["Monkey Wrench" by the Foo Fighters kicks in as a montage of IIWF wrestlers in action flashes across the screen.  Dave Grohl's familiar screams reach a fevored pitch as Requiem hits a Rocker Dropper on Jumpin' Jack, sending the hapless jobber practically through the mat. The screen errupts in an explosion and familiar graphics come flying through the smoke...]                  #####     ######   ###            ##########              ########## ########## ####       ##  ##########              ########## ########## ####  #   #### ########                #####      #####    #### ##  ##### ####                 ####       ####    #### ### ####  ####                 ####       ####    ############# #########                 ####       ####     ########### #########                 ####       ####     ####  ####   ####              #########  #########   ###   ####   ####              #########  #########   ###    ##    ####               ########   ########   ##      #    ####              =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ## =-=-=-=                INTERNATIONAL INTERNET WRESTLING FEDERATION             =================================================               "COUNTDOWN TO SATURDAY NIGHT" - June 13, 1997             ================================================= [The scene cuts to an aerial shot of the Mississippi river, upon which can be seen a paddle steamer, making its lethargic way downstream. The occasional flash of green emerging from the murky waters of the river betray the presence of large alligators. Cut to an interior shot of the paddle steamer's bridge, in which a dirty-looking gentleman stands at the helm. In the foreground, seated behind a makeshift desk, are Larry Morton and Jackson Witt.] LM: Welcome everybody, to the paddle steamer, the good ship "Huck Finn". I'm Larry Morton, and alongside me here is my co-host Jackson Witt. We're coming at you here on the winding Mississippi with another "Countdown to Saturday Night". JW: And what a Saturday Night it promises to be, live from the Fogelman Auditorium tomorrow evening, as the "Coronation Clash Crusade Tour" swings through New Orleans. LM: Indeed. We'll be taking a good look at all the action coming your way tomorrow a little later on, but first, let's run down the action that went down in Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans this past Wednesday, in our "War Room Rewind." ************************************************************************ ---------------------- WEDNESDAY WAR ROOM REWIND ----------------------- ************************************************************************ RESULTS FROM THE WAR ROOM -- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1997: 1. Marty Warnett def. Scott "the Whine" Bloom 2. Tiger Claw def. Jumpin' Jack 3. Luke Steele def. El Super Gecko 4. Ike Sampson def. "Nifty" Ned Norton 5. Pain Inc. def. Barnacle Brothers 6. Violence Unlimited def. High Plains Drifters 7. Duncan Macbeth def. Edmund Fitzgerald 8. "Showstopper" Simon Lebec def. Danny Dynamite 9. "Sychosys" Joe Petrow draw Harlequin Tragedy ======================================================================== LM: It was quite a night of action, in the crowded, party atmosphere of Bourbon Street -- but the IIWF superstars were in no mood for partying as they got it on in the squared circle in front of an appreciative local crowd. JW: And the fearsome foursome of Simon Lebec, Billy Shakespeare, Chris Quigley and Billy Shakespeare had plenty of opportunity to get it on throughout the course of Wednesday night's action -- first brawling after Warnett's victory over Scott Bloom, and then after Lebec forced Danny Dynamite to submit to the Antagonist. LM: And what of Dynamite, Jackson? Do you see any future for this former bright young thing of the squared circle? JW: Dynamite doesn't seem able to find his feet here in the IIWF, Larry. His partnership with "Maverick" Michael Reyna in the Players' Club, so successful elsewhere in the wrestling world, simply didn't work in the IIWF -- and indeed, Dynamite seems to be having problems even now riding on the coat-tails of his success elsewhere. Currently, he is aligned with the Syndicate, but Brian Lau has been unusually silent on the subject of Dynamite when I have approached him in the past weeks. It could well be that Dynamite doesn't have much of a future in the IIWF. LM: Whereas, by contrast, Violence Unlimited seem to have a very bright future ahead of them, defeating the High Plains Drifters in fine fashion. JW: It appears that VU are keen to display to the rest of the IIWF that they can succeed on their own -- sending a sharp message to Cold Spell, who, in the eyes of the fans, "sold out" to Genesis in order to secure an easier ride to the top of the dwindling tag team division. LM: And the ranks are set to dwindle even further, with the "Outlaw" Josey Wales so frustrated by his men's performance that he has checked them into the Betty Ford Clinic in an effort to dry them out. Initial reports are that Pale and Easy could be in for the long haul -- not returning to the rings until late summer. And Joe Petrow continued his unpredictable antics, utilising similar tactics in his match against Harlequin Tragedy as he had in his match with the Subway Psycho a few weeks ago, deliberately angling for a double countout draw rather than a victory. JW: I have no idea what Petrow is trying to achieve with these tactics, Larry. The man undeniably has a great deal of wrestling ability, and an astute strategical mind, but he chooses to hide behind these kinds of tactics, rather than going out to win. He may feel that the IIWF is conspiring against him, but he's not doing himself any favours either, deliberately, it seems, antagonising the front office staff. LM: Well, Petrow will get his chance to speak live tomorrow night, when he is Simon Lebec's guest on "The Final Cut". In fact, let's take a look at all the action coming your way tomorrow night, live from the Fogelman Auditorium: ************************************************************************ ---------------------- IIWF SATURDAY NIGHT PREVIEW --------------------- ************************************************************************ [Slowly the graphics fill up on the screen, one by one, until the entire card is laid out.] IIWF SATURDAY NIGHT -- JUNE 14  Fogelman Auditorium, Tulane University, New Orleans =============================================================== 1. Ronnie Paris vs. Nightwing 2. Cold Spell vs. Zodiac Connection 3. IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Prophets of Rage [c] vs. The Harlequins 4. Tony Starks vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi 5. Requiem vs. Serge Annis 6. Otto Verhoeven vs. Luke Steele 7. IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Dirt Dog Unique Allah [c] vs. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare 8. IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Lord Byron [c] vs. Mad Dog Watkins 9. NON-TITLE: Casey James [c] vs. Derek Mota ======================================================================== LM: Top to bottom, Jackson, one of the strongest line-ups in prospect that I can remember. JW: Indeed, Larry. With the opening round of the Coronation Clash tournament now only two weeks away, we're seeing the IIWF's best talent squaring up to one another as the tension builds. Everybody wants a shot at the champion, and this tournament is an opportunity for those wrestlers who feel that they have gotten lost in the shuffle in recent months to finally come forward and shine. We'll see a good mix of talent in the ring tomorrow night, including no less than three title matches. LM: Let's take a look at each match in more detail. ----------------------------- 1. Ronnie Paris vs. Nightwing ----------------------------- LM: Last week, we saw Ronnie Paris take a beating at the hands of Genesis. This time, it'll be one on one in the ring, with Nightwing squaring off against his fellow Cruiserweight, the Texan Ronnie Paris. Let's hear from the Native American now: [SCENE: The IIWF remote broadcast van, parked outside a coliseum.  Banks of video monitors line one wall of the van and two men are seated in front of a desk with sophisticated equipment in front of them.  The two men appear nervous, however, as Nightwing paces behind them.  He scowls and grabs the video technicians' shirt collars.] NW: Play it... again! [One of the technicians moves a dial and the image of Tim Dross flashes onto the monitors.  It is footage from this week's "Inside the IIWF" and Dross is speaking about Genesis.] TD: They're bad guys.  Not just bad guys, but folks, regardless of what     my young friend Steve might allege, these are rotten to the core.      Attacks on people like Violence Unlimited could be understood, if     not condoned.  Their beatings of people like Ike Sampson and Scott     Rogers were certainly worthy of condemnation, but frankly, in this     sport, those types of things are to be expected from a stable trying     to "make a name" here in the IIWF.     But this past Saturday Night, without any provocation, Genesis took     out two fan favorites, Ronnie Paris and Subway Psycho -- leaving the     "People's Champion", in particular, beaten to a degree... [Nightwing tightens his grip on one technician's collar.] NW: Turn it off!     Tim Dross, perhaps I once respected your unspoken title as the "Dean     of Wrestling Announcers", but your comments on Tuesday proved that     your eyes are closed to the truth.  Perhaps you were _too_ close to     your little voodoo friend Tuesday night.  You expect IIWF fans to     simply accept your word without making their own informed decisions?     Tim Dross, you have the nerve to defend Scott Rogers, who called a     great country like Mexico a "cess-pit" on Monday?  As for Ronnie     Paris, you may recall that _he_ was the one who provoked Genesis and     dared to call us "characters".  The Subway Psycho?  The man who once     forged an alliance with none other than the Syndicate's Tiger Claw?     Your memory is either very short or very subjective, Tim Dross.      Perhaps that "never was" Steve Roberts and his band of merry losers     are beginning to affect your judgement.  If you want to convict me     because of my friends... fine.      Let the people judge for themselves.     Tomorrow night, Ronnie Paris... I come to the ring alone.  Let's see     if you have the guts to do the same. [Nightwing releases the video technicians and leaves the van.  The two technicians look at each other with relieved expressions as the shot fades.] JW: It's clear that Nightwing is a principled individual, Larry, but he appears to have his value system distorted at the moment. But I do believe that Paris can trust Nightwing's word, that he will indeed come to the ring alone. LM: Paris scored an impressive victory over Derek Mota last Saturday Night. Can he pull off a similar result against Nightwing tomorrow? Young Steve Summer went to El Paso to find out from the third-generation superstar himself. [SCENE: A bare, drab room that can best be described as grey. Very grey. We've seen this room once before, with it's single oak table, large world map on one wall, and ancient VCR. Ronnie Paris sits in the room's lone chair, just pulling a tape out of the machine. He swivels the chair to face the camera, and begins to speak.] RP: Maybe you remember this place... it's where I like to prepare for big matches. It's where I like to think. I stopped off back here in El Paso on the way through Texas because I wanted to... [Paris is interrupted by a loud, obnoxious knocking on the door.] Who is it? [A muffled voice comes through, but not so muffled as we can't distingush it as Steve Summer, the IIWF's intrepid intern.] SS: Ronnie, I need to ask you a few questions... they sent me to talk about this whole New Gen/Old Gen thing. You know, how Genesis is gonna... [Paris cuts in abruptly, and his tone is curt, to say the least.] RP: Steve, this is _not_ the time. I know you're just doing your job, and I'm not holding anything against you, but I'm not exactly thrilled with the way you talk about Genesis. They go about everything the wrong way... they don't want to pay their dues, and that just isn't right. SS: But Ronnie, don't you see, it's not about rookies or veterans or age or anything. It's about taking initative, and moving out dead weight. You should try to understand where they're coming from. RP: I know to well where they're coming from, and I don't like it there. I've got enough things to worry about, what with the wedding plans and this whole Cruiserweight title debacle, trying to match up with Nightwing. [Summer's voice gets a bit more worried as he can't seem to convince Ronnie about Genesis.] SS: Nightwing, he's a guy that knows what's up. The IIWF has been using him, and he just wants to take something back. The guy's perfectly honourable, Ron. RP: I know... and that's what worries me. He's an honourable man, maybe more so than I am, and he doesn't show it. Scott Rogers, Luke Steele, and I are all honourable men who act honourably, Nightwing's a man who has his sense of honour confused. He should be on our side, not fighting the good fight for the wrong army. If only I could talk to him for a while, see if I can make some kind of connection... [Paris' voice fades off, and after a nervous pause Summer speaks up again, timidly.] SS: I know we don't agree on much of this but... are we still cool? I mean, you're not mad at me, are you? RP: I tell you what... you can still buy me lunch today! [Summer's voice returns to normal, and he sounds much more joccular than before.] SS: Aw man, you know I can't afford it on what Owens is paying me! [Fade to black, and then back to Jackson and Larry.] LM: It's sure to be a competitive match, and with both Genesis and Paris' band of Scott Rogers and Luke Steele also on hand, we could see another full-scale brawl on our hands if things get out of control. JW: Not to mention the fact that later in the evening Serge Annis will be facing Requiem -- and after the confrontations last week between Genesis and the "unholy alliance" of Deathbringer and Annis, who knows what we're going to see tomorrow night? ----------------------------------- 2. Cold Spell vs. Zodiac Connection ----------------------------------- LM: The Genesis presence continues, as the team proclaimed by some as the uncrowned champions, Cold Spell, take on the floundering Zodiac Connection. Let's hear from Fitz and Icehawk now: [SCENE: Downtown Detroit, just after the Detroit Red Wings' victory parade.  In the background, you can see a 50-foot replica Stanley Cup on Old City Hall. Edmund Fitzgerald is wearing a Red Wings jacket, while Icehawk has on a Steve Yzerman jersey.] ICEHAWK: This is great! I'm almost glad now that we didn't have to wrestle in Mexico, so that we could go to JLA and watch the Wings clinch the Cup. That was seriously cool. FITZ: Yeah, it was. But watching that game, and watching this parade taught me a lesson. HAWK: It did? What? FITZ: That coming close doesn't matter. This team set the record for wins in a season last year, but they were failures, because they lost to Colorado. This year, they weren't as good, but they ended up pulling it off in the playoffs, and now they own this city. HAWK: Oh. Like us. FITZ: Exactly. We've wrestled 12 times in the IIWF. You know how many clean losses we have? HAWK: None. Two countouts, one stupid DQ, one because the ref got knocked out. And eight wins. FITZ: Right. No one has been able to beat us in the middle of the ring. But that doesn't mean a damn thing, because we don't have the gold. It's like Monday night. Casey James was so overconfident that he put up the NLWP _and_ IIWF belts against me. And I beat on his ass. But he beat me. So it didn't mean a thing. HAWK: So what do we do now? FITZ: We take care of Violence Unlimited, and then we go get those tag belts. Oh, and one thing, Mr. Dean of Announcers. You called us scum for attacking people like Violence Unlimited? Check your tapes, you blind, biased fool. We've never attacked VU. The only team we have ever attacked is the Harlequins. And even your peabrain can't say that wasn't justified. [Fade] LM: Harsh words from Fitz, directed at our very own Tim Dross. JW: Fitz does indeed have a point, and the frustration which led to him aligning Cold Spell with Genesis in the first place once again manifests itself. I still believe that Cold Spell's involvement with Genesis is born out of opportunism and not a shared ideology. Icehawk remains aloof from their philosophies, and Fitz seems keen only to get ahead -- by any means possible. LM: Cold Spell issued a challenge to Violence Unlimited earlier this week. Rumour has it that Jaguar and Mutilator will be on hand in the Fogelman Auditorium tomorrow night to answer that challenge -- which could lead to a volatile situation. JW: "Volatile" could also be the word to describe the Zodiac Connection at present, Larry. Scorpio and Taurus came down to _assist_ long-time enemies Pain Inc. and keep the Dark Disciples at bay -- it appears that they may be headed in an entirely new direction here in the IIWF. One thing's for sure, tomorrow night, they're on a collision course with Cold Spell. ------------------------------------------ 3. IIWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Prophets of Rage [c] vs. The Harlequins ------------------------------------------ LM: The tag team action continues as the Prophets of Rage defend their IIWF World Tag Team Championships against the Harlequins, who won the right to face the champs in that Four Corners tag match a couple of weeks ago. Sadly, technical difficulties mean that we are unable to bring you the scheduled interview from the Harlequins, but I do have some of the details here. [Larry fishes around on the dirty table which functions as a desk for a scrap of paper, from which he reads.] This is a fax from Tim Dross, sent earlier in the week when he visited the delapidated amusement park in Illinois that the Quins call home. Apparently, Chaos and Tragedy have paid a visit to their cousin Hal -- a somewhat strange individual -- and have brought back something with them which may help them to success tomorrow night. JW: They're going to need the help, Larry. The Prophets are the hottest team in the IIWF right now, one half of the hottest stable in the IIWF, the Age of Rage, who hold precisely half the federation's gold -- and Derek and Shadoe are in no mood to be giving up the belts: [Fade in: Shadoe and Derek Rage.  They fill the screen.  Their intensity is palpable.] DR: Harlequins, this is straight to the point.  You hurt our sister. SR: We hurt your woman. DR: Think we even?  Hell no.  This is just getting good.  See, you sad clowns been running around here too long.  It's time we shut you down once and for all.  And that's gonna be a hella lot of fun.  Don't expect a match.  Don't take your lithium, Chaos.  We want you rabid.  They shoot rabid dogs, you know. SR: And castrate them, too.  That's what we're gonna do to you.  The Prophets of Rage are throwing aside all the crap.  No more outside interference.  No more cheats.  We're sick of it.  No, we're gonna show the world that we're athletes.  The greatest athletes in this sport.  And we won't let any two bit clowns take our titles away. DR: Tragedy, you want out of tag-teaming?  Well, let us be your chauffeurs.  You're on a one way trip to hell. SR: And you will... DIE IN DARKNESS! [Fade.] JW: The bad blood between the Prophets and the Harlequins is well documented, Larry. In fact, blood has been spilled when these two teams clash -- with even the female 'Quins, Comedy and Melody, coming under fire from the ruthless champions -- and I would expect that to continue tomorrow night. ------------------------------------------ 4. Tony Starks vs. "Enigma" Takezo Musashi ------------------------------------------ [SCENE: The "Enigma" Takezo Musashi is working out in a sparse and run-down New Orleans gym. A few shady looking club fighters work over the heavy bags nearby, and from the club next door can be heard the sounds of a bebop jazz outfit warming up. Takezo lays in a sequence of hard shots on the heavy bag and then turns to the camera, sweat dripping down his face.] TM: The IIWF Crusade tour leads me on a path to New Orleans, and       I've taken the opportunity to head down into the black community; maybe I can find some psychological insight for my match against Tony Starks in this place. I've been sparring a little with the local club-fighters, warriors who know the real meaning of courage; stepping into the ring night after night, putting their bodies on the line to support their families for a paltry fifty dollars a fight. That is the kind of intensity that I must find. That is the kind of hunger I must capture. You can feel the anger and desperation around this place. You can   almost see it swelling up from the streets like a blackened fog. It is in places such as these that the chaos first takes hold; where men are forced to knuckle under, shoved down and spat upon for so       long that rage takes over and seeps into all things until there is  nothing else left... The law of the jungle takes hold once again: the strong prey upon   the weak. It can be no other way when it's a struggle to survive from day to day. It reminds me of the situation in the IIWF these days; crime, violence, a lawless organisation. Higher powers encouraging that kind of environment, maintaining the status quo, using it to serve their own advantages. But; I think I like this place nonetheless. I feel I can relate to it... You see Tony Starks, we are not so unalike as it may first appear.  I used to run in a gang when I was a teenager also; I'll bet few people knew that. It was back when I lived in Tokyo, a neglected kid running wild on the streets, the refuse cast off from rampant capitalism. In any society that holds the illusion of wealth there is always a payoff. There is always an underbelly of poverty created by the upper few who exploit the many. It is true in Japan, it is true here in New Orleans, and it is true on your home turf of Staten Island, Tony Starks. When you grow up in that kind of environment you either drown      beneath it, or you rise above it: but to do so takes strength. To those select few who make it out, there is a positive side to the experience. We are hardened by it, we become masters of       ourselves; and we can conquer all. I was lucky enough to have a mentor to guide me out of assured      self-destruction. I had someone to help me attain self-mastery and the knowledge that I could do great things. But now, all that has departed. Now, my life is without guidance and hurtles like a derailed train towards certain destruction. My old values look hollow and false, the meaning has been ripped from my life. There is nothing left within me but bitter hatred. [Takezo turns back to the heavy bag. He strikes at it with punches and kicks, each blow increasing with force and fury. A look of unbridled rage colours his face as the bag shudders under the impact. Fade.] JW: A very intense -- but disturbed -- Takezo Musashi there, Larry. The "Enigma" is struggling to find his way in the IIWF, and the manifestations of his disquiet have been getting more and more violent -- just two weeks ago in San Francisco, he attempted to bludgeon Joe Petrow with a microphone, and he has been making increasingly brutal and apparently indiscriminate attacks, both on his opponents and other wrestlers, over the past few months. This dangerous trend could lead to a brutal match with Tony Starks tomorrow night. LM: It would seem that so-called "shootfighting" is somewhat in vogue at the moment, with its vicious, no holds barred style. I would consider it worrying if we were to see that kind of action in the IIWF -- but we may well see something along those lines when Starks, a master of mat wrestling, locks it up with Musashi, who, as well as being the top high-flyer in the wrestling world today, is a leading martial artist. This one could get nasty in a hurry. JW: I spoke with Tony Starks this week, Larry, and although he's been unable to schedule a visit to an IIWF camera crew to record any comments, I know that he's once again been back in New York, meeting with his brothers on the streets, and he's totally focused on both the IIWF's impending return to New York -- probably to the Manhatten Centre -- the week before the big "Coronation Clash" PPV, but also on the Clash tournament itself. Starks' goal in the IIWF is to finally capture some gold, and this tournament affords an unmissable opportunity. He told me that he is putting his problems with the European Alliance on hold in order to focus on the tournament -- which may give him quite an advantage come June 28, given that everybody else in the IIWF appears to be involved in personal vendettas. -------------------------- 5. Requiem vs. Serge Annis -------------------------- LM: Last week, Serge Annis united with Deathbringer to stand against Genesis -- and he destroyed Requiem's guitar. This week, Annis and Requiem meet in the ring, and Requiem has a strong conviction that the "Epitome of Evil" will pay dearly tomorrow night: [SCENE: Pitch black. A complete absence of light. A long moment, and then a red crackling light arises in the background, revealing the outline of a man dressed all in black. As the figure moves closer to the camera it is revealed to be an angry Requiem, the flaming letters on his back providing the only illumination.] REQUIEM: Serge Annis.          A frightened boy who witnessed the deaths of the only people who cared for him, who felt anything toward him other than disgust.          A boy forced to dwell in a basement, a black and white television set his only companion.          Obsessed with fire, for the flame it was that rescued the boy          from an abusive father he loathed beyond rational understanding.          A boy in a man's body, revelling in the chance to inflict the          pain and agony that once was suffered.          And _this_ is the "Epitome of Evil"?          Pathetic.          Serge Annis, you may play the "sympathy card" all you want, but          the seeds of sympathy you sow fall upon stony ground when they          fall upon me. Do not think your sorry tale will affect me. I too have suffered much, both as man and boy. The road that led to my becoming who I am today was exhausting and painful, and upon that journey I learnt much that should not be learnt, and saw much that was never meant to be seen, things the mere sight of which is torture to the soul.          I have walked that road since I was old enough to walk, Serge          Annis. Did I suffer less than you, or more?          That is something you will never know. Unlike you I feel no need to unburden my soul as I tell my tale to an audience of millions.          Serge Annis, tell it to somebody who cares, for you see...          I don't. For what you did to my guitar, there can be no mercy.          No forgiveness. No hope of redemption. Any shred of compassion I may have felt for you was burnt away when first you laid your          hands upon my guitar.          Annis, I am the gathering Darkness, I am the darkness to come,          the darkness that will engulf you, the darkness that will drive          you back to the little boy who dwelt, terrified, in the basement.          You should know that the darkness is of your own doing, Serge          Annis. You called the darkness down upon you when you laid a          finger upon Requiem's guitar. Try to remember that as your mind          sends you, screaming, back to the basement of your childhood. [Fade.] JW: Well, Larry, this match is sure to be an immense battle. Both men are around that 300lbs mark, both have tremendous strength, but where Requiem edges Annis is in terms of technical ability and his speed in the ring. However, it seems to me that almost more important than how Requiem and Annis match up in the ring is how their allies match up on the outside. I would fully expect Genesis to be behind Requiem in full force for this match -- and Deathbringer is sure to be nearby too. We could see another huge clash between these two factions tomorrow night. LM: And speaking of Deathbringer, the man from the dark side will break his lengthy silence with a special interview, recorded with Tim Dross earlier this week, later on here tonight. --------------------------------- 6. Otto Verhoeven vs. Luke Steele --------------------------------- [Fade up to Luke Steele, going for a stroll down a street in Juarez, Mexico.  This is taped Sunday night, a day after coming to the rescue of Ronnie Paris along with Scott Rogers.  He goes unnoticed by many of the local people, which he seems to be enjoying.  Steele pauses for a moment to reflect on last night's action before speaking to the camera.] LS: You know, like them or not, GENESIS have really put things in perspective for a lot of wrestlers in the IIWF.  Myself, Derek Mota, even good ole Sergey Annis. We all know where those two stand, and I've come to a realization.  Ever since I beat JP Steele way back at Snow Brawl, I haven't even come close to realizing my dream of going to the top of the IIWF. Look at my record, and you'll see nothing but screwjobs, both for and against me.  The only match I am somewhat proud of the outcome of is my battle with Ronnie Paris.  Sure, Shakespeare did me wrong by throwing in the towel, but in terms of the raw wrestling display I feel both of us put on, that was the best match of my career.  GENESIS, you might be right about the time being for the new generation, but I'll be damned if I'll ever join you in that nation of devils.  I used to hold respect for each and every one of you, but not since the formation of your exclusive little club.  Ronnie Paris and Scott Rogers are two men who I know I can count on in that ring, and two guys I'd gladly trust with watching my back. For all you doubters out there that are probably saying "Wait, Paris and Steele hate each other!"...  you're right, and you're wrong. Ronnie Paris and I have not always seen eye to eye on things, and we probably aren't ever going to be the best of friends.  But to say that we hold such a deep hatred that we don't even respect each other's abilities, that's a total lie.  I think Paris is one of the best wrestlers in the IIWF, and I hope he thinks I'm adequate as well. And Scott Rogers, I haven't seen that much of you but thanks for the help, pal.  The matches I have seen have been just fantastic, and you compliment both Ronnie and myself to the point where GENESIS would be overmatched against us.  IIWF, take heed.  Luke Steele from this point on is refocused on his career, on the welfare of my friends, and on keeping the law in the IIWF.  I'm out for wins, and real wins this time my friends. [Fade out on Luke's face, totally serious and much more focused than ever before.] LM: Luke Steele there, focused on another huge match coming your way tomorrow night. Otto Verhoeven, a former IIWF World Heavyweight Champion, and lynch-pin of the European Alliance, is going to be quite a challenge for the "Real Deal" -- who is also having to deal with Genesis at the moment, too, for his involvement last week in coming to the aid of Ronnie Paris. JW: Verhoeven is always a dangerous opponent, Larry, and even more so when he feels that he has something to prove. Critics have recently said that Verhoeven is merely riding Byron's coat-tails in the Euro Alliance, and with the Coronation Clash tournament coming up, Verhoeven sees an opportunity to once again climb the mountain that he conquered last Autumn when he captured the IIWF World title from Deathbringer. The first foothill to that mountain may well prove to be Luke Steele tomorrow night: [SCENE: Otto "the Butcher" Verhoeven is in his gym, busy pounding on a sportsbag. His strikes become visibly harder every moment, the grim expression on his face more determined, the strain more obvious. A final blow and a shout filled with rage send the sportsbag spinning wildly. Verhoeven, his training attire drenched with sweat, turns to the camera. He smiles weakly, the exhaustion of long hours of training clearly visible, as he reaches for a towel to wipe his forehead.] OV: Some people seem to think that I am just a thug, just some muscle-bound gorilla who does Byron's bidding. These fools are sadly mistaken and if they do not realize the truth, [he shrugs] they are in for a really painful awakening. The entire concept of the European Alliance is based on partnership and cooperation, on helping each other in times of need. And many of the other wrestlers have recognized the threat that the Alliance represents. Creed and Starks already fell victim to our combined efforts, so our opponents are joining forces, too. But Watkins and his "apprentices" will NOT gain the upper hand in this struggle. I do not care what they call themselves, be it "Black Pack" or "Rat Pack", they all have the same look of terror in their eyes when I wrap my hands around their throats and they come crashing down into a Slaughterslam. That is the only acceptable answer to the puny talk about payback. But enough about these inbred American pigs. My next opponent is Luke Steele. Steele, I remember you saying once that I am the man you would choose as a partner if you could decide on anyone. You respected my skills, my strength, my determination. Nun, come Saturday night, you will learn first hand why they call me the Butcher. Whether you respect me or not, when I see you in the ring you are only another loudmouthed rookie, another obstacle on my way back to the top which has to be removed. Prepare yourself, young Steele, prepare yourself for the most violent opponent you ever had to face, prepare yourself for a night full of pain and suffering, prepare yourself for the realization that you have encountered a superior athlete, prepare yourself for a trip to... the Slaughterhouse. [Fade to black as Verhoeven turns around to continue his training.] -------------------------------------------------------------- 7. IIWF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Dirt Dog Unique Allah [c] vs. "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare -------------------------------------------------------------- LM: The first title defence for the new Cruiserweight Champion, the unorthodox Dirt Dog Unique Allah, has a certain gravitas -- for Allah will be facing the man who first held that prestigious title, "Spotlight" Billy Shakespeare. JW: Shakespeare is certainly regarded by many as the measuring stick in the Cruiserweight division, and with good reason -- he remains one of the most dynamic and exciting wrestlers to watch in the ring, even despite his recent troubles. If Allah thinks he's in for an easy ride tomorrow night, he's got another thing coming -- although this past week, the Dirt Dog appears to have been taking it pretty easy: [The cameras return to Dirt Dog Unique Allah's Brooklyn apartment.  A plastic pool sits in the middle of the floor, Dirt Dog in the middle of it dressed like a 70s pimp in a purple zoot suit and feathered fedora.  The apartment is filled with women of all shapes and sizes in bikinis, taking turns pouring rum over the Cruiserweight champion.  The cruiserweight belt lies on the floor, pieces of it cut away.  Dirt Dog looks at the camera and smiles.  His teeth shine with gold.] DDUA: Like my toothes?  I love my little toothes!  Just like I loves me my honeys.  Yeah, I got it all now.  I got it all!  Shakeemah who?  Yeah! And Medusa, girl, it was nice.  It was more than nice.  I said yeah.  You done good girl.  Lord, though, I gotta say, I can't believe how I'm livin'!  I'm the MAN, dogs.  I can do whatever the hell I want.  Ain't that right, girls? Girls: That's right, Unique. DDUA: And if I'm the Dirty Doggy I guess them's my Bs.  Yeah, they'd say anything fo a dollah!  But I gotta me some high class kitty now. [belches] Excuse me I had to let that one loose right about then.  Yeah, they's treats a muhfuh good on planet Earth.  Now I gotta take a trip to my favourite planet. Girl: Which one, Unique? DDUA: Uranus. [smiles then laughs insanely]  Now you know I'm a nasty muhfuh!  And soon Billy Shakespeare, if that is your name, I'm gonna set your globe on fire.  See, I can't stop livin' like this.  Foodstamps, girls, pretty new gold toothes.  I gotta hawk this belt to get my TV back, too.  Now I can get my BET.  Yeahhhh! Awwwwwwww-AAAAAAAAwwwwwww-AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW-OOOOOOOOOOOO! Y'all cannot mess wit' me.  I said ... OOOOOOOOOOOOOO! [smiles]  See, Billy, anybody can shift gears.  Anybody can split they personality.  I come from a different planet, too.  A planet where bruvas stick together. Ain't like here where they just keep gettin' they heads busted.  You know? I remember ... da nanana dadada ... I'm the only Negro in this federation to pin Lord Byron.  Why?  Cause I had a strong Black woman there to guide me.  That's what they need.  A strong Black woman.  And shakespeare, you're gonna need a ghostwriter.  Because when you wanted me in the ring, you started scripting the final act of the Tragedy called Billy got his dih cut off and his balls handed to him.  I said YEAAHHHHH!! Another superlogical hit from that crazy muhfuh from Uranus.  I'm like a brick. So bad.  Make medicine sick!  I'm sick.  Who wants to be first to suck the poison out?  Naw, I saw that on Bottom.  You can say that sh on British TV I guess, swearin' muhfuhs that they is. [Fade out with Unique rambling and cussing about how people cuss so damn much the muhfuhs.] LM: Good grief. Gold teeth, from the belt... shocking. JW: Unless Allah is well-prepared, Larry, he may well only be left with the gold in his teeth after tomorrow night. Shakespeare is waiting in the wings to take centre stage once more: [Billy Shakespeare relaxes aboard the IIWF charter flight from New Orleans.  He speaks earnestly to the camera.] BL: What it all comes down to is the performance, and that's where the     new guys know nothing about wrestling.  It isn't about selling Genesis t-shirts.  It isn't about cutting guitar tracks.  It isn't about cap pistols and foam fingers.  What it's about is putting fans in the seats.  Quigley knows that... Warnett knows it... even as disgusting as he is, Lebec knows it.  We performers are nothing without an audience.     Let marketing sell the goods, we're here to get the fans screaming.     And that, Dirt Dog Unique Allah, is why I'm going to take your     cruiserweight belt.  Yea, why I must take it.  Simply put, you're     bad for the IIWF.  A federation which has a drunk championing over     a man born to perform -- that's me -- is a federation in trouble.      The fans want to see the best in action, and how can I call myself     the best without that title?  Simply put, it's lonely in the spotlight, but it is my home.  It will be a lot less lonely when the fans join me there.   "Born to Perform", it's not just a catchy slogan, it's a way of life.  You don't need the future of the sport when the present is still so darned entertaining. [Fade] JW: Billy raises some interesting points there, Larry -- most importantly, the issue of Lebec, Quigley and Warnett. We've seen plenty of altercations between these four over the past seven days, and I'm sure that trend will continue tomorrow night. The question is: what effect will this situation have on the match? Shakespeare may find it tough to remain focused on the task at hand knowing that his three rivals are lurking on the outside. -------------------------------------------- 8. IIWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: Lord Byron [c] vs. Ike Sampson -------------------------------------------- LM: Well, Jackson, both champion and challenger have declined to make any comments about this match. I get the impression that Byron is more than a little upset about finding that his opponent for Saturday Night changed at such short notice, as Sampson was handed the shot on Wednesday by the original challenger, Mad Dog Watkins, and that Sampson is a little over-awed at his first shot at a major, recognised singles title. JW: Sure, Sampson's had success in regional feds, but you're right, Larry, it has to be an incredible feeling to step into the ring in front of sixteen thousand fans -- and he's got to be a little nervous tonight as he and the Mad Dog arrive back in New Orleans for their final preparations. One thing's for sure, the red-gloved rookie Creed will be on hand once more tomorrow night, if nothing else to get another look at Byron. Creed is now almost obsessed about getting "payback" for the knee injury which nearly ended his career, and I imagine that he'd like to see Sampson walk away tomorrow night with Byron's belt. --------------------------------- 9. NON-TITLE: Casey James [c] vs. Derek Mota --------------------------------- LM: And tomorrow night's main event promises to be an intriguing match. While the world awaits the response of the IIWF World Heavyweight Champion, Casey James, to the challenge issued by Brody Thunder last Saturday Night, we will get to see an interesting clash of styles -- Derek Mota faces the big champ in non-title action, going against a man who outweighs him by some 120lbs. JW: I get the impression that Mota views this match as an opportunity to send a message not only to the Syndicate -- and in particular, Tiger Claw -- but also to Genesis. Mota is certainly in the thick of things in the IIWF at the moment: [Cut to a local gym in Toronto, Ontario.  There is a great mixture of people in the gym, some of them incredibly muscular, some of them overweight.  The camera moves through the gym, going by people on treadmills, reading the evening papers, some people are bench pressing or dead lifting.  The camera eventually reaches Derek Mota in the far corner, where he is working on punching bags, striking rapidly with his knees and elbows.  A trainer stands behind him, encouraging him and offering advice. Mota notices the camera focusing on him, and turns to face it.] DM: You thought I was the only one training, didn't you Tiger Claw?  You think I'm a one trick pony?  Well I ain't, TC.  I'm a smart guy.  I know that the Syndicate is studyin' my style, so what do I do?  Change my style.  Like I said before, TC, it's all about change.  I'm willing to do it.  That's why I'm still on the top of my game. [Mota notices Steve Summer walking into the camera shot, obviously late for the interview.  He just sighs and resumes working out.] SS: Hey Derek, good match last week against Paris, man, it's sooo much better than watching all of the old geezers at the top.  The line's thinning out, but New Generation still rules! DM: Yeah whatever, Summer.  I'm personally startin' ta get sick and tired of this whole thing already.  Sure, there's a bunch a Old Gen guys waitin' ta be retired, and I'd love ta do it.  But the bandwagon's just too big these days, and it just ain't fun anymore.  Now we got this Genesis Generation, as they call themselves.  Guys like you give New Generation a bad name!  Showing to the world that you can't beat the old geezers without triple teaming them.  Pathetic, man.  I helped you beat on Paris last week 'cause the guy's a stinkin' loser, but we're certainly workin' on different sides.  Just stay out of my way and we'll be okay. SS: So what do you have to say to those people who say that New Generation are just wrestlers who haven't won titles yet? DM: One thing.  Us New Generation wrestlers are those who are still moving UP in the standings, Shakespeare.  Next topic. SS: Big match with Casey James tomorrow, Derek.  What do you have to say about this? DM: Yeah, I got a lot ta say [gives Summer a look of disgust].  Casey, I got a lot a respect for ya.  You're a great wrestler, one of the best of all time. It's gonna be the match of my life.  I'm gonna have ta turn it up a notch if I wanna stay in the same ring as you.  But it's not just you I have ta worry about, is it, James?  I gotta worry about the rest of the Syndicate, I gotta worry about Tiger Claw jumpin' me from behind.  I'm ready to fight the whole Syndicate on my own if I have to.  Hell, Brody Thunder warned me ta stay outta his way, he wanted to take on the Syndicate himself.  It's tactics like that that give the Syndicate their wins.  You can fight 'em on your own, Brody, but you ain't gonna get rid of 'em forever without me.  The ball's in your court, cowboy. Gettin' to the end, Claw, there's nothin's gonna stop me, Claw.  You and me are gonna get in the ring soon, I'm gonna show the world just what the "greatest" IC champ of all time has become.  It's time for ya to pass the torch, Claw.  It's your choice ta make though.  Is it gonna be lit, or is it gonna be burned out?  I'm just itchin' ta find out.  [Derek just ignores Steve and begins to work out again.  His next questions go unanswered.  Finally, Steve leaves the set, looking frustrated, and the shot cuts away.] LM: The Champion, however, as ever, remains confident of victory, even despite the tough match he fought against Edmund Fitzgerald in NLWP this past Monday, in which Brody Thunder got involved. You can see exclusive footage of that match tomorrow night, but for now, let's hear from the Syndicate: [SCENE: Steve Roberts sits in the office of Brian Lau's Dojo along with Lau, Tiger Claw, and Casey James. Lau's desk is covered with papers, and Lau looks at them with a stressed look on his face. Casey James wears a bandage on his head.] SR: Brian, I appreciate you taking the time out for this spot... BL: No problem, Steve. It gets me away from all this paperwork. SR: What is all this? BL: Contracts... For matches, for merchandise, for sponsorships... You know, all the things you have to deal with when you manage some of the greatest athletes of all time. I'm afraid that I've fallen a bit behind, though. When I started the Syndicate, I never realized that there'd be this much hassle to go through. SR: With all the stuff that's going on, I can understand where you're coming from. What's the deal with the tag teams? BL: Tag teams... I'm beginning to hate that term. Every time I turn my back, Pain Inc. and the Disciples are at each other's throats. I'm afraid that they haven't been able to work out their differences. They'd better, though, or else they'll be looking for work without me representing them. SR: Are you saying... BL: I'm not saying anything right now, Steve. I'm just a little tired of all this infighting, what with the problems we're facing from the outside. SR: Let's touch on that... Casey, congratulations on a successful NLWP title defense. Your next opponent for that belt is none other than Brody Thunder, isn't it? CJ: Yeah... What an ingrate. It's not enough that he gets a shot at the NLWP world title, so he wants a shot at my pride, the IIWF title. And he wants special stipulations to boot. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I mean, we bring him in, under our wing, and sure, we have him pull guard duty for a bit, but that's no reason for him to suddenly go ballistic on us and attack me everywhere I go... SR: You know, normally I like that in a guy... Not letting up, you know? But when that guy does it to the Syndicate... Well, it's just wrong. CJ: Damn right. See this? [points to the bandage] Got cut open on Monday from Fitzgerald in the ring. Superficial... Would have healed in no time. But what happened? Thunder jumps me after the match and opens the cut up even more. I could have bled to death, man... You ever see a bad head cut? Bleeds like no tomorrow... SR: Yeah... Blood... Bleeding. CJ: I can take it, no problem. But it's the principle, you know? SR: So will this affect your performance against Mota this Saturday? TC: [with a start] MOTA?! CJ: Easy, Claw... No, this won't affect me. I'll be fine. I'm expecting some targeting of the area, but I can compensate for it. I'm the champ. Champions get into the ring and give it their all no matter what, and that's what I'll do. Mota's got some moves, sure, but he's not champ. he's not even close to being champ. He may be trying to skip through the process of moving up the ranks with this New Generation bullsh[BLEEP], but when it comes down to it, he doesn't have the experience here necessary to get past me. Now I know that any guy on any given night can pull an upset, but it ain't gonna happen on Saturday because I'm prepared. I want to return a favour to my friend, Tiger Claw. He beat Thunder up pretty good, and I'm going to do the same to Mota. SR: Claw lost, though. CJ: Come on, Steve... No matter what the decision was, you can't deny that Claw took it to Thunder. The best thing is that I got to watch that match and work up some strategies. There's no shame in taking a loss for the greater good. SR: Good point. Now Claw, how do _you_ feel about your performance last week? TC: I did alright, but not well enough. While I dispise excuses, there are reasons that I wasn't 100% on my game in that match. First of all, you all saw Mota attack me with what he calls the fossil award. Well, I'll get to that in a minute. Second, I am currently undergoing a rigorous training schedule with a man known as... BL: No names... TC: Alright... Mr. X. I want to broaden my style, since it would seem that many of the IIWF stars are familiar with my techniques. It is time to make a change. As a result, Thunder pulled a rabbit out of his hat and slapped the Cattlebuster on me. He was lucky. Lucky that I was almost knocked unconscious before the match. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going Quigley here. I should have known Mota would have pulled something, and I didn't compensate. My weakness. A weakness that won't show itself again. SR: So what's Mota's problem? TC: He's a little man who wants to skip the process that all of us have had to endure. Mota, everyone who comes into the IIWF has to start at the bottom... _Everyone._ You may go on and on about how all of us up here at the top are outdated, but the fact remains that the reason we are up here is because we earned the right. Our victories and matches will go down in IIWF history, that's already a given. You may scoff at that, but it doesn't change the fact that you got involved with me in order to try and bolster your own career. You New Generation worms whine about the top name stars here, and put them down, but that doesn't seem to stop you from latching on to us to get your name in lights beside ours. SR: Claw, I do believe that you hit the nail right on it's beany little face. If Mota had of gone after, say, Requiem, I doubt that it'd sell as many tickets or T-Shirts as a feud involving you. TC: Of course it wouldn't. I have acheived main event status by being the three-time IC champ. I earned that. What has Mota done here? He's sneak attacked me over and over, and why? So that when people talk about me - and they _do_ talk about me - they'll mention him as well. Mota, you're a hypocrite... Not a particualrly talented hypocrite, but a hypocrite nonetheless. Just wait a few months, when the next wave of newcomers comes in, and they start going on about how _you_ are the oldtimer. You'll realize that it's just a load of hot air... Just like I know now. SR: Claw, I think that deserves the Soundbite Biscuit Of the Week Award... TC: Thanks. SR: Anyway, folks, we're just about out of time here. Brian, I just want to say that I hope everything works out for the best... What am I saying? You're Brian Lau... I know things will work out. [Brian sighs, looking at the pile of papers on his desk.] BL: Thank, you, Steve. SR: In the meantime, this is Steve Roberts saying "Worship me or bite me... It's your decision." [Fade] LM: All in all, it promises to be an incredible night of action, live from the Fogelman Auditorium, on the campus of Tulane University, here in New Orleans. JW: Absolutely, Larry. I'm looking forward to being there. LM: Okay, fans, let's go to this week's trash talk. We're set to hear from the Hollywood Bloods, formerly known as the W & W Express, Marty Warnett, and Scott Rogers. ************************************************************************ ------------------------------- TRASH TALK ----------------------------- ************************************************************************ [SCENE: The camera pans through a crowded cafe-bar, throngs of people waving and cheering, eager to get on television a bald man with a goatee flipping a finger.  eventually, the camera settles on Marty Warnett, wearing jeans and t-shirt, gold wire-rimmed spectacles, with hair tied back, hunched over a computer system.] MW: Well, you know, it seems this Internet thingy has really caught on.  I always try to get "on-line" as often as possible.  It's kinda fun to see all these "knowledgeable" people posting rumours.  For example, apparently I'm dead after having had a Rotundo me, I'm supposedly heading to other federations, heck, there's even a Tim Dross web site! Now, all this is fun, but there are far more important things for me to talk about right now, in fact, I'm chatting to a few people on-line right now.  Hey, focus that camera on the screen, let's see what happens... [As the camera pans in on the screen, Marty starts typing ...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Anti-SHEF: Marty, why is LeBec being pushed? PartyMan: Pass. sabu424: IIWF sucks! Loop rules! PartyMan: Soundbite me. dreamlord: Hey sAbU yUo kIss UBTT! PartyMan: Well, since we've descended to LeBec's level, let's talk about things ... now, I'm of LeBec's show next week, and basically, we just don't like each other at all.  I petitioned the suits about getting a series against Quigley since, well, ages ago, but the timings were always inconvenient. PartyMan: Now, LeBec just wants to hitch a ride up the rankings by poking his stupid, butt-ugly nose into other business.  That's his problem. mark_out: What's up between you adn Shakespeare? PartyMan: Nothing.  Billy's a stand-up guy, although I guess the fans are still uncertain about him.  I interfered against Quigley to get Quigley's attention, and obviously that brawl developed.  I want Quigley.  Pure and simple, it's about time his fevered ego was buried.  With LeBec and Shakespeare also in the mix, who knows what's happening?  If the suits want to promote a four-way dance, I won't be happy.  Shakespeare, I'd shake your hand outside the ring, but if anybody, I mean, anybody gets in my way to tear Quigley apart, too bad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [A waiter then arrives at the table.] W: Marty, your time's up.  Would you like another half hour? [Marty roots around his pockets for some loose change, finds none.] MW: No, thanks... [turns to the camera] Quigley, I'll be seeing you soon. [Fade] ======================================================================== [Cut to footage of an empty Hollywood movie lot, late at night. The only sound you can hear is the light wind. Everywhere is dark, except for the glimmers cast by the moonlight.  The camera then goes on two men in trench coats and hoods. The first man takes off his hood, revealing him to be Doug Wayne.  He stares at the screen for a few seconds then begins to talk.] WAYNE: This empty lot is so peaceful at night.  Away from all the horror on the streets. It is a place for us to think. It is where old ghosts die and new creatures are born.  The IIWF is filled with many old ghosts.  You look up into the rafters and swear you see the ghosts of J.W. Hardin and Dan Kauffman.  The champions that you once worshipped but now have faded away. They are all ghosts of the past.  The W and W Express has become an old ghost.  The Express has been reborn into a new creature. [The other man then takes off his hood revealing him to be Clark Watson. He looks into the camera with an uncertain look in his face, then begins to speak:] WATSON: We fought a war against whoever would be thrown at us.  We would die in the ring if we had to.  That was our job and we did it well.  They called us the dark horses.  They said "Who the hell cares about them?  We want to see Kauffman,  We want to see James."  The suits were even worse. When we asked for a title shot that we deserved.  They said "Next week, boys, Cold Spell getting one this week.  Pain Inc. is going to get a shot."  Well, next week never came.  [Doug Wayne starts to laugh then begins to speak again:] WAYNE: You know all these other feds were giving us blank checks to wrestle for them.  We said this ain't about money.  We got something to prove.  A mission you might say.  We are sick and tired of being the dark horses.  No more sitting back and waiting.  The time has come to unleash all the anger that has been bottled up for months.  [Clark Watson has an enraged look on his face:] WATSON: IIWF, prepare for a new dawn.  A dawn of pain and destruction.  The W and W Express is dead. The Hollywood Bloods are born. [Fade] ======================================================================== [SCENE: Scott Rogers stands before an IIWF backdrop, wearing only a piar of baggy pants, with a gold chain around his neck. His muscular upper-body is covered in globules of sweat. He tilts his head from side to side. The camera pans back and Tim Dross appears in shot. Rogers puts his hand behind Dross' back and makes a playful gesture. The cameraman can be heard laughing, as can a few others in the background and Dross just looks up at the 6'7" man mountain. Dross looks apprehensively but Rogers smiles at him. Dross smiles back.] TD: Joining me at this time is relative newcomer to the IIWF ranks, Scott Rogers. Scott, this is the first chance I've had to speak on camera with you and can I just say what a pleasure it is to be here with you tonight...? SR: You sure can, Tim, and, as always it's a pleasure to be here. TD: Well, Scott, enough of the small talk....a group of three men are causing you a fair amount of heartache at the moment. In a word, Genesis. SR: That's right, Tim. Nightwing, Highwayman, Requiem. These three men just don't know when to stop. I mean, they just turn up at any match involvin' myself, Ronnie, Luke, now even Serge Annis and the D-Man, the DeathBringer. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but they must be three stupid men. TD: Stupid's a bit strong, Scott, but I agree they must be pretty crazy! SR: Crazy? You call messin' with three of the IIWF's meanest dudes as well as.... TD: As you said, DeathBringer and Annis... SR: No, stupid. ....As well as Annis and myself. [There's a pause. Dross looks at Rogers.] TD: Sorry, Scott. I got the wrong end of the stick there. SR: [smiling] No you didn't, Dross. I was only messin' around. Of course, Annis and DB. TD: Hey, Scott. You had me worried there for a moment... SR: Tim, I'm an easy-goin' kinda guy. Don't take anything I say to heart. TD: No. It was the look on your face, that's all. Obviously I was mistaken. SR: Obviously you were.... [There's a slight pause.] TD: But, hey, look on the bright side! You don't have a match this week! SR: That's right, Tim, but no doubt I'll be needed for some reason or another by one of my pals. Genesis will, as sure as night follows day, interfere at some point in the evening and I'll be as ready to stop 'em as I was last week. They must learn they are _not_ _the_ force either within, or outside, the IIWF. I've said it before and I'll say it again, _I_'m the future of this fed. No-one else. TD: But surely if you wanted to achieve that... SR: [interjecting] Which I do. And fully intend do. Carry on... TD: ...surely you'd need the help of your buddies, no? SR: Listen, Tim, I don't need the help of no-one. I'm a perfect physical specimen. Just look at me. [Rogers poses for the camera for a moment. Dross looks slightly concerned.] TD: I agree you're in great shape, Scott, but to take on the entire IIWF, and win, is surely an impossible task. You've said the same thing about Genesis yourself, and it's been well documented too. SR: Well documented my ass. What I said, if you dolts would care to note, is that Genesis are not powerful enough to take over. I, on the other hand, am, and I will prove it to you and everyone else in coming weeks. TD: Okay, but what about the fans? Don't they enter the equation? SR: Yeah, those guys are just great. Without 'em I'd be nothing. It's their support that drives me, and I thank 'em for that. They know how much they mean, so I don't have to keep going on about 'em, unlike some others I could mention.... TD: Yes, Scott, but they're your friends. SR: I know, Tim. They're a great bunch of guys... [Dross looks slightly puzzled at the conversation he and Scott are having. He then speaks again.] TD: Scott, it's been a pleasure as always, but we're out of time I'm afraid. SR: No, Dross, we finish when I say so. And I don't say so yet. TD: Okay. I think we can muster up another two minutes. Is that alright? SR: No, Tim. No need. I think we've covered about everything. [Dross "double-takes," shakes his head, and smiles at Scott who growls back then smiles himself. Fade out.] ************************************************************************ -------------------- SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Deathbringer ------------------- ************************************************************************ [SCENE: A darkened room with a single spotlight shining down on a modern styled table which has been positioned right in the middle of the room. The rear wall is home of at least a dozen monitors, showing scenes of IIWF action. Right in front of these monitors, but still behind the table stands a large casket, with the letters "R.W. II" written on the side of it. Sitting at the left side of the table is veteran commentator Tim Dross, sitting on the right side is Deathbringer, who is wearing a cowl and currently puts his scythe against the table. Dross shuffles through some papers, then puts them all together down on the table and looks towards the camera] TD: Welcome back to another very special interview. My guest tonight is, as you'll already have seen, is none other than the former IIWF world heavyweight champion, Deathbringer. Deathbringer, I'm glad to have you here tonight! DB: And I am glad to be here, Dross... TD: It has been a long time since you spoke directly to us within an interview. Additional you made very few appearances on Monday Musings or Countdown to Saturday Night. Many fans called us here and wanted to know why we don't show anything of you anymore. But let's face it, there was nothing to show. You've indeed been very quiet lately, haven't you? DB: Yes, Dross, I was quiet... Maybe too long... _Far_ too long... You see, things are changing currently here in the IIWF, just look at the so-called New Generation, and you know what I am talking about. I did not pay enough attention to all those newcomers, I did not see a threat in them, and most importantly I did not see a threat in the form of Requiem... Then, after the events of Birthday Bash, I began to ask myself whether I was still walking on the right path. I began to ask myself whether I should keep on wandering down this narrow alley, which I had entered right after my title loss to Otto Verhoeven due to the interference of the Outlaw J.W. Hardin. And most importantly I began to ask myself whether I could keep on accomplishing my goals here in the IIWF all by myself... TD: And your conclusion? DB: I think you all saw my conclusion last Saturday night. TD: So this means that you decided to look for a kind of partner, maybe even a friend, to carry on your work here in the IIWF? DB: Let us just say that I decided to change my way, to turn back, to walk towards the light at the other end of the alley. But standing between me and the light is a huge beast, a beast which will not step aside, but a beast which is out for blood... TD: I guess you are talking about... DB: [interrupting] Genesis, yes... This alliance has to be stopped, and maybe it is the last thing that I do on this earth, but I hereby promise you, and all those fans out there [Deathbringer points towards the camera] that I will fight that beast... and that I will end its existence... TD: Harsh comments there, Deathbringer. Requiem said that he would leave you alone, as long as you don't step into his path. But it seems that you don't worry about raising Requiem's wrath against you. DB: Well, as far as my feelings towards Requiem are concerned... You know right now I shudder as I think about Requiem and his words... TD: You shudder? You mean it is fear you feel? DB: I am not quite sure... Wait a second, Dross... [Deathbringer lowers his head as if trying to listen to what is going on within his body for a few seconds, than raises his head again] No, Dross, that is no fear, that is a laughter... TD: [confused] Excuse me, but... was that a joke right there? I just ask because it was you who made it. DB: What is so weird about Death himself telling a joke? ... Then again, maybe you are right, maybe I did change in more ways than I had expected it myself. But to come back to Requiem... In my eyes he has accomplished something. He accomplished to create the most useless sentence in the whole wrestling world, which goes like this: I... AM... NOT... IMPRESSED... And, to use it right away, I am not impressed by the appearance of Genesis at all. Whom do we got there? The Highwayman, an undead, having been buried a long time ago and now trying to make an impact here in the IIWF. Nightwing, a mortal who once longed for his own extinction and who got saved by Requiem... Maybe it would have been a better choice to indeed end his life than to team up with that Angel of Destruction. And then we have Requiem himself. What does he represent? I do not know... But I know what he does not represent... The Darkness... and he is not the new Master Of Darkness, believe me. No, Dross, I am not impressed by Genesis... Not at all... TD: But still you extend your hand to Serge Annis, asking him to team up with you to destroy the stable? DB: Being not impressed does not mean to be dumb, Dross... Put any of the Genesis members into the ring against me, and I will show him what Death is all about. The problem is that I will not be able to fight them one on one... But I would have to face them all at once... Now that does not scare me, but it takes me nowhere. I needed a partner, as you called it, to even up the odds, and with Serge Annis I found someone who is more than capable of evening up the odds. Annis used the words "Unholy alliance" to describe our relationship, and I guess that they fit in quite well... But whatever our cooperation is described with, together we can take Genesis apart and we can do it the right way... TD: The right way? Now what do you mean by that? DB: Wait and see, Dross... TD: Erm... Alright... Now let's talk about a new topic... Fan support... It is something that you did not have for almost six months, and now you successfully managed to get the fans right behind you again. What were your reasons to change your attitude? DB: The new attitude is no new attitude at all. Afterall I did never really change my character, Dross, I just walked into another direction. It was the wrong direction, I realize this now. And I realize that I accused others of letting me down, although they never did. TD: What exactly do you mean? DB: [standing up and walking towards the casket. He opens it a little bit, reaches inside and finds a small piece of paper in it. He then returns to the table] I am talking about this. [With these words he hands the piece of paper over to Dross] TD: [looking at the paper and then reading the words written on it] "Dan Kauffman, Subway Psycho, where were you when I needed you? Everything is lost now..." The paper has been signed by yourself, Deathbringer. I now remember you showing it to the camera some months ago in your mortuary. DB: Wrong... I never showed you this piece of paper, I just wrote what stands upon it. TD: Erm... Again I'm a little bit confused, I clearly saw you standing within the mortuary, reading the paper's contents, then laughing and tossing it away! DB: Wrong again, Dross... Do you remember what is in that casket over there? [Deathbringer points over to the casket] TD: Well, we several times saw a person within it, wearing a cowl or something like that. DB: Right... Do you have any idea who that could have been? TD: Hmm, you were tossed into that casket after the attack by the Coroner and his Masters Of Pain, but... hey, wait a second! Do you want to tell me that... DB: [interrupting] Take a look into it, if you like! [Dross stands up, walks over to the casket and opens it. The camera moves to a position where it can look into the casket to reveal that it is empty. Dross returns to the table and the camera moves back into it's old position] TD: Obviously it's empty now. Do you want to tell us that it was you who was locked in that casket for almost six months? And who was that other guy, who looked like you, spoke like you, wrestled like you and... DB: [interrupting again] Me... It was me... And it was me who was locked in that casket as well... But I do not think that you can understand this right now. TD: But I'm sure you want to explain a thing or two right now? DB: That is right. You see as I lost my matchup against Otto Verhoeven I lost my belief in the mortals as well. I thought to have allies at my side, who would help me whatever happened. But I was on my own, as the "Outlaw" J.W. Hardin bashed me with that chair and caused me to lose. And then, after the night was over, I was searching for a reason. And I came to the conclusion that it was not my fault, but the fault of my allies. Of course I was wrong... I realize that now, but back in those days my eyes were blinded by wrath. This wrath literally splitted me into two opposite creatures... [Dross looks more and more confused] Well, to make it short, Dross, I stopped asking myself what is wrong and what is right... This caused me to team up with Cadaver for example... TD: I suppose something happened that caused you to change your mind? DB: Yes, it was my match at Birthday Bash which opened my eyes again. I finally met a man who reminded me of what I originally came here to the IIWF for. TD: And that was...? DB: ...Requiem... This mortal is one of those who have to be punished, he is evil and to eradicate that evil is still my primary mission. That is what I came to the IIWF for and as long as this body of mine [Deathbringer points at himself] is able to stand up after receiving a vicious beating like at Birthday Bash I will continue to fight that evil, guaranteed... TD: A last question, Deathbringer: Where do you put Serge Annis on your list, as he calls himself the Epitome of Evil? DB: Well, Dross... There is evil and there is evil... Deciding what evil has to be destroyed is another question... TD: Alright, I have at least ten more questions, but I'm afraid we're out of time right now. Any last comments? DB: Just this: IIWF -- and especially Genesis -- beware, as the Reaper has returned. And this time... He will stay and rule supreme... again! [Fade] ************************************************************************ ------------------------- IIWF SINGLES RANKINGS ------------------------ ************************************************************************ as at 11/6/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Casey James H 41 23 16 2 59% (WC) WC Lord Byron H 25 20 5 0 80% (IC) IC Dirt Dog Unique Allah N 21 12 7 2 62% (CW) CW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Creed N 17 12 4 1 74% (1) 1 Deathbringer H 35 24 8 3 73% (2) 2 Ike Sampson F 7 5 2 0 72% (8) 3 Requiem F 10 6 2 2 70% (3) 4 Otto Verhoeven H 35 23 10 2 69% (4) 5 "Enigma" Takezo Musashi F 32 22 10 0 69% (5) 6 Highwayman F 13 9 4 0 69% (6) 7 Mad Dog Watkins H 18 11 5 2 67% (7) 8 Chris Quigley F 31 19 9 3 66% (9) 9 Billy Shakespeare F 41 26 13 2 66% (10) 10 Brody Thunder H 24 15 8 1 65% (11) 11 "Sychosys" Joe Petrow N 18 10 5 3 64% (12) 12 Nightwing F 14 9 5 0 64% (13) 13 Duncan Macbeth N 8 5 3 0 63% (17) 14 Marty Warnett F 42 25 16 1 61% (14) 15 Mr. Damage H 34 20 14 0 59% (15) 16 Ronnie Paris F 19 11 8 0 58% (16) 17 "Real Deal" Luke Steele F 14 8 6 0 57% (18) 18 Tiger Claw H 51 25 24 2 51% (19) 19 Serge Annis N 15 7 7 1 50% (20) 20 Derek Mota H 12 5 5 2 50% (21) 21 Tony Starks F 8 4 4 0 50% (22) 22 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Simon Lebec H 2 2 0 0 100% (24) 23 Scott Rogers F 3 2 1 0 67% (25) 24 Danny Dynamite H 3 2 1 0 67% (23) 25 ------------------------- suspended / injured -------------------------- Steve "Fury" Kowalski H 21 15 6 0 71% (-) - Subway Psycho F 37 24 10 3 69% (-) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ------------------------ IIWF TAG TEAM RANKINGS ------------------------ ************************************************************************ as at 11/6/97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Name of team F/H Fought W L D Win% Ranking (old) new ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prophets of Rage H 13 11 2 0 85% (WT) WT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Last Resort F 6 5 1 0 83% (1) 1 Cold Spell F 12 8 4 0 67% (2) 2 The Harlequins N 13 8 5 0 62% (3) 3 Pain Inc. H 26 15 10 1 60% (5) 4 High Plains Drifters H 36 20 15 1 57% (4) 5 Dark Disciples H 19 10 8 1 55% (7) 6 W & W Express H 13 7 6 0 54% (8) 7 The Zodiac Connection F 27 13 14 0 48% (9) 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Violence Unlimited N 4 3 1 0 75% (10) 9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ************************************************************************ ------- COMING TOMORROW NIGHT: Live from the Fogelman Auditorium! ------ ************************************************************************ [Cut back to the paddle steamer. Morton and Witt now stand out on the deck, while the unkempt gentleman who was formerly at the helm now stands at the bow of the boat, clutching a bucket. Now and then he reaches into the bucket and tosses a hunk of raw red meat into the river, prompting a thrashing flurry of alligators in the water, fighting to get at the food. Morton pales a little as he watches the display:] LM: Well, folks, that just about wraps it up for us here tonight on "Countdown". Assuming we don't end up in the river as alligator food, we'll see you once again next week. JW: We sure will. Don't forget to tune into IIWF Saturday Night, live tomorrow night, for all the incredible action we've run down tonight. For now, we leave you with more remarkable footage concerning the legal proceedings undertaken by Steve "the Fury" Kowalski, who continues to campaign for his reinstation. Until next week, this is Jackson Witt, for Larry Morton, saying: good night, everybody! [President Steve Owens sits in his office and works feverishly on a stack of papers a foot high. He turns his ear up, as if to hear a faint sound. That faint sound soon becomes a commotion, that commotion soon sounds like a riot... he knows what it is. Dan Spreadbury has told him of past encounters like this. It's just hard to believe it, until you witness it for yourself.]                           !!!!CRASH!!!! [It's like something from a documentary on war. Steve "The Fury" Kowalski bursts in the office with some folded documents in one hand, and dragging an unconcious security guard by the ankle in the other hand. The office room outside the president's is in a panic. It was only yesterday that they threw a "No More Kowalski" party. But in Kowalski's case... there is no rest for the wicked.] SO: Who the hell do you think you are, Kowalski?! I have a good mind to     call the police right now and... SK: Stow it, Stevey! Ya can act all high an' mighty fer someone else.     But yer under the gun when ya talkin' to me. I jus' wanted to deliver the stuff myself. [Throwing the paperwork at Owens desk.] I'll see ya in court next Friday! [The news seems to make Owens go white. After a few seconds, he composes himself and continues.] SO: The lawyers said this would never go to court. That the IIWF wouldn't have to be dragged in. Your testimony will never stand up in court. Ha! Who would believe a miscreant like you, over a well respected business man such as myself? Ha ha ha. SK: Laugh away, butt-plug. There was three o' us that night. Y'know, the     night ya tol' me that I was to SKULLPUMP an official. Me, you and     Larry the janitor. Ya know Larry. The guy ya fired three weeks ago,     'cause ya had to cut the costs. SO: What?!  Wait a sec..!? SK: He was cleanin' the [BLEEP] off the floor an' heard the whole thing.     An' from what I can tell, he's big time pissed, ya fired him. SO: This cannot be happening. I have built this place to a megapower and     no uneducated street thug is going to ruin what we have accomplished     here. SK: That's the problem wit' suits. They never wanna to get their hands     dirty. Alway's lettin' the people like me do the work. Well, Owens... I'm gonna knock yer house o' cards down. Yer were right, SKULLPUMPin' Latrine Jouios was gonna bring ratings. Yer mistake was turnin' yer back on me. Start gettin' yer resume ready, prick. Yer goin' down! [Kowalski marches out of the president's office, leaving the unconcious guard behind. Owens can only sit, reading the court order, shaking his head. Fade.] +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= I * I * W * F =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ | President: Daniel Spreadbury | Vice-President: Jim Jividen | | univ0322@sable.ox.ac.uk | brokeback@webtv.net | | iiwf@sisko.demon.co.uk | | +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.sisko.demon.co.uk -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+