First Night Back.. Meeting An Old Friend (Invite)

[bgp]

Brandon Payne... known to most people by his professional name "Genesis" walks into the Lounge area. Its been quite a long time since he's been inside. He takes a quick glance around the area and see's that much has changed.

He walks over to a nearby table and has a seat. Not really in the mood for anything to eat or drink. He just wants to come in and relax. As he kicks back in his chair. The entrance door suddenly swings open and in walks a familiar face.

[Chris Lionheart]

Lionheart walks in, wearing his old leather trenchcoat with the tigers on the sides.
Standing before the table at which Genesis sits, he slowly unbuttons this trenchcoat.

Don't worry, this isn't inspired by HUSTLE's Hard Gay.

As Lionheart finishes unbuttoning the leather trenchcoat, and pulls it open, it reveals a multitude of title belts, each no longer active, all wrapped around his abdomen, resting on top of one another.

I feel like I just won the Super J Cup.

Lionheart unhooks the first title belt from around his waist and sets it down on the table. It's faceplate could only be one title.

The TNB Evolution title. This wasn't merged into the TNB Tradition and TNB World titles to make the TNB Undisputed title, like some people thought. I simply held it at the same time as holding the TNB Tradition title, and nothing more. You of all people should know what this tilte was about. It was the Evolution from the old school, traditional type of wrestling. It was the kind of title belt that would have gaurenteed exciting matches, it truely was representative of the 'Evolution of the Cruiserweight Division'.

Lionheart pulls off another title belt, and places it down on the table, alongside the TNB Evolution title. This is a brand new title belt, that no one besides him has ever seen before.

Forget the NEW No Limit's title, which had no limits on the weight class, and no limits on the brutality. Where hardcore extremeists and extreme luchadores clashed inside the squared circle. Forget the Survival title, where matches were timed, or elimination rules, or a combination of both. This 'new' title belt here was going to be the Project-X 'X Belt'. Project X never really got started, which was unfortunate. The 'X Belt' though, was undefined. The idea behind it was that instead of limiting itself to just a belt where cruiserweights and extremists mixed it up; instead of limiting itself to timed or elimination matches... was was the simple 'X' factor which meant it could be any one of those stipulations. But no matter what stipulation was going on, the dark matches that I oversaw were always 'X'...treme.

Lionheart runs his fingers accross both titles.

Evolution...Xtreme. Two physcical belts to represent one 'EX Title'. Lets say you're the Evolution Xtreme champ, Gen. And lets say for the sake of argument that a 'high flyer' took the Evolution title belt from you by pinning you. You'd still have the Xtreme half of the EX Title, and would fight to join the two together again. Meanwhile, you've got your fair share of weapon-freaks gunning for the remaining half of the title.

One assumes that you'd have to be pretty lucky inside the ring in order to join the two halfs back together again and be crowned the 'EX' champion, no? And with high flyers and high impact weapon guys constantly going at it to join the belts together and be crowned 'EX' Champion, that's gotta create some damn-fun matches, no? What do you think of this idea? It will be the first of a few that you'll hear today.

[Chris Lionheart]

Lionheart holds a hand up, realising he'd forgotten to add something.

Wait, I forgot something. Now bear with me, because this idea is a little outside of the box, and it's still in planning stages. As you know, I always like to be original and try things first.

I forgot to mentoin that being the true 'EX' champion, which would mean actually holding both title belts at the same time, would be a special occasion. It'd be like becoming a "grandslam" champion elsewhere or something. The individual holders of the 'Evolution' or 'Xtreme' titles wouldn't be restricted to only competing in high flying matches, or only in Hardcore matches. Instead they would continue to fight in the 'EX' style matches, with the goal of brining the two halfs back together.

You know what I mean?

[bgp]

Hmmm.. Interesting concept you brought up there Chris. Before becoming a wrestler. I used to study the history of professional wrestling. And I must say, I've NEVER heard of a idea like this being used ever !

The idea is great though. Its a great way to show off the talent on the roster. Seeing a hardcore guy face off against a high flyer would make for an intriguing matchup I must say.

Genesis then reaches over and grabs the Evolution Championship. A smile comes across his face as he begins to reflect:

This brings back good memories right here... I remember being the first guy to hold this belt. Even though it only lasted I think 24 hours. It was great to be recognized as its first champion.

Take it from a guy whose busted his tail from literately rock bottom. In order to just scratch and claw my way to the top. In a way, I think if I hadn't started from the pits back in those days. I'd never would've become the wrestler I am today.

The term 'Evolution', on this belt gets tossed around alot lately. But for me, its a great term to describe myself. All I 'evolved' from being a low-class, jobber starting out on the old "Saturday Night" shows to becoming one of the best in this industry.

And believe me buddy when I say this. I'm just getting started. So far, I've only gotten better and better by the year. And 2008 won't be any different.

But, back to the 'new' belt for a second. While everything you have presented to me sounds great and everything. Do you think either Gallas or Blackheart would approve of such a belt being used here ?

And also, didn't you say you also had more idea's you wanted to talk with me about today ?

[Chris Lionheart]

See, that's the thing. Outside of you and me, Kayn, Travis Tyler and of course Prime.... I can't remember one person standing up and taking a shot at the King of Crimson title. That belt has now been made apart of XWA's X-Gen division. But even in it's first year, XWA, nor LXW before it, had a 'Hardcore' title. Neither company have had a 'Cruiserweight' title either. This X-Gen is XWA's first try at both divisions, mashed together. That might work out well, honestly I hope it does.

We've tried things like that, with the Evolution title right at the end of TNB, the No Limits title in NEW. I just think that the dynamic of having the two halves, and trying to capture both at the same time is a better angle for a great idea. But a few of the people I've asked about this don't seem to ''get it''. They don't understand properly, they say they 'sort of understand, but it's confusing'. I guess we won't be seeing an idea like this here in New York. Probably won't see one for a long time to come. But if it crops up anywhere, y'all know who da man who thought it up is.

Lionheart adjusts the now retired King of Crimson title, which is around his waist.

I just find it a shame we can't continue with our previous plan for the King of Crimson title. Although, I'm not through with Prime and his lot yet. I'm sure you aren't either, so I know that there will still be blood split.

If Avenger were still here, we'd have the TNB Undisputed Title, which contained the lineages of the Tradition title and the Pro title, amongst others. Straight up wrestling, that's where it's at, eh?

[bgp]

Primo ! Genesis couldn't help but think back many months ago of his last memory in XWA. Gen, leaving out on a stretcher. A broken and bloody mess. All at the hands of Primo Valiante. Primo nearly ended Payne's career. For weeks afterwards, Genesis was in the hospital. Suffering some severe symptoms of a concusion. So severe, that he in fact went into a coma for almost a month. Having to be fed through a tube for weeks. That wasn't exactly how Genesis pictured his career ending. Coming back to XWA was a perfect opportunity for him to extract his revenge.

.....PRIMO !

That.....bastard !

Genesis just clinches his fist at the very thought of him.

Lionheart... you right ! Your not the only one who's through with Primo. Shortly before coming into New Era Wrestling with you and the others. I was fighting for my life in a hospital bed.

Weeks later. After all the tests were back and the doc's said I was in the clear. I used NEW and later, Project X. As a 'recovering tool' so to speak. Those places was exactly what I needed. The time spent there was more then enough for me to jump on the saddle and ride again.

Its funny that you bring up the TNB Undisputed Championship. While I must agree. That belt means very much to the TNB legacy and every belt that was 'merged' into it. Tradition, United States, Pro, etc. Fact is Chris, the belt, TNB, Avenger, all of those things. Are now in the past brother. Those things are done and over with. Avenger has moved on to other things.

With all due respect to your belt plans and such. My only focus right now is on getting back into the ring and taking Primo out once and for all !

Last time... I was out for his blood

This time...

I'm out for his LIFE !

Genesis then cracks his knuckles as he continues on.

Now.. I'm not sure what kind of plans he has with you. But whatever they are, I'm sure there not good ! While I've spent very little time here before Chris. I did get a taste of what Primo is like. And he seemed more determined then ever to put you out of the business Lionheart.

After this, Genesis reaches down under the table and pulls up a large guitar case. Only whats in the case, is not a guitar ! Gen. opens it up and reveals to Lionheart two, barb-wire covered, baseball bats. One in red, the other in black.

Lionheart... my friend. Lemme introduce you to my two new 'friends'.

Genesis holds up the red baseball bat up.

This here is "Pain" !

Then holds the black baseball bat up.

And this one, is "Retribution" !

Gen. then lays the bats on the table. Then says:

Feel free to use one, or both of these at any time. Besides, if were going to fight Primo. We gotta come in ready for war !

[Chris Lionheart]

Nice to hear we were your 'recovering tool'. Glad to hear you're feeling beter now. Yeah, all those things are in the past, yet here is Genesis back again. You damn cock-a-roach. Only kidding. The half belts were just one idea I had, but we won't neccesarily be seeing it here in XWA. Other ideas of mine, we will be seeing. Season 2 is gonna have a little bit of Lionheart flavouring. Ever since he attacked me at a press conference, bringing me to XWA, I've not let him rest. And I don't intend to moving into season 2. If he wants to come and take me out, he can come right along and try.

So, besides getting some revenge on Prime, why else are you back in XWA, what've you got planned?

[bgp]

Genesis chuckles at the 'cock-a-'roach' remark:

HaHa... well Lion-O. You know what they say. 'You just can't keep a good guy down'.

Just when you think I am gone for good. I keep coming back from the dead, ready for more.

As for my other plans. Well, pretty simple. I wanna rebuild my damaged career reputation and turn over a new leaf. To show the world that I am not a trouble maker. But a real superstar with real talent.

Of course, you know as well as I do. I would love nothing more then to bust my ass again for a chance to hold another World Heavyweight Championship.

There's wrestlers here whom I haven't had the chance to encounter. Both rookies and veterans alike.

Hopefully my friend, when all is said & done. I hope to be recognized as a man whose over come all the odds. Battled through the bad and ugly times. In order to make a successful comeback. A come back, that would put Genesis' thumb print on this industry in a more positive note. Rather then a negative one.

[bgp]

Speaking of plans Chris. Have anything special planned for this season, no ?