Facing the music (Xander)

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The 2nd Overload of the season was live and direct. The pyro had finished and the fans were electrified.

Tony: Welcome to another action packed episode of XWA OVERLOAD. Tony Gomez joined of course by Slick Willy at ringside, and Willy. Tonight we get a sneak preview of what's going to be a clash of epic proportions. As posted on The1xwa.net, we're going to see Champion Vs. Challenger tonight.

Willy: And I'll bet that Bain is feelin' mighty high about his team's success last week. But ANYONE could win that kinda' match with that freak Higby on their team. Why you thank' XXL went and scouted him fa' Soul Survivor?

Tony: C'mon now, Willy. Bain and Finesse had an equal part in handing Damage Inc their asses last week as well.

And just then, "The Bodies Hit The Floor". The crowd comes to it's feet as the World Champion Ethan Bain hits the Greensboro Coliseum.

Tony: It looks like we're not gonna have to wait long to here from the champ, are we???

Bain makes his way down the ramp, the World Title draped over his shoulder as usual. He enters the ring, calling for a mic. Looking out to the Carolina crowd, the champ speaks.

I'mnot gonna waste any time out here, ladies and gents. That's what we've got guys like Scott O'Dell and Robby Sylk for. No, no, no...that's not the kinda' man I am. That's not the kinda' champion I am. I like to get right down to business. And tonight, it's business. ALL business. Tonight, I've been booked to face my challenger at Soul Survivor Lionel Xander, in a non-title singles match. Now that's all well and good, but It's just not my style. You see, I wanna leave my stamp on this match. I wanna sweeten the pot some. Make it a match that's right up both my AND Xander's alley. So before the show went on the air, I went and had a talk with Mr. G backstage. And I asked him to do me a solid.

Bain runs his hand across his chin...

And that solid is this. Tonight's match, is gonna be a special affair. It's going to be a PICK YOUR POISON match.

Willy: Pick Your Poison? What the hell?

As all wonder how this would work out, Bain explains.

You see, how tonight's fight is gonna work is simple. Xander and me are gonna get in this ring. The time keeper is gonna ring that bell, and we're gonna get it on. And the man who wins tonight, gets to pick the match stip for the World Title match at Soul Survivor. Oooooooh, but there's more to it. The winner tonight, get's to pick a match that FAVORS them. So say if for some reason Xander beat me tonight, he could pick anything he specializes in. A Ladder Match. A TLC match. Whatever he wants. But if I win, I get to pick something liiiiiiiiiiike...A Steel Cage match. Or a Last Man Standing match. Or something else really nasty. So what it bottom lines to, is that there's as much riding on tonight's match, as there is on the title match itself. Now I wonder, what does my challenger have to say about this? C'mon, Xander. I know you're standing backstage watching. Bring your sorry ass out here and let's hear it.

Bain turns his attention to the stage.

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The theme of Lionel Xander soon hits the PA, and the man quickly becoming one of XWA's most hated steps into the arena. He stands at the stage with mic in hand, and responds to Bain's announcement.

Ok, let me get this straight. Tonight, it's gonna be you and me, one on one. And the winner gets to choose any match he wants for the World Title match at Soul Survivor? Bain, I've gotta give you props. That's one hell of an idea. Looks like you're not all dumb muscle after all.

The crowd responds with boos for Xander, but he takes it all in stride.

Ya' see, there's one thing to be confident. There's another thing to be said for being out of your damn mind. Now I know that you've got the higher ups in your hip pocket. Why else would "Mr. G" force me to be in last week's match. But this week, there's gonna be no amount of politics that's gonna save your ass. You see, Bain. You, Finesse and that big for nothin' JACKASS Higby wanted to send a message. You wanted to make me and Damage Inc look like fools. Problem is ya' didn't get the job done. Because in the end, we're still standing. And in the end, I'M gonna be the man to do the unthinkable. Take the World Title off your ass.

I already see it. I know how these losers in the stands work. On there silly little message boards, everyone is gonna say "Bain iZ tHE PWNagE, He'Z GoNNa kiX Ecksez aSS!". But before all of you Hooked On Phonics rejects get on your little keyboards, let's take a look at something. You caught Scott O'Dell on an OFF DAY. After he had already proven that he could take your best and still kick your ass. And Syrus? Yea right. The dude is HARDLY what I would consider a real wrestler. He's just like the the women he keeps close to him. He does his best work with his mouth wide open.

Even more boos rain down from the fans.

But in me? You face a WORLD CLASS wrestler. You face a man that's been on top of the mountain in Japan, Europe and Canada. Places where wrestling isn't a JOKE like it is here. And when I take that title off of you, I might actually be able to give it some credibility. There's two types of men in this business. Men made by titles, and men who MAKE titles. And the last guy to hold that title and make it actually worth something, was the FIRST guy who held it. I think it's time for a change.

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Bain smirks at Xander's comments. He paces about the ring as he respond to them.

So I'm one of the guys who's been made by the World Title, eh Xander? Let me clue you in on somethin', my friend. The only thing that's made Ethan Bain, is ETHAN BAIN. What made me? Taken some poor chump and beatin' him so bad he called it QUITS from XWA in my very 1st match. Goin' head to head with "The Golden Prodigy" and puttin' his lights out in a Last Man Standing match. Handing Evan Fate his 1st loss in damn near 7 months from when he ditched Ohio. Beaten Anthony Xavier's ass so bad I had him thinkin' about RETIRING. And last but not least, havin' the stones to step in the ring Mano e Mano with Wrestling's one and TRUE "Monster", when everyone else just talked about it. THAT'S...what made Ethan Bain. Being the toughest son of a bitch on roster. I don't need to be the best wrestler. Or the most technical. Or the most experienced. All I need to be is exactly what I am. And I'm World Champ because of it.

Bain leans over the ropes facing the stage.

That's the part that you, and any other jackass the comes along like you will never get. I don't need to be "Revolutionary". I don't need to be one of those Hybrid dudes who's god at everything. I'm good at HURTIN' people. I've been good at it for years. It's what I do, and I do it well. And I'm gonna continue doing it my way until I find the son of a bitch bad enough to beat me. Is it you? Who knows. Will it be the guy after you? Who knows. He's out there somewhere. Damn shame I ain't never met him yet. So you can talk your talk all you want, Xander. I'll find out how well you walk the walk later tonight.