[PAGE]: Welcome back to Wilfire folks............ [The lights suddenly black out throughout the arena and 'Just Go' by Staind hits the airwaves, drawing a loud ovation but also some apathy from the crowd as well.] [PAGE]: We were just told right before Wildfire went on the air that Nighthawk wanted to make an appearance here tonight. Be real interesting to see what's on the mind of the Reign of Pain. [MCCOY]: Last week, the only thing on Nighthawk's mind was Loki's fist as he was beaten head to toe for the second week in a row. [PAGE]: Be that as it may, Nighthawk still got the victory over Loki with a resourceful inside cradle. [MCCOY]: If you want to call the guy who was down on the ground unconscious and bleeding a winner, than I guess you got one in this guy.
[As the music plays and a blue spotlight hits the stage, Nighthawk comes out from behind the curtain and stops in the center of the stage. The Reign of Pain is dressed in his usual wrestling gear of black athletic shoes, black jeans, a black jersey with a silver hawk on the front, and white and black leather workout gloves. He wears the usual black leather jacket and mirrored sunglasses cover his eyes while a black 'Eye on Survival' baseball hat covers his head. After looking out at the capacity crowd, a look of pure sadness on his face, the Reign of Pain starts to slowly make his way towards the ring.]
[PAGE]: Nighthawk looks very serious tonight. I have a feeling I'm not going to want to hear what he's about to say if the rumors I've heard prove to be true. [MCCOY]: What rumors? That Nighthawk's had a sex-change or something? Because the way he's been fighting lately, he should be wearing a skirt. [PAGE]: Russ, that's appalling... [MCCOY]: Hey, I just call them as I see them...that's why I'm the best damn color man in the business today.
[Nighthawk simply stands in the center of the ring after rolling in under the bottom rope. He is handed a mic and the music dies, the lights coming back up to normal as the Nighthawk begins to speak.] [NIGHTHAWK]: I'll be quick and to the point. For the last two weeks, I've tried to be something I'm not. I've tried to turn back the clock and once again be what I was. And the last two weeks, I have failed. Much as I hated to admit it to myself and to all of you here tonight...I've gone from being a main event caliber athlete to a locker room punchline, all in the last month. Well, I guess it's just not in me in anymore. And I can't insult my legacy or piss on my past accomplishments anymore by getting killed in this ring week in and week out in a pursuit of former glory. [MCCOY]: Is he saying what I think he's saying? [NIGHTHAWK]: The fact is that I have nothing left. It's an insult to your time to have me out here week after week as a shell of what I used to be and I can't do it anymore. Nighthawk is dead...and now Dave Boudreaux needs to say goodnight. Thank you very much for your time...and the for the last nine years. [PAGE]: This is terrible...this is just terrible. What a sad ending for one of the true legends of our sport. Thank you for the last decade, Nighthawk. You've done us all proud and God bless. [Nighthawk has dropped the mic and starts to exit the ring as the crowd is in a dull hush over this surprising news. [The lights flash suddenly and the opening bars of Rammstein's "Halleluja" blares out over the arena. With every break the sound, gouts of flame errupt from the stage. As the harsh voice of Til Lindemann rolls across the crowd, Axis member Mr Dude strolls confidently out on the stage. Mr Dude is dressed in his typical green and black shorts and a somewhat newer article of clothing: a "f*ck Jack Cross" t-shirt. He observes the crowd with an air of superiority and mockingly bows to them before turning to watch behind him. He runs his fingers through his long black hair and appears to be fairly shaking with energy.]
[Jonathan Laslow, the only one of the four founding members of the Axis still with the stable, follows Mr Dude onto the stage, dressed in a comfortable pair of Levis and a white "f*ck Jack Cross" t-shirt identical to Mr Dude's. The expression on his face clearly states he's in the mood to spill a little blood. His bright green eyes flash mercilessly in the continued pyrotechnics.]
[Lastly comes the leader, Loki, his hair dyed black now - a change from the blazing red of last week. Dressed in his typical black cargo pants and red Airwalks, also in a plain white t-shirt proclaiming the f*cking of Jack Cross, his black-ringed, animal-red eyes speak of the purest of evil. He carefully observes his black-painted fingernails before cracking his knuckles.]
[Loki lets out a horrible-sounding half-scream, half-cackle] [Loki]: You're leaving? Halleluja indeed! I should honestly be celebrating a day like this. After that pathetic victory last week, one would think I would be happy to see you go and just forget the whole damn thing. Give you a send-off and let the whole thing fade out. But it's not going to be like that! [PAGE]: What's he talking about? [MCCOY]: Shut up and listen... [Loki]: You've given up your right to a nice, happy little retirement party. You've gotten in the way of Axis business, and even Jack Cross can tell you that something like that just isn't allowed. No, my sad little friend, that can't happen. No retirement for you: I'm not finished with you yet. [Laslow and Mr. Dude charge the ring and in a rare moment of indecision, Nighthawk seems unsure of what to do. The delay costs him as he is quickly swarmed by the two men and they mercilessly beat him down to the canvas as the crowd vents their hostility in a sour reign of boos that fall down on the Axis' ears. Nighthawk tries to keep his arms up to protect himself but he again is unable to make any attempt at offensive action as Laslow and Dude tear off his coat and baseball hat and drag him over to the ropes and tie him up in them as Loki watches with a grin from the stage. Nighthawk has been busted open and blood pours down his face in a crimson stream as Laslow slaps him repeatedly across the face and Mr. Dude goes to the outside to retrieve a chair.] [MCCOY]: Nighthawk's going to retire alright, but it'll be on Axis terms! [PAGE]: Somebody stop this! SOMEBODY STOP THIS! The man can't defend himself! Get them out of the ring! [MCCOY]: Turn up those TV sets at home, because you are watching history right now. The Nighthawk is DONE. [As Dude hands the chair to Laslow and the two contiue to throw punches into the bloody forehead of Nighthawk, the crowd is thrown into confusion as a pretty young woman suddenly comes out from behind the curtain and starts to walk towards the ring. She has long brown hair and she is dressed casually in blue jeans, a burgandy sweater, and a brown bomber jacket. Her beautiful facial features are also twisted into a mixture of fear and concern as she quickly comes down the aisle.] [MCCOY]: Is that who I think it is? [PAGE]: Oh my God...that's Annie Cole...Nighthawk's wife...this is no place for her to be right now... [Several security guards come out and try to stop her but since they seem relucatant to actually restrain her physically, she blows by them without slowing down. Once she gets to the ring, she yells up to both Dude and Laslow, begging them both to leave her husband alone.] [PAGE]: Stay away from the ring, Anne. Folks, this situation could get very dangerous... [MCCOY]: Could? It IS very dangerous, Mr. Wizard! [Laslow spots her at ringside and he taps Mr. Dude on the shoulder and points her out to him. They share a laugh and then Laslow points right at her before slapping Nighthawk hard across the face. Mr. Dude then takes the chair and smacks it into the canvas a few times, taunting her as he prepares to take a homerun swing at Nighthawk's skull. Annie tries to get onto the apron, but Laslow charges forward and she wisely drops back down to the floor. Circling the ring, she grabs a microphone out of desperation.] [ANNIE]: Leave him alone! Please! [Laslow and Dude look over at Loki with grins on their faces as Loki returns the grin and gives a thumbs down signal from the stage.] [ANNIE]: Dave! Don't let them do this! Please! Jason wasn't your fault! You did what you had to do, goddammit! Why can't you see that? You don't deserve this! Do something! For the love of God...FIGHT BACK! [Laslow continues to taunt Annie as Mr. Dude lifts up the chair behind him to level Nighthawk in the face with it. Then, it happens. As Dude charges in, Nighthawk brings up his right foot in a swift kick to the groin. As Mr. Dude bends over in pain and shock, Nighthawk leans back and is able to unhook himself from the ropes. Charging forward like a freight train, Nighthawk hooks him by the head and connects with a leaping DDT that drives Mr. Dude's head right into the steel chair. The awesome sound of it causes Laslow to turn around and as Nighthawk gets to his feet, Laslow charges. Showing cat-like reflexes, Nighthawk dips his shoulder and sends him over the top rope to the outside. As Dude staggers to his feet in a daze, Nighthawk hooks him and spikes him down in a Sonic Boom as the crowd ERUPTS.] [PAGE]: OH MY GOD! SONIC BOOM! SONIC BOOM! Mr. Dude is down! [MCCOY]: Loki, do something! [Laslow slides back into the ring but Nighthawk is waiting for him and he takes to the air, cinching in the Prey Catcher in mid-leap and driving Laslow to the mat with it, locking it in perfectly. Seconds later, Laslow stops flailing and lays still. Nighthawk releases the chokehold and picks Mr. Dude up off the mat, sending him sailing over the top and to the floor. Laslow slowly starts to pull himself up and Nighthawk awaits in a crouch behind him.] [MCCOY]: NO! [PAGE]: Nighthawk, go get him! [Laslow turns around and is met with a thunderous clothesline that sends him head over heels to the outside. Nighthawk then turns his attention to the stage as the arena chants his name in deafening unison.] [PAGE]: Laslow is down, Mr. Dude is down, and the Nighthawk is kicking ass all over the ringside area! [Pointing out at Loki, a bloodied Nighthawk beckons him to join the fray.] [PAGE]: He's calling Loki to the ring! [Loki slowly walks down the ramp as the crowd noise gets louder and louder. It looks like Loki is ready to accept the challenge when he suddenly smiles and instead puts an arm around Mr. Dude, restraining him as he tries to jump back in and get some revenge. He then does the same with Laslow as he recovers and orders them both back to the dressing room as they continue to try to get back into the ring to take out the Reign of Pain. Annie has meanwhile circled the ringside area to keep the ring between herself and the Axis members. Finally, Laslow and Dude listen to their leader and reluctantly head towards the back as Loki grins up at Nighthawk before exiting himself.] [MCCOY]: CHEATER! [Annie comes up the steps and enters the ring as Nighthawk continues to stare down his enemies on the rampway with a fire in his eyes that hasn't been seen in weeks. He senses someone behind him and he turns around to face her as the Axis head to the back, followed by security. The two keep eye contact for a several moments and it is unclear what words are exchanged. Then, Annie suddenly steps forward and hugs Nighthawk tightly to her and he slowly bring his arms up to return the embrace as the crowd roars.] [PAGE]: WHAT A MOMENT! [MCCOY]: I think I'm in serious danger of choking on my own vomit... [The couple exit the ring hand in hand with Nighthawk holding the ropes open for his wife as she exits. The shot then cuts to the roaring crowd before settling back on Page and McCoy as Staind's 'Just Go' balres over the PA.] [PAGE]: I personally don't think the Nighthawk is going anywhere after all! What a display from one of the all-time greats and he clearly has a lot of fight left in him and I would not want to be the Axis right now. [MCCOY]: Cheater. Pure and simple. Retire or not, Nighthawk's days are numbered... [PAGE]: We'll be right back!
[Fade to a commercial for Ace Bandages. The official supplier of bandages to the CSWA.]