Setting the stage (Invite)

[cade]

*Takes place 2 matches into the Grand Slam Tournament Program*

The camera fades in from a break to show Kris Cade looking intently at a monitor, watching highlights of the match that had just ended. The fans in the arena can be heard cheering on this 1st appearance of Cade in more then 10 months in XWA. Cade watches the monitor and nods approvingly of what he sees. He's approached from the side by Fabiola not to soon after.

Kris Cade. 1st off let me welcome you back to XWA. It seems like ages since we last saw you. How's things been for you? How's the wife and your newborn son?

They're both doing well. I'll tell you, stepping away from this place was on of the toughest things I had to do in my life. But it was something I needed to do at the time. But that doesn't mean I haven't kept tabs on what's been going on. I'm anxious to get back into the mix.

What do you think about the draft and the Grand Slam Tournament so far?

What can I say. Takedown's got a pretty stacked field of competition. And the guys that were selected to be in tonight's matches are all deserving. The man that wins is going to be the man who carries the torch for the new era of Takedown. It's going to be an honor for whoever wins tonight. Something that no one will ever be able to take away from them.

So what about you and your championship aspirations? Here you are, a Takedown superstar...home of the title you basically made famous, The Pure Championship...

I know what you're getting at, Fabiola. Let me point out the fact that getting back into the title hunt, be it the Pure Title, The Grand Slam Title or The World Title for me is all in due time. I've been out of XWA for over 10 months. Even though I'm a former champion, I don't want any hand outs because of my status. I want to earn my shot just like anyone else. Trust me when I say I will be a champion here in XWA soon. But when that happens, it'll be on my time, and on my terms.

Just then, Cade and Fabiola are graced by the presence of another Takedown superstar.

[pancho]

The superstar in question was none of then the brash Dan Ripley. As he steps into the camera frame, hisses and boos ring out from the fans. Taking a moment to size up Cade, Ripley grabs Fabiola's hand, positioning the mic towards him...

Make yourself useful and keep the mic upright, sweetcheeks.

Even more boos follow...

So you want to earn your spot here on Takedown, eh? You don't want handouts. Well, at least one person on this roster wants to earn his paycheck. I can't say the same for some of the guys who are wrestling tonight. You know, I like to give to charity myself from time to time, but it seems XWA's top brass give to charity every chance they get, especially when it comes to the so called talent. Tell me how the hell a guy like Dante Elsworth...or King, both of whom have LOST three matches in a row, MG...who just got his ass handed to him for the Pure Title by Romeo Davis at Madness, Chris Dynamite, who's the definition of the word FAIL and A.Cee Infamous...who got friggin' RAPED by Dru Nedermeyer get spots in tonight's tournament and I don't? I'll tell you why. Because XWA management don't want someone monopolizing the new championship. They want to give the losers of the Takedown Roster a shot at the gold, because they know that once Dan Ripley moves into position, whatever belt I'm up for is as good as mines.

Ripley adjusts his collar some.

If I had to pull for anyone to win tonight, it'd be Pendelton or Sylk. Because at least those two guys are CREDIBLE wrestlers. They actually know what it's like to be a winner. You see, when I take a look at the Takedown roster, I see only a few wolves, and a lot of sheep. And those sheep, they're going to get slaughtered. And slaughter efficiently. I'm the most talented, physically gifted wrestler on this roster. And management knows this. That's the reason why they left me out of tonight's tournament. And you know what? I don't blame them. Considering the fact that I made Cody Black look like the old fart he is, and Gave Steven Higby the biggest fight he's had in XWA for a loooooooooooooooong time, they see what a commodity I am. So much rather have me in tonight's tournament and rip those earlier mentioned chumps a new asshole, they'd rather have me work a little bit more. And I don't mind it. Because I plan on running through all of those punks one by one, just to prove to Blackheart and Roach the mistake they made not having me in the tournament. Because I know that they're afraid of Dan Ripley holding the Grand Slam Title. And why? Because I'd make Kayn's streak in 2008 look like the New Jersey Net's chances of ever getting back to the NBA Finals...small.

The NEw Jersey fans didn't like Ripley's dig at the home team at all. The boos from the fans in the arena could be heard even from where they stood backstage. Ripley cracks a toothy smile and waits for Cade's response.

[cade]

Cade runs a hand down his goatee as Ripley spews his venom. He readies his reply soon after.

It sounds to me like you're a little bitter you got left out of tonight's dance. You say it's because XWA Management is afraid of you being champion on account that you'd never lose. Well...I've seen what you can do in the ring. And I'll admit with no ego that talent wise, you've got it. You've got all the tools needed not just to be a champion, but one of the all time greats. But that's not what you're missing. I hate to sound like an old record, but Cody Black hit it on the nail. You're a young punk who thinks because he's got the skills he should get all the chances. That's not how it works. The guys you mentioned, granted a couple of them are just as big in the asshole department as you, they have something you don't. Respect. Some of them might not be the most popular guys in the locker room, but they're humble to the fact that sometimes it's their night, and sometimes it's not. You on the other hand? Noooooooooooot so much. It all comes down to exactly what I said earlier. Earning it. About the only thing you've earned so far is the 1st nomination for the 2009 XWA "Most Long Winded" Award.

[pancho]

A sly grin proceeds Ripley's next response.

Me? Bitter about having a bunch of no talent, worthless losers in a spot where an All American 2 Sport Athlete should be? Yea...I'll take that one on the chin. But you see Cade, it's all good. True talent isn't something that comes and goes. It stays and shines through. So let the losers have their 15 minutes of fame tonight. Because when the dust settles and the title picture is clear. They're all going to take their rightful places on Takedown, the back of the bus. Wolves and sheep my friend. Wolves and sheep. And like a good wolf, I'm gonna let them graze in the pasture and Enjoy themselves. Let 'em feast 'til their hearts content. Because when I start dining, it'll be on their beaten, battered carcasses. And if you play your cards right, you'll join them eventually yourself.

Welcome back to XWA. If ya' think things have changed since you left, you haven't seen anything yet.

Ripley gives a wink to Fabiola that all about almost makes her gag. With his cocky grin, Ripley takes leave of the interview area.

[cade]

The final shot of the scene would show Cade shaking his head as the cocky young superstar takes his leave. Chances were this meeting wouldn't be the last one they would have on Takedown. The Grand Slam Tournament show would then return to ringside as the next match was about to get underway.