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 camera then cuts to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Our past two episodes of STRIFE have both gained quite a bit of critical praise for the matches which opened the show. One of those matches was won by Crazy Boy, who followed up that match by nearly winning the Tao of Valor Championship. The other opening match was won by Strong Style Dragon in his debut match.

Landon Savage: The LEGACY front office booking team got together and came up with the great idea to have tonight’s opening contest feature those two individuals squaring off in the middle of the ring, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

Joey C: Personally I’m not sure what to think of either one of them except that I can say that they are both great competitors.

Mark Perletta: The offensive style that each of these two bring to the table really meshed well. Both of them are quick, both of them certainly with some tendencies towards high risk maneuvers, and both of them skilled with technical wrestling abilities.

Landon Savage: The same could be said for half of our roster, Perletta.

Mark Perletta: That’s exactly the reason why I feel like both of these individuals is a good fit for LEGACY and have the potential to do very well here.

Joey C: Either way, tonight’s opening match was another exciting one, and since we've got tons to get to tonight, let’s get down to the footage.

Start : Footage from the Match

Crazy Boy is whipped across the ring into the corner, and Strong Style Dragon rushes to follow him in! Crazy Boy throws a boot up, connecting into Strong Style Dragon’s masked face. The Strong Style Dragon staggers back, turning in mid-stagger. Crazy Boy hops onto the second turnbuckle and leaps off with a flying bulldog, riding Strong Style Dragon all the way to the canvas! He hooks the leg deep for the cover!

1…

2…

Mark Perletta: Nearfall attempt after that nice flying bulldog from Crazy Boy, and he doesn't let up!

No! Strong Style Dragon kicks out! Crazy Boy grabs Dragon’s left wrist and pulls him to his feet, twisting the arm before sending him off the ropes! Crazy Boy throws a clothesline, and the Strong Style Dragon ducks it, catching the arm and twisting under, turning Crazy Boy toward him. Strong Style Dragon leaps up onto Crazy Boy’s thighs and rolls back for a monkey flip, but Crazy Boy springs through with a front handspring onto his feet! Strong Style Dragon is on his feet as well, and when Crazy Boy turns around, the Strong Style Dragon leaps into the air and twists his body a full 360 degrees with a cyclone kick to Crazy Boy’s face!

Joey C: Holy crap!!

Mark Perletta: Strong Style Dragon goes for the cover, hooking both legs...

1…

2…

…

NO! Crazy Boy shoves his right shoulder off the canvas and Strong Style Dragon gets to his feet, while Crazy Boy uses the back of his left hand to check for blood in his mouth, coming up with a little on his knuckles. Strong Style Dragon pulls Crazy boy to his feet and throws Crazy Boy’s left arm over his head, snapping back with a Northern Lights Suplex! Strong Style Dragon rolls backward, however, and pulls Crazy Boy back up to his feet with him, snapping up for a second Northern Lights. He then turns and shoves Crazy Boy upward. Dragon drops to a knee and Crazy Boy lands with his ribs across the extended knee of the Strong Style Dragon! Unrelenting, the Strong Style Dragon springs up and hits the ropes at a full sprint as Crazy Boy clutches his ribs, down on one knee. Strong Style Dragon rebounds off the ropes and plants his left foot on Crazy Boy’s knee, thrusting his other foot right into Crazy Boy’s face, riding him down to the canvas!

Mark Perletta: Dragon looking for another pinfall attempt as he again hooks the legs!

1…

2…

Landon Savage: Crazy Boy kicks out again!

Sitting up, the Strong Style Dragon nods his head, in a way approving Crazy Boy’s tenacity, as he pulls Crazy boy back to his feet. Strong Style Dragon whips Crazy Boy to the ropes, but on the return Crazy Boy twists under Strong Style Dragon’s arm, blocking the whip attempt as he knees Dragon in the ribs! Crazy Boy hooks under both arms, and snaps back with a butterfly suplex! Crazy Boy rolls backward to his feet and twists a full circle, still holding the Strong Style Dragon’s arms, pulling him between his legs and hoists him up and hits a Tiger Bomb! He’s got the cover!

1…

2…

…

NO!

Joey C: Now THAT was damn close!

The Strong Style Dragon kicks both legs hard, rolling his shoulders off the canvas! Crazy Boy pulls Dragon to his feet and shoves him back into the near corner, following in with a running dropkick to the face! Dragon slumps, and Crazy Boy lifts his opponent up and whips Dragon off to the other side, following behind as Dragon takes the turnbuckles to the sternum, Crazy Boy immediately clotheslining him in the back of the head as he staggers backwards a step after the impact, sending him back into the turnbuckle! Crazy Boy hooks under Dragon’s arm and hoists him up onto the top turnbuckle, before pulling him down for a tree of woe!

Mark Perletta: This could mean trouble for the Strong Style Dragon...

Landon Savage: Crazy Boy letting that blood rush to the head of his opponent...

Crazy Boy back pedals and rushes from the far corner, leaping half-way through the ring to deliver a hanging dropkick to the Strong Style Dragon’s face! He pulls Dragon out of the corner and covers him!

1…

No!

Mark Perletta: The Strong Style Dragon gets his left foot on the bottom rope!

Crazy Boy pulls the Dragon to his feet, but the Strong Style Dragon fires a sudden forearm to Crazy Boy’s ribs! Crazy Boy backs off before planting the bottom of his right foot in Dragons’ forehead! Crazy Boy pulls Dragon to his feet and sends him off the ropes! Crazy Boy lifts a knee, and Dragon rolls over the knee on the rebound, swinging through into a school boy!

1…

2…

Joey C: Crazy Boy kicks out!

Mark Perletta: Dragon's not giving up, though, he turns right into Crazy Boy... but Crazy Boy grabs him up and slips down into a tight small package!

1…

2…

Dragon kicks out hard! Both men get to their feet and Crazy Boy throws a clothesline, Dragon ducks and quickly grabs Crazy Boy’s hip as he passes, tucking into a sudden sunset flip-style pin!

1…

2…

Crazy Boy kicks out, and as they both get to their feet, Crazy Boy quickly catches Dragon with a drop toe hold! Dragon’s face bounces off the canvas and he starts to rise to his feet with one hand over his nose, but Crazy Boy rolls over Dragon’s back with an Oklahoma Roll!

1…

2…

Dragon kicks out and is caught with a boot to the abdomen! Crazy Boy sends the Strong Style Dragon off the ropes, and Dragon comes back, being caught for a tilt-a-whirl! Dragon lands on his feet, but he reaches in and hooks Crazy Boy’s left arm over one of his own before wrapping up the other arm and twists right into a backslide!

1…

2…

3!!

The referee signals for the bell, and Crazy Boy kicks out a hair-of-a-second too late!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner by pinfall... Strrrrong.... Style... Drrrragon!!!

Strong Style Dragon gets to his feet, and backs up as Crazy Boy looks at the referee in astonishment. Crazy Boy turns to the Strong Style Dragon, and before any threatening motions can be made, the Strong Style Dragon extends his hand to Crazy Boy. Crazy Boy looks down at the hand, before slowly accepting the handshake.

Mark Perletta: Another fantastic opening match, and Crazy Boy doesn't look to be happy with the outcome, but you can bet that with a match like that, picking up a victory is just slightly better than being on the losing end, at least in the eyes of the fans or the front office.

Joey C: Right now it does, but in a month or so, all people are going to remember is that Strong Style Dragon got the win over Crazy Boy.

Landon Savage: The only thing that might change that fact, though, is if this match goes down as a Match of the Year candidate, which it very well might!

The camera cuts to the back where Gigantus Awesomo is standing against a wall. He is banging his head into it, and the IBS consultants are standing behind him holding a pen and a piece of paper out to him.

Wellington: Mr. Awesomo? Are you ok?

Dominic: We assure you that this process is completely safe. No one will uh… Get hurt… Accept maybe you… If you keep hitting your head like that…

Awesomo stops and turns back to them.

Wellington: So... Is it a go? Can we start uploading these to the Legacy website, or are you going to disappoint all those millions of fans out there, waiting to see them?

Awesomo stands still contemplating their offer.

Dominic: I'm not going to keep reiterating the importance of a manger but if I-

Gigantus grabs the pen, and the paper, and stares at them. He then puts the paper on top of Dominic's head. He then begins to sign it.

Dominic: There aren't any periods in his name are there?

Wellington: Nope.

Dominic: Phew

Gigantus finishes signing it, and throws the pen and paper at them.

Wellington: Excellent we'll-

Gigantus turns around and walks away.

Wellington: Right… We'll be off.

The IBS consultants leave and Gigantus smashes right into a smirking Tim Jones.

Tim Jones: Ahh…. Mr. Masked Man… I've been looking for you.

Gigantus cocks his head to the side in confusion.

Tim Jones: You see… I feel bad that you lost your bet by such a close margin before, so I thought I'd offer you another one.

Gigantus stands there motionless, obviously not enthused by Tim at all.

Tim Jones: The bet is simple… I bet you that you'll bleed before this night is over.

Gigantus steps forward.

Tim Jones: Wait wait, now listen… If I win, then you have to give me another hint… If you win… then you do whatever you want to me. Well… except sex… That's strictly for my ladies! We got a deal?

He sticks his hand out to solidify the deal. Gigantus slowly puts his hand up, and shakes it.

Gigantus Awesomo: You're on little man!

Suddenly Jones whips a crowbar out and smashes it into the head of Gigantus. Gigantus falls to the wall and hunches over. He feels his head, and blood is seeping through the mask. He begins to laugh, small at first, but it becomes a very demented maniacal laugh. He stands back up.

Gigantus: Hint…? Here's your hint!

He spears Jones and they both fall to the ground. Gigantus begins to punch Jones in the face, but Jones managed to keep the crow bar and hits Gigantus in the back with it. Giagntus laughs again and smashes both his fists into Tim's face before Tim manages to get leverage and push him off. Tim then drops the bar and the two rush into one another fists ablazing. It doesn't last much longer however, as security gets there and breaks it up.

The fans are greeted with a song that they don’t typically hear as “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple begins to play, and they immediately get to their feet to see LEGACY owner Rob Belote walk out from the back, coming through the curtain wearing a navy blue suit with a lighter blue tie. He waves at a few people as he walks down to the ring, shaking the hands of a few individuals as he gets to the bottom of the ramp, then walks on up the steel steps before heading into the ring. He walks across the ring, going up to Josephina Colbert, who hands him a microphone. After taking the mic, he waits for his theme song to die under before he speaks.

Rob Belote: Now this isn’t something I usually do… it’s something I used to do back in the day, but I’ve told you all that this is a new “me”, that I’m not trying to be the center of attention any more like I might have been prone to be nearly a decade ago, so bare with me and I’ll make this as quick as possible.

Rob clears this throat after moving the microphone and then continues.

Rob Belote: Sorry about that, I’ve had a bit of a cold since coming back from London, despite the fact that there wasn’t any rain coming down while I was over there. Now speaking of my trip over seas, many of you probably heard about it. There was a little mention of my trip on the website and on the increasingly more popular fan forums prior to my leaving, though along the way, someone started the rumor that this wasn’t just a personal trip. The rumor had it that I went to London not only to see the sights with my family, but to also do some international scouting and recruiting. Rumors being as they are, this rumor started taking on a life of its own, and it’s to the point now where I decided that I have to address this issue.

A modest level of excitement starts to grow all around the arena as Belote pauses momentarily.

Rob Belote: Here’s the thing – with various organizations downsizing or closing, and with LEGACY’s financial situation getting better and better and our touring expanding past just the greater North East, that presents needs and opportunities for growth. Growth of our production department, marketing department, merchandise department, and yes, the roster.

Rob clears his throat again.

Rob Belote: So yes, while I was in the United Kingdom, I did, in fact, do both scouting AND recruiting, and I’m happy to say that more than one individual agreed to initial terms for a contract to compete as part of the LEGACY roster. One of these individuals I consider to be a very big signing, and when I told the front office, they were EXTREMELY excited by it, as excited for this individual as they were for my signing of X-Calibur OR Rocky Stellar.

The excitement level increases significantly.

Rob Belote: And in two weeks, at the three-hour super-sized SuperCard, that individual will be IN HOUSE, will come out to this ring, and he WILL address you, the fans, to let you know that he’s officially a part of our roster!

The excitement level increases slightly and maintains that intensity as Rob Belote raises his hand, waiving to the crowd, and walks out of the ring, down the ring steps, and back up the ramp with his theme music playing. The scene then cuts back to a shot of the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Did you just hear that?! Three-hours?! That's crazy! That's just as along as a pay per view event, and we're giving it to you on April 19th, free and live, only on FX!

Landon Savage: Well it IS the one-year anniversary of LEGACY's first show with Rob Belote at the helm, and you know what's funny? Marcus Marion was the World Champion at the first show, and here we are, one year later, and he's got the belt around his waist.

Joey C: And I don't see that changing at the SuperCard, not against Stephen Rawlings, anyway. It would take a return by Greyson Blade and a handicap match to get that belt off of Marion now.

Mark Perletta: Show after show, LEGACY’s tag team division seems to be growing in not only the number of teams, but also the quality of teams.

Landon Savage: Clearly as far as this match is concerned, you’re just talking about Domination, right?

Mark Perletta: Well I am talking about the impressive team of Domination, lead by their manager Trent Logan, but I was impressed by the first-time team of Allen Franks and Jerry Starr as well.

Joey C: Whoa, wait just a minute. Impressed by those two idiots? You can’t be serious…

Mark Perletta: No one expected them to be the best team in the division, and they aren’t, but I think they’re a good pairing. They’ve both got the same Canadian technical wrestling style to their arsenal. This match certainly went a long way towards building the chemistry between them, and if they continue to team up, they could definitely be a top contending team in this division.

Landon Savage: Yeah, maybe, but that’s a big “IF”, Perletta. But what we don’t have to speculate about is whether or not Domination is going to keep teaming up. They are GOING to keep teaming up, and their chemistry is already built, already strong. With each match they have, they are going to be climbing the ladder, and it’s only a matter of time before people start seeing them as a top contender here.

Joey C: And they showed just that during this match.

Start : Footage from the Match

Franks is writhing in pain and trying to reach for the ropes as Steve O’Reily cranks up the pressure on his back with the boston crab. Finally, after raising his hand like he was going to tap, Franks grunted his way to the bottom rope, effectively breaking the submission hold. Starr yells at Franks to “get your ass up” as Venom takes a moment to gain back his breath from the amount of strength he spent holding onto the move.

Mark Perletta: Franks nearly tapped there. I think the ropes saved this match from being over.

Joey C: Of course he almost did. That kid couldn’t win a match if his life depended on it.

Landon Savage: I don’t think that’s fair to Franks, considering he damn near took the No Limits Championship from Diego last week.

Joey C: Did he win it?

Mark Perletta: Well, no, but what I think our colleague is getting at is-

Joey C: Then I rest my case.

Steve O’Reily brings Franks to Domination’s corner, and promptly tags in Ben Murdock. Rage wastes no time in dropping some elbows to the small of Franks’ throbbing back before going for a pin attempt.

One...

Two...

The ref only gets two when Franks shows signs of life and kicks out.

Mark Perletta: Domination is certainly making Franks work in this match. I don’t think they really believe that they were going to put away Franks there, but they made him work anyhow.

Landon Savage: My sentiments exactly.

Ben Murdock brings Franks to his feet, but is met with a standing dropkick! Murdock reels back into the ropes, and Franks is on his feet, heading for his teammate who has his hand outstretched. “Rage” Murdock however runs and connects in the back of Franks’ shoulder blades with a powerful lariat that sends him face first into the canvas. Rage rolls Franks over, going for another attempt.

Mark Perletta: Ben might actually have him here, that lariat was brutal.

One!

Two!!

STARR OUT OF NOWHERE WITH A SPRINGBOARD LEG DROP!

Joey C: WHOA!

Landon Savage: I think Starr had enough of seeing his partner struggle in there...

Mark Perletta: He connected RIGHT in the back of Ben’s skull with that, too. Murdock might be knocked out!

Jerry Starr scoffs at the referee who threatened to disqualify him if he didn’t exit before the five-count. Starr made his way out at 4.9 seconds, and starts YELLING and SCREAMING at Franks to get up off the mat and cover or make a tag.

Crowd: “Lets go Franks! Lets go Franks!”

Mark Perletta: The crowd is really starting to get into this kid... after his match with Diego I think he really showed everybody that he can “go”.

Landon Savage: I don’t think it’ll be long before we see this kid start chalking up the wins... and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it begin with this match.

Joey C: Please. Domination has been too DOMINATING in this match to even THINK about Franks winning. That is of course unless Starr can manage to bail him out.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Franks rolls over and makes the cover.

ONE!

NO! BEN MURDOCK KICKS OUT!

Franks musters up all the willpower in his body to stand up off the mat, and collapse on the outstretched hand of his tag team partner. Starr comes in and the fans cheer in approval, despite not really knowing who Jerry Starr is. Starr immediately starts kicking the downed Ben Murdock. In the ribs, on the side of the head, and on the legs. The fans actually start booing with disapproval as Starr kicks a downed man.

Steve O’Reily becomes incensed at this, and Starr is ready for him with a running calf-kick to the face! O’Reily goes down, and Ben Murdock gets up, feeling the effects of all those kicks to various portions of his body. Ben swings out of defense, but Starr is ready and ducks the swinging right hook. Starr with a ROUGH looking eye gouge that sends Murdock down to one knee, which garners a stern admonishing from the ref.

Mark Perletta: I can’t believe this guy. Is that all he knows how to do? Dirty moves?

Joey C: I don’t know much about Jerry Starr other than that he’s Canadian, like Franks, and his manager loves World of Warcraft... but, I’m beginning to really dig this guy’s style.

Landon Savage: The fans aren’t sure what to make of him. That springboard leg drop got some applause before, though...

With “Rage” Murdock down on one knee, Starr points at his tag team partner and tells him to “watch this sh*t”. Starr runs to the second rope, springboards, twists in mid-air and connects with an enziguri to the back of Ben’s head! On the outside, Starr’s manager Carl lets out a girlish squeal that sends the front row of people in stitches.

Landon Savage: Haha, I think Calgary Carl enjoyed that move a little bit too much.

Mark Perletta: “Calgary” Carl?

Landon Savage: Yeah, that’s his name.

Mark Perletta: Says who?

Landon Savage: Says me.

Instead of going for the pin attempt, Starr looks over at his manager, and screams at him for embarrassing “his team”. With this momentary distraction, Ben Murdock starts getting to his feet and manages to waist lock the distracted Starr, and DROPS him with a release German suplex. Starr lands hard, and Ben quickly crawls over to O’Reily for the tag.

Mark Perletta: What a big mistake for Jerry Starr. He might’ve had this match won had he not been so distracted by his OWN manager.

Joey C: Look at Steve O’Reily!

STEVE looks at the audience, and then signals for something. Starr is halfway to his feet when Steve O’Reily gets him into position and nails his signature power bomb!

Landon Savage: Starr is done! And Franks is still on his back on the apron!

“Venom” O’Reily covers...

...ONE!

...TWO!!

...THREE!!!

Josephina Colbert: The winners of this match, by pinfall... Steve "Venom" O'Reily and Ben "Rage" Murdock... DOMINATION!!!

Mark Perletta: Domination picking up a victory here in their LEGACY debut…

Landon Savage: And with a name like Domination, you’d hope they wouldn’t lose to two guys who never teamed up together before.

Mark Perletta: Jerry Starr and Allen Franks did a decent job in this match, and personally I hope they team up again.

Joey C: Frankly I’m just glad I finally know who the two members of Domination are. For a while I thought maybe they were going to turn out to be AKI Man and THQ Man.

Landon Savage: Wait, what?

Mark Perletta: Was that a video game reference?

Joey C: Let’s just move on, shall we?

Cabo, Mexico

And the snapshot opens to this tropical region…the air is hot and humid, the perfect vacationing spot. As such, we open up to a pier, off the bank of a small hill. Cars criss-cross, and zigzag across the streets, with their bass systems up. With all the ruckus going on the camera concentrates on…

The Blondes: Marcus Marion and Nicole Rhodes. The World Champion and his “first lady” are both seen enjoying another leg on their vacationing trails. Marion is seen teaching “Nikki” how to bait her fishing hook. Sticking worms on the end of her line, she tosses her line out into the sea below. Marion, on the other-hand, is seen with a nice collection of fish already collected on his behalf. He leans against the rail of the pier, with the street lights hanging overhead, the World title slung over his right shoulder….the envy of the rest of LEGACY over the broad shoulders of its most hated superstar.

MARCUS MARION: It’s not the house on the hill, but a man could definitely get used to this. And what more, while the Revolutionary is out here actually enjoying the fruits of his labor, and of course, I refer to spurring LEGACY to it’s first golden age. You’ve got the rest of the locker room hiding in locker rooms, cellars, and god forbid churches plotting to take away the only thing I care about: The World title. And you’ve got the nerve to call yourselves Christians? Look around, you think people are filling out apps because they’ve got nothing better to do?

He looks around him, then back at the camera.

MARCUS MARION: No, they do it because they all heard about this guy from Atlanta. Stephen Rawlings, the latest demonstration being staged by the LEGACY faithful is just another example of how low a federation will stoop to get this title off of me. And, I’m never one to cry conspiracy, but isn’t breaking up my vacation time with a silly and very arbitrary “title match” conspiracy enough, for you?

Marion smirks at that remark, Nicole who is wearing a white blouse, and a pretty white hat to complete the set, turns, smiles, and bears those perfect pearly whites to the camera. Looking more like a show-piece, an advertisement for the “perfect woman” more than a wrestling valet, the twenty-two year old Rhodes stands in all her radiance.

MARCUS MARION: Rawlings, just thought I’d throw it out there that I saw that little clip of yours and besides making me lose my lunch, it did make me lose something else, this serious attitude I’ve been lugging around. For the record, LEGACY, and you ESPECIALLY Rawlings we’ve all seen what pent up aggression, and a penchant for not following my, and doctor’s orders got a few people in LEGACY. It got Justin Moreno a his first of many trips to the vet. Got Herbert Moxley, well, I’ll come back to him… it got DJ Cassidy a concussion, and my personal fave, it got Greyson Blade a record third trip to the hospital in one month, not to mention his first “tap out”.

Marion stares a bone-chilling glance into the camera. Like a winters’ gaze.

MARCUS MARION: The world needs to smile more, myself included. So, from this day forward, Rawlings, it’s not incumbent that I walk around with my chest pushed out, and my eyes boiling with the rage of disappointment. I’m going to smile. And I’ll do it for much loftier reasons than because I “can”. I’ll do it because LEGACY really needs a dose of cheering up. And when it’s all over all you’ll have left is a fractured jaw and about twenty-thousand apology letters to send out to those morons in the stands. For not living up to your word. For fibbing, lying, and telling tall tales of taking this title.

He grins.

MARCUS MARION: But don’t worry there’s solace in religion. God takes care of babies and fools.

Suddenly back in the arena the big screen goes black and "Champion" by Grinspoon begins to Blare throughout the arena. Stephen Rawlings walks out from the back and stands the LEGACY Vision jumbotron holding a mic. He shakes his head in disappointment as he looks up at it.

Stephen Rawlings: I was standing back there a minute ago, just like I was two weeks ago, waiting for someone in the production trailer to PLEASE turn that crap off, but as the saying goes, if you want something done, sometimes you have to do it yourself.

This elicits a decent response from the crowd.

Stephen Rawlings: What was the point of that, anyway? Why does this entire arena need to be forced to watch such useless bullshit. Yeah yeah... Marcus... You're the champion... You can do whatever you want... You don't care about our match because I'm a maggot and you’re the World Champion. We heard it all last week. And by the reactions of all the fans, no one cared last week, and no one cared this week.

He begins to walk down the aisle and gives a few kids high fives. He then climbs into the ring and stares out at the cheering crowd.

Stephen Rawlings: Well... I should correct that... One person cared last week. Me. It didn't anger me. It made me feel sorry for him. I sat at home doing crunches, thinking to myself. That poor man... Has to go on vacation because no one cares that he’s the champion. Go on vacation, Where there’s no one to not care. He sits there in his short shorts, and bimbo girlfriend, saying it’s because he doesn’t care about his match against me.

Rawlings laughs.

Stephen Rawlings: That's complete and utter bullshit. Obviously he cares, because if he really didn't care about wrestling me at the Supercard... He wouldn't spend time out of his precious "vacation" to let me know he was on vacation... To let me know he didn’t care about wrestling me. He's just a poser. Like one of those high-school students that pretends to do something to make themselves look good. THAT is his talent... And cheating... Those things become second nature when wrestling ISN'T!

He takes a breath and then continues on.

Stephen Rawlings: I'm not out here to badmouth him though. He's done enough of that for the both of us. I'm out here, because I needed to be out here. I wanted a match tonight... To show I was both mentally and physically ready for my match with Marion, but the front office refused. They said I had to be 100 % for the main event at the super card. I wanted to disagree, but I couldn't... Because this place is over-run with hooligans... Dan Stein, The Boshido Buntai, even someone I used to consider a friend... Loco Martinez... I consider them all threats, because all of them in one way or another create a form of anarchy, and when that anarchy comes into form... It's not good for the good stand out performers... And I don't trust ANYONE in the back to protect me from it but the two people who are GONE... Injured by Stein or Marion... And all I could think then was... Why is this happening?

Rawlings looks confused.

Stephen Rawlings: How anyone can LET this happen... Then I remember... MARCUS MARION... He is the source... The World Champion is the biggest anarchy supplier of them all. From the moment this federation became Legacy... He was there making sure that there was something going wrong. And now he represents what this company means... So, seeing all of that stupid inappropriate, juvenile behavior backstage comes as no surprise... That is why I am here today.... To make an example... To show all of our new employees that there is light at the end of the Tunnel... That there is a leader... One that will lead this company back to the light it once saw, not continue to lead it into a hell that anyone who can utter the word good with out stuttering fears. I have discovered a new purpose in life.

The look on Rawlings' face is a very serious one.

Stephen Rawlings: I need to be that leader. I can't just beat Marcus Marion because he has the title... I can't just win the title because it’s what I've trained my whole f*ckin life to win... I have to beat Marcus Marion to help this company. To bring it back to something that can’t be called a laughing stock. I can beat Marcus Marion, I know I can... I'm not gonna ram it down everyone's throats, saying clap if you believe... Because people will think what they want... I've learned that by now... I know what I know, and I know people think what THEY think...

He pauses for a moment.

Stephen Rawlings: I know I can beat him, and when I do... I will take siege of the all pain and trouble this league has suffered. I will bring redemption and forgiveness to all those who have sinned and ask for it. I will lead. I will be here week after week, getting to know the fans... Getting to know the wrestlers, young and old... Advanced and Novice... And most importantly... I will take care of the problems... One person at a time... Beating Marcus Marion means the future integrity of this company.... So be with me and cheer me on as I pin him 1...2...3... In the center of this very ring.... Or be with him, and look for a new company to watch, because you're not fans of Legacy Wrestling.

He stops and listens to the crowd reactions. They are cheering his name... Raw-lings.... Raw-lings... Raw-ling, Raw-lings!!!!

Stephen Rawlings: Legacy fans are smart... And that’s why I want to represent you! That is why I fight for YOU above everything else... Why tonight... I will come out there, and meet every single one of YOU!

He drops his mic and leaps out of the ring. He then leaps into the crowd and begins to shake their hands getting their names. The camera then cuts back to the Mark Perletta and Gang in the Studio.

Landon Savage: When he first said he was going to meet every single LEGACY fan, I thought he was kidding, but then when he jumped the guardrail and actually started shaking hands… this kid, the challenger to the World Title, turned into a complete JOKE!

Joey C: How does a guy like that ACTUALLY expect to beat Marcus Marion? Sure, he’s training up, drinking his milk, taking his vitamins, saying his prayers, but a prayer of a chance is something that Stephen Rawlings doesn’t have.

Mark Perletta: Now hold on, guys, I beg to differ. Stephen Rawlings may have a different approach than other people, but that’s what makes him unique, and I think that uniqueness is going to carry him to a World Title victory.

The Shield. Only on FX.

The screen fades in. We return from an FX commercial promoting the new season of "The Shield".

Mark Perletta: At this time, we're going to go to a live feed. Crash couldn't be here tonight with us. He left after getting news just days ago of a family member of his passing away. He is here now, live via satellite.

Before Perletta can continue, Joey C interrupts and gets things going with a question.

Joey C: Lets cut through the crap. Are you hiding out after your loss to John Thomas and Ron Bailey?

Crash's serious look turns into one of disgust.

Crash: I'm not sure if your trying to be humorous or just an ass but I'll answer your question anyhow, Joe. I'm not hiding out from John Thomas. Not a chance. Any man in this home right now or any one of them backstage in that arena that knows me, damn well knows I'm not hiding. My mother's brother, my uncle, passed the other night. I'm here with my family.

Joey C: A likely story. I don't buy it at all.

Crash rolls his eyes, trying to shake off any anger he might have at the moment. Mark Perletta speaks now.

Mark Perletta: Sorry to hear about your loss, as I, unlike Joey, believe you. You wouldn’t lie about something like this, and I don’t think you’re hiding from anyone. Now lets go back two weeks ago. What are your thoughts on what happened in your tag team reunion with your old partner, X-Calibur?

Crash is silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

Crash: Well to be honest, as much as I dislike John Thomas, I was overridden with joy at the fact that I'd be teaming with my old tag team partner once again. X was the best tag team partner I've ever had and I've had a few great ones. A lot of guys make the case for Stellar Insanity or The Beautiful People or this team and that team, but in my humble opinion, there has never been a team with so much natural talent, charisma and ability to carry a promotion like we had. My memory isn't that good Mark but its been a few years since we've teamed together and I must say, we didn't miss a step. My excitement got the best of me though. Me and X were crushing John Thomas and Ron Bailey. Things were looking damn familiar. Me and Eryk Van Warren in the drivers seat and on our way to victory, until that jackass--

Crash begins to boil over with anger at the mention of his foes name.

Crash: -- John Thomas, decided to resort to underhand tactics and use a brass knuckles on me. I'm not going to complain and cry though. I'm gonna use it. Its fuel to a fire that's already burning. I'm gonna get my day soon enough with him. Its coming soon...

Landon Savage winces for a second before he speaks.

Landon Savage: John Thomas has stated in the past that he feels he has no reason to face you again. You got your match, but there are a lot of doubters out there who don’t think you’re going to get the job done in the rematch, either. In my mind, if you'd of pinned him in that tag team match, you'd have possibly started changing people’s minds, but you didn't.

Crash: Thats right, I didn't. I will make no excuses but I will make a valid point. I kicked John's ass for most of that match, though. He came out the victor, but my dominance was seen, just like it’s going to be seen at the SuperCard.

Joey C quickly chimes in.

Joey C: I think what Lando wants to say is that the only thing that matters is winning, not losing. You lost. That makes you a loser, Crash. Why should a winner like John Thomas want to face a loser like you once more?

Crash smirks.

Crash: Because I will keep coming at him, and he knows that. He knows he’s not done with me yet, and that’s why he took this rematch. The match at Brick-By-Brick was a fluke, everyone knows that. STRIFE 17 just means war to me. When I set my mind and intentions on something, it just doesn't go away. I'm not from this new school of wrestlers that John Thomas is familiar with. You want to open your mouth and talk trash? Back it up. He hasn't been able to back it up. He's that kid on the playground who sucker punches you and runs, then tells everyone he kicked your ass. He can knock me down with cheap-shots and lucky pinfalls all he wants, but I'll keep getting back up until I’m satisfied with the result, win OR lose. He’s going to run out of little bullshit tricks soon, if he hasn’t already. When he does and there is nothing more to use or hide behind, we're gonna see if he can kick this old dog's ass. I got a feeling --

Crash laughs a sinister laugh.

Crash: -- that he can't. And we’re going to see that unfold in two weeks time!

With that the satellite feed is terminated.

Mark Perletta: Crash seems very determined and motivated to get his hands on John Thomas.

Joey C: Smith Cartwright needs to get ahold of this before it erupts and he loses control! Crash needs to be stopped.

Landon Savage: Let'em go. They both got big mouths. Lets see who really can back up their talk.

Joey C: I figured you'd say that Lando! We need order, not anarchy. Lets get to another match or something.

Mark Perletta: When this match was booked, I initially thought that we were going to see two of the newer members of the LEGACY roster battle it out to see who was going to take that next step up the ladder, trying to set themselves apart from the crowd. Where this match ended up, however, was nowhere near where it started.

Joey C: I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but what you just said, Marky, isn’t exactly accurate. In fact, one of LEGACY’s newer roster members DID play a huge factor in the outcome of this match.

Landon Savage: Since this match was over not long after it got started, let’s just get down to the footage of what went down as these two locked up inside the squared circle.

Start : Footage from the Match

Once the opening bell for the match rings, Blaine and Riggs both start circling the ring a bit, sizing up one another. Riggs moves in to try for the lock-up, but Jake Blaine fires in with a hard left hand, Riggs just barely able to step back to avoid it. Again Riggs tries to move in, but again Blaine fires in, this time with a right hand that finds its mark on the chest of Riggs. Without hesitation, Riggs runs in and locks up with Blaine and backs him into the corner where he starts firing in with a couple of knee-lifts to Jake’s gut. Tony follows that up by sending Jake towards the middle of the ring with a hiptoss that lands the former boxing champion down onto his back. Jake gets right back up off the mat, and as he does, Tony Riggs runs in and drops him down with a clothesline.

Mark Perletta: Tony Riggs not even letting Jake Blaine fully get back to his feet before he sends him back down to the mat.

Joey C: If I were Riggs, I wouldn’t want to get hit with those punches from The Hellion either!

After dropping Jake Blaine to the mat with a clothesline, Tony Riggs is about to follow up the move when he notices something out the corner of his eye. Turning and looking towards the entrance ramp, he spots Matt Towers just as he gets up onto the apron, moving over to that part of the ring as Towers steps over the top rope. Riggs fires in with a right hand, but Matt Towers blocks it and sends a vicious headbutt right to the forehead of Riggs, dropping him to the mat, causing blood to start coming down from the bridge of his noes. Matt Towers immediately turns his attention to Jake Blaine, who is getting back up off the mat with a look of surprise on his face. Stepping towards him and reaching out, Towers grabs Blaine by the throat. With one arm, Towers lifts Blaine high above his head, turns, and throws Jake downwards and onto his back with a chokeslam.

FALLING TOWERS!!

Mark Perletta: What the hell is Matt Towers doing out here?!

Joey C: He’s having his way with TWO of LEGACY’s competitors, that’s what!

Mark Perletta: Well he didn’t exactly try to hide his actions from the referee, and since he attacked both competitors, the referee has no choice but to call for the bell and declare this match a no contest.

Landon Savage: Well obviously Matt Towers came out there for some reason, so after the match a cameraman was sent to his locker room to figure it out.

The camera pans around a locker room and all that it houses is a great big gym bag with some contents such as wrestling boots and other wrestling attire that are visible being that the zipper of the bag is unzipped. This stressing the point that whoever’s bag it is has been rummaging through it. The camera pans to the floor which is blade proof. The floor is black with red splotches through out it in no particular pattern.

Just then the heavy door flies open and in walks “The Big Mean Bastard” Matt Towers, the man who just ended Jake Blaine and Tony Riggs match early. His face seems to be aflame. And even a moron like Gigantus Awesomo can clearly tell that Matt Towers is quite pissed off. His eyes are piercing and rage can find a voice through them. He storms into the locker room decked out in a pair of black slacks and a white button up shirt, which has blood on it, from spitting Tony Riggs head wide open earlier, with a massive head butt. He slams the door behind him.

Matt Towers: What the f*ck?

He nearly punches the wall, but then he thinks better of it.

Matt Towers: How dare they!? It was suppose to be my glorious return to the ring. I was going to comeback in amazing fashion, but I got stuck in in the ring with someone that has no talent and no business of being in the ring with me, and then they dare to not even give me a spot on Strife 18! Sometimes you have to draw a line...

Towers pauses for a moment before continuing.

Matt Towers: So a lot of you are probably wondering why I ended Jake Blaine and Tony Riggs match tonight, right? The first reason was to get back at the management who run this shit hole, ruining one of their matches they put on the show instead of one with me in it. And the second, quite frankly it bored me to watch two low life’s as themselves who have no talent and no business even being in Legacy.

Shaking his head back and forth.

Matt Towers: I can only imagine what the brilliant minds that lead this company will have for me next? Will it be more wonderful talent like Charles Johnson? I hope not, I really do. I didn’t come to Legacy to get some low life chumps that can’t even handle holding my jock-strap. I thought there would be competition, but I was wrong. I was very wrong. Not only was I mistaken, but it could be the worst decision I have ever made. Taking over Legacy will be easier then I thought.

Matt Towers walks over to a small steel chair off to the left hand side of the room and takes a seat, shaking his head with his eyes still remaining focused on the camera.

Matt Towers: I wanted to become something great here. Something bigger and better then anyone has ever seen before. What do I get? A big pile of shit that doesn’t amount to anything! I have only a few more steps to take this place over and become the dominant force. What all do I have to do to get somebody talented to wrestle around here?

A grin forms on Towers’ face.

Matt Towers: Maybe I’ll just have to spice this up a little bit. Raise the bar a little bit and add my own personal style to the matter. Who knows? This seems to be getting even more interesting. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see what I want to do next. Ideas just keep popping into my head. I knew that coming in here and destroying all my competition would be easy, but I suppose I can make it even easier. If you think this is bad, just realize that this is the calm before the storm.

Matt Towers gets to his feet and heads to the gym bag on the floor. He picks it up throwing the strap over his broad shoulders before he heads out the door, slamming it on the way out.

The arena is illuminated with red spotlights, shining down from above and up through the steel entrance ramp as “The Mirror” by Dream Theater hits the speakers. Knowing what’s coming, the fans begin booing as they get to their feet and turn their attention towards the stage. Hendrickson Tyler is the first member of the Syndicate to walk through the curtain, wearing his ring attire and the black shirt with the red italic “D” on it. Following behind him is “The All Star” James Win, decked out in a shining gold outfit, with matching gold rimmed glasses with gold lenses.

Even as those two start down the ramp, the crowd is still watching the curtain. They get what they’re waiting for, though, and the intensity of their booing increases as Gryffin Anselm steps out from the back and joins the other two on their trek down the ramp. When they all get into the ring, Josephina Colbert walks over and hands the microphone to Gryffin. After glancing down at it, Anselm extends his arm and hands the mic over to James Win.

James Win: Thank you, thank you, you’re too kind, really. Such an ovation… No wonder Savannah is tied with “a history of slavery” as the “Pride of the South”.

This elicits an even bigger chorus of booing from the Georgian crowd, bringing a grin to the face of James Win.

James Win: Okay, alright, don’t worry, the All Star doesn’t want to make you all blush with his praise any more than he already has, so The All Star is going to stop pointing out the reasons you smile… and the Syndicate is just going to get down to business. That business? Making the public declaration as to the results of a long and arduous process of talent evaluation and declaring the number one contenders to THESE world tag team championships… or more accurately the next people against whom the Syndicate is going to successfully defend these championship belts against.

Win turns his attention to his tag team partner and tosses the microphone over to Anselm.

Gryffin Anselm: I gotta tell you, it’s a damn good thing that we’ve been out of the ring for a while, because determining who to declare as the Number One Contenders… it was tough… tough in deed. But, it was necessary, since Jake Dominion can’t use his rematch clause because he finds himself without a partner – since Eric Wolfson is still on the shelf…

A low level of booing rumbles in from all around the arena, and so Anselm waits a moment and continues.

Gryffin Anselm: So after hours and hours and hours of watching tapes and having a VERY spirited debate amongst us…

The camera follows Anselm’s gaze as he looks over at Hendrickson Tyler who slowly nods his head, looking tired, as if he just ran a marathon. It’s obviously a fake reaction.

Gryffin Anselm: …and the process, it wasn’t done until just a few minutes ago, backstage when we watched the final two candidates. That’s right, our process was so thorough that we made sure to include the two teams making their LEGACY debut here tonight, because one of them COULD prove to be the number one contenders.

Anselm pauses for a moment and then looks over at Hendrickson Tyler, trying not to laugh.

Gryffin Anselm: Domination won that match, as you all very well know already, so clearly the promising young team of Jerry Starr and Allen Franks… we can’t name them the number one contenders just yet. Not because they lost their match, but because frankly they don’t have a team name yet. Boys, if you could get a team name, you could very well find yourself in a match against us with the title belts on the line.

Holding up his hand, Gryffin lifts a single finger.

Gryffin Anselm: So did Domination get the nod? Eh… see, the problem with those guys… I’m not sold on them yet. They come in here with a very strong tag team name, one that conjures up visions of not only greatness, but dominance… and so I…

Clearing his throat, James Win gets Gryffin’s attention.

Gryffin Anselm: Sorry, “we” decided that before Domination should get a shot at becoming the World Tag Team Champions, they should PROVE that their name isn’t false advertising. They should PROVE their dominance around here, and THEN, once I.. sorry, “we”, decide that they’re not liars, they might get a shot at our gold.

He now holds up a second finger.

Gryffin: That’s two teams down, and a year ago, that would be practically the entire list of tag teams, but not so, not so, and that’s what made this process so difficult. But like I mentioned earlier, we came to a decision, difficult as it was, and another team we didn’t choose… was Long Island Hardcore. They might have a decent history in this business. They might have collected a few gold belts here and there… I couldn’t say for sure, but that’s what I keep hearing anyway… Fact is, they have the term “hardcore” in their name, and if that’s the way they play the game, that’s fine… for other organizations… but that’s not how things go in LEGACY. Maybe they can adapt to the LEGACY style, maybe they can’t, but that… is yet to be seen. If they can prove that they can win matches where they DON’T get all hardcore… once they prove that to us… we’ll be GLAD to give them a shot. No problem.

He now holds up a third finger.

Gryffin: That’s three, and if my math is correct… based on the list of viable teams we came up with, that makes two more options, since Loco Martinez isn’t accepting bookings right now, so he and John Thomas, they won’t be considered. Now the team that most of you probably think we chose, the Bushido Buntai, they made a VERY convincing argument with their body of work. What they’ve done in Japan, the teams they’ve faced and beaten…

Anselm looks back at Hendrickson Tyler, then back at the camera.

Gryffin: Hell, the Syndicate has seen first hand what they’ve done across the Pacific. Only thing is, despite their “worldy” nature, they haven’t shown that their style is going to translate permanently to the more “western” style, and that worries us. A few more matches from them here state-side and they’ll give us a good run for our money for this gold. But not just yet.

Gryffin puts up a fourth finger.

Gryffin: So that leaves only one more tag team left, and honestly, once you all give it as much consideration as we did, you’ll realize that Fast Times, they’re really the best challengers to step into the ring with the Syndicate at the SuperCard.

A moderate level of booing starts up as the fans realize who Gryffin just mentioned. Anselm looks a bit shocked at their reaction, and he turns to James Win, as if looking for an answer, and then he looks over at Hendrickson Tyler, who walks up and asks Gryffin for the mic.

Hendrickson Tyler: Look, take it from me, the team of Jimmy Smith and Pat Reynolds is the PERFECT choice. You can trust me. I know tag team wrestling better than anyone in this business, past, present, or future. I’ve been part of one of the best tag teams ever, and I know talent when I see it. I know what makes a good tag team. I know the type of chemistry and meshing of talent it takes for a team to have what it takes to win belts, and the team of Fast Times… they have it. Guaranteed. The fact that they’ve only teamed up once… and lost… it doesn’t matter as much as you’d think it does. They showed the Syndicate more in that loss than any of the other teams have.

Feeling as though he has made his point, Tyler hands Anselm the microphone back.

Gryffin: Look, a team’s “win / loss” record means absolutely nothing. Besides, that match was a “trust building” match for those two. We’ve seen the hard times they’ve had, and we understand. It’s all about developing that trust together, but once they get that trust down? I think it’s safe to say that they are going to be a tough team to stop. This championship match on April 19th, it’s going to force them to train with one another, that trust is going to be built through that, and when they step into the ring with us and that bell rings, you all are going to be SHOCKED at the transformation they’ve undergone.

The booing intensity continues at its moderate level and James Win asks for the microphone one last time.

James Win: On April 19th, when LEGACY has another PREMIERE tag team on its roster, when Jimmy Smee and Wrap Reynolds start gellin’ like felons… you’ll have the Syndicate to thank for this selfless act, bringing a team together who WILL be a dominant team sooner than later. Thank you, and God bless.

With a smirk on his face, Win tips the microphone upside-down in his hand and then lets it drop down to the mat with a thud, and then "The Mirror" starts back up again as the Syndicate leave the ring. We next cut back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: This match represented Eli Storm’s first in-ring appearance here in LEGACY, and another opportunity for Mostafa Bashir to get into the ring and earn a bigger paycheck to send back to his family in Afghanistan.

Joey C: I was more than happy to see Eli Storm competing in a LEGACY ring, and I fully expect him to be a part of the upcoming SuperCard, but against Mostafa Bashir? The guy’s not really a wrestler… he’s just a glorified brute! A big, bald, lumbering oaf.

Landon Savage: Call him whatever you want, the guy’s still tough as nails and powerful enough to throw around most of the guys on our roster, and so a guy like him has to be respected every time he steps into the ring.

Mark Perletta: Well coming into this match, Mostafa Bashir had yet to win a match in LEGACY, but in hearing him talk, you can tell that it doesn’t bother him. Sure, he’d like to win matches, but just having a place to work and the ability to send money home, that’s what’s important to him.

Joey C: Well Eli Storm is a former World Champion elsewhere, so match that up against the fact that Mostafa Bashir, aside from getting in fights on a daily basis as a kid, doesn’t have much in-ring experience, so going into this match I didn’t really have big expectations for what Bashir was going to be able to do.

Mark Perletta: Mostafa certainly held his own, though. Let’s get to the footage.

Start : Footage from the Match

We pick up the action with Mostafa Bashir wrapping Eli Storm in a bear hug, holding him high above the mat. Not wanting to be trapped in the hold, Storm starts laying into Bashir with forearms, trying to get him to release his grip. Bashir tightens his grip on Eli to see if that causes him to stop fighting back, but it does not. Leaning backwards slightly, Mostafa then dives forwards and slams Eli down into the mat with a vicious spinebuster. Turning his opponent over onto his stomach, Bashir grabs Storm by the neck, wrenches back and applies a Camel Clutch.

Mark Perletta: Another submission hold locked on by Mostafa Bashir.

Joey C: It’s not exactly perfectly applied, but it still looks like it hurts. Eli Storm needs to do something to get out of this and get back into the match.

Mostafa continues applying the pressure on his opponent’s back, but slowly Eli is able to move the few inches necessary to where he is able to reach out and grab a hold onto the bottom rope. The referee moves in and forces Mostafa to release the hold. In pain, Eli rolls over onto his back, and sensing an opportunity, Bashir turns and runs into the far ropes and on the return goes for an avalanche splash, but Eli puts his knees up to block the move, driving them right into the stomach of his opponent, causing the monstrous Bashir to double over in pain. Eli gets back to his feet using the help of the ropes and begins sending kicks into the side of his opponent, keeping Mostafa down on the mat.

Joey C: Damn good strategy right there, I wouldn’t want a guy like Mostafa Bashir getting back to his feet either!

Mark Perletta: Those are some hard kicks being used there by Eli Storm, but Mostafa Bashir seems to be absorbing the impact and trying to shut out the pain!

Landon Savage: Yeah, and it looks like Eli should’ve pulled him towards the center of the ring first!

Bashir reaches over and grabs onto the ropes, trying to get to his feet in spite of the onslaught of kicks coming from Eli Storm. Seeing that Mostafa is holding onto the ropes as he tries to get to his feet, the referee moves in and causes Eli Storm to have to back up a few steps, enforcing the rope break. As Bashir then tries to get closer to his opponent to try to regain the offensive, Eli Storm hooks him by the elbow and takes him down to the mat with an armdrag. Mostafa tries to get right back to his feet but he’s then taken down by yet another armdrag.

Mark Perletta: Looks like Eli Storm may have caught his second wind here, and he’s looking to keep his offense going.

Landon Savage: Nice move there by Eli Storm to work over that shoulder that Mostafa looked to have tweaked earlier in this match when he ran into the corner ringpost, locking on that fujiwara armbar…

Joey C: It’s looking to have a minimal affect on The Beast from Kandahar! That guy’s a monster!

Realizing that his armbar isn’t working as well as he’d like, Eli gets to his feet, stomps down a few times on Mostafa’s shoulder before lifting him up to his feet. From there Storm grabs Bashir by the arm, twists around and drops him down to the mat with a sit-out over the shoulder jawbreaker. Once on the mat, Eli tries to turn the hold into his signature Anaconda Vice, but Mostafa Bashir uses his other arm to block the attempt and begins to power his way out of the hold, shoving Storm out of the way.

Mark Perletta: Eli Storm looks a bit surprised that Mostafa was able to power his way out of that, and now he’s going to have to find a new strategy to use to win this match.

Eli then whips himself against the ropes to go for a forearm shot, but on the return Bashir catches him and spins around into a powerslam. Mostafa Bashir then picks him up into another bearhug. Before he can really lock it in, though, Mostafa releases the hold as Eli Storm claps his hands around Bashir’s ears, causing a painful ringing. Making the most of the opportunity, Eli takes Mostafa down to the mat with a judo style DDT. Storm then runs over to the edge of the ring, slides out onto the apron, gets up, jumps up to the top rope, balances for only a moment and then leaps over for a springboard frog splash.

Mark Perletta: That's "The Cheap Pop", and he caught him flush on the chest with that one!

Joey C: Is it gonna be enough?

One…

TWO…

THREE!!!

Josephina Colbert: Ladies and gentlemen, here is the winner of the match… "THE INCREDIBLE ONE" ELI STORM!!

Landon Savage: Eli Storm definitely got a tough test tonight, but he surely sent a message to one Rocky Stellar!

Joey C: And also the rest of LEGACY. Rocky Stellar isn’t the only one who is going to have to cross paths with Eli Storm, and this just puts everyone on notice.

Mark Perletta: Well, you gotta give credit where credit's due. If Eli Storm can have this type of performance against Rocky Stellar, "The Icon" may be in BIG trouble.

The jovial, carefree opening notes of Santana’s masterpiece “Oye Como Va” begin to play and the fans all over the arena know who’s coming, and they’re not happy to see him. Hannah Perez walks out first from the curtain, wearing a short red skirt and a green tube top. Any positive response she might be getting from the male fans around the arena is easily drowned out by the negative response given for the group. Normally just a duo, it appears there are three on their way to the ring, as Diego’s friend Alfredo – or “Alfy” as he is known to Diego and Hannah – walks out from the back next, carrying with him a large Mexican flag on a pole.

The third and final member of the group to walk out from the curtain is Diego de Cardenas, who has the No Limits Championship over his shoulder and a cocky smirk on his face. The trio take the walk down the isle and just march right on into the ring, with Hannah first stopping by the time keeper’s table and taking a microphone from Josephina Colbert. When Hannah gets into the ring, she signals the end to the introduction music. Once it’s done…

Hannah Perez – At this time you are now given the pleasure of hearing from YOUR No Limits Champion, the pride of Chihuahua and the rest of Mexico… Diego… de… Carrrrrdenas!!!

The crowd lets out a low, rumbling ovation of booing rolls in as Hannah gives the microphone to Cardenas. Unphased by the response, Diego just looks over the crowd for a moment and then begins.

Diego de Cardenas – Two weeks ago, I was in this ring after a successful title defense, and I made a request… no, I made a DEMAND of Isaac Entragian.

Diego looks completely disgusted.

Diego de Cardenas - Winning the Opportunity Battle Royal at Brick by Brick, he got to choose which championship he wanted to challenge for, and he chose the Tao of Valor title and Dan Stein. Since he was so cowardly that he couldn’t step up to the REAL challenge, I demanded that he come out here tonight and admit to the world that he’s afraid of me. That the big albino circus freak FEARS me!

Diego adjusts the belt on his shoulder.

Diego de Cardenas – Mi amigo here, Alfy, tells me that Isaac taped some little video in the past two weeks where he claimed he was changing his mind. Until I hear it for myself, I call BULLSHIT on the whole thing. He doesn’t want to get me in the ring.

Diego shakes his head.

Diego de Cardenas - Not in a regular match, and sure as hell he doesn’t want me in a hardcore match. So now is the time to set things straight. Our next show is the SuperCard, and being the fighting champion I am, I am going to defend this belt against someone, whether…

Without warning, all of the lights in the arena suddenly go dark. The crowd is left in confused silence for a moment, not sure of what will happen next. Then from the arena loudspeakers the haunting, melodramatic bass tones of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" begin to infiltrate the building. Several spotlights fall upon the ramp, lighting the way for the albino abomination as he makes his way down to the ring. As he nears the ring his predatory eyes never leaving Diego. Issac leaps up onto the apron and wastes no time getting into the ring, he heads right for Diego, though the No Limits champion escapes under the bottom rope and a look of mild annoyance crosses Entragian's face. He snatches a mic from the ring announcer and brings it to his lips. His voice comes out like rough leather, as the lights in the arena come back on full blast.

Entragian: Well I had hoped to let my fists do the talking...

He raises his right fist upwards,and it can plainly be seen that his usual raw-hide hand straps are now wrapped in barbwire.

Entragian: ..but apparently you had other plans. So you've forced me to vocalize my intentions rather than act them out. Tsk tsk. You take the fun out of everything.

The madman offers Diego a sick smile as he watches him from the ramp, eyes glimmering with good cheer.

Entragian: Allow me to make it official. For you fans...and of course for you Diego. My sights now rest upon the No Limits Title. I plan on taking it. But I won't stop there, oh no...You see, not only do I want your title, I want your soul.

Isaac smirks a little, walking around the ring in mini-circle and gathering his thoughts while the crowd boos him with great emphasis.

Entragian: And while I'm at it, I'll take your pride. I'll help myself to your honor. Hell, I might even take that little harlot too, if such becomes my desire.

He motions with one hand to Hannah and grins, his face taking on a vulpine expression.

Entragian: But most of all, I simply want to beat you. I want to break you down, tear you up, and then finish you off. I guarantee you something as well Diego. Before our match is over, you WILL kneel before me. When your broken body can support it's weight no longer, you will drop to your knees and kneel. And as you lie there, a pathetic mess of blood and flesh begging me to stop hurting you, I will raise you atop my shoulders, and spike you onto my knee in one swift motion. Your fate, dear boy...shall be Disembowelment.

Issac leans against the ring ropes, drawing in ragged breaths and enjoying this. He dares Diego to get back into the ring and stop his wicked tongue from continuing on it's tirade, but is not surprised to see the champ isn't eager to get back in.

Entragian: What's the matter Diego? I believe it was you that claimed I was frightened of you? Then why, might I ask, do you not step into this ring and face me now so that we can take care of our business. I might as well take the title now, after all it's inevitable that it shall be displayed upon my waist quite soon. But alas, I shall wait. I have nothing but time. Besides, I want you to sweat a little bit. I want you to fully comprehend the tribulations you are about to face.

Entragian lets out a small chuckle, it's tone is so hollow that it would be mistaken for the laugh of a corpse.

Entragian: And there you have it, dear boy. In provoking me, you have made the greatest mistake of your career with LEGACY.

Isaac pauses for a moment, thinking twice.

Entragian: Nay. You've made the gravest mistake of your LIFE.

Issac drops the mic, having said all that needed to be said, those surreal eyes of his never leaving his victim.

Landon Savage: We’ve received official word that Legacy has signed Marcus Mirage to a contract and was invited backstage by upper management for a working tour…

Mark Perletta: …not to cut you off, Landon, but I’m going to cut you off because I need to get something on the record right here, right now. Call it my official prediction, and remember I said this…Legacy is gonna regret ever bringing that guy in here…

Joey C: Not to…

As the trio begin to bicker back and forth on the Mirage situation, the camera switches backstage where the man himself is being escorted around the facility Legacy rented for tonight’s event, not only by company supplied bodyguards, but also by privately hired bodyguards. Still dressed to the nines in a custom designer suit, he has a familiar looking world title draped over his shoulder.

Mark Perletta: If I’m not mistaken, I think I know where that World Championship belt is from!

Landon Savage: Well of course you do, Perletta, anyone who knows who Mirage is knows that he was the last guy to hold the World Title of one of our competitors, and anyone who knows anything about that competitor KNOWS that’s their belt!

Joey C: Want to get someone who knows a little something about holding that belt? Go ask Eli Storm.

Mark Perletta: I’m sure he’s got his feelings on Mirage showing up here in Legacy, as will a lot of people, but from the look on his face, it appears as though Mirage has his own opinions on the people on OUR roster too.

Landon Savage: I’ve been around the guy in more than one organization and I’ve seen that look enough to know what he’s thinking right now. That look on Mirage’s face says one thing: I’m too damn good to be here.

Walking past familiar faces such as Charles Johnson, Chaos, Allen Franks and Pat Reynolds, Mirage looks to both of his bodyguards and cracks a simple smile before rolling his eyes and walking off down the hallway.

Mark Perletta: To understand why our fifth match of tonight’s STRIFE is taking place, we have to go back to March 8th for a match between Cronos Diamante and Tim Jones. Tensions that arose between Tim Jones and Chaos prior to Brick by Brick still unsettled, Chaos came down to the ring. Whether or not he was going to attack Tim Jones or not, it’s obvious to me and everyone else I’ve talked to that Chaos’ target and reason for coming down to the ring was The Ladies Man, but his presence didn’t have the intended effect.

Landon Savage: Not knowing why Chaos was out there, Cronos Diamante got distracted for a moment, and a moment is all the opening Tim Jones needed, firing in and nailing that SNAFU superkick and laying Diamante out cold, scoring the pinfall victory.

Joey C: He may have this “new attitude”, but that doesn’t mean Cronos is just going to let the situation go without doing something about it. And honestly, if he hadn’t done anything, I would’ve lost a lot of respect for Diamante.

Mark Perletta: Chaos cost him a match, and so two weeks ago at STRIFE 17, Cronos came down to the ring after a match between Chaos and Gigantus Awesomo and made the challenge to Chaos, saying he felt he deserved an in-ring encounter. In a moment that struck me as truly off-character, Cronos Diamante offered to shake Chaos’ hand, signaling that he intends for the encounter to be straight up and honorable.

Landon Savage: I still think the whole thing is a ruse, a big joke that Cronos is playing on everybody, and when the other shoe falls, I’m going to be laughing my ass off. But for now we’ve just got to wait, and so let’s get to the footage of tonight’s match.

Start : Footage from the Match

Chaos lifts Cronos up into the air, looking for a vertical suplex, but Cronos hits him as he’s being lifted into the air, and Chaos loses balance and Cronos slips down behind him. Immediately seizing the moment, Cronos uses one arm to clutch Chaos in a half nelson, and the other arm to wrap it around the neck, fully locking in the katahajime!

Mark Perletta: This is the same submission maneuver he damn near put away Tim Jones with!

Joey C: This move is dangerous. It’s almost a blatant choke as it constricts the airwaves and puts you to sleep. Somebody grab Chaos a wet towel!

Cronos squeezes tightly, as Chaos starts flailing in agony. Cronos lifts his right leg and attempts to take him down on the mat and finish it, but Chaos’ large frame simply doesn’t budge. Suddenly, before Cronos could make another attempt at the take down, Chaos goes in full reverse to the turnbuckle, smashing Cronos’ back and neck against the thin padding. Chaos rams Cronos into the buckle a few times... but with great perseverance, Cronos holds on!

Landon Savage: Cronos is riding the mechanical bull, and so far he’s succeeding!

Chaos starts to fade a little as Cronos digs deep into the mat with his boots and pushes him forward, trying to get him in the center of the ring. But just when Chaos showed some spirit and tried ramming Cronos back into the turnbuckle again, Cronos HEAVED backwards and SUPLEXED Chaos!

Mark Perletta: Holy sh–! Release katahajime suplex! Chaos is OUT!

Joey C: Oh my GOD! Chaos hit the mat HARD!

Landon Savage: Folded like a damn accordion is more like it! Hell, look at his feet, they’re all tangled up in the middle turnbuckle! Chaos is OUT!

Cronos seizes the opportunity and rolls Chaos over for the cover, but Porter points to Chaos long legs that are still intertwined with the ropes and turnbuckle. Cronos uncovers his downed opponent and quickly starts dragging Chaos’ large frame out towards the center of the ring. Once he sees that Chaos’ feet have cleared away from the obstructions, Cronos drops down and makes the cover, this time putting more effort into it by hooking the backs of Chaos’ knees. Porter slides into position...

... One!

NO! Chaos kicks out!

Joey C: I thought he was dead!

Landon Savage: Great resiliency there by Chaos. These guys are putting on a hell of a match.

Cronos takes a moment to catch his breath since the energy had been sapped out of him by holding onto the submission maneuver. Soon, as Chaos starts recovering, Cronos signals something to the crowd, and then digs his feet into the ground in a sort of martial arts stance. Chaos is up... BAM! Spin-kick to the mid-section! Chaos doubles over! BAM! Rising Muay-Thai style knee to the jaw! Chaos teeters, and each sickening slapping sound each shot takes the crowd gets louder with their uneasiness! BAM!

Crowd: “OOOOOOOOOH!!!”

STIFF Roundhouse kick to the head! Chaos goes DOWN!

Mark Perletta: The countdown has started, and Cronos looks unstoppable!

Joey C: I don’t think Chaos can take too many more of those shots.

With Chaos down on the mat, not unconscious but holding his head in agony from the series of stiff unprotected kicks, Cronos sizes up his opponent for the kill to finish the Countdown to Extinction. Cronos seizes the underside of Chaos’ jaw and slowly bings him to his feet before viciously shoving his head into position for the crucifix powerbomb. Cronos signals one more time to the crowd... but out of NOWHERE, Chaos simply stands up from the position he was in and lifts Cronos up in the process. Chaos holds the ends of Cronos’ boots for balance in a see-saw manner, and then lets out a harrowing cry of retribution... before pulling down hard on Cronos’ legs and SPINEBUSTERING him down onto the point of his knee!

Mark Perletta: Where did he get that from?!

Landon Savage: He could’ve broken his damn back with that move!

Cronos is down and his face is all contorted and twisted in utter agony from the excruciating jolts his nerves must be sending him from the impact of that desperation move. Chaos meanwhile, is back down on the mat, but catching his breath after the amazing onslaught Cronos has put him through for the past several minutes. All of s sudden, as Porter begins to administer the ten-count for both downed men, there is a commotion amongst the crowd.

Mark Perletta: What’s going on?

Joey C: I don’t know, but something’s got this crowd all fired up.

Landon Savage: Look, it’s that friend of Tim Jones, J.T.!

Sure enough, as referee Klinton Porter reaches the five count for both men, J.T. makes his way to the ringside area and starts yelling something to him.

Mark Perletta: What’s he doing out here?

Joey C: Distracting the ref, apparently.

Landon Savage: Where’s Tim Jones? Usually you don’t see the one without the o- wait! There he is!

As J.T. keeps Porter distracted, and as Chaos starts getting to his feet, Tim Jones jumps the guard rail closest to him and then slides into the ring. Then, as Chaos stands on his feet, Jones yells something to Chaos that was indistinguishable to the cameras rolling. This is enough for Chaos to make the mistake of turning around and.... BAM! High reaching SNAFU to the jaw, and Chaos goes down like a sack of bricks!

Mark Perletta: Damn that Tim Jones! These guys were putting on a good enough match without Jones’ unnecessary interference!

Landon Savage: Look at Cronos! He rolled over onto his belly just as Chaos got to his feet! He may not have seen the whole thing, but he saw enough to know what just happened!

Cronos looks absolutely disgusted with what he just saw, as J.T. ceases distracting the ref, giving Tim Jones enough time to sneak away back over the guard rail on the outside and into the sea of frenzied people. Cronos starts getting to his feet, holding his badly aching back, and starts shouting something at Porter. Porter simply shrugs his shoulders, yelling back at him.

Mark Perletta: I don’t think Porter saw any of it.

Landon Savage: Of course he didn’t, he’s a ref. They never see anything.

Cronos looks down at Chaos, who is seemingly knocked out... and instead of going for the cover and easy three-count, he looks out at the audience.

Joey C: Go for the cover, you idiot! This match is yours for the taking!

Cronos shakes his head “NO” rather emphatically, and pushes Porter out of his way in disgust. Looking back at Chaos, Cronos shakes his head and refuses to make a cover.

Landon Savage: I think I know what’s going on.

Mark Perletta: So do I. He knows Jones just tainted the match up with his interference, and he REFUSES to give in!

Joey C: Who CARES?! A win is a win!

All of a sudden, Cronos walks over and exits the ring out onto the apron, then drops to the arena floor and he slowly starts walking up the ramp. Turning around and walking backwards, he yells back towards the referee who is trying to get him to return to the match, shouting loud enough for the cameras.

Cronos Diamante: “COUNT IT!”

Porter shakes his head as if he doesn’t understand what’s going on and then looks back at Chaos, who is still on the mat, then looks back at Cronos, who is obviously not returning to the ring, and he starts making the count.

Mark Perletta: Cronos is gonna draw this thing!

In what was a brisk count due to Cronos’ willingness to be counted out and Chaos unmoving on the mat and seemingly knocked out, Porter eventually counts to ten and signals for the bell on the outside.

Josephina Colbert: Ladies and gentlemen... due to Cronos Diamante not returning to the ring and Chaos being unable to answer the ten-count, this match has been ruled... a NO DECISION!!!

As soon as the announcement has been made, Cronos then heads back up up the aisle-way, shaking his head in absolute disgust.

Joey C: Unbelievable.

Mark Perletta: Yeah, well, you and everyone watching can thank Tim Jones for screwing this one up. Both of these men were putting on a clinic with each other for damn near twenty-minutes when Tim Jones decided to show up and crash the party.

Landon Savage: This is crazy... I think there’s going to be hell to pay for Tim Jones and his actions tonight.

Mark Perletta: We shall see, Landon. One thing’s for sure though: the rivalry that has been brewing between Cronos Diamante and Chaos... is STILL not settled.

Immediately following the Cronos vs. Chaos match, Andrew Kelley notices Cronos Diamante double-timing it to the locker room area.

Andrew Kelley: Cronos! Hey, Cronos!

Cronos rotates his head to the left, only his head, to meet the inquisitive face of one Andrew Kelley and waits for a second.

Andrew Kelley: I have a question for you.

Cronos turns his entire body to the left now and walks straight toward Andrew, but on his way to Andrew, before he can muster a question he is cut off.

Cronos Diamante: Wait a second. I have one first.

Cronos is visibly upset. But he isn't in an "I'm going to rip someone's head off" upset mood. It's the kind of upset you experience when you're not angry, rather when you're disappointed.

Cronos Diamante: Where is Tim Jones?

Andrew Kelley: Well his locker room is around the corner and on the right, but I just saw him leaving.

Cronos sighs and rubs his forehead somewhat resigned.

Cronos Diamante: What was your question, Andrew?

Andrew Kelley: What was that out there? You could have pinned Chaos and walked away. That's a clear cut victory.

Cronos says nothing and nods at one of the passing road agents, staring at him with an apparent impressed expression on his face.

Andrew Kelley: Cronos?

Cronos Diamante: Yeah. Sorry. I know I could have won that match. I could have covered Chaos for the one, two, three and the match would have been over. But as it stood and still stands, Chaos doesn't deserve a loss like that.

Cronos pauses.

Cronos Diamante: And one more thing, Andrew. Respect. Don't just hear the word, learn it and take it in. Respect.

With that Cronos walks off and turns the corner to the left for his locker room which is directly opposite of where Tim Jones would have had to turn to reach his locker room. Andrew leans against the wall with questions abuzz in his brain, and then he starts to walk off and we head back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: An interesting decision there by Cronos Diamante, and I definitely think he's starting to change his ways.

Landon Savage: Look, whether he is or not, I don't know. What I DO know, though, is that he's not as successful now as he used to be, and that's the bottom line. He can be a "changed man" all he wants, but he needs to realize that it's hurting his career. Big time.

Mark Perletta: I don't necessarily agree with that, but time will tell.

Backstage, we see Andrew Kelley, walking toward LEGACY's rising tag team superstars and overall awesome guys Long Island Hardcore. He joins them mid-conversation... I wonder what they were talking about.

Jared Walsh: I'm tellin' you, best night of my life.

CJ Nelson: Jared. Asian twins.

Jared: OK, second best night of my life. Hey, it's that Andrew Kelley guy.

Andrew Kelley: Hey, CJ Nelson, Jared Walsh, I was wondering if you had a minute to spare to talk about your situation here in LEGACY.

CJ: For you, Andrew? We've got three.

Andrew Kelley: Well, for starters, the people would like to know why you've singled out Bushido Buntai as your targets here in LEGACY?

Jared: Damn, not even gonna lob a few softballs first? Starting right in the middle of things.

CJ: Well, Andrew, we're not gonna lie to you. It might've had something to do with a rock paper scissors game.

Jared: Or throwing darts. I really don't remember.

CJ: To be honest, Jared has a hatred for alliterative names.

Andrew Kelley: Are you saying there wasn't really a reason for it at all?

Jared: Did we say that?

CJ: Ask Kelley, he's the interviewer.

Jared: I guess we said that. I don't know if I'd say there wasn't a reason. I mean, they're Japanese. That's reason enough for me.

CJ: Wow, I've never heard you be that racist.

Jared: Somewhere around the 8 or 9 beer mark, I start throwing out the off-color comments. It's usually not a pretty sight. Got me in trouble in Harlem once.

Andrew Kelley: Wow, I really don't know what to say. You started a fight with a tag team for absolutely no reason? That doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to me.

Jared: Well, Andy, it doesn't really have to make sense to you. We're the ones doing it. Makes sense to me. Make sense to you, CJ?

CJ: I'm not confused at all. Maybe you need to--

It is at this time that LIHC's new "valet," Ainsley Lake, exits from the dressing room, and almost automatically, Andrew Kelley's gaze shifts, and he moves the microphone over.

Kelley: Ainsley Lake! Can I talk to you for a few minutes? What are you doing backstage at a LEGACY event? Are you going to be wrestling for the company? What are your plans--

Jared grabs Kelley's hand, bringing the microphone back to them.

Jared: Hey, Kelley, you forget about something here? We were kind of in the middle of talking about nothing.

CJ: That's not very respectful, Andrew. We don't like it when people aren't respectful.

Andrew Kelley: I was just--

Jared: Just what? Stopping talking to LEGACY's main attraction to ask pointless questions of our valet? Do you just not read the sheets, man?

CJ: Yes. See? This is Ainsley. She will be our valet until such time that Sean Boden tells her not to. She will not be wrestling in LEGACY, and I swear to God, Andrew, if you touch her butt, I'm going to pound you into salt.

Ainsley Lake: Aww, thank you CJ, you're such a sweetie. That said, I could always talk for myself.

CJ puts his finger over his mouth.

CJ: Shh, big boy time, Ainsley.

Ainsley: You are a penis. Die in a fire.

Jared: Tits or GTFO.

Ainsley walks away with an aggravated sigh, leaving LIHC with Andrew Kelley once more.

Jared: Now you broke our concentration, Andrew. Good job.

CJ: That's OK, because we really want to talk about—

Suddenly, one of the newer voices of LEGACY cuts off CJ midsentence.

Trent Logan: Ah … you’ve been talking long enough on the LEGACY dime, boys.

CJ and Jared turn and the camera pans over to were Trent Logan is dressed to impress in a charcoal gray suit, orange tie, and a killer smile, a bit of a confidence in his tone. LIHC collectively look a bit peeved at being interrupted once more.

Logan: Now, now, don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m here to give you something about which to talk instead of your adventures with Asian twins and Mexican midgets. I’m here to offer you something better than some random action against two nobodies, and that is an opportunity, an opportunity to go two-on-two with the new big dogs on the block here in LEGACY. Boys, I’m offering you the chance to step into the ring two weeks from now at the SuperCard against Domination, and I promise you, this wouldn’t be something to pass the time. Domination is looking to rise to the top and take the tag team titles, and they are willing to take on anyone and everyone, and if we want to get that shot we’re going to have to go through anyone and everyone … and that means we’re someday going to have to go through you. So what do you say about signing on the dotted line and get this deal done.

CJ and Jared look at each other, and back at Logan, then back at each other again. They start laughing. Trent Logan does not look amused. CJ and Jared regain their composure.

Jared: Oh, you're serious? Wow. Awkward.

CJ looks confused.

CJ: Yeah, who are you again?

Logan: Trent Logan, I'm--

Jared: Yeah, yeah, we heard that part. My fat friend here was wondering when the hell that was supposed to mean something. I was pretty sure I saw you cleaning toilets last week, but now you're the manager of Domination? Good for you.

CJ: Of course, Domination has possibly the most misleading name since Greenland. What exactly have you dominated?

Jared: Hey, they did beat Allen Franks and Jerry Starr tonight.

CJ: They did?

Jared: Yeah, and I didn't even know Ringo Starr worked for LEGACY.

CJ: Well, that changes everything, Trent. In that case, since you've so obviously proven your worth, how could we possibly deny you a match? Coming in and being so... so... dominant, I don't know how we could possibly say no.

Jared: I do, though. No. Go away. We have to think of cool ways to make Bushido Buntai cry.

CJ: Speaking of crying, I hope that's not what your boys are going to do now that we've turned down their kind-of pseudo-challenge. I mean, it's not that we don't like them, Trent. Really, it's not. Do we dislike Domination, Jared?

Jared: No, no, of course not. We just have no respect for them.

CJ: See? It's different. Maybe come back after you've got a win against someone with a little more talent. Like, maybe Fast Times.

Jared: I dunno, I'd kinda put them as lower than Franks and Starr.

CJ: No way, whenever I think of them, I think of Forest Whittaker and that whole football game scene, and that's gotta count for something.

Jared: Yeah, that was pretty cool, although Phoebe Cates's boobs were even more awesome.

CJ: Except for the whole Judge Reinhold whacking off in the bathroom.

Jared: Thanks, totally ruined the moment. Anyway, Andrew, you probably want to get back to your... whatever it is you do, and Trent's probably got urine to clean up somewhere, so we'll make this short and sweet. Bushido Buntai? I know you've got this whole "honor" kick, but hey, Miyamoto Musashi didn't get his title of greatest swordsman ever by following the rules. Keep that in mind.

CJ: And Domination? Go f*ck yourselves. Later, Kelley, stay goofy.

LIHC walk away down the hall leaving Trent Logan with Andrew Kelley, looking at Trent almost as if to say “are you going to take that?”

Trent Logan: Andrew Kelley, I want you to remember what just happened here. I want you to burn the insults and the arrogance into your mind. I want you to remember how they easily dismissed my offer; I want you to remember how Long Island Hardcore turned down the chance of a life time. They walked away with their tails between their legs, trying pitifully to use their overwhelming arrogance as a cover for their own cowardice. On behalf of Domination I gave them the chance to do things the easy way, but it seems they would rather do it the hard way, and that’s fine by me. Long Island Hardcore isn’t going to be able to hide forever Andrew … and they are going to be stepping into the ring with Domination sooner than they think whether they want to … or not.

With that Trent walks off down the hall opposite of LIHC back to give the infuriating news to Domination.

Mark Perletta: In preparation for his match against Hendrickson Tyler at the upcoming SuperCard, Jake Dominion asked the front office for a match against one of LEGACY’s taller opponents, and so tonight he stepped into the ring with the 6 foot 8 inch Charles Johnson.

Joey C: I figured that Jake Dominion was going to come into this match with something to prove, which he did, but I also thought that Charles Johnson was going to step it up after his loss two weeks ago to Matt Towers.

Landon Savage: And you were absolutely wrong about the second one. It almost seemed like Charles Johnson got deflated a bit from his loss to Matt Towers, and that made life a lot easier on Jake Dominion.

Mark Perletta: The entire match, Dominion seemed more focused than I’ve seen him in quite a while, and that’s saying something, because THAT makes him extremely dangerous.

Start : Footage from the Match

Jake Dominion grabs Charles Johnson by the wrist and sends him into the corner with an irish whip. As Jake charges in, Charles sprints out of the corner and clotheslines Dominion down to the mat. Keeping in on the attack, Johnson picks Dominion up by the arm, lifts him up off his feet slightly and slams him back-first into the corner. After grabbing the top rope for balance, Charles Johnson reaches up with his foot, placing it right across the throat of Jake Dominion and starts choking him with it.

Mark Perletta: Some flexibility shown there by Charles Johnson, stretching his foot all the way up, six feet into the air.

Joey C: It’s a solid move, too. Choking the life out of Jake Dominion is a good strategy, trying to slow the man down a little bit.

Landon Savage: I’m not a huge fan of Jake Dominion other than the fact that he’s an old school guy just like myself, but I have to admit, as long as Jake is as amped up and going full speed like he has been this match, he’s going to be tough to beat.

Wanting to get out of the precarious position as quickly as he can, Dominion grabs Charles’ ankle and tries to push him backwards. When that doesn’t work, he manages to turn himself slightly to the side and this allows him to shove Johnson’s leg over the top rope, breaking the hold. With Charles trying to get his leg back on the inside of the ring, Jake Dominion starts kicking Johnson’s free leg that is still on the ground.

Mark Perletta: Those brutal kicks there by Dominion taking their toll, weakening the vertical base of the big man.

Landon Savage: Just when you thought Charles Johnson might get back into this match, Dominion puts on the breaks and regains control.

Grabbing Charles Johnson by the head, Jake Dominion pulls him back into the ring, and as soon as Charles’ foot is free of the top rope, Dominion takes his opponent up and over with a snap suplex. Jake hops back up to his feet, and as Charles starts getting up, Dominion drives his knee into Johnson’s gut, doubling him over. Backing up a few steps, Dominion then steps in and leaps up, coming down onto the back of Charles Johnson’s neck with an axe kick, driving Johnson down to the mat.

Mark Perletta: Jake Dominion with a nice kick to the back of the neck, and now he’s headed to the outside…

Landon Savage: This doesn’t look good for Charles Johnson, who is still laid out on the mat, face down…

Once out on the apron, Jake Dominion steps up onto the middle turnbuckle and then gets up to the top rope. Not wasting a moment, he springs off, slamming the back of his leg down onto the back of Johnson’s neck with a guillotine legdrop. Pulling Charles Johnson up off the mat, Jake Dominion rocks his opponent with a kick to the gut, doubling him over. Dominion then steps in, grabs Charles around the neck with one arm, then reaches down and grabs underneath Johnson’s knee, hooking him into a fisherman’s position. Swaying slightly to one side, Dominion then swings to the other side and hits his swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker.

Mark Perletta: There’s the ICE BREAKER!! Dominion bridges into a… wait, no, Jake just let go of the bridge, dropping out of the pinfall attempt.

Landon Savage: What’s he playing at?

Getting back to his feet, Jake Dominion crouches down, waiting, watching. Soon his patience runs thin, so he grabs Charles Johnson by the head and pulls him up into a kneeling position and then backs up. Slowly Charles Johnson starts getting up, trying to shake the cobwebs, but as soon as he gets his first foot underneath him and starts to push up off the mat, Jake Dominion steps in…

BAM!

ICED OUT SUPERKICK!

Mark Perletta: Charles Johnson hits the mat like a ton of bricks.

Landon Savage: It’s academic from here… Dominion makes the cover…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner as a result of a pinfall… JAKE… DOMINION!!!

After the match is over, and the referee has raised his hand, Dominion walks over to the edge of the ring and signals to Josephina that he wants the mic. After she hands it to him, Jake walks back towards the middle of the ring, his opponent now gone, and he addresses the fans and, more importantly, someone backstage.

Jake Dominion: Hendrickson Tyler, I know you were backstage watching, and that was for you. I hope you understand completely what you have gotten yourself into. There will be no Big Fat Louie, Pagamomo, or the other two Syndicate bitches to save your ass from what's in store for you in Jacksonville. It'll be you and me, one on one; this isn't Japan, this is LEGACY and this is MY ring you'll be stepping into come the Super Card. You are gonna rue the day you ever decided to return to this country and F*CK with the Old School Kings because come Super Card, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Tyler, I assure you, you're gonna wish your ass was suspended instead, because everyone who tries to step up to Jake Dominion will encounter the same fate... ICED... OUT!

The crowd pops, "Whatever" by Godsmack hits the speakers, and Jake Dominion heads towards the corner, climbing the turnbuckle and looking out over the crowd after his in-ring victory.

As we cut backstage we find Ron Bailey standing next to road agent Anastasia Ewing, mid conversation. She has a look on her face that says she doesn’t believe something that Ron is telling her, but that she’s hopeful that what he’s saying is true.

Anastasia Ewing: So you really think so?

Ron Bailey: Do really I think so? Of course I do. Two weeks ago, who did I get into the ring with as my tag team partner?

Anastasia: John...

Ron nods.

Ron Bailey: Exactly. And don’t you think we talked before the match?

Anastasia: Well, yeah, I would guess so…

Ron: Of course we did, and like I’m telling you, he mentioned you. That’s when he told me how bad he felt about swearing at you after his match that time. You can understand, though, right? I mean, the guy just lost to Diego de Cardenas, and that was BEFORE people knew about Diego’s talent.

She thinks about it for a moment.

Anastasia: Well… I guess I can understand that, then. But it was really mean what he said to me.

Ron: Well yeah, and John knows that, but he also realizes that after what he said, you’re going to be hesitant to talk to him, so that’s prob’ly why he hasn’t come up and apologized. I know he’d like to make it up to you, though, if you give him the chance.

Miss Ewing looks down at the ground, then lifts her eyes and looks up.

Anastasia: You pass along the word to Mr Thomas that if he wants to find me sometime and apologize, I won’t bite his head off.

Ron slowly shakes his head, acknowledging that he understands.

Ron: Oh I’ll do that, but keep in mind that he might want to buy you dinner or something to make it up to you. That's how he rolls.

Miss Ewing shrugs and gets a coy look on her face.

Anastasia: That would be a good start…

Suddenly Trevor Washington walks into the scene and Anastasia Ewing looks uncomfortable, caught off guard.

Trevor Washington: Anna, I think Smith wants to talk to you for a minute, something about an upcoming personal appearance for a couple of our roster members. He said you’d know what he was talking about.

Miss Ewing nods and then runs off.

Trevor Washington: So, heck of a match you and John had against X and Crash. Tell you the truth, I thought it might go the other way, what with the history they have teaming up with one another.

Ron shrugs.

Ron: I can’t say I blame you, but then, you didn’t know what I had in store for X-Cal. Sooner or later people are going to start realizing that Ron Bailey is the Sure Thing, a Best Bet.

After he lets out a chuckle, he continues. The crowd in the arena, on the other hand, starts getting excited, because as they watch on the LEGACY Vision jumbotron, they can see what Ron Bailey and Trevor Washington can’t see: X-Calibur slowly walking up the hall behind them.

Ron: X made a mistake. He wasn’t expecting a dose of his own medicine, and that’s exactly what I gave him. He’s so proud of himself for using the art of surprise, and yet, when I do it, what happens? He ends up flat on his back, looking up at the lights while my boy John Thomas hooks that leg, gets that pinfall. I guess that’ll teach him not to try that underhanded, “catch you off-guard” ish with Ron Bailey.

Despite being backstage, we can hear the fans reaction as they continue getting excited as X grows closer and closer to Ron Bailey... almost stalking him.

Trevor Washington: Well, some may disagree with you view on the whole “art of the surprise” situation...

Trevor glances subtly at the creeping up X-Calibur, unsure of whether or not to notify Ron, because it’s obvious that Bailey still doesn’t know.

Trevor Washington: But the REAL question, Ron, is whether you are going to accept the challenge that was laid down by X-Calibur earlier in the week in his promotional video, for April 19th at the STRIFE SuperCard?

Ron’s face suddenly goes from confident and enthusiastic, to downright angry and troubled.

Ron Bailey: You know something, Trevor... I heard what X had to say in that promo of his. Talking about how I don’t want any part of him because he’s gonna bury me like some pale-faced, dark haired grave digger who tells everyone to “Rest in Pieces” or whatever... It was real cute and all, but I want to let the world know something...

The camera slowly zooms in on Ron Bailey, who looks madder than ever.

Ron Bailey: I don’t sweat X-Calibur.

We can hear the echoes of the reaction from inside the arena bowl as some of the fans start booing upon hearing this, but most of them are still buzzing anxiously over the fact that X-Calibur is standing right behind him, almost laughing.

Ron Bailey: I know he’s watching from somewhere…

Ron looks dead into the camera.

Ron Bailey: You hear that, X-Cal?! I. DON’T. SWEAT. YOU. Your history... your “legend”... Your credentials... your intensity.... NONE OF IT. You, X-Calibur, don’t even make so much as a hair on my entire left toe stand up! You are the biggest piece of garbage in Legacy... in the WORLD of WRESTLING... and the only reason you’re even having a match with someone of my quality is because those IDIOTS out there in the cheap seats like cheering for you for something you did years ago!

The audience erupts into cheers as Ron Bailey says this, the reaction heard all the way backstage. Portions of the crowd break into chants, causing Ron Bailey to stop in his words and shake his head in disgust. X meanwhile, silently waves his arms at his sides, like he’s conducting a symphony from an imaginary orchestra.

Crowd: “X-Cal! X-Cal! X-Cal!”

Ron Bailey looks absolutely incensed as the deafening crowd lets their obvious opinions known, making sure to be loud enough that he can hear them.

Ron Bailey: I DON’T CARE! CHEER FOR HIM! SAY WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT HIM!

The chants grow louder as X tries his hardest to keep from busting out laughing or knocking Bailey senseless.

Ron Bailey: Yeah that’s it... get behind your man. Rally behind your X-Man. Because...

Ron pauses for a moment for dramatic effect.

Ron Bailey: ...I accept his challenge. I beat him once in a tag team surrounding, and I’m going to prove to the world that I can beat him one on one. Face to face.

Trevor Washington finally looks fully towards X-Calibur who is mere inches away from the back of Bailey’s head. Trevor takes a quick step back, and as soon as Ron spots Trevor turning around... his expression almost goes fully shocked. Bailey realizes X is directly behind him, and he closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, expecting a brawl as soon as he turns around. But as soon as Bailey turns around, X grins and starts applauding him.

X-Calibur: Nice show of bravery, Ron. Goin’ all “nuh-uh” with me and shit. It’s just too bad that last week you had to act like a giant P***Y. It would’ve been more believable, otherwise.

The crowd “oooooohs” with much approval.

X-Calibur: But I ain’t here to jaw-jack with a jack-off. I’m here for two things, and two things only. One, find out if you were going to accept my challenge, and two, to beat the everlasting SH*T out of the man who decided it was okay to pick a fight with the best in this business, not realizing that he is WAY out of his league.

Ron looks like he’s going to explode as X says this with a smirk, almost nose to nose with one another. X then looks at Trevor, backing up a few feet, giving himself room to possibly strike.

X-Calibur: And since I already got my answer...

Suddenly a voice calls out from off camera, and X-Calibur looks over, the camera zooms out, and we see John Thomas walk on up next to Ron Bailey.

John Thomas: You’re going to do what, X, you gonna POUND him? Is it CLOBBERIN’ TIME?!

John lets out a little chuckle, followed by one from Ron Bailey, realizing that they have X-Calibur out numbered. Keeping his eyes on X, John addresses Bailey.

John Thomas: B, you take care of the “favor” I asked you about earlier?

Ron Bailey: Yeah, piece of cake.

John Thomas: Nice, nice. Since it looks like we’re done here…

John pats Ron on the shoulder and then turns to leave. Before Ron can turn to leave, though… BOOM! X throws a STIFF left fist at Bailey, and all hell breaks loose! X-Calibur and Ron Bailey pound away at each other, Bailey getting only a few some shots in and X getting many due to his strong first strike. Trevor tries to get the hell out of there, and after John Thomas gets over the initial shock of the sudden brawl between the two, he joins in the brawl!

Trevor Washington: OH MY, IT’S A WAR ZONE BACK HERE! SOMEONE GET SOME SECURITY!!!!

Thomas lays HARD into X, and eventually the numbers add up and X shoves backwards and puts a bit of space between he and the other two, seeking a momentary break to recollect himself and get a grasp on his surroundings. X holds the back of his head where Thomas laid in about a dozen shots, and Thomas regroups with Bailey who looks equally, if not more, sore. Suddenly, John Thomas reaches into his pants and pulls out the same brass knuckles that he knocked Crash out with last week. Thomas waves his hand in front of X-Calibur, as Ron Bailey gains a newfound confidence with the numbers clearly in their favor and John holding a weapon.

Ron Bailey: What now, X?! What is your bitch ass gonna do now?! Huh?! That’s right, it’s TWO on one- THREE on one if you wanna count JT’s (mocking Scarface tone) “li-uhl fren”!!!

X thinks about it for a second, then shrugs his shoulders as Trevor looks like he’s about to piss himself.

X-Calibur: Three on one, huh? I don’t “sweat” numbers... BITCH.

Just as security finally makes their way to the scene, X leaps his two-hundred and fifty pound frame at the two men, knocking them both over on the concrete. The audience absolutely loses it as Bailey and X roll around in a complete brawling fashion. JT tries to get his licks in here and there, but security has him pretty grounded. X and Bailey’s stiff shots can be heard down the halls as they lay into each other like there’s no tomorrow. Finally, staff security manages to separate them on the ground, as sweat and cusses fly uncontrollably in the air.

Security manages to get both competitors to their feet... but not before X-Calibur picks up the pair of brass knuckles that seemingly slipped from the hand of John Thomas!

Bailey and Thomas are in a world of bewilderment from the intense brawling as X-Calibur holds the pair of knucks for both of them to see. Laughing almost manically with his eyes as wide as they can be without bulging out of his head, about five security guards start to carry X away.

X-Calibur: THE NINETEENTH!!!!!! BAILEY..... YOUR ASS IS MIIIIIINE!!!! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!

Bailey has some choice words for X as Thomas and a few of the remaining security guards try to hold him back and let the other security guards carry X-Calibur, the transformed mad man, away. The camera then cuts back to the recap position.

Mark Perletta: Ever since the moment this match was announced, everyone has been talking about it, looking forward to it, speculating over who was going to win or what might happen. If this were a regular match, the hype would be big. Being a 30 Minute Iron Man Match for the Tao of Valor Championship makes it that much bigger.

Landon Savage: What did you expect? One of the rising stars in this business going up against a seasoned veteran and former World Champion like Rocky Stellar, as soon as it was announced I knew I’d have to endure 14 days FULL of the type of hype and speculation that you were just talking about, and while I WAS looking forward to seeing the match, I wasn’t looking forward to everything else that went along with it.

Mark Perletta: Being a 30 Minute Iron Man Match, there was tons of action that took place in it, and we’d love to be able to show you all of it, but all we have time for tonight is to show you the last half. Now you all will probably be happy to know that, by missing the first fifteen minutes of the match, you didn’t miss any falls, so when the footage kicks up here in a moment, the score of the match, if you will, is still zero to zero.

Joey C: I just hope that this match ends up on a “Best of..” DVD somewhere, sometime, because although there were no falls scored, the first fifteen minutes were exciting to watch, with Dan Stein working over Old Man Stellar for a good bit of it.

Mark Perletta: In the interest of not running over-time, let’s get down to the footage of this match in-progress.

Start : Footage from the Match

Grabbing Rocky Stellar by the head, the champion gets set for a suplex… he lifts Stellar up into the air… and then falls downwards, driving the challenger’s head into the mat with a brainbuster. The Lights gets up to his feet, a little tired after the huge strength expenditure in lifting the much heavier Stellar up into the air for that brainbuster. He waits, letting Rocky Stellar get to his feet, and once The Stellar One is back up to a vertical base, Dan Stein leaps up off of his feet and swings his leg wildly towards Stellar’s head…

Mark Perletta: No! Rocky ducks! Dan Stein goes for the enzuigiri, but Rocky Stellar had it scouted and had JUST enough time to avoid it! He avoided getting stung with that enzuigiri, and just barely.

Landon Savage: Dan Stein might have gone for that enzuigiri a little early, but if he had hit it, Stellar would’ve been down for the count.

Mark Perletta: The veteran he is, Stellar is looking to take advantage of the opportunity…

Stein starts to get up off the mat, but Stellar works in behind him and lifts him up and drops him down onto his feet with an atomic drop. Bending Stein back, Stellar sets him up into a reverse DDT position, but instead of dropping him to the mat, Stellar just lays into Stein’s chest with a few clubbing blows. Reaching up, Dan grabs a hold of Rocky’s face, one hand grabbing at his mouth, the other grabbing around at his eyes. Doing so, Stein buys himself enough freedom to slip his head out from underneath Rocky’s arm, and then he reaches back, grabs on to the back of Stellar’s neck and then DROPS down to the mat with a jawbreaker!

Joey C: NICE move there by Dan Stein!

Mark Perletta: He may have hurt Rocky’s jaw with that move, but it looks like the more severe consequence is that he pissed The Stellar One off!

Holding his jaw, Stellar moves right back in and fires in with a kick to the midsection of Dan Stein. Reaching down, Stellar picks Stein up off the mat, lifting him into a bodyslam position, but instead of sending him down onto the mat, Stellar runs over and slams Stein back-first into the turnbuckle, then locks his feet around the turnbuckle, putting Stein into the tree of woe.

Mark Perletta: Listen to these fans! They can’t wait to see what kind of pain Stellar has in store for Dan Stein, because they think he deserves it!

Joey C: What Dan Stein DESERVES is to be recognized as the great champion he is, that’s what he deserves.

Walking to the opposite corner, Rocky Stellar turns and looks at Dan Stein who remains tied up in the corner, and after waiting for a moment, Stellar sprints across the ring… jumps… and drives a knee into Stein’s crotch, much to the delight of the fans. The referee isn’t excited by the move, however, and he makes Stellar back up, keeping him away from Dan Stein, who was dislodged from the top rope with the impact, and Dan Stein slowly gets to his feet.

Mark Perletta: Stein getting a momentary reprieve from the beating at the hands… and knees… of Rocky Stellar, but can he get back into this match?

Joey C: Have a little more faith in the Tao of Valor Champion than that, Marky.

Mark Perletta: I’ve seen what Dan Stein can do, but I’ve seen a lot more from Rocky Stellar, and with experience comes faith.

As Rocky Stellar moves back in to get a piece of Dan Stein, the champion drops back down to his knees, his legs underneath the bottom rope. When Stellar grabs Stein by the head and tries to lift him up, the referee moves in and tries to back Stellar off. As the ref’s attention is fixated on Stellar, he doesn’t even notice as Dan Stein reaches up and DRILLS Rocky Stellar with a low blow, doubling him over. Stein works to his feet, grabs Stellar by the head, spins around and puts him on his back with a snap suplex. Rolling himself backwards, Stein finds himself in a mounted position on top of Stellar, and he starts laying into the challenger with hard forearm shots. A wave of excitement ripples through the crowd starting from the area right near the entrance ramp, and the camera switches over to a shot of Eli Storm coming down to the ring, though neither of the competitors in the ring seems to have noticed.

Mark Perletta: Eli Storm looks to be coming down to the ring, and this doesn’t look good for The Stellar One.

Landon Savage: Don’t go making assumptions just yet, Perletta. Has Eli involved himself yet? No. So don’t just assume he’s going to. He might just want to get a closer look at the guy who he’ll be facing two weeks from today in Jacksonville.

Able to cover up, Rocky Stellar keeps himself from getting hit in the face with any more forearms, and he shoves Stein off, sending him out under the bottom rope. Somehow Dan keeps himself from falling to the floor, remaining on the apron. Stellar slowly works and gets up off the mat, and on the outside Dan Stein wants to do something, so he forces himself to his feet and quickly moves over and climbs the turnbuckles on the outside. As soon as Rocky Stellar turns his attention towards the corner, Dan Stein flies off the top rope with a crossbody… but Stellar moves to the side, puts his hands on Stein’s back and adds more impact as Dan comes crashing down onto the mat! Without a moment’s hesitation, Rocky Stellar drops an elbow that finds its mark on the back of Stein’s head, then gets back to his feet, sends a stomp down onto the back of Stein’s head, and then he drops down with another elbow drop to the back of the head!

Joey C: Eli Storm might want to consider hurrying up in getting to the ring if he’s going to get involved…

Mark Perletta: Rocky Stellar has Dan Stein reeling…

With Dan Stein shaky on his feet having just got back up off the mat, Stellar backs up a few steps, hits the ropes, pushes off with some extra momentum and drills a right hand right into the face of Stein, dropping him down to the mat. Seeing that Stellar appears to be in control, Eli Storm walks around the far side of the ring, keeping out of Stellar’s view by ducking down a bit, and makes his way over to the announce table. Grabbing Stein by the head, Stellar puts a fist into the air as if to signal for something, and then once he helps Dan up to his feet, Rocky immediately hoists his opponent up into the air for a suplex… and then DROPS him into a sit-down piledriver that causes the fans to erupt with applause. Stellar gets to his knees and hooks the leg of the Tao of Valor Champion…

Mark Perletta: Stellar-Plex! Stellar-Plex! This could be it!

Eli Storm: Oh he’s got the pinfall here, count it!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!!

Josephina Colbert: The winner of the first fall of the match… Rocky… Stellar! The score is now one fall to nothing in favor of Rocky Stellar.

Landon Savage: With the good comes the bad. Rocky Stellar might have just scored the first pinfall in this 30 Minute Iron Man Match, he might be one step closer to becoming the Tao of Valor Champion, but all hope is not lost because we have been joined by the one… the only… The Incredible One… Eli Storm.

Eli Storm: This Announce crew has just gotten a Ratings Boost and now has classed up to a higher level.

Joey C: Although these two goofs might not realize it, allow me to say that I appreciate you being here and “classing up” this announce team. I can feel the ratings coming in as we speak!

Having just scored the pinfall, Rocky Stellar walks back over to his corner and celebrates for a moment, giving the fans something to cheer about as he steps up onto the middle rope. After standing there for a moment, Stellar wants to get back to work, so he drops down off the rope and watches as Dan Stein slowly gets up off the mat. The referee signals that the match can now continue, so Stellar comes in and goes to work, nailing Stein with a hard right hand. Stein retaliates with a right hand of his own, but then Stellar steps back in and nails one that drops Stein back down to his knees. Reaching in, Rocky locks Stein into a side headlock.

Mark Perletta: Rocky Stellar slowing down the pace of this match, a good strategy to keep Stein down on his knees while weakening him with the headlock.

Eli Storm: Rocky is no rookie and nows how to keep things going his way. That comes from long years of ring work he has under his belt.

Dan Stein desperately wants to break the side headlock, but as he tries to get up to his feet, Stein is taken back down to the mat as Stellar adjusts and shifts his weight. The frustration is visible on the face of Dan Stein as he struggles to get his head free from the grasp of the challenger. Again Stellar shifts to keep the advantage, and this time Stein anticipates the shift and he is able to shift around his legs and he starts getting up to his feet, his head still locked into that headlock. Once he’s back up to his feet, Dan Stein grabs Stellar around the waist, lifts him up… and falls backwards into a belly to back suplex, breaking up the headlock.

Joey C: Good, quick thinking there by the champion, able to find a way out of that side headlock.

Mark Perletta: He may have gotten out of the headlock, but Dan Stein is going to have to recover quickly if he wants to win this match and retain his title, because time is running short.

Landon Savage: With that enzuigiri of his, Dan Stein could be five seconds from a pinfall at any point in the match, so don’t count him out just yet.

Eli Storm: I heard Stein practiced that move in the gay tunnels of paris.

Dan Stein is the first of the two back up to his feet, but Stellar is not far behind. Stein fires in with a kick to the gut, then when he goes for a second one, Stellar catches it, pivots and drives an elbow smash into the side of Stein’s leg as he takes him down to the mat. Still holding onto Stein’s leg, Stellar works his way back up to his feet… then DRIVES another elbow down into the side of Stein’s leg. Able to spin over onto his stomach, Stein does whatever he can, trying to get back to his feet. Stellar gets up to his feet, grabs Stein from behind around the waist, spins and goes for a belly to back suplex, but Dan Stein lands on his feet, then nails a dropkick to the shins of Stellar as the challenger turns around, sending Stellar down to the mat.

Joey C: The Lights getting right back into this match with a great counter and a follow-up dropkick.

Mark Perletta: Now it’s Stein who goes to work, locking Rocky Stellar into a headlock of his own, wrenching up and putting pressure on the challenger’s neck.

Landon Savage: Dan Stein is a very versatile athlete, and here he is, putting to use some of his MMA skills with that chokehold.

Time winding down, Stein continues to wrench in that headlock, not giving Stellar a chance to get out of it. Slowly Stein shifts his arm around, moving the forearm underneath the chin of the challenger, but as the referee notices the choke, he starts yelling at Stein to stop the illegal hold, and the ref makes the count…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

FOUR!!

Stein lets go of the chokehold and the referee doesn’t disqualify him, but then Stein goes right back to work, putting Stellar back into a headlock. The referee checks to make sure it’s not a chokehold, and once he’s satisfied that it’s not, he moves backwards a step. Seeing that the referee isn’t watching as closely, Dan Stein again turns it into a chokehold. Once the referee sees it this time, not only does he force Dan Stein to release the hold, but he also forces the champion to get up off the mat and back away from Stellar.

Joey C: Hey! Dan Stein had until a 5 count to release that hold, and the ref didn’t even count that time!

Mark Perletta: He warned him minutes ago, so there was no need to warn him again this time. Stein knew he was breaking the rules.

Stein slowly gets up to his feet, then walks over and stomps down onto Rocky Stellar, then grabs him by the head and slowly tries to pull him up to his feet. Taking Stellar by the arm, Stein whips his opponent into the ropes, and on the return takes Rocky down with a flying leg lariat. Not wasting any time, Stein brings Stellar back up to his feet again and again irish whips him into the ropes. Stellar rebounds faster than Stein is ready for, and Rocky takes the champion down to the mat with a huge clothesline that turns Stein inside out!

Eli Storm: Now how many old timers do you know that can do that, Macho Man?

Joey C: At least one more than the number who SHOULD, apparently.

Mark Perletta: Rocky Stellar with a huge opportunity here to get back into the match, and he looks energized! Stellar getting back to his feet, and he isn’t going to waste any time….

Stellar grabs Stein up off the mat by the head and lifts him to his feet. Spinning him around and bending him backwards, Stellar sets Stein up in a reverse DDT position, and the fans go wild. Stellar takes a moment to put his free arm into the air, acknowledging the fans reaction and calling for his move, but as he does that, he gives Dan Stein an opportunity, and Stein capitalizes by hopping his feet up onto the middle rope and pushing off, sending Stellar down onto his back. Stein rolls through into a pinning position…

ONE…

TWO…

NO!!

Mark Perletta: Nearfall attempt there by Stein, and if he wants to hold on to that belt, he’d better start working to get his pinfall soon.

Joey C: All he needs is five seconds, Marky. Five seconds.

Mark Perletta: That would be enough to get him the tie and retain his belt, but you would think that Dan Stein would want the outright victory, wanting to use this match to prove himself against a decorated veteran like Rocky Stellar.

Landon Savage: It’s all about the belt, Perletta. All about the belt.

Frustrated by the nearfall attempt as he was trying to go for his finishing maneuver, Rocky Stellar gets back to his feet as quickly as he can. Taking Stein by the arm, Rocky Stellar uses all of his power and sends Stein into the corner hard back-first, Stein dropping down to his knees due to the impact. Stellar walks over and takes Stein by the arm, lifts him up to his feet and then whips him across the ring towards the opposite corner, following about six feet behind looking to follow up an impact in the corner… but the impact never comes as Dan Stein hops up onto the middle turnbuckle, tossing himself backwards, spinning to the side, throwing his leg out…

AND CONNECTING WITH AN ENZUIGIRI!!

Joey C: That… that was like a tornado whirlwind enzuigiri right there, and it connected RIGHT to the SIDE of the HEAD of Rocky Stellar, laying him out on the mat!

Mark Perletta: The champion looking for a pinfall here, will he get it?!

ONE…

TWO…

THREE!!

Josephina Colbert: Scoring the second fall of this match, “The Lights”… Dan… Stein!! The match is now tied at one fall a piece.

Landon Savage: JUST like I said earlier, all it took was five seconds. Two for Dan Stein to whip around that leg and make something happen and get into a pinfall position, the other three seconds for the referee’s count.

Mark Perletta: It was a nice counter maneuver by Dan Stein, and he has tied this match up. There’s not much time left, and so my guess is that this match is going to end at one fall each.

Both men are slow to work their way up off the mat to their feet, but the precious time continues to tick off the clock, getting ever closer to the end of the match. Stein is the first one up, and he moves over and lays a kick into the side of Stellar’s ribs, spinning him over from a kneeling position and putting him down onto his back. Relentlessly trying to get back to his feet, Rocky Stellar rolls himself over again and grabs onto the ropes and tries to pull himself up. The champion moves in and rocks Stellar with a kick to the ribs that drops him down to the mat. Stein tries for another kick, but this time Stellar reaches out, grabs him by the foot and holds on, trapping the champion there, keeping him from moving or kicking with that leg.

Mark Perletta: Stellar slowing down the offense of his opponent... but can he capitalize?

Landon Savage: I don’t think there’s enough time left for him to do much of anything.

Stellar continues to hold onto Stein’s leg as he works his way up off the mat, and once he gets into a stronger position, he puts his shoulder into Stein’s waist, thrusts in and doubles Dan over, then gets to his feet and sends Stein up over backwards with a back body drop that excites the fans. Rocky gets to his feet just long enough to lift his elbow into the air, and then he falls backwards, driving the elbow into the chest of the champion, then he reaches over and hooks the leg…

ONE!

TWO!!

NO!!!

Joey C: Stellar going for that desperation pinfall attempt, but the champion holds on!

Mark Perletta: Time winding down, now, down under the two minute mark, and you’d have to think that Stellar would try anything he can to come up with the victory here.

Landon Savage: Just like Dan Stein is going to do whatever HE can to make sure he retains the belt, and he’s not the one who has to pin his opponent’s shoulders to the mat, so I’d say he’s in a very good position right here.

Both men slowly make their way to their feet, and as Stellar gets up, he turns around to look for Dan Stein. Once he spots him, Stellar moves in and goes for a hard right hand, but The Lights is able to duck underneath it, firing in with one of his own. Dan then fires in with a hard kick, but Stellar follows it up with a haymaker that DROPS Stein down to the mat. Stellar realizes that the haymaker isn’t enough to use for the pinfall, so he takes the champion by the head and brings him to his feet. Putting Stein into a standing head scissors, but as he starts to lift Stein up for a piledriver, Stein shakes his legs, shifting his balance, and is able to drop his feet back down to the mat.

Stein reaches down, grabs Stellar behind the knees and pulls backwards, dropping Stellar down onto his back. Taking a couple steps backwards, Stein then moves forward, jumps, looking for a elbow drop… and Stellar moves out of the way. Both men work to get back to their feet, and as they do Stellar reaches in and nails Stein with a jab, rocking him back a step but not dropping him to the mat. Stein then steps in and nails Stellar in the face with a forearm shot, rocking Stellar back but not dropping him to the mat. Before either man can hit another move or another punch, the time limit bell rings, signaling the end of the match.

Josephina Colbert: With one fall a piece, Dan Stein and Rocky Stellar have tied and so the result of this match is a draw!!

A LEGACY official comes running out from the back and goes directly for the announce table, where he gets Josephina’s attention and then starts talking to her. She nods her head a few times and then gets back on the mic.

Josephina Colbert: I just received word that since the front office wants to see a winner of this match, we will now begin a SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME, with the NEXT person to score a fall TAKING HOME THE TAO OF VALOR CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

The crowd begins to cheer and both Dan Stein and Rocky Stellar process the information and get ready for the bell to ring to signify the match to re-start, both men looking very focused.

Mark Perletta: Here’s the bell for the third time during this contest, and we’re set to get things started yet again.

Joey C: I would’ve expected Rocky Stellar to be happy to get this over-time period, but I’m surprised to see Dan Stein actually appearing to be happy this thing is going to continue, but he does!

Landon Savage: You’re damn right he’s happy the match is going to continue. A win over Rocky Stellar is going to be HUGE for his career and his credibility WORLD WIDE, and he doesn’t want to get the win by default, he wants to TAKE the victory.

Eli Storm: This pressure… it’s a bit too much, so if you’ll excuse me fellas, I need to be alone… for the sake of my nerves.

Taking off his headset, Eli Storm gets up from the announce table and starts to walk around the ring, but then he stops and watches, just outside the ring. As Stellar and Stein lock up, Eli Storm looks on with a significant amount of interest. Stein gets the advantage and goes for the irish whip, but Stellar pulls him back in, lifts him up… spinebuster!! Stellar gets up, grabs each of Stein’s feet, lifts them off the mat… elbow drop to the groin!!

Joey C: The fans are loving it, and for whatever reason, so is Eli Storm! He’s standing outside the ring, clapping like an idiot, what the hell is he thinking!? He doesn’t like Rocky Stellar any more than I do!

Mark Perletta: You’re not the only one who’s confused, and for the first time in this match, Rocky Stellar sees Eli Storm, and he apparently isn’t pleased that Eli is at ringside.

Rocky Stellar walks over and starts yelling at Eli Storm, looking down over the top rope to the outside. Eli starts motioning for Stellar to get his attention back on Dan Stein, and then the referee runs over and gets in between Stellar and the ropes, yelling at Eli Storm. Satisfied that Storm isn’t going to get involved, Stellar looks back at Dan Stein, who is starting to get up off the mat. Reaching down, Rocky takes Stein by the head and starts to lift him to his feet, but Dan NAILS him with a low blow! Stellar gets doubled over and Stein gets to his feet, getting out onto the apron.

Mark Perletta: Stein going up to the top rope…

Landon Savage: This could be it…

As soon as Stein gets to the top rope, he waits a moment for Stellar to stand up, and as soon as the opportunith presents itself a moment later, Dan Stein leaps off the top rope… Enzuigiri!!!

LIGHTS OUT!!

Stein hooks the leg as the referee moves into position and makes the count…

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Josephina Colbert: Here is your winner and STILL Tao of Valor Champion… “The Lights”… Dan… Stein!

The referee waits as Dan Stein gets to his feet and then raises his hand in victory. The time keeper then brings the belt over to the edge of the ring, handing the Tao of Valor championship gold in to the referee, who then walks over and hands the champion the gold he just retained in this match. After kissing the belt, Dan Stein walks over and exits the ring. After walking over to the time keeper’s table and taking a microphone, Eli Storm walks back over to the base of the ramp, looking into the ring, waiting for Stellar as he gets to his feet after having just lost the match.

Eli Storm: Just as I thought… What a disappointment.

Storm shakes his head in disgust and disappointment.

Eli Storm: All you had to do, Rocky, is beat everyone's fave whipping boy, Dan Stein. That way, when I put your ass out to pasture in two weeks at the SuperCard, a match you were nice enough to set up for us without even asking me, it would be for some gold and not just the legacy of a has been.

Storm waits a moment, just looking in at Rocky Stellar, and then continues.

Eli Storm: But like the failure you are, you couldn't hold up your end of the bargin. I mean, I did my part and made you something to talk about... even if it was as the butt of alot of jokes. What a waste of my time. See you in two weeks…

With that, Eli Storm simply drops the microphone, turns, and walks up the ramp, Rocky Stellar fuming inside the ring, both men in the same parting shot as the cameraman walks backwards up the ramp, getting Eli Storm in the foreground and Rocky Stellar standing in the ring.