To Be The Man...(Kayn)

[Jon Payne]

The reaction of the crowd is simply deafening in MSG as the sound of New York based band Bro-Kin's "Separate" begins to play. The ring announcer says it all...

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome New York City's own...JON PAYNE!!!"

He's all smiles heading down to the ring, where it is that a mic is waiting for him. The fans of New York welcome him with the ubiquitous chants of "JON FREAKIN PAYNE" filling Madison Square Garden. He wave his hand in the air to try to get them to simmer down, but ti takes at least a minute for him to finally get a word off.

Well, I guess it's not too cliche for me to say it's good to be home now is it?

The reactions again...is cheers.

It just couldn't be Independence Day...it just couldn't be Madison Square Garden without the hometown favorite in action, now could it?

Roach: Damn right about that...

And the reason I'm out here is really simple. See, a lot of people out there regard me as being pound for pound the best wrestler in the business today. It's a nice little thing to know about yourself, but I'm out here right now to say to you all that it's not the case. Am I good? You bet your ass I am. Am I one of the greatest to ever strap them up? Well...I would like to think so...but there is one man out there who can say that he is THE man in the XWA and there is nothing that anyone can say to argue about it.

Unlike the rest of the boys who come out here and rant on about how they're the best...this guy proves it night in and night out. He's got the numbers to prove that he is the best in the business today...one big fat ZERO in the loss column. There's not too many guys in this company right now who can say that they are undefeated, but this guy's win streak is longer even than the World Champion himself. I think that pretty much solidifies the fact that the man is quite frankly...with all due respect to Ethan Bain...the best big man in the business, and without question the best PURE wrestler.

Did that kind of give it away?

Well, 8 times Kayn has defended the Pure Title successfully. Kayn practically thrives under Pure Rules, because there are no limitations. There's no shortcuts to save you in the final hour...you either have it or you don't, and so far...12 wins later...it appears that Kayn's still got it.

Well, what can I say but I want it. I don't come out here and make challenges to just anyone. I step in the ring with the best, and most of the time I come out on top, but tonight...against an undefeated champion in a match that favors no one, you can say that this is probably going to be my most uphill battle ever.

It would only be fitting that such a match happens right here in MSG-NYC!!!

A huge pop breaks up his speech.

Kayn, I give you all the credit in the world big guy, but you had better believe that this here tonight is going to be your biggest match as well. You're not stepping in the ring with just anybody. You're about to get it on with JON...FREAKIN'...PAYNE. I know you're for it, so why don't you come on out here and let's make this match official!

[Kayn]

*The crowd at MSG waited with baited breath to see if Jon’s challenge would be answered, but luckily the crowd didn’t wait long. As “Hammer Smashed Face” began to play the crowd exploded as the Pure champ walked out from behind the curtain with the title over his shoulder. Kayn looked down into the ring for a moment before looking around to the crowd in New York as a huge smile crossed his lips. Kayn started to make his way to the ring as Mike and Buzz began to talk.*

Buzz: ”I can’t believe this. Kayn is ACTUALLY coming out here! He’s got to be out of his mind.”

Mike: ”I have to disagree partner, Kayn has said time and time again that he would defend that Pure title at anytime, anywhere, against anyone.”

Buzz: ”But like the man in the ring said he’s not just anyone, he’s Jon-Freakin’-Payne, and if Kayn accepts he’s biting off more than his big mouth can chew.”

*Kayn made his way towards the ring steps, all the while watching Jon in the ring. Kayn walked up the ring steps and climbed into the ring, then he climbed up the turnbuckle, pulled the Pure title from his shoulder and held it high for the crowd in MSG to see. As they applauded Kayn lowered the belt and looked back at Jon, he then jumped down off the turnbuckle and stood for a moment, almost in shock. As his music faded, Kayn was given a mic from the ring announcer, which he quickly raised to his mouth and spoke.*

“Jon, I have to say this is an absolute surprise. From the back I heard what you said and I have to say man, it is an honor to not only be standing in this ring with you, but to also be the focus of your attention. Since becoming the Pure champ, I’ve gotten challenge after challenge after challenge, and as you said I’ve not only answered them, but I’ve been victorious every single time. Hell, even before I got this gold I was on a roll, but it means more to me to be challenged by a combatant of your caliber than all my other victories combined. You see Jon, last season at this very pay per view, you and I stood in this ring as partners, and at that time I felt that was one of the biggest displays of respect shown to me to that point being selected to team with you. This moment right now, exceeds that.”

*The crowd starts to chants both men’s names back and forth.*

Buzz: ”What a suck up! Just answer the guy’s challenge already and stop boring us all.”

Mike: ”It’s called respect Buzz. Jon’s done more in this industry than most people can dream of, and Kayn recognizes it.”

“Jon, tonight it would be my honor to step in the ring with you.”

*The crowd explodes after that statement. Kayn still holds the mic to his lips.*

“And let me say, if my streak ends tonight, then I know I lost to one of the best in the business past, present and future. That is however, if. Because Jon while you’re a cornerstone of this business, I’m not a man to be intimidated by anyone. I wouldn’t be the longest running Pure champ if I was, and tonight I’ll show you just like everyone else I’ve faced why I am, as you so generously called me, the man.”

*Kayn lowered his mic and stared Jon in the eye while extending his hand to shake Jon’s to the cheers of the crowd.*

[pollox]

Now hold the phone there, people...Not so fast.

Pollox Troy steps out from backstage. The fans react with baited anticipation for what he might have to say.

This? This is priceless. Here was have a man in Jon Payne...who hasn't even so much as stepped in the ring since he beat Lash Levine...I don't know...in MAY. Out here, calling for a title shot against Kayn? It must be nice being one of the Boss's pets, isn't it? Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, by I made my intent crystal clear at OVERLOAD that I was going to be the man to not only face Kayn tonight, but beat him. Because I'm the only man with the tools to do it. So the way I see it, we have a little problem. We've got our fair Champion, unbeaten since god knows how long. We've got one would-be challenger who hasn't event thrown a punch, or from the results of your last match should I say a kick in well over two months, and then you have a man whose coming off of won of the most exciting series of matches in XWA's brief history against another proven superstar, dare I say a fellow future Hall Of Famer like myself. And who do we think is more deserving of this shot?

Pollox lowers his mic in wait of a response.

[Jon Payne]

Payne takes a couple of looks around the ring, and before Kayn can say something, he does first.

Well, we all know that you've been knee-deep in things with Sylas Styles the last few weeks. Sounds to me like he must've hit you over the head one time too many because you obviously haven't been paying too much attention my friend. See my last match was not two months ago dude, it was the finals of Soul Survivor. One elimination close to being in the main event of XGAMES2, because that's the calibur of wrestler that I am.

I said it before and I'll say it again, I deal with the best of the best and nothing less. I suggest you get hip to that really quickly and...what's that thing I always say? Oh yeah...TAKE NOTICE.

I can tell just from the way you speak out here what it's all about for you. Who "deserves" this title shot? That kind of thing is not something deserved Troy...it's something earned. Now it's cool and all that you've been to war with Styles, but I think we can all see what this is all about for you...that title sitting on Kayn's shoulder...and nothing more. You're out here trying to get yourself into the hunt only because you think that winning that belt is going to push you into that "upper echelon" of competitor in the XWA.

For me, I made it really clear what I'm after, a match against the XWA's best singles competitor this season. The fact that the Pure Championship is up for grabs is a bonus to me...but it's the competition that I'm after, not the title.

That being said, if you can say that anyone "deserves" a chance at Kayn, I don't think it should be an argument which one of us is. The one who maybe...pays attention to what's going on around him? I digress though, because I know that a proud warrior like you isn't going to tuck his tail and head backstage, so it looks to me like this situation can be rectified only one way and one way alone.

Roach: Triple Threat Match?

No, not a Triple Threat match folks. Pardon if I don't borrow an idea from our former Pearl Champion Jamie Fury in suggesting a DOUBLE DEAL. First off Pollox, you and I can get it on in this squared, and the winner of that match will go on to face Kayn ONE-ON-ONE for the Pure Title later tonight. See, I don't want there to be any asterisks or "if, and or buts" when it's all said and done, because beating this man (pointing to Kayn) for that belt in a Triple is not beating him. If I'm going to wrestle him, I sure as hell don't need your help. I want him 100%, and 100% alone, so that the outcome just like every other match he's been in so far is clear and unquestioned.

So that's my offer to you Troy. You want him? You'll have to go through me first, or are you too scared to put your own work in for that title that you want so badly?

[pollox]

Pollox scoffs, laughing off Payne's remarks before responding.

Ah, another clever young buck with his witty lil' lines. You know I really don't get tired seeing guys like you parade yourselves around like you're the best thing going. But allow me to do two things. Apologize for not "keeping up" with what you've been doing since you fought Lash, a man I've faced on numerous occasions myself, and kudos for being able to be him at that. And the next thing I'm gonna do is correct you. You see, you said that my only reason of wanting a Pure Title shot is to move into the "upper echelon"? Wrong. I'm already upper echelon. I was upper echelon in this business back when you were learning your 1st Karate Kata. If there's anyone looking for glory tonight, look in the mirror my young friend.

He shoots an antagonizing grin and adds.

I really have nothing to prove here in XWA. My career speaks for itself. I'm not out here looking for a shot to move up the ranks. I can do that, and not hold a single title. As I've done before. I'm out here because the man holding that strap, seems to be the best man for the job as far as keeping me busy. I could go and take on one of those other young kids, and beat them within an inch of there lives, but what's the challenge in that? Why work downwards? Oh no. When I signed on the dotted line, I did so because I wanted to see what XWA was all about. I wanted to see 1st hand why this place was so touted as being "The Best". And right now as far as the competitive end, Kayn is perfection. But we ALL know that nothing and no one is perfect. And all good things must come to an end. Which...is the reason why we're all out here tonight, isn't?

He grins, the devious wheels in his head turning.

But I consider myself a fair man. I've been in this business for a good, long time. So...I'm gonna do you two crazy kids a favor. I'm gonna let the two of you beat the living hell out of each other tonight. Because I know that you both are such fierce competitors, and have such respect for one another to the point where holding back would be an insult to the other man. That my friends, plays to my advantage. Because the winner of between the two of you, is going to have to see me in the ring next. And the two of you will have had an epic encounter. Whereas I'll be fully rested, and prepared to either be the man to end Kayn's run of perfection, or to make Jon Payne the shortest ever champion in XWA history. Or...I may just lose, and have to step to the back of the line. But in any case, I'm still in the driver's seat. So go one. Have your one on one match tonight. Fight the champion 100%. And Kayn? Defend the title 100%. Because 100% of what the two of you have, is not even close to 100% of what I have. I'll see one of you two gentlemen very soon.

The always crafty Pollox merely lays down his mic. He exits the ring without even another word. In his experience in the game, he knew that timing was everything. He'd come to MSG for a title match. But managed to manipulate the outcome into something far more advantageous.

[Jon Payne]

Hey Troy...what're you like 40-something or something? You come out here and talk like you've got some kind of a pedigree in this business? There's a reason why people say what they say about us and why they say little or nothing about you.

You know all of the hype I hear about the great Troy family, where is it that you hear that? The Press Releases. Face it, aside from wrestling Sylas Styles, nobody knows you from a hole in the wall. You want Hall Of Fame status? You're LOOKING at Hall Of Fame right here. There's a reason why I'm regarded as being one of the best in the world, and there's a reason why Kayn is Combatant Xtraordinaire.

The reason is that we put it down for THIS ring. The hell with whatever else you've done in your career in the past, it's what you do in your career now that matter the most.

Geez, I sound like a broken record sometimes, don't I? Go on and think that you're a cut above the rest because that's all in your head, Troy. In the real world, Kayn and I are and will remain a couple of steps above you...like a thousand of them...because we don't have to hype ourselves up to make ourselves sound special. You simply say the name Kayn or Payne, and the people know who we are and what we're about...so yes my friend, you do have something to prove in the XWA. A LOT. Otherwise, you can take your ass on elsewhere, I hear that their starting up a new fed down in Biloxi somewhere, or Saskatchewan, or wherever.

Pffft...well, I guess that leaves the "common folk" here again, eh big man?

[pollox]

As Pollox gets to the backstage curtain, he laughs to himself and says...

I love the way these kids always have to have the last word. So precious.

And with that, he was gone.

[Kayn]

*A lot happened in the few moments in the ring. A man that Kayn never had any form of interaction came to the ring in Pollox Troy wanting a title shot that he had called for, however Kayn had already accepted Jon’s challenge. Kayn felt slightly bad as he does pride himself on being a fighting champ for any challenge, he did think that Jon had a great idea which unfortunately was declined by Pollox. Kayn watched as Pollox walked up the ramp then turned to Jon.*

“I guess so, but you know what, I wouldn’t have it any other way. So Jon, I’ll see you later on tonight in this ring, and no disrespect to you at all Jon, but after I pin you *Kayn then looks back up the ramp* Pollox, you’ll get your title shot and be the next stop on my path of destruction.”

*Kayn lowered his mic and looked for a moment up the ramp, then back at Jon and waited for a final reply.*

Mike: ”The champ is confident Buzz.”

Buzz: ”But that confidence will come back to bite him in the ass Mike, I guarantee it. Jon Payne and Pollox Troy are no MG or Christian Pryce. If Kayn walks out of here tonight as the Pure champ, he is the luckiest guy alive.”