Can you believe that? C4 and Rider trying to save a simple loss by DQ'ing themselves?

Actually I can. They're the same guys who had to triple team me to put me out...and it only worked for 1 week.

True. Well, you may have a shot for revenge.

What do you mean?

Well, for one, you're in the Kings of Tag Team tournament this week.

But I don't have a tag team partner.

That's where you are wrong. I put you with my brother, GI.

Nice. I suppose we're fighting C4?

No. But you might be. All you have to do is defeat Greg Jackson and Sean Young.

Sounds like fun..I think. Who did you put Rider against?

Simply put, me.

Good. Hey, I saw your match with C4. If he's anything like his daddy, Dark Rider will be tapping out like the bitch he is.

No doubt. Speaking of bitches, did you see what Phoenix did?

Yeah, but unfortunately no one can touch her, or we'll lose our jobs.

Well, not unless it's in the ring during a signed match anyway.

Have you checked on Angel?

Tried to, got forced out by EMT's. They said she'd be all right and to stop by after the show was finished. I imagine she's probably pissed off.

Then go see her. I have to catch a flight home.

Yeah, oh wait, before I do..I forgot to tell you. I've signed a little PPV bout for the Hardcore title. The defending champion, C4, takes on Judgement. And the best part about it is, you will get to choose the stipulation...which you'll tell everyone on FNX I hope.

That's just awesome! C4's going to get his one way or the other, but the fact it's a title match makes it even better.

Speaking of stipulations, I've got a little something planned for Rider...but I'll reveal that later on. Talk to you later man.

You too.

After departing, Joe heads to Angel's lockerroom. The door is actually unlocked, but he looks inside and sees Angel punching a bag in the corner. She seems focused. He walks in and places a hand on her shoulder, and she wheels around and nearly punches him right in the face before stopping herself.

Um..Angel...put the fist down. It's me..Joe..your boyfriend?

She pulls her arm back, a little embarrassed.

Well, yeah. Sorry.

Angel goes back to punching on the bag. Joe looks confused and gently puts a hand on her shoulder again.

Joe. DON'T! I don't want to hear it. I don't, okay?

Don't want to hear that you'll have Phoenix at ICW Hostile Takeover, so you shouldn't worry about her right now? Or don't want to hear that you have a chance to win the KOTT tournament?

She pauses, taking in what she just heard Joe say..as being in the KOTT was something she wanted to do.

No. KOTT was something I was after for a while and you damn well know it. What I don't want to hear is about Phoenix. It wasn't enough what's she done to me already, putting me out of action and costing me a match. But to hurt me? Oh hell no! She's crossed the line. And I can't wait to get my hands on her. So Joe, if I were you, I wouldn't sneak up on me anymore. Next time I may not think before I act.

Angel, I do believe that was a threat. I'll risk a blow to the face, whether I have good news or not. In this case I do.

Fine, it'll be your funeral, not mine. What's your news?

My news is, you have been entered into the Kings of Tag Team tournament. Not only that, but you are going to be able to get revenge on both Danger & Mr X.

I am? With who? Most everyone whose anyone already had a partner. No one wanted to team with a woman. Even if I have held the TV title for almost 3 months.

Well, I signed this guy to a contract just an hour ago, and I think you know him. You did tag with him before. Enforcer.

Wow. Enforcer is back. I tagged with him a while back. Should be interesting to see how far we can go in the KOTT.

Angel looks confused before throwing some punches on her bag.

Confused about something?

Angel nods.

About what?

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything. I went out of my way to find you a partner, and I found Enforcer. He's willing to team with you and I think you two could win it. You may have stiff competition in the semis and finals, but I think you can do it.

Your confidence in me is overwhelming. I hope that I don't let you down Joe. Really I don't. However, I'm not sure if it's the best idea to have you here right now.

You wouldn't be my partner at Hostile Takeover if I didn't think you'd be a great tag partner..and I'm sure Enforcer thinks so too, or he wouldn't have agreed. As far as me being here goes, you really can't say anything that's going to make me go. But I will let you have your space. I'll just sit down here...on this couch until you feel like the punching bag has had enough.

Joe sits down as Angel is just beating the hell out of the punching bag...which has duct tape in places to keep the stuffing from coming out. Joe turns on the TV..and sees a Dark Rider promo.

You're kidding me.

Excuse me?

Dark Rider decided to film himself a promo, trash talking me. It's like what...15 minutes after I just threw him out of the ring? Some people just don't know when they are over their heads I guess.

Obviously. I think I'm going to film a few words to him myself. So how about I do that, while you kill the punching bag, then take you to get something to eat..sound good?

That sounds fine. Make sure you knock next time, please. I don't need to be scared or have you have a broken nose.

Haha...yeah...I don't REALLY want a broken nose either. You don't have to worry I'll knock next time. I'll be back in a few, ok? Angel nods and kisses Joe for a moment before he leaves her to calm herself down. He heads down to his office...where a camera happens to be set up from the segment filmed earlier. He turns off the live feed and places a tape inside to record a few words to Dark Rider.

Well, it seems like even though I'm the president of ICW I'm still in active competition. It always seems that way. Why? Because I'm not afraid to fight anyone. I've defeated two former World champions in the past 3 weeks. I have one week off..then I sign myself against Dark Rider. And already I got people tellin me to watch out. I have to ask myself..why? Why should I watch out for Dark Rider? Because he's 6'6, 280? No that can't be why, because we are evenly matched physically. I'm 6'5, 270. Because he's a former World Champion, or a former US/TV champion? Nope..that's no reason. I've defeated many a World Champion, not to mention I've won multiple titles myself. Is it because he's a member of the Phenoms? That sure as hell can't be it, because I've beaten C4 and Vines is nothing. No, there is no reason to watch out. There's no reason to fear. I don't fear. I don't NEED to fear. Sometimes I'm told that not fearing would be my downfall. I doubt that. I don't fear Dark Rider, not him, or anyone else.

I noticed that Rider thinks I need to "save myself". He raises even more questions that I'd rather not get into right now. So I won't. Rider, you managed to bring up AOM. I should have a count because I know you're going to mention her many times. Someone as stupid as you, that's probably the material you have to work with. I mean, you weren't even smart enough to leave C4 and Vines in the back so Judgement could pin you clean after a chokeslam. You can talk bad about AOM all you want, because yes, that is why this match was made. This match was made because you insulted my girlfriend. Sound immature? Maybe, but here's another one, at least I have a woman. I mean come on...the fact C4's your kid doesn't mean anything. You look like the obese guy that I see in LA tattoo parlors, who doesn't have a life or a friend in the world. He just does his job, is somewhat good at that job. That's you. You've done a few good things in your job in ICW..but let's face it. You were on leave for at least 6 months of your YEAR in ICW. That's sad.

You want to put something on the line? I say...nah. You have nothing I want. And I have nothing you deserve. I have the perfect life. I have AOM, I have ICW. You can't have either. I respect my girlfriend to put her on the line like she was property. Oh and while that loss to C4 did hurt my pride and dignity, I mean come on, it's C4, I'd rather job to Avenger than say I lost to C4, I still have pride. I still have dignity. I returned the favor and made him tap out like a bitch. Right before tearing the ligaments in his knee and putting him on the shelf for a month. I wonder...did that piss you off? Were you watching somewhere, watching as your boy cried and pounded the mat, as you could almost hear those ligaments tearing? I bet it did. I bet mentioning it just pisses you off right now doesn't it. Good. Because you're going to need anger to even last 10 minutes against me. You have nothing else. You have no skills, you have no talent. You just like to run your mouth, and complain when you don't get your way.

You think you're some hero for ICW huh? You seem to think ICW sucks so bad...I wonder..why are you here? I'm not forcing you to be here. If you think ICW sucks...GET THE FUCK OUT! No one wants you here anyway Dark Rider. I mean your promos are boring as hell, and I won't even get started on the lack of talent you have in that squared circle. You beat a few guys..you're a former World champ. Whoop-dee-fucking-do. That doesn't mean shit to me. You think things will go the way you want them to? That's where you're wrong. See..I am the president of ICW..I own this company..I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. It's my company, I can do anything. Are you really believing that you can stop me? You don't get it. I CAN do whatever I want. You know what? I could fire you right now if I wanted to. But you make me money. You and that waste of oxygen son of yours. Not because they want to see you, but they want to see you lose. And this week they'll get to see that. I'm just going to make it easy for you, I'm going to attack your knee like raw meat in a pirhana tank, and I'm going to make you tap.

Then, there's a part in your promo where you ramble..um...something about you like to wear a mini-skirt? I dunno. Hang on...I'll find something coherent..

Joe fast forwards the tape a bit til Rider talks again, and listens for a moment.

Nope, nothing. You're just talking jibberish now. Something about how people care about you and you have spotlight. Something about how you think you're better than me. Well, too bad. You're not. I don't need to pay the referee for me to beat you, you're going to be the one that has him signal for the bell. You're going to just tap like a bitch because you won't be able to take the pain anymore. I don't fear you, I'm going to defeat you. It seems like you just want to keep saying you are getting screwed, because you aren't getting your way. You're a spoiled brat! You don't get your way so you think it's someone ELSE's fault. Yeah, you keep thinking that. You think that all the way until you're forfieting the matchup by tapping your hand on the mat giving up. Because trust me, it will happen. It will happen because I said it will happen. I'm Joe Cool, the Man Without Fear, I can do anything.

Joe turns off the tape and heads towards Angel's lockerroom to leave the arena as the scene fades out.