One More for the road (Primo)

[Μyster Controversy™]

We come back from a commercial break on Overload to see Brandon Payne standing in the center of the ring with a microphone in hand. The crowd reacting with a mixture of cheers and boo's. BP stands there, looking all high and mighty. Feeling pretty damn good about himself after last week's victory over Scott O'Dell and his opponent for this evening, his long time/arch rival Primo.

With a microphone already in hand. BP raises it up to his lips and begins to speak:

What you idiots saw last week was an act of cold hard justice being served. By my hand only. I nearly single handily took down two of XWA's finest athletes like it was nothing. Yeah.. and that numskull Romeo Davis also helped out a little bit too. But it was mostly ME doing all of the work. I don't like to brag, but DAMN I'm good !

Fans start to boo afterwards. As they are not liking BP's new attitude too much at all. Taking all the credit for the victory last week and apparently, showing his 'true colors' tonight.

Boo me all you want. You fans, mean absolutely nothing to me. Everything I've done in this business. I've done it all on my own. You fans either came along for the ride or were pushed to the side.

I come in here tonight, looking for another fight. And a battle comes to me instead. Upon arriving, I hear that I am booked into a match with Primo.

Fans give off a huge reaction. Remembering all of there previous battles from the past. This should be another exciting affair.

Far as that goes. I welcome the challenge.Primo, I know your listening in the back. Probably licking your wounds as we speak. I can see that you are dying fot the chance at knocking me out or perhaps busting me open all over again.

So why wait any longer ? Come on down to the ring and lets have at it right now !?

BP lowers the mic and awaits for Primo

[primo]

The familiar theme of Primo cues over the PA. He steps out onto the stage dressed in his ring gear already. With his vintage smirk across his face, he responds to the words of his old rival.

Licking my chops? No, no...Brandon. Far from it. You see, when it comes to the moments where I'm to face you, it's nothing of the sort. There is anticipation, yes. But excitement? No. Maybe in the beginning. But not now. You see, you and I both know which one of us is the more superior athlete. It goes without saying that Mr. O'Dell's words of earlier were truer then one could even imagine. "You can beat me, but I can beat you better." Words that ring so very true. When you look at the head to head match-ups we've had to date, we've had now 6 total matches. Of those 6, you've won 2. The King's Road match of months ago, and last week's match. 2-4 against me lifetime...nothing I'd be proud of. Because all that says is that I am, and always will be the man who you...can't...best.

He grins...

It's one thing to be a man marred with failure. It's another to me marred with it and not even be liked. I'm no angel in this business, but there people in this arena are actually booing...YOU. It must be a harrowing experience to be so truly alone. Having not the respect from the fans, nor from the roster. A sad, sad creature you are. You just can't seem to put it together. Because tonight, you hit another speed bump in the tumultuous road that has been your "storied" wrestling career. And then, when I do beat you tonight, I'm going to go on into MSG, and show you and the rest of the world what a true World Champion is made off. So to all of the men involved in "The American Classic", watch carefully. Take notes. Bare witness to the reason why they call me "The Roman Crippler". Be honored Brandon. You get to be my sacrificial lamb tonight.

[Μyster Controversy™]

The man that I can't best ?? BWAHAHAHAHA !!! God Primo.. you REALLY crack me up man. Hmm, you know. The last time you went on your little 'I'm better then everybody because I can wrestle' rant. I was the guy who pinned your shoulders to the mat. Odds are, if you continue talking like that. It'll be like deja vu all over again. So by all means. Continue ranting and raving about how your 'the man' around here. Its only more motivation for me to just walk up the stage and kick your ass where you stand !

Mixed reaction from the crowd.

I could care less about these people. Everything I have accomplished during my three years of wrestling. I've done it all on my own. And I gotta say, that by going that route. I feel pretty damn good about myself. See, while others like O'Dell have to run for back up, as we saw last week when he selected YOU of all people to be his partner. I on the other hand. Really don't need the help.

As I've said in my post match interview a week ago. While I have all the utmost respect for Romeo Davis. Last week, he got pummeled into the damn ground. Luckily for these morons and idiots out in the cheap seats. I was able to carry the match all by myself. You did your thing and took out Romeo. And I took 'Mr. Franchise' to school. And wouldn't you know it. It twas I who put the big bad animal none as the 'Roman Crippler' down for three when all was said & done.

Yet, what can I say ? I'm just a natural at what I do.

But on the other hand. I guess I should give my thanks to you..

Though... it was inadvertent. It was you and Scott O'Dell, whom, over the course of the last several months helped change me into what I knew I was all along..

You helped me rediscover the evil in my heart. No matter how much I tried to fight it. I just couldn't no longer. So after last week's events. I made up my mind. I was either going to continue fighting off my old 'evil' urges... or embrace it.

Letting these pathetic fans get in my head left me soft and vulnerable. I lost my edge so to speak. I, a once proud warrior of our generation was now reduced to a punching bag.

But... no more !

BP, whom had bottled up all of his anger and frustrations for so long. Was finally starting come to a head. He clinched his left hand into a fist. You could see the fire burning inside of him. His eyes, were as cold as ice.

Starting tonight. It will be YOU who will be reduced to a punching bag. I'm gonna make you suffer for all of the humiliation that I've gone through. I haven't forgotten about the day you put me in that dreaded hospital room. My life blood pouring out of my veins. I bled, and I bled, and I bled from my head until I couldn't bleed no more.

I was on the brink of death. And the only thing that kept me alive was the sweet satisfaction of revenge that I was going to bestow upon you. I vowed to one day recover, lick my wounds, and come back.

Wouldn't you know it ? Here we are. Already in July, and we've been battling off and on since around February haven't we ? Fact is Primo. no matter how many times you knock me down. I'll always get back up, thirsting for more.

Another mixed reaction from the crowd. Confused as to who to cheer for, if any of them for that matter.

Bottom line. Both you and O'Dell have stolen my honor... and starting last week. Your debts.... will be PAID !!!

Yet another mixed reaction, but mostly boo's, for our Wrestling Elite.

There's an old saying: "Respect is earned... not given !" Whether what you or anyone else thinks about me really doesn't concern me. But if anything, through out ALL of our battles Primo. You have most certainly but a big smile on my face.

So yeah, you have earned my respect. But until you put me six feet underground. I'll never say that you are the better man. You can count on that one.

[primo]

Primo grins and replies...

I'd expect nothing less. You're foolish pride is both you strongest asset and your most debilitating weakness. It drives you to excel and succeed past you expectations, but also leads you into the ring with men who you simply aren't on the level of beating. Men like myself, and like O'Dell. You see, it was never my intention to end your career, or shelve it. My intention was simply put to point out that you are not as great as they touted you to be. Same goes for Lionheart. Same goes for Cade. Same goes for Davis, and every other man I have and will face in this business. No man can call himself the best until he's defeated the rest. And I'm well on my way of doing just that. What you are, Mr. Payne, is but another chapter in what will be a storied career. And 20 years from now, when you're talking to your grand children about the good ol' days when you were a big name wrestler, you'll be able to tell them that you stepped in the ring on many occasions with a living legend.

As the fans boo, Primo concludes by saying...

And it's funny you concluded with the word "respect" in your last statement. There are very...VERY few men in this world who I would say I respected. Scott O'Dell for one. Bryan Jasta being the next. My mentor Otto Marstoreus and my colleague Godlieve Van Der Sar as well. And dare I say, somehow, someway, you've worked your way onto the list. But that's because I respect you as a competitor. As a man on the other, you're a fool. But what you are before the bell rings isn't what makes you "elite". It's what you do before it's rung the second time that does. What will YOU do Brandon? What will you do?

Primo lowers his mic, awaiting Brandon's final retort.

[Μyster Controversy™]

Brandon smirked as he replied:

The ever so famous, 'you are good, but I am better' speech. How cute. And for a second there. You had me hanging on every word you spat out. I ALMOST started to actually believe you...almost.

But since when did I have to ever justify myself to you ? Far as I am concerned. We are both on an even playing field. I don't care about the numbers or statistics. They mean nothing to me. The only thing that I am concerned is what I live through today. Then when, and if I wake up tomorrow morning. It all begins again. I live life everyday in this business as if it is my last day on gods green earth.

To sum it up in laments terms. I take this whole wrestling business by the throat and squeeze the life out of it each & every day. Getting the most out of it while I still can.

Far as I'm concerned. I have defeated the rest in this industry. Though there are others here in XWA that I would love to have the opportunity to sink my claws into and take down (no pun intended). All I'm concerned about is you tonight on Overload. Not something that may, or may not happen 20 years from now.

But, speaking in hypothetical terms. In 20 years, I'll be 43. And chances are, I'll still be wrestling. But even still. I will love for the chance to tell my children or my grand kids about our battles. And when they ask who that man is that daddy (or grandpa) is beating up in that picture ? I'll tell them that man is Primo Valiante. A strong and well-respected individual. He is indeed a legend... and only a legend. Because he got the chance to step into the ring with one of the greatest wrestling superstars to have ever graced our squared circle.... being me, THE Wrestling Elite !

Best of the Best, and Nothing Less !


Mixed reaction from the crowd after that remark.

So Primo, you keep telling everybody that your a legend in the making. And that you are the greatest living being on the face of this earth. That you are 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, or 500 times better then me. Keep telling everybody this over and over again. And I am sure that SOMEBODY around here will believe you eventually (sarcasm).

And oh yeah, by the way. As far as what I'll be doing after that 2nd bell has rung ? I'll be standing over top of you. Getting my hand raised in victory yet again.

You've proven that without a shadow of a doubt that you are GOOD. But unfortunatly... not good enough.

I'll see you later, pal. And as T.O. might say: "Get Your Popcorn Ready". Because everyone is going to be in for one helluva show from yours truly .

...Book Closed...
...End of Story...
...Deal With It...

BP drops the mic and makes his exit out of the ring to the backstage area.

END or o2 Primo.