***”Cowboys From Hell” plays, and Gehenna steps out from behind the curtain. As he poses at the top of the ramp, Nick Spoils, Akira Wyld, Brawler Beckett, and Nakamura Yamasaki all step out as well, standing on both sides of Gehenna. Both Nick and Akira hold microphones. Akira nods to the crowd and opens his mouth to speak. But before he can, Nick takes a step forward and addresses the hostile arena.***

NICK: “It’s no secret that the Union has suffered some losses as of late. Thanks to that dirty snake Damion Black, we’re down a man… and at this moment, not a single member of the Union holds a championship belt.”

***Akira raises an eyebrow at Nick but remains quiet.***

NICK: “But… here’s the thing about unions. Every union around the world has one thing in common — a company or companies that want to break them. Unions stand up for the common man. They do what has to be done to ensure that everyone gets what they deserve. And companies, the opposition of a union, will do whatever it takes to break each and every union in existence.”

***Nick Spoils pauses a moment to let his words sink in. Akira Wyld looks at the lowered microphone, smirks and for a second time, raises his microphone to speak. But before he can, Nick raises his own mic and continues.***

NICK: “Well, I’m here right now to tell you all that THIS Union cannot be broken! We may be bruised. We may be shorthanded. But in this ring, right now, this man… Gehenna, takes his first steps in PWA as a legitimate singles competitor.”

***Akira flashes a cautious look at Gehenna and then turns back to Nick with a guarded expression on his face. Nick glances at Akira and nods absently.***

NICK: “What you are all about to witness is a clinic in technical and hard-hitting wrestling. And this will be the momentum boost the Union needs to continue our fight against PWA management, to continue our crusade for the rights of the people employed here. Gehenna, go get your anger out.”

***Gehenna sneers at the crowd and steps forward. Just then, Akira shoves his way between Nick Spoils and Gehenna. He gives them both an impatient look and clears his throat. He looks back out at the crowd and gives them a narrowed gaze.***

AKIRA: “THANK YOU so much Nick. Wise words as always. The Union may be down… but with the Surgical Specialist in the lead, we are FAR from out. Now… Damion Black would like you all to believe that he had the final word last season… but he knows better than anyone just how close we came to taking EVERYTHING away from him. Just look what the six of us managed to accomplish in just one season here in PWA. Week in and week out, The Union beat the holy hell out of nearly every man on the entire roster. From the curtain jerkers to the main eventers, EVERYONE in PWA was forced to pay their Union Dues. We dominated in every way a faction could dominate.”

***Akira slaps Gehenna on the chest.***

AKIRA: “And credit where credit is due… THIS man right here dominated. Armageddon reigned as world tag team champions not once, but TWICE last season under the banner of The Union, forever cementing their legacy as the greatest tag team in the history of PWA.”

***Gehenna nods and looks at Nick Spoils, who tips his head back in return. Akira pounds his own chest and grits his teeth at the crowd.***

AKIRA: “And don’t any of you forget for a damn second what AKIRA WYLD accomplished here either. Last season, I brought the NWC World Championship home to PWA, reigning supreme over THREE different promotions this sport’s only true CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS.”

***Akira thrusts his hands high in the air as the crowd boos and Nick Spoils and Gehenna exchange a look.***

AKIRA: “Now… it is true… at the end of last season, thanks to Damion Black’s dirty, cheating ways, PWA was able to buy itself a brief reprieve from its ultimate fate. But all Black really managed to do was delay the inevitable. This season, the Union WILL resume its dominate ways. And mark my words, under MY leadership we will be bigger and stronger than ever.”

***Akira nods to the crowd… not noticing Nick Spoils cold glare.***

AKIRA: “Tonight, Gehenna fires the first shot of the season, paving the way for our return to glory. Akira Wyld WILL be the NWC World Champion again… and Damion Black WILL bow at my feet. And heaven help anyone on the PWA roster who thinks they can stand in the way of OUR destiny.”

***Akira drops the mic and pushes past the other Union members and heads towards the ringside area. The other members of the Union exchange a cautious look, then Nick claps Gehenna on the shoulder, slaps him several times in the face to psych him up, and exits to ringside with Wyld. Gehenna awaits his opponent with determination and hatred.***

*The bell rings, but Gehenna continues to wrench back on Sharpe’s body. Bill White implores him to let go, going so far as to try to peel Gehenna’s hands off of the hapless man. When he does finally manage to get a single hand loose, Gehenna stands up with a snarl and gets in Bill White’s face. White, for his part, stands firm, and raises Gehenna’s hand in victory. Gehenna allows it, but turns away immediately, moving back to Sharpe who is just now starting to stir. He moves to pick him up again, obviously intent on causing even more harm.

Just as Gehenna gets Sharpe up into the position he wants, Sharpe is knocked down again by a vicious Akira Kick. His head snaps back violently as he is ripped out of Gehenna’s arms back down to the mat. This time, Akira raises Gehenna’s hands, but Gehenna rips it out of Wyld’s arms with an angry glare.

Nick Spoils quickly steps in between the two men, shaking his head at Akira as he guides Gehenna out of the ring. Wyld celebrates for a few moments more in the ring before rolling out himself and following the rest of the Union to the back.*