The Following Events Take Place Off Camera

The Angel Arena was a sight. For years upon years.. over a decade, Professional Wrestling Today has been a staple in the industry. Many times- the PWT would rule the business with an iron fist due to the blue-collar work ethic that the talent the PWT offered. Through The Angel Arena though, was different office rooms, 'The War Room' was where the pre-scheduled meetings before Shockwave or Pay-Per-Views would go off- the booking commity would get together and make sure everything in on pace to go smoothly. Within the walls of The Angel Arena has had the minds of some of the most brilliant in the professional wrestling business- a few minds are currently at work right now. The big comeback of the PWT will prove to be yet another 'rising of the phoenix' moment where it's just too big to pass up and will be brighter than an aerial display on the 4th of July.

"I'm thinking we try a new hand this time around. The industry is changing, with the success of the UFC the people want more realism, especially with how McMahon treated the whole Punk angle." A voice chimmed in from beyond a cup of coffee- a unknown man, probably new on the PWT Creative Team. A bit on the husky side, he wore a snug "I R NOT SMARK" designed shirt- he had his dark brown hair slicked back and had a scruffy looking goatee that looked to NOT be trimmed for a while.

"You've got a point but.." responded a skinnier- more 'wrestling inclined,' smarkish sounding figure.

"But what?"

"We don't have the talent to do that. Our returning roster is thin, hell- it's barely enough to book a damn capable show! Aside of Addams and Stevenson, one could argue even Winterborn, PWT is thin. We need to set a base and then build off of it. What you're proposing is just fucking suicidal!"

The man behind the cup of coffee was named Josh Koda, one of the new hirees of the PWT. The skinny smark? Wesley Rawlings, another new hire. After the PWT went into a state of hybernation the last time, changes were made completely. Johnathan Brooks had 'resigned' for the moment, his status is unknown. What was known is that Christian Michaels had taken over booking duty; he was the head of creative and talent relations now, and he had a great mind for the job. CM was a smart, fair and giving man, he would offer chances to those that he knew could give the PWT it's best effort- something that Koda knew, but Rawlings was still figuring out.

"Look Wes," Koda slipped a pause in between his words as he took a sip from his Starbucks cup. "We've gotta take it out of the ordinary. People hear "Pee- Dubya- Tee" they think of the past. It's not 'Today,' it's last year. This is our chance to make the PWT something special and relevant! Remember when Synergy kicked ass? Or when Seifer was unbeatable? When McCallister and Michaels played The Kilq angle on on camera? That's the stuff we're missing! Natural Selection was a step in the right direction but too many crybabies ruined what could of went down as possibly.. the greatest angle in PWT history!"

Koda had a point- Rawlings knew that. Both men contemplated what to do for a second, up until the door cracked open- allowing a burst of light to shine through. Rocking designer shades, a fitted shirt over his sculptured torso and a pair of jeans, we see the new look "Southern Heartthrob," as both Koda and Rawlings greet.

"Hey boss.." both almost said at the same time."

"'Sup? Yawl got somethin' for the launch yet?"

CM's accent was thick- yet, very clear. He knew that he had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and with PWT being his baby in the sense of the word, he had a lot to do.. Not so much on a managerial level, but more on a 'success level.' Michaels has always had a hand in the booking process for the PWT, but for the first time he controls it directly- no Johnathan Brooks- no Taylor McCallister, everything was on Michaels' shoulders now.

"Ehh.. Still fleshing things out, Chris. We've got a few ideas but nothing concrete.. Yet."

CM didn't look disappointed- but did let off a sigh.

"I'm not tryna be a hard-ass or anythin' but we're on a time-table. I need results and I need them quick. I know I'm askin' a lot due to the unusually thin roster, but you're gettin' paid a lot, so ya know.."

The transition from being 'wrestler' to 'boss' was definitely tough on CM as could be detected from the tone in his voice.. he had a hard time keeping ducks in a row as he was more of an inspirational leader. He would help those lost- not tell them directly what to do, how to do it and expect instant results.

"Definitely understandable Christian.. We're on it." Koda replied- he was the better talker of the two, also the more charismatic as terms of getting ideas into management.

"Aw, isn't this cute?"

Koda and Rawlings exchanged glances as CM broke off bit of a smirk- before turning towards the door-way where a familiar face walked in, carrying that cocky, million dollar grin across his face.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon."

"I didn't expect to see you look like a girl, Michaels. What the hell did you do to yourself.. Did you.."

Reaching a hand out- the man went to 'fluff' the bottom of Michaels' hair- as CM slapped his hand away and pointed his index finger in his direction.

"Don't touch the hair, it costs more than those ink-drops you call tattoos."

With his signature, "HA!" in a completely mocking tone bouncing off the walls due to the office space being for the most part- empty; the man rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to the elbow and shrugged.

".. At least I don't perm my hair. I'd figure your redneck culture would forbid it, then again.. I also thought you were a fool to marry that half-a-slut you called a wife Rhya in the day.. But what do I know, right?"

"Your level of 'prickism' is amazing, ya know that?" snapped CM, he seemed to be a lot more of a 'city slicker' with his responses rather than a good ol' country boy like he's been for a while.

"Of course I do, it's one of the many traits that's made me a star. Anyway, what we've got here? Who the hell are these two? I thought Becca would be here so we could hammer out the details of my return.. I noticed that you've got Stevenson highlighting the show on the 31st.. Can't have that happening for a company I'm the champion of, now can we?"

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief- Koda had to shake his head a few times.

".. Whoa.. Jake?!"

Turning his head slowly towards Josh Koda- the signature 'shaved head' look had disappeared- now, for the first time in almost a decade, his hair was grown out, longer than usual.. a lot longer.

"Yeah, what?"

"Dude- I- Where th-"

Moving towards Koda, Jake stood behind him and put his right hand on his neck.

"Shh. Now, listen. I know that Michaels' brought you in with the thought that you'd be handling everything, and that's cool. People like Stevenson? He needs direction. Addams? Matlock? Randy White.."

Rawlings either didn't know Jake too well, or just had a moment but decided to shout out.. ".. Williams"

"RANDY WHATEVER! My point is, some people need the help. You guys get your crayons and coloring books out, put together a few pretty angles but when it comes to me? Don't worry about it. I don't need a Hollywood writer penning my career, I've got my own publicist I pay. You guys just worry on supplying the 'mid-card' with enough filler to keep people satisifed until the real show hits- the second I step my ass out of that curtain. You've got my blessing, you've also got my support. I bid you well during you tenture here and I hope that Hank Williams Junior over there.." Jake threw a thumb out in CM's direction, "Doesn't add you to his list of future endeavors, 'cause I don't know if you know it or not.."

Whether it was to add a sense of drama or just because Jake wanted to really make them thing- he leaned towards Koda and patted him on the shoulder as Rawling subtly leaned in also.

".. Michaels has a knack of abusing his power.. He likes to come across as a-"

"DUDE! WHAT THE HELL?!" Michaels' sudden lift in volume caught Jake off-guard as he jumped back and put his hands up like a bandit caught by Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. "Could ya possibly NOT be a dick this time around?! I've had to clean up your mess and cover your tracks so much, I'm tired of it already!"

The mood in the room changed suddenly- Koda and Rawlings felt as if they were witnessing something that they shouldn't.  Michaels looked heavily irritated- while Jake? He kept that smug look, which just pushed CM closer to the brink of breaking as Jake shrugged his shoulders non-chantly.

"Actually, that's what I'm here to tell you. Ya see Chris, you know me. We go back to San Antonio.. We're friends right? I mean.. I won't be inviting you and Gabby to Christmas Dinner anytime soon or anything, but me and you.. we're cool right? We're good enough friends for me to tell you that.. You're wrong when you think you're in charge, right? That just because you've got a fancy title next to your name put there by that air-headed bitch who wouldn't know a god damn talented individual if he pissed on her- you're still second fiddle.."

"Ya know.." Michaels finally had enough of Jake's mannerisms, nothing new. The stories regarding Jake and CM butting heads are legendary, especially behind the scenes as both men had a completely different outlook on the business. "I've had enough of you, Jake. Ya think you're bigger than the PWT?!"

With absolutely no hesitation, Jake snapped back. "Yup."

"Ya think you've bigger than the damned industry?!"

"Yup." Jake again hit CM with, as CM chuckled and sighed.

"Well pal, YOU'RE the one that's wrong. See, this time.. there won't be no damn Natural Selection. You guys were given so much freedom, you shot yaself in the foot with it! Nobody wanted to be here cause yawl didn't even had the damn common courtesy to fill the rest of us in on what yawl were gonna do!"

Michaels was all business in his reply, but Jake? He of course looked on, unfazed.

"So? That's Crash TV! That's what the business is now! The reason McMahon is successful is because nobody challenges him, I challenge him! When I'm out there Michaels, I put on a show that NOBODY can top! You can put me in the ring with Obi Wan Fatobi here.." slapping Koda on the shoulder, Jake continued. "And I'd still give you a ratings spike that you couldn't garner in your BEST years. You're good Michaels, you're a good man.. You had a bit of a rough patch with all the 'Sunny Days' bangin' bitches left and right- but you know what? You're good for the business. You're the Yin to my Yang, you're the good- I'm the bad. We know this- but don't think for a solitary second that you of all people are going to tell me what I can and can't do in the same company that I took from ashes.. ASHES and reclaimed as the top of the damn food-chain! If not for Jacob Mitchell the PWT would of been smothered in mediocrity and NOBODY would of taken this place seriously! *I* gave the PWT life, and whether you like it or not *I* control this place's fate. So the best thing you can do?.."

Jake trailed his words off as he moved his hand away from Koda and took a few steps towards Michaels.. Finally standing face to face with The Southern Heartthrob as CM didn't even bother to take off his shades.

"Stay outta my way and let me do what I wanna do. You thought the Jake Mitchell that you knew before was bad? You're about to be introduced to a whole new beast. I'm uncensored, Chris.. I'm unmuzzled and I'll say what I want, when I want. Nobody gives Jake Mitchell a script, I write my own dialouge, thank you very much."

"Jake.. Don't go down this line. Man you're above this.. Don't hurt your career again with this backstage pull nonsense.. Ya-"

With his right foot- Jake scratched an invisible line out with his feet and looked up at CM who just looked disgusted with Jake's behavior as Jake once again shrugged.

"What line? You need to see that as long as I'm champ? I'm the boss. You can put together your little agendas to take the title off of me, but do you really wanna risk giving me even more power, Chris? I'm polarizing as it is, just imagine the damage I could do if a 'screw-job' took away the gold from me because you couldn't control me? It'd be scary enough that I'd be two steps away from walking out on the PWT and dealing it it's biggest blow yet; permanent sleep. You can have the fancy job titles, you can have the office and the bump in your pay. You just keep your ideas, your opinions, and really.. anything that's to do with what I do with the business to yourself. I don't need anybody's help, we both know who the best fucking professional wrestler in the world is.."

Once again Jake- in a completely mocking manner, reached his arm out and dusted off CM's shoulder-

"The first letter of his last name starts with an "Em" but the first of his first name isn't "Cee." You do your job, keep the lamb in order- while the wolf goes out and does what he does best.. Make money, kick ass, cash checks and live life the right way.. Okay.."

Firing off a wink in CM's direction now, Jake nodded his head.

"Boss."

Neither CM.. Koda.. Or Rawlings could explain what had just happened.. Everything went by too quick. Jake's ego.. the one that had got him in trouble for so long had returned, and had returned with a vengence. Instead of trying to sense Jake back into maturity, CM wouldn't bother. He knew Jake was as stubborn as they came and would let Jake live on Cloud 9 until he'd have to be pulled down- but something was different this time. Jake was cocky, both on and off-camera, but the level of arrogance that he emitted was unreal this time around. CM was now beginning to wonder if the 'mature act' Jake had put on during his last run in PWT where he had grown to become somewhat of a leader was just a front to allow him to get into a position of power- then, he would abuse it to his liking? It seemed that way.. And as Jake walked out of The War Room, he opened the door and turned his body to the side a bit, just enough to catch a glimpse of Michaels again.

"Oh, and tell Becca that waiting until the last minute to contact me about anything isn't acceptable. She should learn to take care the apex predators of the company, than worry about getting the bottom-feeders. Randy Wissenheim and John Sheppard isn't going to make you money, just get you insulted by people. You want creditionals? You contact The Prodigal Son.. You know that."

With that said- Jake made his exit, leaving part of PWT's Creative Team.. Speechless.