(CUTTO: The backstage area. Jason Tripp is standing by, mic in hand. Over his left shoulder we can see a dressing room door with MARX emblazoned across it.)
TRIPP: “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. We’re standing by, hoping to get a word with Jonathan Marx regarding the HUGE triple-threat match he’s set to take part in tonight on RAUCOUS…”
(Tripp is abruptly cut off as a hand snakes into the picture and snatches the mic away. A gravelly voice snarls from off-camera.)
VOICE: “Leave. NOW.”
(Tripp flinches, his mouth working as though to form a protest. He thinks better of it, however, and scuttles off screen. The camera pans to reveal “THE WOLF” CHRIS McMILLAN. McMillan is about 20 pounds heavier since we saw him last, and sports an enormous pair of mutton chop sideburns. McMillan quickly glances around, his eyes darting side to side before settling on the camera.)
WOLF: “Awright, let’s get down to it. I don’t have a lot of time. I’m not here with the approval of the management. I haven’t been a member of this roster for a long time. Essentially, I’ve hijacked the show. They’ll be here to shut me down shortly, I’m sure, but I got something that’s just dying to be addressed.”
(McMILLAN takes another quick look around before continuing.)
WOLF: “I retired from this business two years ago. See, I was so tired of all the pageantry, the witless silicon broads, the cheesy pyro, and the sub-par booking. It stopped being about wrestling a long time ago. This business has been about nothing more than money for a long time now, and I wanted no part of it. Yet something happened recently that has forced me to come here and illegally enter this arena. I saw something recently that made me physically ill. I’m talking to you, Jason Payne.”
(McMillan shakes his head in disgust.)
WOLF: “See, Jason, we’ve been friends. We’ve been tag partners. We’ve been bitter enemies. We’ve stood on the top of the mountain, and we’ve lain broken and trapped under the rubble below. You assaulted my family. I broke your neck. We’ve sunk to levels of violence and depravity that I’ve never seen since. We’ve done things to others and to each other that I actually feel … remorse for. Me. Yet I’ve never seen anything that made me angrier, that made me sadder, or that made me more SICK than what I saw from you last week. I turn on the TV expecting to see my old friend schooling some punk in the art of ass kicking. Instead, I see Jason Payne, one of the toughest, most brutal men I’ve ever been in the ring with, and you’re … FREAKIN’ HUMPING SOME DUDE!”
(McMILLAN grabs the camera and yanks it close to his face.)
WOLF: “This saddens me, Jason. I can’t stand around and let you make a mockery of yourself, or of the things we’ve done in this sport. Ohhh, the announcers say you’ve been pushed over the edge by MWG. Well, you’re talking to the guy who talked to a tinfoil belt for four months after losing my shot at the old NFW TV title. I know what it’s like to be a little crazy. Basically, it comes down to this, Jason. You had better find yourself real quick, or I’ll put you to sleep. I’ll do it in NEW, I’ll do it in NFW, I’ll do it anywhere, in any ring, or even on the street, if I have to. You get yourself together, Payne, or you’ll have to deal with…”
(McMILLAN is cut off as he’s tackled by a couple of security personnel. As he’s carried off camera, we hear him screaming and howling as Juliet Marceau takes his place on screen. She starts yelling after him.)
MARCEAU: “You want to hijack the show? I DON’T THINK SO. You want to play here in New ERA again? Then you’ll fight from the BOTTOM UP!”
(CUTTO: Ringside.)
GHEORGHE: “THE WOLF IS BACK!”
JULIUS: “Finally someone talking some sense about Jason Payne!”
GHEORGHE: “Chris McMillan was one of the original members of New ERA back when we started … and it seems only fitting that he is back as we’re about to reach our 2 year anniversary!”
JIVE: “Marceau didn’t think it was fitting, did she Gheorghe?”
GHEORGHE: “Well I guess not..”
JIVE: “McMillan can’t just expect to walk in here … I hope Marceau makes him fight for everything he gets!”
GHEORGHE: “I doubt he’d want it any other way, Nick… I can see you’re not, but I’m excited to see McMillan back in action here in New ERA … ladies and gentlemen, Jason Payne has taken Krist Blue … and he’s nowhere to be found … we’re being told that MWG is out back tearing apart the Fleet Centre looking for the two of them … and I hope he finds her fast because who knows what Jason Payne will do next!”
JULIUS: “As long as he stays away from my lockerroom, I don’t care!”
GHEORGHE: “Up next we have one of the main attractions of the night as the PRODIGY Classic Xtreme title will be on the line …. And in a leather strap match to boot!”
JIVE: “John Doe got lucky last week .. but this time he’s going to be attached by the wrist to Chaos … and there won’t be any lockers to help him get the win.”
GHEORGHE: “This is true, Nick .. but as John Doe has shown us many times before … he is a crafty competitor … and even though Chaos may not admit it, he’s got to be careful tonight.”
JULIUS: “This is a match made in Heaven for Chaos … he’s going to whip the snot out of John Doe.. just like he did Trevor Cane earlier!”
GHEORGHE: “Things here tonight have been heating up fast …. Let’s go to the ring for the introductions and get this match underway!”
(CUTTO: In the ring w/ Carl Jacobs. The lineup for the match comes on screen, with the words covered in leather straps..)
JACOBS: “The following match is scheduled for one fall … and is a LEATHER STRAP MATCH for the New ERA PRODIGY CLASSIC XTREME TITLE!!! Introducing first…”
(CUEUP: ‘When Worlds Collide’ by Powerman 5000. John Doe comes through the curtain, but this time around there is no DREDD to accompany him.)
JACOBS: “He stands 6’1 and weighs 210 pounds …. He’s a member of DREDD …………. JOHN DOE!!!”
GHEORGHE: “The members of DREDD have been barred from ringside tonight by President Marcus LaRoque … but that doesn’t seem to phase Doe who is looking very cocky right now.”
JIVE: “Chaos is going to wipe that look right off his face with the hard cracked leather.”
JACOBS: “And his opponent…”
(CUEUP: ‘You Could Be Mine’ by Guns n’ Roses.. Chaos comes through the curtains holding the leather strap in one hand and the PCX title in the other.)
JACOBS: “He hails from Las Vegas, Nevada …. The former Television Champion … and current New ERA of Wrestling PRODIGY CLASSIC XTREME CHAMPION ……. CHAOS!!!”
(Chaos gets in the ring and the referee administers the leather strap to both competitors’ wrists. Once it is tied he signals for the bell. SFX: Bell rings.)
GHEORGHE: “WE ARE UNDERWAY!”
JULIUS: “I hope you guys bought flowers for the funeral..”
JIVE: “They’re in my lockerroom right now..”
GHEORGHE: “You guys …”
JIVE / JULIUS: “What?”
GHEORGHE: “The leather strap is attached to both men .. and this has all the makings to be a brutal match .. Chaos has a huge smile on his face as he starts wrapping some of the slack around his wrist … and John Doe quickly grabs on to the top rope …. Chaos tightening it up… and Doe now has both hands on the top rope.”
JIVE: “Doe knows what Chaos is going to try to do .. I just hope the ring ropes hold!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos now looking at Doe .. and he starts waving his finger back and forth … Chaos grabs onto the leather strap with both hands … and he gives it a tug..”
JULIUS: “Chaos is toying with him here .. that tug was as half hearted as anything I’ve ever seen..”
GHEORGHE: “Doe’s knuckles are turning white in anticipation .. and Chaos with another playful tug … and finally he yanks on the leather strap … AND JOHN DOE GETS RIPPED FROM THE ROPES TO THE MAT!”
JIVE: “Looks like all that preparation didn’t pay off! Chaos is too strong.”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos now reeling Doe closer to him … and John Doe trying to claw at the mat to get away … but he can’t as Chaos is now standing on top of Doe … AND CHAOS LOOSENS THE SLACK AND WHIPS JOHN DOE WITH THE LEATHER STRAP!”
JULIUS: “YOWZA!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos whips him again! John Doe trying to shield himself, but that strap is making direct contact to the exposed skin on his sides! Chaos grabs some of the slack of the leather strap … AND NOW HE IS CHOKING JOHN DOE! Doe trying to get his fingers underneath the chin of Chaos to break it up … and finally he rakes the eyes!”
JIVE: “John Doe just spared himself a few seconds of a beating … but it won’t take long for Chaos to get his sight back.”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe’s sides are already red from those lashes .. and John Doe now crawling around Chaos in a circle! He is wrapping that leather strap around the big man’s legs!”
JULIUS: “Doe has a huge disadvantage in height .. so bringing Chaos down to the mat would even this match out as much as it possibly could.”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe up on his feet now …”
(SFX: CRAAAACCKK!)
GHEORGHE: “AND DOE WITH WHIPS CHAOS IN THE BACK WITH THE LEATHER STRAP! Doe now leaves enough slack for him to get to the ropes … he comes back … and he dropkicks Chaos in the back!!”
JIVE: “Timber!”
GHEORGHE: “AND CHAOS GOES DOWN!”
JULIUS: “You know, I think that’s the quickest anyone has gotten Chaos off his feet before!”
GHEORGHE: “You may be right, Dean .. John Doe wrapped the legs of Chaos and made it impossible for Chaos to keep his balance … and now Doe wraps the leather strap around Chaos’ throat … and he is choking him just like Chaos did earlier! Doe releases the choke and now starts unwrapping Chaos’ legs..”
JIVE: “That’s a bad idea. I would have gone out there and wrapped him six ways from Sunday to make sure he couldn’t get up.”
JULIUS: “I guess all that S&M would come in handy, huh?”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe grabs the leather strap …”
(SFX: CRAAACCCCKKK!)
GHEORGHE: “AND AGAIN WHIPS CHAOS IN THE BACK! John Doe runs to the ropes … he comes back … and baseball slides right into the side of Chaos! Doe wraps that leather strap around his fist … and he walks over to Chaos … and starts laying those fists right into the head of the champion!”
JIVE: “That leather strap has breaks in it from age … and let me tell you, having that being bashed into your skin does not feel good.”
JULIUS: “Oh like you would know anything about it.”
GHEORGHE: “Doe getting in some last licks … and now he gets to his feet and is yelling at the fans to look at Chaos..”
JIVE: “He’s mocking the PCX champion right now ..”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe back to Chaos and tries to bring him to his feet … but Chaos isn’t budging off the mat …”
(SFX: CRAAAAAACKKK!!)
GHEORGHE: “So John Doe whips him in the stomach with the strap! Doe grabs Chaos by the head … and brings him to his feet! John Doe now with an irish whip … Chaos goes crashing HARD into the corner .. Doe tightens the grip and yanks back .. causing Chaos to crash back first to the apron. John Doe may not be anywhere near Chaos in size, but this is two weeks in a row where he’s been able to maintain himself in the ring with him.”
JULIUS: “Last week was a fluke, Gheorghe .. and once John Doe wears himself out, Chaos is going to come back, and come back strong.”
GHEORGHE: “Well DREDD has been banned from ringside for this match, so if Doe does get in trouble he won’t have Jonathan Marx or Brandon Jacobs to back him up. John Doe struts over to Chaos is … Chaos starting to get to his feet as Doe charges at him with the strap … Doe with the clothesline attempt … BUT CHAOS WITH A BIG BOOT FLOORS HIM!”
JIVE: “Now the party is about to start!”
(SFX: CRAAACK! CRAAACK! CRAAAAAACK!)
GHEORGHE: “OH MY! CHAOS WITH SOME QUICK LASHES OF THE STRAP AND JOHN DOE’s BACK LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE JUST FILLETED HIM!”
JIVE: “Both men’s torsos look like they’ve been beat with a tire iron, Gheorghe … but the difference is that Chaos doesn’t look like he’ll be getting any new marks any time soon!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos grabs Doe by the head and rips him up … now he bends down and grabs the waist …. SPINNING SIDE WALK SLAM! Chaos with the cover … ONE …… TWO ……. KICKOUT! Chaos shoots a look at Doe as he rolls on his side … and Chaos on his feet … and starts driving those boots right into the back of John Doe!”
JIVE: “I think he’s aiming right for those spots that are already raw from the strap.”
GHEORGHE: “I think you’re right … Chaos stands over the body of John Doe … and he is … laughing!”
(SFX: CRAAAACK!
….
CRAAAACK!!)
GHEORGHE: “TWO MORE SHOTS WITH THE STRAP TO THE BACK OF JOHN DOE …. AND DOE’s BACK HAS STARTED TO BLEED FROM THE SHOTS!”
JULIUS: “Chaos didn’t win the PRODIGY Classic Xtreme title by just wrestling any type of match. Chaos is a tough son of a bitch … and these matches play right into his hands.”
GHEORGHE: “The referee checking on John Doe … but now Chaos steps in the way! Chaos brings Doe to his feet … AND LOCKS IN A BEAR HUG!”
JULIUS: “Now THAT won’t feel good on the back … Chaos is not only squeezing the life out of Doe .. but his grip combined with that raw skin does double the damage.”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe looks to be in a lot of pain … Doe trying to use his hands to grab onto the leather strap behind Chaos …. Chaos really has the bear hug applied tightly .. but Doe grabs onto the strap with both hands … AND NOW HE WRAPS IT AROUND THE THROAT OF CHAOS AND STARTS TUGGING ON IT AS HARD AS HE CAN!”
JIVE: “That’s just enraged the champion even more!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos tries to tighten the grip … but Doe holds on to the strap … and Chaos looks like he might be heading to la-la land.”
JULIUS: “He is starting to turn redder and redder in the face.”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos rocking back and forth … AND HIS HANDS UNLOCK! John Doe with a headbutt … and Chaos drops him to his feet! John Doe has that leather strap still locked around his neck … and he now goes behind Chaos … AND HOPS ON HIS BACK! John Doe with that … sleeper I guess you could say on Chaos … and Chaos is stumbling around the ring!”
JIVE: “I don’t know HOW John Doe manages to do find a way to escape certain death .. but he’s done so again here tonight.”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos now heading for the ropes …… OH MY LORD!!! CHAOS JUST TOSSED JOHN DOE OFF HIS BACK AND TO THE ARENA FLOOR!!!”
JULIUS: “Doe went flying over that top rope like a bat out of hell..”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos holding on to his neck as he tries to get some air flowing …… WHOA! DOE YANKS ON THE STRAP FROM THE OUTSIDE AND CHAOS GOES TUMBLING OVER THE TOP TO THE ARENA FLOOR! Listen to these fans!”
JIVE: “They want to see someone go home on a stretcher … lousy pieces of shi..”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe now up … and he slides back into the ring …. JUST TO SLIDE OUT THE OTHER SIDE!”
JULIUS: “This doesn’t look good..”
GHEORGHE: “Doe waits for Chaos to get on his feet … AND HE YANKS ON THE LEATHER STRAP FORCING CHAOS TO GO CRASHING INTO THE STEEL POST!! Doe quickly slides in and out of the ring to Chaos … and he rolls him back in ….. Doe now in and he makes the cover! ONE ……….. TWO ……….. THREE---NOOOOOOOOOO!!! The PCX Champion gets out before Doe can get the three count!”
JULIUS: “You think with what these two are doing to each other that the first man who was able to make a pin attempt would easily get the victory … but not here, not in New ERA.”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe now … what is he doing?”
JIVE: “It looks like he is using some of the slack to wrap knots around the ankles of Chaos…”
GHEORGHE: “What could he possibly need Chaos’ ankles tied like that for? John Doe finishes the knots and he drags Chaos to the corner and lays him legs first … John Doe is now heading up the turnbuckles! DOE IS ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE AND HE IS FACING THE AUDIENCE ……………… AND HE HOPS DOWN TO THE FLOOR?!?!”
JULIUS: “Oh no he is not….. he’s going to make Chaos sing a LOT higher in the shower now!”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe now wrapping the slack of the leather strap around his chest … and he’s yelling to the fans that he’s going to ram Chaos’ balls into the steel post!!”
(SFX: Crowd starts getting louder with cheers..)
GHEORGHE: “The crowd respond… oh no …. They’re not responding because of Doe!”
JULIUS: “THAT MUTHERFUCKA IS GETTING TO HIS FEET!”
GHEORGHE: “John Doe is a good three feet away from the ring about to charge towards the guardrail… BUT CHAOS IS ON HIS FEET! Chaos shaking off the cobwebs as he looks down at his feet … and then at Doe! Doe is playing on the crowd’s reaction … but he doesn’t know what is going on! Chaos now turning around towards the opposite corner …”
JIVE: “Look at John Doe! Chaos turning around as caused the strap to get entangled even more and Doe is looking down at his chest wondering what the hell is going on! His eyes just shot open!”
GHEORGHE: “BUT HE HAS NO TIME TO REACT AS CHAOS STARTS RUNNING TOWARDS THE FAR CORNER ……………… AND HE SHOOTS DOE BACK INTO THE STEEL POST BACK FIRST!!!! John Doe slumps down …. And he looks to be out of it!! Chaos now turns and looks over …. And he is now undoing the knots!”
JULIUS: “Doe had the right idea .. he just took too long to execute it … Chaos was able to get up .. and well we saw what happened … but now the big man is free … and I’m afraid that John Doe is history!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos has those knots undone .. and he slides out of the ring and picks up Doe …. He tosses him through the second ropes into the ring!”
JIVE: “What strength! Chaos has been battered and bruised .. and he can still pick up and toss Doe around like a rag doll!”
GHEORGHE: “The Champion rolls underneath the bottom rope and now stands … Chaos places a foot on the chest of Doe ……. ONE ………….. TWO ………….. THREE!!!!”
JIVE: “DOE KICKED OUT! DOE KICKED OUT!”
GHEORGHE: “How did he do it?! My LORD these two are taking each other to another level each minute this match continues….”
JULIUS: “Chaos just called for the end of the match, guys!”
GHEORGHE: “Chaos making that cut throat signal … and he is bringing John Doe to his feet … AND HE LOCKS THE HAND RIGHT ONTO THE THROAT OF JOHN DOE!”
(SFX: Crowd erupts.)
JIVE: “TREVOR CANE!”
GHEORGHE: “TREVOR CANE IS RUNNING DOWN THE RAMPWAY AS CHAOS TURNS …. AND CHAOS SEES HIM!”
JULIUS: “Disqualify Doe! Trevor Cane can’t run down here like this!”
GHEORGHE: “There are NO disqualifications in PCX division matches! Cane is at ringside even though Chaos attacked him earlier with that chair and told him to shove off…. Cane up on the apron ……………………..”
(SFX: CROWD GOES CRAZZZY!!!)
GHEORGHE: “OH MY GOD! OH MY! FIREBALL! FIREBALL RIGHT INTO THE FACE OF CHAOS!”
JIVE: “Chaos is down!! Chaos is rolling on the mat holding his face!!!”
GHEORGHE: “JOHN DOE IS GETTING UP … DOE SEES CHAOS AND HE GRABS THE LEGS ….. DOE FLIPS OVER THE TOP OF CHAOS AND GETS THE COVER ………. ONE ………… TWO ……….. THREE!! OH MY!”
(SFX: Bell rings!!)
JACOBS: “The winner of this match …. And NEW PRODIGY CLASSIC XTREME CHAMPION … JOHN DOE!!”
JIVE: “WHAT!?! HE DID IT?!?!”
GHEORGHE: “Doe gets the win! Doe wins for the second week in a row!!!”
JULIUS: “This time it is Cane’s fault!! Cane threw that fireball in the face of Chaos!!”
GHEORGHE: “WHAT A MATCH!”
(Cane is walking back to the ramp when the camera catches up to him.. he looks in it.)
CANE: “He’s seen the Light….”
