The set up (Bain)

[pollox]

The entrance theme of Pollox Troy sounds over the PA...

Tony: Here comes Pollox Troy. The man who came that close to edging out Scott O'Dell last week in Athens. You have to be impressed with his performance, Willy.

Willy: Obviously the higher ups were as well, cuz he's one of the five men who will join XXL in The Devil's Playground. And if I had to pick a winner, it'd be him. He's got the most experience of the field, and in a match like that, any kinda' edge counts.

Pollox now stood in the ring. The fans boo as he stands at center ring with a mic. Smirking at first, Pollox raises his mic and starts his address.

I want to 1st off address the revelation that my Sister Helena uncovered last week. It cames as a shock to me as well to find out that Ashley Diamond is actually a sibling of mines. Another baby sister. But when you look at it, how can you deny our relation? Ashley Diamond has dominated in XWA since the moment the company came into existence. She possesses all of the traits that make us Troys a cut above. Skill. Intelligence. Poise. Traits that may be lost to some of you Texans. I've not spoken to either since returning back to the US, but Ashley, I cordially welcome you into our family. You're one of us now.

With a sly grin, Pollox leads into his next subject of interest.

Speaking of good for nothing Texans, this brings me to one man. And that man's name is Ethan Bain. Yes, you all cheer for him, just like you cheer for anything else with this state's brand on it. And I don't blame any of you. I mean, what else do you have going for you? Well, you do still have hometown San Antonio Spurs. And Texas University is the #1 team in the country in college football...for now. And then of course you have Ethan Bain. "The Big Ticket". Come to think of it, I guess it really is good that you cheer for him. Because this state has pretty much nothing else going for it. The Stars suck. The Rockets are going nowhere. The Mavs are over rated, and lets not even get into your pro football teams. Bain and I of course are but two of the men announced to take part in The Devil's Playground match. An ominous, barbaric match that will see us all locked in a demonic structure, with the man able to endure coming out World Champion. Basically a match right up the ally of a big Neanderthal like Bain.


Willy: Never at a loss of words, is he?

Tony: Ya' think?

In case you hadn't figured it out, Ethan. I don't like you. I don't like what you stand for, I don't like your very existence. The fact that it's muscle bound oafs like you who garner such awe from these idiots baffles, bewilders and disgusts me. You're not a wrestler, you're a bar room brawler in tights. A fact that Magnus Von Schwartz all but proved when he beat you by out wrestling you. The only reason why anyone would even consider you a favorite to win The Devil's Playground is because it's a barbaric free for all. There is no skill involved. The winner is the guy who hits everyone else harder. So naturally a 7'0" 320 pound brute would have the edge. But tonight? Tonight I plan on showing the world what I already know. That in this ring, you're nothing. You and me, Ethan. One on one. Unless of course you're to afraid to be humiliated in your home state.

Pollox waits intently for Bain's arrival to the stage.

[eb]

Ethan enters the arena joined by a new theme, Slipknot's "Psychosocial". The fans come to their feet as big man comes to the stage.

Willy: There's a term they use in sports these days called "Genetic Freak". Bain falls into that category, fa' sho!

Tony: There may be no better gifted an athlete in the business right now then this young man. 7'0" tall. 330lbs. Herculean power, inhuman speed and agility unheard of for a man his size. And he's only 24 years old. As talented as he is, he can only get better. THAT'S scary.

As share their insight on Bain, he makes his way down to the ring. Inside, he calls for a mic and answers the challenge of the veteran Pollox.

You know what I hear in your voice, Gramps? I hear a lil' jealously. Let's face facts, you're not a small guy yourself. What do you go? 6'5"? Maybe 280-290lbs? It's not about the fact that I'm a FREAK, it's about that I'm bigger then you. Well let me reassure you, I'm not the biggest. There's this guy named Higby here that makes me look like Steve Toreno. But I don't think that's the source of your anger. Naaaaaaaaaah...it's something deeper then that. And I'm gonna clue you in on it. It's the fact that with all the so called talent you have, with all the hype that came with you when you signed on, you haven't been able to break into "The big time". Yea, I got beat by Magnus...in a non-title fight. You? Didn't you get your guts splattered by Kayn right before Magnus ended p beating him as well? And then there's of course you comin' up short against O'Dell. Yea, that seems to make more sense to me.

I've heard you spiel so many times that it's comin' out of my ears. You're damn right I'm not a wrestler. You can keep all of your technical holds and counters and what not. I use what brought me to the dance. And I get better at it week after week. While chumps like you talk about all that you've done, and how great you are, I've been learnin' my lessons well from The MAN, Mr. Dru Nedermeyer. Months ago I went to him and asked him to help take me to the next level. And months later, I'm still gettin' better.

The crowd continues to cheer Ethan on. He continues his response.

As for you sayin' that I'm a favorite, I gotta thank you for the complement. And yes, it's for the exact readon you just said. The Devil's Playground isn't a match that favors any style better then my own. But even that's not set in stone, because last year Keith Wyle won it by bein' in the right place at the right time, and hittin' the right move. You can't predict who'll win, cuz ya' can't predict who will be in it longer. But as for you exposin' my lack of wrestling skill tonight, we're just gonna have to see about that. I've never been on of those guys who talk big game. I get in the ring and bust skulls. And you just so happen to be the next poor sap on the Body Count.

With that, Ethan waits for Pollox's next response.

[pollox]

With a cocky, confident smirk, Pollox brings his mic up once again for a reply.

Ah yes, that cute little "Body Count" of yours. How can I forget. A list of absolutely meaningless men that you've bowled over in your career. A list that includes my old friend Sylas Styles and that joke of a man Brandon Payne to say a few. If ever there was a charity case in this match, it'd be him. A man who calls himself "Wrestling's Elite", yet he can't even beat a guy who just months ago was on the Injured Reserves for the World Title. Let alone all the rest of his failures of this year. I'm starting to wonder what Mr. Gallas was thinking when he made his announcement. I guess it pays to be a good lil' soldier after all. Make no bones about it, Bain. I have no intentions on being you next victim. Oh no, it'll be more a schooling on the finer arts of wrestling tonight. Because I'm not going to get the chance to do so at Devil's Night. You're going to have two muscled up ogres in you and the champ XXL, Three loud mouth punks in Sylk, Payne and Browne, and then you'll have me. The only actual credible wrestler in the match. You all bring many things to the table. But each one of you lack something collectively that I have more of then all of you respectively.

Pollox taps his head with his index finger.

It's going to take more then mouth and might to win at Devil's Night. And let's face it, none of the rest of the field take me as the types to "think things out". No no no, you young bucks would rather jump in and talk your trash and spew your witty one liners and think that it's going to carry you. Not a chance. I'm going to win at Devil's Night, because I don't have to out wrestle anyone. I don't even have to out fight any of you. All I have to do is out think you. The Devil's Playground is a marathon, not a sprint. You'd do well to take heed to those words, they might help you along. But that's getting ahead of myself. Tonight, it's about beating you into submission, and showing the rest of the field what a true champion looks like. Then come Devil's Night, I complete the cycle by becoming...champion.

[eb]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! And you've got the nerve to call Sylk, Payne and Browne trash talkers? My man, you've obviously taken one to many blows to the head in your old age. I'm not gonna beat around the bush any more, cuz I don't like doin' the song and dance that chumps like you and them do. So do me the solid of stowin' whatever else you have to say, and savin' it for someone who gives a damn. All I give a damn about is how fast I put my fist down your throat tonight. You want a piece of me? You've got the whole damn thing tonight. And bet you ass you just bit off more then you can chew, pops.

Ethan's theme booms over the PA once more. He drops his mic to the mat with a thud, and smirks in the direction of Pollox. Ethan turns to the ropes, bounds over the top rope, and hops down to the arena floor.