The Strangest of Bedfellows (02SS Teammate)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Takedown continued on with the buzz of Soul Survivor abound in the backstage area. Magnus Von Schwartz stands in the middle of the ring with a mic in hand to speak his intentions for the event.

Ladies and gentlemen, the XWA Soul Survivor event is at hand, and right now men are contemplating whom it is that they will side with. Now, I have no faults in not standing victorious at MAYDAY, because my showing as it always is...was impressive. If not for Mr. Tryton's resourcefulness, I clearly would have been the victor, but not be. Congratulations to you young man, but now another opportunity shows it self in this gauntlet they call Soul Survivor.

A total of forty eight men will enter, and only one shall emerge the winner. The only thing thing certain is who you enter in with, and for me...that choice, at least one of them is quite clear.

The man known as Syrus The Entertainer.

Roach: Say what!?

BuZZ: Anyone got a Q-Tip? I think my ears are clogged I don't think I heard that right...

The fans cheer, but are a little surprised at the statement.

Mr. Syrus, if you care to join me in this ring, I will be happy to elaborate.

And so he waits, but not long as Syrus' now iconic them begins to play...

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Can You Dig It?






CAN YOU DIG IT?








CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN YOOOOOOU DIGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!??

The people inside the Columbia Arena damn sure good, rising to their feet as the theme of the one and only Syrus blasts all over the arena. Doning some brand new ring gear, it was clear that he was looking for some action, but he like everyone else listening was thrown for a loop by Magnus' statement just moments ago.

He steps into the ring with a look on his face, scratching his fro as he speaks into his mic.

Aight brotha, I'm here. So please...elaborate.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Magnus' reply comes promptly.

You at MAYDAY as well fell short of your goal...your aspiration to become the World Champion. I know that a man such a you wants nothing more than to be the best, a goal that I too seek to complete. Fate would have it that Soul Survivor is giving us that opportunity yet again.

Teams are being formed as we speak, alliances both expected and unholy so to speak. One between you and I would fit in such a category, but I'm no fool. I wish to have the best there is on my side, so that we may lay waste to any and all that stand in our way, and you are one of those men.

With your charisma and my superior ability, it would not even matter who is the third member of this group. We shall eliminate all opposition until there is only us remaining, and then once again it shall be us in battle, with the winner gaining the prize of Soul Survivor.

You may doubt this idea Syrus, but you know it to have merit.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Okay, okay...I thought you was joking, dog...but you look serious. Lemme get this right home-skillet, you want to team up with me for Soul Survivor? MVS, STE and one more makes three...is that what you're saying?

He looks around the arena to see the crowd's reaction.

You know something Maggie, you might be onto something. Soul Survivor is a big deal after all, and there's gonna be potentially a lot of heads jumping in on it. I know damn sure that I ain't gonna be teaming up with two guys that imma have to carry, just to see them get spanked and leave my ass high and dry, and I'm still all about doing big things even if I didn't get the World Title.

I gotta give it to you brah, you's a smart mofo trying to get me on your squad. I'll roll with you for the SS, right up until it comes down to the wire, then...I got 'ta lay it on ya like old times, brotha!

Roach: So...Syrus and Magnus are going to team up for Soul Survivor. Now I've seen everything.

BuZZ: They still need one more member though! This is already and unlikely alliance we have here, so it could be just about anybody.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Hmph...a path that we will cross when it's reached, I assure you...and if history repeats itself it will be in my favor. For now, focus that abundance of energy on whomever our opposition will be.

That leaves one more opening for this this team. If there is one man who is willing and prepared to ascend to a higher plateau, the come forth...but there two requirements that will be necessary gentlemen. You must be ready...and you must be worthy.

And the invitation for a third teammates was now open. Who would it be?

[Jon Payne]

The lights had dimmed down to a deep, bright green. As Bro-Kin's "Seperate" bgean to play, the fans in the Colonial Center knew exactly who was coming out to answer the invitation.

BuZZ: No way. No freakin' way!!!

Roach: Wrong my friend, you should be saying "Jon Payne. Jon Freakin' Payne!"

Making the walk down the aisle he slapped five with the fans along the way before his attention turned to the men standing in the ring. Being handed a microphone, he steps inside.

Magnus, you said something about ascending to a higher plateau. There's another term for doing something like that that I like to refer to it as. Elevating the game!!! That's when you set the standards, when you raise the bar and when you lead by example, and my friends...I've been doing that for a while now, in case you haven't forgotten.

You also said something about being ready and being worthy. Well, Jon Payne has been ready since the day he laces up the boots, and worthy? Partner, I'm no Entertainer. I'm no King, no Prodigy, no Archetype, none of that. I'm simply put the Evolution. When you look at all those and say to yourself that if you put all of that together you'd get something special, that something is standing right here and talking to you right now!

So you gentlemen need one more head to make a Soul Survivor team, and I have a hunkering for some serious competition. I'd say that we can benefit one another quite nicely then, don't you? When you think about it...Magnus has himself a good point.

Syrus, you and I go back a little don't we? I could tell right from the start that you were a man on the way to doing great things in this business and you haven't let anyone down yet. Magnus, you continue to impress me with the way that you go about your business, being as dominant as you can be. Now if what you said was right about you having the best possible people at your side to ensure that you make it far in this whole thing, then you made a good call picking him...and it'll be an even better one with me in the fold.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Magnus' reaction to the sudden appearance of Jon Payne was one of utter confidence given the circumstances.

Jon Payne. It's no secret to anyone of your success in this sport. There's no question that you are in fact one of the best in the world. Thus far all those who've been fool hearty enough to test their mettle against you have failed, and miserably at that. That Levine was efficiently picked apart at Mayday...one of the matches in which I thoroughly examined.

You are something of a rarity in this country's "version" of wrestling, in that you are indeed the definition of the word shooter. Don't deny this fact, Mr. Payne. Your influence from Japanese Puroresu is unmistakable. There is no "spotting" in your matches. You show absolutely no mercy in this ring. You may have the favor of these fans, but subconsciously they know exactly what I do...that you are in fact the most dangerous of competitors in wrestling today.

Buzz: Does it sound to you like Magnus actually respects Payne?

Don't take my words as being total respect for you though.

Buzz: Never mind...

I respect no one until that is earned in battle. I have studied your style and I am very intrigued how I may fare against it. There will indeed be a time for you and I to do battle. Your notion however of our effectiveness in Soul Survivor as a unit, it's one that I cannot deny. Judging by the sheer randomness of the competition thus far, we are at an advantage. While they believe in fate, we believe in skill. That will set us apart and see us to the final encounter.

[Jon Payne]

Well Magnus, sounds like it's an open and shut case then, huh? If you want a chance to see how you'd do against yours truly, don't drop the ball and get eliminated, because I plan on going all the way to the final showdown, and it doesn't matter who's on the other end or how many. If you can take the heat, you'll get your chance.