In Complete Control (Payne/Invite)

[scott]

The opening Pyro display ends, and Overload was officially on the air from Rochester. Just as it does, the familiar entrance theme of Scott O'Dell hits the PA, and the "Man you love to hate" steps out into the arena. He's showered with boos, as you could see a mile away that his head was swollen even larger then normal. As he makes his walk to the ring, Tony & Willy speak on his latest triumph in the ring.

As much as I hate to admit this Willy, the man on the way to the ring may just be in fact "That damn better". He looked nothing short of masterful inside that steel cage with Brandon Payne two weeks ago.

You damn skippy he did. Hate him fa' bein' a prick all ya' want, the man's one of the top tier talents in all the sport for a reason. I might not like 'em much, but you've gotta respect his ability.

Scott was now in the ring. He calls for a mic and begins.

I hate to say I told you so, people...but...I TOLD YOU SO! I said I was gonna be Brandon Payne, and I did. I said I was gonna beat him fair and square, without so much as breaking a single rule, and I did. I told you I was going to humiliate him, and I did. I...Told..You...So. You'd figure after all this time you people would start paying attention. That might be asking to much in a dump of a town like Rochester though. Maybe if I was wearing a Dale Jr. shirt and had a mullet halfway down my back you'd listen.

The fans rip into him with boos. Scott grins.

Brandon Payne. I hate to be the guy to break it to you, but you're just not good enough. You've done so much in your career. Won so many titles. Beat so many people. But when it comes down to it all, at it's simplest of terms...in the annuls of being "Elite" as you always squawk about, you're not. The most elite man in wrestling today, is the man standing in this ring right now. I'm in a class all my damn own. You see, I showed you...and everyone in the back one thing above all else at Soul Survivor. That I'm the real goods. I'm more then just a "superstar". I'm a brand all my own. Scott O'Dell=ratings. And I can't help it. I can't help the fact that I'm just the best at what I do. You see, Brandon...the difference between us is painfully obvious. You were made into the man you are. I was born the man I am. Some men have "it", and some don't. Guess what category you fall into, dude?

He chuckles to himself as he continues.

You said it yourself, "I beat you at your best." If what I got out of you in that Cage was the best you had, do yourself, myself, and everyone in this arena a favor. Stay away from Scott O'Dell. Because that wasn't even CLOSE to being my best. My best is when I can cut lose with no restraints. When I don't have to pull my punches, and can use every tool in my arsenal, which to this day only Jayson Jones has ever got out of me. It took a man of his caliber to bring the absolute best out of me. My A-Game at it's fullest. You? You barely even got my C-Game. So before you come out later tonight and declare war on me like you hinted to backstage after our match, do yourself a solid. Sit back and evaluate things. Think about what another loss to me will do for your already laughable XWA career. Is it worth the risk? As a matter of fact, I want you to come out to this ring right now. Right here, in front of all of these redneck idiots, and the rest of the world, and tell me man to man if you think that you're
on the level. Let's here what kinda lame duck excuse you have for yourself.

[Μyster Controversy™]

Do you ever shut the hell up ?

A voice, came as if out of nowhere. It was the voice of one Brandon Payne. The crowd immediatly errupted and started looking around. Payne was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, Payne appears on the XWA Tron. Standing backstage near the 'gorilla position' just before you enter on stage.

Sup Scottie my boy ? As much as I like to just walk out from behind these curtains and stand face to face with you. I think I'll spare myself this time around. Because there is nothing more worse then standing in front of you. Being bored to death and having to smell that foul dragon breath of yours.

However, I can see your right on schedule. Standing in the ring acting like a jackass as usual. You just don't seem to get it do you ?

No matter how many times you keep knocking me down. I'll always keep getting back up for more. And while you may have indeed beaten me at Soul Survivor. You didn't get the job done. Cause as you can obviously see before you. I'm still standing !

Crowd erupts into a course of cheers.

Scott O'Dell equal ratings ? Scott O'Dell is a brand of his own ? What kind of crack have you been smoking lately ? Pfft, I'll believe those claims when I see them before my very own eyes. The only thing that you have proven to me in the last few weeks is that you are nothing more then a jacked up, lil' bitch !

And as far as the saying 'Some people have it, some people don't' ? Perhaps, you are actually right for a change.

Tony Gomez: Wow ! I can't believe what I'm hearing ? Payne is actually agreeing with O'Dell ? Has Payne lost it !?

Slick Willy: HaHa ! Finally that goof ball realizes that he isn't in the league that Scott O'Dell is in. He has finally given up Tony.

Tony Gomez: Will you stop ! Payne would never do such a thing like that. He has too much pride to bow down to the likes of 'Mr. Franchise'.

I mean, some people have more friends then others. We have people that are rich, others that are poor. Hell, relating to our line of work. Some of us even have stalkers. Scary huh ?

Bottom line, Scott. I come here tonight on Overload with absolutely NO excuses. Far as I'm concerned. Everything that has happened between us in the last several weeks is irrelevant. It means nothing !

Tonight, I walk into that ring with my head held high. Ready for war ! So it looks like there is only one thing left to do.

What kind of match shall we have this week ? Singles, Tag, Cage, Hardcore, TLC, First Blood ? It doesn't matter to me. Either way it goes. I'm ready to take you on.

As I've said before. You may bury me with your words. You might even beat my body to a bloody pulp. But you'll never.....EVER....kill my pride !

Slick Willy: And its that foolish pride that always gets in the way. Brandon Payne, when will you stop and smell the roses ? He just doesn't have it anymore Tony.

Tony Gomez: I beg to differ with you Slick. Payne has proven time and time again. That when he is backed up into a corner. He will always find a way out of it and prevail. I've followed this young man throughout his career and he has always beaten the odds.

BP awaits a response.

[scott]

Scott chuckles to himself at Payne's response...

So that's it? The response from the always witty Brandon Payne is childish name calling and blowing off the fact that I've beat your ass three weeks in a row? Pathetic. Simply pathetic. But what more could I expect? As if I was actually expecting something meaningful, impactful or dare I even say relevant to come out of that second asshole of yours. Man, here it is I gave you the avenue to come clean, be the bigger man and admit your defeat. And you go on and make a bigger ass of yourself then normal. But then again, your career is built on making an ass of yourself, isn't it?

Scott paces to the ropes closest to the Jumbortron.

And to correct you on a little something, you have no pride. Pride would make a man come out here, face to face with the next man and call a spade a spade. Pride would make a man tip his cap to the guy who's beaten him. Like say, how I did when I lost to Ethan Bain at March Madness. I didn't come out here with the song and dance that you've become famous for. I came out here, looked dead into the camera, and admitted that for now, Bain was the better man. And what did I do from there? I kept it moving. That's pride. Your's is plain old ego. Your fragile little ego prevents you from ever doing something like that. When your on top...kicking someone's ass on a weekly basis like you were doing to AJ Ryder, you thought nothing of basically down talkin' the kid every chance you had. "That rookie's no match for me." But when your physically bested in this ring, like how myself and Primo have done after your success over Ryder, you say the same thing. The same tired ass line.

Scott says in a squeaky voice...

"You didn't get the job done cuz I'm still standing. You'll have to kill me before you're done with me." BLAAAAAAAAAAAAH BLAAAAAAAAA BLAAAAAAAAAH!!!! Same crap, different toilet, eh Payne? I don't need to kill you. You're doing a nice job committing career suicide on your own. Because every night I beat you, or you get beat period, and come back with that same LAME DUCK excuse...just like I said you would...you look less and less like "Wrestling's Elite", and more and more like what I know, that you know, that the rest of the planet knows you really are. Old news. The best thing that happened to you since your ill-fated "retirement" was getting in the ring with me and basking in my spotlight. Face it, Brandon. The only reason why you even matter right now is because your name the last few weeks has been mentioned in the same sentence as Scott O'Dell. It's because of me that your ass is over right now. But again, your ego will never let you admit that. And it's all good. It's oooooooooooooook. Because while you keep digging your wrestling grave going after guys you clearly can't beat, I'll just humor your poor mental state, beat your ass again, pat you on the head, give you a Blo-Pop and send on home to Momma Payne to tuck you in to bed.

Scott Chuckles some, but then the conversation is broken up when an entrance theme hits the PA...

[primo]

Shock comes across the crowd in who's music it was. The menacing entrance theme if "The Roman Crippler".

Primo? You've gotta be KIDDIN' me!!! What the hell is he doing out here? Oh this just went from bad to worse for Brandon Payne.

We all know about Payne's storied history with the man. Primo damn near ended his career. If I was a bettin' man, I'd say he's out here to finish what he started.

Primo joins O'Dell in the ring. He beckons for a mic and addresses "The Franchise".

Let me 1st start off by saying how much of an honor it is to FINALLY stand in the presence of a who equals my stature in this ring. A man who much like me, is hated by all simply because he's the best at what he does. Such is the fate of men like us. the TRUE elite. People loathe what they can't be. And there are no men in this business even close to us, Mr. O'Dell. Such is the case of my dear friend Brandon.

Primo turns to the Jumbotron.

Hi, Brandon. It's nice to see that the scar on your head is healing well. That bitter reminder that no matter what, I still have your SOUL in my back pocket. Now I bet you're wondering why I'm out here. Allow me to elaborate. Mr. O'Dell here has failed to realize something. A tactical error on his part. That error is that contrary to what you just said, you CAN be silenced. I would know, I'm the only man who's ever done it. And week in and week out, I've heard you go on and on about how you're wrestling's elite. How you're soon going to take your place at the top of the mountain. *Hmmmph* How on Earth is that possible when to this very day, the defining moment of you XWA career has been LOSES to myself and O'Dell here. It's as the old saying goes, "No one remembers a loser." How many people to this day has ever mentioned you historic National Title run? The fact that you're the man that ended XXL's 4 month reign, at the time the longest in XWA. Or the monumental battles you had here against Shia Storm? I'll answer that for you. NONE.

Primo grins his evil grin as the fans hiss and boo. He nods and continues.

And why is that? Because no one cares. A wise man once told me "You're not defined by your success. You're defined by your failure." Because it's your failure people talk about. People still talk about how the Mets fell apart at the end of the 2007 MLB season. They still talk about how The Yankees blew an 0-3 lead in the playoff in 2006. They'll continue to talk about The Patriots losing in the Super Bowl until the end of time. Why? Because people remember failure. Hence we look at you. You've had a semi decent run in XWA. But you career here is defined by the fact that you have still yet to best me in a meaningful way. Granted, you defeated me in my match, King's Road. But what happened after that? Nigel Sledge and I beat you and your old pal Lionheart to a bloody pulp at Vendeatta. And so the vicious circle continues. It's as O'Dell here said himself, you're just not good enough. There's a such thing as hitting your peak, my friend. You've hit yours. The fact that you've had such success in so many lesser promotions prove it. As good as you are in this ring, there's always those who eclipse you. Two of which stand in this ring.

Speaking of old friends, there's someone I know that you've had a working partnership before. Someone who knows all to well about what happens when you bit off more then what you can chew against me. Mr. Romeo Davis. How about it, Mr. Davis. Come on out here and join in this discussion. Unless I hurt more then your fragile pride in our Last Man Standing match. I can understand if your terrified to even look at me now, but humor me. There's a point to all of this that I'll get to once you join us.

And with those words, they await the arrival of Davis.

[Romeo Davis]

*The wait was not long at all. Suddenly, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You" began to play throughout the arena. It was the new theme music of Romeo Davis and most of the fans didn’t know that it would be him coming out. Others figured that it was his because he was asked to come out. Those fans began to cheer. A few seconds later Romeo makes his appearance out onstage and the crowd erupted. Yes, a defeat he suffered at Soul Survivor but he was still standing. Primo didn’t finish the job when he had the chance to. Romeo stood there sporting a pair of jeans, a black muscle shirt, and a pair of black Nike sneakers. His left wrist was wrapped with an ace bandage because of the strain. In his right hand he held a microphone. He stared down at the ring in which Primo and Scott O’Dell stood. He raised the microphone to his lips and began to speak.*

"At Soul Survivor I suffered defeat to the man known as Primo. Yes I am admitting I was defeated and pretty much got my ass handed to me on a platter, but. But Primo my man, you didn’t get the job done bro. Sure I was down for the ten count, but I am still standing here before y’all. You guys are talking ‘bout how you continue to beat on Brandon, but hey, he’s still standing too. You can keep coming at the both of us but we’ll never give up. We’ll jus’ keep coming right back at ya. Primo, you honestly can’t say nothin’ ‘bout beating me cause it was only once. Last Man Standing matches are your thing as y’all saw from the match at Soul Survivor but that was only one. One match doesn’t truly mean anything to me. Ya have to beat me more than that. As I recall I’m the one that busted you wide open in the tag match two weeks ago and also got the pin over ya. I already know what you’re gonna say. "It was a tag match and anyone can win that with the help of someone else." Yeah, I know that man, but how come you and Van Der Sar weren’t the one’s with the victory. I know why it’s cause you really aren’t a team player bro. So I’m assuming that since the both of y’all are down in the ring and I’m right here and Brandon is on the Jumbotron that y’all wanna have a tag match. Well all I gotta say is that I’m up for it. Ha ha. I honestly don’t know why you want to have a tag match Primo cause both you and I know what the outcome will be and that is Brandon and I get the win over you and O’Dell there. I think that it would just make it all the better cause then Brandon and I can "kill two birds with one stone" as they say. So is that what it’s gonna be or do ya have something else in mind."

*Romeo lowered the microphone waiting for a response from anyone.*

[primo]

Primo mockingly snaps his finger as if he'd been 1uped before responding.

Drats. It seems Mr. Davis has spoiled my surprise. But yes, seeing as the cat's out pf the proverbial bag now, that was my intent for the evening. The two greatest forces in XWA, combining tonight for a common goal, DESTROYING our enemies. You see, Mr. O'Dell and I are businessmen. And in that, we both know a sound investment when we see one. Which is why tonight, this partnership made perfect sense. A matter of "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine." And the itch we're suffering comes in the form of an upstart rookie who seems to think his marginal success means anything, and a washed up has been who seems to think he still matters in this industry. And both cases could be so far from the truth. No, beating you two tonight may not break you. But it most certainly will frustrated you. Because no matter how much you peons try to down play it, every loss you suffer plays on your psyche. It messes with you. It makes you question if your capable of defeating either of us. Go ahead and deny it. Play your "roles" to the letter. But I know for a fact that no man on this planet, not even myself can not be effected by being defeated. So that in turn would make the two of you 1 of 2 things. Extraterrestrials, or blithering buffoons incapable of grasping the concept. Of which if the later is the case, you've already lost the battle.

[Romeo Davis]

*Romeo lifted the microphone to his lips.*

"Crap. My bad on ruining what you thought would be a great surprise for everyone. I mean once people saw ya come down the ring and stand side by side with O’Dell, you know that something was going down. But yeah, go ahead and think this is gonna be the greatest thing ever with you and O’Dell teaming up. Yeah, I know, the two greatest heels in the business teaming up. Wow. I mean that’s like pretty sweet man. I’m like freakin’ out right now bro. Ha. Whatever man, I’m up for any challenge that is set before me."

*Romeo nods his head before continuing.*

"Now there is something that I will agree with you on Primo. There is no man on this planet that cannot be affected by defeat. Every single man out there knows that. When Jasta beat me earlier this year, I was down and didn’t know how I was gonna jump back from an embarrassing defeat, but I did. Now I have suffered defeat from you. Man, I didn’t know what to do with myself. It was another embarrassing loss for me. But hey it doesn’t mean I’m gonna back down never to return. While we all are affected by defeat, we still come back wanting more and that’s exactly what I want. Even if you defeat me week in and week out, I will still come back for more because I know that I will beat ya Primo. Just when ya think ya got me, that’s when you will be surprised."

[scott]

Scott was next to reply...

The reason why guys like you two "Come back for more" is because you don't know well enough to admit defeat. And it's kinda' sad really. Throwing away any chance you might ever have of making it because you refuse to admit that the next guy's better. You might think that it makes you look like a guy who "never says die", fellas. But c'mon. We all damn well know that all it makes you is a glutton for punishment. And if it's punishment you boys want? You came to the right place. And to correct you, Romeo. This isn't about "The two biggest heels teaming up". That's what a pea brained idiot would think, such as yourself really. Primo and I? We're not heels. Because unlike the two of you, we don't put on an act. What we are is what we are...the two best wrestlers in the game...PERIOD. A pair of guys who like it or not, command respect because we come out, get in this ring, and deliver. We talk big game, and we back up every word. Which I can't say is the case for you two asshats.

Scott looks to Primo.

You know something? We should have done this sooner. Tonight, we're going to show these two chumps, and the rest of the industry that the best of the best don't need to be liked. They just need to do...what they do.

He turns his attention back to Davis & Payne.

So fellas, do bring more then what you two brought at Soul Survivor. I don't know about Primo here, but I don't feel like being bored to death tonight.

[Μyster Controversy™]

Payne leaves the gorilla position area as the video feed on the jumbo tron goes off.

Slick Willy: I knew it. Payne is too afraid to come out here. He's gonna bail on his partner.

Tony Gomez: Will you shut up ! Thats not the case at all.

Payne then makes his way out onto the stage. Standing there alongside his partner. He snatches a microphone from the nearby stagehand then begins to speak:

Sorry, I wasn't out here earlier Romeo. But, these two jackoffs in the ring wouldn't shut up for ten seconds to lemme get a word in. And if I am honest. These idiots nearly put me to sleep. They go on and on and on and on about how they are the 'greatest EVAR of allllll time !" If I had a nickel for everyone dumb, son of a bitch who's told me that. I'd be alot more richer then I am today.

Fact of the matter is this boys. You talk the talk. Will walk the walk. Read my lips Scott. I'll NEVER....admit defeat ! I know I've said this before. But since you are hard at hearing. I'll say it again. The only way you'll truly ever defeat me, is by killing me. And until that day occurs. You'll never 1-up Brandon Payne.

I'll give ya credit. Your good.. but I'm GREAT ! Thats the difference between me and you. Its not about who wins and who loses. Its about everything else that makes up our industry.

Charisma

Pride

Respect

Honor

Dignity

The things you don't value you and take for granted. When I thought I was on my last rope here a few months ago. I was down and out mentally. I was burnt, and had felt I had no more to prove or to give. The fans, all the young stars backstage, and the XWA community brought me back !

Fans erupt into a chorus of cheers.

All of these people gave me new life. Scott, the only thing you have managed to do in these last few weeks is piss me off !

As far as your new little buddy goes, Primo Valiante. It must feel great to come out and brag about your tag team victories over me and Lion-O. Because we all know thats the only way you could get the job done.

You put me in the ring with that old geezer who is on his last leg. And do you really expect me to beat the likes of you & Nigel with that idiot ? I don't think so... with all due respect to Lion-O & his legacy.

We all know that when it counts the most. One-on-One, in your own neck of the woods. You couldn't get the job done. You FAILED...Primo. You couldn't even beat me in your OWN match....pathetic !

But hey, thats okay. You've got a change to redeem yourself. Myself and Romeo over here are going to take care of business. They say never bet against the likes of Primo & Scott O'Dell ? Well you know something ? Never DOUBT.... Brandon Payne and Romeo Davis.

[primo]

Primo laughs to himself, and responds.

How nice it must be to have such a selective memory, isn't Brandon. I find it funny how you can stand here and talk about beating me in "my match", when in fact it was the 1st, and might I add the ONLY meaningful win you've had against me...in LIFE. Less we forget about a year ago. Right around now, a Triple Threat match between me, you and Lionheart. Remember that? The match that I left your meaningless ass halfway in a coma from? The match that I ceremoniously ousted you from XWA in? And a match that you'll never to this day be able to live down because what happened the next time we fought in a 1st Blood match? Oh yes. I busted you and Lionheart open...AGAIN. History repeats itself after all.

He smirks.

But of course you'd forget that, wouldn't you? A simple minded man like yourself. *Hmmmph* And you have the nerve to say that you have dignity? Honor? Respect??? HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! You ran around this business for years calling yourself "The Kind Of Controversy". You made a career of stepping on people to get your own way. There are more then enough men spread all across this business who want to do far worse things to you then what we've done. Respect? You have none. In fact, you're one of the most disrespected man in this industry. A man with dignity would admit his faults. Just as I did when you defeated me. I came into this ring and admitted that on that night, you were the better man. But that was 1 night. You and I both know who's the better man as a whole. What's the head to head record between us? 5-1 in favor of me? But you're "better". I see how it works.

Because you can come out here and grab a microphone, and think of all kinds of witty things to say on the fly, that makes you a better wrestler, right? WRONG. That's the point to end all points. You're not a wrestler. You're a "Sports Entertainer". O'Dell? He's a wrestler. Me? I'm a wrestler. You two? You're just dime a dozen media whores. You didn't come back because of the XWA Community wanting you back, Brandon. You came back because you wanted a paycheck. And you were making more money here in XWA then any of the other places you were COMBINED. Let's not play stupid. XWA pays you to come out here and play a badass that everyone knows you're not. There's nothing even remotely threatening about you. "Oh, Brandon Payne is going to say something about me." *Hmmph* It's about the only thing to this very day I've seen you actually have any aptitude for, and even that's debatable.

He speaks in closing...

Entertainers don't beat wrestlers. You may get lucky from time to time. But I wouldn't hold my breath. You're wrong, Brandon. I don't need to redeem myself. That distinction still lies on you. What was it Scott said week ago? Oh yes..."We don't have to beat you, you have to beat us." Suffice to say, all the talking and witty little comebacks either of you can muster isn't going to change the fact that you're both woefully out gunned tonight. A pair of "Professional Wrestlers" against a Division 1-A National Champion, and a Greco-Roman World Champion. But go on, fool yourselves into thinking you have a chance. Faith is good thing to have when facing your annihilation.