The screen goes black, revealing once again the SHOOT Project Helmet, looming ominously over the skyline of Las Vegas, Nevada. "Miracle" by Nonpoint begins to play as the camera flies down onto the SHOOT Project Epicenter. WHOOOOOOOOOA You better blow the whistle, ring the bell The sound of a bell is heard, revealing the empty ring in the center of the SHOOT Project Epicenter Arena. Train a little harder than you can or ever will The opening shot is of the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Championship belt. A second shot of The Hierarchy is shown, holding X-Calibur up on their shoulders. A third shot of Tanya Black can be seen, clutching the Sin City Championship against her breast. You need to think fast Cade Sydal is shown taking Ben Jackman down, before it flashes over to him holding his World Championship high. That is followed quickly by a shot of Thomas Manchester Black, pounding his fists together in the middle of an empty ring. This is our first but I guarantee it’ll be your last! Project:SCAR are shown destroying Frontline II TURBO and The Bad Ass Brotherhood. Mirage is shown lording over his fallen foe, the mask fresh off of his face, Donovan King down on the mat. Got news if you think you bad The next image is Jonas Coleman, blood pouring down his face. He is shown standing tall in the ring, soaking in the love of the fans. We then see MURDERHOUSE Mick carting weapons to the ring, followed quickly by Cinder Block attacking everyone in his sights. All your other battles make me laugh Azraith DeMitri stands alone in an empty ring. His blue hair is in front of his face. He says nothing. He does nothing. You need to start runnin’… Adrian Corazon is shown, mocking Danny Corsair’s handicap. The Gunslingers are shown next, nodding their heads to the fans as they walk down to the ring. You’re standin’ on the tracks and the train is comin’! Frontline II TURBO celebrate a victory in the ring as the camera shifts to Isaac Entragian spearing Lennox Ferguson through barbed wire to the ground. Next we see some unfortunate soul getting caught in an El Asso Wipo backbreaker TCHA! With his knee! NOWHERE TO GO Stellar Insanity are shown, embracing one another as they have overcome so much to defeat their foes. We quickly shift to Laura Seton, shouting out at the fans with a smile on her face. You need a miracle! The Hierarchy is shown putting the Potato Sack of Shame on Yuri’s head. Nothing’s gonna save you We see VAS briefly before we see a blinking image of Jacob Mephisto. And I’ll scream it from the top of the world! Maya Nakashima is shown, slowly tying his scarf across his nose before the image switches to The Gunslingers taking Donovan King down while Azrael Goeren looks on. Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you! Donovan King nailing the Dealbreaker on Azraith is shown. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do! Alex Brooks locks in his submission on Kenji Yamada. Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you! Del Carver slowly withdraws a cigar from his mouth, smoke billowing around his face. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do! Crazy Boy and Cronos Diamante lock up. Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you! Trey Willett is shown getting a purple nurple from Buck Dresden. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do! The arena is shown fully, the fans screaming as loudly as possible as the SHOOT Project Helmet is shown one final time. Whatcha gonna do when it’s just me and you! REVOLUTION. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do!

As soon as the camera cuts back to the ring; Kenji, Lazarus, and Loco Martinez are already going right after each other! Kenji hammers Lazarus from behind with a stiff double ax handle that sends him crumbling to his knees. Loco tries to rush Kenji, only to have Kenji use Loco’s momentum against him and heave him over the top rope! Luckily for Loco, he lands where Rocky Stellar is, however, Corazon still stalks towards Stellar, who is keeping guard over Loco while he recovers.

Eryk Masters: Welcome ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for bringing you back right into the action but these teams absolutely could not even wait for another second before they just started going to town on each other.

Other Guy: It doesn’t matter to these guys if they’re on television time or not, they just want to hurt each other. They don’t care who sees it or if they’re fined, they only care about putting a hurt on each other. And with each team’s partner on the outside as lumberjacks? You can beat that’s going to happen.

While Loco tries to recover on the outside, Kenji sizes up Lazarus on the inside of the ring. When Lazarus gets back up to his feet Kenji hits the ropes, on the rebound Kenji DRIVES his knee right into the small of the back of Lazarus! Lazarus arches back, still on his feet, gripping at his back, in the mean time Kenji hits the opposite ropes and spears Lazarus to the mat! The impact forces Lazarus to arch his back up off the mat in pain, but as he does Kenji pops up jumps into the air and double foot stomps Lazarus right in the gut! Kenji drops down and makes the cover!

1…

2…

Loco out of nowhere with the save!

Eryk Masters: Loco Martinez showing his agility there, he was just waiting for his spot on the outside and in a flash was in the ring and breaking up the pin fall. Very smart tactics there by Loco.

Other Guy: That’s more luck than anything, Eryk. Let’s be honest, if Loco didn’t have the good fortune to land right where his hulking lumberjack was? He’d be getting his brains beaten in on the outside of the ring.

Eryk Masters: Better lucky than dead.

Loco pops up off of Kenji and immediately makes a break for the opposite ropes, Kenji staggers to his feet and turns around just in time for Loco to jump up and throw Kenji to the mat with a hurracanrana! Kenji manages to quickly get back to his feet and throw a wild punch at Loco, but Loco easily ducks under and CRACKS a stiff kick to the back of Kenji’s head that sends him to the mat like a ton of bricks! Loco, really feeling the crowd that’s cheering him, grabs Kenji and gets him in a double underhook position! The crowd is going nuts!

Eryk Masters: I don’t know about this…

Other Guy: Does this guy ever learn… how many times has he not hit this stupid Driver of Doom or whatever?

Stellar, through the bottom rope, starts hammering on the mat, screaming at Loco not to take the risk. Loco notices Stellar, then looks at Kenji, then back at Stellar with puppy dog eyes… thankfully, Loco notices Lazarus coming to and drops Kenji, opting not to go for his Driver of Doom. Loco waits for Lazarus to get back to his feet so he can properly square off with him, trying to show some amount of respect. The two grab each other in a collar and elbow tie up… however, as soon as they do Kenji comes bursting out of nowhere and manages to push them both out of the nearby ropes! The crowd goes quiet and anxious because both men landed right in front of Corazon! Corazon cracks his knuckles with a horrible grin on his face and just starts laying into Loco first with a barrage of sickening closed fist shots! Stellar can be seen rushing to Loco’s aid, Hiro is trying to help Lazarus up while Corazon gets up off of Loco… and grabs Hiro by neck and heaves him at Stellar! Stellar catches Hiro while Corazon backs off, but Hiro takes offense to Stellar grabbing him and starts wildly throwing stiff kicks into his ribs! Corazon retreats to the opposite side of the ring and watches the chaos with a smile, Loco tries to come between Stellar and Hiro, but catches a kick from Hiro right in the gut! Lazarus, realizing how dangerous it is outside the ring, escapes into the ring… right where Kenji is waiting to flatten him with step up enziguiri! But, somehow having the presence of mind, Lazarus ducks the enziguiri and Kenji crashes into the mat face first!

Other Guy: This is insanity, the lumberjacks don’t care about getting any one but their partners back into the ring! If you get thrown out of the ring there’s no way to get back in unless you fight off the two guys that hate you and “escape” into the ring or you’re fortunate enough to land next to your partner!

Eryk Masters: I think all three of contestants knew that risk coming in, with how high the tension has gotten between these three teams this was bound to happen. It’s awkward to say this, but the safest place in this match is probably inside the ring.

Loco, on the outside, finally manages to push Stellar back from Hiro, who also retreats to his section on the outside. Loco is finally able to slide back into the ring, however as soon as he does he gets Kenji’s leg right between his eyes… Lazarus literally just performed an exploder suplex on Kenji into Loco! The crowd is going absolutely insane! Lazarus doesn’t waste any time and actually goes for the cover on Loco Martinez!

1…

2…

Th… Loco kicks out!

Lazarus slams his fists against the mat, Lazarus quickly jumps over to Kenji and makes another cover!

1…

2…

Kickout by Kenji!

Lazarus doesn’t waste time complaining and just picks Kenji up and heaves him into the ropes, on the rebound Lazarus spins around with a heel kick and nearly takes Kenji’s head right off his shoulders! Kenji’s body spins around as he falls to the mat, Lazarus tries one more time to make a cover!

1…

2…

Thr…save by Loco!

Eryk Masters: Some amazing action here, these guys may hate each other but they are putting on a clinic in there tonight. Sometimes the best matches come from the most bitter of rivalries.

Loco grabs Lazarus and slaps off a few kicks to the gut and a few forearms to the head before he unceremoniously chucks Lazarus out of the ring and onto the floor! Lazarus ends  up right in front of Rocky Stellar, who starts sizing up Lazarus…but Loco tells him to back off! Loco is hollering at Rocky not to touch Lazarus. Rocky looks a little surprised, but looks over at Corazon, then back down at Lazarus, and nods his head as he backs away from Lazarus.

Eryk Masters: Loco actually making sure that Rocky didn’t hurt Lazarus, maybe Loco is trying to extend the olive branch here and stop the chaos that usually ensues thanks to SCAR.

Other Guy: He’ll be regretting that when Lazarus pins him like a chump.

Loco flashes a smile at Rocky and nods, however it doesn’t last long as Kenji’s arms wrap around Loco’s waist and he heaves Loco up and over for a German Suplex! Kenji holds the bridge for a pin!

1…

2…

Kickout by Loco!

Kenji looks over the top rope at Stellar, who is seething as Kenji stares at him with those empty blue eyes. Kenji takes a step back from the ropes and picks Loco up by the hair and, with a rare smile, heaves Loco out of the ring and right to… Corazon! Kenji casually sits in the corner closest to Corazon and watches as he picks up Loco and SLAMS him back first into the apron and then ping pongs him back first against the guard rail! Getting some sick pleasure out of it, Corazon again rotates Loco and slams him back first into the ring apron and then back against the guard rail. Loco, only being held up by Corazon now, looks almost out of it… and Corazon SMASHES his head right between the eyes of Loco. Corazon looks like he’s going to keep going but, he stops and looks up, noticing something, then looks at Kenji sitting in the corner. Kenji, somewhat confused, turns and looks towards the ring… only to met with Lazarus’s boot right into his face! Lazarus, with a big smile on his face, grabs Kenji and chucks him out of the ring…right to Rocky Stellar! Hiro Takawa stalks his way over as well and as soon as Hiro and Rocky’s eyes connect, they nod… and start laying into Kenji!

Eryk Masters: It looks like the tides have turned on Kenji here! He is on the wrong end of town and I doubt either of them will let him out, not after everything he and Project: SCAR have already done!

Corazon drops Loco completely and makes a mad dash to try and help Kenji, however, Lazarus suicide dives through the ropes and tackles Corazon to the ground and starts laying down punch after punch!

Other Guy: What the hell! No one is even in the damn ring, every one is on the outside, this is getting as crazy as last week!

Eryk Masters: Except this time it looks like all fronts have united against Project: SCAR! This isn’t the chaos we saw last week where it was every man for himself, it looks like there is some unity here against Project: SCAR!

The bell rings as Willie Dean has seen and had enough, he shouts “NO CONTEST” to Samantha Coil, who starts to make her announcement, but stops as Corazon goes flying by her into the ring ramp! 

Eryk Masters:  I guess…  I’ll make the announcement, at least for the home crowd?

Other Guy:  I suppose, haha. 

Eryk Masters:  So, it’s a no contest, guys.  These teams…  let’s just say I can’t wait until these teams have a chance to get their hands on one another. 

Other Guy:  You’re not anywhere NEAR as hot as Samantha Coil.

Eryk Masters:  Blah blah blah… 

Security begins to stream down the ramp, attempting to get this situation under control, but these guys are having NONE of it and continue to claw at one another!  Corazon breaks free from the three men who were attempting to restrain him and goes straight after Loco Martinez, but before he can do anything significant, he’s stopped by another three security guards! 

Eryk Masters:  I think we’re starting to get this under control, yeah? 

Other Guy:  Looks that way.  I think we’re going to kick it to the back while this…  this fucking chaotic mess gets cleared up. 

Inside his locker room, Cronos Diamante lays forward on his couch receiving a massage from the beautiful Contessa. His Rule of Surrender Championship defense against Azraith DeMitri isn’t far off now. 

Cronos Diamante: You sure I can’t get one of these every day? 

Contessa smacks him. 

Contessa: Your muscles are pretty tense, babe. You sure Katsu hasn’t been working you too hard? 

Just then, there’s a knock at the door.  

Cronos Diamante: Come in! We’re rather decent. 

Contessa: In the clothing department that is. Hehe. 

In walks Gryffin Anselm, whose presence comes as a bit of a surprise. He’s dressed in his typical garb: a pair of black cargo khaki pants and a charcoal gray shirt which has some red and silver writing 

extending down the right portion of the shirt. His beard is neatly trimmed up, outlining his jaw and framing his mouth. His shoulder-length hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. 

Gryffin Anselm: Glad to see I’m not interrupting anything… though with a title defense tonight, anything more than just a shoulder rub between you two would be inadvisable, don’t you think? 

Contessa scoffs at Gryffin and slides off Cronos’ back. He pulls himself up off the couch and sneaks a kiss from his beloved and gives her the “let the guys talk” nod. 

Cronos Diamante: I don’t know if I’d call it inadvisable, Gryffin. I don’t like to call myself a stiff. A good performance before you have to perform is sometimes a good thing. 

Cronos winks at Contessa as she disappears out the door. 

Cronos Diamante: Bit of a surprise to see you here tonight. Story goes you weren’t too happy Big Lou bailed me out of jail and what not. 

Anselm leans backwards, putting his shoulders against the wall and crossing his arms over his chest. 

Gryffin Anselm: I’m not even going to worry myself with HOW you knew my opinion on what Lou did, because frankly it doesn’t matter to me. Fact is, you’re right. I wasn’t thrilled with it. You know me, I’m of the opinion that when you make your bed, you gotta be willing to lie in it, and that situation you put yourself in was based on your bad decisions, not anybody else’s. 

He shrugs. 

Gryffin Anselm: Lou decided it was potentially a good investment to get you out of the poke, and when Lou sets his mind to spend money on something… not much sense in trying to convince him otherwise. 

Cronos shrugs his shoulders. 

Cronos Diamante: I’m not sure I get what you mean, Gryf.  Oh I’m fully aware you’re the type to let a person “learn their lesson” so to speak. But I’m not exactly seeing how bailing me out of my father’s precinct was an investment. Does he think I owe him something now? 

Anselm shrugs. 

Gryffin Anselm: I suppose you’d have to take that up with him, because he didn’t send me here to collect anything. I suppose he’s going under the assumption that any interest you two had in working together still holds true on your part… and seeing as how you haven’t let go of that Diabolik shirt… you haven’t. 

Letting his arms hang down by his side now, Gryffin starts rapping his knuckles on the cinder-block wall. 

Gryffin Anselm: And I suppose that’s where I do come in… because you seem to have me stuck somewhere in that mildewed head of yours ever since I made that appearance for the Rumble. 

Gryffin pushes his palms against the wall ever so slightly, bringing him out of his leaning position into a full upright stance. 

Gryffin Anselm: See, part of the reason I was here anyway was as a favor to Lou, ’cause he was wondering whether you’d still be a good investment. Then as you seemed more paranoid about what I was doing in the Rumble, as if you didn’t think I was there to see if I might luck out and win myself a chance at gaining another World strap… 

Anselm gets a smirk on his face, which disappears as he gets more serious in his continued dialogue. 

Gryffin Anselm: …the more you seemed distracted by me, the more you mentioned me, the more you took your mind away from taking care of your business, the more Lou wanted me to check things out, to see where your head was at. And I gotta tell ya, the more I see shit like what you did with that Brooks kid… the way you’ve let that championship belt become something of an after-thought… 

He glares silently into the face of Diamante and pauses for a moment. 

Gryffin Anselm: I think you can guess what my recommendation was to Lou when he said he wanted to bail you out because he wanted to continue to see how you handled things.  

Cronos sits there for a moment, staring back at Anselm, letting all of what he’s just been told digest before he speaks. Cronos slumps back into the couch and begins tapping his fingers against the couch, slightly frustrated. 

Cronos Diamante: You always knew what I’ve been about, Gryffin. It’s not always about a win or a championship, it’s about the mind fuck journey I take a mother fucker on. I haven’t been doing anything you haven’t seen a lot of when I was playin’ games with Marcus. To an extent I’d say what I did then is far worse than what I’ve done now with Brooks. 

Cronos taps the couch a little faster. 

Cronos Diamante: I suppose you’re right though. I may have taken it a bit too far with Brooks. But it’s too late for that now. He’s gone. I’m still here. Damned if I care about people liking it. 

Cronos stops tapping the couch with his fingers and stares into Gryffin’s eyes. 

After a moment, Anselm simply shrugs. 

Gryffin Anselm: Not for one moment did I think you cared what people thought about how you handled Brooks and his family. I’m sure you didn’t lose a moment worrying about how people would respond to you attacking that kid. Not me, not Lou, not anybody. But the fact remains that your actions… they influence how people see you… 

Gryffin points in the direction of Cronos’ dufflebag. 

Gryffin Anselm: That belt you’ve got down there, I know you well enough to realize that what you just told me about titles not being the end game for you… you mean every word of it. The problem is, now that you’ve got that belt… the fact that your focus is on things I’d consider "side issues"… whether it’s me, whether it’s Bobby Brooks… whether it’s getting handjobs on office chairs while you play "pimp daddy" in the backhalls of the arena… 

Anselm leans in a little closer. 

Gryffin Anselm: It means that you’re ruining your potential. It means that you’re a risky investment. It means that maybe you’re not the kind of guy Lou should be doing business with. 

Cronos clearly isn’t happy about what Gryffin is saying. 

Gryffin Anselm: Wanna say I’m wrong? I could point to that match you had the other week… the one which caused your early exit from Master Of The Mat. 

Slowly and methodically Cronos gets up off the couch, keeping his eyes locked on Gryffin. 

Gryffin Anselm: You got a problem with what I’m saying? You think maybe you want to prove me wrong? Well how ’bout this, Champ… How about you go out there tonight and show me that you’re taking Az DeMitri seriously, because the way I see things, you should be a lot more honed in on the fact that you’re facing a former Ascension guy tonight, a former World Champion, one of the most dangerous guys in this business who also happens to be pretty well respected around here… a guy who you could 

build your reputation on if you make a statement in this match. 

Cronos grits his teeth and calculates his next move. The fact Gryffin has made him upset is apparent. 

Cronos Diamante: I’m glad you brought that up. Azraith and Ascension that is. Ascension. Mine. Azraith… once my lap dog. Tonight? Part two. Down and out. I’m going to be saying Pleasant Fucking Dreams from here on out. Not that panzy ass. That’s what I do. Put bitches to sleep. 

Cronos takes a step toward Gryffin. 

Cronos Diamante: But let’s get one thing clear here… I don’t need to build my rep on Azraith. It’s been built. Twice over. On people better than him. Like someone in this room maybe. 

Anselm considers Cronos’ response for a moment then starts shaking his head. 

Gryffin Anselm: What needs clearing up here is your perspective, because if you seem to think that your reputation is just as good today as it was a year ago, or even a year before that or even a year before that, then you need to get your head checked… and maybe DeMitri is just the one to give you the wake-up call. 

Taking a step closer, Anselm gets right into Cronos’ face. 

Gryffin Anselm: For too many weeks, you’ve been wasting your energy. You’ve been thinking far too much about what’s going on with me, about trying to mind fuck Brooks, and not enough about what’s right in front of you. 

The corner of Anselm’s lip curls up a bit as he starts to smirk. 

Gryffin Anselm: Even here and now, you’re not thinking about Az DeMitri. You’re wondering if I’ve gone soft in the past year and how long it might take you to make me bleed. 

Cronos’ eyes narrow and his mouth starts to form into a grin. 

Gryffin Anselm: Do yourself a favor and take that energy you’d like to use to put me through that wall… and do your fucking job. 

Just then Contessa walks in to find Cronos and Gryffin face to face. 

Contessa: Whats up? 

Anselm slowly backs away without breaking his gaze with Cronos and steps out into the hallway. He winks. 

Gryffin Anselm: Toodles.

“New Year’s Eve” by Aurasing hits the Arena speakers.  The fans boo loudly as Dan Stein makes his way out of the curtains and down the ramp. 

Eryk Masters: Dan Stein not taking too much time here basking in the fan reaction as he makes his way quickly down the ramp. 

Other Guy: It seems like he’s still taking his loss to Donovan King a little hard.  He doesn’t seem his usual overconfident self tonight. 

Stein rolls into the ring and immediately makes his way to the corner to await his opponent. 

“Cut Out The Disease” booms from the speakers as Mason and Leona emerge from the back, stopping at the top of the entrance ramp. Mason removes his sunglasses and looks out at the crowd, smirking as the capacity crowd boos him loudly. He says something out of camera range to Leona and the two of them make their way to the ringside area. A few cell phone cameras are going off, but they’re probably looking more to get a picture of the stunning Leona than they are of Mason. 

The duo ascends the ring stairs and enters the ring. Mason removes his jacket and hands it along with his sunglasses to Leona, who says something to him and then leaves the ring, taking her place at ringside. 

Eryk Masters: Mason Pierce has certainly made sure there would be no mistaking that he is all business here in the SHOOT Project. 

Other Guy: I don’t think he totally understands just how dangerous some of these superstars here in SHOOT truly are.  All the same, he certainly isn’t making too many friends here. 

Eryk Masters: To this point it doesn’t really seem to matter.  He is definitely proving more and more each week that he belongs here. 

Dennis Heflin calls for the bell and this match is underway.  The two men circle one another for a few moments before Pierce makes the first move, locking up with Stein.  Pierce transitions into a headlock and wrenches on the neck of Stein.  Stein drops to one knee and shoots an elbow into the gut of Pierce, forcing him to take a few steps backwards.  Stein is quick to his feet, and attempts a lockup of his own on Pierce.  Pierce telegraphs with a stiff jab to the jaw of Stein! 

Eryk Masters: That shot seemed to rattle Stein a little bit.  It doesn’t look like he was expecting it. 

Other Guy: he’s going to have to get his head into this if he’s going to want to take down a competitor like Mason Pierce. 

Pierce is quick to mount an attack, jarring Stein in the gut with punch after punch.  Stein finally gets his sense back and delivers a kick to the midsection, stopping the barrage by pierce.  Stein reaches down and locks Pierces head and snaps him to the mat with a DDT.  The fans begin to clamor a bit, but none are too sure as to the direction they would like this match to go. 

Stein backs up attempting to catch his breath.  Pierce comes to his feet and whips Stein into the ropes.  Stein rockets towards Pierce who grabs him around the waist, flipping Stein over his head with a belly to belly suplex.  Pierce wastes no time grabbing hold of Stein’s right arm.  He hyper-extends it and stomps his boot into Stein’s shoulder! 

Eryk Masters: Looks like Mason is trying to soften Stein up for his Manchester Necktie. 

Other Guy:  Stein is in a bad way here.  If Mason gets that hold on, this match is over. 

Mason pulls back Stein’s arm again and brings another boot to the extended shoulder of The Lights.  Stein rolls over to his side, clutching his arm in pain.  Stein begins crawling to the edge of the ring as Mason sizes him up for a moment.  Mason reaches down to grab hold of Stein one more time, but Stein manages to roll out of the ring. 

Stein: Fuck this!  I’m out of here! 

Mason Pierce leans himself against the ring ropes as Stein begins walking around the ring towards the ramp.  Mason has a bit of a confused look on his face as the fans begin to boo loudly. 

Eryk Masters: It looks like Stein is just going to go back to the locker room.   

Other Guy: He can’t do that can he?  He has to finish the match. 

Pierce mutters something to Leona as she makes her way over to Stein.  She stands in front of him holding her hands out.  Stein, attempts to push past her, but before he gets a chance to lay hands on the young lady Mason Pierce nails him in the back of the head with an axe-handle smash!  

Stein doubles over to the floor as Pierce mounts the dazed Stein.  He lands a series of blows to the face in between Stein attempting to put a guard up to protect his face.  The fans begin to cheer loudly, but are immediately shut down by Pierce. 

Pierce ceases fire on Stein and rises to his feet and addresses a few fans on the floor level. 

Mason Pierce: Shut Up!  You shut your mouths! 

Eryk Masters:  It looks like Mason is not having any of this tonight.  It seems he is only here to inflict pain. 

Other Guy:  I can’t say if I blame him.  If the newcomer wants to make a few waves he actually has to have an opponent. 

Pierce pulls Stein to his feet and drives him shoulder first into the ring stairs.  Stein lies on the concrete, clutching his shoulder.  Pierce, not satisfied grabs Stein by the back of the head and drives him face first into the stairs.   

Once!  Twice!  Three times he drives Stein’s face into the ring stairs.  The fans are clearly fed up with this match, and have begun booing loudly at the spectacle this match has become. 

Eryk Masters: I know the fans have no love for either of these men, but it looks like they still wanted to see a fight. 

Other Guy:  Someone needs to get in there and put a stop to this.  This isn’t even a match anymore, it’s just Mason Pierce beating the hell out of a man that tried to give up! 

Pierce rips off Stein’s protective mask and grinds it into the man’s face before throwing it into the crowd.  One more time he drives Stein’s face into the ring stairs.  Pierce tosses Stein back into the ring and rolls in after him. He drags Stein to the middle of the ring before mounting him, an evil grin on his face as he listens to the increasing chorus of boos from the crowd, draping one arm over his knee and sliding his arm under the free one in a half nelson.  He lifts Stein up and reaches over, grabbing the free arm and pulling it back… MANCHESTER NECKTIE!! 

Other Guy: This is just too much.  Heflin needs to put an end to this! 

Eryk Masters: And right now. 

Stein lies lifeless in the hold as Pierce wrenches back even harder.  Dennis Heflin calls for the bell as Stein is clearly unconscious and unable to tap.   

Abigail Chase: Ladies and Gentlemen…You’re winner due to Dan Stein being unable to continue to match…At a time of Eleven minutes, twenty-five seconds…MASON PIERCE!! 

Pierce breaks the hold and the lifeless Stein falls to the mat.  Pierce gives one last boot to the back of the head before joining Leona on the outside of the ring, making his way back to the back.  The fans are booing incessantly as Dennis Heflin checks on Stein. 

Eryk Masters:  This has just been disgusting. 

Other Guy:  Which part?  Stein quitting, or Pierce going off the deep end? 

Eryk Masters:  Both.  Regardless, Mason Pierce continues to leave his mark on the SHOOT Project.

The scene is pitch black as “Gladiator” by Bun B begins to play. 

They thought it was over, they thought that I was done (I was done)

They said I wouldn’t last, I’m the last one (last one) 

The image of Donovan King slowly lifting his head to the camera is shown. 

I’m "Still Standing" like the Goodie to the Mo-B

In a black hoodie, it’s the O.G., you know me (me) 

King is shown planting Dan Stein with a Dealbreaker. 

Never bow to no feet or kiss no rings (rings)

Hold my own ground, never doin ho things (things) 

He is shown next standing in the center of the ring, having beaten Diamond Del Carver. 

Just to get accepted (accepted), just to be included (‘cluded)

Nigga I am from the South, that ain’t how we do it (do it) 

He glares at the camera, the shadows over the majority of his sweaty face, his hood pulled tight. 

True shit, you and your city must be on some new shit

Gettin on my last nerve, such a damn nuisance 

He is shown next coming out to the fans in Charlotte, screaming out to them to scream back to him. 

Pussy niggaz on the rag, wearin Couture or Juicy

You don’t like what I say, fuck ya nigga, that’s my two cents 

King locking Cronos Diamante into a variation of the Ne-Han is shown next. 

Opinions is like assholes and I don’t like assholes

So stick your opinion in your ass ho (in your ass ho) 

The referee holds his arm up after he defeats Cronos. 

That’s for whoever ain’t me

You just hatin on a nigga that ya know ya can’t be 

Then King’s hand being held after defeating Carver. 

I’m a, gladiator, greater than the rest

Bring who ever’s won a battle, you’ll never be the best 

King’s hand being raised against Dan Stein. 

Got a chest made of metal, a jaw made of steel

When I put the hands of God on ya, tell me how it feels 

As the music continues to play, the vocals are replaced the instrumentals.  Now, we see Donovan King sitting alone in a darkened ring, a single spotlight shining down on his hooded head. 

I came into dis business wit’ nothin’ FROM nothin’.  I came in this with a chip on my shoulder an’ hate in my heart. 

I did it all wrong. 

He looks to the camera. 

I put myself in the bottom, I put myself in the gutter.  I suffered, I fell off, I did everything I could to get back here.  I fought, I scratched, I clawed, I sacrificed…so that I could be able to sit here and tell you like a MAN…that I am going to be Master of the Mat and I am going to be World Champion. 

He continues to stare intently at the camera. 

Trey Willett. 

I admire you, I respect you, you have a beautiful family.  You been through your own hell to get here.  I know it had to be hard as hell to deal with what you’ve dealt with.  I know you want this more than anything.  That you think this is your time. 

I’m sorry. 

It’s not. 

He stands up, slowly withdrawing his hood. 

I’ve come too far to give this away now. 

You’re gonna have to give yourself a little more time.  I got too many scores to settle up with with those sons of bitches who run up top, tryna get their hands on the prize. 

So let’s put on the show of shows when we settle for good an’ all which one of us is gonna be the 2011 Master…of the Mat. 

Catch you in Vegas, Wayward Son. 

The screen goes black yet again as “Gladiator” continues to play for a moment before it fades out completely.

We shift back to ringside as the arena lights of the North Charleston Coliseum suddenly cut out, leaving the fans in darkness. The video screen surges to life with a very familiar and mind-numbing countdown. 

5%    

23%    

43% 

Eryk Masters: If I swallow my own tongue, do you think they’d send a replacement out here to do my job? 

Bryan Harris: You rang? 

Eryk Masters:   GAH! 

Other Guy:   MOTHER OF GOD…STOP THAT! 

Eryk Masters:   How in the hell do you get here so quickly? Are there secret passages in this arena? Like in Clue? 

Bryan Harris:   We don’t share secrets in the Hierarchy. Just be good little boys and soak in HIS amazing juices 

Eryk Masters:   Gross. 

66%    

84%    

92% 

93% 

95% 

Eryk Masters:   Christ… 

Bryan Harris:   I dont know about you two, but I’m getting downright tingly. 

Other Guy:   That could be a rash, I had that once. 

Eryk Masters:   When? 

Other Guy:   Uhhh…1999 through 2005. That Thailand vacation was the worst ever! 

97% 

99% 

…100%    

BUFFERING…    

…BUFFERING…    

…BUFFERING…    

…INITIALIZE. 

The top of the ramp suddenly explodes in an alternating red and gold pyro display before a spinning "A.G." logo hits the video screen.  "Sieben" by Subway to Sally starts to play as the crown unanimously starts to boo this man. 

Bryan Harris:   WHOOOOOOOOOOOO! ICH BIN EIN AMAZING! Don’t just sit there and waste oxygen boys, get up and applaud our Megastar! 

Eryk Masters:   Oh yes. Whoopie. My day would just not be complete with a shrill German psychopath yelling at me. 

Stepping out from behind the curtain is Azrael Goeren who is dressed in a gold corduroy suit, oversized aviator glasses and a matching gold Stetson cowboy hat. He poses at the top of the ramp as his pyro goes off around him before spinning around so everyone in attendance can get a good look at his outfit. 

Eryk Masters:   Looks like Azrael is quite proud of that fashion abortion he’s got on tonight. I wonder if he’s going to auction it off to the lowest bidder again after the show. 

Bryan Harris:   I’ll have you know that his last outfit went for over five thousand dollars at auction! 

Other Guy:   To be fair, I only spent that much because he threw in the speedo for free. 

Azrael takes a few steps down the ramp before stopping and pointing back towards the curtain as The Hierarchy’s personal bodyguard Gavrilovich Mikael Yurinov lumbers out from the back. Unfortunately for Yuri, he’s wearing the potato sack of shame that Azrael and X-Calibur forced upon him months ago, this time capped off with a huge green foam cowboy hat. The two men make their way down to the ring as Azrael basks in the hatred that is raining down on him. He takes his sweet time getting into the ring, forcing Yuri to hold open the ropes for him as he dramatically enters, holding his arms out to his side and smiling out at all of his "fans". 

Eryk Masters:   The fans here in Charleston are REALLY letting Goeren have it tonight. He’s been even more annoying than usual lately, especially with his pathetic excuse of a gauntlet match last week. Should have known that was going to be a joke right from the start. 

Bryan Harris:   Hey, he beat THREE of the world’s greatest tag teams! Three! They should have just awarded him and Yuri and the tag-team straps right then and there! 

Eryk Masters:   First off, he beat three teams that have been on their backs more than Jenna Jameson. Second, he let Yuri do all of the work! He just came in for the pins! 

Bryan Harris:   You…you just don’t get tag-team wrestling Eryk. No wonder why they’re looking to replace you. 

Azrael calls for a microphone as Samantha Coil hands him one with a look of utter disgust on her face. Azrael winks at her and taps the microphone a few times for good measure. 

Goeren: Guten tag my gap-toothed Carolinian friends! Did you miss your Megastar?  

His response is seething hatred and louder boos from the SHOOT faithful. 

Goeren: It’s been far too long since I’ve performed in front of you. Why, it seems like only yesterday all of you loaded up your jalopies and headed up to North Carolina to watch yours truly compete in Outlaw Pro Wrestling. What times we had there…if only the SHOOT Project was smart enough to let me take control of this company like OPW did. Then we finally could move forward instead of wallowing around in the pig shit mess that Jason Johnson has created over the last several months!  

Eryk Masters:   Azrael apparently has forgotten that he ran OPW right into the ground… 

Bryan Harris:   SHHHHHHHHHH! No speaking while your German superior is talking! 

Goeren: I could sit in this ring all day giving examples of how much an amateur Jason Johnson is at running a wrestling company, but I’ve got another piece of business that is currently monopolizing my time. A little problem of mine that has spiraled out of control. A problem named…the Gunslingers.  

A cheer erupts from the South Carolina crowd as Azrael rolls his eyes in disgust. 

Goeren: Please. Don’t even bother tossing those miscreants love, God knows they deserve none of it. If you all knew what I know about them, you would hate them with every fiber of your being as I do. The only reason that Erichson and Fisher are even in SHOOT today is because their benefactor…their boss…their unnamed director…told them to keep tabs on little old me.  

Azrael leans up against the massive frame of his bodyguard, shaking his head in disbelief. 

Goeren: Ist das nicht verrückt? Why would anyone want to spy on yours truly? I’ve spent my entire life doing nothing but good deeds and helping those less fortunate than myself. The fact that the Gunslingers’ benefactor cannot accept that after all of these years is truly disgusting to me.  

Other Guy:   WHO IS IT? Come on! I’m dying over here! 

Bryan Harris:   Don’t rush the men, he’ll get to it. 

Azrael moves from the shadow of Yurinov and begins to frantically pace about the ring. 

Goeren: I could easily tell all of you everything I know. It would certainly exonerate me in all of your eyes and show what black-hearted devils the Gunslingers truly are. But that’s letting Erichson and Fisher off the hook far too easily. I could expose their little plan and they’d just sulk away with their tails between their legs back to their master. But where is their punishment in that? Where is their punishment for infringing on my privacy? No friends…I’ve got much bigger plans on what to do to the Gunslingers. A plan that includes…Master of the Mat.  

Azrael stops moving and looks up towards the ramp, flashing his pearly white demented smile at the camera. 

Goeren: I know you two are back there tonight, so someone turn up Erichson’s hearing aid to 11 so he can hear this properly. I don’t want either of you in a singles match. I don’t even want you two in a standard tag-team match. The fact that you’ve sinned so badly against me over the past few weeks demands payment of the flesh.  

He tilts his head slightly to the side, the grin still stretching from ear-to-ear. 

Goeren: At Master of the Mat, I say you two Gunslingers step into the ring against myself and Yuri over there in a tables match!  

The fans pop big time at the challenge as Azrael leans excitedly over the top rope. 

Goeren: No more tricks, no more run-ins, no more backstage attacks. The only way to win is to decimate your opponent in a twisted concoction of wood and metal. So what do you say cowpokes, you ready to ratchet up the violence and step up into the big leagues?  

"Hillbilly Bone" by Blake Shelton hits the speakers and Stan Erichson steps out onto the entrance ramp. Stan is wearing a black shirt that says "The Spirit Never Dies", which causes Goeren to smirk when he sees it. Stan clutches a baseball bat in his right hand, keeping it hanging at his side as he stops at the top of the ramp. The crowd is electric, surging to their feet as Stan stares out at the Carolina crowd. Erichson calmly asks for a microphone which is politely given to him by a nearby cameraman. 

Erichson: We almost have the information we came here for, which means you’ll soon know why we are here, Goeren.  Be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.  

Goeren: OooOoOoOoOo! Spooky! Pretty cryptic words for a soon-to-be dead man. What I find humorous is that you decided to waddle your old ass out here all alone…how’d that work out for you the first time, old man?  

Azrael smiles and tilts his head ever so slightly towards his massive bodyguard. 

Goeren: Yuri? If you will…give Staniel a little preview of what we are going to do him at Master of the Mat.  

The towering Russian nods as he methodically steps over the top rope and heads towards Stan Erichson at the top of the stage. As Yuri lumbers up the ramp and gets closer to Stan, SHOOT security rushes out of the back and gets between the two men. As security takes Stan’s bat and stands between him and Yuri, we see Jacob Fisher crawl out from under the ring and slide in behind Goeren! 

Bryan Harris:   TURN AROUND AZRAEL! THAT HEE-HAW REJECT WAS UNDER THE RING! 

Before Azrael can react, Fisher spins him around and kicks him violently in the gut. Fisher then hooks Azrael’s head and appears to be going for a double arm DDT, but Goeren slips out of his grasp at the last possible second, causing Jacob to rip out a chunk of hair from Azrael’s head. Azrael rolls out of the ring and clutches the back of his head, screaming uncontrollably as he feels a tuft of his hair missing. 

Jacob smirks and holds the hair up, teasing Goeren who attempts to enter the ring and exact some revenge. Azrael never gets the opportunity as more of the SHOOT security team hits the ring and attempts to separate the combatants. Azrael shoves two of the security guards aside but gets pushed back by the rest as security at the top of the ramp also appear to be having a difficult time keeping Yuri and Erichson apart. 

Eryk Masters:   Its absolute bedlam here in South Carolina tonight between the Gunslingers and Azrael Goeren! Security is trying their hardest to get these guys out of here, looks like Stan and Yuri are being forced into the back… 

Bryan Harris:   This is a travesty, this night will surely go down in history as one of humanity’s worst crimes! How dare the Gunslingers attack the peaceful and benevolent Azrael Goeren? I can’t wait for Master of the Mat for the two of them to get demolished! 

Other Guy:   What type of guy rips another guy’s hair out? Goes against the bro code. 

Bryan Harris:   Especially a man with such tremendous hair as our Megastar. 

Other Guy:   His hair should be on the National Register of Historic Locations. 

Bryan Harris:   At least one of you is making sense out here. 

Eryk Masters:   How did that make any sense? 

Bryan Harris: You just don’t get wrestling, do you Eryk? 

Eryk Masters:  I hate my job sometimes. I really do. 

The security team has successfully pushed Stan and Yuri backstage as Azrael is almost being carried out of the arena by a handful of black-shirted guards, screaming incoherently all the way. Fisher remains alone in the ring, clutching a handful of Goeren’s hair and waving goodbye to the demented German as he’s carried out.

Samantha Coil: Ladies and Gentlemen, this next match is a semi-final match in the Sin City Championship Series!

The crowd pops at that, followed by an even bigger pop as "Whatever Gets You Through Today" starts up, signifying the entrance of the first combatant. Laura Seton comes through the entrance, smiling at the more than warm reception she is getting from the crowd.

Samantha Coil: Hailing from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, weighing in at 175 pounds, she is Laura SETON!

Eryk Masters: Milk and Cookies, ladies and gentlemen. This is her last chance to make it to Master of the Mat to challenge for the Sin City Championship.

Other Guy: And things haven’t been made easy for either person, that’s for sure. We’ll see how they step up their game tonight with the Pay Per View coming very soon.

Seton slides into the ring, loosening up for the match.

Other Guy: You know, she does a pretty good job at hiding it, but right now, you can tell Laura is nearly exhausted.

Eryk Masters: Maintaining a busy schedule of wrestling and basketball can’t be easy, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Laura.

The music shuts off, with the crowd still buzzing for Laura. "I Wupped Batman’s Ass" starts up, and the crowd gets going again with full vigor.

Samantha Coil: Coming in from South Bend, Indiana, weighing in at 238 pounds, Lunatikk CRIPPLER!

Eryk Masters: Whether you like him or you don’t, nobody’s been hotter in the Sin City Championship Series than Lunatikk Crippler!

The Crippler is shown on camera, walking down through the Charleston crowd, people slapping his back and shoulders as he goes along, eyes focused on the woman in the ring.

Other Guy: First Jaime Alejandro, then Danny Corsair. Crippler is ready for this, and he’s not going to hold back against Milk and Cookies here tonight.

Crippler hops the guardrail and rolls into the ring. He stares across at Seton as his music shuts off. The bell rings, and this one is underway.

Eryk Masters: Collar and elbow tie up. Crippler wastes no time backing Seton into the corner.

Other Guy: This is something Laura may need to worry about. We don’t see Crippler utilize a power game very often, but he definately has her on size, and that could be a factor here.

Crippler has Seton pressed against the corner, with Austin Linam trying to get him to release her. Crippler reluctantly lets go of Laura, only to respond with a shove to her shoulders. Laura looks suprised, shooting Crippler a questioning look. Crippler says nothing, but stands in the center of the ring, making a belt motion across his waist. The crowd responds positive to that one.

Eryk Masters: Crippler letting the world, and Laura Seton know that he wants the gold.

Laura responds by getting right in Crippler’s face, and unloading with right hands, rocking The Crippler, moving him into the other corner. The crowd is firmly behind both competitors, but they are cheering on Laura right now as she is relentless, backing Crippler down to his knees in the corner.

Eryk Masters: Laura is relentless, and Crippler is being rocked right now!

Other Guy: Maybe it was something he said!

The ref has to step in and pull Seton off of Crippler, who is covered up in the corner, and Seton doesn’t like this at all. She has a few choice words for Linam as Crippler gets to his feet. He staggers a bit out of the corner, which allows Seton to run up and hit the Full Court Press! Both are down, and Laura is on top, raining down rights and lefts to Crippler’s head. Laura gets to her feet and takes advantage of a dazed Lunatikk with a running leg drop! Here’s a cover!

ONE!

TWO!

Crippler gets his shoulder up at two! Laura lifts Crippler up by the head in a front face lock and snaps him back down with a veritcal suplex. She floats over, and hooks the leg.

ONE!

TWO!

Eryk Masters: Crippler kicks out again! It has been all Seton in the early going.

Laura is still quick to her feet, and sets Crippler up for a bulldog, but LC puts on the brakes, sending Laura to the ground right on her behind! Laura pops up, only to meet a very quick lariat that nearly takes her out of her shoes.

Other Guy: Jesus, he really put some stink on that one. Laura nearly did a 360!

Crippler takes control now by helping Laura to her feet with a handful of hair. She tries to fight back with a couple of quick leg kicks, but Crippler stops her momentum with a knee lift to the midsection. Laura is doubled over in pain, and Crippler bounces off the ropes and fires with a big boot to the side of the head.

Eryk Masters: Crippler with a stiff boot to the face of Laura. This is a different kind of physicality than we’re used to seeing from Crip.

Crippler bounces off the rope again and attempts a knee drop to the face but Laura rolls out of the way. Crippler’s knee strikes the mat, and he rests there for a moment, trying to recuperate, and Laura pulls herself to her feet, and runs at Crip, who suprises her with a snap belly-belly release suplex. The momentum rolls Laura into a sitting position, but she falls back to the mat and Crip crawls on top with a pin.

ONE!

TWO!

Laura kicks out before the three can be made, but Lunatikk Crippler has taken over in this one. He smacks her in the forehead with his fist and then pulls her back to her feet he whips her into the ropes and catches her on the rebound, holding her up in the air and then rotating on the spot before bringing her down with a spinebuster.

Eryk Masters: And that’s Lunatikk Crippler showing off his power against Seton. You may not know this, but Crippler is deceptively strong.

Other Guy: Doesn’t hurt that your opponent weighs sixty pounds less than you, either.

Eryk Masters: It does not.

Crippler does not go for the cover there, but pulls a groggy Seton to her feet. He turns her around and plants a headbutt to the small of her back.

Other Guy: It seems Crippler has found a point to focus on, even though other men probably would have focused more elsewhere.

Eryk Masters: Watch it. I’m not going to be labeled as a sexist because of you.

Other Guy: I was talking about the knee. Get your mind out of the gutter!

Crippler lifts Laura up and plants her with a backbreaker across the knee that would make El Asso Wipo proud, and places his hand across her chin and her knee and stretches her out over his lower appendage. Laura’s teeth are gritted in pain, and Crippler’s got a look in his eye that is telling us that he’s serious. He continues to wrench on the submission, as Laura’s arms flail slightly, trying to grab the rope for escape.

Eryk Masters: Crippler is putting a hurting on Laura Seton now, and she’s desperately trying to reach the ropes so the hold will be broken.

Other Guy: She’s almost there….She’s got it! Austin Linam moves in to get Crippler to break the hold, but nothing doing.

Crippler is not releasing Seton, even though the hold needs to be broken. He wrenches back again, and Laura lets go of the rope, but Linam is still telling Crip to relase her. He starts his count.

ONE! Crippler is still attempting to break Laura in half.

TWO! Crippler looks at Linam in defiance.

THREE! Crippler isn’t letting go!

FOUR! Crippler finally releases the hold, as he’d be disqualified on five. Laura uses the ropes to pull herself out of the ring. Crippler gets a running start and leaps over the top rope and dives outside to Laura, the crowd gasps, but Laura sidesteps and Crippler bounces off the announce table. And audible grunt of pain comes from The Crippler, as well as some people ringside whom it hurt just watching it.

Other Guy: Jesus! He could have killed us!

Eryk Masters: I think you’re being overdramatic.

Laura gets sense enough to roll back into the ring. The ref is at the ropes, laying the count down on Crippler, whom is struggling to his feet. Seton is on hers now, and she looks to the outside, and then to the crowd.

Eryk Masters: She isn’t.

Other Guy: She is!

The crowd is a buzz as Laura bounces off the opposite ropes as Linam bends through the top and middle rope, making sure Crippler can hear the count. Crippler turns around in time to find Laura Seton use referee Austin Linam as a springboard to leap over the ropes.

Other Guy: Springboard Buzzer Beater!!

The crowd "OOH’s" in excitement, but the OOH’s turn into OHH’s as Seton is caught in the arms of Lunatikk Crippler, who uses his second wind to ram Seton’s back into the metal ringpost! Both people are down outside the ring now. The fans are excited to see such a counter, but are cheering like mad to get their favorites to stand up.

ONE!

Eryk Masters: Austin Linam, starting his count again, this time with both competitors outside.

TWO

THREE!

Other Guy: Crippler is starting to stir, Laura is still flat on the ground, clutching her back.

FOUR!

FIVE! Crippler has his elbows on the ring apron, and Laura is on her hands and knees.

SIX! Crippler using the bottom ropes to pull himself onto the ring apron, and Laura has found her way towards the ring.

SEVEN! The Crippler is nearly standing on the apron now, and Seton is right on his heels.

EIGHT! Laura’s nearly to her feet, it looks like both are going to make it back!

NINE! The crowd groans as Lunatikk Crippler kicks back blindly, catching Seton in the face, sending her sprawling backwards!

Eryk Masters: Crippler tumbles through the ropes, and he’s back in the ring!

Other Guy: Can’t say the same for Laura, that was a vicious kick by The Crippler!

TEN! Austin Linam calls for the bell, this one is over!

Samantha Coil: Here is your winner, by way of countout, and moving on to the Sin City Championship Series Finals…..Lunatikk Criiiiiiiiplerrrrrr!

Eryk Masters: You may not like how he did it, but Lunatikk Crippler is going to Master of the Mat!

Other Guy: Laura couldn’t answer the referee’s ten count, plain and simple. Sure, maybe if she were a little less fatigued and hadn’t had so much damage done to her back, she might have made it back in.

Eryk Masters: The kick to the face probably didn’t help, either. Crippler isn’t one to kick someone when they are down, but he’s said it himself, he’s going to do whatever it takes to win the Sin City Championship.

Other Guy: I wouldn’t be too happy with this outcome if I were Jean-Gerard Baptiste.

Fitchel, and a tall imposing figure walks up on Dutch Harris. 

Fitchel: Mister Harris.  My associate here would like a few minutes of your time.  Don’t worry about questions.

Dutch: Sure thing…

The tall man extends his hand as he expects the mic.   Dutch hands it over and the man gives him a toothy grin.

???:    I’m sure you are a busy man Mister Harris.  I won’t be long.    Jaime, I know you’ve figured out who hired Fitchel here to get your attention.  To those in the SHOOT Project who don’t know who I am.  I am Charles Johnson, but you can call me Tharodund!

The camera pans up to show the face of the man more clearly.  The most distinguishing mark on his face is a tattooed scar grazing his left eye. 

Tharodund:  Jaime, Yes it was me who brought Fitchel in to try and fuck with you a bit.  The only question I am sure you are wanting to ask is..  Why?    Why?, Because you have a promise to fulfill with me, but that’s for me to know, and collect and for you to remember and pay up.

Tharodund turns towards the camera with his left eye.

Tharodund:  Jaime,  I’ve given you plenty enough time to think, plenty enough hints, but I guess I’ll have to tell you, but not tonight.  How about that if you cannot figure it out by Master of The Mat.  I’ll come out and tell you.   Don’t stop on my account because if you cannot answer it.  Then I’ll make you remember it in the most painful way possible.  Oh, and Good luck with your match tonight.   You might need every bit of luck you can afford.

Tharodund turns back to Dutch and pats the man on the cheek.

Tharodund:  Oh and as for everyone in SHOOT.   Be prepared as your world will soon be thrown in to utter discord.

Tharodund slams the mic into Dutch’s chest as he turns away smirking.

Samantha Coil:  The following match is the second semi-final match in the Sin City Championship Series! 

We see red and white lights flashing all over the arena scanning the crowd.  All of a sudden, you see over the SHOOT wall, MAYA.  The crowd goes nuts as they start seeing the lights move all over 

Can you feel the new world?

We must make it

We’re going to the end 

“Horizon” by D’espairsRay comes out over the loudspeakers in The North Charleston Coliseum.  Maya walks out and the lights converge over him.  He’s wearing newer gear, as his shorts resemble the plastic pants of a luchador.  His name is stitched on the right leg in English.  The right leg is stitched with his name in Japanese. 

Samantha Coil:  The first competitor, he comes in at five foot  seven and one-hundred and twenty pounds.  From Nagasaki, Japan.  He is MAYA NAKASHIMA! 

Eryk Masters:  A brand new look for Maya Nakashima.  We also see that the bandana is also missing. 

Other Guy:  I see that.  And just look at the swagger, E.  I might keep calling him a woman and all, but little man got that swagga. 

The lights explode out into the crowd, as Maya points out to his fans in the crowd.  The white wraps go under those black boots.  His white and red designed pants actually look fashionable on the smaller guy.  He jumps up and starts to walk out to the aisle.   He moves down and slaps the hands of his fans as the camera moves with him. 

Eryk Masters:  I can see what you mean, OG.  A very confident Maya, as he’s greeting his fans. 

We see a girl with a sign that says, We Love Maya.  Maya points to that sign and waves to her.  He moves to the ring steps and moves into the ring through the ropes.  As he does, the fans start popping. 

Ever feel like dying

Ever feel alone… 

The SHOOT wall flashes a blue background with the name in white, ALEJANDRO.  The blue and white lights are flashing all over the arena as “Scream with Me”  by Mudvayne comes out over the speakers. 

Eryk Masters:  And now, the biggest challenge for Maya Nakashima.  This man is one of the giants of our industry. 

Other Guy:  But he’s also a different giant, E.  To the point that I think his time with a certain lady has mellowed him a lot. 

We see Jaime Alejandro in blue plastic like trunks with the name of ALEJANDRO on the front.  The camera does a three-sixty and we see his new cross logo on the back.  The crowd starts chanting his name slowly. 

Samantha Coil:  And his opponent.  Coming in at six foot four, two hundred and eighty-five pounds.  From Mexico City, Mexico, he is JAIME ALEJANDRO! 

Jaime goes down to one knee slowly and points all around to the people.  He scrapes the ground  and looks up at Maya.  From here, he jumps up and yells to the crowd, ”TIME TO BEAT THE FROSTED FLAKES OUTTA SOMEONE!  He punches the air and a huge blue flash bang pops up! 

Eryk Masters:  I think we know who that came from, OG. 

Other Guy:  The big man looks tired, but he’s raring to go, E! 

Jaime slaps the hands on the way to the ring.  As he gets to the apron, he jumps up and looks out to the crowd.  The crowd starts popping for him.  He moves into the ring and jumps up on the second rope and stretches his arms out as the flash bulbs go off. 

Other Guy:  This is going to be one for the ages.  10 to 11 years apart from each other in age.  Jaime is twice Maya’s size.  This is David vs. Goliath. 

Austin Linam brings them to the middle of the ring.  He looks at both competitors.  Maya is looking up at his larger opponent.  Jaime is looking down to Maya.  Both men look at each other and nod their heads.  Linam then calls for the bell.  Both men bow to each other and then shake both hands.  After the shake, they part and circle the ring. 

Eryk Masters:  Jaime and Maya showing each other some respect, OG. 

Other Guy:  This is going to be a contrast to last week.  Jaime’s got his temper in check.  Maya’s got his resolve to take it to Jaime.  This will be a match for the ages, peeps. 

Maya takes off the to the ropes and springs himself off the ropes quickly.  Jaime goes for a clothesline, but Maya does the knee slide and slings himself back up into the ropes and comes off the ropes hard.  JA turns around and gets nailed with a flying clothesline.  Jaime backs up from the blow into the ropes.  Maya then springboards himself into a flying heel kick to Jaime’s jaw! 

Other Guy:  Holy hell!  Look at that kick, E! 

Eryk Masters:  Jaime’s going to have to find another gear to keep up with Maya.  Because Maya’s not going to stay still. 

The big man comes off the ropes and swings out with a quick round kick.  Maya ducks under and fires out with a spin kick of his own.  Both men come out with a series of side kicks that are blocked in succession.  As they keep kicking and hitting each other’s legs, JA vaults himself to the ground with a one-handed handstand kick, and Maya follows up with the same.  Both men back up slowly at their stalemate.  Jaime swings out with a roundhouse kick, but Maya slides under quickly! 

Eryk Masters:  Both men well versed in martial arts.  Jaime pulling out kung fu and Maya pulling out the native art of his country, Karate. 

Other Guy:  The fact that both men are pulling out a kicking show like this should get the crowd going.  But when it comes to the speed game, Maya’s got it.  Power game, that’s Jaime.  But skills, both are matched up. 

Maya pops out of his quick slide and goes to the ropes.  Jaime’s in the middle of the ring, but before he can turn around, Maya pops him in the back of the knee with a running soccer kick!  JA goes to a knee, as the little guy comes back around with another soccer kick to the face.  He redirects himself to the corner and flips himself back with flies back to Jaime with a chop!  He rolls under and vaults back to the corner again and nails Jaime with a Pele kick to the skull. 

Other Guy:  He’s not done! 

Maya keeps moving to the north ropes and places a boot to Jaime’s jaw.  As he vaults back from the south rope, he gets in another boot.  Then he races and vaults himself to the corner and comes back with a flying chop.  As he rolls again, he vaults up one more time to the corner and comes down with a flying knee to the side of Jaime’s head!  The big man crashes to the mat hard! 

Eryk Masters:  OH MY GOD!  Did anyone catch that on camera?!! 

Other Guy:  Maya turned into a literal blur as he just decimated Jaime with a series of flash shots.  It almost looked like we were witnessing a video game beatdown. 

Eryk Masters:  If Maya wants to keep Jaime down, he’s found the most effective way! 

Jaime is laying face first onto the mat.  He can’t move as his body was surgically taken out of the equation by the quicker Maya.  He breathes in just a little bit, to keep his focus going.  Maya runs back to the ropes and starts to come down with a leg drop on the back of JA’s neck, but in time Jaime rolls out of the way.  Maya hits the ground hard!  But Jaime can’t get up to capitalize on this opportunity. 

Eryk Masters:  Jaime felt that one coming, but he’s still hurting right now.  If he was sharper, he would’ve taken Maya up and over, but he’s not able to catch a breath at all. 

Other Guy:  If you’re Maya, you don’t allow him to.  Jaime uses those power moves in succession, ever. 

Jaime pushes himself up slowly, as Maya is on the ground tending to his legs.  Jaime then lifts up and stands on his feet.  He picks up the smaller Maya and puts him onto his feet.  He lays one huge chop across Maya’s chest.   The little guy falls backwards and holds his chest.  Jaime picks him up and hooks him up for a Urunage, but instead of coming down on the 180 twist… Jaime pulls back with a backflip and lands on the ground with Maya on the bottom. 

Eryk Masters:  The move known as C4, made famous by British wrestler, Paul Birchill. 

Other Guy:  This proves that Jaime’s got the athletic skills to pull off moves.  But he’s gotta keep Maya grounded to get a fair shake in this match. 

Jaime keeps Maya’s arm locked, as he puts him on his side and yanks upward slowly.  He’s keeping the smaller opponent pressed to the ground while he pulls upward on the arm.  Maya is moving around trying to get Jaime off balance.  The larger man is cranking the arm back and keeping the pressure on, as we hear Maya’s screaming. 

Eryk Masters:  Maya’s got a good run going right now, but Jaime’s keeping him grounded with a simple arm bar. 

Other Guy:  He’s got to slow the kid down, E. If he doesn’t, then Maya’s going to wear him out tremendously. 

Eryk Masters:  Not to mention, he’s already proven he can take Jaime out with the greatest of ease when he needs to. 

Jaime keeps cranking on that arm until Maya gets enough wiggle room to loosen the pressure.  The fans start responding by dueling cheers.  We keep hearing… 

LET’S GO, MAYA! 

A-LE-JAN-DRO! 

It seems to be split down the middle in the crowd.  The new school fans cheering for Maya.  The old school fans cheering for Jaime.  The fans in the middle are just in amazement of the men in the ring right now. 

Eryk Masters:  This crowd is really split, OG.  They love the men in the ring, but it seems that some love one over the other. 

Other Guy:  This is what you get with white hat vs. gray hat.  The white hat is pure in his intentions.  The gray hat will break a few rules and get a little dirty.  The fans love both because even the gray hat is on the side of justice. 

Eryk Masters:  But both men are fighting tooth and nail to make their tempo stick to this match, OG. 

Maya pushes off and rolls himself out of the armbar and nails Jaime with a huge round kick to the jaw.  Jaime falls backwards to the mat.  Maya shakes his arm for a second and looks to the ropes.  He runs backwards and runs forward as fast as he can.  When he comes back from the ropes, he nails Jaime with a flash drop kick across the throat.  Jaime jumps up and starts holding his throat. 

Other Guy:   Alejandro took a nice one to the throat.  As they say, Maya made sure he felt every bit of it. 

Eryk Masters:  And feel it he did.  Jaime’s trying to do anything to catch whatever is left of his ability to breathe. 

Other Guy:  Now, all Maya’s gotta do is keep him on the ground! 

Eryk Masters:  Easier said than done… 

Maya comes back around with a kick attempt, but Jaime catches the leg and whips him with a Dragon Leg whip.  The smaller man hits the ground hard.  Then JA stands up and comes down with a hard elbow drop that barely misses a rolling Maya.  Maya comes up with one of his own that misses as Jaime rolls to the side.  Both men spring up to their feet and look at each other. 

Eryk Masters:  Would you look at that, OG! 

Other Guy:  Both men looking at each other.  Waiting to see who’s going to pull off the first move now. 

Eryk Masters:  Now this is what we came to see tonight! 

Jaime stands up as Maya runs to the ropes.  Jaime turns around quickly to see Maya and tries to clothesline him.  The smaller man ducks and keeps running.  He hits the ropes again and comes back with more speed!  Jaime goes for a spin kick, but Maya ducks under and keeps running and shoots off the ropes again faster!  Maya goes straight for Jaime, but Jaime lifts him up for a back body drop attempt.  Maya goes flying in the air… 

Other Guy:  Faster than Japan Airlines, there goes Maya.  If he lands on his back, he’s done, E! 

Eryk Masters:  He’s relying on his speed, but Jaime caught him at the right moment. 

Other Guy:  Maya, you did good, kid…. 

The little man goes into the air and lands on Jaime’s shoulders!  He then throws his momentum into his front dive.  As he ducks in for the sunset flip, Jaime is still off balance to catch the momentum of Maya carrying him over into a vicious sunset flip piledriver! 

Eryk Masters:  FOR JAPAN!  How the hell did he do that?!! 

Other Guy:  Jaime’s about two and a quarter times the size of Maya, but he just  carries him over and plants him on his head! 

Maya attempts the pin on Jaime, in his precarious situation.  He hangs on for dear life. 

ONE! 

TWO! 

Kickout! 

Jaime stands up slowly.  Maya kips up quickly and runs back to the ropes quickly.  He leaps up, but Jaime is quick to catch him and throw him over.  As he does, Maya maintains perfect control and catches himself on Jaime’s shoulders.  As he does, he closes the hands and brings down all of his momentum into his knees.  He pulls Jaime down hard into… 

ODE TO SHINYA! 

Eryk Masters:  There’s no way Jaime can take that shot, not after last week. 

Other Guy:  Here comes the pin! 

ONE! 

TWO! 

THREE!!! 

Linam calls for the bell and he raises Maya’s arm as the crowd goes nuts. 

Samantha Coil:   Your winner!  MAYA NAKASHIMA! 

Jaime looks up at the lights, holding his head.  Maya is over to the sie of him, wondering what the hell just happened, as Alejandro is trying to regain his wits. 

Eryk Masters:  I can’t believe it, OG.  Jaime took a massive bump to the head, and he’s still kicked out of the pin. 

Other Guy:  It’s like we said before, E. He’s too stubborn to keep down.  But Maya was damn close! 

Jaime and Maya try to stand themselves up.  They look at each other and smile. 

Eryk Masters:  We just saw something amazing tonight as Maya Nakashima just took it to a bigger and stronger Jaime Alejandro. 

Other Guy:  I think these two will go at it again sometime, E. 

Jaime and Maya shake hands in the middle of the ring and embrace each other.  Maya nods as Jaime releases the hug.  Jaime pats Maya’s shoulder, but suddenly… 

Eryk Masters:  Oh no… 

Jaime collapses in the middle of the ring.  Maya looks at him and yells. 

Maya:  JAIME!  JAIME, WAKE UP!!! 

Other Guy:  This is bad, E… Jaime’s got nothing left. 

Maya goes to the ground and tries to lift up Jaime to one knee.  He manages to get Jaime upright, but the crowd can see that Jaime’s out of it. 

Eryk Masters:  We need help out here.  Alejandro doesn’t have enough power to stand up right now. 

Jaime leans over to Maya and whispers in his ear.  Maya still looks worried, as they both stand up.  The crowd looks worried as Jaime tries to walk, but he’s met by the medical staff on the way out, who help him up by bearing his weight on their shoulders. 

Other Guy:  He’s a brave soldier and warrior, but now, we’re worried. 

Jaime nods to Maya and gives him the thumbs up. 

Jaime:  You did good, kiyoudai. 

Maya smiles and nods to Jaime, as he looks to the crowd, who gives him his applause.

Eryk: Ladies and Gentlemen we are here in Charlotte, South Carolina and SHOOT is putting on a hell of a show!

OG: So how many Carolinas are there?

Eryk: Two. North and South. Apparently East and West Carolina were renamed Virginia

OG: I dated a girl named Virginia once.

With that You Don’t Know Me At All begins to play and the fans all look to the entranceway to await the arrival of Tanya Black, different reactions depending on the viewpoints of her recent actions. For three minutes there is nothing yet the song keeps playing. Finally a spotlight hits halfway up the stands and we see Tanya there holding a microphone as she chats it up with a few fans. Realizing the gig is up Tanya simply nods as the music finally dies down.

Tanya: Welcome to the ratings pop! Welcome to the part of the show where SHOOT executives start to sweat and get nervous. I don’t carry a pipe bomb, I carry Gabriel’s Horn because I’m about to signal the end times of the SHOOT Project you all knew. The thing is it’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing. Look at all these people! Who else goes among the people? Views themselves as part of the sea of humanity that built the industry? See I got your Revelations right here. Truth: Diamond Del Carver didn’t build shit. Jason Johnson didn’t make wrestling a career option. All of these people are the fuel that keeps the fires burning.

Tanya quiets down as the arena explodes in a huge pop at her words of respect towards the fans. After a moment she begins moving down the stairs and making her way towards the ring, slow but steady the fans still cheering and reaching out to shake hands and touch the former Sin City Champion.

Eryk: Well despite her recent actions, Tanya still knows what it is all about.

OG: True and she is ready to keep talking it seems. I wonder what she will say next?

Tanya: See. There is a problem with fuel though. Fuel ignites fire, but fuel has no intelligence. It has no ability to distinguish what should burn. That is why you need people like myself to guide the fuel, to tell it to stop believing everything you see on television. Or even live in the ring. Jaime "The False Saint" Alejandro likes to pretend he’s a good guy. Trey "SHOOT’s Wayward Son" Willet tells you to forget that Wayward means he does bad, immoral things. They subvert truth and play a mental game of Three-Card Monte with the fans. It’s not cool, it’s not trendy, it’s like watching a Political Ad where the candidate is trying to tell you it was a good thing that they dumped all that toxic waste in the woods behind the elementary school. Opposite of Kosher. Let’s do some truth-telling. Let’s set the record straight on who is who here in SHOOT Project.

Tanya moves around the floor seating area and finally settles down in front of a few fans who flock around here after shooing away the arena security guards. Looking at an older man Tanya Black waits for everyone to calm down so she can talk to him.

Tanya: Sir what is your name?

Sir: I’m Bubba Bob.

Tanya: Only in the South. Bubba, how well do you keep track of SHOOT Project?

Bubba: Every Revolution, every PPV. I watch all the internet promos and stuff on the website. I’m a superfan since day one of the first version of SHOOT!

Tanya: And in all those countless hours of SHOOT programming how often has Jaime and Trey truly gone to the fans like this?

Bubba: I don’t think they ever have. They always hiding in the back or pacing the ring just like the Hierarchy and their "too good to be touched" attitude.

Tanya: See would a guy named Bubba Bob lie to you?

Tanya looks over at a college-aged woman and smiles warmly as the woman squeals and freaks out at being on camera. Finally she calms down and after Tanya gestures for the other fans to quit trying to shove their way on camera, the wrestler speaks.

Tanya: What is your name?

Woman: Sheila Rogers.

Tanya: Nice. Sheila, how many times have people come out to the ring and SWORE they were "for the people" and "loved the fans" yet go out of their way to avoid you outside of the arena?

Sheila: Like all the time. Bunch of phonies.

Tanya: Who hung out with the fans tailgating and partying before the show today?

Sheila: You did. I totally tweeted about it. With a picture. No pic, no proof as they say.

Tanya: People do say that. So who proves their talk?

Sheila: You do.

Tanya: Thank you sweetheart.

Jumping the guardrail Tanya turns back to the fans and with a smirk reaches into her pocket. Signing her shirt she takes it off and tosses it to the fans. As they scramble for it, Tanya laughs as she stands there in her grey sports bra. Looking around she walks over to a stage hand and says something to him. The stagehand looks around nervously causing Tanya to snap her fingers and look upset at him. Reluctantly the stagehand talks off his SHOOT Project Master Of The Mat shirt and hands it to Tanya who puts it on before rolling back into the ring.

Eryk: Did you see that? My god she still has marks from when Jaime chopped the hell out of her last week. No wonder Miss Black is feeling a bit shy. Though I think the stagehand is a size bigger than her.

OG: Um yeah. Was so looking at the bruises. Lots of swelling in the chest region. The thing is she spent the whole night after that match demanding Jaime stop screwing around and fight her again. She liked getting that beating.

Standing in the middle of the ring Tanya Black paces and thinks. The fans finally calm down and wait patiently for her to speak her mind and reveal what is plaguing her brain so much.

Tanya: See the thing is it’s really very simple. You do things the right way and you have skill then you become a champion. That is how wrestling is supposed to work. The best combatants rise to the top.

Eryk: See this is the part where she says something that causes trouble.

OG: The funny thing is I am starting to wonder if that isn’t exactly what she wants.

Tanya: The problem, the tiny little yet highly frustrating thing is that those best combatants don’t simply rise to the top. They enjoy the view from up high and are willing to do anything to keep that spot. Not just obviously cheating to win matches or having some cheap crackwhore use her belt buckle to save your title. They do subtle things like political favors so YOU people keep cheering for them. Some of these used-to-be bestest in the world lie and manipulate the boss to stay on top. Or they just act like the fact they main-evented Pay Per Views 40 years ago and refused to man up and face someone in another company gives them the right to demand title shots here and now. Jackass.

Knowing who Tanya Black is talking about most of the South Carolina fans begin to boo for her which just causes Tanya to laugh. Dancing around the ring, Tanya seemingly revels in the hatred and waits for the noise to die down.

Tanya: See that’s my point. I don’t care if you boo me now. It happens to everyone. I know what I say is the truth, what I want to do is for the greater good. The Lazy Legends of SHOOT need to be removed. Someone has to fight this war and if I have to do it alone, then so be it. Because those of you who don’t trust me, those who don’t cheer for me, you will all feel stupid later when I am shown to be right. It’s not about who is "Good and Evil" it’s about respect for the sport, it’s about knowing when it’s your time to step aside and admit the future belongs to the new blood.

Before Tanya can rant any further she is interrupted by Almost Famous by Eminem which sets off the loudest boos yet because that music can only mean that Cade Sydal has shown up and he is ready to rock slowly sauntering to the ring as Tanya watches still armed with her microphone.

Tanya: I’ve always wanted to do this. Ladies and gentlemen he is God’s Favorite Wrestler, the innovator, the originator, the instigator, the agitator, the chronic masturbator, the man from Ur-Anus, CADE SYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYDAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

Cade just looks over at her with a mixture of amusement and disdain as Tanya bows for herself and a few fans turn back to Tanya’s favor at the cheap jokes at Cade’s expense as he walks into the ring. Tanya simply looks at the larger wrestler who looks ready to ninjaguri a bitch.

Tanya: Did I miss one?

Cade: You forgot YOUR SHOOT Project World Champion.

Tanya: Well I didn’t vote for you.

Cade: You don’t vote for a World Champion.

Tanya: That’s not a very democratic system.

Cade: That’s because the masses never vote intelligently. Besides weren’t you just out here bitching about how the "popular vote" is a corrupted concept.

Tanya: Yeah. I knew you hung off my every word. Admit it. You wish you were Jacob Fisher so you could have a woman want you who isn’t paid by the hour.

Cade turns away at that as the fans chant "CASSI’S A WHORE" prompting a look of anger on his face but Cade calms down and screams at the fans to be quiet. This of course just continues the chant until Tanya politely gestures for silence.

Cade: Look let’s keep this real simple. You can come out here and talk about conspiracies all you want but let’s get one thing straight. I am better than you, better than Eryk, better than Jonas Coleman, and anyone else in SHOOT Project which means conspiracies can’t stop me!

Tanya: Did you just say you are better than me?

Cade: YES!

Tanya: Then I guess we got a fight because I won’t be looked down upon by anybody.

Cade: You are crazy! Besides that over-paid bodyguard of yours Flash is just going to jump me from behind or something.

Tanya: He’s busy saving Cassi’s dignity. Apparently she is playing "five dolla suckie suckie" in the parking lot. Again.

With that Tanya throws the microphone down and slides into her fighting stance. Cade just tosses his belt down and after a moment locks up with Tanya as the fans go nuts for the impromptu match.

Eryk: This has been building for weeks! Tanya Black won’t let anyone escape her crazy wrath!

OG: Even poor Cassi Ryan. Her honor has been besmirched! No wonder Cade is fighting mad.

As the two go back and forth each trying to gain the advantage something seems to shift in the mood. Letting go of the lock-up Cade laughs and reaches out his hand which Tanya takes and begins to shake both smiling as the arena goes nuclear with shock and hatred.

Eryk: What The Hell?

OG: This can’t be. Cade can’t have meant Tanya Black is his new gang?

Sure enough the two slide out of the ring as FLASH Dynamite emerges and shakes Cade and Tanya’s hands as Tanya grabs a microphone.

Tanya: Okay. So just that once I fibbed a little. See I never said I WASN’T talking to Cade Sydal when the cameras weren’t around. The truth is after Redemption he started sending some emails. Wanted to know if I agreed that SHOOT was too gang-heavy for a single wrestler to keep their head above water. I agreed but just couldn’t bring myself to make a deal with the… well the douchebag. Cronos Diamante would be The Devil and he is not part of this.

Cade: See when people corrupt the system you need a new kind of business. Tanya didn’t see it until Jaime screwed her over last week. That’s when reality sank in and it’s all settled. Jaime, Trey. Look upon this and weep. You two may win something as cute as the Sin City Championship Series or Master Of The Mat but only Cade Sydal gets to be THE MAN! So naturally The Man is partnered with The Alpha Female.

Tanya: Business just picked up. It’s not about being friends. It’s not about ego or having fun. We don’t want to run SHOOT, we simply want to improve SHOOT from the inside out. It’s About Business. Welcome to your future, SHOOT is about to negotiate with The Sinister Syndicate.

Tanya Black tosses the microphone away as the fans continue to boo, all three ignoring the noise as they retreat to the back.

Eryk: I thought I knew Tanya Black. I’m not surprised he got to FLASH Dynamite but this is different. What is going on here?

OG: I don’t know but if this gets any bigger then everyone in the company may just have to start worrying.

We cut backstage.  Trey Willett walks into the shot as we see The Real Deal standing in front of the catering table.  Josh looks over the spread, attempting to catch his breath.  His face seems a bit flushed, and Josh himself seems o be terribly out of sorts.  He seems winded.  Trey walks up beside him, and places his hand on his shoulder. 

Trey: I’m telling you.  Those doughnuts are almost enough to come out of retirement for aren’t they?  Hey wait.  What’s going on with you, Josh?  You look like death. 

Real Deal laughs in the middle of catching his breath.   

Real Deal:  Dude…  I just had to change a tire like 10 fucking minutes away from here on my Challenger, ha-ha.  I HATE running late… has Jason already had his segment?

Trey reaches into the cooler in front of him and hands Josh a bottle of water.  He chuckles a little before grabbing one of the crème filled delights in front of him 

Trey: Yeah, you always were one for punctuality.  I don’t think I’ve seen you around the locker room since I’ve been back.  It’s kind of nice.  You should come around more often.  Nah he hasn’t been out yet.

Real Deal cracks the bottle of water and takes a quick drink.   

Real Deal:  FUCK. Okay. Thanks, dude.  Yeah, it’s hard being an executive and wanting to keep up my other relationships. 

He takes a deep breath.   

Real Deal:  I’m glad I got to have a bit of an office reprieve to come down and show up for Charleston, though.  So what’s going on?  You’ve got some big time shit happening, man.   

Trey sits the doughnut down and leans against the table, arms folded. 

Trey: Yeah.  I think I’m finally starting to come into my own.  I don’t know how, but I’ve managed to make my way into the finals.  I know Donovan had a hard road too, but Jesus.  I thought I was going to die at least four times getting this far. 

Real Deal laughs, and looks at Trey.   

Real Deal:  I kinda miss that, sometimes.  It’s thrilling to do what you did, man.  You had basically a murderer’s row of talent.  None of the guys you fought were jokes.  I’m not sure even in my prime, that I could have held up that way.   

Real Deal shrugs.   

Real Deal:  Though I would have loved to try.  Would have LOVED to try.  I’ve got some experience with Donnie, in and out of the ring, though.  He’s…  as much as I don’t want to level talent amongst each other, he’s going to be a much different animal than you’ve faced yet, and probably the toughest one.   

He takes another gulp of water, and finally seems to have caught his breath.   

Real Deal:  That kid doesn’t know how to spell the word quit, man, and he’ll keep on coming. 

Trey: Yeah.  Honestly, I’ve been looking forward to this since I got back to my locker room from the Isaac match.  I know he’s no joke, but I really think I’m finally ready to move on into the upper ceiling of this company.  I finally feel like I deserve it.   

Josh smirks and nods his head. 

Trey: Besides, in my generation, Donovan King is the OutKast or Real Deal of the company.  When you say SHOOT Project, Donovan is one of the first names that come to mind to the fans of my day. 

He gives Josh a sort of goofy smile who, for his part, simply raises an eyebrow at Trey. 

Trey: Not saying you guys are old or anything.  Well.  I’m kinda saying that.  I just can’t think of a better person to face off against to really solidify my name in the stars of this company.  The only other person I can think of that would be better would be…Well…You. 

He throws a “buddy punch”  into Josh’s arm. 

Real Deal: Yeah well, I suppose you are going to have to make do with Donovan.  I’m just glad to see you finally doing it.  But, I better go get ready.  Have to be out there before too much longer.  Take care of yourself, Trey. 

The two exchange nods and turn to walk off in separate directions.  Just before the camera pans out, Trey turns back to face Josh. 

Trey: Hey.  You guys gonna be at Master of the Mat? 

The Real Deal, walking a little slower, turns his head over his shoulder. 

Real Deal: Are you kidding?  We wouldn’t miss it. 

The camera fades out as the two men walk in different directions.

The shot returns to the ring. Samantha is in the middle of the ring and takes the microphone in her hand as she stands in the spotlight. 

Samantha Coil: Ladies and Gentlemen this next bout is scheduled for one fall with a 30 minute time limit, and is for the SHOOT PROJECT RULE OF SURRENDER CHAMPIONSHIP! 

“The Hounds” by The Protomen starts to play, and Azraith DeMitri emerges into the light and makes his way down the ramp. The reaction for the former SHOOT and OPW Heavyweight Champion is fairly muted, there are some scattered boos but the majority of the fans seem to be indifferent to him.  DeMitri climbs the steps and takes his position in the ring. 

Samantha Coil: Now standing in the ring is the challenger, from the mean streets of Omaha, Nebraska he weighs 250 pounds this is “The Broken Sandman” AZRAITH DEMITRI! 

“Devil’s Dime” by Black Label Society starts to play, and Cronos Diamante appears at the top of the ramp.  The ROS Champion has the belt around his waist, and he marches down the aisle directly to the ring, with an absolutely murderous expression on his face. 

Samantha Coil: His opponent is the reigning and defending RULE OF SURRENDER CHAMPION!  Hailing from… 

Samantha is cut off, as Cronos removes his title belt, tosses it to a ringside staff, slides under the rope and charges right at Azraith DeMitri.  Samantha drops the microphone and flees for her life.  Willie Dean slides into the ring and shouts at Mark Kendrick to ring the bell. 

Cronos tackles Azraith to the mat, and assumes an MMA style mount.  With DeMitri helpless, Cronos starts to unload mercilessly on Azraith DeMitri, smashing him repeatedly in the face with his closed fists, his hands flying so fast they are almost a complete blur.  DeMitri’s head is bouncing from the impact, and blood is flying already from his nose and a laceration that Cronos has opened over his eye. 

Willie Dean stands behind Cronos and starts yelling at him to stop using the closed fist, but Cronos ignores him and continues to pummel the helpless Azraith DeMitri into the middle of next week.  Finally, Willie Dean grabs Cronos by the arms and hauls the ROS Champion off Azraith DeMitri, who lies in a bloody heap on the mat. 

Eryk Masters: Cronos Diamante and Azraith DeMitri have a history, and we’re seeing some of the pent up aggression and anger as a result of that history right now. 

The Other Guy: Or you could just say that Cronos is beating the living shit out of Azraith DeMitri! 

Cronos shoves Willie Dean and warns him not to interfere, but Dean points at the SHOOT Helmet logo on his shirt and points in the face of the ROS Champion, warning him of a disqualification.  Cronos shrugs. 

Azraith DeMitri shows no signs of getting up, so Cronos reaches down, grabs DeMitri around the wrist and hauls him to his feet.  As soon as Azraith DeMitri is vertical again, Cronos flattens him again with a vicious short-arm clothesline.  As DeMitri falls, Cronos goes to one knee, and the former champion lands violently across the outstretched knee of Cronos Diamante, right across the back of his head! 

Cronos grabs the stunned Azraith DeMitri by the hair, and tosses him over the top rope to the outside of the ring.  DeMitri lands in a bloody heap.  Cronos slides under the bottom rope and grabs DeMitri by the hair again.  The Rule of Surrender Champion rears back and bashes Azraith DeMitri into the ring post, head first.  Now DeMitri is bleeding from the nose, eyebrow, and forehead.  He starts to fall, but Cronos lands a perfect swinging kick which smacks Azraith right in the torso and sends him crashing back into the crowd barrier. 

Eryk Masters: Things are going from bad to worse for Azraith DeMitri here. 

The Other Guy: Cronos is one of those guys who has given his life, and everything he has to his career.  I think he sees DeMitri as a guy who might have had potential, but he just doesn’t take this business seriously enough. Azraith DeMitri likes to half-ass things, his entire career is a testament to that – and you do NOT half-ass anything around Cronos Diamante.  If you don’t give your all when you deal with him, you end up in a bad position, just like DeMitri is right now. 

Willie Dean leans over the top rope and bellows at Cronos to get back in the ring.  Cronos shrugs indifferently, and rolls Azraith DeMitri’s lifeless carcass under the bottom rope.  Cronos follows him in, and looks down in disgust at DeMitri. 

DeMitri is laying face down on the mat, so Cronos Diamante stands over him for a minute, and then sits on DeMitri’s back, leans forward, applies a camel clutch, and then leans back as hard as he can.  Azraith DeMitri screams in agony.  Willie Dean drops to one knee, listens to Azraith DeMitri, and then calls for the bell! 

Mark Kendrick rings the bell, and Samantha takes the microphone in hand… 

Samantha:  LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HERE IS YOUR WINNER AND STILL SHOOT PROJECT RULE OF SURRENDER CHAMPION – CRONOS DIAMANTE!!! 

Eryk Masters: That started and ended pretty damn quickly! 

The Other Guy: That was one of the most one-sided ass kickings I’ve seen in a long time, Masters.  I’m telling you, Cronos has been on an almost unstoppable roll in SHOOT.  He beat Brooks, when nobody else could, after Brooks had plowed through tons of guys.  Now he treats a former World Champion like a tackling dummy! 

Devil’s Dime starts to play again, but rather than standing up and allowing Willie Dean to raise his arm, Cronos stays seated on top of Azraith DeMitri, and keeps him locked up in the Full-Nelson-Camel-Clutch known to all as his infamous “Ne-Han.” 

Azraith DeMitri is a bloody mess and is screaming in agony and twitching as if he has just been electrocuted.  Cronos Diamante has a demented look on his face, and he leans back as hard as he can and will not let go!  The music fades and Mark Kendrick rings the bell repeatedly. 

Willie Dean is shouting at Cronos, begging him to let Azraith DeMitri go, but Cronos looks possessed and will not release the hold.  Azraith DeMitri’s eyes roll back in his head and he starts to shake as if he is having some sort of seizure. 

Eryk Masters: Cronos Diamante is almost possessed, he won’t let him go! 

The Other Guy: Cronos has gone from giving DeMitri and ass kicking to attempted murder – and it might end up being full-fledged murder if somebody doesn’t stop this soon. 

Suddenly, a crowd of men in SECURITY t-shirts stampede down the aisle and rush into the ring.  Willie Dean orders them to pull Cronos off Azraith DeMitri, but Cronos will still not let go.  Finally, no less than four men are successful in pulling Cronos off the back of Azraith DeMitri.  Cronos shoves the men away and looks down in disgust. 

Cronos inhales deeply, and then spits on Azraith DeMitri.  He slides out of the ring, grabs his Championship Title Belt from the staff at ringside, and then casually strolls up the aisle to the back, oblivious to the carnage he has left in his wake. 

The security men and referees surround the motionless body of Azraith DeMitri, laying twitching in a pool of his own blood.  Willie Dean signals to the back, calling for assistance getting Azraith DeMitri to the back. 

Eryk Masters: Lucky for Azraith DeMitri, security was able to save him from Cronos Diamante. 

The Other Guy: I don’t think there was anything “lucky” about what Cronos did to DeMitri tonight.  I think they’d better fit DeMitri for a toe-tag, and ship his body back to Nebraska! 

“Fight Club” explodes over the North Charleston Coliseum’s PA system, as the hometown crowd comes alive in recognition for one of their favorite local sons, JASON JOHNSON. 

Eryk Masters:  You know, every time the boss shows up on a show…  I get some chills. 

Other Guy:  Kiss ass.  …I get some chills too.

Eryk Masters:  HA.

Jason gives them a big grin as he makes his walk down to the ring.  He’s dressed to the nines, and has business to discuss, so he skips a lot of the normal stuff, and instead immediately takes a microphone from Samantha Coil.  He takes a moment, though, to take in the noise from his hometown crowd!

Jason Johnson:  Well, I gotta say…  this place, may not be the biggest arena…  may not be the most historical or best arena we’ve ever been in, but goddamn do I love coming back home

The crowd pops, and erupts with a “JASON” chant!

Jason Johnson:  I just…  normally I want to get in here, say what I gotta say, and then get back to the back and let the show continue, but…  lemme just take this in for a second.  I haven’t been back in Charleston in a good long while! 

Acknowledging the request, the Charleston, SC crowd showers Jason with more appreciation, and he retains his grin.

Jason Johnson:  Now then, before I get into the thick of it, I want you all to know that even though he ran way late, my brother WILL be out here later tonight, officiating this crazy ass main event we’ve got coming up.  Word from his wife is that…  well, a tire blew out on his Challenger on the way here.  Can I get some loud noise for tires blowing out? 

The crowd cheers with some laughs interspersed! 

Jason Johnson:  Now then, lemme go ahead and get to it.  Master of the Mat, ladies and gents.  Who’s ready? 

More pops! 

Jason Johnson:  Donovan King and Trey Willett…  two very different, but very interesting guys, will square off and determine a number one contender for the championship that is held by the one and only Cade Sydal!  I know I’M excited.

The crowd’s mixed for Cade, but gives its love to Trey Willett and Donovan King.

Jason Johnson:  Also, we’re gonna talk about the Rule of Surrender Championship.  There’s been a lot of guys working hard lately, and with Alex Brooks taking an unexpected leave of absence…  that’s what I’ll call that…  I figured, what better way to draw a defense out than to put it on the line against several…  people…  in a match that should personify the culture of the SHOOT Project, lately.  Since, you know…  all we’ve seemed to be able to do is have nothing but VIOLENCE and CHAOS. 

Jason pauses, walking around the ring. 

Jason Johnson:  So, Cronos Diamante will defend his Rule of Surrender Championship against not one, two, or three people…  but SIX.  His opposition? 

Tanya Black!

Mason Pierce!

Dan Stein!

Laura Seton!

Jack Reed!

And finally…  Thomas Manchester Black! 

The rules are simple.  Two people will begin in the ring, selected at random.  The bell will sound, and the match will begin.  Every 5 minutes, a new competitor will be introduced.  Until the very last fall, any method of victory is in play, but when we’re down to the last two…  it’s submission only, OR…  RULE OF SURRENDER. We’ll call it the LUCKY 7 CHALLENGE. 

Jason smiles, pausing for a moment.

Jason Johnson:  So, I bid the seven of you good luck…  it’s going to be tough, it’s going to be grueling, but being able to call yourself the Rule of Surrender Champion?  That’s money, motherfuckers!  Hit my music!

“Fight Club” hits the PA once more, as the crowd lets Jason have it once more with loud noise, and a HUGE pop! 

Eryk Masters:  What a huge announcement!  I was getting a little worried that my favorite SHOOT Project championship would be left in the dust! 

Other Guy:  My question is…  how the FUCK is Cronos going to hang onto that belt?!

ALL OF THE LIGHTS!

The fans pop BIG as the lights go out in the arena.  The trumpet sounds as the fans begin to cheer more and more as Rihanna begins to sing.   

Turn up the lights in here, baby

Extra bright I want y’all to see this

Turn up the lights in here, baby   

A low white light shines from the entrance, the silhouette of a man standing among the fog appears.   

You know what I need

Want you to see everything

Want you to see ALL OF THE LIGHTS. 

The arena is awash is BRIGHT white as “All of the Lights” kicks in fully, the fans popping as DONOVAN KING steps out, wearing a green and black referee’s shirt.  He points out to the fans who cheer back at him.  He nods his head and smiles at a few of the fans who are cheering for him. 

Other Guy:  Main event time, baby! 

King is in the ring as his theme song dies down…just in time for “Chuuch!” by Bun B to kick in, the fans instantly LOSING THEIR MINDS.  REAL DEAL comes out and shakes his head at the response, marching down to the ring, obviously making it to the arena on time.  He gets to the ring and smirks at King, who is pointing to his wrist. 

 

As soon as the final percentage hits, the familiar red .eXecute forms in the middle of the SHOOTron.  From within the “X” in eXecute, “X-CALIBUR” falls vertically in cobalt blue. 

Unleashing their hatred upon hearing the familiar pulsating drums of the remixed Deftones classic “Change“, their repugnance reaches a boisterous crescendo as X walks out onto the stage area in his wrestling gear, Mirage behind him fully masked.  Dropping to one knee for his usual entrance area pose, he holds his arms out in a welcoming embrace.  A cascade of flame-like orange embers fall from above the SHOOT Helmet logo propped up above the entrance area directly behind him. 

“I’ve watched you change…” 

…Into a fly.” 

He stands up and begins walking down the ramp. 

“I looked away…”

…You were on fire.” 

He sneers out at the audience with equal to greater revulsion than they have for him.  

“I watched a change…”

…In you.” 

Stopping near the ringside area, he looks up into the ring at The Real Deal and Donovan King, eying them both up quite cautiously. 

“It’s like you never…

…Had wings.” 

Bryan Harris: Well hello. 

Eryk Masters: AHHHHHH!!  Jesus… where did you come from? 

Other Guy: Ladies and gentlemen, the master of stealth, Bryan Harris.

Turning the corner around the post, simply looks down on the outside mat, shaking his head,  Occasionally glancing sideways up into the ring at the special guest referees, X finally rolls into the ring.  

“Now you feel…

…So Alive. 

He looks dead ahead at both King and Real Deal.  The fans becomes UNGLUED as he makes it seem like he’s going to get in their faces.  But as soon as they both approach him, X slithers out of the ring and back to the outside. 

“I look at the cross…”

“…Then I look away” 

Smirking at a couple of his front row detractors, X clearly shouts, “BLOW ME.“, before turning the corner again.

“Give you the gun…”

…Blow me away.”

Smiling, he re-enters the ring, keeping his distance from Real Deal and King. 

I can almost taste it… 

The lights drop and the fans begin to boo loudly. 

It makes no sense to me…

What does it all mean?! 

A spotlight slowly comes to a stop on the top of the ramp. 

Eryk Masters:   Good to know our World Champion doesn’t lose his dramatic side. 

I can almost taste it… 

I can almost see it! 

It makes no sense to me…

What does it all mean?! 

I can almost taste it… 

Bryan Harris:  God, this guy is BORING. 

I just wanna be famous! 

You dream of trading places

I have been changing faces

You can not fill these shoes

There is too much to lose

I wake up behind these trenches

You run around defenseless

There is too much to lose

You can not fill these shoes

I just wanna be famous but…

Be careful what you wish for… 

Bryan Harris:  I’m glad his theme song recognizes how not famous he really is.  Seriously, I had to double check my EWR game to see who SHOOT’s World Champion was. 

As “Almost Famous” by Eminem (featuring Lisa Rodriguez) continues Cade Sydal steps through the curtain, with Cassi Ryan hand-in-hand. The couple walk to the top of the ramp and stand there for a moment, a microphone in Cassi’s hand while the SHOOT Project World Heavyweight Title rests comfortably over Cade’s other shoulder, his hand holding it in place as he grins. 

Cassi Ryan: Ladies and gentlemen…white people and the black people their grandparents probably discriminated against! 

The fans boo louder. 

Cassi Ryan:  While this company continues to discriminate, I SHALL NOT!  It is my honor to bring you the most talented man in the industry!  The man who shines brighter than any Lights, whose throne is bigger than any King’s, and who is Realer than any Deal out there!  

Cade begins to walk to the ring as Cassi stays at the top of the ramp, continuing her tirade. 

Cassi Ryan:  Voted Sexiest Man Alive by TeenIdolizer.com!  Winner of more superlatives than the star QB in high school!  The man who put the bullet in bin Laden’s brain!  Weighing in at 178 pounds! He is the current reigning and defending SHOOT Project World Champion! 

The fans boo loudly as Cade grins and nods. 

Cassi Ryan: CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADE SYYYYYYYYYYYYDALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! 

Cade gets near the Hierarchy, but he ignores the two of them as he does this. 

 

“SHOT DOOOOOOOWN in a BLAZE OF GLORRRRYYYYY” sounds out over the PA and then immediately cuts out.  Silence falls over the arena, and then two MASSIVE pyro bursts go off, and “BLAZE OF GLORY” kicks back in! 

The crowd goes absolutely wild! 

Samantha Coil:  INTRODUCING SECOND…  STANDING IN AT A COMBINED WEIGHT OF SIX HUNDRED NINETY POUNDS…  THEY CONSIST OF THE SHOOT PROJECT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS…  AND THE MAN KNOWN AS THE BUTCHER…  CHARLES BRANDON MAGNUS, BUCKLEY DRESDEN, and JONAS COLEMAN…  THE BAD ASS BROTHERHOOD!!! 

With X, Cade, and Mirage on the outside, the BAB runs down to the ring and all slide underneath the rope at the same time, drawing a nice cheer from the crowd!   

Eryk Masters:  I gotta hand it to these guys.   

Other Guy:  Why? 

Eryk Masters:  Well, they visited the gym I was in this week, did some ringwork, and really wanted to focus on some of the stuff they hadn’t had a chance to work on in awhile.   

Other Guy:  So preparation excites you?   

Eryk Masters:  I guess it does. 

Coleman, Magnus, and Dresden all take to different corners and raise their arms up high, with Magnus and Dresden raising the World Tag Team Championships high over their heads, as flash bulbs go off!  Finally, the trio drops to the ring, and practically begs Cade and the Hierarchy to enter THEIR domain! 

Real Deal:  Ready? 

Donovan King:  Let’s do it. 

The bell rings, bringing the fans to a fever pitch in Charleston.  King and Real Deal look at one another and then to the Brotherhood and then over to The Hierarchy.  King and Mirage lock eyes with one another before Real Deal walks over and wags his finger in Mirage’s face.  Mirage tags Cade in, who rolls his eyes as he enters.  Cade stands in his corner as King walks over and starts to pat him down. 

Eryk Masters:  I…guess Donovan wants to make sure there’s no illegal weapons in Cade’s tights… 

Other Guy:  You see how small Cade is?  If he was any tinier he’d need a sock to stuff in there to simulate his vagina. 

Jonas beckons to Buck to tag him in.  Immediately he does so.  The fans get a little bit more excited as Jonas goes marching over to the bad guy corner, only to have King put his hand up to pause him as he continues to search for weapons.  The fans start to boo as Jonas looks at Real Deal, rather confused.  Cade shoves King to get his attention and King cocks his head to the side.  He tugs at his referee’s shirt and pumps his fist in Cade’s face.  Cade shakes his head and goes to hit King, but King ducks it and Jonas IMMEDIATELY levels Cade with a HARD right hand, bringing the fans to their feet! 

Bryan Harris:  I personally am already disgusted with this turn of events.  Deferring to Cade Sydal when it’s obvious he’s about as talented as somebody who posts on Facebook and calls it blogging?  Rare misstep by your heroes and mine: The Hierarchy. 

Jonas picks Cade up and whips him to the ropes.  On the way back, Jonas back body drops him and Cade lands on his feet, but Real Deal trips him up, prompting the fans to continue to pop! 

Bryan Harris:  OH COME ON!  HOW IS THIS FAIR?! 

King rolls from the ring and scoffs at Mirage, who glares down at him.  King beckons Real Deal to get out of the ring with him.  Real Deal shrugs and rolls from the ring, a smirk on his face as the two guys walk over to the guardrail where the announcers are. 

Eryk Masters:  Oh…um…hi guys. 

Other Guy:  What’s…goin’ on? 

King motions for the two of them to move. 

Bryan Harris:  Wait, where are you two going…what… 

King and Real Deal sit down next to Harris, one on both sides of him. 

Real Deal:  And welcome, sports fans, to the main event of Revolution, emanating LIVE from Charleston, SOUTH CAROLINA! 

Eryk Masters:  Do…do we need to… 

Donovan King:  Yeah, y’all can take the rest of the night off. 

Real Deal takes a microphone as Eryk and Other Guy begin to leave. 

Real Deal:  Ladies and gentlemen…here tonight in our main event, we need to see a little bit of intensity.  Now, all I’ve heard about is how angry Hierarchy’s been, how pissy Cade Sydal’s been…so we decided as a collective refereeing group to alter the rules a little bit.  You know…to make it fair. 

Cade and Jonas stop their fighting to listen to Real Deal.  Buck, meanwhile, has dropped off of the ring apron and is scouring underneath the ring for something. 

Real Deal:  We’ve decided a couple things needed to be tweaked.  Mainly?  This is going to officially be under TORNADO TAG TEAM RULES…where there are NO tags. 

Bryan Harris:  Can you guys…do that? 

Real Deal:  Yes, I can.  Also?  This match? 

Real Deal shrugs. 

Real Deal:  No disqualification. 

Without warning, Cade is DRILLED by a HARD chair shot from Buck Dresden!  Jonas immediately grabs a hold of X and sends him FLYING into the ring!  Mirage, meanwhile, drops from the ring apron and starts to look for something underneath the ring, only to get grabbed from behind by Magnus, who tries to whip him into the guardrail, but Mirage counters and sends Magnus HARD into the guardrail!  Jonas and Buck grab a hold of Cade and send him OVER the top rope ONTO Mirage and now X is alone with Jonas and Buck in the ring! 

Bryan Harris:  Real Deal, come on now!  This isn’t healthy for the main event of the pay-per-view! 

Real Deal:  I’m good with that.  Donovan? 

Donovan King:  I don’t see my opponent for Master of the Mat anywhere around this match, so I care not shit one about who gets hurt here. 

Jonas attacks X, but X manages to bundle him quickly from the ring.  He immediately locks up with Buck and scoop slams him to the mat.  He immediately sprawls over Buck and locks him in a hammerlock, catching Jonas and Cade’s eyes. 

X-Calibur:  I GOT THIS AND SOOOOOO MUCH MORE FOR YOU TWO BITCHES! 

X lets Buck go as Jonas and Cade continue to jaw jack at X until X is schoolboy rolled right up! 

Donovan King:  Oh shit! 

Real Deal:  On it. 

Real Deal leaps from his seat and slides QUICKLY into the ring to count the pin! 

ONE!

TWO! 

KICK OUT! 

X shakes his head, obviously stunned that he was almost pinned.  He starts to argue with Real Deal about the speed with which he counted that pin.  Mirage rolls into the ring as Cade quickly low blows Jonas and rolls into the ring himself!  The three of them surround Buck, who is getting to his feet when X gets clubbed from behind by Magnus!  The fans cheer as Real Deal starts sliding chairs into the ring from under the ring. 

Donovan King:  You know…I get the impression this match is extremely random. 

Bryan Harris:  It’s like…I…you’re EVIL! 

King laughs as Real Deal picks up a kendo stick and shrugs, throwing it into the ring as well.  Mirage is quick to kick the chairs away, trying to get to Buck.  Magnus hooks X from behind and gets ready to hit him with a belly to back suplex and  X HITS THE X-TERMINATOR ON MAGNUS!  MAGNUS IS DOWN! 

Donovan King:  Dealbreaker on Magnus, this shit’s finna get really real! 

Bryan Harris:  I think you mean X-Terminator! 

Donovan King:  I THINK I meant a bitchslap upside your ignorant head. 

Bryan Harris:  …what a Dealbreaker! 

Donovan King:  Atta boy. 

X goes to hook Magnus up in a pin and Real Deal counts! 

ONE! 

TWO! 

NO! 

WHAT?! 

NO!!! 

Real Deal POINTS to the rope, where Magnus has his foot laying off the side of the ring!  X gets up, holding his head in shock.  Magnus is still down on the mat from the devastating finisher.  X shakes his head and climbs the ropes.  He motions to Mirage to keep his eyes open on both Jonas and Cade, who are on the outside.  Jonas glares up at Mirage trying to get into the ring.  Cade, meanwhile, slinks to the other side of the ring and slides in, laughing at how intelligent he is.  X measures Magnus and leaps off…AND NAILS THE HANG TIME ELBOW!  X nods his head now and looks at Magnus’s feet and hooks the near leg and Real Deal is there! 

ONE! 

TWO! 

NO! 

ARE YOU KIDDING?!!? 

X looks at Real Deal and then looks at Magnus’s foot…AND IT IS BACK UNDER THE BOTTOM ROPE. 

Bryan Harris:  OH WHAT THE HELL. 

Donovan King:  Maybe X is selling the Brotherhood short, B-Hair. 

Bryan Harris:  DON’T CALL ME B-HAIR! 

X is up in Real Deal’s face, pointing at Magnus’s foot.  Jonas, at this point, has had enough and he slides into the ring.  He pie faces Mirage and CHARGES X!  He hits him HARD with a right!  X is staggered as Jonas hits him AGAIN!  Jonas whips X to the ropes and picks up a chair and NAILS X in the midsection to double him over!  Jonas hooks the arms! 

Donovan King:  It’s CATACLYM’S EDGE TIME! 

X is panicking, but it looks like he has nowhere to go!  Anarchy is coming down to the ring now as Jonas is locking eyes with both of them!  He grins until CADE HITS HIM WITH THE NINJAGUIRI!  Jonas is dropped HARD as X slides from the ring, Anarchy standing with him.  Mirage looks at Jonas and then looks at King and then to Real Deal, only for Buck to get him up on his shoulders in time for Magnus to grab his head!  Buck drops him in a double knee gutbuster at the same time Magnus hits a Codebreaker!  Mirage is DOWN!  Suddenly, out of the audience, CORAZON AND KENJI APPEAR!  They are in the ring quickly and SWARM Buck and Magnus! 

Bryan Harris:  WHAT IS GOING ON! 

Without warning, HIRO TAKAWA AND COREY LAZARUS CHARGE DOWN FROM THE BACKSTAGE AREA!  They rush past Anarchy and X-Calibur into the ring and begin to trade blows with Kenji and Corazon!  The fans are cheering LOUDLY as King looks at Harris and smirks. 

Donovan King:  I think that’s my cue, bitch. 

He throws his headset down and runs to the ring, sliding in right behind Mirage!  Mirage turns and sees King there and he slides from the ring, waving him off!  King gets beside Real Deal, the two of them having a good laugh at the carnage.  At the entrance to the arena, STELLAR INSANITY have shown up now.  Loco and Stellar shrug at one another as they march to the ring, Stellar picking up speed to club X-Calibur from behind with a cheap shot before he gets to the ring to partake in the carnage! 

Bryan Harris:  Oh God…all the tag title guys are here…is that…oh no! 

ISAAC ENTRAGIAN is out now!  Out of NOWHERE DIAMOND DEL CARVER attacks him from behind to send him ROLLING down to the ring!  Buck and Magnus, in the ring, are being attacked by both Frontline AND Stellar Insanity as Project:SCAR starts getting dangerously close to Real Deal and King when suddenly…TREY WILLETT DEAD SPRINTS to the ring!  He slides in and gets Kenji from behind right when Real Deal and King manage to get their hands on Corazon and send him from the ring! 

Bryan Harris:  Oh man…um…on behalf of my alleged broadcast partners…we’ll see you at Master of the Mat! 

As Carver and Entragian trade blows on the outside of the ring, Kenji gets tossed into Stellar Insanity, who quickly spill to the outside as they continue to fight!  Buck and Magnus roll from the ring with Jonas as they go on the hunt for the SCAR boys as well as Cade Sydal, who has managed to get his title and fled the scene!  Meanwhile, X-Calibur is at the entrance, glaring down at the carnage.  Cade is in the audience, clutching his World Championship to his chest, looking at X and then to Jonas, who stands amongst the riot at ringside, looking at both men! 

Meanwhile, in the ring, Trey Willett, The Real Deal, and Donovan King are standing there, surveying all the fighting going on around them.  Real Deal looks at King and then he looks at Trey, who are both looking at one another.  Trey extends his hand to King, who slaps it back, the fans popping BIG for the fighting and the heroes.  King and Trey look at one another and laugh for a second before they BOTH charge into the fighting! 

Real Deal stands there now, in the ring by himself, and crosses his arms across the chest, shaking his head as King and Trey rush to Carver’s side to fight off Entragian.  He looks up to the massive MASTER OF THE MAT banner and nods his head as we fade to black.