Focussed Efforts (Syrus)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

The second episode of Takedown would emanate from New Jersey. After the opening sequence and ubiquitous pyrotechnic sequence inside of the ring and on stage, the announce team would introduce themselves...

Roach: On the cusp of a night of shocking controversy and the huge new announcement that will change the shape of the XWA, we welcome you to Takedown, live from the sold out Prudential Center here in Newar, NJ. Mike Roach and Buzz Berman here with the call at ringside!

...and then to open the show up, the sound of Magnus' new theme began to play. Out from the back he walks once more in his now famous pre-match attire of a black business suit. He's greeted by the sounds of the thousands of fans booing him, and after his first effort last week they had reason for it.

As per his usual, he thought very little of the fans' reaction to him as he made his march toward the squared circle.

Roach: Looks Buzz like we're going to start this week with the man who last week had an impressive debut against the World Champion.

Buzz: Impressive is definitely a good word to describe Maggie's performance against Syrus in Long Island last week. I don't know a lot about Magnus' training in the off-season, but I can tell ya that whatever he did, works.

Roach: And now, as per his own stipulation, if he beats STE toinght, he gets the first crack at the World Title at March Madness in Madison Square Garden!

A mic awaited Magnus inside of the ring. He clears his throat and then prepares to set the tone for the events to come.

There is a lot to say about the events that have transpired over the last week. All of them as shocking and unexpected as the next, but I have my ambition and focus to attend myself to, and that...as it has always been...is to seek my retribution.

I am but one step closer to that absolution tonight. I would be confident, but I am not. I am actually more concerned than anything. What is my reasoning for this state of mind you ask? They answer is not one that I desire to tell you people. It is one that I desire to tell our World Champion himself, face to face.

Of course, the prospect of the popular Syrus coming out had sparked a cheer from the crowd.

So, Syrus...let us get straight to the point here, for my words are ones that can only benefit you I hope. Please do not hesitate to join inside of this ring.

And with that, he lowered his mic and waited for Syrus' arrival.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Sure enough, STE's theme begins to play...

CAN YOU DIG IT?

CAN YOU DIG IT!!??

CAAAAAAAAN YOOOOOOOOOOOU DIGIIIIIIIIITTTTT!!!

And the champ steps out from the back to a raucous reaction from New Jersey. He nods his head as the cameras zoom in close to the purple wearing showman, holding the World Title over his shoulder.

He does the usual as he made his way to the ring, high fiving the fans down the ramp and at ringside.

Buzz: Yeah, Syrus has way too much "swag" to let one little win bring him down. This guy is the most electrifying man in the XWA! He's still the champ too!

Roach: But will he remain that way should Magnus win tonight is the question. A lot of people are saying that after last week that Schwartz is on another level right now. Syrus never really got out of the gates in the Nassau Coliseum because the big German was all over him.

Buzz: Not gonna happen again tonight baby!

Syrus now stood in the ring only a few feet from Magnus. He'd been handed a mic and his theme faded out to the sound of the thousands in attendance chanting his name.

Now, now, now...before I begin, there's just something I need to know.

NEW JERSEY...WHAT'S...GOING...DOWN!?

*Poppity Pop Pop POP!!!*

Now Maggie, after last week all I've been hearing is people saying "Can Syrus beat Magnus?" and I'm wondering to myself...why the hell can I not? This ain't about what people say on paper, or over the Internet...you do know about that new slogan XWA's got, right?

"In the ring is where it matters."

So...I don't wanna hear nothing about how all of your training has paid off and how you're physically "superior" or any of that 'ol poppycock!

Roach: Did he just say "poppycock"?

Last week, you won. You got the better of the STE. That doesn't mean that you've gotten better, and it sure as hell don't mean that I've lost a step...so let's get that one thing straight like a fastball down the plate, aight!?

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Magnus smirks just a bit before he clears his throat to respond.

Do you think that is the case, Syrus? Last week, the man who I faced was not Syrus The Entertainer. There was no fire, there was no flash, there was none of the "electricity" or explosiveness that you are known for. There was only an opponent on the caliber of the "younglings" that I handily defeated last season.

When I defeated Ethan Bain however, when I defeated Kayn, those who are known as top competitors here, I got their best. They used all of the tools in their arsenal. You did not. The reason being for this is one that is as clear as day.

And he points directly at the title resting on Syrus' shoulder.

The old addage states that "the man can make the belt or the belt can make the man". The same can be said about the belt "breaking" the man. Since you've become the champion, your popularity has skyrocketed, has it not? You have been on television, radio, as I've heard it...even offered parts in film.

All of this is well and good, Syrus...but the first and foremost priority is exactly as it is that you've said-what happens in this ring. What happened in this ring last week is not something that I would just ignore if I were you, because if that's the case history WILL repeat itself.

And if that happens Syrus, at March Madness, you will have a lot to prove to all of your fans, to yourself, and most importantly to me...being that you are worthy of being called the champion of the world. That is the other reason I have called you out here, to inform you that I have added a special clause in the contract for tonight's match.

If I defeat you tonight, our title match in MSG will be officiated under PURE RULES.

Roach: Pure Rules!? You must be kidding? Talk about stacking the deck in your favor!

Buzz: This is the first time I'm hearing of a World Title be fought for under Pure rules here, but wow. Magnus is a former Pure champion, while STE's never wrestled a Pure match! This is almost like a must-win for Syrus...

The crowd reaction to the announcement was one of total shock. Some people look deflated at the prospect. They knew that a Pure Rules match did not favor the champion at all.

Consider that to be a little added incentive to ensure that tonight I face the "old" Syrus. If the one from last week is the man I face tonight, not only will I have no problem defeating him this week, but at March Madness I will destroy him and take his title in MY element.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

There was a whole lot to take in that Magnus had just said. The most prevalent of it all was the fact that if he won tonight, the Main Event would be a Pure Rules match for the World Title, a match type that Syrus had yet to compete in and as was pointed out, one that Magnus has had much success in.

You want the "old" Syrus, huh Maggie? He never went anywhere, brotha! You say I have something to prove? I say...YOU DAMN RIGHT!!! I've been doing that my whole career my man. Beating the odds, proving myself and proving everyone else wrong. Proving that you don't have to be robot or bad-ass or anything like that to be a champion!

See, all these cats backstage talking about how they're not "entertainers" and all the rest of crap...they just don't know. They're the same ones who probably think that I can't beat you. People have their heads too far up their asses to be able to SEE the truth...and that's the fact that no matter who says what, or who thinks what...I'm the champion!

That got a rise from the fans.

I earned this title on the grandest stage this business has to offer against some of the best competition this business has to offer. So there ain't no need for me to prove anything to anyone except for one thing...that I can take any challenge on the table and eat it up like a plate from Maybelline's Ribs & Flapjacks down I-95!!!

Buzz: I've actually been there! Really good cole slaw.

So damn a stipulation Maggie. It don't matter who wins tonight in NJ, at Madison Square Garden, NYC, March Madness 2009, I will wrestle and DEFEND this title under Pure Rules against you, and give everyone something to talk about at the water cooler Monday morning.

Roach: The champ might be being a little overzealous right now if you ask me. A Pure Rules match against Magnus is not going to be the easiest thing to endure...

Buzz: That's just the heart of a champion right there! That's the kind of thing that gets people behind the man. Nobody's got more heart than the man with the afro!

As for tonight, what we're gonna have is 17,615 fans packed into the Prudential...(POP)...and MILLIONS watching around the world see their champion, your champion, THE champion, show you why I am the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!!

Now, there's just one thing left that I need to know and that's...

CAN YOU DIG IT?

CAN YOU DIG IT!!??

CAAAAAAAAN YOOOOOOOOOOOU DIGIIIIIIIIITTTTT!!!


And right on cue, STE's theme blasts again over the PA system. He drops the mic and slides out of the ring, backing up the ramp with the look of a man who's confident that he can beat the odds and rise to the challenge in front of him, even if others don't.

Roach: So it's STE Vs. MVS again tonight, but at March Madness...Pure Rules for the World Title? I think the name of the PPV fits, because this one sounds insane to me...

And the show cuts to commercial.