FREEMAN: You should learn to knock first, Mr. Sands.

SANDS: Whatever. Paul, I need a favor.

FREEMAN: Do tell.

SANDS: I want you to make tonight's main event a no-interference match. After the stunt Zero pulled earlier tonight, I don't trust that little pothead not to make an appearance.

FREEMAN: I see your point. Very well; no interference it is. Anyone who interferes in that match will be fined ten thousand dollars and suspended for one show.

SANDS: Thanks, Paul.

FREEMAN: My-

[Before Freeman can finish, Sands turns and leaves the office, slamming the door behind him.]

FREEMAN: -pleasure.

[Cut to ringside, where Thomas and Neely sit.]

DT: Looks like tonight's main event is indeed going to be interference-free!

MN: Sands has a point! You can't trust Zero! He's - oh, thank you.

[The latter remark comes as a young man in a Downunder Steakhouse polo shirt steps up to the announce table and places a plate in front of Neely. The plate bears a large steak and a heaping pile of fries.]

MN: Hey, thanks! I didn't know the Downunder Steakhouse delivered!

DT: ...Who ordered the steak?

MN: You did, during the Tyrone Walker match.

DT: I did?

MN: Yup.

DELIVERY BOY: Well, someone's gonna have to pay for this, sir. We'll need an extra ten bucks for delivery, since we, uh, never deliver.

DT: I've got it. I did order it after all.

[Opening his wallet, Thomas forks over a wad of bills. The delivery guy smiles and strides off.]

MN: PSYCHE! I ordered the steak during the commercial!

DT: ...I hate you.

MN: I know. Ain't it great?

DT: Gimme one of those fries.

MN: Hey! Fry thief!

DT: Mmm-mm, delicious. I suppose I should mention that Downunder Steakhouse is a proud sponsor of Empire Pro Wrestling.

MN: Shill.

DT: Advertising aside, this next match promises to be one to remember, folks! Four men battle for shots at two titles!

MN: Man! Jon Marx, Rocko Daymon, Cam Cruise, and Megatron himself, Troy Douglas.

DT: The Megatron gag was old two shows ago.

MN: Damn.

DT: There's a lot on the line tonight, with the winner of this match getting a World Title shot and the runner-up becoming number-one contender to the Intercontinental Title! Let's head to the ring!

TONY FATORA: Th' following contest is an elimination match! The winner will become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship! The runner-up will become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship!

[Cue up: "Headstrong" - Trapt. The crowd pops huge as Cameron Cruise strides down the ramp, slapping hands as he passes by with his valet Mercedes Devon close behind. Cruise vaults into the ring and poses in the center, setting off a few pyro explosions.]

TONY FATORA: Introducing first, from Jacksonville, North Carolina! He weighs in at two hundred and forty-nine pounds and is accompanied by Mercedes Devon! THISSS... ISSSS... CAMMMMMEROOOOOOOOOONNNN... CRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUISE!!!

[Cue up: "Kashmir" - Led Zeppelin, evoking another big face reaction as Troy Douglas makes his way to the ring.]

TONY FATORA: From Greensboro, North Carolina! He weighs in at two hundred and sixty pounds and is a multi-time Global Xtreme Wrestling Xtreme Champion! HERE IS TRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOY... DOUUUUUUUUUGLAAAAAAAAAASSSSS!!!

[Cue up: "Only Happy When It Rains" - Garbage. The fans boo profusely as Jonathan Marx makes his way to the ring, ignoring the reaction of the crowd.]

TONY FATORA: From Princeton, New Jersey! He weighs in at two hundred and fifteen pounds and is the FW Illustrated Rookie of the Year for 2003! HERE IS "GENTLEMAN"... JOOOOOONATHAAAAAAAAAAANN... MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARX!!!

[Rather than fading into another song and lightshow, the Empire Tron comes to life, revealing Paul Freeman sitting comfortably behind his desk.]

PF: I've got an announcement to make before this match begins, concerning the fourth man. Unfortunately, Rocko Daymon won't be appearing on tonight's Pay Per View. A few days ago, Daymon announced his retirement from professional wrestling. His match against Maelstrom a week ago at Aggression may be considered his last here at Empire Pro.

Daymon released this footage from the press conference to this office days ago...

[We fade to footage of Daymon sitting behind a table, flanked by his wife and doctor, before a large group of reporters.]

RD: Professional wrestling isn't like what it was in my hey-day; it's surpassed that. I feel I don't belong. So when I'm done with my match at Revolution... I'm done for good, people. I'm announcing my retirement.

[Edit, going to later in the conference.]

RD: ...I wouldn't call it "throwing in the towel". Quite simply, I think I've done this federation a service, and my time has gone on. It's time for me to stop dreaming about reclaiming my lost fame, and handing it over to someone else.

[Another edit. We cut to Rocko reacting to a question about Empire Pro asked by Pete Penzler of the FW Torch.]

PP: What about your match against Troy Douglas, Cameron Cruise, and Jonathan Marx at Empire Pro, scheduled at Black Dawn?

RD: Yeah, well... I considered going out that way, but then again, title shots are on the line in that kind of match. I honestly didn't want to interfere with the plans of any of the other wrestlers. If I won, what use would a title shot do to me, considering I'd have left the business? I sent my letter of resignation to Freeman the other night. He was sad to see me go, but he understood. As I understand it, he's looking for a substitute for that match... but I really don't know the details.

[Fade back to Paul Freeman.]

PF: Well... I think that pretty much spoke for itself. Fortunately, Empire Pro has recently been in talks with Rocko for employing him as a member of the corporate staff, so he may not be leaving professional wrestling altogether. But... as you might suspect, it left a spot open for tonight's match. I did a lot of thinking over who I thought I could bring in to make this match just as interesting and action packed as it would be with Rocko involved... if not more. Finally, someone approached me the other day...

This man had heard the story about Rocko's retirement... had a few things to say about it... and basically, he requested to take his spot tonight. By this man's reputation with his work in GWE, I knew I had an opportunity to present one hell of a match to you fans by putting him in Daymon's place.

Therefore, without further adieu, allow me to introduce Rocko Daymon's substitute here at Black Dawn...

[The lights dim, and the stage is illuminated with red lights.]

PF: Hailing from Global Wrestling Evolution for this one time guest appearance in Empire Pro...

["South of Heaven" by Slayer begins to play. Many members of the audience begin booing.]

PF: Please welcome.... CLLLAAAAAAAPPPPEEEEEEEERRRR!!!!

[With that, GWE's own Clapper steps out of the entrance, clad head to toe in black. The bald man smoking a cigarette and bearing trademark sunglasses comes out, bearing his long trench coat. He stands on the stage for many moments, looking over the booing EPW audience, and comes down the ramp. Upon reaching ringside, he takes off his coat and shades, throws his cigarette into the face of a fan in the front row, and rolls into the ring, looking over his opponents with a sinister grin.]

DT: Oh wow, it's Clapper!

MN: ...who?

DT: Mike, ya gotta start watching other promotions. Clapper can be deemed as one of the most dangerous man in Empire Pro, during this time. Recently, he's affiliated himself with Christian Sands in a stable... definitely one guy you don't want to tick off...

MN: ...and he's here, why now?

DT: Well, a year ago, Clapper was the man who put Rocko Daymon on the shelf after a brutal match. It's interesting to see him here now, taking that same man's spot. Also, Clapper and Douglas had a HELLISH match at GWE's Battleground Britain not long ago. Clapper ended up winning after Douglas passed out from the pain, unwilling to give up. Clapper even HANDED OVER the X-treme Title after that match, respectful of Douglas' efforts...

MN: So there's a history between Douglas and Clapper?

DT: Yep. It looks like Clapper is just a thorn in Troy Douglas' side. It's going to be interesting how these two treat each other in this match.

[The bell rings. Immediately, Cruise and Marx advance on eachother and start laying in heavy blows. With the other two occupied, Clapper and Douglas take each other on, going toe to toe. It doesn't take long for both Marx and Clapper to take control of their respective opponents.]

DT: The bell rings, and here we go! Cruise and Marx taking no time to go after each other, and Douglas and Clapper are left to themselves!

MN: My money's on Cruise for this match...

DT: Really? Why so?

MN: Cause the guy's got balls!

[Marx pressures Cruise into a corner as Clapper floors Douglas onto the mat with a sweeping chop. Clapper grins sadistically as he begins working into Troy's chest with a series of heavy stomps from his black workboots. But he's suddenly surprised as Douglas catches on stiff blow and tugs Clapper down to his feet. The man in black falls onto his back, but before he can react, Douglas sets him into a side leglock. Clapper's face tightens in pain, but he shows no signs of panic.]

MN: Douglas with Clapper in a leglock... and Clapper is surprisingly taking it well!

DT: He's not a man who gets hurt easily... but look here in the corner, as Marx lays into Cameron Cruise with a barrage of punches!!

[The referee, distracted with the submission hold applied on Clapper, fails to see Marx resort to blatantly closed fists against Cameron Cruise's face. Cruise scales the second set of ropes, continuing the salvo of blows. Cruise, unable to take the beating any longer, pitches forward and brings Marx down with a powerful spinebuster! The referee's attention is suddenly divided as he sees Cruise roll over Marx. He goes to make the cover.]

DT: First cover in the match... One... two... NO!! Marx with an easy kickout...

MN: It's still too early, but don't worry... Cameron's got this in his pocket.

DT: Wait, what's Clapper doing!

[To get out of the leglock, Clapper finds Douglas' foot and gives it a twist to put some pressure on the ankle. Reacting to the pain, Douglas loosens the hold, and Clapper manages to wiggle out. Both men come to their feet at the same time. Clapper goes for a clothesline--which is immediately ducked by Douglas. Instead, Clapper runs into Cameron Cruise, who sweeps Clapper to the floor with his own lariat. He has only a moment to celebrate, however, as Troy Douglas puts HIM to the ground with a running clothesline! Surprisingly, just as he turns around to continue the offense, Jonathan Marx, on his knees behind him, hits him with a low blow out of nowhere! Marx capitalizes by coming to his feet and going for a German Suplex that rocks the ring!]

DT: WHOA!! Successive clotheslines, capped off with a German Suplex by Jonathan Marx!

MN: THAT... was crazy!

DT: It sure was... this is obviously a high velocity match. These four men both want those designated title shots... well, maybe with the exception of Clapper, who is probably just here for the game. But the determination of the other three is apparent from what we're seeing here tonight.

[Marx comes to his feet, looking around and plotting his next move. He then catches sight of Clapper coming back to his feet. Marx advances and hits the recovering opponent with an overhead rabbit punch, putting Clapper back down on both knees. Clapper reacts by going for the legs, attempting to sweep Marx to the mat. But "The Gentlemen" quickly keeps control by grabbing Clapper around the waist. Clapper tries to bull him into the corner, but Marx quickly performs a standing sunset flip, much to the amazement of the crowd, and rolls Clapper up for a quick pin.]

MN: There's Marx with the cover!

DT: One!

Twooooo...