[Open with a shot of Dan Kauffman standing in front of a black backdrop. Soft lighting from overhead illuminates only his face with a shadow effect. The strains of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" begin to play as the camera moves across Kauffman's face.] BS: Memories... in the corner of my mind... [Cut to shots of a rookie Kauffman with hair to his shoulders performing a cross-body block on Karl "The Krippler" Krueger in another fed. It is followed by another shot, obviously a few months later judging by his haircut, of Kauffman pinning Abdullah the Undertaker in yet another fed.] ...Misty water-colored memories... of the way we were... [Cut to shots of Kauffman romping on his front lawn with Bosco the puppy. Home movie footage of an early Hell's Abyss shows only an old rowing machine in one corner. More home movie footage shows Kauffman proudly displaying his first wrestling trophy.] ...Memories, may be beautiful and... SCREEEEEEECH! [The audio is shattered with the noise of a phonograph needle being scraped across a vinyl record. As it continues, shots of Kauffman's childhood quickly flash across the screen until the screen finally goes black. After a few seconds "Don't Look Back" by Boston plays, accompanied by footage of Kauffman battling with Chris Quigley.] VO: Perhaps Dan Kauffman planned to walk away quietly, taking the misty water-colored memories with him, but unfinished business beckons at Ring Wars III in SkyDome. Dan Kauffman and Chris Quigley, warriors who are ready to battle for bragging rights... pride... and most of all... respect. Don't look back, Dan Kauffman, the battle of your career awaits! [The screen explodes, revealing the Subway Psycho and Casey James going nose-to-nose.] VO: It will also be personal when the IIWF Champion and the People's Champion lock up at Ring Wars III. The Syndicate took the Psycho's business manager, Sasha, but he won her back. The Syndicate took his honorary trophy as the "People's Champion", but he won it back. Now he wants the one thing he has yet to recapture from the Syndicate... the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship belt. [That image also explodes, sending balls of flame toward the screen. Over that image appears:] ================================================= LIVE FROM TORONTO'S SkyDome, THIS IS... ================================================= ##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= THE LEADER IN E-WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ================================================= THE ROAD TO RING WARS III Friday, March 21, 1997 ================================================= [Cut to a shot from the Hard Rock Cafe inside SkyDome. A broadcast center has been set up in front of a huge plate glass window, allowing the interior of SkyDome to be seen. A large IIWF banner hangs behind the desk. A remote camera zooms over the hundreds of lucky fans who won the "Ring Wars III Eve Party" Contest and a few IIWF staff members who crashed the party. One woman waves a homemade poster which reads, "I Love the IIWF, eh?" Zoom to the broadcast desk as the lights rise on Larry Morton and Becky LaRue.] LM: A very good evening to you all from Toronto, Canada, and the eighth wonder of the world... BL: Becky LaRue! LM: Uh, Becky, I was actually talking about SkyDome, the site of tomorrow night's titanic Ring Wars III card. What a thrill it is to be in this beautiful city and this magnificent facility, which is home to the Toronto Blue Jays. BL: Don't you hate it when they nest in the rafters? There's just nothing you can do to get rid of those pesky little... LM: I'm referring to the baseball team, Becky. BL: Huh? Oh... yeah. I knew that. LM: And it's a special pleasure to welcome the winners of our "Ring Wars III Eve Party" Contest. More than 100 lucky IIWF fans from around the world won trips to the gala that begins with tonight's show and will continue well into the night, I'm sure. They'll also receive special seating for tomorrow night's big pay-per-view. BL: All for writing why they love Becky LaRue... in 500 words or less! LM: Actually, it was a simple drawing. But what a thrill it is to be in the Hard Rock Cafe with such terrific rock and roll memorabilia. Over there is a piano played by none other than Jerry Lee Lewis. Over there is a gold record that belonged to Elvis Presley. We've got mannequins wearing all of the Village People's... er, Persons'... costumes. There are personal items from the Monkees, which I understand is Brody Thunder's favorite band... BL: You're kidding, right? LM: ...as well as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, some person called Green Day... BL: You're so hip, Larry. LM: ...and it was a special thrill on Blueberry Hill to see one of Fats Domino's jackets. BL: I think you could fit a Rotundo in that thing. LM: But the Hard Rock Cafe has never seen a night like this one because we've got the authentic IIWF superstars right here as we count down to Ring Wars III. And if past Ring Wars are any indication, tomorrow's card will set the wrestling world on its ear. BL: Let's just put the "LOOP" on its ass. LM: Now Becky, you promised you wouldn't broach that nasty topic tonight. BL: So I lied. LM: Our esteemed colleagues Tim Dross and Steve Roberts are with us tonight to help preview this big event. BL: Dross finally got out of that hellhole we affectionately call Nebraska? If that old war wagon bus of his had made it to Omaha, he could have shacked up with the Armed Forces. Nav and Def could have loaned him some of their little camouflage jammies and... LM: Let's check in first with Tim Dross. Tim, how's it going out there? [Cut to Tim Dross wearing a tuxedo and standing on a platform outside SkyDome. He is surrounded by fans in the Canadian twilight and they cheer as Dross begins to speak.] TD: Well, Larry and Becky, it's good to be off the bus... so to speak. Nils is taking a well-deserved rest, but you can see that these great fans are ready for some Ring Wars III action. I'll be out here throughout the show with some words from a few of the participants in Ring Wars III, but Steve Roberts is standing by near the CN Highpoint Tower with a dedicated group of IIWF fans, right Steve? [Cut to Steve Roberts surrounded by a mass of screaming humanity. He's holding his hand to his ear, trying to hear.] SR: Whatever. I can't hear you, Dross, but I'm sure it was wrong. I'm out here under this big tower thing with a group of crazy people who have set up a mini-town they call "Kamp Kowalski." Apparently, Steve Kowalski [the fans begin to chant Kowalski's name] can relate to these Canadians -- or these excuses for human beings can relate to him -- or something like that. But they've got lots of beer... [a shirtless young man sprays Roberts with a bottle of Molson Ice] ...hey, cut it out you illiterate little moron! As I was saying, they appear to have settled in here and plan to spend at least the next 24 hours waiting for the Toronto Street Fight between Kowalski and the Sandman. As you know by now, it's going to take place up on the tower. [the camera pans to the CN Highpoint Tower] These fools can freeze their butts off -- although most of 'em have enough antifreeze in them to not even notice -- but I don't get paid enough to stand out here all night. I'm off to find some REAL fans. Back to you guys... wherever the hell you are! [Cut back to Larry and Becky looking at the monitor.] BL: The Hard Rock Cafe, Stevie! Food, folks, and fun. And while you're freezing, things are only heating up in here as we get ready to rumble at Ring Wars III. LM: Ring Wars has been the IIWF's premier pay-per-view extravaganza since the first spectacular event last June. Headlined by an intense battle between IIWF Champion the "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin and the Subway Psycho, it saw the Psycho become the second IIWF World Champ. BL: He cheated. LM: He did not! The Psycho will hope lightning strikes again in SkyDome tomorrow night. BL: Aren't they going to close the roof? LM: It's a figure of speech. The "People's Champion" will have his shot at Casey James in one of our two big main events tomorrow night. BL: I was more fond of Ring Wars II last October when the forces of evil took control of the IIWF. Otto "The Butcher" Verhoeven -- with a little help from J.W. Hardin and Cadaver -- whipped Deathbringer in a wild Casket Match to become the IIWF World Heavyweight Champion Deathbringer. LM: And that was the night we began to first see some tension between Dan Kauffman and Chris Quigley in a double cage Wargames Match. Those two will meet in the second half of our double main event card -- and it will be Kauffman's farewell match. BL: Which is reason enough to celebrate. Let's PARTY! [The fans begin to toss party favors and confetti while chanting "Bec-ky... Bec-ky!] LM: We have a great show coming up tonight, so be sure to stick around. Let's take a quick time out to hear from one of our sponsors, then we'll be back with a complete rundown of tomorrow night's matches. We'll also hear from the stars of the IIWF. Stick with us, fans, we'll be right back LIVE from the Hard Rock Cafe in SkyDome! [Cut to commercial break and footage of a severely overweight wrestler in what appears to be a high school gym. Approximately 27 fans are in the stands, watching the fat man with the pointed boots squash his opponent. As the bell rings and the wrestler rolls off his vanquished foe, a voice comes over the PA system:] VO: Hey, Abdullah the Undertaker, "Dead Man from the Sudan"... you've just carved open Carlos Colon's head like a grapefruit. Now whatcha gonna do? [Abdullah looks at the camera in confusion. Referee Pavlov calls for the bell, causing Abdullah to drool and a smile crosses the big man's face, displaying his three good teeth.] ATB: I'm goin' ta... Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria! [Abdullah jumps from the ring and, through the magic of television, lands in a chair at a modestly decorated restaurant -- a napkin around his neck and a knife and fork in his beefy hands.] VO: That's right fans, it's Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria -- now with a new location in downtown Toronto, just in time for Ring Wars III. Looking for the best in steaks and pizzas? Look no farther than Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria. It's owned and operated by everyone's favorite Sudanese lunatic, who eats his seven meals a day right here! [Cut to footage of Abdullah cramming half of a pepperoni and sausage pizza in his mouth with one hand while holding a rack of ribs with the other, the barbeque sauce dripping onto the table into the shape of the restaurant's phone number.] VO: Hungry for some great chow after that great Ring Wars III action, fans? Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria is the place for you! It's THE place to meet your friends before or after the big card! [Cut to Abdullah laughing with the Rotundos as they tear into a pile of beef ribs sitting in the middle of the table.] VO: That's right, fans, Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria is recognized by the editors of Beef N Pork Magazine as... and I quote... "the cathedral of cholesterol, so pick up a fork and worship today." Our specialty is the one-item rib buffet every Saturday night. [Cut to Abdullah pulling a bone from his mouth and tossing it over his shoulder. It hits a small child in the back of the head.] VO: That's right, fans -- exclusively at our new Toronto location -- all you can eat ribs for only $19.95. [Abdullah waddles up to a large man and slaps his beefy hand down on the man's shoulder. He snarls at the man, then looks up at the camera and smiles.] ABDULLAH: It's all you can eat. If yer there for more than an hour, I come over and tell you... "Hey, that's all you can eat!" [Both men start laughing.] VO: That's right, IIWF fans. For good times and great chow, it's Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria -- 212 West Canuck Street, Toronto. And don't forget to visit the original Abdullah's Steakhouse and Pizzeria in downtown Atlanta! Pig out with the best... pig out with Abdullah's! [Cut back to the Hard Rock Cafe and "The Road to Ring Wars III."] ************************************************************************** ------------------------ RING WARS III PREVIEW -------------------------- ************************************************************************** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- RING WARS III MAIN EVENT #1 SUBMISSION MATCH: DAN KAUFFMAN'S RETIREMENT MATCH -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dan "Flash" Kauffman vs. Chris Quigley ------------------------------------------ LM: Two of the world's finest technical wrestlers will lock up in one of our two big main event matchups tomorrow night. Both men have illustrious pasts behind them in the sport of professional wrestling, and for Dan Kauffman, this match represents the final chapter in his career. He announced at the end of January that, win or lose, this would be his retirement match. BL: I thought this date would never get here. LM: You may not have been Kauffman's biggest fan during his career, but plenty of others around the world have cheered him. Let's take a look at how Dan Kauffman arrived at this momentous matchup at Ring Wars III: [Cut to images of Dan Kauffman wrestling in the IIWF. Tim Dross does the voiceover.] VO: Dan Kauffman entered the IIWF at its very beginnings, in May 1996, and immediately made an impact, progressing to the finals of the inaugural Coronation Clash tournament, but being beaten to the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship by the "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin. Kauffman then became embroiled in a memorable feud with Deathbringer, a confrontation that would later be reprised when Kauffman took possession of the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship for himself by defeating Otto Verhoeven in November 1996. In the intervening period, Kauffman battled against the massed forces of the alliance of darkness in the IIWF, and scored some famous victories over the Syndicate. [Scenes of Kauffman exchanging blows with Casey James flash onto the screen as the voiceover continues.] Kauffman says that his career reached its pinnacle when he captured the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship, and that he found it difficult to live up to that esteemed title of "champ". This difficulty manifested itself in a change of attitude, as Kauffman, along with his allies in the Players' Club, who emerged onto the scene in the IIWF in November, brutally attacked "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley in January. Thus began one of the most tumultuous periods in Kauffman's career, with the belt -- although not the title -- being tossed around from one illegal owner to the next. Eventually, it found its way back around Kauffman's waist, but he faced a tough challenge in a special Double Championship Match, teaming with the Players' Club to face Casey "Blackheart" James, a man who had stalked Kauffman for weeks with an almost obsessive stringency, and the IIWF World Tag Team Champions, the Dark Disciples. In the end, the odds were stacked too heavily against him, and Kauffman's World title reign, longer than any other in IIWF history, came to an end when he was pinned by Casey James on February 1, 1997. [A shot of Casey holding the IIWF World title belt aloft freezes on the screen. Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: What an emotional night that was for all of us. BL: My only emotion was joy because it meant the world title wouldn't be up for grabs in tomorrow's match. LM: Maybe not, but a lot of pride is at stake. When Kauffman and Quigley agreed last week to make tomorrow's meeting a submission match, it grew all the more important. BL: Yeah, it will do my heart good to know that Kauffman's last words in the IIWF were "I quit". LM: Don't count "Flash" out that quickly, Becky. He's been looking forward to this matchup for a long time and he's determined to go out a winner. He's kept to himself since arriving in Toronto last night. BL: He probably wants to be alone with those misty water-color memories. Bwahaha... snort! LM: Uh, perhaps. But here's what Dan Kauffman had to say about this match earlier in the week: [Footage of Kauffman's flash from "IIWF Monday Musings" rolls:] DK: It's time. Chris Quigley, you and I have woven our trails for two years now. You and I have waited for that one match that would pit us against one another. Everyone watched us develop from boys to athletes to men. Everyone has argued for a long time which one of us is better. At Ring wars, all the talking will end, and the whole world will see just who is the best. It's time. Just one more week before I hang up the boots and wash the tights for what I see being the last time. I've thought about returning many time; when to do it, how to do it, and why to do it. I still don't feel there will be a return for myself, which means that I'm going to go out at my best. Chris Quigley, you will have the honor, one way or another, of saying that you wrestled the very best Dan Kauffman there ever was. It's time. In just one week, one of us will say "I Quit". I can't think of a better way to do it, Chris. neither one of us gives an inch, much less altogether. Who has the will? Who has the heart? Who wants it the most? It's time. Chris Quigley, one week. Then, the wrestling world witnesses the greatest single match in history. That is my promise. Let's get it on! [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: As tough a competitor as Dan Kauffman is -- and has been throughout his career -- he'll be facing an equally tough individual in Chris Quigley tomorrow night. BL: That cocky little... LM: I think the term _confidence_ comes to mind when discussing Chris Quigley. He's proven he can dish out the punishment as well as take it, and I think he's looking forward to tomorrow's matchup every bit as much as Dan Kauffman. And he doesn't plan on being remembered as the man who surrendered during Kauffman's final match. Let's take a look at Chris Quigley's tumultuous tenure in the IIWF: [Cut to images of Chris Quigley wrestling in other federations. Tim Dross again does the voiceover.] VO: "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley made his debut in August 1996 after lengthy and successful stints in other federations; he has amassed at least eight singles titles and a tag team title in other leagues. Although he has yet to taste gold in the IIWF, his career in the world's premier federation has not been uneventful. [Cut to shots of Quigley's IIWF matches] In attempting to live up to his claims of being the finest technical wrestler in the world today, Quigley feuded memorably with Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven, a dispute which has yet to be settled, and also with the "Showstopper" Simon Lebec. More recently, towards the end of 1996, Quigley took a one-month layoff from the IIWF in order to consider the direction of his career, and returned more determined than ever to capture the IIWF World Championship. He immediately called out Dan Kauffman. After all, on the night which Kauffman defeated Verhoeven to win the World title, it was Quigley who had been scheduled to face the "Butcher", but he was unable to compete for medical reasons, and Kauffman took his place. The rest, as they say, is history. Quigley, however, believes that Kauffman won the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship because of him, and that he kept the title only because Quigley allowed him to. [A shot of Quigley and Dan Kauffman standing chest-to-chest freezes on the screen. Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Dan Kauffman and Chris Quigley once had the utmost respect for each other. Both have legions of fans, but they both have one score to settle before Dan Kauffman walks away from professional wrestling. They have one question to answer: who's the better man? BL: There's no denying that Quigley has been more successful throughout his career, but it's a different story in the IIWF. Kauffman has worn the IIWF World Championship belt and that torments Quigley's very soul. It's THE prize in wrestling... and it's one Quigley has never been able to claim. LM: But we've never heard Quigley surrender to a submission hold, either. Let's cut now to the famous Powerhouse Gym where "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley is standing by to give us his comments on what is sure to be a match for the ages: [Cut to Chris Quigley, wearing a grey Powerhouse Gym t-shirt and a pair of blue Umbro shorts. He is sitting on a weight bench in a Powerhouse Gym, the most famous one in Canada, lifting a barbell with his left arm over and over, with only the slightest strain on his face. He sees the camera and puts down the weight, and gets up from the bench, toweling off his forehead before speaking.] CQ: This is it. Tomorrow night, the biggest match I've ever competed in will be a reality. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. I've had some of my biggest matches in the Toronto SkyDome. It's always been good to me, and the fans have always been good to me. Canadian wrestling fans seem to appreciate the wrestling aspect of pro wrestling more than the glitz and glamour, and that's what Kauffman and myself intend to do, give them the best damn _wrestling_ match they've ever seen. Yeah, there's a lot of bad blood between us, and is it any wonder why? Time and time again Dan Kauffman has tried and tried to cost me, to hold me back, and to do me one better. This latest stipulation is a great example of that. Kauffman was watching last Saturday night when I beat Marty Warnett. Like I warned Dan before, there was more to me than meets the eye, and I pulled a few new moves out of my bag of tricks during that match. Kauffman saw me execute a moonsault. Kauffman saw me execute his Powerplant spinebuster. Then all of a sudden I hear that Dan wants a submission match! All of a sudden Dan doesn't want to have to contend with these kind of moves that he never realized I was capable of and he never prepared for. But... it doesn't matter. Dan thinks he's got it in the bag. He thinks I'm gonna go out there and do what I always do, and then try and hook him in the Quickstriker. Well, maybe I will, Dan! But then again, maybe I won't! The bottom line is, when it comes to submission wrestling, you aren't in my league, Kauffman. _Nobody_ is! This is the technical, scientific style that Steve Manning _specialized_ in! He taught me well, and you're gonna get a first hand lesson on what it was I learned in that basement! [Quigley grabs a nearby Evian water bottle and takes a long drink, then wipes his mouth with his arm, and smiles...] I always thought you were smarter than this, Dan. A submission match? Against _me_? I mean, I know past accomplishments don't mean much in the IIWF, but have you even _heard_ some of the stories that go along with my career? I've been in holds you would not believe! I've lasted 10 minutes in a figure four armlock! I survived the Anesthesia sleeper! I've gotten my way out of the Bad Crab! [Quigley gets closer to the camera, as he starts raising his voice, with his eyes nearly welling up with tears, as these words are spoken...] I promise you now... I don't care if my very career is hanging by a thread! I will not submit! I cannot give up! I will _never_ say I quit! That's my promise to you, to every wrestler in the IIWF, and to the fans who'll be watching this match! This match may as well be to the _death_, because I would gladly accept that consequence before I _ever_ gave up a match on my own will! You look at my face right now, and you can ask yourself whether or not this is talk, or if I'm swearing on Jesus Christ himself, because it's more than just a matter of pride now! It's a matter of everything I've ever stood for, every person who's smaller, ganged up upon, or facing impossible odds, it's a matter of going into battle and _never_ saying surrender! [Quigley takes a long breath...] You wanted this submission match? So be it. There will be a winner after this is all said and done, Dan. This may be your official retirement match, but when this thing is over, it could be both of us being scraped off the mat and carted away to obscurity, never wrestling again. It's a big price to pay, but I don't put a price tag on proving myself as the best, and I _will_ prove that to you, by any means necessary! [Quigley looks into the camera with eyes ablaze with focus and a desire to win. He turns away from the camera, and walks back to his bench, picking up the barbell, and begins lifting it with his right arm. Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Tonight, we can only call this is a bitter rivalry. Tomorrow, it may become a war. Our broadcasting team has assembled its picks for each of the big matches tomorrow. Before we show you those picks, let's cut to Steve Roberts, who has made his way from Kamp Kowalski to the other side of SkyDome. Steve, can you hear me? [Cut to Steve Roberts standing in front of a souvenir stand. Bright lights shine on the assortment of IIWF t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and other memorabilia.] SR: Yeah, I'm afraid I can, Barry. As you can see behind me, the customs laws in Canada must really suck because we were able to cart all these souvenirs across the border. Fortunately, these gullible Canucks are buying the stuff like there's no tomorrow. [he turns and yells at a man buying a Casey James t-shirt] Hey, use real money! I wanna see _dollars_, not that Canadian play money! [A mother and her young daughter step away from the stand. The little girl proudly displays her Dan Kauffman "Hero at Ground Zero" poster for the camera. Roberts notices her.] Hey munchkin, you know that poster is gonna be worth squat by Sunday morning, don't you? Buy one of those Steve Roberts feather boas... guaranteed for life! [the little girl just smiles at "Soundbite"] So tell me, who do you think is going to win the big match tomorrow night? [The little girl just looks at Roberts for a few seconds, then whispers into the microphone.] LG: dan... koof-man. SR: Koof-man? Hey, I wish I had come up with that one. So why are you picking Koof-man, you little rugrat? LG: [still very quietly] he's... good. SR: Well, she's quiet, but she already shows more skill than Barry Morton. [Roberts suddenly turns to the mother] Why isn't this kid in bed? And better yet, Sweetie, why aren't you and I? Grrrrrrowl! [The woman slaps Roberts as the shot quickly cuts back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: I feel we must apologize to anyone and everyone who was insulted by that last segment. BL: We don't have all night! I think Steve was partaking of more than ambiance at Kamp Kowalski earlier. LM: Let's just move on to our picks for this main event matchup: TIM DROSS: Dan Kauffman LARRY MORTON: Dan Kauffman BECKY LaRUE: Chris Quigley STEVE ROBERTS: Chris Quigley STEVE SUMMER: Dan Kauffman =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= RING WARS III MAIN EVENT #2 IIWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Subway Psycho vs. Casey "Blackheart" James ----------------------------------------------------- LM: Our other main event tomorrow night pits two men who were once friends, but that seems like it was in another lifetime. BL: That's because it was. "Whitebread" James is long gone and the Psycho better think again if he thinks Casey will hesitate to bash his brains in. LM: Casey has indeed become a ruthless individual since coming under the influence of the Syndicate and Brian Lau. Let's take a look back at the many faces of Casey James, the IIWF World Heavyweight Champion: [Cut to file footage of Casey James wrestling in the IIWF. Larry Morton does the voiceover for this segment.] VO: Casey James has a mottled history in the IIWF. From the league's genesis, Casey was a true American patriot, a hero admired by the IIWF's fans. Teaming with the Man Of Steel, a like-minded athlete, as the American Heroes, Casey set out on a crusade to clean up the IIWF. However, he found few allies to aid him on his quest, and Casey became disillusioned with the forces of good. In August, he created quite a stir when he walked out on his partners at the Midsummer Madness event, appearing later the same evening with Brian Lau, now calling himself Casey "Blackheart" James. [A shot of Casey embracing Brian Lau freezes on the screen. It is replaced by footage of him with Tiger Claw and Hakiro Matsuoko.] For the next few months, Casey learned from the other members of the Syndicate, receiving lessons in the martial arts from both former IIWF great Hakiro Matsuoko and Tiger Claw. Biding his time, Casey watched and waited for the World title to fall within his grasp. When Dan Kauffman won the title in November 1996, Casey saw his chance. He began stalking the IIWF Champion, even going so far as breaking into his hotel room while on tour, kidnapping his dog, and attacking his teacher, Brandon Bennett. [Cut from shaky footage from Casey's handheld video camera to footage of James facing Kauffman.] His opportunity came at Snow Brawl, the winner of which would receive a shot at the World Champion. Casey triumphed through an initial Lethal Lottery Tag Team match, and then a Survivors Battle Royal, earning his chance at gold and glory. However, Dan Kauffman was able to sustain the initial onslaught, and it seemed that Casey's chance had passed. However, with the announcement of his impending retirement, Kauffman began to lose his focus on the title, looking ahead to his final match with Chris Quigley, and Casey James once again sensed an opportunity. Brian Lau, the mastermind of the Syndicate, negotiated a double championship match with both the IIWF World Tag Team Championship and World Heavyweight Championship on the line. After a punishing and brutal performance, Casey James triumphed, pinning Kauffman and taking the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship. Immediately, however, the Subway Psycho was on the scene, guarding Kauffman from further attack, and an old rift was reopened. [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: And so Casey James makes one of his most difficult title defenses to date. He has the advantage of holding the belt, as well as having the Syndicate on his side. BL: And that's the biggest advantage. Never bet against the Syndicate in a title match. LM: Casey James and his comrades in the Syndicate now join us LIVE from high atop Toronto -- atop the CN Highpoint Tower, in fact: [Cut to Casey James, Brody Thunder, Kane, and Wulf standing on the CN Highpoint Tower. The lights of Canada can be seen flickering in the background. Larry Morton's voice can be heard over the shot.] LM: Gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. Your thoughts, please, on the eve of Ring Wars III? CJ: You people see this? Four of the toughest men in the IIWF standing here under one banner. The banner of the Syndicate. We're all going into Ring Wars III with one thing on our minds, and that's victory. We're going in as the premier organization in the IIWF, and we're planning on leaving as no less. The belts you see here will still be where you see them, and my man, here, Brody Thunder is going to dominate Pukespeare like he's done many times before. LM: Yes, I understand he'll be speaking with Tim Dross later, but... CJ: Shut up, Morton! BT: The man ain't lyin', Shakespeare. It's one thing ta do the Thunderbolt, but it's something entirely different to try an' put it on me. Hell son, I invented the flamin' hold. An' ya think after one match ya got it down? What you've _got_... is less than 24 hours ta get outta Dodge, my friend. Cuz if ya _do_ step inta that squared circle with me there's only two ways yer gonna be leavin', son... ...on yer back... an' unconscious. Heh. See ya at the Wars, Billy-boy. CJ: And in my match against the Psycho... Ohh, I can hardly wait... That punk has been a constant annoyance ever since the IIWF ever opened its doors. I'm going to do what I do best, and that's hurt, maim, and humiliate the so called People's Champion. At the Toronto SkyDome, under the CN Tower, the world is going to be forced to watch the Psycho sweat, bleed, and shed many a tear while I stand over him, laughing at his inability to mount an offense against me. Psycho, this is no longer about a psychological advantage, this is raw hatred. The two of us are going to meet in the ring officially and one on one, and you're going to find out that I wear this belt, not because it looks nice, but because I truly am the greatest man in the IIWF. Now there's one last thing I want to talk about. This "loop" crap. You know, these morons come in and take up air time that could go to much better use filming my big toe, and what gets done? Nothing. The stars of the IIWF get held back from wiping their asses with this Mr. Robinson dork, but he somehow sneaks in a crew of his buddies so they can flap their gums. Some of the folks here may think I went a little soft, standing side by side with the likes of Kauffman and the Psycho in defending our little club, but I don't give a damn. When it comes to turf, my friends, there are only two teams: Us and Them. So that brings me to another point. Who does the IIWF get to represent them in the Summit? Me? No, of course not. I'm only the World Champion. Why should I get the honor? I mean, I guess I didn't earn it, right? Bull. Shakespeare, you lucked into this opportunity thanks to two reasons. First, I'm going to be forced to defend my title against Quiglet the Piglet at the Summit. Yay. Oh, and I _will_ still be the champ by then. So now other federations are going to get to hear that same old song we hear from Quiglet every day. "I'm the best, I don't have to prove it, I'm cool, this is going to be the toughest challenge of my life." It doesn't matter, Quiglet, because I went through hell to get this belt, and I'm not about to give it up that easily. Anyway, suffice as to say that I'm busy on that night. The second reason you're getting to represent us at the Summit, Wilbur, is pretty obvious. It would appear that Spreadbury, in the interest of inter-fed relations, doesn't want someone like me kicking "loop" ass and taking names, however small-time those names are. You see, if I were going into this thing, there'd be a pile of bodies so high the fans wouldn't be able to see the ring. How do you think those ego cases would react to that, huh? We'd never hear the end of it. So who does he send out? The guy that's taken more time off due to ass-whippings than Clinton takes off for cheeseburger breaks. I mean, come on. First, you get your ribs broken by Rubber-Legs himself, Tiger Claw. Then you get pummelled by likely the toughest man on earth, Brody Thunder, so hard that you had to wear that ridiculous looking thing on your head to keep your brains from leaking out your ears. You're known as the token punching bag of the IIWF. You see this man here? [Puts a hand on Thunder's shoulder] This man took a brutal punch to the heart, a chair to the head, and then got thrown trough the windshield of his truck by none other than _ME._ THAT, my friend, is tough, and THAT, my friend, is the type of man that should be representing the IIWF. Take your pick from those you see here. We may not be the epitome of wrestling technique, but we sure know how to hurt people. Thank the desire of our president to take it easy on those losers, because that's why you're going to the Summit Cup. 'Nuff Said. LM: Thank you very much, gentlemen. We'll be back shortly for some comments from the Dark Disciples on their IIWF World Tag Team Championship defense against Domination. [Cut back to full screen of Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] BL: Casey seems to have most of the support in his corner. LM: However, the Psycho has two big advantages in his favor, as well. First, he is accustomed to wrestling in a big title match at Ring Wars. He won the IIWF World Championship from "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin at Ring Wars I... BL: He cheated! LM: He did not! But the Psycho also has an ace in the hole -- Tiger Claw. Perhaps no one knows the mind of Brian Lau better than Claw and he's been training the Psycho for the past month for this match. The Psycho, himself, has had more than his share of run-ins with the Syndicate and knows how they operate. With that in mind, we have a short look at the history of the Subway Psycho, the man known in the IIWF as the "People's Champion." [Cut to images of the Subway Psycho signing autographs, wandering the subways of New York, and wrestling in the IIWF. Larry Morton again does the voiceover.] VO: The Subway Psycho has always been a firm favorite in the hearts and minds of the fans of the IIWF. Upon the opening of the league in May 1996, the Psycho immediately got into a dispute with Brian Lau and his charge Tiger Claw, the seed of the Syndicate, over the Psycho's valet, Mistress Sasha. Claw and the Psycho had many memorable battles over the following weeks, and the Psycho found himself catapulted into title contention with a shot at IIWF World Heavyweight Champion, "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin, at Ring Wars I in June. The Psycho capitalized on the chance to capture the title, and wore the belt with pride. [A shot of the Psycho holding the belt freezes. The screen slowly goes black.] However, the pressure of holding the title, and the apparent defection of his valet, Mistress Sasha, into the burgeoning forces of the Syndicate, caused the Psycho to go off the rails like a careening subway train. Accused of vandalizing large sections of the New York subway, the Psycho was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship, which then fell into the hands of Deathbringer. The Psycho was eventually cleared of the charges and granted the key to the city of New York, but he feels that the score between himself and the Syndicate was never settled. His legendary battles with Tiger Claw continued, and every time, neither man was able to get a clean, conclusive victory over the other. Claw fought his way to three Intercontinental Championships, while the Psycho made it his mission to bring down the Syndicate, trashing Brian Lau's Dojo, and frying Joe Latta in a Third Rail Match. As the months rolled past, the Psycho became embroiled in a bitter feud with Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven, and ironically, his greatest enemy was to become his greatest ally. [Shots of the Psycho wrestling Tiger Claw dissolve into shots of the two of them standing together.] Dissatisfied with his treatment at the hands of Brian Lau, Tiger Claw acrimoniously left the Syndicate and set out in the ring on his own, attempting to earn the respect of the fans he had shunned for his entire American career. He came to the aid of the Psycho as he guarded former Champion Dan Kauffman from attack by the forces of the Syndicate, and a friendship was sealed. However, sensing the danger posed by Claw, the Syndicate made a quick preemptive strike, Casey James breaking Claw's leg in a vicious attack, and keeping the Thai boxer out of the ring for several months. Nonetheless, Tiger Claw is determined to assist the Psycho in bringing the Syndicate down, and nobody has more inside knowledge than the former cornerstone of the organization. At Ring Wars III, the Subway Psycho will attempt, with Tiger Claw's help, to win back the Championship he still claims he never lost. [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: And it's true that the Psycho never lost that belt. I'm glad to see him finally get another title shot and I'm confident that he'll make the most of it with Tiger Claw's help. They'll certainly have the bulk of the more than 90,000 fans who will crowd this facility tomorrow night. BL: Fans don't win matches for you. The Stinker is going to have to face Casey James on his own. LM: But he's received a lot of training from Tiger Claw. The roots of revenge run deep: [SCENE: A dark subway tunnel. Torches burn on either side of the shot, and a dark figure hobbles from the shadows.] TC: For weeks I've been down here in the tunnels under the massive city of New York. In order to get my revenge on those who have wronged me, I have all but given up my life in the surface world. The luxuries of electric light, running water, and a comfortable bed are unavailable down here. I have purposely given up these things so that I may be able to be instrumental in the Syndicate's demise, to take the World Title away from the whelp, Casey James. Due to the injury I sustained, I can't do this by myself, so I bring you my champion, the People's Champion, The Subway Psycho. [The Psycho appears from the shadows.] SP: There are many who still look upon our alliance as an impossibility. Two fighters who were at one time mortal enemies. Now I fight not only for myself, but I fight in the name of Tiger Claw as well. I do this because I, more than anyone else, knows what its like to have the Syndicate [BLEEP] with you. They turned on Claw here well, and I'll be honored to represent him in the ring tomorrow, and represent anyone that Brian Lau has done wrong. Casey, you and I and everyone knows that this man was the key player in the Syndicate. Without Claw the Syndicate is a hollow shell of what it once was. I will prove that tomorrow night when I take that World Title away from you and put it where it belongs...back around my waist, the waist of the People's Champion...a true champion. Skydome is going to be rocking to "Crazy Train" twice tomorrow night... once on my way in, and again on my way out... after I take Casey James out with the De-Railer! TC: Psycho, you are ready to face the perils of the Syndicate. You have trained under me for quite some time, and I am confident that I have taught you everything you will need in order to beat Casey James. Your being able to beat him is almost a given, but there is one favor I must ask of you. For weeks now I have had this cast on my leg, and have needed these sticks in order to move around. The favor I ask is that you make that overgrown ape scream in agony before you beat him. Let him feel pain the likes of which he's never felt before in his life. And then after you beat him, be sure to toss him my way, so that I may take my suffering out of his hide. SP: [turns to Claw and smirks] I'm surprised you even have to ask. He'll be screaming so loud they'll be forced to keep the dome closed to avoid noise complaints. And once I get that one, two, three, he's all yours. [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] BL: Do you really think Brian Lau would let Tiger Claw outthink him? Lau is a master of mind games. The Stinker knows his way around the ring, but he's too soft-hearted. That's why fans love him -- everyone loves a loser. LM: Again, I disagree. But let's show you how each of us handicapped this IIWF World Championship bout: TIM DROSS: Subway Psycho LARRY MORTON: Subway Psycho BECKY LaRUE: Casey James STEVE ROBERTS: Casey James STEVE SUMMER: Subway Psycho =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Marty Warnett vs. Lord Byron ----------------------------------------- LM: What a history these two have in the IIWF. They've sniped about their heritage, their mental state, their wrestling skills, and now they're apparently fighting over a woman... in addition to the IIWF Intercontinental Championship. BL: Women... sheesh. LM: It was just two weeks ago when Lord Byron controversially took the title away from Marty Warnett in an unscheduled title defense on IIWF Saturday Night -- a match in which Lady DeWinter apparently turned on Warnett. For Marty, it was just another stumbling block on his way to stardom in the IIWF: [Cut to shots of Marty Warnett in action in the IIWF. Becky LaRue does the voiceover for this segment.] VO: Marty Warnett entered the IIWF in August 1996, and initially struggled against the top competition in the league. Undeterred, he pursued many of the IIWF's top superstars, and often gave them the fight of their lives. He feuded memorably through the autumn with Lord Byron, who then came back to haunt him, this time to take more than his pride; Byron wanted the Intercontinental Championship. [Cut to shots of Warnett holding the IIWF Intercontinental belt.] In recent months, Marty Warnett has been exhibiting signs of psychological distress, and often claimed that the Intercontinental title, which he won after finishing runner-up in the Battle Royal at Snow Brawl and subsequently defeating Steve "the Fury" Kowalski, was the only constant thing in his life -- a prized possession which Lord Byron was keen to take away. He did so on March 8 after Warnett had already wrestled one match. Still, IIWF President Dan Spreadbury sanctioned the match and Warnett saw the belt slip from his grasp -- thanks to cane-wielding valet Lady DeWinter. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: It's been a long road for Marty Warnett -- too far for him to have traveled only to lose the belt in that manner. BL: Warnett is talented, but he can't keep his brain out of his trunks. He lets little things like Byron slapping around DeWinter get to him. LM: You call that a little thing? Marty is out for revenge in this match and I've a feeling he may come away with more than the belt. BL: Hanging around DeWinter, he may come away with something penicillin can't cure. LM: I understand Tim Dross is standing by outside with the "Party Maniac" himself, so let's cut to them now: [Cut to the exterior set. As darkness falls on Toronto, the lighting becomes more prominent. Marty Warnett stands with Tim Dross.] TD: Thanks, Larry. Indeed I'm here with none other than Marty Warnett. Marty, so much seems to be happening to you these days, how do you handle the pressure? MW: Well, it's kinda awkward. As soon as one thing ends, another starts. I mean, not so long after this event it's the Summit, so... TD: Yes Marty, you face the number one technical wrestler of 1996 in the Summit, the "Loop" star Chris Deageau. How will you prepare for that? [Marty pauses.] MW: It's not on my mind too much, but then again tomorrow night I face the man who is the best technical wrestler in the world, Lord Byron. I guess that's good preparation in itself! TD: Of course. What will be your game plan for Byron? MW: You know, Dross, everyone has secrets... especially LaRue about her weight. Mind you, since Hardin left, she's lost about three hundred pounds! Seriously, in all my past bouts with Byron, I've been there and matched him move for move. He's slightly better technically, I'm more well-rounded. Watch it, Dross, it'll be one hell of a bout. TD: And DeWinter? MW: I don't know, Tim. After my loss to Quigley I ran backstage to try to find out how she was, but she'd been taken away by Byron. Anyway, I've got to fly, Dross. See you tomorrow. Deageau, I hope you tune in, because in April, you drop out. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Marty Warnett will clearly have his hands full with one of the most cunning individuals in the IIWF. Lord Byron will pull out all stops to win a match. BL: And now that he has the IIWF Intercontinental Championship belt, he'll be doubly dangerous. Never mess with an aristocrat. [Cut to shots of Lord Byron in action. Becky LaRue again does the voiceover.] VO: Lord Byron entered the IIWF in October 1996 at Ring Wars II, along with his valet, the Lady DeWinter. Byron displayed his indisputable skills as a ring technician in every match he fought, and vowed that before long he would have a championship title around his waist. However, his plans were hindered by a growing rift between him and DeWinter, which led to their eventual split in January, after Byron suffered a defeat at the hands of highly-touted newcomer, Creed. Despite the fact that the Lady then began making ringside appearances at Marty Warnett's matches in an effort to make Byron jealous, the arrogant blueblood bounced back with a brace of impressive victories, most notably over the Subway Psycho and "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley. Defeating Warnett in an impromptu match two weeks ago was icing on the cake and won Byron his first IIWF belt. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Byron does enter Ring Wars III as the IIWF Intercontinental Champion, but many think Marty Warnett will leave SkyDome with the belt around his waist once again. BL: The problem is, neither Byron nor Warnett can trust DeWinter. With those raging hormones, she's as much a liability as an accomplice. LM: Nevertheless, this should be a great title matchup. Our staff is again split on their predictions: TIM DROSS: Lord Byron LARRY MORTON: Marty Warnett BECKY LaRUE: Marty Warnett STEVE ROBERTS: Lord Byron STEVE SUMMER: Marty Warnett =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP LADDER MATCH: =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The White Phoenix vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi ----------------------------------------------------- LM: The first Ladder match in IIWF history will take place tomorrow night with the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship on the line. BL: All the up and coming stars try to climb the ladder of success. This is a new way of doing it. LM: The rules of the Ladder Match are simple: anything goes. The title belt is hung from the rafters some twenty feet above the ring, and the match continues until one of the athletes manages to scale the stepladder, which is positioned in the aisle at the start of the match, and grab the belt. The ladder may be used as a weapon, since there are no disqualifications, no countouts, no pinfalls and no submissions. Two men enter, one man leaves with the gold. BL: And just like so many matches tomorrow night, this one pits two guys who used to be buds. For IIWF Cruiserweight Champion, the "Enigma" Takezo Musashi, it's a chance to stare into the face of one of the most fearless men in the federation, Shinja Chow. [Cut to footage from Snow Brawl of The White Phoenix attacking Hakiro Matsuoko, then a shot of Chow burning in the darkness. Steve Roberts does the voiceover for the segment.] VO: After attacking Hakiro Matsuoko last December, Shinja Chow returned to China at the behest of his former mentor, a mysterious individual known as Sun Tsi, a man whom The Phoenix had believed was dead. At the end of January, Chow returned, with the image of a phoenix burned on his right palm as an outward sign of the inward change which had taken place during his sabbatical. Upon his return to the rings, it was immediately evident that this was a new White Phoenix. Dressed symbolically in black, Chow literally set the ring on fire, and exhibited a new, devil-may-care attitude. Taking great physical risks without so much as a thought for his own well-being, Chow stunned the crowds with his skills, which paid off when he scored a clean pinfall victory over Deathbringer. The Phoenix is only the second man in IIWF history to be able to lay claim to such a feat. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: The Phoenix certainly has been a changed man in the past two months since returning with Sun Tsi. BL: You can question some of the techniques Sun Tsi uses, but you can't argue with the results they've produced. When Chow defeated Deathbringer, I was convinced he's for real. LM: Perhaps, but Takezo Musashi has proven to be a truly great Cruiserweight Champion and he won't give up the belt without a fight. BL: Well, that's the idea, isn't it? LM: These men know each others' styles extremely well, but the "Enigma" has the Starsault Press on his side: [Cut to a shot of Musashi hitting the Starsault Press on various opponents. Steve Roberts again does the voiceover.] VO: Since exploding onto the IIWF scene at the end of last summer, the "Enigma" has turned heads with his breathtaking Starsault Press. He quickly was confronted by former Intercontinental and Cruiserweight Champion, Hakiro Matsuoko. Musashi and Matsuoko had been fiercely competitive as young men training under their master in Japan, and Matsuoko was banished from his tutelage after cheating in hand-to-hand combat, the victor of which would learn the secret of the Starsault Press. Years of jealousy exploded as Matsuoko went after Musashi, and the two collided in a memorable Scaffold Match at Ring Wars II in October. Although controversially denied victory in that match, Musashi then went on to capture the Cruiserweight Championship from Matsuoko at Snow Brawl in December, largely thanks to Chow's interference in that match. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Few wrestlers have found a way to counter the Starsault Press, but if anyone can do it, it's probably Shinja Chow. BL: If not, Sun Tsi will probably beat him with a stick. LM: The "Enigma" isn't convinced that Chow has been completely consumed by the darkness in Sun Tsi. That may give him the advantage he needs: [SCENE: A chamber dimly bathed in candle light. Japanese murals weaved into arcane symbols and cosmic images adorn the walls. The "Enigma" Takezo Musashi sits in a meditative position at the centre of the room, the Cruiserweight title on display at his feet. The candle light casts eerie shadows over his face, occasionally glinting in facets off the silver and blue stars painted around his eyes.] TM: Shinja Chow, the hour of utmost danger approaches. The time when the forces of darkness and light will clash over the prize we both hold most dear: the World Cruiserweight championship. You, White Phoenix, have chosen your allegiance, you danced with the spirits of darkness and now they have overcome you. I, as the champion of the Gods, the crusader of the light, am destined to face you. It is a battle from which only one side can emerge, do you possess the courage for this Shinja Chow? Can you step between those ropes at Ring Wars III, your mind clear, your eyes focused on the prize, when you know that each of us face our mortality in the other? Make no mistake about it, White Phoenix... we have chosen this most dangerous forum of battle, the ladder match, a match in which both of our careers are indeed mortal. I know now that when the bell sounds I will have no hesitation in aggression, I will do what it takes to finish you off, permanently if necessary. But do you have the will to do so unto me, Shinja Chow? Are you really possessed with the darkness? Are you really capable of destroying your former friend? I suspect that there is a chink in your armour, that there is a glimmer of light in your soul the evil has yet to possess. Beware Phoenix, for if any of your compassion remains you had best overcome it, from me you will find no mercy or restraint. [Musashi pauses and closes his eyes. The camera pans in onto the Enigma's face. The dim light plays shadow tricks so that it appears one half of his face is cast in shadows, the other half glittering with light.] Remember Shinja, that the darkness once possessed me also. I have renounced it, maybe, but in the depths it still remains. I have buried it deep, yet it has the power still to manifest itself. Perhaps, White Phoenix, I too am still visited by dark spirits in the dead of night. Beware of awakening the darkness in me once again, fellow warrior. You may find that you do not possess the might to penetrate its depths... [Suddenly the candles flicker and die out, casting the room into inky blackness. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: This should be one of the most fast-paced matches we'll see tomorrow night. Here's how we see the outcome: TIM DROSS: Takezo Musashi LARRY MORTON: The White Phoenix BECKY LaRUE: The White Phoenix STEVE ROBERTS: The White Phoenix STEVE SUMMER: Takezo Musashi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Creed vs. Mad Dog Watkins ------------------------------------- LM: The love-hate relationship between the enigmatic Creed and Mad Dog Watkins is one of the biggest mysteries in the IIWF. Ever since their respective debuts, Creed and Watkins have seemed destined to meet in the squared circle, but what was much less than certain was whether it would be as friends or enemies. BL: Who cares as long as they beat the snot out of each other? LM: Becky, there are people trying to eat out there! BL: Yeah, like _slobberknocker_ is an appetizing word. LM: Well, of all the times these two men have had staredowns, it's Mad Dog Watkins who seems to want to press the issue. He's never backed down from a challenge and he's not about to start now: [Cut to footage of Mad Dog Watkins in the IIWF. Steve Summer does the voiceover for the segment.] VO: Watkins is the wily, tough veteran, fifteen years Creed's senior; he's been around the wrestling world, and there are a great many notches on his belt. However, his physique and his work ethic belies his relatively advanced age, and Watkins still performs in the ring a man a dozen years younger. Watkins is no stranger to success; since his debut, he has scored impressive victories, including a hard-fought Marathon Match with fellow newcomer Ronnie Paris, and only the "Lone Wolf" Brody Thunder has thus far been able to halt his momentum and score a pinfall victory over the Dog. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: One of the controversies surrounding this match involves the mystery of Creed's father. BL: Who's your daddy? Hehe... snort! LM: That's not funny. Some have even speculated that Watkins is Creed's father. The "Old Dog" has a lot of memories, but that isn't one he is particularly fond of: [SCENE: The shot is of a darkened arena, where the only noticeable movement is of an older gentleman - the janitor - as he slowly cleans up the arena floor. The camera slowly pans the surroundings, which most true wrestling fans quickly recognize to be the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. Movement in the bleachers is caught just on the edge of the camera's periphery, but the cameraman is quick to move the shot and refocus -- resting upon the figure of Mad Dog Watkins sitting midway up the bleachers. The shot switches to another camera, just a few rows below Watkins, and Watkins' appearance is now discernible. He is wearing an old pair of well-worn bluejeans, and a black t-shirt that has seen its better days. The faded logo reads "Paintasia '84 - Hell on Earth...Bruno The Sandman vs. Mad Dog Watkins...San Francisco...11/21/84". Mad Dog puts down what he was reading, and looks at the camera. His visage is not a pretty sight - he sports a fully swollen right eye and a left one that's black and blue; a scarred cut right underneath his chin; and a bandage on his forehead to hide the deep cut suffered last Saturday at the hands of a Brody Thunder chairshot.] MDW: The Cow Palace...San Francisco, California...lots of memories in this place. Lots of blood...lots of sweat...and a lot of pain. But that was the good old days. Days of glory that remain etched in this Old Dog's brain...days that hold a lot of symbolism when I think back on them and where I am today. [Watkins looks down slowly at his shirt, pulls the logo out towards the camera a little, and gives a quiet laugh.] I remember this night...it was the first time that I stepped foot back in the Cow Palace since my first few years in the sport. I left the West Coast for the glory of the East Coast and the Independent Supercards. I left a novice, and I came back a maineventer. Me and Bruno. We wrestled almost an hour and a half that night - if wrestling is what you want to call it. For every suplex I hit him with, he hit me with three foreign objects. Hell, he even brought the kitchen sink that night. [Mad Dog pauses momentarily, caught up in reflection, then begins to speak again.] Last Saturday reminded me of that. Except if you think that my mug looks bad now, you should of seen me after a night with Bruno -- not a pretty sight. Brody Thunder - you are one mean SOB, I'll give you that. You want to go one final round with the Dog? You don't even have to ask. I'll give you one hour of my time...I hope you make the best of it. [Watkins slowly rises to his feet, and walks slowly through the seats of the Cow Palace.] But before me and the Texan get it on, I've got a date with the young pup Creed. Ring Wars III...this weekend from Toronto. That's a long way away from here in the Bay. A long way from the rings where I learned this sport, and a long way from the streets you grew up on across the Bay. Month after month, we'd come here to the Cow Palace or to the Coliseum in Alameda, or some small convention hall in the area. And we put on the best damn show money could buy. We might not have been the best, but we learned from our mistakes and got better - and that kept the people coming out. And we had some loyal fans too. You'd see the same faces in the front row every night, and the same women in the bars afterwards. I enjoyed that life...both in and out of the ring. Me and Buttercup Ray Jones were the two babies of the fed - the ones who got beat on, the ones who were always left taking down the ring, the ones who hadn't walked the long road to respect quite yet. But we loved what we did and we felt like the world was ours. Wrestle all day and party all night...that's the way we liked it. Sure, we made mistakes. That's what helped us become the men we are today, both in and out of the ring. Creed... you think you have all the answers, but in reality, you don't even know the questions. You are new to this sport, and you haven't even paid you dues or learned from your mistakes. But you're gonna... It's easy to jump to conclusions... it's easy to assume... it's easy to think with your heart and not with your head. Mistake #1. Signing your name to a contract with me at Ring Wars was your second mistake. And your final mistake was demanding a Falls Count Anywhere match. I made that mistake once... November 21, 1984. Bruno put me in the hospital, and I quickly realized that I didn't know EVERYTHING like I thought I did. People often draw comparisons between the two of us, and I admit that some of 'em are valid. When I look at you in the ring, I can even see a little bit of me in you. But it ain't as much as you think. Sure, I might have met your momma - I met a lot of trashy groupies back then. But like I said before, I learned from my mistakes, and to learn from them you gotta know what mistakes you made... and you can trust me when I say your momma was a mistake I sure as hell wouldn't have made. I'm smarter than that. But you damn sure must not be, because you still want to get me in the ring. Well bring it on son - come and try to pack me up and move me out. This could be the stepping stone to the top that you need in that promising career of yours. Then again, be careful, cause I just might end that promising career before it even begins. And you won't like that... I know you much you hate empty, broken promises. [Watkins smiles. Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: When it comes to sheer toughness, Creed could very well be cut from the same mold as Mad Dog Watkins. BL: It's evident that the "CEO" Jack Montgomery has given Creed every opportunity to be successful in this sport. And I'm still waiting for that weekend in Cabo, Jack, hon. LM: Let's take a look at the youngster Creed: [Cut to shots of Creed punishing IIWF opponents. Steve Summer again does the voiceover.] VO: In the background of the Mad Dog's success has been the shadowy spectre of Creed, a man who, for the early part of his IIWF career, spoke only three words: "Anyone. Anywhere. Anytime." These words espouse his attitude towards success in the squared circle. Creed has never backed down from a challenge, and much to the chagrin of his manager, the "CEO" Jack Montgomery, Creed shows no signs of backing down from Watkins. Montgomery often informs Creed's opponents that it's "nothing personal, just business"; but in this case, it has gotten personal. Only Creed holds the key to the enigmatic relationship between the two men, and it's all going to come down to a wild, Falls Count Anywhere brawl at Ring Wars III. [Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: This is a match Creed has wanted more than any other during his short period in the IIWF. I have to believe he'll give it everything he's got. BL: It's hard to ignore the ring experience of Mad Dog Watkins, though. And remember the falls count anywhere stipulation. That has to work in Mad Dog's favor. LM: Watkins may have the experience, but Creed has youth on his side. One thing is for sure -- he's fired up for this match: [SCENE: A dusty, country road in Northwest Ohio. It is night, the sky is clear and the road is free of all traffic, motorized and otherwise. Except for the man now visible in the distance. The solitary figure is Creed, striding purposefully northward on that country road. He is dressed in his customary black, from his boots to the leather jacket which reveals only a portion of his "Anyone...Anywhere...Anytime" t-shirt. Creed continues a steady pace as the camera finds and focuses on him.] CREED: Two places I don't go. Oakland. Detroit. Been a long, hard road Watkins, me and you. Longer than you know. Think it was an accident I showed up in the IIWF three days after you, Old Dog? Long road. Long time coming. [Creed continues his northbound walk.] Lot of people wondering why I haven't whacked you out, Watkins. Why I didn't hit you with the ring bell. Why I let you drop my throat over those ropes... hit me with that chair. Lot of people wondering why I just don't slap the taste out your mouth. I made a promise. Long time ago. When I was just a "pup". The "CEO" put it to me straight, treated me like a man -- told me he could get me where I needed to go -- that he could put me in a place where I could prove myself as the greatest wrestler in the world. And where I could also take care of my personal business. But it had to be official. Not in some back alley -- not with some ring bell. Had to be for something. Had to be part of the business. And if I did it that way, then one day I could bring that big belt home. Make things right. [Creed now stops, does a calculated roll of his neck and stares intently at the camera.] "Who's my Daddy?" You like that, right? That make you feel like the big man when people chant that stuff at me? Who's my daddy? Don't know. Don't think it's you. Looked in your eyes, Old Dog -- don't think you man enough to be my Daddy. But even if it you -- it ain't you, Watkins. I got no daddy. I ain't had a momma since I was eight. I don't got much of anybody. But I got me. And that's more than enough to beat your old ass at Ring Wars 3, Old Dog. [Creed again continues his walk, now adding a little strut to his normally measured gait.] Bring what you got, Watkins. Hell, bring what you don't got - don't matter to me. Cause no matter what you do Watkins...at Ring Wars 3... I'm gonna shut you down... I'm gonna move you out... I'm gonna beat the hell out of you. And I'm gonna get my arm raised, Old Dog. One. Two. Three. [Creed passes a small sign that reads "Welcome to Michigan. Detroit 50 Miles."] See you in Toronto, Old Dog. [A small smile crosses Creed's face as he walks on into Michigan, his stride growing more and more confident with each step. Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Two men in a personal battle. Who's your favorite? Here are our picks: TIM DROSS: Creed LARRY MORTON: Creed BECKY LaRUE: Mad Dog Watkins STEVE ROBERTS: Mad Dog Watkins STEVE SUMMER: Creed =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WINNER MUST USE THE OTHER'S FINISHER MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Lone Wolf" Brody Thunder vs. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare ----------------------------------------------------------------- LM: Ever since Brody Thunder entered the IIWF last November, there has been friction between the "Lone Wolf" and "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare. BL: Even when Shakespeare was foolish enough to hire Thunder as his bodyguard. Hehe. The bodyguard put the runt through a table. LM: Indeed. That attack came _after_ Shakespeare suffered a brutal attack at the hands of Steve Kowalski and Stud Stetson which knocked him out of contention for regaining the Intercontinental Championship. It was the beginning of a difficult period for Billy Shakespeare. BL: Tough noogies. Life goes on. Thunder challenged Runtspeare for weeks, only to see the little guy make excuses about "other opponents". He's been running scared. LM: Shakespeare finally dictated the terms of the match, tricking Thunder into signing a "Winner Must Use Loser's Finisher" match, a bout which can only end when one of the two athletes uses the other's finisher. BL: We know runt boy can execute the Thunderbolt, but it was a surprise to many to see Thunder pull off the Curtain Call last week. The cowboy is going to surprise some people tomorrow night. LM: He's come down from the CN Highpoint Tower to chat with our Tim Dross about this match. Tim? [Cut to Tim Dross outside Skydome. Brody Thunder is standing beside him dressed in street clothes, black hat and chomping on his trademark cigar. As the interview begins, Thunder blows a cloud of smoke directly into Tim's face.] TD: [cough]... ahem. Alright fans, with me right now the man who will be facing "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare tomorrow night.... the "Lone Wolf" of the IIWF, Brody Thunder. Mr Thunder the big question on everyone's mind tonight is: can you successfully execute the Curtain Call against the very man who invented it? [Thunder pauses, rubbing his chin.] BT: Well look at you all gussied up fer tonight. Nice threads. When ya gotta have 'em back by? Heheheh... "Execute", huh? Interestin' choice o' words, Dross, cuz that's just what I plan ta do ta little Billy... execute 'im. In a manner o' speakin', that is. I know you an' the rest o' these two-bit losers out here think the Wolf doesn't stand a chance o' beatin' ol' Billy-boy at his own game,do ya? TD: Well the.. BT: Just stand there an' hold the mic, Dross, cuz I got somethin' ta say. Tomorrow night at Ring Wars III, little Billy Shakespeare is gonna be taught the wrestlin' lesson o' his life at the hands of the one man he ain't never beat. That's right Dross... me. An' the reason is plain an' simple, my friend. Y'see, Billy-boy represents the one thing I can't stand in this business... [Thunder spits on the ground punctuating his point.] ...he's a loser. L-O-S-E-R. An' tomorrow night ain't gonna be any different fer 'im. Cuz y'see Billy-boy, I ain't gotta use the Curtain Call to hurt ya. Naw, I just gotta use it to pin ya. The rest of the match is gonna be you hittin' my fist with yer head. It's gonna be tough an' it's gonna be quick. But it won't be painless. An' then I'll have all night to slap the "Call" on ya son. An' when my hand's raised, Dross, you an' alla the rest o' them armchair wrestling _experts_ are gonna hafta admit that I am exactly what I claim to be... [Thunder removes his hat and hitches his thumb into the middle of his chest.] ...the very best there is in this sport today. Bar none. Tonight I'm gonna close the chapter on Billy Shakespeare by makin' sure he's outta this business fer good. That ain't just a promise Billy-boy... [Thunder puts his hat back on and cinches it low on his face.] ...that's just the way it's gonna be. See ya in the ring, son. [Thunder confidently strides off the interview platform leaving Tim relieved.] TD: Well there you have it straight from the... Wolf's mouth. That's just one of the big matches these fans will see here tomorrow night. There's electricity in the air here and there's still a lot more to yet to come. Now let's get back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe. [Cut back to Larry and Becky.] LM: One thing is certain, Billy Shakespeare is taking nothing for granted in this match. BL: Except that he'll lose. LM: The stipulations are certainly in Billy's favor, but he was still working hard with an old friend earlier this week: [Billy Shakespeare works out in a Portland gym. His mentor, former women's champion Mistress Quickly, coaches as he lifts a rotund jobber up into a torture rack maneuver. The hold is wrong and he drops his opponent.] MQ: You must try it again. Only practice makes perfect. The sands of time will not stay still on thy account. BS: [Taking a moment to wipe the sweat away] This man weighs near a stone more than my Ring Wars opponent. Did I not lift Navcom for defeat? MQ: Navcom, though a bigger man, was not wrestling for his pride. Always the Hotspur young Billy. Brody Thunder is not seeking just your defeat. He is seeking to hurt you. He will have all the time he needs to deliver you the "Curtain Call" if your legs are broken. You think you have tricked him into your kind of match... but instead you will fight his. No disqualifications... no countout... no pinfall. He is a brawler... you are an artist. But style points don't count. How willing will Mr. Thunder be to let you lift him for the Thunderbolt? BS: About as willing as I to lay there for the Curtain Call. MQ: Now I see a little light of reason appear amidst the spotlight. BS: [Turning to the camera] Is this the script for your performance Thunder? As Henry VI said, more can I bear than you dare execute. The man to make the final pin will have also been the last man standing. You may be the bigger man... but not the better one. The Spotlight is big enough for only me. Let the end try the man. [The jobber attempts a blindside rush. Billy spins, catches him in a flying headscissors and snaps him over the top rope. Mistress Quickly looks on, appreciatively, and is heard remarking "I once used that same move on Becky LaRue". Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe. Larry gives Becky a sideways glance.] LM: Over the top rope? BL: Yeah, right before I took the title from the overrated little wench. She's never beaten me, y'know. It's always bothered her. Some people are so petty. LM: Uh-huh. Well let's just get to our predictions for this match: TIM DROSS: Billy Shakespeare LARRY MORTON: Billy Shakespeare BECKY LaRUE: Brody Thunder STEVE ROBERTS: Brody Thunder STEVE SUMMER: Billy Shakespeare =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SEVEN TABLES OF FEAR MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Dirt Dog Unique Allah vs. "Sychosys" Joe Petrow ------------------------------------------------------- LM: Two of the IIWF's most unorthodox and unpredictable athletes lock up in a suitably crazy match. "Sychosys" Joe Petrow, a veteran of many wrestling promotions, who was scarred by a brutal fireball attack, both physically and emotionally, reinvents himself for every match, and his opponents simply never know what to expect. BL: Dirt Dog Unique Allah isn't exactly a model citizen. The man loves his liquor. LM: A tragic story, actually. Bereft after his wife Shakeemah left him, Allah turned to the bottle for comfort and vowed to win her back by reaching the top of the wrestling world. BL: Instead he's reached the bottom of a lot of bottles. Hehe... snort. LM: Allah and Petrow clashed soon after both men joined the IIWF at the end of 1996, and their dispute has rumbled on since then, culminating in Allah knocking Team Sychosys out of the running for the United States Tag Team Championship and costing him a clean victory over Dan Kauffman. Petrow stipulated that for this encounter at Ring Wars III, the ring should be surrounded by seven folding tables, and the victor will be the man to put his opponent through four of those tables. BL: Strange stipulations, but we're dealing with two strange men. We sent Stevie Summer to Montana after his screwups Tuesday night to get the inside scoop from Petrow: [SCENE: The camera is pointing out of truck windshield. A light snow is falling on a desolate road, with plenty of other snow around. The voice of IIWF Intern Steve Summer is heard] SS: Ummm... hi folks, Steve Summer here. Oh man, my first big travel assignment, and I have to go to the middle of nowhere in Montana to track down "Sychosys" Joe Petrow! I wonder if this is really how Larry Morton worked his way up the IIWF corporate ladder... alright, according to these scribbles, there should be a cabin right over that way: [The camera turns to show a small building out in the distance. As the truck gets closer, faint sounds of music can already be heard. By the time the truck arrives in front of the cabin, the loud strains of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" are easily discernible.] Alright, let's do this and get out of here, I'm freezing! [The music is blaring as Summer and the cameraman arrive at the door. Summer knocks on the door, but no one answers. Summer then pounds on the door. The music goes down, and the door opens.] JP: Summer, ya made it! C'mon in and have a cold one! ["Sychosys" Joe Petrow appears in torn t-shirt and jeans, even in the Montana cold, and sports two weeks' growth since his clean-shaven match with Dan Kauffman. Inside the cabin, all that can be seen is a fireplace, a refrigerator, a camp stove, a huge stereo system, a generator, and a half-dozen crumpled cans.] SS: Umm... that's alright... JP: Naw naw, c'mon, it'll put hair on your chest! [Joe goes to the fridge, and pulls out a can of "Mooselips" Beer.] SS: Umm, no, I don't really drink... JP: Oh. Actually, I don't either. [throws the can into a corner] I just like to remind myself how bad this stuff is. Hell, this would make the Dirt Dog sober! SS: Yeah, um, we should talk about the match at Ring Wars... JP: You know, that's the reason I asked specifically for you to come out here. Any other reporter would have their own personality try and take over the situation. But you my friend, have no personality. So you'll be perfectly content to stand there and let me talk, and not make me want to go search for my steak knife, right? [Summer nods his head, as if he already knows the drill.] JP: Very nice. Now Dirt Dog, I've got one question for you. What exactly do you have against me? Is it because I slipped out of the ring and hurt your manager, Medusa... or Harley, as she was known before the operation? Nah, that can't be. She's a big boy, and she knows how to wield a mean chair. If anything, she's justified my actions. And you've already got a win on me one-on-one, something nobody else in the IIWF has ever done. So you know what I think? I think that in that sick, perverted mind of his, he's made up a better reason for hating me. Something you and I couldn't possibly understand, but a hate nonetheless that is very powerful, and very effective. Then we turn that question around: what exactly do I have against you? You've meddled with my matches, your she-man laid me out with a chair, you cost me a shot at winning some United States title in Canada. Professionally, you've been a royal pain in the butt. But is this the kind of stuff that inspires the rage needed for the Seven Tables of Fear...? No. But I've seen and felt all you've done. I know what kind of man you are, and what kind of man you are capable of being. And I realized, that you are the one. The one. The one I've been searching for ever since me and my charred face were wheeled into that hospital. The one who could be be all I wanted him to be. So I came here to duplicate your feat. I've come here, to what I affectionately call the autobrainwashing plant. And after a week of my special training, training not of the body but of the mind, I have convinced myself. Convinced myself that you are the reason I am what I am today. And on that hospital bed I made my vows. I say what I mean, and I mean my vows. Saturday night, Ring Wars III, seven tables of fear, hundreds, if not thousands, of Sychopaths, over 90,000 in attendance, millions watching on pay-per-view. Allah, bring Harley Rage, bring the Prostates of Rage, bring the whole IIWF, bring the whole goddamned "loop". It doesn't matter, because the date has been made, the flowers have been bought, and we are set to dance the forbidden dance. [Meanwhile, "Dark Side of the Moon" has ended, and "The Wall" has begun.] SS: Um, please Joe, one question. The rumors going around IIWF headquarters are that you're going to retire after Ring Wars III. Is this true? JP: What? Steveee, [Joe pats him on the cheek twice] you didn't do your homework, did you? You should already know the answer to that. Go back and check the archives, and you'll find your answer. Allah... get ready to make history. Hahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAAhaaHAAAH! [Joe keeps laughing, as the music plays. Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Fans, you can expect a wild brawl, expect carnage, but most of all, expect the unexpected. It's impossible to pick a winner scientifically in this match, but here are our guesses: TIM DROSS: Joe Petrow LARRY MORTON: Dirt Dog Unique Allah BECKY LaRUE: Joe Petrow STEVE ROBERTS: Dirt Dog Unique Allah STEVE SUMMER: Passed out after a bottle of Mooselips beer =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TORONTO STREET FIGHT: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Sandman vs. Steve "The Fury" Kowalski ------------------------------------------------- LM: These two men have something in common: the IIWF Intercontinental Championship. Former Champion Steve "the Fury" Kowalski wants it, and the Sandman, who has yet to hold gold here in the IIWF, also wants it. Whenever the Intercontinental title is on the line, these two men are never far away. BL: These guys need to be less concerned with gold tomorrow night and more concerned with red -- as in blood. Street fights can get ugly. LM: Kowalski and the Sandman know about about blood. They battled to a bloody no contest in late February at a live IIWF event, taking each other to the limits of physical endurance and stamina, but nothing in that encounter will compare to the punishment that will be inflicted tomorrow night in this Toronto Street Fight to settle once and for all just who should be the top contender for the Intercontinental strap. BL: Who knows where these two wildmen could end up? Those loonies out at Kamp Kowalski are hoping to see someone fall from the CN Highpoint Tower -- and, well, so am I. LM: I'm not sure Kowalski would hesitate to toss the Sandman off the tower: [SCENE: On the outskirts of Toronto, there is a little known pub called Hal's Pine Cone Hovel. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can catch a few of the local wrestlers from the Canadian indies hanging out. But if you're not too lucky, the IIWF boys are in town and they have jet lag. Tonight, though, there is only one man from the IIWF roster. Steve "The Fury" Kowalski is sitting on a stool pounding beers and smoking stogies, surprisingly minding his own business. Next to him is a drunk local, who for some strange reason, is a Sandman fan.] SK: [Puffing away] I'm tellin' ya, buddy, I ain't in the mood. Normally, I'd clock yer frog ass, but I'm a little worn out. So fer yer own health, shut it. MAN: [Slurring] No, it's... it is you that will shut up Mr. big, tough American! The Sandman will exact his vengeance on you. I have my ticket for ...Ring Wars and...I will cheer when he eats you up like...like... omelette du fromage! SK: What the hell is that? MAN: It is the scrambled eggs with...the cheese. You...you will be his breakfa...URK! [Having enough of the drunken individual, the New Jersey Nightmare backhands the small man off his seat. No one gets up to challenge Kowalski, so he gets up himself, drops some cash and heads out. After a quick screen fade and a moment later, we see the Fury riding up to the CN Highpoint Tower. The tower is at the far end of the parking lot at the Toronto SkyDome. Kowalski parks his Harley, dismounts and looks up at the marvelous structure. The sun is beginning to rise.] SK: [Still looking at the tower in the distance] I ain't gonna scream an' yell at ya this time, Sandman. To tell ya the truth, you ain't worth the breath. Yer career was in the [BLEEP]er when I got here an' it ain't changed since. The only difference 'tween then an' now is yer trying to pull yerself out of yer funk, but yer tryin' to use my good rep as a bad SOB to do it. An' that's not happenin'. [He turns around, just for a second, and points out the zenith of the tower.] _That_ is where its gonna start. [pointing to the parking lot] _This_ is where its gonna end. It's gonna end with me walking over yer broken, washed up ass. Ya should have stayed on Warnett's trail, ya should have kept lobbyin' fer an IC shot, instead ya crossed my path again! Did ya think it would be any different this time? It ain't. [Now, with the sun at his back, his visage is dark and sinister. Kowalski stares into the camera and asks one more question.] One last question. Do you realize what it's gonna taste like? That's right, the taste. The sickening taste of gravel, blood and teeth. The last taste ya will ever have. Yer a SKULLPUMP away from retirement an' ya jus' don't know it. Yer obsession with me ends at Ring Wars, Sandman. Pick yerself a burial plot. [Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: If Steve Kowalski is hoping to intimidate the Sandman, he's picking on the wrong man. That man has taken the worst the IIWF could throw at him and has come back for more. BL: The Sandman clearly is obsessed with the Intercontinental Championship and he sees the path to that title going right through Steve Kowalski. I don't think a Toronto Street Fight will solve anything... except maybe getting one or both of them killed. That ought to please Steve Roberts. LM: You're right that it will take _wrestling_ skill to win any IIWF belt, but you can expect nothing but pure brutality when Kowalski and the Sandman hook up tomorrow. That's certainly what the Sandman is expecting: [SCENE: The Sandman sits in a dimly lit locker room. Leaking pipes and steam spirts cascade the background. The mysterious one peers hard at the camera.] SM: Kowalski, I'm coming for you! Ring Wars III rapidly approaches and I'm eagerly anticipating our meeting. Finally our war will be settled and my attention can turn back to capturing the Intercontinental title. I haven't forgotten the long trail that has taken us to this point. Flashbacks of each punch, each slam and each drop of blood haunts my mind. At Ring Wars the demon inside of me has invited me to raise hell and that's just what I'll do! I started with the Highwayman... and he was nothing. The ref saw it unfit what I did... but that was just a little taste of what I'm going to do to YOU! I'm ready for the Tower, are you? I'll be right at home considering at my castle I have four towers. [he makes a claw with his hand] This time you won't be able to escape the NIGHTMARE! I'm going to see fit that I win this war, show you the true Sandman lies within me and destroy the Fury you think you are! [A blast of steam engulfs the Sandman but it quickly clears away] There's no telling what could happen at the highest tower in the world. No matter what you think this will be no easy win. My furious drive has pushed me to the limits and I will do whatever it takes to get the one two three. I know this will be no cake walk, it will be one of the toughest challenges of my life and a defining moment in my career. Add the factor of the height we're battling at and I'll tell you this: you'll have to kill me to win. [The lights flicker off and then back on. The Sandman is now seen standing] Kowalski, focus your mind on this... [he points to the sleeper tattoo] The sleeper has awakened and he's PISSED off! The Nightmare is coming to Toronto and the CN Highpoint Tower and it won't stop until the Fury is NO MORE! [He turns and starts walking away, but turns back to say:] I'll see ya at the top.... [Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: It will be a brutal match for two brutal men. Will there even be a winner in this match? Here's how we see it: TIM DROSS: The Sandman LARRY MORTON: Steve Kowalski BECKY LaRUE: Steve Kowalski STEVE ROBERTS: The Sandman STEVE SUMMER: Steve Kowalski =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Dark Disciples vs. Domination ---------------------------------------------- LM: Domination have been the only team in the IIWF to give the Dark Disciples, the vicious demonic partnership of the Syndicate, a real run for their money, and have been a thorn in their side for a long time. BL: In fact, they were responsible for the Disciples losing the World Tag belts in a shock defeat at the hands of the Zodiac Connection in February. However, the Disciples were undeterred, and thanks to the intervention of gool ol' Team Brutality -- Pain Inc. and Night Patrol -- they were able to regain the titles one week later to accept the challenge of Domination for a match at Ring Wars III. LM: But Domination have also had their problems in the first few months of 1997. In early February, the career of Mr. Psycho, one of the original members, was ended by a back injury, and Mistress was forced to find a replacement. She lured famed technical wrestler, "Perfect" Dani Jarvier, into the fold, and since then Domination have been on a tear through the IIWF's tag team ranks. BL: They may have earned respect from some other teams, but the Disciples aren't impressed. LM: Let's cut back to the CN Highpoint Tower, where the Dark Disciples are standing by to tell us what they think about Mistress and her charges: [Cut back to Kane and Wulf standing on the CN Highpoint Tower, the charred and defaced IIWF World Tag Team Championship belts around their waists. Casey James lingers in the background. Larry Morton's voice can be heard over the shot.] LM: Welcome back, Kane and Wulf. We heard earlier from your comrades in the Syndicate, but what are your thoughts on Ring Wars III and your opponents for tomorrow night, Domination? KANE: The question remains on the lips of every tag team in the world: who shall end the reign of the Dark Disciples? Who shall deliver the IIWF from the darkness and torment into which we have plunged it? Ever since we descended upon this pitiful league it has been locked within our bone-cracking grip. The IIWF has become a shadow beneath our demon wing, a playground for our torment. No man has yet possessed the might to wrest the blackened crowns from our brows, no man the strength to overthrow our evil empire. Upon whom does the championship committee rest their last hope now? Upon whose shoulders falls this desperate crusade? Once again the chosen are those fat fools and weaklings Domination, ever our rivals since the beginning of things, and ever persisting in their folly. Domination, at Ring Wars III you shall be swept aside along with every last remnant of law, order and honour in this federation, taking with you the last hopes of the IIWF... forever! [demented cackle] WULF: Dumb-ination, the question you must ask yourselves is this: do you have the stomach to go toe to toe with the Dark Disciples? Do you have the ruthless determination necessary to remove us from our dark throne? Many have tried in the past: the Players Club, Zodiac Connection, Team Brutality; all have failed. You too Dumb-ination, know the taste of this failure. You too have experienced the carnage of the Dark Disciples first hand and fallen before it. Twice now, we have laid you to waste. Heed these words Domination, for the third time shall be the final time, the time of your ultimate defeat! LM: Thank you for your time. I would wish you luck tomorrow night, but I have a feeling that luck will have little to do with the outcome of that match. [Cut back to full screen of Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: It's always difficult to predict a title matchup, but here are our thoughts on this contest: TIM DROSS: Domination LARRY MORTON: Domination BECKY LaRUE: Dark Disciples STEVE ROBERTS: Dark Disciples STEVE SUMMER: Dark Disciples =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- IIWF U.S. TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NIGHT PATROL vs. PROPHETS OF RAGE ---------------------------------------------- LM: The tournament to crown the first ever IIWF US Tag Team Champions began in February, with 16 teams battling it out in single elimination bracketing to narrow the field to two teams, who will collide in the SkyDome. One team goes home empty-handed, and the other leaves with the gold. BL: And we all know that Night Patrol will be wearing the straps at the end of the night. LM: A certain Porsche wouldn't have anything to do with your prediction, would it? BL: Hehe, of course not. Night Patrol beat three impressive teams to make it this far: those awful terrorists Arabian Knights in the first round, the always-tough Pain Inc. in the second round... LM: That was a coin toss! BL: ...and then they whipped Cold Spell in the semifinals last week. Brenda Hawkings has her team ready to roll. LM: In fact, they've rolled right up beside Tim Dross outside SkyDome. Take it away, Tim: [Cut to the outside broadcast location and Tim Dross.] TD: Joining at this time are the members of Night Patrol, Sgt. Jack Blazer and Lt. David Keene, along with their manager, the lovely Asst. DA Brenda Hawkings. [The three step into the shot, in full uniform and business suit.] Lady and gentlemen, you face a very hot team right now in the Prophets of Rage in the finals of the U.S. Tag Team Tournament. Any thoughts on this match? BH: Thank you, Mr. Dross. [calmly, slowly, almost condescendingly into the camera] Prophets of Rage... The only thing you've shown to the world is your ability to flaunt the rules of wrestling, attack opposing managers, and use foreign objects. In a real match, everyone in the IIWF knows that you're helpless and hopeless. Fortunately, you'll be in your homeland of Canada, where you can take advantage of your National Health Insurance plan. You're going up against the Law and Order of the IIWF... be warned. TD: Like many teams in the IIWF, especially the newer ones, both of the teams in this bout feature a high-flying aerialist and a brawny grappler. Lt., how do you look at your matchup with Shadoe Rage. DK: Shadoe, you're an impressive physical specimen. But as I've seen all my life, from the playground to bars in Lubbock to the street fights in Houston, Age and Treachery will ALWAYS beat youth and skill. Shadoe, You'll make a mistake eventually... then you'll learn there is no substitute for experience. TD: And Sgt., sizing up against the Impressive 7-foot-2 frame of Derek Rage... By the way, let me also mention what a big Sooners fan I am. JB: Thank you, Tim. Let's see, the last time somebody 7-2 took on a Houston man, Hakeem showed Shaq who was boss. Derek, you've got inches and pounds on me, but Jack Blazer is the man who can slam any man. The tallest tower is the hardest to raise back up; remember that. Prophets, Take my advice and don't show up. TD: The valets of the Prophets, Pizzazz and Medusa Rage, have taken to assaulting opposing managers as of late. Do you plan any protection, Ms. Hawkings? BH: Tim, I am a woman of the 90's... others will need protection from me. I am a decorated collegiate athlete, and as my officers can tell you, I'm down in the department's weight room every day. Pizza-ass, Medusa, If you think you've got a 2-on-1, keep this in mind... I'm adding an accomplished wrestler to my corner. TD: There you have it, fans, possibly the first IIWF U.S. Tag Team Champions. What a match that should be tomorrow night. Back to you guys! [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: The Prophets of Rage have taken no prisoners in their route to the gold. Still undefeated in the IIWF, the Prophets defeated two former World Tag Team Championship winning partnerships on their way to the SkyDome final: the Armed Forces in the first round, and the Zodiac Connection in the second round. They brutalized the Harlequins in the semi-final to secure their spot on the Ring Wars III card. Pizzazz also has her team ready to challenge for the IIWF U.S. Tag Team Championship: [SCENE: Clips from a Night Patrol interview flash onto an outside wall of SkyDome.] KEENE: It's finally here! It's finally here! HAWKINGS: Prophets of Rage, I hope you don't plan on carrying the belts out of Toronto at Ring Wars III. What you see here is the finest combination of speed, power and teamwork put into a tag team. These men are the new U.S. Champions. [Cut to The Prophets of Rage standing outside SkyDome. They are smirking and glowering with alternate amusement and contempt.] SHADOE: Freak out! Freak out! Time to learn what it's all about! Let me tell you something you funky little jive-talking turkeys. This ain't no joke! Do we plan on walking out of Toronto with the belts? You're damn right we do. This is our backyard, our turf! You think we're going to lose on Canadian soil? You must be mad. And if you haven't noticed yet, Night Patrol, we haven't lost. There's a reason for that. The arrival of the IIWF tag team scene coincides immediately with the arrival of the Prophets of Rage! Did you know that! Did you? That's no fluke! No fluke at all! And you're now seeing a new era in dominance! The Prophets of Rage! Undefeated and undefeatable! [Cut back to the Night Patrol video on SkyDome's wall] BLAZER: Prophets, take my advice and don't show up. Shadoe, you can't fly with Keene, and Derek, that never-was playground basketball ass is mine. [Cut back to the Prophets] DEREK: [laughing] Bruh, you almost sounded funny with that. You think you can talk all that jazz about us? You think Keene can fly higher than Shadoe? Shadoe is the best there is at what he does! He knows his stuff! He knows how to get the job done! Let me tell you that! You'll be watching with your tongue hanging out. And little man, you wanna talk about my ball skills? Boy, when I dunk your ass from the competition with the Hammer of God you'll be wishing you had those words back. My coach always used to tack trash up on my locker when people used to say nonsense about me. I showed them otherwise every time out of the box. You know what, I'm gonna show you too. Rogue cop, I'm gonna treat you like Rodney King and get a little payback for the G's in the hood who can't stand your fakin' ass. You done set the fire. Better switch that played out look to a firefighter, chief, cause I'm a burn you now. [Cut back to the Night Patrol video on SkyDome's wall] KEENE: Prophets of Mange, We've studied you and analyzed you... you're an exceptional team. Problem is, you're running into a better one Saturday night. [Cut back to the Prophets] SHADOE: Then it's time to kick to the next level, isn't it? We've been cruisin' at 55 per cent effort now. We're gonna take it up a notch and show you all what we can do at our level best. That'll be real scary when you see the Rage coming down on your head. DEREK: You're not dealing with ordinary men! You're dealing with forces of nature. Divine creations. The Prophets of Rage live and feed on adversity. That's what we're all about. You think you're gonna change that? You think you can overcome us? Adversity introduces a man to himself and you're gonna find out something about you. SHADOE: When we open you up you'll discover you're hollow on the inside. No heart pumping, your organ's missing something. And that's trueness. That's dedication. This is the match where one team wins the other loses. Don't think for a minute we're gonna lose. [Cut back to the Night Patrol video on SkyDome's wall] HAWKINGS: Oh, and Medusa and Pizza-ass, whatever your name is... If you little girls want to attack me like you have others in the past few weeks, remember you're talking to a renowned Big Ten athlete, and I'll have a partner in my corner. [Cut back to the Prophets] DEREK: A Big Ten athlete. Remember you're talking to two women who are trained PROFESSIONAL wrestlers. And two women who is just junkyard dog mean. That's the difference. Bring a partner. Bring a couple more. Just watch out with that briefcase. Cause you swing it at me and I guarantee you I'll be swinging it right back. You saw what happened to Melody or Comedy. Whoever she was. Think I won't do it again? Stay away from Pizzazz or little miss District Attorney, I'll do you like Johnnie did to Marcia Clarke -- beat you on television. [Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: This match could go either way, but I have a feeling that outside interference will play a role. Here are our picks: TIM DROSS: Prophets of Rage LARRY MORTON: Night Patrol BECKY LaRUE: Night Patrol STEVE ROBERTS: Prophets of Rage STEVE SUMMER: Prophets of Rage =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DEAD MAN RISING FOUR CORNERS MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Deathbringer vs. Highwayman vs. Serge Annis vs. Requiem --------------------------------------------------------------- LM: These four men share many things in common: all four are among the strongest, largest, most powerful individuals in the IIWF. Deathbringer, the former IIWF World Champion, has vowed to bring his unique brand of Black Death to the IIWF; Requiem claims that he must vanquish the souls of the unknowingly damned; the Highwayman has been awakened from a 300-year sleep to fight for his honor; and Serge Annis holds a fascination with devils, demons and the dark side. BL: Sounds like the perfect guest list for any party. LM: In this match, each man will stand alone, and each man will fall alone. Two men will be in the ring at any one time, and the match will continue until only one man remains, the other three having been eliminated via pinfall or submission. Power, stamina and determination will be the factors that determine which dead man will stand above the others when the smoke clears. BL: And like him or not, Deathbringer must be the favorite in this match. He's a former IIWF World Heavyweight Champion and he has the ring experience to deal with any situation. We'll see if that's enough to help him deal with Tim Dross. Let's cut outside and find out: [Cut to the broadcast platform outside SkyDome. Tim Dross is standing beside Deathbringer, who is, as always, wearing his cowl and holds a scythe in his right hand.] TD: Thanks, Larry. I'm here with Deathbringer who certainly has some last words for that big "Dead Man Rising" matchup tomorrow night, a match which you certainly do not want to miss. [Dross turns toward Deathbringer] Deathbringer, it seems to be that your primary target at Ring Wars III is going to be Requiem, as there seem to be some differences in your opinions concerning... darkness. Do you think it is wise to ignore the fact that there also two other tough competitors you'll face? DB: Whether something that I do is wise or not shall not be your concern, Dross. But you may believe me when I say that I do not look past the Highwayman nor past Serge Annis. And whether Requiem will be my primary target as you called it... well, I would not be too sure about that. TD: What are you feelings... sorry, I mean what your thoughts about that upcoming matchup? DB: First of all I recognize that there are indeed three other competitors involved that are more than worthy to step into the squared circle with the dark destroyer... We have got the Highwayman, a man of honor as far as I can tell from the few words he has spoken. But he is a lost soul, forced to live amongst you mortals although his existence was ended some centuries ago. I will help him to return to the dark side, where he can finally rest in peace... TD: What about Serge Annis? DB: Serge Annis... You never know what he will do next. And that is what makes the thing interesting. I have faced Annis before in the squared circle and unfortunately that match was interrupted by an other mortal. TD: [interrupting]: The White Phoenix, to be precise, who then defeated you a week later at... DB: [interrupting]: That is of no importance right now... Fact is that Serge Annis and I have some more things to discuss. And I am planning to solve that matter tomorrow night in the "Dead Man Rising" matchup. He says that I look past my opponents, but he will have to learn that I just stare right through them... and that I _walk_ right through them if I have to. Believe me, Dross, his fate is sealed... just as the fate of everyone who confronts me. TD: And that takes us back to Requiem, who wants to take a good long look at _your_ soul in just a few hours. DB: Yes, and I will take a look at his soul, believe me. Requiem, if you find just a little bit of evil within my soul... then tell me... for I have not discovered it yet. The fans hate me... for reasons unknown to me... and... TD: [interrupting] Oh wait, may I remind you of how you teamed up with Cadaver and viciously attacked Dan Kauffman who... DB: [interrupting] And may I remind YOU of how Kauffman let _me_ down earlier on? But that, too, is of no importance any more... those days are over, and they will not come back. This is the present... at least for you mortals... and for three very special competitors here in the IIWF tomorrow could be their last day on earth... The books of history know how the future will develop... and so do I... TD: Alright then... Experts say that the myst about your invincibility could be harmed if you do not leave the match as the victor. Any comments? DB: The myst about my invincibility? What myst? The truth is that I am not flawless, just like no other creature is flawless... And if somebody thinks that I am not invincible or even that I am not what I say I am, then let me tell you that the Reaper can lose a single battle... but he cannot lose the war... TD: Are you referring to your so-called Sin War? Or... DB: Dross, it is late... and it is time for me to go. TD: Wait, I've got some more questions to... [Suddenly smoke rises from the ground and completely engulfs Deathbringer. Dross takes a few quick steps backwards, coughing. As the smoke vanishes, Deathbringer is gone.] TD: It's a bad night for smoke out here. First Brody Thunder and now Deathbringer. Well, folks, what else could we have expected? Back to you guys. [Cut back to Larry and Becky.] LM: Thanks, Tim. We don't want to alarm anyone, but we've received word that Serge Annis has not arrived for his scheduled interview tonight. While that's not entirely unlike Serge... BL: He _is_ a bit of a free spirit. LM: ...it's worthy to note that he was involved in an incident in another federation earlier this week. He was brutally attacked by three men, fell to the odds, and was carried off. It was my understanding that he would be in Toronto by early this afternoon, but apparently no one has been able to locate him. BL: Like anyone would _want_ to. LM: Still, we expect him to be at SkyDome tomorrow night and ready to wrestle in the Dead Man Rising Match. Here are our picks for this big match: TIM DROSS: Deathbringer LARRY MORTON: Requiem BECKY LaRUE: Requiem STEVE ROBERTS: Serge Annis STEVE SUMMER: Highwayman =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= WILD CARD MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven, Mr. Damage, "Real Deal" Luke Steele & The Hangman vs. Ronnie Paris, "Superstar" Stud Stetson, "Badboy" Randy Acorn & Mystery Participant --------------------------------------------------- LM: This wild, elimination eight-man tag team match has no shortage of potential conflicts. BL: Tell me about it. Mr. Damage and the "Real Deal" Luke Steele won't like being paired together one little bit, particularly after Damage chloroformed Steele in a boxing match. Equally, Ronnie Paris is still PO'ed at Steele after the "Real Deal" cost him a match against the mysterious Spur, and Paris also suffered a loss at the hands of the fallen "Superstar", Stud Stetson. LM: Put these eight men in a ring together, and you have a guaranteed explosion on your hands. But when the aftershocks have died down, which team will emerge victorious? The match will continue until all the members of one team have been eliminated, so it could come down to three-on-one, two-on-one, or even four-on-one -- unless these two teams blow themselves apart from the inside first. BL: And injuries have struck one team and added some mystery to the lineup. LM: Yes, as you may have heard Tuesday on "Inside the IIWF", team captain Ronnie Paris sustained some minor cartilage damage in his knee last weekend in his match against Takezo Musashi. It won't be enough to keep Paris from wrestling tomorrow night, but he certainly won't be at full strength. We had hoped Ronnie could join us tonight... BL: Correction: _YOU_ hoped he could join us! LM: Yes, well. It seems his doctor has advised Ronnie to rest his knee tonight, so we won't be getting his perspective on this match. Paris' injury further complicates things, because originally scheduled to join Paris' team was his Snow Brawl tag team partner, the American Patriot. But repeated attacks at the hands of the Cell have put the Patriot on the shelf. BL: Awwwwwww. Now one spot stands unoccupied on Paris' team. The IIWF President has somebody lined up, but nobody is saying who that is until tomorrow night. Maybe Steve Roberts is coming out of retirement... again. LM: Let's hope not. You can bet HE wouldn't be on Ronnie Paris' team. Tim Dross claims he knows who this mystery wrestler is, but he isn't talking. I have to wonder if all of this is a concern to team captain Otto Verhoeven, who is standing by with Tim. Let's go to them now: [Cut to the outside location. Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven and Nurse Heidi step onto the broadcast platform. Verhoeven wears a well made suit with a "Hugo Boss" logo on the lapel while Heidi is dressed in a expensive looking, white fur coat. The crowd immediately starts to boo. Tim Dross walks over to them, microphone in hand. He waits until the noise dies down.] TD: Welcome _Herr_ Verhoeven, Heidi. OV: I... [the crowd immediately starts to boo again. Verhoeven turns toward them.] Shut your ugly mouths, you degenerated inbreds! [the boos do not stop] You pieces of trash should bow down in respect for a real premium athlete like me! [The crowd reacts with a huge heel pop, the Butcher has to shout to be heard] NOW JUST SHUT UP OR I'LL HAVE TO COME DOWN THERE AND SHOW YOU WHAT PAIN IS ALL ABOUT, YOU WASTELAND INHABITANTS! [The crowd goes crazy, shouting insults at Verhoeven and Heidi. Dross has a concerned look on his face and tries to calm the fans down with some silencing motions. The two Germans just grin broadly and shout abuse at the crowd around the platform, although the microphones do not pick up their actual words. Pieces of trash begin to fly but hit nothing. Verhoeven catches one soft drink can and throws it straight back, which infuriates the fans even more. Finally the people calm down enough to let the interview continue.] TD: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Please, Herr Verhoeven, try to control yourself. OV: Bah, it is not my fault that the Canadians do not appreciate the presence of one of the greatest German wrestlers ever to visit this run-down nation. But let's talk about tomorrow, let's talk about Ring Wars III! [mild crowd pop] TD: Right. You participate in the Wild Card matchup, along with your teammates, the Hangman, Mr. Damage and the "Real Deal" Luke Steele. Now it is obvious that there is a certain animosity in your te... OV: Quatsch, I mean, rubbish. There are minor disagreements between Steele and Damage, but you can believe me when I say that no petty squabbles will stop us from obliterating, ja, obliterating our doomed foes. These distractions will be removed should they occur. TD: This sounds like you have already discussed that problem with the Mr. Damage and Steele. OV: Nein, I have not talked with them about it, because I expect them to show that they are professional enough to concentrate on such an important match. TD: Last week you analyzed your opponents, and I go the impression that you underestimated them, especially Ronnie Paris. OV: I have to hear that crap everywhere I go since the match was signed. "Beware Ronnie Paris", "Ronnie Paris is really focused", "Ronnie Paris has defeated numerous tough wrestlers in the past", "Ronnie Paris can pull off the surprise upset", Paris, Paris, Paris! [He spits on the platform.] That wimp cannot even hope to come out on top tomorrow. Steele is determined to defeat him, Damage can't stand him, Hangman can squash him and I am the last one to allow him to be able to walk out of the ring without help! Acorn and Stetson are just too desperate to regain their lost status in the IIWF to work together effectively, so the two hot-shots will be taken out one at a time. TD: What about the mystery wrestler? OV: What about him? TD: Aren't you concerned about such an unpredictable factor? OV: Unpredictable? You know who it is, don't you, Dross? TD: Well, I have heard some rumors, but I would expose my sources and... OV: Stupid fool, I too know the identity of the man who makes his comeback. TD: You... you do? OV: Ja, and if it really is this particular man, he makes the biggest mistake of his career by confronting me again. He is in store for a particularly devastating Slaughterslam. I will prevail, and nothing is gonna stop the Butcher from turning the ring tomorrow night into a -- SLAUGHTERHOUSE! [Crowd starts to boo again has Heidi and Verhoeven begin to leave the platform] TD: Thank you for these interesting statements... OV: [stops and steps towards Dross] One more thing. If anybody of the _new_ "Loop" should dare and show up and one of the premier PPVs of the year, all hell will break loose! I do not fear any EWA, PCW or DPW wrestler, and at the Superstar Summit, Shakespeare, Steele and even Warnett will show them that they are even not worthy enough to mention the IIWF in their lousy little broadcasts! And, Super Scott, you may be a superb wrestler, which you proved time and time again, but don't try your miserable, backstabbing games with this federation, or I'll make sure once and for all what so many tried to accomplish. I will _SHUT_YOU_UP! [Verhoeven glares for a moment straight at the camera and listens to the surprised pop of the crowd, then he and Heidi leave without looking back.] TD: Otto Verhoeven certainly seems focused -- and somewhat overconfident -- about tomorrow night's Wild Card Match. Another man who is always full of... confidence... is the Oddball from the Outback. I'm speaking, of course, about Mr. Damage. Please give him a big Toronto welcome! [The crowd begins to boo and hurl trash at the stage as Mr. Damage struts over to Dross. An old woman in the front flips him the bird and Mr. Damage is quick to reciprocate, adding a crotch grab. More boos from the crowd. Mr. Damage does not look impressed as he wrenches the microphone from Dross.] MD: I have enough of you, Dross, and enough of every obese, smelly, beer drinking white trash trailer park slob in this putrid city. [more boos] I am here to join Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven and the Hangman to beat the living daylights out of Supersuck Stinky Stetson, Ronnie "Gay" Paree, and Ploughboy Randy Acorn and some ignoramus who is afraid to show his face in public. Now have I forgotten anyone? [smirking] No I don't think so. [Meanwhile, Dross has been handed another microphone from the crew.] TD: I think you've forgotten someone. What about "Real Deal" Luke Steele? MD: What about "Real Deal" Luke Steele? TD: Well he _is_ your other Tag Team partner. MD: He is not my partner in any sense of the word. I'll be surprised if he even takes part. Word has it that he is so nervous being his first real PPV event that he has spent the last three days on the toilet with the squirts! Maybe he is just scared of me or maybe I tipped a waiter in the B.S. Steakhouse to slip him a few laxatives! If he does show up he'll be wearing nappies! [more boos from the crowd] TD: You did what? MD: I think you heard, Dross. Stetson, Paris, Acorn and Mystery Man, you had better bring the nappies with you as well because you'll be wearing them when I am finished with you. I can tell you now this ain't going to be no family entertainment. TD: [sarcastically] Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Damage, for that insightful look into to tomorrow night's match up. MD: If that was even a hint at sarcasm, Dross, I'll knock you into next week. [Mr. Damage throws the microphone to the ground and threatens a security guard. More boos from the crowd as he leaves the platform.] TD: Another shining example of public relations from the man we've come to know and love as the "Blunder from Down Under." It looks like that Wild Card Match could quickly disintegrate into chaos tomorrow night. Back to you, Larry and Becky. [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: With the injury situation facing Ronnie Paris and his team, we're all agreed that Otto Verhoeven and his bunch are the cream of the crop. BL: Well, almost all of us. That little suck-up Summer wouldn't give in: TIM DROSS: Otto Verhoeven LARRY MORTON: Otto Verhoeven BECKY LaRUE: Otto Verhoeven STEVE ROBERTS: Otto Verhoeven STEVE SUMMER: Ronnie Paris =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- FREE FOR ALL -- TAR AND FEATHERS MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Nightwing vs. Cheshire ---------------------------------------------- LM: The best way to describe this meeting is a bizarre match for bizarre circumstances. Cheshire fired the first volley by stealing the Native American Nightwing's treasured eagle companion, Chiquoit. BL: But that was hardly reason for Injun boy to retaliate by kidnapping Cheshire's manager, Dr. Hinterhalt. LM: Perhaps, but in the eyes of a Native American an eagle is a sacred symbol. It doesn't take away from that fact that this is a very dangerous match because hot tar can easily burn the skin. Not to mention the embarrassment it would cause to be coated with tar and feathers. BL: It seems to be weighing on Cheshire's mind because I've never seen him as serious as he is in the following interview: [SCENE: Cheshire is sitting in a colourful armchair at the window, watching the moon rise over the city. He holds up a brown feather and sighs.] CH: It looks like I've underestimated you, Nightwing. I have to admit that you are meaner than me. You've truly mastered the game of intimidation and torment. I've said a lot of nasty things about you and your friend Chiquoit and what I have done to him or would do. But God is my witness, as long as the bird was with me, I've treated it with respect and gave it everything an eagle needs. I even engaged a falconer to care for it. And those feathers [he leans forward and holds the one into the camera], man, I got them from the zoo. Heeey, that whole birdnapping thing should have been a joke, but now I see what a big mistake I made. But who could have imagined that I would endanger the life of innocent people, like the Doc, a man who never ever harmed any living thing. [he makes a disgusted face] And you shot at him with a bow. Believe me, Nightwing, until last Friday everything meant to be a joke, a little game between the bad -- but funny -- guy, and the good guy, to entertain the people, to make the final fight at Ring Wars III a little more thrilling. Until last week when you, Nightwing, broke the rules and involved my personal trainer and friend. I know, I was the first one to kidnap your friend, but that's what the fans except from someone like me. But now ask your fans what they think about what you have done to Doctor Hinterhalt, a person whom nobody could ever imply bad intentions, who just does his job. You tortured him, you nearly killed him. And _you_ always claimed to be a calm and honorable man. [He sighs and sinks back into the armchair.] Well, I'll tell you something, Nightwing, you'll get your bird back, one way or the other. But I swear, YOU will pay! [Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Cheshire is certainly taking this match seriously, as is Nightwing. The Cherokee warrior wants his eagle back, and vows to win back the respect of his people in doing so. Oddly enough, though, he doesn't like the stipulations in this match. BL: Must be an Indian thing: [SCENE: A mountain overlooking a small but bustling town in the valley below. A lone figure, recognizable as Nightwing as the shot zooms closer, stands beside a tree looking wistfully down on the small town of Cherokee.] NW: My brothers, my people, it is left to me to fight for what was once ours and what could be again. I asked for no assistance when Chiquoit was taken from me, but stood and fought. Do not ask for assistance yourselves, but stand and fight. Cheshire, every man must pay for his wrongdoings. Your time has come. Your stipulations do no impress me because a warrior does battle in the ring. Tar and feathers? You hope to insult me as so many white men insulted my ancestors? Perhaps if I am dead, Cheshire. There is a code among my people -- "Nok tu chuqua, quotoka no tumbaqua." Roughly translated, it means that the warrior who fights with honor wins with honor. My people also believe that the warrior who fights with honor can lose with honor. When I pin your shoulders at Ring Wars III, I will not subject a fellow warrior to the embarrassment of being tarred and feathered. I follow the code of my people. [he points to the town below] I know they will be watching. I fight for them. I fight for Chiquoit. [Nightwing turns and disappears back into the trees. Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: With a lot on the line in this match, here's how we see it: TIM DROSS: Nightwing LARRY MORTON: Cheshire BECKY LaRUE: Cheshire STEVE ROBERTS: Nightwing STEVE SUMMER: Cheshire =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- STEEL CAGE GRUDGE MATCH: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Pain Inc. vs. Zodiac Connection ---------------------------------------------- LM: It seems that as long as the Zodiac Connection and Pain Inc. have been in the IIWF, they have been at one another's throats. The situation came to a head once more in February, when Pain Inc., along with the other half of Team Brutality, Night Patrol, cost the Zodiac Connection the IIWF World Tag Team Championships by causing them to lose to the Dark Disciples. BL: That's when the Zodiac Connection, at the beckoning of those looney bleached blonde twins known as Gemini, started whacking Mr. Mic's men with steel pipes. What a bunch of cheaters. LM: They injured Hellraiser and weakened the team just days before the biggest match of their IIWF careers against the World tag champs, the Dark Disciples. It may have cost Pain Inc. the belts. BL: How to resolve this conflict? Simple: put all four men inside a steel cage in SkyDome and let them fight it out until one team is able to escape over the top of the fifteen foot steel walls and down to the arena floor. No pinfalls, no submissions, no disqualifications, no countouts. But maybe there will be some blood for Steve Roberts. LM: I wouldn't be surprised. Mr. Mic and his men are standing by outside with Tim Dross, so let's get their comments at this time. Tim? [Cut to Tim Dross standing outside SkyDome. The fans cheer wildly once they know the camera is on.] TD: Thanks, Larry. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the team that will face the Zodiac Connection inside a fifteen foot steel cage tomorrow night on the Free For All -- Pain Inc., and their manager Mr. Mic! [There is a heel pop from the fans as the fiendish one and Pain Inc. enter the ring.] TD: Well, it looks like you and your men will have your hands full at Ring Wars III. MM: Think again, Dross. Zodiacs, you guys are about to have a PAIN-ful dose of reality administered at Ring Wars III. My boys are gonna right what was wronged at Ring Wars II. Hellraiser is better than ever... which is a lot more than I can say for the Zodiacs. Hellraiser is dying to get his hands on those two idiots. Remember, Zodiacs, you can't run in a steel cage. You wanna dance with the devil? His two favorite sons are your opponents at Ring Wars! TD: By the way, where's Hades? He hasn't been around lately... MM: [irritably] Never you mind, Dross. He's off running some errands for me. He... [Mr. Mic stops short. There is a heel pop as Hades steps out onto the podium. Big pop from the fans around the platform as Hades grabs the microphone from Dross.] HADES: People of the IIWF, listen to me now. For months I have been a member of Pain Inc. and Team Brutality... well, no more! [The crowd give a confused pop as Mr.Mic stands dumbfounded looking at his bodyguard.] Mr. Mic, you and the rest of your Team Brutality morons can go to hell. I officially wash my hands of you, you little weasel. As for Ring Wars III, I'm gonna make sure that you get what you deserve tomorrow night. [Hades hands the microphone back to Dross, takes a few steps back, and then puts on a Zodiac Connection T-shirt, much to the delight of the crowd. Mr.Mic's eyes are wide as saucers as he stands shaking.] TD: Any comm.... [Mr. Mic suddenly goes wild.] MM: [interrupting] KEEP THAT PSYCHO AWAY FROM ME, DROSS! HADES, YOU INGRATE, I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING! YOU STAY AWAY FROM ME, HADES! [Mr. Mic shelters behind Pain Inc., who make a quick exit while Hades steps off the podium and slaps hands with some of the fans who converge on him. Dross raises the microphone again.] TD: Just one night before the most important night yet here in the IIWF for Team Brutality, and it seems that all is not well with Pain Inc. and Night Patrol. Back to you, Larry and Becky. [Cut back to Larry and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: What a scene outside SkyDome! Hades has turned on Team Brutality just one night before Ring Wars III! With both of Team Brutality's teams in action tomorrow night, there's no telling what damage he could do to them. BL: He'd better not mess with Night Patrol or he'll get a nightstick up his... LM: I THINK... we get the picture. Besides, from the look of that t-shirt, Hades is now a Zodiac fan. BL: Let's see, if Scorpio is a scorpion and Taurus is a bull, that would make Hades... an IDIOT! LM: But a very large idiot. He could certainly be a valuable ally for the Zodiacs, but I'm not sure the Zodiacs even know about his actions. BL: They taped an interview for us earlier tonight from SkyDome and gave us their thoughts on this match: [Cut to the ring inside SkyDome. The building is vacant except for Gemini, Taurus and Scorpio standing in the ring.] GE: Ladies and Gentlemen, tomorrow night presents a special opportunity for the Zodiac Connection. The men get one more shot at Pain, Inc. within the confines of a steel cage. Gentlemen, please share with the viewing public exactly what is going on within your minds! TA: Well, Morningstar and Hellraiser, you wanted us inside the steel cage and guess what? You have us! Now, just what exactly do you think you will be able to do in order to prevent us from winning that match? Your boys the Night Patrol are going to be pretty busy themselves on tomorrow night since they do have a shot at the United States Tag Team Championship belts. I know that you clowns still have Mr. Mic at your side, but he would be wise to stay out of our way at Ring Wars III! Unless of course, he would like to find out for himself exactly what it feels like to receive a full dose of the equalizer. And we are not going to be afraid to use it on anybody else who dares to get in our way! This match, as far as the Zodiac Connection is concerned, will determine exactly whether or not the Zodiac Connection is a force that needs to be dealt with here in the IIWF. Tell them what I am talking about brother! SC: Well, well, well! What in the world is it going to take for us to get some respect in this place. Just when we thought we had achieved something by winning the IIWF World Tag Team Belts but of course, the powers that be have decided to play with the forces of fate itself by railroading us into a title defense that we were not prepared for, and it took six wrestlers to steal the IIWF World Tag Team Titles away from us. Six against two is an unfair challenge for anyone to face. But enough about crying over spilled milk. Pain, Inc., we are going into the match looking for the opportunity to gain respect within the confines of the IIWF. We know for certain that in the IIWF respect is not something that is given to you on a silver platter... you have to go out and earn it! Pain, Inc., Hellraiser has already learned lesson #1 as to how far we will go in order to get respect here in the IIWF. Guess what fellas? At Ring Wars III, it is time for Pain, Inc. to take the final exam! I hope you gentlemen have your #2 pencils as well as your scantrons, your blue books, and your pens because I guarantee that Pain, Inc. will be in for a long night courtesy of The Zodiacs!! Gentlemen, I must caution you... for this exam... you will soon realize that cheating will not be tolerated! GE: See you real soon gentlemen! [Fade. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: There is plenty of bad blood among these two teams. Who will settle the score tomorrow night? Here are our picks: TIM DROSS: Pain Inc. LARRY MORTON: Zodiac Connection BECKY LaRUE: Pain Inc. STEVE ROBERTS: Pain Inc. STEVE SUMMER: Zodiac Connection LM: Unfortunately, all of the IIWF's stars couldn't be in action tomorrow night at Ring Wars III, but most of them have made the trip to Toronto anyway to watch the great matches and to show their support for their comrades. BL: I hope they had to buy tickets. LM: They're earning their keep by making personal appearances and signing autographs. In fact, I understand Tim Dross is standing by with a personal appearance by the W & W Express. Take it away, Tim: [Cut outside SkyDome where The W & W Express join Tim Dross at the interview platform.] TD: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome at this time, The W & W Express! [Heel pop from those standing around the platform.] WAYNE: I know we're not in Ring Wars III, but we have a few things to say. WATSON: Shut up and listen, you pukes. WAYNE: We got something to say about The Summit Cup that is coming up. WATSON: The IIWF decided to put the two crappiest tag teams in a match on the first day. I mean the Drifters vs the Armed Forces. Come on! WAYNE: This must be a senior citizen match. Both teams are washed up. That'll be the low point of the card. WATSON: I know we are really not supposed to mention the rival organizations, but somebody's got to speak up for the IIWF. [Big mixed pop] WAYNE: Some of these leagues are a damn joke. I mean the PTWL run by Anthony Brigano. Anthony Brigano is a sniveling little, puke and his champion Hollywood is a paper champion. We dealt with Brigano when we were in the NWF. The NWF was a league that he ran that eventually closed down. We tore that league apart and gave Hollywood the beating of his life in a survivor series match. WATSON: Brigano protected Hollywood through underhanded dealing. Hollywood would be a scrub in IIWF at best. WAYNE: And now he's crying about his league is low on money. That is because he is an idiot who cannot run his promotion. I hope his league falls under and is he is living in the gutter. WATSON: This world is full of paper wrestlers. Everyone is dodging real competition. WATSON: The Express will take on any team, from any league, any time. We don't care. [They turn and leave to mix of cheers and boos] TD: Gentlemen... Well, I suppose they said all they came to say. But we're not finished here just yet. Making their way to our broadcast location are two men well-known to IIWF fans. Please welcome... the Armed Forces, NavCom and DefCon. [The Armed Forces, wearing Ring Wars III t-shirts which say, "IIWF Ring Wars III... "Loop" THIS!", make their way to the stage, hi-fiving fans as they go. They finally climb the steps and stand next to Tim Dross.] TD: Well, gentlemen, you will not be involved in the supercard tomorrow night, but I understand you have some insights on what will go down right here at SkyDome... NC: Yes indeed, Tim. We'd like to extend our blessing to the Zodiac Connection tomorrow night. We wanted to dance with you in that big 8-man, but apparently Team Brutality didn't have the guts. Figures. DC: Good luck to Dan Kauffman as he heads out of the IIWF. NC: Good luck to Domination in the tag team championship match. DC: And a big good luck to the Subway Psycho as he goes after the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship! Go get 'em, Psycho! TD: Okay gentlemen. It's obvious that you'll be paying close attention to tomorrow's action. How about _your_ recently signed, upcoming match with your arch-enemies, the High Plains Drifters? NC: I saw Josey talking about how the High Plains Drifters should target win #20 as their big-time goal. How we were the only competition. We asked for this match at the Superstar Summit. We got it. DC: The Superstar Summit... the top talent in all of the world of e-wrestling, and we couldn't be more thrilled to be representing _the_ fed, the IIWF, in it. The Drifters have been around the IIWF a bit longer than we, yet we've been able to equal them at 18 wins apiece. NC: They've got a couple more losses on their record; we're 4-1 against them. Whoever wins this match will, in a sense, take the "legend" role here in the IIWF. DC: We feel that we're as big a part of the IIWF tag team scene as any team has ever been, and we're out to prove that to the Riders coming up at the Summit. TD: Thank you, gentlemen. [The Forces shake hands with Dross.] That's it from two big tag teams here in the IIWF. Back to you, Larry and Becky. [Cut back to Tim and Becky in the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: Thanks, Tim. We've been saving a piece of tape for last tonight because we're not entirely sure what it means. One of our cameras caught a conversation between Oak and the Cell late last week. BL: Does it involve spitting pea soup? LM: No, but many of us are wondering if it involves Ring Wars III. We've not seen the Cell or Oak to ask them about this footage, so let's just roll it now: [SCENE: The Cell and Oak are speaking in their locker room after a non-televised card. The door is, fortunately for the fans, ajar. A cameraman manages to catch what they are saying.] OAK: Listen Cell, everything's sorted out. All I can say is it's a good thing we visited Mr. Dross last week. He appears to be more than happy to trust us, but then again why shouldn't he..? CELL: You're absolutely sure it's me? OAK: Listen, Dross knows these things. Him and Spreadbury are like... this! He told me not to tell anyone -- including you, but I felt it was my duty. CELL: Thanks, Oak. I owe you one. OAK: No, Cell, you owe me plenty, but we'll forget about that for the moment. CELL: Alright. And don't worry, I won't mention it in public before you ask. It doesn't leave us much time though does it? I mean, I may not be the most conscientious wrestler, but... OAK: Don't worry, Cell. Everything will turn out just fine. You'll see. Think about it, they're just a bunch of losers compared to you. You'll walk it. CELL: I sure hope so. [The Cell gets to his feet and the cameraman walks away quickly and as inconspicuously as possible. Cut back to Larry and Becky at the Hard Rock Cafe.] LM: There will certainly be a lot going on tomorrow night -- just as we've had a lot to cover tonight. BL: And we get to party well into the night! Woo-hoo! LM: It's time for us to take one more commercial break and then we'll be back with our rankings and a final recap LIVE from SkyDome in Toronto. Stick with us, fans! [Cut to commercial break. A black screen is slowly covered by misty white fog. Somewhere in the distance, a foghorn blows. A figure can be seen approaching the camera, but it is difficult to make out the face. Finally, emerging from the fog, is IIWF ring announcer Sparkplug Lee looking resplendent in his powder blue tuxedo. Sparkplug smooths back his hair and winks at the camera.] SL: For some guys, trying to impress the ladies is like wandering around in a fog. Well gentlemen, those days are over. [A giant fan blows away the fog. As the sun comes out, Sparkplug is standing on a beach -- still in his tuxedo -- surrounded by beautiful women in bikinis. Again he winks at the camera.] What's my secret to getting the ladies Marty Warnett can only dream about? It's simple. I just put on a splash of the new "Sparkplug" aftershave and cologne. It's cool, refreshing, and women are instantly drawn to its secret ingredient. [The women begin kissing Sparkplug, leaving red lipstick marks all over his face as he continues.] That's right, it's not only woodsy, but there is a drop of 10W-30 motor oil in every bottle. Studies have proven that women go crazy for a man who knows his way around under their hoods... and I'm known worldwide as the Mechanic of Luuuurve. [The women begin giggling and jump on Sparkplug, knocking him into the sand. The fog returns as bottles of "Sparkplug" after shave and "Sparkplug" cologne appear on the screen.] VO: Get your love life out of the fog. Get the refreshing scent of "Sparkplug" After Shave and Cologne by Prince Scratchyerbelly. Available now at all fine department stores and auto parts outlets. [Cut back to SkyDome. Larry and Becky are crying with laughter and pounding the desk after the commercial.] LM: Heeeehee... let's... Bwahaaaahmmmph... let's go to... heeheeeee... our rankings going into Ring Wars III.... Haaaaaaaa! ************************************************************************** -------------------- CURRENT IIWF SINGLES RANKINGS --------------------- ************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Casey James H 34 21 11 2 65% (WC) WC Lord Byron H 20 15 5 0 75% (IC) IC "Enigma" Takezo Musashi N 26 20 6 0 77% (CW) CW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Highwayman F 6 5 1 0 83% (1) 1 Deathbringer H 29 21 5 3 78% (2) 2 Steve Kowalski H 16 12 4 0 75% (3) 3 Creed N 11 8 3 0 73% (4) 4 Mad Dog Watkins H 10 7 3 0 70% (10=) 5 Billy Shakespeare F 34 23 10 1 69% (6) 6 Otto Verhoeven H 27 18 8 1 69% (7) 7 Subway Psycho F 31 20 9 2 68% (8) 8= Dan Kauffman H 31 20 9 2 68% (9) 8= Chris Quigley F 23 15 7 1 67% (12) 10 "Sychosys" Joe Petrow N 9 6 3 0 67% (10=) 11 The White Phoenix F 19 12 6 1 66% (5) 12 Marty Warnett F 35 22 13 0 63% (13) 13 Brody Thunder H 18 11 7 0 61% (14) 14 Dirt Dog Unique Allah N 15 9 6 0 60% (15) 15 Mr. Damage H 27 15 12 0 56% (17) 16 Cheshire H 11 6 5 0 55% (18) 17 Serge Annis N 10 5 4 1 55% (16) 18 The Sandman F 31 16 15 0 52% (19) 19 Stud Stetson H 14 6 6 2 50% (20) 20 "Real Deal" Luke Steele F 6 3 3 0 50% (21) 21 The Cell H 19 9 10 0 47% (22) 22 Ronnie Paris F 11 5 6 0 45% (23) 23 "Badboy" Randy Acorn H 9 4 5 0 44% (24) 24 The Hangman H 15 5 7 3 43% (25) 25 Nightwing F 7 3 4 0 43% (26) 26 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Requiem F 4 3 0 1 88% (27) 27 Spur H 4 1 3 0 25% (28) 28 ------------------------------- injured -------------------------------- Tiger Claw H 42 22 18 2 55% (-) - American Patriot F 9 3 6 0 33% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************** ------------------- CURRENT IIWF TAG TEAM RANKINGS --------------------- ************************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name of team F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Dark Disciples H 12 7 4 1 63% (WT) WT Vacant (US) US ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prophets of Rage H 6 6 0 0 100% (1) 1 Cold Spell F 5 4 1 0 80% (12) 2 The Harlequins N 7 5 2 0 71% (2) 3 Domination F 10 6 2 2 70% (3) 4 Rising Sun Revolution F 16 11 5 0 69% (4) 5 The Armed Forces H 28 18 9 1 66% (5) 6 High Plains Drifters H 30 18 11 1 62% (6) 7 G.W.R. N 12 7 5 0 58% (7) 8 Pain Inc. H 19 10 8 1 56% (8) 9 The Hangmen H 19 9 8 2 53% (9) 10 The Zodiac Connection F 19 10 10 0 50% (10) 11 The Alphabet Boys F 16 7 7 2 50% (11) 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Night Patrol H 4 4 0 0 100% (13) 13 W & W Express H 5 2 3 0 40% (14) 14 ------------------------------- on leave ------------------------------- The Players' Club F 14 6 8 0 43% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************** ------------------- UPCOMING IIWF BROADCAST SCHEDULE ------------------- ************************************************************************** LM: Just a reminder, fans, that everyone at the IIWF will be taking a week off following Ring Wars III to recover from everything that is sure to go down at SkyDome tomorrow night. BL: But we'll be toiling away the following week trying to digest everything that happened at Ring Wars III -- kinda like eating at the IIWF Cafeteria. LM: Fans, if you haven't done so yet, call your local cable operator and tell them you want Ring Wars III LIVE on pay-per-view. It's sure to be the event of a lifetime and it will come your way tomorrow night from right here in SkyDome! BL: Let the party begin! LM: Indeed. Until tomorrow night, this is Larry Morton for Becky LaRue, Tim Dross and Steve Roberts saying buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride tomorrow night! BL: Nighty night! [Confetti and balloons fall from the ceiling of the Hard Rock Cafe as the winners of the "Ring Wars III Eve Party Contest" step up the celebration. The shot zooms through the plate glass window into SkyDome and over the empty seats to the vacant ring. It swoops outside over the masses still assembled at the location where Tim Dross stood, then proceeds to Kamp Kowalski where kegs of Molson Ice have arrived and loud music plays in the shadows of the CN Highpoint Tower. The shot holds on the tower as the credits roll. Fade.] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I * I * W * F =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | President: Daniel Spreadbury | Vice-President: Steve Owens | | univ0322@sable.ox.ac.uk | sowens@admin.presby.edu | | iiwf@sisko.demon.co.uk | IIWFadmin@aol.com | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.sisko.demon.co.uk -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+