Let the beatings begin... (o2a)

[jagerllama]

Guitar riffs ring out across the arena, as 'I Stand Alone' begins to play.
Onto the stage walks out the newest member of XWA, William James.
He takes a long look around at his surroundings, and continues to the ring.
Climbing into the ring, he continues to look at the crowd, then pulls a mic from his hoodie pocket.
He gives the crowd a smile, then begins to speak...

"So, this is XWA... got to admit, I never thought I'd be standing here.
But, after everything I've heard about this place... I just had to check it out myself.

The first day I arrived here, I had a chance meeting with a few of XWA's superstars.

First, it was Mr. Ethan Bain, one who seems to be an icon around here.
Just the impression I got from him, anyway.

Then it was MG, and his merry clan of misfits... good old MG...
What can I say... he hasn't changed a bit."
*WJ rolls his eyes*
"However, one thing that was said during my first encounter with Mr. Bain got me thinking...
His words to me were... well, simply put... keep your head low, until you figure out who is who, basically.
Takedown, as he put it, was an 'open grassy field, with no cover, should the bullets begin to fly'...

How I took it, it's like a painter with a blank canvas...
with endless possibilities on what the painting will express...
Each brush stroke, creating another story...
and not knowing what is in store, until the final work is completed.

Well, that might be a little deeper than Bain put it...
however, the message is still very much the same."

WJ rubs his chin, and continues...
"It was then, I got to thinking on how this debut of mine would play out...
will I play it safe, and keep it cool, and wait to see what happens?

WJ grins, and continues...
"FUCK that...
never done it in the past, not gonna start now.

I am William James...
I'm not about to sit around and wait for something to happen....
This is XWA, and I am here to MAKE things happen...
and you can bet your ass that's what I'm gonna do.

So, here on my first night... my 'debut' to an XWA ring...
I'm calling out whoever thinks they are the biggest, baddest punk in XWA.
I want someone to let me know what Takedown... and XWA, for that matter... is all about.
I want to feel just how special it really is to be here...
Show me, just how Xtraordinary this company, and it's roster, thinks it is.

And, after I face whoever comes out here... and beat them into a bloody pulp...
everyone will know that William James isn't just another wrestler here...
I'm TAKING my spot at the top around here....
one worthless punk at a time.

First Takedown... then XWA itself.

Anyway, I've said just enough for now...
time to let the beatings begin!

Who's my first challenger?
Come out here, and answer my challenge.
NOW!"

WJ looks to the stage, and waits for an answer...

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

The sound of Magnus' theme then begins to play over the PA system.

Matt: Here we go! I didn't expect for this to happen. Of all the people to welcome William James to the XWA, Magnus?

Buzz: 2009's Soul Survivor is in the building...and if James wanted the biggest and baddest, he's got one of them walking down the aisle towards him right now. Be careful what you wish for!

As always, the German comes to the ring in his business attire before a match, marching stoically towards his destination. He steps into the squared circle and is met by a crew man handing him a microphone from the outside. The fans reaction is mixed as it has been the case for months now, with some respecting the man's skill while other dislike his demeanor.

He adjusts his black tie and focuses on the newcomer.

William James. Allow me to welcome you formally to the XWA. Allow me also to apologize in advance. You see, you've come out here in search of the person who thinks he's the "biggest and baddest". Who thinks that he is the most "Xtraordinary".

Instead, you're challenge has been answered by one who doesn't think...but is the finest competitor on this entire show. If you, or any of these fans don't agree, all I require is for you to look back at Soul Survivor and how it is that I systematically dissected not one, but several superstars from both brands on my way to becoming the victor.

Matt: Arguably the man's finest hour in the XWA to date.

I am not one to boast much about where I stand in this company, because I am much more effective when I show and prove that to whomever it is that stands opposite of me. I am the XWA's best...the XWA's only...pure grappler, and the difference between myself and any other man in the company is as clear as crystal. A difference that I would be more than obliged to demonstrate to you tonight.

And why? Simply as a service. To someone who is new to the fold, I would suppose that you've probably wondered, if not for only a moment, just who the true best of the best in this company is. Tonight, that question will be answered, and you will know the level that you must surpass in order to achieve your goal.

[jagerllama]

WJ smiles, as his first 'challenge' enters the arena, and continues to the ring.
He looks the man up and down, while he was speaking, then spoke himself...

"So, you're the welcoming committee here in XWA, huh?

I did ask for the biggest and baddest, and it seems you fit that bill.
Impressive size and look to you, that is for sure.
Baddest around here, well, not so sure on that just yet.

Being the Soul Survivor might mean something to you and the fans here...
but, that was before I got here, and you didn't have to face me.
Things might have been alot different, if I was in that mix.
But, this isn't about the past, this is about the here and now.

Now, I may feel like a 'rookie' all over again...
But, just to let you know, I am no rookie, far from it.
I've beaten some of the best around, some even here in this very company.

So, just keep that in mind, when I stand across from you in this ring, tonight.
I'm not called 'Legend Killer' for nothing...
it's not just some make-believe name that I came up...
it's just what I do and I have no problem proving my worth around here,
starting, so it seems, with you."

WJ was about to continue, but paused for a moment,
giving Magnus a chance to speak again.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

My dear boy, to me...everyone is a rookie. It doesn't matter whether one has been here before me or has come after me. There is a place called The Learning Tree, and the men who step into the ring against me go to this place. Each one of them emerges greater than they were when they first embarked. There is no need to name the names, only the results...the fact that each of them, as will you...had to pull out something deeper within them than they knew they had to defeat me.

Magnus begins to slowly pace around James.

There is a saying Mr. James, that sometimes you must be forced to become great. Tonight, Legend Killer, I will force you to push harder than you've ever pushed, to fight harder than you've ever fought and to compete harder than you've ever competed anywhere else, simply because I do not just seek the best competition. At this point and time, I am the best competition.

Tonight may not improve your standing in rankings or establish yourself in the so-called "big picture"...but it will show one thing that shows above all of the materialistic ideals, your resolve. If your actions are as profound as your words, this will be a glorious battle indeed.

[jagerllama]

WJ smiles, as this man seems confident, much like himself.
He begins to speak again...

"You see, this is exactly what I've been looking for."

WJ claps his hands, then continues again...

"Bravo there, my good man.
Maybe this place is different after all.

For so long, I've been forced to match wits with the unarmed.
But you... you are different indeed.
You seem to put thought into the words you speak...
instead of running at the mouth, and boring the shit out of me."

WJ rubs his chin, and grins at Magnus...
"Now, normally, this would be the time I tell you...
that I'm coming to cut down that little 'Learning Tree' of yours...
and taking every branch and beating your ass with each one...

But, you see, honestly... I like your style...
and hopefully, as you expect from me,
your words are more than just words.

For the first time since early in my career, I hope to learn something from this...
And who better than from a man like you, or so I hope.
Win or lose, yes... this one should be a classic."

WJ looks at Magnus, with his chin raised, and continues once again...

"So, I guess this is the part of the program
where we figure out how we are gonna do this now, huh?

A simple one on one will be just fine with me, big man.
No need fouling this up with needless chairs, ladders or the like.

One on one, just as it should be...
the better man coming out the victor using his talent,
instead of simple chair swinging or table breaking.
There will be much time for that later on down the road...

For now, I want to see what you got...
and show you just the same from me.
So how about it, deal?"

WJ looks at Magnus, and waits for a response...

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Tables and chairs? Surely you must have me confused for some sideshow freak, barbarian or bar room brawler the likes of some of the men who dare call themselves athletes in this company. No, not I. Never would you see me stoop to such levels of brutality when it that my bare hands are capable of enough carnage in and of themselves.

Magnus smirks and nods all at once.

But Mr. James...as far as your first encounter inside of the ring of the XWA, allow me to make it one that's even more interesting. One that tests your limits, talents and skills in ways that no other match can, because that is your only true key to victory. It is a little something commonly known as Pure Rules.

Matt: Oh I had a feeling that Magnus was going to take it that route.

There are stoppages because of being close to the ropes, and you are not permitted to leave the ring for any reason under a decision is rendered. No "breathers". No "time outs". No chance to regain momentum unless you fight to regain it. It is a match after my own heart. One of the truly innovative and grueling contests this company has to offer. That will be how this night shall unfold, unless there are any objections...

So now it was Magnus who had laid out a challenge of sorts, and an interesting one at that. A final response from James would all but seal the deal.

[jagerllama]

WJ smiles, as Magnus spoke, then spoke himself...

"You seem to be a man of honor...
so, this 'Pure Rules' match you speak of...
will do just fine by me.

When, I came out here, I did ask for the best that XWA had to offer...
and this match seems to be just all of that rolled into one...
You and me... Pure Rules... got yourself a deal."

WJ's music begins to play, and he drops the mic at Magnus' feet.

As he exits the ring, he thought to himself,
his first interaction in XWA went pretty well.
Only now, the true test remained, the match itself.
He wasn't afraid, by no means, but there will be a lesson taught... but, by who?
That would be the question answered, when this was said and done.

WJ walks up the ramp, and turns for one last look at Magnus,
and walks out of the arena, ending this scene for him.