*Let's face it. It's been a long week. You're tired, and really glad that it's the weekend. Sure, you had Monday off, but that just made the rest of the week stretch to compensate, making it feel like it took forever. But you made it. It's Friday. And that means it's time to log onto the GCWA account and see if the live show has started yet. It hasn't.*

* ......*

*But after waiting a short time (and making some popcorn), the feed finally picks up, and we're ready to go! The first clip features some dramatic music, as the Voice once again makes itself known.*

Voice: Last week, the Global Championship Wrestling Association made its return, and the action couldn't have been more intense.

*Clips begin to play, showing Technical Authority decimating some jobbers, Dylan Thomas nearly breaking Xtreme's ankle, and finally shots from the Round Robin Tournament. We see the intense action between Ed Houston and The Lost Soul, ending with Houston's Blastoff winning the match. This is followed by the two legends, The Big Bifford and Lurrr, meeting each other blow for blow. It all ends with Lurrr using a low blow and a series of Wake Up Calls to put Bifford away. The clips end, though, with the shocking return of the last GCWA World Heavyweight Champion, Derek "The Thriller" Mobley! His confrontation with both Lurrr and Bifford is shown, ending with the man with the belt holding it tightly in the ring, surrounded by enemies.*

Voice: And that? That's just the beginning...

*Flames begin to grow on all sides, illuminating every square inch of the screen. In the flames, shots of different wrestling maneuvers are shown. Souled Out. Blastoff. The Perfect Finisher. The Biff End. The Wake Up Call. Each as impressive as you would expect. In the center of the flames, standing without fear, is the son of the Accelerator, Jonathan Barrows, better known to the wrestling world as the masked wrestler, Pryde. He nods towards the camera, a serious expression on his face.*

Jonathan Barrows: Welcome to the new era.

*The fury of the flames overtakes Barrows, as he disappears from sight. With a rush, a classic mix of music begins to play, signalling the intro to the show.*

*Throughout the flames, images of the various wrestlers competing in the company flash by, some doing their signature maneuvers, others posing for the camera. As the music hits a crescendo, the screen blows apart, and we are now inside the Don Haskins Center in the University of Texas El Paso, here in El Paso, Texas. The fans seem just as lively as last week, cheering loudly as the camera passes by them. It isn't a full arena, but the attendance is pretty decent. The camera moves to the announce table, bringing us to Adrian Rockwell and his partner, Hood.*

Rockwell: Hello everyone, and welcome back to Friday Night Inferno!

Hood: What I'm more interested in is, do we know if the World Title is actually vacant?

*The opening hullabaloo reaches its climax before settling into a raucous crowd loaded with GCWA faithful. Before Rockwell can corrupt the airwaves with his over the top voice or Hood can strike fear into the hearts of baby faces with his vicious metaphors, 'Thriller' by Scandroid hits!!! The crowd gets EVEN LOUDER! A thunderous "MOBLEY" chant fills the building. Derek 'The Thriller' Mobley emerges from behind the curtain sporting a black shirt with orange 'GCWA' letters across his barrel sized chest. A pair of comfortable, yet slim fitting jeans cover his bottom half. He's got some purple themed sneakers on. The man flashes a smile, his stomach looking a bit larger than his chest. The GCWA title is draped over his shoulder. He begins the champion's march down the ramp way as purple lights flash all throughout the arena*

Rockwell: It's the Champion!

Hood: In my opinion he's a fraud. I mean, look at his body, it's obvious the guy's main exercise of late has been twelve ounce curls.

*Mobley marches up the steps and enters into the ring. Minos, quietly positioned in the corner, extends a mic. Derek takes the mic and gives Minos a friendly bow of the head. He gets positioned in the center of the ring and waits patiently for his music to stop. It does. The fans continue to chant "MOBLEY!" Derek smiles and, as most would, takes a few moments to soak in the adulation*

Rockwell: These fans love Derek Mobley!

Hood: Yea, if you think murder should be legal!

*The cheers reach a volume low enough for Mobley to speak. He brings the mic to his mouth and begins to cut his first promo in nearly a decade*

Rockwell: What's he going to say?

Hood: Whatever he says, I promise it'll be a letdown.

Derek Mobley: What's up, guys?

*The crowd pops!*

Hood: Told ya. Pretty sexist move by Mobley to only mention the men, by the way. It's 2019, Mobley!

*Mobley looks into the camera and smiles as if to say "Had to break the ice somehow."*

Derek Mobley: I don't even know where to begin, it's been so long. I'd love to tell you all each and every detail of my life since GCWA closed down in 2010. But, this time around, I'm not here to eat up a bunch of time. This time around, I'm not here to be the face of this company. Sadly, those days are gone.

*A sad murmur fills the fans*

Rockwell: So...he's dropping the belt?

Hood: We can only hope. Never believe what this man says, Rockwell. He has the biggest ego in the sport of wrestling. He's what we call a cloaked narcissist.

Derek Mobley: I thought about a lot when I heard GCWA was returning. I thought about contacting the local milk factories, informing them to prepare a bunch of 'missing persons' ads for RM Strong. I thought about getting in touch with a few therapists to contact Jay Rish concerning the trauma he experienced after I put him down nearly 9 years ago. I thought about many things...but one rose above the rest...this, right here.

*Mobley hoists the GCWA title high in the air. A loud 'GCWA' chant corresponds with the gesture*

Derek Mobley: The greatest accolade in the sport of professional wrestling. If this were any other title, I would have simply shipped it to the GCWA offices with a 'dear ace' letter, wishing this company well in their future endeavors. But, GCWA deserves better. You fans, deserve better. This belt deserves better. So, I made the drive to Inferno last week to hand this belt over to the most respected, hardest working man in this sport's history. If I was going to relinquish the title...I'd do so face to face, like a man. It's the least Ace deserved.

*The crowd continues to make concerned noises. They whisper amongst themselves. One person yells out "DON'T DO IT, DEREK!"*

Derek Mobley: Upon showing up to Inferno last week, I was met with something I did not expect. A feeling, an emotion. I saw the hustle and bustle going on backstage. I could smell the sweat...the passion of the locker room and, yes, I know that sounds gross but, trust me, its those types of smells which take you back. I began to develop this urge...an urge I hadn't felt in a long, long time. But, I'm an old man now...one who understands the pitfall of temptation. So, I entered Ace's office steadfast...determined to stick to my plan.

Rockwell: This isn't sounding great.

Hood: Maybe he really is going to drop the damn thing.

Derek Mobley: We had a chat...we caught up and reached the reason for my appearance. I informed Ace of my plan. He was disappointed, but understanding. He's a great man, after all. So, we agreed that I'd hand this title over to the winner of the Round Robin tournament. I sat in the back and watched both matches, impressed with the competition...it's certainly superior to what I remember. At the end of that Lurrr, Bifford match, I felt compelled to head to the ring and congratulate two fellow warriors, two fellow Hall of Famers, two fellow champions on a job well done.

Rockwell: We all saw how that turned out.

Hood: What did he expect? Lurrr and Biff to just bow down to some old timer with a fucking Dad Bod?

Derek Mobley: And, as you all saw, things went south quickly. Some stuff never changes. Once Inferno went off the air, I returned, safely backstage only to see a very disturbed Ace. His rolodex, his black book of contacts exhausted...many of the names from his past dead, retired, or both. I don't want to say he looked lost...I'll simply say that my dear friend looks out and sees a strange land which was once very familiar.

Rockwell: It's no secret that our owner has been looking to the past in the hopes of rebuilding GCWA.

Hood: Meanwhile, other forces at play want to turn to the future.

Derek Mobley: Now, I know I'm not the future. I realize that the sun has set on my career. GCWA does not need to revolve around Derek Mobley. My place is back at home, living a quiet life. However, I can still be of some service to this company. GCWA, like any promotion returning after a decade hiatus, needs all the help it can get. And, the one thing I can do to help give this place a boost is by defending the GCWA title until the rightful heir is able to take it from me, inside this very ring!

*The fire inside Mobley begins to flicker. The fans start to cheer*

Rockwell: He's not done yet!

Hood: I fucking told you!

Derek Mobley: So, Ace put pen to paper and signed me to a very specific contract. I will be competing in GCWA until my reign is ended in the proper manner. This title will not be handed over...it will not go vacant. The NEXT GCWA Champion will have to EARN this belt just like every champion before them.

Rockwell: Yes!

Hood: Well, it makes sense...but I still don't like it. At least, judging by the way the guy looks, he should be dropping that title in his first match.

*The sound of a rocket taking off fills the Don Haskins Center. It cuts off and is quickly replaced by "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" by the Offspring. Ed Houston jumps out and starts to walk down the ramp with a mic in his hand. He holds out a finger and yells out 1 and 0 to the delight of the crowd. He slides into the ring and faces the current GCWA World Champion. He places the mic next to his mouth and holds it down for a second, clapping for Derek Mobley before speaking.*

Ed Houston: I know most people would think that was sarcastic clap but I mean it sincerely. As someone that's new to GCWA it's an honor to be across the ring from a company legend, especially one that I haven't had the opportunity to share the ring with before.

*Mobley seems flattered. He re-adjusts the GCWA Title before responding*

Derek Mobley: The Rocket Man! Ed, let me just say that it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I know our paths have never crossed. I know you were still dreaming of flying for NASA back when I was in my prime. But, I've had my eye on you these past few years and have come away very impressed with what I've seen. If anybody deserves to be the future of this GCWA renaissance it's you. And, if there were anyone worthy of being handed this belt, it'd be you.

*Ed smiles and points at Mobley.*

Ed Houston: I appreciate that man, I really do. But just like it was inevitable that NASA would put men on the moon, it's only a matter of time before that GCWA World Championship is around my waist. I'm glad you're back for the time being but I'm looking forward to beating you for that belt.

*Ed smiles and drops the mic. He walks over to Derek and extends a hand. Derek nods, reaches out and shakes hands with Ed*

Derek Mobley: Good luck, Kid. I wish you all the best.

*The hand shake ends. Ed reaches out and slaps the belt, perhaps a little harder than necessary before turning around, leaping over the top rope to the floor and heading up the ramp. A slightly staggered Mobley watches from the ring continuing to appear less than ready for what eventually awaits him. We slowly fade out.*

*The shot fades in on the office space of Jonathan and Hunter Barrows. Jonathan is seated behind a desk, furiously reading a sheet of paper, while Hunter is pacing back and forth. He's moving in and out of the shot at the moment, but the cameraman doesn't readjust, staying on Jonathan. He doesn't look pleased with what he's reading. Suddenly, to the side, the door bangs open, and The Accelerator walks in, a large smile on his old face.*

The Accelerator: Howdy, boys! Another great day in Texas!

*The Accelerator makes his way across the room, heading to a comfy chair on the other side. Jonathan stands up, moving around the desk to follow him.*

Jonathan Barrows: Dad... we need to talk. This contract you gave to Derek Mobley...

The Accelerator: Hell of a deal, isn't it? It's not often you get someone willing to sign a contract like that, where one loss will be the end of it. But Derek's a great guy, he's willing to do what it takes to help the GCWA succeed!

Jonathan Barrows: Dad... I have to say, Hunter and I? We... aren't a fan of this contract.

Hunter Barrows: It sucks. It really sucks.

*Ace turns and looks at his sons from where he's sitting. He looks confused.*

The Accelerator: Alright, what's the problem with it?

Jonathan Barrows: Well, first off, you could have talked to us about it. You know we're co-owners of the company as well.

The Accelerator: I didn't think there'd be any problems. I got us the GCWA World Champion back!

Hunter Barrows: Dad... it's 2019. Nobody wants to see Derek Mobley wrestle anymore.

The Accelerator: What? Are you joking? He's one of the greatest champions to ever live! Who wouldn't want to see "The Thriller" in action again? I could see him defending that belt for the next year!

*Jonathan and Hunter exchange wide-eyed glances, neither believing that to be likely. The Accelerator doesn't seem to notice. He's surely seeing the champion he remembers from ten years ago.*

Hunter Barrows: We can't live in the past, Dad. It's going to affect our bottom line! Bad enough you brought in some old-timers for the Round Robin Tournament, but at least those guys can still wrestle!

The Accelerator: You may have your doubts, but I know that Derek Mobley can still put on a show out there!

Jonathan Barrows: Okay, look... just, in the future... we need to work together on this, okay? Because I've got to be honest, Dad. These moves you've been making, signing all of these former GCWA wrestlers? It's having an effect. Several younger wrestlers I've talked to have been unwilling to commit, just because they think we're just some kind of nostalgia act that isn't going to last. If we want to grow... it can't just be about the former talent.

*The Accelerator looks a little concerned for a second, but then sits back in his chair.*

The Accelerator: I think you're overreacting. The talent will come, once they see how great we really are. They won't be able to resist. I mean, we just signed Chad Vargas, for crying out loud!

*Hunter opens his mouth, probably to complain about another 'older' talent signed, but Jonathan hushes him with a look.*

Jonathan Barrows: All I'm saying is, we need to start changing with the times, at least a little bit. Hunter and I have a few ideas on this... for instance... next week, we want to add a third commentator.

The Accelerator: What's wrong with Adrian & Hood?

Hunter Barrows: A two announcer pairing is so old-fashioned. A third person will really add to the show.

The Accelerator: I... guess I don't see the harm in trying that.

Jonathan Barrows: And we've got a few other thoughts as well on where we need to go in the future.

The Accelerator: Okay, son. I'd like to watch the action... but we can talk between matches, right?

Jonathan Barrows: ... Sure, Dad.

*The Accelerator nods, the smile back on his face. We go back to ringside.*

Hood: Man, I don't envy Jonathan or Hunter. Taking the GCWA to 2019 is going to be hard enough without their dad being a dead-weight behind them.

Rockwell: I disagree completely, Hood. After all, our next match is specifically because Ace went out and re-signed an awesome tag-team! Let's go to the ring!

Tag-Team Match
Wrath of the Storm (0-0) vs. The Danger Boiz (8-6)

Minos: Our opening contest... is scheduled for one fall... introducing first... from El Paso, Texas... weighing in at a combined 420 lbs... here are Thunder and Lightning... Wrath of the Storm!