The scene opens on a local 7-11 gas station/food mart, somewhere on the interstate. Inside, “Bad Ass” Matt Covey is found standing in one of the aisles talking to someone. The man appears to be his EWC rival, Crusher… Both men are keeping their voices low, and appear to be looking out for something.
Crusher: Man! What was the deal with Strife? I had that belt won!
Bad Ass: We knew he was joining, we just didn’t know how. But he won’t be interfering in our best of three matches event at Harsh Winter. I’ll see to it.
Crusher: And we’re here now, why?
Bad Ass: Look Johnny, I just want to thank you for saving my ass last week.
Crusher: Don’t mention it, man. I just want to know what the hell Dubose was thinking. It’s getting pretty dangerous around here.
Bad Ass: I know it. It appears that he’s all about image and will do anything to protect it. Even if it means destroying the foundation of the EWC.
Crusher: Well obviously we aren’t going to stand for it.
Bad Ass: You’re damn right we ain’t gonna stand for it! The next time I get my hands on that bastard, might be the last! Cause I’ll kill him first fucking chance I get…
Crusher: That might be a little… Shit! Here they come…
Bad Ass: They found us? Damn!
Crusher: Like cockroaches or something…
The front door of the store opens and in walks two members of the Extreme Network security, followed by a camera man and Ace King. They begin strutting through the store, acting somehow…untouchable. Ace then glances down the liquor aisle and finds the men standing and staring at him. He then smiles and waltzes down in their direction, the security and camera following him.
Ace King: Hey guys! You wouldn’t happen to be plotting against Dubose and the EWC now would you?
Bad Ass: That’s funny… I thought you were supposed to stay at least a hundred yards away from me.
Ace King: Too bad my friend. New rule states that you can’t touch me! And so now I can follow you whenever I damn well please. Now I’ve got a camera here, and you guys are going to do a promo for me. Now make it interesting and whoop each other’s asses, okay?
Johnny looks to Matt who just shrugs his shoulders, following it up with a menacing grin.
Crusher: Give us just a second to get into character first.
Bad Ass: Let’s see… I hate people. I hate the world. I hate Crusher. Yeah, I think that should just about do it…
Crusher: Ready?
Bad Ass: Ready.
The two men pull back their fists like they’re going to knock the other into next week. But instead they simultaneously turn and drive their fists into Ace’s face, sending him flying across the store and into the security team. Crusher immediately grabs up one of the security members and begins busting him in his face until he can no longer see straight. Crusher then throws him over the checkout counter where an Arabian man runs for his life. Meanwhile, Bad Ass is slowly walking up to a cowering Ace King who is sitting on his butt; backing away with one hand and holding his face with the other. Matt’s smile is spread from ear to ear as he takes his time in approaching the troublemaker. Matt grabs a can of beer off the shelf and throws at Ace, laughing. He then grabs several different food items and begins tossing them like darts at Ace. Ace suddenly backs into a wall and wets his pants, Matt staring disgustfully at him. He then jerks Ace up by his collar…
Bad Ass: You’ve grown quite the set of balls, Ace. And what do you do with them? You piss your fucking pants like a little bitch! What’s wrong Ace? Are you scared? Do you think I would honestly hurt you?
Ace weakly nods his head.
Bad Ass: Then you would be correct my friend. Crusher! Tell him what he’s won!
From across the store, Crusher cries out…
Crusher: Just shut up and beat his ass!
Bad Ass: Eh, I was going for fun, but business will do just fine!
Matt rears back and punches Ace again, before slamming his head into some of the shelving; wiping off an entire shelf of goods with Ace’s face. He then drops Ace on the floor and kicks him in his gut several times, Ace coughing up blood and choking on his own breath.
Bad Ass: I have to ask you this… What In the hell did you think you were doing, walking in here and demanding anything of me? Did your precious “new rule” make you feel safe? How many times do I have to tell you Ace, there will never be a rule written that I don’t break. Accept maybe murder, cause that seems to be Dubose’ department now…
Crusher is several aisles back now, stomping away on another one of the security members. And as he mercilessly stomps the life from the fallen man, he shouts…
Crusher: You tell Dubose that was an expensive ass truck! And I don’t appreciate being shot at!!!
Bad Ass: Hey Johnny!
Crusher: What?!
Bad Ass: Help me with something for a minute, will ya?
The scene changes to the outside of the store, ten minutes having passed. Suddenly, one of the members of security comes flying through the window and rolling hard against the pavement as the fragmentations of glass rain down upon his head, embedding themselves into his flesh. Bad Ass and Crusher suddenly come walking through the window and out into the daylight. Both men put on a pair of shades and look to one another.
Bad Ass: Well then. I guess I’ll see you at Harsh Winter.
Crusher: Maybe sooner if Dubose tries something.
Bad Ass: True. Oh! And do me a favor and tell your brother I hope he brings the fight at least half as well as you do.
Crusher smiles.
Crusher: You cocky ass bastard. You know you aren’t going to be the IN champ forever.
Bad Ass: Yeah… I just hope to hold it longer than my world title reign.
Both men begin to laugh as they shake hands and turn, walking towards separate cars. The scene fades.
The scene opens on EWC Explosion! The EWC’s renewed version of the week in EWC. Jerry Gardens is hosting the show and his special guest, the Bad Ass walks out onto the set and has a seat next to Gardens.
Jerry Gardens: Welcome. Can I call you Bad Ass?
Bad Ass: You can call me Matt.
Jerry Gardens: Okay, Matt. But why so formal?
Bad Ass: Because I see the EWC as no longer being an act. It’s no longer two men battling it out to see who’s the top dog in this sport anymore. Instead, Dubose plays favorites and chooses who rises to the top and who does not. So I’ve made it my goal to take everything away from him as myself, and out of character. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a Bad Ass, no one can take that away…
Jerry Gardens: Yes. This has been quite the week of controversy, hasn’t it? What with you claiming the world title was given to you as a bribe, followed by the horrendous assault seen ‘round the world, and most recently the stand you and several other wrestlers have taken against Dubose at Rage.
Bad Ass: Well Jerry, it’s all been building for a while now. As long as Dubose has been fucking…
Jerry Gardens: We can’t use that word.
Bad Ass: My bad. As long as Dubose has been FUCKING people over here in the EWC, he’s slowly helped to create a base of people in this fed that just don’t like him at all! I was just the first to be verbal about it.
Jerry Gardens: And yet, it all started with random beat downs on your coworkers backstage. Why?
Bad Ass: It wasn’t nothing personal to any of them, but when dealing with a man like Dubose; you’ve got to make it count! And so I began knocking off some of his new guys, some of his production staff, and even going so far as to tear up shit on his Extreme Network executive staff.
Jerry Gardens: Okay. Now explain how after beating up the executives, including Kurtis Strife; that the Whole Damn Show acquired Strife’s help?
Bad Ass: Simple. He got the message we were sending. He knew how Dubose worked and saw which side was going to hold the power when the dust settled. It took an ass beating, but he made the right choice.
Jerry Gardens: And do you have anything to say on the remarks made by several of the newer wrestlers after their remarks at Rage?
Bad Ass: Like who?
Jerry Gardens: You know, Mike Shamrock, Sean Jericho, Josh Gattis, Nick Lopez…
Bad Ass: I’m not sure I recognize the first three. Must be jobbers or something. But I’m quite sure that last name belongs to the guy whose ass I kicked at Rage after his un-important match.
Jerry Gardens: And then there’s your brother, the “Jigga Man”.
Bad Ass: …
Jerry Gardens: Well?
Bad Ass: …He got himself in this mess. It’s not my fault if he can’t get out.
Jerry Gardens: Are you saying…
Bad Ass: Just pass Jerry. Leave it alone.
Jerry Gardens: Okay. New speculation reveals that there may be more members in the back waiting to join Dubose’ flank. Any thoughts on that?
Bad Ass: It’s funny. When Boss and I were corporate, the wrestlers in the back couldn’t stand us. They hated The Corporation. But once the Boss and myself broke free, it appears that they’re all jumping to Dubose’ side… I don’t know, maybe they just hate us.
Jerry Gardens: Maybe. Any idea on what Fury is going to be like? You know you do face Allen Smith with your IN title on the line.
Bad Ass: Yeah. Just another example Dubose trying to hold us down. Using an alliance to rip itself apart. Asshole… But never the less it is going to be interesting wrestling Allen again. I can’t wait.
Jerry Gardens: Right… And what of your challenge issued to the EWC a while back? About your IN title?
Bad Ass: Oh yeah. That shot still goes out. To anyone and everyone of the EWC that so much as wishes they could hold this title, I’m telling them to bring it! I want to see Owen, Crusher, Smith, Jericho, Gattis, Lopez, Jigga Man, all of them! I want them to all come and get a piece of this and help me prove just how big of a Bad Ass I really am!
Jerry Gardens: But don’t you have an alliance with Smith, Crusher, and Owen now?
Bad Ass: Look at it this way, Jerry. Sure their appears to be a line drawn between Dubose’ power and ours, but it doesn’t mean I can’t fight guys from either side from time to time. That’d be like these guys ever getting another title shot just because we’re on the same side. That’d be fucking stupid.
Jerry Gardens: And on that note, we’re out of here! I’d like to thank you Matt for dropping by here at the studio and we hope to see you again sometime… Just with a cleaner mouth. Good night everyone!
The Bad Ass stands to leave and shakes Jerry Gardens’ hand as the show fades.