We open in darkness and for a change, the voice you hear opening up Annihilation belongs to the one and only reigning Foundation Heavyweight Champion, "The Reaper" Leonard Aarons.

(The Reaper) There are those who believe that I'm done. That if the match itself doesn't do me in...

A quick shot of the two previous Chain Reaction matches, the most recent of which saw Keith Owens walk away the champion fades to...

(The Reaper) This man will.

A shot of Aarons being lit ablaze only this time, the night vision is a little clearer and we can see Heatwave a little clearly as he runs by with lighter in hand setting the FHC on fire. This cuts out to black as we see a grainy black and white image of Aarons from about three years ago in what used to be the NWC: Atlantic that was later renamed Axiom before he set foot in the NAFW.

(The Reaper) This is what Heatwave's after. A man devoid of any real compassion or concern for anyone but himself. But as I tried to tell him, I'm not that guy anymore. I'm not Illtown Leonard Aarons. I'm not thriving off of the hatred of the fans or the suffering of others. But he's not the only one who's not getting this...

This picture fades to a shot of Vanessa from about the same time frame, walking side by side with Leonard.

(The Reaper) She's another one who's got cement insulation inside of her skull. Between the two of them, I'm not sure which one is driving me nuts more with their delusions of grandeur...but one thing is for sure. Now's not the time for that.

This picture fades out as we see a shot of the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.

(The Reaper) I told the world in the very beginning, at Last Rites that before it was all said and done, I'd have this in my possession and lay waste to anyone in my path that posed a threat to me obtaining it.

A Lion's roar follows this up as we see Aarons dropping Bishop with The Reaper's Wrath at Last Rites.

Aarons blasting Owens in the face with the Lendo Stick the night he was announced the #1 contender for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.

Aarons leaving Cunning with a crimson mask after blasting him in the face repeatedly with the Lendo Stick.

Aarons dropping Cunning with The Reaper's Wrath in their first head to head meeting on Annihilation.

(The Reaper) There are those who would believe that I'm ripe for a fall. Those who foolishly believe that my past is going to do me in, if my next title defense don't do it first. I mean, if ole Mike can almost beat me...

We cut to Mike locking Leonard in the New York Cloverleaf at Redemption, Aarons with a look of pain etched on that crimson masked face of his as he refuses to tap out.

(The Reaper) And if Heatwave can find new and innovative ways to make my life a living hell...

Cut to the revelation of Mr. Black at Redemption to...

Heatwave leaving Aarons lying in his locker room on the post-Redemption edition of Annihilation.

Heatwave handcuffing Lorenzo to the ropes and breaking Charlene's neck with a top rope Black Furnace Driver.

Heatwave shattering Zo's surgically repaired ankle a week ago.

(The Reaper) Then perhaps I don't deserve to be champion. But the questions are endless as we head into tonight and of course heading into Chain Reaction...stuff that for too many weeks I've let slide by.

We get the sound of a projector starting up as we see an image of Aarons standing in between Aleister and Vanessa.

(The Reaper) Will I join Aleister or will I decide to let bygones be bygones and let Vanessa walk by my side?

This cuts into a shot of Mike Stryker speaking.

(The Reaper) What do I think about Mike Stryker possibly joining Mike Lane and going 2 on...never mind.

That image gets X'd out as the word 'Loser' is written in red.

(The Reaper) Basically, now is about me addressing the past. One that I've been haunted by in more ways than most can't even begin to imagine.

We cut to a shot of Aarons losing to Castleberry shortly after he ended the record setting reign of Charles Johnson. The loss that sent him into seclusion and sent Vanessa away from him for quite a while as their relationship came to an end.

(The Reaper) This is something I still think about from time to time. But this...is what's haunted me for years...

We now cut to a shot of Aarons holding a woman between his legs with both legs hooked. If this looks familiar, it's because this is what Heatwave did to Charlene a few weeks ago minus a table. As we pan back on the scene, we can see Heatwave restrained by two other men as Aarons has his wife up top, about to do something incredibly...devastating.

(The Reaper) Heatwave insists that his wife and family were never the same after this. Funny thing is, I wasn't either. You see, up until that point I didn't really believe there was such a thing as going too far to get what you want. But I was wrong and it was after this that I vowed to repent of my ways and walk the straight and somewhat narrow.

We cut to Aarons in the crowd three years ago, speaking against Charles Johnson who was a card-carrying member of the FLF at the time.

(The Reaper) I honestly didn't think I'd make it this far, or that I could be forgiven...but I guess it's very much possible. Up until Redemption, I thought I was honestly clear of it all but I guess the old saying was true. The past really does catch up with you eventually. Which brings me to the here and now.

We see the faces of all six men that are involved with Chain Reaction as Aarons continues speaking.

(The Reaper) Tonight all six of these men will hear the Gospel as we head into Chain Reaction. I've sat back for far too long listening to these has beens, never weres and never will bes speaking ill of me and the throne I've sweat...

Cue Aarons working out as we hear the beginning of “Funeral Music” by 50 Cent, the sweat glistening off of his chiseled frame as his workout routine looks frighteningly familiar with what Clubber Lang did to get ready for Rocky.

## The business is entertainment... ##
## And what entertains the customers... is the sight of blood. ##

(The Reaper) Bled...

Cue the end of Death Wish, as a crimson mask wearing Aarons does battle with Cunning for the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.

The music hits a fever pitch before everything stops.

(The Reaper) And damn near died for...

Cue the Boston Barbecue incident, as Aarons is lit on fire as this image is frozen in place before the scene itself burns out.

(The Reaper) Tonight, I will make it perfectly clear to all of them that the past as a whole...

Cue up shots of Aarons walking away dejected as Vanessa yells back at him. Another of Heatwave cutting a promo against him. Followed by shots of the previous champions entering Chain Reaction as champion only to quickly cut to them losing the title.

(The Reaper) Is nothing compared to the present that is...

Cue up Aarons striking his trademark pose as he holds the Foundation Heavyweight Championship in his left hand and his Lendo Stick in his right.

(The Reaper) And the future that will be after the Gospel has been spoken and my words shall come to pass...

”Go To Sleep” by Eminem, Obie Trice & DMX picks up as we see the Lion roaring and epic scenes of battle with the embattled hero taking the fight to his adversaries.

## I ain’t gonna eat, I ain’t gonna sleep ##
## Ain’t gonna breathe, ‘til I see what I wanna see ##

Quick fade to Aarons walking down the aisle as this gives way to each man standing tall during the high points of their respective careers.

## And what I wanna see, is you go to sleep in the dirt ##
## Permanently, you just bein hurt, this ain’t gonna work ##

Mike Lane, Sean Thomas and Kyle Cole's first FHC wins of their careers.

## For me, it just wouldn’t be, sufficient enough ##
## Cause we, are just gonna be, enemies ##

Mike Stryker becoming a double champion.

## As long as we breathe, I don’t ever see, either of us ##
## Comin to terms, where we can agree ##

Tyrone Smith upsetting Cunning to qualify for Chain Reaction.

## There ain’t gonna be, no reasonin, speaking with me ##
## You speak on my seed, then me, no speak-a ingles ##

Cut to Heatwave being dropped with the Reaper's Wrath as he gains a spot in Chain Reaction thanks to The Reaper. At this point, the song skips ahead as the beat picks up quite a bit.

## When I see you, I’m seein you, me and you only ##
## We never met, but best believe you gon’ know me ##

Aarons dropping Smith a few months ago with The Reaper's Wrath.

## When I’m this close, to see you exposed as phony ##
## Come on bitch, show me, pick me up, throw me ##

Ditto for Stryker as he goes on to lose to Smith as a result of the Wrath.

## Lift me up, hold me, just like you told me ##
## You was gonna do, that’s what I thought, you’re pitiful ##

Cue Mike Lane handcuffed to the ropes, powerless to stop Aarons as he goes on to win the Foundation Heavyweight Championship.

## I’m rid of you, all of you, Ja, you’ll get it too! ##

All of this gives way to a slow pan in on a light shining over a lion's face only this one is a little different than usual. It has the proverbial crimson mask covering its face, only instead of the usual menacing snarl it has...a smirk as we hear...

## Now go to sleep bitch! ##
## Die mother(bleep), die! Ugh, time’s up, bitch, close ya eyes ##
## Go to sleep, bitch! (What?) ##

(The Reaper) What you won't have is around my shoulder...and who you won't beat...is ME!!!

## Rot, mother(bleep)ers, rot! Decay, in the dirt, bitch, in the mother(bleep)ing dirt! ##
## Die nameless, bitch, die nameless! No more fame! ##
## Ahhhhhhhh! Hahahaha ##

The scene fades on an image of Aarons in Lion form with the belt around his left shoulder as he holds a bloody Lendo Stick in his right hand with a slew of bodies, broken and bloodied at his feet.

## Yo X, come on man, Obie, let’s go, haha ##

The Lion’s head winks as we fade to the open as the screen flatlines.

The screen fades to pitch black, and a guitar riff begins to be shred in the background. It’s the opening to “Assassin” by Muse which is also known as Annihilation’s official theme song.

At the same time a countdown appears on screen.

0:15… 0:14… 0:13… 0:12…





The guitar riff is playing over this countdown.




0:03… 0:02… 0:01… 0:00…

When the countdown reaches zero, there’s a pause, and then the rest of the hard hitting instruments kick in.

The standard fast pace hard hitting action clips are shown as the song plays on, bulding up to a giant drum roll where the intro video ends and we flash to the Annihilation logo.

ON

Cue the huge boom of the indoor pyrotechnics display.




BOOM!



BOOM!!



BOOM!!!

After the pyro the camera pans around the crowd in the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the fans are going wild for the start of Annihilation.

---

Lost and Found

---

(JB) Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to what's almost promising to b-...

(Tom) Shut up, Mannwich! I want to listen to what he has to say!

(JB) *sigh* And here I thought I'd finally get a word in edge-wise... Instead, I'm being ursuped by Aleister Essex...

Indeed the truth, given the fact that, as we commence this episode of Annihilation from ring-side, we find the figure of Aleister Essex standing alone, center-ring, microphone in hand, his head hung low, and the majority of his visage hidden by the brim of his crimson fedora.

(Tom) A word in edge-wise with the Tom-meister around!?! I don't think so!

(JB) Tom... Meister?

(Tom) Yeah, I figured it would be something cool to tack onto my name.

(JB) I'm almost glad that we have to listen to the pompous windbag in the ring now, instead of you...

(Essex) Ladies... and Gentle-...

Just as Aleister Essex is set to open the show, the ruckus from the attending crowd (comprised of boos and jeers) stops the Faustian Foreigner dead in his tracks. However, Essex is not known to be silenced so easily.

(Essex) SHUT UP, YOU DAMNED MORONS, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

As if yelling violently into the mic has ever calmed down a crowd, nevertheless, upon a surge of crowd jeers, Essex forcibly presses on.

(Essex) Now that you brainless guppies have zipped your lips, it’s time for me to air my grievances against the Buchanan administration, right here, RIGHT NOW.

Says Essex, turning to face the back, and pointing an accusatory finger at the entrance way.

(JB) We all know that Essex and Buchanan have been at odds, given Essex’s ambition, but usually it’s that very ambition that causes Essex the grief he’s suffered!

(Tom) Blah blah blah, honestly, the man has a point; he’s been screwed over more times by Buchanan than I can count.

(JB) You can count?

(Tom) Funny, Mannwheel, but honestly, you know what I think? That this entire deal has something to do with the letter in his hand...

Speaking of which, the aforementioned letter, which has already been opened, is pillaged of it’s contents by Aleister Essex.

(Essex) I bet you think that this situation is droll, Buchanan; sitting there in the back, making sure to take of everyone else in this company BESIDES myself and my charge is taken care of...

(Tom) Oh! It looks like Essex found someone to take him up on his offer!

(JB) No... Essex seems the type who would make a whole spectacle about finding a new client... Something fishy’s going on here.

(Essex) ...When all along, all this time, my charge was safe and sound. All this time, he was alive and well. Do you KNOW how much I toiled and suffered after my charge went missing!? And then... To get a letter... LIKE THIS-...

Said Essex, raising the letter’s contents to the air.

(Essex) Telling me that Hush is alive and well!?!? THAT’S THE FINAL STRAW, BUCHANAN. This blasted damned letter from some “mysterious author” REEKS of tomfoolery, BUCHANAN!!!

There is NO WAY you could not have known that Hush was alive and well, and I am sick and tired of your vendetta against I, Aleister Essex!

(Tom) Hush is alive!?

(JB) And Essex didn’t know?... I smell trouble in paradise.

(Essex) Buchanan... I’m giving you two options-...

Essex, you’re not in the position to give ANYBODY options.

Enter Ray Buchanan via the Jumbotron screen.

(JB) It’s the Commish!

(Tom) Oh joy, let’s pray he doesn’t bore us to death...

Looking dapper and business-like as usual, Ray Buchanan pushes on with his dialog.

(Buchanan) In fact, if you’d shut your trap for just a moment, I will be able to give you some information you might find useful.

Scarlet-faced and livid, Essex roars back into the mic in frustration at Buchanan.

(Essex) THERE ISN’T A DAMNED THING YOU COULD TELL ME THAT I’D WANT TO HEAR, BUCHANAN... Even if you knew the location to the bloody Holy Grail-...

(Buchanan) Oh believe me, Aleister, I know that you’d want to know that, first and foremost, there is still ONE more Chain Reaction spot to qualify for-...

(Essex) REAL useful to me, Buchanan, given that I don’t have a stake in the spot...

Smiling, Buchanan replies.

(Buchanan) That’s right, you don’t. In fact, it’s Hush who has a stake in the match. That’s because Hush, who is in the building, by the way...

(Essex) WHAT!?

(Buchanan) Is going to compete for that spot, tonight, against the returning Charles Johnson!

(JB) WOAH! Hush returns to action tonight, against Charles Johnson, with a CR match slot on the line!!!

As the crowd pops for the announcement of such a pivotal match, Buchanan continues.

(Buchanan) Now, Essex, as far as your grievances against me are concerned, it seems to me that you have more important issues to take care of... Namely, finding your man. Good luck.

And with that, the Jumbotron screen fades to black, prompting Essex to shout some less than proper words at the exiting GM.

(Essex) Hush is here, Buchanan!? He’s here and... DAMN YOU BUCHANAN!!! I don’t have the time for this...

Dropping his microphone to the ring floor, Essex quickly slides down through the ropes and hurriedly makes his way backstage.

(JB) What a bombshell, Bear! Or should I say "Tom-Meister"?

(Tom) Bear will do, Mannatee.

(JB) Good. Now, how about this announcement? Two big returns tonight, and one of those two men is going to become the eighth competitor in Chain Reaction!

(Tom) I'm exciting!

(JB) Don't you mean "excited"?

(Tom) I mean what I said. I, Tom Kalhoun, am exciting.

(JB) Right. Can you be exciting for our opening match tonight?

(Tom) Clearly.

---

El Diablo Negro vs. Sorrow

---

(Tom) Who is this schmuck already coming down to the ring?

(JB) I believe that schmuck is "The Black Devil," El Diabo Negro.

(Tom) Who?

(JB) I wish I knew more myself Tom. Clearly we can see he's maybe six feet tall, around two hundred pounds.

(Tom) Clearly? How can you see under that mask?

(JB) Well, that is a menacing black and red devil horned lucha mask he is wearing. If I had to take a stab at it here, knowing that he's from Mexico like the Mexican Toiletries, I'd assume he's going to wrestle a lucha libre style.

(Tom) Enchiladas y burritos!

(JB) Why do I bother?

The arena lights dim as Godsmack's "Dead and Broken" begins playing over the sound system. The song serves to cover the confused sounds of the crowd as strobes flash over and over, alternately bathing the fans in both silvery light and inky blackness.

At the top of the rampway, a cold fog spills from behind the curtain and a bizarre figure emerges from the backstage area. He is dressed in a silver and black bodysuit with a matching mask. Over his shoulders, he wears a flowing black cape. His movements are fluid and eerily graceful as he walks silently to the ringside area and slides under the bottom rope.

He removes his cape as the crowd looks on at the odd spectacle that Sorrow has brought to the NAFW ring. He stands in his corner with his back to his opponent, head lowered and awaiting the fight to come.

(Tom) Another masked schmuck!

(JB) That is the man we only know as Sorrow from the creepy videos we have seen over the past few weeks.

(Tom) Do you think he wrestles a lucha libre style too?

(JB) I honestly have no idea what this masked enigma has in store for us.

The bell rings and El Diablo Negro calls for a little crowd support. No such luck however as before the crowd can even react, Sorrow has tackled El Diablo Negro into the corner and begins to lay in the lefts and the rights.

The Black Devil slumps onto his rear end in the corner and Sorrow lays in the boots to the head, viciously kicking the crap out of Negro. The referee sees this is getting violent and begins to give Sorrow a five count to lay off. At 4.5, Sorrow gets shoved off by the referee.

Sorrow grabs the Devil by his mask, pulls him to his feet, and knees him in the stomach several times before dropping him with a DDT. After the DDT, Sorrow gets on El Diablo Negro's back and begins pounding away at the back of his head. The referee begins the count to get him off again, but at about the count of three, Sorrow stops and begins to look down at his hands in confusion.

Sorrow rises off his opponent and walks around the ring confused, grabbing his own mask. This allows El Diablo Negro enough time to recover. He catches Sorrow off guard with a couple of dropkicks and Sorrow doesn't know what hit him. El Diablo quickly mounts the top rope and goes for a missile dropkick, but Sorrow moves away and helps slam him onto the mat.

Sorrow then snaps and begins to furiously stomp the Mexican on the mat before letting out a cry. The referee looks extremely concerned and The Black Devil is barely moving. He drags El Diablo Negro onto his feet and delivers a Cradled Brainbuster, which will henceforth be known as "Dark Times." Following this, Sorrow makes the pin cover and gets the three count.

(JB) That was certainly aggressive.

(Tom) Crazy Boy, take notes!

(JB) Sorrow seemed to just want to punish El Diablo Negro with all of that brawling but then something compelled him to stop, at least momentarily.

(Tom) That brainbuster on El Diablo Negro certainly was punishment enough.

Sorrow rolls off of El Diablo Negro after the pinfall and clutches his head in his hands. He looks up at the lights and then they suddenly flicker off, leaving everything dark.

(Tom) Mannhole - Don't think about grabbing mine!

A digitally masked voice comes over the speakers and says simply "I'm Sorry" before the lights come back on.

(JB) What in the hell?

(Tom) Look!

El Diablo Negro is rolled over on his back and bleeding from the mouth visible through the mask, laying unconscious in the middle of the ring. Sorrow no where to be found.

(JB) What was that voice? Where the hell did Sorrow go? What just happened?

(Tom) These are strange times JB. Strange times indeed.

(JB) That they are, Bear. And on that note, let's take a commercial break...

---

Revenge is Bitter Sweet

---

Not quite yet on that commercial, JB. First we cut to the back, with a caption saying, "Earlier today" scrolling across the bottom of the screen. Mark Herriot stands by outside of Peter Gilmour’s locker room. He knocks on the door, but there is no response.

(Mark) Peter? You in there? It’s me, Mark Herriot. Just need to ask you some questions.

Still no response. Mark then opens the door as we see an empty locker room except for Peter’s bags and another bag that is on the couch. Mark, being the investigative reporter that he is, goes over to the couch. Before looking for what’s inside, he looks back to see if anyone is coming.

There isn’t, so Mark begins to open the bag slowly. As the zipper begins to open, out of nowhere, we see Max Masterson come into the room. He sees Mark by the couch and proceeds to push Mark away from the bag. Max has an irate look upon his face.

(Max) What’s wrong with you? How dare you look into my bag without my permission?

(Mark) I’m sorry Max. I didn’t even know it was your bag.

(Max) So that gives you the right to look inside my bag? You’re very lucky that I don’t kick your sorry ass. But doing that would get me arrested, so I’ll let you off the hook just this once. Now what brings you here?

Mark adjusts his suit and tie and begins to ask Max a question.

(Mark) I just wanted to get Peter’s thoughts about tonight’s match with Psycho.

(Max) Well, why don’t you go ask him yourself. He’s in the parking lot.

Herriot considers this for a moment, then takes his leave. And now we'll get to that break.

---

COMMERCIAL

---

---

You Wanna Play a Game?

---

We cut to the parking lot where we see Mark Herriot standing outside waiting for Peter Gilmour to arrive. Mark begins to look around but we see no sign of Peter. He begins to head back inside the arena when suddenly we hear the screeching sounds of a car from the distance.

Mark turns around and sees a red corvette begin to approach him at a fast pace. Mark moves out of the way just in time as the car comes to a halt. Looking inside, we see that it is Peter Gilmour in his street clothes. Peter gets out of the car and looks at Mark on the ground and smiles wickedly.

(Peter) Oh, sorry Mark. Didn’t see you there.

(Mark) You almost hit me man!

(Peter) Whoa, no need to get testy with me dude. I was just having a little game of chicken. And you lost. So anyways, what can I do for you?

(Mark) Well I wanted to get your thoughts on tonight’s match with Psycho. The past two weeks, since you’ve made your return to the NAFW, he has attacked you from behind on two separate occasions. Do you think he has a vendetta against you for saving Andy D?

(Peter) To be honest with you Mark, I have no clue what that idiot has against me. I was just in the right place at the right time. Andy D is a tremendous talent. Hell, he is the Atlantic Champion. The reason why I saved him is because.. well you don’t need to know that. Fact of the matter is, Psycho stuck his nose where it don’t belong.

Peter looks into the camera.

(Peter) Psycho, you think by attacking me from behind was supposed to send a message to me? Well it did. You have pissed off the wrong guy and tonight, I will make you pay. Tonight, I will make your life a living hell when I beat you to a bloody pulp and drag your carcass clear out of Milwaukee. And while I’m doing that, I might as well get a couple of beers too. So Psycho, prepare yourself for a long night because after I’m done with you, I will go after the vacated X-Treme Championship and not even you can stop me from getting that title around my waist. You want to play a game? We'll play. But I assure you Psycho, not even your idiot manager Carlos can save you from this game. This is a game you will not SURVIVE!

Peter stretches his arms out and rolls his eyes back into his head as we fade back to ringside.

(JB) Peter Gilmour is certainly a motivated individual.

(Tom) Does he think he's Steve Austin with the beer thing?

(JB) I don't think so, Bear. That seems to me to have been his way of saying that he's not going to have much problem dispatching Psycho. He's just showing confidence.

(Tom) Duh. Even Kramer would see that.

(JB) Then why did you... Never mind. I don't want to know.

(Tom) Good call.

---

Andy D and Derek Clarke vs. Snake and Krystian

---

The Arena lights go down as the 'Ace' Signature logo appears on screen. A large '1' is spray panted over the top before Keep Yourself Alive II kicks in over the PA. Andy comes out with his friend Derek Clarke and heads towards the ring, hand slapping a couple of the audience along the way. Andy climbs into the ring and heads to his turnbuckle, flipping his bucket hat off his head and placing on the metal part of the turnbuckle. Clarke enters nonchalantly and even seems unpleased to be here. Andy D takes off his shades and places them on the hat before turning around ready for the match.

(JB) What's with Clarke? Shouldn't he be happy to be unsuspended?

(Tom) Would you be happy if the man upstairs decided to suspended you for complaining, then put you back on the road at his leisure only to have to tag team?

(JB) What's wrong with tag teaming Tom?

(Tom) Clarke has been there and done that Mannwagon.

(JB) So? I wasn't under the impression this was a permanent bond between Andy D and Derek. Seems to me like someone wanted to pair the friends together just for tonight. Do you have information to the contrary?

(Tom) Negatory.

The opening riff plays as the word and name "SNAKE" flashes across the screen. As the guitars start to pick up, Snake is seen coming out from the back to a chorus of boos from the crowd in attendance. Snake throws his arms up in the air causing green pyro to go off on the stage behind him before he starts to make his way down to the ring. Snake takes his sweet time getting to the ring, showing his "appreciation" for the fans. When he does get to the ring, Snake slides under the bottom rope and climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle, throwing his arms up in the air once more to get one last rise out of the crowd before he turns to the referee and waits for him to signal for the bell.

(JB) If anyone should be unhappy about a tag match, it's this man.

(Tom) Why would say that?

(JB) Because this is his partner...

The lights of the arena go out, pitch black except for the dim lights along the aisles that illuminate the crowds walkways. Suddenly, a deep voice bellows out three words.

“It is time.”

A golden light shines down on the entrance ramp as the curtains part. Golden pyro showers down from above Krystian as he walks out in a white robe with golden trimming. He stands there with his arms outstretched as the pyro falls all around him, as the lyrics of Skillet's 'Rebirthing' kick in and he begins to walk toward the ring.

He stops short and takes a moment to pull his hood back and reveal the pure white mask that conceals his identity. He continues his way to the ring, grinning as he steps into the ring and moves to the center. He stretches his arms out to his side and tilts his head back as the music fades away and the lights come back up.

(Tom) Right, another masked man!

(JB) Masked or not, Krystian has had harsh words for Snake over the past few weeks, and Snake has responded with some stiff physicality. Neither of these men are well liked, so it'll clearly be interested to see how they co-exist tonight.

The bell rings and this one is on like Donkey Kong. Atlantic Champion Andy D starts this one out against long time nemesis Snake. The two begin with a quick exchange of holds before Andy D whips Snake into the ropes. Andy D goes for a high kick but Snake ducks, bounces off the ropes again, and goes for a shoulder dive which Andy D sidesteps. Andy D heads toward the opposite ropes and Snake saves his missed move with a tuck and roll, unfolding and bouncing off the ropes yet again. With both men running towards each other, Andy D propels himself for a high cross body on Snake which sends Snake bending backwards and onto the mat. However Snake rolls through the move and both men seem to be at an impasse.

The crowd shows their appreciation of the athletic abilities of both men. Both men look to tag out to their partners. Shockingly, neither one accepts. Snake forcibly tags himself out to Krystian while Derek Clarke doesn't tag in and Andy is confused. Not having much time to react, Andy D turns his attention back into the ring where Krystian levels him with a drop kick. Make that three. Andy D is rattled and Krystian covers him for a two count. Krystian gets to his feet and tells the ref to count faster. As he does that, Andy D shoots to Krystian's legs and tries to roll him up, but only gets a two count. Krystian then yells at the ref to stop counting so fast! Clearly unpleased with the referee's officiating, Krystian tags himself out and now Snake has to re-enter.

This time Snake is quick to launch the offense on Andy D, landing several punches in the corner. Snake whips him across into the opposite turnbuckle and follows closely with a high knee to the head. Snake hoists Andy D up to the top rope and joins him there for a top rope 'rana! Snake gets pumped up and Andy D is shaken. Andy scrambles to tag out to Clarke, but Clarke backs off the apron and tells Andy D he can't do it. Now Andy is starting to look frustrated, and even more so as Snake hits him with a big DDT. Snake then hoists Andy D up on his shoulders for the Poison Sting TKO, but before he delivers it he walks over to his corner and tells Krystian to watch and learn. This buys enough time for Andy D to get out of the hold and he pushes Snake into Krystian. Krystian doesn't like this and snaps Snake's head off the top rope as he drops to the floor below. Andy D uses this to nail Snake with the Dragon's Bite shining wizard knee to the head and holds Snake down for a three count!

Derek Clarke jumps off the apron and begins to walk to the back while Andy D's arm is held up. The Atlantic Champion takes his title belt and heads to the back, confused as ever. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Krystian stomps on Snake some more and gets down in his face, telling him that he'll forsake him back to the darkness of the earth come Chain Reaction.

(JB) Well, I can't say I'm totally surprised at what just happened between those two.

(Tom) Hey, Krystian is just cleaning up this company one bad guy at a time, and Snake is the first to go!

(JB) Snake isn't gone yet, and I don't think Krystian is much of a good guy himself.

(Tom) He's doing the Lord's work. Shame on you JB.

(JB) What do you have to say about Derek Clarke not wanting to participate tonight?

(Tom) I'm glad he didn't. He should save his energy for a worthwhile match!

(JB) ...Right

---

Bad Attitude

---

As JB and Tom continue to discuss the happenings of the match, we cut backstage to a hallway not far from the entrance to the ramp. Derek Clarke is walking on his own, not even having broke a sweat standing on the apron. Someone yells at him from nearby. It's not Andy D. It's his uncle and backstage agent, Cougar Clarke, complete with a headset on his head to feed directions to the crew.

(Cougar) What in the heck was that Derek?

Derek pauses and turns to face his uncle, but says nothing. Cougar takes the headset off.

(Cougar) First you complain about the quality of your opponents, bad mouth Commissioner Buchanan's management of the roster, and get yourself suspended to my embarrassment backstage. Then your new friend Andy D needs a tag team partner for this week, so some strings get pulled and you get you unsuspended to team with him, but apparently that's not good enough for you either.

Derek still remains silent through this all.

(Cougar) Nothing to say for yourself Derek? You know what, if Andy D isn't pleased that he's not defending the Atlantic Championship week in and week out and scoffed at the opportunity he was given to have a chance at the Foundation Heavyweight Championship in the Chain Reaction match, then guess what? I'll see to it that I do both of you a favor so you both can get what you want.

Still no reaction.

(Cougar) You two can meet one on one in the ring at Chain Reaction and have a friendly little encounter for the Atlantic Championship. You can have yourself a quality opponent in a singles match, and he can defend his title. I'm sure Commissioner Buchanan will agree that's more than fair.

Cougar might as well be talking to a brick wall because Derek stands there stonefaced.

(Cougar) You're my nephew Derek and I know what you're capable of in the ring, but I don't like your attitude. I hope you shape it up. I really do.

Derek scoffs and walks off, leaving his uncle a combination of upset, worried, and confused. Fade out.

---

Time For Another New Bottle

---

Welcome to Trevor Cunning's locker room. Tonight, he's got his own room, given the whole "being in a match against his partner" thing. Trevor himself is sprawled across the floor with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

But let me clarify: This isn't a case of Trevor getting smashed on JD and passing out on the floor. It's actually more a case of a bottle of JD getting smashed on Trevor. The passing out thing is exactly right, though.

The bottle of Jack is in pieces all around Trevor, its contents a growing pool on the ground, mixing with the flow of blood from Cunning's head.

(Tom) WHAT?

(JB) Looks like Trevor Cunning's been given a taste of his own medicine!

(Tom) WHY?

(JB) I don't...

(Tom) WHO?

(JB) Calm down, Bear.

(Tom) Someone get medical in there! Trevor!!

---

C to the izz-O, M to the... Oh, forget that.

COMMERCIAL

---

---

Can We Trust Him?

---

Cut to another part of the good old backstage area. In particular, a good old locker room. So "good" in fact that it belongs to The Goods. (Yeah, I went there.)

Sitting in the room are Slush and Ammo. (For those wondering, Spaz and Twitch have not arrived just yet.) The Goods are tying up their boots to prepare for their match tonight. Slush looks up from his boots and speaks to his partner.

(Slush) So... Owens.

Don't worry folks, Slush isn't channeling Ammo's taciturn nature. He's just saying all that really needs to be said to start this particular discussion. The statement gets Ammo's attention and the big man looks up. Slush continues.

(Slush) You think we can trust him?

Ammo shrugs. This is just your regular run-of-the-mill shrug, with the simple meaning that you'd expect it to have: Ammo's not sure.

(Slush) Yeah, I'm not sure either. Guy's flip-flopping like a bad politician lately. Guess it runs in the family.

That, friends, is a shot at Keith's father, the Senator and Presidential hopeful.

(Slush) He has to realize - especially after what happened to him last week - that Cunning is out of control.

Ammo nods.

(Slush) But they're still Tag Team Champions. Not for long, if we have anything to say about it, of course...

At this point, there's a knock on the door. Slush and Ammo forget about their boots and both stand up, ready for anything.

(Slush) It's open.

The shot stays focused on The Goods as the door swings inward and the new arrival enters the room. Slush smirks (but not a Trillion Dollar one).

(Slush) Speak of the devil...

Now the shot zooms out and pans, to bring Keith Owens onto the screen.

(Keith) Slush, Ammo.

(Slush) So, are you with us tonight?

(Keith) That's what the card says.

Slush shakes his head.

(Slush) I know what the card says. And you know what I meant... We both know that Ammo and I are after your Tag Titles... And your best friend's been nothing but trouble for us lately. So can we trust you?

Keith doesn't hesitate for a second.

(Keith) We'll worry about the Titles later. As for Trevor and I: We're not on the same wavelength. I wouldn't have saved your ass last week if we were.

If you weren't paying attention: Last week, Keith ran in to even the odds when the Thomas Brothers ambushed Slush.

(Slush) Mine wasn't the only ass saved last week.

Keith nods, recalling Slush and Ammo returning that favour when he, too, was the victim of an OSE double-team.

(Keith) That means we're even, and we have a common enemy in the Empire. So tonight, I'm with you.

Slush takes the offered hand and shakes.

(Slush) Good.

As Keith's handshake is accepted by Ammo, we cut.

(JB) Looks like Owens and The Goods have adopted an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" philosophy tonight.

(Tom) But where does Cunning fit in? There's no "my friend is your enemy, but I'm an idiot so he and I aren't getting along right now, so I'll be his enemy now for your sake" philosophy!

(JB) You forgot the part where Cunning dropped Keith with a bottle of Jack Daniels.

(Tom) Did he? And even if he did, Owens deserved it!

(JB) Then so did Cunning, earlier tonight?

(Tom) Absolutely not!

(JB) Excellent double-standard there, Bear.

(Tom) Thank you.

(JB) It wasn't a compliment.

(Tom) Sure it was.

(JB) I give up.

---

Hush vs. Charles Johnson
Chain Reaction Qualifier

---

(JB) In what's sure to cause a major shift in the status of the Chain Reaction match, Commissioner Ray Buchanan ordered the following additional Chain Reaction qualifier between the monster Hush and Charles Johnson!

(Tom) This is one hell of a golden opportunity given the fact that no one has actually seen Hush since Redemption, not even his manager, Aleister Essex! We don't even know if he ever resurfaced from being buried alive!

(JB) But according to Buchanan, Hush isn't only alive and kicking, he's here in the building, and what a shock that must have been to Aleister Essex, since he's had no clue of Hush's whereabouts!

(Tom) And, in the past two weeks, he's been whoring himself out to the other Chain Reaction competitors like your mother on a Friday night!

(JB) My mother is not a whore...

(Tom) Well, maybe not, but on Friday nights I can't tell the difference!

“Miseria Cantare” by AFI slowly fades onto the arena’s sound system. The low music continues to play as various pictures, and small clips of Charles Johnson’s career flashes over the Tron. When the first bit of vocals are heard, Charles walks out on the ramp looking down at the ring.

(JB) I've recieved a memo from Charles Johnson: He wants it known that tonight he's looking for a quick cash back into the forefront of the NAFW scene by qualifying into Chain Reaction.

(Tom) Right, and it's not like his competition has MIA or anything as of late...

(JB) Hey, if you had to deal with Essex on a day-in, day-out basis, wouldn't you want to get away too?

(Tom) Actually, yeah... I mean, just dealing with you on a weekly basis makes me want to plan a vacation to the Bahamas... So I know how Hush feels.

(JB) ...I bet you do...

Johnson makes his way down the ramp, up the ring steps, and into the ring. He bounces around the ring before focusing in on the match ahead. The last bit of the song fades as he awaits his opponent.

(Troy) The following match is a Qualifying match for the final spot in the Chain Reaction match! Introducing first, currently residing in New York, New York; CHARLES JOHNSONNNN!!!

The crowd, wary of CJ's previous actions, are cautions in their applause of the former Quicksilver Champion.

(Tom) Residing in New York now? I bet he did that to play the stock market more!

(JB) Well, maybe if he concentrated more on wrestling than stocks and bonds, he might be in a more successful position here in NAFW.

(Tom) Wrestling matches... Stock market terms... They're all the same, Mann-telope!

(JB) ...Did you seriously just call me Mann-telope?

(Tom) It's new, Mann-atee. Get used to it.

(JB) ...

(Troy) And introducing second...

The crowd anxiously gets up to it's feet as the moment of truth has arrived. The familiar dark tones of Nine Inch Nails' "The Line Begins to Blur" blare over the PA system as all the lights in the arena fade into several shades of gray.

(JB) Here he comes, Bear!

Just as the veil of fog dissipates from the top of the entrance ramp, the figure of Aleister Essex is revealed to the observant crowd and to all of the viewers at home.

However...

(Tom) I see Essex, but no Hush!

Essex, possessing the astute look of a child whose Christmas was ruined due to receiving no presents, makes his way down to ringside, alone, but this doesn't stop Troy Gilmore from doing his job.

(Troy) Hailing from Parts Unknown, the monster... HUSHHHH!!!

Charles Johnson, realizing that his opponent is nowhere to be found, stands tall and proud in the ring, smiling a goofy grin at Essex who couldn't look any more morbid than at present time.

(JB) Well Bear, it looks like Essex completely blew it. No managerial services, no stake in Chain Reaction, and no clue where his monster is!

(Tom) And CJ looks like he won the lottery!

Indeed that's the scene, as CJ climbs to the top of the ring turnbuckle and begins playing to the crowd, playing up the fact that he's made it into the Chain Reaction match as though he's "earned" it. Meanwhile Aleister Essex continues to look behind himself, as though there is some trace of hope that Hush will appear.

(Troy) ...And introducing his opponent... HUSHHHH!!!

Again Troy Gilmore calls out Charles Johnson's opponent for the evening, and again the monster does not appear. The crowd in attendance, displeased with this turn of events, begins to vocalize it's opinion in the matter of the CR Qualifier.

(Tom) Call him out all you want, Troy, for all we know Hush is STILL buried 10 feet under back east!

(JB) As true as that sounds, Bear, just imagine the disservice that Hush is doing to this company... If he truly is in this building as Buchanan said. This is a Chain Reaction Qualifier. This kind of opportunity for fame and fortune doesn't come around every day!

As Aleister Essex, having finally arrived at ringside, hangs his head in utter defeat, Troy Gilmore speaks to the timekeeper, and then walks back to center-ring.

(Troy) I have just been told that if Hush does not appear in the next 30 seconds, he will forfeit the match and Charles Johnson will qualify for Chain Reaction!

Again the crowd voices it's displeasure, especially in the face of such braggadocios celebration by Charles Johnson whom, in the midst of the announcement, tried to commandeer one of the nearby refreshment vendors to purchase some wine to celebrate with.

(Troy) For the third and final time...

(Tom) He won't show, don't even bother Troy!

(Troy) Introducing... HUSHHHH!!!

Silence.

Then the lights go out.

(JB) The lights just went out!

(Tom) I don't like it when it's dark... Turn back on the lights JB!!

(JB) What do I look like, your mother!?

(Tom) No, but sometimes it's hard to distinguish you from yours!

(JB) ...That's sick.

(Tom) You bet.

As the crowd and those in attendance, immersed in darkness except for the thousands who brought in cell phones or digital cameras, begin to grow anxious, the distorted, soothing voice of Beth Gibbons from Portishead rings across the PA system.

```Hush - Can you hear?...
YOU KNOW I'M NOT DEAD

Just then, the thunderous violent chords of The Smashing Pumpkins' "The Everlasting Gaze" kick in, sending the spotlights in the arena into a crazed frenzy, bathing the crowd in attendance in flashing white light. Just as the lights reach the apex of their frenzy, they all point back at the entrance ramp, lighting up one particular spot on the entrance ramp.

As the cameras switch back to the top of the entrance ramp, the lights reveal a moving platform, one that rises from beneath the entrance ramp. As the platform rises higher and higher, the massive near-7 foot frame of Hush becomes gradually more and more revealed.

(JB) It's Hush! It's Hush! The monster's back!

(Tom) Holy crap! Being hit by a car and buried 6 feet under couldn't stop this guy!? What in the world CAN!?

Stepping onto the entrance ramp upon fully arising, Hush continues to hang his head low, his arms extended slightly away from his body. His head, now covered by a fully black, hangman-style mask, slowly rises as he stares down his opponent in the ring. Charles Johnson, now fully realizing the ramifications of what's occurring, begins to bicker with Troy Gilmore about Hush's legitimacy. Meanwhile, Essex looks like he's experiencing a hallmark moment, rushing over to meet his charge as though he had shed tears for him.

(JB) I bet you anything Essex thinks he's got a guardian angel watching over him.

(Tom) And what about Hush?

(JB) You think he honestly cares about Hush?

(Tom) That's REAL enthusiasm, JB, you can't fake it! Besides, it's not as though Hush is showing any affection right now, himself!

Hush continues to make his way to ringside, all but oblivious to Aleister Essex attempting to get his attention. The lights in the arena return to normal as Hush makes his way up the ringsteps, through the ropes, and into the ring.

(JB) Look at CJ trying to get out of this match!

Ever the lawyer-in-training, Charles Johnson continues to bicker over his predicament, now with referee Phil Redding instead of Troy Gilmore. However, as soon as he sees that Hush has two feet planted in the ring, Redding turns away from Johnson's pleas and orders the bell to be rung.

(JB) And here we go!

Charles Johnson, still trying to get the ref's attention, doesn't notice the ever-approaching presence of Hush, and now the monster is right behind him.

(Tom) Swing for the fences, CJ! It's all you can do against that beast!!!

Heeding Tom's advice, CJ, upon turning to face Hush, rears back and fires his hardest right hand. However, what befalls him was what usually befalls those who heed Tom's advice; Hush catches Johnson's fist and, with the velocity of a moving train, knocks CJ on his ass with a mammoth clothesline.

(JB) Good grief! Not only is the monster back! But he's true to form! If this keeps up, we may not even get the chance to talk about what having Charles Johnson in the Chain Reaction match would mean to the other contestants!

Despite CJ's reluctance to get back up, Hush clearly isn't finished with him yet. He drags the former Tag Team Champion back to his feet and whips CJ into the ropes. CJ, still groggy from the first show, doesn't possess the conscious presence of mind to duck as he comes face-to-face with Hush's big f'n boot.

(Tom) Well, I always knew that CJ's investment in the dental industry would pay off... I just didn't think he'd have to cash in that investment so soon!

Ever relentless, Hush picks CJ back up and once again Irish whips the self-made businessman, this time into the corner turnbuckle. Taking a step back to gather ramming speed, Hush charges with the intent of crushing CJ in the corner, but just at the last second CJ manages to duck out from harm's way. As Hush collides with the turnbuckle hard, CJ breathes a deep, frightful sigh of relief, having nearly been flattened like a pancake.

(Tom) Here's CJ's chance to win this match. He's got the monster dazed, but now he has to keep on him!

CJ forcefully turns Hush over and begins plunging his fists into the monster's abdomen, and despite Aleister Essex's best screams to alert the ref to the in-corner 10 count, CJ continues to manhandle the monster well beyond his liscensed time, forcing the ref to physically move him back.

(JB) I never knew that within that sissy-like businessman exterior there lied a true brawler, Bear!

(Tom) Everybody's got that kind of internal surprise, JB! Just think of your mother JB; outside she's not a great looker, but inside, she's got the kind of warmth that'd satisfy any man...

(JB) Ew. Freakin' ew, Bear.

Seizing the opportunity to pound on the monster some more, Charles Johnson climbs up atop Hush, standing on the middle ropes, and begins to punch the monster in the mask, getting the crowd to count along with him.

ONE.

TWO.

THREE.

FOUR.

FIVE.

SIX.

SEVEN.

EIGHT-...

At the eight punch, Charles Johnson is stopped dead in his tracks. Finding Hush's wrench-like fingers wrapped around your throat will do that to you. And things only get worse for CJ, as Hush begins to lift the former multi champion off of the ring ropes and, with the forces of gravity at work for him, violently brings Charles Johnson back down to earth with a two-handed chokeslam.

(JB) WOW! I wouldn't be surprised if Hush damn near knocked CJ out with that slam!

Shaking the cobwebs out of his face, Hush finds himself in direct sight of his trainer, Aleister Essex, who begins to shout at Hush to, in his words, "stop messing around and pin the bloody bugger!" Hush, clearly displaying signs of disdain towards Essex, moves towards CJ and pins him.

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!!!

(Tom) Whew! That was close! I mean, it's not bad enough that my boy CJ's taking a beating out there... But could you imagine Hush in the Chain Reaction match?... HUSH of all people!!??!?

(JB) It's a scary thought, Tom, and it could be realized right here tonight!

As Hush rises back to his knees, CJ begins to roll away from the behemoth, trying to get wind back in his sails following that last attack. Hush, noticing CJ getting closer to the corner, hurries over to continue his assault, but just as he gets there, Johnson struggles through Hush's arms and ends up through the ropes. The referee orders Hush to back off. In the ensuing scuffle, and with the referee's back turned, CJ is able to plant his fingers between the eyesockets in Hush's mask, temporarily blinding the beast.

(JB) You know... For someone concealing his face, Hush seems to get blinded a lot.

(Tom) Well, naturally when you're trying to take down a beast, you have to disorient it a bit. It's kind of how you have to act when you want to get with a woman... Except with alcohol instead of poking their eyes out.

(JB) ...The stories you'd tell.

(Tom) What, Mann-olescent? Mommy never tell you about the birds and the bees?

Seizing his chance, Charles Johnson goes back on the attack, lunging forward with a shoulder tackle, knocking the 6'11" figure of Hush backwards. Landing on his knees, CJ continues to push Hush back, striking him in his abdomen multiple times. Then, as Hush's ground begins to get a bit shaky, Charles Johnson grabs the monster's arm and Irish whips him into the ropes.

However, Hush manages to dodge the stiff clothesline that CJ lunged with, and on the return, knocks CJ flat on his back with a lunging lariat.

(Tom) Good grief, CJ was flattened worse than a Tijuana hooker on Cinco de Mayo!

(JB) What!?

(Tom) Right, I was court-ordered not to discuss that anymore... whoopsie...

Up on his feet, Hush looks to get business rolling, however, he's distracted yet again by Aleister Essex who, like any normal manager in control of a brainless behemoth, is yelling out simple, utter obvious directions at Hush that he should "pound Johnson's skull in" and all that jazz. This gives CJ the chance to recover from the lariat and land a double axe handle behind Hush, which sends the monster stumbling forward.

(JB) More miscommunication between Hush and Essex... Does it seem to you, Bear, that Hush might have changed a little since we last saw him?

(Tom) You mean he's not so much of an obedient bitch? I guess so, still it looks like Essex has enough pull on him to get his attention, and if this keeps up, it's gonna be a sweet business deal for Mr. Johnson.

Hush throws a wide roundhouse right hand, which CJ ducks. Using clever intuition, Johnson clasps his hands over Hush's neck and, placing his own skull beneath his mouth, executes an ear-to-ear splitting kneeling jawbreaker on Hush. The monster is sent reeling and CJ follows in pursuit, throwing punches and kicks before Hush retreats to the corner.

(JB) Hey, what's that snake in the grass Essex up to!?

Indeed Essex has made his presence felt, climbing aboard the ring apron and shouting at the referee at how he had missed CJ's eye-oriented indiscretion earlier in the match. Meanwhile, CJ ties Hush up in the corner, and launches him violently towards the other end of the ring. Hush, off-balance and going with the flow, bounds off the ropes, hops over CJ (who had followed and decided to lie low when Hush passed), and run into the other ropes, smack dab into...

(JB) HUSH JUST KNOCKED ESSEX OFF THE APRON!!!

(Tom) Hahahah! And who said that the Brits didn't know how to fly!

(JB) Erm... Who did?

(Tom) I don't know... I needed a semi-clever pun there, though!

The crowd in attendance begins to cheer as Aleister Essex, floored by the near 400 pound frame of Hush, lands on the steel barricade and falls flat to the ring step floor, losing his fedora and all sense of dignity along the way. Meanwhile, Charles Johnson attempts to jump over the near-seven foot monster on his way back, but instead finds himself being held up in mid-air by his torso and, with the clout of a bull in a china shop, next finds himself flying into the corner turnbuckle.

(JB) I'm sure CJ's gonna feel that one in the morning.

Hush takes CJ to town, pounding the former Tharodund with numerous shots to the skull and body, then proceeds to ram his boot into CJ's face, stretching the full 5 count, with the demeanor of someone enjoying himself for the first time. As Charles gasps for breath, Hush picks him up by the scruff of his neck and launches him into the opposite turnbuckle, where CJ lands and crumples to the floor like a shock therapy patient. As Hush looks up at the crowd, he finds himself in an unfamiliar position: not being booed.

(JB) Could it be that the fans are warming up to Hush because of his refusal to fight by Essex's means?

(Tom) Maybe, or maybe they just hate New Yorkers...

Hush finally has the peace of mind to continue his assault and, upon walking over to his adversary, grabs ahold of CJ and, kicking him in the gut, wraps his arms around Chuck's torso, a familiar sight for those in attendance.

(JB) Hush is setting up the Deafening Silence!

(Tom) Ah damn, and I already placed an investment in CJ's career!

(JB) Wait... The Vegas brackets are updated THAT quickly!?

(Tom) Hey! I thought we weren't going to discuss gambling habits on camera anymore!

(JB) ...And I thought we wouldn't talk about my mother, either...

(Tom) Tough luck, kid!

Despite the audience's anxious vocal outcries, Hush is only able to get CJ up onto his arms before the former Quicksilver Champion's able to wriggle his way free of Hush's clutches. Upon freeing himself, CJ delivers a quick shot to the back of Hush's leg, causing the monster to bend in agonizing pain.

(Tom) Now THIS is the opening CJ needed!

Quick to continue the attack, CJ runs into the ropes and attempts to knock the head off of the now kneeling monster, but Hush ducks his arm, and upon bounding back, CJ finds himself in the monster's clutches once more, this time being lifted off the ground and...

(JB) ECHOES IN ETERNITY!!!

(Tom) NO! NOT MY INVESTMENT!!!

As the fans in attendance applauded the maneuver, Hush quickly binds Charles Johnson's arms together and, just as Aleister Essex begins to come to, pins his opponent.

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!!

*DING**DING*

"The Everlasting Gaze" begins to play over the PA speakers as the referee lifts Hush's arm in victory.

(Troy) Ladies and gentlemen, your winner and the FINAL entrant into Chain Reaction... HUSHHHHH!!!

(JB) The ramifications of this turn of events are huge, Bear! Now with Hush in the Chain Reaction match, all the other competitors have something HUGE looming over them, especially if Hush can be as dominant as he was tonight!

(Tom) Damnit... There goes my sports car... Stupid betting.

However, just as Aleister Essex manages to catch up with Hush on his way back to the locker rooms, a now conscious Charles Johnson has grabbed the ring announcer's mic...

(Johnson) HUSH... HUSH... You big... You big dumb lummox... Yeah you... Damned pansy...

Why don't you get your ass back down here and try it again!?...

(JB) Is Johnson an idiot? Why would Hush, especially under Essex's tutelage, agree to a do-over?

Hush seems to have the same thinking as he continues to walk on, ignoring Charles Johnson, much to Aleister Essex's content. However, he's stopped in his tracks by Johnson's next words.

(Johnson) You're nothing without Essex... You know... In fact, I KNOW I could whip your ass and get into Chain Reaction if you give me one more chance, Hush... Hell, I'll put my damn career on the line! How's that sound, you worthless piece of crap!?!?

Though disgusted by Johnson's words, the crowd applauds the idea of Johnson's career against Hush's CR spot.

(JB) Ladies and gentlemen, this is a testament to how much a shot at CR can mean to some men.

(Tom) Or a sign that CJ's plum f'n lost it!

(JB) Either way, it looks like Hush is not just interested in the offer, but he's heading back to ringside!!

The crowd continues to cheer as Hush makes his way back to ringside, much to Aleister Essex's protestations. However Hush, from what can be seen through the monster's eyes, has eyes only for Charles Johnson who stands, with a maddening smile on his face, expectantly in the middle of the ring.

(JB) Hush is back in the ring!

(Tom) And the rematch is on!!

The minute the referee calls for the bell, Aleister Essex protests the entire arrangement. Essex, not knowing his place, continues to bicker with referee Phil Redding until the referee, having enough of Essex's prior actions, throws the manager out!

(JB) And Essex is gone!!!

Despite protestations of how Hush "needed" him, Essex is eventually forced to the back by the referee. However, all of this distracts Hush, who does not see Charles Johnson run over and knock him backwards with a flying forearm.

(Tom) Just like a real businessman, taking advantage of what life gives you!

CJ throws his entire body into every punch, as he pushes Hush into the corner, his fists up in defense. He reaches the 5 count and Phil Redding has to remove him from the corner physically. CJ takes the moment to play to the crowd, as though he's already won the battle.

(Tom) If this keeps up Hush is going to lose that CR slot! And I'll beat the spread!! Everybody wins!!!

(JB) Right...

As CJ goes back on the offensive, he soon finds his punches being less and less effective. So ineffective, in fact, that within mere minutes, Hush is standing tall, taking facial punches like they're nothing.

(JB) Good god! Those punches aren't doing anything!!!

Desperately seeking some form of effective offense, Charles Johnson turns around and flings himself into the turnbuckle ropes, coming back with a flying forearm which causes Hush to take a step back, but not back down. Again Johnson runs, and runs back into Hush... And again Hush stands tall. As the crowd begins to recognize that Hush just won't go down, Johnson rears back, and runs straight into...

(JB) ECHOES IN ETERNITY!!! AGAIN!!!

(Tom) Oi vey...

Hush once again finds himself standing tall over Charles Johnson, however, instead of pinning him once again, Hush brings Johnson back up to his feet, kicks him in the gut, and, to the pleasure of the crowd...

(JB) DEAFENING SILENCE!!!

(Tom) And there goes my cash...

ONE!!

TWO!!

THREE!!


*DING**DING*

For the third time in the night, "The Everlasting Gaze" by the Smashing Pumpkins blares through the PA system as Hush's hand was raised victoriously.

(Troy) The winner... And still a Chain Reaction contestant... HUSH!!!

(JB) If tonight was any indication, Hush is going to be damned near unbeatable at Chain Reaction.

(Tom) That's not important, JB, what IS is that I'm out of a stock advisor, man! CJ's gone from the NAFW now!...

(JB) I'm sure you'll sorely miss him...

(Tom) I'll miss the money, that's what.

And with that, Hush, alone in victory, begins to make his way up the entrance way, having permanently silenced the mouth of Charles Johnson en route to Chain Reaction.

---

Disgrace

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Once again we find ourselves looking at Carlos Smith in the locker room with Psycho rocking in his usual corner. Carlos looks none too pleased as he glares into the camera.

(Carlos) Well...you almost ruined us last week but I think we can get passed that can't we?

He looks at the wreck in the corner and sneers.

(Carlos) Just remember that I can't have you giving out information like that... It's a little bit too crucial that Tyrone, and everyone else, remain in the dark about all of that for now.

Pause. Carlos refocuses on the camera.

(Carlos) Well Tyrone, are you worried yet? Shaking in your boots like when we were children yet? Ready to crack? You don't seem too worried now but just wait until after Chain Reaction.

Pause. Carlos smiles wickedly.

(Carlos) Give me some time and all will be revealed. Maybe then you'll realize just how sick I am... Or how sick you are. Changing your name changes nothing, because you are still the same sniveling little brat you were then. Just wait and then you'll see...

With that, we fade out.

---

Unified Team

---

Diane Clarke, wife of Cougar, isn't seen too often on NAFW TV, but there she is right now, currently wrapping the head of Trevor Cunning with medical tape. As we saw earlier, Cunning was victim to a Jack Attack, his own trademark attack. He looks positively infuriated. The door slams open, and two figures enter the scene, much to Diane's surprise. Shane and Dustin Thomas push their way over to Trevor, both looking absolutely concerned.

(Dustin) Trev, are you all right?

(Shane) Dude, who did this?

The questions all come at once. Trevor tries to speak once, and then winces from the pain of the attack, but then shakes it off.

(Cunning) No clue. Got me from behind.

The Empire exchanges a glance.

(Dustin) It had to have been Owens.

(Shane) After you nailed him last week.

Trevor begins to open his mouth to say something, but Dust cuts him off.

(Dustin) Trust me, man, when we get out there tonight... he'll pay!

They both nod to him, and walk off, as Cunning watches them leave, almost imperceptibly shaking his head.

(JB) The Trust Fund Kids are exploding before our very eyes.

(Tom) And the Empire will gladly pick up the pieces!

(JB) Something doesn't sit right here, Bear.

---

COMMERCIAL

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---

The Most Ridiculous Thing in the History of Wrestling

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The beginning of Queen's "We Will Rock You" hits the PA system and the crowd begins their customary STOMP STOMP CLAP routine.

(JB) Oh Lord.

(Tom) Finally.

(JB) Folks, I apologize. This is probably going to be the most ridiculous thing in the history of wrestling.

(Tom) Hush up, Mann-wagon. You're in the presence of greatness.

Rocker comes out rocking his American flag bandanna around his head with his sweet frayed denim jacket sporting a Bald Eagle in flight on the back of it. It complements his leather pants which only a true rockstar could get away with wearing.

He walks down to the ring with a mic in hand, basking in all of his glory.

(JB) The man can barely form a sentence.

(Tom) Bah.

I apologize for sucking at commentary filter: ON

Rocker takes a mic from a nameless person and moves to the center of the ring. He stands tall, his shoulders back, his head high. His hands are on his hips, doing their best impersonation of a peacock. And he grins. Like the worst Bond villain.

(Rocker) Troy Clark. You've lost before it's even begun. You know why? Because I'm Scott f'n Rocker! I was born from Norse Gods one day when they were throwing lightening bolts at each other. I was placed on this earth with an axe in my hands. Now I will raise my goblet of rock because I'm callin' you out.... FOR AN AIR GUITAR CONTEST!

The lights stay on as Tom Waits's "Big in Japan kicks in on the PA system. The crowd listens a moment to the music, which strangely only comes from the speakers to their right. Then the guitar kicks in, and we get down to business.

I got the style, but not the grace
I got the clothes, but not the face
I got the bread, but not the butter
I got the winda, but not the shudda