Gladiators (Payne)

[Syrus The Entertainer]

With much spectacle, Syrus Sykes steps out onto the stage as his them plays, complete with the full pyrotechnic flair. The fans in attendance boo till their heart's content as the cocky newcomer makes his way to the squared circle.

Roach: Syrus Sykes has a huge chip on his shoulder. Even after being beaten by Jon Payne he's done nothing but his usual talk all week long trying to gaud Payne into another match here at Only The Strong.

BuZZ: I've been hearing it all myself as well, since I've always got my ear on that kinda stuff. Sykes apparently has some kind of blockbuster announcement, an "offer Payne can't refuse". Payne's had no response though, guess that's why The System is out here tonight.

Standing in the ring now, Sykes puts the mic to his lips...

Jon Payne. Jon Freakin' Payne! You know everywhere I go this past week all I've been hearing is Payne this, Payne that, Payne beat you fair and sqaure last week...blah blah blah. You know what? You're right. You think that makes me humble saying that I got beat 1-2-3 by him of all people? It's happened to the best of 'em you idiots, and it'll keep on happenin' too.

Now, for those who haven't been paying attention, I've been calling out Jon-boy for a rematch, and I want it here tonight. It's not just any old rematch though. This is gonna be a match that is worthy of MY greatness. This is gonna be a match that if you ARE as great as the wrestling critics say you are you have NO CHOICE but to accept. A match fitting of the great coliseums of Rome itself!

I call it the GLADIATOR MATCH!

Roach: Gladiator match?

The rules are simple Payne, no DQ...no rope break and no pins. The only way to win this match is to either make your opponent tap out or to knock him out for a count of ten, LMS style!!!

BuZZ: Where does he come up with these match ideas? Definitely an innovative one there now that I'm hearing it. I don't think Jon Payne would pass that one up.

Yeah...I know that sounds like something up your ally, doesn't it? How about you break the damn silence then! I know you're back there...it's time to handle this, partner! Get yo ass on out here!

[Jon Payne]

"Red Sam" begins to play and after Sykes lays down the challenge, Payne steps out onto the stage. The fans explode at the sight of Jon who greets them all with some waving and pointing. The Itailian contingent begin to "EV-O-LU-TION" before he can even say a word. He smirks as they do so then finally gets the chance to speak.

Syrus, Syrus, Syrus...you know you make it sound like I've been trying to avoid you or something? Why on earth would I do that? See, I'm not one of those guys who just beats you once and then blows you off like you're old news. No no my friend, I'll fight you as many times as you want to and if get lucky or good, more power to you. That's not gonna stop me from coming back for more though.

Looks to me like it's YOU who wants more now. Gladiator match, huh? I gotta admit Sykes, I like your style. See, I've been talking for years about a little something that I like to call "Elevating The Game"...I'm sure you all have heard of it. Something like this, well...it does just that. It pushes the competition to the next level, it makes everyone in the back...what's the phrase? Oh yeah, TAKE NOTICE.

You had to know that I wasn't going to say no...another chance to put my skills on display in yet another match for the great fans of the XWA, and another chance to show everyone that there's a reason why they call me "The Evolution". You see, you might think you have something to prove, but you're not the only one Syrus.

I've got to know who's the absolute best of the best...and there's only one way to prove that fact. It's not trash talking, it's not even winning...it's FIGHTING. It's not backing down and it's rising up to meet whatever challenge that lays in front of you. Right now, I see this-and you-as the next challenge, and you better damn well believe that I'm up for it!

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Nice speech. Really inspirational, man. You should be a head coach or something. You like wrestling's Tony Roberts!

You wanna talk about "Evolution"? You wanna talk about pushing limits? That's the name of my game, dog! See when I'm done with this business or the business is done with me they're gonna say that SYRUS SYKES was the man who changed the way the game is played. I'm like LT, baby...either one of them. You have to adjust your game plan to adapt to the way that I play, otherwise imma be all over you like white on rice.

Last week I got a chance to scout your game firsthand in a real match. You caught me off guard and that's the only reason you came up with the win. You know as well as I do that that match coulda went one way or another. That's a little somethin' somethin' I dig about you...you're a go-getter. When the opportunity knocks you don't just open the door you kick it down. Just like last week, you caught me with my head in la-la land and took advantage. Reminds me of me actually. I mean...this whole thing kinda jumped off because I took advantage and caught YOU off guard, remember that?

Ha Ha...so if all that just wound up waking a sleeping giant, it's only gonna make it all that much more sweeter to knock him down.

Roach: So he's still proud of that cheap shot a few weeks back, huh? This guy...I don't envy him.

[Jon Payne]

Good to see you have your priorities in check Sykes, but I'm not getting knocked down anytime soon. If you can do better in this match than the last two matches we've been in so far then you can say you're going places, but "changing the way the game is played" as you say? That's always been my job and quite frankly I'm pretty damn good at it, so I don't think I need much help there, thanks.

As far as "waking giants", I was never asleep in the first place. I'm the straw that stirs the drink. You step in the ring with me and it's a career changing experience. Why? I'll tell you why. Win or lose I take every man I face to the absolute limit. You beat me and you can say that you EARNED a win because I don't lay down for anyone. It just seems to make people realize that there's a high standard to maintain if you wanna even THINK about calling yourself a world class wrestler and for as long as I remember I have met and exceeded that standard.

You bring you're "A-Game", your "Game Face", whatever adjectives you wanna come up with to psych yourself up Syrus, hell you can even bring..."Attack Force Delta"!!! When the dust settles tonight, we'll see if that's gonna be enough for you. In the meantime I think it's safe to say that IT...IS...

*raises the mic to the crowd for them to finish*

ON!!!

Roach: So a "Gladiator Match" tonight between Payne and Sykes here at OTS. This is going to be a good one.

BuZZ: Might not settle a damn thing though, but hey...we haven't seen a bad match yet between these two so I'm all for it!