The Moment (Invite)

[scott]

March Madness rolls along, and the New York fans are soon graced by the presence of two of the industry's best, the one and only Scott O'Dell, and the fearsome Bryan Jasta. As O'Dell's music plays and both men make their way down to the ring, Tony Gomez and Slick Willy weigh in.

Tony: Here come a pair of men who had mixed results on Overload last week. On one end of the coin, in their 1st ever match against each other, Scott O'Dell managed to eek out a win against Adam Devlin, and on the other end, we saw something I don't think we've seen in XWA before...the blood of Bryan Jasta...

Willy: Ain't no doubt in my mind what kinda man Osh Vaughn is. He did what so many men ahead of him have tried and failed to do...and that ain't just beat Jasta, but make the man tap after bustin' him open. I had my doubts about him at 1st, but I think he proved to the world that he's not only as good as advertised, but he's good enough to hang with XWA's best.

O'Dell and Jasta now stood in the center of the ring. With mics in hand now, Scott starts things off.

You know, me and this town have a love-love hate relationship that I think can be best described as "Storied". Two years ago, in this building...I etched my name in wrestling history by become the 1st ever XWA World Champion. And from that night on, I carried this company on my back and turned it from a "Doomed to fail pretender" to the premiere wrestling organization in North America, if not the world. Last year at Independence Day 08, I made Brandon Payne in a No DQ Street Fight, the 3rd win in a row against him. Probably the best losing streak in his career, because after he got it handed to him by me, he actually started mattering in the business again. Which brings us to now. March Madness 2009. Madison Square Garden. And you know what I think? I think MSG is about due for another magical Scott O'Dell moment.

The fans had already broke into a chorus of boos.

Tonight, there are two men sitting backstage that are of immediate interest. One of those men is Osh Vaughn, and the other one is Adam Devlin. The boyscouts of XWA. The "Heroes". And of course is they're the heroes, that must naturally make us the villains. A role I don't think either of us would deny. Now, the plan was at 1st for the two of us to come out here and dismantle both of you one on one, but then Bryan here offered an interesting alternative. But instead of ruining his surprise, I'd rather let him drop the news on you all.

[jasta]

The stoic Jasta, sporting a bandage on his head, raises his mic and speaks.

Osh...I have to tell you, last week...you made me a very...VERY...

Happy man.

In the last three years I've yet to find an opponent who's been able to do what you did last week. Give me the fight I've craved. But you? *Heh heh* You proved yourself to be a worthy adversary. Where so many others have merely flapped their gums and fallen short of their claims, you talked softly...but proved that you are exactly like us. A Lion. One that when the chance arises for bloodshed, doesn't back down to it. But what might be your most memorable win ever in XWA, will also be your death note. Because what you also did last week, is show me, O'Dell and Primo that restraint is something we don't need to show in dealing with you. Last week we might have saw the best Osh Vaughn in years. But you my friend, you haven't seen the best Bryan Jasta. Because when I'm at my best, I'm at my WORST. And when I'm at my worst, people get hurt. My old friend Jared Chase. The at one time promising young talent Jared Sayint. TNB legend The Avenger. These three men share one common thread. They all had their XWA careers, if not their careers in general...ENDED by my hand. Of course, that's not to say that I intend on ending yours. No, no, no. That would be letting you off to easy.

Jasta grins.

Men like you and your friend Adam are to strong willed to just break physically. And I have no intentions to make it that simple. Your defeat is going to be something to be savored. Something that will last a long...long time. It's not your bodies we plan to crush. It's your will. Your drive. The passion that makes you step between those ropes every week. It's as I said at the season premiere, gentlemen. In a war of attrition, the winner isn't the force that strikes 1st, it's the force that strikes hardest. The side that strikes with such malice that it breaks the morale of the opponent. Kill a man's will to fight, and watch the rest of him die slowly. That is the future you two have in store for you. Tonight, it's going to be an eye for an eye, and blood for blood. I tasted my own blood for the 1st time in years last week. Tonight, we repay the gesture.

[scott]

With a shrill grin of his own, Scott adds...

Let me spell it out for you, folks...in case you haven't quite figured it out. One one side of the ring, Vaughn and Devlin. On the other side of the ring, me and Jasta. And we fight it out until one man BLEEDS.

The reaction from the fans told the story, as all in the arena murmured with uncertainty.

Willy: Whooooooooooooooa...hol' tha' damn phone. A Tag Team 1st Blood match? Is that what they're gettin' at?

Tony: It sounds like that's exactly what they're getting at. There's no doubt that they want to make a barbaric statement, and there's no bigger statement then making a man bleed.

So how about it, fellas? Up for a little mindless, senseless violence in NYC? I know we are.

With that, O'Dell and Jasta await the arrival of their foes Vaughn and Devlin.

[adam]

Mere moments would pass, and Adam's theme would play over the PA. The fans rise to their feet as he and Osh Vaughn step out from behind the set. Adam would take point in the response, as he and Osh already had mics of their own.

This has got to be a 1st. The 1st time ever that you kicked someone's ass and didn't come out and gloat about it. Wow, I guess you are growing up some, aren't ya' Scotty? But don't get me wrong...we all know I can take my lumps. Last week, you showed why you're one of the best in the sport, if not maybe even all time. I gave you everything I could, and you took it. But this was never about doubting your talent in that ring. This is about doubting your integrity out of it. I look in that right now, and I see two 1st ballad Hall Of Famers. Two of the most dominant men in the sport. Two household names. And there's only one thing that overshadows those things. The fact that one of you is a monomaniacal sadist, and the other is a pompous jackass. But then again, Osh here is a bleedin' heart Liberal and I'm a glutton for punishment, so I guess none of us are perfect, are we?

But I'll tell you what is perfect. The setting here tonight. The atmosphere. It's electrified. Here, in the mecca of sports, Madison Square Garden. The world's most famous arena. Hallowed ground for all professional wrestling. This is the perfect place for the two of us to come out to this ring later tonight, and in front of a sellout New York crowd, beat the god damn HELL out of you to yokels. You see, Scott. I've been in my fair share of barbaric matches. So this lil' 2 on 2 1st Blood match of yours, it's not concerning me one bit. In fact, seeing as you yourself haven't even competed in a 1st Blood Match your entire career, I think the two of us have a decided advantage. Then again, that's an unfair assumption. I remember back in 07, you in the ring against Joey Curtis. A match that many people remember as being on of your finest. Joey leaked you open with a stiff shot, but you still ended the night with your hand raised in the air. And if I'm not correct, that was the last time you ever bled in a match. Well tonight, I think it's high time Osh and I end that little streak.

[osh]

[shadow=red,left,300]Shortly thereafter, Osh adds to Adam's response in saying...[/shadow]

Let's make one thing perfectly clear here, boys. And that's the reason why all of this is going down. I think it's been lost in that translation the last couple of week, but I'll gladly remind you. This whole thing came about because simply put, you bozos have no respect for this business. A business that's been forged through the blood, sweat and tears of many men and women before us. I've been blessed to have been able to do this for over 18 years, and still be going strong today. But even in being a veteran, I respect those who helped me get where I'm at in my career, be they friend or foe. Yet when I look at the state of the wrestling industry today, all I see is smug, pompous, arrogant kids who think just because they have the talent to make it that something is owed to them.
Let me hit you boys with some facts. As of April 2009, there's an estimated 6.77 Billion human beings walking the Earth. And out of those 6.77 Billion people, only about 1 Million of them are Wrestlers, and only about 18% of that 1 Million are "Professional" Wrestlers, meaning they make enough money off of this to be able to support themselves and their families. Now I'm not a Mathematician, but I paid attention back in school enough to know that 18% of 6.77 Billion is a seriously small number. But just because you're one of the lucky ones, the select few who are making ends meat in this business, that doesn't mean DICK if you don't respect the business. There were people who paved the way for your ungrateful asses to be able to fly your Lier Jets, wear your Armani Suits and flaunt your Bling. And we didn't have those luxuries when we did.

[shadow=red,left,300]Osh gets a standing ovation from the crowd, but he was far from finished.[/shadow]

The word respect gets tossed around so much these days that I think it's lost it's meaning. But there are a few guys left in the show that know what it means at it's base, most simplest level. Guys like Adam here. Guys who do this for more then fame, Guest spots on popular TV shows and endorsement deals. Guys who do this because it's in their blood. Because it's what they set out to become waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back when they were in Grade School and saw their 1st match on TV. A guy like that I'll go to war alongside of anytime, because I know that guy is fighting for something more then himself. Jasta, you couldn't be more correct about the rules of war, especially a war of attrition. But don't think for a second that I'm at all complacent with making you tap last week. That'd be a rookie move, and I sure as hell ain't no rookie. You talk about wanting to break our spirit. Well you've got your work cut out for you, Spartan. Because our will is the will of EVERY person sitting in this arena. Our will is the will of the millions of people watching this in their living rooms. Our will...is the will of the men and women who came before us, and the men and women who will take up the torch when our time in that ring is done. And it won't be so easily broken. So gentlemen, you want a Dual 1st Blood match tonight? I say BRING IT ON!!!

[shadow=red,left,300]MSG gives a roar cheer for the passionate words of Osh Vaughn. He lowers his mic and awaits the response of the opposition.[/shadow]

[scott]

The arena seemed to have rallied behind the words of Vaughn. It was obvious that one of his skills was getting a crowd behind him. Just as obvious as Scott's skill to under the skin of a rival. Scott doesn't waste time doing exactly that.

There you go with that "respect" crap again. I don't know how many times I have to say it Vaughn, but you can take you respect and shove it up your ass. I'm one of, if not THE biggest name in this company. I'm the man who carried XWA and put it on the damn map. But what do these fans do week in and week out? They boo me. And why is that? Is it because I'm a suck ass wrestler? Far from it. Is it because I'm one of these guys who come out here and cut 10 minute promos on how great they are, just to come out later in the night and get their ass handed to them? Not hardly. The reason why they boo me is because I, just like Jasta here, and just like Primo...don't kiss their ass.

And the boos intensify.

Doyou think I give a damn about these people? They're brainwashed idiots. I've heard the whole speech about "The fans are what make us superstars...blah blah blah." If that ain't the biggest load of bull I've ever heard. These fans don't mean squat to me, because they haven't done squat for me. I'm the biggest name in wrestling today. And I did it on my own. I did it MY way. I rewrote the book on what a "badguy" is in wrestling, because I don't play one on TV like some of these other posers in the business. I am who I am 24/7. And who I am...is a jackass. A bonafide jerk. But I'm a jerk who's better in this ring the 85% of the entire roster. And the other 15% are either guys that caught me on a bad night, or guys I haven't faced yet. Respect hasn't lost meaning to me, because it never had meaning to begin with.

Scott chuckles in satisfaction of his words.

Boys, you have no idea what you're in for. You have no idea how deep this gets. There's a lot more to this alliance then you, these fans, the rest of the roster, the board of directors and the entire damn industry know. But you'll find that out soon enough. Just like how you'll find out how you both look with stitches in your heads after we're done with you tonight.

[jasta]

Jasta had little else to say. Scott's response was a mutualpoint of view for both men. He and O'Dell await the impending response of either Devlin or Vaughn.

[adam]

The closing remark would come from Adam...

It's nice to know the way you really feel, Scotty. It's a damn shame that those feelings are going to share the same traits tonight as your jaw. Being BROKEN. No examples are going to be needed when this night's up. Just stitches.

Adam's music hits the PA. The stage was set for what was sure to end a bloody battle. 4 men. 2 agendas. 1 epic confrontation that would be the 1st major battle in this "War Of Attrition".

The End.