[the camera opens to a shot of Ryan Bedford sitting in studio with a Ricochet banner hanging over his shoulder on the wall. He sits on a stool with a big screen television behind him and off to the side with a Crossfire logo on it.]

Ryan Bedford: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our internet exclusive Crossfire highlight show. As you all know, we are in waiting mode until we premier on our new network, the World Sports Network, so until then, we will be bringing you Crossfire exclusively online, but on November 4, we are back with Crossfire: Genesis. What a night that will be, as we already have Johnny Royal defending his World Title against Antonino Romano in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. What match that will be? But after last week's preshow brawl, Romano started the show by coming to the ring and trying to set the record straight...according to him.

[Bedford turns toward the television, as the Crossfire logo fades to a shot of the ring]

I

" L`Italia ha ma un figlio, e quell`uomo" Antonino Romano!!!

[Antonino walks out from the back in his street clothes looking down at the ramp. He keeps looking down all the way to the ring and ignores the crowd as they boo him. Antonino climbs into the ring, asks for a mic, and then begins to talk.]

Antonino Romano: Ladies and gentlemen for a while now I have cheated, lied, and manipulated my way to the top. I have intentionally hurt people and I have been nothing but an asshole and I apologize.

[The crowd hushes not believing what they just heard]

Antonino Romano: You see for a long time I only cared about myself, I wanted the gold and to be the best of the best and not care who I hurt in the process. But, things change and so must I. With the birth of my child it’s shown me that there are more important things in life then winning gold or being the best, it has taught me to grow up realize what I have done is wrong. I tried to start this change of last week at the beginning of Crossfire but was interrupted by the Ruff Ryders. That’s right, I was on my way to Johnny Royal’s lockerroom to give him back HIS RPW World Title. I know that’s hard to believe but I have some footage that you need to see.

[The scene fades to last weeks Crossfire. Antonino Romano comes into the building with the RPW World Title in his hand. He is walking down the hall, when he passes by an inlet in the hall]

Voice: Well, well, well. It's so good to see you again, Mr. Romano.

[Romano turns and stares as one Adam Hartman sits in a steel folding chair, holding what appears to be a stuffed cat. Hartman strokes the cat across its head, staring at Romano]

Antonino Romano: Hartman?

Hartman: We meet again, for the last time, this time, again.

Romano: What the hell are you talking about?

[Hartman looks down, seeing the cat, and then shakes his head, tossing the cat to the side, and standing up]

Hartman: Nothing. Isn't that Johnny's title?

Romano: Look Hartman. I don't you anything, but I know...I'm heading toward Royal's now.

Hartman: Yeah, use every excuse in the book as to why you're keeping that title. Go ahead...wait...what?

Romano: I said I'm heading to Royal's. This is Royal’s title and I’m going to give it back to him. That’s where I’m heading so if you’ll excuse me.

[Antonino slings the title over his shoulder and heads to the doors, not knowing that the Ruff Ryders are on the other side. The scene then fades back to ringside.]

Antonino Romano: And you guys know what happens next, I just wanted everyone to see what the real story was. Before I head to the back I would like to apologize to three people in particular, and those being the Ruff Ryders and Johnny Royal. Ruff Ryders, I know that we have had our differences in the past but I want you guys to know that you are one hell of a tag team and great single competitors. I apologize for my actions towards you guys in the past and hope that in time you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I know that we have a match later tonight and I want you guys to know that I will be there whether I find a tag team partner or not. I look forward to getting in the ring with you guys and wish you the best of luck.

[Antonino paces the ring before talking again.]

Antonino Romano: And the third man I would like to address is none other than Johnny Royal. Royal, we have never seen eye to eye and have had our fair share of wars and I want you to know that I also respect you and acknowledge that you are the RPW World Heavyweight Champion. I apologize for my childish behavior after our match at Collision and for stealing your RPW World Title. Royal I know that I have that World Title match coming up next month and I don’t deserve it but right here and right now I am making a promise to you and everyone here. I promise that I will earn that World Title shot, I will come to this ring every week and wrestle the way I should and I will prove that I deserve this World Title opportunity. And I will start tonight.

[the scene fades, as the picture expands back to studio with Bedford]

Bedford: We'll have what Royal's response was in a little while, and then we'll have the main event as the Ruff Ryders took on Romano and his partner, and who he found to be his partner is sure to shock people, but first, let's start out with some action as newest signee, Tommy "The Fury" Crimson, took on the local star "The Man's Man" Adam Tolliver, joined already in progress.

II

Tommy "The Fury" Crimson

versus

"The Man's Man" Adam Tolliver

[Tommy Crimson has Adam Tolliver sitting on the mat, his arms pulled behind him, with his knee pressed into his upperback. Tolliver looks to be in pain as he struggles to pull himself out of it.]

Crimson: Ask him!

[Referee Mike Smith checks on Tolliver, but Tolliver shakes his head no, and as soon as he does so, Crimson lets go, and clubs him across his chest, sending him to the mat. Crimson butterflies the arm, and wrenches it back, locking his arm around Tolliver's throat.]

Bedford: An excrutiating choke hold. He's cutting off the air supply to his brain, and he's working the arm as well.

Summers: Crimson is another one of these guys who's got a MMA background. They've been overloading Ricochet lately.

Bedford: MMA is one of the most successful sports out there now a days, and the comparison to professional wrestling isn't that much of a stretch, so it's not surprising that they are starting to see crossover superstars. You've got Brock Lesner and Bobby Lashlay in MMA, and you've got guys like Cain, Heaton, and Crimson here in professional wrestling.

[Tolliver struggles and some how manages to grab ahold of the bottom rope. Smith is immediately on Crimson to let go]

1
2
3
4

[Crimson lets go and gets back to his feet. He measures Tolliver, waiting for him to get back to his feet. Tolliver slowly moves, getting back to his feet, his back turned toward Crimson. Crimson rushes him, reaching his arms around Tolliver, and almost on instinct, or just pure luck, Tolliver ducks down, and Crimson's momentum flips him over Tolliver, landing on his back. Tolliver is back to his feet, and drops both of his knees straight across Crimson's head. Crimson bounces up, holding his head, as Tolliver rolls toward the corner, pulling himself up. Crimson rolls over to all fours, and Tolliver rushes toward him, leaping into the air, and dropping a leg across the back of his head. Crimson's face slams into the mat. Tolliver rolls Crimson over and covers.]

1

2

Summers: Crimson gets a shoulder up, and the Mama's Boy is back to his feet.

Bedford: Flat out insults and name calling is really beneath you, Joey. Seriously.

Summers: I'll say whatever the hell I want. It's not like anyone is going to hear this anyway. Do you really think they're going to use this for the special highlights package? Come on, Ryan. Think.

[Tolliver gets back to his feet, pulling Crimson to his feet. Suddenly, Crimson pulls away and nails Tolliver with an European uppercut. Tolliver stumbles backwards all the way to the ropes. Crimson sends Tolliver into the ropes. Tolliver hits the ropes, coming off of them, and Crimson goes for a clothesline. Tolliver ducks it, and Crimson turns around. Tolliver drives a toe kick into Crimson's gut]

Bedford: He's going to Man Up.

Summers: No, Crimson pushes him away. Into the ropes.

Bedford: Spinning wheel kick...no, Tolliver ducks it!

Summers: Front neckbreaker...

Bedford: He calls it Man Up! Crimson is down!

Summers: Tolliver is covering.

1

2

3

DING
DING
DING

Bedford: What an upset! Tolliver, who isn't even wrestling under a Ricochet contract, just pinned Crimson in his Ricochet debut. What an upset!

Summers: I don't see Crimson being here long if he can't even beat a guy like Tolliver.

[as Tolliver celebrates in the ring, despite the fact that he could careless about the fan support, he gets a moderate reaction from his hometown crowd. The picture widens, returning to the studio and Ryan Bedford]

Ryan Bedford: Tolliver turned some heads. Everyone knows that Tolliver was brought in to give Crimson a nice little introduction into Ricochet, but Tolliver turned some heads by beating the rookie, and it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a call from our new boss about coming back again.

[the still image of Tolliver fades to the Crossfire logo]

Bedford: Speaking of our new boss, William Scott Rhoden was on hand at the show, and instead of watching the show from the back, he spent most of the show from the VIP section of the Tap 'N' Tin with some of his employees. However, he did meet with several wrestlers one on one, including Mr. #1 Contender-in-Waiting Jason Reed, and what he told him shocked the young superstar and gave us another match for Crossfire: Genesis.

[Bedford turns back to the television screen as it fades to the VIP section of the Tap 'N' Tin]

III

[this was obviously shortly before the show got its start, as the VIP section, which overlooks the main floor and arena in the Tap 'N' Tin, and it shows that the floor is mostly empty, and only beginning to have fans file in. William Scott Rhoden is overlooking the empty ring with a smirk on his face. He's happy with his purchase so far. Another man walks in]

Man: Mr. Rhoden, your next appointment is here.

[Rhoden turns around, to see Jason Reed standing in the doorway, looking confused at what he's doing there]

Rhoden: Mr. Reed, come in.

Reed: Yes, sir?

Rhoden: I understand it that you recently earned a title shot. Am I correct in that?

Reed: Yes, sir. At Collision.

Rhoden: Congratulations.

Reed: Thanks.

Rhoden: I have something to give you. It's a symbol really, something tangible to represent the title shot. I believe other feds have used them to show other such things.

[Rhoden walks around, and grabs a thin black briefcase. He lifts it up and hands it to Reed]

Rhoden: Inside contains the guaranteed title shot you won that you can cash in at anytime, just hand it to the referee.

Reed: Great, thanks.

Rhoden: But there's a catch.

Reed: Isn't there always?

Rhoden: In the business world, yes. Nothing is free. You paid for this title shot with the hardwork you exhibited in defeating your opponents, however, now you will have to pay for it in order to keep it.

Reed: What are you talking about?

Rhoden: At the debut on my network, you will take on Wilson Dunn, a man I know you have had considerable problems with recently, but you'll be putting this case on the line.

Reed: Mr. Rhoden, I don't mean to sound bad or complain, but I earned this title shot. That's not something you just take away.

Rhoden: Mr. Reed, you did earn that title shot, but if you are truely worthy of it, then you'll be able to keep it.

Reed: I don't mind taking on Dunn. Seriously, I've been wanting another match with him since Collision, but putting something on the line that I won by beating a whole slew of guys. That's not fair.

Rhoden: Life is not fair. I know that. Ricochet was in a financial decline. I purchased it with no intention of letting it stay like that. It's a television program and ratings is what rules television programs. Putting you against Wilson Dunn is a good match. People will watch, but putting your World Title shot on the line in it, more people will watch. I hope you understand.

Reed: Not really, but I guess I don't have a choice.

Rhoden: Not really, but there is a plus to things. Next Crossfire, you will pick Wilson Dunn's opponent. So you have the opportunity to screw him over, if that is your thing. If not, consider it a spirited contest to put him through.

Reed: Great.

Rhoden: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another meeting.

[the scene returns to the studio where Ryan Bedford is looking toward the camera]

Ryan Bedford: Another great match added to Genesis as Jason Reed will take on Wilson Dunn with his World Title Shot on the line, and I received word earlier today who Jason Reed picked for Wilson Dunn's opponent on the next Crossfire. It will be none other than Adam Heaton. Speaking of Heaton, he's had someone keeping an eye on him for the last few weeks, and that's none other than Michael Cavenaugh, who has recently returned from a long hiatus. While Cavenaugh has yet to wrestle a match, it seems clear that his focus is on Adam Heaton. However, that was something that was called into question when Cavenaugh, who unexpectedly showed up on Crossfire, ran into a longtime rival.

IV

[the camera switches to World Heavyweight Champion Johnny Royal arriving in the parking lot. Smiling, as always, Johnny steps into the building, only to stop short. The camera pans slightly, revealing former World Champion Michael "Snake Eyes" Cavenaugh leaning against the wall just inside the building. Snake holds his hands up in a clear "I'm not going to hurt you" gesture. Royal chuckles as he speaks.

"You'll forgive me if I'm cautious, right?"

[Cavenaugh smiles and nods. He eyes the belt on Johnny's shoulder. Johnny adjusts the belt and speaks again.]

"I guess you'll be coming for it, huh? And I should probably watch my back?"

[Snake smiles broader, his voice jolly as he responds.]

"Nah, John. I'm the least of your worries. I just wanted to congratulate you on winning the belt again. You're a hell of a wrestler, and I don't think I've ever told you that before."

[Johnny narrows his eyes, staring at Snake as if he's trying to find any ulterior motive. Cavenaugh extends his hand, slowly, as if trying to seem as unthreatening as possible. Royal hesitates just a moment before shaking hands with Snake Eyes. Johnny nods a few times before continuing on his way. Snake Eyes settles against the wall again and lights a cigarette, seemingly content, as the camera returns to Bedford]

Bedford: It would not be the last we saw of either man that night, but we must move on. We were all expecting to witness a first for Crossfire, an episode of David Dunn's Monthly Cycle, done live in front of the Tap 'N' Tin audience, but Sean Cain had other plans.

V

[Enter a dark room where he’s sitting on the floor with his head facing the ground. A faint light highlights various parts of his body. The only sounds apparent are slow drips of water and laughing coming from the background.]

Cain: The World is a funny place when jackasses want to do a radio show live from a television show.

[He stands slowly and faces the camera.]

Cain: Tonight, I’m going to not put these wrestling fans through the complete boredom of having Dunn’s little bullshit fest live on Crossfire. I want bore the loyal members of the Cult of Cain with such mediocrity. Because tonight, I’m not going to be part of it.

[He holds the Chaos Championship up.]

Cain: It’s over. It’s been over from the second you started going around thinking that I may have not been the guy who tried to kill you. Then why t he hell are you trying to get on my last nerve? Oh yeah [he laughs.] now you got a bug up your ass because I threw your kid off the stage. Welcome to professional wrestling asshole. You brought him into this mess. I showed him that he needs to stay out of it. So blame yourself if your pissed about Wilson’s little flight. And as far as my pride goes. [He pauses] Where the hell do you get off talking about my pride? I’m the guy that walks around here waving the RPW banner. I’m the guy who was ready to put his career on the line to save this company from Daniel James. And I’m the guy who is ready to put this new owner in his place if he tries to pull some of the same bullshit. You would rather sit on your ass crying about how you’re just not good enough to be in RPW.

[he spits a wad off camera.]

Cain: You’re not getting another title shot jackass. You can keep going on and on about your different reasons for wanting another match. You can tell every newspaper in the country about how you will retire if you can’t beat me the next time we meet. Its not going to happen Dunn, I have nothing to prove to you. Sure it burns me up inside to know that I didn’t beat your ass and walk out of Collision as the winner. But not enough where I will degrade myself to playing your stupid games and step in the ring with you again for stupid reasons. Go out and become the number one contender and you’ll get your shot. I’m just sick and tired of people around here getting title shots that they did not earn. It stops right here and now with this title. And Dunn… go out and say whatever you want to say. I’m done playing your games and I’m done with you. The Reality of it all is that you’re a pathetic little man who has to justify himself with gold. I could lose this belt tonight and still be the same wrestler I’ve always been. Sit back and think of this as your Wake up Call David. Now shut up and go to hell.

[He uses his middle finger to show Dunn exactly what he thinks of him as the scene fades back to Bedford]

Bedford: Strong words by Sean Cain, and it will be very interesting to see how Dunn reacts. He is not a man who is used to being told no, and he doesn't react very well to being told so. And that left us with the main event, but it also left us with Antonino Romano without a partner to face the Ruff Ryders, that was until he got an offer from a very unlikely source.

VI

[Antonino Romano is walking down the hall. He looks dejected, but trying not to show it. He stops, seeing "Iron Man" Marc Steele walking down the hallway. He takes a deep breath before walking toward him]

Romano: You're Marc Steele right?

Steele: Yes?

[Steele looks confused]

Romano: I know you don't have a match tonight. Do you want one?

Steele: A match? Man, I don't have a contract here.

Romano: Then what are you doing here?

Steele: Because your food service set-up is a good free meal, and I have a thing with one of the ladies in lighting.

[Steele walks away, and Romano looks down]

CLAP

CLAP

CLAP

[Romano turns around]

Romano: Come to rub it in, Heaton?

Heaton: What? The fact that you can't get anyone to tag with you? Are you really surprised Antonino? You've done a lot of bad. Pissed off a lot of people. It's no wonder everybody hates your guts.

Romano: Fuck you, Heaton.

Heaton: Well, that's not what I had in mind, maybe later though, but I was going to offer to be your partner.

Romano: What? But I don't like you, and I know you don't like me.

Heaton: Hey, it's just wrestling.

[the camera switches to the ring where the tag match is joined in progress]

VII

The Ruff Ryders

versus

Antonino Romano and Adam Heaton

[Romano is in the ring with Chris Deppe. Romano has Deppe's arm in an arm bar. He's holding on for leverage, but Deppe literally uses his strength and shoves Romano into the neutral corner, forcing Romano to let go. Deppe drives Romano with a forearm across the chest. Deppe Irish whips Romano to the otherside and follows him in, slamming into him with a running clothesline. Romano stumbles out of the corner and then collapses to the mat. Deppe tags in Kelley, and then holds up Romano. Kelley nails him with a right hand, and Romano drops to one knee.]

Bedford: Kelley continues the action against Romano. He's got him up...quick scoop slam.

Summers: I'm still thinking that Heaton has some elaborate plot to screw Romano somehow.

Bedford: Despite the fact that Heaton should be more concerned with Michael Cavenaugh...wait a minute...look who just walked out onto the ramp.

Summers: What the hell is Snake Eyes doing out here?

Bedford: I don't know, but this could be very interesting.

[Heaton eyes Cavenaugh, who is just standing at the top of the ramp, watching the action. Kelley lifts Romano up, and nails him with an uppercut. He then throws him into his corner, tagging in Deppe, before driving a right hand into him, as Deppe climbs into the ring. Deppe pulls Romano out of the corner, and goes for a suplex, but Romano some how blocks it. Deppe tries for another one, but Romano reverses is, putting both superstars on the mat. Deppe struggles to get to his feet first, but Romano gets to one knee.]

SMACK

[Deppe tags in Kelley once again, and Kelley rushes toward Romano, who pushes forward and tags in Heaton. Kelley catches Romano with a knee, knocking Romano to the outside of the ring, as Heaton climbs into the ring. Kelley turns, and is nailed with a right hand from Heaton. Kelley is rocked, and Heaton nails him with a left, then a right, then a left. Kelley fires back with a right of his own, but Heaton leaps up, driving his knee straight into Kelley's chest. Kelley stumbles backwards. Heaton falls back into the ropes, and springs out of them, leaping into the air toward Kelley, but out of nowhere, Kelley catches him in mid-air, turns and slams him down into the mat with a spinebuster. Kelley covers]

1

2

[Kelley is yanked through the ropes by Romano. As soon as Kelley lands, Romano nails him with a right hand. Deppe immediately climbs into the ring and heads to the opposite side. He reaches down, using his arm length to grab ahold of Romano, taking him by surprise. He literally pulls him up onto the apron, suddenly, Deppe's leg is taken out from under him, as Heaton delivers a chop block to the back of his leg. Romano drops off the apron, landing on his feet, as Deppe is forced to one knee. Heaton measures, and suddenly grabs ahold, locking his legs around Deppe's throat, squeezing, locking on a modified triangle choke]

Bedford: The Original Sin. He's got The Original Sin locked on.

Summers: Deppe can't get out of this. He's tapping...he's tapping...

Bedford: No....the referee isn't counting it. Deppe isn't the legal man. The referee knows this. He knows that Kelley is the legal man, and he's going toe to toe with Romano on the outside.

[Heaton is staring at the referee not understanding why the match isn't over, as he continues to hold the triangle choke in place, as Deppe's tapping becomes weaker and weaker, until it stops all together. On the outside, Romano swings at Kelley, but Kelley ducks it, driving a hard punch straight into Romano's gut, knocking the wind out of him. Kelley grabs ahold of Romano's head, turns and launches him into the guardrail. Romano crashes into it, while in the ring, Heaton finally lets go of his triangle choke, and gets to his feet arguing with Jack Robinson.]

Summers: This match should be over. Robinson should have counted Kelley out...wait a minute...where'd Kelley go?

Bedford: He's on the otherside of the ring...he's on the apron...he's in the ring...Heaton doesn't see him!

[Heaton turns around and Kelley rushes him, connecting with a huge lariat: the Clothesline from Memphis. Heaton flips in mid-air before crashing hard onto the mat. Kelley drops down, hooking his leg]

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3

DING
DING
DING

[Romano is in the ring too late. He stares at Kelley as he rolls off of Heaton, sliding out of the ring. Kelley raises his hands, before seeing his partner unconscious in the ring. He rushes over to him and pulls him out of the ring, draping his arm over his shoulder. Romano stares, slamming his fist into the mat, as Heaton rolls away, holding his head. At the top of the ramp, Cavenaugh smiles, before turning and leaving to the back]

"Do you know what it takes to be a hero?"

[The fans go crazy as they come to their feet awaiting their hero and they don't have to wait long as Johnny Royal comes from the back also dressed in street clothes with the RPW title around his waist. He looks down at the ring where Romano is still in the ring. Royal stares down at Romano for a moment and frowns before he pulls a mic out of his back pocket and he brings it up to his lips.]

Royal: You gained a tiny bit of my respect back Romano. It takes a big man to come out and apologize and admit that he was wrong. Many men would gloss over the fact that they did anything wrong and some would even whisper an apology in a back room where noone else would hear, few would come out and give their apology for everyone to hear.

[Royal nods his head at Romano.]

Royal: However, don't think that your apology has erased everything that you have done. You say that you know you'll have to work and show that you deserve your shot at this title of mine. You didn't deserve the shot the first time now just because of some whimsical fantasy you get another shot. That's crap, I know it and you know it but you're gonna try to ride those coattails and hope that this time, this time that you can beat me. It's funny how you desecrate everything that means anything in RPW yet you get rewarded for doing it.

[Johnny shakes his head.]

Royal: Now you say that you've changed.

[Johnny frowns.]

Royal: I don't know how sincere you are, I don't have a good history with you so maybe I'm biased but I won't hold your past against you Romano, but don't think for a second that I believe you let alone trust you. There was this old saying that my grandmother used to say and that saying was the proof is in the pudding. If you want me to believe that you are sincere Romano, if you actually care what these fans here at the Tap N' Tin...

[The fans go crazy and Johnny lets a smile slip onto his face.]

Royal: ...think then you will show everyone by not just saying that the birth of your child has changed you but showing that the birth of your child has changed you. Show me Romano and prove me wrong.

[Johnny looks down at Romano in the ring for a moment before he exits the area to the applause of his fans, as the show shifts for the final time to Bedford]

VIII

Bedford: So that's our show. Tune in in two weeks where we have more Crossfire action for you. Romano is going to get a chance to prove how much he's changed, and Royal may not like how he's going to get a chance to do it, because the two of them...the two men who will be facing off against each other at Genesis...will be teaming up against the Ruff Ryders. In other action, we'll see Wilson Dunn against Adam Heaton, and we'll see the debut of another Ricochet superstar...Sean Legend, who will take on "Iron Man" Marc Steele, who apparantely got work from hanging out in the back at tonight's show. Until then, this is Ryan Bedford...good night!