Combat Evolved (Jon Payne)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

As XGAMES continued on, in the center of the ring stood the former Pure Champion, Magnus Von Schwartz, in a typical black business as usual. His theme music was just now dying down, and a mic was in his hands, ready to speak after a brief hiatus following his loss of that belt.

Ladies and gentlemen. I am aware that I have not graced you with my presence for some time now, and I must apologize for this fact. From the moment I set foot in this XWA, it was my commitment to be one of the few men to carry this sport as it was meant to be, a sport...not some spectacle of lights and sounds, of flashy manuevers and clever microphone play.

I was poised to declare an immediate rematch for the Pure Title against Romeo Davis, until that interesting Osiris fellow made a challenge. I am a man who advocates one-on-one combat above all else, as it is the true testament to whom the superior athlete is, so I opted to watch the young Romeo defend his title. In doing so, I came to the realization that as I surmised, he is indeed a worthy combatant, and if he remains focussed can hold that title as long as he wishes...until I decide to take it from him. To that Mr. Davis I say that your path and mine will cross again soon, but not tonight.

Tonight, I have challenge of a different kind aimed towards a man of a different caliber from Romeo Davis'. A man who is one of the most calculating competitors this industry has seen in a long time. A man who likens himself as a hybrid of styles...the true definition of a warrior, not simply just a wrestler. A man who for the last few months has been preparing himself to compete in Mixed Martial Arts in addition to competing here in the XWA.

The man who calls himself "The Evolution of Combat" Jon Payne.

There is an immediate pop from the LA fans as Magnus drops Payne's name.

Jon, you are something of a vagabond in this company. You have stated that you will accept any challenge, yet few have answered the call. I believe that is because they know they would be stepping into the ring with a different kind of competitor. One that there truly is no preparation to face, because you Jon do not specialize in one aspect, but rather excel in all aspects. Striking, grappling, submissions, you're even akin to the high flying theatrics here and there. If I were a normal competitor, I would not desire to face you either.

But Magnus Von Schwartz is not a normal competitor. I have earned the distinction of being one of the best grapplers in the world, and I have proven my worthiness of the claim here in the XWA. It is not just any challenge I seek here, it is the greatest challenges I seek. It is the greatest challengers I seek.

Tonight Jon Payne, I will be so bold as to challenge you to not just a regular match, but a Pure Rules match. A match that will showcase both of our abilities in this ring, and test them at the same time.

Do you accept Payne, or yield?

[Jon Payne]

As the lights in the Staples Center dimmed down to that deep shade of green, there was no doubt what the answer to Magnus' question was. The sound of Bro-Kin's "Separate" began to play, and one more time the man they call Jon Payne would step out onto the XGAMES2 stage to a roaring ovation.

Roach: It's been well documented the training in Brazil that Jon Payne is undergoing for his debut in the UFC in 2009, but that takes nothing from the fact that this man will never back down from a challenge in the ring of the XWA.

Buzz: Magnus was right about one thing, there aren't too many guys who've taken up Payne's offer. He said all that anyone would have to do is make the challenge and he'd be there. There was a buzz all week that MVS was going to do just that, and that it's happened, well...here comes the Payne!!!

As Jon stepped into the ring, the stoic Magnus stood his ground right in the center and he could feel the sheer intensity radiating from the man. Here was a man who a lot like him thrived on competition. He took the mic handed to him by a crew member, and cleared his throat...

So let me get this straight. You're challenging me to a match tonight here at XGAMES2. A Pure Rules match no less.

He paused for a second, the crowd still chanting "Ev-o-lu-tion" under his voice.

You don't even have to ask twice Magnus! There's no way that I could possibly pass this match up. Don't think that I didn't remember the month of Soul Survivor my friend. When you locked a camel clutch on me that I had no choice but to tap out to, right then and there is when I learned that you weren't just another prude who babbles on about "tradition".

If I was going to show a kid a lesson in true grappling, it's probably be some footage of you manhandling guys, tossing them around and tying them up in knots. See Magnus, there's no deception with you. You step into the ring and people know what to expect. You're opponents know what to expect. But you're so good at what you do that even if they know it's coming they still can't stop it.

That...kinda sounds a little familiar doesn't it?

The crowd agrees. The announcers agree.

There's those who just say that they're good...and then there's those who are good without saying. You and I, we're both in the second category. So the question is left to ask, who would be the better man if they faced each other one on one? Could I use my skills and quickness to keep you from using your power and technique?

I guess that there's only one way to find that out, is there?

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

We shall see indeed, Mr. Payne.

Magnus nodded as he pondered the question himself.

We shall see if you can use any of your skills against me effectively. If you have paid attention, then you know that it will take every bit of knowledge you have in order to defeat me. I trust that you will not make the same mistakes as other have, depending on only one thing to prevail, be it power or speed or just pure luck as it were.

If only more would learn to respect the basics of the sport, perhaps there would be more meaningful competition. I look at some of these boys here, and think to myself how fortunate it must be for them to know that I haven't broken them in half by now. This is more than just about the competition, Jonathan. This is about making yet another clear statement. The same as I made when I defeated Ethan Bain. The same as I made when I ended Kayn's winning streak. That statement is the fact that I represent wrestling in it's truest form...and because of that there are no tricks that can defeat me, only skill and strategy...the kind that only few know of, and even fewer are masters of.

If you are to prevail, it will be because you've outwrestled me, and victory against me my good man is something that the common man is rarely afforded.

[Jon Payne]

Well then I guess that I'll be in good shape, because I more than a common man, and way more than the common wrestler!

You won't have to worry too much about me Magnus. I would be more concerned with yourself if I were you, because you're the one who's about to be put to the test tonight. We know you're good. Real good. But just how good are you against a different kind of athlete?

Jon raises an eyebrow before he continues.

There isn't anyone in this business who can do what I do. There's a reason why I'm called The Evolution after all, and that's because what I do in this ring is always changing, and I'll tell you this much...when I get rolling there isn't the strategy in the world that's going to help you!

That can get you pretty far in this business, strategy can...don't get me wrong. But sometimes...just sometimes...you've got to wing it. You've gotta be gung ho, throw caution to the wind and leave it all in the ring. That's what Jon Payne's been about since day one, and that's the reason why I've been able to do what I do so well when I do it.

If I beat you tonight, it won't be because I outwrestled you. It'll be because I outEVERYTHINGED you, and there was little you could do to keep up!