We open in a darkened arena. In the middle a ring is bathed in bright white light. Standing inside that ring the Champions of LEGACY standing in a "V" shape. On the right, The Syndicate, belts on their shoulders Gryffin and James are highly animated, hyping each other up, slapping one another on the shoulder, yelling, and nodding. On the left side Dan Stein rubs his belt, which is wrapped around his waist and leans casually against the top rope oozing confidence. Diego de Cardenas belts around his waist hops with energy. Finally in the middle extending the LEGACY World Title over his head, looking up towards it an obsessed glint in his eye, Marcus Marion.

We slow zoom on LEGACY's World Champion and the opening guitar of Skrape's "Rise" explodes, and the champions of LEGACY are replaced by the rest of the Legacy roster. Hunger in their eyes. An explosion and quick clips of brawls begin to play.

"I'm defensive never questioned
I commit to no direction"

John Thomas and Crash brawling backstage. X-Calibur nailing a clothesline. Issac Entragian slamming an opponent to the mat with authority.

"I won't break down into weakness
If it feels good, it's a sickness "

quick flash of finishers: Rocky Stellar's "Stellar Drop". Jake Dominion's "Ice Breaker". Cronos Diamante's "Countdown to Extinction". and capping it off with Marcus Marion's "Revolutionary Thrill".

"I won't give up until the blood soaks my fingers
I recognize that the difference is my spirit "

A bloodied Greyson Blade struggles to his feet.

"Rise up in the fold -- I'm saved "

A Legacy referee raises Gryffin and James Win's hands in victory. Turns into Rawlings celebrating his victory in the Hawkins Memorial Tournament, and finishes with Dan Stein hoisting his Tao of Valor Championship above his head.

A brief pause. A circling shot of Diego on the top rope. One beat and Diego launches off the top rope nailing his corkscrew plancha on Katsuro Yoshida.

"The reflection in the mirror
Is the vision any clearer "

Loco walking away from Legacy cameras after his "incident" at Brick by Brick.

"Though it may seem that I'm angry
Your reaction is what makes me "

Gigantus Awesomo slaps Tim Jones. Jones pauses a second then returns the favor slapping Awesomo.

"I won't give up until the blood soaks my fingers
I recognize that the difference is my spirit "

Quick cut to Finishers: X-Calibur's "X-Terminator", Dan Stein's "Lights Out", Justin Moreno's "Extreme Measures", Chaos' "Chaos Theory", and Crash's "Aero Zeppelin Driver".

"Rise up in the fold -- I'm saved"

We flash to that same opening shot. The Champions of Legacy. We flash again... and this time the rest of the Legacy roster stands over the champions shoulders. Hungry.

The show opens on a shot of Mark Perletta, Landon Savage and Joey C sitting behind a desk that resembles what you would see anchors sit behind in the studio of a sports news program such as Sports Center. Behind them is an elaborate backdrop which includes several flatscreen monitors, each of them showing the same view we're seeing right now of the recap trio. As the camera zooms in, the screens fade into a shot of the yellow golden LEGACY logo.

Mark Perletta: A new opening video, a new theme song for STRIFE, we find ourselves and LEGACY going strong after a big pay per view event - Brick by Brick. As always I'm your host for this evening, Mark Perletta, joined by my broadcast colleages, Landon Savage to my left, Joey C to my right. The tour got back underway in North Carolina tonight and we have all the action to recap for you.

Landon Savage: Typically fans of LEGACY can go to our official website to see the listing of great matches which are set to occur for a given show, but heading into tonight's event all we knew was that there was a Tao of Valor Championship Match scheduled on the card as well as a match between Tim Jones and Cronos Diamante, a bit of information scooped by a reporter and leaked to the internet community.

Joey C: Tonight's show ended up having a lot more than two matches booked on it, including a tag match between the Bushido Buntai and the pairing of Mostafa Bashir with Allen Franks. A new comer known as Crazy Boy gets into the ring with Tony Riggs. Gigantus Awesomo tries to continue his success in LEGACY as he takes on NASCAR enthusiast Racin' Pat Reynolds.

Mark Perletta: We found out that the individual set to challenge Dan Stein in tonight's Tao of Valor Match would be John Thomas. And that's not to mention tonight's main event, which you will find out about before our opening contest.

Landon Savage: With sooo much scheduled, how about we get on to the action, shall we?

As the show opens, “Vote With a Bullet” by C.O.C plays over the loudspeakers, the house gets hot in a hurry, the chants rain out in droves, “YOU SCREWED GERYSON!” and before you know it the new LEGACY World Champion takes center stage, along with trusty valet, Nicole Rhodes. Marion is seen with a white turtle neck on, and that big belt slung over his right shoulder, that nauseating smile and blonde hair of his, often imitated, never duplicated by his “adoring” public. Nicole wears a white mink coat, her hair is styled to perfection. Marion enters the ring, brushes the announcer off and calls for a mic, he’s afforded one and he begins his, well, usual…

MARCUS MARION: First order of business, damn this belt is heavy. Almost forgot how much it ISN’T made of paperweight. Secondly, how better can all of you exhale, now that Blade is gone? I mean, I woke up today, and for the first time in a long while, I was able to breathe. The smog had been lifted; this ultimate struggle of “good” versus “evil” took a damn leave of absence now that the grizzled “vet” is now in hibernation in a hospital somewhere, licking his wounds and taking advantage of LEGACY’s health care plan.

On that snide remark, the crowd jeers in hatred. Marion, touches his belt, and then continues.

MARCUS MARION: You’re gone. Out of my life. And out of my sport. And there has never been a prouder day. You’ve expired. Cause your money? It’s no good here anymore. I wounded you when I spiked you with that shoe heel, I humiliated you when you thought you got through to Susie, but she still put MY foot on the ropes. All this time I was the mastermind behind your exile. I’ve never claimed to be “brilliant”, but give me some damn credit, not bad for a high-school dropout, huh?

The crowd lets him have it. The boo’s kick up another level, and you can barely hear yourself think, and if you were smart you’d have packed air-plugs for this ‘experience’.

MARCUS MARION: Million dollar question, where’s Susan Rhodes? She’s not here, ya mental giants. No, she’s home awaiting the big surprise which myself and Nicole have in store. It’s so good we couldn’t do it in person. So, tech crew posts Susan on the tron. Heh, wait until you see this.

The LEGACY Vision shows Susan Rhodes sitting down on a bed. Her hair is style that macabre black, with the eye-brow piercing, lip gloss, and choker to match. Nicole waves at her cousin, who smiles back. Marion, gripping his World title says…

MARCUS MARION: Susan, I have something I want to tell you, and I hope you can be a good sport about it all, and that is….

Susan looks at Marion awry not knowing really what to expect.

MARCUS MARION: All that stuff you’ve been hearing about me the past couple of months… It’s all true! Everything that the “Outlaw” said was true. I barebacked your cousin. I let that bumbling fool Blade gore you into a car. And while you were in the hospital, I never even checked on you for a visit.

Susan is totally flabbergasted.

SUSAN RHODES: WHAT!? YOU BAST…

Marion cuts her off.

MARCUS MARION: You kiss your mother with that mouth? Now, don’t interrupt. I wasn’t finished. Those teen girls?

The look on Susan’s face is almost too painful to watch as she holds herself, and she looks like she’s about to vomit any minute now.

MARCUS MARION: I can give you rumor and innuendo all day, but why? I’ve got facts. Why, you might ask? Because you grew weak in the last year, the house shows, radio appearances took their toll on your disposition. So I’ve removed you from my good graces. And in your place, is your cousin. At Brick by Brick she proved she was willing to get her hands filthy and take the cheap shot, and that… That’s love. Obviously you need time to think about my decision, to think about being kicked to the curb, so I just got one more thing to say to you.

Susan looks on enraged, saddened and confused all at once. You’d reach out and hug her if you could.

MARCUS MARION: I’ll send for my things!

Suddenly "Champion" by Grinspoon begins to play throughout the arena and the crowd cheers. FInally for the first time, no boos. The lights then go out, and they come back on, Stephen Rawlings standing at the top of the ramp. He has a smug grin on his face and is holding a microphone. He motions for the cheering crowd to quite down and then moves the mic to his mouth.

Stephen Rawlings: Dude... What the hell are you doing?

Marion stares at him confused about what Stephen's talking about.

Stephen Rawlings: Dude... No one cares about your damn whores. No one in this whole God damn arena paid good money to sit in those uncomfortable seats to see you tell some young slut that you screwed her... in multiple ways... And I don’t mean positions. In any case... No one cares... The crowd, the wrestlers back stage, and certainly not me... What is important is that you are the Legacy World Champion. You are the champion and you are sitting in that ring talking inapropriately about two teenage girls......How is that relevant? How is that representing this company? You should be ashamed of yourself. Just because your a pedophile and make all the rest of us look bad... Just by wearing that belt around your waist.

Marion tries to talk by Rawlings stops him.

MARCUS MARION: Rawl...

Stephen Rawlings: Shut the hell up. Im not done talking, and you learned not to interupt in kindergerten, so shut your mouth till I say it's ok to talk.

Marion stares a hole through Rawlings, and Rawlings stares back.

Rawlings: What, are you gonna throw a temper tantrum now? You're the champion… Act like it! Will it make you feel better if I tell you I planned on coming out here and congratulating you with a sarcastic clap? Well I was going to... but then I started thinking about it. I was damn happy that SOMEONE finally beat Greyson Blade. But then I realized that it wasn't fair... It was supposed to be me who beats him. I never got that chance cuz I had an annoying little gnat of a Dan Stein buzzing around me... So what do I get? Marcus Marion! A man who f**ks children... Who doesn't give a shit about ANYONE.... Marcus Marion going and cheating his way to beating the man that was supposed to be mine to beat. But that's... That's all in the past. We can't concentrate on this past. Looking back on our mistakes gets nowhere but the present.... But we... As you and I Marcus... We need to concentrate on the future...The future of you and I. You see... I am the HAWKINS MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPION...

Stephen pauses while the fans cheer.

Stephen Rawlings: You may not have known that being so pre-occupied with being a douche-bag, that’s why I'm letting you know... I'm not gloating. And in case you don't know because of before said douche baginess, That makes me the number one contender at the Championship belt you are disgracing by wearing. Not Dan Stein... Not Greyson Blade and his automatic rematch.... BUT ME! And I ain’t waiting till no pay per view to beat your ass and take it from you either. I talked to Rob and Smith... and although I’d love to get in that ring right now and beat the shit out of you and take that belt, the front office made a suggestion for the date of our match. So at the next Super Card, I’m not only going to be competing for that belt you’re holding, but also to get a little revenge on behalf of that poor girl on the screen up there.

Marion takes a stern look at Stephen Rawlings, casually walks over to him, and balls his right fist in a ball, and proceeds to ridicule Rawlings by knocking on his forehead with his knuckles.

MARCUS MARION: Hawkins Memorial Cup Champion, and I am supposed to care, why? I hate guys like you, really, I do. You come out here, run your mouth, when the paramount of your career consisted of locking your own cousin in a Looney bin and then winning a tournament named after some guy whose career is deader than an over-dosed pop star. I believe in eugenics just as much as the next guy, but I don’t believing there is any improving your apparent idiocy. So, you got a match at the SuperCard, and this belt… since you won the Tournament, it’ll be on the line. But remember, Rawlings, that trophy you won… it earned you a SHOT at this belt. It didn’t earn you the belt itself. You want to be the World Champ? You wanna make up for your short comings? Fine. You think you worked hard to win that trophy? You’re going to have to work twice as hard to beat me. Don’t get your hopes up, because once this match happens, you will lose, and lose, horribly.

It starts to look like Marion is finished, but he apparently changes his mind.

MARCUS MARION: Do me a favor Rawlings, next time you want to track mud in my ring, take your shoes off first. And the next time you’re feeling gung-ho and want to use my mic as a tool to exercise your bill of rights…just don’t. Scoot over a little, you’re blocking my limelight. Stephen Rawlings vs. Marcus Marion at Supercard? Heh…I’ll tell the boys not to even waste their time making a promo banner, I’m going to beat your ass Rawlings. And once it’s over you have my permission to call it a career, and get the HELL outta my damn fed.

Marcus appears to get an idea.

MARCUS MARION: And just to prove to you that you’re not ready to be a champion, despite your theme song… I’ve arranged for you to have a match tonight against a man who knows what it’s like to be a champion, so enjoy your match tonight against “The Hellion” Jake Blaine. Something tells me you won’t enjoy being in the ring with him any more than Greyson Blade did at Brick by Brick.

Rawlings stares down the ramp right at the World Champion and smiles an awkward smile. The scene cuts back to the recap position after showing us a graphic to introduce our next match of the evening.

Mark Perletta: With our first match of the night, we got to see a match between two of the newer guys to the LEGACY roster.

Landon Savage: That's right, and although he's been around the business for a while, this was Crazy Boy's first LEGACY match. Similarly this was Riggs' first one-on-one match in this organization, having competed in the Opportunity Battle Royal at Brick by Brick.

Joey C: Well Riggs thought he was going to have his debut match on the final STRIFE prior to Brick by Brick, but when he showed up it turned out that the "mystery opponent" spot he thought he was going to be filling ended up being Duncan Aries.

Landon Savage: Now seeing that Duncan Aries got injured at Brick by Brick, it seems like maybe Tony Riggs should've been the one in that match at STRIFE 15... which, in turn, might've caused a different outcome in the Opportunity Battle Royal.

Mark Perletta: There's a lot of speculating you'd have to do to figure that out, but what we do know is that at STRIFE 15 in the match in question, Duncan Aries did beat Isaac Entragian. Riggs was frustrated that he didn't get the opportunity that went to Aries, and so you know that he wants to prove himself here tonight.

Landon Savage: As do all TRUE professionals. Riggs is a good wrestler, he knows it, and he also knows that the only way to get bigger and better opportunities is to prove he's worth it. Duncan Aries had a fairly good resume from working elsewhere prior to showing up in LEGACY, and that's why he got that match at STRIFE 15.

Joey C: Prior to the show tonight, I overheard Tony Riggs talking to someone, and it sounded like he was complaining a bit about having his match the first on tonight's card. Opening shows is definitely a double edge sword, as some people think that wrestlers in the first match of the night might not be as good as the talent used closer to the main event, but I don't see that as the case at all.

Mark Perletta: Nor do I. The opening match gives two competitors the opportunity to set the tone for the evening, and that's the way the LEGACY front office has booked almost all of its shows thus far.

Landon Savage: Neither one of these guys should be worried about WHEN this match is taking place during the show. They need to see it as a chance to differentiate themselves from one another and differentiate themselves from the rest of the organization. Most of this match was your typical back-and-forth match between two technically skilled individuals, but let's see how they did as the match neared completion...

Start : Footage from the Match

Crazy Boy takes his opponent by the arm and whips Tony Riggs into the opposite turnbuckle, where Riggs hits hard back first and is stunned. Coming in, Crazy Boy climbs up onto the middle turnbuckle and begins unloading right hands to the jaw of Tony Riggs. The excited crowd loudly counts along with the referee...

Joey C: Typical BS crap Marky, can't your boy come up with anything better than illegal closed fists?

Mark Perletta: Crazy Boy isn't "my boy" Joe but those punches are very effective.

Joey C.: Like I said -- illegal!

The feeling of hard fist hitting his face makes Tony Riggs snap. He goes on the defensive and snatches Crazy Boy up around the waist, over his shoulder. Riggs goes running out of the corner trying to utilize a spinebuster of some sort but Crazy Boy wiggles himself free and slides down Tony's back and sunset flips Tony Riggs!

The ref slides into position.

1...

2...

NO!

Landon Savage: Tony Riggs just shows us some flexibility there by rolling backwards onto hisshoulders and back onto his knees, out of that sunset flip!

CRACK!

Joey C.: And a hell of a move right there! Riggs just used a dropkick right to the face of Crazy Boy, while Crazy Boy was still seated!

Mark Perletta: Tyrone Smith is gonna feel that for sure, but don't count him out yet.

Joey C.: Count him out? He's done. I felt that right here!

Tony Riggs is up first and quickly pulls Crazy Boy up. He sets up and lifts Crazy Boy up over his head for a vertical suplex or brain buster. Riggs has trouble controlling Tyrone, as Ty is wiggling his hips as much as possible to get himself out of the predicament he is in, quickly as possible. Riggs struggles to keep Crazy Boy in the air and Crazy Boy is able to swing his legs down and wrap one foot behind the knee of Tony Riggs tripping him up and taking him down with a small package!

The ref is caught off guard at the quick counter and slides into position.

1...

KICK OUT by Riggs!

Joey C.: Riggs is really getting irritated with your boy Tyrone Smith, Marky. Riggs is gonna use the Lethal Weapon soon and end this thankfully.

Landon Savage: Yeah, yeah. Lets just watch the match.

Tyrone Smith not looking to fool around and see how lucky he is, pulls Riggs up and lifts him high overhead for his variation of the Falcon Arrow, the Crazy Slam. Riggs is able to do like Crazy did seconds ago and get himself down by shifting his weight as well. Tony lands on his feet and instead of using a small package, he uses a knee to the stomach.

Joey C.: That's wrestling right there! That's Tony Riggs!

Mark Perletta: Effective, yes.

Crazy Boy is gasping for breath. He doesn't get much time to do so as Tony Riggs whips him into the ropes. As Crazy comes off, he sees Tony Riggs charging at him with another knee-lift. Crazy counters using his and Tony Riggs' momentum against Tony by diving over the knee-lift and grabbing Riggs around the leg as he flies by his surprised opponent and catches him with a school boy roll-up!

Joey C.: Wait a second... What was that?

1...

2...

THREE....!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Crrrazy Boy!

Joey C.: Wait, where did that come from?!?

Landon Savage: That came from a quick thinking Crazy Boy!

Mark Perletta: Crazy Boy must've been playing possum or something. He executed that move so quickly, Tony Riggs wasn't ready for it!

Landon Savage: Agreed.

Joey C.: Wait, no. Don't agree with him Lando! There is no way that Tony Riggs was pinned that easily!

Mark Perletta: Just live with it, Joe. A win is a win.

Joey C.: No, no way! BS!

It's been a buzzworthy show so far. The crowd is waiting for more to come when the lights go dim red. The crowd turns around as Saliva's "Ladies & Gentlemen" blare through the speakers. The words "The Incredible One" appear on the LEGACY Vision jumbotron as some of the crowd stand on their feet. Out walks "The Incredible One" Eli Storm. Storm is wearing black jeans and boots. He tops that off with a black shirt that says in red lettering in the front "My Legacy..." and in the back "Is The Ratings Boost!!!!". As Storm fully steps out onto the rampway Canadian colored streamers explodes around the new Legacy star. Storm pulls out a mic and paces the entrance area.

Eli Storm: Now, I was all set to come out here and bless you fans with what some have come to be known as "The Ratings Boosts". But then I went and found out that the show would be here. In front of you people. In this Hell hole of a city. So I decided to cancel my live in ring part of the show....but, a fan is a fan, so I've brought you a present that is almost as good. You see I have TAPED my scheduled segment...and its almost as good as the live thing...almost.

Storm snaps his fingers and a stagehand comes out with a chair and popcorn. Storm gives the “Roll Tape” sign and the LEGACY Vision jumbotron lights up. The footage shows Smith Cartwright and Eli Storm sitting in chairs facing one another in a non-descript room.

Smith Cartwright: At Brick by Brick, there was an Opportunity Battle Royal, the winner guaranteed a shot at either the Tao of Valor Championship or the No Limits Title. Rocky Stellar was the man whom many considered to be the favorite to win the Battle Royal, but when it came down to the final three, you came down to the ring and eliminated Stellar from the match. Plenty of people, myself included, want to know the answer to a very simple question: Why?

Storm: Why...well, I for one am tired of seeing Rocky fight for the title. I mean first is was Apollo and then Clobber Lang. How many times can we see the same thing without getting tired!!!!

Cartwright seems confused, and after giving it a moment's consideration, he responds.

Smith Cartwright: That was Rocky Balboa... those were just movies...

Eli Storm looks slightly confused.

Storm: Hold on...you are telling me that wasn't Balboa...?

Smith Cartwright: Stellar. Rocky Stellar. Former World Champion, yes, but never a BOXING Champion.

Something occurs to Cartwright.

Smith Cartwright: In fact, I don't even think Rocky Balboa is real. He was based off of a guy named Rocky Marciano... but he's been dead... a long time.

Storm: Oh...does this Rocky walk around with a best friend who is a moose?

Smith thinks for a minute, then responds.

Smith Cartwright: Actually... I believe you're thinking of a cartoon character...

Storm: Ok... I know who you are talking about. Can I ask a question, though?

Smith Cartwright: If you'd like. I'll try my best to answer.

Storm: How did Rob convince Vince to let him wrestle for the company. Plus I thought he was off filming The Scorpion King part 5?

Smith Cartwright: Now you're thinking of Rocky Maivia. This is Rocky Stellar. One half of Stellar Insanity, one of the most successful Tag Teams of all time.

Storm: Oh...hold on, I think he was in that Battle Royal from the PPV, right?

Smith Cartwright: Right. And you came to the ring and eliminated him.

Storm: Oh yeah...that guy. well, I mean he was tlaking the big game as if he was great...naw, he was tal;king like he was incredible...and Sammy baby...there is only one incredible man in this sport and that is me, Eli Storm.

Smith Cartwright: Actually the name's Smith, not Sam, and so you're telling me that you felt like Rocky Stellar was trying to steal your spot in LEGACY, and that's why you took away his opportunity to fight for championship gold?

Eli shrugs his shoulders.

Storm: Thats what happens when you step into realms that you aren't ready to deal with. And it shows that whenever Eli Storm is around...he will make an impact.

Smith Cartwright: So are you trying to say that Rocky Stellar wasn't ready to handle being a champion in LEGACY? If so, I think his resume would more than disagree with you. Among other things, he has been TTW World Champion. TTW World Tag Team Champion. SHOOT World Tag Team Champion. SHOOT Iron Fist Champion.

Storm: Wow...that is some list there. Let's see what I have on my list. In my first year in SHOOT...first year mind you...I became SHOOT Iron Fist Champion...Rules of Surrender Champion, Tag Team Champion and hey...unlike him, I was SHOOT WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.

Smith Cartwright: So is that why you came to LEGACY, to go after Rocky Stellar?

Storm: I came to Legacy to cement MY legacy. And In my way is Stellar...well, used to be in my way was Stellar.

Smith Cartwright: Don't you think that he might be upset a little bit by what you did, and come after you? I would think that you might not be done with Rocky Stellar just yet.

Storm: Listen Carter...you see how dry and smooth this Canadian skin is. I'm not sweating Rocky. If he wants to rumble, tell him to find Mickey and get to chasing chickens.

Smith Cartwright: I have the distinct impression that he'll be tracking you down instead.

Storm: Hell, hey you, Camera man...focus on me for a moemnt, Sam won't mind. Listen... Hey Rocko... you want to track me down, you can find me at www.theguythatkickedyourass.com. Any other questions, Carter?

Smith Cartwright: Not right now, but I have a feeling that we're going to be hearing from you... AND Rocky Stellar... soon enough.

The tape starts to warble and shutter on the Legacy Vision jumbotron and Storm raises an eyebrow, knowing the tape wasn't done. After a second or two, the tape starts to burn from the inside, causing Storm to point up at the screen, a little miffed. Suddenly, the scene on the tron switches to Rocky Stellar, standing in the television truck, with a bottle of lighter fluid, a book of matches and a burning video tape machine in front of him. The crowd explodes at the vision of "The Stellar One" smiling cockily at the machine in front of him while Storm stares up at the screen, pissed off. The chant reverberates around the building as Stellar stares into the camera.

Crowd: STEL-LAR!! STEL-LAR!!! STEL-LAR!!!

After a second, the chant starts to quiet down.

Stellar: Oh Eli...where do I begin? Lets start with this: How about you aren't the first - or the most original - person to try and make fun of the Stellar One's name. Or, how about the fact that you aren't even the first, or the most original person, to get his ugly-assed mug in the Stellar One's business. Hell, you aren't even the most original person to try and steal the Stellar One's name...you, Eli, are not original enough to come out here and mention you and this Icon in the same sentence.

The crowd roars at Stellar and he just stares forward.

Stellar: But, you seem to believe something completely different. You seem to believe that you are important enough to be in a ring with Rocky Stellar - a guy who had that damn battle royal won before you and your sneak attack from behind caused me to call it a night.

He nods his head.

Stellar: And, that’s what it was...it was a sneak attack. You didn't come down to the ring and point at me and say "I'm going to make some crappy attempt to throw you over the top rope, Mr. Icon, and I expect you to pummel me mercilessly in return for my injustice to you..." No, you jumped me from behind, pulled me out of the ring, and slammed my head against the ring apron. Then, ran like a little bitch. Yea... a little bitch.

Stellar nods.

Stellar: But, thats all right. You see, The ICON has played a sneak attack game or two in the past. Oh yea, I've got a few famous sneak attacks from the past. In fact... I'm pretty damn sure that a sneak attack is in your immediate future...

Eli's eyebrows perk up as Stellar starts to talk calmly.

Stellar: I mean, when the boys in this here television truck told me that you gave them a video cassette that you wanted show here tonight, well, I came up with a brilliant idea. Why don’t I create a video of my own where I burn an old video tape machine. I could show you the video for a minute or two before I bust through the curtain and kick your ass...

The crowd begins to get excited as Stellar blasts through the curtain and just launches himself at Storm sitting on the chair. They hit, burst through the chair and roll it over, coming up on the other side. The two roll on the ground and Stellar comes to a kneeling position over Storm and starts firing right hand after right hand into Storms face. After four shots, Storm uses leverage to roll the two over and he throws a flurry of blows into Stellar's face. The switch happens again, and Stellar throws his own punches at Eli before 12 guys in black shirts with three referees come through the curtain and break the two up.

Mark Perletta: Our second match of the evening saw the masked man known as Gigantus Awesomo stepping into the ring with the NASCAR enthusiast Pat Racin' Reynolds.

Landon Savage: In a stark contrast to the opening contest, neither one of these guys is trained in technical wrestling, so if you're only interested in matches with perfectly executed moves drawing from various styles from across the globe...

Joey C: ...then you need to get a life. This match, although not the same type of action as we saw in the first match... it was more of a brawling fight between them, with Pat Reynolds trying to apply things he's learned in various bar brawls from his past, and Gigantus Awesomo... well honestly who knows anything about Gigantus' past, anyway, right?

Mark Perletta: All I really need to know about Gigantus Awesomo is that he's probably about 6 foot 7 or 6 foot 8 and weighs in close to 300 pounds... and when he gets momentum, he's hard to slow down.

Landon Savage: From the looks of things in this match, Pat Reynolds wasn't exactly intimidated by Gigantus' size, despite being nearly six inches taller than Reynolds.

Joey C: Pat's definitely got a lot of meat on his bones, helping him being durable enough to take the attack that Awesomo was throwing at him and throwing it right back.

Start : Footage from the Match

Reynolds tries to wriggle free out of the standing bear hug, but Awesomo wrenches the move in deeper. Every crushing squeeze sucks the air out of Reynolds, who shouts in pain. Suddenly, Awesomo spins to the side, and drives Reynolds down to the mat with a devastating belly-to-belly slam.

Landon Savage: Great move.

Mark Perletta: Agreed. That move is very underutilized in matches anymore. When you have someone with a large frame, such as Gigantus Awesomo, and they fall on you with the belly-to-belly, it crushes your insides.

Joey C: Awesomo looks like he’s in complete control here..

Awesomo with the cover.

One!

Two!!

And that is all referee manages to get to before Reynolds kicks out!

Awesomo gets to his feet, and argues with the ref for a few seconds before turning his attention back on his downed opponent. He grabs a handful of hair, which the ref sees and admonishes, and brings him to his feet the hard way. But Reynolds is waiting with his elbows and delivers a few blasts to the face which rock Awesomo back. Awesomo reeling, and Reynolds seizes the opportunity with a go-behind, and Awesomo tries to pry his fingers apart. Reynolds lifts up from the back of the leg, and Awesomo is slammed hard on the mat with a back suplex. Reynolds with a small portion of the crowd rallying behind him, and he hooks the leg for the cover!

Mark Perletta: Pat Reynolds with some nice offense here. Don’t know if a back suplex is enough to put away the big man, but Reynolds could have the upset.

Joey C: Give me a break. No chance of it happening.

Landon Savage: Have to agree with Joey here.

One!

Two!!

Awesomo kicks out!

Joey C: God I love being right.

Reynolds raises his hands in the air for a second, thinking he had won the match but is quickly brought back down to reality when he sees Awesomo’s shoulders off the mat. Reynolds is up, and looks to the crowd, some of them still rallying behind him. He waits for Awesomo to rise to his feet, which doesn’t take long. Awesomo shaking the cobwebs and Reynolds signals to the crowd.

Mark Perletta: Look ahead! Is that the Checkered Flag in the distance?

Joey C: Nah, I think it’s just one of these idiot’s sign.

Landon Savage: I don’t think he got that one, Mark.

Mark Perletta: Doesn’t surprise me.

Reynolds muster up the strength and picks him up in a shoulder breaker position. But Awesomo shakes his big legs and slips down behind Reynolds with his arm wrapped around Reynolds in a DDT position. Awesomo calls to the crowd this time!

Awesomo lifts Reynolds up, and slams him hard with a reverse DDT powerslam!

Mark Perletta: Masked Vengeance!

Joey C: Somebody call the fat lady, she’s on in three seconds.

Landon Savage: I’m dialing now.

Awesomo hooks the leg.

One!

Two!!

Three!!!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Gigantus... Awesomo!

Mark Perletta: Another pinfall victory for Gigantus Awesomo, increasing his record in LEGACY to 2 wins and only 1 loss.

Joey C: If you don't count the Opportunity Battle Royal. He came close to winning that, but he fell short in the end.

Landon Savage: The guy's a beast, there's no escaping that fact, but thus far I'd say his wins haven't been too impressive.

Mark Perletta: In the long run, it doesn't matter what a win looks like, it only matters who picks up the victory. Aside from his match against Dan Stein a few weeks ago, Gigantus Awesomo has been on a tear.

Joey C: I'd love to see how he could do against some higher level talent, and it's only a matter of time before he gets into a match that tests what he can do inside that ring.

Having just arrived at the show and found his locker room, Jake Dominion enters the room from which he will watch tonight’s show and sets down his leather dufflebag on one of the steel chairs, then walks over, takes a second one and sets it up near the first. Wanting to set up an enjoyable setting, Jake adjusts a monitor which sits on a nearby table to make sure he can see it from where he will be sitting. As he walks over to go sit down, there is a knock on his door. Jake looks over to see who it is as the door opens and Rob Belote walks in.

Rob Belote: Hey, Jake. Good to see you.

Jake nods.

Jake Dominion: Likewise Rob, it's been awhile...

Rob Belote: Funny you mention that, because I was thinking the same thing a couple of days ago, so I had one of the road agents let me know you got here because I wanted to stop by and say hey. I don’t usually show up to STRIFE, but there were a few things I wanted to attend to this week.

Rob looks at the room.

Rob Belote: Not exactly great accommodations… Tell you what. You’re not in action this week, the Syndicate isn’t scheduled to be here tonight, how about you come up and check out the show from one of the luxury boxes? One of the companies that sponsored a box called and can’t make it.

Rob laughs.

Rob Belote: You wouldn’t even have to watch the show with me. I’ve got so much going on, I probably won’t be in one place for more than two minutes tonight. Just a friendly gesture from me to you, showing you that I appreciate the ratings you’ve pulled in for us so far.

Jake makes eye contact with Rob as he replies...

Jake Dominion: Luxury box? Aight, now we're talking. Hate to get this brand new Armani suit ripped or something on these piece of shit folding chairs...

Rob nods.

Rob Belote: I also wanted to tell you that I’m sorry about things that went down at Brick by Brick. Eric going down to a bad ankle injury, especially the way that it happened with that attack…

You can tell that Rob is disappointed.

Rob Belote: I do want you to know that I’m suspending Hendrickson Tyler and Stevie Paginello for the remainder of their otherwise short contracts. I figured it would be an okay idea to let them come aboard for the Battle Royal and give them a shot around here, but all they’re going to do is cause trouble backstage, and I don’t want that.

Turning around, Rob puts his hand on the door handle and starts to open it.

Rob Belote: Now come on, let me show you to that suite.

As Rob opens the door, Dominion speaks up, stopping Belote in his tracks.

Jake Dominion: Yeah, hold up a sec.

Belote turns around to see what Jake wants.

Jake Dominion: You can suspend Paginello all you want, I couldn't care less, but Tyler, hold off on suspending that giant. I'd like to beat the shit outta that beanstalk at the SuperCard and send a message to The Syndicate by taking out their biggest member once and for all...

A grin forms on Rob’s face.

Rob Belote: If that’s the way you want it, Hendrickson Tyler’s suspension can wait, and the match between the two of you… consider it booked for the SuperCard.

Jake Dominion: You the man, Rob. Now how about that suite?

Rob tilts his head towards the door, opens it, and walks out of the locker room, Jake Dominion following him. The two start to chat again as they make their way down the hallway, but from behind someone calls out for Rob, and when he notices who it is, Belote turns to Dominion and gives him the details about where the luxury suite is and lets him walk off.

Turning around, Rob waits and watches as Dan Stein walks up to him, the Tao of Valor Championship over his shoulder. The Lights appears to have a big idea in mind that he wants to share with Rob, and after he's close enough to speak in a normal volumed voice and still have Belote hear him, Dan starts right into his sales pitch while he's walking up.

Dan Stein: Picture this – “Dan Stein vs Loco Martinez”.

Stein’s eyes get big.

Dan Stein: If that’s not ratings, I don’t know what is. How soon can we make it happen?

Rob shrugs.

Rob Belote: Well, that sorta depends on Loco. He’s not here this week, but he WILL be here next week…

Stein starts getting excited.

Rob Belote: …but ONLY to talk to me about something. Depending on how that goes… we’ll see. It’s definitely a match I’m looking forward to having on one of my shows in the future, though. Just like your match tonight. Against John Thomas.

Rob grins and pats Stein on the shoulder.

Rob Belote: Should be fun. Good luck out there.

Rob walks off, a smile on his face as Stein stands there, watching him.

Scene cuts to the outside parking lot where a luxurious all white stretch limousine pulls up. The chauffeur, a little bald guy who looks to be a bit overweight gets out and walks towards the back of the limo where he opens the door, and out steps a mammoth of a man, easily seven foot tall, over four hundred pounds. He’s dressed in an all black suit, dark shades cover his eyes and his hair pulled back neatly into a ponytail. He looks into the camera with a big smirk on his face.

Matt Towers: Can’t you just feel something in the Carolina sky?

A slight pause as Matt Towers looks up at the sky and takes a deep breath.

Matt Towers: There is something new about this air. And it has almost "freshined" up. There is a new buzz going around, too. It's not about some guy named Cronos Diamante returning. It's not about Greyson Blade or even Marcus Marion. Things of the past, things of the present, and things of the future… they no longer matter. The only thing that matters in Legacy now is me. Does anyone really understand what is happening? It's not about pride, thats for sure. It's not about respect, I have too much let me loan you some. It's for once about pleasure.

Matt pauses for a second, and takes a drink from the bottled water he has in his hand, before speaking again.

Matt Towers: I'll be gaining pleasure in my life. Winning is nice. Embarassing is much better though. I'm not here to barely make my way through Legacy... I'm here to make it mine. It is not exactly a simple task, but rather one I just need a little bit of time to figure out. What do I want to do? Who do I want to make my pawns? How will I control?

Smirk.

Matt Towers: Should it be with force? Perhaps I should be passive and make some allies. Ah f**k it! I'm just going to come in and take what ever I want. I'm not afraid to admit. Legacy is in the palm of my hand right now. There has never been such a talk over a wrestler in Legacy ever before. No one has ever been talked about as much. Some think that I am the answer to all the problems Legacy having. I think I am the answer to your next God. Then again everyone has a different opinion.

With one last grin, Matt Towers walks off, going into the arena. The view then switches back to a shot of the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Needless to say LEGACY's roster just got a little bigger, now with TWO guys standing at the seven foot mark.

Landon Savage: The first time I saw Isaac Entragian, I knew he was going to make his mark on this organization, which he did by winning the Opportunity Battle Royal. I get that same feeling now that I'm seeing Matt Towers for the first time after hearing a lot about him.

Joey C: Isaac Entragian might be tall and have quick strikes with his arms and legs, but this Matt Towers, he's HUGE. From what I hear he weighs in at well over 400 pounds, making him at least 100 pounds heavier than Isaac Entragian. At about the same height, you gotta think that Towers has a big more muscle than Isaac...

Mark Perletta: And is probably going to be even harder for the rest of the guys on the roster to take off his feet!

Landon Savage: I'm glad I won't ever have to worry about doing that. The safest thing that people should try to do is to befriend this giant and not have to be standing across the ring from him.

Mark Perletta: Our next match of the night is a tag match featuring the Bushido Buntai taking on the team of Allen Franks and Mostafa Bashir, a partnership put together by the front office.

Landon Savage: When I first saw this combination, I immediately just assumed it was going to be a complete failure, especially since they were getting into the ring with a seasoned team like the Bushido Buntai. Then once this match got going, I realized that although they weren't going to pull out any great double team spots, they can still be a formidable team.

Mark Perletta: Early on in the match, it occurred to me that with Mostafa's strength and Allen Franks' technical ability and speed, they could be like the Hart Foundation.

Joey C: That is, if the Bushido Buntai weren't a team with tons of experience behind them.

Mark Perletta: Well thus far the Bushido Buntai haven't had many matches here in LEGACY, and so there were doubts about whether or not they were going to be able to have success here in the United States.

Joey C: Anyone doubting the Bushido Buntai can be as successful out of Japan is ignorant. Sure, Osamu Hayashi had some trouble adjusting, but tag team wrestling is an art... an art that the Bushido Buntai are well skilled in.

Landon Savage: Speaking of the "art" of tag team wrestling, part of the way through this match, someone came down to the ring to scope things out and see just how talented these two teams were.

Start : Footage from the Match

As he starts to lift Osamu Hayashi up to his feet, Allen Franks spots someone out of the corner of his eye walking down to the ring. He glances over to see who the individual is, and that momentary distraction is all Osamu needs, and he quickly grabs Allen into position for a urinage, but instead of hitting the slam part of it, he swings Franks around and drops him onto his knee for a backbreaker.

Mark Perletta: Osamu Hayashi able to swing this match back in favor of the Bushido Buntai, and if they end up winning this match, they might consider thanking whoever this gentleman is who is coming down the isle to give this match a closer look.

Landon Savage: You really need to pay more attention backstage, Perletta. That "gentleman" is Trent Logan, a manager who signed on to LEGACY not too long ago.

Joey C: Any clue who he's going to be managing?

Landon Savage: That much I haven't heard, but whoever it is, they came in together, because I overheard a discussion where they wanted to see if Logan would be a good fit to manage one of the new "lesser charismatic" guys who signed on to the roster, but he declined.

With Trent Logan standing near the bottom of the ramp watching on, Osamu Hayashi backs up, then moves in and goes to stomp down onto Allen Franks' chest, but the young Montreal native is able to roll out of the way, using his momentum to take him all the way over into his corner, where he reaches up and tags in Mostafa Bashir.

Mark Perletta: Now we're about to get a size mis-match if I ever saw one, with Mostafa Bashir probably twice as big as Osamu Hayashi...

Joey C: But a good bit slower, mind you, and that counts for something!

As Mostafa gets into the ring, Osamu decides to go in for the attack quickly, and he moves in and lands a low dropkick which drops Bashir down to one knee. Even from one knee, however, Mostafa arches back and NAILS Osamu with a clubbing blow to the gut as he starts to get to his feet, doubling him over. Getting back up to a vertical base, Mostafa Bashir grabs Hayashi by the head and takes two quick steps forward and slams the back of Osamu's head down onto the mat. Holding his head in pain, Osamu Hayashi starts to sit up, but then he rolls backwards, reaches up and tags in Katsuro Yoshida.

Mark Perletta: The leader of the Bushido Buntai enters the match, let's see if he has any more success than his tag team partner.

Landon Savage: He couldn't have much LESS success...

Katsuro moves in towards the center of the ring, but almost immediately he backsteps and ducks to avoid a lock-up, and then he pivots, shuffle-steps forwards and hits a knife-edge strike which connects to the upper chest area of his opponent. Rocked back, Bashir steps in quickly and swings down with his huge arm and nails a clubbing blow that drops Katsuro down to one knee.

Landon Savage: Damn that was a hard shot from Mostafa Bashir, and now he's following it up with a double ax-handle that puts Katsuro Yoshida on the mat.

Mark Perletta: You don't have to be very technically skilled to be able to inflict a lot of damage on your opponent, and Mostafa Bashir is proving that here tonight.

Joey C: As long as he can keep in on the offensive, that lack of technical prowess shouldn't be a problem, but if the Bushido Buntai get the offensive back, they're going to control this thing again just like they did early on against Bashir.

Landon Savage: I don't think they're going to give him that chance...

Lifting Yoshida up off the mat, Mostafa picks him up clear off of his feet, tightening his grip around Katsuro's waist, locking in the bearhug. Katsuro doesn't want the hold kept on him any longer than it has to be, he fires in with a forearm shot that catches Bashir in the side of his head. Then another! Seeing that Yoshida is trying to make a comeback, Mostafa arches his head back and then slams it forward, nailing his rock-hard forehead into the chest of his opponent. With Katsuro in pain, Mostafa drops him back down to his feet, then grabs him and pulls him into a rising knee lift that doubles over the Bushido Buntai member. Not wasting any time, Mostafa moves past Katsuro and heads for the ropes, picking up some speed and hoping to get some momentum. As Mostafa Bashir comes in on the return, Katsuro Yoshida sees him coming... he pivots... BAM!

Mark Perletta: Mostafa Bashir just LAID OUT by that side thrust kick to the jaw!

Joey C: That's how the Bushido Buntai work, Marky! You think you have a chance, then BAM! Good-bye chance!

Picking Mostafa Bashir up off the mat, Katsuro Yoshida fires in with a few hard shots to The Beast's back. Katsuro reaches back and tags Osamu Hayashi into the match. Osamu gets into the ring and immediately runs across into the opposite ropes. Before leaving the ring, Katsuro grabs Mostafa Bashir, picks him up and hits an inverted atomic drop. Still holding onto Bashir, Katsuro drops down to one knee and Osamu Hayashi immediately flies in and NAILS Mostafa across the throat with a flying crescent kick, knocking him backwards and down to the mat. Osamu drops to his knee, hooks the leg and goes for the pinfall...

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... the Bushido Buntai!!

Mark Perletta: The Bushido Buntai picking up their first tag team victory in LEGACY here tonight...

Landon Savage: And they've only been here, what, eight months?

Joey C: This is only their third tag team match in LEGACY, and up until Shinya brought Osamu's girlfriend over from Japan, Hayashi wasn't pulling his weight for the Bushido Buntai in the ring, so it's no wonder they haven't taken the division by storm yet.

Landon Savage: They should've tried to figure things out a little sooner, because unfortunately for the Bushido Buntai, they don't have to beat a couple of Nerds to get the tag straps anymore. Now they'd have to beat the Syndicate, and that's just not happening!

Mark Perletta: Gryffin Anselm and James Win do seem to present a challenge for the rest of the division, but if the Bushido Buntai can return to the way they were in the ring back in Japan, which I think they will, they're going to give the Syndicate a run for their money.

The camera cuts back to the ring, where Bushido Buntai is getting ready to exit, but someone has jumped the guardrail from the crowd.

Mark Perletta: It's the Long Island Hardcore again! What are they doing in the ring now?

Landon Savage: What someone should've done a long time ago: taking care of Bushido Buntai!

Sure enough, CJ Nelson and Jared Walsh slid into the ring, and Jared nails Hayashi in the back of the head with a chair! Osamu goes down, and Yoshida turns around to face the wall of muscle that is CJ. CJ smiles wide, and Katsuro, despite the obvious height disadvantage, swings at his face!

Joey C: A solid shot from Katsuro Yoshida, but it didn't seem to do much!

Mark Perletta: And CJ's asking for more!

CJ points to his chin, telling Yoshida to bring it on, but Jared's right behind him with the chair... and Jared whacks Katsuro in the back! Katsuro falls forward into CJ, and CJ pulls him up into a Canadian backbreaker! Jared's going to the top rope, and he's brought the chair along... he sails off with Most Precious Blood as CJ brings Yoshida down with a powerbomb!

Joey C: Fracture!

Landon Savage: LIHC making a statement here today, and frankly, I like what they have to say!

Osamu is starting to stir, but Jared grabs him by the leg, pulling him away from the rope, and swinging him into a catapult-- right into a CJ clothesline! Osamu's head nearly gets taken off, and CJ and Jared chuckle. They look around the ring at the carnage they have wrought, and then back at each other, in mock shock and terror at what they've done, before CJ flips them both the bird, and Jared makes a different obscene hand gesture.

Mark Perletta: That's certainly not very sportsmanlike.

Landon Savage: That's what happens to a team that's too focused on honor, Perletta... they get shown up by the people who do what they need to in order to get the job done.

CJ and Jared slide back out of the ring, and over the guardrail into the crowd.

When we cut backstage we see Allen Franks headed back to his locker room, though he doesn’t appear to be in poor spirits. There’s certainly not a smile on his face, but there’s nothing indicating that he was part of a losing effort in the ring a few minutes ago. He does appear to be slightly dazed as he walks through the corridor, shirt in hand. When he passes by one of the catering tables, his right arm grazes someone as he walks past. A disgusted look on his face, Diego de Cardenas turns around and looks at Allen Franks as he wipes his hand across the part of his shirt where he came in contact with Franks.

Diego de Cardenas – Hey, man, you need to watch where you’re going.

Realizing that Diego might be talking to him, Allen looks backwards over his shoulder as he continues walking.

Diego de Cardenas – That’s right, I’m talking to you!

Franks stops in his tracks and turns around as Diego walks in his direction, with Hannah Perez following the No Limit Champion with the title belt over her shoulder.

Diego de Cardenas – What’s your name, kid? I need to know who to send my dry-cleaning bill to.

Tilting his head slightly towards Diego, Allen appears incredulous.

Allen Franks: You’re… serious?

Diego looks shocked.

Diego de Cardenas – Of course I’m serious! You got your nasty sweat on my silk shirt, so now it needs to be dry-cleaned. This isn’t one of those “wash and wear” fake silk shirts they sell at knock-off stores. This is designer, kid. Now what’s your name?!

After letting out a sigh, Franks responds.

Allen Franks: The name’s Allen Franks.

Diego de Cardenas – And are you a member of the roster, or are you just here for a tryout match? Because if you’re here for a tryout match, you’ll probably want to go talk to someone about getting at least part of your paycheck for tonight’s work given to me, just in case your tryout match didn’t go too well.

Franks nods.

Allen Franks: No, actually I’m part of the main roster, so we can take care of this next week. No worries, I’ll be around.

With a smile on his face, Allen Franks wipes his hand through his sweat-soaked hair and then pats Diego de Cardenas on the shoulder and then turns and starts to walk away. Hannah Perez looks to be mortified.

Diego de Cardenas – And don’t think that this is going to be one of those $2 shirt places… my dry-cleaning isn’t cheap!

Allen Franks: From the looks of… THINGS… I’m sure it’s not!

His eyes grow wide as Diego looks over at Hannah Perez, both of them can’t believe the audacity of Allen Franks. Diego gets into a bit of a rage, takes the No Limits Championship belt off of Hannah’s shoulder, then sprints towards Allen Franks and NAILS him in the back of the head with it, laying him out cold on the floor. Diego puts his foot underneath of Franks and uses it to flip him over onto his back, then he stands over him, getting down into his face.

Diego de Cardenas – Tell you what, Franks. Technically Isaac Entragian might have a guaranteed shot at this belt coming up, but since no one’s heard whether he’s challenging me or whether he’s going for the Tao of Valor title, then my dance card is still clear. Since you’re going to be at the next STRIFE anyway, I’m giving you an opportunity that you don’t deserve. You and me, one on one, this belt… I’ll put it on the line… letting you and everyone else know that I’m a fighting champion.

As a smirk forms on Diego’s face, he stands up, hands the belt back to Hannah Perez, and then the two walk off down the hall.

Jimmy Smith: Heck of an effort out there.

The smirk on Jimmy’s face tells us that he’s not paying Reynolds a compliment. Pat doesn’t look amused.

Racin’ Reynolds: Now exactly what the hell you doin’ here? You come to kick my ass? If so, you ain’t half the man I thought you were.

Big Jimmy crosses his arms over his chest, leans back against the wall and shakes his head.

Jimmy: Back at that Battle Royal at Brick by Brick… we were supposed to have an alliance. You broke that alliance when you decided to eliminate me from that match.

Pat speaks up in a defensive tone.

Racin’ Reynolds: WELL YOU WEREN’T DOIN’ A DAMN THING TO HELP ME OUT!!

Reynolds is fuming, and Jimmy nods.

Jimmy: Damn right, and you made me pay for it.

That wasn’t the type of response Reynolds was expecting.

Jimmy: I figured you wanted to set up the alliance between us to make it easier on yourself in there, hoping that I’d pull you through the match. I didn’t want someone leeching off of me, so I decided to see how you were going about your business. I come to find out that you weren’t looking for someone to carry you at all.

Reynolds: Damn right I wasn’t.

Jimmy nods.

Jimmy: I know. You made that very apparent. You were lookin’ for a partner to get the strategic advantage with. I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain…

Reynolds: Damn right you didn’t.

Jimmy nods as he continues.

Jimmy: And you made me accountable for not holding up my end of the deal. Just like a good partner should.

Yet again, Jimmy says something that Reynolds isn’t sure how to respond to. After uncrossing his arms, Jimmy uses his elbows to push himself up off the wall.

Jimmy: So if you can chalk up Brick by Brick to experience and put that behind us… I think some tag team work might do both of our careers some good.

Reynolds doesn’t respond, and Jimmy walks on past him, headed for the door.

Jimmy: You give it some thought. Maybe at the next show we can get a tag match together and give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen, right?

Pat isn’t ready to give his answer just yet, and so he lets Jimmy Smith walk right out the door. The footage then cuts back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: The fourth match of the night mixes up styles in more than one way, putting the jovial, high energy Tim Jones into the ring against the overly serious, methodical Cronos Diamante.

Landon Savage: In this match I thought they both did a good job of using their strengths to their advantages, with Tim Jones doing a good job of doing some damage and then evading a counter attack from Cronos when he was on the offensive, going for the big moves when he got the opportunity.

Mark Perletta: As you might expect, Cronos Diamante was able to get in on the offensive, and when he did, he used his power advantage and his submission skills to slow things down, taking away the speed advantage that Tim Jones has.

Joey C: Neither one of these guys made it as far in the Battle Royal as they had wanted to, and so I knew right from the start that they were both coming into this match wanting to score a victory to prove worthy of getting a title shot in the near future.

Landon Savage: There was word, whether you want to believe Harold Patnode or not, that this match in particular was one that management was watching carefully, the winner being given extra consideration for a future title shot.

Mark Perletta: Both of them did all they could to make a great impression, but which one of them would get the win? For the answer to that, as well as the potentially more important question - HOW did they get the win, let's check out the footage from the match...

Start : Footage from the Match

Cronos with Jones in an expertly applied standing guillotine, and Jones is flailing his arms trying to look for a way out. A punch to the gut here and there but Cronos eats them up, refusing to let go of the dangerous MMA hold. Cronos cinches the hold in deeper, ruggedly pulling up on Jones’ neck until he’s on his tippy toes to relieve the pressure. In retaliation for the desperate punches, Cronos swings his right knee upward, striking Jones in the mid-section. But this causes Cronos to lose his balance a bit and Jones pushes forward until Cronos has his back up against the ropes with Jones grabbing a handful of them. Cronos tries to cinch the hold in deeper, but the referee administers the five-count and Cronos breaks clean at two and a half.

Mark Parletta: Cronos has been in firm control of this match for the last several minutes with a lot of wear down maneuvers such as this.

Joey C: Yeah one has to wonder whether or not The Ladies Man has anything left.

Landon Savage: Wearing down people methodically is what Cronos is known for in this business. And believe you me, he can do it to the best of them.

Tim Jones retreats to the center of the ring while holding his neck and massaging the pains running through it from the various holds Cronos has applied. Cronos wastes no time dictating the pace of the action though, and immediately starts crouching low while moving forward- almost in a stalking manner. To his surprise though, Jones was ready with a standing dropkick to the face out of nowhere, and Cronos goes down.

Landon Savage: Cronos got caught!

Cronos gets up quickly, but is shot down with another dropkick. Cronos up, and a THIRD dropkick sends him down a bit longer. Tim Jones leaps to the second turnbuckle, and just as Cronos gets to his feet this time, Tim Jones leaps off with his legs outstretched, falls backward, and connects with a HURRICANRANA into a mounted position! With Jones on top, he pulls up on the back of the head of Cronos and lets loose a flurry of punches!

Joey C: Ow! Ow! Ow!

Landon Savage: Look at Jones go!

Mark Parletta: Jones was certainly able to keep enough distance away from himself and Cronos to allow him time for that surprise series of dropkicks and devastating hurricanrana.

Joey C: Well said, Marky.

All of a sudden there’s a minor commotion happening in the front rows as Chaos comes strolling down the aisle. He looks straight ahead at the two participants in the ongoing match, not once swaying his attention.

Landon Savage: What’s Chaos doing out here?!

Mark Perletta: Well I’m not certain, but he could still be unsettled from the Battle Royal. Looking at the competitors in the ring, I see one guy who he eliminated and one guy who eliminated him.

Joey C: Look at Jones! He spotted him!

Just as Tim Jones was finally in control of the match, he stands up in the center of the ring. He points at Chaos and then at the ref, yelling that he shouldn’t be there. The referee looks at Chaos on the outside and then back at Jones and shrugs his shoulders, as if there is nothing he can do about someone simply “watching”. As Jones watches on, Cronos gets to his feet and instinctively comes up behind him with a katahajime. But before he can put some torque onto the maneuver, Cronos throws Jones down, as he spots Chaos. Looking out at him, he starts walking towards the ropes, mouthing off.

Joey C: There really isn’t anything wrong with what Chaos is doing. He’s only watching.

Mark Perletta: Right. He’s been out here a total of fifteen twenty seconds and he’s already heavily distracted both competitors in that ring.

Landon Savage: I have to agree with Mark here.

Joey C: Look at Jones! He’s setting it up!

Jones realizes the opportunity that’s been handed to him, and as Cronos turns back around after a moment, he leaps forward and CRACKS Cronos across the jaw with a devastating superkick! Cronos goes down hard on his back and Chaos simply watches on with no expression.

Joey C: SNAFU!

Mark Perletta: Cronos is OUT!

Landon Savage: Look at Jones! He’s hooking both legs deep in a cradle!

The referee slides into position.

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Tim Jones!

Landon Savage: I don’t believe it!

Joey C: What a win for The Ladies Man!

Mark Perletta: "What a win" is right, as Tim Jones just beat a veteran of the game in Cronos Diamante. Although to be honest, I would have to give the assist to the distraction of Chaos.

Joey C: You would.

Mark Perletta: Yeah, I do. Although I don't think he meant to do it, by Chaos coming down to the ring he was able to cause enough of a distraction late in the match that Tim Jones had that SPLIT SECOND opportunity, and he capitalized on it with the SNAFU!

Landon Savage: You almost get the idea that Chaos was out there scouting Tim Jones, inadvertantly helping him pick up the win.

Joey C: I couldn't agree more, Lando, and I think that just adds fuel to Chaos' fire... not to mention Cronos Diamante's.

A towel draped over his neck and shoulders, Gigantus Awesomo stands at the catering table, looking around through the available beverages. Picking up a plastic bottle of Apple Juice, he looks at it, pops open the lid and starts to drink it as he walks off down the hall. As he travels along, suddenly a man walks up beside him, walking down the hallway in the same direction at the same pace. He is wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a tie with a blue that matches his suit and stripes of light brown throughout. Just as Gigantus notices him, another guy walks up beside him on the other side, traveling along with him, going in the same direction at the same pace. He is wearing a black pinstripe suit with a pink shirt and a tie with pink and orange in it.

For anyone who has been around LEGACY for a while, these two individuals are immediately recognizable as two of the three I.B.S. Consultants who helped “rebrand” LEGACY. Dominic is the individual to Awesomo’s right, Wellington the individual to his left. They both have cocky grins on their faces.

Wellington: Hey there, big guy, nice win out there tonight. Dare I say it, I feel like it was lacking in something.

Dominic: It lacked a connection with the fans.

As they continue down the hall, Awesomo had first looked over at Wellington as he started talking, but when Dominic started up, he quickly looked over at him. Wellington speaks up again, and Gigantus nearly gets whiplash looking over at him.

Wellington: That connection is always something you’re going to lack, at least to some extent, as long as you keep wearing that mask…

Gigantus slows his pace and growls a little bit. Sensing the hostility, Dominic interjects.

Dominic: BUT there are other ways for you to connect with the fans other than taking off your mask, since that’s clearly a deal breaker. There are ways to make the fans either love you…

Wellington: …or hate you….

Dominic: …whichever route you’d like to go…

Wellington: …without having to be “demasked”.

Getting a little dizzy with all the “back and forth”, Gigantus Awesomo stops in his tracks.

Dominic: Obviously we at I.B.S. Consulting get paid for our ideas and creativity, so we didn’t just track you down to let you know we identified a deficiency area.

Wellington: CLEARLY not the case.

Dominic: We have an idea, and the best part of it, for you, is that you wouldn’t owe us a CENT for it.

Wellington: We’ll spare you the details, but basically we’re still under contract to LEGACY, and the front office will pay us based on the number of things that happen in LEGACY based on ideas we come up with.

Dominic: But that’s not anything that you need to be worried about. All you need to know is that this is free help. We’re trying to help you out, and it’s not going to cost you anything.

The big man looks around for a moment and then looks back at Dominic, but before Gigantus can stop them, Wellington continues.

Wellington: We’ve noticed that you’ve had various people speak for you over the past several weeks. Whether you don’t like your real voice, whether you’re trying to hide your true identity, whatever the reason, it’s cool, we understand… and frankly, we don’t need to know that.

Dominic: But because you keep switching up your representative, it kills any kind of continuity from building, and because of that, the fans have a harder time of making that connection with you.

Wellington: You also lose regional appeal based on the fact that none of your interpreter guys seemed to be from the same place, so really, the only place you COULD be linked to is Mexico due to your luchador-esque mask, but I do recall someone mentioning that you’re NOT a Mexican, so that killed the possibility of getting those individuals behind you.

Dominic: What you need is a permanent fixture by your side. Someone who can do all of your talking for you EVERY SHOW. Someone who might come down to the ring with you. A manager. A valet. Whichever.

Wellington: Throughout the history of this business, Managers and Valets have done BIG things for the careers of mediocre individuals.

Almost immediately Gigantus Awesomo starts to get enraged.

Dominic: NOT that you’re mediocre…

Awesomo quickly calms down, though he continues to give Wellington the “evil eye”.

Wellington: What I meant was that the impact of a Manager or a Valet can mean big things to the careers of individuals, taking them to the next level in this business. Clearly you’re not mediocre right now, since you DID make it to the final two in the Opportunity Battle Royal… but imagine, with that extra push that a Manager or Valet might provide… you could be a champion.

Gigantus’ eyes light up.

Dominic: That’s right, big fella, championship gold AND you wouldn’t have to say anything.

The I.B.S. Consultants both start grinning as it appears that Awesomo is buying into the idea.

Wellington: Now I don’t know if you knew this, but right now the two biggest things in the WORLD are American Idol and YouTube. Our idea for you combines those two concepts.

Dominic: With your permission, we’d like to set up an online contest where the people of the world can send in their audition tapes via YouTube, and on a set date, you can select a Manager OR Valet from those entries. What do you think, do we have a deal? Can we start working on setting up that contest?

Dominic sticks out his hand, looking for Gigantus Awesomo to shake it as a sign of approval for the concept. Awesomo looks down at Dominic’s out-stretched hand, then looks back up at Dominic. Clearly he’s giving the idea some consideration, but then suddenly something catches his attention out of the corner of his eye. Tim Jones walks into the scene, a grin on his face, looking right at Awesomo. The consultants both notice this, they also notice the reaction from Gigantus, and they decide to back up.

Dominic: We’ll be in touch.

The two consultants walk off, getting out of the way of an increasingly tense situation.

Tim Jones: Where the hell is my money!

Awesomo stares blankly at "The Ladies Man".

Tim Jones: Oh right.... I didnt bet money... Shoulda... Damn it! Anyway... Where's my payment! You owe me a hint! So pay up bitch!

Gigantus sighs, and then nods his head. He then takes a folding chair, sets it up to sit in, and hesitates. He then nods his head a couple more times and then pulls out a piece of paper and a pen. He begins to right. He then hands the paper to Tim, and he reads it aloud.

Tim Jones: "Here is my hint: Hopefully it will help."

Tim looks back up at Gigantus.

Tim Jones: What? There's no-

Suddenly Gigantus lifts the chair up and smashes the open chair into the side of Tims body. The chair closes and Gigantus swings again, hitting Tim in the side of the head. Tim falls to the ground and blood begins to dribble out of the side of his head. Gigantus throws the the chair down and walks off. The camera then cuts back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Before we get to the Tao of Valor Match, I just wanted to take a minute to recognize some of the things that the fans might not know about which went down behind the scenes at Brick by Brick.

Obviously by the look on Perletta’s face, this is about something serious.

Mark Perletta: As everyone probably already knows, Greyson Blade was injured due to the damage he sustained in the main event against Marcus Marion. That damage just built on to the injuries Greyson Blade had sustained prior to Brick by Brick – an event which his doctor wasn’t happy about letting Blade compete in.

Landon Savage: I know what you’re getting to, Perletta, so before you get all choked up, let me step in and help talk about this. As a result of the Tao of Valor Championship match and the kicks to the head from Dan Stein, DJ Cassidy sustained a concussion, and so he will be out of the ring for the foreseeable future.

Joey C: I can’t let you all have all the fun. Now as you all could’ve probably guessed, Eric Wolfson got an ankle injury, and so we’ve seen the last of the Old School Kings, at least for the time being.

Mark Perletta: One other note: as Duncan Aries was eliminated from the match, he suffered something of a back injury, the extent of which we’re still not sure, but for now, he’s on the injured list as well.

Landon Savage: LEGACY’s roster is already great, imagine what it could be like if it weren’t for the injuries guys keep sustaining in the ring? Jack Henderson, Matt Larcen, Voodoo… the list goes on and on… and that’s not even mentioning the four guys we talked about the past couple minutes, or even Herb Moxley.

Mark Perletta: As was announced earlier in tonight's broadcast, the Tao of Valor Championship match put Dan Stein in the ring to defend his belt against John Thomas.

Landon Savage: Neither one of these former "fan favorites" is popular with the fans right now, but frankly I think they're better off now than they ever have been before. That's why I was so excited to hear that we were being treated to this fantastic match.

Joey C: Before anything could get started, however, Dan Stein made his way out to the ring with apparently something to say...

Mark Perletta: And an official challenge to make.

Start : Footage from the Match

The camera fades to the ring, where Dan Stein all ready stands, cueing the production crew to cut his music. With the microphone to his mouth, Stein begins to speak.

The Lights: That's two nerds down, an entire federation full to go. Both Herbert J Moxley and DJ Cassidy thought they could step up, be the better man. They thought that their pocket protectors and taped up glasses would somehow help them find a way to beat me...

Stein smirks, looking over the crowd.

The Lights: They were wrong.

It’s obvious that Stein is very proud of himself for his accomplishment.

The Lights: Dead wrong. Not only is Herby Jay out of commission for a while, I hear Deej is resting up back home in Nerdsville, USA, after our match - one which I made sure he was out. But that's the past. That's the old days. Now we're moving forward. Brick By Brick has come and passed, and now it's time for ME to make the choices. It's time for ME to pick who I fight - who I wrestle.

Stein grins to himself.

The Lights: Herby Jay down... Deej down... Evan Hyatt isn't here, and something tells that Aeolus Wrath wont be around for a while… he tends to do that. Right now, my mind is set on one thing, one person. Your Royal "Dudeness". The King of Dudenheimers. The one man that has 'lost his smile', but still seems to be around.

Stein pauses for a second, listening to all the people boo him.

The Lights: Loco Martinez, I choose YOU as my next opponent for this title. Lets just hope your "bruised up ankle" can stand the pain of feeling you collapse.

As the boos rumble throughout the arena, “Hey Man Nice Shot” by Filter kicks in over the speakers and out from the back walks John Thomas. He’s wearing white Gucci pants, a white leather belt, a white dress shirt with its top two buttons undone and white leather Gucci dress shoes. The booing continues at a similar intensity, but John doesn’t seem to care, and he just walks the ramp, headed to the ring.

Mark Perletta: After hearing that this match was going to take place, I don’t think anyone is surprised to see John Thomas walking through the curtain, but he isn’t exactly dressed to compete…

Landon Savage: He’s got a microphone, so how about we let him talk, shall we?

As John gets to the bottom of the ramp, he hops up onto the apron, then enters the ring by ducking under the top rope. When John walks across the ring over towards Dan Stein, there’s no show of aggression from either man. After passing by the Tao of Valor Champion, John walks a bit further, then turns around and walks past Stein, pacing a bit further before turning and looking The Lights in the eye.

John Thomas: Proud of yourself? First you put Herb Moxley on the shelf. Then, DJ Cassidy. Both members of the Revenge of the Nerds tag team. Those guys… they were friends of mine.

A mild shock begins to ripple through the crowd, and they start to get excited by what John might say next.

John Thomas: WERE.

The excitement level starts to fade.

John Thomas: Once upon a time, those guys and I, we hung out. We were tight. But I realized that a friendship between those guys and I… it wasn’t going to work out. Herb Moxley was too damn goofy for his own good, and DJ Cassidy never knew how to relax and enjoy life, always taking things too seriously. I didn’t get along with either one of them well enough to want to put in the effort it would take to be REAL friends with either one of them. But Loco Martinez? He was willing to put in the effort. He made friends with those guys and somehow, he made it work. So now Loco’s next on your list?

John looks away and nods his head slowly, as if he’s pondering the concept.

John Thomas: Not a totally unexpected move. Thing is, my relationship with Loc’, it’s not the same as things were with the Nerds. I don’t talk about my friendship with him the same way I just mentioned things with Cassidy or Moxley. My friendship with Loc’, it’s not a thing of the past. It’s a thing of the present, and as far as I’m concerned, a thing of the future. When I heard that you and I were booked against one another tonight, I decided this was a good time to come out here and set something straight with you.

Looking dead into Dan’s eyes, John pauses for a moment. The Lights stands there and waits to see what John has to say.

John Thomas: This thing between you and Loco… it’s between the two of you. I don’t have a problem with you, and Loco is man enough to stand up for himself. If you and he eventually get into the ring with one another… then I’ll look forward to watching a good match. Just do me a favor… leave me out of it.

Pausing for a moment, John then continues.

John Thomas: To that end, you can tell that I’m not dressed to wrestle here tonight… and that’s because I don’t intend to.

Boos start rolling throughout the arena.

John Thomas: Know what? F**k these fans. I don’t give a shit what they want to see. What I’m doing… it’s far more important than some title match. What I’m doing is showing a sign of respect, something they – along with Crash, just don’t seem to grasp very well, but it’s whatever.

The intensity of the booing increases, and Stein lets out a chuckle.

John Thomas: So Dan, no offense to you… no offense to that belt… Hell, I’d love to have a match with you sometime in the future… I’d love to have a chance to hold that belt once again… a belt I’ve held on more than one occasion, going back to when this organization had a different name… But I’m going to wait until you and Loco settle whatever you two have to settle… IF you ever settle things… IF he ever gets into the ring with you. But when I DO get into the ring with you? It’ll be out of mutual respect, having nothing to do with Loco… nor with what happened between you and the Nerds.

Slowly John extends his hand towards Dan Stein, and he reaches out… and shakes John’s hand, getting a rolling ovation of booing from the fans all around the arena. Stein turns to the fans, and smirks.

The Lights: This, people, this is a good man. A smart man. A man that respects the game. Unlike Cassidy, who sticks his nose into other people's business, this man knows when to back out. Ladies and Gentlemen, John Thomas. Lets get around of applause.

Stein smirks, releasing Thomas' hand, and 'golf clapping' his own against the mic.

The Lights: Loco, there's nothing stopping us. There's nothing stopping ME. So get ready. 'Cause this ain't funny. My name is Dan Stein and I'm about to get...

Stein, quoting a Beastie Boys song, holds the mic up to the fans. They all scream out "MONEY", but Stein shakes his head.

The Lights: The hunnies.

Another smirk as Stein drops the mic to the floor, turning around with John Thomas as they walk to the back. The footage then switches back over to a shot of the trio at the recap position.

Mark Perletta: As much as most people dislike one or both of those individuals, I think a lot of people were probably disappointed that we didn't get to see a Tao of Valor Championship Match here tonight between John Thomas and Dan Stein.

Landon Savage: Yeah? Who cares. A lot of people like to see dog fights and cock fights, but those are nothing but inhumane, brutal contests between two living things who would otherwise have no problem with one another.

Mark Perletta: Did you just compare what just happened to illegal animal fights?

Joey C: I believe he did, and I'm surprised to say that I see his point.

Heavy, fast-paced, base-booming guitar riffs with sporadic drumming intermixed, pierces through the air unexpectedly as “Jambi” by Tool starts up- and not much longer thereafter, X-Calibur steps out from the curtains and the fans let out a roaring ovation of cheers.

Mark Perletta: WHOA! And out of nowhere, it’s the X-Man!!

Joey C: Greeeeeaat.

Landon Savage: We said it when he came running out in the battle royal, but I’m gonna say it again. The signing of X-Calibur to LEGACY is absolutely huge. Regardless of how I may feel about him personally, he is a big addition and a big, big piece of talent to have around.

Mark Perletta: Well said, Landon. He’s certainly one of the best in the business, for sure. And for LEGACY to have been able to get their hands on him... well, this crowd reaction says it all!

X-Calibur walks, grinning at the audience, occasionally turning his back to the ring and looking at everybody situation towards the back of the arena. Clad in a white beanie cap with his long dark hair loosely flowing down in stylish contrast, a white long-sleeved “tool” shirt with black lettering and tribal patchwork on the elbows , a pair of loose fitting blue jeans, and black worker boots, X eventually makes his way to the ring after bumping “fists” with some of the reaching fans. Sliding underneath the ring, X immediately races to the other side where he places his left foot sturdily on the second rope and his knee on the top. Looking out at the popping audience, he raises his right fist in the air for everyone to see.

Mark Perletta: What a moment, guys.

Joey C: Please, Marky. This guy is overrated and you sooo know it.

Landon Savage: If there’s one thing X-Calibur is NOT, actually, it’s overrated.

Joey C: Whatever.

X-Calibur jumps down from the ropes and twists before the landing so he is back facing the aisle where he entered, showing great athleticism for a man with a 250lbs-plus frame. As the song plays on, X snaps his fingers and half-dances to some of the beat, grinning at the camera all-the-while.

Mark Perletta: Look at that confidence. THAT is what has made X-Calibur so successful through out his career.

Joey C: I can’t wait for someone to wipe that arrogant face clean. I honestly can’t.

Landon Savage: Man seems happy about something, lets just see what it is, yes?

As the song plays on, X looks over at Josephina Colbert and motions for her to bring him a microphone. Josephina readily agrees and quickly walks up the steps and hands him the microphone. X mouths a “thank you” and the music slowly starts fading out to the noisy crowd.

X-Calibur: Testing... *tap tap*... one, two... ah f**k it we all know it’s on by now.

Some of the audience chuckles amidst the pandemonium in their seats and X continues.

X-Calibur: LEGACY? Sure... I’m in.

X simply grins as the audience marks out in complete excitement over X-Calibur’s apparent “official” arrival in LEGACY. Suddenly, X rushes over to the second turnbuckle and deposits both feet firmly on the padding. With the vantage point giving him enormous height to everyone out in the audience while looking like powerful and mighty with the microphone in hand, X starts SCREAMING into the padded top with enormous excitement.

X-Calibur: THAT’S RIGHT!!!! THE BADDEST MOTHERF**KER IN THIS BUSINESS IS HERE... AND HE’S GONNA TEAR THE MOTHERF**KIN’ ROOF OFF OF THIS BITCH!!!!

The crowd once again loses it, breaking out into several different chants.

Crowd: “X-CAL! X-CAL! X-CAL!”

Crowd: “KICK-SOME-ASS! KICK-SOME-ASS! KICK-SOME-ASS!”

Crowd: “WEL-COME X! WEL-COME-X! WEL-COME-X!”

Mark Perletta: Wow... this crowd is INSANE.

Joey C: It makes me sick. This guy is a glorified nobody with a few titles and a few famous alliances to his credit... bah. Wake me up when he’s done.

Landon Savage: Haha, you sound like me back in the SWA, Joey. I, however, woke up a long time ago.

Mark Perletta: Even you have to admit, Landon, that X’s signing is HUGE to LEGACY. Just LISTEN to these fans! They’re eating him up!

Landon Savage: I never disagreed, Mark.

X steps off his “podium”, sort of speak, and walks to the center of the ring again. He closes both of his eyes and raises both of his arms up and out in the air with microphone in hand. He can’t help but grin wider and wider at every chant and every current of “electricity” headed his way. The resounding cheers and mark outs from the all knowing crowd in attendance is not met without confusion to some of the boys in the locker room who may not be familiar with the man who is standing before them. But fans in attendance... there is no question that they know who X-Calibur is from his other memorable wrestling excursions, especially those which took place in the North Carolina area in which tonight’s show takes place. After a few more moments the excitement starts to die down as they prepare to hear everything X-Calibur has to say.

X-Calibur: Bet NONE of you out here expected to see my ass running down that aisle in those last ten seconds before the start of the battle royal at “Triple B”, did ya?!

Again, they cheer.

X-Calibur: I know you didn’t. In fact, no one did. All of the analysts and dirt sheet enthusiasts in this industry said I would NEVER set foot inside another ring that wasn’t, quote un quote, SHOOT project... that I would never “desert the desert”. They said that X-Calibur was a “Jason Johnson man through and through”, and that the blood of SHOOT’s “King of the Iron Fist”, would flow forever.

Mark Perletta: That’s a lot of quotes.

Most of the audience cheers out of respect, acknowledging the accomplishments of the wrestling legend.

X-Calibur: Yet, here I am... standing in a LEGACY ring. Without my Instant Heat brothers. Without the Iron Fist Championship. WITHOUT the SHOOT banner waving gracefully in the background...

The crowd starts listening intently.

X-Calibur: But, you know the saying as well as I do, folks. Times change, and ultimately so do our views and opinions on things. I stand before you today, not a Jason Johnson man... but, as cliché as this may sound, my OWN man. An Eryk Van Warren man, through and GOD DAMN through.

The audience roars again. It’s almost a marionette effect. Every time X gets fired up in the ring, so do the fans watching.

X-Calibur: Why am I here? Why am I standing in a LEGACY ring, once again ringing in the ratings for Rob Belote? It’s simple, really. In the beginning of November, I got tired of sitting around on my ass and waiting for that phone call to tell me I was booked to defend my title next week at some venue. Time passed on. By February? I was tired of waiting for SHOOT, period. Months and months and months of waiting and wondering and a baker’s f**king dozen worth of phone calls and questions that went unanswered. More time passed on.

X stops for a moment, shaking his head.

X-Calibur: When you’re thirty-one years old and in the prime f**king condition of your life? TIME... is not SOMETHING... that should be WASTED.

The fans pop again, recognizing this statement as complete fact.

X-Calibur: Some of my colleagues felt it was time to retire. That it was time to hang up the boots and accept the fact that the days of yesterday are forever gone and the days of tomorrow belong to the guys starting now. Me? Heh... no offense, Tim Jones and Jake Blaine, but F**K. THAT. NOISE. I am NOT satisfied to slip into retirement like some old, beat-up, piece of SHIT who can’t hack it against the world’s best anymore. I’m a MULTIPLE time world champion in numerous wrestling organizations. At thirty-one years old, I’ve ALREADY fought in epic battles worthy of a Meltzer five-star f**king rating against so many wrestling legends. ALREADY, I have lived the dreams of fifty men and shattered the expectations there’s always been.

The audience grows intensely silent, hanging onto every word.

X-Calibur: I will NOT sit idly by and let MY legacy, a legacy I have broken so many bones and spilt so many buckets of f**king blood in building, simply be pushed aside to make way for some mediocre, cocksure morsel of what he thinks is talent, just because he believes his “time is now”. No. I refuse...

X stops in his words and heads to one of the turnbuckles facing the camera and crowd.

X-Calibur: REFUSE...... REFUSE..... REFUSE....

X pounds his bare knuckles on the turnbuckle with each shout into the microphone; each padded thud resounding into the microphone and riling up the audience even further.

X-Calibur: ...REFUSE! And why you might ask?! Because what you’re looking at, whether any of you in the back want to admit it or not, is the hottest commodity in professional wrestling TODAY. Not yesterday... TODAY. And got the talent, the confidence, and the f**king fortitude to back up every word I say to you. Like the song says; ‘Feast like a Sultan, I do, on the treasures and flesh, never few.’

Suddenly, before X can continue, “Severe Punishment” by Wu-Tang Clan hits the speakers. X looks up the isle to the curtain to see who’s coming out. He doesn’t wait long, however, before Ron Bailey walks through the curtain, wearing Akademiks jeans and the black Trip Wool Jacket, also by Akademiks, sporting a light blue stripe down the sleeves. The jacket is open, showing off his teal polo shirt. Mic in hand, Bailey doesn’t stop on the stage, rather making his way down the ramp with a look of utter contempt strewn about his face, getting right into the ring, ignoring the booing fans lining the isle.

Mark Perletta: On his way to the ring now is Ron Bailey, and the fans don’t seem happy to see him.

Joey C: I don't see why not. He's clearly part of the future of this organization, one of the “young guns” on the roster. He’s got a hip theme song, too. It's a decade old, but you know kids today, and if there's one thing that everyone can agree on as "cool" it’s “old school” / “throw back” stuff.

Landon: Back to the matter at hand, I'm looking forward to this, because you can DAMN SURE expect some fireworks from these two guys

After sizing up X-Calibur for a minute once he gets into the ring, Ron Bailey raises the microphone to his mouth.

Ron Bailey: So you’re “X-Calibur”, huh?

He looks to his left, then to his right, slowly, Ron obviously frustrated about something, then he looks back at the veteran standing across the ring from him.

Ron Bailey: Nice to meet you, I’m Ron Bailey, the hottest young talent on the roster you recently joined onto.

For a moment, Ron lowers the mic from his mouth, then picks it back up before X can say anything.

Ron Bailey: At Brick by Brick, or “Triple B” as I heard you call it a couple minutes ago, I had an opportunity to make a name for myself around here, set myself apart from the pack, and I did everything I could to prepare myself for that Battle Royal.

A quick pause before Ron continues.

Ron Bailey: I scouted out everyone who had been announced for that match. I was ready for Rocky Stellar. I was prepared for Isaac Entragian. I knew what I had to do to beat Loco Martinez. Thing is, no one ever mentioned your name, so how in the hell was I supposed to prepare myself adequately?

Ron Bailey takes a step towards X-Calibur and then continues.

Ron Bailey: Because you took the “surprise” route, you cost me an opportunity that I worked long and hard to be ready for. What you did would be like having a test in English class back in high school, and the teacher says that questions are going to be asked on a certain book we had to read. Then I spend all week readin’ up on the book, getting the Cliff’s Notes, researchin’ it on the internet, and what happens? Some bullshit question about some other book gets in there and I’m so surprised to see it that it screws me up for the questions which I know the answer to.

Looking him dead in the eye, Ron Bailey takes another couple steps forward, getting about two feet from X-Calibur.

Ron Bailey: You screwed Ron Bailey outta getting a title shot!

X looks around at the fans, and then back at Ron Bailey. His smile is still half-present, almost enjoying Bailey's frustrated demeanor.

X-Calibur: So, do all the "hot young talents" that were already on this roster before I came about, cry, whine, bitch, and complain as much as you do, or are you simply the exception?

The audience laughs as Bailey looks scandalized.

Ron Bailey: Whoa, hold on, hold on… Did I just hear you right? Are you tryin’ to make fun of me? Because you really don’t have any room to be doing that, since you’re the “big bad SHOOT Project talent” who had to sneak into the Battle Royal!

X laughs.

X-Calibur: I guess you’ve never heard of the terms "expect the unexpected", or "strategy" before then, eh Ron?

X lets this sink in for a moment, before continuing.

X-Calibur: Don’t you stand there and tell me for one SECOND that you did everything you could to prepare for the match, Ron. Don’t hand me that bullshit at ALL, because I’ve been in this business a long time to know when someone’s completely full of shit. And that’s what you are Ron... full to the f**king brim. You must’ve seen the promotional pieces hit the airwaves... hell, one of them hit the airwaves almost TWO WEEKS before the match. That’s PLENTY of time to get your head out of your ass and decide that someone else bigger and badder was coming to the dance.

X lets this sink in and waits for a response. He continues to grin ear to ear, not forsaking his emotional high of returning on Bailey’s account for a second.

Ron Bailey: Look, you signed on to be on this roster, you found out about the chance to be in the Battle Royal, and instead of telling the world about it and giving your opponents in there a fair chance at matching up against you, talent for talent, you decide to take the bitch route and be all mysterious and whatnot. It’s a strategy, sure, but hiding in the shadows until the last minute to get every bit of the advantage you can… that was a bitch move, man, don’t even try to play it up like it’s not.

X mock cries in front of Bailey for a moment and into the microphone, then shouts unexpectedly.

X-Calibur: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

The crowd laughs again, some standing as the confrontation gets more heated by the second.

X-Calibur: I’m not trying to play up anything, Ronnie boy. I saw the element of surprise and I f**king TOOK it. That’s what I do, Ron. If you did your HOMEWORK on me, like you did on "everyone" in the battle royal, you would know that. You would know that I am an opportunist and make my own success. But you know what, Ron? I’m beginning to get the feeling that... that you think like the element of surprise is a bad thing, Ron!

X pauses a second and laughs, smirking once again.

Ron Bailey: Oh I'll do my research on you before we get into the ring to fight, but as you can see I'm not exactly dressed for...

Before the microphone could finish taking in the rest of Ron’s sentence, it falls to the mat and X wraps his arms tightly around an unsuspecting Ron Bailey and DROPS him like a bad habit with an X-Terminator!

Mark Perletta: OH MY GOD!

Joey C: DAMN IT!

Landon Savage: OUT OF NOWHERE!

The fans mark out from the COMPLETELY unexpected maneuver being delivered to Ron Bailey. X no sooner drops Bailey and is back on his feet, picking up the microphone he subsequently dropped in the process of execution. X kneels down beside Ron, who is out cold, and X shakes his head.

X-Calibur: Like I said... you act like the element of surprise is a BAD thing.

X stands up, grinning again.

X-Calibur: Lesson learned, I guess. See you ‘round, bitch.

With that said, X drops the microphone on the mat with a resounding thump. “Jambi” from Tool starts up in the later more fast-paced and grinding stages of the song, and the fans go nuts at everything they just witnessed. The feed switches back to a shot of the broadcast position.

Landon Savage: Looks like nothing has changed with X-Calibur since he and I last worked for the same organization. Still the same hot-headed guy who's willing to drop anyone he can with that X-Terminator of his.

Mark Perletta: Well in this case I don't think anyone is going to blame him. It's not like Ron Bailey was egging him on or anything...

Joey C: He attacked a guy who was trying to hold him accountable for pathetic, underhanded tactics, Marky. You can't SERIOUSLY be defending X-Calibur in this case.

Mark Perletta: It doesn't matter how I view what happened in the ring. The fans throughout the arena... they speak the outdest out of anyone, and they didn't have ANY problem with what X did. In fact, I think they enjoyed it.

The live feed switches and we now see Crash marching through the backstage area. He's dressed in a pair of dark blue denim jeans, an old school SWA "CRASH" t-shirt just brought back through LEGACY's merchandise store and a pair of black Timberland boots. Up around the corner, we hear two men talking. Crash slows his pace down as he hears the familiar voice of John Thomas laughing and then another man talking.

"You know John, that is a good looking suit. You've got the looks, the natural ability and charisma to be someone in LEGACY. Beating an old man like Crash though... I don't care who you are, that's still a feat --"

The mans eyes grow wide as he looks over JT's shoulder and he sees Crash. Before he can retract his comments, Crash is cutting him off.

Crash: Name's Trevor Washington, right?

The man nods.

Crash: Funny, most road agents are former wrestlers but I can't ever remember you being a wrestler. An old man like me would remember you being a wrestler, because I'd of seen you wrestle. Your not much older then me. You not being a former wrestler tells me your either related to someone who's running LEGACY or your one of the biggest ass kissers around. So as far as I'm concerned, you can shut your ass up and you can just walk away because I got no beef with you.

Crash's eyes turn from Trevor Washington, who is quick to make tracks. His eyes focus in on John Thomas, who's facing him now.

Crash: My beef is still with you. This isn't over... Not by any means imaginary or manageable. Ya dig?

John lets out a small laugh.

John Thomas: You just don’t know when to leave well enough alone, do you? You’re one of THOSE guys, huh?

Crash smirks.

Crash: No John, ya got me all wrong. I ain't one of THOSE guys. I'm your worst nightmare. I'm the last thing you needed to happen to your career right now, because as long as I know I can beat you and I don't have the win, I'm gonna keep coming and thats what will ultimately destroy you.

John shrugs.

John Thomas: You do realize that when you inevitably break your hip, you’ll have to stop trying to destroy me, right?

Crash laughs.

Crash: I'll give you this Robbie Jr., those jokes never get old, do they? It takes a real comedian to tell them, someone that sets trends like a Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy.

Crash gets serious and steps up in John's face.

Crash: I don't care what I have to do. I will get you in the ring one more time atleast and I will not throw no German suplex. And as I said earlier, I will be your worst nightmare. A midget wrestler once said this: "Pain is temporary... Pride, It's Forever!"

John closes his eyes and back up a step.

John Thomas: A woman on a commercial once said this: “Tick Tack”

As he opens his eyes, John smirks.

John Thomas: The “hip” references these days would’ve been “Dane Cook or Dave Chappelle”, but whatever. And as far as getting back into the ring with me? Fine. If you don’t want to give up, you go ahead and talk with the front office and you see about setting up our rematch, but no one wants to see me beat you a second time.

Crash shakes his head.

Crash: Thats what I wanted to hear from you. You got some Belote in you after all kid. If you beat me a second time...

He pauses.

Crash: I'll walk out.

Narrowing his eyes, John tries to tell whether Crash is serious or not, and then he starts shaking his head.

John Thomas: Easy, there, old timer. WHEN I beat you for a second time… WHEN… you don’t have to leave… you can just leave well enough alone and keep me off of the list of people whose time you’re wasting by challenging. That’d be good enough for me.

Crash slowly starts nodding his head.

Crash: Either way, it doesn’t matter, because that match… I’m winning it. And at the next edition of STRIFE, you’re going to get another taste of what it’s like to be in the ring with a legend.

As Crash turns and starts to walk away, John Thomas realizes something and calls out.

John Thomas: Whoa, hold on there for a second…

Crash stops walking and turns around, a smile on his face after hearing John Thomas’ slightly worried tone of voice.

John Thomas: NEXT Strife?

Crash nods.

Crash: Yeah. STRIFE 17, I believe. I just talked to Smith Cartwright a few minutes ago, and he didn’t say who each of our partners are going to be, but yeah, we’ve got a tag team match, so I’ll be seeing you in the ring.

A grin on his face, Crash turns and walks off, leaving John standing there, surprised by the news. The view then switches back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Tonight's episode of STRIFE was headlined by a match made during the opening segment, as Marcus Marion put his trusted cohort in the path of Stephen Rawlings, the number one contender to the LEGACY World Title.

Landon Savage: A smart move by the champion, having the challenger get into the ring with a very dangerous competitor like Blaine. From the moment I first heard it, I loved the idea.

Joey C: Marcus Marion wanted to give Stephen Rawlings a test, trying to see just how viable a contender he was going to end up being.

Mark Perletta: I'm not sure any talk of "testing" Stephen Rawlings holds any credibility. The guy has held both singles titles and tag team titles, he's made it to the main event at a pay per view back in September where he had a shot against Greyson Blade and NEARLY became World Champion. Then he went on to win the Hawkins Memorial Tournament, so in my mind, he deserves the spot he's in. He's earned it.

Landon Savage: A case could be made for Stephen having made it thus far based on luck, but whatever... Fact is, I could make a case for other people deserving shots against Marcus Marion, and those people would stand better chances than Rawlings. Since he won the tournament, Stephen Rawlings is the man with the next shot at the World Title, and nothing's going to change that.

Mark Perletta: Through the Hawkins Memorial Tournament, Stephen Rawlings had to face a variety of competitors who all approach matches in different ways... none of them, however, used the street fighting / prize fighting mix that Jake Blaine brings to the ring.

Joey C: A style, might I add, that he implemented quite well during this match, just going to show that a guy who fights the way Jake Blaine does can definitely stand toe to toe with a boring technical wrestler the likes of Stephen Rawlings.

Landon Savage: Some of the fans and some of the guys employed by LEGACY might have been surprised to see Jake Blaine have the type of success he had in the ring against Rawlings, but I, for one, wasn't! It's not like the guy is a pure boxer. It's not like his ONLY mindset is to jab and cross and uppercut... the guy did get suspended from boxing on several occasions for using illegal tactics... things that are LEGAL in a LEGACY ring!

Start : Footage from the Match

Taking "The Hellion" by the head, Stephen Rawlings wraps his opponent's head in underneath his arm and puts his fist into the air, signalling for his "Finishing Move", and as the fans realize what he's looking for, they start to get excited. Before he can lift Blaine up off the mat, Jake fires in with a hard right hand to Stephen's ribs. And then another, that one loosening Rawlings' grip enough, and Blaine pulls his head out from the grip. After taking a step back, Jake steps in and LEVELS Stephen Rawlings with a hard left hand.

Joey C: Now THAT. RIGHT. THERE. That's why it doesn't matter that he doesn't have wrestling experience. He's got FIGHTING experience, and with that, no one should under estimate him.

Landon Savage: And he just put Stephen Rawlings, the "supposed" Number One Contender, on his back.

Mark Perletta: We'll have to see how Jake Blaine can follow this up...

Stephen Rawlings tries to get to his feet, but as he does he's nailed with a kick to the gut, then taken back down to the mat with a tackle. Jake Blaine drops down and starts pummeling Rawlings with hard forearm shots to the face, one after another. After the third one, however, Stephen Rawlings blocks across with his left hand, sending a right forearm shot wide of his face. All in one fluid motion, Rawlings spins over, using the momentum from his block and having jarred Blaine from his mounted position, Stephen locks in a crossface submission.

Mark Perletta: Stephen Rawlings putting his wrestling skills to work right there to help himself gain the upperhand, and now he's got one of Jake Blaine's very dangerous arms locked in and immobilized...

Joey C: Too bad for him he didn't have BOTH of Blaine's arms locked in, as now Blaine is stretching, trying to get to the ropes...

Landon Savage: Rawlings makes the mistake of altering his position, and Jake Blaine fires backwards with his head, connecting with the jaw of his opponent!

Mark Perletta: Jake Blaine able to get free now that he loosened up Stephen's grip.

Stephen Rawlings has a hand on his jaw as he gets up from the mat, but Jake Blaine isn't far behind. The moment Stephen Rawlings took to focus on his hurt jaw was all the opportunity Jake Blaine needed, and when he got to his feet he fires in with a back elbow, catching Rawlings in the temple. After Blaine connects with another one, Rawlings tries to cover up, so Jake switches up his strategy. Backing up a few steps, Blaine hits the ropes and rebounds off and comes in and clotheslines Rawlings off his feet and down to the mat.

Joey C: Jake Blaine, getting a little more used to his surroundings, getting a little more comfortable in that wrestling ring and its differences from a boxing ring...

Mark Perletta: It was a nice use of the ropes by The Hellion, giving him momentum for that clobbering clothesline that took Stephen Rawlings to the mat.

Standing over his fallen opponent, Jake Blaine stomps downward with some force, trying to connect with Rawlings' head, but Stephen is covering up with his arms, which end up taking the brunt of the punishment. Backing up a few steps, Jake Blaine hits the ropes and comes back towards his opponent and goes to drop an elbow in the direction of Rawlings' head... but Stephen rolls out of the way!! Both men get back to their feet as quickly as they can, Rawlings getting up first. Jake Blaine doesn't want to lose his offensive so he comes in for a forearm shot, Rawlings gets his arm up and blocks it, then immediately grabs Blaine in and whips him over his head with a snap suplex!

Mark Perletta: Picture perfect snap suplex there by Rawlings, and he's not letting go just yet!

Landon Savage: Making his way back to his feet, it looks like Stephen is going for a second one...

Still holding Jake Blaine's head under his arm, Stephen Rawlings gets up off the mat and hits a second snap suplex. Without releasing his grip, Stephen spins over and works his way up off the mat, pulling Blaine up with him, and then hitting a THIRD snap suplex, this time he lets go. Stephen returns to his vertical base to the cheering from the fans who appreciated the rolling snap suplexes. Not wasting much time, Rawlings takes Jake Blaine by the head, lifts him up off the mat, locks him in under his left arm... he signals with his right arm.... Stephen lifts him up into the air... MODIFIED SCREWDRIVER!!

"THE FINISHING MOVE"!!

ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Stephen Rawlings!

Mark Perletta: Stephen Rawlings passes his first real test as the number one contender, disposing of Marcus Marion's cohort.

Joey C: Yeah, but let's be honest, this doesn't prove much of anything. Jake Blaine did a damn good job in this match, far better than he should've done or would've done if Rawlings was a TRUE number one contender. The guy hasn't had hardly any in-ring wrestling experience.

Landon Savage: Stephen Rawlings may have passed his first "test", albeit with a mediocre "grade", but after the match, when he wasn't watching over his shoulder, Rawlings failed his second "Number One Contender" test.

After having his hand raised by the referee, Stephen Rawlings walks over to the corner, climbs up onto the second turnbuckle and puts his hands into the air in victory to a decent reaction from the fans. Facing out over an arena full of people, he doesn't see Marcus Marion coming out from the back, the LEGACY World Title belt in hand, making his way down the isle. Still on the turnbuckle, Rawlings does the familiar motion with his hands around his waist, showing that he wants the World Title belt. When he steps down off the top rope and turns and steps towards the center of the ring...

BAM!!

Mark Perletta: Stephen Rawlings leveled by a huge belt-shot to the head from Marcus Marion!

Landon Savage: Test two for Rawlings - FAILURE!

Joey C: This just goes to show that you can't compare a guy like Stephen Rawlings with a guy like Marcus Marion! Look at the champion standing there with his belt, standing over Rawlings. He knows he's the better man, and I'd be real surprised if anyone takes Stephen seriously leading into this title match at the SuperCard.

Jake Blaine gets up off the mat and walks over next to Marcus Marion, looking down at Stephen Rawlings who is knocked out on the mat. Both men have grins on their faces, happy with the current state of affairs. Calmly, they both walk over and exit the ring, walking back up the ramp, proud of themselves. The parting shot of the show is of Marion and Blaine, now walking backwards up the ramp, with a shot of Stephen Rawlings on the LEGACY Vision Jumbotron over their heads.