[The Empire Pro Wrestling logo flashes rapidly on the screen to hard driving guitar riffs trumpeting the arrival of Empie Pro Wrestling's CEO, Paul Freeman.] 

[SFX: Crowd pop] 

[Freeman smiles and slaps hands with fans as he walks down the ramp and climbs the steps into the ring. A ring attendant hands him a microphone which he raises to speak into as the music dies down.] 

Freeman: "Welcome to Empire Pro Wrestling!!!" 

[SFX: Crowd pop] 

Freeman: "I hope you're all enjoying the night so far. Before we get started, it's only fair to get something out into the open. 'The Ego Buster' Dan Ryan will not be performing tonight....." 

[SFX: Loud boos] 

Freeman: "We're trying to work out some details with his contract. Don't worry, you'll still get Rocko Daymon and Adam Benjamin in it's entirety....and I'm absolutely positive that you'll get one hell of a match from those two." 

[SFX: Mixed cheers and boos] 

Freeman: "However, on to brighter affairs. I have the distinct pleasure of introducing to you...the man who made this all poss....." 

[Freeman is interrupted by the opening riffs of "Zero" by Smashing Pumpkins] 

[CUT TO: Paul Freeman in the ring, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.] 

[CUT TO: 'Ego Buster' flashes across the screen in rapid contrasting black and white. CUT TO: Dan Ryan gorrilla presses Kevin Powers from inside the ring to the floor below. CUT TO: The word "YOU" flashes on the screen. CUT TO: Dan Ryan throws 'Living Legend' Mark Windham from the second level of Key Arena down to the first level. CUT TO: the word "ARE". CUT TO: Dan Ryan clotheslines 'Cocky' Craig Miles, nearly taking his head off. CUT TO: the word "BUSTED" CUT TO: rapid shots of Dan Ryan pulverizing opponents with the Humility Bomb, a last ride power bomb landing high angle on the neck.] 

[Ryan steps out onto the stage in street clothes, to a loud reaction and raises his arms high....eyes fixed on Freeman.] 

[As the music continues, Ryan makes his way to the ring never taking his gaze from Freeman....and rolls under the bottom rope. Ryan steps to within a foot of Freeman and sticks a hand out to the side. A ring worker slides in the ring and hurriedly hands him a microphone. Ryan smiles and turns, pacing around the ring in front of Freeman.] 

Ryan: "Where's this owner of yours, Freeman?" 

Freeman: "Actually Dan...." 

Ryan: "Shut up. The question was rhetorical. As a matter of fact, Paul....I think the fans out here deserve to know the truth of the situation." 

[Freeman makes a "what are you talking about?" motion] 

Ryan: "Oh yeah....oh yeah, you know what I'm talking about. You know. You know damn well that you're tryin' to play mind games with me runnin' these ridiculous three way dances in what goes for a World Title tournament around here....you know that you're tryin' to stack the odds against the only man these fans even give a damn about seeing." 

Freeman: "Look Dan, this is not the time or place for this discussion. The owner is gonna be out here any moment and...." 

Ryan: "Great. Perfect. That's perfect. Get the man out here. He needs to hear this too. I'm sure he'd like to know he's got an incompetent jackoff running his company into the ground in two shows or less. Get him out here!" 

Freeman: [Losing his cool] "You know what?! Screw it!! I don't care who you are!! You're not ruining this for me!! Security, get this man out of my ring!! Ryan, you're FIRED!!!" 

[SFX: Crowd pops huge] 

[Security surrounds the ring and begins to climb in, approaching Ryan....who smiles.] 

Ryan: "Well....there's only one problem with that, slick." 

[Freeman glares at Ryan] 

Ryan: "...You don't have the authority to fire me." 

Freeman: [Annoyed even more, if that's possible.] "IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED....I RUN THIS SHOW.....I RUN THIS COMPANY.....AND IF I SAY YOU'RE FIRED....YOU'RE FIRED!!!" 

[Crowd pops again] 

[The security personnel begin to approach Ryan once more, but Ryan holds up a hand.] 

Ryan: "You might wanna rethink that decision, Paul.....are you sure you have the authority to fire me?" 

Freeman: [At his wits end] "As a matter of fact, Dan....with the exception of the owner of this company....I have the right to fire whomever I choose...so for the last....time...." 

Ryan: [leaning in as if he didn't hear] "I'm sorry...except for who??" 

Freeman: "Except for the...." 

[Freeman stops short...] 

Freeman: "...the owner..." 

Ryan: 'Yeah....the owner." 

[Freeman looks like someone just kicked his dog as the arena gasps in shock.] 

Ryan: "You know, Paul. When I laid down the money to hire you....your agents never mentioned how uptight you are." 

[Freeman stands dumbfounded, unable to speak.] 

Ryan: "What's wrong, Paul?" 

[Ryan puts an arm around Freeman as the CEO just looks straight ahead.] 

Ryan: [Snapping a finger] "Oh, I get it. You're worried about your job. I'm not gonna fire you, Paul. You see, I was just having a bit of fun with ya. You do realize of course that I can't go around putting myself into position to carry my own World Title don't you? I mean, what sort of owner would push himself in the ring?" 

[Ryan smiles and continues once again pacing around the ring] 

Ryan: "And of course, I could go pin Beast and hurt the marketing potential of one of my brightest stars. I mean hell....if I go ahead and beat the kid....there's one of my possible future champions....poof!....humiliated right off the bat. Now what self-respecting fan would cheer for him at that point?? Losing to a pencil pusher??" 

[Smirk...] 

Ryan: "And of course, I have the utmost confidence in the ability of Rocko Daymon and of Adam Benjamin of putting on one hell of a show tonight. In fact....I understand Beast was planning on being at ringside during that match to have a looksee at me in action. Well, I'm afraid I can't oblige him in providing him a free moment in scouting but I'd like him to go ahead and do the commentary anyway. After all, he's oh so entertaining.....you know me...anything to pop a buyrate." 

[Ryan comes to a stop in front of Freeman and reaches out to put a hand on Freeman's shoulder.] 

Ryan: "But Paul, I'm afraid I can't let your tone with me earlier tonight go unpunished. I'm gonna let you keep your job. In lieu of firing you, I'm gonna give you a taste of what type of pressure we competitors go through on a night to night basis. So next week, you're gonna have a match." 

[Freeman seems to 'snap out of it' and focuses on Ryan for the first time, mouthing the word "me?"] 

Ryan: "I'm gonna scrounge you up an opponent and you're gonna make your in-ring debut, live next week! But for now...I have business to attend to....and so I must bid you, Paul...." [Ryan motions to the crowd] "And all the fans of Empire Pro Wrestling.....farewell....." 

["Zero" by Smashing Pumpkins starts back up as Ryan exits the ring and begins his way back up the ramp, glancing over his shoulder one last time as he goes through the curtain. CUT TO: Freeman in the ring looking angrier and angrier. FADE to commercial.]

(Editor's Note - First part of this match will be coming shortly once "old site" formatting issues have been fixed.)

DT: OH! What a piledriver by Suicide and Sampson!

MN: That’s SUICIDE driver, Dave.

DT: Right.

[Sampson comes firing in with some hard chops to Suicide’s chest. The fans scream whooo as each one connects, and a sickening set of SMACKS is heard echoing throughout the building. Suicide is forced against the ropes, where Sampson then performs a hard clothesline to put him over the top rope. Suicide spills out to the floor, and Sampson immediately puts his attention towards Mayhem. Rob goes over and lifts Mayhem to his feet, locking him up with a double underhook. He then turns the move into a backbreaker, which causes Mayhem to scream out in pain. Sampson makes a cover. 1….2….kickout by Mayhem.]

MN: You know, I’m not really sure if Mayhem can take much more of this abuse. 

DT: He’s definitely in a world of pain right about now, Mike.

[Sampson gets to his feet and firmly drops a leg across Mayhem’s throat. He repeats the process one more time, and goes for a third. Suddenly, Sampson sees something out of the corner of his eye, and turns around to realize that Suicide is on the apron. Rob runs full steam at the ropes where Suicide awaits, but he is quickly sent over the top rope as Suicide pulls it down. Sampson goes flying to the floor and Suicide uses the opportunity to mount an offense. He slings himself up to the second rope, bouncing off with an asai moonsault that connects squarely with Sampson on the outside. The fans in the arena start to chant EPW… EPW… EPW.]

DT: What a move by Suicide!!! Did you see that Mike?

MN: You’re damn right I did… Suicide’s gonna’ end up wreckin’ himself one of these days if he isn’t careful.

DT: Well his name IS Suicide, Mike.

MN: Thanks for stating the obvious, DAVE.

[Mayhem is slowly recovering inside the ring, holding his ribs as Suicide and Sampson begin to duke it out on the outside. Suicide slams his fist into Sampson’s face, only to receive one as well. The two trade blows back and forth, until finally Suicide comes out on top. He whips Sampson straight into the nearest set of steps, causing them to break apart. The fans cheer wildly as Suicide then starts to lay some kicks into the side of Sampson’s head. Suicide picks Sampson up and tosses him back into the ring, quickly following him.]

DT: Suicide is really taking it to Sampson here!

MN: What’d you expect him to do?

[Mayhem decides to stomp a few kicks into Sampson’s backside as Suicide follows him in. Both Suicide and Mayhem then toss Sampson to the ropes, and upon his return, they perform a double clothesline that sends Mr. Main Event straight to the mat. Mayhem throws his hands in the air to acknowledge the crowd, but in that split second, Suicide uses it to his advantage. He hoists Mayhem up and performs a wicked Burning Hammer that ignites the crowd. The fans start to go insane, but as Suicide is about to make the cover on Mayhem, Sampson uses all of his energy to perform a shining wizard. Suicide stumbles backwards and Sampson dumps him through the ropes. Sampson then pounces on the fallen Mayhem, going for a pin. 1…..2….3!!!]

DT: And Sampson just stole the pin from Suicide!!!

MN: HA! Bottom line is, Mayhem’s eliminated from the tourney! 

DT: Wait, what’s going on?

[As “Biggest and the Best” plays through on the sound system, Sampson’s hand is raised by the ref. Suicide slowly gets up off the floor and slides in under the bottom rope, slowly getting in Sampson’s face. Sampson drops his hands and looks into the eyes of Suicide, neither man flinching or budging one inch. After a few seconds, the whole while the crowd cheering insanely, Suicide extends his hand. Sampson looks around and eventually extends his, and the two men shake in a show of sportsmanship. Suicide then turns his back and exits the ring as Sampson celebrates.]

WINNERS: Rob Sampson and Suicide

DT: Wow, Suicide and Sampson completely dominated Mayhem in that matchup… looks like Tommy has to throw his hat into the IC title race. 

MN: Could you elaborate on that, Davey? 

DT: Well, the losers of the three way matches will automatically be entered into two fatal four way matches. The winners of those matches will face each other at Black Dawn to determine the Intercontinental Champion.

MN: Sounds good, chief.

DT: Ok guys, I’m being told we have something from the back…