(FADEIN: The rampway. The lights are dim as ‘Unkind’ by Destrophy begins to blare across the loudspeakers. The fans begin to boo as Trevor Cane begins to walk down to ringside.)
JIVE: "It’s Trevor Cane!"
GHEORGHE: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we haven’t seen ‘the Messenger’ in action since the second episode of RAUCOUS in Hartford, Connecticut. He is walking down to the ring … and it looks as if he’s got something to say, Nick."
JIVE: "Yea, so why don’t you stick your head back up your ass where it belongs so we can hear what he’s got to say."
GHEORGHE: "Cane is entering the ring .. and he is asking for the microphone .."
CANE: "New ERA of Wrestling has continued its downspiral. With the desecration of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament with people like Larry Tact, Jonathan Marx, and El Arco Iris all vying for the title, to the degradation of the Television Championship with people like Jean Rabesque and John Doe fighting for a chance to be its champion there seems to be little hope."
JIVE: "That’s what I’ve been saying for weeks!"
GHEORGHE: "Cane is not holding back. I guess he’s a little peeved considering his own chance to hold the World Heavyweight Championship was hindered by the fact that Doc Silver decided not to show up."
JIVE: "Don’t blame Silver. Blame Marcus LaRoque for not offering Doc a contract worthy of his talent!"
CANE: "And tonight it has continued with the appearance of Suicide."
(SFX: Crowd pops)
CANE: "He wants to show New ERA that he is worthy of a chance to wrestle in their rings. I take exception. Suicide talks of being screwed. After next RAUCOUS, he will know the true meaning of being held down."
GHEORGHE: "I think Trevor Cane is accepting one of Suicide’s open challenges!"
JIVE: "Perfect!"
CANE: "Consider this match signed, Suicide. You’ve stepped in at the wrong time. The people here are afraid to open their eyes and see what is truly going on. That will change. ‘The Messenger’ will make sure of it."
(Cane drops the microphone, slowly exits the ring, and walks back up the ramp.)
GHEORGHE: "What does he mean? Eyes will be opened?"
JIVE: "The fans, and wrestlers here in New ERA of Wrestling are blinded …"
GHEORGHE: "And I suppose you see what Trevor Cane sees?"
JIVE: "Naturally. Only the well educated can."
GHEORGHE: "Of course… yea. Anyways, our next match up is between ‘Rage o Fire’ Jared Wells, who shocked the wrestling world last week by upsetting Suicidal Killer to advance to the semifinals, and John Doe, who has been on a roll since joining New ERA."
JIVE: "I absolutely HATE Wells. Doe is deranged enough to get past the cheater."
GHEORGHE: "Wells is an incredible wrestler who has made one of the biggest comebacks that I’ve seen in a LONG time. John Doe hasn’t let up one bit since he came in and defeated Trevor Cane, coincidently enough, to move on in the Television Championship tournament."
JIVE: "Don’t bring that up."
GHEORGHE: "Nick, you’ve got problems."
JIVE: "No .."
GHEORGHE: "Let’s send this over to Carl Jacobs."
(CUTTO: The rampway as the lineup for this match appears on the screen. After a few seconds it cuts away to the ring as Carl Jacobs stands there.)
JACOBS: "The following match is set for one fall and has a 30 minute time limit. This is a semi-finals match in the Television Championship tournament!"
(CUEUP: Pyro and Fireworks go off in the arena as New ERA flashes all over the big screen near the top of the rampway. The arena turns pitch black as the camera catches the fans as they start to look at each other. Blue pyro fires off at the entrance ramp as the words John Doe flash and shake on the big screen.)
JACOBS: "Introducing first …."
(John Doe comes from behind the curtain. He walks down to the ring and rolls in. He sits on the top turnbuckle, with his eyes square on the curtain waiting for Wells to come out.)
JACOBS: "His whereabouts are unknown … he stands 6’1" and weighs 210 pounds …. JOHN DOE!"
(The lights dim as ‘Pistol Grip Pump’ by Rage Against the Machine cues up.)
JACOBS: "And his opponent…"
(The fans pop as Jared Wells comes from behind the curtain and walks to the ring. He gives a few a high five, knocking a beer from one of their hands. They laugh, and Wells continues to walk to the ring.)
JACOBS: "Hailing from BALTIMORE, MARYLAND …"
(SFX: Fans pop huge at hometown boy.)
JACOBS: "Standing SIX foot ONE… weighing in at 234 pounds …. He is RAGE OF FIRE …… JARED WELLS!"
GHEORGHE: "The fans here in Towson are on their feet cheering for Jared Wells, whose hometown is not too far away from here at all!"
JIVE: "I don’t understand why!"
GHEORGHE: "Wells is a popular man, especially in the Baltimore area!"
JIVE: "But Wells is from the slums .. Baltimore is a nasty, nasty place. At least here in Towson they have some class!"
GHEORGHE: "No, I think Bel Air, Maryland could be considered slum material …. Baltimore has its nice parts. Have you been to the inner harbor?"
JIVE: "I won’t step foot into that crime ridden place!"
(SFX: Bell rings.)
GHEORGHE: "The bell has rung and this match is about to get underway!"
JIVE: "Maybe, if the fans start chanting boring again we can get a real star, like Manson, out here."
GHEORGHE: "The fans are excited about seeing a hometown guy out here, I don’t think they’ll be cheers of boring for this match."
JIVE: "Oh well, one can dream."
GHEORGHE: "Jared Wells and John Doe meet up in the center of the ring … Wells with ahold of Doe’s arm … and he rings it around. Wells now behind John Doe and he has that arm back. Doe is looking for a way to get out of it .. grabs for the foot of Wells … but Wells yanks on that arm and it stops Doe."
JIVE: "Wells starts cheating right off the bat!"
GHEORGHE: "Cheating? That’s a fair move.. always used!"
JIVE: "Yes, but look at Wells .. I bet he has brass knuckles on and is driving them in Doe’s back!"
GHEORGHE: "So now you’re a conspiracy theorist?"
JIVE: "Hey, I’m just worried about people’s safety when they are wrestling Wells."
GHEORGHE: "Wells now going around front and he still has Doe’s arm. Jared Wells pulls John Doe towards him, and he puts him to the mat with a shoulderblock. But he doesn’t release the arm! AND HE DROPS THE LEG ON THE ARM! John Doe rolls to the corner to try to get away from Rage o Fire."
JIVE: "See what I’m talking about??"
GHEORGHE: "Jared Wells walks over to John Doe .. Doe tries to kick him, but Wells pushes his foot aside and now they’re FIGHTING IN THE CORNER! Wells with some quick punches, and Doe is retaliating! The referee is trying to get in there, but I don’t think he will get very far."
JIVE: "New ERA needs to stop hiring these wussy referees! We need refs that can toss punks like Jared Wells around when they misbehave!"
GHEORGHE: "Wells drags Doe out of the corner … sends him into the ropes … dropkick .. BUT DOE ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!"
JIVE: "Wells was never the intelligent one."
GHEORGHE: "Wells quickly up, turns around .. and Doe brings him down with a scoop slam… Doe against the ropes … and DROPS THE LEG ONTO WELLS’ FACE!"
JIVE: "How can you tell?"
GHEORGHE: "Tell what?"
JIVE: "Well, I mean, Wells’ face and his ass look pretty much the same, so how can you tell that he dropped the leg on his face…"
GHEORGHE: "What do you have against Jared Wells?"
JIVE: "Besides the fact that he is the reason that Suicidal Killer is in the hospital? You’ve heard him talk. He’s arrogant, pompous … he’s an ass."
GHEORGHE: "Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?"
JIVE: "Oh aren’t we the witty one."
GHEORGHE: "John Doe now picking up Jared Wells … and he rakes his eyes! Doe with Jared Wells … brings him over to the corner … AND DRILLS HIS HEAD INTO THE TOP TURNBUCKLE! Jared Wells turns and starts walking to the center of the ring holding his forehead …. And JOHN DOE HITS A BULLDOG DRIVING HIS HEAD INTO THE MAT!"
JIVE: "Maybe if Doe continues driving Wells’ head into the mat he’ll knock some sense into him. Wells will realize that he’s wasting everyone’s time in New ERA."
GHEORGHE: "Doe with the cover …. ONE ….. TWO …. Kickout by Jared Wells. John Doe doesn’t look happy as he gets up and drops the knee into the chest of Wells."
JIVE: "I wouldn’t be happy either if I had all these fans chanting my opponents name! Is this school a satanic worship school? They sure have their chanting like maniacs down pat."
GHEORGHE: "Doe brings Wells to his feet and sends him into the corner … Doe charges in … BUT JARED WELLS PUTS A BOOT TO HIS FACE! Wells to the second turnbuckle as Doe turns around …. Doe getting himself together … AND JARED WELLS DROPKICKS HIM FROM THE SECOND TURNBUCKLE!! The fans have exploded here in Towson!"
JIVE: "Now only if they really would explode …"
GHEORGHE: "If you keep it up, I’m going to do this alone."
JIVE: "Don’t tempt me, Tom…"
GHEORGHE: "Jared Wells picks up John Doe … and he is setting him up for a jumping piledriver!!! BUT DOE IS FIGHTING IT!!! DOE FLIPS WELLS OVER … BUT WELLS WITH A SUNSET FLIP COUNTER!!! ONE ….. TWO …. KICKOUT!"
JIVE: "The fans were already on their feet .. and now they gotta sit back down! Shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch!"
GHEORGHE: "John Doe up to his feet as is Jared Wells. Both men lock up once more. Doe now with a go behind on Wells … but WELLS WITH A DONKEY KICK YOU KNOW WHERE! AND THE FANS LOVE IT!"
JIVE: "Jared Wells is a CHEATER … CHEATER!!! And the fans are condoning this senselessness! Remind me never to send my kids to Goucher College!"
GHEORGHE: "He picks Doe up, and fires away with three right hands and then drops Doe with the fourth! Doe gets up almost immediately and gets knocked back down with a powerful jab combo.. now Wells throws Doe into the corner!!"
JIVE: "Kicks to the groin, closed fist punches … whats next? A shotgun bullet into the skull?"
GHEORGHE: "JARED WELLS DRIVES A KNEE INTO THE STOMACH OF JOHN DOE! HE NOW IS SETTING HIM UP ON THE TOP TURNBUCKLE!"
JIVE: "Please God, I beg of you, let a lightning bolt come through the roof and annihilate Jared Wells right now."
GHEORGHE: "As Nick’s medication seems to wear off and his insanity comes through, Jared Wells llifts the weary Doe on the top rope and goes to the edge of the apron.. JARED WELLS GRABS THE NECK OF JOHN DOE!!"
JIVE: "PLEASE!!! HURRY!! SOMEONE GET ME A DARTGUN AND SOME SPECIAL K!"
GHEORGHE: "BUT JOHN DOE RAKES THE EYES OF JARED WELLS!!"
JIVE: "I guess Wells heard me saying something about Special K!! THANK YOU!"
GHEORGHE: "JOHN DOE NOW STANDING ON THE TOP ROPE AS JARED WELLS TURNS AROUND …. WELLS WALKS CLOSER TO THE CORNER …. OH HELL!"
CROWD: "N . E . W ! N . E . W!"
GHEORGHE: "JOHN DOE JUST HIT A TORNADO DDT ON JARED WELLS JUMPING FROM THE TOP ROPE AND CATCHING HIM ON THE WAY DOWN!"
JIVE: "Such perfection in that move! John Doe is going to be our first Television champion!!"
GHEORGHE: "John Doe with the cover ….. ONE …….. TWO ………. THREE!"
(SFX: Bell rings and the fans start booing.)
JIVE: "HE DID IT!!!"
JACOBS: "The winner of this match …. AND HEADING TO THE FINALS OF THE TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT…"
(CUEUP: ‘Sic’ by Slipknot.)
JACOBS: "JOHN DOE!"
GHEORGHE: "What an incredible ending, Nick! John Doe showing us some HUGE talent during that hard fought victory over Jared Wells."
JIVE: "Not only did he show us how much talent he had, he showed us that he can handle the pressure of taking on a guy in his own background. Look at all these people’s faces! They weren’t expecting Wells to fuck up in front of his own people!"
GHEORGHE: "There are indeed some very disappointed faces here in Towson, Maryland. Hopefully they’ll cheer up though … because up next we have an incredible Fatal Fourway Battle Royal special preview event as Peter File and Larry Tact take on one another!"
JIVE: "You mean, our first World Heavyweight Champion Peter File."
GHEORGHE: "Uh, sure."
JIVE: "Good."
(CUTTO: The backroom as we see Larry Tact standing in the corner talking to Acting President Marcus LaRoque … Tact is talking quickly and LaRoque is nodding his head. FADETO: Commercial as LaRoque pats Tact on the shoulder and walks away.)