Carlos applies to become the Mastodon's new protégé. However the process proves to have more roadblocks than the rookie had first surmised, namely a mandatory match with Morgan's former protégé Bryce Barrigan. Morgan and Bryce share some quality time together imposing their wills on the naive rookie.

There is a cohesive quality to the team's dynamic; Bryce and Cruise find the same sadistic humor in harming their incapable opponent. The duo seems to enjoy shit talking the ignorant jobber every bit as much as slamming, stretching, and pounding him; they feed off one another escalating the match to its brutal climax.