Can Never Have Too Many Friends

[Anthony Jordan]

*The fans explode as Pearl Jam's "Even Flow" hits. The co-Undisputed World Champion walks out onto the ramp wearing a classic USCW "Role Model" T-shirt and a pair of khakis. He is not wearing or carrying the Undisputed World Title dispute being co-champion.*

MTMT: "Here's a man we haven't seen in quite a while!"

Ventura: "I think he was letting MJ Windsor enjoy the limelight he richly deserves. However, he should have gone one step further and never come back."

MTMT: "This place isn't the same with Anthony Jordan."

Ventura: "Agreed. It's much better."

*Jordan slaps hands with a few fans on the way to the ring before reaching the stairs. He quickly ascends them and enters the ring. Miss Taylor hands over her microphone as Jordan takes it and climbs up to the middle rope. He gives the fans a lengthy photo opportunity before hopping down and signaling to kill his music.*

MTMT: "What could he have to say?"

Ventura: "I quit."

MTMT: "I somehow doubt it."

*"Even Flow" cuts off, and Jordan looks around as he raises his microphone.*

Jordan: "Thank you for that response!"

*The fans pop again as Jordan gives his goofy grin.*

Jordan: "I know many of you want to know where I have been, and I am here to tell you. Ripper has been a thorn in my side for well over a month. Despite my best efforts, I could never draw him out and take back my Undisputed World Title. However, thanks to my best friend, MJ Windsor, we lured him out and took back OUR title. But the good news did not stop there."

*Jordan pauses and looks up. A smile creeps up on his face as he looks down and addresses the fans.*

Jordan: "I am proud to say that my quest to capture and subdue Ripper is over!"

*The fans give a mixed reaction as many do prefer him to Jordan.*

MTMT: "Jordan finally caught Ripper?"

Ventura: "A competent man would have caught him the first day! Jordan was afraid. I bet Ripper slipped on the wet floor and hurt his back."

Jordan: "Yes, I beat my nemesis, and I did not do it alone! No, it was not MJ Windsor who helped me. I have a ton of friends, and one finally got sick of Ripper's antics and agreed to help me. Actually, this guy was not so much a friend, but a hired gun. However, anyone who gets Ripper out of my hair is a friend to me. He is my newest teammate and ally in the AWA!"

*The fans wait in anticipation as Jordan raises a finger.*

Jordan: "Now before anyone jumps the gun, this man is not in the Connection. The Connection is forever and always a two-man force. The greatness of Anthony Jordan and MJ Windsor will never be diluted by outsiders. However, we do other things with our lives. I stepped aside and let MJ handle little Draven, and I am fine with him amassing his little army. So it goes without saying, and I did not ask him, that he will be fine with my latest business associate."

*Jordan pauses for a second before continuing.*

Jordan: "So without further adieu, allow me to introduce who plucked the thorn known as Ripper out of the King of the AWA's paw!"

*Theme music unexpectedly hits as Jordan and the fans turn to the ramp. Who is it?*

**The one responding knows who he is. Please don't interrupt.**

[Gregory "Ripper" Kennedy]

:: As the fans of the AWA look towards the entrance ramp to see who the lights dim the familiar sight of the biomechanical images begins to flash on the screen getting faster and faster along with the music. The titantron explodes with a rain of sparks as Switchback v5 reaches its peak accompanied by the shout of “I’M RIPPER!” The footage of Ripper begins to roll on the titantron along with the interlaced biomechanical design that was prevalent in the beginning of the video. ::

Jesse: “So much for having Ripper out of your hair.

MTMT: “It would seem that AJ was a bit far ahead of himself.”

:: Sure enough out onto stage walks Ripper himself. He is sporting his usual black jeans and black shirt. Draped over his shoulder is the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. ::

Jesse: “Where the hell did Ripper get that? What did that brute do to MJW?!”

MTMT: “He seems to have taken back what he believes to be his.

:: Ripper reaches up and takes of his sunglasses and smiles. He adjusts the title on his shoulder and begins his walk down to the ring. Fans still aren’t quite sure how to react to the new Ripper. He however, does slap hands with the few who still lean over the guard rails for the chance to touch the hardcore legend. ::

MTMT: “The fans are unsure of this version of Ripper. They miss the Ripper that they were used to.”

Jesse: “Well I for one do not miss that Ripper.”

MTMT: “You never were a fan of his.”

Jesse: “I can’t believe I had to share this booth with him.”

:: Ripper eventually reaches the bottom of the ramp and stops to smirk up to AJ who has kept a gaze with Ripper all this time. Ripper continues towards the steps and walks up them before ducking under the top rope and entering the ring with Anthony Jordan. The fans begins to cheer seeing these two long time rivals in the ring. ::

MTMT: “Even the mere chance of these two coming to blows has these fans in a frenzy. “

Jesse: “Maybe they can injure each other enough so that we don’t have to deal with them.”

:: Ripper reaches into his jean pockets and pulls out a microphone as his music fades and the lights come back up in the arena::

Ripper: “Now I suppose a lot of you will have a few questions. ‘Why are you out here?’ ‘Why do you have the AWA heavyweight title? Again.’ ‘What’s this Anthony Jordan is saying about you having been beaten of him.’”

:: The fans cheer as these are indeed some of the questions they are asking. ::

Ripper: “Well the fact of the matter is that I can answer a lot of these questions right now and I can answer them quite simply.

:: As he says that Ripper slides the World Heavyweight title down into his hand and he holds it out to AJ. AJ reaches forward and goes to take it however, Ripper holds firm before eventually releasing. The fans are silent throughout this entire process as they are unsure what to think. ::

MTMT: “What the hell is going on?”

Jesse: “I’ve almost reached level twelve.”

MTMT: “Put that down!”

Ripper: “Judging by your stunned silence I can guess that most of you are still confused as to what just happened. To tell you the truth I ain’t so surprised. The fact of the matter is that the man AJ got to get rid of Ripper for him. Is none other than...”

:: The fans are silent as they wait for the answer. Ripper simply smirks. ::

Ripper: “Ripper.”

:: The fans begin to chatter loudly not sure what this means and whether it is good news or bad news. ::

Ripper: “You see the fact of the matter is that times have changed. People have left. People have come. New people are on the top and I’m starting with nowhere to go. So I made the most of a bad situation. I let bygones be bygones and I finally buried the hatchet. Well maybe just put it in a hole and kicked some dirt on it. Or maybe just laid it on the ground. Or put it on a high shelf out of reach. The fact of the matter is in this place having someone’s back can lead to great things and great opportunities.”

:: Ripper smiles and nods towards the World Heavyweight title. ::

Ripper: “Speaking of opportunities it occurs to me that our benevolent GM has missed one important thing about the anarchy card. You see I had a no compete clause until July 4th due to health reasons and while I went through the last of my rehab for my knee. That day is tomorrow. And Anarchy is on the sixth and I don’t have a match. Now I’m not demanding a match be made. All I’m saying is that I will be at Anarchy. And I will be fighting someone. With...or without a match.”

:: Ripper lowers the mic and smiles a somewhat sinister smile and lets Jordan go on with it. Jordan goes to speak however, he is cut off by Ripper::

Ripper: “One last thing. I have brought back someone else to assist us. This man is a former champion. A good friend of mine and will be returning in one weeks time. However, I can still give you an idea of who it is and to that effect. I have cued up his music to be played right now.”

:: As Ripper says that Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit begins to play as the fans cheer. The song only lasts a few seconds however, it is enough to rile the fans up.::

Jesse Ventura: “It couldn’t be.”

MTMT: “I wouldn’t be surprised with Ripper.”