Claustrophobic

[Anthony Jordan]

*The fans cheer loudly as Pearl Jam's "Even Flow" hits. "The Role Model" appears at the top of the stage. He's sporting a classic USCW T-shirt and a pair of khakis as he pays little heed to the reaction and walks down the aisle.*

Cross: "The war between Anthony Jordan and the Ringmaster gets more and more bitter. While being stuck opening shows, Anthony Jordan hasn't been able to notch a win due to a variety of factors."

Ventura: "He's gotta learn respect for the Ringmaster. Until he does, this will continue."

Cross: "The people have backed him, even though he doesn't always give them the same respect back."

Ventura: "No one said our fans were smart."

*Jordan hops up the stairs and enters the ring. Jenny Stark hands over her microphone as Jordan motions for her to exit the ring. "Even Flow" cuts off as Jordan looks around the Harris Arena and takes in a deep breath.*

Jordan: "It is really nice to be out here."

*The fans respond with a warm cheer.*

Jordan: "Not because of you people."

*The fans quickly change their tune and boo as Jordan gives his goofy grin.*

Jordan: "If you are not helping me in my war in the Ringmaster, then you are hindering me. That is the situation we are in. That is why I could not care less about being your friend and why Donzig is just another wrestler to me now."

Cross: "He doesn't care who he alienates."

Jordan: "He ditches me for the title, then sells me out for the Wife Beater? That is no friend of mine. I hope they enjoy working together. They deserve one another!"

*The fans boo as Jordan gives a sour look.*

Jordan: "Yes, I know Whitey is still lost. That USCW-ger could not find gold with a leprechaun."

*"The Role Model" shakes his head before seeing a "USCW-ger" sign and motioning for the fan to take it down.*

Ventura: "And Ford was supposed to be his ace in the hole, HA HA!"

Jordan: "The real reason I am happy to be out here is because I have been feeling a bit claustrophobic lately. Everyone has been closing in around me. Be it the Ringmaster stopping at nothing to ruin me, Shamus' unexplained interference in my match, or that lunatic, B-rock. I think all three need to be addressed."

*Jordan rolls his shoulders and cracks his neck.*

Jordan: "Ringmaster, nothing has changed between us. I will concede that you are winning the war right now, but the thing about wars is that they usually last more than a few weeks. Britain thought they had America beaten early in the Revolutionary War, and we know what happened there. History will repeat itself when America steps up and takes you down!"

*That gets a mixed reaction from the British crowd.*

Jordan: "I do not even need to get started on you canceling Battle of Britain."

*That garners massive boos from the crowd as Battle of Britain was a beloved biannual event.*

Cross: "Not a popular decision."

Jordan: "But we will have time to take jabs at one another, so I need to move on to Shamus."

*The drunkard gets a mixed reaction.*

Jordan: "While you remind me of the South, you need to learn to keep out of my business. I do not like your drinking, bad memory and attention span or your bad attention span and memory!"

*Jordan shakes his head as the crowd gets a good laugh at the irony.*

Jordan: "Finally, that brings me to B-rock. Just because you are a b-list rocker does not mean you can handle me. Heck, MTMT could never beat me."

*Jordan gives his goofy grin as the fans "ooooo" for that cheap shot.*

Jordan: "Or maybe it means you want to be a rock. Maybe it means you want to be the Rock. I could see how a pale, little psycho like you would want to be a tall, dark, and handsome movie star. But you might want to aim a little lower. Try B-Reese and work your way up."

*Jordan can't keep a straight face with that comment and smirks as the crowd cheers loudly.*

Ventura: "I'm so making a phone call after we go off the air!"

Jordan: "Kidnapping some overglorified bouncer does not impress me."

Ventura: "Maybe if Brock had made Eric fall in love with him, AJ would be more impressed."

Cross: "I don't think AJ supports homosexuality, and I know he didn't mean to fall in love with Crystal when he bought her from her kidnappers."

Ventura: "That makes it okay?"

Cross: "No, but they have all put it all behind them."

Jordan: "Now if you want to apologize, then I accept. I will hate that I have to waste time beating the likes of you as I mow my way through the IWF roster, but that is my current goal. The sooner I get through the small fish, then I can get to the big fish and take what is mine."

*Jordan holds his free hand up.*

Jordan: "And that is the distinction of being the highest-paid wrestler ever and a QUADRUPLE Undisputed World Champion!"

*Jordan brings his arm down and gives his goofy grin.*

Jordan: "Just for fun, I may become a triple Grand Slam Champion to boot."

*Jordan looks ready to wrap things up and leave. Does he?*

[donzig]

The fans suddenly exploded, and Donzig stalked from the back with a scowl. His eyes narrowed as he shrugged his leather clad shoulders, then he started for the ring. He rolled inside, coming to his feet before he called for a mic.

He took it, frowning as he walked back and forth before he turned to AJ. "You want to have this out? You want to fucking settle this?"

The fans gave a mixed reaction, and the IWF Champion frowned as he waved a hand. "You walk around here and talk about how I didn't help Anthony Jordan? How I walk around here and I sold out Anthony Jordan for this title? Well, AJ, let me tell you what."

Donzig frowned, stepping closer to his old partner. "I didn't sell out anything but this goddamned motherfucking arena for this title!"

The place exploded, and AJ arched a brow as Donzig continued. "I left you? I'm not the one who dragged my fellow USCW-ger out of fucking rehab, or was it retirement to come back me up! I wasn't the one who said 'Who needs Donzig?' when I can have one of my comrades from a fed no one remembers!"

The Hardcore Incarnate fumed, and caught off AJ with his standard palm before he pointed. "No. I don't want to hear it. I wonder what you want me to do to stop the Ringmaster! I wonder what pull you think I have with him!"

Donzig shook his head. "You never saw me ask when you didn't leave when I did back in December did you? Never once did I ask."

The fans gave a gasp at that, and Jordan almost looked hurt as Donzig continued. "And last, but not least. For you to be a quadruple undisputed Champion of the World? You need to get past me, and do you really even want to walk that road again, Funisher? Because you of all people should know there is only one thing I really consider fun!"

Donzig grinned, then drew back with a shake of his head. He threw the mic down, heading for the ropes.

[Anthony Jordan]

Jordan: "You must be upset that I never formally congratulated you on your title win."

*Donzig stops and turns around.*

Jordan: "You do deserve props for winning the title. You actually beat someone. You did not ride my coattails this time. That is a pretty big achievement."

*Jordan gives his goofy grin as Donzig frowns.*

Cross: "The tension continues to rise!"

Jordan: "After around ten title shots, you finally made good on your promise to be World Champion. You have always been a man of your word. We can both agree that I am not cut from the same cloth."

*Jordan inhales and shrugs as the fans eagerly wait to see where this is going.*

Jordan: "I won all my titles on the first try!"

*The crowd erupts with a mixed reaction as Donzig shows a small smirk.*

Ventura: "It's over now!"

Jordan: "I could go on about how your laundry list of betrayal trumps anything of mine, but why waste it now? If the time ever comes where I do have to defeat you again, I really want it to be fresh in your mind how I feel, how you failed as friend."

*Jordan points at Donzig.*

Jordan: "But until the Ringmaster gives me my just due, you will not face a challenge from me. Simply put, your title is not worthy of me right now."

*The crowd "ooooos" as Jordan gives his goofy grin.*

Jordan: "But I know you are tired of being out here. It is cutting into your valuable time, which could be used for thanking the Ringmaster for keeping me out of the main event. You had just enough to squeak by Croc, but we both know that is not enough to beat me. Sadly, since you are protected from a real challenger, I guess you will not get a chance to find out."

*The crowd splits again, but there are more boos than cheers.*

Cross: "It has gotten bitter between these two."

Ventura: "Donzig's greed has torn them apart."

Jordan: "I guess it is up to me to fight for what is right. To make sure that guys at the top of the food chain, such as myself, receive fair compensation from the tyrannical masters of this industry. Things like that just do not matter as long as Donzig has what he wants. I am sure you even feel you are too good to be out here talking to me seeing how I am not a main-eventer on paper, though merchandise sales and ratings say otherwise. You are content to drift back into Syndicate mode and believe you are so much better than everyone else. It is something you have a penchant for, but I know only one man is capable of that position."

*Jordan motions to himself and gives his goofy grin.*

Jordan: "Seriously, though, enjoy the glamour and prestige of being champ. Since I cannot stop you, you will probably hold the belt for a long time, and you need to get used to it. You formed Power Trip 2008, complete with ghetto-izine for that hip-hop feel that went out-of-fashion in wrestling three years ago. You have moved on and up from the Industry, old friend."

*"The Role Model" walks by "The American Destroyer" connecting shoulder-to-shoulder bumping Donzig out of his way. However, instead of leaving the ring, Jordan just stands there for a second and raises his microphone back up.*

Jordan: "You are too good for the Industry."

*Jordan drops the microphone and exits the ring as the fans give a mixed reaction.*