Below is a transcript of the press conference held by CSWA Commissioner Chad Merritt to announce the lineup for CSWA ANNIVERSARY 2000.

Posted September 22, 2000

(Reporters begin to quiet down as CSWA Commissioner Chad Merritt enters the press room inside Greensboro's Merritt Auditorium, the traditional site of CSWA ANNIVERSARY.  Behind him, a banner displaying the ANNIVERSARY 2000 logo shows the new CSWA logo along with A2K: HISTORY.  Merritt is dressed in a dark gray suit and maroon tie.)

"Well, I'm not going to keep you waiting any longer.  Before we start, let me be clear on a few things.  I'm not going to accept any questions following the announcements, and I will not be discussing any ongoing contract negotiations with any past, present or future talent."

"There's also been some speculation that I've been playing word-games...that when I say someone will get a 'title shot' that there is some question as to what I mean.  Hopefully that will all be cleared us as well after I'm done."

"As you saw at SHOWTIME in Santa Fe, Mr. Thomas and I have decided to settle our differences once and for all.  I hope that this 'event' won't overshadow ANNIVERSARY...in fact, I'll be taking steps to make sure it doesn't.  Either way, but the end of that evening, there will be one sole owner of the CSWA, end of story.  I know we've talked about the Merritt/Thomas 'feud' before...in some cases it has been legitimate, in others, it has been an end to a different means.  But let me say it again...either Steve or myself will be gone, once and for all, by the time that night ends.  Rather than stepping in the ring ourselves and risking physical injury, we've decided to let old employees do it for us.  Both Steve and I have assembled a team to compete in our interests.  You saw some of those men at SHOWTIME.  At A2K, we will put the ownership papers of the CSWA above the ring.  One by one, we will introduce the former CSWA personnel into a combination battle royal-ladder match.  Battle royal rules are in effect...if a staffer goes over the top to the floor, they are out of the match.  The first man to use the ladder to reach the ownership papers dangling above the ring wins the match, and the CSWA for his team captain."

"Of course, I don't think hearing about a Vice-Presidents Battle Royal Ladder Match is why you're all here.  (reporters laugh)  So here's the rest as it is currently set."

"As you also saw at SHOWTIME, former Unified Tag Team Champions The Dark Carnival will face former stablemates Steve Radder and Eddy Love.  If Powers and Apocalypse win, I will lift the hefty fine associated with their suspension.  If there is a pinfall to win the match, the man succesfully getting the pinfall win will receive the next shot at the CSWA World Heavyweight Championship following A2K."

"Some of the newer CSWA talent will face off in a match to determine the next contender for the Greensboro Heavyweight Championship.  I'll announce details later; but the winner of the match will receive a Greensboro Title shot at the first card on the "Swimming Upstream 2000" Tour beginning immediately after ANNIVERSARY."

"It is also my pleasure to announce that the impending nuptials of Cameron Cruise and Mercedes will be held that night.  We're thrilled that Cameron and Mercedes are allowing the CSWA and our fans to be a part of their special event."

"After the INDY2K match between The Dark Carnival, SWAT Team and Simply Stunning, I ordered the Unified Tag Team Titles to be vacated.  That situation will be remedied when Simply Stunning and SWAT Team step into the ring to face two other teams in a tag team ladder match.  This time, if for any reason two men come down with the belts, the match will continue between those two teams until there is a pinfall.  The other two teams in the match will be the Hip Hop Express as well as Foreign Exchange, the team made of former Unified Tag Champions Tsunami and Wildstar."  (Some of the reporters begin murmuring at the announcement.)

"There was some question as to what titles the winners of the SHOWTIME six-man tag team match would receive shots at.  Here's the short answer.  Evan Aho will challenge Cardigo Mysterian for the Greensboro Championship.  Aaron Douglas will face off against Presidential Champion Cameron Cruise. That leaves one more winner of that match.  However, I'm using my presidential prerogative to make a little change.  Due to the circumstances of that match, I've decided to do the following.  Tom Adler and Chris Petty will compete against each other.  Their 'partner' in the match, Havoc, will join Blade in challenging Lawrence Stanley for the United States Heavyweight Title in a Triangle match." And in another interesting match, newcomer Johnny Fizzbin will take on former Greensboro Champion Wicked Sight.

"As always, the CSWA reserves the right to change any of the announced matches as circumstances change.  Thank you all for coming."  (The reporters begin to mumble, some even being yelling questions.)

"Oh, that's right...sorry, I must be getting forgetful in my old age...you might want to know the Main Event.  The final match of the night will be for the CSWA World Heavyweight Championship, as you might have suspected.  There were at least five names the Championship Committee suggested, four of which have already been mentioned.  I stepped in and chose one...the man who has defeated champions in recent months, and to be honest, the man that I think the fans want to see in this match.  It's time to see if the stand-out of the past can hold up against the champion of today.  At ANNIVERSARY 2000 here in the Merritt Auditorium, Deacon faces Mike Randalls."

(Merritt walks away from the podium and out of the room, leaving reporters yelling various unanswered questions.)


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