[Cue up: "Zero" by Smashing Pumpkins.]

[Thunderous crowd pop]

[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 walks deliberately to the ring and rolls in underneath. A moment later he is given a microphone and motions for the music to stop.]

Ryan: "Well then, I suppose I would be remiss without welcoming the great fans of Empire Pro to our very first Pay-per-view."

[mild applause]

Ryan: "Of course, that's not the main reason I'm out here."

"As you all know, one Marcus Bartholomew Wescott has had some choice words for me recently. You may remember his blood pressure rising as part of a rather lengthy rant toward me in regards to my behavior around one Miss Lindsay Troy."

[Fans "whoo" and whistle]

"Naturally, I was utterly shocked when he suggested to me that if I were to put Miss Troy into harm's way as part of her duties as my manager in NFW that he may have to physically insert himself into the situation."

"Now Mr. Wescott, certainly you don't expect me to believe that you have such a low opinion of your better half. Certainly it was simply a slip of the tongue on your part to suggest that Lindsay can't handle herself around a ring, yes?"

"Certainly a man such as yourself who actively competes alongside Miss Troy would not make a hypocrite of himself by suggesting that I have committed the great sin of 'letting' her come to ringside during a match. You said it was a dangerous match. True enough, it was a double cage match. The explosion wasn't exactly made known to those of us competing in it, but that's neither here or there."

"Then I thought, well maybe Mr. Wescott isn't used to such high stakes. Maybe having his girlfriend down at the ring during a main event made his little Beastie hairs stand on end. I can only assume that this is because of Mr. Wescott's own limited action on the high end of shows. But I digress, Marcus. Unfortunately, all of my matches are dangerous and have high stakes."

"And that leads me to wonder, why does this bother you? Have I treated her badly?"

"Of course not, in fact I treated her as an equal. And why is that, Marcus? I would offer that it is because of respect. And I would further offer up that you lack respect for your own girlfriend. You who claims to nobly protect her interest mocks her greatest obstacle in this sport. As she has fought for equality in a business dominated by men...and in fact flourished...you betray her trust in her in one moment by suggesting that the [in mock hick accent] little lady [back to normal] just can't handle herself down at the ring."

"In fact....."

[Dan Ryan is cut off as the lights in the arena cut out, plunging it into darkness. Although you can't see them, the crowd is begins to buzz as they're not quite sure what's going to happen next. The lights stay down for several moments with no action to be seen anywhere. Dozens of fans flick their lighters on in a pathetic attempt to see something... anything... but it's futile. Suddenly, a loud whisper comes across the PA...

"Cradles aren't for sleeping anymore..."

... followed by the sounds of monks chanting fills the arena, and the crowd, still in darkness, erupts into cheers. The monks continue chanting in the darkness for several more moments before a monstrous red, white, and orange pyro blast assaults the main stage *just* as the guitar to Nickelback's "Figure You Out" begins to blast over the PA, and the crowd gets to their feet and pops as Beast comes striding through the smoke of the pyro onto center stage, dressed in black jeans, black boots, and a skin tight black "Cradles Aren't For Sleeping Anymore..." t-shirt that shows off his powerfully ripped upper body, as the video screens light up with "BEAST" flashing in different styles and colors of text, mixed in with video clips of Beast executing various moves on his opponents, the last shot is of Beast nailing Christian Sands with the Absolution.

Beast just stands there a moment, taking in the cheers, and looking EPW owner Dan Ryan dead in the eye. He motions for his music to cut out, and he raises the microphone to speak...]

Beast: Why don't you just cut out the sh*t, Ryan!

[The fans let out a brief cheer.]

Beast: Is that what this is all about? Alright, man, it's your show, I suppose if you want to come out here and waste all these good people's time, well hey, I suppose you have that right. Now, I'm sure that the 20,000 plus people that spent their hard earned money and packed Madison Square Garden to see EPW's first ever Pay Per View...

[Crowd cheers.]

Beast: ... and watch me kick the crap out of Christian Sands...

[More cheers.]

Beast: ... would rather watch US do our jobs and put on a great wrestling show, rather than have no other choice but to watch your sorry ass force feed them a bunch of bullsh*t!

[Crowd cheers again, and Beast begins to make his way down to the ring.]

Beast: You were shocked when I came out here and tore you a new one about the way you treated Lindsay? What's the matter, Dan, didn't you know that chivalry is indeed not dead? Or have you just been locked up in your house in front of the television watching Skinemax and eating bags of Cheesey Dorito's for so long that you've forgotten that maybe, just maybe, when a guy's girlfriend comes home only to tell him she's lucky to be alive, that said guy might *just* be pissed off enough to want to hunt down the sonofabitch responsible and feed him his own testicles?

[The fans cheer as Beast enters the ring and stands about 10 feet from Dan Ryan, both men never taking their eyes off of one another. Ryan has a cocky grin on his face, while Beast looks like he's ready to explode.]

Beast: Now, before I let you put any more words in my mouth, I'll be the first to admit that because of the relationship that Lindsay and I have, and just the kinda guy I am, I tend to think of Lindsay more as a beautiful, intelligent, sexy woman first, and a knock down, drag out, kick ass professional wrestler second. However, that being said, I also know firsthand that Lindsay has the ability and the talent to step into this ring and go toe to toe with any man in this company, and she'd more than hold her own. Hell, that's why she's my tag team partner over in A1E. And she's also a big reason why we are the reigning A1E World Tag Team Champions. She can get the job done. You can attempt to mock me all you want, Dan, but I am of the opinion that Lindsay Troy is one of the greatest things to happen to professional wrestling in a long, long time.

I'm not going to hold her back. I'm not going to argue with you when you say that she's fought for equality among men. She certainly has. The only problem is with the people who won't give her a shot because they feel their own manhoods threatened when they see a woman beating them left right and center. They couldn't possibly live with themselves if they were beat by a woman. Insecure bastards, the lot of them. *Those* are the people getting in Lindsay's way, NOT me. Don't you EVER forget that.

But yeah, maybe I *am* a bit guilty of being a bit overprotective of her at times. However, she's been around enough main events, and *IN* enough main events that I should know better to just let her go. However, that's not always so easy for me to do, so you'll have to excuse me a moment if go a little "overboard" when it comes to her safety. However, I'm *still* not convinced that what went down over there was unknown by anyone. Especially you. I can't believe for a second that any company would put their wrestlers into a situation where there's things freaking exploding, and not tell anyone. Those people should be shot.

So, we still have some unfinished business, you and I.

[Beast walks right up to Dan, and gets in his face.]

Beast: Ryan, I've been in more main events than I can remember. I've been there because I belong there. In case you haven't noticed, I've earned my way to be in one right here tonight, in your very own company. If you want to question my so called "limited action" in main events, Dan, then I think maybe I should just give you that answer...

...Right... NOW.

[The crowd goes nuts as Beast drops the microphone and backs off a step, ripping off his shirt and getting into a fighting stance. He motions Dan to bring it on when suddenly, for the second time this segment, the lights in the area black out. The crowd buzzes in confusion, and two bright spotlights are cast down onto the ring, illuminating Beast and Ryan. The two men haven't come to blows, and this interruption may have prevented it.]

[Static crackles through the PA system, and a thumping is heard. A microphone check.]

Voice: This thing on?

[The crowd starts to cheer. The voice is female.]

Voice: Good. Now hit my goddamn music!

[The opening to "Trampled Underfoot" by Lez Zeppelin rocks Madison Square Garden, spotlights swirling around the arena before settling on the stage. The crowd jumps to its feet as the first verse is sung] Greasy slicked down body Groovy leather trim I like the way you hold the road Mama, it ain't no sin...

Talkin' 'bout love, Talkin' 'bout love, Talkin' 'bout...

[Lindsay Troy steps out from behind the curtain and is met with a roar of approval from the fans in attendance and blasts of pyro from the stage. She walks up and down the length of the stage, playing to the crowd, before walking down the ramp toward the ring. She slaps a few hands on the way down, not taking her eyes off Ryan and Beast in the ring.

The two men stand, shellshocked. Troy climbs up the steps and stops in front of them on the apron, not entering at this moment. The look she has on her face could kill a man if stared at long enough.

Beast steps away from Ryan and walks over to the ropes, sitting down on the middle one and lifting up the top, and waits for Troy to enter. Ryan just stands there, smirking. After a long heated pause, Troy finally enters the ring with Beast's aid. The house lights come back up and she signals for the music to be cut. The crowd is hot...there's a ticking time-bomb in the ring just waiting to go off.

Troy lifts the microphone that she placed inside her belt and raises it to her lips. The marks in the front rows get a small 'Lind-say, Lind-say, Lind-say' chant going, which garners a smirk from the Queen before she speaks.]

Troy: Y'know...it's no secret that once I hang my boots up for good in this business that I want to eventually settle down, start a family, and have some children.

But what's the point in doing that when I can keep wrestling for the rest of my life and have to deal with second-grade playground squabbles from two grown men acting like children?

[Troy looks first at Beast, then at Ryan.]

Since this is PPV, there was no real need for me to tell the sensors to have their fingers hovering over the big red button. So let's just cut the bullshit. Dan...

[She walks over to the Ego Buster and shoves him back]

You stay in that corner. And Marcus...

[She walks over to Beast, grabs him by the hand, and yanks him to the opposite turnbuckle]

You stay over there until either I stop talking or the both of you can play nice. I'm thinking the former might happen before the latter, but I talk a lot so you never know.

[The two men glare at Troy, then at each other. Lindsay steps to center-ring between the two of them and starts to speak again.]

NOW that I've gotten the semantics out of the way, let's talk about why I'm really here.

[She starts to pace the ring]

I'm sure that the majority either saw what happened at NFW War Games, or at least heard about it. I'm sure that if I didn't open my big mouth like I'm prone to do, Marcus would have found out about it from someone and gone rip-shit anyway and then gotten mad at me for not telling him what happened.

But y'know something? Quite frankly I'm sick and tired of hearing about the ramifications from the two rings exploding. It makes me sick to have to walk into the Paul Tsongas Arena or the North Charleston Coliseum and know that Craig Miles isn't the Boss anymore, Quentin Sullivan has eight-hundred things going on at once and his main priority is to try and contain six angry African-American muscle males and one uppity punkass rich white boy from running around and beating people up. God and the Devil must have flipped a coin and God lost, so NFW gets Avrey Prosser and his band of G-Unit thugs and they get to run around ruining people's lives, trying to end careers, and plotting to bring an entire federation to its collective knees. On top of all that I still have to deal with Calvin Carlton, but that's a whole other issue that I won't go into.

Above all that, I'm even more sick and tired of hearing Marcus blame Dan for me being down at ringside.

[She looks over at Beast.]

It's my job to be down at ringside Marcus, regardless of who knows what's going to happen and who doesn't. I get paid to manage Dan Ryan and Joey Melton and try and get the both of them in the finals of the Ultratitle tournament, and with my checks comes the risks that goes along with them.

If you're going to get pissed at anyone go find DC Stratton, Neil Riddick, and the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins and file a grievance with them, since they were the ones that planned this whole thing and put the rest of us in harm's way. They are the ones trying to destroy NFW and the Ultratitle Tournament so they can melt down the trophy and use it for some gold rims on their Lincoln Navigators. Just make sure that when and if you decide to take exception to what they did, you let me know ahead of time so I can clear my schedule to save you from the beating that you'd probably get at their hands.

But don't you dare get mad at Sullivan, Miles, and the rest of the roster, because what happened at War Games none of us knew about. And don't you think that if Dan or Joey knew what was going to happen they would have told me to stay in the back? I'm damn sure they would have, doesn't mean I would have listened, but they would have said something.

So if you want to keep beating your head against a brick wall, then by all means be my guest. Maybe when your brain is jostling around inside your cranium something will click and you'll know enough to stop pursuing an argument that you know you can't win.

I know you're only looking out for my safety. I know that you're being the good boyfriend and protecting me from harm. I appreciate it, I do...but you can't be by my side twenty-four seven. I'm a big girl, Marcus. Before you came along I handled my shit just fine, and I will continue to handle my shit just fine no matter what comes up.

[Beast looks at her and nods, but makes no move to respond. Troy offers a comforting smile before turning to Ryan.]

Dan, I don't know what's gotten into you, but I didn't think you were this big of a megalomanical prick.

[The crowd pops huge, and Ryan merely smirks and shrugs his shoulders.]

I think you and I have a pretty good friendship and business relationship, but after hearing you over the past few weeks, maybe it's about time I knock some more sense into you. Apparantly I didn't give you enough the first time you and I met in the ring, and it seems to me that you could stand to use a little more. I guess I'll just have to smack you around like Joey did, hm?

[Ryan's not amused...]

Getting pissed Dan? Good. I'm glad, not because you need any sort of motivation, but it's a small comfort to know that I can still get under your skin when I need to. Maybe that's why we work so well together, because we can both dish it out and take it when we get into little disagreements like this one.

You'd have a career in the food industry with all the pot stirring you've been doing. That's real cute Dan, and if you would put as much effort into getting the Ultratitle as you do pissing Marcus off, you'd be a lock by now. But y'know something? Now that I'm finally here in EPW, I'm going to have to take exception to all this petty squabbling. I'm here to keep the two of you in check...by any means necessary.

[HUGE pop from the crowd. Troy's laying down the law...]

I have no problem schooling you again Dan, and Marcus I have no quandary making you see things my way by getting a little physical, because it's all legal in the terms of my contract. Dan, you've probably already seen it, along with the other sweet incentives that I made sure Freeman threw in there. And speaking of Freeman...

[Troy looks toward the back]

...way to blow my cover, Paul. Good thing I know how to cover my own ass because I can't count on you to do it.

[She glances back at Beast and Ryan again.]

The two of you are my friends. Marcus, you're more than that. But I've got enough shit on my plate right now and I don't need to deal with the two of you being assholes on top of everything else. So help me God, the two of you are going to knock it off or I'm going to knock the both of you off your high horses and make you eat the dust on the ground...and you know I can do it. I've done it before, and I'll do it again just as effectively.

Life around EPW just got a whole lot more difficult. To the boys in the back: if you don't know me by now, you'd better get acquainted with me real fast. And to one in particular: Christian Sands... [Troy smirks] ...you've been talkin a whole lotta shit for someone who opens their mouth and doesn't say much of anything at all. I know you've got a receipt with my name on it, so after Marcus wipes the floor with you tonight, if you're still feelin' hot after the loss I handed you in GWE, you know where to find me.

[As Troy finishes speaking, Ryan sticks his hand out in her direction....reaching for the microphone. Troy gives him a warning glance, but Ryan holds his other hand up to reassure her that he'll behave. Reluctantly, she turns the microphone over.]

Ryan: [Making a "whip" sound] Damn Marcus, you gonna let her talk to you like that??

[Troy closes her eyes in annoyance as Beast lurches forward. A hand on his chest from Troy stops him, however.]

Ryan: I'm kidding!! Geez!! Where'd the humor go off and die at?

Lindsay....it's totally cool. For your sake, I'll back off of Mr. temper control over there. In fact, I'd like to say something I've been meaning to say for a while now.

I'm a huge.....huge....HUGE Beast fan.

[Beast rolls his eyes and we can see Troy glare at Ryan again and mouth the word "Dan!"]

No, I'm serious. I like you, Marcus. And it's only because I care that I pick at you the way that I do. Lindsay didn't tell me you were so uptight, but then I should've done some research on my own.

But alas, I must admit I admire your skill in the ring. I expect you to do what it was you set out to do tonight and become the very first EPW World Champion. I'm sure that pisses Sands off to no end....but hey...tough shit right?

But when you win that first World Title, Marcus....I plan to have a very good seat for the occasion. I plan to be in the front row. After all, I do own the company...and who else to present the belt to the inaugural champion than the owner?

In fact, I've just decided to use tonight's main event to introduce something that actually involves you.

[Beast's eyes narrow]

I'm gonna introduce the very first line.....of EPW merchandise. No no no....make that....BEAST merchandise....RAAAAHRRRR!!!!

[Beast's expression turns from annoyed to furious.Troy holds him back.]

I also arranged to have that little sound effect put into your entrance. Marketing, you know.

So be assured my friend, that no matter what strange sexually disturbing submission hold Christian Sands puts you in tonight....you've got the owner at ringside cheering you on. And Lindsay....don't worry. I'll be good....

[Ryan smiles as "Zero" kicks back in and he rolls under the bottom rope with Troy and Beast watching. Beast seems to be heatedly saying something to Troy, which can't be heard over the music. Ryan gets to the curtain and looks over his shoulder with a smile and he passes through. Soon thereafter Troy and Beast climb out and make their way up the ramp as we return to a shot of the broadcast position.]

MN: I gots ta get me some of that Beast merchandise. RAAAAHRRR!!!

DT: I for one can't believe Lindsay Troy is here with us in Empire Pro!

MN: Hell yeah, man, I'm glad. I'd hit it. I'd give her the best night of her life.

DT: Better watch out or Beast will eat you for that.

MN: Ah, I can take Beast.

DT: ...You'd get smoked.

MN: Yeah, I'd get smoked... LIKE A FOX!!!

DT: Seriously, Beast is a great wrestler.

MN: Yeah, Beast's a great wrestler... FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!

DT: You're sick.

MN: I know. But seriously, Beast would school me, man. That guy's like the biggest pimp ever. I bet he cruises down to the club every night in his Escalade and takes out ten guys with Tecs without batting an eyelash, then goes home with a few shorties in the hot tub.

DT: Mm, I doubt it. In any case, it's time for our next match!

[Cut to the ring, as we see a cage slowly lowering down to the arena floor. Fans cheer loudly as promo of John Doe and Kevin Watson show on the Empiretron. ]

DT: And the cage is lowering down for our next match! This one is one of high expectations!

MN: Oh man this going to be great Dave! This is going to be awesome, two guys that hate each others guts fighting it out in a ring! I can’t believe Freeman actually signed this match to happen!

DT: John Doe verses Kevin “K-9” Watson, these two men are going to make history here in EPW as the first two to be in a cage match, and it’s all here at Black Dawn, the first pay per view for EPW.

MN: You would think that John Doe would give up after he got the hell beat out of him last week on Aggression, has the guy even been in a cage? I mean come one, just stop being a sore loser and accept that you lost man.

DT: That doesn’t matter. What matters in what Doe has in store for Watson in this match and vice versa for Kevin Watson. I know John Doe has been training vigorously to beat Kevin “K-9” Watson.

[CUE UP: Long Way Home by Super Tramp. Kevin enters the ramp way with a nonchalant swagger. A towel covers his face from site, while his head hangs low. He takes his time making his way down to the ring. Kevin readies himself for the match.]

[Kevin stands outside the ring as the cage falls shut around the ring. A loud clash of metal is heard as the cage makes contact with the floor. Kevin opens the cage door and walks in as the crowd boos him]

[CUE UP: (Sic) By Slipknot the arena turns pitch black, fans cheer the Empiretron flashes between a blurred face and film of a John Doe, Blue and green pyrotechnics fire off at the entrance ramp, The words John Doe flash and shake on the empiretron, blue and red strobe lights flicker all over the arena. Doe walks into the cage as well. Watson stands in the opposite corner as two referees outside the ring chain up the cage door]

MN: Wow, I think my hair got a bit fried by those fireworks. What’s the point of those anyways, does he want the Fire Marshall to yell at Paul Freeman, I mean....

[Dave cuts of Mike in his sentence to shut him up]

DT: This match is climb out only! Pins falls, tap outs and disqualification will not count in this match! The only way out is to climb up that 20 foot steel cage and climb your way out to the outside.

MN: Its going to start, here we go! This is going to be a good match! I got that feeling.

[SFX: *DINGDINGDING* - Bell rings]