The Elite vs Mr. Franchise (O'Dell)

[Μyster Controversy™]

The opening pyro segment begins to signify the start of the premiere episode of XWA Overload. A packed house here tonight at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC. 'Flair Country' as it was once called many years ago. Now !? Its the sight of what will be one of the greatest showdowns for the history books.

"A Perfect Insanity" by Disturbed begins to play loudly over the PA System. A loud mixture of cheers and boo's begin to ring out from the capacity crowd. Brandon walks out on stage. Ready to go to war for the first time since April's Vendetta. Making a 'B-line' for the ring. Not paying much attention to the crowd. His mind is focused on the battle at hand. As a proud warrior of his calibur should be ready for battle at all times.

He makes his way to the ring area. Climbing up on the nearest turnbuckle. Extending his arms outward to embrace the crowd. Then shortly afterwards, he climbs down and picks up a microphone nearby. Motioning for his music to stop playing. He then raises the mic to his lips and begins to speak:

So this is Overload huh ? Pretty nifty if you ask me. I came here this evening looking for a fight. And wouldn't you know it. A fight came looking for me.

Scott O'Dell....'Mr. Franchise'.

Crowd begins to cheer.

You had some more then interesting things to say about me backstage with Fab the other night. So lets see if you can do the same to my face.

O'Dell... I know your backstage watching this. I'm calling your ass out right now, right here lil' man !

Brandon lowers the mic. Awaiting the presence of Scott O'Dell.

[scott]

Not to long afterwards, Scott's new theme hits the PA. Clad in one of his now signature Italian suits, Scott enters the arena. Unlike Payne, he got boos. Lots of them. But everyone knew he thrives on being loathed. As he walks down to the ring, a fan in the front row holds up an "Scott Fears Brandon Payne" sign. Scott snatches it from his hands and carries it into the ring. Standing across from Payne, Scott holds the sign up for him, and all to see...before he rips it to shreds and lets it fall to the floor. With a mocking grin, Scott calls for a mic. He then turns to Brandon and begins.

Brandon Payne ladies and gents.

Scott gives him a rather uninspired applause.

Here I stand in the presence of an Icon. A man with no equal in wrestling today. I mean, what man gets put on the shelf by a guy, comes back, call said guy out, and then proceeds to get killed by him...AGAIN? And then comes back a month later calling himself "Wrestling's Elite". Only in America folks. I would think that "Wrestling's Inside Joke" would be more fitting for you. Because well...that's what you are. I mean, you've been doing this what? Three...four years now? About the same amount of time as me. Except you came up in a big time company. TNB Wrestling. At the time, one of the biggest corporations in wrestling. And you were one of it's brightest stars. Home grown talent. So of course you got full of yourself fast. When you came into the game, you literally had everything handed to you. And when ya' didn't you were beating on 2nd rate talent.

Scott smirks.

I mean it's real easy to rack up the wins against a company full of guys who let's be honest, weren't on your level. Let's face it, the place produced Chet Dixon. Need I say more. And it also produced a few credible names. Key words: "A Few". There was you. Their was the guy pulling the string Chris Lionheart. There was Avenger. And..............that's about it. Whatever happened to the rest of the TNB alumns? They fell off the map, because the industry evolved, and they DIDN'T. And the same can be said for you. When you left XWA the 1st time, you went elsewhere. And again, you dominated, again. And why? Because again...you were matched up against 2nd rate talent. It seems to be the story of your career. You can beat the rest, but ya' can't beat the best. And the best are ALL under the XWA banner. And the best of the best? You're looking at him.

I'll be honest. People hate me. People hate that I'm a smug, egotistical asshole. People hate that for all the trash I talk, I get in this ring and back it up. That's the difference between you and me. I back my talk. Last year, people said up and down the board that I was "Bad for the industry". But time and time again I prove them wrong. Because I make XWA MONEY. That's the end all of success in this business my friend. You can have titles up the ass, but the BUSINESS of wrestling is a Billion dollar one. And you're looking at about 500 Million right now.

Scott paces about some.

But let me cut to the chase here. I meant every word of what I said at the end of Mayday. Before you can call yourself the "Elite", you need to BEAT the elite. And in XWA, that's me. The elite is the guy whose on the tips of everyone's tongues. That's me. The elite is the guy who people tune in, even the ones who are just casual wrestling fans, to see. That's me. The elite...is the man that took XWA from just being a blip on the map, to being the mightiest wrestling company on the PLANET.

Scott grins sarcastically and points at himself.

When, and if you can do that. Then maybe...juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust maybe, you can start calling yourself ONE of the elite. But as far as I'm concerned, you are what you were when ya' 1st stepped into XWA last year. A guy trying to get over, nooooooooot quite gettin' there. But look on the bright side. You just standing in the ring with me right now is making your approval rating sky rocket right now. THAT'S being elite. When you make a guy look good, when you're making him look bad. But you make yourself look bad pretty good on your own, dude.

The flamboyant O'Dell waits for Brandon's response.

[Μyster Controversy™]

Brandon couldn't help but laugh. This is what he had come to expect from a guy like O'Dell. This is the kind of stuff that BP thrived on. He loved a challenge. Especially with somebody who can give and take as much verbal abuse as he could. Strange thing is. A couple of the things O'Dell were true.

Scott O'Dell, 'Mr. Franchise' in the flesh. Quite possibly the greatest XWA superstar ever is standing before me. Should I bow down or throw up ?

And since, you were oh so kind as to bring up my past TNB ventures. Allow me to kill the famous 'myth' that seems to go around about me over there. First and foremost. Brandon Payne busted his ass over in TNB in order to become a household name. Just as you have done here in XWA.

Nothing was never ever handed to me. I worked for it all. I went without title shots for a year before receiving a World Title shot last year in February. Just so you know.

As far as the 2nd rate comments are concerned. I'd have to agree with you on that. A majority of those guys I faced back then, are exactly that. Look at how many old TNB Alum's are still in XWA compared to the ones that aren't ? Exactly. Not too many at all. A good portion of those people are in a 2nd rate company as we speak.

Crowd gives off a mixed reaction.

The ones that are left here. Are nothing compared to the likes of me and you. Chet Dixon ? Pfft. That guy is so bad in the ring. A fifth grader could own him. Lionheart, great guy in all. But he just doesn't have it anymore. Guys like them have seen better days.

While those guys decline, I evolved.

To certain extent. Yes, Primo did beat me several times in the past. About 2-3 to be exact. At least I did beat him in his own backyard. A King's Road match nonetheless. Have you beaten Primo, Scottie ? Not that I recall on your resume.

I'll be honest as well Scott. People despise me and everything I stand for. I'm the type that goes out there and tells the story from beginning to end. I'll admit, I'm an arrogant, self-centered, asshole. People either love me or hate me. Either way it goes. I come in, kick ass, take names, and call it a day.

As far as all this 'Elite' stuff goes. I'll give the devil his due. You are a big part of what XWA is right now. Alot of things you did for the XWA to make it grow into a success story that it is right now. Are most of the things I done in TNB to turn that federation from a place that was losing money, buy rates, stock, etc, etc.. Into a company that was getting money up until it went out with a bang last April !

So yeah, I have a great deal respect for ya O'Dell. Always have and always will. But when the bell rings tonight. All bets are off and I'm bringing my best. Can you ?

I'll admit. I have my faults in the past. That is all water under the bridge as far as I am concerned. People make mistakes in this industry. Shit happens that we can't control.

You call yourself an 'Elite' as well ? Will see I guess. If all I have to is beat you in order for you or anyone else to recognize me as a true 'Wrestling Elite' ? So be it then.

[scott]

It wasn't exactly the reaction Scott expected, but of course O'Dell had a response that fit the occasion.

It's funny you mention that word "respect". Seems to get tossed around a lot in this business. You've got tons of respected superstars in the industry. Some that command it. Some that have earned it in time. But to be perfectly honest, I could care less about respect. It's an old ideal that's holding just about everyone back who has it. Take my good buddy Adam Devlin. Our careers have been parallel from day one. I've been a two time XWA World Champion. He's yet to hold a title in the company yet. And he came into XWA a week after I did. We're the two longest standing men on the roster. I'm at the top of the industry. He's not even close to it. And why? Because he's one of those guys that preach respect.

More continual boos from the fans.

And to answer your question, No. I haven't beaten Primo yet. Kinda because I've never wrestled the man yet. But let's talk about Primo a bit. And Bryan Jasta while we're at it. Both examples of a pair of guys who like me, don't give a crap who respects them or not. And as I recall, you did beat Primo in that King's Road match. You won the match, yes. But you damn sure didn't win the fight. As my memory serves me, you left him with a very rare L. He left you with a nice gash on you head and a red mask. Which of course he and Sledge ended up opening back up a week later at Vendetta, but that's beside the point. The point tonight is this. Scott O'Dell doesn't have to be Brandon Payne. Brandon Payne has to beat Scott O'Dell. Face it, dude. This is a career making match for you. You've bee a World champion. You've been the main draw in so many companies. But all of that mean bupkis right now. Because whether or not you've got the chops to "cross over" in XWA tonight, hinders on you beating me. And I've studied the tapes. I've seen your best matches. And from what I saw, my WORST night...is better then your best. So I hope you can dig deep tonight and reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally pull a rabbit out of the old hat. Otherwise, it's gonna be just another day in the office for yours truly.

[Μyster Controversy™]

Brandon raises the mic to his lips and responds:

Interesting point you brought up there Scottie. "Scott O'Dell doesn't have to beat Brandon Payne. Brandon Payne has to beat Scott O'Dell". I hate to say it, but your absolutely right. You don't have to beat me. But I warn you though. Don't be overconfident. Also, don't ever underestimate me. Primo did and he paid for it. I may not have been here from day one unfortunatly. But I have every bit of passion and desire as the guys, like yourself, who HAVE been here since doors of XWA opened. Aside from my own personal goals here. I also want to be a big part of what makes XWA succeed until the day thats its time to close shop.

So bottom line. Don't drop the ball my friend. If you do, you'll get beaten from pillar to post. Just like Ethan did to you over a month ago. Which brings me question another thing. How can one, like yourself. Call themselves an 'Elite', when you can't even beat Ethan Baine ? I mean no disrespect to him or anything. He has done an impressive job with the title. I know he's a tough customer and all. But even still. I would think that man like the great Scott O'Dell could take him down just like that *snaps his fingers*.

Or maybe... just maybe Scott. Your not the same man as you was a year ago. But don't worry about it. I'll always be here to pick the ball up and run with it. After I am through with you tonight. That is exactly what I will do.

I'm not here to take anyone's spot. Nor, am I here to trample on anybody. I'm here in the XWA to succeed and to assist in making the XWA keep on succeeding.

True enough, Primo did beat me several times and he may have 'won the battle' in your eyes and his eyes. But I'm not ashamed by it though. Primo is a great athlete and one tough son of a bitch. Fact is, even during those few losses against him. I gave him a run for his money and fought neck & neck until the bitter end. So to get cut open by him a few times is not something for me to feel ashamed about. I'm not the only one. But I am one of the very few who holds a victory over him.

Its not about Primo anymore. Its about me getting past you. When I do, you'll be another star added onto the 'Wrestling Elite's' walk of shame.

To be all honest with you. I am rather amazed that you chose to go after me instead of Ethan's World Title. I think you of all people would've had an excellent chance of getting another shot.

Then again... on the other hand.

Perhaps you did make the right decision after all. I mean, seeing Ethan beat you around the first time was bad enough for everybodies eyes. Even I would hate to see you go through that kind of embarassment all over again.

By our 'tale of the tape' comparison of what we have both achieved only here in the XWA. Its easy to say you would be the favorite. This match actually reminds alot like this year's Super Bowl.

The Giants weren't given a chance in hell beating the claimed 'unbeatable' Patriots. Yet, they pulled a 'rabbit out of the hat' and got the win. They didn't listen to the critics. They just had faith and believed in themselves.

Well, thats about how this situation is here tonight O'Dell. Your the Patriots to my Giants. In the eyes of all the XWA fans around the world. Your considered the best in the league. No one can stop you because of everything you have accomplished and earned here. For me, I've only had one National Championship run. And two big victories over XXL and Primo Valiante to my resume as 'top moments' here. So, its a no brainer as to who could possibly win this matchup.

Just like the Super Bowl. I'm predicting an upset. Do I think you could possibly beat me ? Yeah, of course. Do I think I can beat you ?

The fans start to erupt:

Fuck yeah I can...

I may not have the biggest muscles in the world. A big winning streak or any of the other things. One thing I do have is my pride, my heart, and the will to win.

Those are ALL the things that I need to beat you. Or anybody else here in XWA for that matter.

Study all the tapes you want or watch all the vids you need of me that you like O'Dell. None that means shit. I'm going to come in here and take you down once and for all.

And... by chance you do pull off the win. Just expect me to keep coming back for more. I'm not going out without a fight. You keep knocking me down, I'll just keep getting right back up.

And one last thing. When I do win tonight's match. that just makes me one step closer to getting a shot at the World Heavyweight Title. And who knows, maybe I'll finish the job you failed to do. Perhaps I will be the one to take Ethan's title away from him.

Because if you or the others can't do it. By god, I'll do everything in my power to achieve that goal.