THE LAST MATCH
(August 24th, 2002)
(WWA Summer Heatwave - Madison Square Garden)
Footage from WWA archives is shown of the main event that night in Madison Square Garden.... Chad Columbo defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Darrell Music. Several clips of the match are shown of both men taking wicked shots and incredible falls. In the background, the WWA commentators Mike Myers and John Powers can be heard..
Myers: My god!! These two are just beating the living hell out of each other!!
Powers: I've never seen two men go at it with such brutality for forty five minutes like these two have!
Myers: It's impossible to believe these two were ever friends by looking at them now!
Several more shots of Darrell hitting Chad with a chair ......Darrell throwing The Cracker through a window that he had sent out to ringside.... Darrell leveling Chad with a lariat ... and finally Darrell hitting his trademark Reckoning, then going for the pin. The ref slaps the mat twice and his hand starts to come down for the three, but Chad kicks out!
Powers: I CAN'T BELIEVE HE HAD THE STRENGTH TO KICK OUT OF THAT!!!
Myers: The Champion just will NOT give up that title to his former best friend!!
More clips of the match, but this time it's Chad on the offensive, Chad scoring a DDT on him when he bends over to give a backdrop ... Chad with a incredible show of strength, powerbombing Darrell .... Chad giving his former friend an awe inspiring tilt-a-whirl slam!..... and finally Chad, bloodied and spent, climbing to the top rope and perching there, waiting for Darrell to get up. Darrell staggers to his feet and Chad leaps, hitting his patented Crackerjack!!! He makes the cover and gets the three!
Myers: HE GOT HIM!! But at what cost??? What price has Chad Columbo paid this evening?? He's bloodied to a pulp .... he's going to need medical attention .... what price victory?
The word "VICTORY" echoes several times as we watch a still shot of Chad's bloodied face grimacing in pain. The scene fades...
THE PRESS CONFERENCE
(August 29th, 2002)
(From Chad's home in Orlando, Florida)
A replay of part of the speech Chad Columbo gave on that day in August .... his last act as WWA World Champion....
Chad: It is with deep regret that I announce my retirement from wrestling. The past few years have been the best times of my life. But after this match with Darrell ... a man I came to know and respect ... and love like a brother .... after the pure emotions and energy I've spent not only preparing for that match, but the energy I spent winning that match... I have lost the desire to continue on with my career at this time... thus I officially give up the WWA World Championship ... and announce my temporary retirement from wrestling...
The scene cuts out and goes to shots of headlines from national newspapers such as USA Today and the New York Times with headlines proclaiming "The Icon Retires!" and "The Cracker Calls It Quits!" Then a shot of a young girl wearing a "BOOM!" logo t-shirt with tears in her eyes after hearing the announcement before the scene fades out once more.
THE SOUL SEARCH
(June 29th, 2003)
(From Chad's home in Orlando, Florida)
The scene cuts in to Chad Columbo's den in his beach house in Orlando. The room is lavishly decorated and a trophy case with four world championship belts can be seen. We see Chad, wearing a Tracy McGrady jersey and sweat pants, stretched out on a luxurious sofa watching TV. The television is facing away from the camera, but we hear fans and the murmured chatter of announcers so we can assume it's wrestling. Behind him, the lovely figure of Jessica Beach walks in. Her attire hints that she has been working out recently in Chad's gym. Wearing pink spandex shorts and halter top, her hair is moist with sweat and a towel hangs around her shoulders. She sees what Chad is watching and her jaw drops.
Jessica: Chad? Why are you watching XHW's pay-per-view?
Startled, Chad jumps a bit. With a guilty look on his face he turns to her.
Chad: Well darling ... I was just ... just... keeping an eye on them. Dark Fate has been a great card thus far. They seem like a really strong organization that has been really pulling in the ratings lately and.. well I'm just keeping an eye out for RAWF...
Jessica: Don't give me that garbage Chad ... I know you too well and have seen that look in your eyes before. I know what it means.
Jessica sits down next to Chad and gives him a wistful look.
Jessica: You're ready to go back.
Chad: Huh? What are you talking about Jess?
Jessica: Quit playing dumb Chad, we both know you stink at it. You've got the look of a guy who misses the spotlight .... who misses competing and performing in front of his fans ... and misses being on top of the world.
Chad opens his mouth to protest ... but a look of realization of futility hits him and his scowl turns to a sheepish grin.
Chad: You got me Jess. Hit the nail on the head ... as usual. I hate it when you read me like a book.
Jess leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek. He takes her in his arms and they cuddle up to watch the show. Jess smiles.
Jessica: It's my favorite book Chad. I could read it over and over and never get bored of it.
Chad laughs and gives her a loving squeeze. Then his smile turns to one of deep thought.
Chad: You know hon .... that Hardcore JC may be a prick, but he runs a solid operation. It could just be the place...
Jessica: So call Darrell. He's been itching to get back into the ring ever since you two worked out your differences.
Chad: Yeah ... YEAH! The Icons back in the saddle again!
Jessica: And I bet I know a few guys in RAWF that would like nothing better than to join Icons Unlimited. Things in RAWF are getting hectic anyways with Kit apparently losing her mind and falling in love with that jerk Croc.
Chad: Dirge?
Jessica: Well, sure ... why not? He's a former Icon afterall. But I know another you should call.
Chad: Well ... maybe ... lemme think about it ... going back into wrestling I mean.
Jessica: Sure honey ... you think about it.
They go back to cuddling and watching the show ... Jessica gets a knowing grin on her face as the scene fades out.
THE RETURN
(August 3rd, 2003)
(XHW Destruction from Philadelphia)
A replay of parts of Chad's return to wrestling on XHW Destruction is shown...
"THIS AINT A SONG FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED..."
The first strains of "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi shake the arena to it's foundation and the crowd gets even LOUDER!!
Jason Jackson: What's going on??? What's the big hubub about???
Joe Roberts: Oh, if this is who I think it is??? You'll see what the hubub is all about bub!
And before you know it ... walking through the curtain comes The Icon. Dressed in a white Armani suit, his trademark glasses over his eyes, and Jessica Beach on his arm ... Chad Columbo steps out and flashes a smile to the thousands of Philadelphians in attendance. Jessica, wearing a black mini-dress and high heels, also gives the crowd a smile, melting every male heart in the vicinity. Chad pulls his glasses down to the end of his nose and gives a wink. Pyros go off around the tunnel and the fans scream their approval!
Joe Roberts: CHAD COLUMBO HAS COME TO XHW!!!! THE ICON!! THE CRACKER!!
Jason Jackson: I guess I should be impressed .... I'm not ... but I guess I should be.
The footage skips ahead to part of his adress to the fans.
Chad Columbo: The Icon is here to do that voodoo that only The Icon can do!!! And yes I know I've got to prove myself once again! I know I've got a long ladder to climb and a LOT of great talent to face before I've reached the peak of all peaks! But I've done it before ..... and BY GOD I WILL DO IT AGAIN!!! BOOM!!!
Another jump ahead to Johnny Legend's challenge to The Cracker..
Legend: I mean, you walk in here like you are some big shot .... like you and your merry band of Icons are going to change XHW .... like you plan on some big takeover. Well, I'm here to tell you .... you aren't going to last even ONE WEEK!! Because I'm challenging you to a match next week!!!
The crowd cheers, urging Chad to accept. He chuckles and lifts the mic.
Chad: First of all sparky, when I said I would start at the bottom of the mountain and work my way to the top, I didn't think I'd have to start with the guy who sells snow cones in the sewer!
Johnny gets a irate look on his face as the crowd laughs at his expense.
Chad: Second of all, if what you want is a match with The Icon ... Mr. Legend is it? Then BOOM! Just like that, you got it!!!!
The words "you got it!" echo as the scene fades away...
And now we come to the present .... the scene is out back of the arena just minutes after Destruction. Chad and Jessica are being mobbed by fans as they are trying to work their way toward the limousine waiting to take them to their hotel. Chad is all smiles as he autographs a few programs for a couple of young XHW fans. From out of the crowd, fighting his way through, comes Mark Williams.
Mark: CHAD! CHAD COLUMBO! A few words with you if I may?
Chad: Of course sparky! It would be my pleasure!
Mark: Thank God! I've been trying to interview you guys from Icons Unlimited all night, but Darrell Music didn't want anything to do with me, I couldn't catch up with Kahuna, and Dirge had his Russian bodyguard throw me out of his luxury box before I could even utter a request!
Chad: Don't worry about it Mark. Those guys will talk to you when they are ready. But let's seek some high ground shall we?
Quick as a cat, Chad vaults himself up onto the hood of the limo and helps Mark do the same. Jessica gets into the limo (after giving one more fan an autograph) and disappears from sight. Mark and Chad climb up on the roof of the limo and the fans crowd in closer. Chad gives them his trademark grin and turns to Mark.
Mark: Chad, it's been almost a year since you last stepped into the squared circle. For awhile there it seemed we would never see you in wrestling again! When exactly did you come to the conclusion that you wanted to come back.
Chad: Well sparky .... it was about an hour ago in that ring.
Mark: But.... Oh, I get it! You weren't completely sure it was the right thing to do until you got out among those fans and heard their support for you.
Chad: No Marko, that's not when it hit me.
Mark: Huh? But then ... WHEN did it hit you?
Chad pauses before responding..
Chad: When I looked into the eyes of Johnny Legend and saw the look of a hungry man ready to take aim at the bullseye that is The Cracker!!! I've seen that same look many times in my career. When he stared me down in that ring it was like that old feeling came right back ... the feeling of having to once again prove myself to someone. The fans, I love them, but to them I have nothing to prove. They KNOW what I'm all about. But guys like Johnny Legend .... Rayne Phoenix .... Joe Taylor .... Castor Troy... they have NO idea what they are looking at when they see The Icon. They see a prima donna who runs his mouth and has an ego the size of Mount Everest. Now granted, I DO have an ego the size of Mount McKinley ... but Everest is a little much.
The crowd laughs and Mark chuckles a bit.
Chad: But I digress! It was the fact that Johnny went out of his way to come out and face me man to man .... it was the thrill of having one more guy wanting to make a name for himself by challenging The Icon right off the starting gate that made me finally feel like .... like it's time to STRUT, CUT, AND BOOM!!!!
The crowd gathered around the limo let out a hearty "BOOOM!"
Mark: Well, I could ask you questions all night, I've got so many ... but I guess the most important one is ... what do you have in store for Johnny Legend?
Chad: (singing to the tune of that great oldies song "Johnny Angel") Oh Johnny Legennnnnnd, oh how I'll beat youuuuuuu.
Another round of laughter from the crowd.
Chad: Heh ... forget it, that song was before our time anyways. But seriously Johnny, here's the scoop! You've got balls, that much is obvious. You came out and stood face to face with The Icon and told him straight out what was on your mind. For that I can respect you. And I can't even fault you for referring to yourself as Legend since I can't prove that it isn't your god given name. But if you firmly and truly believe that you ARE a legend? Well sparky ... The Cracker is going to wake you up from your fantasy next week!!! On August tenth, I'm going to walk that ramp once again ... I'm going to climb into that squared circle and show you what a REAL legend is!! Johnny, you won a tough match tonight and you better savor it for all it's worth .... because next week you won't have that warm fuzzy feeling anymore .... you'll be putting ice on every inch of your body and thinking "damn ... he IS The Icon!!!"
The fans around the limo start chanting "Cracker ... Cracker ... Cracker!"
Chad: And Johnny boy, I said it to you once tonight, but just in case you were ignoring me .. or the fans were too loud for you to hear me ... I'm going to say it again.
Chad looks over the crowd, smiles and looks back into the camera.
Chad: Never ..... NEVER ..... underestimate the power of The Cracker! BOOM!!!!
The sunroof of the limo opens up and Chad blows the fans a kiss, slips through the open hatchway and disappears. Mark realizes he's still on top of a vehicle that is getting ready to move out and he scrambles off just in time. The limo pulls away with the fans screaming behind it. The scene fades out...
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