Man Of The Hour (Payne)

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Solstice continues on, and then we hear the sound of Bishop Lamont's "The Best" begin to play as the light go low. A man steps out onto the stage, a man who is familiar to the XWA fans by now. Dressed in yet another designer suit he raises his arms to a barrage of pyrotechnics.

Roach: I find it fitting that that this man steps out here with such an explosive introduction.

BuZZ: No way, this introduction can't be any more explosive than the one that Syrus Sykes made last week on TakeDown...

As Syrus heads to the ring, footage replays of his attack on Jon Payne last week, culminating with him using Payne's own finisher on him. Back to the live feed now, Sykes stands in the ring now with mic in hand, taking in the sounds of the LA crowd chanting "Syrus Sucks!" He smirks and shakes his head...

"You know you lying to ya'selves there. So what up Cali? There's some of you out here who know who I am already, but lemme gice the rest of the world a formal introduction. My name is Syrus Sykes. Some call me the best pure athlete in sports entertainment. Some call me "The System" and why, because in this ring I'm like a freakin; machine! All of you though, can call me a man who steps into this set and makes some noise."

*boos*

"Everywhere I go, all I hear is 'you a coward' and 'what are you thinking attacking Jon Payne of all people?' Jon freakin' Payne. "The Evolution". He runs around here like he's the man with his little catchphrases, got all you people in his back pocket too. Go ahead Mr. Cameraman take a look around and peep all the signs all the shirts..."

The camera does just that a the crowd pops at Payne's mention.

"Well I got news for you people. Today IS 'A New Day' because there is a new 'Evolution' in wrestling now, and I AM HE!!! The System is where this business is going and there ain't a damn thing you people or ANYONE in the back can do about it. Just ask Payne after I left him laid out in this very ring last week.

All the buzz though, they all say that I used 'his move'. That's all I hear, 'his move' the PayneKiller. Uh Uh...NOT his move, pahtnah! See that move that he calls the PayneKiller is also what I call the SYSTEM CHECK, and as all you saw last week, as he FELT last week...I do it pretty damn good. You thought that The System was gonna change his format for one guy outta respect? It ain't hap'nin Jackson!

I know the man is in the building..."

*Another big pop*

"...and I KNOW he's got some business tonight, cuz it's the reason I'm out here right now. See I started something last week, but it ain't over till I get you in the ring, Payne. I made one statement in Detroit, here in LA imma make another one by showing you and the world who really is The Next Legend son, so get yo ass down here!"

Lowering his mic, he waits for Payne's arrival.

[Jon Payne]

"Red Sam" begins to play over the PA now and the crowd responds with a resounding cheer as Payne steps out onto the stage. Looking around to the LA crowd he give a nod but then takes off his shades, wearing his "Evolution" T over what looks to be a brand new white and red attire and stares straight in Sykes' direction. He begins to speak with the mic in his hand.

I find it funny how you call this "business", Sykes. See after last week, you didn't make this "business", you didn't even make it personal. What is going to happen tonight for me is going to be pure PLEASURE. As you can see, I'm here dressed to get it on...and that's exactly what I'm gonna do tonight-one on one-against YOU.

You come out here and you talk about how you made a statement last week? Well I agree 110% on that my friend, you made a HUGE statement. You didn't just come out here and spend 20 minutes talking trash like some other people would about who you are and what you've done...you came out here and you drew a line in the sand. Problem is you picked a fight with the wrong guy.

You think this is the first time I've been ambushed form behind. Just rewind to a few short months ago when a couple of British bums punked me out after a match...go back even farther to the night Rock Carmichael powerbombed me after I had him eliminated from the first Pure Championship match and basically handed that belt to Jimmy Ames on a plate, or even FARTHER back to last year in a certain bingo hall where CAREERS were etched in my blood. Yeah, it's been done before, friend...and each and everyone one of them got their just desserts in the end.

See when you're me, you're a target. I have more fans in the stands then I do in the locker room, and why? Because I'm a standard bearer in this business. You can deny it all you want but deep down in the mind of every man who steps into that ring against me he knows that he's going to have to wrestle the match of his frickin' LIFE if he even stands a chance against me...does that make me "unbeatable" like everyone says? No...what it makes me is just plain HARD TO BEAT. Even if you do pull it off, what are you proving to these people, Sykes? Not a damn thing. I hope that you of all people know that one match doesn't define you. Hell, two matches don't define you either...it's a career of matches that does that, and needless to say you started yours in the XWA on a VERY bad note.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

"A bad note?"

Sykes looks around in sarcastic nervousness...

"Nan man...I'd say I'm on the right track, brah. See...I got yo attention didn't I? I got all of these people's attention too. I got the WORLD'S attention as a matter of fact. I did what it is that you say you do all along and that's make people 'take notice'. I couldn't think of a better way to come outta the gates homie, with the exception of beating you here tonight with MY move, the System Check. I know you're familiar with it now ain't you. You had to see all the replays, the pics online, all that.

It's all a matter of 'you can dish it out, but can you take it?' I think the answer is no, Payne. I think that after all this time, all those names, all those matches, tonight you just met yours-MATCH that is. Nah, Nah, I'm selling ma'self short there...I ain't your match, I'm your BETTER. Doesn't matter what it is, wrestling, fighting, whatever...whenever I just simply do it better, point blank simple, man. It's not a matter of being out yo league, I'm just in a better one that's all."

[Jon Payne]

Payne first grins from ear to ear.

The swagger, the style, the what's the word? EGO is it? Yeah, that's about it. You know what, tonight I just made a quantum leap Syrus. Tonight is the night that I realize fully that this business just can't exist without guys like you. Without guys like you who are so full of themselves they have ego oozing out of their ears, who would guys like me have to drop like flies? You're just the latest in a long list of men who think that they're better who I have to prove wrong. To this day only one's gotten away...that's another story entirely though, but as far as you and me goes, you bring "your move" along. The patent is still pending on it right now, and I'm not holding my breath on it, so you go right on ahead.

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, and I've already seen all the so-called "Kings of Controversy" and "Wrestling Saviors" using the very same move in their repertoires, and you know why? Because it's EFFECTIVE. Lord knows I've used it on one of them enough times for him to get the message. Bottom line is that I know that move better than anyone in the WORLD.

For years it's been my calling card, the coup de grace...it's like everyone using the DDT. You know more people use that move nowadays than they use a headlock or a body slam in this business? No matter matter how many variations of it there might come though, no matter how many people use it, it will always be synonymous with the man who INNNOVATED it...and the same thing applies here and now. You can call it "your move" all you want, the only thing I'm interested in right now is hitting you with mine.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

"You gonna get yo chance then, Payne. You gonna get all the opportunity in the world tonight, but I don't think that you can. Yeah...that's right. I don't think that you're even gonna get the chance to hit me with ONE PayneKiller tonight. Let's make this interesting, Jon-boy. Not just a regular match...you like to innovate, right? Let's do it like this then...winner is the first man to hit their finisher. No pins, no tap outs, it's one move that seals the deal here, yours or mine. How bout that, homie? You game?"

BuZZ: Now that's a most interesting kind of challenge right there...Finisher Only! Payne HAS to accept this one.

Roach: I don't doubt that he will Buzzy...

[Jon Payne]

You're on.

Not a moment of hesitation form Payne in response to the challenge. The fans go crazy!

Tonight's gonna be your initiation into the XWA, Sykes. Tonight you're gonna learn the difference between INNOVATORS and IMITATORS.

IT. IS...

and he raises his mic to crowd to finish...

ON!!!

Pointing in Sykes' direction, Payne's theme hits once again as more talking take place off mic.

Roach: That didn't take long. Well...another unique contest, first time done in the XWA tonight, a Finishers Only match! Will Payne get payback or will he get his System Checked once again? We'll find out later tonight!