Mike Clouds: "It is now time for our main event which is..."

Tim Merchant: Hold on there Mikey, I am getting word that we had another black out.

Mike Clouds: "What? Again? What was missed?"

Tim Merchant: "The last match."

Mike Clouds: "Can we pull it up on the Outlaw Vision?"

[Outlaw Vision lights up but quickly goes to a second of static then darkness.]

Mike Clouds: "What the hell?"

Tim Merchant: "Great the Outlaw Vision just crapped out again. Well, I guess we are going to have to relate the last match by word of mouth."

Mike Clouds: "We are running out of time because of all the difficulties tonight so we are going to make this quick. Last match was between The Franchise Players and Sex N' Violence..."

Tim Merchant: "Bring back the puppies!"

Mike Cloud: "Oh God, here we go again. Yes, there were very attractive women out here with nice..."

Tim Merchant: "PUPPIES!"

Mike Clouds: *sigh* And the match resulted in a Disqualification. Now onto our main event."

Tim Merchant: "No more puppies?"

Mike Clouds: "No more."

Sally Turnbuckle: "Ladies and gentlemen... the following contest is for one fall, and it is for the OCW Texas Heritage Championship!"

[At this announcement, the Texas crowd goes absolutely ballistic. Then...]

::The sounds of "Shamrocks and Shenanigans" by House of Pain fill the arena as the lights slowly dim. A subtle green hues evades the auditorium as Ryan Beckett emerges from the darkness.::

Sally Turnbuckle: "Now entering the arena... Hailing from Dublin, Ireland... At a height of 6'7" and weighing 285 pounds... He is the reigning Texas Heritage Champion -- "IRISH" RYAN BECKETT!"

~Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom~
'All Right Now'
~Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom~
'A Little Louder'
~Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom~
'Everybody'
~Boom Sha Lock Lock Boom~
'All Right Now'

::The heavy guitars continue to play as the irrepressible sounds of 'Da House' echo throughout the arena. Beckett slowly makes his way to the ring and slides under the bottom rope. He paces one end of the ring to another as the music finally comes to a close.::

Mike Clouds: "There's the champ, and he has to be thinking about the situation he's in tonight... He's about to face a member of the detestable Syndicate of EVIL, but none of us knows *which* member that'll end up being."

Tim Merchant: "Ahh, nothing to worry about. I don't think we're gonna have to wait too long to find out."

Mike Clouds: "That's not the point at all, Tim. The point is that Ryan Beckett was deliberately put at a disadvantage here. And I'd like to know what *any* of the SoE have done to earn this match!"

Tim Merchant: "They're the SoE! They get what they want!"

Mike Clouds: "I guarantee that Beckett sees things differently..."

[Suddenly...]

[Every light in the arena extinguishes at once, plunging the building into darkness. An instant murmur of excitement rises from the crowd.]

[Then...]

#Here we are
Born to be kings
We're the princes of the universe...#

[Another reaction from the fans -- this time decidedly negative -- as the loudspeakers blast the opening vocals to Queen's "Princes of the Universe".]

#Here we belong
Fighting to survive
In the war with the darkest power...
YEAH!#

[Just as the heavy electric guitars cut in, the entranceway *explodes* with brilliant pyro in a rainbow of colors, jetting out around the opening in a half-starburst pattern. And on the Outlaw-Vision Screen, three detestable words begin to strobe:]

SYNDICATE

OF

EVIL

[At this, the boos are positively *deafening*.]

[The lights fade up again, allowing a clear view of the stage. Appropriately enough, the first figure to emerge from that semi-circle of pyro is none other than the SoE leader himself -- Mr. PB, dressed as always in his garish purple suit and paper bag mask. He strides out onto the platform at a leisurely pace, his hands clasped behind his back, looking to and fro with the air of a conqueror appraising a new piece of land.]

[Just behind him are his two closest henchmen. One is large and stocky, dressed in a crisp white ship captain's uniform; the other is tall and lean, and dressed like a cowboy. They could *only* be the Skipper and Ash the Man-Soon, and they scan the howling arena with supercilious grins -- *knowing* they're far from welcome, and not caring in the slightest.]

[The diabolical trio move to one side of the stage, and PB delicately reaches a hand into his suit jacket, producing a microphone. He turns to gaze toward the ring with a look of self-satisfaction.]

PB: "Well, well, well, Mr. Beckett. This is it, isn't it? Long, long days of suspense and worry have culminated in this, the climactic unveiling. Just who *is* the SoE member you face tonight? Who *is* your challenger? Well, my good soon-to-be-former Texas Heritage Champion, I'm here to present you your choices. Behold!"

[With a flourish, PB waves his arm back at the Outlaw-Vision screen. At the top of the frame, small explosives fire with a scatter of sparks -- and three long rectangles of silk unfurl with a rasp of fabric. As the tapestries unroll to their full size, the images imprinted on them become visible.]

[Each one features a huge, regal, painted portrait of a Syndicate of EVIL member.]

[To left: Brigham Smith in his dark suit, hands pressed together in prayer, his ever-present Book of Mormon tucked under his arm. He wears a small beatific smile, and his eyes are turned up slightly, as if looking toward the heavens, toward his Lord. A pale halo is evident behind his head.]

[Center: Misty Xiao in a long, flowing crimson gown; the garment and her loose, shoulder-length black hair are blown to one side by an apparent wind. She has one hand by her ear in a vain attempt to tame her wayward tresses, and on her girlish face is a look of surprised amusement: lips slightly parted, dark sparkling eyes gazing up and to the side, as if watching a lost hat flying away.]

[To right: Seth Maverick in a white tanktop and black cargo pants, his unshaven face framed by straggly black hair. He wears a dour expression, brow furrowed irritably; a cigarette juts from his mouth, giving off a thin stream of smoke. He has the thumb of one hand hooked lazily in his hip pocket; with the other hand he gives a casual middle finger.]

[Then three figures rise up through the stage on elevator platforms, each corresponding to his or her hanging portrait: "The Stormin' Mormon" Brigham Smith, "The Red Angel" Misty Xiao, and Seth Maverick -- all in their respective wrestling gear.]

[The booing, if it ever stopped, starts up anew.]

Tim Merchant: "Wow. Now that's a hell of an entrance."

Mike Clouds: "You're right about that, Tim. The SoE is a lot of things, and *theatrical* is definitely one of them..."

[PB extends his arm toward his three agents and faces the ring once again.]

PB: "So, Mr. Beckett... let's put the mystery to rest, shall we? Your challenger tonight is..."

[The lights dim a little, and three spotlights shine down on the Syndicate trio. Then they begin strobing off and on, illuminating one of the wrestlers, then another, then the third, at a random, rapid-fire pace.]

[Then the strobing stops and one spotlight remains shining -- on Brigham Smith.]

Mike Clouds: "There it is! The "Stormin' Mormon" is the one taking on Ryan Beckett for the Texas Heritage Title!"

Tim Merchant: "And Smith is wasting no time stormin' his Mormon self down to the ring!"

[Indeed, no sooner does the spotlight pause than Brigham Smith dashes away from his comrades with a look of determination. He runs down the ramp and slides into the ring, quickly limbering up as the referee calls for the bell.]

[Ding, ding, ding!]

Mike Clouds: "So we're off, and I can't say I'm too shocked by Mr. PB's choice of challenger here. Smith was the first SoE member to make an appearance in OCW, defeating none other than Tommy Drake some months ago... And most recently he and his partner Seth Maverick captured not only the Lethal Lottery Tag Titles, but the WWA World Tag Titles for a second time. Brigham Smith certainly seems to be a blue chipper with a future..."

Tim Merchant: "There, doesn't it feel good to say something nice about Brigham for a change?"

Mike Clouds: "That's about the ONLY nice thing I can say about him! He's still an evil, self-righteous twit!"

Tim Merchant: "...Blasphemer."

[Scowling hatefully, Beckett closes in on Smith -- but the smaller, faster Smith slips away, circling around behind the champ. Beckett whirls around, only to be grabbed in a side headlock by the "Stormin' Mormon". Smith goes for a hiptoss, but Beckett refuses to budge; instead he shoves Smith away, into the ropes. Brigham rebounds and charges back -- and is MOWED DOWN by a hard Beckett clothesline as the crowd pops!]

Mike Clouds: "He caught him good with that one!"

Tim Merchant: "Bah! Lucky shot."

[Brigham Smith is up almost right away, but Beckett wastes no time in grabbing the SoE member by the head... and SOCKING him with a right-handed blow to the face. Smith retaliates with a lashing kick to the knee -- and Beckett puts that same knee hard into the midsection of Smith, forcing the air out of him. With a double handful of Smith's hair, Beckett runs him toward the corner--]

Mike Clouds: "Beckett looking to slam Smith's face into the turnbuckles-- no! Smith puts his foot up to block it! Sharp elbows by Brigham into the side of Ryan Beckett... and now it's Smith with handfuls of Beckett's hair!"

[~BANG!~]

Tim Merchant: "Into the top turnbuckle! Nice wrestlin', Brigham!"

Mike Clouds: "Beckett staggering back from that, holding his forehead, as Smith backs into the ropes... dashes in and CONNECTS with a running calf kick! Beckett taken off his feet!"

[Smith stoops down to bring Beckett back upright, but the Texas Heritage Champ is ready for him: he rams an elbow into Brigham's gut, doubling the young Mormon over. Getting to his feet, Beckett scoops Smith up for a slam -- but Smith slips out the back way, landing on his feet behind Beckett. As Beckett turns around, Smith grabs him by the arm, plants his feet, and tries to whip the much larger man into the corner -- but Beckett won't be moved. He reverses the whip, sending Smith into the opposite corner at speed.]

Tim Merchant: "Oh, Brigham with a clever move! He used his momentum to leap up to the top rope! Smith springboards backward with a moonsault bodypress!"

Mike Clouds: "OH! But Beckett catches him out of mid-air!"

[~WHAM!~]

Mike Clouds: "HARD slam by Ryan Beckett, laying Brigham Smith flat on the canvas! And now it's Beckett seemingly going aerial!"

[Going to the corner, Beckett boosts himself up onto the second rope. Then, with a sneer, he leaps off with a kneedrop -- only to hit nothing but hard canvas as Smith rolls out of the way!]

Tim Merchant: "That didn't pay off for the champ, Mike."

Mike Clouds: "No indeed. He thought he had Smith down, but Brigham having the wherewithal to save himself."

[As "Irish" gingerly gets up again, painfully favoring his knee, Brigham quickly makes it to his feet and charges at his larger opponent. Smith hooks him by the head and swings around -- DRIVING him head-first with a tornado DDT!]

Tim Merchant: "THAT'S what I'm talking about!"

Mike Clouds: "Smith with a good takedown, and here's the cover:"

1...

Mike Clouds: "Not even a two, as Beckett makes a strong kickout!"

[Smith moves off a few paces, going into a ready posture and watching as Beckett gets up again. Then Brigham is off -- stepping swiftly toward him and snapping his foot up in a Yakuza Kick -- DUCKED by Beckett, who saw it coming at the last second! Smith wheels around unsteadily--]

[~THWACK!~]

Mike Clouds: "POWER CLOTHESLINE by Ryan Beckett! Brigham Smith turned inside out with THAT shot! Beckett drops for the cover:"

1...

Tim Merchant: "No sir, Brig gets the shoulder up at one!"

Mike Clouds: "That may be, but I bet he had his contents shifted! Beckett now bringing Smith back to his feet..."

[Suddenly a series of thumping noises emanates from the sound system.]

Mike Clouds: "...Huh?"

[Heads turn. The sound is caused by Mr. PB, on the stage, patting his palm against his microphone. Beckett pushes Smith against the corner, but now the SoE leader has caught his attention, as well as the attention of a good portion of the arena.]

PB: "Sorry to interrupt here... Oh, curse me and my failing memory. It must be old age, eh Skip? [He glances momentarily at his second-in-command, who gives a small shrug] I do apologize, Mr. Beckett, but I've told a lie. If you could only see how red my face is. No... Mr. Smith actually *isn't* who I've chosen to face you tonight."

[This is met with a disapproving round of boos from the crowd. PB shakes his head as if in embarrassment.]

Mike Clouds: "What? What is he talking about?"

Tim Merchant: "He made a mistake, Mike. It happens!"

[By now, Brigham Smith has separated from Ryan Beckett in the ring, and Beckett is staring up at the stage with a look of suspicion.]

PB: "In fact, your opponent is *supposed* to be..."

[For a second time, the arena lights dim, and spotlights flash on over the heads of the two SoE members still standing on the stage. Random strobing ensues as it did before, until one of the lights stays on -- indicating Seth Maverick.]

[Clenching his hands into fists, the brute charges down the ramp and dives into the ring -- immediately clashing with the Texas Heritage Champion as Brigham Smith slips to the outside.]

Mike Clouds: "Wait a minute! He can't do that! That's not right! The match has already started, for crying out loud!"

Tim Merchant: "But it started with the *wrong person*. PB's just making things right by sending in who he should've sent in to begin with!"

Mike Clouds: "Oh, sure... it's *perfectly* alright to send in a fresh Seth Maverick when Ryan Beckett has already spent five minutes wrestling with Brigham Smith!"

[There's very little "wrestling" in the ring now -- it's nothing but an old-fashioned brawl as both Maverick and Beckett exchange hard shots wherever they can connect. Maverick gets in a good punch to the jaw, staggering Beckett back a little... and he follows it up with a charging elbowsmash across the face that sends "Irish" to the canvas. Immediately Seth straddles Beckett's chest, pulls up his head by the hair, and starts laying into him with closed fists to the face.]

Mike Clouds: "JESUS! Maverick holding NOTHING back here!"

Tim Merchant: "Well, no kidding! This is for the Texas Heritage Title!"

[The referee is having none of these blatant shots, and he issues a five-count to Maverick, who continues pummeling Beckett for the whole five seconds before finally letting up. Getting to his feet, he drags Beckett up with him, and with a loud grunt of effort scoops the larger man up!]

Mike Clouds: "Amazing power by Seth Maverick, lifting up Ryan Beckett, who even outweighs and outsizes Maverick himself... aaand-- DROPS him throat-first across the top rope!"

Tim Merchant: "Nice Hotshot by Maverick!"

[Beckett stumbles away from the ropes, choking -- right into the waiting, sadistic clutches of Maverick.]

[~WHAM!~]

Mike Clouds: "VICIOUS spinebuster! And Seth goes for the cover!"

1...

2--

Mike Clouds: "Kickout by Beckett! He's not done yet, Tim, despite this being essentially his *second* match tonight!"

Tim Merchant: "Oh, please... this is the same match he started with Brigham, only now he's facing the guy he was meant to in the first place!"

Mike Clouds: [Shakes his head] "...Idiot..."

[As Beckett fights to his feet, Maverick immediately forces him up against the ropes, keeping him there with a boot to the gut. Seth backs off a few steps, and then charges, swinging a DECAPITATING lariat at Beckett's head -- but it's ducked, Beckett slipping under it, and Maverick finds himself running into the ropes, his momentum almost sending him right over the top! Beckett grabs him from behind with a waistlock and heaves -- DROPPING him with a HEAVY belly-to-back suplex!]

Mike Clouds: "NICE move there!"

[Maverick rolls to his feet, rubbing the back of his neck painfully, and "Irish" gets up as well. But Seth regains his faculties first, and clubs Beckett over the head with a meaty forearm. Taking him by the arm, he shoots Beckett into the ropes... Beckett on the return and Maverick ducks his head for a back body drop -- but the former WWA Double Crown Champ puts the brakes on and punts Maverick RIGHT in the face, to a resounding pop from the crowd!]

Mike Clouds: "Maverick didn't see THAT one coming!"

Tim Merchant: "C'mon, ref! That's cheating!"

Mike Clouds: "Will you shut it? Beckett backs into the ropes as Maverick clutches at his face... "Irish" now on the charge! Hooks Seth under the chin -- LAYS HIM OUT with a reverse bulldog! Beckett building some momentum here!"

[As Maverick fights to his feet, Beckett stands by, making come-on gestures. Seeing his opening, he boots Maverick in the gut, and sets him up for a pumphandle slam, heaving Seth up onto his shoulder. But the biggest of the SoE wrestlers kicks free of Beckett's grasp, landing behind the champ. He shoves hard at Beckett's back, sending him into the ropes -- and Beckett rebounds fast, like a bullet ricocheting off metal!]

[~CRACK!~]

Mike Clouds: "HOLY CRAP! Beckett and Maverick just BUTTING HEADS like a pair of rams in heat! BOTH men knocked loopy from that mishap!"

Tim Merchant: "I think that, right there, is why we always remind folks NOT to try this at home!"

[Beckett has been knocked back into the ropes, where he hangs from one arm while rubbing painfully at his face with his other hand; Maverick is stumbling around the ring with his own abused noggin in his hands.]

[Suddenly, another series of amplified thumps fills the air. Already knowing what this signifies, the fans start booing even as they turn their heads again to the stage -- where Mr. PB has his hand over his (paper-bagged) face, shaking his head in disbelief.]

PB: "Oh... you won't believe this, it's so embarrassing. I've made a mistake *again*. Isn't that shameful? Twice in one night... not a good sign."

Mike Clouds: "Oh, you have *got* to be kidding..."

Tim Merchant: "Shush! I wanna hear this."

PB: "You see, Skip here has just reminded me that Mr. Maverick is *not*, in fact, the one we chose to face you tonight, Mr. Beckett. I do hope you'll forgive me for my error. But the good news is, I can finally send your *true* challenger down to the ring!"

[With a wave of the arm, PB goes into showman mode.]

PB: "Ladies and gentlemen... the SoE member who will, tonight, take on "Irish" Ryan Beckett for the Texas Heritage Title is..."

[The blinking spotlights come on again, and there's a moment of general confusion as one light actually shines on the Skipper (who startles with eyes wide) for a moment. But then, inevitably, the light stops on the last remaining SoE wrestler--]

PB: ..."THE RED ANGEL" MISTY XIAO!"

[Having regained some of his sensibilities, Ryan Beckett shouts furiously toward the SoE gang on the stage -- but at that moment, Seth Maverick runs right at him, and CLOCKS Beckett with a THUNDEROUS big boot to the side of the head, sending the Texas Heritage Champ sprawling.]

Mike Clouds: "GIVE ME A FRIGGIN' BREAK! LOOK WHAT MAVERICK DID!"

[Amid a deafening flood of jeers, Misty is off like a bullet, dashing down to the ring and sliding in, as Seth Maverick calmly steps through the ropes to the apron, peering back at the fallen form of Ryan Beckett.]

Mike Clouds: "This is WRONG, Tim! Beckett getting blatantly BLINDSIDED here... and now we have Misty Xiao, the THIRD opponent Beckett's having to face in one match!"

Tim Merchant: "Oh, listen to you! How is it WRONG for PB to correct his mistakes? I mean, the guy's honest enough to admit when he messed up... doesn't that count for something?"

Mike Clouds: "Mistakes, my ass. PB had this planned all along! Ryan Beckett's been set up as the rube for this whole despicable scheme... and you can BET that Eric Ramirez had some part to play in this as well!"

Tim Merchant: "Who are you, Fox Mulder? You're seeing conspiracies everywhere, dude."

[Not passing up a prime opportunity, Misty throws herself down across Beckett, hooking one big leg for the cover:]

1...

2...

Mike Clouds: "Kickout by Beckett, who's not ready to give up the ghost just yet, no matter WHAT the SoE's thrown at him so far!"

[With a frown of intensity on her face, Misty gets to her feet -- and drops a knee right across the forehead of Beckett, stopping his attempt to get up. Then she drops a second, and a third, each one finding its mark.]

Mike Clouds: "I have to say, those blows are definitely hurting the champ despite Xiao being less than HALF Beckett's size... She's wisely pinpointing spots she can do the most damage with the tools she has. Of course, it doesn't help in the slightest that Brigham Smith and Seth Maverick softened him up for her!"

Tim Merchant: "You just can't give credit where it's due, can you?"

[Ryan Beckett rolls to one side, trying to put some separation between himself and Misty. As he wearily fights off the canvas, Misty runs behind him, scales the turnbuckles, and launches herself -- hooking Beckett's head and NAILING him with a diving bulldog! Without a pause, Xiao gets back on her feet, runs into the ropes -- springboards off the second rope -- and lands a PICTURE-PERFECT lionsault across the back of Beckett. She digs her toes into the canvas and effortfully pushes the champ onto his back, going for the cover again:]

1...

2...

Mike Clouds: "Beckett with the shoulder up again at two... But damn, there's a fire in that girl we haven't seen in some time, Tim!"

Tim Merchant: "Damn it, man, how many times do I have to remind you that OCW's number one prize is on the line here? And you have to think that if Misty wins the Texas Heritage Title, that's GOT to go a long way to redeem her in the eyes of Mr. PB!"

Mike Clouds: "I bet it would... but I don't think anyone here would be exactly happy to see that happen!"

[Misty Xiao grabs the head of Ryan Beckett as Beckett tries to get up -- only to be shoved roughly away. Undaunted, Xiao heads to the corner and goes to the top, perched on the top turnbuckle as "Irish" once again regains his footing.]

Mike Clouds: "Misty ready to fly -- and she jumps! SPINNING HEEL KICK--"

[~WHAAAMM!~]

Tim Merchant: "NOOO!"

Mike Clouds: "GOOD GRIEF! WHAT a counter! Beckett CAUGHT her out of the air and POWERBOMBED the "Red Angel" practically through the ring!! Her small frame was NOT made to be slammed like that!!"

Tim Merchant: "The SoE does NOT look happy about this!"

Mike Clouds: "But these fans are going BONKERS! And Beckett now folding Xiao over for the pin, and this is probably going to be the end for her right here..."

1...

2...

Mike Clouds: "NO! Kickout by Xiao, showing her resilience! But you have to know that that one move by Beckett has already done a load of damage! Don't forget the sick fall Xiao took at International Wars, that suplex from the top rope to the floor -- a move that got both her AND Wendy Briese stretchered out of the World Cruiserweight Title match."

Tim Merchant: "I haven't forgotten... This is Misty's first match back from that injury, and it'd be such a shame if she was put out of action again. She's such a nice young woman."

Mike Clouds: [Sarcastically] "Yeah, SUCH a nice young woman, who openly declared herself the WWA's most notorious cheater, and who runs with a group who call themselves no less than EVIL..."

[Shaking his head a bit in an effort to clear the fog from his mind, Beckett gets up slowly, hauling Xiao up as well. Then he grabs her and boosts her, almost effortlessly, up into the air with an overhead press. With a small grin of satisfaction, Beckett hurls her halfway across the ring -- Misty screaming and flailing her arms and legs in terror -- before she smacks hard into the canvas. The impact actually makes her bounce up to a standing position, where she throws a drunken fist at the air -- and then flops face-first to the mat again.]

Tim Merchant: "Damn you, Ryan Beckett! She doesn't deserve that!"

Mike Clouds: "She deserves everything she gets, for being part of this plot to set up Beckett tonight! Beckett now going over and hooking her up for the cover:"

1...

2...

Mike Clouds: "Amazingly, another kickout by Xiao! But she's not going to be able to sustain much more offense like that!"

[Beckett pulls her to her feet, shoots her hard into the ropes. Misty on the rebound -- LEAPS desperately, and SMACKS "Irish" in the face with a dropkick, knocking him down to one knee!]

Tim Merchant: "Misty with a solid shot there... and back into the ropes!"

Mike Clouds: "On the return -- FLYING FOREARM to the skull of Beckett, flattening the champ! But the exertion has taken it out of Misty Xiao as well -- she's also down on the mat, breathing hard."

[No sooner does Mike say this, than Misty tucks her knees to her chest and nimbly kips up to her feet -- only to stagger and clutch painfully at her back.]

Mike Clouds: "The "Red Angel" having some fight left in her, but obviously she's hurting... Meanwhile, Beckett starting to pick himself up as well..."

[Then...]

[The lights begin to twitch and flicker and they take on the deepest shade of mushroom blue. Then within a few breathless moments "Mr. Self Destruct" by Nine Inch Nails begins to rumble out of the arena loud speakers.]

I am the voice inside your head
and I control you
I am the lover in your bed
and I control you
I am the sex that you provide
and I control you
I am the hate you try to hide
and I control you

[Then we hear a child's voice over the P.A. saying...]

"He's found new flesh and He's Back!"

[...Then the young child's voice is cut off by the sounds of the child gasping as if someone has wrapped their deadly hands around her throat. We hear the choking for a few seconds until the child screams out in horror, and Erik Cross steps out of the darkness with the scream.]

Tim Merchant: "OH MY GOD! IT'S ERIK CROSS!"

Mike Clouds: "I think you're right, Tim. Erik Cross was our first ever Texas Heritage champion and our resident sadist. From what I've heard, he has only gotten more sadistic."

Tim Merchant: "My man is back and better than before!"

Mike Clouds: "I wonder what he's doing here..."

[Beckett and Misty have stopped in the middle of their match to see Erik standing on the entranceway. The crowd can feel the anticipation as to what is going to transpire here.]

Tim Merchant: "Look at the stare down between Erik and Beckett."

Mike Clouds: "Erik Cross was one of the men Beckett wanted a shot at, but Cross left before that happened."

Tim Merchant: "And Misty looks plain dumbfounded at the sight of Erik Cross... She's kind of got a thing for him, but the last time they saw each other, he more or less reamed her out and sent her away. Probably a lot of conflicting thoughts going through her head right now."

Mike Clouds: "Assuming she HAS thoughts in her head..."

Tim Merchant: "That's just mean, Mike."

I speak religion's message clear
and I control you
I am denial, guilt and fear
and I control you
I am the prayer's of the naive
and I control you
I am the lie that you believe
and I control you

[Erik steps out onto the ramp to a shower of boos from the crowd, with his head lowered and his long black hair streaked with white dangling down over his face. He slowly takes a few steps forward drinking in the fans boos as if they are giving him power.]

I take you where you want to go
I give you all you need to know
I drag you down, I use you up
Mr. Self Destruct

[As the music climaxes Erik rips his head back flipping his hair back, revealing his death-like mime painted face and cold black eyes staring out at a sold out crowd. The fans continue to boo Erik as the music stops and he begins his descent to the ring. Before getting to the ring Erik turns sharply and heads for the announce table and sits down next to Tim Merchant.]

Erik Cross: "Hello Timmy."

Tim Merchant: "Mr. Cross, it's nice to have you back."

Erik Cross: "Call me, The Entity, like in the old days, Tim."

[Tim Merchant's face goes to a sheet white and he gulps.]

Tim Merchant: "Graves, is that you?"

[Erik does nothing but smiles in a very disturbing way. Mike Clouds seems confused and interjects.]

Mike Clouds: "What brings you back to OCW?"

Erik Cross: "I run the place now."

Tim Merchant: *gulp* "You what?"

Erik Cross: "You heard me."

Mike Clouds: "This night just keeps getting stranger and stranger."

Erik Cross: "I also came to watch my beautiful "Red Angel" wrestle."

Mike Clouds: "Ah, yes. You are referring to the lovely Misty Xiao of course..."

Tim Merchant: "The same one you told to F-off back at International Wars?"

[Erik casts a dark, narrow-eyed look at the announcer, shutting him up instantly.]

Mike Clouds: "ANYway... Beckett hasn't taken his eyes off you since you came out here, Erik -- er, Graves -- er, and neither has Xiao... But "Irish" turning back to the match now-- HEY!!"

[~BOOOOOO!~]

Tim Merchant: "BRILLIANT!"

Mike Clouds: "RED MIST by Misty Xiao! Beckett getting a FACEFUL! How on earth did the ref MISS that?!"

[Having scored with her mist, Xiao kicks the blinded Beckett in the midsection and goes for the Hello Kitty -- but somehow, Beckett has the presence of mind to shove her away.]

Mike Clouds: "Beckett blocking the move, but now he's sweeping frantically at his eyes, trying to clear his vision... he's still wide open as Misty Xiao comes back -- SWEET SHIN MUSIC! "Irish" Ryan Beckett now hopping on one foot!"

[Gritting her teeth, Xiao runs behind him, slips out to the apron. She grabs the top rope, springboards off and--]

Mike Clouds: "MY LITTLE PONY! MISTY CONNECTS AND BECKETT IS DOWN! IS THAT GOING TO DO IT?"

Tim Merchant: "COVER HIM!"

1...

2...

3!!!

[Ding, ding, ding!]

[~BOOOOOOOOO!!!~]

Tim Merchant: "I don't believe this! We got a new champ!"

Mike Clouds: "This is a travesty..."

Mike Clouds: "I never thought I'd see the day, but the Syndicate of EVIL now possesses the top gold in OCW. Damn it all."

Tim Merchant: "Can't you be happy for her?"

Mike Clouds: "How can you be happy at all? This is TERRIBLE."

Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, your winner... and NEW Texas Heritage Champion... "THE RED ANGEL" MISTY XIAO!!"

[This is met with another round of boos, which only intensifies when Brigham Smith and Seth Maverick -- who'd been lurking at ringside while Misty wrestled -- re-enter and bully the giant form of Ryan Beckett toward the side of the ring, finally dumping him unceremoniously to the floor. Then they lift up Misty on their shoulders and parade her around in the ring, she holding the title over her head for the disapproving fans to see.]

[And up on the stage, Mr. PB is quietly, but proudly, applauding.]

[Erik Cross quickly stands from the announce table and walks past members of the SoE right up to Misty. He flashes a teasing smile and grabs her face in his hands and plants a passionate kiss on her lips. He stops kissing her but continues to hold her face in his hands and speaks.]

Erik: "I told you that you could do it. I'm glad I was here to see you get your win, enjoy it."

[He releases her face slowly caressing her cheek then turns to walk away back through the menacing crowd of the SoE. They give Erik wary glances; and up on the stage, Ash the Man-Soon is positively fuming with jealousy.]

Tim Merchant: "Misty's speechless!"

[Indeed, she stares after Erik Cross with a look somewhere between elation and apprehension, unable to figure out just how to react. As Erik Cross steps through the ropes, she breaks away from her companions and starts toward him, arm outstretched... But he's out of the ring before she can bring herself to say anything. So she settles for waving at his back with a small smile.]

[Then Misty slings her newly won belt over her shoulder and flashes a big grin at the crowd, her SoE partners flanking her with triumphant smirks.]

Mike Clouds: "Well, this has been an exciting night, with the storm and all the equipment failure, but we did our best folks."

Tim Merchant: "Misty is a very happy camper right about now. She not only got kissed by the most lethal entity OCW has known, but she won the Texas Heritage Title, a title that Cross held himself."

Mike Clouds: "Right you are, Tim. Thanks for tuning in everyone and remember top catch us this Saturday night for the Cruiserweight Title Match between Joey Tesauro and Sam "The Man" Horrey. See you then."

Tim Merchant: "Good night."

Credits roll.