Challenge Accepted (Pendleton)

[tryton]

Takedown returns from a short commercial break live from the O2 Arena. Saliva's "Ladies & Gentlemen" hits the PA, and the London fans rise and give a standing ovation for the newly crowned World Champion.

Matt: Fitting that here in London, we welcome the new "King" of XWA, eh Buzz?

BUzz: Whoa, whoa, whoa there, Matt. New King? Yea, Tryton impressed the hell out of alot of people at Ring Rage, but winning the World Title is only half the battle.

Matt: I'll agree with you there, but doing it against 5 other men, inside of a 30 foot cell for 20 minutes? There's something to be said about this young man's toughness.

As Matt & Buzz continue to speak on Tryton's stellar performance, he makes his way down to the ring, proudly wearing the XWA World Title around his waist. He's handed a mic upon entry, and stands in the middle of the ring soaking in the cheers of the global audience of his impressive achievement of just a week prior. He then raises that mic to give his 1st address as World Champion.

Here in England, you people know a lot about being champions. From Manchester United, to Chelsea to London's own Arsenal, this is a country that knows a thing or two about what it means, and what it takes to be the best. So I think it's rather fitting that my 1st appearance as the NEW XWA World Champion be right here in London, and right here in the O2 Arena.

The fans stand and cheer Tryton on before he continues.

But, as is the case when you're champion, you've always got someone nipping at your heels. Some who wants to swoop in and try and steal your thunder. The problem for me is, I bucked up and caught me a guy named Jeremy Pendleton. Anyone with an internet connection saw what "kind" words he had to say about me after Ring Rage, and what words he had to say period about XWA as a whole. So, I guess this is the part where I'm supposed to come up with something witty in response, right?

Tryton paces about the ring, acting as if he was deep in thought.

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! I think you did a good enough job making yourself look like an idiot yourself there, Jeremy. Because only an idiot, a fool or a retard would actually believe the crap that came flowing so eloquently from your lips. Especially that bit about about you being the biggest win of my career, and about how you don't think I have what it takes to do it. Since when did you become such a Tommy Tryton expert, eh Pendleton? Since when did you become the guy writing my biography? Because if you were half as smart as you walk around the back "thinking" you are, you'd know a little bit more about what you just stepped into. You'd know that I haven't come from out of "nowhere", I've been here all along. That I've had the spotlight firmly fixed on me from the moment I stepped into this company. From running with Scott O'Dell and Osiris Alston, to me winning War Games 2008, to the wars I've had with Van Hayden, Jeff Heaven, Ryan Fierhart and Adam Devlin, to coming seconds away from being World Champ at XGames 2. That's not coming from out of nowhere my friend. That's called paying your dues. Something a silver spoon fed, rich snob like you would know nothin' about.

I don't need this belt to make me, Pendleton. I'm already made. I've earned these people's respect. I've earned the respect of the boys in the back. Of the critics who believe that wrestling's become a joke in North America. Because it's the guys like me, Devlin, Hayden, Heaven, Davis, Miller, Ames and so on...the BLUE COLLAR guys in this business...who are keeping the tradition alive. Tradition that's the reason I'm wearing this belt on my waist and not slung over my shoulder or drug along at my side. I'm not the one who needs to be made by the World Title. It's perfectly clear to everyone on the planet that it's you who fall into that category. You who "Doesn't need the fans or the other superstars approval." More like you can't get their approval because no one gives a damn about you or your agenda, cuz we've seen and heard it all before.

Cheers continue to ring out from the fans as Tryton concludes by saying...

So to answer the lil' question you asked about "What do we really know about this guy?" Most people know plenty. You don't, because you spend oh so much time with your nose so stuck up in the air you can't see anything but your own hype floatin' all over the place. But...if by any chance you've got something else to add to the pile of horse crap you said in The Buzz, how 'bout ya' man up, grow a pair, and come say it to my face.

A pumped and primed Tommy Tryton stands in wait for his challenger's response.

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

At that point, "Angry Chair" begins to play and out walks Jeremy Pendelton, clad in a cool grey business suit. His eyes aren't seen behind his sunglasses, but the grin on his face had clearly shown his stae of mind as he walked down the ramp towards the new champion.

Matt: And Tryton is referring to some heated words spoken by Pendelton after Ring Rage that was posted on the1xwa.net...on top of the tirade he had towards the fans after picking up a win against Osiris the same night. I don't know what to make of this guy...he seems cocky one minute, enraged the next.

Buzz: It what you call "focus" Goldie. He's focused on what he wants, believe in what he says and has all the tools to back both of them up. The man's a blue chipper!

He steps into the ring and flicks at the lapel of his jacket before he speaks into the mic he brought down to the ring.

Tommy, I see you must've taken my words a little too much to heart, because obviously you drank a little too much. You're flattering me by saying that your biggest win would be against me, because if I'm not mistaken and I shouldn't be because I am the one who said it, your next win as I said would be the biggest of your career...period.

No mention of my name was said in that, because it doesn't matter whether or not it's me who you face or not. And you have the nerve to call me an idiot, fool and retard? Apparently, you choose to use all of the muscles you have except for the one that matters the most.

And he taps his own head, with a sly grin on his face.

The biggest challenge for any champion, is the first one. That first bump in the road. That's where you know whether or not a man is the real deal or just a lucky stiff who got a lucky break. Let's not be misunderstood here, I don't doubt your talent, Tryton. What I doubt is your championship caliber.

Matt: What is he talking about? Championship caliber?

Jeremy begins the typical slow pace around the ring.

When you look back in time, every man before you who held that belt was ready for it. It was their time. It was their moment. You on the other hand as far as I'm concerned haven't reached that peak yet. You haven't reached that point because you haven't truly been challenged. By that I don't mean "called out", but challenged. You can name all of the names you want Tommy, the fact of the matter is that through all of that, the only thing you were was a cog in the machine. A piece of puzzle, and a small one at that.

Right here and now is the first time you are truly "manning up and growing a pair" since you stepped foot in this company, because you don't have a choice. You're the World Champion now. All eyes are on you, and there's a pretty little bullseye sitting on your bald head.

In situations like this, you either rise to the occasion or you fold under the pressure. That all depends on the caliber of competition you face. Luckily for you...or unluckily, this is no flash in the pan who has challenged. No, you've been challenged by competition of the highest caliber. And believe me when I say that I will put you through a Crucible all of my own.

Another sly grin.

NOW is your moment. Now, we see whether or not it's your time...or simply borrowed time.

[tryton]

Tryton raises his mic for a reply.

Well let me give you a lil' history lesson on what my "caliber" is. You seem to think that is my 1st title. My 1st go around at the top of the heap. It's not. I've been a champion in the last two places I've worked. I'm one of only three guys who can say they were a PTW Grand Slam champion, meaning I held every title there is to hold for male competitors there. So as far as my championship pedigree, let me stop you right there before you strain that overactive brain of yours.

Tommy pats the title on his waist.

Further more, about you being my 1st "challenge", again...hate to break it to you, but you're not. I've taken on and gotten my ass handed to me by guys about ten times better then you or me will ever be. And I actually managed to beat a couple of them from time to time. You wanna talk challenges? Try having to defend a Tag Team championship after your good for nothing partner walks out on you when they ring the bell. Try having to defend a title three times in one night. Try winning a triple threat match with a freshly torn patella. That's a challenge. You? You're just another chapter in what's been an interesting career for me. One that you might wanna go do some reading up on before you continue to assume that I'm what I'm not. A rookie. That's your department. I'm going on 7 years in the game come 2010, and in my 7 years, I've seen a lot of competition. I've gone up against a lot of world class talent. And while I'd rank you high up there, you sure as hell ain't the best I've faced to date, and you damn sure ain't the best I've faced in XWA. But that all falls back into that "all you see is your own hype" thing I said earlier.

A quick pause.

So as far as "the 1st bump in the road", I'll give you that. You are my 1st bump, as XWA World Champ. But overall? You're just another bump on the beaten trail. Will you be enough to flip me end over end, or will you end up gettin' flattened by some good ol' Minnesota Rollin' Thunder? How about we "be" about it, instead of "talking" about it. Because unlike that snazzy lookin' suit of yours, your talk's cheap. In fact, I've got an awesome idea. Since I'm World Champ now and all, that means I've got a lil' stroke. So how about we make things interesting tonight, eh? How about you put all that money you have where your mouth is? You and me. One on one. right here tonight. That way I can show you my "caliber" up close, and real personal.

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

So my talk is cheap? Well, perhaps someone out there might take into account all of that "history" you have, and all of that "intestinal fortitude" you have, but face facts Tommy, does any of that really matter anymore?

There's a little slang term that fits this occasion, "It's not where your from, it's where you're at." I can talk about being an All-American, a national champion, about every other accolade I've ever earned in this business or athletically...but then I'd sound like you. A broken record.

See, all of that might matter to you, and it might matter to a handful of fans out there who've followed you, but I don't give a damn about how great you were, my focus is seeing how great you are. Here. In the XWA, right now where we stand. My focus is that title and whether or not you're good enough to keep me from taking it.

He rests his index finger on the centerplate of the World Title.

Your focus Mr. Tryton needs to be two things...first, not how I compare to any one of your "ghosts", but how you're going to stack up and what you're going to do against me tonight.

Second...can you give whatever you've got tonight tenfold at Only The Strong, and quite frankly...whether even that is going to be enough.

[tryton]

Tryton raises his mic for a final reply.

*Chuckles* Buddy-boy, you better believe that come bell time, I won't be bringing it tenfold, I'll be bringing it times 100. Not because I don't want to lose this title, and not because I have something to prove. It'll be because that's the way I bring it every night, win, lose or draw. If you're not out here competing at the best of your ability, you've got no place in this ring. Which makes sense, because I'm right at home in it. All eyes are on us, Pendleton. So don't worry about what I'm bringing to the dance. You just make sure that you can keep up to the beat.

With that said, Tommy's theme cues up on the PA again. After a lengthy battle of gazes in center ring, Tommy takes a couple steps back before turning to the ropes to exit the ring.

Matt: I think we're witnessing the beginnings of the next great rivalry of XWA. Two young stallions, poised to go to war for the richest prize in the sport in three weeks time. Tonight's only gonna be a sample of the fireworks we see at Only The Strong.

Buzz: Tryton might have the edge in experience, but don't count out Pendleton. He's got skill beyond his years, and he's been trained in some of the best schools in the world. It's a contrast in styles, Pendleton's a methodical, calculating technician, Tryton's got that run & gun, high powered arsenal. Everyone's gonna win seeing these to go at it.

Matt: You said it, partner. Let's send things backstage to Fabiola, who's standing by with...

End.