(Backstage, Bill Bicknell runs to catch up with Cynric, who is entering the building.)
Bill: Cynric... Cynric! You've obviously just arrived here and need to put on your gear, but could I have just a moment of your time?
Cynric: Sure.
Bill: Well, last week your brother Ronin Fox pinned C.M. Punk as part of the Round Robin. After his loss to Nykk at Bloody Valentine, that put his record at 1-1. What do you think his chances are against Low Ki and Bryan Danielson?
Cynric: Why do you ask me about that, Bill? Why not ask Fox? I'm not Fox, I'm Cynric. I was this close to being in the Round Robin, but I'm not. As far as his chances against Danielson and Low Ki, I don't know. But I did catch what he did to Punk last week, after Punk said he would become akin to a god in this company. I really hope that shut him up. You know, as someone who has a brother in the wrestling business with me, I can sympathize with Jay Crowe over this whole situation developing with his brother Eddie. All I can say is if it were me in his situation, I would go right up to Punk and...
(Punk walks up and interrupts Cynric.)
Punk: What? You'd do what to me, Cynric? It's one thing for Fox to be able to talk about beating me, because he did so last week. But you? You have no right to even mention my name in your promos, because since you've been here in MECCA, what have you done? Absolutely nothing. We've got the five best in the promotion fighting over the MECCA Championship, an International Invitational involving some of the world's best tag teams... and you stuck somewhere in limbo, in a stasis of mediocrity.
Cynric: Mediocrity, huh? Okay, how about you and I step into the ring tonight, and we'll see how mediocre I am. Come on, Punk. It's not a Round Robin match. You don't have to worry about a record.
Punk: You know what, you're on, but I don't want a singles match. I'm so pissed off about what Fox did last week, that I want him too. Bring him to the ring with you, and I'll bring a tag team partner with me. I'll be more than happy to get revenge on Fox, and put you back in your place. Stuck in the middle.
(Punk walks away.)
Cynric: I'll tell you one thing, Bill� tonight, my brother and I are going to put SELF on the shelf, and maybe then Punk's straight edge will finally be dulled.
(He walks away.)
Bill: It looks like Cynric is off to find his brother, and it looks like we have some tag action later. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Go Time!
("Neocon" opening.)
David: We are here once again in Lousville, Kentucky, at the Bingham Theatre. Tonight, MECCA presents Go Time! I'm David Mills, along with Dick Broccoli, and tonight the Round Robin and the International Invitational both continue. In the main event, Low Ki tries to save himself from his second loss in the Round Robin when he squares off against Nykk!
Dick: And the last first round match of the International Invitational will take place, as two new teams debut. Representing Japan will be the team of Katsushi Takemura and Keiji Sakota. They will go up against the team of Shane and Shannon, the Ballard Brothers, representing our neighbors to the north in Canada!
David: And it looks as if a challenge has been laid out after that confrontation between C.M. Punk and Cynric. Punk wants Cynric and Fox in a tag match right here tonight.
("Hybrid Stigmata" hits and Delirious makes his way to the ring.)
David: We're going to start of the night with one half of Reckless Abandon, Delirious, and it looks as if, yes, he's tweakin' out!
Dick: He and his partner Spanky are one loss away from elimination themselves in the International Invitational, after their loss to the Pyro Twins at Bloody Valentine.
("The Leaving Song Part II" by AFI hits and Eddie Crowe makes his way to the ring.)
David: Uh oh... it looks like we're about to see the debut of Jay Crowe's brother, Eddie Crowe. As we found out at Bloody Valentine and last week, Eddie is completely under the control of his mentor, C.M. Punk. That's why Jay and Dusty were forced to turn on Nykk, the mental well being of Eddie is being held hostage by C.M. Punk and his straight-edge lifestyle.
Dick: Well, there's nothing wrong with living a drug-free, alcohol-free life, is there?
David: But that's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about this cult-like SELF that Punk has created, demanding complete obedience from his followers. But we haven't yet seen Eddie in the ring, so let's see what he can do.
(FINISH: Delirious goes for the Chemical Imbalance #2, but Eddie counters with a headscissors. Delirious rolls to his feet, and charges Eddie. Eddie hits him with a spinning double strike with his fists, knocking Delirious for a loop. Eddie then locks in the Crowe's Nest, and Delirious taps out.)
Winner: Eddie Crowe
David: Eddie Crowe is victorious over an established competitor in Delirious, and it looks like Punk at least taught him how to handle himself in the ring.
Dick: A big debut win for Eddie Crowe, and though he's Jay's brother, he seems to have a more submission oriented style, though we did see some Pyro Twins-like strikes in there.
David: When we come back, I understand we'll have the big tag match. We know that Ronin Fox will be Cynric's partner, but who will Punk choose?
(In the locker room, C.M. Punk and the Pyro Twins are sitting in front of a monitor.)
Punk: You see that, Jay? Your brother went out there and beat one of the guys that you two beat at Bloody Valentine. Not only that, he made him tap. Aren't you proud?
Jay: I would be, if he were out there full of passion for this business and in control of his own destiny. As it is, what I saw out there made me sick, because I know that it all came from your tutelage.
Punk: You make me blush, Jay. You know, you didn't even know your brother had a desire for this business, but I was able to guide him and mold him into a wrestler. Now, as for the tag match...
Jay: Forget it, Punk. We're out of here.
(Dusty and Jay storm out of the locker room as Trent Acid enters.)
Acid: Geez... what's their problem?
Punk: I have no idea. (sniffs) What the hell is that smell? Dammit, Acid! You smell like you haven't showered in a week! I almost didn't notice because I've been stuck here in Kentucky, but�
(Acid sniffs at his own armpits.)
Punk: Look at you! You're a mess! Is this the way you want to live your life? Don�t try and tell me that your choices haven't affected the way you perform out there. You're floundering, Trent!
Acid: I know. But what can I do about it?
Punk: You can follow the teachings of SELF, the Straight Edge Lifestyle Foundation. Stop smoking! Throw out all your alcohol! Bathe once in a while! I guarantee you that if you do those things, not only will your track record here improve, but you'll feel much better about yourself too.
Acid: You know something? You're right, Punk. I'm tired of all this. I'm turning over a new leaf, starting now.
Punk: That's the spirit.
Acid: I'll see you in the ring.
Punk: Wait. What?
Acid: You need a tag partner for your match tonight. I'm your man!
Punk: Well� I don't know. What can you offer that Jay or Dusty can't?
Acid: I'll do better than tell you... I'll show you. Come on, what do you say? Help a guy out.
Punk: Well... all right. But you better not disappoint.
(Punk exits the locker room. Acid claps his hands together and enthusiastically follows.)
(Commercial Break)
(In the arena, "Miseria Cantare" is playing and C.M. Punk and Trent Acid are in the ring, Punk keeping his distance from Acid.)
David: We're back here on Go Time, and before the break, Punk managed to find a tag team partner.
Dick: I don't think Punk had too much enthusiasm about it, but who knows? He may see some potential in the slovenly Trent Acid.
("Wherever I May Roam" hits and Ronin Fox and Cynric make their way to the ring.)
David: This match came about at the top of the show, after a confrontation between Cynric and Punk. Punk accused Cynric of being mediocre, and decided to show him how mediocre he supposedly is.
Dick: Punk also wants revenge against Fox for beating him last week in the Round Robin. Fox saved himself from his second loss, but now he's put Punk one loss away from not acquiring the MECCA Title.
(FINISH: Fox and Punk get the hot tags. Fox hits Punk with a running dropkick and whips him into the ropes, hitting a reverse elbow. He runs over and forearms Acid off the apron and then gives Punk a kneelift. He gives Punk the Turnbuckle Pinball, and signals for the Tail End. He bounces off the ropes, but Acid hits him from behind. Punk tags Acid, and they go for a double suplex on Fox. They get him up, but Cynric comes in from behind and crouches behind them. They fall backwards over him, and Fox lands on both Punk and Acid, getting a double two count. Cynric tries to clothesline Punk, but Punk ducks and goes for the Pepsi Twist. Cynric ducks it and nails Punk with a superkick, staggering him. Acid charges Cynric, but he sidesteps, and Acid crashes into Punk, sending him through the ropes. Cynric lifts Acid into the air and kicks him in the ribs on the way down. He then picks Acid up for a wheelbarrow suplex. Fox comes over, and does a two-man STO, clotheslining Acid and sweeping Cynric's leg so that he suplexes Acid with more force. Fox covers and gets the three count.)
Winners: Ronin Fox and Cynric
David: Ronin Fox and Cynric are victorious on Go Time! So much for Trent Acid showing Punk why he'd be a good partner.
(Fox and Cynric leave, as Punk gets back in the ring. Acid tries to apologize, but Punk shakes his head and waves down Eddie Crowe, who's followed by the Pyro Twins. They stalk Acid, and Punk tells them to get Acid. Eddie kicks Acid in the stomach and starts laying in stiff right hands. Acid starts fighting back, but Jay and Dusty join in and they destroy Acid. The Pyro Twins hit Final Darkness, and Eddie locks in the Crowe's Nest. Acid starts tapping, but Jay and Dusty start stomping his hand over and over. Finally, "Miseria Cantare" plays and SELF lets up.)
Dick: Damn, they may have just killed Trent Acid!
David: I don't know about the future of Acid in SELF, but we just saw their effectiveness as a group right here. Up next, the International Invitational continues!
(In the office, Katie Piehl is typing on a laptop when someone knocks at the door.)
Katie: Come in.
(LuFisto and Gail Kim enter.)
Katie: Gail, Lu, welcome. What can I do for you?
LuFisto: You know why I'm here, Ms. Piehl. At Bloody Valentine, I was robbed of the Ladies' Title. I want a rematch against Lisa Letty.
Katie: And I want this promotion to go global and make me millions of dollars. But I have to earn that, just like you have to earn your title shots. As I recall, you had a title shot, but you kind of shot yourself in the foot.
LuFisto: Cute. Just give me the rematch. I'll make that little girl beg for mercy, and I'll build that title into something important.
(LuFisto leaves. Gail turns to leave as well.)
Katie: Oh, Gail? Good job in your match against Lisa last week. I was quite impressed.
(Gail looks at her a little funny before exiting.)
(Commercial Break)
(Daryl Brewer's remix of "The Goon's Theme" hits and the Ballard Brothers make their way to the ring. They have Canadian flags attached to their hockey sticks.)
David: Well, there may not be an NHL season this year, but it looks like the spirit of hockey is alive and well in the Ballard Brothers.
Dick: They've got the sticks and the jerseys, but do they have the wrestling talent?
David: Shane and Shannon are, of course, from Vancouver, and will be representing Canada in the International Invitational.
Dick: These two are also twins, and we all know what tag team strategies are available to twins in wrestling.
("Blue Blast - Winning the Rainbow" from the Black Mages II hits and Katsushi Takemura and Keiji Sakota make their way to the ring, waving Japanese flags.)
David: This is our first look at the team of Takemura and Sakota. Sakota, of course, has competed in WWE, and fans may remember him being one of Tajiri's henchmen.
(Takemura and Sakota storm the ring.)
Dick: It looks like... wait, here we go!
(FINISH: Takemura hits a swinging DDT on Shannon. Sakota takes out Shane with a Roaring Elbow as Takemura gets the three count.)
Winners: Katsushi Takemura and Keiji Sakota
David: It looks like Japan is cleaning up so far in the International Invitational! Takemura and Sakota now join KDX in the upper brackets, while the Ballards from Canada have one last chance in the lower brackets.
Dick: Impressive debut by both these teams. I can't wait to see how they do against the rest of our crop of tag teams.
(In the office, Katie Piehl is sitting on her desk when LuFisto and Gail Kim enter.)
LuFisto: You called for us?
Katie: Yes, I want you to know that I came to a decision.
LuFisto: Really? You're giving me a rematch against Lisa Letty? I promise you, Ms. Piehl, this time Letty will fall before the might of the Dangerous Liaison...
Katie: Wait a minute. I am granting a rematch against Lisa Letty for the Ladies' Title... but it won't be for you, LuFisto. I'm granting the rematch to the lady who beat Lisa last week in a non-title match... Gail Kim. And it will take place on March 12 at Melee.
LuFisto: What!?
Gail: Me?
Katie: Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch the main event.
(She leaves the room and LuFisto stares at Gail Kim with her mouth open.)
(Commercial Break)
(In the arena, "Fighters Passion" hits and Low Ki makes his way to the ring.)
David: We are about to see a hard-hitting contest right here, and it's put up or shut up time for Low Ki, who is one in the hole in the Round Robin.
Dick: A loss for Low Ki right here would put him out of the running for the MECCA Championship, and the best he could hope for is that everyone ties and a special five-way match is set up.
("Destroy" hits and Nykk makes his way to the ring.)
David: These two really have no issue other than the Round Robin, but that's not going to stop them from tearing into each other like old enemies.
Dick: Nykk's had a lot on his mind lately, but he hasn't lost yet in the Round Robin.
(FINISH: Low Ki goes for the Krush Rush on Nykk, and he counters into an inside cradle like Danielson did, but it only gets a two count. Low Ki recovers quickly and sends Nykk down with a rolling koppo kick. He goes for the Ki Krusher, but Nykk escapes and rolls up Low Ki. Instead of going for the pin, he stands up and applies the Cedarleaf. Low Ki manages to make it to the ropes, however. Nykk whips Low Ki into the corner, but it's reversed. Nykk tips up, but Low Ki catches him on his shoulders. He runs for a powerslam, but Nykk lands on his feet and counters with Howling Moon II. However, Low Ki re-counters into the Dragon Clutch, straddling Nykk's back. Nykk tries to get to the ropes, but Low Ki jerks back and yanks Nykk off his feet. Low Ki rolls them over to apply the hold properly, and Nykk taps out.)
Winner: Low Ki David: Low Ki just saved himself by making Nykk tap!
Dick: There's something you don't see too often.
David: We're out of time this week, ladies and gentlemen, but be sure to join us next week when Low Ki returns to take on Ronin Fox! See you then!