*The cameras follow Snow as he walks through the backstage area, dressed for competition with the Light Heavyweight Championship belt over his shoulder. He walks with a purpose, moving up to a door marked with the name Damion Black. Snow lifts his hand to knock, but as he does, it opens, and Richard Pennyworth III walks out. Pennyworth and Snow stare each other down for a moment before Snow steps to the side, allowing the Heavyweight champion to exit. Snow enters Black’s office and shuts the door, while the camera turns to follow Pennyworth.*

*As Pennyworth rounds a corner, he gives a nod, and his music begins to play over the speakers in the arena. He steps through a curtain, and the camera shifts to show him walking to the top of the ramp. He holds the belt high before bowing to the audience, then makes his way to the ring. Once in the ring, he motions for a microphone.*

PENNYWORTH: “Now, it’s obvious that I’m dressed for a fight today, and that’s true. I have a match scheduled this evening, but you all are going to have to wait for a few minutes for that. With apologies to my dance partner for the evening, there are more important matters to discuss.

PENNYWORTH: “Everyone here saw what happened at the last Assault. There was a contract signing, right here in this very ring. We were supposed to be creating a match between myself and Brian Fury for this very Heavyweight Championship at PWA Vendetta. Unfortunately, Rhett Holiday had to go and make his presence known, and he stole the championship match that Brian Fury had earned.

PENNYWORTH: “Now, I have just been in Damion Black’s office, and you can imagine my disappointment when he told me that the match at Vendetta stood. The contract was signed, and there’s now way around it. Rhett Holiday will fight for the PWA Heavyweight Championship at Vendetta. But something about that doesn’t sit right with me. I know you all heard me a few moments ago, saying that Brian Fury had earned his shot. So right now, I’d like to call him out. Brian, if you would, please make your way to the ring.”

*A couple of moments pass before Brian Fury’s music hits and the big man stalks towards the ring. While waiting, Pennyworth has taken another microphone, and as Fury enters, he hands the second one to Fury, who cautiously takes it. Pennyworth backs away, but starts speaking before Fury can.*

PENNYWORTH: I know this is unusual. I’ve spent the last two months dragging your name through the mud, seemingly dodging matches against you at every turn. But the pure fact of the matter is, Brian, that I was playing mind games with you.

FURY: Mind games?

PENNYWORTH: “That’s right. From the start, you stepped up to the plate. You put your name in the ring, and you fought your ass off to earn this shot. Brian, I know what that’s like. I know you all think I got where I am just by using my riches, and it’s true that they helped. But I worked like hell to climb to the top of the mountain. And you, Fury–I’ve seen how hard you work. I know the hours you put into your craft. And if you were going to get a shot at the title, Brian? I was going to do absolutely EVERYTHING in my power to hurt your confidence, to make you doubt yourself, to make you think you weren’t worthy. Now hold up, hold up a second before you speak. You are one giant pain in my ass, don’t get me wrong. But one thing I pride myself on, it’s my integrity. Yeah, the PWA Armada may not agree with me, but it’s true.

PENNYWORTH: “But what happened at Assault was wrong. Everyone knows it. You know it. I know it. Holiday knows it. The PWA Armada knows it. And most importantly for our conversation here is that Damion Black knows it. And there is no doubt in my mind that if I didn’t do something about this, he will. I’ll end up having to defend this title in a triple threat match or something like that. So I’m cutting him off here. I may not be able to defend the belt one-on-one against you at the supercard but Brian, hear me right now.

PENNYWORTH: “You, Brian Fury, have earned a shot at this title. And you will get one. Not at the next Assault, but in 4 weeks, I will take you on, one-on-one, and this title will be on the line. Standard 2 out of 3 falls title match. What do you say?”

FURY: “Every time I try to get my hands on you and settle this something happens. Holiday just jumped in and stole what I worked hard for and now I’m DONE with this!! When I get my hands on Holiday it’s lights out for him. You said that you want to put the title on the line against me? You said you were just playing mind games? What you were doing was wasting my time!

FURY: “I’ll give you credit on one thing Pennyworth: It seems like THIS time you actually want to get in the ring and prove that you’re the better man. I may not like how we got here but if you’re willing to cut the crap and face me one on one then you’ve earned my respect. Let’s be clear…..I don’t trust you one bit…..but if you want to settle this like men then look me in the eye and shake my hand. Can I count on you to honor your word?”

*After he has his say, Brian Fury sticks his hand out for Pennyworth to shake. Pennyworth stares at it for a very long moment before slapping it away and raising the mic again.*

PENNYWORTH: “Brian, just because I’ve agreed to face you doesn’t mean the mind games are over. You and I both know that if I took your hand right now, one of us would end up laid out in the middle of this ring. Save it for the dance, big guy. I’ve got a match right now and the PWA Armada has waited long enough, so if you don’t mind, kindly get the hell out of my ring.”

*Fury nods coldly, motions for the belt, and rolls under the bottom rope and up the ramp as his music plays him out. Pennyworth stands at the ropes the entire time, staring him down until he vanishes through the curtain.*

***The lights go out mid match as the giant screen above the ramp illuminates showing a swinging lightbulb above Rhett Holiday as he sits in his wooden chair, the leather straps undone hanging below the arms.***

HOLIDAY: “Richard what are you doing? The sheep of the Armada have waited weeks for you to choose and opponent for the PWA Heavyweight Championship, but you claim you had no worthy opposition. Then I come in like the Fallen God I am and answer your prayers by saving not only you from the disgrace that is Brian Fury, but also further tarnishing the glory and power of the PWA Heavyweight Championship. But how am I repaid? How do you choose to give the Sheep what that want? You go behind my back and hand Fury a title match on a silver platter! How dare you disregard my actions! How dare you pander to these Sheep! This slight against me won’t go without reparation Richard Pennyworth the Third.”

***Rhett leans in taking a puff of his cigar.***

HOLIDAY: “While these Sheep may be cheering this atrocity now, they’ll soon be screaming for their lives. Where there are Sheep, Wolves are not far behind.”

***Holiday laughs as the screen fades out to smoke and darkness. The arena lights come back up and the ring is surrounded by people in gray hoodies. Bill White, Pennyworth, and Spoiler all exchange a look then look back to the dozen or so hooded figures. One of them turns and snatches the title and Pennyworth slides out of the ring to stop him but is met by the gray swarm. Bill White stands in the ring confused on rather to call the match or begin a count out, The Masked Spoiler attempts to make his exit but can’t seem to find an opening as the PWA Championship is passed from one figure to another. Pennyworth finally snags the one he believes his holding the Championship and yanks the hood back. A young scared man looks up at him and shows he has nothing. The rest of the hooded figures use that moment to scatter into the crowd. Rhett Holiday starts to laugh as the camera pans up to him on the entrance ramp holding the PWA Championship.***

HOLIDAY: “How does it feel Pennyworth! How does it feel to have no control as you Fall from greatness! In an instant you went from the most powerful man in PWA to a panicked anxiety ridden fool! I’ll save that clown you call an opponent the trouble and spoil our match for you. YOUR WINNER AND NEEEEEWWWW PWA HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! FALLEN RHETT HOLIDAY!”

***The lights flicker, Holiday vanishes and a panicked Pennyworth looks around franticly only to find the PWA Championship back on the time keepers table. Pennyworth immediately rolls under the bottom ropes to the outside and snatches the PWA Heavyweight belt as the referee signals for the bell to ring.***