##### ###### ### ########## ########## ########## #### ## ########## ########## ########## #### # #### ######## ##### ##### #### ## ##### #### #### #### #### ### #### #### #### #### ############# ######### #### #### ########### ######### #### #### #### #### #### ######### ######### ### #### #### ######### ######### ### ## #### ######## ######## ## # #### =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-= INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "INSIDE THE IIWF" with Tim Dross Tuesday 30 April 1997 ----------------------------------------------- ["Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe plays as the shot opens on the familiar Studio 3 in the IIWF Tower.  Veteran IIWF commentator Tim Dross is seen standing before a wall of video montiors, each displaying an IIWF match past or present.  In the background are various IIWF news personnel, each scurrying about as the music fades as the camera zooms in on Dross.] TD: Well, hello fans, and welcome once again to Inside the IIWF, your weekly look at all the news, views, highlights and sidelights, cheers and jeers; a look behind at the week that was and up ahead at the week that will be here in the finest wrestling federation in the world today... the mighty IIWF! We are now less than two weeks from that big Birthday Bash card, call your local cable company today, so we have a lot of ground to cover this week.  But before we do that... here's one final look at what went down Saturday Night at the IIWF Coliseum. [Rancid's "Time Bomb" plays over highlights from Subway Psycho's disqualification win over Chris Quigley as the results roll:] IIWF SATURDAY NIGHT Subway Psycho def. Chris Quigley (DQ) Creed draw Requiem White Phoenix def. Dirt Dog Unique Allah Prophets of Rage def. Harlequins Duncan Macbeth def. Otto Verhoeven Highwayman def. Chris Herforth Cold Spell def. Rising Sun Revolution Joe Petrow def. The Cell ************************************************************************ ----------------------------- HEADLINES ------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ------------------------ SUPERSTAR OF THE WEEK ----------------------- ************************************************************************ [As the camera focuses on Dross, a familiar riff that is best described as Latino-Connecticut begins and young Steve Summer, his arms extended in an "I'm surfing" motion, enters the shot.  Summer's hair is slicked back and underneath his official IIWF blazer are a number of gold chains covering a t-shirt with the caption, "Take... a look... at me."] TD: Okay, Steve, what can we do for you? SS: [in a thickly exagerrated Hispanic accent] We, are tak-ing o-ver! [Summer begins stomping his feet and pointing at himself.] TD: Steve, this is why we have production meetings. SS: Dross mang, lis-ten up... and lis-ten up good, chico. I, am the Summer Guy, and me, and the New IIWF Generation... are gonna carve -- you -- up! [The crew now explodes in laughter as Dross wearily shakes his head.] TD: Do you need anything before we start this, Steve?  Or would you like to explain to the good people what's going on? SS: Hey, Dross mang, there only three things that the Summer Guy need. Good food.  Good drink.  And good cheecas. TD: Cheecas? SS: Take... a look... at me. TD: You're pretty much out of stuff now, right Steve? SS: [pauses, trying to think of something else to say.] Uh...hey, Rocket, your Daddy teach you that one, mang? [The crew begins an impromptu "Sum - mer! Sum - mer!" chant that brings a grin to the young man's face, causing him to break character.] SS: [blushing as he takes a theatrical bow] Thank you, thank you, I'm here all week.  Be sure to tip your waitress. TD: Okay, Steve.  It's your show -- go right ahead. SS: Thanks, Mr. Dross.  Hi everybody, this is a special edition of Summertime.  I'm at the beginning of the show this week, because Mr. Dross said that I could present the award for Superstar of the Week. TD: However, the idea for the little opener, well, that was yours. SS: Yours, mine, Bruce Pritchard's, that's really for the courts to decide, Mr. Dross.  Anyway, after a lot of discussion in the newsroom over the weekend, I was able to persuade everyone... [Dross shakes his head.] SS: Well, almost everyone, that the IIWF Superstar of the Week Award should go to... The New IIWF Generation! [Steve lets out a "Yeah!" and begins clapping his hands before continuing.] SS: See, despite what you might hear recently from a promotion down South, the talk about "new generation" versus "old generation" has been going on here for months.  Isn't that right, Mr. Dross? TD: You are indeed correct, Steve.  I can think of one wrestler's "people", shall we say, who have been quite ardent in their belief about the superiority of some of the newer wrestlers in the IIWF to the older mainstays. SS: See, and that's what I've been talking about, Mr. Dross.  It's time for those old guys to step out of the way. TD: Well, I don't know about that. Why don't you explain the reasons behind the selection of the "New Generation" as Superstar of the Week. SS: Cool.  Okay, this Saturday all the IIWF fans really saw why the new guys are taking over in the IIWF. Number 1: Cold Spell.  Come on, Mr. Dross, how long have I been telling you that Cold Spell was the stuff? TD: They were indeed very impressive in defeating the two-time tag champions, Rising Sun Revolution. SS: Yeah!  My guy, Icehawk, got it done.  I wouldn't steer you wrong, everybody.  And be sure to watch "Countdown" on Friday Night -- because I'm gonna have an interview with Icehawk. It's his first interview since that fireball attack.  And you can be sure, fans, that even though I like him, I am a journalist, first and foremost, and I'll ask all the tough questions. TD: That's one, Steve. SS: Okay, Duncan Macbeth.  Duncan Macbeth!  Could you believe that, Mr. Dross.  I didn't think he had a prayer against the Butcher.  Are you kiddin' me?  I mean, Macbeth looks pretty good, right.  But you don't know, he's young -- but he beat big Otto down.  One, two, three! I was popping like nuts for the Scotsman.  You gotta know that's another huge victory for the New generation! TD: I will have to agree, Steve.  Frankly, I was shocked by that result -- as surprised as I have been about a match in a long time.  And yes, Duncan Macbeth certainly is new... and Otto Verhoeven is a ring veteran. SS: Two for two, that's what I'm talkin' about.  And then what about the Prophets of Rage?  New US Tag Team Champions! That was quality. TD: Well, they certainly are new generation -- but the Harlequins are hardly grizzled.  Chaos is a teenager, for goodness sake. SS: Yeah, the Harlequins are one of those teams in the middle.  But it's not about age, I was trying to explain this to some of my buddies when we were watching the Subway Psycho on "Countdown" last Friday. It's not so much how old a guy is, sure the Psycho's not an old man -- I never said he was -- but it's like... it's like how long a guy's been here in the IIWF.  It's like there are guys like the Subway Psycho and Deathbringer who have been around for a long time -- those guys are the old generation.  And guys like Requiem and Creed, those are the guys coming up -- the guys who want to be number one now.  It's time for a change, is all I'm saying, Mr. Dross.  That's what a lot of people are saying. TD: Well, these are great wrestlers that you're speaking of, Steve. Champions.  If the "new generation", as you put it, wants to take over, these men aren't simply going to step aside -- they are going to fight for their positions. SS: Hey, just give us... I mean them a chance.  That's all I'm saying. And you saw how much these guys can kick ass... sorry, Mr. Dross... when they get a chance.  New Generation Rules!  Tooo sweeeeeeeet! TD: Okay, Steve.  Thanks very much, we'll be looking forward to Summertime back in it's regular time slot next week. SS: Stay cool, everyone.  It's always Summertime!  ************************************************************************ ---------------------- TIM DROSS BREAKS IT DOWN ---------------------- ************************************************************************ ALL HAIL THE NEW QUIGLEY, SAME AS THE... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He continues, week after week, to be the flashpoint for controversy here in the IIWF.  Since his return in December of last year, Chris Quigley has seemed to play a dominant role in virtually every important matter in the Federation. This past Saturday Night, only two weeks away from a shot at the most prestigious award in all of wrestling -- the IIWF World Heavyweight Championship -- "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley, of all things, completely changed his look. Now, I'm not trying to play Mr. Blackwell, folks, but for Chris Quigley, his look was certainly a defining portion of his ring persona. Wrestling fans all over the world knew the leather jacket, the sunglasses, and the famed lightning bolt tights. And now, well, apparently Chris Quigley felt the need to shed his old skin -- and maybe relieve himself of some of the excess baggage that has clearly been weighing on his mind as of late, particularly since his historic victory over Dan Kauffman in that memorable Ring Wars 3 battle. For "Quickstrike" the result, however, was obviously not to his liking on Saturday Night.  Again, he dominated much of the action, this time against the "People's Champion", the Subway Psycho, but due to Syndicate interference -- and a poorly chosen right hand to the jaw of Earl Alfonso -- Quigley again found himself with the loser's share of the purse. To my eyes, it is increasingly difficult to gauge the mood of Mr. Quigley, to even know what sort of man we will see each and every time he steps in the ring.  One thing can be sure: Chris Quigley will give it his all on May 10 -- but will that be enough?  Will that be enough against a group of men in the Syndicate who will do literally anything to hold onto that IIWF Championship Belt -- and therefore to the IIWF itself? I'LL TAKE TWO OF THESE... AND THROW IN PAIN INC. ON THE SIDE.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Syndicate not only continues to rule the IIWF with an iron fist... but an open pocketbook as well. Brian Lau's latest acquistion? The Tag Team Champions of the World, Pain Inc. Incredibly, this brings the Syndicate arsenal to three of the IIWF's most noted singles' wrestlers:  Casey James, Tiger Claw and Brody Thunder, and now, arguably the two top tag teams in the Federation, Pain Inc., and the Dark Disciples. Will they all be able to coexist?  That certainly would appear to be the million dollar question.  Can the Dark Disciples and Don McQueen live with being number two in their own stable?  And what about Brody Thunder?  This is certainly one of the most talented men ever to step into an IIWF ring -- yet he has never worn Federation gold... and in fact, when he is not wildly brawling with current nemisis Mad Dog Watkins, is continually saving the bacon of James, the increasingly arrogant Champion of the World. How much longer?  How much longer will the enormous pride -- some would say, enormous ego -- of Brody Thunder allow him to play second fiddle to a man who perhaps is not his ring equal? Brody Thunder and Casey James.  Two men but only one belt.  And there, of course, is a third man, "Quickstrike" Chris Quigley, which makes for an awfully intriguing main event at Birthday Bash on May 10. # I LOVE YOU / YOU LOVE ME # ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is it just me, friends, or has there ever been a time in IIWF history where so many blood feuds were set to come to a head at the same time? We've already mentioned James/Quigley, a match that, while it has the big belt on the line, is also legitimately as much about the contrasting personalities of the two men involved as anything else. Then there are the two matches which are set to blow the Coliseum roof clear off on May 10, Mad Dog Watkins versus Brody Thunder, and Joe Petrow versus Steve Kowalski.  We all know the genesis of Petrow/Kowalski -- the scars on Petrow's back tell that tale -- and these two men again filled another Saturday Night with physical confrontations.  But now, it appears that the animosity of Watkins/Thunder may rival that of the former.  Folks, I'm not sure what it is that is driving these two men -- I have, as you know, previously suggested that it was not personal -- but the incredible will of each man to be recognized as superior to the other. But now, this battle has turned ugly.  And I for one am more than a little concerned about what the result of Watkins/Thunder Part 4 will be on May 10. Also on the card that night is, hopefully, the culmination in maybe the longest running active feud in the IIWF -- Subway Psycho and Tiger Claw. Last week, it was Claw who got the better of the Psycho, as he and James mercilessly toyed with Subway Psycho and Chris Quigley, even going so far as to flip a coin to determine a winner. And there is Otto Verhoeven and Tony Starks. I have spoken to Mr. Starks earlier today, and he was very clear that the introduction of the ringside lawyer in Otto's Saturday match, a distraction which may have played a role in his shocking defeat, was not the end of the mind games that he has in store for the Butcher.  In fact, the phrase "first blood" came up more than a few times during our brief conversation.  I don't think any of us would be a bit surprised to see blood -- and plenty of it -- at Birthday Bash, just one short week from Saturday. ************************************************************************ --------------------- BITE ME: Ask the Soundbite --------------------- ************************************************************************ [Van Halen's "Running with the Devil" begins as the audiotaped voice of Sparkplug Lee is heard.] SL: Ladies and gentlemen... Steve "Soundbite" Roberts! [Roberts enters the shot to the applause of the crew.  Soundbite is wearing a leather jacket over an untucked button-down shirt, and oversize, Elton John style glasses. Roberts walks from the set -- the camera follows him -- and over to a gaffer to whom Roberts gives both the sunglasses and the jacket. Roberts playfully ruffles the hair of the middle-aged techie, and moves back to his mark.] TD: Welcome as always, Steve... SR: Dross, can it.  I've got something to say. [The camera zooms to a head shot of Roberts and "It's Not Easy Being Green" begins to softly play.  Roberts speaks with a wildly uncharacteristic degree of sincerity.] SR: I've been receiving a lot of criticism lately -- maybe some of it is justified.  I don't know.  I don't think people realize how hard it is to be the Soundbite.  How tough it is to always have to think of the clever line, of the snappy comeback.  How all the really popular wrestlers never invite you to their homes, never let their children talk to you, never speak to you with the sort of respect in their voices that they have for a man like Larry Morton. [Roberts' voice begins to catch.] I just want to be loved.  Is that so wrong? So, from now on -- I'm not going to be a persona anymore.  Not some character like a "living legend" or a "Brain" in Atlanta... not like a "King" in Connecticut.  I have seen the light.  I have seen the error of my ways.  So, I want to thank my new friend Chris, for giving me the strength to do this... [Roberts begins to unbutton his shirt, revealing a t-shirt underneath - the top of which is now visible and reads: "Birthday Bash, May 10".] From now on, I'm just Steve.  Good ol' Steve. [Roberts now slowly begins to smile, removing more of his shirt, and the picture on the t-shirt becomes visible: it is of Chris Quigley, and a young blond man apparently named "Troy". They are in the ring in the IIWF Coliseum, staring up in horror at the Coliseum roof which appears about to crash down on them.] And what good ol' Steve thinks of you, Chris... [Roberts tosses away his outer shirt - revealing the caption on his t-shirt: "Payback's a Bitch.  And so is Quigley." The crew explodes with applause and Dross races into the shot.] TD: No! No, Steve.  You're crossing the line, pal.  Listen to me, Steve. This is over the line. SR: [pushing his way to the camera]  No.  Hell no.  You know what, Chrissie?  I've been watching your act since you got to the IIWF. I've watched you preen and pose, and snickered as even the guys you think are your friends call you a stuck-up little punk. TD: Steve. SR: But if you think that some little image change is gonna win you the IIWF Championship, if you think that because you stopped ripping off that great Canadian... TD: Steve. SR: ...that somehow you're worthy of the IIWF belt, a belt worn by great men like J.W. Hardin, then you're an even bigger idiot than every single man in this company thinks you are.  You think you can call Otto Verhoeven a Nazi and get away with it?  You think you can say that the Outlaw retired because he was scared of you and get away with it? [Roberts is now really lathered up, pointing at the camera, saliva flying from his mouth as Dross stands quietly with his hand on Steve's shoulder.] Let me tell you something about J.W. Hardin, Chrissie. J.W. Hardin would knock your jobber ass back to the bronze age as soon as look at you, J.W. Hardin's on his way to the Hall of Fame -- and the only Hall you're ever gonna see is the Hall of Records when you need to dig up your birth certificate just to remember your stinking name when Casey "Blackheart" James gets done powerbombing your ass. You will never be IIWF Champion, Chris Quigley.  Never. [Roberts stops and the air slowly returns to the studio.  Soundbite retrieves his leather jacket -- and exits the shot.] SL: The Soundbite has left the building!  The Soundbite has left the building! TD: {taking a deep breath}  Well, once again, and perhaps more this week than ever, the views expressed by Steve Roberts are his alone, and not endorsed by Inside the IIWF.  I would like to personally apologize to Chris Quigley. You can be sure that I had no idea this type of... thing... would occur this evening. Again, feel free to write to Ask the Soundbite, at brokeback@webtv.net. All letters will be read by Mr. Jimmy, and perhaps, next week, Steve Roberts will read one on the air.  If Steve Roberts is still with the organization by then. ************************************************************************ ----------------- FIRST LOOK: This week in the IIWF ------------------ ************************************************************************ TD: Another big, big week of action will come to you this week from the IIWF Coliseum. Here is your... First Look... at all the matchups. WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL: - Tiger Claw vs. Majestic Maurice McArthur [J] - Nightwing vs. El Super Gecko [J] - Otto Verhoeven vs. Jumpin' Jack [J] - "Sychosys" Joe Petrow vs. Bobby B. Goode [J] - Scott Rogers [debut] vs. Barnacle Brother Bluto [J] - Chris Herforth vs. Serge Annis - Derek Mota vs. Mr. Damage - Ike Sampson vs. Tony Starks - W & W Express vs. The Last Resort - Mad Dog Watkins vs. "Real Deal" Luke Steele One of the most jam-packed Wednesday cards in recent weeks takes place tomorrow night.  And with the big PPV less than two weeks away, and the Hall of Fame ceremonies next week, this is the final Wednesday card until after Birthday Bash. At the top of the card is Mad Dog Watkins, who will try to put his Brody Thunder issues aside for one night, and exact some retribution on a man who embarrassed him just two weeks ago, Luke Steele. Another intriguing matchup pits Tony Starks against Ike Sampson.  These two fan favorites certainly each need wins to go strongly into their respective Birthday Bash matches. Also, we will see the red-hot newcomer, Derek Mota, against a man who remains undefeated in 1997, Mr. Damage. Plus, Chris Herforth meets Serge Annis, two men who obviously are not where they would like to be in the IIWF.  An intriguing matchup pits two new tag teams, the W & W Express and the unbeaten Last Resort.  And the wheels of the IIWF continue to turn, The Cell unexpectedly left the IIWF after a very long tenure here... and his spot has already been filled by a man named Scott Rogers, who we will see for the first time. Should be some great action tomorrow night on the Wednesday War Room. SATURDAY 3 MAY: - Chris Herforth vs. "Real Deal" Luke Steele - Nightwing vs. Marty Warnett - Night Patrol vs. Zodiac Connection - FOR A SHOT AT THE UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS:   = Cold Spell vs. Harlequins - Ronnie Paris vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi - Deathbringer vs. Highwayman - IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:   = White Phoenix [c] vs. Steve "the Fury" Kowalski - Creed & Tony Starks vs. Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven & Lord Byron - Chris Quigley & Subway Psycho vs. Casey James & Tiger Claw What a way to build up to that big pay-per-view on May 10.  We have a big double main event this Saturday, as soon to be Birthday Bash competitors get an early jump on each other. Chris Quigley and the Subway Psycho have enough personal animosity to fill the ring alone, but they'll have to let it all go when they face Casey James and Tiger Claw in a big tag team contest. Equally as imposing is the other tag match on that card.  The European Alliance will attempt to end that historic, truly amazing fourteen-match unbeaten streak of the red-gloved rookie, Creed, when he teams up with Tony Starks.  We know that Otto Verhoeven and Tony Starks will hook up at Birthday Bash, and we now know that Creed, win or lose on Saturday, will keep his Intercontinental title shot and will, in fact, meet Lord Byron at Birthday Bash. Two other matches this Saturday will have direct bearing on Birthday Bash.  Steve Kowalski has somehow been able to wrangle himself a shot at the Cruiserweight title -- and actually could go into that match against Joe Petrow as Champion.  And Cold Spell will meet the Harlequins in a big matchup to determine which team will advance to Birthday Bash to meet the Prophets of Rage for the US Championships.  Plus superstars like Deathbringer, Takezo Musashi, and Marty Warnett will also be in action. Make sure to tune into IIWF Saturday Night -- live and direct from the IIWF Coliseum. ************************************************************************ ------------------ UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: Nightwing ------------------ ************************************************************************ The Native American superstar, Nightwing, has been right in the middle of things here in the IIWF for the past several weeks. Having lost his people, and apparently his way, in the aftermath of Ring Wars III, he appeared close to giving up not only on his career, but also his life. Thanks to Requiem and the Highwayman, Nightwing is now more focused than ever on regaining the honour of his people, in the hopes that one day, they will stand behind him as proudly as they once did. I had the privilege of speaking to this personable young competitor yesterday, and it is with great pleasure that I now present this week's Up Close And Personal segment. [Cut to the IIWF Studio, which is dark except for the light falling a IIWF logo and two seated figures: veteran IIWF broadcaster Tim Dross and rookie Nightwing, who appears a bit uncomfortable in the studio setting. He wears a leather vest adorned with colorful beads and his long black hair is loose, hanging down to his shoulders. Dross smiles as the camera zooms in.] TD: Nightwing, I'd like to thank you for joining us on "Up Close and Personal" this week. NW: It is my pleasure, Mr. Dross. After the events of the past two months, I'm sure you have questions. I shall answer with all honesty. TD: Well that would be a pleasant change... heehee... ahem. Let's start with a little bit about your background. You were raised on a mountain? NW: It is a long story, but I will tell you what is pertinent. When I was very young, my parents had a dispute with the chieftain of my village. The old ways of the Cherokee were being lost... and with them the respect for our ancestors. But my people sought progress like the White Man enjoyed. Even restricted to a reservation, they longed to be like those who had taken so much from them. My father led a group of my people to a nearby valley to live as our ancestors did. The group had mostly older members of my tribe, but my father was certain that others would follow. They did not. TD: So the dream ended? NW: [Nightwing appears to be looking back to another time] Eventually... yes. My father died and the remaining members of the group made their way back to the main village. TD: But you weren't among them? NW: No. But I had learned well from my elders the ways of the Cherokee. [His eyes again become distant as if he is travelling back to that time] We would gather around the fire and listen to tales of great warriors who fought until they finally fell... their spirits rising to the sky to join the Great Spirit in keeping watch over his people. I remember watching the embers glow like the spirits of those warriors, and sparks popped from the fire and rose toward the sky like the warriors themselves. I knew then that I could never return to the town known as Cherokee... a town which today relies on a casino and tourism for its very survival. The town and the people bear the name Cherokee in public only. TD: So if you didn't return to the town...? NW: Last year, I wandered off deep into the forest. I encountered many spirits, but walked even deeper into the woods. Finally, at what must have been the pinnacle of a mountain, the trees cleared and the stars surrounded me. I was looking down on many stars and could not even see the earth below me. A voice spoke to me clearly and told me of my future for what seemed like hours. Finally, as the voice faded, an eagle landed on my arm -- it was Chiquoit. I felt the mountain shake beneath me and I was... that is, I _seemed_ to be flying, Mr. Dross. TD: Okayyyy. So you now communicate with the spirits? NW: I know only that I returned from that experience a different person... with a different name. I do receive guidance, but it would difficult for you to understand my spirits... if you believed in them at all. TD: Okay then. Your first few months in the IIWF have been rather tumultuous. You seemed to be progressing well until Cheshire... errr, _Chris Herforth_ stole Chiquoit. NW: No, it _was_ Cheshire who stole my friend. Chris Herforth is now beginning a journey of his own with his own identity. I regret the ending of his match Saturday with Highwayman. His actions caught me by surprise and I was only trying to protect myself. TD: I saw it the same way... despite what Steve Roberts says. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Your kidnapping Dr. Hinterhalt led to a split between you and your people at Ring Wars III and you weren't the same for many weeks. NW: I refused to listen to the spirits after Chiquoit was stolen. Cheshire wanted to play mind games... and it worked. In my rage, I saw kidnapping Dr. Hinterhalt as my only revenge. Looking back, I know it was wrong. The shame from that experience and having my people turn their backs on me was too great. I sought an end to the pain in the only way known to my people: to have a fellow warrior end my life. TD: That explains you charging into the Syndicate's locker room alone. NW: It was considered by many to be a foolish act, but it was foolish only in that the Syndicate would not... or _could not_ finish the job. Finally, I thought Requiem was the chosen one to take my life. Instead, he helped give it back to me. TD: Ah yes. And now you've teamed up with Highwayman. That's quite an odd pairing, if I do say so myself. NW: Not necessarily. Adam Smith is a wise man and a brave warrior whose very life and name was taken from him. He knows what it is like to have something dear taken from him... as do I. Also, few realize that my people aided the British during the American Revolution. Had that war turned out differently, who knows what the future would have held for the Cherokee? TD: So you respect the British way of life? NW: Foremost, I have great respect for individuals who prove themselves honorable warriors. But, perhaps more than anyone else, I respect those who maintain pride in their ancestry. Otto Verhoeven takes pride in his German heritage. Lord Byron is very much English. And Shinja Chow does honor to his Chinese ancestors. TD: Funny you should mention the White Phoenix. You had more than a little bit to do with his defeating Dirt Dog Unique Allah Saturday night. NW: No, Mr. Dross, I merely prevented Medusa Rage from interfering in the battle. Shinja Chow won the match with his own skills. TD: So why were you at ringside for that match, anyway? Are you eyeing the IIWF Cruiserweight Championship? NW: I would be honored to someday wear any IIWF championship belt, but I felt the need to watch Shinja Chow in action. The Phoenix has long held special meaning for Native Americans, much as it has in Oriental culture. In fact, a Cherokee language newspaper was founded in 1828. It was called... The Cherokee Phoenix. Our people have much in common, but I recognize something special in Shinja Chow. Even when he was under the guidance of Sun Tsi, a pure fire burned within him. He truly deserves the title of White Phoenix. TD: I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of any culture's mythology and religion, but I've seen many wrestlers come and go. What are your long-range goals in the IIWF? NW: While men like Brian Lau and Mr. Mic care only for money and titles, my ultimate goal is to fight with honor... to bring honor to the Cherokee. Should I have the opportunity to someday hold a IIWF title, I would defend it with the same honor. But we all know that certain individuals in the IIWF care not for honor. _They_ are the ones who should fear the future, Mr. Dross. TD: Are you perhaps addressing the Syndicate? NW: To borrow a saying from your people, Mr. Dross: That which does not kill us makes us stronger. TD: I'm afraid we're out of time, but I'd like to thank you for joining us, Nightwing. And good luck to you in the ring. NW: Thank you, Mr. Dross, but the spirits do not rely on luck. Chuk ni tuo lok sequo iroono tou. TD: Alrighty then! [Fade] ************************************************************************ ----------------------- IIWF SINGLES RANKINGS ------------------------ ************************************************************************ as at 26/4/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Casey James H 38 22 14 2 61% (WC) WC Lord Byron H 22 17 5 0 77% (IC) IC The White Phoenix F 23 16 6 1 72% (CW) CW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creed N 15 11 3 1 77% (1) 1 Deathbringer H 31 22 6 3 76% (2) 2 Steve Kowalski H 19 14 5 0 74% (4) 3 "Enigma" Takezo Musashi F 30 22 8 0 73% (5) 4 Requiem F 7 4 1 2 72% (3) 5 Subway Psycho F 33 22 9 2 70% (7) 6 Highwayman F 10 7 3 0 70% (12) 7 Derek Mota H 5 3 1 1 70% (6) 8 Mad Dog Watkins H 13 9 4 0 69% (9) 9 Billy Shakespeare F 38 25 12 1 67% (11) 10 Chris Quigley F 27 17 8 2 67% (8) 11 Otto Verhoeven H 31 20 10 1 66% (10) 12 "Sychosys" Joe Petrow N 13 8 4 1 65% (13) 13 Brody Thunder H 21 13 8 0 62% (14) 14 Marty Warnett F 38 23 15 0 61% (15) 15 Mr. Damage H 30 18 12 0 60% (16) 16 Nightwing F 10 6 4 0 60% (17) 17 Dirt Dog Unique Allah N 18 9 7 2 56% (18) 18 "Real Deal" Luke Steele F 9 5 4 0 56% (19) 19 Tiger Claw H 44 23 19 2 55% (20) 20 Serge Annis N 12 6 5 1 54% (22) 21 The Sandman F 32 16 16 0 50% (23) 22 Chris Herforth N 14 7 7 0 50% (21) 23 Ronnie Paris F 14 7 7 0 50% (24) 24 The Hangman H 17 6 7 4 47% (25) 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Duncan Macbeth N 2 2 0 0 100% (27) 26 Tony Starks F 4 3 1 0 75% (28) 27 Ike Sampson F 2 1 1 0 50% (29) 28 Danny Dynamite F - - - - - (-) - Scott Rogers F - - - - - (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ----------------------- IIWF TAG TEAM RANKINGS ----------------------- ************************************************************************ as at 26/4/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name of team F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pain Inc. H 22 13 8 1 61% (WT) WT Prophets of Rage H 9 8 1 0 89% (1) US ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Night Patrol H 8 6 2 0 75% (2) 1= Cold Spell F 8 6 2 0 75% (4) 1= Domination F 11 7 2 2 73% (3) 3 The Armed Forces H 30 19 10 1 65% (6) 4 Rising Sun Revolution F 17 11 6 0 65% (5) 5 High Plains Drifters H 32 19 12 1 61% (7) 6 The Harlequins N 10 6 4 0 60% (US) 7 W & W Express H 9 5 4 0 56% (8) 8 The Hangmen H 20 10 8 2 55% (9) 9 Dark Disciples H 16 8 7 1 53% (10) 10 The Zodiac Connection F 24 12 12 0 50% (11) 11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Last Resort F 3 3 0 0 100% (12) 12 Violence Unlimited N - - - - - (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ------------- COMING FRIDAY: Countdown to Saturday Night ------------- ************************************************************************ Well, that's all the time we have this week, folks. Be sure to tune in tomorrow night for all the action on the "Wednesday War Room", then join my tag-team colleague, Steve "Soundbite" Roberts -- possibly -- for "IIWF Classics".  Friday, of course, is the finest pre-game show in the business, a show that would never come in second place to "Lassie", "Countdown to Saturday Night" with Ms. Becky LaRue and a man who, right now, owes me a favor, my good friend Larry Morton.  Then it's on to the finest two hours of weekly wrestling anywhere in the world -- IIWF Saturday Night. So, for all of us with Inside the IIWF, I'm Tim Dross... good night! [Ray Charles' version of "It's Not Easy Being Green" is played over the credits as a smile creeps over Tim Dross' face while he shakes his head. 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 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+