[EPW backstage reporter stands in front of the Aggression interview set with Troy Douglas, wearing a black t-shirt over his ring gear.]
KL: I’m here with Troy Douglas, who has an ultimatum set on him by EPW and A1E owner Dan Ryan. Troy, you’ve been very vocal with your distaste for Mr. Ryan’s actions over the past few months, but tonight, if you don’t promise to stay out of his business, your time in Empire Pro comes to an end, along with your shot at the Intercontinental Title at Black Dawn. What do you have to say?
[Troy grabs the mic, and motions for Kenny to move off camera. Troy collects himself for a moment, then focuses on the lens.]
TD: Dan, you and I go way, way back, and you and I both know that our history hasn’t exactly been friendly. I’ve done some things that’ve pissed you off, and you’ve returned them in kind on plenty of occasions.
But what you’re doing now, Dan? This takes the cake.
You’re threatening the livelihoods of men who have killed themselves each and every night to make your company great, to make your television show a can’t-miss product, to hawk your merchandise, sell out arenas all across North America and get those hundreds of thousands of pay per view buys that have increased your bank account tenfold over the last four years.
You’re doing that, Dan, because of a childish grudge. Because you couldn’t stand what IrishRed and Beast did to you, what they did to your baby.
And so you’ve decided that A1E has to die. I’ve said more than once that your schoolyard bullying tactics don’t sit well with me, Dan. I don’t appreciate the fact that you’ve resorted to bribery and intimidation just so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Last week, Dan, I said that in this war, I wouldn’t be on your side. I said that the battle lines had been drawn and that you and I, we weren’t seeing eye-to-eye in this matter.
Then, you had to go and up the ante, didn’t you, Dan? You had to give us a put-up-or-shut-up ultimatum, and then, you had to go and push up the deadline.
You threatened to take away something I’ve worked four years in this company to get to, just days before I finally realized my goal.
You’ve bent me before, Dan. This time, you’ve broken me.
You want my decision? You’ve got it. I won’t be your soldier, I won’t be your lackey, but when it comes to you and Marcus, I’ll stay out of your way.
I won’t be your friend, Dan, but in this war, you can call me Switzerland.
But – and I swear to God when I’m saying this – if you screw with me, if you send your cronies out to teach me a lesson, and if you do anything, anything at all to keep me from taking the IC title from around your little golden boy’s waist at Black Dawn, you won’t have the chance to live to regret it.
You don’t want me to help Marcus? That’s fine with me. I’ll take your quarter million, I’ll take the IC title, and I will do everything I’ve always said I’d do here in EPW. You said it yourself, Dan, that I’m one of the cornerstones of this company.
I would’ve hated to see what would happen if that foundation began to crumble. I won’t be your enemy anymore, Dan. But tonight, I’m still going to go out there with James Irish and tear into the three men you’ve set against us.
And at Black Dawn, four years of hard work pay off when I strap EPW gold around my waist for the first time.
You won’t stop me from that, Dan.
[“You Know My Name” hits the PA as Troy Douglas hurriedly makes his entrance and slaps hand with some of the fans alongside the ramp on his way down. He is welcomed by a generally mixed reaction.]
TF: Ladies and gentlemen, the following event is a handicap tag team match set for one fall! Introducing first, from Greensboro, North Carolina… HERE IS… TROOOOOYYY DDOOOUUUGGLAAASSSS!!
[Douglas enters the ring… moments later, “I’ll Drink To You” by Duke Jupiter hits the PA. James Irish appears and comes to the ring with a welcome similar to Douglas’, proudly bearing the EPW Television Title.]
TF: And his partner… from Fredonia, New York… he is the Empire Pro Television Champion… HE IS… JAAAAAAAAMMEESS IIIIIRRRRIIISSSHH!!!
[Irish rolls into the ring and holds his belt up a few times for the fans, before handing it off to the ref and going to his corner with Douglas, where the two discreetly discuss a few last-minute things.]
DT: This next match is a bit of an undertaking for the two men standing in the ring, as they’ll be put up against three opponents, in what some are saying is punishment for their allegiance with the closely affiliated A1 Entertainment.
MN: They’re damn TRAITORS is what they are, and this “punishment”, as you call it, is just desserts!
DM: They’re at a disadvantage, in any case. I predict this to be a very easy undertaking for the opposing team. One extra man may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in any match.
DT: Also interesting of note is the Sergeant’s upcoming title defense at Black Dawn to Troy Douglas. These two have competed tooth and nail for that belt, and the constant war of words over recent months is quickly building to a head. Anything is possible when these two hit the ring…
[“Stone Cold Crazy” by Metallica plays. Simply Beautiful makes his appearance to another mixed reaction, eyeing the two men in the ring with some reservations.]
TF: And the first of their opponents… from Staten, Island, New York… here is… SSIIIIIIMMMPLLYYYY BEEEEAAAUUUTTIIIFFULLLL!!
[SB slides into the ring and comes to his feet, looking at the other two A1E-aligned wrestlers standing across from him. No words are exchanged, but SB and Irish lock eyes and both nod.]
DT: What’s that all about?
DM: I don’t know, but I get the feeling that there’s an understanding between Simply Beautiful and his opponents.
MN: They’re A1E bedfellows! All of ‘em!
DT: I dunno, SB doesn’t seem to be buddy-buddy with them.
[“The Final Countdown” by Europe hits the PA. To an equally mixed reaction, Adam Benjamin appears and boldly makes his way to the ring.]
TF: Introducing next… from the United Kingdom… here is “YOURS TRULY”… AAADDAAAAM BEEENJJAAAMMIIIINNN!!
[Benjamin comes to a stop at the bottom of the ramp, questionably eyeing the three men in the ring. “We Right Here” by DMX hits the PA. To a favorable pop, the Sergeant appears, proudly bearing the Intercontinental Title as he descends the ramp to join his partner.]
TF: And finally… from Springfield, Missouri… he is the Empire Pro Intercontinental Champion… HE IS… THE SSSSEEEEEERRRGGGEEEEAAANNNT!!!
[Sarge and Benjamin scale to the apron and enter the ring, keeping their distance from Douglas and Irish. SB joins them but goes to the apron without saying anything. After the final checks are made, the ref rings the bell and it ends up starting out with Douglas and Benjamin standing in the ring together.]
DT: Looks like it’s going to be longtime rivals Troy Douglas and Adam Benjamin starting this one off…
MN: Wow… says a lot about the Sarge when he’s too much of a coward to start this off himself.
DM: I think Benjamin volunteered, Mike… he’s ready for action, and GOES into action as he locks up with Troy Douglas in a collar-and-elbow tie-up! It’s a battle of strength as one man tries to overpower the other… but Benjamin, with a fluid transition to a hammerlock, puts himself in control!
DT: And there’s DOUGLAS with an elbow to the face of Benjamin… and ANOTHER elbow as Adam Benjamin is shrugged off, left rubbing his jaw… and now here’s Troy Douglas into the ropes… SHOULDER BLOCK puts “Yours Truly” on his back! There’s Douglas, keeping up the momentum as he goes into the ropes again… comes back to the rising Benjamin with a LARIAT—and hits AIR as Benjamin ducks!
DM: Benjamin is ready for him as he comes back, and sets him up for a back body—NO WAIT!! Sunset Flip from DOUGLAS rolls Benjamin into a COVER!
One!
Two! And Benjamin kicks out!
DT: Douglas looking strong from the start, and he’s got a number of these fans on his side!
MN: Bah, a bunch of A1E-lovin’ traitors like him…
DT: Douglas keeps Benjamin at bay with a SCOOP SLAM, and follows with a standing elbow drop—BUT HITS THE MAT as Benjamin rolls through!
DM: Benjamin with an opportunity… and he makes the tag to the SERGEANT!!
DT: NOW things are going to get interesting!
[BIG pop from the audience as the Sergeant enters the ring. Douglas, back on his feet, stops in his tracks and the two have a long stare-down.]
DM: This showdown could very well be a preview of the upcoming Intercontinental Title match at Black Dawn!
DT: And the animosity between these two goes even beyond the title! HERE WE GO… Douglas stepping up, and so does Sarge, and they don’t even BOTHER with a tie-up as the two trade a BARRAGE of fists in the center of the ring!
MN: Whoa… gonna see some teeth down by ringside when this one’s through!
DM: It’s an old-school slobber-knockin’ toe-to-toe fist fight… and now SERGEANT ends it with a sudden BOOT to the gut of Troy Douglas! A few fans didn’t seem to like that very much, but hey… this is wrestling, not boxing.
DT: Right you are, Dean-O, as the Sergeant steps up onto the winded Troy Douglas… there’s the hook with the arms, and DROPS HIM with a Double-Underhook Suplex!
DM: Troy’s finding himself in an increasingly bad situation. He’s down in numbers and has to keep control of this match…
MN: Looks like he’s going to have to wait as the Empire Pro representatives in this match show him the boots… medium-style.
DT: Boots indeed, as the Sergeant MERCILESSLY stomps at the chest of Troy Douglas… and now he gets him up by the head, and tosses him into his team’s corner! There’s the tag back to Adam Benjamin, skipping OVER their tag partner Simply Beautiful.
MN: The hell is that about?
DM: There’s an issue of trust involved in this match. Simply Beautiful is a vocal A1E supporter, and none too happy to be airing out Dan Ryan’s dirty laundry. And Benjamin with a HUGE CHOP to the chest of Troy Douglas, toppling him to the mat!
DT: Simply Beautiful seems a tad peeved to have been skipped over, but is ignored by his own team members as Benjamin keeps the punishment going… bringing Douglas back to his feet, and ANOTHER KNIFE EDGE CHOP reddens up his pectorals! Douglas reeling on his feet… and SPUN AROUND with a European Uppercut from the famed European Adam Benjamin!
DM: Here comes Benjamin from behind! Seeing an opponent’s back to the attacker is a technical wrestler’s wet dream!
MN: I’ll bet it is…
DT: Benjamin hooks around the waist… GERMAN SUPLEX, and BRIDGES TO PIN!!
ONE!
TWO!
NO! Douglas forced the kick out!
DM: Benjamin and the Sergeant are doing a good job of keeping Troy Douglas in check… and James Irish is looking a trite bit worried on the other side of the ring.
MN: Probably cause he now realizes he’s going to get his ass kicked just as bad.
DT: Benjamin keeps the heat on, bringing Douglas to his feet and shoving into his corner… and the Sergeant reaches over the ropes and holds him by the arms! He’s giving Adam Benjamin a BIG opportunity there!
DM: And Benjamin goes for it with a SUPERKICK—OH NO!! Douglas BREAKS FREE and dives out of the way at the last second, and Sarge ATE that superkick like it came on a bun with a side of fries!
DT: Benjamin just realized what he did wrong… but now Douglas, using the distraction to his advantage, spins him around… BIG FISHERMAN BRAINBUSTER!! Adam Benjamin went out like a LIGHT with that one!
DM: Douglas could have it here as he goes for the cover!
ONE!
TWO!
And ADAM BENJAMIN kicks out!
DT: A valiant comeback from Troy Douglas, but now that he’s been worked on for a bit, it’s time to make the tag to James Irish… and at the same time, Benjamin rolls to his corner, and makes the tag to the only available partner standing on the apron… Simply Beautiful!
MN: He accepted the tag! I’m surprised. But is he actually going to fight his supposed “allies?”
[Putting the question to the test, both SB and Irish hit the ring and dash to each other, before skidding to a halt. Irish, recognizing the fellow A1E talent, bears a smile only momentarily—and SB, without warning, KICKS HIM in the gut!]
DT: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL WITH THE KICK… and follows through with a SWINGING NECKBREAKER!!
MN: So much for “alliances,” huh?
DM: They might be on the same side, Mike, but James Irish is still his opponent.
DT: Right you are, Dean, although it seems to be annoying the hell out of Troy Douglas. The last thing they need is a third opponent to deal with… and with the way SB is getting to work on James Irish, I’d say they’ve got their work cut out for them.
DM: There’s a lot of animosity between these two as well. Simply Beautiful working Irish into a side headlock, and WHIPS HIM to the mat, keeping the headlock held on tight! Now he’s simply SQUEEZING the life out of him!
MN: There wasn’t much life in that melon of his to begin with!
DT: Irish trying to mount a comeback now, and SB looks to be switching into a SLEEPERHOLD—and James Irish with the SNAPMARE counters that attempt! Irish with the KNEE TO THE SPINE, keeps SB stunned on the mat!
DM: The Television Champion looking a tad irate with Simply Beautiful right now… nevertheless, he pulls him to his feet and leads him to a neutral corner. Slaps on a front-face lock… hops off the SECOND-ROPE—and DRILLS SB with a Tornado DDT!!
DT: James Irish looking for the COVER!
One!
Two!
NO!! A strong kickout from Simply Beautiful… but Irish almost immediately has him back on his feet, and just SHOVES him back into his own corner!
DM: Irish is looking for him to cooperate on their behalf, but I don’t think SB’s going to have any of it! Simply Beautiful charging out of the corner, and he just CLOCKS James Irish in the forehead with a running LARIAT!
MN: Never a bright one, that James Irish. Believe me, I’ve been watching this guy over in A1E…
DT: He never rubbed me that way, but I’ll leave you to your opinion, Mike. Irish, lying stunned on the mat… and Simply Beautiful goes back to his corner to tag in Adam Benjamin—NO, PSYCH! SB pulls his hand away as Benjamin reached out, and just brings that hand SLAPPING across the face of the Sergeant!!
[Crowd: OOOOOH!!]
DM: What an INSULT to Sarge… who simply stares Simply Beautiful down and switches places!
MN: Man, I woulda KICKED that cocky, name-swappin’ mofo’s head in!
DT: Nevertheless, the Sergeant showing a bit of self-control, realizing the match is still at stake… although I think it’s clear that his tag partner, Simply Beautiful, is on no side other than his OWN in this match.
DM: Smart thinking.
DT: Irish almost up, crawling to his corner, but the Sergeant meets him with a running KNEE to the head! His team can really gain an advantage here, after weakening Troy Douglas, and now working steadily on James Irish! Sarge brings Irish to his feet… hooks him around the waist… and delivers a BIIIIG POWERBOMB into the center of the ring!
DM: I could feel that all the way out here! Here’s Sarge with the pin!
ONE!
TWO!
THR—NO!! James Irish can’t back out of it this soon!
MN: He really has a chip on his shoulder…
DT: Irish stays alive, but the Sergeant is in full control… there’s the WHIP to the corner, and Sarge follows it up with a BIG SPLASH that takes the wind right out of the Television Champion! Things aren’t looking good for James Irish now, and here’s the Sergeant with the whip out of the corner—REVERSED by James Irish!
DM: OOH! Sarge connects HARD with the corner… and turns around right into a RUNNING DDT FROM JAMES IRISH!!
[Big pop from bipartisan fans, and great booing from the Empire Pro loyalists in attendance.]
DT: MY GOD, what a sudden turn of events! James Irish just DRILLED the Sergeant on the mat… and now he’s getting to his feet! I’m surprised he can STAND after the beating he’s taken at the hands of the Sergeant and his team!
DM: Irish, with a HUGE opportunity to turn things around for his team!! He has the Sergeant at his mercy!
DT: …wait just a second, Irish is pointing to DOUGLAS!
[Bipartisan fans in the audience CHEER as Irish offers to tag in Douglas to handle the helpless Sergeant… and goes to make the TAG.]
DM: There’s the tag off, and now Douglas comes back into the ring to settle the score with the Sergeant!
MN: Yeah, now that he’s down and doesn’t have a fighting chance!
DT: Troy Douglas meets the Sergeant as he comes to his feet, and BLASTS HIM with a High-Angle Spinebuster! Douglas keeps his grip on Sarge’s legs as he wraps them around for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!!
DM: OH MAN, THIS COULD BE IT!! The Sergeant finds himself LOCKED in Douglas’ finest submission technique, and he’s going NOWHERE!!
MN: Here comes the cavalry!
DT: Adam Benjamin in the ring, and CLUBS Troy Douglas off of his tag partner before he has a chance to tap! And now it’s JAMES IRISH coming into the ring, and he comes at Adam Benjamin with a running KITCHEN SINK!!
DM: SB in the ring as well… and he catches IRISH ON THE ROPES with a CLOTHESLINE that sends both men to the outside!!
DT: Benjamin, on the mat clutching his abs… and the Sergeant still feeling the after-effects from that submission hold. Despite a bump on the noggin, Troy Douglas is back on his feet and ready to finish this for good!
DM: You may be right, Dave… he brings the Sergeant back to his feet, and now he’s leading him to the corner! He sets Sarge up on top… could we be seeing the END OF THE ROAD!!
MN: NOT SO FAST!!
DT: ADAM BENJAMIN, down but NOT out, yanks Troy Douglas off the second rope from his place on the mat! Follows with a LEGSWEEP to put Douglas on his back!
DM: Douglas could be in trouble… but now James Irish and Simply Beautiful are on the outside in a shoving match!
DT: Douglas trying to get to his feet, but Benjamin’s already in the ropes… Benjamin rebounds, and SHINING WIZARD!! OH MAN, NEARLY LOPPED TROY DOUGLAS’ HEAD RIGHT OFF with that kick!!
DM: Here’s the SERGEANT, now, from the TOP ROPE… NAILS A DIVING ELBOW ACROSS THE STERNUM OF TROY DOUGLAS!! He hooks the leg for a COVER!
DT: Here come Irish and SB after seeing the commotion…
MN: But Benji is THERE before Irish can do anything about it!
DM: The ref makes the count!
ONE!!
TWO!!
THREE!!!
[The bell sounds as the Sergeant rolls off of Troy Douglas, looking exhausted, but victorious. We hear a VERY mixed reaction from the divided fanbase. Sarge begins celebrating with Adam Benjamin as Douglas lies rolling on the mat. Simply Beautiful can only shake his head and leave the ring.]
DT: What a HARD-FOUGHT victory for the team of the Sergeant, Adam Benjamin, and Simply Beautiful! In the end, I guess you were right, Dean… the numbers game was just too much for James Irish and Troy Douglas to handle.
DM: Simply Beautiful really played the wild card in this match… much to the chagrin of James Irish, who almost seemed to be caught off guard with SB’s willingness to fight him tooth and nail.
MN: Heh heh… those A1E scumbags got EXACTLY what they deserve for turning their backs on the boss!
DT: The Sergeant scores the win tonight over his future opponent at Black Dawn, Troy Douglas, but Douglas may have the opportunity to settle the score at the Pay Per View when the Intercontinental Title is on the line. Meanwhile, the Television Champion James Irish will have to face Simply Beautiful sooner or later. We’ve got more action to come, fans, so don’t go away!