##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "INSIDE THE IIWF" with Tim Dross April 15 1997 ----------------------------------------------- [Soundgarden's "Like Suicide" plays as the familiar interior of IIWF Studio 3 comes in to view. Veteran IIWF commentator Tim Dross stands in front of a wall of monitors, each showing a match from IIWF past or present. Various news personnel are shown scurrying in the background, including Steve Summer who is feverishly putting the finishing touches to his copy. The music fades as Camera 1 focuses on the confident Dross.] Hello fans, and welcome to Inside the IIWF! This is your weekly look at all the news, views, reviews and previews... highlights and sidelights... cheers and jeers... a look at the week that was and the week that will be here in the number one wrestling federation in the world today... the mighty IIWF! I am your host, Tim Dross, and we, of course, have a jam-packed show today, as we move ever closer to that big Birthday Bash -- so let's get right into it with this week's headlines. ************************************************************************ ----------------------------- HEADLINES ------------------------------ ************************************************************************ Our top story this week has got to be the shocking turn of events at the close of another fine IIWF Saturday Night when, of all people, longtime fan favorite "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare was revealed to be the masked wrestler known as Spur. Spur -- or rather, Shakespeare -- has caused all manner of upset among numerous IIWF superstars since his arrival a few months back, and rumors have run rampant as to the nature of the true identity of this "masked man". We at IIWF news have put together this special highlight package that, hopefully, will provide some insight on just what might be going through the mind of the former Intercontinental Champion... [Soundgarden's "Fell On Black Days" plays as the the screen goes black... Slowly, the following white text fades into view:] IIWF Saturday Night: 11 January 1997 [Grainy video replaces the date. The original commentary floats disconnectedly over the picture... Shakespeare jumps up to the apron, then to the lower rope, and then comes down with a double axe... but he's too late. Stud Stetson has risen and guides the airborne Shakespeare's head into the retaining barrier! Big heel pop! The screen flashes... Stetson smashes Spotlight's head into the barrier a number of times, and then begins choking Shakespeare out, his neck draped over the retaining barrier, his head dangling into the crowd. The screen fades to black, and another date dissolves into view:] IIWF Wednesday War Room 15 January 1997 [...Casey James covers Shakespeare inside the ring - 1 - 2 - 3! Brody Thunder climbs in at the last moment, but is too late. Brody clears the ring with his chair as the Syndicate exits laughing. It is a few moments before Shakespeare gets to his feet. He ignores Thunder's offer of a hand. The two exit to a pop from the crowd.] SR: Twice Pukespeare has tried to beat the Syndicate and twice he's gone out limping. You think he'd learn. Maybe he's been dropped on his head too many times... [The words of Steve Roberts echo into darkness as the screen fades once more. Another date appears:] IIWF Saturday Night 18 January 1997 [Cut to footage of Tim Dross seated at the ringside broadcasters' table.] TD: Let's look ahead to tonight's Intercontinental Championship triangle match. There is some concern over the medical condition of one of the challengers, "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare, who took a beating in his match against the Syndicate on Wednesday. [Cut to a camera backstage in a relatively deserted part of the arena, in front of a supply room. Holding the mic is not Larry Morton as usual, but instead Ronnie Paris.] RP: Sorry, Tim, Mr. Morton is letting me take over for a little while. Well, I tried to get a word with Billy Shakespeare as he came into the Coliseum earlier today, but he wouldn't answer any questions at the time. However, I did speak to a few of the on-site medical staff here, and they say that they are prepared to stop the match with Steve Kowalski and Marty Warnett if they feel Shakespeare is in danger, but they will allow him every chance to compete before doing so. [The footage cuts to that night's bout: Stud Stetson rolls from underneath the ring and clotheslines Thunder with his patented aluminum baseball bat. Stetson then wastes no time in entering the ring and ramming his bat into Shakespeare's midsection...] SR: This is great! What a return for Stud Stetson! TD: I had no idea Stetson's suspension had been lifted! I thought he was still out of action -- this is awful! We need another official down here! [...after clobbering Shakespeare over the head with his baseball bat, Stetson grabs two steel chairs from by the timekeeper's table, throwing them into the ring... The screen fades once more. Another date:] IIWF Report 21 January 1997 [Fade up on footage of Tim Dross seated in the IIWF studio.] TD: Billy Shakespeare has been released from the hospital and is about to hold a press conference here in IIWF Towers. [...Billy Shakespeare enters and walks slowly to the podium, then adjusts the microphone. He looks terrible -- dark circles are under both eyes, his head is immobilized, and a bandage covers a bruise on his forehead...] BS: And how about Ronnie Paris? You get respect when you earn respect, and you don't earn respect by insulting a man's family. [Video of later in that same press conference. Billy slaps his bodyguard Brody Thunder.] BT: Are ya that stupid, son?! Puttin' yer hands on me?! It's time you found another line o' work, boy! [...Brody picks up Billy and powerbombs him through a press table. The IIWF security staff moves in to get Thunder away from the fallen Shakespeare... Footage from the Report replaces that of Thunder gloating:] TD: So I'd like to take a moment to bring you up to date on some newcomers... The first is a mysterious masked wrestler about whom we know very little. I understand negotiations were conducted by a third party and this wrestler by the name of Spur demands contracts on a match-by-match basis... Very unique, indeed, but then so is he. [Fade to blackness once more. Another date:] IIWF Report 28 January 1997 [More footage of Tim Dross in the IIWF studio:] TD: ...and speaking of Billy Shakespeare, I have good news to report on that front. Despite the trauma to his skull area, I'm told by doctors that Billy is recovering surprisingly well. The doctors added that Billy could return to the ring soon -- with one stipulation. Apparently, such blows to the head can have severe implications, even more severe than doctors can comprehend, so they are suggesting that Billy wear protective head padding when he competes in the ring... [Black. Another date:] "LaRue's Lair" IIWF Saturday Night 8 February 1997 [...Spur enters. He carries the "Superstar" Belt recently abandoned by Stud Stetson. He throws the belt at Becky's feet...] S: Remember this? I know Billy Shakespeare does. Remember back a few weeks when a masked cruiserweight stole this belt from Stetson at ringside? Remember Shakespeare showing up with it a week later? It wasn't that wanna-be actor that took it... that was me! [The video skips to later in the interview.] BL: Are there any more "special" matches up your sleeve? S: Who knows? Maybe I'll challenge The Highwayman to a "Loser Unmasks" match. What secrets hide under our masks? Maybe I'm Larry Morton in disguise! [The portentous words echo into the blackness again as two final words fade onto the screen:] LAST SATURDAY [...Paris grabs Spur's mask, and tears it from the stunned wrestler's head. There is a shocked silence from the crowd. Paris takes a few steps backwards, and Steele releases his captive, his jaw hanging...] TD: WHAT?! SR: That... that can't be! TD: It's Billy Shakespeare! SR: _Spur_ was _Billy Shakespeare_?! TD: I can't believe this! [The video goes to black. Spur's disembodied words echo over it:] "WHAT SECRETS HIDE UNDER OUR MASKS?" [Cut back to the studio.] Folks, we hope to bring you an interview with the doctor of Billy Shakespeare during our Wednesday War Room broadcast tomorrow night. We will, as ever, keep you posted. ************************************************************************ ------------------------ SUPERSTAR OF THE WEEK ----------------------- ************************************************************************ Well, we at "Inside the IIWF" are very pleased with the level of response that our new weekly award has received -- and this week's recipient will do nothing to tarnish its increasing reputation in the wrestling community. The IIWF Superstar of the Week is... "Lone Wolf" Brody Thunder. Over the last two weeks, the big cowboy has not only won two matches himself -- the last a hard fought win over the former Intercontinental Champion Marty Warnett -- but was instrumental in the keeping of the IIWF Championship belt for Casey James during his battle against Creed. You have got to be impressed with the sheer level of toughness possessed by this man who has seemed on an inevitable path to IIWF gold since his entrance into the federation. In fact, there may be only two obstacles to his reaching what apparently are still Championship goals in the IIWF. First, his upcoming Birthday Bash meeting with another of the IIWF's toughest, Mad Dog Watkins, a man by whom Thunder has previously been defeated, and second, the fact that the big belt here in the IIWF is still held by Thunder's stablemate -- the aforementioned James. We will have more regarding Thunder, Watkins, and two of the IIWF's other "Bad Boys" later on in the program. ************************************************************************ --------------------- BITE ME: Ask the Soundbite --------------------- ************************************************************************ [The man himself strides into the studio as the voice of Sparkplug Lee is heard...] SL: Ladies and gentlemen... Steve "Soundbite" Roberts! [Roberts is wearing a "Spotlight" t-shirt under a blue Hugo Boss blazer, acknowledging the applause of the crew as he sets up next to Dross.] TD: Welcome, Steve. Nice to see you again on our little show. SR: Yeah, you keep trying to sell that line, Dross. Every time I walk out here you're one step closer to the door, my friend. Everybody knows that all I have to do is say the word, and this show becomes one long tribute to the Soundbite. TD: I'm sure you'd be a fine host, Steve. SR: Yeah, we could do "A Day In The Life of the Soundbite"... [Roberts suddenly stops, his body convulsing and then begins speaking in a falsetto...] SR: Well, hi, Mr. Dross. Can I have an autograph? TD: What in the... Steve Roberts, what in the world is wrong with you? SR: Steve... who? My name is Mindy, I'm a twelve year old Canadian girl. Don't you remember those internet chats that we had? I told you about Math class -- and you told me about your Little Orphan Annie fantasy. Be my Daddy Warbucks again, Mr. Dross. [The crew explodes into laughter as the unflappable Dross maintains his composure.] TD: Steve Roberts... that's enough. SR: I've been so naughty, Daddy... [Roberts then burst out into a grin -- and his speech returns to "normal".] SR: Aw, come on Dross. Don't you get it? I've got multiple personalities! I'm just like Billy Shakespeare! It's all the rage now... all the cool kids are doing it. I've got a half a dozen of crazy, wacky personalities... I'm Lars, the male nurse... Ra, god of the Sun... and Christopher, the has-been Superfreak. TD: Unbelievable. SR: Yeah, and all of them have one thing in common... they could kick either Billy Shakespeare or Spur's ass with one foot tied behind their back. Can you believe how dumb that guy is, Dross? If he was gonna invent a new personality, you'd think he'd pick one that didn't suck -- but Spur was even worse than Shakespeare! TD: Well, I don't think we want to speculate... SR: Imagine: one guy has two wrestlers in the IIWF who both suck. That hasn't happened since the Players' Club left. TD: Do you have a letter to read this week, Steve? SR: Nope. [The tape of Sparkplug Lee is then heard again as Roberts walks off the set, basking in the impromptu applause of the studio staff.] SL: The Soundbite has left the building! The Soundbite has left the building! TD: Larry Morton, anytime you'd like to do this show... you're more than welcome. ************************************************************************ ---------------------- TIM DROSS BREAKS IT DOWN ---------------------- ************************************************************************ [Soundgarden's "Let Me Drown" is sampled as Camera 2 now focuses on Dross.] NEVER MIND... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The much ballyhooed "Go for The Gold" Gauntlet Challenge came to a surprising end last Saturday Night when "Sychosys" Joe Petrow was defeated in his initial gauntlet challenge match by the "White Phoenix" Shinja Chow. Perhaps more important was the brutal manner in which the end came about -- that being a visit to Petrow's back from that metal gauntlet itself... courtesy of one Steve "The Fury" Kowalski. Folks, I'll admit that I too have occasionally been entertained by the antics of the colorful Fury, even those which would, shall we say... stretch... the rules. However, his brutal assault -- not just on Petrow but then on The White Phoenix, and later in the evening on Randy Acorn -- demonstrates the lack of limits which this man understands. Steve Kowalski is a force which is out of control in the IIWF... and when he and Joe Petrow, a man who takes a backseat to no one when it comes to wild-eyed behavior, hook it up at Birthday Bash, it just might be another showstopper. The Gauntlet Challenge is over... but the battle between these two superstars is just beginning. I'VE BEEN SCREWED BY THE IIWF... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, it happened again to "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley. First, his controversial defeat during the aforementioned battle royal, and then a hard fought draw last Saturday Night with Dirt Dog Unique Allah. Folks, I'll break an exclusive for you right here on "Inside the IIWF". Upon a re-watching of that broadcast, I found that the Quigley/Unique match did, in fact, not reach a full twenty minutes, that instead the time limit was shortened to a mere fifteen minutes -- without the knowledge of either of the two wrestlers. Apparently, given the length of the previous IIWF Saturday Night, the television people really clamped down on President Daniel Spreadbury this week, mandating that one of the three main even matches was shortened to a fifteen minute limit. There was a random draw in the IIWF Coliseum just prior to the opening bell of the card -- and it was decided that Quigley vs. Unique would be strictly timed at fifteen minutes. With controversial draws now with both Dirt Dog and Deathbringer, "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley has got to wonder the extent to which the forces are aligning against him as he prepares to fight for the biggest prize of his career -- the IIWF Championship at Birthday Bash against the Syndicate and Casey "Blackheart" James. WHO WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A remarkable, and more than a little peculiar, scene took place on IIWF Saturday Night, as the mighty Requiem gave away what appeared to be certain victory against Nightwing by requesting... nay, demanding... that the contest be halted. Then, in a truly odd moment, Requiem seemed to, well, almost seemed to be able to relieve the young Nightwing of the terrible burden which had so obviously been tormenting the cruiserweight since Ring Wars 3. Requiem certainly has earned the respect of many of his peers since his arrival in the IIWF, not simply due to his impressive ring skills, but the highbrow manner in which his battles have been fought. Rumors abound regarding the next "soul" which Requiem is targetting prior to that big scaffold match against Deathbringer at Ring Wars. Some say there may be another troubled young IIWF superstar on his immediate horizon -- and folks, you can bet that this particular young man would not take kindly to any suggestion that Requiem be the man to free him from his past. WHAT THE...?! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To put it bluntly, what the hell's going on in the IIWF tag ranks? First, you have Night Patrol, so successful in their career here in the IIWF. Unbeaten. The first U.S. Champions. And then, upon a shocking defeat at the hands of the Harlequins, Brenda Hawkings' men have seemed to reverse field completely, cast off their Team Brutality image -- and embrace the IIWF fans! Well, something smells not altogether kosher with this recent turn of events, folks. I'll certainly give anyone the benefit of the doubt... but on this matter I think the axiom "trust but verify" should carry the day... both for IIWF fans and superstars alike. Also, particularly maloderous are the apparent rifts between two other top tag teams, the Harlequins and Cold Spell. Not only is there a burgeoning rivalry between these two teams, particularly given the fireball attack on young Icehawk of last week, but each team seems to have a potential partner vs. partner conflict. I know we'd all hate to see either of these fine teams break up -- but that is not necessarily a universal sentiment regarding the "outside extensions" that many IIWF tag teams have added over the past several weeks. I have it on good authority that the IIWF "suits" are closer than ever before to cracking down on what has gotten frankly be nearly farcical outside behavior by, what I personally feel are little more than glorifed hangers-on for some of these tag units. Tag team competiton is at its highest ever level here in the IIWF -- particularly with the coming return to the rings of both Domination and former two-time World Tag Team Champions Rising Sun Revolution -- and it might be time to return the focus of the tag ranks to the men inside the ring... instead of those who take up shop on its perimeter. ************************************************************************ ------------------- SUMMERTIME: with Steve Summer -------------------- ************************************************************************ [Soundgarden's "Spoonman" loudly plays as the camera zooms in on young Steve Summer, dressed in a hastily thrown together "Ultimate Marty" t-shirt underneath his official IIWF blazer.] SS: Hey, hey, hey everyone. I'm Steve Summer with your look at the newest and the hottest in the IIWF. It is Summertime! I promised last week a look at the three new singles wrestlers in the IIWF -- and gotta tell you vets... I sorta like what I see. First, we got Derek Mota "Love". You gotta like this guy's kickass style, jumpin' all up into the stuff of both Macbeth and Sampson... tellin' everyone right off that he's the real new guy on the block. That's what it takes to carve out some room for yourself in the IIWF -- you gotta take what you want -- Derek Mota understands that and so does Steve Summer. I just got one problem... what's the deal with that chump who interviewed you on "Countdown", Mota? Come on, baby. Learn from guys like Ronnie Paris, if you got something to say -- you call Steve Summer. He'll take care of ya'. As for the other two guys; I dig Ike Sampson big time. The guy is strong for real... and I know what it's like to have a stud big brother. But Ike, I gotta know... is the big man comin' to play in the IIWF? Now me -- I say we don't need him. But if something's going down, let me know. Now, I don't know what the hell Duncan Macbeth is talking aboot. Guy drives me nuts. Hey Duncan - you can go a little all right... but you gotta brogue down or you're just gonna drive me freakin' nuts! So, the future looks good for the IIWF -- and I can't wait to see which of these three guys steps up to become the next Steve Kowalski or Creed here in the IIWF. Okay... okay... okay... I have a couple of quick notes. First off, congrats to my boy Ronnie Paris who... get ready for this, sports fans... is gonna hitch it on up with Miss Maggie Collins the week after Coronation Clash! Remember who brought it to you first, fans... and hey, my sources also tell me that another big brother might be making his way to the IIWF -- even sooner than mine or Ike Sampson's... that being Daniel Paris -- who is being rumored to be on his way to Portland! Well, that's all the time I have this week. Let me say one more thing... I caught your act on "Countdown", Marty Warnett -- and you RULE! Okay, I'll be back next Tuesday with all your news on the IIWF's newest and hottest... so remember... stay cool, because in the IIWF -- it's always Summertime! ************************************************************************ ----------------- FIRST LOOK: This week in the IIWF ------------------ ************************************************************************ We have another week of great action for everyone from the IIWF Coliseum coming right at you this week. Here is your First Look at everything that's coming your way. IIWF WEDNESDAY WAR ROOM: 16 April 1997 - The Last Resort [debut] vs. The Rotundos [J] - Marty Warnett vs. Majestic Maurice McArthur [J] - Mr. Damage vs. Bobby B. Goode [J] - Zodiac Connection vs. Barnacle Brothers [J] - W & W Express vs. El Super Gecko & Jumpin' Jack [J] - Cheshire vs. Scott "the Whine" Bloom [J] - Subway Psycho vs. The Cell - Requiem vs. Derek Mota - Prophets of Rage vs. G.W.R. - Night Patrol vs. Dark Disciples Awfully good card coming to you tomorrow night. Not only are we featuring the debut of The Last Resort, but both recently deposed tag champions -- the Dark Disciples and Night Patrol -- will hook up in a big encounter. IIWF SATURDAY NIGHT: 19 April 1997 - Subway Psycho vs. Creed - IIWF WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: = Casey James vs. Tony Starks - IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: = Lord Byron vs. Steve Kowalski - Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi - Ronnie Paris vs. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare - Deathbringer vs. Mr. Damage - IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: = Pain Inc. vs. Armed Forces - Luke Steele vs. Mad Dog Watkins - Derek Mota vs. "Badboy" Randy Acorn - The Last Resort vs. High Plains Drifters A wonderful night of wrestling awaits the fans at the IIWF Coliseum, each match containing a myriad storylines. What about that Championship match? Tony Starks returns from injuries which nearly crippled him to get a shot at the only thing that drives him forward -- the IIWF Championship belt. And the blood is bad between he and Champion Casey James... it oughta be a great matchup. Then there's that titanic battle between Creed and Subway Psycho, the rookie having left his former partner to the wolves two weeks ago following Creed's disqualification victory over Casey James. And did you notice the Psycho's reference to Creed's late mother during last week's "Countdown"? I cannot imagine the "People's Champion" intended that remark in the fashion in which it came off -- but you can bet that those comments will be ringing in the ears of the volatile Creed as he looks to extend that record twelve match unbeaten streak. Also, we will see a thunderous IC Championship matchup between Steve Kowalski and the returning champion Lord Byron... and... both the Armed Forces and the High Plains Drifters have the opportunity to reach that magical twenty win plateau. Lest we forget the now eagerly-awaited return to the ring of "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare, who will meet his apparent nemesis Ronnie Paris. What sort of "Spotlight" will the fans see on Saturday? We are just four short days from finding out the answer. ************************************************************************ --------------- UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Mad Dog Watkins --------------- ************************************************************************ TD: Well, folks, this week's Up Close and Personnal took a different twist. Refusing to sit still in the studio for our conversation, Mad Dog Watkins requested that I come to Detroit to conduct the interview and to better get a glimpse into the environment where he grew up. [Cut to footage of Tim Dross arriving in Detroit with the IIWF camera boys in a rented Ford Aerostar minivan. Across the screen are various images of Detroit: signs along the Interstate between Oregon and Michigan; the Pontiac Silverdome; various factories and smokestacks that line the skyline; and the shots of the faces of the myriad of people who live in the city.] TD: Detroit City... the Motor City, home of Mad Dog Watkins. A city known for its work ethic, tough living, and steel mentality. Mad Dog Watkins is the epitome of all this city has too offer. So imagine my surprise when Watkins asked me to meet him... in a park. [Cut to Turner Memorial Park in downtown Detroit. All throughout the park, festivities abound and children fill the air with the laughter and happiness that results from the play. Clearly, the children are in some sort of urban nirvana, a place where the children are immune to the hostilities of the outside world around them. Tim Dross spots Mad Dog sitting on a park bench, dressed in blue jeans and a black Detroit Tigers sweatshirt. He sits silently, watching the hustle of young life all about him, until Dross and the camera crew approaches.] TD: Mad Dog Watkins... hello, sir. MDW: Tim Dross... glad to see you made it. Have any problems finding me here? TD: [a bit uneasy] Uh, no, not really. Although I am a little surprised about the location, especially since Turner Park is not exactly located in the best of neighborhoods. MDW: No... no, it's not. But you've got to remember that this neighborhood is somebody's home, and to them, it's sacred ground. TD: I understand completely. What brings you here today? MDW: Well, this place is just a place I come when I need a little reflection. You know I've got children, specifically a daughter not too much older than these kids out here, and, well, it does the soul some good to be surrounded by their energy. TD: Ah... is this the philosopher side of Mad Dog coming out here today? A new side perhaps? MDW: Hehehe... not really. You won't hear me spouting Kant or Hegel during my next interview or anything like that. Just something I've picked up in my years. [Watkins looks at Dross to see him somewhat dumbfounded.] MDW: What? You surprised that I can talk in an educated manner, especially since I didn't make it to college? Lots of lonely travel hours in this business -- lots of chances to read. TD: I wish I could convince Steve Roberts of that. MDW: Oh, I hear that he does plenty of reading. It's just that the type of material he reads tends to have more pictures than multisyllabic words. TD: The same can be said about Becky LaRue as well. But I still don't feel quite comfortable in knowing why we are here. MDW: Don't worry about it, TD. Let's go to someplace where you might feel more comfortable. [Mad Dog and Dross begin walking to the exit of the park, headed towards the parking lot. As the camera follows, its view catches a small plaque on the stone wall of the park's entrance which reads "Turner Park is dedicated to Lucille Turner Watkins, in Loving Memory, September 15, 1992. Her dream was a place where her children and grandchildren wouldn't have to play in fear. Turner Park -- no guns, no alchohol, no problems for children."] MDW: C'mon guys... nothing too see here. [The camera crew picks up the pace in response to Watkins' words and the shot fades and merges into a scene inside Darrell's Diner. Seated at a booth near the back are Watkins and Dross, finishing up a hearty meal of porkchops, hash browns, and cornbread. Dross seems to have reached heaven on earth, and sits with a sly smile on his face until the gravely voice of Watkins wakes him.] MDW: I thought this might be more your style. TD: You betcha. MDW: Man after my own heart. You're a good man, TD. TD: Thank you, Mad Dog -- for both the lunch and letting me spend the morning with you. MDW: No prob, TD. But the day is far from over. TD: Great! But I'm going to be shot when I get back to Portland if I don't ask you some questions as per our usual Up Close And Personal segments. MDW: Alright, shoot. TD: Well, we all know that Daniel Spreadbury brought you to the IIWF to help bolster the talent roster, which was really lean on veterans. My question is: what made you choose the IIWF? MDW: You almost answered your own question. It's almost as if I didn't choose the IIWF -- the IIWF chose me. I was on what turned out to be an extended vacation from the ring, but at that point what I thought could very well be retirement, when the IIWF boys started the recruitment push. The phone calls, the visits, the contract offers... every day they were in contact with me for months. After a while, I just had to sign my name on the dotted line to get them out of my hair. Oh, wait a minute... [rubs his bald head] I don't have any hair. TD: I can *ahem*... feel your pain. So what made you decide that you still had it in you to get in the ring after all? MDW: Well, I watched the tapes, saw the good competition, and it sort of got the juices flowing again. I was more than content to stay here in Detroit with my family, but seeing those young pups getting it on made me want to join in on the fun. I had kept in really good shape and it took just a few workouts in Kowalchyk's Gym to make me remember how much I loved this sport. TD: Well, I, for one, am glad that you made the decision to come back. I can remember some of those great matches you had in the Independent Supercards in the 80s -- especially the great run you and Buttercup Ray Jones had as World tag champs. MDW: You remember that? Wow... now I feel old. Yeah, those were the good old days. But that's in the past, and no one seems to give a damn about that when I step into an IIWF ring. But then again, that's the way I'd rather have it. TD: So who has impressed you since your return? MDW: There's a lot of good talent in the league. Thunder, Creed, Byron, Shakespeare, Kowalski... even the kids like Paris and Sampson are fun to watch. And the cruisers are great. Even though they can't hold their own with heavyweights like me -- did I mention I have a victory over The White Phoenix? -- they never cease to amaze me with their high-flying acrobatics. TD: And who do you not like? MDW: You want me to keep you here all day, TD? [Both men laugh] Well, I don't like wrestlers that I cannot respect as men like Quigley and Kaufmann, or guys that limit themsleves in the ring like Deathbringer and Reqiuem. Then again, I've never been hit with "The Burial" either, nor do I want to be, so I could be wrong. But that's just my opinion. TD: Fair enough, what plans do you have for your future with the IIWF? MDW: Well, it's like Brody Thunder says: "I came here for money, titles, and to hurt people." In my case, I've already made more money in my career than I know what to do with, so that takes a back seat to the other two. TD: So you plan on going for a championship in the near future? I've noticed that you've never had a title shot in the five plus months you've been in the federation, nor have you asked for one. MDW: Not my style, TD. I've never been one to bitch and complain when things aren't going my way. Some say that the squeaky wheel gets taken care of first, but I don't hold to that. I'd rather be the old dependable that gets overlooked and taken for granted. That way I don't burn too fast and fade away. I'm here for the long haul and an IIWF title or two will come my way before I hang up the boots. I promise you that. TD: Sounds like some sound advice for all the newcomers who want to make a splash as soon as they set foot in an IIWF ring. MDW: Well, I've been where they are now. It's not easy, but no one ever said this business was going to be. TD: Well, Mad Dog... that'll do it, I suppose. Thanks... MDW: Hold on there, TD -- I'm not done with you yet. You're in my city... on my home turf. I've still got a lot for you. Besides, you don't want to turn this opportunity down -- you never know when I'll be in this good a mood again. [With that, Watkins and Dross shake hands and the scene cuts to various shots of the rest of the days' activities. Watkins takes Dross on a tour of the city showing him the streets where he grew up...] TD: Tough neighborhood. MDW: To say the least. But having a good family got me out of here. [...to the surburban neighborhood where Watkins now makes his home.] TD: I thought that your house would be somewhat bigger, more expensive. MDW: No need for that, TD. I've got all I need right here. Anything else would just be a waste, and the money is needed other places. TD: Speaking of which, I know for a fact that you are one of your old community's leading contributors. Doantions to the cities Operation Pride program to clean up the area, donations to children's charities, putting on clinics and giving speeches at the local YMCA -- the list goes on. Care to comment? MDW: Not really... no. [The scene then fades to shots from "B-Side Johnnie's Beale Street Blues Bar" later that evening. Despite the cast on his forearm, Watkins is coerced into joining the band on stage to sit in on bass for a few songs. Watkins' skill is evident and his joy is boundless as he and the band play to the packed crowd. As the camera focuses in on the band, Tim Dross begins to speak in the voiceover.] TD: This is a side rarely seen in the mat wars of the IIWF. Today, Mad Dog Watkins has taken us beyond Up Close and Personal. He invited us into his life, if only for just a few hours. And in this time, I've forgotten everything I knew about Watkins, the fierce competitor. Instead, I see Watkins, the man, defined not by his exploits in an IIWF ring, but by what he accomplishes in life. A rare treat in this day and age of the "extreme" -- and one brought to you courtesy of Mad Dog Watkins and "Inside the IIWF." [Sounds of the band playing Willie Dixon's classic "Hoochie Coochie Man" linger in the air momentarily as the shot slowly fades out.] ************************************************************************ ----------------------- IIWF SINGLES RANKINGS ------------------------ ************************************************************************ at 12/4/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Casey James H 36 21 13 2 61% (WC) WC Lord Byron H 21 16 5 0 76% (IC) IC The White Phoenix F 22 15 6 1 70% (CW) CW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creed N 14 11 3 0 79% (1) 1 Deathbringer H 30 22 5 3 78% (2) 2 Steve Kowalski H 18 14 4 0 78% (3) 3 "Enigma" Takezo Musashi F 28 21 7 0 75% (4) 4 Mad Dog Watkins H 11 8 3 0 73% (6) 5 Requiem F 5 3 1 1 70% (7) 6 Subway Psycho F 32 21 9 2 69% (8) 7 Billy Shakespeare F 36 24 11 1 68% (10) 8 Chris Quigley F 25 16 7 2 68% (9) 9 Otto Verhoeven H 29 19 9 1 67% (12) 10 Highwayman F 9 6 3 0 67% (5) 11 "Sychosys" Joe Petrow N 12 7 4 1 63% (11) 12 Brody Thunder H 21 13 8 0 62% (14) 13 Nightwing F 10 6 4 0 60% (15) 14 Marty Warnett F 37 22 15 0 59% (13) 15 Dirt Dog Unique Allah N 17 9 6 2 58% (16) 16 Mr. Damage H 28 16 12 0 57% (17) 17 Tiger Claw H 43 22 19 2 54% (19) 18 Cheshire H 13 7 6 0 54% (20) 19 The Sandman F 32 16 16 0 50% (21) 20 Serge Annis N 11 5 5 1 50% (22) 21 "Real Deal" Luke Steele F 8 4 4 0 50% (18) 22 The Hangman H 17 6 7 4 47% (23) 23 Ronnie Paris F 13 6 7 0 46% (25) 24 The Cell H 21 9 12 0 43% (24) 25 "Badboy" Randy Acorn H 11 4 7 0 36% (26) 26 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Duncan Macbeth N 1 1 0 0 100% (27=) 27 Ike Sampson F 1 1 0 0 100% (27=) 28 Derek Mota H 3 2 0 1 83% (29) 29 Tony Starks F 3 2 1 0 67% (30) 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ----------------------- IIWF TAG TEAM RANKINGS ----------------------- ************************************************************************ at 12/4/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name of team F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pain Inc. H 21 12 8 1 59% (WT) WT The Harlequins N 9 6 3 0 67% (US) US ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prophets of Rage H 7 6 1 0 86% (1) 1 Night Patrol H 6 5 1 0 83% (2) 2 Cold Spell F 7 5 2 0 72% (3) 3 Domination F 10 6 2 2 70% (4) 4 Rising Sun Revolution F 16 11 5 0 69% (5) 5 The Armed Forces H 29 19 9 1 67% (6) 6 High Plains Drifters H 31 19 11 1 63% (7) 7 Dark Disciples H 15 8 6 1 57% (8) 8 W & W Express H 7 4 3 0 57% (9) 9 The Hangmen H 20 10 8 2 55% (10) 10 The Zodiac Connection F 22 11 11 0 50% (11) 11 G.W.R. N 14 7 7 0 50% (12) 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Last Resort F - - - - - (-) - ------------------------------- on leave ------------------------------- The Players' Club F 14 6 8 0 43% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ------------- COMING FRIDAY: Countdown to Saturday Night ------------- ************************************************************************ Well, that will wrap it up for this week, folks. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for your recap of all the great Wednesday action in the War Room. Then join my tag-team colleague, Steve Roberts, on Thursday for IIWF Classics... and, of course, on Friday, Ms. Becky LaRue and my good friend, and potential author, good for you, Larry Morton, bring the hottest pre-game show in the business, "Countdown to Saturday Night", which takes you right up to the finest two hours of weekly wrestling action anywhere in the world... IIWF Saturday Night! So, for all of us at Inside the IIWF, I'm Tim Dross. Good night! [Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" plays as Dross shrugs his shoulders, takes a sip from his apple juice - and the shot fades.] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+