Where it matters most (Hayden)

[scott]

Following a previous segment, the entrance theme of Scott O'Dell cues over the PA. The reaction from the Las Vegas crowd was of typical fair for XWA's most hated superstar. He steps into the arena dressed in his signature T-Shirt and warm-ups as opposed to his usual Business suit.

Roach: Now there's something you don't see everyday, Buzz.

Buzz: Looks like Scotty's all dressed for a dance tonight. And he damn well should be. Last week Van Hayden didn't just prove he belonged in the ring with "The Franchise", but that he could beat him as well. You've gotta imagine that's been on Scott's mind all week.

Now inside of the ring, Scott calls for a mic to begin his address.

Van? What can I say but congratz. Seriously, I humbly mean that. Congratulations on putting yourself in very elite company. Last week you managed to do what only two other men this year have done. Beat me mano e mano. Those two men? Jayson Jones and Ethan Bain. So as I said, you're in VERY elite company. Inside of that steel cage, you showed without a doubt that you've got the goods. And yes, I took note of it. You see Van, a man like me takes pride in being the best at what he does, because I am...the best...at what I do. But even the best have their off nights. Jordan shot under 45% many times. David Ortiz had 0-for's in his career. And Chuck Liddel got knocked out a few times in his storied career. But what those men share in common with me? They don't let losing rule them. They dust themselves off and get back on track. That's what differentiates the good from the great. And need I say which one I am.

As the fans boo O'Dell's pride fest, he continues.

For the last two weeks, we've been feeling each other out. Seeing what the next guy is made of. All leading up to tonight. A match with the National Title in the balance. A match that you...allowed me...to chose. And why? Because you felt the need to prove yourself. You wanna try and upstage the world's greatest upstager. It's like I always say. Like I'll continue to say for as long as my career lasts. I don't have to beat you, tonight. You have to beat me. Champions, main eventers, legends, hall of famers, doesn't matter. They all fail in comparison to me. I mean come on, how many times is a champion regarded as an underdog? We're in Vegas, go check out the odds on ya, Van. Most sports betting parlors have me beating you 3 to 1. Not all that favorable. But we both know that numbers mean nothing once the bell rings. And when it does, I do...what I do best.

The cocky grin of O'Dell shines out as the fans continue to shower him with boos.

So I guess the last thing I have to do for now, is let you and all of these what kind of match we're gonna have tonight. But before I do, I want these people to be able to take their snap shots of you heading down to this ring one last time before you lose that Title. So come on down, Van. Your fans await.

Scott lowers his mic. Right on cue, Van's theme hits the PA.

[van]

Van enters the Thomas & Mack Center with a booming cheer from the fans. Expecting this kind of confrontation, he'd left the National Title backstage. Van wastes no time making his way down to the ring to respond to O'Dell's words. He enters the ring and is handed a mic. After a brief stare down, Van responds.

As much as I hate to admit it Scott, You're 100% right. Just like I mentioned last week, you're the benchmark. The measuring stick in XWA. Plenty of guys would say otherwise, but what they think is a whole other story. When you take a look at the top tier superstars in XWA, you can count on one hand the number of them who's made as big an impact in this sport as you. But you said it yourself, even the best can be beat. Just like I beat you last week.

The fans react with continued cheer as Van adds...

But I learned one thing being locked in that steel cage with you last week. One thing that only a handful of guys know. And that thing is despite all the trash talking you do. Despite you expensive suits, fancy limos, and that harem of chicks you roll with, I saw something in that cage. A man. Flesh and blood. Skin and bone. A MORTAL man who is as flawed as the next guy. For as much as you pride yourself as being as you so delicately put it "The best at what you do", last week you made a pretty novice mistake. You zigged when you should have zagged, and you caught a Sidewinder for your troubles. What was it you said last week? Oh yea...I had to prove if I had "It". Well I think I did that in spades. And quite frankly, I'm liking my chances at a repeat. So let's hear it, Scott. What kind of devilish lil' match do you have in store that you think you'll have the advantage in? Submission maybe? Last Man Standing? Go ahead and make your pick. Because whatever it is, bet your Sol Cal ass that I'll beat you at it.

With confidence, Van waits for Scott's response.

[scott]

Scott laughs to himself off mic. With his cocky grin, he responds to Hayden's reply.

That's what I love most about you, Van. Always straight to the point. No frills, just balls out and in your face. And it works for ya', it really does. But, I guess I may as well stop beating around the bush, eh? You wanna know it, the fans wanna know it, the world wants to know it. What match has Scott O'Dell conjured up for tonight? I wanted it to be something big. Something that's never been done before. Something that's going to have the masses talking about it for years to come, not just months. Something befitting of the Las Vegas atmosphere. And last night, it dawned on me. Why should I?

An increased surge of boos ring out from the fans.

I mean, these fans would much rather see guys like you, with all of you fancy ass moves and your Kung Fu grip wow them with a complete freakin' spectacle. Whereas I'm a classic wrestler. A collegiate All-American. An NCAA National Champion. I'm the best pound for pound Pure Wrestler in this company NOT born in Europe. Not a shoot style wrestler like you, or Jasta, or Jon Payne, or damn near everyone else on the roster. And how funny is it that sooooooo many guys on the roster have went shoot style, and none of them have even made a god damn dent in XWA, whereas I keep it simple and I'm still on top of the damn mountain. But that's another story for another time. Right now, it's about our match tonight. And here's how it's going to happen.

We're going to throw up a timer. 20 minutes on the clock. And there's gonna be no pins. No submission. No ring outs, rope breaks, 10 count KOs, nothing of the sort. We're going to have us a classic...WRESTLING match. Which means none of you fancy ass kicking and all of that crap. Zero. Donut. We're gonna have a couple XWA official at ringside to do the scoring. And points will be scored on knockdowns from the collar & elbow tie-up only. You can use any move you want in the match, but only moves from the tie-up position score your a point. And if you manage to hit your finisher? Well...that'll net ya' 3 points. And the winner after the 20 minutes are done leaves the ring as the National Champion. I call this lil' match "THE FRANCHISE CHALLENGE". And that is the match I'm booking for tonight's National Title match.

Franchise...Challenge? What in god's name has he come up with?

From what it sounds like, it's a classic catch-wrestling match. A match that well...you have to think favors O'Dell. I mean as far as Pure wrestlers go, I'd only put Primo, GVDS and Magnus ahead of him. He said it himself, he's the best pure wrestler in XWA not from Europe, and you'd be hard pressed to argue that point.

You knew he was going to stack the deck, but this? This is on a whole other level.

Scott grins and nods. Another blockbuster as only he can deliver it. He waits for Van's reaction.

[van]

Franchise Challenge, eh?

Van ponders the idea of this match, then wastes no time continuing his response.

You're ON! Because there isn't gonna be any sweeter a feeling then not just beating you, but beating you in your own match. You made your choice, now you get to live with the fact that you get beat at your own game tonight.

Van awaits the final response of O'Dell.

[scott]

Scott brings up his mic for said response.

I'm glad that you're so up for it. And I'm even happier that you're so confident that you can win. You're not the 1st to feel that way, and you damn sure aren't the last. I can promise you one thing, Van. You'll be the next. The next to hype yourself up. To get all of these people behind you, rooting for the good guy, just to have their hopes shot in the head by point blank range. Because this ain't the movies. This is real life, my friend. And in real life, the bad guys can, and usually do...win. See in you later tonight, Champ.

Scott's music cues over the PA once more. He brazenly drops his mic with a thud, and takes his leave of the ring.