Scene One

*Stardust wins! Stardust retains the Breakout championship!*

So is the call as a dejected and defeated Dean Malenko slumps out of the ring and drags his beaten self up the entrance ramp of Wrestlemania and leaves the grandest stage of them all a loser. In a recorded interview after the match Todd Grisham is standing backstage, microphone in hand. A dejected looking Malenko appears in the scene, sweat still dripping down his torso.

Todd Grisham: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me at this time, is Dean Malenko. Dean, first off commiserations on your defeat, I know how much your EBWF Wrestlemania meant to you, I can only imagine how bad you must feel after tasting defeat.

*The Stoic Shooter* Dean Malenko: No Todd... you can not imagine how I am feeling right now. You can not come close to imagining how broken, how devastated I am. That match... was everything. It was Wrestlemania, it was the focal point of my return. It was my first pay per view match in the EBWF, my first title shot and my first Wrestlemania match. It was meant to be my moment. Tonight was the night... and I... lost. I lost. I was beaten by... A DAMN CIRCUS FREAK!

Malenko raises his voice and seems ready to snap before lowering his head into his hands and somewhat composing himself.

*The Stoic Shooter* Dean Malenko: What now, Todd? How the hell am I supposed to ever show my face after losing to him. A kid with his damn face painted! At Wrestlemania!?

Malenko is suddenly stopped as he begins to hold the back of his head, seemingly wincing in pain.

Todd Grisham: Uh, are you alright Dean?

*The Stoic Shooter* Dean Malenko: Huh? What? Uh, yeah, fine, what do you want?

Todd Grisham: Well Dean, again, my sincere commiserations but it sure isn't the end for you here, it was just your second match after all. Surely you will get more opportunities.

*The Stoic Shooter* Dean Malenko: You don't understand Grisham. How would you? It's not just about the title, it's not just about the opportunity, it's the credibility. I got beaten by a freak, how can I show my face again... they'll laugh at me, they'll taunt me... and the boys, I'll lose their respect. This is over. It's over for me.

Malenko is again cut off as he holds his temple and begins to lose his balance, falling to his knees. A couple of backstage employees rush in to help Malenko to his feet and out of the scene. Leaving a concerned looking Grisham alone.

Todd Grisham: Well ladies and gentlemen, Dean Malenko is clearly suffering the effects of his match, I can only speculate that he may have picked up a concussion in his match. We all wish him well if that is the case. Thank you for joining me in this post Wrestlemania interview.

Scene Two

The scene is the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada where EBWF fans are eagerly awaiting the night's Warfare. Suddenly the lights go out and there are confused cheers from the crowd, a deep, imposing voice comes over the announce system

*IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS DARKNESS*

There is a further pause as the audience raise their phones and lighters to provide light sources.

*BUT AS LONG AS THERE IS DARKNESS, THERE WILL BE LIGHT*

*AND AS LONG AS THERE IS EVIL THERE WILL BE SERVANTS OF TRUTH JUSTICE*

As the voice fades a spotlight is placed on the top of the entrance ramp. "Flight of the Valkyries" begins to play for over 20 seconds. As that fades out, the music cuts to the chorus of "Immortals" by Fallout Boy. A small, stocky figure appears in the spotlight. The figure is wearing a gold coloured mask which covers all of his head bar his mouth area, and features a pronounced black beak. He also wears shoulder pads cased in dark blue feathers, elbow pads with tassles hanging from them, and blue wrestling tights going down to his ankles, with a blue scale design on them. As the figure raises his arms out to the side it is revealed he has huge blue wings between his arms and back. He also wears gold gloves and a belt with a large B logo in the middle. The figure holds the pose for a moment, then makes a sprint to the ring, followed by the spotlight. As he enters the ring, he goes turnbuckle to turnbuckle, triumphantly raising his arms. Finally, the arena lights come on again and the music fades. As the figure stares into the crowd, the deep voice again booms over the announce system.

*YOUR SAVIOUR IS HERE. YOUR SAVIOUR IS BIRDMAN*

"Birdman" is handed a microphone as a confused audience looks on.

*The Immortal* Birdman: AAGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Birdman lets out a visceral, combative roar as he raises his arms and almost convulses with passion. As he begins to speak again it is in a low, raspy, but booming voice.

*The Immortal* Birdman: The Birdman... Has arrived!! For years the EBWF has struggled under the weight of oppression of the inflated egos of mere mortals. For a generation, the universe of noble souls has been crying out for a hero. Your hero has arrived!!

Getting carried away with passion, Birdman runs to the nearest turnbuckle and begins to raise his arms up and down triumphantly.

*The Immortal* Birdman: You asked, and you have received. You hoped, and your collective wish has been granted. In place of your dreams, the immortal Birdman! No more will the masses have their faith betrayed by lower men. Birdman will be your hero. Not the hero you deserve, but the hero you need!

A chant of "Dean Malenko" begins as it becomes clear there is a familiar mortal under the mask of the Birdman.

*The Immortal* Birdman: Dean Malenko was one such mortal, open to imperfection, open to temptation, an imperfect warrior. But for the greater good, many mere mortals must be sacrificed. Their sacrifices are noteworthy, but there is no need to waste tears on their loss, to waste time on their memories. Us higher men, us heroes, must forge a new path! It is a difficult path to travel, but it is a noble one. For the Birdman says, all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare, and immortality is a rare thing indee...

*SHATTERED GLASS*

The Birdman is cut off by the sound of glass shattering and the theme of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Venomous (V2), to a huge crowd reaction. Austin appears in his trademark black ring gear and vest, making his way determinedly into the ring, quickly taking a mircophone and staring down Birdman, who looks to the audience in disbelief.

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: I only got one thing to ask son - What the hell is this crap?!

*The Immortal* Birdman: Steve Austin... Behold with your mortal eyes, I AM THE BIRDMAN!

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: Dean goddamit, you better be joking.

*The Immortal* Birdman: Steve Austin, I have no idea who you are referring to when you speak of "Dean", what you stand in the ring with is the embodiment of perfect justice. I AM THE BIRDMAN!

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: WHAT!? The Birdman!? I was hoping this was some kind of joke, but now I know what's happened, that knock to the head Dean... you've lost your freakin mind!

*The Immortal* Birdman: Austin, know this, if you speak ill of the Birdman you will suffer the consequences.

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: Listen here son, Stone Cold Steve Austin does not get threatened by a freak in a mask. Now here's the thing. I don't give a damn if you want to go around dressing as a bird, I don't give a damn if you want to come out here and prance around in a dress. The problem is that I'm making my EBWF return right here tonight, and I'm teaming with you in a handicap match. Now normally I'd consider myself on the right side of the handicap match when I'm part of the two and not the one. But if you're coming out here like a guy who just got out of a loony bin, I'm having my doubts. And son, one thing is for sure, you are not going to spoil my return. I'm gonna kick Brian Kendrick's ass, and if you get in my way, I'll kick your ass too.

*The Immortal* Birdman: Austin, what you say is correct. Tonight you will have the honour of teaming with the immortal Birdman, in a handicap match no less. Truly, Brian Kendrick is not on the level of the Birdman, but I must cede my concern... that triumphant beginning of a new era will be derailed by the beer swilling peasant who shares the ring with me. Austin, if you stay out of my way, I will do all that is necessary to defeat the young Brian Kendrick. Your assistance will not be necessary, but I welcome you to take a ringside seat and watch the magic that is the Birdman in action.

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: Y'know something... first you were anoying me, now you're starting to piss me off. This night is about Stone Cold, and there ain't nothing that would stop me kicking Kendrick's ass in a one on one match. Kendrick ain't nothing but a vanilla midget... and you, you ain't nothing but a vanilla midget in feathers!

There is a pop from the crowd as Birdman looks around in shock and anger.

*The Immortal* Birdman: You dare disrespect ME!? You dare compare the saviour of the EBWF to what you call... a vanilla midget? Why Austin, were I not your partner, I should have a good mind to end to punish you for your dissension this very moment!

As Birdman becomes lowers his microphone and stands face to face with Austin, attempting to intimidate the Rattlesnake, Austin looks to his right in disbelief, rubbing his chin.

*STUNNER*

Austin delivers a stunner to the Birdman! Birdman flies into the air after the stunner and rolls into a backflip before rolling out of the ring. Austin reaches his arms over the top rope to deliver two middle fingers to the Birdman, before taking back the microphone and looking down the entrance ramp.

*The Rattlesnake* Stone Cold Steve Austin: Brian Kendrick, I hope you're watching carefully, because tonight I've got another stunner waiting for another vanilla midget.

Austin tosses down the microphone and leaves the ring as "Venomous (V2)" starts to play again, with Austin leaving the stage. Birdman drags himself up, looking up to Austin in disgust as the scene fades to black.