Sunday, May 29th, 2005
Live From Daytona Beach, Florida
An Unorthodox Start To An Unorthodox Evening
[ Instead of large pyros, rockin out music, or even arena fan shots, the N.L.R.s first PPV begins in the parking lot as a white limo pulls into the parking area. Out steps the "Assistant" Assistant General Manager "Big" Ed Johnson.He looks like he's just been to a funeral. The Pay-per-view rating was supposed to be the highlight of everything that Scotty Heart had built up over the past few months, and now it had been delayed. Scotty Heart would not be attending Threshold tonight. Things were that bad. There was even talk of "Corporate" takeover. Johnson looks at the camera, and then back at the arena, and then to the limo. He pulls a set of over-sized set of golden keys from his jacket, and dangles them before the camera, sullen look turning into a big smirk.
Out of the limo step two familliar faces in the world of wrestling. Especially so on this night, the tribute to the MWF, which bred what was to become the Next Level Revolution. Former Maximum Wrestling announcers, John Pilkington, and Tim Sullivan, step out of the back of the limo, dressed in their Sunday best. Johnson looks back inside the back of Limo, and nods his head to one last occupant we can't quite make out, and then the limo pulls around out of view. ]
"Big" Ed Johnson: Well C'mon you guys, this is it, the night is young, and I have a feeling that before it's over, we're going to see a few changes around here.
BOOM!!!
[ Now the pyro, surrounding the rafters of the Daytona arena, are shown being sounded off with authority. Flashing green and silver sparklers seemingly fly through the air over the biggest N.L.R. crowd to date, and surround the Tron while Breaking Benjamins' "Breakdown" is riling the crowd. The normal announcers, Paul Clash, and Taylor Black, would normally chime in now, but their seats are empty. The crowd is stomping and a shout of "N.L.R." begins drowning out the fading music. Out from the backdrop walks "Big" Ed Johnson looking like he just won the lottery with a stolen ticket. The fans continue the chant, and it's actually several minutes before they die down. Johnson addresses the crowd, and those of us watching at home. ]
"Big" Ed Johnson: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Ladies and Gentlemen. Now I know that alot of the fans were a little disappointed with the way the last two weeks have turned out in the N.L.R. And you'd all be right!! I myself was appalled to hear that once again, the curse surrounding this whole MSW/N.L.R. issue was taking over. See a while back, there was this guy, in fact this guy had a wrestling federation, much like the N.L.R. It was called the Maximum Wrestling Federation, and it drew "Big" money.
[ The fans all cheer, for the legacy surrounding something so very dear to all our hearts. ]
"Big" Ed Johnson: In fact, that man there, in the front row, was it's owner, Edward Walker. Ed, stand up if you will, take a bow.
[ We see a closeup on Ed Walker, front row waves to the crowd as a chant of ONE MORE SHOW begins to pack the arena. As it dies down, Johnson continues. ]
"Big" Ed Johnson: Now After sinking about a gazillion dollars into this business, Ed Walker finally had to "Sell Out" and retire as owner of a program you could go back and watch from day one, and have it be just as fresh as the last airing.
But it wasn't just the Brain that kept the fans glued to the television set. You see, when the MWF lost the ratings war to the WEW, not only did Ed Walker walk out on a business he created, but he left DOZENS of the guys underneath him unemployed with no answers. Tonight the N.L.R. corrects that mistake.
Now many of you already realize that the announce booth here tonight is empty. Well after watching the past few weeks, I decided that the "services" of Paul Clash and Taylor Black were no longer needed. In fact, both are sitting at home, right now, watching me tell them that they've been fired, and I don't have to listen to them describe it in a tone that would put me to sleep. That being out of the way, I'd like to take this time to announce the new team that is going to bring the N.L.R. into highlights all around the globe. Gentlemen?
[ The fans pop loudly, as JP and Sully walk out waving to the crowd they take a bow, and head to their prospective spots at the announce booth. ]
JP: Welcome fans, to N.L.R Threshold!!!
Sully: I gotta say John, it's great to be back in the spotlight once more.
JP: Agreed my friend, agreed! Folks, we're kind of calling this on the fly tonight as Ed Johnson has promised that whatever fans thought was coming to the Pay-Per-View is going to be changed on a whim, reflecting what he likes to call "progressive thinking".
Sully: And already things are going on in the back! We've got to go to take a quick break, but we'll return in a moment with the backstage happenings!
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