For glory (Invite)

[pollox]

Overload returns from commercial to the sound of Pollox Troy's entrance them. "The Master Manipulator" steps out from behind the set met with the usual chorus of boos. You'd expect him to be upset having lost to Finesse at Ring Rage, but such was not the case. He had his usual bravado going as he made his way down to the ring.

Willy: Here comes Pollox. What's he all happy about?

Tony: I think it's obvious. His brother Kaster joined the ranks of Upper Echelon. Shouldn't be to hard to figure out he's followed suit.

Pollox enters the ring, and calmly calls for a mic.

There's been a lot of hub-bub swirling around the wrestling world about my brother Kaster joining Upper Echelon. And I for one support the move. Upper Echelon is the pinnacle of this industry. A collective of the best talent XWA has to offer bar none. So it's fitting he should be among them. But, allow me to quell the rumors. While my brother has joined Upper Echelon, I haven't. My agenda as of now is different then Kaster's. And he is in fact his own man. But he knows as well as anyone that if ever he needs my help, I'm not far.

Tony: Well that comes as a bit of a shock.

And part of my agenda is you, Finesse. I have to give you some credit. You caught me napping at Ring Rage. After I handed you your ass at Overload, I'd wrote you off as just another young punk with more muscles then actual wrestling talent. But you showed up, and showed me otherwise. So congrats on a well deserved win. But don't get used to it, son. Now that I know the full extent of what your capable of, I won't make the same mistake twice. As it stands, it's now one all between us. So, I think tonight we need to have the rubber match. You see Finesse, I have a long term plan here in XWA. One that ends with me holding the XWA World Championship. And you? You're in my damn way. There's a reason why my name wasn't mentioned in the four names to compete at Only The Strong for Overload. Because I'm not interested in getting a chance to be in The Last Dance. I want to be the man walking into The Last Dance World Champ. And of course, that means winning The Devil's Playground. Which I will, because after a long meeting with Stan O'Malley, I'm already in.

The crowd, shocked by this revelation...responds in usual fashion.

Tony: Now this is a bit of a blockbuster, isn't it?

Willy: We already know the former World Champ Syrus The Entertainer is in. Now you add Pollox Troy? WOW!

But before I cross that bridge, I tie up my loose ends. And that means, I beat your ass, Finesse. I show you once and for all th...

A scowl crosses his face as he's abruptly interrupted by Finesse's theme.

Willy: Looks like we ain't gonna have ta' wait long to here from Finesse.

Tony: No one light a match, this powder keg could explode.

[fin]

Finesse steps out from backstage already with a mic in hand. As he stands at the stage, he quick gives his reply.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whooooooooooooooooooooa. Hold the phone there, pops. You're tryin' ta' tell me that you had a meeting with the GM, and he agreed to you bein' one of the three Overload participants in The Devil's Playground next month? Well then I should be goin' ta' "The Man" my damn self, cuz if you're in, and I dun whooped yo' ass already, I sure as hell need to be it as well.

The fans show there support for such a development in cheer.

Willy: I don't think anyone or they' momma would disagree on that one.

Finesse adds.

As far as tonight goes, about you tiein' up loose ends, you must be TRIPPIN' my dude. Talkin' all this yin-yang about how you're not gonna make the same mistake twice. Like me beatin' you was some kinda fluke. That's the problem wit' you old dudes. Always thinkin' because you've got experience that you're better then everyone. Look at all that garbage that Von Schwartz dude on Takedown said? Another old fart, just like you, talkin' out his ass cuz he caught himself a lucky streak this season. Wheras if I'm not correct, my homie Syrus whooped his ass alot like I whooped yours. Alot like how my other homie Ethan Bain whooped yo' ass. The way I see it, it's not about us younger guys not showin' you veterans respect. Cuz I do respect guys like Dru Nedermeyer, Osh Vaughn & Cody Black. It's about you stuck up old suckas thinkin' that cuz you got it like that now, you gonna keep it. That's all up until you finally meet the young guy that comes along and shows yo' ass yo' age.

[pollox]

Pollox stands with a stoic look of contempt as Finesse speaks. Once he finishes, Pollox readies his next response.

And let me guess. You're the guy to show me my age, right? *Hmmmph* How do you suppose you're going to do that, eh Finesse? Rely on that god given athleticism? That right there is what's wrong with you and your generation. You think that ability is the only thing you need to win. That's the reason why men like me and Magnus thrive. Not because we're better wrestlers then you all, but because we're better thinkers then you all. When you step in this ring, the battle is only 20% physical. Any man is capable of beating another man, no matter how big or athletic he is. It's the men who out think their opponents that dominate. Men like Von Schwartz. Like Jasta. Like myself. We win the mental battle, and in that, we win the war in the end. It all sounds well and good, Finesse. But the fact of the matter is this, you may have been good enough to be me a week ago. But you're not even close to being good enough to be "better" then me. That's just the facts. It'll be years before you're physically and mentally on my level.

[fin]

With confidence, Finesse retorts.

Really now? Well I might not be much of a cerebral tactician, but I know when someone is sellin' woof tickets, pahdna'. And while I ain't buyin' it, I am dealin' in somethin' myself tonight. 100% grade A good ol' fashion ass kickin', straight outta the can. And I hope you came hungry tonight, cuz I'm servin' it up pipin' hot, with a double helpin' of it come Only The Strong. Just for you.

A fired up Finesse waits for Pollox's reply.

[pollox]

Pollox follows with his final response.

Ah, to be young, confident and foolish again. You know, I'm actually looking forward to seeing if you can back up your tough talk tonight. And I'm looking even more forward to what you'll bring to the table at Only The Strong. I guess to call tonight's match a rubber match was a bit premature, because I'm not in the least going to be finished with after I kick your ass from all for corners of this ring. Oh no, I won't be done until I've opened your eyes to the undeniable truth that you have no place in the same ring with me. And I'm going to keep on beating that fact into your head until it finally sinks in. Some lessons you need to learn on the fly. And the lesson to be learned by you my boy is simple. Being "good" at this sport...isn't good enough.

He waits for Finesse's final response.

[fin]

Finesse's final reply...

Well then I guess I ain't got nothin' to worry about then. Cuz while I am good at this, I'm still gettin' betta'. And when it's all said and done, I'ma be one of the best. Bank on that.

The segment ends as Finesse's theme plays over the PA once more. He stands at the stage still with a confident smile, while Pollox returned the gaze with a stoic and unamused scowl. Overload then goes backstage where Joe Beakmen stood to conduct an interview.