UPDATE

[Stu]

*** TERRY SCHNEIDER is seated at the PWA News Brief desk. The inset to the right of his head reads, “Special Report.” At the bottom of the screen the news feed scrolls by: “Trial pending; Jr. Cobra recently served with a paternity suit, Mother outraged. Fellow employees of the said Cobra, when asked about the potential veracity of the accusation, were convulsed with laughter. We will update this story as it develops.” ***

TERRY SCHNEIDER: “Good day, ladies and gentlemen, I am Terry Schneider, and here is the latest on the Masked Shooter. As we saw on this past week’s Assault, the Masked Shooter suffered a quick and brutal defeat at the hands of Yamasaki Nakamura in the sort of match that was very different from the kind of wrestling competition that the Masked Shooter is known for. This after several weeks of one Homeric test after another in the PWA ring. Now, although the masked man is still on future PWA cards including the upcoming pay-per-view, his physical ability to compete is in great doubt, even by his most ardent supporters.

“It was made clear that the Masked Shooter’s knees require support by the way he has had them wrapped the past few weeks for support. There has been speculation that his neck and perhaps back have seriously deteriorated from the abuse he has suffered this past season, speculation that has only grown since the Lightbulb Deathmatch. Both competitors suffered serious lacerations and punishment from foreign objects, barbed wire, and actual explosions, but it was the end of the match that seems to be causing the most worry, as Nakamura forced the barely conscious Masked Shooter to tap out from a katahajime. The state in which the Shooter was helped from the ring leads many to suspect, strongly, that his neck has suffered notable damage from this encounter.

“The problem, though, is that this is all, strictly speaking, speculation, as the Masked Shooter is not only saying nothing about his injuries, but has also expressly forbidden his doctors from discussing or even addressing the matter with anyone other than himself.

“While the Wyld family have all declined to make any statement concerning the Masked Shooter, we did manage to get a statement from the Masked Shooter’s protege’ and tag team partner, Ronnie Lassiter:”

*** The screen wipes to a close-up of RONNIE LASSITER outside of hospital. ***

RONNIE LASSITER: “I know it doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing, but one thing I’ve learned from working with the Shooter is to never underestimate him. No, he ain’t in great shape, that ain’t no secret, but he is, in his way, looking at the reality of his situation, I think. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him, yet.”

(OFFSCREEN REPORTER): “Can you tell us anything about his current condition?”

RL: “Well, I’ll tell you this much … No.”

“We will continue to follow this story as it develops. Until then, this is Terry Schneider wishing you a good evening.”

[Gary Bloomfield]

*** The camera cuts immediately to Gary Bloomfield, also behind a news desk. The news ticker below states - "UPDATE - Junior Cobra has been rushed to emergency care following possible heart complications. The PWA athlete had just received a paternity subpoena when he collapsed, complaining of chest pains and shortness of breath. Cobra quoted as saying 'This is the big one!'"

BLOOMFIELD: "Ladies and gentlemen, PWA has just released the following statement regarding next Thursday's Assault: 'The May 20th edition of PWA Assault will feature The Masked Shooter in a Barbed Wire Deathmatch against returning PWA alumnus The Imperial Assassin. PWA is committed to presenting the most exciting athletic competition to its fans and we at PWA feel this is a once-in-a-lifetime match that our fans deserve. We believe, no matter the outcome, both of these top-tier competitors will give it their all. We wish the best of luck to both the Imperial Assassin and the Masked Shooter.'"

"With recent speculation over the Masked Shooter's health and the grueling matches and opponents he has recently faced, many are wondering just how much PWA is taking the health and well-being of one of its most beloved wrestlers into account. Regardless, it is this reporter's opinion that nothing will keep the Shooter from his scheduled meeting with the Imperial Assassin and he will leave everything he has in the ring. The question is, will it be for the last time? This is Gary Bloomfield, reporting for PWA News."