Fanning the flames (Invite)

[toa]

As Only The Strong comes back from a prior segment, the massive Craig Toa stands in the middle of the ring. As the fans shower him with boos, Toa grins while holding a mic. His music begins to fade, and he raises that mic to speak.

Tonight is going to be a night of revelations. A night that people are going to be talking about for years. You see, my associate Pollox Troy has a chance to walk out of here with the final spot in XWA's biggest match, The Last Dance at XGames II. And in the grid that remains, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't. I mean, take a look at who his potential opposition will be. Christian Pryce? Nathan Browne? Marcus Samson? The only guy who even remotely comes close to being on his level is Scott O'Dell, and sadly for him he's gonna have to face Pollox if he wants to reach the finals. Not likin' Mr. Franchise's chances. But that's not the real reason I'm out here. I'm out here because of another revelation to be made tonight. One regarding Pollox's sister Helena. At Solstice, she said she had some startling info about everyone's favorite female, Ashley Diamond. And of course it's no secret that Ashley's involved romantically with my good ol' buddy Ryan Fierhart.

The fans cheer loudly from Ryan's mention.

A few weeks ago at Solstice, you and Johnny Aces managed to beat me and Pollox in this ring. And I know you're happy about it. But let's not forget Ryan that you've yet to beat me one on one. In fact, I doubt you can. There comes a time in a man's career that he meets his better. The one guy that he can't overcome. And that man for you, is me. Before the show went on the air, I had a talk with Helena, and she told me it'd be pretty cool if I beat your ass again tonight. Just for the aesthetic of how Ashley would take it knowing that Helena's literally got her by the throat. I don't know what this bombshell she has is, but I do know that it's going to change the way people see "Ms. XWA" forever. And I can't wait to see your face when it does, Ryan. So how about it, blondy? Up for getting beat from one end of the ring to the next again? [/color]

[ryan]

With no music accompanying him, Ryan steps out onto the set, met by the adoration of the Athens fans. With a mic of his own, he quicky makes his way down to the ring. Once inside, he words a response to Toa.

It's nice to see that you've picked up a few things from running with The Troys, Toa. I didn't think that they'd be able to pass on the ability to sell Woof Tickets as well as they have. But here you are looking like Real Estate Agent, sellin' 'em like hotcakes. I don't know what Helena's got up her sleeve, but I can tell you this much. It doesn't bother me...OR Ashley. That seems to be the Troy M.O., playing mind games. And that's not to say their not good at it. But it's going to take more then some stupid "bombshell" to rattle my cage. And you're 100% right, in 2 tries I haven't beaten you mano e mano. But there's a 1st time for everything, isn't there, Craig? Satisfaction is going to be mines tonight. Or should I say it's going to be mine and Ashley's. I was thinking to myself backstage while you were flapping your gums, why don't we kill 2 birds with 1 stone tonight, eh? Instead of splitting the bill, let's make this interesting and have us a MIXED TAG match.

The fans show a positive reaction from Ryan's idea.

Buzz: It's been a long time since we've had one of those, eh Mike?

Roach: This one I think is going to have a lot more tension to it then most. This could be either really good, or really bad for either side.

[toa]

Toa shakes his head and laughs off Ryan's counter challenge. He brings up his mic once again and responds.

You must have a serious fetish with getting blasted. A mixed tag match? Are you serious? You think that you and Ashley's combined efforts are going to be good enough to beat both me AND Helena? HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Good luck with that. I'm gonna seriously be looking forward to this. The look on your faces after we hand you your asses is going to be priceless. As a matter of fa...

Toa is suddenly cut off by...

[ashley]

Ashley's entrance theme. The fans rise to their feet as Ashley Diamond makes her way out into the arena.

Roach: This is an unexpected turn of events...

Buzz: Look at her eyes, man. She's PISSED!

Ashley climbs the ring steps and enters the ring. She swipes the mic out of Ryan's hand and steps right up to the substantially larger Toa.

As a matter of fact, what? Huh? You're going to take pleasure in beating us? I'd give you a quarter to call someone who cares, but I left my wallet in my travel bag. If you think for one second that you're even remotely getting to me, you'd be 100% right. I'm not going to beat around the bush or play it off like Ryan here, who's always Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected. I'm pissed. I'm reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally pissed. Not just of the fact that I let myself get beat by Helena three times in a row, but because I've let her hang this...whatever it is...over my head for the last month. And I'm sick of it.

Ashley then turns out to look into the camera, speaking directly to Helena.

I don't know, and I don't care what this bombshell is. All I care about is me kicking your ass like I should have done. Or shall I say like I did the 1st time we squared off. Your tricks aren't working tonight, Helena. I've let you get the best of me mentally for the last time. It's going to be me pinning you tonight. Or better still, me making you tap. Let's see how you fair dropping your bombshell with a slight limp, shall we?

No sooner then after Ashley speaks her heated words, Helena emerges on the Jumbotron.

[hel]

With an expectedly evil grin on her face, Helena is met with boos from everyone in the arena. She raises into the camera frame a suspicious folder before she speaks.

This is it, Ashley. In my hands here is what I've promised the past few weeks. The info on you that will turn your little world upside down. *Takes deep breath* Words can't describe how exciting this is. To hold the career, no...the very life of another human being in the palm of your hand. But that in essence is what I have right now. And when Toa and I have beat you and your beau half to freakin' death, I'm going to stand over you battered, broken corpse and reveal to the world a secret that will simply put destroy Ashley Diamond as we know her. Tonight in Athens, Greece...we bare witness to the death of your career. I become the 1st human being in mankind's history to crush a "Diamond" in the palm of my hand.

Helena cackles after her words and smiles a cruel grin. She waits for Ashley's response.

[ashley]

Ashley raises her mic for a fiery reply.

The only thing that's going to get crushed tonight is that god damn ego of yours, and maybe your nose when I flatten it. Your scare tactics mean squat to me, Helena. I've taken everything you've thrown at me and I'm still standing. Just like I'll be standing over you with my hand held high in the air in victory. You wanna keep playing this game, Helena? Fine. But after tonight, playtime is going to officially be over and done with.

Ashley looks toward Ryan...

We're out of here.

Ashley drops the mic at Toa's feet, and she and Ryan exit the ring.