Dave stretched his long legs out in front of himself and locking his fingers put them behind his head so that he could relax even though these chairs they put around ringside were not really made for a man his size. Lazily his eyes followed the action in the ring as Paul; worked through some moves with some of the younger guys. Since coming to Smackdown he had become much more relaxed and had begun offering his time to anyone who asked but specifically to the younger wrestlers.

Dave knew that somewhere nearby Rand was lurking with his little followers, but wasn't really concerned with their presence. Mark wasn't around this weekend… apparently the little woman had demanded his presence. Dave couldn't help but smile knowing the fit Randy must have thrown when he found out that he was second place to a woman in Mark's life. The Deadman was in for doing some serious ass kissing before he would get his lover to forgive him for this one. Dave almost felt sorry for the older man, but with the crap he'd been putting Paul through somehow he resisted the urge.

Feeling someone sitting next to him, Dave turned his head to see Teddy Long the General Manager. Smiling friendly Dave nodded at the man he'd found to be a welcomed change after dealing with Eric's bullshit on Raw for so long. Finally he had someone to deal with that knew what ethics and morals were and was someone that he could respect. Teddy was someone that he could trust with not only his career, but Paul's as well and that was important to him. He wasn't about to let anyone jerk his baby around let alone some egotistical jackass who thought he was something because of accomplishments from another company. "Playa I got somethin' to run by you." Teddy started and Dave again nodded shifting mentally into business mode.

"We got a couple new factions startin' around here, Playa', but so far they're both heel factions and I am thinkin' that I need somethin' to counter them. So I have decided that I want a face faction and I would like for you to be the leader. I don't much care who you choose. Randy's group is pretty much set in stone and I am sure you are aware that Paul wants to have MNM in his, but I'm not sure who his fourth is. Whatever you decide is fine with me, Playa, just let me know."

After Teddy left Dave relaxed again stroking his chin considering his options. He was well aware of who Paul had in mind because they'd had many discussions about it over the last several weeks turning over possibilities and adding and discarding names. They'd talked about bringing in Snitsky from Raw or adding the new man Ken Kennedy but Gene had been too valuable for Eric to give up and Kennedy was… well… was just too annoying. Finally it had been Sylvain they'd settled on and were considering Paul London. They agreed that Paul should be able to use the Evolution name given he had created it to begin with that way they wouldn't have to come up with an idea of what to call this new group.

Randy's group was… a little odd. Randy had brought in Nunzio and his pal Vito along with Simon Dean and developed a loose connection with the Mexicools making them at least on air something to watch out for. Dave however was quite happy with Randy's choices because unbeknownst to Randy he had quietly become friends with Juvi who had agreed to give him any news on Randy's comings and goings outside the ring that he could.

The thought of leading his own group was something he'd never considered and felt his lips curving into what he was sure must be a goofy looking grin. He saw Paul move to lean on the ropes looking at him with one eyebrow lifted but Dave's mind moved onto the possibilities of whom he would want on his side. Benny was of course the first person that came to mind. It would give his group a depth and versatility that he would need. Once his title reign came to an end Benny would be an excellent choice for the next title contender.

Spanky on the other hand was another easy choice not only because it would give him his own Cruiserweight contender, but he already had a friendship with the man. Sean O'Haire had been dating Brian better known as Spanky for quite some time now and Sean just happened to be one of Dave's closest friends. Dave loved having Spanky around and had been trying to come up with a way to ensure his friend was better utilized this time around without making it look like he was being handed something he had not worked for. A spot in one of the three factions was the PERFECT opportunity for Brian to shine.

Dave saw Stevie bounce into the ring and pull down Spanky's trunks which set the others in motion turning the ring into a chaotic romper room. Laughing Dave shook his head as he watched Paul hurry out of the ring and make his way over. Stevie Richards… Psycho Stevie… The man was harmless and incredibly complex. His years with Scott Levy had not done the poor man much good and Dave couldn't help but feel for him. He'd always felt that Stevie was much more talented than people gave him credit for and Dave had to admit that his protective instincts were screaming at him to bring Stevie into his circle of protection, but he doubted even a spot in a popular faction would push him into a title contention. At least though it would give him some new friends to hang out with and people to look out for him.

Looking over his choices Dave realized this left him with a gap in his fledgling group. He needed a shining star… someone up and coming whom he could help give that final boost they needed to grasp a hold onto the main event ring. As Paul took a seat next to Dave resting his arm on his shoulders, Jason Reso hit the ring screaming to Stevie that he was coming to his rescue in the mock battle against the newbie's. Suddenly it was as if everything had clicked into place.

Recently he had promised both Chris Irvine and Adam Copeland that he would look after Jason now that he was pretty much on his own especially now that Chris had left the WWE. Most would think that Benny would have been their go to man, but Dave knew that there was real tension between the men and Jason would never trust Benny enough to let him look out for him… at least not without some coaxing.

Once upon a time the four men (Jason, Chris, Adam, and Benny) had been close friends, but when Adam and Benny found themselves falling in love despite the relationship Adam was already in with Jason there had been a permanent rift formed in the group. Personally Adam wasn't Dave's absolute favorite person in the world, but even he had to admit that he and Benny were very much in love. He felt for Jason though and wondered about the happy façade that the man always seemed to have on. There was a look in his eyes that Dave suspected was the pain of his friends' betrayal… something Dave suspected still ran deeper than just the cold anger he showed towards his once close friend, Benny.

Before Chris left the company he'd come to see Dave and begged him to watch out for Jason. His friend's relationship with his childhood friend, Adam, was almost as strained as the relationship with Benny and Chris was worried that Jason would drift into loneliness and depression. Dave however was damned if he was going to let that happen.

"What is that look for?"

Reluctantly Dave turned his attention from the ring to Paul who was looking at him expectantly.

"Teddy wants a face faction to counter you and Randy… and he wants me to lead it. I was just considering the possibilities."

Paul slowly grinned then threw his arms around Dave shouting happily and Dave couldn't help but laugh. "Calm down Bevis."

Paul pulled back grinning. "Why so you can act like a fool instead?"

Chuckling Dave nodded and jumped up dancing an impromptu jig. "Hell Yeah!"

"Come on man leave us alone. We were just havin' fun."

Frowning Dave turned to see Randy and his posse had entered the ring and sighed dramatically. "Jesus H Christ Randy I can't turn my back for two seconds without you pulling some stupid shit."

Randy's head whipped around to look at Dave who was now standing with his hands on his hips. "Now you don't REALLY wanna make me get in that ring and kick your little bitchy ass do you? Cause… I am PRETTY sure I could find the motivation to do it if'n I want to."

"If'n? Did you just say if'n?" Dave turned to stick out his tongue at Paul who was laughing at him before moving forward he climb into the ring putting himself between Randy and Co. and the younger wrestlers.

When Jason and Stevie move to stand one on each side of him Dave felt a sense of rightness at the action and turned his head slightly to look to Paul still seated and now holding a thoughtful look on his face. Dave couldn't wait to ask him if the three of them looked as right as it felt.

Once again Dave turned his attention back to Randy who glared at him angrily. "Mark will be back next week and when he gets here you're gonna get it."

Holding his hands up Dave's face twisted into mock fright as the others laughed at his antics. "Oh no Randy PLEASE anything but that! Don't sic your OLD boyfriend on me! His dentures may leave a mark when he bites me!"

As Randy growled blushing with embarrassment Dave stepped forward putting himself chest to chest with the smaller man and lowering his voice spoke so that only the two of them could hear what he was saying. "I guess this means that Marky's already been forgiven for putting his bitch ahead of you huh? Well you know what they say Randall… bring it on! I'll take on your Deadman anytime, anyplace, anyway. I already been to hell and back so I ain't afraid of some ancient, Botox injected, eyeliner wearin' old man who thinks he's supernatural.

"I am very familiar with the things that go bump in the night baby. It's in my heritage… remember? Ya gotta be more than just pretend undead to scare me. I know all about the real thing. So if you're not careful you and your pretend boogieman may find yourselves facing the real thing."

When Randy paled, Dave laughed loudly and stepped back motioning for the youngsters to leave the ring. "Bring it on Randy. I am ready, willing and MORE than able."

When Randy finally left growling threats of retribution, Dave turned his attention back to Paul who the group of the newbie's around him. Sighing he wondered how he was going to protect them all by himself and hoped that he didn't come to regret his actions.