What lies ahead (O2A)

[eb]

The lights in the arena dim, and the opening chord of E.Town Concrete's "Time To Shine" booms over the PA. The crowd was on it's feet, and into the arena stepped the former World Champion Ethan Bain. The roar of the crowd was deafening, as Bain pauses at the stage and grins as at the reception he was being given. As he walks down to the ring, he gives a few high 5's to some of the fans. He climbs the steps and bounds over the top rope as usual. After being supplied a mic, He stands in the middle of the ring, soaking in the admiration of the fans for a few moments before raise the mic to speak.

As all of you can plainly see, I'm no longer your World Champion.

The fans boo.

The title I held successfully for over four months is now in the grubby lil' hands of Robby Sylk. And congratz to ya' Robert. You won a hard fought match to become champ, just like I did back in March. But you should thanking your lucky stars that it's not me you're facing tonight. You should be praying to the lord all mighty that I'm not evoking my rematch clause. Because if I were, you'd be shortest lived champion in wrestling history. But don't worry. You get to keep the title for as long as XXL let's you, because he's probably gonna give you an ass kicking even I couldn't stack up to.

Ethan looks around to the crowd, who continued to cheer.

So where does that leave me? Pretty simple. Mr. Gallas said it himself when he made the announcement. The losing champion has two options. And my choice is option two. It doesn't matter who's got the title come October. Because that man is going to have to step into The Devil's Playground, and one of the men he's going to have to contend with...is ME.

Buzz: There it is. It's official, Ethan Bain is putting his name into The Devil's Playground hat.

Rest assured, ladies and gents. I'll have the World Title back in due time. But tonight? Tonight I've got me a free dance card. And as always, I'm lookin' for a fight. So whatever dude backstage thinks he's got the chops to get in this ring and go one on one with "The Big Ticket", make me an offer...and I'll match it tonight by kickin' your ASS.

Ethan lowers his mic, and turns his focus to the stage as he awaits a challenger to emerge.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

The sounds of Magnus' theme song becomes the response to the former World Champion. The Las Vegas crowd grows silent and the man as always dressed in a black business suit steps out and marches down the aisle towards the ring.

Roach: Oh...wow. Now this, I didn't expect.

Buzz: I MVS is out here to do what I think he is, then we're going to be in for a classic battle tonight in Vegas!

He slowly stepped through the ropes into the squared circle, handed a microphone from outside by a crew member. Magnus paused for a moment and adjusted his tie before he began to speak.

Mr. Ethan Bain. I must say that it is indeed a little awkward that you don't stand here with the World Title in your possession, but alas, all kings eventually die...and your reign atop the XWA has come to a close for now. Your standing in the XWA however is one that shall never diminish, and that is why I stand in this ring before you tonight.

I joined this company to face the best competition in the world. Thus far I have been somewhat satisfied with what I have seen. While it can't be denied that a fair amount of my victories have been in situations where there are multiple adversaries, it cannot be denied my effectiveness in those scenarios. I am more than just a wrestler you see, but a master strategist as well...one thing that all of you in this company but a small few lack.

He begins to make his pace around the ring.

Even now, you stand here ready to *ahem* kick someone's ass. This is not an octagon Mr. Bain, nor a back-alley. This is a wrestling ring. There is no ass kicking when there are true athletes in this ring, there is simply victory and defeat, nothing more and nothing less.

I suppose that what I seek tonight is to know exactly where it is that our former World Champion stands in the grand scheme of things. Are you truly an athlete? Are you truly "the best big man in the business", or are you just a brawler looking to kick someone's ass as you say? The latter will have no success tonight against a man of my skill, I assure you.

[eb]

Bain gives a smirk at Magnus' question. The answer was quite simple. He raises his mic to deliver it.

Let me clear that up for you real fast, Gramps. I ain't no athlete. I don't have a Greco-Roman wrestling background like you. I don't do no damn moonsaults. I don't do submissions. I'm exactly what you said before, a BRAWLER. That's what I bring to the dance, and that's what I'm the best at, because I AM the best at it. I'm a fighter, and I FINISH fights. You can keep your strategy, and crafty mat work, and all that other stuff. I'll be the guy punchin' you in the face, pickin' you up off the ground and slammin' you so hard that your eyes pop outta' your head. When you get in the ring with me, there ain't no bit of strategy that can help you. Not when you've got a 330lbs beast comin' at you at 100MPH. So you wanna see how you fair in the ring one on one against me? Perfect. Cuz we get to see how a "World Class" wrestler deals with a straight up BEAST. You've had your fair share of decent matches in XWA, I'll give ya' that. But you ain't never stepped in the ring with somethin' like me before. 'Cuz ya' got Big Men, you got Giants, you got Monsters, and then you've got "The Big Ticket". And after you face me? You've got only one thing left to do...

Stand...and be COUNTED.

Bain's words were short and to the point. He waits for the response.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

The same could be said for you as well my dear boy. Not to take anything away from those whom you've defeated before, this will truly be the test of your skill tonight, except that you've unfortunately admitted to not having any. I suppose that something like being the bull in the china closet as the saying goes can be an acceptably successful tactic, but anyone can do that and have some sort of success. Such a tactic will not work against me, as I've already warned you of...not unless you plainly overwhelm me, and I don't see that happening. Those who have tried have all failed.

He pauses his pace. Bain's laid his cards out and said exactly what he had aimed to do, so now it was Magnus' turn.

Feel free to charge me, rush me or go into this as Gung Ho as you like then Mr. Bain, though. Perhaps it might suit you best to do such a thing, but know this...any "beast" can be tamed.

[eb]

Bain bounces up and down. He was definitely fired up. He raises his mic for his next response.

That's what makes it FUN! You bring everything you've got. Every trick, hold and tactic you can muster. And I'll bring the thunder, with a side order or the lightning, and we'll see who makes it through the storm. To beat me tonight, you're gonna have to out think me, pal. Because their ain't a guy on the payroll right now that can out fight me.

With that, he awaits the final response of Magnus.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

So you believe that to be.

It was clear that Bain obviously did.

Roach: Bain's fired up tonight! When you think about it, if it wasn't for the TAC match being a 6-Man, Bain could still be the champion right now.

Buzz: Even still, he stuck it out till the final three in that Classic. He's a handful an a half. Somehow though, I think Magnus knows this...he's just not playing into it though. Like he said...strategy!

You believe that you've got all of the tools to stand victorious tonight, and I would be hard-pressed to disagree with that. As you intend on me to "be counted" tonight however, I only request that you be one thing, Mr. Bain...

...prepared.

And with that final note, he nods on his way out of the ring. Setting the mic on the mat, he simply marches his way up the aisle he came down from, stopping at the stage one last time to stare down Bain still in the ring. Another adjustment to his tie, and he was off.

Roach: This is going to be a classic in it's own right tonight, folks. I don't think I could have picked a better opponent for the former champ than MVS.

Buzz: It's one of those matches that you anticipate seeing, that's for sure. Two dominant forces colliding head-on like this? Get the snacks and drinks people because this is gonna be good.