We return from commercial break and the camera is on both Matt Steel & Matthew Werner, who are sitting at the announce position.Matt Steel: What a great card we have got for tonight to get the XWA back, baby!
Matthew Werner: That’s for sure... And up next we have Rose vs. The MadDog.
Matt Steel: I am a bit confused here... I heard that they
both requested this match against one another?
Matthew Werner: That’s true... My guess is that they have some unfinished business from the past that they want to finish...
Matt Steel: Well, we attempted to speak to the two of them earlier today to find out more about this, however we were only able to speak with The Rose due to The MadDog being unavailable, and here is what he had to say...
The Camera shifts to Rose who is standing on the arena floor with XWA Backstage Reporter; Holly Hunt. Behind them the ring crew busies themselves setting up the ring for the big event tonight. Rose is standing tall, clearly looking forward to tonight's matchup and ready to return in front of his XWA fans, famous for their rabid support of their hero, Rose.Holly Hunt: Rose, we are standing in the very arena where tonight the XWA is reborn. May I be the first to welcome you back home to the XWA!
Rose: Thank you, Holly. Man, I have to tell you, I could not be more stoked about tonight. I know I have a lot of fans here in New York, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let one of them go home unhappy tonight.
Holly Hunt: You seem very excited, as is everyone involved tonight. Have you managed to catch up with any old friends in the last few days? Or enemies?
Rose: Did you see the old XWA? It's hella hard to make any friends with so many people wanting to kick you on their way to the top of the ladder. But I've seen a few of the guys. No more than courteous little nods and "hey buds," but it's always good to see the old crowd, y'know? And anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing the fans out there again.
Holly Hunt: As always, of course. Now, word has it that you requested this match with MadDog. Is that true?
Rose: Yep.
Holly Hunt: And MadDog, on his own, also personally requested this match?
Rose: Apparently so.
Holly Hunt: Well... why?
Rose: I dunno about him. He's his own man. But I just thought we could give the people tonight a hell of a show.
Holly Hunt: You respect MadDog? You like him?
Rose: I respect the hell out of anyone who puts their boots on and comes out here to please their fans. As for like? Well, I dunno. We'll never be bosom buddies, I'm sure, but that's what it's like here. I'm a big fan of what he's done here, of course. The man's a legend all across this industry, in spite of whatever crap he's had to go through. Who the hell wouldn't want the chance to step in the ring with him?
Holly Hunt: Are you intimidated by him at all? He's done a lot here, not all of it too pleasant.
Rose: Not at all, no. Like I said, he's a legend, no one could dispute that. And I know he'll give me a match everyone's going to remember. But no, not intimidated. Not at all. He's a man. I'm a man. I have a job to do. And I'll do it. And he knows he has a job to do tonight, and he'll do it. Of that I have no doubt.
Holly Hunt: So you're confident?
Rose: I think I have what it takes to match up to the Big Dog. It'll be a one to remember, for sure, and I know he won't go down lightly, but I think I can do it, yeah. Well, that's if you'll let me go prepare.
Holly Hunt: Haha, of course, sorry. Well, thank you for your time, and I know we all look forward to seeing you back in action.
Rose: Don't mention it. Looking forward to it. See you tonight.
Rose attempts to go & walk off, but is stopped with this one last question.Holly Hunt: Oh! One last thing, sorry, I know you've got a big match to get ready for, but everyone will want to know... what does coming back mean to you?
Rose pauses for a second, as if thinking carefully about his answer.Rose: What does coming back mean to me? Well... that's a good question. A tricky one. It's odd. You perform night after night, for however the hell long it was, and you'd think all the faces out there'd just meld into one, but you always remember one kid in Chicago in the front with tears in his eyes when you're locked in the S.O.S. How he was buried in his mother's shoulder when you were hit in the face with the Breakdown. When he had to leave the building when you were caught in the Romulus. But then how you sent him home smiling when you pulled it out of the bag, you got the 1-2-3, and you pointed at him and let him know it was all for him. It'll always be for him, and his parents, and the guy sat next to them, the guy ordering the popcorn, the guy coming back from the bathroom and EVERY DAMN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR HARD EARNED CASH DOWN AND BOUGHT A TICKET TO SEE THIS SHOW. THAT'S what coming back means to me, Holly.
With those final words, The Rose walks to the backstage area to get ready for his match, and the Camera shift back to Matt & Matthew still sitting at ringside.Matt Steel: Strong Words from a Strong Man, which is what Rose is...
Matthew Werner: Well after hearing that, it seems like The MadDog has will have his hands full tonight…
Matt Steel: Well, we tried to get a word in with MadDog earlier today but he was nowhere to be found.
Matthew Werner: Wait a minute, I just got this note that Holly Hunt has found The MadDog and is going to try and get a word from him now… Holly, take it away!
The camera goes to backstage area, where Holly Hunt is holding a microphone in her hand, and is standing outside a closed door to what appears to be the MadDog’s dressing room.Holly Hunt: Thanks guys... I am backstage here right outside the locker room of The MadDog, who I just saw go into here, so I am going to try and get a word with him on his return to the XWA!
Holly proceeds to knock on the door.Holly Hunt: MadDog... Can we get a word with you about your match?
The door does not open. Holly Knocks again.Holly Hunt: MadDog? I saw you enter into here... Your fans want to know why you requested this match?... MadDog? Can you spare a moment please?
The Door opens, and out walks The MadDog. He is NOT in a good mood, and seems to be very upset with this interruption.Lucifer "The MadDog" McMahon: What the hell do you want?
Holly Hunt: MadDog, I just wanted to get your...
The MadDog holds up his hand to her face to cut her off from saying another word.Lucifer "The MadDog" McMahon: Just shut up and listen to me... I am only going to say this ONCE... I have nothing to say at this time... I will do all my talking tonight in the ring... Now, get the hell away from me... I got a match to prepare for!
With that, MadDog goes back into his locker room and slams the door shut. You then hear a click, as it appears that MadDog has locked the door shut from the inside. Holly appears quite stunned, because this was NOT the reaction she expected to get from MadDog!Holly Hunt: Well guys, I tried... Back to you at ringside!
Camera shifts back to Matt & Matthew at ringside.Matt Steel: I’m stunned...
Matthew Werner: Me too... But it appears that we are ready for some action. Let’s turn this over to Keri Thames, XWA’s very Own Ring Announcer for the introductions...
The Camera shifts to the ring, where Keri Thames is standing in the middle of it, with a microphone in her hand. Suddenly you hear the ring bell ring multiple times as a que for Keri to announce the participants.Keri Thames: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is a singles match!
A low rumble is heard across the arena as the build up to Enter Shikari's 'Sorry, You're Not a Winner' builds up. As the intro hits its climax, a sudden, hard riff explodes out of the arena's PA system hits and out steps Rose from behind the curtain.Keri Thames: Making his way to the ring first...
He throws his arms in the air, looking delighted to be out in front of his adoring and rabid fans again. He walks down the ramp, looking excited and focused as he slaps the hands of whatever random fan happens to hold out his hand.Keri Thames: He comes to us from Chicago, Illinois by way of Cerephilly, South Wales weighing in at 228 lbs... ROSE!
He doesn't break stride as he reaches the bottom of the ramp, carrying on right up the ring steps and climbing the nearest turnbuckle. On the second rope he stops and throws his arms out, pausing briefly to soak in the reaction from the crowd, before hopping over and starting a last minute warm up before the action begins.Matt Steel: Man, he looks good!
Matthew Werner: Rose looks like he is ready for anything tonight!
Matt Steel: All we need now, is the challenger, Keri it’s time to introduce him!
We go back to the ring again, and see still standing in the ring is Keri Thames. She is smiling as she is holding a microphone, and begins to announce the next challenger.Keri Thames: And his opponent...
Matt Steel: Both of these guys come from the Chicago Area….
Matthew Werner: SHISH!
The Arena goes darkThe Arena goes pitch black, all the monitors also go dark, and the only sound heard is that of a human heart beating. We hear this for a few seconds, and then you start to hear the sound of a heart monitor accompany that heart beat. This goes on for a few more seconds, then you hear the unmistakable sound of a flat line from the heart monitor, you no longer hear the human heart beat with the flat line, but instead you hear a drummer as he starts to beat his drums in the rhythm of the beating heart to accompany the flat line sound. A loud explosion is heard, and the stage explodes into a wall of fire & assorted pyro & smoke. Standing in the entrance way, we see the outline of a man behind the pyro and smoke. The Heavy Metal Rock Band starts to play, and the music they perform is "13" (The Theme song of Tazz from the WWE), as the fire starts to go down enough, and the smoke starts to clear and we see for the 1st time that the man standing behind all of the smoke & flames is none other than Lucifer "The MadDog" McMahon!Keri Thames: He hails from Victory Auto Wreckers, in Bensenville Illinois, which is a suburb of the Great City of Chicago...
The crowd in the arena pops, and starts to chant MadDog, over and over again as The MadDog starts to power walk down the ramp from the stage to the ring. Upon getting to the end of the ramp, MadDog will reach up and grab the top rope, and step up with one leg to the ring apron, then swing his other leg over the top rope to enter the ring. MadDog will then proceed to one of the corners of the ring, and climb the ropes and raise his hands over his head in the form of an “X” to acknowledge the crowd.Keri Thames: He is Lucifer... "The MadDog"... MCMAHON!!!
MadDog will repeat this process in all “4” Corners of the ring, and then go towards the center of the ring and one last time raise his hands above his head in the X” before swinging them down in a crotch chop (ALA:DX), as all (4) corners of the ring erupt with flames (ALA: Kane). MadDog will then remove his chainmail head piece & sunglasses and hand them both to the referee.Matthew Werner: What a reaction from this crowd for The MadDog!
Matt Steel: The fans sure did miss him!
Keri holds out the Microphone for the MadDog to take, which is customary in his matches to address the fans before he begins to fight his opponent, but to her and everyone’s surprise the MadDog shakes his head no and does not accept the microphone.Matthew Werner: Well, this is a first...
Matt Steel: MadDog with nothing to say? I’m shocked!
Ding! Ding! Ding!The MadDog stands in the middle of the ring, and points down at the XWA Logo in the center of the ring with one hand, and motions for Rose to face him with the other. Rose does not back down from this challenge, and goes nose to nose with The MadDog as they attempt to psych each other out. The out of nowhere, Rose slaps The MadDog as hard as he can across the face! The MadDog glances to the crowd and snarls as he moves his head back again to face the Rose, as Rose AGAIN slaps the MadDog in the face with one hand as he uses his other hand to point down on the ring to the XWA Logo.Matthew Werner: What is going on here?
Matt Steel: How do you call this action?
The MadDog lets out a loud howl as he looks from side to side around the arena, as he stands nose to nose with The Rose in the center of the ring, when the impossible happens. The Rose Slaps The MadDog for the 3rd time across the face as the MadDog looks like he is about to explode with rage, but instead he looks down at the logo in the center of the ring, and slowly gets down to one knee.Matthew Werner: I am completely confused with all of this!
Rose sees this as his chance to strike, runs towards the ropes, and bounces off them as The MadDog leans his head forward to provide the perfect target, as Rose connects with the “Kiss from A Rose” A perfectly executed Running knee lift!
The MadDog falls the rest of the way, as The Rose quickly covers him, and hooks a leg to a stunned crowd, as the Referee has no choice but to make the count....
1 ...
...
2 ...
...
3 ...
Ding! Ding! Ding!The referee calls for the bell, as Rose gets to his feet and begins to celebrate in the ring like he just won the Superbowl, World Series, NBA Championship, and Stanley Cup all at once! The MadDog quickly rolls out of the ring during the celebration and reaches under the ring for a small velvet bag, and grabs it as he reenters the ring as the Referee is about to raise Rose’s hand in victory, but The MadDog will have none of it as he shoves the referee out of the way and raises The Rose’s hand himself with one hand as he clutches the velvet bag in the other!Matt Steel: What is going on here?
Matthew Werner: I think we have been duped!
Keri Thames returns to the ring, and proceeds to make the official announcement.Keri Thames: Your winner is...
Keri is stopped from finishing the announcement as The MadDog grabs the microphone from her, and chooses to finish it himself.Lucifer "The MadDog" McMahon: THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH... AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED... HE IS THE ONLY MAN WHO DESERVES THIS BELT AND DESERVES THE RECOGNITION OF BEING CALLED THE OFFICIAL XWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION... A MAN I AM PROUD TO CALL MY NEW PARTNER AND MY FRIEND... THE ROSE!
Rose is handed the microphone by The MadDog, as The MadDog reaches into the velvet bag and proceeds to pull out his Old XWA World Heavyweight Championship Belt, the Original Belt that he won back in the day when he pinned J.Pain to begin his first reign as XWA World Champion, and proceeds to place the belt around the waist of Rose, as the Crowd is in complete confusion and does not know if it should cheer, boo, clap, or throw beer cans into the ring.Matthew Werner: Rose is NOT the Champion! The MadDog can’t do that!
Matt Steel: Well is appears we have an Un-Official XWA World Heavyweight Champion!
The crowd is in complete shock, as The MadDog secures the belt around Rose’s waist, and proceeds to parade Rose around the ring, raising his hand and pointing at the belt, as Rose faces another section of the crowd. After they have faced all 4 sides of the ring, The MadDog continues to talk.Lucifer "The MadDog" McMahon: Now, before My Main Man, The Champion, The Rose speaks to all of you freaks and geeks out there, I want to make one final announcement….. From this day forward, I am no longer wrestling for you fans… I am only wrestling for THIS MAN… My Partner…. My Friend…. I will no longer jump through hoops to make you people like me… For I can care less about all of you, and you can all goto hell for all I care…. For all I want… Is what The Rose wants…. And what The Rose wants…. Is for him to be RESPECTED and ACKNOWLEGED as the GREATEST CHAMPION in the XWA TODAY….. And a great Champion deserves a great Championship Belt..... And since the XWA didn't have the balls to present him with one when he returned to this company.... I took it upon myself to give him one of mine.... And remember this..... He who wears the belt is The Man in this business.... So, it is with great pride I introduce you to the The Man.... I give you the XWA World Heavyweight Champion... I give you...... The Rose!!
With that, The MadDog passes the microphone to The Rose who stands in the middle of the ring, as The MadDog steps back, and stands behind him on his right side.Rose: Oh ho ho ho! Ohhh... dear. Ohhh, you didn't see that one coming, didja? Ohhh deary me. Well, first off, hats off to the Big Dog here for just a top notch performance. Can we just give him a huge round of applause here. Stellar performance.
Rose applauds MadDog, but seems to be alone in doing so. The crowd neither looks nor sounds like they want to do anything but throw whatever crap they can get their hands on on the duo.Rose: Suit yourselves, fine by me. If you can't be big enough to cheer such an inspiring piece of performance by this legend right here [Rose pats MadDog on the shoulder] then I'll go ahead and do it for ya. That's what a champ does, see? He makes sure things are done properly.
Rose applauds MadDog some more, as he watches as each word he speaks gets the crowd from confused, to disappointed, to just plain pissed off. And loving every second of it, by the way.Rose: Of course...no, no, let me speak! Ahem. Of course, we can't give all the credit to this man here. No, no, as good as he did (and you did a fine job, my man), there is one other person who deserves lion's share of the plaudits here. And that is...ME! Oh yes! No, no, please, stop...you're embarrassing me. I'm just a man like any of you. Hold in those cheers!
Cheers? Rose must be deluding himself...Rose: Ah, good times. Now, hands up, seriously. How many of you believed that huge pile of groveling crap I had recorded earlier today? C'mon, get 'em up! Now, now, don't be shy! Aha! There, sir! You have your hand up, that's an honest man. Oh, look! He thinks I'm number one, thank you sir.
Note: Holding one finger up at someone DOES NOT MEAN they think you're number one.Rose: Waaah! Waaah! I do it for the kid in the front! All a pile of crap, ladies and gentlemen! Oh yes! But why? Why would our hero from across the pond do this to us? We thought he was so braaave! Well, look at the evidence, people. What did pandering to you...where did it ever get me, eh? Oh sure, it got me a couple of dollars at the merchandise stands. What else? Hey, Big Dog? Do YOU know what else?
Rose offers MadDog the microphone, but all his new buddy does is give a little shrug.Rose: That's right, my man! Nothing. Well, not quite nothing. It got me hoards of you people interrupting my meals, "please, Mr. Rose, can you sign this?" I'd be getting on a plane, "Mr. Rose? Do you have a sec?" I'd be going to take a damn piss, "Mr. Rose? Would you sign this?" I'm telling you all now, the next person who comes up with me with something to sign is getting a knee to the face. And that doesn't half knock you for one, right, Dog?
MadDog doesn't answer, but the beginnings of the bruise on his head would tend to agree.Rose: I am done with every stinking one of you. All your support, all of your cheering, what did it ever do for me? NOTHING, that's what. I wanted someone worth a damn to get on this bandwagon, and the right guy made the right choice when he did. This partnership, this duo...this is going places. And he knows it. That's why this belt is around my waist. This is a title from a time where being the best meant something.
Rose points down at the XWA Championship around his waist, and turns around so that everyone can see it.Rose: And this belt means you, and everyone in the back, will have NO CHOICE but to recognize ME as the best. And you can call me a hypocrite. You can. I pandered to all of you. But a few short years ago, I got every single one of you to love me. And tonight, in just a couple of tiny minutes, I know that I've gotten every last one of you to hate me. I can do ANYTHING. And I will do ANYTHING to get to the top of this joke of a company, and to bring it to the heights it was when it was this big fella right here was on top. And then I'll take it even higher. I will take this company to where it’s never been before. And I'll do it by whatever means I have to. Maybe I won't be respected by any of you, but since when the hell did any of you matter? Maybe I won't be respected by the people behind that curtain, but since when were they ever in my league? I'll have the respect of the one person who matters. ME. And none of you will have any choice but to recognize me for what I am. I am THE. VERY. BEST.
Rose throws down his microphone and throws his arms up in the air. He gestures to MadDog, who goes over to the ropes and sits on the middle one, opening a gap for Rose to step between and drop to the floor, his new partner not far behind. Together they walk up the ramp, not looking back towards the ring, and only stopping when Rose reaches over the guard rail, slapping a cup of Coke out of the hands of a kid with tears in his eyes. They carry on to the back, ignoring the angry calls of the child's dad. 
