The Shoot Club (Houston)

[Gravedigger]

They actually came against the same person. His name is Griffin. I only know him by the one name. Like me he is a big SOB that dominated his foes. We both spent years hearing about each other's exploits before a fight was finally set up between the two of us.

The first fight was a close one. Back and forth, both of us landing huge shots. Late in the fight he caught he in the left eye, splitting my eyebrow open. Blood rushed into my eye, and that was enough for Griffin to get the advantage and get the win.

The rematch wasn't for nearly a year. Griffin felt he didn't have anything to prove to me and refused the second fight for months. The only reason I got him back in there with me was by offering him a guaranteed 50% of the take instead of the usual winner take all.

That second fight was another good one. Griffin came at me hard once again, but I was the hungrier fighter in that day. He caught me hard a few times, but I was too much for him. I got him with a clean shot to the to ribs, and when he doubled over he left his head exposed. That was all I needed and knocked his ass out...

The take, even at 50/50, was so big that night that I left the scene. I wasn't much for the limelight so I got a job with a friend I met when I had a fight in Chicago. He gave me a job digging graves. When he helped me get my first wrestling job I took my ring name from that job, to make sure I remembered where I came from. It took time, but I eventually warmed up to the fame associated with the wrestling business, but even in my success in wrestling I made myself stay humble. Keeping perspective in life is a key to true success in my humble opinion...

[Mike Powers]

You can tell the measure of a man from how he responds to failure, just as much as he responds to success.  You lost a battle, while Griffin lost a war.  Digger, the way I view TCW and my club is this:  the week to week matchups are the battles, and the TCW Championship is the war.  I understand that we may not go 13-0 this season....but I fully EXPECT to be the last team standing when the smoke clears, and the war is over.  Nothing less is acceptable in my eyes.....nothing.  Do you think you can you handle that sort of pressure? 

[Gravedigger]

Yes, because my philosophy is the same. Making money is great, but I'm here to win. I could get rich all sorts of places, but TCW is where I'll get the competition I crave, the kind that will drive me to be the best version of myself, one that doesn't just sit back and collect checks. I want that fire from the old days back, and TCW is the match to light it....

[Mike Powers]

Gentlemen, this has been an incredibly tough decision.  So many qualified applicants, but at the end of the day, only one can get the job.  I can't believe I'm going to say this but.....congratulations Pancakes AKA Stoner.

[Stoner]

Whooo boy.  I'm breaking out the strawberry syrup tonight.

So lets get to work.  As I said before, I'm thinking of setting up shop in Houston.

[Mike Powers]

Scott told me to call you "Pancakes"....?

Anyway, I've looked into the Houston area.  It is a large market city, so it offers a larger facility, but at a higher price.  There is a 8,000 seat facility located near Reliant stadium at a cost of $4.5 million per year.  There is a 10,000 seat facility located near the heart of downtown Houston, and that has as price of $6.5 million per season.

This comes out of the "incentives" budget.

[Stoner]

Lets take the 8,000 seater for 4.5 million a year.  Gives us some room to play with as far as hiring people to work for us.  Not to mention with that little room we can charge more for concessions such as the Pancake-Sausage on a Stick.

But we're going to need to hire someone to help these guys learn to fight, right?  Lets get this guy Spike in here.

[Mike Powers]

Yo! Nice office, smells like maple syrup though. 

[Stoner]

EATING A PLATE OF WAFFLES, ANOTHER PLATE IN ACROSS FROM MY DESK.  STEAM RISING FROM THE FRESHLY COOKED CONFECTION

Hey there how's it going?  My name's Stoner and you like the kind of guy I'd like to have training my team.  What are you looking for as far as prospects for a team?  And what is your position on a delicious plate of waffles?

[Mike Powers]

Give me a team, and I'll whip them into shape, no matter who they are.  And pancakes are chick food....nothing but carbs.  Fair warning, I'm closing in on a deal with The Militia.

[Stoner]

Stoner stares wide eyed.

You...  Dislike pancakes....

Ms. Davis, could you escort Spike out of the office and get a hold of Brandon Wayne for me?

[Mike Powers]

Hey there, what can I do for you? 

[Stoner]

Mr. Wayne I'm looking for a head trainer here in The Shoot Club.  I'm looking for someone with a history of being able to mess someone up good while being able to score the win.  And just as important as that I'm looking for a trainer with a healthy appetite who isn't afraid to have a good old fashions Texas-Sized French Toast eating contest with me and the fighters. 

If you were our trainer, what would your approach to training our team be?  What would you be looking for in an assistant trainer?  When you order the Grand Slam at Denny's, do you go for the regular or do you order extra pancakes?

[Mike Powers]

I'm Texas born and bred, so I'm not afraid of a few pancakes.  The more the merrier my friend.  In regards to training, I'd look to train the boys from the ground up.  I'd like to see them be good in every part of the ring, from technical abilities, to aerial attacks, to using the 'ole ham hocks.  For an assistant, I'd like someone with experience.  I'm gonna have my hands full getting these kids up to speed, I don't need to be watching out for them at the same time.   

[Stoner]

That's what I'm talking about.  Lets discuss money then.  I like the cut of your jib, and would like to offer 3.5 million for a three year contract. That's a whole lot of syrup.