Withdrawing

[Anthony Jordan]

*Pearl Jam's "Even Flow" hits as the crowd stands to deliver a mixed reaction. "The Role Model" emerges from the back, clad in a classic USCW shirt and khakis, shaking his head as he trots down the ramp.*

Cross: "Anthony Jordan will have a busy week. While slate to compete in the tag team tournament with MJW, he has a match with Donzig at Revolution while the shows only being two days apart!"

Ventura: "He's going to have to strategize. I'd tank the tournament and rest for Donzig."

*Jordan hops up the stairs and enters the ring. He exhales before walking over to retrieve the microphone offered to him. His body language conveys pure frustration as he quickly motions for his music to be cut. Once it is, he stands in the middle of the ring and gets to business.*

Jordan:" You got to be kidding me."

*He starts pacing around the ring.*

Jordan: "Not only am I cheated out of a win against that B-Rock, Byron, Barack, whoever guy, but I learned that I have to face him in a ladder match. I have to face a careless, talentless rookie in a dangerous match for wrestling's minimum wage? Thanks, Ringmaster. I will be sure to pay you back for that after I get that contract to face you in the main event."

*The crowd cheers loudly for that notion as they'd love to see the hated Ringmaster thrashed.*

Ventura: "Never going to happen! Brock is a machine!"

Cross: "Anthony Jordan has won a ladder match or two in his time. Has Brock ever been in one?"

Ventura: "Even if he hasn't, I'm sure the Ringmaster has his back."

Cross: "That could make all the difference in the world especially if Whitey Ford's injury is serious and he can't help out."

Jordan: "But before I make my cameo in the primetime drama of The Young and the Talentless, I have a date with Donzig at Revolution."

*The crowd cheers the match-up as Jordan paces around the ring shaking his head.*

Jordan: "I have no desire to face Donzig because we all know I am undefeated against him. The only reason I would show up for this match is that a win against the World Champion would show the Ringmaster that I am the best wrestler in the industry and worthy of being the highest-paid."

Cross: "Be hard to argue against him, if that comes to pass."

Jordan: "Donzig, I hope you know this is not personal. I did not ask for this match. Just because you are a bad friend does not mean that I wanted to humiliate you by owning you on live television. Just be happy that it is non-title, so you can try to carve out a decent reign."

*The fans boo as Jordan cocks an eyebrow and looks over the crowd.*

Ventura: "Just tellin' it like it is."

Jordan: "That brings me to the main reason why I am out there, and that is to talk about our Saturday Night Special. More specifically, the apparent reunion of the Connection."

*The AJ/MJ Connection gets massive cheers from the crowd.*

Jordan: "I thought about confronting Michael Windsor about this or even interrupting Donzig, but I felt that I needed the stage for myself."

*Jordan gives his goofy grin as he lowers the microphone.*

Ventura: "No shock there."

Jordan: "The Ringmaster made it clear that I cannot challenge for any titles from my current position, so I do not know how I got into the tournament as it. Then it hit me: The Ringmaster does not think the Connection has what it takes to win."

*The fans boo loudly in disagreement as Jordan shrugs.*

Jordan: "But in the event that I carry Windsor to tag team glory, we can all bet that the Ringmaster would promptly strip us of the titles or delegitimize our win somehow. So, in an effort to stay one step ahead of the Ringmaster, I am announcing that I am withdrawing from the tournament."

*The announcement is met by loud boos.*

Cross: "Will MJW be fighting by himself now?"

*Jordan holds up the index finger of his free hand to silence the crowd.*

Jordan: "Fear not, fans, as I have found a suitable replacement. Let me introduce you to..."

*All of a sudden, the lights cut out.*

Jordan: "I guess we must have blown a fuse. While I go fix this, my replacement may be out here. If you see him, tell him that I had to leave, okay?"

*Nothing can be seen through the darkness.*

Ventura: "I'm getting tired of these lights out gimmicks."

*Suddenly, the lights come back on. Inside the ring, a man is standing holding a microphone. He is wearing a mask, which contains decals of multiple flags from countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. He is wearing Jordan's USCW T-shirt and a pair of khakis himself. He goes to speak in a voice most familiar.*

Man: "Was Anthony Jordan just out here? He was supposed to introduce me."

*He scratches his head through his mask.*

Man: "Since he is gone, I'll do it myself. I am Mr. International! I will happily team with MJW to win the Tag Team Titles at the Saturday Night Special!"

*The fans seem to know who it is and cheer loudly for Mr. International.*

Ventura: "This is pathetic!"

Cross: "The fans seem to love Mr. International!"

Mr. International: "I was sitting back at my house in Spain because my villa in France was being worked on when Anthony Jordan called me up and asked me to go after the IWF Tag Team Titles. Mr. International was psyched! He can't wait to sock it to the competition!"

*He points to the back.*

Mr. International: "Donzig, you will regret not having my back..."

*Mr. International looks around nervously.*

Mr. International: "Is what Anthony Jordan would say after he beats you at Revolution!"

*The fans laugh and cheer as Mr. International gives the thumbs up.*

Mr. International: "Wife Beater, you will learn that I'm not as weak as a woman and cannot be beaten up. Urban Assault is about to become victims of an International Incident if they face MJW and me!"

*The crowd pops again as Mr. International flexes.*

Ventura: "That is Anthony Jordan in a mask!"

Cross: "No way!"

Mr. International: "Barack, that is the name of a man who is unfit to lead, be a country or wrestling federation as a Tag Team Champion. You are going to lose, brother!"

*He looks around and nods.*

Mr. International: "As for Barbados, you might be a nice place to vacation, but you are not a Tag Team Champion! One Ego Trip or International Incident will take care of you, and that's that!"

*Mr. International drops the microphone and starts posing.*

Cross: "Mr. International and MJW might just set the tag division on fire!"

[donzig]

"You mean undefeated except for that time that you got yourself disqualified!" Donzig snapped from the IWF-tron, shaking his head as he popped open a beer. Frowning at Mr. International, before he took a swig from his beer. "Is what I would say to Anthony Jordan, since you are not Anthony Jordan you may shut the fuck up!"

Donzig leaned back, taking another hit from the beer. Then he held up the IWF title, shaking his head before he sat it back down. "Mr. International, Anthony Jordan didn't ask for this match at Revolution. Because I fucking did!"

The fans blinked, then exploded as the Hardcore Incarnate continued with a roll of his shoulders. He frowned, snapping his fingers. "Because I realize that Anthony Jordan suffers from Chris James disease, I realize that AJ thinks if he distorts and manipulates the facts enough? If he can tell enough lies and half truths, he can get himself ahead! And maybe just maybe someone is stupid enough to buy his bullshit!"

Donzig paused, then roared. "Nuh uh! Fuck that, his lies end on Monday! His bullshit fucking stops at Revolution, I am going to cure AJ's CJ Syndrome by beating him from pillar to post! And when I am done? I expect him to thank me, Mr. International! And you will fucking thank me as well, see you Saturday."