The Thank You

[Trouble*]

A video package plays on the stadiums titantron, showing a fit of static erupt on the screen. It stops, showing a clear view of Ryan Blaze in his first year of professional wrestling, back down to the canvas with a pool of blood to the right of his head. His forehead is completely busted open and his face is covered in blood. The view of Ryan soon rises up to show one hell of a big man standing victorious over him with a sick grin... A very familiar big man.

The image erases itself from the titantron and 'Wait A Minute' by Danko Jones fires up on the P.A. system. Ryan walks out sporting a pair of dark blue denim jeans and a black XGAMES1 promotional T-Shirt. He hurries on down the ramp to wards the announcers table. Ryan snatches a microphone from the table then climbs into the ring.

LAAADIES AND GEEEENTLEMEEEEEN! Can you believe the first season of XWA is coming to an end already? I know, it snuck up on me too. And since this is the biggest pay-per-view in XWA, I come with a big announcement.

Ryan cuts himself off. He looks out to the crowd and smiles.

See that little video clip that just played? The one off me..pretty much...killed? Well, my announcement involves that. See, last year I challenged a man...A MONSTER...to a match that could very easily end MY wrestling career. And as you can clearly see, I got pulverized in it.

I don't think I ever got a chance to thank this man. See, he beat some sense into me. Before I was a loud mouth, arrogant, in your face cocky rookie...well, I'm still a loud mouth arrogant, inn your face rookie, but now I have a sense of respect for the wrestling business. I owe it all to one man.

I'd like to call this man out and thank him by challenging him to a wrestling match. I know a regular thank you won't cut it, so I have to challenge him to a straight up one-on-one match. In a way, he's like a father to me here in the wrestling business. Sure, he kicked my ass, but he's also tagged with me as well as given me advice backstage on how to up my game.

That's why I'd like to call DRU NEDERMEYER [/size]out.[/b][/color]

[dru]

Punishment by Biohazard hits the PA. The crowd comes alive as one of the true living legends of the business steps out into MSG for the first time ina LOOOOOOONG time. New York shows there appreciation by way of a standing ovation. As he makes his way down to the ring, he bows to the loyal fans of not just him, but XWA. He enters the ring and raises his fists high as the crowd responds with a rawkus "DRU" chant. He nods in approval before making his way to the ropes. Handed a mic of his own, Dru turns and responds to Ryan.

1998. Nine years ago. That was the first time I stepped foot in Madison Square Garden. WWA Battle Blaze. One of it's biggest PPV's. I was two years into this business. It was me and my long time tag team partner, and a man I consider a brother to me Elai "The Prototype" Kalenovic versus two men I learned a great deal from, Sid & Sam Syko...for the WWA World Tag Team Titles. We were a pair of upstart new jacks, they were the grizzled champion veterans, and that night, me and Elai got took to the wood shed. They beat us in every aspect of that match. After that night, it dawned on me that it took more to be a main eventer in this industry then looks, witty catch phrases and a cool looking finisher. It took heart. It took discipline. And above all else, it took the will to MAKE yourself the best. Back then, NOTHING was given to you. You either had what it takes to make it, or you became another passing name in the annals of time.

Dru paces the ring a bit before continuing.

The next time I set foot in this building would be two years later. The night I won the WWA World title by defeating Jack Hammer. A man who had bore through such names as Mr. Showtime Kareem Brown, David Faith and even Yoshi Togo, another man I traveled the world with. Back then, I was 265lbs, compared to his 312. Yep, I was the smaller man in this match. But it was the lessons I learned on honing my skill. Using the abilities I had and NOT trying to go out of my element that won me my first World Title. And I've gone on to with 11 more over the span of 7 companies across the globe. The morale of my little story is that no two men find there path to the top in the business the same way. But in the end, we ALL strive to attain the same thing. It might be fore our own reasons, our own purposes. But we all do this, we all climb into this ring nd bet the holy hell out of each other for one reason.

Because we LOVE this business.

The crowd continues to show there appreciation.

Now Ryan, I've had the privilege of seeing you from the very beginning. The moment you walked out of Roy Weinstein's office with the ink not even dry on you LXW contract yet. Sure, I saw a loud mouth punk who thought he had all the answers. But I also saw a kid who had the tools needed to become a BIG name in this business. But no man sitting atop this industry was led there. They clawed and scratched there way to the top. They paid there dues in tears, blood and broken bones. Even when I was kickin' your ass, you never backed down. You took a shot to the face, got up and kept comin' for more. Same can be said for all your other matches. The brawls you had in TNB, the classics you put on with Evan. It was all flashes of brilliance. And it all comes full circle.

Dru gives him a nod.

I've only said this to tw other men my ENTIRE career. Once to my good friend Yoshi, the other time to Michael Xavier, but it'd be an honor and a privilege to face you in this ring tonight. Because I know you're gonna give your heart and soul when the bell rings. And win or lose, you're NOT gonna make exscuses like any of the other loud mouth punks runnin' around backstage. You want a match Ryan? You've GOT one.

The crowd comes alive from Dru's words. He awaits Ryan's response.

[Trouble*]

You're right, Dru. You're damn right. I will give you my best shot. I won't back down. Even if I lose tonight, Dru, you'll still know I gave it my best shot, and I put my heart into my work. See, in New York last year, my goal was to beat you. I came close, but I still lost. I didn't put any heart into it, I just wanted to make you bleed. I came close, and I probably would have won if I planned ahead and trusted my talent. Now, I'm coming to fight you with my head on straight and I PROMISE...It WILL be a main event caliber match. This match WILL be a match everyone will remember.

What I want? A straight up one on one match to exhibit wrestling talent. It doesn't take talent to smash someone with a chair, to put someone through a table, or to jump off of a ladder. No, that's merely for entertainment value. It does take talent to wrestle a match. That's what I want.

Ryan lowers the microphone and looks at Dru. He nods as the roaring crowd...well...roars..

A simple match. Ryan Blaze vs Dru Nedermeyer.

He lowers the microphone again and extends his hand out to him.

[dru]

Dru responds...

You and me. One on one. Old school style.

He looks out into the crowd.

And we ALL know how I like to do things old school. I'm looking forward to it.

Dru extends his hand to Ryan.

[Trouble*]

Their hands connect and shake as the crowd chants in approval. Ryan steps back, looks out to the crowd and simply smiles.

[primo]

Backstage, Primo watches on a near by monitor. His arms folded. The expression on his face tells the tale. He thinks to himself...

Is THIS one of the men Sabastien enlisted into his fold? This wimpering, blubbering, sentimental lout? Oh no. This will not do. Not at all. Instead of showing the old guard respect, we need to be showing them out the DOOR. No no, Mr. Blaze. I've plans for you this night.

Plans indeed...

Primo walks off to prepare to make his own address for the evening.