Blue Chips

[pancho]

The entrance theme of the brash young newcomer Dan Ripley hits the PA, and the New York fans boo his arrival heavily.

Buzz: Wow! You know you've hit your spots when you get booed in your own home town, eh Tony?

Tony: I don't even think Dan Ripley cares. He's the worst kind of competitor there is, one who's good...and knows it.
Ripley makes the usual walk down to the ring. Dressed in boot cut jeans and an Ed Hardy Tee, He enters the ring and beckons for a mic. Not wasting any time in the moment, Ripley addresses the fans.

Last week on Overload, I answered all questions. I quelled all doubts as to what Dan Ripley is capable of in this ring. I didn't just dominate Cody Black, I destroyed him. I decimated him. I dissected him. I proved without a shadow of a doubt that him beating me at the season premiere was the fluke of all flukes. But here's the scary part ladies and gentlemen. I took it easy on Black the last two weeks. Think about it, folks. Here in this ring stands the undeniable future of Pro Wrestling. The perfect athlete. The Bluest chip on the table...so to speak. And as good as I am, I haven't even started climbing the mountain of success, let alone reach my plateau. So think on that one a bit. Think about that fact that right now, as I stand in this ring, I'm better in all skills in this ring then 70% of the XWA locker room, and I'm not even close to as good as I could be. I am to wrestling...what Labron James is to the NBA. Not just the MVP, but the man who can...and will...carry the business into the next generation. The only problem is that the old generation are still trying to cling on to what sad glory they once had.

With a snickering smirk, Ripley adds.

I'm not just talkin' Cody Black. I'm talkin' about guys like Dru Nedermeyer. Guys like Magnus Von Schwartz. Guys like King. The guys who have been around the bin but still won't step aside and let the more younger, athletic, talented superstars get their due. They're all glory whores. Do they need to wrestle still? Hell no! Nedermeyer's a freakin' millionare for crying out loud. Magnus is old enough to be my freakin' POP. You tell me why they're still in the game. No...then again...don't. Because I already know. The classic case of not knowing when to give it up. I personally hope that A.Cee Infamous, Ryan Blaze and STE kick the three of of their asses tonight, just so they can see that they're not as great as they think they are. And bet your ass I plan on doing the same in due time. You see, I've heard so many guys before me talk about how they're the future of the sport. The problem is the future isn't coming fast enough because we've got guys in the present...who are stuck in the past. Well allow me to be the alarm clock to wake these old farts up.

Buzz: Wow...he is reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally not trying to make friends, is he?

Now. I came here to MSG in hopes of putting the final dagger in the heart of Cody Black tonight...but unfortunately, due to some personal issue, Cody had to return back to his home in Los Angeles...so "The King Of Rock" isn't here.

The fans boo the fact that Cody wouldn't be showing up to shut Dan's arrogance down.

If he was at all smart, he'd stay his ass in LA. He'd stay far, far away from this ring. He'd learn from his mistakes and realize that he will never...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever be as good as me. That youth will always beat experience. With the XWA Draft coming up, whichever show lands me is getting the best bang for it's buck...period. Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm gonna go watch the rest of the show from the comforts of my personal locker room.

Ripley prepares to exit the ring, but the crowd roars in cheer as something pops up on the Jumbotron...

[hc]

{{Live via satellite from LA, it was Cody Black. As the fans cheer on the sudden appearance, Cody's words stop Ripley cold.}}

Whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooa!!! Hold on there, lil' buckeroo. You don't think I'd just leave ya' hangin' did ya'? I'll admit, last week, you worked me over pretty good. You see, part of being a veteran is manning up when you get it handed to you. And I tip my cap to you, you said you'd win, and you did it in grand fashion. But does that make you god's gift to the ring? Not even close. Like I said last week, you're good. And you may just have what it takes to be great. But you ain't yet. Right now, you're just a trash talkin' young punk with no respect for the fans, the business or anything else for that matter. But I've got a plan for that. You see, when I notified Mr. Gallas about this little leave, I told him I didn't want to leave you empty handed. So he and I put our noggins together to figure out who you could wrestle tonight in my place. We wanted it to be someone who's been around for a while. Someone who's got a reputation for getting the job done. So allow me to introduce to you the man who will be taking my place tonight as your opponent.

{{Cody smiles ear to ear as the man's entrance theme cues up in the arena.}}

[hig]

The opening chord of one of the most menacing and familiar themes in all of XWA begins. Shock comes over the crowd as the largest man in wrestling steps forth from backstage...

Buzz: OOOOOOOOH MY!!! Dan Ripley...SAY HELLO TO THE COLOSSUS!!!

Roach: 7'2", 455 pounds. A walking engine of absolute destruction. Dan Ripley bit off PASSED more then he can chew!

Higby stands at the top of the stage with a menacing grin on his face. He chuckles as all could clearly see how quickly Ripley's tone changed.

[pancho]

Dan looks around for a quick explanation, but he was dead in the water. The look on his face said it all...a deer with an Abrams Tank barreling towards it. He could do nothing. He could say nothing. He just takes in a deep gulp and looks on at what he had to face in Black's stead. The most destructive force in all of XWA, Steven Higby. As the music continues to play, he grits his teeth and man's up. With a slight nod, he summons a small bit of the courage that had left when Higby revealed himself. There was no getting out of this, so he acknowledges that his only recourse was to face this challenge head on.

Tony: All of a sudden, Dan doesn't look as confident as he was when he came out, does he?

Willy: If you just found out you had to go one on one with a bonafide giant, would you have swag in ya' step? We better check the ring to see if he left a puddle in it.

Tony: Dan Ripley faces the figurative and literal BIGGEST test of his young career in "The Colossus" Steven Higby. It's time to put up or shut up for Dan Ripley.

[hig]

The scene ends with another shot of Higby on the stage. Chomping at the bit, his eyes were still firmly fixated on Ripley in the ring. The show then goes into another segment backstage.

Fin.