(“The Imperial March From Star Wars” cues up)

(Crowd pops big time as Joey Melton struts out. Melton is decked out in a gorgeous gray three-piece suit.)

BB: Listen to the reception as the CSWA's first ever World Champion walks out into the Merritt Auditorium.  I didn't even know he was here!

SB: Apparently this city has some class!

(Melton soaking the attention in stops to shake a few hands.)

SB: He’s the reason we’re all here Buckley. Stand up and pay your respects.

(Sammy stands and applauds. Joey slowly steps in the ring, as the cheers get louder. Chants of “Joey! Joey!” guide him through the ring ropes.)

SB: You’re not standing Buckley.

(Buckley rolls his eyes. Joey with a house mic in hand quiets the crowd.)

JOEY MELTON: It’s nice to know Greensboro still appreciates a good thing.

(Joey! Joey!)

JOEY MELTON: I got one question. Why is Merritt trying to have an ANNIVERSARY party without me? (crowd boos) I was the first great here, and it seems of late the first legend to be swept under the rug. Did you really think I’d stay retired? (crowd cheers) Like Jordan, and that kid from Rushmore I’ve returned to the site of glory.

SB: It’s an answer to my prayers.

JOEY MELTON: In case you’ve forgotten I am the greatest champion this business has ever seen. No mammal on God’s green earth can dispute that. But I tell you what. A couple months ago I was kicked back enjoying the good life until I realized I had a craving. But for what? Fame, fortune, women, better access to illegal drugs? Joey Melton has all that and more. The taste was for another run. To be back at the top, turn my nose up and know in my heart what I’ve been saying for years was true. Nobody here is in my class. Not Eddy Love, not Eli Flair, not even the Boy Troy. Windham , you done made nice for yourself. You’ve got the bills, girls, the sit-com and the Def Jam deal. That’s impressive beautiful, but what you also got is a damn near broken neck. I’m two years from being forty years old but there’s not a part on me that doesn’t feel twenty. You copied everything from your idol except my style. The loss is yours.

I also see Hornet is still around huffing, and puffing and trying to blow more smoke up his own ass. It amazes me to this day that you continue to play “he loves me he loves me not” with Merritt. I don’t care, I never have. I realized from about day 30 that the shake I got in this league would never be fair. But I was always Joey Melton and no matter how hard Merritt, or anybody else swept I wouldn’t quite go under that rug.

Your career has just been a dream chasing me. What I had you wanted. World title? You stole it. World Tag titles.....you went on a rampage digging up Tom and Jerry tag teams for your own pleasure. Poison Ivy? (smiles) Ask Eli about that one. So you managed to knock up my sister, happy days ahead huh. Tell it like it is Hornet, you’ve wanted to be me so bad you’re gone out and plotted to spawn your own from a Melton womb. It ain’t the same. Because what I have never found that woman, and believe me you’re not getting a chance with this Melton. (Joey smiles)

Don’t flatter yourself though I’m not here for you. The craving is for two belts. One currently held by the former Greensboro champion. How sad is that. The poor kid wins the G’boro title one day and gets a World shot the next. Aho, look it up punk I didn’t start with the plastic belt you recently discarded. No, I started with the one around your waist now. Four years later I took the other just to complete the set. If you walk away tonight, be prepared to pony up and face the man. I’m not starting at the bottom of the ladder, for the simple reason it looks to me like the World Champ is the bottom of the ladder.

And the tag titles, they’re to be decided. Somehow I think they already have.

Merritt, there may not be a place for me in your world anymore. That’s why I’m here to curry to your tastes.

(Joey pulls out a check)

JOEY MELTON: Get in tight fellows.

(It’s a check for ten million dollars)

JOEY MELTON: Ten million Merritt all for you. The only thing you have to do is sign the contract. Pick the title at the next card. Money doesn’t mean a thing to me. But I know it’s your religion. Well get on your knees and join the rest of the fans out here in worship. I’ve bought it all in my life, and I know you Chad . That’s why I’m counting on buying another shot. The smart bet says I won’t get one if I don’t.

(Joey throws the mic down and leaves the ring to wild cheers)