NOW it's war {Invite}

[kaster]

An unfamiliar theme to the XWA fans, but not to those who knew of what was soon to emerge from backstage, Soulfly's "One", plays over the PA. Into the Wachovia Center steps Kaster & Pollox Troy. Two of the most infamous men to ever grace a wrestling ring.

Roach: Here comes a pair of men who I think we're going to be hearing about quite a bit in XWA. Like it or not.

Buzz: This could get interesting, Mike.

The brothers enter the ring. Kaster beckons for a mic, and immediately begins addressing the fans.

Ladies and gentlemen. My name...is Kaster Troy. And I don't quite think you peons get what that name means.

The fans return his sentiments with a resounding boo.

I am one of the most decorated men in this industry today. I've held titles, and DOMINATED in every company I've worked for. I, unlike the mess of wet behind the ears rookies running around XWA thinking they're bigger the sliced bread, am the real goods. And tonight, I have the privilege to be standing side by side with my brother. A man who is equally as decorated a wrestler as I, Pollox Troy.

Kaster applauds approvingly in the direction of Pollox before continuing.

Very seldom in my days in this industry have I ever come across a man who I would call a "rival". You see, the very word implies that there's competition coming from both ends. And most times, it's me destroying the poor bastard on the other end of the ring. So you can imagine my elation, Mr. Fierhart. We battled to a draw at Vendetta. Not the result I wanted, but one I'm satisfied with. Because it means that you're up to the task. It means that you're a worthy foe. And I'll be honest, there aren't many men in this company I would call worthy. What do you think, Pollox?

Kaster hands the mic off to Pollox.

[pollox]

With an unsurprising smirk on his face, Pollox speaks for the 1st time on XWA TV.

What do I think? I think you're giving that blond punk to much credit. I think you're giving this whole company credit. I've sat back and watched XWA for the last month. I've been doing my scouting to see who in this company I could get some semblance of a challenge from. And do you know what the answer is? NO ONE. From the lowest jobber on the list all the way to the World Champion Ethan Bain, NONE of them even stack up to the caliber of competition we're used to.

His next words were directed to the entire roster.

From where I stand now, XWA is nothing more then some flash in the pan hotshots. CHILDREN in a business built by men. Men like ME. I've been wrestling longer then most of you little boys have had pubic hairs. Both of us have. We don't need to bring ourselves down to YOUR level. You need to reach ours. We picked the perfect show to do this at. MayDay: War Games. Because WAR is what we do best. XWA, The REGULATORS are officially putting every single man on roster on NOTICE. It doesn't matter how high on the food chain you are, you're all fair game. And I do love the hunt.

Pollox hands the mic back to Kaster.

[kaster]

Taking the mic, Kaster shrugs before replying.

I guess I can't really argue with that one. I was at least trying a little diplomacy. But the fact remains that as I said weeks ago Ryan, now you have TWO of us to deal with. My brother and I are men who always see a job to the end. And the end is when you're laid up in a hospital bed. Maybe your old lady Ashley can feed you your meals for you. *laughs* Divided, we're more man then anyone on roster. United we aren't just The Troys. We're The Regulators. And there's a reason why we're called that. Because WE set the rules. WE set the standards. And it's our will that dictates...EVERYTHING. So Ryan, old buddy...old pal. This brings us to tonight. We're here. We're dressed for a fight. And we don't intend on taking no for an answer. So that gives me a whale of an idea. You find yourself a partner tonight. You and said partner come on down to ringside later, and Pollox and I make an example out of the both of you. Sounds good, doesn't it?

As the fans continue to shower them with boos, The Regulators stand in wait of Fierhart's response.

Buzz: Can you believe the nerve of these two? They sure as hell ain't winning any popularity contests.

Roach: I think that was their intention, Buzz.

[ryan]

Just then, Ryan's music plays over the PA. The fan favorite makes his way into the arena, and B-Lines down to the ring. He stops in front of the ring, knowing that getting in with these two would probably be a bad idea. From his back pocket, Ryan pulls out a mic of his own. Not taking a single eye off either man, Ryan responds to there comments.

A wise man once said "To perceive victory is to ensure one's own defeat." That wise man is of course my dear old dad. He told us this because he preached day in and day out that no man is elite. Any man can be bested at any time. And it's that mentality that I live by. I've won by it. I've lost by it. But I live it because it's the core of competition. To win and to lose. In victory, you strive to maintain it. In defeat, you aspire to learn from it.

the crowd responds with cheer at Ryan's inspiring words.

And how ironic is it that my dad, and your dad, are at the forefront of this lil' spat between us. The fact that you two jackasses can't get over the idea that my dad beat yours 18 years ago. LONG before either of were Pros. Long before ANYONE in XWA was a pro. Now granted, between you both you've got more titles held then most other guys on roster. And you both have years of experience over myself, and some of the other guys backstage. But to come out here and say that no one in XWA can hold a candle to you? Now THAT'S pretty freakin' bold, boys.

Ryan nods intently, then continues.

But I can understand where you're coming from. I mean, you're both in your 30's, right? Average age of an XWA superstar is 25-28. You guys are the product of another kind of era. You're smash mouth. No frills. With you two, it's not about style points, it's about getting the job done, at ALL costs. And I can personally respect that. But that's as far as my respect for either of you go. It's to late for me to say I haven't taken this personal. Let's face it, we all have. If we hadn't we wouldn't be standing here. You two always "See the job through to the end"? GOOD. I'd be pissed if you didn't. But you're a little mistaken though, Kas. Ya' see, I don't plan on spending any time in a hospital. This here is Ashley's home town, and I plan on spendin' time with her and her sweet ol' Grammy. She makes this kick ass soup. I might actually send ya' some. *heh heh*

Ryan could see from the reaction of The Regulators that his tactics were working.

Now, let's get onto your challenge. The two of you, the INFAMOUS Regulators, against me and a partner of my choosing. Hmmmm...sounds interesting. I remember us having this talk before, Kas. You said something about no one being "stupid" enough to stand against you and your brother. That's funny. Because I just so happen to know a person who's pretty nuts in his own right. And he just so happens to be in the building tonight. He's probably watching this on a monitor as we speak. So as far as your proposed tag match, consider it excepted.

Ryan lowers his mic in anticipation of Kaster's response.

[kaster]

Kaster inches closer to the ropes. With a grin on his face, he responds to Ryan's last words.

Let me get this straight. You...have a partner? It can't be Bates, last I heard he was still laid up on the IR. Let me guess, maybe it's Jayson Jones. No...he didn't make the trip to Philly. Can't be Jon Payne, he's taking on Levine. Can't be Hayden, he's up against Jasta. Maybe Devlin? No...he's in War Games. Looks to me like the list is getting thinner by the minute. It's not like a guy like you to come out here and sell Woof Tickets. If you've got a partner to join you in your ASS KICKING tonight, why hide him? Our cards are on the table. Let's see what your hand is, Fierhart.

They await Ryan's response.

[ryan]

With a grin on his face of his own, Ryan answers.

You wanna know who my partner is? No problem. But rather then introduce him myself, I'll let him do his own honors.

Ryan turns to the stage, as the world awaits the revealing of his partner for the match...

[n00b]

The world doesn't have to wait long to realize who the partner is, and will be.
As the lights fade to a glimmer of gold as words are spoken softly for the audience, and those who can hear around the world

....go back to sleep....
....go back to sleep...
....goooo backkkk toooooo sleeeeeeeeep....

Suddenly the war drums begin to beat as "Counting Bodies Like Sheep" begins to play. As the beat kicks into full high gear, the emerging, returning, Sylas Styles steps out from the back to make his re-debut to live air. His first appearance in a wrestling organization since his career threatening injury and surgical repair of his knee.

So with no sign of a limp, he poses, arms stretched as golden pyro shoots off behind him as he makes his way to the ring, carrying a microphone with him as he goes. Finally reaching the ring and stepping up the stairs, he enters a ring for the first time since February.

Whats the matter Kaster, you look like you seen a ghost. What, didn't think a Fierhart and Sylas Styles could get along long enough to come together for something like this? Well, your wrong. We can, and we have. The same way we will continue to stay on the same page for years and generations to come.

He walks over to Ryan and puts and arm around his back, standing aside his friend

Infact, we go back, way back. Maybe not personally, but in other forms of the sense. Tradition, integrity and perseverance. Because you see, you want to beat the best correct? Then why limit your "hunt" to a single family? Are you jealous of the Fierharts? All that they've accomplished? Or is this a blood war you seek to finish once and for all? Either way, wrestling blood is to be spilt, and wrestling royalty in all shapes and forms WILL come together to see to it that it's fought till one side stands victorious, the other, down on one knee in defeat.

He cracks his neck and rolls his wrists, loosening up, just incase things come to blows.

You may not see me as an equal, hell you may not see me anywhere near your level either, but thats the kind of thinking and near sighted vision that allowed me to blacken the eyes of my doubters from coast to coast, company to company, country to country. The kind of guys who can't see past their own torch, to burn their own flame. While guys like Ryan, guys like me, the "younger" guys who are carrying the torch passed onto us from our fathers or teachers and even mentors are making a living doing what we do best. Yet all the while, the veterans who refuse to pass their torch, to leave the spotlight behind and move on with their lives, perhaps, bring a new generation to the ring in their place. Stick around and bully the guys who are trying to make it.

I won't stand for it! I never have, I never will. My whole legacy I've built from the ground up has always included the younger stars on the brink of evolution to higher levels. So if that means coming here, to a company that applauded my leave nearly a year ago. Playing nicey nice with the guys who helped give me the boot, then so be it. I signed my XWA contract, which GIVES me the right to stand beside Ryan here, TONIGHT, and help him put an end to this atrocity that is the FAMILY TROY!

Before he can continue he's cut off though...

[pollox]

It was laughter he was cut off by. Pollox's laughter. With an ear to ear smile, he grabs the mic from his brother, and would be the 1st of them to respond to this now interesting turn of events.

Now THIS? This is precious. This...this actually surprises me. A feat I never even imagined possible. Two men, of such exponential pride...and when I say pride I mean EGO...banding together to fight a "Phantom Manace" if you will.

He directs his next words solely at Sylas.

You're reputation proceeds you, Mr. Styles. You see, I'm in the business of knowing a great deal about potential threats. And I know that as long as XWA management was in talks of getting me under contract, they were in talks with you at the very same time. So just for the hell of it, I went and did my research on you. A career that's spanned the world. So many memorable matches. So many men AND women who owe their very careers to you. And it dawned on me that it sounded...familiar. In fact, it sounded just like my brother and I. I couldn't be happier the fact that Ryan here pulled such a rabbit out of his hat. A TRUE gladiator in every sense of the word. Because that means that WHEN...not if...but WHEN we defeat the two of you, there'll be no excuses. Tonight, the wrestling world bares witness to a new dawn. An era of that will shape the fabric of XWA for YEARS to come. And the two of you...have the honor and privilege to be the 1st in what will be a LONG line of casualties.

Stern and forceful words from Pollox. He hands the mic back to Kaster for a response of his own.

[kaster]

With a shrill smile, Kaster adds...

I've gotta hand it to you, Ryan. This is a doozy. Quite frankly, it had to be. The "torch" you so eloquently mentioned, Mr. Styles? We're not passing it to ANYONE. The way we see it, no one is worthy of carrying our legacy, simply because it's still yet to be written. Pollox and I, we're MAVERICKS. We've taken entire companies on our shoulders and carried them from being wrestling wastelands into financial powerhouses. We are the standard bearers. And in XWA, it'll be no different. You see gentlemen, it's the law of the jungle. The strong survive, the weak perish. And what you see before you are the biggest, baddest, meanest, and HUNGRIEST Lions either of you have EVER faced down. It starts with you two, and it ends with us standing atop the XWA mountain, looking down on all the wanna-be and never-was so called "talent". This isn't a feud gentlemen. Feuds are those cute little segments you see like what our so called No.1 contender does. A little song and dance. A little joke here and there, and capping it all off with a catchy line in the end. That's not what this is. This? This is WAR. And we WIN wars.

Kaster lowers his mic, in wait of either man's next reply.

[n00b]

He shakes his head and points towards the two members of the Troy family.

Ha, get a load of this. This is war? WAR? HA, I've taken the biggest weapon of war under my wing before, cast him aside and disarmed him. Your war has nothing on what I've been through already.

And I'm happy to know that you've done your research, Pollox! Because that means you know exactly what I was capable of doing in my ignorant youth. When title after title was added to my collection. At my will, at my own discretion. And just as you did, I too crumbled companies beneath me.

The fall of Atlanta...MINE!
Toronto...my hand was played and destroyed the credability of the finest company to film from my home town.
Finally, Ohio! Yes, Ohio as in VWE!

The fans gasp in awe at the name of the company which solidified his status

Even Ohio's demise is attached to my name. For as soon as my knee was taken from beneath me, so to was the foundation of the company. Without it's bridging Legend, without it's main draw, without the prodigy actively fighting, it crumbled and ceased to exist.

Do you think it coincidence? I think not. As sure as I stand here this day, I am the true soldier of war. I've been in so many that even veterans of the major ones have nothing on me. So if it's a war you want, then so be it. The Fierharts and I will be counting your bodies like sheep, to the rhythm of the war drums.

A defiant Sylas Styles smiles and stands at ready, knowing full well what he's gotten himself into.
A mere wrestling match was no battle for them. He knew those would add up more and more, until man after man was bloody, recruits and backup brought in, until finally one side or the other could stand no more.

[pollox]

Pollox responds with these final words.

I don't think there's any more need to be said then, gentlemen. We've heard your words, and you've heard ours. Now that we know what the intent is, all that remains is the execution. And I speak for my brother AND my sister in saying that our execution...is FLAWLESS. Until next time, fellas.

Pollox toss the mic to his side. He give Kaster a nod, and both men exit the ring. They walk right pass Fierhart and Styles without so much as saying another word, and make there way backstage. Kaster goes first, but Pollox stops at the stage, shooting one final glance to both men. With a sadistic grin, he turns once again and exits the stage area.