In a battle of two men making their Empire Pro debut it was the Raptor taking the close decision over Sanket Desai. Desai and The Raptor both moves quickly around the ring, countering each other at every opportunity, but it was The Raptor who took control mid-match with a springboard savate kick off an Irish Whip. Moments later he took the win with an arching reverse choke submission off of a missed Bronx Bomb on the mat that caused Desai to tap.
Winner: The Raptor
This was one of the more uh, entertaining…matches of the night. Cruise and Dahaka tried in vain to double team the massive Viking, who repeatedly simply clubbed them down on the top of their heads and let out random Viking yells, combined with hip thrusts and gyrations ala Rick Rude. Dahaka got smart, going for the legs of the mighty Viking but her attacks had no effect on his mighty legs of granite. In reality, he just no sold this. The end came when Cruise, as ineffective in his attacks as Dahaka was lifted by the Norseman into a gorilla press position and thrown like a lawn dart right at the Dark Phenom. Both went down in a heap and Olvir places his foot on Dahaka’s back, where she lay on top of Cameron Cruise in a pinning position for the three count. There was some discussion over just who would be credited with the pinfall as Dahaka was technically in the pinning position. It was decided the the official winner of the match was Nakita Dahaka, although she hardly seemed to be much of a winner unconscious.
Winner: “Dark Phenom” Nakita Dahaka
["Did my time" by Korn hits the speakers and some clips of Stalker's matches are shown on the big screen as he makes his way down to the ring.]
MN: Who is this guy again?
DT: Stalker.
MN: Who?
[Stalker slides under the bottom rope and asks for a mic. Looking at the crowd he cracks a grin as they cheer and boo him at the same time.]
Stalker: Well.. well.. well.. Look at this beautiful scene. I got the one side of the popular ones, the cool ones, the rich ones, booing me and I have the other side, the unpopular ones, the hardcore ones, the poor ones cheering me. This is definitely a good night.
[Again a few cheers but more boos can be heard throughout the arena.]
Stalker: I've come here tonight for multiple reasons. First off, I want to gauge everyone's opinion on this matter right here, right now. Who wants more hardcore matches?!?
[No boos this time just a huge load of loud cheers can be heard throughout the arena.]
Stalker: That's what I thought. See.. I am what you would call a hardcore specialist and I feel that putting me in matches, where I can not use whatever means necessary to put someone down is hurting my ability to give this company the viewership it deserves. My usefulness is being flushed down the drain when I'm set up to perform dirty work for the man in charge.
[Running his hand through his hair Stalker leans back into the turnbuckle corner and relaxes a bit.]
Stalker: Now that brings up my second beef. Dan Ryan please by all means use me in a match every week, but from now on, hell it should be tonight stop booking me in matches against people of the likes of Cross and John Miller. I'm sick of it, blah blah, I've only had two televised matches, blah blah, BULL****. You know why? My match against Kin Hiroshi some people consider to be the best match of the year. You know why? I WAS IN IT. I took my knowledge, my abilities, my strength in hardcore wrestling and I put all those pieces together and made it spectacular. Now.. that brings me to my third beef....
[Walking over to the side of the ring Stalker takes a look at the announcers and grins again.]
Stalker: Ryan make sure these idiots know who I am and what I'm capable of ESPECIALLY Mike Neely. I've never seen a moron such as him before, and believe me I've been around Rocko a long time.
[Crowd bursts out laughing while some throw a few boos in here and there.]
Stalker: Lastly, Ryan I want a rematch with Hiroshi. I want it and I want it now. You know I deserve it and after what happened at Russian Roulette I think it's obvious to know I will stop at nothing to get what I want. So I'm asking... no I'm telling you RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW I WANT HIROSHI IN THIS DAMN RING. Now COME OUT HERE AND GIVE HIM TO ME!
[“Zero” by Smashing Pumpkins blares over the arena speakers, and the crowd rises to its feet in unison, roaring for the arrival of the soon again to be owner of Empire Pro Wrestling, “The Ego Buster” Dan Ryan. Following closely, looking a little bored is Anarky. Ryan walks straight to the ring, staring at Stalker who paces back and forth inside. Ryan and Anarky climb the steps and climb into the ring. Stalker backs up a bit, outnumbered, but lifts his chin and holds his ground finally as Ryan takes a microphone.]
Ryan: Thanks for the intro, Reeves. I’m so glad you could make it. I’d like to first announce that as of about five minutes ago, the ink has dried – and I am once again the sole owner of EPW.
[big pop]
Now then, back to Stalker over here. It just so happens, that there is some business to attend to that concerns you. Namely, the number one contendership to the EPW World Championship. Now….as everyone saw at Russian Roulette, JA won the opportunity to face the World Champion at Black Dawn. However, you had a little bit of a hand in the outcome, didn’t you?
[Stalker looks on, a smirk on his face.]
Ryan: Now, I know you want Hiroshi. But, due to your participation in the match at Russian Roulette I believe Kin Hiroshi is owed a little something. So instead of giving you a rematch with Hiroshi, he’ll be going on to a match next week against JA – and the prize will be JA’s spot on the ladder. JA is a firm believer in fair play, so I’m sure he understands the reasoning. If he deserves his spot, he’ll hold onto it.
So, having said that – if you value your health, sir – I would suggest you leave.
[Ryan stares directly at Stalker, whose eyes narrow and seems to get thoughts of an altercation, but he looks at Ryan, at Anarky and then back at Ryan – and thinks better of it, nodding his head with a scowl on his face and climbing out of the ring, making his way to the back.]
Dan Ryan: Now then, one more... small... piece of business. About three apples tall, if memory serves. Hey Bea-
[Just then, the EmpireTron lights up, but the screen is filled with static. Ryan lowers his mic, and turns to face the screen, a curious look on his face.]
MN: What the hell? Can't we afford decent video these days?
[The crowd begins to buzz, and slowly the static fades out, revealing an A1E logo, causing a massive mixed reaction from the crowd, split 70/30 on boos and cheers. Those familiar with the A1E product are obviously in attendance.]
MN: A1E? Why the hell are those rednecks getting time on an EPW show?
DT: I dunno, Neely, but I sure can't wait to see what's going on here! Since when do we have rival wrestling companies interrupting our show?
[The A1E logo fades into a shot of the interior of an office. A rather nice office. Leather furniture, solid oak desk. The latest in technology. Curtains you'd die for. Seated behind the desk, is a man in his late forties, extremely well-dressed, wearing glasses and a blue Armani suit. Dan Ryan instantly recognizes the man, who looks into the camera and speaks.]
Man: Dear fans of Empire Pro Wrestling, I hope that you'll pardon the interruption. For those of you that don't know who I am, my name is Nathan Houston, and I am the Commissioner of A1 Entertainment - or A1E, if you prefer. I'm normally not in the business of interrupting other business' TV shows, but since your esteemed owner, Mr. Dan Ryan hasn't been returning my phone calls, this was my last recourse.
MN: Christ, couldn't you just send a fax? Ever heard of email???
Houston: And how are we this evening, Dan?
Ryan: I’m doing great, Nathan. The wife and kids are good, good job, nice benefits. Good times. And you?
Houston: Ah yes. I see you're in the mood for more than pleasantries. In that case, I'll cut right down to business. As you know, Dan, there's a little matter before us. I'm sure you know - as all your fans know - about the so-called "advertisements" that aired during your broadcast of your PPV show, "Russian Roulette".
Ryan: Of course. What's your point, Houston?
Houston: My point IS, Mr. Ryan, that those advertisements consisted of nothing less than a serious case of defamation against A1 Entertainment. THAT is why I'm here. I'm sure you'll agree that a long, drawn out court case will do nothing for both of our companies. However, you have stated that those actions were not sanctioned by you, however, Mr. Ryan, you ARE responsible for what gets aired on your television broadcasts. You said that you were going to take action. I have seen nothing as of yet. I suggest you take some action *right now*, or MY next action will be of the legal kind. Is that understood?
MN: Who the hell does this guy think he is, barging in here and threatening EPW like that? The NERVE of this guy!
Ryan: Nathan, I’m a big fan of public threats. I really am. I’ve done a few in my time and that was a good one. But in lieu of finding you right now, ripping your head from your shoulders and feeding it to my dog…. [Houston is momentarily shaken, but the businessman in him regains his composure quickly] …let me say that you have impeccable timing. I was just about to announce, in fact that Beastlet has been relieved of his employment with this company. [mixed reactions from the crowd] We are not in business to publically run down other corporations, and his actions are a reflection on myself and the company as a whole. Therefore, as of today his position with Empire Pro Wrestling has been terminated. There will be no more anti-A1E programming on our shows. Is that satisfactory?
Houston: Thank you, Mr. Ryan. I appreciate that. It’s perfectly fine. Again, I apologize for the interruption. Please enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone.
[The EmpireTron blinks out.]
DM: Great, so now A1E dictates what we do around here?
DT: I think the boss was just trying to do the right thing, Deano.
Ryan: And finally – one last piece of business. As you know… [Ryan turns to catch Anarky’s gaze, who looks directly at him] …as Irishred attempted his coup, I created the position of EPW Chairman to counter-act his power base. Now that I’ve regained power, I have no more need for a Chairman.
[a buzz in the crowd]
DT: Uh oh…
MN: SWERVE!!
Ryan: So for my first act as owner, again – I’m dissolving that office and all the power that goes with it. Anarky, it’s been fun – but we both knew it wouldn’t last forever.
[Anarky motions for a mic of his own.]
Anarky: You know, that’s all I was waiting to hear….
[Anarky drops his mic and begins to move toward Ryan as the crowd goes apesh!t over the possibility of a fight.]
Ryan: Whoa whoa whoa….. [Anarky stops momentarily in his tracks] …don’t think I wasn’t prepared for this eventuality, ‘Nark. Believe me, I’m no fool. So I brought in some…insurance a while back that would insure this transition went as planned.
[Anarky looks on curiously]
Anarky: More midgets, Ryan?
[As Anarky speaks, someone slips in from the crowd, slinks to a corner and covertly climbs a turnbuckle. DOPE.]
Ryan: No midgets. Just him.
[Ryan points at Dope, perched in a corner. Anarky spins around in time for a somersault dropkick to the point of the jaw that sends him flying. Dope immediately springs to his feet and pulls some rolled up wire from the top of his left boot and wraps it around Anarky’s throat, pulling tight and choking the life out of the now-former Chairman.]
DT: What the hell??? What does Dope have against Anarky?? And how can this rookie stand up to a former World Champion and legend like this?? Has Dan Ryan lost his mind?!
DM: I don’t know, Dave but this kid is taking it to Anarky big time!!
DT: When Dan Ryan announced Dope as part of the the group that went to fight in TEAM, it seemed an odd choice…but here it is again, as Ryan has Dope beating the hell out of Anarky!
[Dope continues to pull back, Anarky struggling for breath as Dope now drags him around the ring and tosses him through the ropes, practically hanging Anarky in the process. He continues to pull back until finally releasing and letting Anarky’s body slump to the arena floor. Dope then grabs the top rope and flips himself forward and over, dropping a knee hard into the back of Anarky’s neck, causing him to convulse violently.]
DT: Dear God!! Someone come do something! He’s gonna kill him out here!!
DM: The boss ordered this, Dave! You wanna go try and stop it?!
DT: No, but someone has to do something!!
[Dan Ryan slides out of the ring and walks slowly up the ramp, not looking back. Back at ringside, Dope spits on the back of Anarky and slides back into the ring. Dope climbs the apron and through the mask, you can see the beginnings of a smile starting to form as he reaches back and begins to unlace the mask.]
MN: Take it off!!
DM: I knew you’d say that to a dude one day.
MN: Shut up!
DT: Is he gonna take the mask off?? We’re gonna finally see who this guy is that just laid waste to one of the greats of our sport!!
[Dope gets the last lace untied and slowly lifts the mask up, unfurling some very familiar multicolored hair.]
DT: OH…..MY…….GAWD!!!!
[Neely spits his water all over the announce table, Dean Matthews’ jaw drops in awe and the crowd gasps in surprise as the mask comes all the way off and we see….
FELIX.
RED.]
DM: THE HELL?! IS THIS HAPPENING?
DT: Felix Red?! What the hell??? I can’t believe this!!!
DM: Now that’s one face I never thought I’d see in an Empire Pro ring. If you told me this was coming, I would’ve called you a liar!
DT: For our fans who don’t understand what’s going on here – we know you know who these two guys are, but for the uninitiated – Anarky and Felix Red have had bad blood for years, constantly fighting and feuding with one another all over the world, but to bring this to EPW – I’m just speechless!!
DM: Never let it be said that the boss doesn’t prepare.
[Felix smiles that half grin cocky smile and finally climbs down, exits the ring and gives Anarky one final stomp as paramedics rush to ringside to attend to the falled former Chairman. Felix simply walks on, heading up the ramp to the back, only occasionally looking out into a now booing crowd.]
DT: Folks, we need a moment to collect our thoughts – what an amazing turn of events, from the announcement of the number one contender situation to Nathan Houston interrupting, to the arrival or rather – the revealing – of Felix Red. Folks we’ll be right back after a brief break.