time: tuesday evening

day: june twenty fourth

place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence.

(Cloudy. Windy. That about describes the atmosphere here in Bermuda. The skies are darker than usual. But, what's not unusual is that I'm outside on the patio with a videocamera in my hand. I hit record.)

Matthew Engel:"Answers. That's what some people are looking for right now. But, I suppose certain individuals like to answer their own questions. Jamie, quite obviously I'm not going to let you get away with what happened last week on Rampage. You disrupted a high-caliber match and now you've got yourself a match with me at A Farewell to Arms. Fitting indeed.

What happens when you lose, Jamie? Are you going to be as stupid as my opponent this week to put your career on the line? I hope not.

Blood is thicker than water. I talked to my brother, the Commissioner, about what happened on Rampage. He knows that putting us in the ring against each other would overshadow any McNasty-Phoenix been there and done that match. And, yes, for those of you keeping score at home, my Intercontinental title will be on the line. I don't care about what kind of match it is. You can decide that on your own, you're a big boy. No disqualification, best of three, street fight, cage, battledome, whatever you want. Any match that lets us beat the shit out of each other, I will agree to it.

I'm putting an end to this. I'm tying up loose ends. Jamie, when I destroy you at A Farewell to Arms, you're going to regret leaving that hospital bed."

(I've got a list of demands.)

Matthew Engel: "I don't know what Lex Demise is thinking when he asks me to abandon my family and the Masters to become his apprentice. Alex, I will never, ever join you. I can appreciate that at one time in your life you had a family and you were human, but those days are history.

So, if you take my family away from me, so help me God I will write the final chapter of your life."

(Cold.)

Matthew Engel:"Speaking of final chapters, my opponent this week as I stated earlier has put his career on the line against Mark McNasty for the World Title. Rob, are you kidding me? People talk about the most cliche moves in wrestling industry, and you just pulled a top five. Why even bother? There's nothing more embarrassing than being forced to retire at the hands of the former Intercontinental Champion known as Mark McNasty.

But, you're confident. You believe you can beat him, even though the past two times you haven't. I just don't see the point of ending a great career like this. I really don't. You're right, I have no faith in you. So far in this iteration of Pioneer Wrestling, you've amounted to absolutely nothing except a second-rate Grizzly Beer title reign. You're struggling to stay above three hundred in your winning percentage, and that tool Mark has bested you two times.

I'm not saying you shouldn't give up. I think you should thrown in the towel. But you need to do it on your own terms. We'll have a grand retirement party for you and you can go out like a true warrior, instead of being forced to by someone who wasn't around when you were at the top of the PWA world.

This may sound harsh, but I'm just speaking my opinion. Take it for what it's worth, as I'm sure you don't put much value in it. And why should you? I wasn't around when you were at the top of your game either. The Commish, my brother, he was. He's told me things. I know that you were great and I know the second you announce retirement, people will automatically be politicking to have you in the PWA Hall of Fame. And this isn't including what you've done for the PWA outside of being a wrestler.

I have respect for you, there's no doubt. But, sometimes people don't know when to quit when they've reached a point where they're no longer superior. It's possible you're at that point, considering you're demanding that your career be on the line against a man who has beaten you twice. It sounds like, subconsciously, you're asking to be put away. You're asking to be retired, because you don't want to do this anymore. You don't care, and you're sick of losing and tainting your awesome career.

It's completely understandable.

I know you'll get a good laugh from this and you'll tell me how foolish I am. You'll play your denial role and you'll make people believe that you're very confident about winning the World Title. But, you won't fool me.

And I'll prove that this week. To you, in terms of the PWA, I'm nothing. I had a two week reign as World Tag Team Champion, and I'm finishing my second week as Intercontinental Champion. You weren't around for my domination in the AOWF, much like I wasn't around for your domination here in the PWA years ago. But we're in your backyard, and I understand that.

I just hope you don't take it personally when I drop you on your fucking head."

(I let out a smirk.)

Matthew Engel:"So we'll fight and we'll see just who the 'better man' is that night. If I win, you'll complain about a fast count, or an illegal hold. Something like that. If I lose, you'll tell everyone just how serious you are and that Mark doesn't stand a chance. My response will be the same either way: I'm still better than you.

Yeah, win or lose, I know I'm still better than you. Six years ago, probably not. I'll give you that. But, right here and now? Yes, I am better than you, and there's not much you can do to prove it otherwise. Let's face it, you won't be winning that World Title.

Mark is holding it for me. The inevitable fall of Mark McNasty will be at my hands, and you would've seen an excellent preview last week if it wasn't for Jamie Flynn. Your time is coming to an end, and fighting me this week will just be another bump in the road, but it'll be a bump that knocks off your front bumper before you hit that wall at A Farewell to Arms.

Take that for what it's worth. I'm done here.

I do not forgive.

I do not forget.

Fate is your enemy."

(fade.)