The time has come (Bain)

[scott]

As the smoke clears from the opening pyro array that kicked off Vendetta, the theme of Scott O'Dell immediately plays on the PA. The fans boo the arrival of the #1 Contender, and Scott enters the arena. With a surprising grin on his face having been on the losing end of his last match, Scott makes his way to the ring. Inside, Scott's handed a mic, and he gets right down to brass taxes.

The Tokyo Dome. An arena that's been VERY good to me. Last year, in this very venue, I fought Kayn for the World Title in an Ironman match. A match that ended in a draw. Of course, we ended up coming back later in the week to settle the issue by order of the GM, and I beat in an Last Man Standing match. So in two cases, I walked out of the Tokyo Dome XWA Champ.

Scott paces about the ring some and continues on.

And here I am once again. But this time, I'm the challenger, not the champion. That distinction goes of course to Ethan Bain. A man who I can imagine is REAL nervous right now. I mean, lets look at our previous encounter, shall wee? Bain hit me with everything he had. He tossed me around like a rag doll, which doesn't happen often. He put the boots to me worse then anyone has to date my entire career...

But I still won the match.

What that bottom lines to is simple, ladies and germs, Bain DOESN'T have what it takes to beat me. It took him having back up in that crafty little bastard Jeff Heaven to best me, and even in that match, Bain didn't pin me. And because of that, Bain's nervous. He's afraid of being a transitional champion. And it's ok. I can understand you're worry, Ethan. I see it as this, SOMEONE had to have won ONESHOT. And it ended up being you. Which is good for your career. Something nice to add to the old resume. But tonight, The World Title COMES HOME. Because let's face it, the belt just looks good on me. They say history always repeats itself. Well if that's true, then I'm seeing myself leaving Japan World Champ for the 2nd year running.

With a snide grin on his face, Scott nods. But his grin fades away as Bain's music hits the PA.

[eb]

As his music plays, Ethan enters the arena with the World Title slung over his shoulder as usual. The fans cheer on the champ as he walks down to ringside. He pauses at the foot of the walkway, staring intently at O'Dell inside the ring. Ethan hops up to the apron, and steps over the ropes. Inside of the ring, he calls for a mic and turns to O'Dell for a reply.

Scotty. You couldn't be more right. Right now, I'm a nervous freaking wreck. I sat backstage all day thinking about tonight's fight. I did some soul searching. And I've gotta tell you, I've never been so nervous in my career...

The crowd seemed confused by the somewhat humble words of Ethan.

I mean, what on Earth would I do if I lost tonight, and had to subject the XWA fans to YOUR ASS being champ again?

A grin from Bain as the crowd shows their reaction with cheer.

Two weeks ago in Saitama City, I took my eye off the ball, and you threw me a 12-6 Curve that I whiffed on. And I admit I whiffed mighty bad on it. I had your ass beat, but I let my guard down, and you capitalized. But you ain't no rookie, so I would expect nothing less. And yes, last week, I wasn't the man that pinned you, and I kinda envy Jeff Heaven for doing it. But tonight, it's GAME ON. Tonight, this is when it counts. The STRAP is on the line, and I'm gonna do what I failed to do in Saitama...FINISH YOU OFF. No Scotty-boy. You ain't leavin' Tokyo World Champ. You're leavin' Tokyo another notch on my gun post.

Ethan lowers his mic and waits.

[scott]

With his classic egotistical bravado, Scott responds.

Oh, you mean that cute little "Body Count" of yours? Yea, real witty. But it's good that your can come out here and make jokes. Egg on all of these Japanese idiots, and all the idiots watching back home. It shows everyone that you'll at least be a good sport after I AGAIN hand you your Texas ass on silver platter. You see "Champ", you're ina real original position for a man holding a title. The position of being "The Underdog". This is gonna be the match that makes your career, if you can beat me.

Scott grins, the fans boo, Scott adds on...

It's your match to win, my friend. NOT mines. I've already proven that one on one, I can take you. And joke all you want, you know that bugs the hell out of you. I handed you only your 2nd career lose. And handed it to you in a match that again, you were up on "points" in. But where you...and damn near everyone else in XWA fail, I prevail. And I'm predicting more of the same tonight. For every match you've ever wrestled, it's always been "How will Ethan Bain win?" This time, it's not how...it's if. And I just don't see that happening.

Not at the least buckling to the pressure of such a high profile match, Scott waits for Ethan's response.

[eb]

Ethan smirks. He brings his mic up again for a reply to Scott.

You don't see that happening, huh? That's funny. Because I can say the same thing about you ever shutting your god damn yap. But thene again, I could say the same for quite a few people, so at least you're in good company. But I'll give you this much, you're right. Tonight's one of, if not the biggest match of my career to date. My 1st XWA Title defense. But as far as it being a match that's mines to lose? I don't think so. Because losing is something I don't do often. And I DAMN sure don't have plans on goin' down to you 0-2. Not tonight. You may be one of the best to lace 'em up. And you may be good enough to take me down, might happen plenty of times more down the road. But for this???

Ethan props up the title on his shoulder.

I'vegot no plans of losing it anytime soon. I've only just begun, my man. And while you won't be the, O'Dell. You WILL be the next. And in that, you'll be in good company there, too.

Bain's music cues up. He drops the mic to the ring floor and eyes down O'Dell one last time. He turns to the ropes and steps over and out of the ring. He turns back facing the ring, and back up the ramp holding the title high with one arm.

Buzz: This is going to be one hell of a show, capped off with Bain's 1st World Title defense. But O'Dell's got a point, as much as I HATE agreeing with him. Can Bain do it in the clutch?

Roach: I have no idea, Buzz. But he's gonna have to find a way to, otherwise he'll have another title NO man wants, the shortest World championship reign of XWA.

[scott]

Scott watches intently as Bain makes his way back up the ramp. He was confident in his chances of regaining the World Title, and even if not, he'd leave the lasting impression that he was still not to be out done. Scott knew Bain was as tough as they came in XWA, but he also knew that any man could be beat on any night. A fact he planned on take full advantage of later that night.

The End.