[Fade up to a shot of Page and McCoy who are going over the rest of the night's events. Page looks up from his sheets and smile at the camera]
[PAGE]:Welcome back to WidlFire! and wow as much as I really don't approve of Andy O'Brien is sure was good seeing him back in form during that last match.
[MCCOY]:Well I'm sure Jason Orion would beg to differ. That damn moron probably just went from the ring to his car. The Awesome One beat him like a rented mule.
[Without warning the lights suddenly dim and a spotlight starts shining on a speaker that hangs over the arena. A crackling sound starts emanating from the speaker growing louder and louder the longer the noise continues. Suddenly the crackling disappears and his replaced with the sound of a grown man whimpering.]
[PAGE]: Why do I have the feeling I am not going to like what is going to happen.
[MCCOY]:'Cuz your a wimp.
[The whimpering continues for several more seconds until the person behind the whimpering starts to talk]
[VOICE]:It's been a long time since I walked through the shadows. But yet it beckons me. Should I continue walking or should I turn towards the light. I.....am........torn..........What...............should...........I.... The voice suddenly cuts off being replaced with a raspy harsh woman's voice]
[WOMAN]: You would like to see the light wouldn't you. You would like to see the warmth beating down on your face. But old man it just isn't going to happen. For you there is only..........................DARKNESS!!!!!!!!!!!
[The CSWAtron bursts into life showing the words Darkness in bright blood red letters. The letters starts dripping and slowly the whole word slides down the screen and disappears. From the sound system Counterfeit God by Black Label Society starts playing. As Zakk Wyld starts singing the top of the ramp fills with a thick smoke and a strobe starts flashing giving the top of the ramp a surreal eerie feeling.]
[The video screen starts showing various clips of Ripper Longshanks, Jack Cross and Jeremiah Blackwell taking down various opponents via their respective finishers. The clips quickly fade away and show the faces of the three men slowly merging into a single distorted image.]
[The first to make his way onto the ramp is Jack Cross. He scans the crowd with a look of distaste before raising his left arm over his head in the single finger salute. His right hand holds the same kendo stick which he used to beat down Adam-X several weeks ago. Cross is dressed in a pair of black pants that end in a pair of black Mountain Gear hiking boots. A black F@ck Jack Cross T-shirt rests across his well defined upper body. His eyes are still slightly blackened from the punch in the nose that Mace gave him at the end of their failed tag match. He sneers at the crowd then takes a step to the right to allow Jeremiah Blackwell to make his entrance. Blackwell saunters out onto the ramp and slaps Cross on the back before pointing out at the crowd and mouthing something obscene at them. Blackwell wears a pair of black pants with a matching black button down shirt. Black and silver snakeskin cowboy boots complete the attire. His thick black goatee is now trimmed tight to his chin but his hair is now down to his shoulders and brushed back away from his face. A pair of Gargoyle sunglasses cover his eyes giving Blackwell a very sinister look.]
[PAGE]:The Darkness is here and you can bet that what they have to say won't be nice
[Last but not least the leader of the Darkness, "The Loose Cannon" Ripper Longshanks steps through the smoke and stands in between Cross and Blackwell. The Loose Cannon wears an unbuttoned dark green silk shirt that reveals the tatoo on his abdomen of a pair of hands tearing through his flesh. A pair of eyes (coincidentally the same color as Ripper's) peer out from behind the hands. The light from the strobe gives the pair of eyes some life and they appear to blink each time the strobe flashes. A pair of well worn leather pants cover his legs and end in ankle high Doc Martens. Ripper's black hair hangs down over his dark blue eyes and he throw his head back to reveal the dark blue intensity that the fans have come to hate.] [Slowly Ripper raises his arms until the are over his head. He then drops them quickly to his side as a series of red pyrotechnics start going off behind the three men, sending red contrails up toward the ceiling of the Kemper Arena. Ripper squats down and peers into the ring as the pyro comes to an end, then he slowly stands back up and the thre members of The Darkness raise their arms in unison as light bulbs from hundred cameras start flashing.]
[The three men start making their way towards the ring. Blackwell on the right and slightly behind Ripper and Cross who has taken the lead. A fan waving a Mace Can Bust My Bronx shoves the cardboard sign at Cross and waits for a reaction. Cross's reaction is swift as he grabs the sign looks at if for several seconds and bursts into laughter. He then rips the sign up into several pieces before throwing it back into the face of the now dejected fan.]
[PAGE]: That was uncalled for.
[MCCOY]: That fan should consider himself lucky that he isn't picking bamboo out of his teeth and quit worrying about a two dollar piece of paper.
[Now at ringside the three men separate with Cross sliding into the ring where he immediately jumps on the nearest turnbuckle where he can more easily taunt the fans. Blackwell starts walking around the ring ignoring the fans as he prowls like a caged tiger. Meanwhile Ripper has jumped on top of the ring apron and has spun around so that he is facing the crowd. With his arms wrapped around the top the Loose Cannon lets the crowd see the ever present shark grin before he flips himself over the top rope to join the angriest man in Canada inside the ring. Blackwell continues circling the ring for several more seconds before grabbing a mic off Diamond Lou. A moment later Blackjack joins the other two members of the Darkness in he middle of the ring.]
[With Cross still standing on the turnbuckle, Ripper comes up beside him and leans on the ropes to help Cross in his efforts to piss off the fans even more. A chorus of boos and YOU SUCK echo throughout the arena but do little to bother The Darkness. Blackwell goes to the opposite turnbuckle and rests against it pointingly ignoring the fans who start yelling SoCo at him. Ripper turns away from Cross and the fans and saunters over to the middle of the ring where he motions for Blackwell to throw him the mic. Blackwell tosses it towards the Loose Cannon who catches it with one hand and holds it down by his side. Cross jumps off the turnbuckle and quickly joins Ripper and a moment later Blackwell stands behind the other two. The crowd slowly starts to go silent]
[As Counterfeit God fades away Ripper brings the mic up to his mouth and starts to speak. Just as he opens his mouth a half empty bottle of water goes whizzing by his head and bounces off the mat. Ripper turns towards the area where the bottle was thrown and grins]
[RIPPER]: Good shot. Maybe the Cardinals can sign you. You would probably be their best arm. Hell you might be the only arm they have.
[The insult towards the city's ball team has the desired effect and a whole new chorus of boos come raining down on the three men. Ripper bursts into laughter and lowers his head in an attempt to gain control. Blackwell just shakes his head while Cross remains silent except for his eyes which tell a story of complete disdain towards the fans.]
[RIPPER]: [turning to Cross and Blackwell] Told ya it wouldn't be too hard to get these toothless wonders to worked up. [turning back towards the crowd] Now why the hell don't the whole incestuous bunch of you SHUT THE HELL UP and listen while I read a story from the book of the RIPPER!!
[CROWD]:ASSSS..............HOLLLEEEEEEEEEE..................ASSSSSSSSSSSS.............HOLLLLEEEEEEEEE!!!
[Ripper holds up his hand and motions for the crowd to quiet down. Several more chants later the finally settle down ]
[RIPPER]:It does my heart good to see how much you love me. Now that we have established the fact that Missouri is capable of saying words that aren't of a single syllable nature why don't you just be quiet and let me speak. [a couple more scattered boos but nothing else] Before we get down to business I think it would be appropriate if we were to congratulate the Whiskey Devils on their hard fought victory over Sex for the CAL tag titles.
[MCCOY]:HUH!!
[RIPPER]: Good job Lancaster. Way to go Finnegen, you two did the CSWA proud by winning that belt. But before you egos get too big I would like to put something in perspective. Marshall gave you that shot because we didn't want them. Do you actually think he thought of you first. [Behind Ripper Blackwell grins evilly] No boyo he came to the Darkness first and we said it wasn't worth our time to go and win the belts. So forget about thinking that you were sloppy seconds in the great gang bang for the CAL titles. 'Cuz you were simply the guy who stands at the end of the line with the mop and bucket who cleans the mess up.
[A loud and boisterous POUGE MAHONE!! echoes throughout the arena preventing Ripper from continuing. He brings the mic down from his mouth and turns to talk to Cross and Blackwell well the fans carry on with their antics. Eventually they settle back down and Ripper keeps going]
[RIPPER]:Now back to the matter at hand and a little match I have tonight with my good friend Alex Constantine. Damn how long has it been Alex since you took those first baby steps in the World Wrestling Alliance and became your own man. [Ripper looks at the ceiling in nostalgia] Remember the shock and surprise on Adam's face when you walked down to the ring and announced yourself as my mystery tag partner. [Another chuckle from the Loose Cannon] Yeah those were the days.
[RIPPER]:BUT looking back on it I can't help on thinking I could of done something different. And up until this very moment [Ripper drives the point home by jabbing his free hand down towards the mat] I didn't know what that was.
[Ripper starts to pace in front of the other Darkness members his head lowered his hand clenched by his side]
[PAGE]; Wonder what he is going to say.
[MCCOY]: I know exactly what Ripper is going to say but I sure as hell am not ruining the moment.
[The Loose Cannon stops pacing and stares directly into the camera.]
[RIPPER]:..........I should of snapped your *bleep*ing neck when your first step out of line. [Ripper's face contorts in anger and his eyes start flashing with RAGE] I should of marched into the ring and tore you apart piece by piece until there was nothing left of you but crimson mist and bone chips. CONSTANTINE!! I GAVE YOU THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME AND YOU SPIT IN MY FACE BY TURNING YOUR BACK ON ME, HENRI CHARTIER AND THE MLWA!!
[PAGE]: Oh oh.
[RIPPER]: So guess what shit bird, it's payback time and it all starts tonight. This match is only the start, but it isn't gonna be fast. The process is going to be slow and painful and by the end you will be screaming for me to end your miserable little life.
[Without warning Ripper flips the mic to Jack Cross who catches it and immediately brings it up to his mouth]
[Cross]:Two weeks ago all you pathetic people witnessed as your favorite son, Mace break my nose after we lost to his fellow Authority members. [Cross brings his hand up to his nose as if reliving the blow] I'm sure you had a real big laugh with the boys in the dressing room afterwards. Really funny. [Cross starts imitating Mace's Bronx accent] Did ya see Cross's face when I plowed him in da nose. Huhuhu. Pretty funny huh.
[MCCOy]:That's a pretty damn good impression
[PAGE]:That sounds no where near like the CAL Champion.
[Cross takes his kendo stick and starts spinning it around in his hand as he continues to talk. His eyes have a hard edge look to it that reveals that he isn't in the best of moods]
[CROSS]: But like the saying goes Mace he who laughs last laughs best. And you want to know why, because at End of Days you are going to have to defend that precious CAL title of yours and I have it in good faith that there is going to be a good chance that I am going to be the man to represent the CSWA. [The rest of the Darkness grin as Cross speaks and Ripper nods towards the camera as if he knew this all along]. Yeah that's right Macey you and me are finally going to get to throw some hands and see who the big boy in the playground is. [Cross grins into the camera and actually winks] And guess what with the way things are going your going to end up being the goofy looking kid who gets his lunch stolen all the time.
[Cross]:MACE!! MACE !! MACE!!
[PAGE]: Did I hear that correctly. Has Jack Cross announced himself as the number one contender in the CSWA to Mace's title. I can think of four people off the top of my head who deserve the shot before Cross does.
[MCCOY]: You heard right Eddie, and you must be talking about the Darkness correct.
[Page starts to open his mouth to contradict McCoy but is cut off as Blackwell speaks up]
[BLACKWELL]: There is a rumor that there is only one true hitter in the CSWA and he goes by the nickname of Big Nasty. [crowd pops at the sound of Napalm's nickname.] All I hear backstage is Big Nasty this, Napalm oh what a monster. [Blackwell's grins] and you know what it makes me wonder if Napalm is paying off the backstage kids to talk nice about him. But well all know the truth don't we Napalm. [Blackwell pushes his Gargoyles back up past his forehead so the camera can pick up his dark eyes] Your washed up and if it wasn't for your good buddies Constantine and Adam-X carrying you on their back you would be back in New Jersey scooping toxic waste out of the Hudson River.
[PAGE]: What a blatant lie, Napalm is still in his prime and pulls his weight with the Authority.
[MCCOY]: Yeah he does the JOB alright.
[BLACKWELL]: But you know what Napalm, I figured I should at least give you one more chance to prove how good you used to be. SO here's the deal..After End of Days because I wouldn't want to ruin your wet dream about getting those tag titles, the two of us are going to have series of matches to see who the big dog is. [Blackwell shrugs] But we already know who that is simply because of what happened in the MSWA. [Blackwell starts to bring the mic down from his mouth but stops short] Oh and Napalm don't get your panties in a bunch and start spewing crap about you being the Lord of Chaos and how you are going to invade my dreams and scare me. [Blackwell looks at Ripper and the two men grin] because that boogey man image you try and still cultivate is about as intimidating as old Eddie Page there.
[PAGE]: That's not fair.
[MCCOY]:Oh it's true Eddie, everyone knows you sleep in teddy bear pajamas.
[Ripper takes the mic back from Blackwell and starts walking around the ring]
[RIPPER]:Now before we leave all you wonderful products of incest there is one more person I would like to address. HEY LOKI! COME OUT HERE FOR A MOMENT!!
[The arena goes quiet for a couple moments until Godsmack's Voodoo starts playing throughout the arena. The crowd starts mumbling to themselves unsure of what is going to transpire between Ripper and Loki]
[PAGE]:Why do I have the feeling that things are going to get a lot more complicated.
[Loki appears alone on stage. He runs a finger through his semi-curly, bleach-blond hair and grins wryly; black-lined, blood-red eyes remain trained on those in the ring. The bracelet of lightning bolts tattooed around his left wrist appears particularly dark in the blue lights of the arena. He approaches the ring with a bit of a swagger, looking supremely confident.]
[PAGE]: Folks we have been told that we are supposed to cut away for a commercial break but that isn't going to happen.
[MCCOY] Someone upstairs is thinking that's for sure.
[Loki slowly climbs the ring steps and steps into the ring. He takes a step towards Ripper but is forced to stop as Jack Cross tries to get to him. Blackwell grabs hold of Cross and calms the Canadian down before any violence could happen. Ripper motions for Loki to approach and the two begin a stare down. With the shark grin plastered on his face Ripper starts jawing at Loki]
[RIPPER]:So kid how ya doing?
[Loki just shrugs but it's obvious he is becoming a bit uncomfortable about being outnumbered.]
[RIPPER]: Remember our little talk awhile back Loki [Another shrug by the Norseman and leader of the Axis] Well it's time you gave me an answer.
[Before Loki can answer Jack Cross storms across the ring and spins Ripper around. The two men begin a silent arguement which only Loki and Blackwell can hear. A few moments later Ripper extends his arm towards Loki and motions for Cross to start talking. Things become really tense as Cross and Loki square off their faces only inches from each other. ]
[Cross]: You know Loki, I am sick of your attitude!
[Loki]: My attitude?
[The two men shift to defensive postures just in case things get out of control. In the background Ripper and Blackwell quietly discuss the situation among themselves but Ripper's eyes never leave Cross and Loki]
[Cross]: You invade this federation and kick me out of my own damn stable! Then, you screw up your career by going in against Nighthawk
[Loki]: Your own damn stable? Jack, the Axis never was your own damn stable. I don't even know how you became the leader! And screw up my career? Riddle me that one.
[Cross]: I don't seem to remember you being around when Shawn Naiboc and myself started the Axis as a sect of the Elite in the BCW back in 2001.
[The camera pans across the ring and shows Page and McCoy sitting quietly watching the events unfold with rapt attention] [Cross]: As for your career, people don't usually make bad career moves on a regular basis.
[Loki]: How was any of this a bad career move?
[Cross]:[grinning wickedly] You leave the IWA for the CSWA, where instantly you become a little fish in a much larger pond...
[Loki]: I don't think it's hurt me. I won the TV title in my second match. In fact, I'd have to say we've both done quite well since our split.
[Cross]: I don't think TV title has the 'big star' look to it.
[Loki shrugs nonchalantly but his eyes betray the annoyance he is feeling at Cross]
[Loki]: It's a start, Jack. I'm still a newcomer to this sport - unlike yourself. You watch me. I'll rise twice as far as you ever did - twice as fast!
[Cross]: And you'll fall twice as hard.
[Loki]: Still playing by the old rules of "what goes up must come down," Jack? I thought you knew me better than that. I don't play by those rules.
[Cross]: You remind me of someone... Me, at the height of the KWF I was at the top, but then management got sick and I was jobbed back to the bottom. Don't think you're immune to that treatment, 'Loki'
[Loki]: As much as you've tried to turn me into you, I'm not you. Don't presume to tell me what will happen! Don't assume you know where my career is going!
[Cross]: You never cease to be predictable Loki.
[In the background Ripper mouths a sarcastic oooooh. Blackwell reaches out and takes the kendo stick out of Cross's hand. The former CAL tag champ doesn't seem to notice since he is so involved with the conversation with his former stable mate]
[Loki]: PREDICTABLE?! Tell me how predictable I am when you're getting your ears stitched back on to your head!
[Loki bumps Cross and it looks like the two men are going to start fighting but Cross takes a step back and just grins]
[Cross]: You're going to fume in your little 'bout of anger. You'll make the rookie mistake, claim you know it all, then hit the wall.
[Loki]: And you think you know everything just because you've been around since the beginning of time? Times change, Jack. Don't you think that by falling into this little pattern of thinking, you'll leave yourself open?
[Cross]: History repeats it's self Loki, I thought you were educated enough to know that
[Cross then takes a step back towards Loki and pokes him in the chest. Loki grabs Cross's hand and pushes it away. Ripper takes a step forward but does nothing but grin.]
[Cross]: So, is history going to turn it's ugly face yet again?
[Loki]: [returning the glare. Teeth clenched] I'd say we're about due for some ugly again...
[Cross]: You're funny when angry, I can see a vein...
[Loki]: Enough, Cross. What's it going to be? We can settle this here, where there are paramedics close by? I can wait, you know.
[Cross]: Whatever you've done to me is nothing like I've endured in the past. You might want to think about what you're saying here.
[The camera shifts for a moment to the rampway where Mr. Dude and Jonathan Laslow have appeared. The two other members of the Axis remain motionless taking in the tense situation with the interest of a lion stalking it's prey]
[Loki]: I have. I've been going over this night in my mind since we left the ring for the last time at the Karen Mace Memorial Tag Team Tournament.
[Cross]: Lemme guess, right hand, left hand, kick, kick, DDT?
[Loki]: I was thinking more along the lines of shaking your hand and saying "good show, man."
[Cross]:[grinning like a Cheshire cat] Funny I had that very same thought
[Loki and Cross shake hands while Ripper bends over in laughter. Blackwell takes a step forward and smacks Cross on the back and looks at Loki with a wild grin.]
[Loki]: [laughing] That was brilliant! Jack, you truly are a class act!
[Cross]: You know I owe you one. You hit me a little too damn hard for my liking. It was hard not to give things away
[Loki]: Probably not as hard as it was for me to hit you. You're the one that got me this far. I've been called a lot of things, but never disrespectful.
[Cross]: It's the best I can do for a young talent wanting to make it in this business... Just a note though, if you happen to hit the wall, just say something and we'll bring you back.
[Loki glances at Ripper who extends his hand. Loki takes it and the crowd goes nuts. A chorus of boos start raining down on the four men in the ring. Slaps and handshakes are exchanged all around and a few moments later Laslow and Mr. Dude are in the ring adding to the melee.]
[PAGE]:OH..........MY..............GOD!..........IT..........WAS...........A...............SETUP!!
[MCCOY]:[grinning] I love it. Loki and the Axis are now siding with the Darkness. My greatest dream has just come true. Soon the Authority, and all those other little wimps will be towing the Darkness line. Nothing can stop them now.
[Inside the ring the now much larger Darkness face the camera. Ripper stands in the middle with Loki Cross and Blackwell to his right. Mr. Dude and Laslow stand to the Loose Cannon's left. As Ripper brings the mic back to his mouth the lights in the arena start to fade and soon nothing can be seen except the emergency lights leading the way to the exits]
[RIPPER]:It's not over yet...........................
[And with those words WildFire! fades to a commercial for Blockbuster video]