[CUTTO: The backstage area, once more. Someone comes around the corner, suavely and with a certain je ne sais quoi. It's YOUR BOY, Ice Tre. Blinged out, crisp, and bouncin' with every ounce. He limps around the corner like a refugee. Lombardo is [wisely?] nowhere to be found as Tre saunters down the corridor, nodding to every passing crew member and visitor as if Tre were the Mayor. Dressed in sagging khakis and a baggy custom jersey, thrown over the top of his in-ring apparel; the word "K 1 N G" fashioned across the front and back, Ice Tre shined like the craziest of diamonds, basking in the glory of his well earned victory.]

ICE TRE: S'appnin', baby!?!

[Tre acknowledged the camera and rounded the corner towards the lockerrooms. Earbuds in his ears, the buzz of the base was picked up by the mic. The door to his lockerroom was ajar and this immediately caught Tre's attention, yanking his earphones from his ears and jamming them in his pocket along w/ his iPhone.]

ICE TRE: Cassanova?

[Following Tre inside the lockerroom, we find it to be devoid of Cassanova entirely. Lying on the table is a rumpled green tie and a note. Tre picked it up, dumb-founded as ever. He struggled to read it.]

ICE TRE: Say WHAT? ... Cass fell down?

[Tre dropped the note to the table and bounced out the door and down the hall. Panning down to it, the lens zoomed on the hand-written text.]

"Where is Cassidy? He's FALLEN. Come and find him, if you ever want him to get up."

[The cameraman spun around and darted into the hallway -- just in time to spy Ice Tre running into an uneasy Kenny Lombardo.]

KL: Tre! You're ... alright!?!

ICE TRE: Say WHAT? 'Course I'm aight! You ain’t seen my match just now? What yo' deal is?

KL: I had a hunch that The FALLEN had set a trap for you -- they were lurking around your lockerroom!

ICE TRE: The Fallen? You peep my boy, Cassanova? 

KL: Stewart? Yeah. They ... kinda cornered him in your lockerroom, last I saw him. He's not with you?

[Tre looked off screen, his face paler than ever, eyes heavy with concern.]

ICE TRE: Nah. I thought it was strange that I hadn’t seen him all night. And that he wasn’t at ringside with me. And that he didn’t answer any of my twenty five text messages.

KL: Well, while I have you here ... can I get a few words with you?

ICE TRE: Make 'em quick.

[Lombardo's demeanor instantly switched from distressed to professional. Time to ask the "hard questions".]

KL: Ice Tre, the last time you were in the ring you found a way to beat Stalker, thus retaining your Crown-of-Questionable-Ownership, inside a Steel Cage at BLACK DAWN! Few men can claim to have walked away from ANY confrontation with a madman like Stalker -- let alone inside the deadly confines you found yourself in. You have a history with all three members of the newly-formed faction, The Fallen, and they CLEARLY have you on their shortlist of targets. How are you going to approach the situation?
[Tre stared at the ground, either in thought or sorting through his usual confusion. When his eyes met the lens they were piercing. Dare I say: Hard.]

ICE TRE: How I gon' approach 'em? Head on, full blast, and guns blazing, 'bardo. Best be ready. Unngh.

[Tre lunged toward the camera with some restraint, then darted down the corridor. Kenny adjusted his tie just before the scene cut back to ringside.]

[FADE: The ring, which is set up for Forsaken TV, with three big screen TVs playing Doom Generation and a giant black couch in the middle of the ring. The First stands front and center, wearing a new EPW "Forsaken" T-Shirt, black gi pants and his hair is a mix of light green, bright orange, and jet black. Felix Red is hanging on the couch in black "no future" Pants, and a faded "Crack Rock Crowd" T-Shirt, his hair dyed black with roots of other colors showing. Felix is also holding a can of Sparks. Gothopotamus is standing behind the couch, he is wearing a fishnet T-Shirt, shiny black hotpants, stillettos, and is wearing nearly drag queen levels of make up, he holds the EPW World Tag Team Title Belts over his shoulders. "Never wanted to Dance" by MSI [TBM remix] plays.] 

FIRST: "Blah blah blah, I'm really scary...OK, kill the music...Anyhow we've been sent out here to kill eat up some air time...So anyhow, what's going on with you Felix?"

FELIX: "I just did my laundry, I am awesome!"

FIRST: "And you Gothie?"

GOTHO: "I just shaved my balls."

[Felix spits a mouthful of Sparks upon hearing this.]

FIRST: "Dammit man, not on the couch, we only rent that thing." 

FELIX: "Gotho, that's just gross." 

GOTHO: "And I did it with your electric razor Felix."

FELIX: "What?! DUDE how?"

GOTHO: "I did it when I was cleaning your bathroom. You said you'd throw me through a 12th story window if I didn't do your bidding, sooooo I shaved my balls for revenge."

FELIX: "Finally, Gothopotamus....you're learning how to be a functional member of society."

FIRST: "Guys, guys, can we get the show back on track here, I mean normally laundry and ball shaving would be enough, but tonight we have a special guest who's got a tribute to an EPW legend!"

FELIX: "Hey, wait a minute, who died and made you MC here?"

FIRST: "Well I don't see you doing anything here."

FELIX: "Damn right, too much work, now I just need to get some more Sparks to wash these pills down." [Felix begins rooting through the couch.]

FIRST: "Well anyhow, enough of all that, tonight Forsaken TV welcomes the man who crippled Rocko Daymon and forced him to surrender the EPW World Heavyweight Title...Ladies and Gentlemen, here is STALKER!

["Did my time" by Korn blares over the PA system as the crowd loudly erupts into a booing fest. Jason Reeves walks through the curtains, cane in hand, making his way slowly to the ring. The fans at ringside taunt him loudly about his leg, but his grin is too much for them to shake off. He walks up the steps slowly using the cane for support and steps through the ropes. Grabbing a mic he leans back against the ropes and stares at the crowd.]

FIRST: Hey man, glad to have you out here...I just have to ask you first off...Last week, with a busted leg you fought tooth and nail in a tag match...Which was a truly noble effort..and you did this knowing you had 2 more matches left before you even got to fight us for the EPW World Tag Team Titles...Yet Rocko Daymon climbs the mountain, he wins the EPW World Title, and he gets a boo-boo on his arm, and he forfeits the EPW World Title...He could have fought through it like you did, but he didn't, really how gutless is he?

[Jason Reeves' smile grows bigger as he relfects on the actions of the gutless one.]

STALKER: I honestly knew it was going to happen. After living so long with what he had done to me and knowing what kind of pansy the guy was, I just knew it would happen. That is why when I sent him flying through that window, I knew right then and there that this was it for him. And as much as I was trying to pull Rocko down myself I have to give a huge thanks to Trip for lending me the hand I needed to pull him down with me. Sean is an amazing friend.

FIRST: In this long running blood feud with Rocko, is there anything you've learned about him that the fans out here might not know?

STALKER: Hah! These fans love that coward. There really wasn't much learned that these fans have not already seen. These fans are IDIOTS for cheering him. That man is a ****ING COWARD. He robbed me of my career for seven years and refused to own up to it. He's a ***** made housewife who follows orders from a woman that is a better fighter then he'll eve......

[“Death Is This Communion” by High On Fire blares over the PA system and Jason's jaw almost drops to the floor as the fans burst out in excitement with loud cheers. The camera pans to the curtains...... where........ no one shows. The camera pans back to Jason who is grinning.]

STALKER: Morons. I told you he's done! Haha.. you people are idiots I swear.

FIRST: So I hear you have a tribute video to the career of Rocko Daymon.

STALKER: Yes I most certainly do. Let's play it now.

[Jason points up to the video screen as slowly a picture is shown of Rocko Daymon holding the Empire Pro World Heavyweight title. "I'm not a girl, Not yet a woman" by Britney Spears starts to play as Jason loses it laughing in the ring. The camera shows the video screen of Rocko being slapped around by his wife, the scene then switches to Sean Stevens taking advantage of Caitlyn, while Rocko watches helpless. Next scene is of Stalker holding Caitlyn hostage in the middle of the ring, while Rocko watches helpless. Next shot is the same as the first of Rocko getting slapped around by his wife, the next shot is of Trip kissing Caitlyn again while Rocko watches helpless. And it continues in a repeated cycle, with each of the next scenes being shown slower and slower.]

["Death is this communion" by High on Fire blares on the PA again and this time someone is walking to the ring. It's..... It's..... Caitlyn Daymon?]

STALKER: Well.. well.. well look what we have here. It's the real man of the family!

[The fans who were first cheering for a split second send down a chorus of boos when they realize it's not truly Caitlyn Daymon but more a man dressed up like Caitlyn Daymon. She already... or he already has a mic in his hand.]

SHEMALE: Jason! I want you to leave my husband ALONE! 

STALKER: Hey now, b*tch. You don't want to get your ass handed to you again and have your good for nothing husband not save you again, do you?

[The shemale begins fake crying as The First goes to console her.... rather it.]

STALKER: Now I'm sorry but as the song stated, Rocko is not a girl but he's also not yet a woman. So maybe I need to give him some time. Maybe I've been rushing things. I mean it's obvious you are truly the man of the family. You wear the pants, give the orders... hell I mean you even fight better then he does. 

SHEMALE: You don't understand Jason! You never will... ROCKO IS SPECIAL! 

FIRST: You got that right.

SHEMALE: SHUT UP!!!! QUIT MAKING FUN OF MY HUSBAND YOU RAT BASTARDS!!!!

GOTHO: She’s right…LEAVE ROCKO ALONE!!! HE’S A HUMAN BEING!!!

[The Shemale looks horrified at Gotho before kicking him in the groin and then beginning to put the boots to him, Stalker grabs the Shemale’s hair, and in the process pulls her/his wig off, The Shemale reacts in terror and pulls the wig back from Stalker and then scurries to a corner to put it back on.]

FIRST: “All I gotta say about all of this is that clearly…Caitlyn Daymon here is far more man then Rocko ever would be…”

STALKER: Not only is she more of a man then Rocko would ever be.... she looks to have a far better career down the road then he will. Welcome to my world, b*tch. Enjoy the streets!

[With a thud the mic drops as 'Did my Time' by Korn blares on. The fans, in disgust by what just transpired, litter the ring with trash.]

Stalker vs. Cameron Cruise


[“Did My Time” by Korn blares over the speakers , heralding the entrance of one of The Fallen, the aptly monikered Stalker. Walking down to the ring with a slight limp, Jason Reeves eats up the boos from the crowd.]

TF: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL! Introducing first, from Parts Unknown … weighing in at 224 pounds … STAAAALKERRRRR!!!

DT: The demented Stalker, Jason Reeves, ready to take on a man who’s made a lasting impact in Empire Pro Wrestling from very nearly day one, Cameron Cruise. And, you’ve got to ask, Dean, with that debilitating knee injury, can Stalker withstand the offense of a powerful, focused Cruise.

DM: Well, Dave –

MN: Thomas, it’s CAMERON CRUISE. Gimme a plate of Eggo Waffles and a box held up by a stick and I could pin the guy.

DM/DT: Quiet you.

[With Stalker leaning himself against the corner, “Did My Time” fades out, only to be replaced by Bullet For My Valentine’s “All These Things I Hate [Revolve Around Me]”, and the boos are replaced by a loud POP! as Cameron Cruise makes his way to the ring.]

TF: His opponent, from Jacksonville, North Carolina … weighing in at 263 pounds … CAMEROOOONNN CRRRRUUUUUIIISSSSEEEEEE!!!!!

[SFX: DING!DING!DING!]

DT: And away we go here on Aggression! And here comes Stalker! He charges in … but Cruise shoots and dumps him right to the mat!

MN: Looks like Cruise has been studying his Tom Emanski tapes.

DM: Tom Emanski coaches BASEBALL, dingus.

MN: Says you.

DT: Cruise is laying in some BRUTAL ground and pound here, folks! Punches, elbows, hammer fists, he’s laying them in by the truckload, but Stalker’s just absorbing it … and he backs up under the ropes to force the break.

DM: Stalker’s got a high threshold for pain, but I’m not sure even he’d want to be under that rain of blows for too long a time without an umbrella.

MN: Whoa, whoa, whoa, Dean. Stop with the fancy word-talking and pull your ass off the Pretentiousness Turnpike.

DT: Stalker’s up, but Cruise chops down that bad knee with a sliding dropkick! Reeves is on his knees … and Cruise absolutely CRUSHES him with a seated dropkick to the chest!

MN: Rib crushingly good, that was.

DM: CRUSHINGLY?

MN: Shut up, Mister I’m-A-Human-Friggin-Thesaurus.

DT: Cruise scoops Stalker off the mat, and he tears at that injured wheel with a dragon screw leg whip! He holds onto the leg, rolls through, and delivers another! He knows Stalker’s weak spot, and he’s trying to rip that leg completely out of its socket.

DM: Cam Cruise – regardless of popular opinion – is one of the smartest wrestlers you’ll ever find, Dave, and when he finds an opening, he storms right through. He knows he can exploit that damaged knee, and he’ll do everything necessary to get that job done.

DT: And he’s keeping up with that mission right now, clamping down on that damaged appendage with a side leglock. Now Stalker is a tough, sadistic bastard, folks, but even someone like him isn’t going to be able to operate on just one leg.

MN: Well, if it’s a evil giant scary mega leg of DOOOOOOOM, then he might have a chance.

DM: Shaddup.

DT: Cruise sits up to adjust the hold – Stalker hooks his head! He rolls up Cruise…

ONE

TW – NO! Cruise kicks out, but Stalker showed tremendous ring presence with that reversal!

DM: Jason Reeves will never be mistaken for a technical wizard, but he’s always aware of his surroundings and how to turn them in his favor.

MN: He should be aware of his surroundings, as he’s, you know, a FRIKKIN STALKER an’ all that.

DT: Cruise hops up, but Stalker meets him with a forearm to the side of the head! And another! And a big right hand backs Cameron into the corner!

DM: And now Cameron Cruise is trapped and in major trouble. Enclosed spaces are where this guy works best.

DT: He’s doing that work right now, Dean. Lefts and rights to the body, he’s absolutely battering Cameron Cruise with these rough strikes. Stalker backs away … takes charge … shoulderblock! Cruise slumps down into the corner, and now Stalker’s laying the boots to him! Stomp after stomp, no regard for Cruise’s safety!

MN: He’s trying to kill him, Davey. What did you think he was going to do? Put some orange cones around all the areas where Cammy might get a boo-boo?

DM: That’s not a bad idea, actually.

DT: Bryan Weatherby’s forcing Stalker to break, but he just shoved the official away! Stalker takes charge … DEAR LORD WHAT A BOOT! A violent, vicious running boot, and Cameron Cruise just collapsed in a HEAP and rolled to the outside!

MN: Sweet Jeebus, he kicked him so hard that I felt it.

DM: No, that was me slapping you for stealing my popcorn, you son of a *****.

DT: Stalker slips to the outside, and if being trapped in the corner wasn’t bad enough for Cameron Cruise, now he’s half-conscious on the outside while this demented freak hunts him.

DM: Yeah, no buys.

DT: Cameron Cruise can barely get to his feet, but that’s just fine with Stalker … SHINING YAKUZA KICK! Stalker took advantage of Cruise’s semi-conscious state to to absolutely DESTROY him with that brutal running kick to the face!

MN: Okay, that time I definitely felt something.

DM: Yeah, Cam just launched a huge wad of spit at your face.

MN: Getitoffmegetitoffmegetitoffme…

DT: Reeves rolls back in to break the count, now back out to his ringside playground – and he stomps Cruise’s face into the mat!

DM: The pretty black mats are for falling, not for eating, Cammy.

DT: Stalker pulls Cruise to his feet … standing headscissors … no, don’t do this!

MN: Please, please do this!

DT: Piledriver on the floor … CRUISE SANDBAGS! He shoves Stalker away! Reeves fires right back … HIGH KICK –

DM: WHIFF!

[SFX: CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!!!!]

DT: Stalker went for that knockout execution kick, but Cruise ducked and Stalker’s bad leg smashed right into the steel ringpost!

MN: Mirko Cro Cop-kicking the ringpost was a BAD idea.

DM: That wasn’t the idea, Neels, but … nevermind.

DT: Cruise rolls Stalker into the ring … the cover!

ONE…

TWO…

POINT FIVE! Stalker lifts the shoulders off the mat in the nick of time!

DM: Man, that was close! I didn’t think Stalker would be able to recover!

MN: And they pay you to be the wrestling expert? Fornicate me sideways.

DM: Aw, now I don’t even get to tell you that it’s a FAMILY SHOW!

DT: Stalker is limping BADLY trying to get to his feet, but here comes Cruise, who takes out the bad wheel with a kick! Cruise hooks the head … scoop … FALCON ARROW! Dropped Stalker straight on his head and neck!

DM: That could be just what Cameron Cruise needs to put this away!

DT: This could be it! Cruise grabs the leg … he’s setting up for the Figure Four!

MN: Ten minutes from now, when Cruise is still trying to figure out which way to spin, this will be the most entertaining thing EVER.

DT: Cruise grapevines the bad leg, but Stalker’s kicking away with his good appendage … and he caught Cameron square in the face! Stalker pops up … and nails a lariat as Cruise wobbled around the ring! He lifts Cameron up … inverted STO plants Cruise face-first on the canvas! Stalker rolls him over, hooks the leg…

ONE…

TWO…

NO! Cruise was stunned by that combination, but still managed to kick out!

DM: It’s a testament to the guts and heart of Cameron Cruise, Dave. He can take a hell of a beating and still hang with the best in the world.

MN: Yes to the first part, not so much to the second.

DT: Cruise trying to fight back to his feet, but Stalker clamps down a front chancery! He’s driving the good knee straight into the top of Cruise’s head … now he hooks the leg … FISHERMAN’S BUSTER!

MN: Yeah, take that, Fisherman!

DT: Stalker hops on top of Cruise, but he’s not going for the pin! He wants to lay in some more punishment, and he’s doing just that, UNLOADING on Cameron Cruise with punches from the mounted position!

MN: Please don’t talk anymore about someone mounting Cameron Cruise and unloading anything. I think I’m gonna spew.

DM: Not on this shirt, you won’t. This is custom-made Italian.

MN: No it’s not! I bought you that for your birthday, and I got it off the rack at ValueTopia!

DM: You lying son of a…

DT: Children, pay attention please.

DM/MN: Sorry, Davey.

DT: Stalker is absolutely BATTERING Cam Cruise with lefts and rights! Cruise is backing up … he’s under the ropes, and Stalker’s forced to break … HE JUST SHOVED BRYAN WEATHERBY AWAY AGAIN!

DM: Um, why is nobody calling for the bell?

MN: Dude, Bryan Weatherby is a total ENABLER. He’s just going to give him a stern fatherly look and let him go on his merry way.

DM: Did you just say “merry”?

DT: Cruise is hurt, but he’s to his feet … and he fires away with a chop! Stalker’s back with one of his own! Cruise! Stalker! Cruise! Stalker!

MN: Neely?

DM: Not again.

DT: Cruise with a chop! And another! One more … Stalker cuts him off with a kick to the gut! Off the ropes comes Jason Reeves … facebuster across the knee! He flows right through, hooks the head …

DM: Evenflow time?

DT: He’s got him set up for that DDT – NO! Cameron Cruise summoned whatever energy he had left and bulled Stalker into the corner! Cruise hooks the head … IMPACT DDT! The cover…

ONE…

TWO…

THR-NOOOOO!!! Stalker shoots the shoulder up! Cruise pulls him up … REALITY CHECK TIME! He grabs Stalker – who breaks away with elbows to the head! Stalker with the clothesline … Cruise ducks … into a backslide!

ONE…

TWO…

NO! Stalker presses away…

THWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

DT: OHHHHHH!!! Cameron Cruise just NAILED Stalker with a kick to the head! He scoops him up … SHIPWRECK! That’s gotta do it!

DM: He’s not going for the cover!

MN: Dumbass.

DT: Instead of going for the cover, Cameron Cruise is stomping away at Stalker’s damaged knee, trying to do as much damage as he can!

DM: It’s a little comeuppance for the guy who’s tried to destroy so many careers here in EPW.

DT: Cruise hooks the leg, steps through … FIGURE FOUR!!! He’s got it cinched in, and Stalker is absolutely HOWLING in pain!

DM: He can’t withstand this. Even someone as tough as Stalker has to give up, or else he’s not going to be able to stand on two feet for a long time.

MN: That’s a one-legged man I wouldn’t want to see in an ass-kicking contest.

DT: Stalker is fighting towards the ropes … but Cruise pulls him back! He’s in the center of the ring, and Stalker has nowhere to go!

MN: But, he won’t tap!

DT: This is unbelievable! Stalker’s knee may be damaged beyond measure, but he’s still fighting, and he’s not tapping!

DM: I can’t imagine what’s driving this man. This match is OVER, Dave, and I don’t think Stalker has any damn idea what he’s doing right now!

MN: He’s hurting. A LOT. How dumb can you be, Deanarino.

DM: Never call me that again.

DT: Stalker is trying to fight against the pain … IT’S OVER! IT’S OVER!

MN: What the hell happened!

DT: Stalker went completely limp, and Bryan Weatherby stepped in to put a stop to it! Cameron Cruise picks up a hard-earned win, but my GOD did Stalker make him fight for it. Despite a near-crippling knee injury, he still didn’t tap out!

MN: Yeah, but now he’s, like, dead, so big whoop.

TF: The winner of the match by referee stoppage due to a figure four leglock … CAMERRRROOOOONNNN CRRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUISSSSSSEEEEEE!!!!!

DT: Stalker pulling himself up on the ropes now…and is it me or does he not look well?

MN: You mean other than Cameron Cruise pulling his knee out of socket?

DM: No, he’s right – he looks….he looks like he’s gonna…

[With that, a loud RHHAAAAWWGHHH precedes projectile vomit that catches Brian Weatherby right in the mush. Weatherby freaks out, screaming like a little girl and dives to the outside for a towel to wipe his face off.]

DT: My God, did Stalker just blow chunks in the middle of the ring?!

DM: Get someone to clean that up, for Christ’s sake!!

DT: UGH! We’ve gotta go to commercial. Folks we’ll get this cleaned up and be right back after this…

MN: MY GOD, THE SMELL!!!

NEXT