[We fade back in from commercial as Kenny Lombardo, with the camera following him, hurries to the open door to the office of Dan Ryan. We can hear a very audible tumult coming from within. The reporter rushes in, discovering a heated exchange taking place between Caitlyn Daymon and Kin Hiroshi. Further back we can spot JA relentlessly pacing back and forth, shaking his head. An irritated Rocko Daymon sits in one of the chairs. Across the desk from him is the “The Ego Buster” himself, looking like he’s about to shoot himself.]

Hiroshi: —HAD ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS—

Caitlyn: —THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE—

Hiroshi: —BEING IN THAT RING, AND I’LL SAY WHATEVER—

Caitlyn: —TALKING TO ME THAT WAY—THERE WAS NO REF, YOU—

Ryan: Alright, QUIET!! The both of you!

[The bickering immediately comes to a halt, but Caitlyn shifts her argument to the EPW Owner in a more indoor volume.]

Caitlyn: Mr. Ryan, this is ridiculous. My husband was rightfully announced the winner of that match after getting the pinfall, in light of the original referee being detained. Rocko is the rightful number one contender!

Rocko: “Rightful”… geez, Caitlyn, you really screwed up this time.

Hiroshi: Excuse me, WHAT?! Last I checked, crazy chicks in disguise hardly qualify as “referees.” You aren’t an official, and the decision wasn’t official either, so Mr. Ryan, if you please, just reverse that decision and let me go home with my title shot in tact.

[JA steps in to interject, speaking directly to Hiroshi.]

JA: Pardon me, “Muffin Man,” but you wouldn’t even BE the number one contender if that trippin’ BUM hadn’t interfered and given you the DEE-KYOO!

[The chaotic squabble suddenly reemerges.]

Caitlyn: —WHAT THE HELL IS SO “OFFICIAL” ABOUT—

Hiroshi: —MAYBE A TECHNICALITY, BUT IT’S STILL A WIN—

Rocko: —LOOK, I KNOW SHE’S CRAZY, BUT—

JA: —A WIG AND ZEBRA SHIRT DON’T MAKE A REF—

Caitlyn: —HARDLY DESERVED TO BE NUMBER ONE—

Hiroshi: —YOU GOT IT THE SAME WAY YOU—

JA: —WOULD’VE WON ANYWAY IF THIS CRAZY—

Rocko: —YOU CAN’T TALK TO HER LIKE—

Ryan: ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!!!

[The boss’ large fist comes slamming down onto the oak desk like a hammer, silencing the entire group with an ear-popping peal. Ryan falls back into his chair, rubbing his temples.]

Ryan: It’s evident to me that the only way this is going to be resolved is to just go back to where all this began. I’m booking a rematch from Russian Roulette… the three of you in the ring at the next Aggression. Winner gets the title shot. And just to prevent any more controversy, no disqualifications, no interferences, and absolutely NOBODY at ringside. There will be an undisputed number one contender by the end of the night. Everybody good with that?

[The three think it over.]

Rocko: Sure.

Hiroshi: Fine by me.

JA: Same here… but Danny, can you actually guarantee that hobo won’t be stickin’ his nose into our business? What are you gonna do, have security surround the ring?

Ryan: Stalker’s interfering has gone on long enough. If he goes ANYWHERE near that ring during your match, he’ll be immediately suspended. He can watch Black Dawn at home.

Hiroshi: Can we really expect this guy to be afraid of a simple suspension? Is that going to be enough to keep him out of this match?

Rocko: He’s got a point. Stalkers’ a loose cannon. You can’t expect him to be scared off by a suspension threat… that would only make him laugh. He’s not going to stop either until he gets a taste of blood or somebody puts him out of commission.

JA: And just who is gonna be the patsy in that? YOU?

Hiroshi: I’ll be damned if I give up MY title shot just to be his punching bag for the night…

Rocko: Look, I’m just pointing out the problem. I don’t have a solution.

Caitlyn: …I’ll do it.

[Silence falls over the room as everybody looks to Caitlyn. JA suddenly throws his head back and laughs.]

JA: Yeah, sure… knock yourself out… literally.

Hiroshi: No objections here. It’s your funeral.

[Skeptically, Ryan scratches his chin.]

Ryan: You realize it’s probably going to be Stalker’s Rules? It will be dangerous.

Caitlyn: I can handle it.

Ryan: If you say so, then—

Rocko: Whoa, wait, wait, timeout… can we have a minute to talk this over?

Ryan: Go ahead…

[Rocko pulls his wife to the side.]

Rocko: Are you sure about this? 

Caitlyn: Look, I’m already partly responsible for this whole mess, and somebody has to take a bullet in this. Might as well be me, especially if it means getting you a title shot. Besides, if anybody can put that bastard in the back of a ambulance, it’s me.

Rocko: I don’t know if I can handle seeing you get hurt again…

Caitlyn: Come on… you asked me to have faith in your ability to do this on your own. Try having some faith in ME, for once.

[Rocko deliberates to himself, then turns to the rest of the group.]

Rocko: I guess I’m for it.

Ryan: Then it’s settled. And just to level the playing field, guys, NONE of you may harm Stalker at any point in the night. There won’t be any provocation whatsoever. If any of you so much as get in the same ring with him, you will IMMEDIATELY forfeit your right to being the number one contender. Agreed? 

[Everybody nods.]

Ryan: Alright, this meeting is adjourned. Good luck to all of you.

[After a tense and silent stare-down between all three competitors, they all file out of the office. Mojo reenters the frame.]

Ryan: Kenny… find me some Tylenol, or get lost.

[The reporter hastily makes his exit, and we go back to ringside.]

DT: Looks like this controversy will finally come to an end next Aggression, where the number one contender will FINALLY be determined for once and for all.

DM: And it’s about freakin’ time. Dan made a cool call on this one. No interferences… nobody at ringside… there won’t be any disputes this time. A winner will be determined.

MN: What if it’s JA?

DM: Then I’ll be happy.

MN: What if it’s Hiroshi?

DM: …I’ll get over it.

MN: What if it’s Rocko?

DM: …don’t want to think about it.

Felix Red's Rules
Beast vs. Felix Red


DT: Let’s go up to the ring for our next match, and honestly I have no idea how this is gonna turn out. It’s obvious that Beast is on one side of things in our situation and it’s not the boss’ side.

DM: True. Meanwhile, Felix Red has been protecting the boss’ interests. Given, it’s most likely that he’ll only protect them as long as it benefits him, but in the meantime it leaves Beast in a very precarious situation.

DT: Well, we’re not even bothering with introductions it seems. Felix is in the ring with a scattered collection of weapons on the mat and I guess that’s what “Felix’s rules” means.

DM: Beast is here but he looks like he’s…I dunno…bored or something.

DT: They’re calling for the bell…

[Bell rings] 

DT: …and I guess we’re underway. Lock-up in the middle of the ring and….well, Beast is hitting Felix on the top of his arm and yelling something…

[Suddenly the referee starts waving toward the timekeeper and the bell rings.]

DM: What in the hell is this??

[Beast and Felix break the lockup and Felix stares at the referee and back at Beast questioningly. Beast just smiles.]

TF: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match…..BY SUBMISSION……FELIX RED!!!!

DT: The hell??

DM: Beast too?!

MN: See? Big loafy in action. Always exciting.

[Just then a group of people slide into the ring from all sides. On one side, TROY DOUGLAS, on another JA, behind him comes JAMES IRISH and finally ANDREW ROSSI and they immediately begin to pummel Felix Red, who tries to fight back but finally succumbs to the numbers game.]

DT: OH MY GOD!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?? ARE THESE MEN SIDING WITH BEAST???

[Just as quickly a swarm of security personnel come rushing to the ring and surround it, with ten to fifteen climbing in. The A1E/Beast crew form ranks and back up into each other as the larger group of security form a thick circle around them in the ring, but hold steady. Just then Dan Ryan steps out on the stage.]

DM: And the boss is here now!! This is gonna get interesting now…

Ryan: So, you’re pulling the ol’ losing on purpose routine tonight too eh Marcus? So much for your speech in A1E about my screwing the fans out of a match I suppose. Then again I suppose what’s good for the goose is good for the no good Canadian idiot.

MN: Ha….Canadian idiot.

Ryan: Now the rest of you….

[The camera pans over the faces of the rest standing with Beast, who listen intently but stand firm with Beast.]

Ryan: …I have things to say to each of you as well. First, I’ll begin with Andrew Rossi.

[The crowd cheers a little but the strong pro-EPW crowd takes over and boos overtake the cheers as the camera focuses on him.]

Ryan: Truth be told, I owe you one Andrew. I tore at your neck in NAPW, I ended your career there. Yes, I’ve been an asshole. For that, I apologize. Tonight’s the night I make it up. Back to that in a moment.

Troy, I have to say I’m disappointed in you. While we’ve had our personal differences you’ve always had a home here in Empire Pro. You were a pillar of the company from the beginning, so I have to say this is a let down.

JA, the same goes for you. I understand that A1E was always first in your heart. But at least you had the decency to stay out of matters when they got personal.

And James Irish, last but not least there’s you. Now with you, this is no surprise. In fact, as soon as Black Dawn is over your time with this company is up. Win or lose, your contract expires and I’ve chosen to allow you to leave in peace.

However – some announcements before we break this party. 

[Ryan smiles.]

I’m happy to announce that the company has enjoyed record profits this year. I too am in fact making money hand over fist and I now believe it is high time I reward you, the workers for making it all possible.

Therefore I’m happy to announce that after Black Dawn, all active members of the Empire Pro family will be receiving a bonus check in the amount of $250,000 each.

[A shocked gasp reverberates throughout the arena.]

DT: Neely?? NEELY!!

[We get a shot of the broadcast booth, where Mike Neely has literally fallen out of his chair.]

Ryan: Yes, $250,000….EACH

[In the ring the contingent look at each other, each registering this news with a different level of shock. Beast, for his part looks at Ryan with his eyes narrowing and a disgusted shaking of his head. Ryan smiles once again.]

Ryan: There is a provision of course. Should any of you continue your alignment with Mr. Westcott, you will be considered ineligible for this bonus. Naturally, you’ll want time to think this over so you’ve got until Black Dawn to make a final decision. If you decide to continue on as valued members of this roster, your check will be in the mail and no harm will have been done. If you choose the other option – well, then Black Dawn may indeed be your last day with the company.

Remember Marcus – and the rest of you as well. I HOLD ALL THE CARDS. Make your decisions and make them wisely.

And before I forget – Andrew Rossi, I mentioned making it up to you. Well, let’s talk about how. As I stated before, James Irish will be leaving us after Black Dawn. I’m giving you the opportunity to take his place. At Black Dawn, you will be facing James Irish for the EPW Television Title.

Consider it a preliminary gift from me to you.

For the rest of you, I’ll allow you to leave on your own…

[The sea of security parts and allows the men, sans Beast to leave the ring. A few of them look at Beast questioningly but he waves them on, saying he’ll be fine. They walk up the ramp, eyeballing Ryan as they walk past and move through the curtain to the back.]

Ryan: As for you Marcus…..

[Felix Red can now be seen perched behind a group of security, wielding a bat wrapped in barbed wire. They part, and before Beast can react he takes a head full of barbed wire right between the eyes. Felix pummels him five or six more times before throwing the bat to the side and spitting down on him as well. Felix looks down at him in disgust before leaving the ring and heading back up the ramp.]

Ryan: …..I’ll see you next week on Warfare.

[Ryan winks and we get one last shot of Beast lying on the mat as we fade out….]

NEXT