We’re backstage, with a shocked and elated Cort Marshall. Jim Black is on hand to congratulate the new champion.

Jim: Ladies and gentlemen may I welcome the new OCW Pride Champion, a certain Cort Marshall!

Cort nods and smiles to the camera.

Jim: Well, a far cry from the mood earlier tonight, isn’t that right?

Cort: No kidding! Whoo, what a rush! I can’t believe it, baby! First singles championship on the first Riot of the season! Forget the scrapyard, I’m going to the pub and getting me some of the world’s FINEST cheap American beer!

Jim laughs.

Jim: I bet. But first, if you could give us some insight on how you captured the title so handily? Pardon the insult, but, uh, you aren’t exactly known for being on the winning end of short matches. Did you come in with any special strategy planned?

Cort: Strategy!? Are you kidding me? Man I don’t even know how I did it! I guess maybe, for once, I just thought I didn’t have anything to lose… and so, for once, I wasn’t a bundle of nerves. Yeah, that’s right, Captain America gets nervous! How could I not? Those ain’t your average dudes out there. And I always psych myself out thinking about the possible implications of matches. I guess this is a lesson in what a cool head can do for you.

Jim: Indeed. Any plans for the title as of yet?

Cort shakes his head.

Cort: I’m just getting over the shock and awe right now, man. You can bet I’ll have some words for everybody next show, but until then--

Suddenly, Christian Shepherd strides onscreen.

Cort: Shep, my man! This big ol’ slab of gold should help give us some credibility for our next tag match.

Shep: What the hell was that, man?

Cort and Jim are surprised.

Jim: What do you mean? He just won the title!

Shep: Yes. He did. But what I find a little funny is that the Cort we saw in that ring tonight wasn’t even close to the Cort we saw at the anniversary show. The Cort who let me down!

Cort is flabbergasted.

Cort: I had a bad night! We all have those. What are you saying?

Shep: I’m saying, I think you might just be messing with me. You might just be getting a little greedy. Who gets the pins? Me. But whose theme do we use? Whose titantron do we use? Who gets the time on TV to ramble on about whatever the hell he wants? Who just won singles gold the week after getting steamrolled in a tag match on Pay-Per-View! 

Shep: I’m saying, you don’t want to work as a team. You’re in it for REAL AMERICAN Cort Marshall and nobody else. You don’t want tag team gold, you want it all to yourself. And that’s bullsh*t. Cause you weren’t the one pulling your weight when we got in the ring against Bunny and Liger. Against CQC. Celebrate all you want, but as far as I’m concerned, you got some explaining to do.

Shep jabs a finger into the belt and storms offscreen. Cort and Jim look at each other in shock, and not the good kind this time.

Jim: Well, at OCW circumstances can change in an instant. Turmoil, it seems, between the members of AWOL.

Cort: I don’t really know what to say. I’m proud to have won the belt, but, you know, always a new thing to deal with. I’m sure we can smooth it over. If you’ll excuse me…

Cort walks off camera after Shepherd.