[Cut backstage to EPW Owner Dan Ryan's office. Paul Freeman is inside, the two men locked in conversation.]

Freeman: ....so with the guarantee of a sellout in Los Angeles and San Diego it should turn out to be a pretty good payday.

Ryan: Good work, Paulie. After this Texas tour finishes up, a little trip to Cali just might be what does the trick.

[A buzzing sound interrupts. Ryan presses a button on his phone.]

Ryan: Yeah....

Secretary: [over telecom] There's someone here to see you sir.

Ryan: Good. Send him in.

[Paul turns to the door as none other than BOOGIE SMALLZ steps into the room, glaring at Freeman, whose jaw drops in shock.]

Freeman: What the hell are you doing here?! I just fi....

Ryan: Settle down, Paulie. Mr. Smallz is here at my request. If there's nothing more we need to discuss, you may go.

Freeman: But I....but....

[Ryan raises his eyebrows at the Commissioner.]

Freeman: [sighing] No, nothing else. I'll be down by the curtain if you need me.

Ryan: Good man.

[Freeman exits the room, his eyes never leaving Smallz.]

Ryan: Now then, Boogie....please sit down.

[Smallz stays where he stands, folding his arms over his chest.]

Ryan: Or stand. Either way, I've heard your complaint and appeal over the firing with the whole drug thing and what not.

Smallz: Uh huh....

Ryan: Sorry, can't let ya wrestle, chief.

[Smallz rolls his eyes and starts for the door.]

Smallz: Good waste of my time....

Ryan: Although...I might have something else for you to do. You are still under contract after all.

Smallz: Man, I ain't cleanin' ish up and all that. I know I'm a black man and all, but I ain't layin' down for no whitey just cuz he happens to own the joint, contract or not.

Ryan: [smiling] Actually, I was thinking of something more along the lines of.....enforcer....

[Boogie's eyebrow pops up and for the first time, he feels comfortable enough to take a seat, twisting it around and seating himself backwards....arms leaning on the back of the chair.]

Smallz: Do continue.....

Ryan: It's quite simple really. I need a job to be done and you need something to do. Interested?

Smallz: [eyes narrowing] Maybe we have something to talk about after all......

[Cut back to the ring, where Tony Fatora stands with mic to his lips.]


The Cameron Cruise Project vs. Golem & X-Ecutioner


TONY FATORA: Th' following contest is set for one fall. Introducing first

[CUE UP: 'Drowning Pool' by Step Up. Golem and X-Ecutioner step out onto the ramp way to a chorus of boos, Golem in a typical hunch. They walk slowly to the ring, soaking up the jeers. Golem slides under the bottom rope as X-Ecutioner steps over the top rope. They stand near the centre of the ring still soaking up the boos]

TONY FATORA: Weighing in at a combined weight of five hundred and twenty three pounds, both hailing from Death Valley... GGGGOOOOOOOLLLLLLLEEMMMMMMM and THE XXXX-EEEEEEEEECCCCCCCCCUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIOOOOOOONNNNNNNNEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!

DT: Last time we saw these two they totally dominated Ray Rock and Jonny Mambo. They're looking to do the same tonight but against the CCP it's not going to be easy.

[CUE UP: 'Headstrong' by Trapt. Cameron Cruise and Joey Melton saunter to the ring to a cascade of cheers. Sliding under the bottom rope, they're met quickly by Golem and X-Ecutioner, causing Tony Fatora to scamper outside, narrowly avoiding Melton as he's whipped to the ropes by Golem]

DT: And this match is underway as Golem and X-Ecutioner kick things off with an attack before the bell. Melton is taken down by a hard clothesline there by Golem. Cruise meanwhile trading lefts and rights with the biggest man in the match as the ref tries to get some order in there.

MN: Good luck ref.

DM: Melton's back up...NICE backdrop there by the veteran as Golem rushed in, sending the Clawed man ot the outside. Melton's going outside as we finally get two men on their own to start the match proper.

[SFX: *ding*]

DT: Cruise ducking under the right hand there, hitting a strong neckbreaker there. A quick cover gets him a one count there, but a hard boot keeps X-Ecutioner down. He picks, slamming him back down as Melton fights his way away from Golem, sending him to the guardrail. Melton tagged in, as Cruise drives X-Ecutioner head first into the corner, leaving him free for Melton.

DM: Melton now with an arm wringer on the big man, driving the point of the elbow into the shoulder there. And again, trying to take the arm away from X-Ecutioner. Smart strategy, even if he has trouble at the house shows.

MN: He takes the big man down there with a short arm clothesline, tagging Cruise back in. Cruise now with a dropkick taking X-Ecutioner down, and CCP are in total control here.

DT: Indeed they are Mike

MN: That's why I said it

DT: Cruise now with an Irish Whip off the ropes, and a nice spinebuster there. A cover... two count only, as it's still too early to be putting someone away.

DM: But not too early to make them kick out. Cruise knows his way around the ring and wearing out an opponent without tiring yourself out is a very good strategum.

DT: Quick tags from CCP as Cruise brings Melton back in. Melton plants his knee in the shoulder of X-Ecutioner. Pick up, looks like he's setting him up for a suplex... NICE reversal there by X-Ecutioner, taking Melton over before Melton had him in position. Risky move but it might just pay off as he drives his fist straight down there, cracking the forehead of he who hates Miles.

DM: X-Ecutioner whipping Melton into the corner, where Golem takes a quick shot at him. Tag in and they take turns stomping away on Melton in the corner, driving him down to the mat. Golem now in control, driving his knee into the leg of Melton, looking to take the forty plus year old out of action by making it so he can't walk easily.

MN: Quick action from both these teams as Golem wrenches on the leg with a leg-lock. Melton trying to make it to the ropes. I bet he's not used to being on his back like that.

DT: Melton making it to the ropes, and Golem releases the hold at the count of four. He stomps away on the legend, trying to keep him on the mat.

DM: If you can't get up it's a lot harder to win a match. Golem may look like a freak but he's got a great knowledge of wrestling psycology.

DT: Melton using the ropes now, getting to his feet. Golem takes him down with a headlock... NO, it's a choke hold, as the ref starts counting. Again he releases before the count of five, but the damage is being done with those moves. Nothing the ref can do unless he keeps a hold locked in for the five count.

DM: The ref admonishing Golem there, as Melton struggles to his feet. A tag to X-Ecutioner, and Golem sends Melton into the corner. Whip in from X-Ecutioner.

DT: And Golem eats boot as Melton gets his foot up, making a dash to the corner, and tagging in Cruise there. Cruise in over the top rope with a clothesline taking down the big man. He spins round, taking Golem down with a hard right hand there, and there's one for X-Ecutioner. Cruise on fire here, whipping Golem to the corner. He sends X-Ecutioner into him!!! X-Ecutioner staggers back out of the corner, straight into a sidewalk slam there. Golem tries to hold onto the ropes, but Cruise sends him to the outside with a clothesline!! I've NEVER seen Cruise dominate in the ring quite like this, as he's taking out both members of the opposition without much trouble at all! X-Ecutioner to his feet, he finally stops Cruise with a kick to the gut. X-Ecutioner now off the ropes. Cruise ducks under, picking him up on the rebound... SHIPWRECK!!!

DM: That over the shoulder DDT-come-piledriver-come whatever takes X-Ecutioner down. Cruise with the cover...

Two...

THREE!!! It's all over.

[sfx:*dingdingdingding*]

TONY FATORA: The winners of the match.... JOEY MELTON and CCCCAAAAMMMEEEERRRRROOOONNN...CCCCCRRRRRRUUUUUIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSEEEEE!!!

DT: A pretty solid win here tonight for the former champs as they look ahead to possibly another shot at the belts.

DM: If they can get along.

DT: We've got to take a quick break, but we'll be right back for our next match......the Intercontinental Championship!!

[Cut to a commercial for Starving Man's new Big Meat Loafy Meal.]


NEXT