Only the beginning (Bain)

[pollox]

The entrance theme of Pollox fills the Staples Center PA system. The savvy veteran steps out from backstage dressed in full ring gear, so you could tell he'd come out to the ring for a challenge. He takes a moment at the ring steps to peer out into the crowd, then shakes his head slightly as the boos continue to rain down. Inside of the ring, Pollox is handed a mic.

As you all can plainly see, I stand here tonight with something missing. The XWA World Title. A Title I have designs on holding in the near future. But to Robby Sylk, from one true gentlemen to another, I congratulate you on beating the odds two weeks ago, and I look forward to seeing if you perhaps can have a repeat performance tonight. That being said, I myself have an agenda tonight as well. That that agenda happens to be named Ethan Bain.

The boos turn to cheers from the mere mention of "The Big Ticket".

Yes, yes. Cheer him on. What's there not to like of him as wrestling fan? He's big, strong, smashmouth and in your face. In wrestling lingo, he's what we call a "Stud". A young, strong, talented superstar with nothing but upside and potential. 23 years old and already a former World Champion. And to me, it's rather ironic. You see, Ethan. 14 years ago, I was you. In ever sense of the term. A stud. A can't miss prospect destined to become a legend. And here I stand, 14 years later...a legend. We're more alike then you think, Ethan. But you, much like many other young guys in the game these days have let that early success get to your head. I look at mean like our World Champion, and the other joining him in the Last Dance, and so many other young guys in XWA. Guys like Brandon Payne, and Nathan Browne, and Brian Yang. Guys who have nothing but potential, if it weren't for one thing.

The fact that you all let the little head make decisions the big one should make.

I'm not knocking anything any of you have, or ever will do. There are plenty of future legends under the employ of XWA. But it's a long, hard road to reach that status, and last as long as I have. It takes the ability to not only thrive in victory, but be humble in defeat. And it takes the ability to differentiate what true success is. These fans boo me, yes. They don't like me, and I really don't like them, either. But there's a line in the sand that's generally excepted by me, and these people.

Respect.

It's a word that's tossed around like most guys are in this ring. A word that I feel in this day and age of wrestling has lost it's meaning. But one thing holds true now as it did when I 1st stepped in a ring. It's earned...not given.

As Pollox paces the ring, he adds more to his speech.

The last time you and I were in the ring one on one, you showed that potential. Even after I managed to control the pace, you found the way to win. It was enough to get my attention, Ethan. But my respect? Not hardly. I come a train of thought where the worth of man in this industry isn't in what titles he's held. Or how many T-Shirts he sells. All that matters is what he did in the ring. Between these ropes is where men where made, and destroyed. Tonight, Ethan...We find out the worth of your mettle. This time, there is no title momentum in play. No needless distractions. This time it's just and me. One man versus another, with the only thing hanging in the balance being respect. And tonight, I'll either earn yours, or beat it into you the old fashion way. I made the mistake of taking you lightly the last time. And I don't make those mistakes often.

Pollox turns to the stage.

Let's not keep the people waiting, big man.

[eb]

It wouldn't take long for Bain's theme to hit the PA. The LA crowd comes to it's feet as "The Big Ticket" steps from backstage. With mic in hand, he gets right into his response as his music fades out.

I'm gonna start out by agreein' with you on one point, the word respect has lost it's meaning in this day and age of wrestling. But it damn sure ain't because of the reason you mentioned. You see, Pollox, I'm a student of the game. Before I became a wrestler, I was the 12 year old kid sittin' in the front row wearin' a Brama Bull Shirt with a 3:16 foam finger. I've watched what's happened to the business from that end, while obvious in your 15 years you've watched it chance from the inside. And yea, I do agree with the fact that there's to much hot doggin' from ham & eggers who haven't even reached for the brass ring, let alone touch it. But I have. And I will again. For every loud mouth tootin' his own own about how his crap don't stink, there's a Van Hayden, who's silently busted his ass to become one of the top competitors in the sport. For ever guy who comes out and takes a shot at someone simply for the fact of gettin' their own ass over, there's a Romeo Davis, who did exactly what I did in 2007...come from outta no where and put his stamp on XWA. There's two sides to the coin, Pollox. And guess what? We demand the same respect you do.

The fans cheer on as Ethan adds.

The problem I see is this. It's not about us respectin' you. It's about you respectin' us. Since the moment you came into XWA, you've looked down on the younger guys. Called us flash in the pans. One hit wonders. You know why? It damn sure isn't about us not respectin' you. It's because you're afraid to lose your spot to one of us. Yea, I said it. You're afraid that one day a young guy like me is gonna come along and put you out of the game. So you weasel and manipulate at every chance you get to avoid that from happenin'. I'll be the 1st person to admit the last time we fought, you schooled me. If it were a matter or winnin' on points, you'd have one five times in one match. But I took my lose to Magnus into account when I faced you, because you're both the same kind of wrestler. Fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me. And I started out makin' the same mistakes I made against him...to you. But I caught on to it mid match, and turned things around. And in doin' that, I won. Just liked I'll do the next time me and Mags have a dance. Student of the game, buddy. You want my respect? Earn it by acknowlegin' the guys spillin' blood for XWA, and not puttin' us down every time you open your yap. You want that chance tonight? You've got it, my friend.

Ethan intently waits for Pollox's response.

[pollox]

Pollox stood running his hand over his chin as Bain spoke. Soon after Bain finishes, Pollox responds.

And so the cat is finally out of the bag. And to think it took only what? Four months for this to finally come to fruition? But you know what it sounds like to me, Ethan? It sounds to me like you and the rest of "The Guys" want a pat on the back for what you're getting paid to do. Guys like you, or Hayden, or Devlin can talk all you want about doing this for the love of the sport until you're blue in the face. But how are you enjoying that Rolex on your wrist, eh Ethan? Or that shiny, Black Ford F-150 with the 22" Rims you showed up to the arena in? To quote something Scott O'Dell said at the top of the show, the only line that matters is the Bottom Line. Of course we all do this because we "love" it. Who in their right mind would subject themselves to being on the road ten months of the year doing all kinds of damage to their bodies week after week if they didn't enjoy it? No one, that's who. But that's not the reason why we do this. We do it because Pro Wrestling is a Billion Dollar cash cow. And every one of us gets a slice of the pie.

*Hmmmph* I'll acknowledge you and your buddies when you all grow. This is a man's sport. There's no room for boys who need to be congratulated for doing their damn job. And you will be doing your "job" tonight, Bain.

[eb]

Bain at this point let his fiery Texas sized temper get the better of him.

When we grow up, eh? How about I come on down to that ring and remind you just how grown up I am then, chump?

The fans come unglued as it seemed Bain was just about through talking, and in the classic Bain fightin' mood.

[pollox]

Without hesitation, Pollox answers the call.

If you're that much in a hurry to get your head caved in tonight, bring it on.

He then drops his mic to the canvas, rolls up his sleeves, and waits for Bain's advance.

[eb]

Bain takes a look out to the crowd, just for a brief moment as if to say "He doesn't know what he just got himself into" before dropping his mic and charging the ring. The Staples Center comes alive as the savvy vet and the young bull collide in the ring. As Bain slides into the ring, Pollox cuts him off with a few timely stomps, but that wouldn't be enough to keep him down. Bain powers his way to his feet and the two men begin trading shots in the ring.

Buzz: Now THIS is what I call action!!! Two bulls going blow for blow in the center of the ring. Let's get a ref out here and let them have it it right now!!!

Bain manages to gain the upper hand in the exchange, delivering repeated lefts one after one, followed by a huge overhand right that knocks Pollox to the floor. The crowd explodes as Bain roars in celebration, but that celebration would be short lived...

[kaster]

Out from the crowd on Bain's blindisde jumped Kaster Troy. The jovial mood of the crowd changed quickly as Bain was outnumbered and didn't even know of it until it was well to late. Kaster slides into the ring and cuts down the big red wood with a chop block. He knew well enough that to go toe to toe with him wasn't smart, but on one knee Bain was a much easier target. Kaster follows by deliver shots of his own to Bain as Pollox gathered himself.

Roach: Dammit!!! You knew this was going to happen. Of all the opportune times for Kaster Troy to return to XWA. Even Bain can't out fight a pair of jackals like The Regulators!

[pollox]

The brothers took turns laying in blows on Bain as the fans booed heavily. Pollox walks over to a near by cameraman and shoves him to the ground.

Buzz: Oh no, don't tell me he's going to...

Pollox secure the camera and tells Kaster to hold the groggy Bain up.

Roach: Someone's gotta stop this! They're gonna try and take Bain out!!!

As Pollox hoisted the camera to deliver the critical blow, the crowd comes alive once again as the cavalry had arrived to the ring.

[ames]

And that cavalry came in the form of Bain's childhood friend, Jimmy Ames. He charges into the ring and tackles the much bigger Pollox to the ground, knocking the camera out of his grasp in the process. Jimmy lays in some shots on him from a side mount, just as Bain had finally collected himself from the ambush.

Roach: Get 'em, Jimmy!!!

[eb]

Bain fends off Kaster, then delivers a haymaker that stuns him. Grabbing the back of Kaster's neck, Bain heaves him clean over the top rope to the arena floor.

[ames]

On the other side of the ring, Jimmy continues to belt Pollox with lefts and rights. Noticing that Bain had dispatched of Kaster, Jimmy decides to do the same. He irish whips Pollox to the far end of the ring where Kaster was dumped, and followed him into the run. As Pollox came off the rope, Jimmy delivers a stiff standing dropkick that sends Pollox backflipping out of the ring, right on top of Kaster, who was just getting up from being launched by Bain. Jimmy grabs the mic Pollox had dropped.

You boys wanna rumble tonight? Fine!!! The two of you versus the two of us in a good ol' fashion TEXAS TORNADO ELIMINATION MATCH!!!

Jimmy throws down the mic, and the crowd cheers on the challenge just made.

[kaster]

As he and Pollox beat a withdrawal from the ring, Kaster could be heard saying from one of the camera mics:

You're ON!!! We're gonna break you two punks in half!!!

Thus pretty much accepting the challenger.

[eb]

Meanwhile, Bain and Ames invited them to get back in the ring for another round. But The Troys continued up the ramp. The issue between Bain and Pollox was far from done. In fact, it seemed that it had now kicked into the next level.

Roach: It's safe to say that a match has been tossed into the powder keg that is this rivalry between Bain and Pollox. Add Kaster and Jimmy into things and we're in for one hell of an explosive Tornado Tag match later tonight.

Buzz: Damn skippy. Something tells me this is only the beginning of things between those four men.

XGames would move on to it's next segment soon after.

The End.