The next BIG thing (by invite)

[war]

It was a couple of weeks since Samson was last seen on XWA TV after a hard fought loss to the pimp Tiger Jackson. The man got the upper hand that night, but you could trust and believe that Marcus was far from done with him. The situation got him to thinking though. It was about time that big things start to be done in the XWA, maybe even bigger than what it is that he's seen taking place with a new GM and the presence of much of TNB's roster now here in this promotion. He had hit the phones and the email to make this meeting in the XWA Lounge happen days before the "troupe" traveled to Green Bay for the TakeDown Supershow.

He took a seat at a table and waited for his guests to arrive.

[krush]

This was the first time that Kevin Rush was stepping into the Lounge.

Not bad.

He looks around to try and find this guy who had managed to get in contact with him a few days ago. Marcus Samson. The War Machine. He had some potential to him he did, that's the kind of guy that he was interested in hearing out, someone who had something to say about something aside from themselves like he's had the pleasure of beating up (or potentially beating up) since he signed with XWA.

He finally stumbles on Samson and takes a seat across from him.

Marcus? Yeah, how's it going man? This place ain't half bad. You went through a lotta trouble getting at me here, so I hope this is for something good.

[war]

I wouldn't waste your time with anything bad, Rush. I like your style. No nonsense, take no prisoners, kinda reminds me of me, Ha Ha.

He really did remind Marcus of himself. Cut from the same cloth: tough as nails, as strong in will as he was in body. Yeah, this was the kind of guy he was looking for.

We're here for the same reason man, to rise to any challenge and rise through these ranks in XWA. The way I see it we can go it at it alone and have to climb hard or we can work together and give each other a push. You know, watch each other's backs and all.

There's one more guy I'm waiting for to show up. Once he's here I'll get more into details.

[krush]

Watching each others back? It was obvious where this discussion was going.

You'd need someone to watch your back messing around with that pimp. The guy doesn't go anywhere without having 5 or 6 of his "boys" with him, the fuckin' pussy. I hate it when guys have to hire people to do that. When you have someone's back for real, money's not an issue.

I know I'm not gonna need anyone's help this week to kick the snot outta that painted up freak Avenger though. I can't wait for that match man. So who's this third guy we're waiting for?

[war]

Somebody I had an eye on for a while. The guy's got some potential himself, but he's been off doing whatever wherever. Convinced him that he needs to get back into the hunt and that this was the way to do it. He was around for a while at the start but then he just dropped off...he did work a couple matches in one of those other places, then he was here. Still under a contract but you know how fast the show fills up with matches...so he just kicked back until I gave him a holler.

That's him right now...

YO ROCK!!! Long time no see you lazy ass punk!

[rocksolid]

He walks over to the table with a sarcastic smirk on his face.

"Whatever Samson", he says. "So this is the other guy you were talking about, huh? Kevin Rush? Yeah I seen you're first two matches...not bad to shabby performances, even if ya were fighting a stick figure. That MG guy, hah...I thought XWA didn't have any cruiserweights, guess I was wrong."

And so Rock Carmichael has a seat alongside of these two now. Where had he been? Here and there, getting more training done, and also apparently befriending Samson while was on his way to recovery after his near career ending injury. It was clear that the two men were now on the same page, but getting this Rush to buy into the brand? That might be tricky, or might be easy...only one way to find out.

"So, ya call us up here to talk and ya haven't even ordered any drinks!? What a load a' crap..."

[krush]

Nice to see the "brotherly love" going on here. Now, does someone wanna maybe clue me in on what this is about?

[war]

Alright, Alright...hey gorgeous, can we get a pitcher over here? Thanks.

Samson doesn't hesitate to send a friendly wink towards the cute young waitress either.

Now, the plan was for Rock and I to make some noise starting after the PPV, but then I saw you in action, and saw you standing off with that Avenger, and I figured that you just might up to the challenge of helping us. I think it's time to stop resting on the sidelines and take some of that old XWA glory for ourselves and I think it'd be a helluva lot easier to do it as a unit than as individuals.

[krush]

So a stable, or a faction or whatever. That's what you're proposing here? You know if my memory serves me right, the last time both of you were in the ring you wound up on the losing end. What makes you so sure I want to partner up with you?

[rocksolid]

Yeah, this was gonna be tricky. Maybe even a bit loud.

"You think that's what it's all about, Rush? Wins and losses? The best of the best ain't being measured by who they beat. When you were out there jaw-jacking with Avenger I though that you was one a' those guys that was about more than just the record books. Looks like we was wrong, Samson...let's get outta here."

[war]

Wait man, wait. He isn't any less hard-headed than you were when we first met.

Marcus turns his attention fully to Rush now. He was obviously and understandably apprehensive of this. All it took was some convincing.

Now Kev, hear me out man. There's a little something called strength in numbers. You see what's going on out there in the XWA? You got the little French punk running around with his muscled up freaks. You these TNB guys thinking their the best thing to happen to the industry since the head lock. The season might be half way through, but there's still some heavy opportunity to get things done out there. Making a statement is what it's all about, and that's something that I know full well that you can do. Same us or anybody else on the roster.

The difference is that us working together is gonna make the rest of the roster take notice that there's a new force to be reckoned with. Three guys who ain't about the money or the power or the self indulgant pride like the rest of the groups out there. We're about the business. Rock here is about the business. So am I?

What are YOU about, Rush?

[krush]

You boys don't have to bust my chops so much. I was just pulling your chain to see if the dogs would bite. You're damn right I'm about this business. I'm all about the XWA right now. The people that are on top here are gonna be on top of the industry as a whole, that's something that everybody on the damn roster knows for a fact. This place is "the show", and you gotta do what you gotta do to get ahead in a field as big as the one we're in right now.

I get the message that you guys are on a mission, I'd be frickin' retarded if I turned you down. Count me in.

[rocksolid]

And the "dog" lowers his guard suddenly. Naturally, Rock's not the kind of guys who will take too much from someone who is high on themselves without slugging them...good thing that Rush wasn't one of those guys.

Samson was the man with the plan here, so he looks over and waits to see what else he had to say now that Rush is in the fold.

[war]

Pretty simple boys. After the Supershow, we have ourselves Independence Day. Now Kev, win or lose...you're probably gonna want another crack at Avenger, meanwhile Rock and I are gonna answer any challenge that any team comes up with. We'll be watching your back, and you can be watching ours as well.

Sound like a plan gentlemen?