As we went on the air, the arena became dark and Ghost came to the ring.  He looked a little worse for wear after his match with Doomsday this Saturday, but he was still standing and had something to say.

    "Doomsday, we're one and one.  I want the tiebreaker.  Tonight.  And just so you'll feel at home, we'll have it in an Armageddon cage match.  You got the best of me on Saturday, Doomsday, but I'm still standing.  And that means tonight, I will take you down once and for all.  It's armageddon for you Doomsday.  Now all you have to do is show up."

    With that, Ghost dropped the mic and left the ring.

    Ghost vs Doomsday III.  In a cage match with Armageddon rules.  Would we see it?

    Well, we definitely WILL see a big TV Title match.  Zangief vs King Rasta right here tonight, later on in the show.

    A rematch of sorts from Proving Ground.  Proton and Kodiak took the loss to F-X when Clone pinned Kodiak, causing Kodiak to throw another on of his tantrums.  Johnny Proton did his best to calm his partner down, but it looks like it wasn't enough.  So, tonight, The Actor and Proton face off.

    F-X came to the ring first.  Proton followed, but it looked like he'd be alone till Kodiak came right behind him and immediately got in Clone's face, yelling insults and threats.  Clone really didn't seem to care.

    Proton opened up the match with his usual high-flying offense, which ended fairly early when Actor turned one of Proton's high spots into a superplex.  But The Actor's advantage was short lived as, when he ran to the ropes, Kodiak tripped him up, sending him flat onto this face.
    While Proton regained the edge on the inside, Kodiak and Clone brawled in the ringside area, hitting each other with whatever they could find.
    In the ring, Proton and The Actor were having quite a festival of counterwrestling.  It ended when The Actor went for a dropkick from the top rope but was knocked from the sky by a dropkick from Proton.  Johnny then hit a power bomb and a flying elbowdrop.  He went for the cover...
    The ref was distracted by the brawl between Kodiak and Clone, and that gave the Actor ample time to kick out.
    The action spilled back outside - right in the middle of the brawl between Kodiak and Clone.  Proton and Actor both briefly switched dance partners before brawling their way into the ring again.
    On the outside, Clone took a steel chair and whalloped Kodiak in the head with a chair, knocking him cold.  Then, as Proton had Actor in a vertical suplex, Clone tripped Proton up and The Actor crashed right on top of him.

The Actor defeated Johnny Proton via pinfall in 0:11:27.
Rating: *** 1/4

    Kodiak got back to his feet and charged at Clone.  F-X ran to the back, being followed by a chair wielding Kodiak.  But Kodiak stopped midway to the back.  He went back to the ring and grabbed the mic.

    "Clone, I've had enough of you.  You and me, here, TONIGHT!!!"

    Clone breifly appeared in the entranceway, shook his head yes and then disappeared as Kodiak charged him.
    And Proton had no clue what was going on.

    Sky Entertainment Ltd. Director of Personnel, Ron Grayson, has not been too pleased with the performance of Lantern recently.  His won-loss has not been too bad, but there have just been a few miscommunications and screw ups that have pissed Grayson off.
    Nord Fullstrom, on the other hand, is a little pissed with himself.  He's dropped every match he's been in since he lost the Television Title, even dropping a toughman contest to Kodiak Marmoset.  The Raiders have stood by his side, but that doesn't mean Nord is any happier about the whole situation.
    Ron Grayson came down to the ring with Lantern for this match but then parked himself at the top of the ramp.  He wanted to see if Lantern could get the job done.

    Well, Lantern was doing very well in the opening minutes.  He dazzled big Nord with high-flying maneuvers and Nord was really at a loss as to what he could do.  Dropkicks, spinning kicks, flying bulldogs and shoulders - Lantern was dominating Nord, knocking him down just as soon as he got up.
    Nord finally caught Lantern and planted him with a gorilla press slam.  Nord poured on the power, nearly taking the match with a big spike slam.  Lantern kicked out.  Fullstrom then went for a Nordic Hammer, but Lantern ducked and hit a crucifix for the near fall.
    Lantern again started to speed up, but Nord brought him down with a big boot when Lantern went for a handspring elbow.  He then whipped Lantern into the corner and charged in with an avalance.
    Lantern moved and Nord crashed into the corner.  Lantern leaped onto the turnbuckle and landed the Light Beam for a sudden victory.

Lantern pinned Nord Fullstrom with the Light Beam in 0:07:17.
Rating: 3/4*

    Grayson nodded his approval from the aisle and waited for Lantern.  The two then went back to the dressing room.

    Nord Fullstrom got up - and greeting him was the voice of the SMWA, Nick Jones.

    JONES: Nord, you've been on quite the skid recently and...

    NORD: Shut up, Jones!  Ya, you're right.  I've lost a few.  And it's cause I'm a big, slow brawling piece of crap.  It's time I added a few new wrinkles.  Now get out of my face.

    New wrinkles...what could Nord do?

    Word came from the back on the main event.  Extinct and Doomsday had accepted the challenge, meaning tonight's main event would be an Armageddon Cage match with Doomsday vs Ghost.

    We got confirmation from the back that it was officially signed.  Next up...

    Clone ended Kodiak's undefeated streak and then pinned him a second time on Saturday at Proving Ground.  Would the third time be the charm for Kodiak?  Could he break the streak?  Or does Clone have his number?

    Well, Kodiak did a number on Clone early on.  He was all over his bigger opponent from the start, brawling him into oblivion.  Kodiak went up top and went for a flying cross body press.  He hit it and got a two count.  Kodiak then locked in a figure four and Clone was writhing in pain.
    Kodiak kept up the high speed offense until Clone was finally able to lift Kodiak over his head and plant him in the ring. Clone then left the ring for a broom but, upon entering the ring, Kodiak hit him with a jawbreaker, putting the match firmly back in his favour.
    Kodiak went for and early kill and tried to hit The Finisher, but Clone ducked out of the way and countered with a Toka leg trip.  Climbing to the top rope, Clone then hit Kodiak with a frog splash - the same move he had used to beat Kodiak before.
    1...
    2.....
    NO!!! Kodiak kicked out and, when he got to his feet, tackled Clone and beat the hell out of him.  The time for wrestling was over.
    Kodiak then climbed the top ropes, looking to deliver the final blow.  The Actor had different ideas as he pushed Kodiak off of the buckles.  Kodiak hit the mat with a resounding thud...
    The same kind of thud that Clone's boot made with Kodiak's face when Clone hit THE FINISHER!!!

Clone pinned Kodiak Marmoset with the Finisher in 0:12:46.
Rating: **** 1/4

    Johnny Proton jumped into the ring and Clone and The Actor escaped.  Proton then helped Kodiak to his feet.
    Kodiak shrugged Proton off and then SLAPPED HIM IN THE FACE "WHERE WERE YOU, HUH???  WHERE WERE YOU???"
    Proton tried to calm Kodiak down, but Kodiak would hear none of it.  He was yelling and cursing, Proton's name coming up every sentence or two.  But rather than confront Kodiak or try to defend himself, Johnny took the insults and tried to calm Kodiak down.
    Kodiak, pissed off, stormed out of the ring without Proton.
    Give Johnny credit.  Even though he was being verbally undressed by Kodiak, he kept his cool and tried to calm his friend down.
    But I wonder if Kodiak cares?

    El Stingray and Ultimate Spider weigh in at just under 350 lbs.  Highland Hell weigh 705 combined.  Stingray and Spider would have to hit and run in this contest or, simply put, they were dead.
    The new Toughman Champion Stingray is at home in a tag team setting, however, and has formed some great teams with wrestlers of all sizes, from Terry Sky to Titan Tim.  Would he and Spider be able to gel and beat the two giant Highlanders?  We were about to find out.
    In the war between The Raiders and Sky Entertainment Ltd., this would be an interesting one.

    Hamish Mactavish, who weighs more than both Spider and Stingray, started the match off against, well, both men.  Stingray and Spider tagged so quickly that Hamish couldn't keep track of which Raider was in the ring.  Stingray and Spider dazzled Hamish with flips, dropkicks and mat skills at a speed that Hamish just couldn't keep up with.  Spider kept hitting his trademark springboard attacks, while Stingray ducked and dodged and flipped and did everything he could to confuse Hamish.  Slowly, but surely, Stingray and Spider were breaking Hamish down.
    Until Angus entered the ring and clobbered Stingray.  A tag was made...
    And Angus recieved pretty much the same.  Stingray and Spider just wouldn't let up.  Angus took a spill to the outside and was nailed by Spider's Flying Tarantula.  Stingray then jumped off the ring apron with something that looked like and enzuigiri and Spider then hit a Tope Con Hilo.
    Spider and Stingray were just awesome.
    Back in the ring, Hamish regained somewhat of an advantage for Highland Hell, powerslamming Stingray  to counter a flying attack of some sort.  Hamish nearly put Stingray away with a Diamond Cutter, while Angus almost got the submission with a Scottish Breaker.  Almost.  Stingray just kept getting up.  Eventually, he made a dazzling tag to Spider.  Hamish lifted Stingray up for a backdrop and Stingray simply planted both feet on Hamish's shoulders and jumped to his corner to make the tag!!!
    Spider came in and started hitting Hamish with some beautiful moves.  But a Frankensteiner just wasn't a good idea.  Hamish spiked Spider down to the mat and tossed him outside.
    There, The Flying Scotsman started laying the boots to Stingray outside the ring.  To his aid came the other tag team combination in the Raiders, Steelworks.
    Marshall and Emerson did a number on the Scotsman as Spider got back into the ring and made a tag to Stingray.  Hamish saw his friend getting assaulted outside the ring and jumped outside.  Angus, the legal man, focused his attack on Stingray.  However, he never saw Emerson toss a chair to Spider, who scalled the ropes and hit Angus with a flying chair shot.  Stingray climbed the other turnbuckles and hit the SuperStar Press.

The Raiders (El Stingray and Ultimate Spider) defeated Highland Hell when Stingray pinned Wallace with the Superstar Press in 0:18:08.
Rating: *****

    What a great match and great debut for Stingray and Spider.  To punctuate their exit, they hit Hamish with a double plancha dropkick and left with Steelworks.

    We'd have a commercial, but the war would then continue as...

    The newest member of Sky Entertainment Ltd., the one Ron Grayson brought in "for the kids" would be facing off against the hottest Raider around, and possibly the hottest wrestler in the SMWA at the moment, West Bronco.  Should be a good one.  Of course, we can expect both stables to get involved in one way or the other.

    Clepto took the offensive early.  He hit a few high-impact moves on Bronco, not letting up.  Clepto's strategy held true.  Hit big move after big move and don't let your opponent mount any sort of offense.  Unfortunately, that's just what Bronco did, brawling his way back into the match.  Clepto couldn't get his offense going after that.
    Sky Entertainment Ltd. came down to ringside and briefly distracted the ref, allowing Terry Sky to storm the ring and nail Bronco with a big superkick.  A Diamond Cutter seconds later by Clepto nearly ended the bout right there.
    The Raiders then came down to ringside to make sure that Sky Entertainment Ltd. would not interfere.  The rest of the match would be fought by Clepto and West.
    Clepto kept up the offense, but Bronco had his moments.  Finally, Clepto charged into a corner with a big avalanche.  Bronco rebounded with an elbow that rocked Clepto and then hit the clown with a rana for the pin.

West Bronco pinned Clepto the Clown after a rana in 0:09:29.
Rating: ***

    The Raiders didn't stick around, and we saw just enough of Sky Entertainment Ltd. leaving to see Terry Sky questioning Ron Grayson about Clepto.
    "That's what you want to give the kids, Grayson?"

    And Sky Entertainment disappeared into the back.

    Well, this is somewhat of a dream match.  Of course, we have seen it before.
    Last year at Thanksgiving Thunder, King Rasta held off the challenge of Zangief for the very same Television Title.  But they were different men.
    Zangief last year had just ended relations with the Doomsday Hunters and had lost a little bit of his career direction.  This was Zangief before he had the fire put under him by Chad Hillsman, a Zangief that wasn't quite ready to become World Champ.
    Rasta was a bit more fun loving and a lot wackier.  Sure, he was still hardcore, but not nearly as vicious or ruthless as he is now.  Rasta last year was a Rasta who never had the rage put into him by Skarzz, Saul Masters and the Sins.
    So, although we've seen this match before, it was with two different wrestlers.

    Before the bout started, however, the familiar guitar chords of the Star Spangled Banner started up and The All-Americans came down to ringside to do a little commentary.  They slid on the headsets and sat down for the match to come.
    However, Chad and Gunloc better not try anything.  The referee for this match was "Jumbo" Jack Flap, and he wouldn't put up with crap from anybody.

    Zangief took the early lead in this matchup, choping, kicking and punching Zangief into oblivion.  An early power bomb put Rasta at a huge disadvantage, but he still fought back.
    Zangief tried to hit Rasta with a side suplex, but Rasta showed us his incredible agility and managed to counter the move with a flying headscissors takedown.  Rasta then poured on an attack of his own, mixing power moves with flying clotheslines and kneedrops.  Zangief was at a loss.
    Rasta hit a Samoan Drop and then hit another flying kneedrop from the top rope.  Two count.  He perched Zangief up top and delivered a thunderous belly-to-belly superplex for another two count.
    One thing about Zangief - he's tough.
    Rasta kept up his offense with a flying lariat. He then hit Zangief with a running powerslam.  Then another.  Then one more.  THREE running powerslams!!!  Rasta hooked a leg and made the pin.
    1...
    2.....
    NO!!!  Zangief raised a shoulder.  Rasta then whipped Zangief to the ropes and went for a backdrop.  From out of nowhere, Zangief picked Rasta up and hit a Spinning Piledriver a la Mike Haggar.  Both men were down but Zangief recovered first, leveling Rasta with a big lariat.
    Zangief kept the power up, hitting Rasta with all sorts of suplexes and a devastating powerslam.  Rasta was then locked into a Zangief clawhold.
    Rasta was losing consciousness but, just as it looked like he would go out, he hit Zangief with a very stiff low blow.  Zangief crumpled in a heap.  Rasta then hit Zangief with a sliding kick that sent the Russian to the outside.
    Rasta jumped off of the ring apron with a flying elbowdrop, but Zangief moved out of the way.  He was about to resume his attack when a TV monitor flew off of the broadcast table and hit him in the back of the head.
    It was thrown by Chad Hillsman.
    Zangief made a dive at the All-Americans and it looked like all would be lost.  Jumbo Jack had different ideas.
    Rather than end the match right there, he ordered The All-Americans back to the dressing room.  Gunloc and Hillsman were irate, but when Jumbo threatened them with fines and a suspension, Gunloc and Hillsman backed down.
    As this mess was happening, Grant Redstone made his way to ringside with a steel chair and he hit Rasta in the back.  Jumbo saw that and then gave Redstone the same treatment he gave The All-Americans, booting him to the backstage area as well.
    Whatever the ending of the match would be, it would be clean.
    The action went back into the ring where Zangief tried to hit the Siberian Bear Crusher.  Bobby the Monkey squeaked and hollered and distracted Zangief just long enough for Rasta to counter with a backdrop.  Rasta then leveled Zangief with a powerslam and went up top for the Dread Lock Drop.  Zangief fell against the ropes and Rasta fell onto them.  Both men were down on the mat.
    Rasta made the first move.  He tried to hit an inverted power bomb.  Zangief blocked it and nailed a faceslam.  Rasta staggered up to his feet and right into Zangief, who kicked him in the stomach and hit the Siberian Bear Crusher.
    Jumbo counted.
    1...
    2.....
    3!!!

Zangief pinned King Rasta with the Siberian Bear Crusher in 0:17:25.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Zangief won the SMWA Television Title.)

    What a match!!!  Zanigef picks up his third singles title in the SMWA!!!
    Rasta was obviously disappointed, but he did the sportsmanlike thing.  He gave Zangief the belt, shook his hand and left the ring.
    But you could tell Rasta sure didn't like it.

    We went to a commercial as the cage was built for our main event.  To pass the time, we saw clips from the previous Ghost vs Doomsday matches.  We saw Ghost pin Doomsday at Back Street Brawl and nearly get his face caved in.  We saw Ghost beating the PXM and getting involved in PXM vs Major Force matches.  We saw Doomsday defeating Ghost with the Armageddon on Saturday.  What would we see tonight?

    And, on a sub note, Jack Slade had made his way into the arena.  He's got an announcement to make to Mike Haggar.  Speculation runs rampant as to what that could be.

RING ANNOUNCER: Ladies and Gentlemen.  This contest is an Armageddon Cage match.  It is scheduled for one fall.

RA: First, being led down the aisle by Extinct and the Philadelphia X-Treme Machine...  From the Ashes of  the Armageddon.... Weighing in at four hundred pounds.... DOOMSDAY!!!

    Though a few fans have warmed to Doomsday since he has set himself up against Skarzz and Saul Masters, the majority of the fans greeted the Green Monster with boos and various food projectiles.  Doomsday is certainly not a fan favourite.
    And the PXM at ringside?  How would they figure in to this match?  If Ghost somehow does come out on top, he'll have to go through Battle and Burnz.  It could be rough night.

RA: His opponent.... From the Northwestern United States.... Weighing in at two hundred and thirty four pounds... GHOST!!!

    The crowd exploded.  Ghost's tough as nails style has earned him many points with the fans, and setting yourself up against Extinct and the Doomsday Hunters is a surefire way to get cheers.  Not that Ghost cared.

    The rules for an Armageddon cage match are simple.  The two wrestlers are attached to each other by a big steel cable that is connected between two steel gauntlet.  You are tied to your opponent in pretty much unbreakable bonds.  And with a steel cage surrounding the ring, there is no escape.
    And when you're tied to a monster like Doomsday, that's a daunting task.  I wonder if Ghost saw it that way?

    The referee attached gauntlets to each man and the brawl was on.
    Being attached to a man as powerful as Doomsday, Ghost had no choice but to start fast.  He immediately hit Doomsday with a thrust kick to the head.  Jumping on Doomsday's back, Ghost took the steel cable and wrapped it around Doomsday's throat, trying to choke the monster down.
    Call it ferocity, call it desperation, but Ghost wasn't going to go down twice in a row.
    Not that Doomsday cared.  He managed to unwrap the cable from his throat and then jackrabbited Ghost off of his back.  But Ghost kept it up.  He tangled Doomsday's feet up in the steel cable and took him down.  He pulled off all of the tricks he could to keep Doomsday off  balance.  But with Doomsday, off balance isn't nearly enough.
    Ghost climbed the ropes and tried to hit a flying bodypress.  Doomsday caught him and launched him head first into the cage.  First blood was drawn.
    Doomsday then flattened Ghost with a spinning power bomb and planted him with a choke slam.  Taking Ghost upstairs, Doomsday hit the Death from Above choke slam, which was the set up for the Armageddon.
    Doomsday hit the move and decided enough was enough.
    1...
    2....
    NO!!!  Ghost kicked out.  Doomsday didn't seem to care, however.  He took Ghost and wrapped his arms around his waist, trying to crush him with a bearhug.  Ghost fought and fought, but he just couldn't escape the hold.
    It was at this point that Saul Masters appeared in the aisle, making his way towards ringside.  The PXM saw Masters and charged him.  But from behind the curtain came MAJOR FORCE!!!  Grater and Skarzz leveled the PXM and beat them to a pulp.  Extinct saw this and rushed to their aid, but Masters leveled him with a thrust kick to the head.  Masters then took a pair of handcuffs out of his jacket and handed them to Grater and Skarzz.
    Major Force walked the PXM down to the ring and handcuffed them to the side of the cage.  Then Grater and Skarzz, in what was a frightening sight, scaled the cage togehter.
    Inside the ring, Ghost was still locked in a bearhug, still fighting to get free.  Grater was first into the ring and the first to attack, nailing Doomsday with a vicious Tenderizer elbow to the back of the head, causing him to release the hold.  Grater then leveled Doomsday with another running elbow.
    Skarzz then came into the ring an lifted up Ghost as Grater held Doomsday down.
    Ghost kicked Doomsday in the head!!!
    Ghost, Doomsday and Skarzz were all assaulting Doomsday together!!!
    The referee tried to stop this beating, but Grater simply grabbed him by the shirt and yelled at him.
    "This match is no DQ, so this is all legal and your damn zebra ass can't do a thing about it, so shut up and count when it's time!!!"
    And the ref didn't protest any more after that particular exchange.
    Skarzz picked Doomsday up and hit him with the Skarring.  Doomsday slowly got to his feet.  Grater hit Doomsday with a Doomsday Tornado.  Still, Doomsday would not stay down.  Finally, Major Force hit Doomsday with the double waistlock suplex.  Grater held Doomsday's arms, Skarzz held his legs.  Ghost climbed the turnbuckle.  He hit Doomsday with a shooting star press.  Grater yelled at the referee to count.
    1...
    2....
    3!!!

Armageddon Cage Match:
Ghost pinned Doomsday after a shooting star press in 0:13:31.
Rating: ** 1/2

    The ref gave Ghost the keys to the shackles and unlocked him.  But Ghost then locked Doomsday up to the other side of the cage and Major Force and Ghost beat him down.  The trio finally left the ring and walked by a screaming PXM and a still unconscious Extinct.  Saul Master grabbed the mic.

    "Tonight, we have witnessed the first step to the destruction of the Doomsday Hunters.  We have witnessed an ascension to power.  We have witnessed Ghost becoming the next member of Major Force.  Extinct, enjoy what you have while you still have it, because with these three men at my side, your days are numbered.  Doomsday Hunters...prepare for your Armageddon!!!"

    Ghost is officially a member of Major Force!!!  WOW!!! Ghost, Skarzz and Grater.  Who will be able to stop THAT trio!

    Look out SMWA.

    Officials took down the cage and unchained The PXM and Doomsday during the commercial break.  As we waited for the cage to come down, we saw videotape of the weeks leading up to Proving Ground and the Mike Haggar vs Jack Slade situation.
    We saw Cody's continued insults.  We saw Mike and Jessica keeping secrets from Jack.  We saw Slade nearly hitting Jessica with a chair.  Attacks by Simply the Best.  Haggar asking Slade if he can trust him.  Jack Slade's rescue of Haggar during last Massacre's tag team match.
    And we saw the end of the match on Saturday where Slade, after saving Haggar from a Jerry Kent chair shot, was rolled up and pinned by Rick Clark.
    With all that in mind, what was Jack Slade going to do tonight.

    Slade came out to the ring first, a very sullen expression on his face.  Whatever he was about to tell us, it didn't look like it'd be good news.  He grabbed the mic.

    "I told everybody I had to come out here and say something, and I'll get to it.  But I don't feel right addressing Mike and Jessica without them here.  So, Mike, Jess, I know you're in the back.  I need you down here for this.  Please."

    Slade's voice was shaky, like he was on the edge of a breakdown.  Mike and Jessica Haggar did come down to ringside, concerned looks on both of their faces.  They entered the ring and Haggar tried to ask Jack what was wrong.  Jack cut him off.

    "Just let me do this, Mike.  Okay?"

    Slade took a deep breath, then started.

    "When I came to the SMWA about four years ago...well, being in the SMWA,  it was something I never even dreamed of when I was in Detroit.  Hell, I started wrestling to keep me off the streets.  I never thought it would lead me here."
    "I show up and, right after my first match, I'm already making enemies.  Sarge X comes up to me and offers to be my manager.  I said no, and then I had Sarge, Titan Tim, Alexander "The Grater" and El Stingray about to kick my ass."
    "But then, from out of nowhere comes a guy I had only seen on TV.  Mike Haggar.  Mike Haggar walks into that dressing room and saves my ass.  And the rest was history."

    A smiled crossed Haggar's face.  Jack tried not to notice.

    "We fought off the Platoon, the Doomsday Hunters, The Scorpion and just about everybody else that threatened to take over this place.  We watched each other's backs and were always there for each other.  And at some point during all that fighting, your daughter and me fell in love.  Mike, I don't mind telling you - back then, it truly was a dream come true."

    Back then?  The crowd was growing progressively more quiet.  Slade kept talking.

    "Mike, I appreciate everything you've done for me.  You've been there for me when I thought that this punk from Detroit would be fighting off the entire fed by himself.  It was appreciated."
    "But the past few months have been Hell.  Doomsday came back and I became his target.  Jerry Kent jumps down my throat because he thinks that you're pulling strings in the front office to get me big matches.  Charlie Angel ends up thinking I'm some sort of Second Coming because you took me under your wing.  And then Cody comes along, out of your past, and causes me to lose the only gold I've had since I've got here.  And he joins Simply the Best and we almost come to blows."
    "I hate to say this, Mike, but in a weird way, Jerry Kent was right.  I've been in your shadow.  As much as I've fought alongside you, it always seemed like I was fighting for you.  And even over the summer, when all of this crap was happening and you were busy with your own career, my career couldn't go a single day without the name 'Haggar' somehow coming up.  Everything I've done has in one way or another involved you.  My greatest accomplishments have come because I was Mike Haggar's little protégé.  The poor kid stuck in his shadow."

    The smile had left Haggar's face.  Now he looked concerned.

    "Mike, you've been the best friend I've ever had.  You've always been willing to stick your neck out for me, and I'd like to think you feel the same way.  But when I came to the SMWA, I made a promise to myself that I would reach the top, no matter what was in my way..  And there's no way I can do that while people are sticking me in your shadow."
    "Mike... you don't know how much it hurts me to say this.  But I don't think I have any other choice.  I appreciate your friendship and all the help you've given me more than you'll ever know.  But I can't keep doing this.  I have a promise to keep to myself, and I can't let anything get in my way.  And maybe this is something I shouldn't be saying in front of millions of people, but it has to be said.  I have to get the point across to everybody"
    "Mike... It's been fun.  But it ends right now.  I can't team with you any more, I can't help you anymore, I can't hang with you anymore.  As of right now, the Mike Haggar/Jack Slade partnership is officially over."
    "Sorry, Mike, but it can't work any other way."

    A stunned murmur washed over the crowd.  Jack Slade had just broken his ties to Mike Haggar.  But it didn't come with a steel chair to the head or a violent argument.  Slade simply stated his case and left it at that.  What was going through Mike Haggar's mind right now?
    Picking up the mic, Mike Haggar responded.

    "Wow. I...  I guess there's not much I can say..."
    "Jack, I've always tried to let you be your own wrestler.  I never wanted you to fall into any kind of shadow.  I'm sorry that you did, and I'm sorry it had to come to this.  If this is what you feel you have to do..."
    "Jack, I've always respected you.  I can't say that you haven't been like a son to me.  I don't feel betrayed.  I don't feel mad.  I do feel upset.  It's going to be different without you by my side.  But Jack, more than anything, I feel proud.  I'm proud to have teamed with you, proud to have been your friend and proud to have watched you turn into a man I can admire.  You're a human being in a sport that doesn't let you be human.  I think I respect you more now than I ever have.  If you ever need my help, you have the number.  But somehow, I don't think you'll need it."

    Haggar put his hand out to Slade, tears in his eyes and a smile in his face.  The two shook hands in the middle of the ring and gave one last hug.  Slade was starting to break down, too.   The crowd applauded this display of honesty and emotion.  Jessica came to Jack's side to console him.
    Jack brushed her off.
    For a second, Jack and Jessica both stared at each other.  Jessica then picked up the mic.

    "Jack, I know what you're going through right now.  Let me help you through this, okay?"

    Jack took the mic back.  "I wish it was that simple for us, Jess.  Look, I don't want to do this with all these people watching, okay.  Let's talk someplace else."

    Jessica's face turned ghostly white.  "No, Jack.  You started it out here, we're going to finish whatever it is you're doing out here.  Now."

    Slade took a deep breath and composed himself.  Then he started a speech he hoped he'd never have to make.

    "Jessica, I love you.  You're the first woman I've ever really loved.  You've meant more to me than anybody else in my whole life.  And that's why I really don't want to say what I'm about to say..."

    Both Jack and Jessica had tears going down their faces as Jess took the mic again.

    "You don't have to say it, Jack.  This doesn't have to happen."

    Jack jumped in, his voice breaking with every word.

     "I love you so much it hurts, Jessica.  The way I see it, we're like Romeo and Juliet.  This is the greatest damn love I've ever seen.  But it all comes down to a name.  I just told the world I was ready to succeed without the name "Haggar" attached to mine.  As much as I wish that it was just your dad I had to break away from, I'd be lying to myself if I said that."
    "You might just be the best thing that's ever happened to me.  I love you, but I can't see you anymore.  Jessica, it's over."

    Jessica broke down in the middle of the ring.  Jack tried to keep his composure, but he couldn't hide his tears.  This was tearing him apart inside.

    "I'm sorry, Jess.  Just close your eyes and I'll be on my way, okay?"

    "I don't think I can, Jack."

    Jessica and Jack locked eyes.  They gave each other one last look, one last hug, one last kiss.  Time seemed to stand still and the crowd still couldn't believe what they had just seen.

    Jack Slade left the ring, head down, his face red with tears.  Mike Haggar comforted his daughter in the ring, doing the best a father could do.

    Jack Slade has broken up with Haggar...both of them.