(NOTE: Off Camera....)

Knock.

No answer.

Knock knock.

Still no answer.

Foxx stood there a moment. Karl had said he'd meet her outside his locker-room after they'd showered. She'd even hurried her shower so she wouldn't be keeping him waiting, but he was nowhere to be seen. She knew this was his locker-room - it even had his name on it. "One of the perks of having a title," he'd joked to her once at the gym. But here she was, her hair still damp, and he was nowhere to be seen.

What could be taking so long? He couldn't use the "I was washing my hair" excuse. She stood, arms crossed, staring at the door. Should she knock again? The techie she'd asked a few moments ago said he hadn't seen Karl leave the room. She tapped her fingers on her own arm.

"Men!" she would have exclaimed if she was that way inclined. Since she was not, she rapped her knuckle against the wooden door again, the sound echoing with a hollow resonance. And she waited.

And waited.

"Jeez..." she almost fumed to herself "What's taking him so long?" She reached out, placing her hand on the handle before speaking up a bit. "I'm coming in."

She found herself quickly in the locker-room, casting her eye first this way, then that way. On a table near the door was a small stereo, playing a CD of heavy metal - what it was she couldn't say straight away. It wasn't turned up too loud, so that can't have been why Karl hadn't replied. On the wall next to the door was one of three benches in the room, bare. Just then, she heard the sound of running water - was he still in the shower?!

She continued looking around the room, moving further in. He wouldn't mind, she murmured to herself, as she moved unconsciously towards the bench on the opposite wall. There, laid out, was a pair of jeans, on top of a white T-shirt, and other odds and ends. Next to this neat pile, was Karl's gym-bag, a book - the Dalai Lama's "Little Book of Wisdom" - clearly visible. Also on top of the bag, glistening and polished, she spotted the Empire Pro Wrestling Intercontinental Championship belt, and a bottle of water. She paused for a few moments, admiring the belt where it lay - despite training with him recently, Karl had not taken the belt with him. "I normally leave it at home," he told her, "when I don't have a match. Better someone can admire it than it sits in a bag going across the country."

There was something curious about the way the light glistened off it. Without really thinking, she picked the belt out of the bag, holding it carefully. She'd seen the TV title often enough, but this was the closest she'd been to the Intercontinental. She stood straight, looking straight at the main medallion, and didn't hear the water suddenly stopping.

"You can have it if you want."

She started, dropping the belt slightly. As she turned, she saw Karl standing there, a white towel wrapped around his waist, with another across his shoulders. His hair was messed up, and looked slightly damp still - he'd obviously just dried it with a towel. He smiled slightly, his hands on his hips.

"No, thanks," Foxx said, returning the belt to the top of the bag. "Not until I've earned it, anyways."

"That long, eh?" He laughed. She laughed too, politely; though she wasn't too concerned with titles, it did sting a little that she'd not been able to at least get her hands on the TV title in her numerous attempts. She had, after all, been the constant in the hunt for the title.

"Well, we can't all be great like you."

"Great?" He laughed again, moving over to the bench and sitting down. "It took me over two years to win anything. I was pretty much the perennial runner-up."

"Yeah," she interrupted. "But that was normally for the World Titles, right?"

He paused for a moment, remembering his early career. Second place in MCW's World Title tournament, NWL's World Title tournament, third in the Natural Selection in 2004, quarter-finalist in Empire Pro's World Title tournament - he had a lot of World Title opportunities early on.

"The difference there, between me and you," he said, calmly, "is I was in companies when they started. You're probably doing better than I was at the same stage."

"Thanks," she smiled politely. "But... I dunno, something's missing. I don't seem to be going anywhere, like I've already peaked."

"Nowhere near," he smiled, standing again, and instinctively giving her a hug. She returned it, wrapping her slender arms around his chest.

Thank you, she thought.

Pulling back, he stepped back as well, looking at his friend. She spoke softly; "Go on, be honest. I suck, right?"

"Nope," he replied, without a hint of a lie. "You just make mistakes, like everyone does. I mean, you pinned Karla Starr, had Shawn Hart down for the three count, pinned Troy Douglas - when you hit your stride, there aren't many people better. But..." he thought a moment if he could put it tactfully. Probably not. "You don't hit your stride when you need to."

"Hm?"

"What I mean is," he sat back down, reaching into his gym-bag and pulling out a bottle of water. "You make a lot of mistakes, and the caliber of people here means more often than not they punish you for it."

"So I'm not as good as you say?" she grinned; now she had him.

"I didn't say that," he took a swig from the bottle. "You just aren't consistent enough. I dunno, maybe you haven't had a big enough challenge."

"And what would a big enough challenge be?"

He thought about it for a second. A second too long as it turned out, as she interrupted. "You, maybe?"

"If you want," he shrugged with his voice. He'd never really cared who he faced on any given card anyways. "You're going to say you've already had it booked, aren't you?"

"No!" she started. "I only did that to be sure for tonight, I told ya I could've changed it."

"I'm kidding," he said, smiling. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Great! I'll go talk to Paul." She turned, starting to the door, so didn't notice Karl looking at his title belt.

"Hold up a second."

"Yeah?" She looked puzzled.

"I'll go talk to him," he replied. "I wanna let him know I agree to it being a title match."

"You what?" She spluttered. She hadn't thought of that - a match for the Intercontinental Title that he'd held for fast approaching two years!

"I think you've earned it," he said, grabbing hold of his belt. "But... I won't go easy on you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

(CUTTO: A large chain lying in the center of the ring. Wrapped around the chain are layers and layers of barbwire. On each end of the chain is a handcuff. The referee checks the chain and the cuffs to make sure everything is in working order. CUTTO: Announce booth.)

GHEORGHE: “We want to welcome you back from that incredible Empire Pro Television Championship match between James Irish and Shawn Hart, who remains the TV Champion for now … but you know that Hart will need to make sure to get tons of R&R for tomorrow night’s main event when he’s set for another battle against five of New ERA’s biggest stars for the New ERA World Heavyweight Championship.”

JULIUS: “But look in the ring right now, Gheorghe .. the PRODIGY© Classic Xtreme Championship is about to be put on the line .. and the champ, Chaos, doesn’t even know who he’s facing.”

GHEORGHE: “Well .. whoever it was has a history with Chaos .. saying he forgave him .. but wouldn’t forget…”

JIVE: “I can tell you .. after this match … whoever it is won’t soon forget the beating he’s going to take. And he’ll have the scars from the barbwire to keep as a souvenir.”

(CUTTO: Ringside. Carl Jacobs steps forward as the lineup is “scratched” on screen.)

JACOBS: “Ladies and gentlemen .. the following match is scheduled for one fall .. and is for the PRODIGY© CLASSIC XTREME CHAMPIONSHIP! … This match … is a BARBWIRE CHAIN MATCH! Both competitors will be connected at one wrist by handcuffs to a metal chain .. which has been wrapped in BARBWIRE! Introducing first… the challenger..”

GHEORGHE: “Who is it? Who is the man that gave Chaos the doves … and said earlier that he’s going to take the P©X division and turn it on its head?”

(CUEUP: “Anthem for the Year 2000” by Silverchair. The lights go down and the big screens “EXPLODE” … or at least the images do.. on the left hand big screen, the word “TOTAL” comes into view as the dust settles … where on the right, the word “CARNAGE” does the same. A HUGE EXPLOSION goes off in the middle of the platform and stepping through the smoke is tonight’s challenger.)

JACOBS: “He stands six foot five .. and weighs in at 283 pounds …. hailing from Sarasota, Florida …. TOTAL CARNAGE …….. TREVOR … CANE!”

(Cane starts walking down the rampway and he finally becomes much more visible. But gone is the Trevor Cane we once knew .. in his place stands a man who is much more muscular. His tights are blue and gold and have “TC” written on the back in a destroyed-looking font.)

GHEORGHE: “TREVOR CANE IS BACK IN NEW ERA!”

JULIUS: “Jesus Christ! Look at the man! He gained twenty pounds of pure muscle it looks like!”

JIVE: “Chaos hasn’t faced anyone nearly this big I don’t think .. he’s been facing MWG and John Doe amongst others … but Trevor Cane seriously looks like a much bigger threat than, I think, ever before!”

GHEORGHE: “Cane with a new attitude to boot! Look at the intensity in his eyes .. he looks like he could do some Total Carnage here tonight at WrestleSTOCK!”

(CUEUP: “You Could Be Mine” by Guns n’ Roses. The crowd immediately begins to jeer as random fireworks shoot up around the arena. A flashbomb goes off on the rampway briefly illuminating it. Chaos storms through the curtain, the P©X Championship hanging by his side in his hand.)

JACOBS: “And his opponent … he stands seven feet tall and weighs 305 pounds .. hailing from Las Vegas, Nevada … he is the current PRODIGY© CLASSIC XTREME CHAMPION ….. CHAOS!”

GHEORGHE: “And Chaos doesn’t look too pleased to be looking across the ring at the man who caused him to lose the P©X Championship to MWG … and even though he technically got his revenge already .. you know he’d love to send Trevor Cane packing once more!”

JIVE: “The referee explaining the rules to both men .. and look at the sneer on Trevor Cane’s face!”

(SFX: Bell rings.)

JULIUS: “And Cane wastes no time driving the chain and the barbwire in the face of the champion!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos wasn’t ready for it .. and he just got a face full of barbwire! Trevor Cane rakes it across the face .. and now he is popping the champion in the jaw with some hard right fists!”

JIVE: “The Trevor Cane we used to know used to be methodical .. wearing down his opponents .. but this roided up Trevor Cane … he’s taking it to Chaos early!”

GHEORGHE: “Cane continuing with the attack as he drops Chaos to the mat with a vicious forearm to the head … and now he’s placing the knee right on the throat of the P©X champion!”

JULIUS: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Chaos taken to the mat this quickly in a match .. he’s definitely been caught off guard .. but you know that with Chaos he’s going to recover … and that’s never a good thing for his opponents.”

GHEORGHE: “Cane now takes the chain .. AND WHIPS IT HARD AGAINST THE CHEST OF CHAOS! The barbwire caught .. and you can see the drops of blood beginning to form!”

JIVE: “I hope both administrations have a fresh ring apron .. because this one is about to be christened!”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane now placing the chain across the throat of Chaos .. by God .. what is he going to do? Cane … CANE DROPS THE LEG ON TOP OF THE CHAIN!”

JULIUS: “And he just hurt himself in the process … but Chaos with scratches across the throat.. there better be a medical team on hand after this match is over with!”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane stands and he looks to be limping slightly as he grabs Chaos and starts to bring him to his feet. Cane now with the big man .. he hooks the head .. and hits the swinging neckbreaker!”

JIVE: “Cane actually injecting some wrestling into this match .. if I were him, I’d just continue ripping bits of Chaos’ flesh out with the chain!”

JULIUS: “Chaos in a situation he’s not used to .. he hasn’t been able to get an inch of offense in this match thus far.”

GHEORGHE: “Cane with Chaos … he grabs the chain .. and yanks Chaos forward! Chaos coming at Cane .. and he sends Chaos to the mat with the drop toe hold! Cane floats over the top .. AND HE HAS THE CHAIN AROUND THE NECK OF THE CHAMPION! He is pulling back on it … and that barbwire has nowhere else to go but into the skin of the P©X champ!”

JIVE: “And Chaos reacting .. he just raked the eyes of Cane! Cane disoriented for a second, and that’s all Chaos needed as he tossed “Total Carnage” off him!”

GHEORGHE: “Cane trying to get his vision back … and the big man is getting to his feet … and look at how red his throat is! That barbwire didn’t seem to do any more damage, but it sure irritated his neck.”

JULIUS: “Not as much as it irritated Chaos himself, though.. the champion grabs Cane by the head of the hair … and he locks on a choke hold!”

JIVE: “There are no disqualifications in P©X division matches … and Chaos could literally choke the life out of Cane and there’d be no reprimand .. besides from the legal system maybe..”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos positions himself … and he hoists Cane high over his head!! Chaos with a HUGE bodyslam … and now he’s wrapping the chain around his elbow!”

JULIUS: “These guys putting their own body on the line to try to inflict as much damage on their opponent as humanly possible.”

GHEORGHE: “AND CHAOS DROPS THE ELBOW RIGHT INTO THE STERNUM OF TREVOR CANE! Cane shoots up in pain … and Chaos quick to rip his arm out from the barbwire! The PRODIGY© Classic Xtreme champion’s elbow is starting to drip blood … as is Cane’s chest … and now Chaos slams the chain down repeatedly on the chest of “Total Carnage” Trevor Cane!”

JIVE: “That chain must weigh six to seven pounds by itself …”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos now placing his boot in the .. armpit of Trevor Cane … AND HE STARTS YANKING ON THE END OF THE CHAIN! Chaos is trying to dislocate the shoulder of Trevor Cane!”

JULIUS: “Smart move! Whoever said Chaos was a big, dumb ogre must have been on something!”

JIVE: “Haven’t you called him that in the past?”

JULIUS: “Shut it!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos continuing to pull on the chain … Trevor Cane now trying to sit up .. no! He’s going for the leg …. TREVOR CANE IS BITING CHAOS’ LEG! Chaos releases the chain .. AND HE BOOTS CANE RIGHT IN THE FACE!”

JULIUS: “The field goal … is good!”

GHEORGHE: “Cane now bleeding from the nose .. Chaos could have broken it!”

JIVE: “I’m sure Trevor Cane will take a bloody nose over a dislocated shoulder right now ..”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos grabs Cane and yanks him to the feet via the chain .. and now he locks his hand around the throat … Trevor Cane trying to fight Chaos off … BUT CHAOS LIFTS HIM HIGH IN THE AIR ………… AND DROPS HIM WITH THE CHOKESLAM! Chaos with the cover …. ONE …………. TWO ……….. THREE-NOOOOOOOOO!”

JULIUS: “Trevor Cane still has fight left in him .. and you can bet that Chaos is secretly happy that Cane kicked out. Getting the pinfall is just the formality .. but the beating would happen either way!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos down on one knee as he places it in between the shoulder blades of a sitting Cane .. and now Chaos grabs the arms of “Total Carnage” … and he is trying to stretch them backwards! I don’t think the arms are supposed to go that far … but Chaos sure is trying!”

JULIUS: “Cane bulked up in his time away from the ring .. and if Chaos continually works over the arms and shoulders, Cane won’t be able to use any of that newfound strength in this match .. and without that .. he’s a sitting duck.”

JIVE: “I think Cane, just by being himself, is already a sitting duck to Chaos.”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos already sent Cane out of commission once .. and you know there’s nothing he would love more right now than to do it again .. and this time do it permanently.”

JULIUS: “I’m still impressed with Cane’s newfound physique .. and his new drive that we saw earlier in this match.. it still remains to be seen whether he can bounce back now that Chaos has taken control of the match.”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos releases the hold on Cane and brings him to his feet .. Chaos grabs some of the chain slack .. and whips Cane across the back with it! Cane drops to a knee … AND CHAOS WITH A SECOND SHOT! AND A THIRD! Trevor Cane now on both knees as he heads for the ropes!”

JIVE: “Cane trying to get to the ropes .. but even if he gets there, the referee won’t do anything about it!”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane now standing by the ropes as Chaos wraps the chain around his arm … AND CHAOS CHARGES IN …………… BUT CANE DROPS DOWN AND BACK BODY DROPS THE CHAMPION OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE ARENA FLOOR!”

(SFX: CROWD POPS HUGE!)

GHEORGHE: “But the chain ran out of slack … AND CANE JUST GOT YANKED OVER THE TOP ROPE RIGHT AFTER HIM!”

JULIUS: “Cane had the right idea … just turns out that the momentum of Chaos, and the fact he wrapped some of the chain around his arm, meant that there wasn’t enough slack … and Cane ended up being pulled out of the ring rather unceremoniously.”

JIVE: “And Cane … he just grabbed his arm and is yanking on it .. I think that actually caused his shoulder to dislocate!”

JULIUS: “With the help of Chaos’ attempts earlier most likely.”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane is lying next to the P©X champion on the arena floor .. and is trying his hardest to jam his shoulder back into place .. but he’s not having much success … he’s looking very worse for wear right now.”

JULIUS: “You try being in a barbwire chain match with Chaos .. hell, try being in ANY match with Chaos, and tell me you’d be singing show tunes..”

GHEORGHE: “I doubt I would be singing show tunes ..”

JULIUS: “You’re right, I’m sorry .. Jive’s the one who loves show tunes..”

JIVE: “HEY!”

GHEORGHE: “Ha, ha! Trevor Cane finally looks to have popped his shoulder back into place … but he took a pretty hard spill himself .. and both men are still on the arena floor!”

JULIUS: “Chaos has had a stranglehold on the PRODIGY© Classic Xtreme Championship .. the only three time New ERA champion in ANY division …”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane finally back to his feet as Chaos starts getting to his knees … Cane now wrapping the chain around his arm again .. not sure I’d do that considering he just had to pop his shoulder back into place…”

JIVE: “Cane knows what he’s doing … I hope.”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos on one knee now as Cane charges towards the apron … Cane slides underneath the ropes .. and out to the other side .. AND HE YANKS CHAOS INTO THE STEEL POST!”

JULIUS: “Cane using the momentum there .. and now he’s coming back towards the champion!”

GHEORGHE: “Cane bringing the barbwire chain with him .. and he walks around the champ .. and slides back in the ring … and back out …. and he’s doing it again!”

JIVE: “He’s trying to tie Chaos to the ringpost!”

GHEORGHE: “That barbwire chain getting tighter and tighter across the chest of Chaos … AND NOW CANE GOES INTO THE RING …. AND PUTS BOTH BOOTS ON THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE AS HE STARTS PULLING BACK ON THE CHAIN!”

JULIUS: “He’s trying to cut Chaos in two!”

GHEORGHE: “The barbwire is digging DEEP into the chest of the P©X champion … and the champ’s chest is starting to bleed… or rather, starting to gush!”

JIVE: “Maybe Cane thinks he’d have a better shot at taking the P©X Championship if he only fought Chaos’ upper body …”

(SFX: A loud “roar.”)

GHEORGHE: “OH … MY … GOD!”

(SFX: FANS POP HUGE!)

GHEORGHE: “THE PRODIGY© CLASSIC XTREME CHAMPION JUST YANKED ON THE CHAIN ……… AND SENT TREVOR CANE FLIPPING OVER THE TOP TURNBUCKLE …….. AND CRASHING THROUGH THE TABLE THAT THE TITLE WAS RESTING ON!!”

JIVE: “Cane is out cold!!”

JULIUS: “Chaos loosened up some of the chain … and now he’s dragging Cane’s body towards him! Chaos grabs Cane … and he starts rolling him through the ring … and again! … Chaos is free!”

GHEORGHE: “Trevor Cane might need to take another half year sabbatical after this match! I can’t believe this! Where did Chaos get the strength?!”

JIVE: “Look at Chaos’ eyes! They’re about as red as his chest .. and his back … and his neck!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos grabs Trevor Cane … AND WHIPS HIM ACROSS THE HEAD WITH THE CHAIN! The champion now grabbing “Total Carnage” … and he rolls him into the ring … and Chaos is getting in there with him!”

JULIUS: “It might have been a nice ride for Cane so far tonight … but I think he drove Chaos to the breaking point.”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos picking up the limp Cane … he sets Cane up .. and now he tucks the chain in between his legs as he grabs the arm …”

JIVE: “Oh boy .. this pumphandle slam is going to hurt more than just Cane’s lower back…”

GHEORGHE: “AND CHAOS WITH THE PUMPHANDLE SLAM!! That barbwire chain ripping some of the cloth off Cane’s tights … and who knows what else underneath!”

JULIUS: “He’s calling for it! Chaos is calling for the end of the match!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos dragging Cane’s body over to the corner with the chain .. and now he picks him up … Chaos places Trevor Cane on the top rope …”

JIVE: “Chaos follows him up … but what is he doing?!”

GHEORGHE: “CHAOS IS WRAPPING SOME OF THE SLACK AROUND THE TORSO OF CANE!”

JULIUS: “He’s going to Chaosbomb him … right onto the barbwire chain! He’s going to break his back!”

GHEORGHE: “Chaos places the head in between his legs ….. and he lifts his arms HIIIIIIGH in the air!”

(SFX: FANS POP SPASTICALLY!)

GHEORGHE: “CHAOSBOMB! CHAOSBOMB ONTO THE BARBWIRE CHAIN!!”

JIVE: “Chaos with the cover….. ONE …………….. TWO …………. THREE!! HE DID IT!! CHAOS RETAINS!”

(CUEUP: “You Could Be Mine” by Guns n’ Roses. The referee walks over to Chaos who is still lying on the mat!)

GHEORGHE: “Chaos comes out victorious here at WrestleSTOCK … and what a hellacious battle between those two … something tells me that this thing isn’t quite over … Trevor Cane looked like he had a new purpose here in New ERA .. and while he may not have succeeded tonight … there’s still a bright future for him now.”

JULIUS: “That is if he doesn’t end up in a wheelchair tomorrow!”

NEXT