(A camera is trained on Whisper. She has just knocked on a dressing room door marked with a sign reading 'Crusade'. Behind her stands James Bain, his arms crossed. After a moment, Red Rocket opens the door. His face brightens upon seeing her there)

Whisper: "Hey.. look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the tag match. I wanted to do it earlier, but.. well, you know it was a messy week."

(After a moment of awkward silence, she steps forward and hugs him unexpectedly)

Whisper: "Thanks for standing up for me."

(Red Rocket blushes almost as red as his hair, too stunned for words. Whisper lets him go, blushing a bit herself, then waves and walks away. Red Rocket, in a daze, pushes the door closed - but before it shuts, Bain puts his hand up to stop it, then pushes it back open. Rocket recovers his senses and looks at Bain oddly. Bain holds up a hand, index finger extended, and then curls it back in a 'come here' motion. Rocket looks over his shoulder to see Bain was gesturing at Mike Swanson. Swanson walks through the door and stands face to face with Bain)

Bain: "Since the day this league opened, I've spilled my blood in that ring just the same as Vermin and Nomad and everybody else. I've been beaten with chairs, I've been hit by Gravediggers, been slammed face-first into walls. I've taken on the worst there is, guys that have legs bigger than me. I've been Devastator'd on chairs. And because I did all that, you are standing here today collecting a paycheck and getting a chance to run your little Crusade. You talk a lot of shit about respect for the business, but ranking me down there with a guy like Jack Dod who has accomplished absolutely nothing in that ring is about as big a disrespect of me, of this company and of the things I've suffered as there could possibly be. I've got two world tag team titles, one light heavyweight title and a Perdition title to my name. What have you got? I don't give a god damn who you were before you walked through those doors - NOW you're in EFW. You're in MY back yard. And since you're new, let me give you a piece of advice: if you want the room to talk about respect in this business, then shut your mouth, get in that ring and win. You go out there and take on Onslaught, Vermin, Magnum, Nightmare, Nomad, Idol, and Marty the Mauler night in and night out for ten years. When you've done something that even remotely resembles what I've done in this sport, THEN you can talk about the way I conduct myself in the ring. And regardless of what happens, if you ever disrespect me like that again, the next time I come to this door it won't be for knocking."

(Bain and Swanson share a momentary stare-down before Bain follows Whisper out of the shot)

(After the Massacre opening plays, the camera pans around the arena, showing crazed EFW fans. One holds a sign up to the camera that has the DoD Squod logo on it, then another has a homemade poster of Red Rocket jumping off a ladder and moonsaulting the Earth. Eventually, the camera settles on the two announcers. Buck Hammerstien is wearing a blue and green tie)

Jim Biggins: "Welcome to Massacre, fans! I hope you all had a great holiday season!"

Buck Hammerstien: "Couldn't have been much worse than mine."

JB: "What's with the tie, Buck? I didn't think those colors.. erm.. suited you."

BH: "I woke up with it on this morning and the son of a bitch won't come off! It's got steel cable in it or something. I broke a pair of scissors on it, then tried a hacksaw, nothing works!"

JB: "That's.. disturbing. In any event, fans, things are unusually calm backstage this week, unlike the hurricane of activity we had last week. The re-surfacing of Nomad was definitely the top story, the former champion got himself a spot in Chance of a Lifetime at Mayhem, but Nightmare really brought the hammer down on Potterdam and the Lords of Doom over that brawl we all witnessed."

BH: "Deservedly so. I might have been injured."

JB: "Gee, what a tragedy that would be... anyway, because of the heavy-handed ruling, folks backstage are keeping to themselves, but it feels like the calm before the storm. Tension is thick in the air as we head into Chance of a Lifetime as everyone involved knows it could be the only shot they ever have at winning the World Title."

BH: "The bounty stands. $10,000 for whoever eliminates Hannibal, I don't care how you do it. Just do it."

JB: "Tonight's main event is sure to be a classic - Vermin and Jack Furlong are FINALLY going to get their hands on Jack Dod and Jake Jackson after their cowardly actions at the December 3rd Massacre. Like a lot of you fans, I've been waiting for this one for weeks now!"

BH: "I don't know what level of stupid you have to be to actually go after Vermin, but those two are living proof it does exist."

JB: "Fans, let's go down to ring announcer Larry Wunarme for our opening bout!"

JB: "A great bounce-back match for Al Jackson here. And once again, Dangerous Dan makes Massacre live up to its name."

BH: "Calling him a ham & egger would be an insult to breakfast."

(After Lance Van Horn makes his entrance, the camera cuts to the backstage area to show James Bain, who is uncharacteristically dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans. He is finishing a taping job on his left arm - his right is already taped up to the elbow. He approaches the President's office and is intercepted by a concerned-looking Nightmare)

Bain: "Two things. First, keep the referee off me if you value his health. If he gets in my way or if this match ends before I'm ready for it to, he's going to suffer. Second, get a stretcher ready and have the paramedics on standby. Van Horn's going to need them in about ten minutes."

Nightmare: "I understand how you feel, but I won't be threatened, Bain."

Bain: "I'm not threatening you. I'm just warning you."

(With that, Bain tosses the roll of tape to the side and turns, heading towards the ring. When he turns, you can see he has a sickle stuck through one of the loops of his jeans)

JB: "What's this, now?"

BH: "Don't act surprised, Jim, it's not like he's never been around one. He probably just borrowed Bo's."

(As Bain approaches the ring, Nightmare jogs down the ramp past him. He hops up on the apron and gives some instructions to the referee, Stu Lumpkin, who nods his understanding. As Bain is sliding under the bottom rope, Nightmare speaks to the ring announcer, who then addresses the crowd)

Larry Wunarme: "Ladies and gentlemen, the President has asked me to inform you all that this contest is now a NO DISQUALIFICATION match!"

(Even after the bell rings and Van Horn lays motionless on the mat in a puddle of blood, Bain grabs the sickle from the loop on his belt and starts to go back to work. Referee Stu Lumpkin grabs his arm to attempt to stop him, but Bain slings him across the mat. He tries to lift Van Horn, but the man simply cannot stand. Bain drops his head back to the canvas in disgust, then hauls off and kicks him right in the temple. EFW security and a team of trainers carrying a stretcher come through the curtain. Bain stays in the ring a moment longer, the look of disgust never leaving his face, before he steps through the ropes and hops down to the floor)

JB: "Alright, enough is enough! The referee should have ended that five minutes ago! This is a wrestling federation, not a torture exibit!"

BH: "All I can say is this - for all the studying Van Horn supposedly does, he apparently forgot to watch tapes of the Sickos because THIS is what happens when you piss them off."

JB: "Are you saying what Bain did here tonight was justified?"

BH: "No, I'm saying it doesn't matter if it was justified or not - it was GOING to happen, you knew it, I knew it and Van Horn should have known it. He should have damn well known better than to say what he did, let alone about someone connected to the Lords of Doom. People see the HWO and Jackson and Potterdam's crew and they forget just what a bunch of animals the Sickos can be when they're motivated. For Christ's sake, Jim, Weehawk took a concrete saw to his car! If he really thought he was going to come out here tonight and wrestle he's an idiot."

JB: "Well that doesn't excuse it. We have rules for a reason, this is supposed to be a sport, not random brutality!"

BH: "What would you do if he said what he did about your daughter, Jim? You mess with the bull and you get the horns. He should thank his lucky stars he got Bain and not Weehawk or Vermin, because if he had this would have been REALLY bad."

JB: ".. in any event, the trainers are loading Lance Van Horn on a stretcher here. His eyes are open and he's moving around, but I don't think he knows where he is. I'm no doctor but it looks like there's no permanent damage from here, which is a good thing."

BH: "That depends on who you ask."

JB: "OKAY, Buck - yes, he's an arrogant ass, and yes, he's got a big mouth and he said some things he shouldn't have. But dammit, this is a WRESTLING show and he is a WRESTLER, and regardless of what he did I'm personally glad he's not worse off than he is! Bain took this way beyond wrestling."

BH: "No, if anybody took this beyond wrestling it was Van Horn himself when he called Whisper those names."

(Van Horn is still being rolled away from the ring when Red Rocket makes his entrance for his match. He is carrying a rolled-up bundle of papers. He stops the team from rolling Van Horn away and motions to the ring announcer for the house mic)

Rocket: "Y'know, I think I owe you an apology, Lance. You've been saying for a week now how you're the shit, and I've been denying it left and right. But you sure look like a shit right now, so I stand corrected."

(The crowd cheers)

Rocket: "Oh, and one other thing - this in my hand is a contract for you versus me at Chance of a Lifetime. Try to be a MAN for the first time in your miserable life and bring what's left of your sorry excuse for a wrestler ass to the ring so I can hand it back to you and show you, again, just what it really means to be a wrestler in this ring."

(Rocket shoves the contract in Van Horn's mouth and then hands the mic back to Larry Wunarme, shaking his head in disgust at Van Horn)

JB: "Well, I guess there's nothing like kicking a man when he's down."

BH: "Are you the president of the Van Horn fan club or something, Jim?"

JB: "I like what I saw from Iggy here - not like the rest of the Dods. This victory should give Red Rocket a good amount of momentum going in to his match at Chance of a Lifetime."

BH: "Assuming there even IS a match."

JB: "What happened there, Buck? Jackson was in firm control I thought, but then.."

BH: "I dunno, Jim - maybe she knocked herself silly with that flippy move."

JB: "It's called a shooting star press, Buck. But you're right, they don't call those moves high-risk for nothing. We'll try to get you fans an update from the back as soon as we can."

JB: "Tough luck for Blaze, there. The veteran Le Fay pulls out the win and advances to face Andrea Carter in the quarter finals."

BH: "I wonder if she makes men bark like a dog?"

JB: "Oh, for the love of -- fans, I just recieved word from backstage that we've got an update on Sarah Jackson. Jimmy?"

(Jimmy Hollywood is standing outside the door to the infirmary backstage. Mornewen is there also, looking a little concerned)

Jimmy Hollwood: "Thanks, Jim. Word from back here is that Sarah Jackson indeed landed slightly wrong on that shooting star press and it dazed her briefly, allowing Mornewen to get the pinfall. The doctors here say she has a slightly strained neck, but it's nothing serious."

JB: "Wow, that's a relief. Thanks for the update, Jimmy."

BH: "See? I was right!"

JB: "If I had some Milk Bones I'd give you one, Buck. Fans, our next matchup is James Bain's second match of the night. Has he bitten off more than he can chew by taking on two opponents the calibur of Van Horn and Titan Tower in one night?"

BH: "Let's not forget his track record against guys that are bigger than he is. It's not exactly inspiring."

JB: "Definitely not. Let's go to ringside!"

JB: "I can't believe Bain pulled that one off! The way Tower was tossing him around at points during this match I almost thought the ref should have stopped it. But here he is getting the submission victory/"

BH: "I'm surprised, too - but is it that Bain is good or that Titan Tower is just that bad?"

JB: "I guess we won't know that until we see Tower in action a few more times. In any event, chalk one up for Bain, he may have finally gotten that size monkey off his back with this win."

(Vermin makes his entrance for the main event match, but as he is stepping in the ring, a smiling Jack Dod appears on the big screen. The overlay on the bottom right says 'Live via Satellite')

Jack Dod: "Ahh, Vermin. I'm glad your partner signed this contract last week. I know enough about you to know you'd never leave him in a bind, and if I could goad him into doing it that you'd follow right on along. Well, you might try telling him to READ the things he signs his name to next time, because I am NOT signed for this match."

JB: "What?!"

BH: "What the hell is this about?"

Jack Dod: "That's right. I said last week I held a contract in my hands for Vermin and Furlong vs Dod and Jackson, but I never said WHICH Jackson, WHICH Dod.. or even which Furlong! So, ladies and gentlemen in attendance, and the MILLIONS of Jack Dod fans watching around the world, get ready for your main event: Ronnie Dod and Sarah Jackson versus Vermin and Jack Furlong... JUNIOR!"

(The crowd goes ballistic at this announcement. Nightmare jogs through the curtain towards the ring, holding a contract. He jumps in the ring and starts talking to Vermin)

JB: "This is insane! Vermin can't wrestle those two with a child as his partner! Jack Dod is a coward! Not only a coward but a scum bag on top of it!"

(Nightmare calls for the house mic as Jack Dod watches with a big smile on his face)

Nightmare: "Alright Dod. I've got the contract. Great job waiting until five minutes ago to find a working fax machine."

JD: "Thank you! The one I have here just keeps kicking in and out."

Nightmare: "The next time I see you I'm going to kick your ASS in and out! Fans, I apologize for this, but this contract is valid. Dod's gone over my head yet again and gotten this.. farce.. made legal and sanctioned. Not only that, but the contract has specifically forbids anyone associated with either Bad Company, Team Z-Force OR the Lords of Doom from taking Jack Junior's place in the match on Vermin's side."

(Ronnie Dod enters through the crowd. Jack Furlong and his wife storm down the ramp to the ring, followed by Z-Force and Sarah Jackson, Sarah still holding an ice pack on her neck. All four of them enter the ring and start arguing with Nightmare)

JB: "This is a complete and total miscarriage of justice. How is Jackson even supposed to wrestle with her injury, let alone against Vermin?"

BH: "Don't forget, Jim, Chance of a Lifetime spots are on the line in this match, but Sarah and Ronnie have none to lose! This entire situation is a plot by Jack Dod to try to screw Vermin out of his spot in Chance of a Lifetime without Dod himself having to lift a finger! He's entirely free of risk!"

JD: "Yeah, it does, and it also has specific provisions about forfiture. If Jackson sucks it up and causes their team to lose, nothing happens - but if she doesn't compete, her hubby loses HIS Chance of a Lifetime spot!"

(Nightmare gives no satisfactory answer to Karen Furlong, who says a few choice words to Vermin before bailing from the ring and heading to the back. Jack Furlong, on the other hand, jumps from the ring and charges at Ronnie Dod! Ronnie steps back over the guardrail as Furlong is restrained by EFW security and hauled away to the back. Nightmare clearly apologizes, but tells Z-Force and Sarah there's nothing he can do. Z-Force appears ready to surrender his COAL spot rather than put his wife at risk, but Sarah will have none of it, tossing the ice pack to the floor and stretching out. Z-Force eventually heads to the back with a concerned look on his face, unable to convince her and unable to help her. Nightmare leans on the top rope and looks at Jack Dod's smiling mug)

Nightmare: "Yeah, laugh it up, Dod. You're going to pay for this, I promise you that."

JD: "Don't be mad, Nightmare. You got outsmarted yet again, it wasn't the first time and it sure won't be the last. Just admit I'm the better man."

Nightmare: "Oh yeah? Well try this, Dod: this contract specifically forbids any of Vermin's allies from getting involved in the match. But this contract was drawn up and signed last week BEFORE you knew certain person, that used to be a tag team partner of Vermin's, had re-entered EFW."

(The smile instantly vanishes off of Dod's face. The crowd, knowing who he means, cheers wildly)

Nightmare: "There's this thing called the Triangle of Terror, Dod. You don't remember it, hell, you were probably in high school when it was formed. But the Triangle was formed by three men who, though of different ideologies and different motivations, joined forces to stop a mutual enemy. That bond has persevered through federation collapses, through violent matches, for over ten years now it has stood and it will ALWAYS stand. Regardless of where we are or what we're doing, the Triangle will always stand to support one another. *I* was one of those men. Vermin was the second. And the third is the guy who is going to be Vermin's partner tonight. I don't think he needs any introduction, so I'm going to toss this mic back to Larry and let you watch your plan go up in smoke. "

(As Nightmare exits the ring, 'Highway to the Danger Zone' hits the speakers, bringing the crowd to its feet! Nomad comes through the curtain and walks to the ring, a smile on his face, high-fiving Nightmare as the president passes him on the ramp. Nomad rolls in the ring and climbs up on the bottom rope, looking right at Jack Dod. Dod's face twists in an unsatisfied snarl)

JD: "This isn't over. You still have to win the match! Cut the damn feed! I SAID C----"

(Jack Dod vanishes off the screen. Nomad takes off his leather jacket and tosses it to the floor, the moves over towards the corner Vermin is standing in. Sarah Jackson refuses to acknowledge Ronnie Dod's presence)

JB: "HA! I wanted to see Jack Dod get beat up tonight, but seeing that look on his face was almost as good!"

BH: "You're not gonna like the look he gets if his team wins this match!"

JB: "Well.... erm.... you're right, Buck. I was just automatically assuming Vermin and Nomad's team---"

BH: "Yeah you were, and you shouldn't! This is pro wrestling, anything could happen after that bell rings. Jackson could pin Vermin, even though she IS a woman!"

JB: "Buck, you fat s-- nevermind. Fans, our main event is NEXT!"

(As soon as the bell rings, Ronnie bails and heads out through the crowd to get a head start on any potential pursuers. Nomad jumps up on the second turnbuckle, waving in the cheers, while Vermin kneels down next to Jackson, who is still laying prone on the mat)

JB: "A bittersweet scene here, Buck - Vermin has won and retained his Chance of a Lifetime bid, but he was forced to use the 187 on Jackson, despite knowing of her condition, and now she may be seriously injured."

BH: "She was definitely holding her neck on the mat when Nomad was climbing up for that elbow drop."

JB: "She's moving, but Vermin's not letting her stand up. We've got trainers coming out to take a look.. thankfully she appears okay. Fans, we'll try to get you an update on Aftermath, but we're out of time! For Buck Hammerstien and the entire EFW crew, good night and we'll see you at Chance of a Lifetime!!"