A funny thing pride is...(LionO & Genesis)

[primo]

As the program comes in from a break, Primo stands in the ring. Clad in one of his signature Armani suits, he stands with a smirk on his face, and a mic in hand. As the fans boo him, Primo raises his mic and speaks.

Pride is a funny thing. Pride has started wars. It's ended empires. It's destroyed civilization, and ended institutions. It is indeed the strangest of all sins. But it's a sin in the holy book none the less. It was pride that began this whole thing between myself, Chris Lionheart and Genesis. The pride of TNB wrestling. The pride of defending their honor. And what has it gotten them since all this began? Constant defeat at my hand, that's what. We take into consideration last week.

Primo motions his hand to the Jumbotron, and highlights from last week's Cage match roll.

Credit is due in that they held their own. Dare I say, the had us beaten. A match that favored a pair of unrefined brawlers like them. But low and behold, it was the foolish and selfish pride of Lionheart that costed them victory. A theme that seems to be a recurring one when it comes to them against me. And I'll be honest, I grow tired of it. I grow tired of humiliating you two imbeciles week in and week out. It has to come to an end, as I CERTAINLY have bigger fish to fry. But it's clear that it's going to have to end at my own hand, because the two of you don't know well enough to know when you're out gunned. So here, in Japan, I put an end to this. At Vendetta. It will be another team match. It will be Myself, and Nigel Sledge once again, against the two of you. But it won't be a steel cage match. Not this time. It's going to be something that should be quite symbolic to the two of you.

A FIRST BLOOD match.

A gasp from the crowd...

Buzz: A...tornado tag 1st Blood match??? Has that ever been done?

Roach: No. Not that I know of. That's INSANE!!!

The reaction was just what Primo anticipated.

This leaves the matter of tonight. I'm in the mood for a little exercise. So I'll grant either man, Lionheart OR Genesis a chance to face me one on one tonight. The question is, which one will it be? And will they actually be able to defeat me in a contest where SKILL determines the outcome, and not barbaric brutality? Because tonight's match versus me will be under the match I brought to XWA from Europe...the KING'S ROAD Match.

Roach: Primo??? In King's Road??? That's a challenge no man in their right damn mind would take. He's never lost a King's Road match, dating back to his year long reign of dominance in Europe!

So who's it going to be, gentlemen?

With his sadistic grin, he awaits the answer to his challenge.

[bgp]

A fight eh' ?

Words echoed out of the mouth of Genesis. Stepping out of the shadows of the curtains backstage. How could Genesis resist such a tempting offer. Sure, Primo knocked him down twice already. But Genesis kept getting back up. Call it pride, call it the will to win, call it whatever you like. Primo may have in fact battered & beaten Gen's body to a pulp. But one thing he would never take away from him was his pride !

So Primo, my 'friend'... here we stand once more. Having yet another war of words. Its such a shame now that our epic feud will have to come to an end at Vendetta. I was actually starting to enjoy the ride.

I'll admit.. its hasn't been too much fun losing to the likes of you for last couple of weeks. But if anything has come out of it. Its only made me stronger as a wrestler. Cause you see, those two matches we've had together. Last week and at March Madness were dead close. At any given time, I could've taken you out at the PPV. It was my mistake for letting my guard down. Then last week, Lionheart let me down when we had everything in the bag. But this week... I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen.

I came back to XWA to redeem myself... to cleanse my soul of my demons. One of those demons is you ! When its all said and done... I'll have the last laugh bro. You may have beaten me down pretty good... but it doesn't matter until the final buzzer sounds and the game is officially over. Cause when the time happens. I'll be left standing... you on the other hand.... will be laying flat on your back... in a pool of your own blood. I'll enjoy giving you a taste of your own medicine. Its exactly what you need anyway. I want you to the feel the pain that I've went through. I told you about my time laying in the hospital before at March Madness right ? Well... lets just say that when I am done with you. Your going to feel all the pain, hurt, sorrow, anger, frustration, all at once... like I had to go through.

I came back for a mission...and I won't stop until its complete. And thats to exterminate you for good ! With or without Lionheart. I'm going to get the job done.... or....I'll die trying !

[primo]

Primo brings his mic up to respond.

Perhaps you should enlist your little "army". The pair of rookies you have under your belt. It's your best bet of EVER being able to defeat me. I think the term you Americans use is "A Glutton For Punishment". Yes, that's it. While at 1st it's commendable having the fortitude to fight an insurmountable battle, after a while, it gets stale. Dare I say, you begin looking like a fool in doing so. Even the mighty nation of Japan knew well enough to pull out of WWII when the US drop the nuke of Hiroshima.

Primo's comment doesn't go over well with the Japanese fans, who boo him even louder now.

But such isn't the case with you. And it's disheartening, it really is. It makes me feel for you. The fact that so badly I must have rattled your brain that night, when dropped my knee on your skull and bled you dry that you lost all sense of reason. I truly...TRULY do apologize for that. You see, Brandon. Last week you had you chance. You got your match, and you blew it. Or should I say your partner blew it for you. This week, you not only face me, but you face me in a match I've never lost. A match that I was TRAINED in wrestling. You face The Roman Crippler, in his element. Do I need to defeat you in a King's Road Contest? Not at all. I've already proven I can best you in ANY contest. Tonight is going to serve more as an example to the world on what happens when you challenge me. I've yet to lose a King's Road contest. And I hardly doubt my streak in the match is in jeopardy against you.

Primo grins and waits for the next response.

[bgp]

World War 2 ? dropping nukes ? This is wrestling, not a 'Medal of Honor' video game. Save your war refreneces for something else there Primo. My best bet of defeating your Primo... is by not letting my emotions get the best of me like last time. Its not whether or not I have Damien or Romeo at my side. Cause you see, I can do things on my own accord. I don't hide behind a 'Coalition' to do my bidding .

The way I see it. When it comes down to it. Its between me, you, and Lionheart. Everybody else are just pawns in our game of chess. You've dealt me great pain the last couple of times we've met in this very ring. But its time for a former 'King' to deal out some 'Retribution'.

I'll be man enough to admit that I am impressed with your in-ring ability Primo. You are BY FAR the toughest opponent I've ever had to face in the last three years. But everybody in wrestling can be beaten one way or the other. Its just all about finding a way to take the opponent down.

I've been in this ring with you long enough to know exactly how you operate. Now... all i have to do is fine the way to stop you. 'King's Road' match ? I have to say that sounds very intriging. Sounds like my kinduv match to tell the truth. A match, fit for a 'King' in my view.

See Valiante. In truth, you may not have to beat me here tonight to prove your point. But I on the other hand have to....and I WILL ! You fail to realize one thing Primo. You keep knocking me down... I'll keep getting back up. False 'pride' is given to those who win matches. Losing, only motivates a warrior to become stronger !

I will say this. Either way it goes. I'm on the path to become a future World Champion for this company. The road is going to be long one for sure. But in the end. I'll make it one way or the other. Its going to be nice being the first XWA World Champion who came from the other places. While I do have a great deal of respect for those who have won the belt and have laid down the foundation for what it takes to make it. On the other hand, I have to admit. Its going to be nice being the first 'outsider' so to speak to win the belt.

Perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself. But I wanna make my intentions known right now. Once I'm through with you. I'm going to climb the mountain and one day, make it to the top. In order to grab myself another World Championship. I've done it twice before, and I'll do it again in time.

XWA has a great legacy. I'm looking forward to throwing my name into the hat and being a huge part of it. But first things first however. I must take you out Primo in order for all of that to happen.

So Primo... while to you. I may seem like small potatoes. To the rest of this world. I'll be the man who puts you in your grave once & for all !

[primo]

Primo responds quickly...

Such passionate words. Such conviction. Such FIRE. I would actually believe that you're beginning to get it. As ambitious you are in saying that. As lofty your goals are in being a potential World Champion in this company, and I don't doubt at all your ability to be as such. You have to defeat ME to prove that you're ready for it. It was never a question about your skill compared to the likes of say, Scott O'Dell. Or Keith Wyle. Or even Ethan Bain. It's your skill compared to me that's the subject. All three of those men are skilled wrestlers. All three of them champions. But neither of them even come close to my skill level. I've met only one man in my time in American wrestling who even compares. I'm glad that you appear to have a cleared mind. Because if you're not focused on the task at hand, you WILL fall...again. Tonight, we put to the test your resolve. Your fortitude. And most importantly...you will to SURVIVE.

[bgp]

For once... we actually see eye to eye....or at the very least.... have come to an understanding of one another. Perhaps you aren't as stiff as I thought you were. Believe me, I'm more focused then I have ever been before in my life. If anything, spending the time in the ring with you has made me better, as I've eluded to earlier. Each time I face you... the closer I get to defeating you. You and Nigel came very close from slipping up last week. I feel its only a matter of time before you reign of terror crumbles and shatters into pieces.

Just so you know Primo.... tonight... I am more focused on this match then you could ever imagine pal. You've never lost a King's Road match. This is your specialty... so yeah... you do have the obvious upper hand over me. I even would dare say. That if we took a poll here this evening with these fans. Many of them would vote in your favor. And thats fine really... I like it that way.

See, last year. Somewhat similar situation occurred. XXL, at the time, had the biggest National Championship run ever. 5 title defenses, quite an impressive mark. When I faced him for the 2nd time. People figured that ol' Genesis would get maimed and slaughtered. Well, I had fun proving my doubters wrong and I achieved victory.

Moral to that story ? The unbeatable.....can be defeated. Its all about finding a way to make it happen. I did before Primo... I'll do it again, I'll pay my dues.... whatever it takes.... besides....half the fun is racing to the top of the mountain.

Genesis, carrying his trusty baseball bats with him to the ring as usual. The bats were strapped inside of his coat. He pulls them both out and shows them to Primo. Many people expected Genesis to attack. But... instead. He tosses both bats out of the ring behind him. Then, begins to speak once more:

I don't believe I'll be needing those tonight. I've got all that I need right here...

Genesis then pats himself on the chest with his left fist. Symbolizing that he had everything he needed inside of him. His heart... the one driving force that can't be achieved through training or other enhancements. Yes... while it may not seem like much. His heart represented his strength, courage, and will to win. His Pride... existed from within'. The one thing that Primo couldn't take away from him. While his body may be beaten and broken down through all the historic battles. His Pride never dies...