Here and now (Dru)

[jasta]

The entrance theme of the one and only Bryan Jasta hits the PA. The fans surprising respond with cheer, as the Greek born Jasta emerges from backstage into the arena. There was a big fight atmosphere in the arena, and rightly so. Jasta makes his way to the ring, and beckons for a mic.

Here and now, in this...the birthplace of this sport, will stand a great night in XWA. Tonight, one man out of sixteen who started the journey shall become "The Strongest", and make their way into the XGames main event. Two men will step in this ring and fight for the grandest prize in this sport as well. But none of that matters to me. The glory. The prestige. The pageantry. That's "their" wrestling. The wrestling where catch phrases and cute T-Shirts matter. A world I have no part of. Oh no, the world I live in is a world where the worth of a man is proven in this ring. Where it's his blood, sweat and sacrifice that make him a man, not how popular he is amongst the tweens. It's a bloody, brutal world that few have the gumption to venture into, and even fewer survive in. One such man who does, is a man who I've had on my mind for the last 4 weeks. That man is Dru Nedermeyer.

The fans roar in cheer at the mention of his name. Jasta grins before speaking again.

A man who needs no introduction. A man who has done more in his illustrious career then most men will ever do in their lifetimes. A man deserving of being called "The Archetype". If it wasn't for Dru Nedermeyer, we wouldn't have and Ethan Bain, or a XXL, or a Vikram, or Brian Columbain or anyone of the sort. He is and forever will be the measuring stick of not just Super Heavyweights, but of any size or class of wrestler. Same as myself. Dru and I share a common bond. And that bond is perfection. To me the absolute in this industry. Any man can will a title. Any man can carry that title for months on end. But not any man can command respect when he walks into a room. Not any man can hold a mic in his hand and have the whole world listen. We are a dieing breed. In a business saturated with youngsters who think slinging insults will get them ahead, you and I are the conscience of this business. Of this company. And because of that, I'm sworn to defeating you.

Over a month ago, you and I fought tooth and nail for over 45 minutes in a Thunderdome match. A match that ended in a bloody and broken draw. A match that the ref decided to end because neither of us could even stand, let alone continue. I appeared on Takedown the week after and made my challenge. You and me in one month's time. Here...at Only The Strong...where we'd finish what we started. And the time is now. I stand in this ring not as an XWA Competitor, and not as a Pro Wrestler. I stand in this ring and a warrior. A man who has dedicated his life for combat. And I again issue my challenge. You and I, in this ring...TONIGHT. And this time, I don't leave it to chance.

Jasta lowers his mic. The fans erupt in cheer as a familiar entrance theme cues over the PA.

[dru]

Dru Nedermeyer steps into the arena, met by a thunderous cheer from the fans. It was a moment that was long over due, especially in his eyes. Dru makes his way to the ring joining Jasta. The atmosphere was electric as two of the biggest names in the sport stood toe to toe once again in the ring. With mic in hand, Dru stares his rival in the eye and speaks in response.

I happy that you're all rested up, Bryan. And I'm even more happy the fact that you're back to your vocal ways. It makes what needs to be done tonight that much more fitting. I'll agree with you in the fact that we're survivors. There aren't men that can withstand the test of time in this business. I've been in the game 12 years. You've been in the game 10. In an industry that's forever changing, it's men like us that remain the measuring stick, because we don't change. We're like fine wine, we get better with age. And here we stand, in the apex of our careers. There's only 1 thing that remains. Proving who is the better man. And that's where we stand tonight. I can honestly say that it's been almost 10 years since I got taken to where you took me in MSG. It's been a long time since I tasted my own blood. Since I was beaten so badly I could barely stand. So for that Bryan, I thank you for showing me personally that there is still men who can take it to that level. But even so, neither of us could finish the job. And that's all I thought about the last 4 weeks. All that was on my mind was getting myself together, getting in this ring, and beating you once and for all. Tonight, it's about nothing more then pride. One proud gladiator against another. Unlike most people in XWA, I don't despise you. I don't even hate you. There aren't many men in the game who have my respect, but you're one of them. Which is even more reason why I'm driven to beating you tonight. If you thought you got my best at ID08, you have no idea what my best really is, my friend.

Dru awaits Jasta's next reply.

[jasta]

Jasta responds.

Oh, I'm counting on that. As a matter of fact, I'm praying for that fact. Because the Nedermeyer I beat tonight I want to be the best he can muster. Not the watered down veteran of Toronto, or the supportive mentor of XWA. I want the LXW MONSTER. I want the man who went undefeated for an entire year. The man the NO ONE could best no matter what the effort. The man who sent chills down the spines of anyone who was foolish enough to cross him. That's the man I want. Because when I beat that man...there will be no doubt in anyone's mind that I am, the best pound for pound in this sport. You heard O'Dell out here talking himself up. You heard what Payne and Luther had to say. All of them are good. But they're not good enough. Not yet. Not until they attain what we have. Immortality. And tonight, in Athens, Greece...we see a true battle of Immortals. And just like they say in that Sci-Fi film about Immortals, There can be...only ONE.

Not taking his eyes off Nedermeyer, Jasta waits for his response.

[dru]

With a rare smirk on his face, Dru replies in turn...

Bryna, Bryan, Bryan...you really think that one match is going to settle this? Just one and done and the man who wins gets all of the braggin' right? C'mon now. You're not one of these green rooks. You know the drill. You know how the game is played. The guys that you just mentioned, and other guys like 'em like Davis, Browne, MG, Ames, Tryton, Pryce...all of those young guns. They've still got a lot to prove in this business. All of 'em. But you and I, we're in a different tax bracket. We're what they call "Old Timers". Yea, we're barely in our mid 30s, but as far as the business goes, you and I both know you're lucky if you last 10 years. So we're already ahead of the curve. But all this "There can be only one" stuff? There never has been just one. There can't be. Because someone's gotta pass the torch. Now I've been watchin' a lot of the young guys, and there's plenty of guys who wil make it. And then there's plenty of guys who won't. But I wanna stick around and see who does. Which means, I'm gonna move on past tonight, just like every night. I survived a lot in my career. And I'll survive you as well.

[jasta]

It's funny you mention that word, Dru. "Survive". My very career is predicated on that word. I've lasted as long as I have in this business because of my will to survive. Skill, grit and determination only gets you so far. Wanting it more then the next guy, and being willing to do anything and everything and lay it all on the line...that's what creates men like us. Legends. I have watched companies come to existence and implode from within. I've seen talents rise to the stratosphere of the industry and fall to obscurity. But through all of that. Through the trials of being a fighter, I endure. I survive. Just like you. We're two completely different men you and I. But we're cut from the same cloth. It's the will to endure that keeps us going. The thirst for competition. Not championships. Not fame. Not wealth. All that matters is finding an opponent worthy enough to destroy. It's kill or be killed in this ring. This may be entertainment to some, and sport to others. But this is LIFE to me. I was born in the ring. I was bred and raised between the ropes. Fashioned and reered to be a modern day warrior from the moment I could walk. And by the grace of the gods I will breathe my last breath in the ring. But before my time comes, there's still much I have to do, aside from what I've already done. And one of those things is something that now in two attempts I've failed to do...

Beat...YOU.

And I will not rest until I do. I won't be cheated out of my victory over you, Dru. Not again. Tonight, I seal the deal, and draw even. And if not? I will stand in the middle of this ring, and hold your hand high in the air. Either I defeat you tonight, or I admit defeat to you...for now. But we will have a conclusion to this chapter tonight. Count on that, my friend.

[dru]

Dru speaks not another word. After Jasta's last retort, there was no need for it. As he looked into Jasta's eyes, they burned with focus. Just the look Dru loved to see in an opponent. Because that meant he was in for a long night at the office. With a satisfied smirk and a nod of his head, Dru sets his mic on the ground. He gives Jasta a final acknowledgment before taking leave of the ring.

Buzz: WOW! I just got goosebumps from that, Mike.

Roach: Jasta Vs. Nedermeyer part III. The 1st meeting came in the GWGP finals in January, the sequel came at ID08, and we get to bare witness to the third chapter right here tonight. We're in for a 5 Star classic between two of the best the sport has ever seen.

The scene would end with a shot of Dru walking up the ramp, and then back to Jasta in the ring before going into the next segment of OTS08.

The End.