A Declaration of Domination (Invite)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

TakeDown returned from a commercial break to the sound of the theme of one Magnus Von Schwartz. It was a scene not different from any other scene. He walks down the rampway in his signature black business suit, eyes like stones, as focused and unphased by the incessant jabber of the fans as he ever was.

Nearly two years now as part of the XWA, and the art of the "promo" was one thing he loathed, but accepted was a necessary action, especially on this night when he had something truly profound to say.

As he stepped into the ring, the announce team comments.

Matt: Week after week, Magnus Von Schwartz partner...continues to dominate.

Buzz: Well, he's only got one blemish this entire season so far. Seems like every year there's talk about who's the toughest man to beat...there's a real good argument that it's the big German. I mean, Bryan Yang on Overload has dominated the No Limits division...but that's only a handful of guys. Magnus has beaten everyone who steps up...any style, any technique...and only Syrus was somehow able to top him.

Ahem...if I may have your attention for a moment. It has come to my attention that a frequently talked about subject amongst my "colleagues" here on Takedown is who is the best of show, for lack of a better term. Those on Overload however would dare say even that Takedown, the XWA's flagship show has lost a step. Call us the "B-Team".

Hmph, that only goes to show how foolish the Overload roster is. Foolish because to them all that matters are trivial matters like "ratings" and "buy rates". Where as here, the skill of the roster pool shows itself merely by example. Two positions in the "Last Dance" of XGAMES3 are held by Takedown Superstars...and the World Title itself, while it has changed hands, has not changed shows the entire year . So I ask to you, who truly is the "superior" brand of the XWA? If that is something that must be thought about, then those who wonder are blundering idiots!

Matt: Wow. That was...intense.

Buzz: Not gonna make anyone on Overload happy right there, but he's got a point.

And so, even with the talent of the Takedown roster, fools like Scott Epic, Jeremy Pendelton and Robby Sylk week in and week out claim themselves to be the best competitor. The "biggest draw". A laughable notion if ever I've heard. For while they talk, I have let my actions speak for themselves. I have dominated every man who has stepped in the ring against me, but one. A single setback that will be corrected at XGAMES when I take the XWA World Championship for my own.

I right now am convinced that no matter who is in that match, whether they are TakeDown or Overload...will be powerless to stop me from achieving the goal of becoming champion, because I have already proven that there is no man in the XWA who can stop the momentum that I have built.

William James, as galantly as he tried, did show that he is in fact a capable competitor...more that enough of a challenge for any other man in this company. But I, as I've said from the very beginning, am not a normal man.

I seek a challenge. I seek men who will truly push my training and experience to their absolute limit, and thus far...I have not found that man.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN PROVIDE ME A DECENT CHALLENGE!?

As he screams the question, the reaction in London is neutral. The competitive spirit of Magnus Von Schwartz was one the could be equally loathed and respected.

If there isn't, then I must merely prolong the inevitable. The moment that by becoming the champion I make it no doubt in anyone's mind that I am not only TakeDown's best wrestler...not only the XWA's best wrestler...but the best wrestler in the entire world.

Until then...I will show no mercy.

No remorse.

No quarter...to any man who stands in the ring against me. I will dissect, destroy and decimate the bodies...and the will...of my opponents. I will be the proverb of Genghis Khan, and this will be more than just a clever way to sell Kris Cade T-shirts...

"The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies & chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and to leave those close to them bathed in tears."

Beginning tonight...the pleasure will be all mine.

After that bold declaration, probably the boldest ever stated by Magnus, a familiar theme begins to play and the fans come to their feet.

[Jon Payne]

The lights drop to a familiar green hue, and the sound of The Crystal Method's "Keep Hope Alive" begins to play. The fans in London had already realized who it was who was coming out to answer Magnus' statement, as did the German grappler himself. The beat kicks in and Jon Payne emerges from the back to a roaring ovation. He wore blue jeans and black boots, with an exclusive, limited edition "matrix-code" T-shirt by TapouT, the iconic logo emblazoned on it's chest along with his moniker "The Evolution Of Combat."

Matt: Hot off the heels of his debut victory in the UFC, Jon Payne has returned at last!

Buzz: Yeah, it's official...he's XWA's first two sport superstar! Did you see that fight? I knew he'd be good in MMA, but I didn't know he'd be that good!

Matt: Well, he calls himself now "The Evolution of Combat", and I don't think there's anyone out there who will argue with the fact that Jon Payne truly does "elevate the game."

It took that long for the announce team to speak on Payne's recent exploits for him to step into the ring now where a mic awaited him from the ring crew, and so to did Magnus. Jon waited a few moments for the crowd's roar to subside.

Magnus, it doesn't surprise me one bit that a man like you is familiar with a man like Genghis Khan, one of the most fiercest warriors in human history. There are a lot of people out there who say the same thing about you nowadays.

"The best pure grappler in the world" is what the magazines say. Best pure grappler...y'know...nobody ever is called the best at anything unless they've earned it. and I'll give you credit. You've earned it, you've earned every right to be as boastful as you want, because the fact of the matter is that nobody but one man, just like you said, has managed to beat you all year.

The one thing that doesn't sit well with me though is that I'm one of the men who failed to beat you. See, if there's one thing I don't take lightly, it's losing a match...because for that to happen, my opponent would needed to have stepped up to the line and nailed the "free kick", so to speak. You pulled that off, and what that meant to me was that it was time for something to happen that even I didn't expect.

It meant that it was time once again...to evolve.

He pauses as the crowd now chants "E-vo-lu-tion!!!"

At the start of the year, you said that you focused every ounce of training to coming back here 10 times better than you were last year. I'd say that training paid off...but now the shoes on the other foot. All this time I've spent training in preparation for the UFC...it wasn't all just meant for MMA. A part of that focus was getting back into the ring with you, and bringing the "godly" Magnus Von Schwartz back to earth.

Here tonight, that's the mission and the goal. If it's a challenge you want Magnus, you've got it standing right here in green & black!

He lowered his mic as the fans' volume picked up again and awaited a response.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Ah. Mr. Jon Payne.

Indeed it is good to see you've returned. Allow me to commend you on your successful debut in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts. Quite impressive.

Magnus paused to clear his throat. He adjusts his black tie and looked around for a moment at this crowd who was somehow smitten with this man.

And to say that I am the part of the reason for your rigourous training is flattering to say the least. This is what warriors do. They prepare themselves for battle, and when it is one who've battle in the past, preparation is even more of a key.

You speak of "evolution". Well, it is safe to say that I have done just that. You yourself were once something of a "standard bearer" in this sport were you not? Well, over the course of this year, it has clearly become myself who is the holder of that mantle now. I am the man who tests the will and the limits of others. I am the man who pushes opponents to the brink of their own thresholds of conditioning. Their own thresholds of pain. There is a simple equation to solve when one steps into the ring with me now...you either rise, or you fall.

He begins to pace around Payne.

I am elated that you've chosen to cross paths with me again, Mr. Payne. Because there are few and far between the amount of men who can truly give a challenge in this ring, and though a losing effort it was on your part, you did succeed in doing so. I'm most interested in seeing what it is that have improved on. What it is that you've learned, and what it is that you are going to do in this ring to ensure yourself victory...because you will need every ounce of life in your shell of flesh and bone to guarantee that I do not break either or.

[Jon Payne]

Funny that you say something like that Maguns. "Breaking" my flesh and bone...there's a man who has an answer to that statement, a man who just like Genghis Khan was one of, if not the most fearless, ferocious warriors to ever live. A man who I like many martial artist idolize...and his name is Bruce Lee.

That got a pretty big pop itself, London reacting to the mention of the legend.

He said "Let an opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let an opponent smash into your flesh and you fracture his bone; let an opponent fracture your bone and you take his life! Do not be concerned with your escaping safely; lay your life before him!"

What that means to me is that anything that you aim to do, I will aim to do better...or if you will...worse. I'm not out here saying that I'm going to dominate, because I already understand that I'm not going to come out of this without a scratch. In fact...I expect it!

I expect for you to do all that you say you will. I expect for you to show no mercy, because none will be showed to you in return. If we are truly warriors, then it's our duty to fight each other with all we have, until the death even! That "death" will be either the pinfall or the submission, and I'm ready to face that death. For me, there is no escaping it, there is no controlling it. There is only facing it, and fighting it.

Whether you choose to admit it or not, the same thing goes for you.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Yes, I will admit it.

At that point, Magnus approached Payne standing toe to toe with him.

That is the way of the warrior. To look beyond victory and defeat, beyond life and death and to battle with all that you have.

He slowly cricked his neck.

Tonight...we will see if this time you have enough. Otherwise, this glorious battle will indeed end with a glorious "death".

Those last words spoke, Magnus lowered his mic and stepped away. As his theme began to play again, he backed out of the ring.

Matt: Buzz, just listening to these guys here...they're just on another playing field altogether! If ever there existed "modern day gladiators", I think that Jon Payne and Magnus Von Schwartz are the epitome of the term!

Buzz: Well, they're gonna go to "battle" again here tonight...and the question really is whether or not Payne's got enough to bring MVS down. He's a riddle that hasn't been solved yet.

Matt: Payne gets a second chance to do just that later tonight!