After several months on the sidelines, questions had been asked if Douglas could prevail in his first night back. On Monday Night, Douglas brushed aside Frankie Kazarian as if he hadn't missed a competitive match in a decade. Fluke? Nah, not in a million years. Shane Douglas promised the job would be done - and it was. One week later, Shane Douglas has been served the responsbility of one Shawn Michaels involving Hardcore stipulations. You'd highly suggest that stipulations as such are clearly favouring The Franchise. In saying that - Shawn Michaels won't succumb as easily as you'd hope. Some would suggest that it's Douglas, representing ECW as it's ebst, up against The Heart Break Kid - also titled as WWF/E's best. Question remains; who's better? Yeah, Michaels' has achieved more. But let's face it. Would Shawn have lasted a month, let alone years upon YEARS in Extreme Championship Wrestling? Of course not. Two completely different wrestling styles will lock horns in what promises to be a blockbuster. Don't miss out. The scene winds up on the sight of an old, white boarded house. The type of house that you'd expect to be owned by an old and cranky lady. Standing at the door step wearing a pair of jeans and a black shirt, Shane Douglas has a big grin across his face. He takes his black sunglasses off and puts them into his pocket and knocks on the door. Seconds tick by; Shane is left standing still. Even after five seconds - nothing. Eventually, the door is opened wide and greeting Shane Douglas is ... an old, obese lady. At least we're lead to believe. Obviously, it's a he. Pillows are stuffed in, and of course, the hairy legs is such a give away. But what the hell - it's a comedy act. Sit back, and enjoy.

the lady: " Why hello there young sonny. Who be you? "

the franchise: " Shane Douglas. Professional Wrestler. You may or may not have heard of me, but that's besides the point. I'm not here to drown you in my success stories. Instead - I'm here about your son. "

the lady: " Ian? "

For fuck sake. I've paid this retard twenty bucks and I've went over his lines about a hundred times. What the fuck is wrong with him?

the franchise: " No. Shawn. "

It takes a while for it to register. Figures; you pay peanuts, and that's what you get back in return.

the lady: " Ohhhh, why of course. Shawn. How is he? Is he still doing well? "

the franchise: " For the meantime, he is. He's healthy. But, ah' .. not for too much longer. "

the lady: " What? What are you trying to tell me? Please, come inside, sit down. "

I'm seriously having second thoughts about this. Whatever. 'She' takes me into the Family Room where scattered in every which direction you turn are photos of Shawn Michaels. Quite .. disgusting, really. I take a seat down opposite to his Mother. She's keen. At least, she's meant to be in the script anyway.

the lady: " Now ... um .. "

Great. Already forgot his lines. Fucking idiot.

the lady: " Um ... oh ... so what's wrong with Shawn? Is everything okay? What has my baby boy done? "

the franchise: " I'm afraid your son has made the biggest mistake that he's ever going to make. I'll ask you firstly; do you consider Shawn to be a man of intelligence? "

the lady: " Well, actually, I have always thought my Shawny boy was a bit ambitious in some of the things he did and said. "

the franchise: " I'd have to tend to agree with you Mrs. Michaels. See - I work with Shawn. Truth is; his body can't withstand the torment that he attempts to put it through each and every single solitary week. This Monday Night, I'm gonna do you and your son a favour. I'm gonna put him out of the business .. for good. In the past, you've seen Shawn come back from out of retirement. You've seen Shawn put aside his devastating injuries ... but there comes a time in every man's life, where there's a hurdle that is just that few inches too much. Do you understand, Mrs. Michaels? "

'She' nods her head, but is clearly not understanding a single word coming out of my mouth. And that wasn't on the script.

the lady: " Do you mean to say that ... that somebody is going to hurt my dearest? That my beautiful baby boy is going to be punished harshly? I plead with you, Mr. Douglas. Please. Don't harm Shawn. He doesn't mean to cause trouble. He really is a lovely boy, It's just that his self driven .. ummm .. "

Just when I thought he was going to pull off something, he goes and fucks it up. For crying out aloud. He's literally pissing down every dollar by every second. I can see he's getting nowhere, so I've gotta' take the reigns.

the franchise: " It's quite alright Mrs. Michaels. I can understand that what you're going through is hard, but you're his Mother. The truth shouldn't be kept from you. Shawn is greedy for glory that passed him years and years ago. He's feeding off the past. He's attempting to bring back days that have already been marked off on the calendar. He's been given alternatives, but he's chosen to step foot in the ring ... but he's blinded by arrogance ... because the challenge that has been set in front of him is one that he ain't gonna pass. "

the lady: " Who .. Who .. Who is this .. this warrior you speak of? Who is going to retire my darling? Tell me sonny jim. Tell me who that big ol' silly duffer is. "

I lean forward and whisper. Why? It makes it intense. Haven't you seen that in the Movies? It's what sends a chill down your spine.

the franchise: " Me. "

God. 'She' stood up, and take a stab at what happened? No, the dress is still on. Thankfully. The wig came off. Fucking Patterson, that bastard can't do a thing right. With all his lipstick on, his make-up, and hell - I'm not even gonna bother explaining the rest because you've got the picture. My arms are crossed; not the slightest bit impressed.

patterson: " Sorry? "

the franchise: " Take your sorry and stick it up your ass, Patterson. I paid you twenty bucks to remember and read a few lines. You couldn't even do that. Your pathetic. Your a replica of the World Wrestling Federation, and of Shawn Michaels. Thing is - I can pay assholes like you to do whatever the hell I want you too. With Shawn - it's different. That son of a bitch refuses to lay down, and ya' know why? Because he's arrogant. He doesn't want to face reality ... but this Monday Night ... on Raw Attitude, I ain't gonna spare him the sympothy. My objective is to embarrass him. To RETIRE him, once and for all. As for you, Patterson? "

I'm smirking. I'm staring directly into his eyes, and he's shitting himself. He's practically quivering in fear. Good. At least some sort of satisfaction can be drawn out of this waste of fucking time.

patterson: " Look, Shane. I know things didn't work out for you back in the day, and I know that I've just screwed up .. but please .. don't hurt me. I don't deserve this. It's SHAWN MICHAELS that you're after. Not big Patterson, man. "

How can you not laugh at that?

the franchise: " Pathetic, Patterson. Pathetic. You're a fucking coward. Be a man. BE A MAN, FOR ONCE IN YOUR GOD DAMN LIFE! YOU BALLESS SON OF A BITCH!! "

Patterson's probably pissing his pants, and I love every second of it. With a single punch, Patterson's flat out on his ass. All that it takes is a few more blows to the head and the old bastard's bleeding. My anger is building signifcantly, and despite no fightback from Patterson, I'm using him as a human punching bag. Pretty fucking effective. He's out cold, laying motionless. I stand up above him, looking down at his layers upon layers of wrinkles. And makeup. God he's pathetic.

the franchise: " Kiss my ass, you maggot. You're a worthless piece of shit, ya' know that right? I mean - look at you. Aren't you supposed to be a Legend? Aren't you supposed to be ADMIRED, Patt? Ha-ha. Fuck you. Fuck Michaels. Monday Night - I'm spittin' in the face of all you limpwrists that held me back. Revenge .. It's gonna taste dreadfully sweet. "

Don't think my attention is solely focused on Patterson. I haven't forgot about you, Shawn. Not at all. I always save the best for last.

the franchise: " Michaels, all the talk and all the mind games are over. It's down to me and you, one on one, inside the middle of that ring. Its been years in the making, a rivalry that I've been awaiting to end. Your legacy - it's been colourful. It's been what you dreamed of, but deep down inside, you know that you haven't busted a fucking SWEAT to get where you are. Vince McMahon. That's what made you. That's what took you off the streets from being a hopeless bastard, and turned you into something that these idiot fans adoe. Well ya' know what, Shawn? Fuck you. I'm better and I ALWAYS have been. On Raw Attitude, It's my chance to prove it to the rest of the world .. and an opportunity like this .. heh .. I ain't gonna let it go to waste. (Pauses) Mr. Flamboyant, you bring all you've got to the table. You bring your Sweet Chin Music, you bring your two kids and that slut of a wife. Give 'em a front row seat. Give 'em popcorn. Give 'em all that they want, because when it comes down to it, THEY and YOU are BOTH gonna have to come to terms with the fact that the Heart Break Kid .. will be no more. Learn to love it, 'cause Michaels, your ass is about to be "