The rich get richer (Invite)

[scott]

Overload returns from an early break to the entrance theme Upper Echelon. The fans respond sea of hisses and boos as Scott O'Dell and Primo step out from backstage. Both men where dressed to the nines as usual.

Willy: Do we know if there's actually a leader to this "Upper Echelon" group yet?

Tony: Leader? You actually think their egos would let them appoint someone as the leader? It's bad enough the fact that we know exactly why these two are coming out here.

Both men climb the ring steps and enter. As the fans continue to boo them both, Scott walks to the ropes and beckons for a mic. Looking out to the crowd with a smirk, he begins.

I know what you're all expecting. You're all expecting me to come out here and gloat about how I pretty much did EXACTLY what I said I was going to do at Vendetta. How I said that when the dust settles, I'll be the man going on to Soul Survivor to wrestle for the XWA World Title. Well...you're wrong. And why is that you ask? Simple. I don't have to. I think by now you all know that when it comes to rising to the occasion, few in the business does it better then me. Van, you gave it a brave effort, you really did. But the man you faced in Iraq isn't the man you beat for the National Title in 2008. You see, since allying myself with Primo & Jasta, they've taught me a valuable lesson in not giving an inch. In focusing on the task at hand. When the bell rings, there's only one objective. Leave no doubt in the other guy's head that he's in for a night of pain. Which of course leads me to my next opponent, the XWA World Champ...Syrus The Entertainer. I told you that we'd be meeting again. And I told you that when we did, things will be marginally different. And here we are. And low and behold, the game has changed drastically. I've got the most elite assembly of men in wrestling backing me. You on the other hand...have Sonya Robbins. Not exactly liking those odds. The last time you and I stepped in the ring one on one was that farce of a Fight To The Finish match. You remember, the one where you did more brawling then fighting? I don't take away from the fact that you beat me, Sy. Not at all. I take away from the fact that you had to resort to Street Fighting to do it.

You might call yourself "The most hard working man in wrestling" and all those other witty lil' catch phrases you have. But I call you just one thing...lucky beyond your years. Lucky in the fact that you beat me. Lucky in the fact that you won the World Title at XGames 2, lucky in the fact that somehow you managed to survive Magnus Von Schwartz with your neck still in tact. Will you be lucky enough to survive me this time? If I were a betting man, I'd say no. In fact, I'd say that the lucky streak you've been riding is about to come to a screeching halt. You've been riding the train of success for a few months now, Sy. And I hope you've enjoyed it to the fullest. Because in Three weeks time at Soul Survivor, the train's getting derailed. And yes...there will be casualties.

Scott passes the mic off to Primo.

[primo]

Taking the mic, Primo gets right into his address.

While we're on the subject of titles, Scott. Let me address the news given to us by our new GM Stan O'Malley. The fact that he must really not regard the safety of Overload's talent highly. I mean, why else would he award of all men, Jimmy Ames the #1 contendership for my National Title. A man who I have a 3" height and 57lb weight advantage to. I mean, let's just look at the numbers here, people. Anyway you slice it, Jimmy Ames doesn't match up. Sure, he's a former Pure champion, and a for "X-Gen" champion. But when you look at the caliber of men he defeated during his reigns with those respective titles, none of them even hold a candle to me. Jimmy Ames for better purposes...is bring a .45 Magnum to engage in a firefight with a Howitzer Artillery Cannon. In every way, shape, form and fashion, I out rank him in every possible attribute. I'm faster then Jimmy Ames. I'm more technically sound then Jimmy Ames. I'm more seasoned then Jimmy Ames. I bench press DOUBLE what Jimmy Ames' weight is. And you really believe that he stands any sort of chance against me? Stan O'Malley has tossed one of XWA's most promising talents into the lion's den. And at Soul Survivor, I'll feast on his flesh before tossing his battered, mangled carcass aside. But...that's not the only agenda we have out here tonight, is it not?

With a rare grin of his own, Primo hands O'Dell back the mic...

[scott]

All smiles, Scott takes the mic and adds...

Yes there is. A very important order of business at that. As all of you bared witness to at Vendetta, we added the skill and precision of the XWA Tag Team Champions Matt & Ray Burns to the fold. But like I said in the beginning of all of this, there's more in store ladies and gents. A lot more. Tonight, we welcome yet another man into our elite brotherhood. A man who I myself have a storied history with. A man who in the last three years despite posting one of the best win-loss records in ALL of XWA, despite having defeated guys the likes of Adam Devlin, Evan Fate, Ryan Blaze, Lucas Styles, P.O.V. AND Ryan Fierhart to name a few STILL hasn't gotten his due. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to our new brother in arms.

Focus in the arena turns to the stage as a familiar entrance theme plays.

[si]

It was the entrance theme belonging to none other then Osiris Alston.

Tony: Now how in the world did we not see this coming? O'Dell and Alston have been boys for years. Two peas in a pod. He picks an opportune time to return to XWA, doesn't he?

Alston joins his cohorts in the ring soon after, greeting both men handshakes and satisfied grins. O'Dell hands his oldest ally the mic, and Alston makes his 1st address of 2009.

Scotty here hit it right on the nail. If there is any man in XWA who is an uncrowned champion, you're looking at him. Since XWA's creation in 2007, there has been few men in this company who have put together a record like mines. In that three year span, I've lost all but eight matches. EIGHT! And four of those eight came in 2007. I am pound for pound one of the best pure athletes this company has. But who do they choose to go with? The loud mouth chumps they can market. The guys who are more about puttin' on a circus act then they are wrestling. And the men that Scott and Primo will be facing at Soul Survivor are prime examples of that. Jimmy Ames and Syrus Sykes are side show attractions, not wrestlers. Jimmy, there was once a time that me and Scotty respected you. When we ran as The Headliners, we were at the top of the business. We took names, kicked ass and did what we want. But then you went on and became a corporate sheep. You went on and started whoring yourself to the fans. And speaking of whores, let's talk about our World Champion Syrus Sykes, the biggest disgrace of the African-American community in wrestling. A man who takes my people back 30 years. You come out here with all of your silly theatrics. Hell, the only thing you haven't done yet is rap, and I don't think that's far from happening either. In your effort to try and become XWA's "Marketable" champion, you've become it's Token Negro. At least Luther carried himself with some dignity.

Willy: C'mon now, Alston. That ain't even necessary. The brotha' is just doin' what he does to entertain the fans.

But I'd like to personally address someone who's probably the biggest disgrace...and failure in wrestling. And that man's name is Adam Devlin. Yea Adam, we ain't done yet. You might have got over the hump finally beatin' Jasta at XGames 2, but there's still one guy in XWA you haven't defeated yet. Me. And I know you'll play it off as "It just wasn't my night" in the past. But let's face facts, Adam. It's never gonna be your night. NOT against me. You're not good enough. You never have been, and you never will be. And I plan on showing that fact for all these stupid fans to see, tonight. Because tonight it's gonna be you and me. Just like the good ol' days. And you'll learn that it's true when they say "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Alston hands O'Dell back the mic.

[scott]

Taking the mic from Alston, Scott ponders for a moment before speaking up.

You know what? That gives me an awesome idea, O. I just so happen to know that Sykes is here in the building...

The crowd roars in cheers at the news. Scott smirks disapprovingly and adds.

So why don't I give the World Champ a nice, warm Overload welcome tonight, by kicking his ass, and giving him a small taste of what he's got in store for him at the United Center in three weeks? And while we're at it, why don't we round things off with a tune up match for you too, Primo. You and Ames, one on one. Tonight, we show the world that Upper Echelon says what it does, and does what it says. And what we say tonight, is that it's gonna be a bad night to be "nice guy" on Overload. Stan O'Malley might be the guy in charge, but we're the ones running the show.

It seemed as if Scott and his cohorts where done, but before they could make motions to leave, an entrance theme hits the PA in force.

[adam]

It was the familiar chorus of Adam Devlin's theme. The fans come to there feet as Devlin steps out from backstage. With a mic of his own in hand, he doesn't waste a second responding to what had been said by the three men in the ring.

Somethingin the back of my mind told me that your lil' fraternity wasn't complete without your favorite "Yes Man" in the mix, Scott. And I'll be quite honest, Alston...I kinda missed you. I really did. I missed how you always had a knack overstating the obvious, just like your boy. You two always did make quite a pair. Now...I'll give you some credit, Alston. You're right, I haven't defeated you yet. But that's where your little bit of info differs. You see, you failed to point out that the three times we've faced off in the ring were all Multi-Person matches. Two of them Tag Matches, one of them a Triple Threat where I didn't factor into the decision. So tonight would be the 1st time you and I lock horns one on one. And you my friend picked the wrong night to decide to come back running off at the mouth. Like I said on the website, when we get back stateside, I'm out for payback. And it seems I'm gonna have to wait a bit before I can get that payback on O'Dell for blindsiding me with a TV Camera, but I'll be moooooooooooooooooooore then happy to give you the ass kicking he's gonna have in store for him soon enough. You guys asserted yourselves at Vendetta, at me and Osh Vaughn's expense. But there's interest that's gonna be paid for it, and it's gonna be paid in FULL. Mark my words.

Adam's words quick short, but held no less force behind them. He was out for payback, and Osiris Alston would be the 1st man on his list.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

As soon as Devlin's words were heard, some very familiar ones came to follow after over the PA...

CAN YOU DIG IT?

CAN YOU DIG IT!!??

CAAAAAAAAN YOOOOOOOOOOOU DIGIIIIIIIIITTTTT!!!


And the crowd soon came to the boiling point as the track "Get Real" by Dave Notti echoed throughout the Carver Center. It could only mean one thing...

Willy: Well, just like O'Dell said...The Champ Is Here!!!

Tony: Yes he is. Syrus The Entertainer is in the building on Overload. You of course remember the last time he was here...I know for damn sure that O'Dell remembers.

Right up on the stage Syrus stood, not very far from Adam Devlin with a mic in one hand and the World Title in the other. He couldn't even have been able to speak over the boisterous chant of "STE" that was now filling the arena. Moments later, he clears his throat and finally...starts to talk the talk.

Well, well, well! You know something ya’ll…I’m liking this whole “World Champ on either show” thing, and you know why? It means I can come over to the sauna they call Overload whenever I please. Now you ask why did I call Overload a sauna? It’s cuzza Upper Echelon, that’s why…a bunch of guys who blow more hot air than a Turkish Bath and Japanese Hot Spring combined!!!

Look at all that steam coming outta the ring man, ay-yo crew monkeys? There’s a pyro malfunction down there ya’ll need to check out! Osi...can I call you Osi? I would give you a tip if I didn't know that you already got one from parking O'Dell car outside. You got some kinda nerve callin' me a "token", dog. Sure as hell beats being a house boy...and it pays better too!

Syrus breaks for a moment to give the men in the ring an aloof little smirk and shrug of the shoulders.

Now, now, now…after Vendetta, I knew that the next man I defended the strap again was gonna be on Overload, and after Mayday I knew that man was gonna be you, Scotty. You know what that made me think? Not a goddamn thang! See, all I get from you is a little bit of…animosity, and I ain’t mad at you for that! I mean…let’s just face it, dog…you can say all you want about it but, I just plain old got yo’ number on speed-dial on my phone, right under Sonya’s. I’m just your big old purple chunk of kryptonite that stops you dead in your tracks, and you just can’t stand it!

You just can’t stand the fact that there’s one man who knows how to “rise” just a little higher than you do. I did at XGAMES, I did it at Madness…I do it all the damn time! I don’t care what you wanna call it, luck, skill, invincible juice, bullet time, devil trigger mode, whatever…the fact of the matter is that it’s working baby! It’s working and there ain’t nobody that’s been able to stop it yet, and it sure as hell ain’t gonna be you!

See, ya’ll might be the Upper Echelon…but there’s one echelon that’s just a little bit higher than where you are, and it just so happens that I’m standing in that spot! Scott, it sounds to me like you didn’t learn your lesson the last time, did you? At least Magnus had enough sense to realize that I don’t just do “song and dance”, I just do it well enough to make you think that because you say you’re “technically sound” or “fundamental” or whatever other analytical words YOU can come up with…that you can beat me!

Means to the method? Enlightening info? Whatever the case, Syrus was ever so confident heading into this night.

I don’t wrestle your way, and if you really think your gonna beat me for the belt, heh…you ain’t wrestling your way either. Naw man, you gonna have to pull out everything in the toolshed and a couple things from under the sofa if you want this back, playa! But I tell you what…I agree with one thing Scotty, Soul Survivor doesn’t have to be Syrus Vs O’Dell 2. We can make it Syrus Vs. O’Dell 3...and get it crackalatin’ one on one here in Peoria…TWO-NIIIIIGHT!!!

[scott]

Scott raises the mic to respond to STE's comments.

My Kryptonite, eh? That's a good one. Well placed. But you forget, all it takes for Superman to suppress the effects of Kryptonite is a lead box. And "Champ"? You're standing in it. It's called Overload. You see, you might be World Champion, but this is my show. Upper Echelon's show. And here, there is no "your way". There's our way, or there's you on the business end of us showing you "our way". Ask Adam, Osh Vaughn and Finesse. They'll tell ya. The only reason why you're still standing there with that title is because MVS for whatever reason saw pity enough to keep things "sporting". I won't. This isn't about the World Title Sykes. Not in the least. This is about me doing something that should have been a long, long time ago. Shutting that super sized yap of yours. Jon Payne couldn't do it. Brent Starr couldn't do it. Von Schwartz couldn't do it. And I couldn't do it the 1st time around. But of course, things have changed drastically since then. You've got no back-up, where as I...have an army. And there isn't enough "Invisible Juice" in the world to save you. The game's changed Sy. And tonight, we're gonna show you just how much it has. And that's not "hot air", it's a promise.

[Syrus The Entertainer]

Well, game recognize game Scott...AND YOURS IS LOOKIN' A LITTLE UNFAMILIAR RIGHT NOW!!!

After that little Boondock quote and the ubiquitous pop from the fans, STE continues...

You damn right things have changed! You might *ahem* "run the show", but I AM the show, Scotty-baby!!! I thought I told ya'll that the XWA runs on PURPLE POWER!!! I ain't stopping cuz I can't stop, and you can try to as best as you can, you and your "army"! It just ain't happenin', Jackson! The second time around ain't gonna be any different from the first, cuz you must think that your worse day is better than my best day. You was wrong then, and you sure as hell ain't gonna be right tonight. You're gonna have to be on your grind, brotha!

Tonight, imma give you a taste, and at Soul Survivor you get the four course meal with all the trimmings...and you oughta know by now that when The Entertainer gets cookin', the meal tastes MMM MMM GOOD!!!

[adam]

Adam adds...

It bottom lines like this, boys. You can try to run you Gestapo tactics all you want. You can try to impose your will until you're blue in the face. The fact of the matter is that real men bend, but they don't break. And I speak on behalf of Syrus here and Jimmy backstage when I say that we ain't budgin' a damn inch. I'm not here to wrestle tonight. That got tossed out of the window at Vendetta. I'm here for a fight. And I'm not gonna be satisfied until my knuckles are bleedin' from poundin' your damn skulls into sawdust. So pack a box lunch and your hard hats, fellas. You're in for a long night of work. And the conditions are gonna be real...reeeeeeeeeeeall uncomfortable.

Adam's music hits the PA once again. He turns to Syrus and gives a nod, speaking encouraging words to him off mic. The scene ends as Overload cuts to a promotional vignette.