(Cut to the loading dock area of the Pepsi Center. Ronnie Frown walks in carrying his duffel bag, and is intercepted by Ryan walking in from the side) [Ryan] Ronnie-- {Ronnie turns to face Ryan, giving him a mean glare.} [Ryan] --er, Mr. Frown ... I'd like to ask you about your outlook for tonight. You have the #5 seat in the Nightmare Gauntlet tonight -- do you think that's going to be good enough? [Ronnie Frown] You mean, am I pulling my hair out because I didn't get the cushy #6 spot like Ernie Grendel, huh? [Ryan] Well, I guess that's another way to-- [Frown] You think it bothers me that I'm not the last man in? You think I don't have a shot at this unless I'm handed it on a silver platter? You think the Ten Thousand Minute Man couldn't have stepped in as the FIRST guy in that ring and kicked all five asses out their tonight plus a page and a cameraman just to warm up? Let me tell you the sad facts of life, Jimmy Olsen -- #5 is MORE than good enough for me, I feel better about this match than I have any other in my career, because I know that this time, the cards are in my favor, the planets are in alignment, and even the big boss herself has got to be in my corner. [Ryan] The-- you mean Commissioner Tara Jansen? In YOUR corner? I don't think I'm following you-- {Frown picks up his bag again and starts down the hallway.} [Frown] You'd *better* follow me if you want to get anything else, because I'm not standing around in this garage all night. {Ryan waves the cameraman to accompany him, and falls in line after Ronnie.} [Frown] You know how that old game "Telephone" works, Ryan? You say something, then some dumbass sitting in front of a monitor says something COMPLETELY different to the next guy down the line and tells him it's what you said, and that guy-- no, wait, that's "Television". My mistake. [Ryan] No prob-- [Frown] The POINT is, that now that certain dumbass has people saying things about Ronnie Frown that just don't make sense. See, now the people aren't just talking about Ronnie Frown, they're talking "trade talk", because they think it's cool, because they love using that "insider" lingo to feel like they're actually part of the show for longer than the 3 seconds it takes to show off their Xerox'd cardboard ego surrogate to the camera. And you know, the last thing Ronnie Frown wants to see happen is those people out there doing stupid things to make themselves feel good -- forgetting for a moment that anything those people out there do to feel good is probably stupid. {Ronnie stops and turns back to the camera.} So, I'm going to make this simple and clear, and I am going to put it in plain language. First, Isaac Cross, you go back to broadcasting school and look up what the FCC does to people who use four-letter words that start with "F" on TV. It's not nice. So please, do it a lot more, OK? But the important thing is, I want to make sure everyone understands just what would have happened if Ronnie Frown had lost tonight -- I want you all to know the hard concrete facts of my "nightmare". If I lose tonight, I am becoming the People's Champion -- and what that means is, I am giving MANAGERIAL POWER over Ronald L. Frown to ANYONE and EVERYONE who shows up at the arena any given Friday and buys a ticket to the night's shows. It means that the winningest man to work in EWC will be at the beck and call of the fans, fighting who THEY want to fight, beating who THEY want to see get beaten, for the next two months. [Ryan] Oookay, I think I understand that. But, you were saying something before about Ms. Jansen-- [Frown] Yeah, that's right -- I said that tonight, the Jansen Law Center is going to be rooting for Ronnie Frown. You don't see it? There's nothing in this world that woman likes to do more than get out her pen and scribble out hoops for everyone unfortunate enough to need her Jill Hancock on their checks to jump through. So tonight, MY nightmare is HER nightmare -- because if *I* lose against Ernie tonight, *she* has to face what has got to scare her to death: every one of those yahoos out there telling HER how to program her TV show. {Ronnie makes a grinless chuckle.} You'd better BELIEVE you'll get used to disappointment. {He turns back around to walk off.} @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ *********************************** @ Camera Cut @************************************* @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ("Heaven for Everyone" by Queen comes on) Some strong words for Ronnie Frown there as we are about ready to FINALLY see two men square off that have had an issue for some time now. Well, Frown obviously thinks he has this all figured out, but I've been on the bad side of Tara Jansen myself, and it's not a fun place to be. Beind that pretty face is one very crafty individual, and I think she already knows the kinds of matches the fans want to see Ronnie Frown in if he loses the Gauntlet. But now we see one of the most ingenious minds in the sport today coming down to the ring - "Philosopher" Mikhail Tzkova! Ever since Titus Moongarden's brutal beating at the hands of Tzskova several months ago, Titus has wanted him in the ring, but has been denied for one reason or another, usually by the "Philosopher"'s mindgames...but tonight, it has been mandated, it *will* happen. ///-----\\\ | PA System | "I don't mind worry following me like a dinosaur..." \\\-----/// ("So Far I Have Not Found the Science" by Soul Coughing comes on, and the fans pop pretty good for it) Titus Moongarden on the way to the ring now, and look at the look on his face, that is *ALL* business! Well, you're right in that he's been waiting a long time for a shot at the Philosopher. He got stiffed on Christmas Eve in Philly, so he's had even more time to stew over it. And his pot's ready to boil over tonight. Moongarden in the ring, and the bell rings, but Tzskova sticks his head out of the ring, stalling for some time and waving Titus back. Mikhail starting off with the psych job and mind games, but you have to remember that mind games only work against people who actually have a mind! I mean the saying goes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. And considering how little knowledge Titus has, that makes him one of the most dangerous wrestlers in all EWC! Titus tries to move in again, and again Tzskova sticks his head out... but this time Titus hits a mafia kick that 180's Tzskova to the outside, and "The Philosopher" hits with a thud! Well, there's a huge difference between sticking your head between the ropes and keeping your eyes on your opponent. You can't take your eyes of Moongarden for one second. You don't know what he's going to do...I don't think even *he* knows what he's going to do half the time, so you have to be on alert at all times. Moongarden already out there now, as he picks up Tzskova..and he GORILLA PRESSES HIM BACK INTO THE RING!!! Titus with an amazing display of strength out there! And that's no easy task, Cross! Mikey's no Wave Runner Greg. He goes about mid-200's I'd guess. And Titus is tossing him around like a snowball in there! Titus back in as he forcefully shoves Mikhail back first into one of the turnbuckles, and Titus now following up with an irish whip so hard it literally bounces Tzskova out of the far turnbuckles...and Titus does it again....and ONE MORE TIME, as Tzskova is bouncing around like a pinball! Well....this has to be part of Mikhail's grand scheme. Get Titus all over confident and full of himself, then slam that door right back in his face! At least I *hope* that's what he has in mind.... Titus frustrated for months at his futile efforts to get Mikhail Tzskova into a match, and he's taking out every frustration right here! Titus sends Mikhail into the ropes, and a HIIIIGH back bodydrop sends "The Philosopher" crashing to the ground...and now Tzskova on his knees begging Titus to back off a bit, fat chance of that! Now this is all a ploy tactic to sucker Titus into the corner so Mikey can grab him by the jeans and send him face first into the corner. Titus now with a kick to the face of Mikhail Tzskova... Or then again, maybe not.... And he grabs him by the hair, whip to the ropes, BIG BOOT to the face, and Moongarden covers...count of one, COUNT OF TWO...kickout by Tzskova. Now if this were any other wrestler in there, I'd be worried for him. But we're talking "Philosopher" Mikhail Tzskova here! He's a smart one. I'm sure he'll think of something. Moongarden with a high jumping legdrop, and now Titus firing several fists into the face of Mikhail, and Titus Moongarden releasing every drop of pent-up frustration in his body, and he's literally destroying Tzskova right now Well....it...it's not over yet! Mikhail's got the big dummy right where he wants him. He's just waiting for *just* the right spot to unload the whole nine yards on Moongarden. Titus sets Tzskova up for a vertical suplex, gets him up..Tzskova twists and falls out of the ring, slingshotting Titus throat first off the top rope! Desperation move by Tzskova that pays off. Desperation nothing, Cross! He had that counter planned right from the start! It's as good as over right here. Moongarden will never get back on offense again. Mikhail grabbing the legs of the prone Titus right now...and he falls back and DRIVES TITUS' GROIN INTO THE STEEL RINGPOST!!! And I think that move brings about a few more things that Titus will never do again! Tzskova having to resort to cheap tactics here to get the job done, and now he's just banging both of Titus legs off of the steel ringpost. Referee Terry Magnum laying a count on Tzskova, but he rolls in at nine to break it. Always thinking, always planning, always adjusting - that's the style of the Philosopher. He knows just how far to push the envelope without getting in trouble for it. Tzskova rolling back out now, and he grabs Titus' legs...RINGPOST FIGURE FOUR!!! THIS MOVE CAN CRIPPLE A MAN! Tzskova hanging on just long enough to have enough time to slide back into the ring, but the damage has been done, softening the tree-trunk legs of Titus Moongarden. Chopping him down like a giant redwood, Cross. And everyone knows it's next to impossible to slam your opponent when you can bearly stand yourself. Tzskova with a kick to the hamstring area, and now a rolling hamstring pull puts even more pressure on that leg. He's setting up for the "Final Word", no doubt about it. But M starting to get to his feet, and Tzskova can't believe it. He lays some kicks to the leg area, it makes Titus wobbly, but it doesn't bring him down. Titus doing all he can to keep from falling over, but if you ask me, it's a useless struggle. Mikey firmly in control. He's been in control right from the start. And he's not giving up control now. No way, no how. Titus now with stiff right hand, and another, and a third that backs Mikhail to the turnbuckles. Now another irish whip sends Tzskova in...but Tzskova bounces out with a hard elbow to the jaw as Titus charges in! I'd be hard-pressed to call that a charge, Cross. That was more like a running limp. Obviously the work on the legs by the Philosopher has paid off. It's made a slow, dumb guy even slower! Both men down for a bit, but Tzskova is the first one up, and he proceeds to stomp on the leg of Titus Moongarden, working it over more for his finisher. Tzskova now dragging Titus back to a corner, climbs the second rope...falling bodysplash right onto the leg. Tzskova may be no superheavyweight, but that's still 200+ lbs right onto the knee. And it doesn't take a lot of weight to dislocate a knee, either - less than 20 pounds of pressure, as a matter of fact, if it's applied in the right place.... and here it comes! Mikey going for the end-all right here! Tzskova now going for the reverse figure-four, aka the "Final Word" - and he's got it locked! This could be it, Titus is reaching for the ropes, but he's about a foot away. Titus trying to use what upper body strength he has left to drag himself toward that rope, but Mikhail taking a couple steps forward himself and keeping the big dummy in the center of the ring! He'll never get to the ropes now! Tzskova has it cinched in, but Moongarden is trying to roll it over.. Moongarden using his strength to power over...and reverse the hold into a standard figure four! And now Tzskova is the one in pain, as Moongarden cinches down with all the leg strength that he has left. Now normally I'd say that was a good counter move by Moongarden, but knowing him it was totally by accident he found a reversal for that hold. Won't matter much as Mikey is only inches away from the ropes now. Tzskova finally getting to the ropes, that didn't work out too well for him. Just a temporary setback, Cross. The Philosopher still has all the momentum, and he always comes to the ring with a Plan B. And even Plans C and D, too. Tzskova moving in for the leg again...and Titus kicks him away! Tzskova tries again, and this time Titus kicks, well, a bit low! A bit *too* low, if you ask me! Magnum apparently letting it go, believing it was an accident...and as much as I hate to admit it, that's probably right! Moongarden rises to his feet, BIG bodyslam by Moongarden, and now he grabs Tzskova, whips him to the turnbuckle, and the force of the toss 180's Tzskova over the top rope! Good display of power from the big man, but Mikhail showing good balance and stability - he stays on his feet out on the apron! Titus charing in with a clothesline and OWWWWW Tzskova's head bounces right off the steel post! Yeesh...I don't know what's more sickening - watching Mikhail's head bounce off the post that way, or realizing that after a blow like that, Titus Moongarden could actually win this match! Moongarden drags him back in...whip to the ropes, GORILLA PRESS, and "The Philosopher" bounces off of the mat! And Moongarden is ready for the "Out of Body Experience!" Won't happen. Mikey has a counter. He has a counter for everything.... doesn't he? He grabs Tzskova - suplex powerbomb RIGHT ON THE MONEY!!! Count of one, count of two, COUNT OF THREE, and MOONGARDEN decisively winning this one! *DING DING DING* ("So Far..." comes back on as Moongarden celebrates, as does the fans) I'm not sure what he did or how he did it, but he did it! I hate to tink Moongarden was just too strong for the Philosopher, but judging by the way this match went, that's pretty much what happened! Titus Moongarden has finally gotten his revenge on Mikhail Tzskova by pinning him center ring, and now Titus is out with the fans, shaking hands and having a grand old time. Cross, it's no stretch to say that this is the biggest win of his career so far. I guess that old quote is true - God made foolish things to confound the.....whoa, wait a minute, we're not quite done yet! Wait, Tzskova just grabbed a chair..and he SMASHES IT RIGHT INTO TITUS' LEG!!!! Tzskova extremely angry right now, as he threads Titus' leg into the back hole of the steel chair...and now Tzskova stomping on the chair, he's trying to break Titus' leg! And this is just pure frustration on the part of the Philosopher, Cross! He was beaten and humiliated by someone with the IQ of a cockroach, and if you think he's going to stand for it, you're dead wrong! Tzskova off the ringsteps with a DOUBLE STOMP to the chair, and Titus leg has to be broken after that. Security gets down there and is standing between Moongarden and Tzskova, but leave it to Mikhail Tzskova to ruin Titus Moongarden's victory celebration! You want your "Final Word"? There's your "Final Word" right there! Moongarden may have won the match, but Tzskova making sure he pays the price! Tzskova may have gotten the "Final Word" tonight, but I'm betting both Titus *AND* our commisioner may have some further things to say about it. Oh, you bet this isn't over. Not by a longshot.