(FADEIN: The lockeroom of New ERA President Marcus LaRoque. LaRoque is sitting in his chair, looking tense. Vice President Juliet Marceau is standing behind him, her arms crossed. All of a sudden there is a loud noise at his door, causing him to jump. The door flies open and Jason Payne stands there restrained by two security guards.)
PAYNE: “Get off me!”
LaROQUE: “It’s okay. You can let him in.”
(The security guards release Payne, whose eyes are wide. He throws off one of the guards and storms into the lockerroom, slamming the door behind him.)
LaROQUE: “What is the meaning of this? You cannot just barg…”
PAYNE: “Shove the speech, LaRoque.”
(LaRoque stiffens. Juliet Marceau glares at Payne.)
PAYNE: “You too.”
(She looks shocked.)
PAYNE: “This match tonight just isn’t going to work.”
(LaRoque looks puzzled.)
LaROQUE: “What??”
PAYNE: “We already saw what happened when that punk MWG and I wrestled in a standard match. I want that Television championship .. and I don’t want any more fuckups by your referees.”
(Payne rings his hands.)
PAYNE: “I want this match to have a no count out, no disqualification stipulation..”
(LaRoque waves his hands.)
LaROQUE: “You’ll wrestle for the championship in a regular match, Jason. That’s what we’ve advertised for, and that’s what it’ll be.”
(As soon as he finishes his sentence, Payne practically jumps over his desk and grabs him by the collar of his shirt, lifting him out of his seat. Juliet Marceau makes a b-line for the door.)
PAYNE: “I WOULDN’T DO THAT!”
(Marceau stops.)
PAYNE: “You WILL make this match no dq, no count out..”
(Payne releases LaRoque’s collar, and straightens it for him as he laughs. LaRoque looks stirred.)
LaROQUE: “Well … if it means that much to you … (gulps) I guess I can make the change…”
(The lockerroom door opens… standing there is MWG!!)
LaROQUE: “What the .. where is my security??”
(Following MWG into the room is Krist Blue followed by the security guards who have lipstick marks on their cheeks.)
SECURITY1: “Sorry, Mr. LaRoque…”
(LaRoque sighs…)
MWG: “I thought something was going down… what is he doing here?”
PAYNE: “I’ve just got our esteemed President here to change our match to a no disqualification, no count out match .. that championship that should be mine WILL be after tonight!”
(MWG looks at Jason Payne and smiles. He then turns to Marcus LaRoque.)
MWG: “If I may, being the champion before the championship withheld, I’ve got a request. And surely if you grant his, you can grant mine.”
(LaRoque covers his groin with his hands.)
LaROQUE: “What do you want?”
(MWG winks.)
MWG: “I ain't throwing down in no sally prissy pants hardcore match... If this is gonna be anything, it's gonna be a BLOOD FRENZY DANCE PARTY DEATH MATCH! My homegirl DJ Kay Hole had her thing downtown canceled tonight, so instead, while I'm making you my whore Jason, she's gonna spin the best of New Wave, Disco, and maybe some jungle or some top 40, depending on if she takes her medication or not.
(MWG cracks a smile.)
MWG: “Tonight, JayPay, while the rest of us are GITIN' DOOOOOOWWWWNNNN.... You're just gonna go down… ON ME!! (cackles) Oral sex!!!!! You see!?!?!?! Ah, good times.”
(MWG and Blue turn and leave the lockerroom. Jason Payne’s eyes widen again and he turns to LaRoque and grabs him by the shirt again. As he’s ready to do more, the security come into the room and grab him, restraining him.)
PAYNE: “I’M GOING TO …”
(LaRoque, seeing Payne restrained, loosens for the first time since this whole thing started.)
LaROQUE: “As the former champion he has the right to agree and change the match… you get your no DQ, no count out .. now please .. take him out!”
(They start to take Jason Payne out .. he struggles the entire time cursing at them.)
LaROQUE: “Oh .. and guys, tell your boss to send some replacements .. I can’t be disturbed again.”
(The lockerroom door shuts. Juliet Marceau looks at Marcus LaRoque.)
MARCEAU: "What the fuck was that all about?"
(CUTTO: Ringside.)
JIVE: “A what match?!”
GHEORGHE: “MWG just turned that hardcore match that Jason Payne requested into … a .. let me see if I can say this correctly … Blood Frenzy Dance Party Death match!”
JIVE: “Well as the former champion before Jason Payne went and ruined his championship reign, I think he’s enchampionshipd to it!”
GHEORGHE: “I’m still unsure of the exact rules of the match .. but if MWG came up with it, then I’m sure as hell scared for Jason Payne..”
JIVE: “Payne doesn’t seem quite all their himself, Gheorghe … so I think that about evens it!”
GHEORGHE: “Ladies and gentlemen … We are now ready for our second match of the evening .. and after the events of our opening bout, who knows what the hell is going to happen!”
JIVE: “The Phantom Republican knows what he’s doing, and that was part of his campaign strategy .. yea, that’s it..”
GHEORGHE: “Well we’ve never seen Nick Elliot in action .. so this will be everyone’s first view of him as he takes on Moralis Candoom.”
JIVE: “Candoom’s gotta get his feet settled here.. after losing to Mark Matix he doesn’t want to get in a slump this early in his New ERA career..”
GHEORGHE: “Let’s go to Carl Jacobs to get this match underway!”
(CUTTO: Jacobs in the ring. He fixes his bowtie as he looks up at the entranceway. The lineup for this match blows on screen.)
JACOBS: “The following match is scheduled for ONE FALL and has a thirty minute time limit!! Introducing first ….”
(CUEUP: ‘Don’t You Wish You Were Me?’ by Fozzy. We hear the loud revving of an engine as fireworks go off on the rampway. The fans pop as Moralis Candoom peels out from behind the curtain on a four wheeler and wheelies down the rampway! Amanda Cagle follows behind him on foot.)
JACOBS: “He stands six foot two and weighs 229 pounds …. Being led to the ring by his manager AMANDA CAGLE ….. MORALIS CANDOOM!!!”
JIVE: “Is he going to ride that thing down to the ring EVERY match?”
GHEORGHE: “The fans seem to like it!”
JIVE: “Yea, well .. if we gave the fans everything they liked, we’d be out of business by now!”
(CUEUP: ‘State of Love and Trust’ by PearlJam. Nick Elliot walks through the curtain along with his wife Carey and Owen. The three slap hands with the fans as they get to the ring. Once at the ring steps Elliot takes off his ‘Temple of the Dog’ t-shirt and hands it to Owen before giving Carey a quick kiss.)
JACOBS: “And his opponent.. led to the ring by Carey Elliot and Owen … he stands five foot ten and weighs 217 pounds …. From Hazel Crest, Illinois ….. ‘the MAN of the HOUR’ NICK ELLIOT!!!”
(SFX: Bell rings.)
JIVE: “Wait a minute, I think I can get into this match…”
GHEORGHE: “I told you these two men would be able to put on a show for these fans here…”
JIVE: “What the hell are you talking about? I’m talking about Carey… I could sure get into he…”
GHEORGHE: “FOCUS ON THE MATCH, WILL YOU?”
JIVE: “Jeez..”
GHEORGHE: “The referee telling both men to put on a clean match … and now he’s given them the signal to go at it. Elliot walking around the ring trying to get a read on Moralis Candoom … and Candoom is saying something to him..”
JIVE: “Probably asking him how an guy like him could get such a hot piece of as…”
GHEORGHE: “That’s NOT what he’s saying… Elliot coming forward now .. and they lock up in the middle of the ring! Candoom quickly breaks the tie up and sends Elliot into the ropes … Elliot on the return, and he hops over Candoom who put his head down! Elliot stops quickly, turns around, AND LEVELS CANDOOM WITH A DROPKICK! Moralis Candoom quickly back to his feet and Elliot grabs him by the arm …. AND HIPTOSSES HIM BACK TO THE MAT! Nick Elliot has gotten off to a quick start here in his debut match!”
JIVE: “They all start off quick, Tom .. but eventually they crack.. one mistake .. then another .. and next thing you know they’re stumbling over their own feet.”
GHEORGHE: “Candoom gets back to his feet and backs off … he heads to the corner to collect his thoughts..”
JIVE: “Jesus, we’ll be here forever!”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot follows him in … and Candoom jumps around and kicks Elliot in the gut! Moralis Candoom tosses Nick Elliot into the corner and now he is barraging him with left hands! NO! Elliot reverses it and now Candoom is in the corner! Nick Elliot with European uppercuts …. And now he drives the knee into the gut of Candoom …. Elliot grabs the head … AND BULLDOGS MORALIS CANDOOM OUT OF THE CORNER!”
JIVE: “The fans seem to be behind this Elliot character .. I know I’d love to be behind his wife…”
GHEORGHE: “You know .. knowing that the triple threat match to name a #1 contender for the Women’s championship is next really scares me..”
JIVE: “It excites me!”
GHEORGHE: “That’s why I’m scared… Elliot grabbing the legs of Candoom… he hoists him up to rest on his knees … AND HE FALLS BACK CATAPULTING CANDOOM HEAD FIRST INTO THE BOTTOM TURNBUCKLE! Elliot kips up and now he pulls Candoom out of the corner for the pin attempt …. ONE …….. TWO—KICKOUT!”
JIVE: “If Candoom keeps on taking shots like that to the head this match will be over quickly.”
GHEORGHE: “Carey cheering on the outside as Nick gets back to his feet … Elliot raises his hands to the fans and they respond accordingly! ‘The Man of the Hour’ brings Candoom to his feet … but Moralis Candoom with a small package! ONE ……. TWO ……. KICKOUT! And Nick Elliot slides to the outside!”
JIVE: “Candoom caught Nick Elliot off guard … and he almost pulled it off! Of course he threw Elliot off his game now .. I would have gotten right back up and pummeled the hell out of the guy .. but he rolled to the outside instead of regaining the upperhand.”
GHEORGHE: “Carey and Owen over now to talk to Nick … AND MORALIS CANDOOM REACHES THROUGH THE ROPES AND GRABS ELLIOT BY THE HAIR AND PULLS HIM BACK IN THE RING! Candoom picks up Elliot and nails an atomic drop… AND NOW CLOTHESLINES ELLIOT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD! Moralis Candoom …. Candoom is going for the ankle! CANDOOM HAS THE ANKLE LOCK ON ELLIOT!”
JIVE: “He obviously needs to work on his ring awareness, though! He is putting it on right near the ropes!”
GHEORGHE: “Candoom bends the ankle as far as he can … and Nick Elliot is screaming in pain! Elliot reaches for the ropes ….. and he grabs them!”
JIVE: “If Candoom had locked that on in the middle of the ring, Elliot would be limping away by now with his tail tucked between his legs.”
GHEORGHE: “I don’t think he’ll be doing gymnastics right now either, Nick. Candoom grabs Elliot by the arm and drags him to his feet … he goes under and locks the arm behind the back … and now he slams the shoulder into the turnbuckle! Elliot grabs his arm and swings .. but Candoom sidesteps it and punches him square in the shoulder! Elliot swings again, but Candoom grabs the arm and brings him to the mat…. AND CANDOOM LOCKS ON THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE!”
JIVE: “But once again, he’s too close to the ropes!”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot grabs onto the bottom ropes right away and Candoom is unable to do any significant damage. Candoom up and he stomps on Elliot’s shoul.. no, Elliot rolled out of the way! Candoom follows him and tries to stomp on him again .. and Elliot rolls out of the way again! AND THIS TIME CANDOOM JUST PUNTS HIM RIGHT IN THE SIDE!”
JIVE: “Adam Vinitieri eat your heart out!”
GHEORGHE: “Moralis Candoom picks up Nick Elliot and bodyslams him to the mat … and now he’s going up top! Candoom perched atop the top rope … AND HE FLIES OFF! BUT ELLIOT PUTS UP HIS KNEES AND CANDOOM’s RIB CRASH DOWN ON THEM! Moralis Candoom rolls on the mat in what looks to be incredible pain!”
JIVE: “When you go to the top rope you put yourself at risk. Candoom didn’t weigh the possibilities, the pros and cons, and he paid. That’s what happens when you just do … and don’t think.”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot bounces off the ropes .. and drops an elbow into the sternum of Candoom. Drapes the arm over …. ONE …… TWO ……. TH—NO! Candoom managed to kick out of that weak pinfall attempt. Elliot gets back to his feet and brings Candoom with him … Elliot sends him into the ropes .. Candoom on the return … and HE AVOIDS THE CLOTHESLINE AND GRABS THE ARM OF ELLIOT AND IRISH WHIPS HIM INTO THE ROPES! Elliot on the return …. AND NICK ELLIOT DUCKS THE CLOTHESLINE …. AND HE GOES AROUND WITH THE CRUCIFIX! ONE …….. TWO ………. THREE!!”
JIVE: “No! Candoom kicked out!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot almost getting another pinfall there, but Moralis Candoom managed to kick out. Elliot grabs Candoom by the hair … both men on their feet as Elliot bends Candoom backwards …. He hooks the head and nails a beautiful jumping reverse DDT! Elliot now at the legs of Candoom … and he’s going for the figure four!”
JIVE: “This is where Elliot has differed from Candoom .. he’s got him away from all the ropes … and NOW he applies a submission move …”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot has that … well it’s a crooked figure four … and Moralis Candoom looks to be in a world of pain right now as he sits straight up! The referee is quick to step in and ask Candoom if he wants to submit … but Candoom isn’t listening to a word he’s saying!”
JIVE: “And can you blame him? These referees do more harm than good sometimes.”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot has been impressive so far in his debut … and it can’t be easy when your debut comes at a pay per view, Nick!”
JIVE: “Are you kidding me, Tom? I don’t believe that junk .. if you want to make it in New ERA you’ve got to be ready for anything.. whether he was debuting on a house show or a pay per view, he should be putting on his best!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot has been working this crooked figure four for a while now and Moralis Candoom doesn’t seem like he’s going anywhere! The referee continuing to ask him if he wants to give in … but to no avail!”
JIVE: “The longer he keeps him in the hold the less chance Candoom has of being able to put up an offensive.. eventually he’s going to pass out from the pain …”
GHEORGHE: “I think you’re right, Nick! Candoom’s shoulders hit the mat and the referee is down … ONE …….. TWO ……… THR—NO! He gets the shoulders up in time!”
JIVE: “If I were Moralis Candoom I’d be thinking of someway to get that move either reversed or released.. hell, grab the ref if you have to!”
GHEORGHE: “Candoom is fading …. And his shoulders hit the mat once more …. ONE ……. TWO ………. THREE!!! Noooo … the referee signaling that Candoom got his shoulder up before the three… AND CANDOOM SEEMS TO HAVE GAINED A SECOND WIND! MORALIS CANDOOM ROCKING BACK AND FORTH …..”
JIVE: “He’s trying to use some momentum to swing this thing around and use the figure four against Elliot!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot trying to use his arms to stabilize the hold …. BUT CANDOOM WITH ONE MORE ROCK AND THE HOLD IS REVERSED!!! Elliot quickly releases the figure four and crawls into the corner as Moralis Candoom lies on his stomach!”
JIVE: “Candoom exerted whatever energy he had left to turn that thing over. It’s great to get out of the hold and all, but he can’t even capitalize on it!”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot uses the ropes to get to his feet and he comes back to the center of the ring. ‘Man of the Hour’ grabs the leg of Candoom … and he turns him over on his stomach … and now drives the knee into the mat! That is the same knee that was just ravaged in the figure four…”
JIVE: “I hate to say it, but Nick Elliot is smarter than your average bear … he’s picked a target area and is sticking to it.”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot grabs the leg again … and slams the knee down! Moralis Candoom looks to be in a lot of pain as Elliot drags him into the corner …. And .. Nick Elliot has slid underneath the ropes? Elliot on the outside now … and he drags Candoom underneath the turnbuckle by his leg ….. AND NOW HE WRAPS THAT KNEE AROUND THE STEEL POST! Elliot grabs the leg again … AND AGAIN SLAMS THE KNEE INTO THE POST!”
JIVE: “Candoom won’t be able to put up much of a fight if he can’t get any leverage … If Elliot can keep attacking that knee then he’ll make it extremely difficult for Candoom to be able to get out of even an elementary pin attempt..”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot rolls back into the ring before the ref gets to ten … and he stands there while Moralis Candoom tries to get out of the corner. Candoom struggles to get out .. and he’s crawling over to Elliot. Candoom grabs onto the waist of Elliot’s tights as he tries to pull himself up .. and Elliot just pushes him back to the mat! Nick Elliot now walks over to Candoom and he picks him up …. Elliot grabs the waist of Candoom ….. AND HE TAKES HIM UP AND OVER WITH A SPINNING BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!”
JIVE: “The quicker that Nick Elliot goes for the win the better … he doesn’t want to let Candoom get any type of second wind or he’ll foul his chance at winning his debut match!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot is now signaling for the end of this match …. And the fans are behind him 100%!”
JIVE: “They’ve had to suffer through this like you and me, Gheorghe …”
GHEORGHE: “I didn’t mean they were cheering for the end of the match, Nick … I meant they were routing for Nick Elliot to get a victory in his first match here in New ERA!”
JIVE: “And I was talking about what the fans meant … not your gross misinterpretation!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot is up and standing in the middle of the ring… and he’s waiting for Moralis Candoom to get to his feet!”
JIVE: “Does he know that we have a three hour time limit for this pay per view?”
GHEORGHE: “Candoom showing some signs of life as he grabs on to the bottom ropes.. Candoom grabs on to the second ropes and he is beginning to get to his feet! Moralis Candoom is on his feet!”
JIVE: “He’s still too weak to walk though!”
GHEORGHE: “Moralis Candoom shaking off the cobwebs as he turns around and begins to limp towards Elliot …..”
(SFX: Fans pop!)
GHEORGHE: “ELLIOT WITH A SPEAR!!! NICK ELLIOT HOPS UP TO HIS FEET AND SIGNALS FOR THE BLACK DAYS DRIVER!”
JIVE: “Candoom walked right into his own downfall..”
GHEORGHE: “Elliot grabs the head of Candoom and knees him in the gut …. A head vice on … and now Elliot uses his free hand to pick up Moralis Candoom … AND NOW CANDOOM IS UPSIDE DOWN!”
JIVE: “Nick Elliot delaying the move … this is a good ploy as it lets all the blood rush to Candoom’s head!”
GHEORGHE: “ELLIOT WITH THE BLACK DAYS DRIVER!!! HE DRIVES CANDOOM’s HEAD INTO THE MAT! Elliot hooks the leg …… ONE ………….. TWO ………………. THREEEEEEEEEE!!!!”
(SFX: Bell rings as the fans pop loud!)
JACOBS: “The winner of this match via pinfall ….. ‘the Man of the Hour’ NICK ELLIOT!!!!”
JIVE: “The only bad thing about this match being over is that Carey’s going to leave ringside!”
GHEORGHE: “Nick Elliot with an impressive showing here in his debut as he gets the victory over Moralis Candoom, who is still searching for his first win here..”
JIVE: “Tom .. I’ve just got word from my sources in the back that there’s something going on..”
GHEORGHE: “What do you mean? Let’s go to the back and see what’s happening!”
(CUTTO: The green room. It is empty.)
GHEORGHE: “I don’t see anything, Nick .. you should fire your moles..”
(All of a sudden ‘Too Sweet’ Travis Smith is seen running from a corner and crashing into a wall. ‘The Messenger’ Trevor Cane walks out and starts kicking him when he’s down!)
GHEORGHE (V/O): “THESE TWO AREN’T SUPPOSED TO START NOW!”
JIVE (V/O): “Looks like they couldn’t wait!”
GHEORGHE (V/O): “But their Barbwired Baseball Match isn’t for another couple of matches!”
(Cane knees Smith in the head a few times before picking him up.)
JIVE (V/O): “With LaRoque and Marceau locked away in their own worlds these two are able to do whatever they want …”
GHEORGHE (V/O): “We need to get some security back there before they injure themselves! These two are scheduled to settle their differences later on, not now! The fans didn’t pay not to see a match!”
JIVE (V/O): “Maybe they’re taking Cameron Cruise and Insurgent’s lead…”
GHEORGHE (V/O): “I’m sure Cruise and Insurgent are going to put on a great match to see who will become the #1 contender for the Television championship …”
(Cane walks Smith over towards the tables … as he does Smith rakes his eyes and the two lock up. They struggle back and forth trying to get an advantage.)
GHEORGHE (V/O): “These two have had to be separated many times leading up to International Intrigue .. and one would have though that with their match so close they’d be able to contain themselves!”
(The two fling themselves over a food table knocking it, and the food, to the floor! They continue to wrestle around in the food until a shitload of security come bounding out from around the far corner!)
JIVE (V/O): “Jesus Christ! Where did they all come from!?”
(The security quickly separate the two and six or seven of them drag Smith out of the room.)
GHEORGHE (V/O): “This is a pay per view .. but I haven’t seen that many security before! I hope this isn’t a precursor to something later in the show!”
JIVE (V/O): “You never know with LaRoque and Marceau …..”
