Promo Segment;

We see Shawn Michaels in street clothes in the ring, his arms draped over the top rope, the arena empty and silent. He speaks, looking into the camera below him.  He speaks softly, his voice carrying and echoing in the arena.

"Teddy Hart and Michael Shane. You wanted a response from me, the showstopper, the main event, the icon, well, here I am. You know it would be easy for me to board a plane, catch up to you boys, and kick your asses all over the WWF. It would be even easier for me to invite you over here to the Heartland, and in the small chance that you might muster up enough spine to actually show up, I would knock your block off right here. But boys, I am in the Hall of Fame for a reason. I have been on the top of this industry for a decade, for a reason. My back has been broken, my head concussed many times, for a reason. I am simply the best. I'm not going to chase down every backyarder with a dream of beating up the icon. Win, lose, or draw, and make no mistake about it, it would be a loss for you, you would get the rub from greatness that you desire. You see Hart, Shane, you have already forgotten more about putting up and taking down rings then I will ever learn. When you have established yourself, when your fingers grasp and claw at the pinnacle, at the top where I stand, then and only then will I step forward and squash your fingers, and your dreams and send you once again tumbling down the ladder of success. It will take better men then you two to knock me off my perch. So, that's it boys, I tell you what, when you capture some gold, say the WWF Tag Team titles, then you will be worthy of my attention, and then I will reconsider your pompous challenge. But I do wish you boys all the best in your efforts to beat up Bret Hart, and his legacy of shame".

Michaels motions for the camera man to cut it off, and we see the picture fade. But then we hear Michaels voice speak again, "wait, turn it back on". Then more forceful a second time, "turn it back on, I'm not done." The camera indeed does come back on and HBK is still in the ring.

"You know what, that was okay, what I had wanted to say, what I discussed with management. But something still bugs me, sticks in my craw about this whole situation. Michael Shane. It's one thing to make a name off of a legacy, to get the rub, wrestling has always been like that. But it's quite another to allie yourself with a Hart, of all people. I can't express to you Michael how disappointed I am, how this slaps me in the face. You didn't need the Heartbreakers to make it big, you have talent all your own. You don't need to work the internet smarks like Annis does because you have more talent then him, and much more charisma. You are taking the easy way out, and it disgusts me. I tell you what, you couple of little shits, I still dont believe you are worthy of stepping in the ring with me, the showstopper, but to tell you the truth, the idea of coming to New York and wiping those stupid smiles off your faces is beginning to grow on me."

Michaels tells the camera man to cut, and this time the camera fades and goes to black.

In-ring Interview:

Joe Aiello is in the ring with Raymond Bingham.

Aiello] Mr. Bingham, an impressive start to the new MAPW campaign for yourself.

Bingham] What did you expect Aiello? For me to lose to a bunch of ham and egger, nobodies in buttshot Midwest? Give me a break, and give me some competition. I am the future of pro wrestling, and the grey beards in charge have been trying to keep the future back so long that it might never get a chance to shine.

Aiello] The future is fine, but lets talk a bit about the past. Specifically, 2003, and your supposed award for WWA Wrestler of the year. What is that all about?

Bingham] What do you mean Joe? I won an award voted on by wrestling journalists as the top performer in the WWA for the year 2003! And I'm almost as proud of that achievement as I am of my PWI Rookie of the Year award from 2001.

Bingham points out his t-shirt which is the PWI 2001 Rookie of the Year Raymond Bingham t-shirt that he seems to have been wearing every day since receiving the award.

Aiello] The WWA suspended operations in 2003, there were no awards given out to my knowledge.

Bingham] Well I would figure that you being a wrestling journalist might be able to keep on top of your own industry, but I guess I was wrong! You are clueless Joe, just like these fans here tonight. But let me clue you in on this fact Joe. Raymond Bingham is sick of waiting for top flight talent to be given to me to beat. There are more ducks here then in a Minnesota fall. So, I'm taking steps into my own hands.

Bingham pulls out a piece of paper from his back pocket and hands it to Aiello.

Bingham] As you can see Joe, that is a current roster of the MAPW. Now I want you Joe to have the privledge of picking my next opponent. I will call out any of these smucks to meet me in the ring next week. Anyone Joe. So who will it be?

Aiello scans the list as the fans shout out various names.

Aiello] Here's a good one. Put your money where your mouth is Mr. Bingham, and step into the ring next week, if Mr. Backlund can make the match, against the Worlds Most Dangerous Man, Ken Shamrock!!

The crowd erupts, but it doesnt seem to phase the cocky Bingham.

Bingham] Excellent choice Joe. Next week I will beat Shamrock. In fact Joe, I will make him tap out to his own hold, the ankle lock, and then I will have to finally be regarded as the top challenger for the MAPW Heavyweight title!

In-ring interview;

Linley Tolbert is in the ring, flanked by Ken Shamrock & Ron Waterman.

Tolbert asks Shamrock first off if he will face the challenge of Raymond Bingham next week, to which Shamrock replies "positively". Then Tolbert tries his best to stir up the competitive juices between these two lethally trained fighters, but gets nothing but statements of mutual respect. The two end up shaking hands and express a desire to work together in the future. Tolbert makes a gagging motion into the camera.

<<< cue "One Big Rush" by Joe Satriani >>>

The commissioner of MAPW Mr. Bob Backlund makes his way to the ring. Inside the ring he has a mic and calls to the back "ladies".

One by one Tylene Buck, Sable, Kimberly Page, Kim Kanner, and Debra McMichaels make their way to the ring. All the ladies are looking lovely in summer dresses and high heels.

Backlund] Ladies first of all..audience, dont they look absolutely marvelous?

The crowd cheers the divas of the MAPW.

Backlund] And each and every one of you is also very intelligent as well as wise to the ways of the wrestling industry. Any of the 5 of you would make a wonderful executive assistant for MAPW. And quite frankly, I would love to see all of you on my staff! But theres only room for one. So, starting next week, three of you will take a turn working as the assistant for a week of Rage. Based on what I know of you so far, as well as your performance in your weeks apprenticeship, we will name a winner. But, as for now, I am afraid that I am going to have to eliminate two of you immediately. The two I have chosen to eliminate from consideration are both lacking in one key aspect that makes a good executive assistant. Two of you have shown by past actions that you do not have loyalty as a core value. So, I am sorry to say that as of today, Sable and Kimberly Page are no longer in the running for the job as executive assistant. I am truly sorry ladies.

The crowd cheers for some reason. Sable is furious and tells off Backlund. While the mic has been turned off so we can't hear the words they are enough to make him turn red in the face. She leaves in a tantrum, while Kim Page crosses her arms and leaves in a snit.

Backlund] Well, thats never pleasant is it? Okay ladies one more thing. When it is not your week, I do request that you do not come to Rage. Just to make sure everything is on the up and up. So, next week we will see you Tylene Buck, as the apprentice to the executive assistant position.

With that each of Kim Kanner, Tylene Buck, and Debra McMichaels take turns giving Backlund a peck on the cheek and exiting the ring.