan Azam Sharif. Mostly obscured by his reddish-brown bisht and white kaffiyeh, the Sultan is waving his enormous Iranian flag. He has short black hair and a well-groomed mustache and goatee on his weatherbeaten visage.] JD: Welcome back to Saturday Night Wrestling, fans, and gentlemen, later on tonight, you face the team of Supernova, Corax, and the "Louisville Slugger" Tyler Lee in a six-man tag team encounter. Could this be the night that this war finally ends? IK: War? WAR?! [Kostovich's anger rises.] IK: What do YOU know about war, little man? Let me tell you about war. When I first came to your country to compete as a professional wrestler, I was a proud Russian athlete. I came here to show the world that the Russian warrior was head and shoulders above the rest of the world. I came here to compete. And I was treated like a criminal for it. I was spit on by your American people. I was treated like trash! I was nothing more than dog excrement on your shoes! And so I fought back. I fought the only way I knew how - with true Russian fighting spirit. That is war, Dane. JD: I apologize. Well, Mr. Kostovich, I suppose I'll have to ask you first; can I ask a question to Kolya Sudakov? IK: You may. But choose wisely. [Dane nods, turning to Sudakov.] JD: Kolya Sudakov, what are your feelings about having to GIVE UP a potential spot in the Rumb- [Kostovich grabs Dane's wrist, pulling it down.] IK: You have abused your privilege to ask a question to my servant. You will no longer be permitted to address him during this interview. [Sudakov glares at Kostovich's back and we know EXACTLY how he feels about giving up a potential Rumble spot.] JD: Then I'll move along to Vladimir Velikov. Mr. Velikov, you seem to have some kind of personal issue with Tyler Lee. VV: My comrade speaks of war. Few wars in my career have been as difficult as the one I have had for decades with the Lee family. His father, his uncle - both worthy adversaries for Vladimir. And now, he wants to take up their fight? [Velikov scoffs.] VV: How you say... bring it on, little man... [Velikov and Kostovich chuckle as a head-shaking Dane turns away.] JD: Finally, Count Adrian Bathwaite... please don't jab me with the cane. CAB: I wouldn't waste it on you. JD: Your man, Sultan Azam Sharif, was victorious in the big battle royal at the Main Event. But you still have Supernova looming, and now he's got backu... OW! [Angry old man cane jabbing!] JD: I THOUGHT YOU SAID- CAB: I changed my mind. I want you to wake up and see what kind of trash that Supernova is! He's the kind of scum who raises his hand against his betters. He brought in his friend, who is apparently the birdkeeper at the Dallas zoo, and his other friend, who he likely pulled out of the gorilla cage at the same place. He did that so that he can continue to lie and cheat and beat up old men who have earned a rest! I was a World Champion... JD: Uh, no, you weren't. I looked it up; you had a lot of regional titl... OW! OW! [LOTS of angry old man cane jabbing.] CAB: YOU DISRESPECTFUL WORM! HOW DARE YOU INTERRUPT ME! [The Sultan steps in with an outstretched hand, speaking softly to try and defuse the situation.] SAS: Mistair Count Batwaite, la taqlaq! You diddunt need to attock Mistair Jahsun Dan, he diddunt know. But Mistair Jahsun Dan, now you bettair remembah! Alvays show raspec to Mistair Count Batwaite! Laqad 'aezara man anzar! But as far as dot Supairnova go, gholobt aeaaleg feek wet-tabe feek ghaaleb, we deil el-kalb ba yeneedel we law'ethattelo 'aaleb! JD: Please, speak English... as best you can. SAS: Dot mean dot Supairnova, he vuzn't gonna shange his vays. So tonight, Mistair Koolya Sudokopff, Mistair Vladmir Velkupff, un Sultan Azam Sharif... ve gonna mahk sure dot evairyvun know! Tousan-tousan peepell here in Dahllus Texus, dey gonna know dot "beet in-nattaash mayielaash"! Un den nobody vas gonna beat up old man again! Ya! JD: Sultan Azam Sharif, gentlemen... thank you very much. The big six-man tag is later tonight, but let's go back to down to the ring for our next matchup! [We crossfade to the ring where Phil Watson is standing.] PW: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall with a ten minute time limit. Introducing first, already in the ring. From Catania, Sicily Italy, weighing in tonight at two hundred and fifty pounds... THE SICILIAN STUD! [The crowds reaction is tepid, a few people booing, some cheering, but a great many indifferent towards the young Stud.] PW: And his partner, from Philadelphia, PA, tonight he weighs two hundred and forty three pounds, here is... THE SOUTH PHILLY PHIGHTER!!! [This time, the crowd boos loudly, spotting the Phighters Dallas Sucks t-shirt. Playing to the crowd, Phighter steps to the second turnbuckle, making rude gestures to the fans while chomping on his unlit cigar. Stranglehold by Ted Nugent hits the speakers to a HUGE reaction!] PW: And now, their opponents... at a total combined weight of four hundred and eighty-five pounds... from Dallas, Texas... JAMES AND JACK... THE LYNCH BROTHERS! [The curtain pulls back to reveal the middle Lynch brother James Lynch, the dirty brown hair, clean cut, young Texan. James wears a grey lightly zipped jacket and yellow speedo wrestling trunks. He's also barefoot. By his side is the tall, lanky form of Jack Lynch. The eldest Lynch, as always, is dressed all in black. Atop his head is a black cowboy hat. His body is covered by a long black coat. It's open, and beneath it, we can see black wrestling trunks, and a black pad on his right knee. The only color is the silver trim on the toes of his black cowboy boots. On his right hand is a fingerless glove made of black leather. With a grin at the roaring crowd, the two Lynch boys make their way down the elevated ramp together, leaning off the edge of the ramp to slap the outstretched hands of the fans.] GM: Listen to the reaction for these two young men! The Lynch family truly are Texas heroes, Bucky! BW: I feel sick. [Jack and James step through the ropes into the ring, Jack pausing to remove his coat as James pulls off his zipped jacket as the official steps between the two teams, ready to call for the bell.] GM: Earlier tonight, we saw young Travis Lynch make his debut. And now, were going to see the AWA debut of his brothers, Jack and James Lynch. BW: Oh brother. Whatre they going to go, drink milk and hug babies? GM: Bucky! All of the Lynches are accomplished athletes, both in the ring and in other sports as well. BW: Whatever Gordo. GM: It looks like the South Philly Phighter will start for his team, while Jack Lynch is going to be starting for his team. [Jack stands in the center of the ring, loosening up, while the Phighter stands in his corner, pointing to his shirt. Thats enough to get Jack riled up, and he comes charging at the Phighter, who moves out of the way. Lynch hits the turnbuckle chest first, the ropes shaking with the impact. He turns, and gets kicked in the gut by the Phighter as the official calls for the bell.] BW: Hahahahahaha... I cant believe Lynch fell for that! GM: Jack Lynch, from my understanding, normally is fairly even tempered, until someone gets under his skin, then his temper can get away from him. You have to believe that the Phighters tactics did just that. [The Phighter keeps Lynch in his corner, but instead of following up with an actual offensive maneuver, he slaps the eldest Lynch brother across the face, drawing a loud Oooooooo from the crowd.] BW: Thats it! Slap him around! GM: I dont think thats the best idea Bucky! That seemed to wake up Jack Lynch who is now firing away at the Phighter with right hands! [The Phighter staggers out of the corner. Angered now, Lynch drives his elbow into the side of the Studs face, who falls off the apron from the force. Lynch charges after the Phighter, scooping him up and slamming him down hard on the mat.] GM: Big bodyslam by Jack Lynch! [Leaning down, Lynch sends the Phighter into the ropes and then lunges at him knee lifted in the air.] GM: RUNNING KNEE STRIKE!! Jack Lynchs knee just smashed the face of the Phighter! One of his fathers patented moves. BW: Okay Gordo, that was pretty impressive. But this match isnt over yet. [Lynch stands over the prone Phighter, and begins putting the boots to him, before falling over him, launching a series of mounted punches to the Phighter.] GM: Travis Lynch is the technician in the family, while James Lynch is the high flyer. Jack Lynch is just... mean, as were seeing here. Again, shades of his very famous father, Blackjack Lynch. BW: Hes cheating, and I cant believe these fans are cheering for him. [Finally, Jack lifts the Phighter from the mat, and drags him towards his corner of the ring. Lynch grabs the Phighters arm, and turns it in an arm wringer, clutching the Phighters wrist. Jacks hand extends towards his younger brother.] GM: Tag! [James grabs the top rope and catapults himself over, dropping his leg across the prone Phighters arm.] GM: What grace! No one flies better than James Lynch! BW: Itll cost him, you mark my words. [James sends the Phighter into the ropes, and when the Phighter bounces back, James bare feet both connect with the Phighters mouth, as he executes a beautiful dropkick.] BW: Now I ask you, what sort of wrestler comes into the ring barefoot? GM: Its very unorthodox, to be sure. BW: If it were me, Id just stomp on his toes until they were all broken. But thats just me. [A wobbly Phighter gets back to his feet, only to get another bare foot in the face, when James kicks him. Bouncing off the ropes, James drops a fist into the Phighters chest and covers the Phighter, who has enough in him to kick out at two.] GM: Theres still some fight left in the Phighter. BW: Stomp on his toes! Stomp on his toes!! [James steps back, waiting for the Phighter to get back to his feet, when he does, James rushes forward, bringing the Phighter down with a body tackle.] GM: James Lynch played college football, and here were seeing some of that background come in to play. [With the Phighter down, James ascends to the second turnbuckle, and flies through the air, looking to drop an elbow into the Phighters chest. The crowd roars as...] BW: THE PHIGHTER ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! THATS IT, NOW, STOMP ON HIS FEET! [But instead, the Phighter rolls into his corner, tagging out to the Stud. The Stud enters and begins to go to work on the injured James.] GM: A series of stomps to the upper body! The Stud is all over James Lynch! [Hauling Lynch to his feet, the Stud whips him into the ropes... ...and knocks him flat with a back elbow under the chin!] GM: Ohh! Big shot to the kisser! [The Stud drags Lynch by the bare foot to the corner where he tags the Phighter back in. The Phighter rears back his right hand and drops a fist into the forehead of the downed Lynch!] GM: Fistdrop on the money! The Phighter really got him with that... [Dragging Lynch to his feet, the Phighter shoves him back into the corner, reaching over to slap the Stud's hand. The Sicilian Stud pops into the ring, burying a right hand into the midsection of James Lynch. A right hand to the jaw follows, keeping Lynch trapped in the buckles.] BW: James Lynch desperately needs to tag his brother in. The Stud and the Phighter have really worn the young Lynch out. [The Stud slaps the Phighter's hand again, tagging him back in. The Phighter wastes no time in slamming Lynch's head into the turnbuckles before slapping on a chokehold! The fans jeer and the official gets on his case, quickly forcing a break. Another tag brings the Stud back in.] GM: In and out - these two are working very well together... [Each man grabs an arm, pulling James Lynch a few feet from the corner... ...and HURLING him back into the buckles!] GM: Ohh! A brutal and effective double team from the Stud and the Phighter! [The Phighter steps back out of the ring as the Stud buries kick after kick into the midsection of James Lynch. A haymaker between the eyes knocks Lynch down to a knee and allows for another tag and exchange to be made.] GM: Both men in the ring now... [The Stud pulls Lynch to his feet, holding the arms of James Lynch behind him as the Phighter winds up and BLASTS Lynch with a right hand to the face that knocks him flat. The duo stomp the downed Lynch in tandem, the referee protesting the whole time. The referee begins his count, but the Stud exits before Meekly reaches five, only to enter the ring a few moments later.] GM: We normally dont see the Stud bending the rules like this! BW: Ha! I bet getting an elbow in the mush earlier was enough to make him change his ways, daddy. [And Jack Lynch can take no more, as he enters the ring, storming across to break things up. But Meekly is quick to stop Jack in his tracks, pushing him back into his corner.] GM: Jack Lynch better get hold of his temper, or hes going to end up costing he and his brother the match. BW: This is wonderful. If only theyd start stomping on that kids feet! [Perhaps hearing Bucky, the Phighter, now the legal man, does just that, to a large Ohhhhhh from the crowd, The Phighter tags in the Stud, and lifts James up, holding him, as the Stud bounces off the ropes, coming at the prone James with a flying forearm.] GM: James Lynch ducks! The Phighter goes down! James scrambling across the ring, he drives forward and tags in his brother. [Jack storms the ring, going after the Stud first, sending him into the ropes, and bringing him to the mat with a clothesline. The Stud is lifted up and Lynch bodyslams him hard into the mat.] GM: JACK LYNCH IS A HOUSE OF FIRE! [Lynch levels the Stud with a high knee, and then turns, clotheslining the Phighter as he gets to his feet. Jack sends the Stud to the ropes and catches him with a waistlock as he bounces off, using a belly to belly suplex to send him to the mat. Lynch backs up, waiting for the Stud to get up. Jacks hand is in the air, and his fingers are curled forward as the crowd roars. Jack waits for just the right moment and then...] GM: IRON CLAW! Thats a Lynch family trademark! BW: Come on, fight out of it! GM: Those fingers are locked, and Jack has his other hand against the back of the Studs head. Theres no escaping the Iron Claw when its hooked in like this! [Lynch has the Iron Claw locked in on the Stud, who flails wildly, as he tries to escape the hold. The Stud bends backwards as Jack looms over him, squeezing as hard as he can, Jacks body bent forward over the Studs. Behind him, unseen by the elder Lynch, the Phighter enters the ring.] BW: Thats it! Get him! GM: Wait a minute, James Lynch is on the top rope... [Graceful as an eagle, James leaps from the top rope, soaring over the bent forms of the Stud and his brother Jack, and connects with a cross body against the Phighter.] GM: DID YOU SEE THAT? AN AMAZING DISPLAY OF AERIAL SKILLS BY JAMES LYNCH! [With his brother having saved him from a sneak attack, Jack clamps down harder, pinning the Stud to the mat.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEEE!! It's all over! [Jack Lynch hops to his feet, embracing his younger brother to the cheers of the crowd as Phil Watson makes it official.] PW: Here are your winners.... JAMES AND JACK LYNCH!!! [Another big cheer for the Texans as they celebrate their win.] GM: An impressive win for the Lynch brothers. I understand that Mark Stegglet is at ringside to interview all three of the Lynch brothers. BW: Havent we seen enough of these kids? GM: Bucky! Will you stop? [Travis Lynch has joined his two brothers at ringside. The three of them stand in a semicircle behind Stegglet.] MS: Impressive wins for all three of you tonight. Tell me, how do you feel, on this, your first night actually scheduled to compete for the AWA? [Jack Lynch takes the microphone first.] JL: Well, let me just say... [But Jack is cut off, when a female fan screams MARRY ME TRAVIS at the top of her lungs. Jack shakes his head and places his black hat on his head before he speaks again.] JL: Now ladies, dont be greedy. Yall gotta share him. [The eldest Lynch brother smirks at his heart throb sibling.] JL: What you saw tonight, well, aside from the fact that my brother here is something of an exhibitionist... [The camera cuts to the scantily dressed James, as Jack teasingly punches him in the shoulder.] JL: ...is that we are serious about competing here in the AWA. Its been said before, but it bears repeating. You cant have wrestling in Texas without the Lynch family. We are here, and were here to compete. What you saw tonight was just a taste. What I want is for everyone to know that were looking for matches. Any one of us will take on any man willing to get in the ring with us. And any two of us will be honored to compete against any of the fine tag teams here in the AWA. And if you get all three of us in there together? Whoo, brother. [Lynch grins at the cheering crowd.] JL: Like I said, were looking for competition. And I know, deep in my heart, that the AWA isnt gonna let us down. [Loud cheers from the crowd.] JL: Now, I heard some people saying that I mightve run off at the mouth a bit too long at the Main Event. And its true, sometimes, I dont know when to shut up. So, what I think Im gonna do is hand this mic over to Trav before I wear out my welcome. Trav, say something to these fine folks. [Travis grabs a hold of the microphone from Jack and smirks as the women in the crowd once again begin to scream wildly.] TL: What you saw tonight was hotter than a two dollar pistol at an all night shootout. [A woman screams YOURE STILL HOTTER TRAVIS and Travis winks towards the camera with a pearly white smile upon his face.] TL: As you can see by the small taste we just gave yall this isnt our first rodeo. James and I have set the ring ablaze all throughout Texas and good ol Jack has made Lynch a household name throughout Japan. [Travis pats Jack on the shoulder and nods at him.] TL: But were not done expanding the legacy that Blackjack started. Oh far from it! The AWA is the new home of the Lynch boys the next stage of the Lynch legacy. [Travis looks at Jack and James and smiles as his brothers smile back. Travis hands the microphone to James.] JL: I just have to say its good to be back inside this ring and its even better sharing it with my brothers. We do appreciate the warm welcome the AWA fans have given us. We love every-bit of this industry and we hope we can bring a little Texas Lynch Pride and kick a little butt here in the AWA! [POP!] JL: We invite each and every challenge in the back locker room. We know this is the place to be in the wrestling world. Be it one on one tag team wrestling or heck three on three we are here to fight! [James hands the microphone back to the ring announcer as the Lynch brothers begin to leave the ring one after another.] MS: There you hear it. The Lynch brothers are here, and they want to make their mark. And let's go back up to the interview platform where my good friend, Jason Dane, has got some special guests! [We crossfade back to the interview platform where Jason Dane is standing with Marty Morgan and Scotty Storm, the Rockstar Express, who are both dressed in jeans with AWA t-shirts.] JD: Thanks, Mark. Scotty, Marty... you guys didn't have the best of nights two weeks ago at The Main Event. First, you were assaulted by- MM: Hold up there one minute, JD. First off, we want to say hello to all of these great fans here in Dallas, Texas! [Big hometown cheer!] SS: That's right. And we want to give a big ol' AWA welcome to the Lynch family. [Another big cheer!] SS: They had a heck of a night here tonight - and at The Main Event too for that matter - and as a longtime fan of their papa, I can tell you it's a great thing to have them as part of the AWA and if they ever need anything... whether it's a partner or an opponent... give the Rockstars a call. MM: Now, go ahead, Jason... [Dane continues.] JD: As I was saying, at The Main Event, your match with The Aces took a hard turn when you were brutally assaulted by The First Family - both of you! - before the bell! Before the match even started! SS: That's right. 'Cause that was the only way they could do it, right? The only way they could get their hands on the Rockstars was to do it before or after the bell. And for some reason, we just thought it'd come after and we weren't ready for it. We made that mistake once... we won't make it again. MM: First Family, you holy rollin' nutjobs... we told you once... if you want us, you bring it straight on! You come face to face at us and we'll have one heck of a match, I'm sure. JD: What about the Aces? [Storm shakes his head.] SS: We've had our share of tussles with the Aces. But at the end of the day, we respect them. They beat us at The Main Event. We'll give 'em that. And in the process, it sounds like the Committee just might give them a shot at the National Tag Team Titles. So, someday? We want a rematch. But not now. You take that shot, boys. You take it and you give Rough N Ready all they can handle and then some. And then? When those belts are around YOUR waists... [Storm grins.] SS: That's when we'll come a-knockin' one more time. [The Rockstars make their exit to the cheers of the crowd, leaving Jason Dane behind.] JD: Fans, let's go back to the ring for more action here on Saturday Night Wrestling! [We crossfade to the ring where Phil Watson is standing.] PW: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. In the ring at this time, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, weighing in at 257 pounds, MATT GINN! [The tall, lanky Ginn growls and thrusts his arms into the air, waiting for the recognition from the crowd that never comes.] PW: And his opponent... [The upbeat French rock music "Compter Les Corps" by Vulgaires Machins blares through the sound system. The crowd is confused, but intrigued.] PW: From Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 227 pounds, RENE ROUSSEAU! [A smattering of cheers turns into squeals of delight, as the dark-haired, well-built, and quite handsome French-Canadian Rousseau steps though the curtain to make his way to the ring. He is wearing white trunks with a white ring jacket with his name embroidered on the back, and a great big-smile, holding his hands out for high-fives from the crowd and receiving several, mostly from the women.] BW: What the heck is this music, Gordo? I can't understand a damned thing they're saying! GM: As I understand it, this song is from a very popular French-Canadian rock band. BW: _French_ Canadian? Gordo, everyone knows there are only two kinds of Canadians, those who live in Toronto, and Eskimos! GM: Will you stop! [Rousseau makes his way into the ring and takes off his jacket, getting ready for the business at hand.] GM: Fans, this is Mr. Rousseau's first appearance on AWA television, but I have seen this young man on a few of our live shows, and I have been very impressed. I'm not sure there's a single AWA wrestler who could find their way out of his high-angle Quebec Crab once he's got it fully cinched in. BW: Yeah, but he's got to get the other guy flat on his back to do it! Matt Ginn's got a good six inch height advantage on him, so we'll see if this French-whatever has got the goods to back up his flashy entrance. [Referee Mickey Meekly quickly finishes his instructions, and gives the signal to ring the bell. Rousseau immediately rushes in for a collar-and-elbow tie-up. The larger Ginn comes out ahead with a hammerlock, but Rene quickly slips behind and reverses into a hammerlock of his own, to the delight of the ladies in the crowd.] GM: I'm told that Rene Rousseau is a former three time Canadian Roundup Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, and he's come to the AWA to try and take his skills to the next level. BW: A hammerlock's not going to do it Gordon! He's gotta do somethi...see, you're not gonna keep a guy in control for long with that! [Bucky reacts to the back elbow smash to the face that Ginn has used to escape the hold, which gets Ginn a highly negative reaction from the ladies. Ginn backs Rousseau into the ropes with a few overhead forearm smashes.] GM: Matt Ginn in control now, whipping Rousseau...no, reverse by Rousseau, Ginn off the ropes...*nice* armdrag takedown by Rousseau! And Rousseau stays on his man with a deep armbar! BW: Alright, he's got a funny name, but I'll admit that this Rene guy knows his way around the ring. [Slowly, Ginn works his way back up to his feet, and again uses his size advantage to force Rousseau into the ropes. He tries again to shoot his opponent into the far ropes, this time with success.] GM: Well, let's see what Ginn has in mind this time around. Ginn goes for the clothesline, *ducked* by Rousseau! He tries again on the rebound...ducked again! Rousseau with a big head of steam the third time around...*big* flying bodypress! One...two...oh, that was a close call there for Ginn! [Not dwelling on his missed opportunity, Rousseau immediately gets back on his opponent after the kickout, standing over Ginn and again leveraging a tight armbar from above. Ginn and Rousseau are both facing away from the entrance ramp, which is unfortunate for both of them.] GM: Rousseau showing his skill at getting around the height and weight advantage of Matt Ginn, as he's got that armbar...oh, now, what is this!? BW: "This" is being graced by an appearance from wrestling's Royalty, Gordon! [The camera cuts to a shot of Joe Petrow and Rough 'n Ready rushing to the ring. Petrow can be heard yelling to his charge, "Do it in the ring, men, just like Mr. Watkins told us!"] GM: What are Dave Cooper and Eric Matthew Somers doing? BW: Its quite clear they want to make yet another statement! GM: We saw what went down at The Main Event what in the- [Dave is first to hit the ring, pulling Rousseau off Ginn and shoving him into the corner, where he repeatedly pummels him with forearms. Somers enters next, going right for Ginn, who tries to fend him off.] GM: This is uncalled for! Rough N Ready and Petrow have no business being out here! BW: Wrestlings Royalty demands the center stage, Gordon! GM: Somers grabs Ginn by the throat vicious chokeslam! But look at Rousseau fight back against Cooper! BW: His mistake he should have taken his beating like a man! GM: Somers turning around now he charges Cooper moves as Rousseau gets clotheslined right into the corner! [As Rousseau slumps over, Cooper stomps away on Ginn, before motioning to his partner.] GM: Now what Cooper going to the second rope [Somers grabs Ginn around the head and neck, powering him into the air, and sending him crashing down to the canvas as Cooper leaps off the middle rope, dropping a knee on the skull of the downed Ginn!] BW: Rough Housing! So much for Matt Ginn! [The French-Canadian grappler charges Somers from behind, throwing a big forearm across his back... and another... and another...] GM: Rousseau charging at Somers pummeling him in the back! BW: But here comes Cooper [The technician spins Rousseau around, burying a boot into the gut. He grabs the arm, hurling him across the ring... ...and hoists Rousseau up around the legs, spinning and DRIVING him into the canvas with a spinebuster!] GM: SPINEBUSTER!! SPINEBUSTER ON ROUSSEAU! [Petrow has kicked Ginn out of the ring as now Cooper drags Rousseau up. The National Tag Team Champions drag Rousseau to the ropes, tying him up as Petrow calls for a microphone, which is given to him, no doubt because the ring announcer realizes he wont take no for an answer. Petrow then turns the mic over to Cooper.] GM: Wow, Petrow will actually let someone else do the talking first. BW: Its called being a gentleman, Gordo! GM: Joe Petrow is NOT someone who I would call a gentleman. [The fans are booing the trio and their boos dont subside as Cooper raises the mic to his lips.] DC: I shouldnt expect any less from a bunch of people who have no respect for their elders just like Violence Unlimited just like these two punks who had what they called a match and just like nearly everyone on the AWA roster! [That remarks doesnt make the booing subside.] DC: Everyone wants to know why why would the greatest tag team in the world today hook up with Joe Petrow again? First of all, if youll remember, Petrow was the one who came to us in the first place, seeing what we had to offer and knowing full well the disrespect being given to us, given how everything was handled in our pursuit of the National Tag Team Titles. But after we won the titles we deserved our association wasnt done yet. We truly appreciated with Petrow did for us and we would stay loyal to him, but he told us, because he did a favor for us, we needed to do a favor for him and that was to wait. [Somers, meanwhile, has slapped Rousseau in response to his protests to be released from the ropes.] DC: Because Petrow wanted to do business with yet another man but he believed it might take more effort to sell him on the idea. So he asked that we just be patient and let him do what needed to be done. And you all know by now that Mark Langseth was sold on his idea. Once that happened, it didnt take much to convince Eric and I to go along with it. Because what you are now witness to is not just the greatest group of talent to be put together in AWA history its also represents what greatness is truly all about! Not just a group of young punks trying to make a name for themselves or a bunch of lesser talent thinking that being together makes them great. This is truly what greatness is the best tag team in the world today the hands-down greatest singles wrestler of all time and believe me, heads are most definitely going to roll! [The fans boo as Cooper hands the mic over to Petrow, a big satisfied smile on both of their faces.] JP: What more can I say? I was there the day that these men decided to separate themselves from the pack and become champions, and I'll be with them now as the evolve from champions into _legends_. NOW! Speaking of legends! There's an undisputed, undefeated, Hall of Fame King of wrestling who is waiting for some of the _proper respect_ that has been denied him for far too long! [Petrow walks over to the fallen Ginn, grabbing him by the hair and looking at him in disgust.] JP: Who are _you_!? You are _nothing_! You aren't even _worthy_ of giving the proper respect! Get this bum out of our ring! [Petrow leaves Ginn to Rough 'n Ready, who drag Ginn upright and unceremoniously dump him over the top rope on the far side of the ring. Meanwhile, Rousseau has struggled to his feet in a far corner and, seeing himself trapped in a ring with three other violent men, instinctly lifts his fists over his head preparing for an attack, a move which catches Petrow's attention.] JP: Whoa whoa whoa! Calm down, pal. It's okay. I recognize you! I've seen you on a TV show a while back. Canadian champion, right? Well, you don't deserve to be treated like _that_ [points down to the floor] You are _worthy_ of giving the proper respect to the Hall of Fame legend! And you'll get the chance to do so right now! Ladies and gent-... [Just as it appears that Petrow is about to introduce the "king" of wrestling, the ceremony is rudely interrupted by...] GM: VIOLENCE UNLIMITED! HAYNES AND MORTON ARE HERE! BW: What the heck is that maniac holding!? [Barreling out from behind the curtains like a bat out of hell, Jackson Haynes and Danny Morton charge towards the ring. Petrow and Rough N Ready seem to be up to the challenge, but they soon change their tune, once they catch a glimpse of the branding iron in Hayne's hand! The trio make a quick exit out of the ring as soon as Violence Unlimited slide in, with Petrow narrowly avoiding a wild swing from Haynes! With the crowd going wild, Morton picks up the microphone and points a menacing finger at the retreating Petrow and Rough N Ready.] DM: HEY BOYS! You want your proper respect? Then come back into the ring so we can give it to you! [He puts up his dukes as the crowd roars in approval. Meanwhile, an irate Jackson Haynes grabs the microphone from Morton.] JH: I'M GONNA' KILL ALL YOU BASTARDS!!! [There's a HUGE roar from the crowd for that one. Haynes isn't one to mince words. Meanwhile, Petrow and the tag champs can only look on in disbelief.] JH: Kiss your feet!? KISS YOUR FEET!!?!?! [Haynes swings the branding iron into the canvas angrily and then stares at Royalty with a crazed look in his eyes.] JH: When we get through with you, you're all gonna' be kissin' my as- DM: Hey! HEY! Settle down, Jack! Kids are watching! [Morton stops his tag team partner, before a few FCC fines can be levied. He calmly takes the microphone and turns back to Royalty.] DM: Rough N Ready! We thought you wanted to settle our differences inside the ring like real men would, but it's obvious now that it was a mistake to think that you were real men to begin with! [POP! There's some choice words from Cooper and Somers, but thankfully none of them can be heard.] DM: You got us good at The Main Event. You got us _real_ good...but that was before we knew that you wanted more than just a fight! If it's a war that you boys want... ...THEN IT'S A WAR YOU GOT! [The crowd roars as Danny Morton points a warning finger at the retreating National Tag Team Champions and Joe Petrow as 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 up backstage, where Jason Dane stands, microphone in hand. Looming behind him is the large frame of Alex Martinez. Martinez is shirtless, wearing his black leather jacket over his bare chest. His eyes, as always, are covered by a pair of mirrored sunglasses, and hes wearing a pair of black jeans. Theres a scabbed over cut on the bridge of Martinez nose, and his face looks swollen, no doubt a legacy of his match against James Monosso.] JD: Since coming to the AWA, Mr. Martinez, youve been under siegeby the mysterious Dragon. And for the last few weeks, youve claimed to know who the Dragon is. The world wants to know, Mr. Martinez, who is behind the attacks on you? AM: Two weeks. JD: Excuse me? AM: Two weeks, thats when Ill tell ya. On May seventh, all the world will know who the Dragon is. JD: Why do we have to wait two weeks to find out who he is? [Martinez smirks, and pulls off his sunglasses. Both of his eyes are swollen, black and purple blotches circling them.] AM: Who says the Dragon is a he, Dane? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, aint that right? JD: Are you saying its Veron- AM: Im sayin Dane, that Ill tell ya, and Ill tell the whole world, who the Dragon is, come May seventh, and not a moment before. Reason bein, I got some Dragon related business to take care of first. Tonight, Im gonna have to deal with a couple of men who decided to pick up where Monosso left off. JD: You mean the challenge laid out by Larry Doyle and the Blonde Bombers? [Martinez nods.] JD: After your war with James Monosso, I have a hard time believing that even you would accept a challenge from one of the AWAs premier tag teams. AM: Theres one thing Ive always prided myself on. Aint no man in the world has ever had to challenge me to a fight twice. [Martinez pulls off his jacket, setting it aside. His arm and shoulder are wrapped tightly in white tape, and movements in taking the jacket off were stiff, betraying the pain in his body.] AM: Now listen, lets understand somethin. I am beat up all to hell. My arm and shoulder may never be the same. Monosso took me to the limit, and then about fifty miles past it. I dont like the man, but he proved that hes as tough as they come. The doctors tell me that I need to take it easy. Theyre sayin to me that I should just take a month and do nothin more strenuous than drop myself into a hot tub. But that just aint who I am. Heres the deal though. This aint my challenge to accept. At least, half of it aint. So, before you came in to the locker room to speak with me, I sent one of the production guys to go find the man who saved my butt at The Main Event. JD: Youre talking about Juan Vasquez? [Martinez nods.] AM: The one and only. [At that moment, Juan Vasquez steps into the picture, cradling the National Title in his right arm. Juan is wearing a black skeleton hoodie, unzipped to reveal an old Chris Courtade "Legend Killer" t-shirt underneath. He's got one heck of a shiner on his left eye, a visible reminder of his match with MAMMOTH Mizusawa. The champion acknowledges Martinez with a head nod.] JV: So, I hear that you had something to ask me. [Martinez turns and looks at Juan, meeting the champions eyes. Theres a long moment of silence, as the two men seem to size each other up.] AM: Juan Vasquez. You are the National Champion. And I was there, in the ring, when it happened. I know how good you are, and I know that youve earned the right to be called the best wrestler in the business right now. All of that is true. Youre also the man who saved my backside when I needed it. So the first thing to say is, thank you. [Juan smirks and nods.] AM: But its one thing to be the best wrestler of the _year_. Its a whole other thing to be a legend. And though I try to keep myself humble, between you and me, theres one of us that might be a legend some day. And theres one of us that already is. [Tension fills the air, as the men stare at each other again.] AM: This is the moment, Juan. This is the moment when we can go to war with each other. We can burn the AWA down to the ashes and fight over whats left until one of us is the only one standin. Or... We can continue what we started at The Main Event. We can go out there like two gunslingers ridin in to town to chase the bad guys off. Now I know youre hurt. Those ribs of yours cant feel any better than my arm does. And the Bombers are fresh and ready to go. But I think Vasquez and Martinez are just the sorta desperadoes needed to get the job done. So Vasquez, tell me, whats it gonna be? [Martinez extends his hand, waiting for the National Champion to take it. After a moment of uneasy tension, Vasquez breaks the silence.] JV: First off, that's _back-to-back_ wrestler of the year, amigo. [Juan smirks and looks down at Martinez's out-stretched hand, before looking back up and holding up two fingers.] JV: Second, I don't go running out to save men that I wanna' go to war with. Believe me, Martinez, you're the last hombre that I want to have on their bad side. If anything, you're exactly the sorta' person I'd want to have my back in a fight. [He pats his side.] JV: But you're right. My ribs are achin', my back's killin' me, and my body's tellin' me to take a rest, but you know me...I ain't ever gonna' pass up a challenge. You wanna' go out there guns ablazin' to send The Blonde Bombers back to that gutter they crawled out of? [Vasquez chuckles...and then shakes Martinez's hand!] JV: Then amigo...you got yourself a tag team partner! [Dane grins widely and you can hear the roar from inside the Crockett Coliseum at the big handshake. The two fan favorites walk their separate ways, leaving Jason Dane behind.] JD: Somehow, I think I may have just witnessed AWA history. Now, let's head up to The Money Pit! [We crossfade inside the Crockett Coliseum to a nice panning shot of the full arena crowd when suddenly, the O'Jays' "For the Love of Money" blasts over the PA and all heads turn to the section of the interview area that is now set up for The Money Pit. A deep voice cuts over the top of the classic track...] "Ladies and gentlemen... TODD MICHAELSON!" [The camera cuts to a "set" made of wooden walls that are painted and dressed to be a mockup of a bank vault. There are also various stacks of (presumably) fake money and bags of money all over the ground. Sitting in the middle of it on a wooden stool, Todd Michaelson is dressed to the nines, a smile plastered across his face.] TM: Welcome to The Money Pit! [Big cheer!] TM: And tonight, tonight my guests are two individuals who are looking to make a big impact on the AWA as they try to work their way up the ladder. It was just a few weeks ago now that we saw him take on the National Champion in a heck of a match that opened a lot of eyes. He asked for this time tonight on the Pit and we are here to oblige. Ladies and gentlemen... my guests tonight are "PLAYBOY" JOHNNY CASANOVA and his main squeeze, BIG MAMA! [The crowd erupts in a chorus of boos as the Playboy, looking uncharacteristically smart in a rather loud blue lounge suit rather than his wrestling gear, accompanied by his lovely manager Big Mama in yet another black evening dress, stroll down to the interview area. Casanova happily shakes hands with Michaelson who nods in respect to Big Mama as well.] JC: Thank ya kindly, Todd! It's great to be here with ya today. Now, I'm a busy man, and my sweet little pumpkin here is an extremely busy lady, but I wanted to take the time to address some rumors going around the AWA at the moment. I keep hearing that Big Mama here, my baby doll, has inherited a large sum of money. I keep hearing that she spent so long on holiday because she was gambling that large sum of money and turning it into a truly gigantic sum of money. I keep hearing that we are probably the richest people in the entire AWA. I got one thing to say to all of those rumors. [Dramatic pause.] JC: They're true, Todd! [A pair of broad grins.] JC: Yup, Big Mama here is a wealthy woman, and Johnny C is enjoying the profits of my good lady's blackjack skills! Now, we're also figuring we might as well share that wealth out, so... [Mama takes out a hundred dollar bill from her ample cleavage and waves it around, smirking at the fans.] JC: We're announcing here that Playboy Enterprises are officially hiring! Ya see, given my recent success, the way I came so close to beating Johnny Boy Vasquez, and reaching the final four of the Battle Royal, I'm becoming something of a marked man. I know from recent years in the AWA that once a man reaches the heights I have, people start coming after him. I know I can handle myself in a fair fight, and Big Mama here can take care of herself too - but what'd happen if these ingrates jumped me? [Casanova visibly and dramatically shudders.] JC: Seems to me, there's one thing we need right now... and that's a bodyguard! [The crowd buzzes at that announcement.] TM: A bodyguard? Well, the AWA certainly can be a tough environment when you get a bullseye on your chest. You got anybody in mind? There's a lot of bruisers back in that locker room who might take a position that offers the kind of money you're talking about. But there's also more than a handful who wouldn't put themselves in front of a bullet aimed for you no matter how much cash you wave at 'em. Any candidates jump to mind? [Casanova clears his throat.] JC: You're exactly right, Todd! There ARE a lot of people lookin' to make the kind of money we're talkin' about. Now me and Big Mama took a good, long look at the talent in the back and one man stood out to me. [The Playboy holds up one finger.] JC: One man had the grit, the grim and serious manner, and the toughness I'm lookin' for. And more than that, he's down on his luck enough to do any-thing I want. [A big grin crosses Casanova's face.] JC: So Gentleman Jack, get ya butt on down here! [The crowd buzzes at the dropping of that name.] TM: Gentl- Jack Holland? You want to hire Jack Holland? [A few seconds go by before Jack Holland makes his appearance, walking through the curtain and down the aisle. He's dressed in his black leather jacket, black shirt, and blue jeans. He walks onto the set of the Money Pit, glaring at the grinning Casanova. Holland looks none too pleased to be out here.] JC: Jacky boy, we all heard ya sob story at The Main Event about ya mommy fallin' down and breakin' her hip, boo hoo, we feel for ya, brother. [Big Mama puts on an exaggerated pout and winds her fists at her cheeks as if wiping away tears. Holland's scowl deepens.] JC: And I _know_ ya wanna make that right. And to do that, ya need cash money moolah dinero, baby. So let me ask you one simple question: do ya want my money? [Holland turns away from Casanova for the moment, looking out at the crowd. He exhales through his nostrils then, slowly, nods.] GJH: Yeah. [Casanova leans in, almost nose to nose with Holland.] JC: Do you NEED my money? [Holland's eyes turn to Casanova's, glaring at the Playboy.] GJH: ... yes. [A smirking Casanova backs off for a moment, then leans in again.] JC: Are ya willing to put ya body on the line to keep all those jealous baddies from putting their hands on me and Big Mama? [Holland's teeth are clenched, his eyes cold.] GJH: Yes, Johnny, yes! Jesus H- [Holland pauses, his head dropping down.] GJH: I'll take the job. [Big Mama steps forward and whispers something to Johnny C.] JC: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Nice of ya to put yaself forward, Mr Holland. However, my lovely associate here has just reminded me of something. Turns out that real recently ya got yourself beat by Kendall Stanton. [Holland doesn't lift his head, not wanting to acknowledge that loss again.] JC: So I have to wonder... do I really want someone who can't beat HIM on my side? [Holland drags his hand over his face from north to south as if trying to scrub away that memory. He lifts his head to look Casanova in the eye, an almost desperate look on his face now.] GJH: That was a one time thing, I got caught off guard. It ain't gonna happen again, I promise you that. [Casanova nods, smirking.] JC: Well, I'll give ya a chance to prove yaself. Next time around, ya take on Kendall Stanton again. If ya can beat him, ya get yaself hired. [Holland nods.] GJH: I got- [Casanova lifts his hand up, silencing Holland.] JC: But I'm warning ya, Holland. I'm a busy man. Spending this money takes too much time for me to waste much of it watching ya try and get past Stanton. So let's make it a FIVE MINUTE TIME LIMIT MATCH! [Holland plants his hands on his hips. He looks up at the sky. Then, finally, he puts out his hand... and Casanova shakes it! Big Mama claps giddily at the newly-minted combination as Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love" plays over the PA system!] TM: Well, fans, it looks like we've got ourselves a match... made in Hell. Can Jack Holland defeat Kendall Stanton in five minutes and earn himself a spot in Playboy Enterprises? We'll find out soon enough! We'll- [Michaelson pauses, watching Casanova, Big Mama, and Holland vanish from view.] TM: That's enough of that. [Michaelson glares at the camera, the crowd buzzing with confusion.] TM: See, when I told the front office who I REALLY wanted to have on The Money Pit tonight, they shot me down cold. They told me that I was asking - begging - for trouble and they invited Casanova on instead. But Johnny Casanova is NOT who I wanted to talk to tonight. [Michaelson seems pretty worked up.] TM: I wanted to talk to... James Monosso! [The crowd EXPLODES in shock!] TM: I wanted to stand here face to face with that maniac and ask him one very important question. So, Monosso, you nutball... I know you're back there. I know you're listening. Get your crazy butt out here! [Michaelson waits a moment, pacing back and forth on the set of The Money Pit until James Monosso slowly emerges alone from the backstage area. He glares at the waiting Michaelson who has stopped paced and is now staring off-camera at Monosso. He waves him forward, calling him to the interview platform.] GM: I don't like the looks of this. BW: Michaelson's lost his mind. Getting outshined by me two weeks ago has driven him over the edge. [Monosso slowly walks onto the Money Pit set, glaring down at Michaelson who returns the stare. Monosso has absolutely no emotion on his face, just a cold gaze.] TM: I've got one question for you, Monosso... [Dramatic pause.] TM: Just what the HELL were you thinking when you put your hands on my wife?! [Monosso continues to stare stoically at Michaelson for a long period of time, the crowd buzzing... ...and then throws back his head in a disturbing laugh!] GM: What the-? BW: He's laughing at Michaelson! Michaelson's furious and Monosso's laughing at him! [Michaelson looks shocked, glaring at Monosso... ...who suddenly lashes out with his left arm, knocking over the stool that Michaelson was sitting on!] GM: Whoa! Whoa! [Spinning to the side, Monosso puts a boot into a wooden stand, knocking it flat and sending the "bags of money" on top of it all over the place. Monosso turns again, smashing a double axehandle into another table that flattens it.] GM: Monosso's wrecking the set of the Money Pit! [Trying to stop him, Michaelson grabs him by the shoulder... ...and gets FLATTENED with a right hand!] GM: Ohh! Monosso drilled Michaelson! He floored the former World Champion! [The madman stands over the downed Michaelson, the crowd jeering wildly... ...and then reaches to pick up the wooden stool, gripping it in his hands as he raises it high overhead!] GM: No, no, no! He's gonna hit Michaelson with the stool! He's gonna- [BIG CHEER! Suddenly, Eric Preston comes charging into view, throwing himself between the stool-wielding Monosso and the downed Todd Michaelson!] GM: Preston! Eric Preston's put himself as a shield for his former teacher! He's telling Monosso that if he wants Michaelson, he's gotta go through him! BW: Preston's a bigger nutcase that Monosso! After all the wars that he and Monosso have been through, why in the world would he possibly want more of him? [The madman's eyes shift from the downed Michaelson to the guarding Preston. A sparkle of recognition hits his eyes and the sneer on his face turns into a smile... ...and again, he starts to laugh.] GM: How unsettling is the laugh of James Monosso? The man is twisted! Completely unstable! [But the madman slowly backs away, tossing the wooden stool to the side as Preston stands over his mentor, fists at the ready to fight back. But Monosso keeps backing away, vanishing through the curtain.] GM: It looks like James Monosso decided he wanted no part of Eric Preston here tonight in Dallas, fans! [Leaning over, Preston pulls his mentor back to his feet, leaning him against the wall of the Money Pit. Michaelson nods his head to his student, shaking his hand. The camera zooms in close enough to hear Michaelson say, "This is still your fight. You're still on your own, kid... but thanks." Preston grins, patting his mentor on the shoulder and says, "Now we're even. And thanks." 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!" [Now a shot of Kolya Sudakov in a fighting pose with the belt hanging over his shoulder.] "You've seen the best the AWA has to offer wearing it!" [A shot of Stevie Scott holding the belt high in the air.] "And now, it can be yours!" [A final shot of Juan Vasquez, battered yet triumphant with the gold belt held in both hands 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 we come back up to backstage where we find Mark Stegglet standing between Supernova and "The Louisville Slugger" Tyler Lee. Both are already dressed in their wrestling attire, Supernova's face painted and Lee with his trusty ball bat slung over his shoulder.] MS: Fans, tonight these two men will team up with Corax for six-man tag team action against Sultan Azam Sharif and The Russians in mere moments... and after what went down at The Main Event, it sure looks like we're in for a war. TL: You better believe it's a war, Mark... like I said, I never met a Russian I could trust. Sudakov, if you had any honor, you'd be telling those guys you don't need this and get out of there! MS: But you weren't here when Sudakov lost that match, Tyler. TL: Regardless of what happened, if Sudakov really considered Supernova a friend, he would have told Kostovich where to stick it! He may be retired, but I still got a score to settle with him... but if he wants to sends Sudakov and Velikov at me, that's just fine! And as far as the Sultan of Salami goes, I don't buy any of this honor garbage he talks about. The only way to honor him is for me to take my Louisville Slugger to him and put it right where the sun don't shine... big boy! MS: Supernova... what about it? [Supernova sighs deeply.] S: Mark... I've tried to be understanding with Koyla, even as Tyler here tells me not to trust him... for I honestly believe Koyla wants to do the right thing. [He shakes his head.] S: But after what went down at The Main Event... it does make me wonder, you know? It's one thing for Koyla to have to do whatever Kostovich says... but to just allow Sharif to have the victory? That I just don't get. [Another deep sigh.] S: Well, if this is what it's coming to, then I guess all bets are off! I already had plenty of motivation to tear Sharif a new one and certainly Velikov knows what it's like to face my wrath. But Koyla Sudakov... I really wish it didn't have to come to this, but if he's going to keep acting like he has no choice in the matter, then what else should he expect from me? I'll tell you this right now, Koyla... you have a choice whether you realize it or not. It's up to you to stand up to the likes of Ivan Kostovich and Adrian Bathwaite and make that choice! If you let them keep making choices for you... then there's not a whole lot left for me to say. MS: What about Corax... it's the first time you and Lee will be teaming with him. S: Mark, I guess it's time I said it... Corax and I were trained by the same guy and we even had a brief partnership. I hadn't seen him for years and had no idea he was planning to come to AWA. Now, I don't have a problem with the guy, but... let's just say he's got different ideas on how to approach a problem than I do. But he's our partner and we're gonna work with him the best we can... because on the other side, there are two people in particular who I've had enough of, and a third one I'm starting to have my doubts about unless he shows me something... and that can only mean one thing. [He then turns to the camera and raises his voice.] S: IT'S TIME TO SEE WHO CAN TAKE THE HEAT! [Lee salutes the camera in response and then he and Supernova depart the interview set.] MS: Interesting stuff, fans... are things going to come to a head tonight between Supernova and Sudakov? We're about to find out as we head down to Phil Watson for six man tag team action! [We crossfade to the ring where Phil Watson is standing, the Russians and Sultan Azam Sharif, already in the ring along with Count Adrian Bathwaite and Ivan Kostovich.] PW: The following six man tag team matchup is scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first... already in the ring at this time... accompanied by their managers Ivan Kostovich and Count Adrian Bathwaite... they are the team of... VLAAAADIMIR VELLLLIKOV! KOLLLLYAAAA SUUUUDAKOV! AND SULTAN AZAM SHAAAAARIF! [The crowd explodes in jeers for the foreign contingent as Sharif waves the Iranian flag back and forth. Vladimir Velikov shrugs out of the heavy Russian chain, draping it over the cornerpost as Phil Watson continues.] PW: And their opponents... ["Seek And Destroy" by Metallica starts up to a HUGE CHEER!] PW: They are the team of... COOOOOOOOORAX! The "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER" TYYYYYYLER LEEEEEEE! And from Venice Beach, California... THIS! IS! SUUUUUUUPERNOOOOOOVA! [The trio bursts through the curtain to a big cheer. Tyler Lee, wooden baseball bat in hand, points down the aisle to the foreign trio awaiting them inside the ring... ...and breaks into a sprint, charging down the aisle to the ring with Supernova in hot pursuit! Corax, armed with a baseball bat of his own, takes things a bit slower as he makes his way down the ramp!] GM: HERE WE GO!! HERE WE GO!! [The bell rings as Tyler Lee breaks through the ropes, immediately charging the corner and drilling Vladimir Velikov with a forearm to the back of the head, knocking him through the ropes to the floor. He spins around, catching Kolya Sudakov with a haymaker to the temple!] GM: Tyler Lee's going after the Russians! [And that leaves Sultan Azam Sharif to get the bulk of Supernova's wrath, a series of jabbing backhands to the side of the face that backs Sharif towards the ropes... ...where a running clothesline takes the Iranian wrestler over the ropes to the floor!] GM: SUPERNOVA CLEARS OUT SHARIF!! [Supernova spins around, pounding on his chest with his fists, and letting loose a howl... ...and finds a waiting Kolya Sudakov who managed to slip a knee into Lee's gut, slamming his face into the buckles, and throwing him from the ring.] GM: Oh yeah! This is what we thought might happen here tonight! These two former friends have come face to face - and they just might throw down right here right now, Bucky! BW: Supernova's not much of a friend. He wants Kolya to turn on Kostovich which would END Kolya's career here in the States! What kind of friend would wish that on someone? GM: Kolya Sudakov, at some point in time, is going to have to be a man, Bucky! He needs to cast off these chains of servitude that he's been shackled in and show the world that he's his own man! BW: And then get shipped to Russia where he'll work on a potato farm or something for the rest of his life! You're as bad as Supernova! [Sudakov and Supernova stand across the ring for one another, glaring a hole through each other, the crowd roaring in anticipation... ...but the arrival of Tyler Lee back on the scene cuts things short as he spins Sudakov around, pasting him with a right hand to the jaw!] GM: Ohh! Big shot by Lee! [Supernova steps out to the apron alongside Corax as Lee pummels the former National Champion all the way back into the corner. With a whoop, he whips Sudakov from corner to corner, charging across, and felling the Russian with a running shoulder block as he staggers out of the buckles!] GM: Tyler Lee, the Louisville Slugger, takes Sudakov off his feet! [Turning around, Lee points a finger of warning at Vladimir Velikov and Ivan Kostovich as he reaches down to drag Sudakov up by an arm, hurling him towards the ropes.] GM: Big whi- ohh! Lee set too early for a backdrop and Sudakov made him pay for it! [With Lee down from a clubbing forearm to the back of the head, Sudakov staggers to the corner to slap the hand of Sultan Azam Sharif. An angry Sharif storms in, shouting something incoherently in the direction of Supernova before planting a curved boot into the chest of the kneeling Lee. A second one knocks Lee down to the canvas where Sharif connects with a handful of stomps before hauling Lee up to his feet...] GM: Sharif brings Lee up... sets for the gutwrench... [And powers Tyler Lee up and over with an impressive gutwrench suplex that sends Lee bouncing off the canvas. Sharif slowly gets to his feet, slapping his own arms and striking a double bicep pose, shouting, "Right there, zoom it!" before moving back in on the downed Lee.] GM: And for those of you who are watching the clock a bit nervously - have no fear. WKIK has told us they WILL allow us to present this match in its entirety as well as the big tag team Main Event still to come! Our thanks to our broadcast partners for allowing us to bring you all the action here tonight on Saturday Night Wrestling! [Grabbing the top rope, Sharif steps up to the second rope, pushing all his weight into the air, and dropping it all in a knee across the back of Tyler Lee. A few more stomps land before the official forces Sharif to step back... ...which allows Ivan Kostovich to choke the downed Lee out on the floor!] GM: Come on, referee! Keep an eye on all these bodies around the ring! This is too much for one official to handle. You've got six participants in the match plus two managers... how can one referee be expected to control all of that? [Sharif buries a few more kicks into the ribs before leaning down to drag Lee back to his feet. A heavy forearm to the chest knocks Lee back into the ropes where Sharif grabs an arm...] GM: Whip by Shar- reversed! [And the incoming Sharif gets floored with a leaping shoulder tackle!] GM: LEE TAKES DOWN SHARIF!! [The Louisville Slugger, down on all fours, begins the long crawl to the corner where both Supernova and Corax are ready to bring the fight to the opposition.] GM: Lee's trying to get there... trying to- [But a dazed Sharif slaps the hand of Vladimir Velkiov who races in, dropping a near three-hundred pound elbow down on the back of Lee's head.] GM: Ohh! Velikov cuts off the tag! And as we heard earlier, there's some history there between Vladimir Velikov and Tyler Lee's family. BW: The way I hear it - Velikov simply picked up the war where Kostovich left off. Tyler Lee's got issues with both of those men! [Grabbing Lee by the foot, Velikov hauls him across the ring towards his own corner... ...and drops a thunderous leg across the back of the skull, knocking the fight out of Lee. Velikov rolls the Kentucky native to his back, applying a cover as the referee drops down to count.] GM: Cover for one! For two! But that's all! Tyler Lee's out at two! [Velikov pushes up off the mat, grabbing the top rope as he delivers a series of stomps to the chest of the downed Louisville Slugger. He reaches over, slapping the hand of his nephew to bring him into the match.] GM: There's the tag to the former National Champion... [The former Mixed Martial Artist swiftly moves through the ropes as his uncle drags Lee from the corner in a front facelock... ...and Sudakov lowers the boom with a big double axehandle across the back! Outside the ring, Ivan Kostovich applauds the show of teamwork, encouraging more of it as Sudakov drops an elbow to the back of Lee's neck. Across the ring, Supernova slaps the turnbuckle, shouting encouragement to the Louisville Slugger as Corax stands stoic nearby.] GM: Supernova wants the tag - he's trying to rally Tyler Lee to the corner. BW: Good luck with that. He's in the control of the Russians now. GM: And as we saw at The Main Event, when the Russians work together, they work very, very well together. In fact, if those two choose to compete as a tag team on a full time basis again, I would instantly have to rank them as a top challenger to Rough N Ready's National Tag Team Titles. [Sudakov pulls Lee to his feet, shoving him back into the corner. Grabbing the top rope, the former National Champion snaps off a trio of round kicks into the torso of the brawler from Kentucky. The referee orders him to back off as he steps back, slapping the hand of Velikov.] GM: Another tag for the Russians... [Each man grabs an arm, dragging Lee from the corner and into a double whip that sends him into the ropes and rebounding off into a big running double clothesline that knocks him flat!] GM: Big double clothesline - a big doubleteam from the Russians! [Velikov drops into another cover, Supernova shouting to his partner as the referee makes a two count.] GM: Another two count for the foreign allies. The Russians are an overwhelming force when they're on the same page. I still remember how feared they were as a unit during the AWA's early days, Bucky. BW: One of the best tag teams in the world then - and they can be the same way now if Sudakov would get his head out of his- GM: Bucky! [Velikov drags Lee off the mat... ...and gets popped with a right hand!] GM: Lee's fighting back! [Velikov stumbles back from the haymaker and then gets rocked with a second one, knocking him to a knee.] GM: Lee's got a chance! He needs to make the tag! [The Louisville Slugger attempts to do exactly that, moving around the kneeling Velikov to the corner... ...but the burly Russian grabs a handful of trunks, yanking Lee backwards and DRILLING him with a clothesline to the back of the neck!] GM: Good grief! He flattened Tyler Lee with that! [Grabbing the foot of Lee, Velikov drags him back to his own corner, slapping the hand of a waiting Sultan Azam Sharif.] GM: In comes the Sultan... BW: And look at how well the Russians and the Sultan are working together, Gordo. You've gotta be impressed. GM: Very impressive, yes. [Sharif winds up his arm, dropping a big elbow down into the chest of Lee. He climbs to his feet, spinning his arm around again, and drops a second elbow before rolling into a lateral press.] GM: He gets one! He gets two! Shoulder's up! Lee gets the shoulder up! [Sharif gets to his feet, looking quizzically at Bathwaite who points for him to continue the attack which the Sultan does by dragging Lee up and drilling him with a double chop to the throat that sends a gasping Lee falling back to the ropes.] GM: Tyler Lee needs to get out of here. He desperately needs to make a tag! [Sharif slaps the hand of Sudakov, bringing him back in and barking instructions to the former National Champion. Sudakov glares at Sharif for a long moment, causing the crowd to buzz with anticipation... ...but a barked order from Kostovich sends Sudakov into the double team, firing Lee in...] GM: Another double clothesli- ducked by Lee! [The brawler hits the far ropes, bouncing off... ...and leaving his feet with a leaping double clothesline that knocks both men flat!] GM: OH YEAH!! LEE BOWLS 'EM OVER!! BW: What happened there?! GM: Kostovich and Bathwaite are screaming at Sudakov! It's not HIS fault! BW: It sure is! You're surely not saying it's the Sultan's! GM: It is! Sharif isn't used to tag team matches. We know that. What makes you think he can properly execute a double team move like that clothesline?! [With all three men down on the mat, Lee begins the long crawl across the ring.] GM: Come on, Tyler! Get there! BW: What has gotten into you?! When did you become such a homer of an announcer?! GM: The Louisville Slugger's got his corner within his sights! [Lee inches closer as Sudakov staggers to his feet, looking a little wobbly... ...and he races forward just as Lee makes a diving tag!] GM: TAG! [HUGE CHEER!] GM: SUPERNOVA!! [The crowd erupts as Supernova bursts through the ropes... ...and wastes no time on this occasion, charging his former friend, and meeting him with a barrage of right hands to the skull!] GM: Supernova's beating him back! He's knocking Sudakov back into the corner! [Grabbing his former friend by the arm, Supernova hurls Sudakov from the corner, sending him crashing into the buckles... ...and floors him with a running clothesline as he stumbles out!] GM: What a clothesline! Sudakov's down from that and- [And just as Sultan Azam Sharif gets to his feet, Supernova leaves his.] GM: DROPKICK!! [The big leaping dropkick sends Sharif through the ropes and out to the floor to the roar of the crowd. A furious Adrian Bathwaite is screaming at the official, screaming at Supernova, screaming at anyone who will listen as Supernova drags Sudakov up off the mat, hoisting him up... ...and dropping him down in an inverted atomic drop before hitting the ropes behind him, leaping up, and SLAMMING his face into the mat!] GM: FACESLAM!! SUPERNOVA'S ALL OVER THE FORMER CHAMPION!!! [At an order from Ivan Kostovich, Vladimir Velikov moves in to assist... ...and gets hiptossed up and over to the mat!] GM: Velikov's down as well! [Grabbing Velikov, Supernova throws him back into the corner, hopping up to the midbuckle. With a howl, he begins raining down blows on the skull of the Russian!] "ONE!" "TWO!" "THREE!" "FOUR!" "FIVE!" "SIX!" "SEVEN!" "EIGHT!" "NINE!" "TEN!" [The Venice Beach native hops down, grabbing Velikov by the arm to hurl him across the ring. He backs into the corner hard, letting loose another howl before dashing corner to corner, leaving his feet... ...and SMASHING Velikov in the corner!] GM: HEAT WAVE!! HEAT WAVE IN THE CORNER!! [Supernova throws him down to the mat in the middle of the ring, moving to grab the legs... ...and just narrowly avoids a Russian Sickle attempt from Sudakov!] GM: Whoa! Whoa! He ducked the Sickle! [And a charging Supernova leaves his feet for another dropkick... ...but Sudakov swats it aside, knocking his former friend down to the mat!] GM: Sudakov slapped away the dropkick! [The angry Russian pulls his former friend up by the hair, throwing him back to the corner where an equally-angry Sultan Azam Sharif is waiting to tag in. Sharif steps through the ropes... ...and shoves Sudakov away before delivering a kick to the gut of Supernova! The crowd bristles at the shove, just as an angry Sudakov does, glaring at Sharif with his hands on his hips as the referee ushers him out of the ring.] GM: Sharif's all alone in there with Supernova... [Hooking a side waistlock, Sharif powers Supernova up into the air, dropping him down on the back of the head and neck with a suplex.] GM: Belly to back! Down to the mat with authority! [Sharif crawls over the downed Supernova.] GM: ONE! TWO!! TH- [But Supernova fires a shoulder up at two.] BW: That was incredibly close, Gordo... and what I love about this is that Corax hasn't budged an inch since the bell! He didn't try to help his partner there! He hasn't tried to get into the ring at all! GM: What in the world is with that guy, Bucky? BW: I have no idea but he may not have been the best choice for a tag partner for Lee and Supernova. [Sharif rolls Supernova onto his stomach, leaping up to drop a knee down into the kidneys of his rival. Grabbing the hair, Sharif turns Supernova.] GM: Uh oh! You know what's coming now! BW: That's the setup for the Camel Clutch! It's time to pray! [With Supernova down on the mat, Sharif settles in, hooking his opponent's arms over his legs... ...and sits down on the back of Supernova!] GM: The Camel Clutch is locked in! BW: Break him, Sultan! Make him humble! GM: Sharif's yanking back and forth on the head and neck! He's got that sunk in deep! [But before he can finish him off...] GM: What the-?! [Swiftly entering the ring and acting before the official can stop him, Corax hooks Sharif in a front facelock... ...and SPIKES him skullfirst into the canvas!] GM: DDT! DDT ON SHARIF! BW: Corax picked the wrong time to act! GM: Or the right time! [Grabbing his partner by the arm, Corax drags Supernova across the ring. He steps out to the apron, reaching over to slap his partner's hand.] GM: Corax makes the tag! He's legal! BW: Supernova's out cold! He's out from the Camel Clutch! GM: But Sharif's out from the DDT and- [Vladimir Velikov steps in, looking to help his partner... ...but a rushing Tyler Lee hits a big running spear tackle, sending both Lee and Velikov through the ropes to the floor!] GM: LEE CLEARS OUT VELIKOV!! [And at a barked order from Ivan Kostovich, Kolya Sudakov steps into the ring, glaring at the motionless Corax who is standing over the prone Sharif... ...when suddenly Tyler Lee reaches under the ropes, grabbing Sudakov by the ankle and yanking him under the ropes to the floor! Big cheer!] GM: LEE PULLS OUT SUDAKOV TOO!! [The ref goes to reprimand Tyler Lee... ...and when he turns around, he finds Corax with a baseball bat in hand!] GM: Corax has the bat! He's got the bat! [The black-and-white facepainted enigma points the bat at the downed Sharif, dragging a thumb across his throat as the official steps in his path, shouting at him.] BW: Look at Adrian! The Count's trying to help! Lemme go help him, Gordo! GM: You stay right here! [The camera catches Bathwaite first trying to pull Sharif from the ring under the ropes... ...and then actually climbing up on the apron to try and lean in to grab an arm!] GM: Bathwaite's trying to- OHHHH! [The crowd groans as Corax HURLS the official down to the mat!] GM: Corax throws the ref down! Why did he do that?! [Corax points the bat at Sharif again... ...and then raises it slightly so that it's pointed right at Count Adrian Bathwaite! HUGE CHEER!] BW: NO! YOU CAN'T! [Bathwaite hasn't seen it, frantically trying to grab his man by the arm to save him from the bat-wielding maniac... ...who suddenly rushes forward, grabbing Bathwaite's arm and YANKS him into the ring!] GM: HE PULLS IN BATHWAITE!! CORAX PULLS IN BATHWAITE!! [Bathwaite pops up to his knees, shaking his head, begging for mercy as Corax stands over him with the bat... ...and SLAMS the end of it into Bathwaite's sternum!] "OHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: CORAX DRILLS BATHWAITE!! HE DRILLS BATHWAITE WITH THE BAT!! [The silent and stoic Corax lifts the bat again, ready to slam it down onto the prone Bathwaite... ...when a desperate Ivan Kostovich and Kolya Sudakov drag the manager to safety to the jeers of the crowd!] GM: My stars - he was gonna club him, Bucky! He was gonna club Adrian Bathwaite with the baseball bat! BW: And Sharif would be beside himself if he wasn't out cold! [Vladimir Velikov drags Sharif out by the ankle, pulling him to safety as well as the dazed official gets up, gesturing to the timekeeper.] "DING! DING! DING!" GM: This one's over... and I'm pretty sure I can guess the outcome, Bucky. BW: Gee, ya think? [Phil Watson makes it official.] PW: Your winners of the match as a result of a disqualification... The team of the Russians and Sultan Azam Sharif! [The crowd explodes in jeers for the rulebreaking trio as they make their exit. Velikov and Sudakov are helping Sharif up the aisle as Kostovich does the same with Bathwaite.] GM: Those guys are the winners? BW: Whaddya expect when the other side has a baseball bat-wielding nutjob?! GM: Corax did nothing for the majority of this match but when he struck, he struck hard! And I still don't understand the motivation for what he did. He knew they'd be disqualified. He HAD to know! But he did it anyways, all for a chance to take that bat to Sharif and Bathwaite! [A dazed Supernova gets to his feet, helped up by Tyler Lee who is explaining what happened as Corax stares off at the fleeing enemies, bat pointed at them once more.] GM: Supernova doesn't look too pleased either. He's asking Corax what's going on. He's trying to- whoa! [An angry Supernova swings Corax around, pointing an accusatory finger in his painted face. Corax stares silent for a moment before slowly backing away, dropping to the mat, and rolling out of the ring. He hops over the barricade, making his way through the crowd as a frustrated Supernova looks on in disbelief.] GM: A wild finish to a crazy match as we saw Sultan Azam Sharif and the Russians pick up a victory by disqualification. But this one's not over... not by a long shot, Bucky. BW: When Sharif wakes up, Corax is a dead man! I promise ya that! He wanted to cut off Supernova's hand for PUNCHING Bathwaite. What's he gonna do to someone who took a baseball bat to the man? GM: Fans, it's been an amazing night of action here in Dallas and we've still got one more match to come - it's our tag team Main Event here in the Crockett Coliseum but we're gonna take one more commercial before we come right back to more action here on Saturday Night Wrestling! [We focus on the irritated Supernova, still discussing what happened with Tyler Lee as we fade to black. Slowly, the words "MEMORIAL DAY MAYHEM" appears on the screen in white lettering. The letters slowly fade to be replaced by "2008." The screen stays dark, we can only hear the sounds.] "Ladies and gentlemen... after twenty-eight minutes and six seconds of hard-fought action... your winner of the match... And the FIRST AWA NATIONAL CHAMPION... MAAAAAARRRRCUS BROUUUUUSSARRRRRRD!" [The sounds fade as the lettering does - both replaced by "2009."] "OH MY STARS! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT! STEVIE SCOTT HAS DONE IT!" [The sounds fade again as "2009" is replaced by "2010."] "Both men on the apron! Both men on the apron! Rhodes is down! Rhodes is on a knee on the apron! RUNNING KNEEEEEEEE!" "DING! DING! DING!" "Ladies and gentlemen... here is your winner of the Memorial Day Rumble... RAPHAEL RHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODES!!" [The sounds fade. The letters fade. A completely black screen remains. Slowly one final batch of text arrives.] "What will 2011 bring?" [And then we fade all the way to black. We fade back up on the Crockett Coliseum, a nice panning shot of the sold out crowd still buzzing about what they just saw and equally as excited about what they're about to see. We crossfade to Phil Watson in the middle of the ring.] PW: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first... #Reach out and touch faith# [The fans EXPLODE in jeers for the arrival of "Hollywood" Larry Doyle, "Ravishing" Robert Baldwin, "The Machine" Johann Avalon, and The Masked Menace to Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus."] PW: From the Edge of Night... weighing in at a combined 479 pounds and accompanied to the ring by "Hollywood" Larry Doyle and the Masked Menace... [The quartet is moving quickly down the elevated ramp, little funny stuff with the crowd, as they appear to be very business-like in their approach to this important showdown with two of the AWA's finest.] PW: "Ravishing" Robert Baldwin... "The Machine" Johann Avalon... THE BLONNNNNNNDE BOMMMMMMMBERRRRRS! [Baldwin slingshots over the ropes into the ring as Avalon enters the traditional way. Doyle steps through the ropes as well, throwing up both arms to the jeers of the crowd as The Masked Menace walks down the steps to take up a spot at ringside, his head on a swivel as he keeps an eye (or two) open for anything. The 80s sounds of Depeche Mode fades out to be replaced by...] #It's alright# #It's alright# #It's alright# #I'm just... a little crazy!# [The crowd EXPLODES at the sounds of Fight's "Little Crazy" as Larry Doyle jumps around with his hands covering his ears, shouting at the ring announcer who does his job.] PW: And their opponents... first, from Los Angeles, California... weighing in tonight at 350 pounds... he is the Last American Badboy... ALLLLLLEEX MAAAAAARRRRTIIIIIINEZ! [The seven footer walks through the curtain to the continued roar of the crowd. He rubs his hands together, nodding his head as he stares down the aisle where Robert Baldwin has mounted the middle rope, shouting at the big man and pointing a threatening finger. Martinez is dressed in his usual ring gear but the heavy white bandages surrounding his arm are quite obvious additions.] PW: And his tag team partner... ["They Reminisce Over You" by C.L. Smooth & Pete Rock kicks in to a HUGE CHEER!] PW: Also hailing from the City of Angels... weighing in tonight at 238 pounds... he is the current and reigning AWA National Champion... JUAAAAAAAAAAN VAAAASSSSQUEZ! [The crowd EXPLODES at the sight of the National Champion who jogs through the curtain to stand beside his massive tag team partner. He pulls the title belt from around his waist, revealing some white bandages of his own, wrapped around his ribcage. He thrusts the belt into the air, soaking up the cheers of the crowd before slinging the title over his shoulder. Vasquez looks over at his partner and at a shared nod, the two begin marching down the aisle towards the ring to a deafening roar from the crowd!] GM: Listen to these fans! This is one of the loudest ovations for an entrance that I can recall, Bucky! BW: You put two of the most popular wrestlers... not in the AWA, not in the business today, but of ALL TIME - in the same ring together as a tag team, you're gonna rock the house, daddy! [Vasquez and Martinez reach the ring in unison, Martinez smirking at Larry Doyle who is shouting at the cheering fans, screaming at both Avalon and Baldwin who are pacing back and forth, ready to pounce... ...and as soon as the two fan favorites move towards the ring, Doyle bails out and his men move into action as the bell rings!] GM: Here we go! [Baldwin is immediately on Vasquez, throwing a right hand to the skull. Avalon tries to do the same to Martinez who is stepping over the ropes... ...but the big man simply reaches out and piefaces Avalon down to the mat to a big cheer from the crowd!] GM: Martinez knocks down Avalon but- [Avalon springs back to his feet, rushing into the fray as Baldwin continues to batter Vasquez with right hands in the corner... ...when suddenly the National Champion begins to battle back!] GM: Right hand from Vasquez! Another! Another! [And a fired-up Vasquez simply grabs Baldwin by the hair, HURLING him over the ropes and to the floor as Martinez backdrops a charging Avalon, sending him crashing over the ropes and down onto the wooden rampway!] GM: They clear out the Bombers! BW: The Bombers need to fight this match smarter than that. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! They can't throw it away by just charging them. Especially Martinez! What in the world is Avalon thinking? GM: Right now, he's thinking, "My stars, my back hurts after getting backdropped on a wooden ramp!" BW: Very funny. [Baldwin scampers to his feet on the floor, ready to charge back in before Larry Doyle corrals him, pulling him aside to discuss what just happened. Inside the ring, the referee manages to get Alex Martinez to step out to the apron as Vasquez walks back and forth, shouting for Baldwin to get back into the ring.] GM: Juan Vasquez, the National Champion, really wants to get this fight going. The National Champion is not looking to waste any time at all here tonight in Dallas, Texas. [Approaching the ropes, Vasquez grabs the top rope... ...and SLINGSHOTS over the ropes onto a stunned Baldwin, just a few feet away from a shocked Larry Doyle! Big cheer!] GM: VASQUEZ TAKES THE FLIGHT TO THE FLOOR!! [The champion slowly climbs to his feet, wincing as he grabs at his bandaged ribs. He shouts something inaudible to the camera in Doyle's direction as he leans down, hauling Baldwin off the thin mats and chucking him under the ropes into the ring.] GM: Baldwin's back in... Vasquez climbs up on the apron and- [Seizing a chance, Larry Doyle grabs Vasquez by the leg, preventing him from getting back into the ring. The referee, distracted by the Masked Menace, misses the whole thing as Vasquez struggles to free himself from "Hollywood's" grasp.] GM: Doyle's got Vasquez by the leg! He's got- [Avalon quickly makes his way around the ring, grabbing at his back... ...and grabs Vasquez' other leg, yanking him off the apron where the National Champion lands ribsfirst on the edge of the apron!] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: What the heck is going on out here? Juan Vasquez is fighting THREE guys out there, Bucky! BW: Hey, that's not my problem. He's got a partner! GM: But his partner is- [The camera cuts to Alex Martinez who is shouting at the official, complaining about what just happened as Robert Baldwin mocks the big man while Avalon buries boots into the ribs of Vasquez out on the floor. After a bit, "The Machine" drags Vasquez off the floor, shoving him under the ropes into the ring.] GM: So, there's a bit of shenanigans out on the floor to give the Bombers the early edge in this one. [Baldwin drags Vasquez off the mat, throwing a knee into the midsection before shoving him back into the corner... ...and throws a hooking right hand into the ribs!] GM: Ohh! What a shot to the midsection! [Leaning in the corner, Baldwin grabs the top rope and throws knee after knee into the ribs of Vasquez, causing the National Champion to cry out in pain with every shot. Hooking in a front facelock, Baldwin drags Vasquez back towards the corner of the Bombers where he slaps the hand of his partner.] GM: In comes Johann Avalon... ohh! Hard kick to the ribs! Another one! Come on, ref! [The referee quickly counts to four, forcing Baldwin to break the hold as Avalon takes over, pushing Vasquez back into the ropes. He grabs the arm of the National Champion, firing him into the ropes... ...and buries a knee into the ribs on the rebound, flipping Vasquez over and down to the mat! The crowd jeers Avalon as he taunts Martinez who is still on the apron, stretching his arm out far.] GM: Martinez is showing a lot of self-restraint, keeping himself from charging in there and putting his partner in even more trouble... [Avalon delivers a pair of stomps to the ribs to Vasquez, forcing him back towards the corner. Avalon promptly steps up to the middle rope, hopping off and stomping the ribs again. Outside the ring, Larry Doyle shouts encouragement to his men as Avalon hauls Vasquez to his feet, pushing him back into the buckles.] BW: Look at this, Gordo. [Leaning over, Avalon grabs the middle rope, pausing for a moment... ...and LUNGES forward, driving his shoulder into the ribcage!] GM: Ohh! Avalon puts his entire shoulder into the ribs! Johnny- excuse me, Johann is really doing a number on Juan Vasquez, the AWA National Champion. ["The Machine" slams home another shoulder... and another... and another... and another. The crowd jeers wildly as Avalon defies the referee's orders to break up the attack in the corner. As the count starts, Avalon backs up, threatening to backhand the referee as he hauls Vasquez by the arm towards the Bombers' corner.] GM: Avalon bringing him back to their side of town... [A quick tag to Baldwin brings the high flyer back in as he scales the ropes, leaping off with an overhead elbowsmash across the back. Vasquez falls to the mat, stretching an arm towards his corner as Baldwin stands over him.] GM: And Vasquez knows he needs out of there - he's reaching but he's more than halfway across the ring away... [Baldwin walks around slowly to the front of Vasquez, hands on hips as he looks down at the National Champion... ...who springs up to a knee, throwing a right hand to the gut of Baldwin!] GM: The champ's fighting back! [Vasquez throws a second hand down South, knocking Baldwin back a step or two. The National Champion gets to his feet, winding up again... ...but Baldwin cuts him off with a knee to the gut, breaking his comeback up. Baldwin spins around, spitting at Martinez!] GM: Ohh! Come on! [The seven footer steps over the ropes, charging in... ...but the referee gets in his path, holding him back!] GM: The ref's blocking Martinez! The ref is holding Martinez back! [Which allows Avalon to slide into the ring, both men grabbing Vasquez to hoist him into the air... ...and drop him down both men's bent knees!] GM: OHHH! Double gutbuster by the Bombers! [Baldwin shoves Vasquez down to his back, applying a lateral press as the referee spins around, dropping to all fours...] GM: ONE!! TWO!! TH- [The champion fires a shoulder up before the three count, sending a roar through the crowd.] GM: Those banged up, those injured ribs are really a problem for Juan Vasquez here tonight. [Baldwin quickly gets up, laying in a few stomps to the ribs before hauling Vasquez up off the mat... ...and gets DROPPED with a jawbreaker!] GM: OHHHH! COUNTER!! VASQUEZ WITH THE COUNTER!! [Baldwin falls back to the mat, clutching his chin as Vasquez rolls away from him, arm stretched out. The crowd is roaring as Martinez leans over the ropes, fingers wiggling as he stretches out as far as he can...] GM: Almost there! ALMOST THERE! [Vasquez pushes up to his knees, breathing heavily, clutching his ribs... ...and hurls himself forward!] GM: TAG! [HUGE CHEER! The Last American Badboy steps over the top rope to the roar of the crowd, throwing his right arm into the air...] GM: Baldwin's up and- [And the crowd EXPLODES as Martinez grabs Baldwin by the throat!] GM: He's got him hooked! He's got Baldwin hooked around the throat! [Baldwin struggles, grabbing at his neck as Martinez marches him across the ring to the middle of the ring, slowly turning around...] GM: GET DOYLE DOWN FROM THERE! ["Hollywood" Larry Doyle hops up on the apron, distracting the referee, which allows for Johann Avalon to slide into the ring... ...and SMASH a double axehandle across Martinez' injured shoulder!] GM: Ohh! [Avalon spins the big man around, hooking a front facelock and holding the injured arm outstretched... ...and DROPS straight down, bending the arm at an awkward angle before rolling away and under the ropes to the floor.] GM: Avalon with a sneak attack - a single arm DDT! BW: And that's how you pop a shoulder out of place, Gordo! Johann Avalon may have just separated that shoulder! [With Avalon cleared out, Baldwin applies a cover on a screaming Martinez as Doyle drops off the apron.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- [But the big man lifts his good arm up off the mat, breaking the pin attempt. Baldwin quickly gets up, stomping the injured shoulder a few times. Then he grabs the wrist, tugging hard as he drags the former World Champion towards the corner, reaching up to slap the hand of Avalon.] GM: Baldwin brings him to his feet... big armtwist... [Avalon leaps off the middle rope, smashing a forearm down across the twisted arm to send a yelp of pain from Martinez who slumps down to a knee. Avalon promptly hooks the arm in an armbar, taking up a spot behind the big man and cranking back on the injured limb...] GM: Avalon's got the armbar applied! Torquing it back... [Avalon screams, "ASK HIM, REF!" as he pulls back on the limb.] GM: The referee is right there, checking to see if Martinez wants to give it up. BW: Of course he doesn't. He's a big, dumb animal who'd rather have his arm ripped off than actually submit. ["The Machine" steps to the side, grabbing Martinez by the wrist... ...and snaps off a kick to the bicep!] GM: Ohh! What a shot! [A second kick lands... and a third... and a fourth...] GM: Avalon is absolutely battering that arm! He's just relentlessly torturing it! [Dragging Martinez to the ropes, Avalon twists the injured arm around the middle rope, pushing hard on it to punish the limb...] GM: Get him off the ropes, ref! [Avalon takes a step back, then lunges in with a knee to the twisted arm! With Martinez down on the mat, wincing with every movement, Avalon hauls him up by that injured limb, jerking hard on it as he tugs the big man towards his corner, slapping the hand of Robert Baldwin.] GM: Both Bombers are in now... ["The Machine" hooks the arm, twisting it over in an armtwist as Baldwin scales the ropes, standing tall... ...and leaps off, dropping a double axehandle across the twisted arm!] GM: Ohh! [Martinez stumbles away, grabbing his injured shoulder as he staggers towards the corner, good arm outstretched towards a waiting Juan Vasquez, arm reaching out as far as he can...] GM: Martinez needs the tag! Martinez needs out of there! [But Baldwin charges in from behind, leaping up to grab the arm of the former World Champion... ...and falls to his back, smashing the shoulder into his knees!] GM: Ohh! What was that?! What in the world was that?! [Baldwin rolls into a press, grabbing Martinez' leg.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THR- [But again, the big man gets his good shoulder off the mat, breaking the pin attempt. Baldwin looks a little surprised, shaking his head as he climbs to his feet, delivering another hard stomp to the shoulder. He move to the corner, slapping the hand of his partner.] GM: The Bombers on the attack again... pulling Martinez up... [A double whip sends the big man into the ropes.] GM: Double clothesli- ducked by Martinez... the big man off the far side... [And he barrels over BOTH Blonde Bombers with a double clothesline of his own! Martinez falls to his knees, wincing as he grabs at his heavily taped shoulder. From the corner, Juan Vasquez is SCREAMING for his partner to make the tag, his own hand outstretched.] GM: Martinez is down on all fours... crawling, inching closer... trying to make the corner... [The big man inches closer to the corner and his partner's waiting hand!] GM: The big man's almost there! He's almost to the corner! [But Robert Baldwin grabs Martinez by the ankle, stopping him from getting any closer.] GM: No! Baldwin's blocking the tag! [The crowd is roaring as Martinez struggles against Baldwin, trying to claw his way to the corner. The big man rolls to his back, lashing out with a big boot to the face of the Ravishing One.] GM: Martinez is trying to break loose! Can he get there? [A second big boot connects with Baldwin's face, breaking the grip!] GM: He's loose! The big man's loose! [But just before Martinez can reach up and slap his partner's hand, Avalon dives on the upper body of the big man, flattening him out. The official screams at Avalon, ordering him out of the ring. Avalon slips in a few short right hands to the ribs before rolling off the Los Angeles native... ...and spits in the face of Juan Vasquez!] GM: Oh, come on! [And just as his partner did earlier, Vasquez comes into the ring on that one, grabbing Avalon by the head, throwing big right hands to the skull. The crowd roars for the champion... ...who gets stopped by the official who steps in, forcing him back. With the referee tied up with Vasquez, the Bombers grab Martinez by the legs, dragging him out of his own corner and into theirs.] GM: Another illegal move by the Bombers to gain the edge... the referee is having an awful time trying to keep this under control with Larry Doyle and the Masked Menace out there to distract, cajole, and do whatever else they can to give the Blonde Bombers an advantage. BW: And that's exactly what they're paid to do! If Vasquez and Martinez want a little of it, maybe they should hire a manager as good as Doyle. GM: You offering? BW: Not a chance, daddy. Ol' Big Bucks is retired. [Back on his feet, Baldwin delivers a pair of stomps to the shoulder of Martinez before stretching his arm out, pinning the wrist down with his foot... ...and then leaps up, dropping a knee onto the shoulder!] GM: Good grief! Alex Martinez just shouted in pain again and you know it must be mad if the big man is hollerin'. BW: He shouldn't even be in the ring tonight, Gordo. He OR Vasquez. They're both too proud and too stupid! [Baldwin uses the sore limb to drag Martinez to his feet, landing a pair of boots to put him back into the corner. Grabbing an arm, Baldwin fires him across the ring, charging after him...] GM: FLYING KNEE- [But the attempt at a leaping kneestrike goes awry when the big man sorta catches him and HURLS him down to the mat! Big roar!] GM: Big counter by Martinez! [The big man falls back into the ropes, turning his head to spot Vasquez waiting for him. The Los Angeles native staggers closer, arm stretched out... ...and SLAPS the hand of Juan Vasquez!] GM: Tag! He made the tag! [The National Champion comes in fast, drilling Johann Avalon with a right hand that knocks him off the apron. Vasquez spins around, pulling Baldwin to his feet, and blasting him with a forearm shot to the jaw that knocks Baldwin to the ropes...] GM: Irish whi- reversed by Baldwin and- "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" [The crowd EXPLODES at the sight of Juan Vasquez turning his body into a missile, diving through the ropes onto a stunned Johann Avalon, wiping out "The Machine!" Vasquez slowly gets up, grabbing his ribs as he raises a hand to the cheering crowd. He grabs the ropes, pulling himself up... ...and gets CAUGHT with a baseball slide dropkick to the ribs, knocking him down to the floor!] GM: Good grief! BW: I love it, Gordo! Vasquez took a big risk and Robert Baldwin just made him pay for it! [Baldwin rolls back in as the referee shouts at him... ...which allows Larry Doyle to land a trio of kicks to the ribs before pulling Vasquez up by the hair, shoving him back under the ropes into the ring.] GM: Doyle puts him back in... [Baldwin stomps the ribs a few times before leaping up, dropping an elbow into the ribcage to the jeers of the fans... ...and begins ripping and tearing at the bandages around the waist. With a piece of white tape free, Baldwin wraps it around Vasquez' throat, strangling the National Champion!] GM: He's choking Juan Vasquez! Baldwin's choking him with his own tape from his ribs! [As the referee forces a break, Baldwin throws the tape aside, moving to the apron where he starts to scale the ropes...] GM: Baldwin's going up top! He's going for the kill right here! [But Juan Vasquez ain't done yet, climbing back to a knee... ...and HURLING himself into the ropes, causing Baldwin to crotch himself up top!] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: And Robert Baldwin's gonna be singin' soprano for a while, Bucky! BW: There goes the Bombers' victory party plans! GM: Baldwin's stretched out up top... and look at this... Vasquez is going up after him... [Vasquez steps up to the middle rope, throwing a pair of big right hands to the skull of his opponent. Leaning forward, he hooks a front facelock before slinging Baldwin's arm over his neck...] GM: Vasquez is gonna try a superplex here! BW: With those banged up ribs? You gotta be kidding me! GM: The National Champion is all heart and you just never know what he'll be able to pull off, Bucky! [The champion grits his teeth, trying to hoist Baldwin into the air...] GM: What the-?! [The crowd jeers as the Masked Menace reaches up, yanking Alex Martinez off the apron by the back of the tights. The Menace squares up, fists at the ready... ...and Martinez lets him have it with a big haymaker to the jaw!] GM: MARTINEZ AND THE MENACE ARE BRAWLING ON THE FLOOR!! [The referee races over, shouting at Martinez and the Masked Menace... ...which gives Larry Doyle the chance to wiggle out of his cowboy boot, tossing it up to Johann Avalon who dashes along the length of the apron, stepping up to the middle rope, and PASTING Vasquez in the injured ribs with it!] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" [Avalon chucks the boot to the floor as Baldwin simply shoves Vasquez backwards, sending him crashing down to the canvas.] GM: Another illegal tactic by- wait a second! [Avalon slips into the ring quickly, moving to the corner where Baldwin steps up top... ...and reaches up, hurling his own partner off his perch, sending him sailing through the air...] "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" GM: ROCKET LAUNCHER!! ROCKET LAUNCHER!! [Baldwin quickly recovers from having sailed off the downed Vasquez, crawling back towards him and diving across his chest while tightly hooking both legs.] GM: ONE!! TWO!! THREEEEEEEE!!! "DING! DING! DING!" GM: I can't believe it! [Baldwin rolls off the downed Vasquez, quickly being joined by his partner who embraces him in the middle of the ring as Larry Doyle celebrates out on the floor. The Masked Menace's brawl with Martinez cuts off as the big man spots his partner having been pinned. A frustrated Martinez slams an arm down on the apron before rolling into the ring.] GM: The Blonde Bombers have done it! The Bombers have won it! BW: They beat the National Champion AND the sure-fire Hall of Famer! [Phil Watson makes it official.] PW: Your winners of the match... THE BLONNNNNNNNNNNDE BOMMMMMMMBERRRS! [Baldwin and Avalon exit the ring before Martinez can get to them, joining their manager and bodyguard out on the floor. A furious Martinez leans over the ropes, pointing at the group who are now taunting him.] GM: The Bombers have done it... I'm in shock, these fans are in shock... the injuries were just too much for Martinez and Vasquez to overcome here tonight in Dallas, Texas, where we're out of time! Fans, it's been one heck of a night and we'll see you next time with more Saturday Night Wrestling! So long everybody! [The camera holds on Martinez kneeling next to a hurting Juan Vasquez... ...and we fade to black.]