Suspended

The camera comes in to the backstage area of Fusion, December 21st. We can hear Kris Sullivan’s theme playing in the background. Shay Hoxton can be seen walking through the halls wearing his jacket and glasses, as well as a black pair of jeans and black pair of cowboy boots. Most importantly, he has a recently shined Anarchy Championship held up on his shoulder. As he’s walking, he can hear something that peaks his interest.

The scene changes, and we see general manager Yuri Sokolov yelling at referee Murphy. While we can see pure anger in Yuri’s face, Murphy shows nothing but confusion and frustration.

I gave you the benefit of the doubt after Requiem because I trusted you! I stuck my neck out for you, telling the investigators that your call was nothing more than a simple mistake! Now a week, just a week later you make a fool out of me on international television!

Murphy shakes his head.

What? No, no you don’t understand, I-

I don’t understand? You screwed Tyson Cage out of his Championship twice! It’s one thing to try to hide it, but tonight you blatantly called for the bell without a submission, then you have to nerve to claim innocence!

Angered by the acquisitions, Murphy bites back.

Excuse me? I’m sorry, but where you out there at Requiem? Where you out there tonight? The damage I saw Tyson Cage take, it was worse than any camera could capture! My call was made to protect Cage, not screw him!

Shay Hoxton walks up to the scene, hand on his championship.

Yuri, mi amigo, is there a problem here?

Sokolov looks at Shay extremely displeased.

Speak of the devil. The cat’s out of the bag, Hoxton. How much did you pay him? $5,000? $10,000?

Shay puts his hand to his heart, betrayed.

I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Sokolov! I’m insulted, truly I am!

Shay holds his title once again and pats Murphy on the back.

After two exceptional calls saving the career of one of your stop superstars, Murphy here deserves a raise, not to be yelled at.

Yuri grinds his teeth.

No, you know what, I’m not putting up with this. Murphy, you’ve seem to forget how important your role here is. I am suspending you as a CMV referee indefinitely without pay, and I’m fining you $25,000 to counteract your payments from Mr. Hoxton! Pack up your items, and get off my show. You can come back once I’ve felt you’ve learnt your lesson. And you…

He looks at Shay.

You’ll take on Joey Diaz on the next show. Good luck keeping your “streak” without a Murphy there to hand you a victory.

Yuri Sokolov turns and walks away from the men, his hand holding his forehead. Murphy shakes his head in disbelief.

I can’t believe it… Everything I’ve done for that man, and this is how he thanks me?

Shay puts his hand on Murphy’s shoulder.

You were only doing what was right.

I did everything I could to call every single match down the middle, and now he’s just going to replace me!

Shay looks Murphy straight in the eye.

Hey! He can’t replace you! You are the golden referee of CMV! No matter who he chooses, they will be nothing more than a yellow crayon in comparison! A man as talented as you, he shouldn’t be cast aside, he should be held high on a pedestal! Yuri might be blind, but think I know what you can do. In fact, I have a proposition.

Shay walks forward, lightly pulling Murphy with him.

Come on, walk with me, I think we can turn this awful situation into a golden opportunity.

The two men walk off screen, and the scene fades to black.