The Best Of Times...(Cade/Roach)

["The R*" Robby Sylk]

(I know it's still the off week, but I wanna kick start things ASAP)

Takedown's first Supershow of the season was coming live from Chapel Hill, inside of the Dean Smith Center in NC, and after the opening sequence and the pyrotechnic introduction, the TD announce team rings in the new month.

Matt: Come off the heels of one of the most high octane Soul Survivors ever, we welcome you to XWA Takedown! Matt Goldman and Buzz Berman here at ringside, and partner...we've reached the halfway mark of "Year 3" now, and things are looking quite interesting right now.

Buzz: You got that right Goldie! Soul Survivor's done, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some issues that still haven't been settled. We're talking from titles to personal issues to even cold hard cash! I think we're in for a wild ride tonight!

Matt: And over on the other table, we have Glitter's team of Travis Rose and Lucy Black. What do you two expect from the ladies here tonight?

Rose: Well, there's already been some challenges thrown out over the last week that we're looking forward to getting reaction from. Helena Troy of all people has called out the new Pearl Champion, Jenna Slade.

Lucy: That's going to be an interesting exchange. On top of that, there's been talk all week long about lots of new faces on both sides of the gender line that are going to be making their debuts tonight. This has the makings of a truly "super" show.

And just as soon as Lucy finished speaking, the jumbotron suddenly began to fuzz up. It goes black all of the sudden, and a disclaimer of sorts airs over the huge screen, with one of those low toned "movie" style announcers speaking over it.

"AT THIS TIME, WE INFORM YOU ALL THAT THE THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS OF THE GOLD* DO REPRESENT THOSE OF THE XWA, IT'S EMPLOYEES AND AFFILIATES. AFTER ALL...

ROBBY SYLK

IS

TAKEDOWN!!!"

After that display, "For The Vein" begins to play out over the PA, and the male trio of Viewer Discretion step out to a roar of boos from the NC faithful. Sylk, still in possession of the Grandslam Title is all smiles as he and his entourage strut down to the ring.

Buzz: Now, I always knew he had it in him, but at SS...we saw Robby Sylk finally hit a new level when he retained his title against a game Kris Cade...

Matt: Retained? Yes, you can say that...he didn't lose the belt, but he did lose the match via DQ do to interference from his boys Breaker and Ryan X. Caliber in what I say was in my opinion a completely pre-meditated attack!

Buzz: Pre-meditated? What do you mean, they were just protecting their investment! Didn't you just hear the announcer? Sylk IS Takedown! We can't have the "go-to guy" lose a title now can we?

Matt: What have you been smoking!? Cade had the match won! We would be looking at a new GSC right now if Sylk didn't decide to take the low road!

Buzz: Business move Goldie...business.

And finally, the trio stood in the center of the ring. Sylk was granted a microphone for his free hand, the other with the title draped over his shoulder.

North Carolina...no...WORLD!!! You all can rest easy tonight knowing that Robby Sylk stands before you still as the GrandSlam Champion! Like I said before though, that's how it was going to turn out at SS, one way or another!

Kris...did you really think that you were gonna come back after how long was, a year...and just walk in and take what you want? Ha! You oughta know by now that around these parts if you want anything, you've got to work for it. You just so happened to have picked the wrong party to crash my friend. You could have just as easily went for the Pure Title again, without Kayn, Davis or Magnus holding it, there's no telling how many times that belt's gonna switch hands...would have been easy pickings for ya'.

But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! You want to go for the fresh and shiny new GSC here. If it was anybody else, you probably would have this baby on you right now, but you stepped on the court of the best player in the game today, and look what it got you? Hmm?

There's a reason why I am where I am today, and it's not just because I get it done in this ring. I am a true thinking man's wrestler. I saw that you had some momentum going, beating RXC and getting lucky against Breaker here, so I stopped it, and you...right in your tracks. You think I care that it was a DQ? You think I care that it wasn't a fair win? Heh...there's more to life than W's and L's my friend. This is about "the stroke" and 'round these parts one group has it, and the leader of that pack is me!

Matt: Can we go to commercial or something? I've heard enough...

Without me, Takedown would just be a bunch of ego-holic, trash-talking buzzkillers with as much entertainment value as a PBS pledge drive...and boy scouts like you. I think the people deserve something more. They want some edge. They want some suspense. They want someone who's gonna do things his way no matter what the haters and nay-sayers say about it, and since day one...that man has been me!

So long as I'm here, the critics can say all they want...because I make TakeDown interesting. I make this show worth watching while everyone else flips to another channel when someone like the 15 Scott O'Dell rip-offs they signed here...or, pfft...Syrus...gets air time!

I sure as hell made your "comeback tour" interesting at SS, didn't I? Your welcome...

Right on cue, the theme of Kris Cade begins to play.

Matt: Oh boy, here come Kris Cade, and I think there's about to be a "Critical Mass" here tonight!

[cade]

Cade enters the arena met by the roaring approval of the North Carolina fateful. This was his home court. Every person in the arena was behind him in more ways then one. With a look that could best be described as "furious determination" in his eyes, Cade reaches the ring, slides in and stares a hole deep into the soul of Sylk. After calling for a mic of his own, Cade responds.

A bunch of ego-holic, trash-talking buzzkillers you say? Well Robby, sounds to me like the pot calling the kettle black, because you've got to be the biggest one of the bunch. And I'll be perfectly honest with you when I say I'm sick to my stomach of it. Robby Sylk is Takedown? No wonder the ratings right now are in the crapper. With a guy like you supposedly "running" the show, it's a wonder why it hasn't gone belly up yet. You're not a wrestler, Robby. You're a cartoon character. A total disgrace to the business, the men who've paved the way for this business to be what it is, and more importantly the title on your shoulder. The title that I had won. As much as your ego forces you to deny it, everyone saw the match. We can roll back the tape. I didn't just have you beat, I beat your ass. It was what happens when you put a full of hot air poser in the ring with a world class competitor. And it took you and your cronies here, a loop hole in the contract I must've missed and the blindest ref on the planet for you to walk out of the United Center still champion, and still with your dignity in tact. But then again, a man like you has no dignity.

As the crowd cheers Cade on, he continues.

When I came back to XWA, I had a mission. That mission was to bring honor back to this ring. Honor the men like you spit in the face of. Honor that you destroy with every word that comes out of your mouth. So I guess there's only one real solution to stopping that from happening. Shutting that mouth up for good.

The crowd roars as from behind him, Cade pulls out a well concealed crowbar.

Buzz: Hey!!! He's supposed to be one of the good guys!!! What's he doing with a crowbar!!!

Goldman: Leveling the playing field, that's what!

["The R*" Robby Sylk]

With Cade suddenly revealing this "equalizer", it looked pretty quickly as if there wasn't going to be a repeat performance of Soul Survivor as Ryan and Breaker started to backpedal a bit. Sylk however was only seeing is as the usually calm Cade succumbing to a certain amount of anger.

Sounds to me like you're a little bitter about the beatdown you took. See, I was feeling you out at SS...seeing exactly what it was that I was up against. Seeing if you were the real deal or just a little bit overhyped. You can say all you want about my talent level Cade...the truth is that I'm as world class an athlete as there is in this company, dare I say in this business. Need I remind you that only three men have the distinction of being two time World Champions, and I happen to be one of them...so cut the "malarkey" about being a superior athlete, competitor, whatever. We don't need a Magnus clone to go with the O'Dell wannabes.

You NEVER had me beat, because like I said before you weren't going to win! I was going to beat you, or we were going to beat you down, but hook or crook, you weren't leaving Chicago with this belt! I've got too much invested in this to have just anybody take it away. When I'm done with it, I'll let you know Cade...and that's not going to be anytime soon.

He grins, still trying to egg the man on.

You know what your problem is, Kris? You're taking things way too seriously. This isn't personal what happened to you dude, it's just good business.

Buzz: See? Told ya!

That's the difference between you and me. You're just a wrestler. I'm an entrepreneur! Everything that I do is all comes down to the bottom line. The ratings. You said they're in the crapper...but really what do you even know? While you were home playing daddy, I took the reigns of this show and rode that bull all the way to the top! Jimmy Ames might be the most decorated champion in the company, but I'm still the most successful when it comes to just plain making things happen. People tune in to see what we're going to do next. What I'm going to do next...and I could give a rat's ass whether any of them, or you, like it.

You wanna call it "ego"? Hell, so does everyone else on the planet. Do you think that really bothers me? It's not cockiness when you can back it...and I don't even have to win to do it! I've gotten to you Cade, I'm in the driver's seat right right now because I'm right (points to his head) here now. I'm in your head now, man. I've put a kink in that armor of discipline you straightedged dudes usually walk around with.

So whatever little mission or crusade you've sworn yourself to, Kris...every hero needs a villain to fight. Looks like I'm your guy! This ain't a comic book though, remember that. In the real world the bad guys CAN win, and very often at times...they do.

[cade]

Cade raises his mic and answers...

People tune in to see what you do next, eh? Well then. I guess everyone's gonna be real satisfied tuning in tonight, and being able to see me wedge this crowbar so far up your good for nothin' ass that you'll set off metal detectors for the rest of your natural born life.

The crowd roars in approval.

You're no entrepreneur, Sylk. You're a joke. The biggest flash in the pan of all of them, and there's plenty of them. A guy who talks tough, but needs thugs like these two, or like Marcus Devine in the past to make you feel like a somebody. Yea, you've had success. Yea, you've had some impressive outings in the is ring. But what you don't have is the respect of anyone in this business, let alone this company. The only guys in XWA who can even stand being in the same room with you are the two pieces of chickencrap standing behind you, and I bet even they have had times when they wanted to tell you to shut the hell up. So...I'm going to them and everyone in the building the solid of shutting you up myself.

Cade holds the hand he held the mic with out away from his body slowly, and drops it to the floor with a thud. A clear indication that he was officially done talking. The roar of the RBC Center intensifies.

Buzz: Someone needs to get security out here, now!!! He's going to assault the GrandSlam Champion. Think of what it'll do to your career, Kris!

Goldman: I think he could care less about that. He's out here for retribution, hell or high water...he's going to get it.

[takedowngm]

Just as it looked as if things were about to get somewhat physical, the theme of the show's fresh new GM begins to play, and out from backstage come Mike Roach.

Buzz: Well, here's my old pal...the GM of TakeDown, Mike Roach! If I know him as well I as know I know him, he's gonna lay down the law on Cade. The man's lost his mind!

Matt: I know for sure that Roach is going to make some sense out of this situation. I still wouldn't mind seeing Kris take a swing or two though.

With a mic already in his possession, Roach steps into the ring and immediately gets in between these men.

Whoa! Whoa! Guys...let's calm down a little now, shall we? There's no need to be over aggressive about anything right now. I know that I've been pre-occupied with other affairs since I got this job, but I am still the TakeDown GM gentlemen...and contrary to what you said earlier Robby, it's my job to make things happen here.

As Roach was about to continue, Sylk cuts him off...

["The R*" Robby Sylk]

Well, well! Look who we have here! It's the "boss"!!!

Sylk grins as he paces back and forth, giving the eye to Mike.

Nice of you to actually join us, seeing as I thought you were gonna be caught up with those "Invaders" for another 6 months. Wouldn't have mattered though, because this bad boy's in good hands. Allow me to introduce myself, Roachie... (Extends Hand)

I'm your meal ticket.

He chuckles, then pulls his hand back before Roach could make an attempt at shaking it (assuming he would have ). Robby continues...

Since you're out here, let me be the first to cordially welcome you to MY show. I'll lay down some ground rules for you, and we'll all be copacetic...this show will be just fine, and your career as GM will be booming just as long as you keep yourself in two specific places...

...out of my business...and out of my way.

Buzz: That's a simple arrangement right there. I think Mike should take it and go. DO THE RIGHT THING MANNNNG!!!

[takedowngm]

The boos were coming hard and heavy. Mike looked a little startled at Robby's "demands" at first, but then he just grinned a little bit.

First off, Sylkie...it's Mr. Roach to you! And second off, I'm not going to deny the contributions and achievements you've made for this show and for the XWA as a whole...but let's get one thing clear. I'm the one who runs this show now, and if anyone's making any ground rules, it's gonna be me!

That got an ovation from the crowd as all of the sudden, the seemingly overconfident Sylk took a double take.

Now, next on the agenda is the situation regarding the GrandSlam title. The record book will say that Cade won by DQ, but we all know that he should have won by pinfall at Soul Survivor. I don't know what kind of "business" you think this is, but we're not gonna have any more backstage interference in a match of this magnitude. In fact, for your next title match Robby, I'm going to see to it that nobody else gets involved.

It's going to happen at Ring Rage in Charlotte. It's going to be you defending the GSC against Kris Cade...inside of a 15 foot high STEEL CAGE!!!

Matt: That...is awesome!

At that point, you could see that Sylk was livid.

Pinfalls and submissions will be all be legal in that match as well. Which leads us of course to tonight. Kris, I know that right about now you're just itching for some get-back, and I think that Mr. Sylk here needs to be shown just exactly who's Tony Danza on this show...and who's Alyssa Milano. So tonight, as come-uppance for your past transgression boys, we're gonna see how you fair when you're the ones who're outnumbered!

Robby, you're going to be in a 2 on 1 handicap match tonight, and your opponents will be Kris Cade and a partner of Cade's choosing!

At that point you could see Robby yelling "YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!!" off mic...

Yes I can Sylk, yes...I...can.

The crowd starts chanting..."YES HE CAN! YES HE CAN!"

Buzz: Swell, we're having an Obama moment here. You should go into politics, Mike...this country could use a good DICTATOR!

And Breaker? Caliber? Don't think I haven't forgotten about you two either. You're gonna be in a handicap match yourselves as well. A 2 on 3 match, and the three men you'll be facing are...these three men.

With that, Roach points towards the stage, and everyone awaits just who it is that the GM is bringing along.

[tEH dOOlEyS]

"Fistful Of Steel" begins to play over the PA, and on the Jumbotron shows a graphic that says in scratchy letters...

DOOLEY. It's not a name. It's a state of mind.

The crowd explodes, and the bottoms drop out of the mouths of Viewer Discretion as the "Redneck Rejects" known as the brothers Dooley make (another) return to XWA TV.

Matt: OH...MY...wait, can't say that, it's trademarked by Conneticut now I think.

Buzz: Are you kidding me!? Them? THEM!? Roach, whatever ditch you found these guys in, YOU SHOULDA LEFT THEM THERE!!!

Matt: The Dooleys...back again in the XWA, and tonight they're getting their mitts on Breaker and RXC!!! Somehow I think that Sylk's actually gotten the better end of this arrangement.

They didn't say much at all...nothing actually. A first. Instead, they just stood there on stage, nodded as they stared at their opponents, licking their chops for some good ol' fashioned hurtin'.

[cade]

A smile could be seen on the face of Cade that went from ear to ear. Cade bends down to retrieve his mic, looks towards Sylk and his cohorts, and speaks.

All of a sudden, I'm liking the way this turned out tonight. As far as the man of my choosing goes, no need to wait or keep it suspenseful, because I want you to know exactly who's going to be joining me in your communal ass kicking, Sylk. And that man is you yourself named dropped earlier. A former Pure Champion, ROMEO DAVIS!

The crowd booms in cheer at the apparent return of the injured Davis to the ring.

Goldman: Oh this just gets better by the moment. Romeo Davis is back tonight as well? Robby's not looking so smug anymore, is he partner?

Buzz: You wouldn't either if you just had the deck stacked against you.

Cade continues.

Well, Mr. Meal Ticket...looks like you finally bit off more then you can chew. But I hope you all still have an appetite later. Because the main course this evening is a good ol' fashion can of ASS WHOOPIN', served up North Carolina style.

As the fans continue their cheers, Cade's theme hits the PA once more. He turns to Roach and shakes the GM's hand for a job well done. Meanwhile, Sylk stood on the other end of the ring pitching a fit whilst Breaker and RXC tried to calm their leader down. The camera then switches to another shot of The Dooleys on the stage.

Goldman: What a way to kick off what's sure to be an explosive show. Good thing we've got 3 hours to fit it all in tonight. The Takedown Supershow will be back on the air in 60 seconds, don't move a muscle!

The Supershow then cuts to it's 1st commercial break of the evening.