And so it begins....again. Another chance to be on top of a mountain. Not THE mountain, but a very prestigious one in its own right. And on the very first official night of being on that mountain top, you get to stand face to face with the man who stands on top of the one mountain that's bigger than yours. The man on top of THE mountain. The World Champion. Yet the champion is more occupied with a bottle of tequila and a figment of his imagination than facing the man who when last they met in the ring, left him bloodied, beaten, and only by your mercy, with his title still around his waist. The same title that you hold now. Such is the dilemma of your All-Star champion, Ronnie McNeil.


On this steaming afternoon in the city of Birmingham, we find our champion discussing business with his brother at their gym, 4Q. Both men have just finished a training session with the intermediate class of wrestling students, and are going over some numbers in the office.

JW: Man...those students are getting better every session. I'd say about in another week or so, they'll be ready for the advanced class.

RM: Looking at them today, I still say they need a little more time, and Jacob doesn't have the money to hire any new talent. It sucks on a lot of levels, but what can we do...this is the hand we've been dealt.

JW: Not entirely accurate, brother. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I think that if we do this, we can really make a difference, not only for our pockets, but for these kids out here.

RM: I already know where you're going, and no, James. I want no part of starting a fed. It's too much of a hassle if you don't have the cash or the fan base, and while business is good, neither you nor I can afford to take that kind of risk right now.

JW: Who said anything about starting our own fed? Jacob wants to sell a piece of his.

RM: How big a piece?

JW: Half. He needs someone with business savvy to handle the financial and other business aspects, while he handles the talent and creative.

RM: No. Not interested.

JW: Why not? It's a good deal.

RM: James...Jacob does a good job of things over there, but I don't think we should be getting into the promotion side of the business. We have our place in this...we train the kids. We give them a base to work from, expand their repertoire of moves, and when they leave here, they're more than capable of succeeding in any fed they go to. Besides, would you trust anyone else to run this place besides me while you're out with Jacob handling business?

JW: No, not really. We have a good group of trainers, but I can't say that I'd want to only be in here every few weeks like you are.

RM: And I don't trust anyone else but you to run this place. I agree with you on the opportunity, but what we gain in a company, we'd lose by sacrificing the spirit and sacrifice we both put into opening and running this place. We have the same vision....I doubt anyone you or I could bring in would run this place the way we would.

JW: I know...I guess I want our kids to have more chances to get out there and make it. I never really thought about how it would hurt those who are just coming in, or those who haven't got it all together yet.

RM: But don't fear little bro...once things pick up a bit, me, you, Jacob, and Toya can sit down and look at this thing from all angles. I wouldn't mind taking another crack at ownership, and who better to do it with than my brother.

JW: Now that's the Ronnie I know and love. Speaking of knowing and loving...I'm proud of you man. I knew you could get that title. Three time All-Star Champion. ANd at Havoc you'll be facing the world champ...you're on fire right now.

RM: It's nice to be a champion again brother...and facing Eddie should be a great match...but his mind nor his heart will be in it. I don't think he can handle being THE guy. I think it will break him, like it has broken so many others. It takes a special breed of man to be the standard bearer of a company, and so far, Ed's falling way short of that standard.

JW: You would think he'd be partying it up, or training hard, or at least be happy about it, but it doesn't seem like he even cares at all.

RM: Yeah...which means I'm gonna have to be on my toes at all times when the bell rings.

JW: If he even shows up.

RM: I have no doubt that he'll show up. That's still Ed, depression, delusion, or otherwise. He'll be there. And I intend on beating him when he does get there. He may be focused on Ringmaster, or whatever else...but I'm focused on him. I want this win. I'll only prove what you and I already know...that the World title is there for me to take.

JW: What about Ringmaster? Aren't you gonna be in that?

RM: Yeah, I'll be there. Two time Ringmaster champion has a beautiful ring to it, but it's not time for that. One show at a time, bro.

JW: That's wassup bro. Now...let's get back to these figures...


As the two brothers go over the books, you kind of get a sense that this is the corner that he feels he needed to turn in order to reach the ultimate goal. Being a champion again only strengthens his resolve that he can once again be the World Champion. Beating Eddie at Havoc will show everyone else he can be that as well. Ringmaster may be in view, but not yet...more important business is at hand....