"Made" men (Invite)

[ames]

The O2 Arena comes to it's feet with the arrival of the still reigning National Champion, Jimmy Ames. He emerges from backstage with great fanfare and the coveted National Title around his waist. The triumphant Ames makes the walk down to ringside, give high fives and handshakes along the way. He does a lap around the ring continuing to greet the front row fans up until...and in typical Jimmy Ames fashion...he comes to an attractive young lady in the front row. He leans over and taps his right cheek with his index finger and she obliges by planting one on him. The crowd bursts into an even louder cheer, and Ames rolls into the ring. After receiving a mic soon after, he starts his address.

Ya' know, this is my third year in wrestling, and my third time making the trip here to Europe. And I've gotta say, no disrespect to the other cities we hit up on the OTS tour, London's gotta be my favorite place to come and compete. Something about this place brings the best outta me, especially seeing as last time I was here in London, I walked out of this very arena still Pure Champion during my 2nd run having it, by way of beating one of the best wrestlers this country's ever produced in a man known as Testudo. And low and behold, here we are in London again, and here I am...a champion again. This time, the XWA National Title. And I have to say, this one means more to me then all the other belts I've held. I had to go through one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in the world in Primo to win it, and I had to overcome a guy who's so far had my number in Kaster Troy to defend it. But I did. And here I stand. And as I stand here, I'm ready for ALL comers. You see folks, I believe in being a fighting champion. I believe that holding a title isn't enough. You've got guys who get their hands on a title and think they're at the top of the heap because of it. I'm not one of 'em. When the curtain falls on my career many, many, MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNY years from now, I wanna be known as one of the greatest competitive champs to ever lace 'em up. And that ain't gonna happen by me sittin' on my hands waitin' for XWA management to line up challengers for me.

Jimmy pauses to acknowledge the crowd with a nod.

It's gonna happen by me coming out to this ring and doing what I do best, stealin' the damn show! And at Only The Strong, that's what I plan on doing. The only question is, who am I gonna steal the show from? There's a lot of talented guys here on Overload. A lot of guys I think would be perfect for me to go head to head against for the title. But it all comes down to one thing, Who wants it. Who wants to stand in goal and take me on for a penalty kick. 'Cuz puttin' that bad boy top corner evvvvvvvverrrrrrrry single time.

Tony: Looks like Jimmy's just laid out an open challenge. It's going to be interesting to see who takes him up on it.

Willy: Ain't that the truth. The kid is ready to ride, baby. Question is who's ready to get rolled on.

Not much time would pass before a taker for Jimmy's challenge would come. A very familiar theme to Jimmy begins to play over the PA system.

[x]

Boos fill the arena as one of Jimmy's most heated rivals, Lionel Xander comes out from backstage.

Tony: Oh boy. Never one to miss a golden opportunity is Lionel Xander.

Willy: Lots of history between these two men. This is gonna get interestin'.

Xander walks down to ringside with an unimpressed look on his face and a defiant swagger in his step. Sliding into the ring, he stands face to face with Ames and smirks. He then goes to the ropes and extends his hand, where a mic would be provided for him.

Longtime no see, eh Jimmy? In fact, if my memory serves me right, the last time you and I met in this ring was almost a whole year ago. When you where the brand spanking new X-Gen champion, and I was the 1st man to face you for it. An experience I've not soon forgotten, because we all know I should have beat your damn ass for that title. But what can I say? There must be a leprechaun hiding under the ring when you wrestle, because you somehow, someway seem to catch a lucky break when you've got your back against the ropes. When it's all on the line, somehow Jimmy Ames finds a way to rise above adversity and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It's touching, and sickening. Sickening that the one guy in this company that's held the most titles is sweet talking, kiss stealing, hot shot chump with more luck then skill.

The crowd quickly breaks out into a "Lionel Sucks" chant.

I'm not the one who sucks! YOU SUCK! All of you suck for buying this punks hype. And that's all it is Ames, hype. You've been overhyped since the moment you walked into wrestling, and for some odd reason, no one's been able to stump you. I made the mistake of thinking I'd roll over you a year ago. A mistake in not taking that match seriously. But this time? Oh no no no...I've got different plans. This time, I'm not leaving anything to chance. I'm gonna be all over you like white on rice. After I'm done with you, these people are really gonna have something to boo me about.

[ames]

Jimmy brings up his mic for an expectantly "charming" reply.

Wow, Lionel. You're still bitter about that? Jeez. I guess it's true what they say about Canadians having excellent memories. Or...was that Elephants. Eh, Who knows. But when I said there's a number of guys here on Overload who I'd love to go head to head with, I'd be lying if I said you weren't in the top five. I mean, you may be a total jackass, but you're one of the best wrestlers in the game. No denyin' that. But...I gotta say somethin' about me bein' lucky. And that's the fact that I'll take bein' lucky over bein' good anyday. Because when you're lucky, you get good. Like the old sayin' goes "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." And I'm ALL about seizing opportunity, my friend. So, speakin' of opportunity, there's nothin' but air and opportunity stoppin' us from gettin' it on tonight. And I think since it's been over a year since we last scrapped that you might need a little refresher course on what Jimmy Ames is all about.

Tony: I think everyone in the arena would love to see that happen. I know I would.

Willy: There's no way Xander can pass up this kinda chance.

With a confident grin on his face, Jimmy waits for Lionel's answer.

[x]

Xander steps in closer to Ames to speak his response.

I already know what you're about, Ames. And that's the reason why not only am I not impressed, but I'm going to beat you. Not just tonight, but in three weeks at Only The Strong. If luck's when preparation and opportunity meet as you so eloquently put it, there's no level of preparation that you can make that's gonna stop me. Because you're luck Ames, has officially run out.

Xander lowers his mic, and his music cues up over the PA once more. With a cocky smirk he takes a few steps back from Ames, and motions the title belt around his waist.

Tony: The saying goes "old wounds heel slowly", but the rivalry between these two men hasn't heeled at all. Jimmy Ames comes under fire once again.

Willy: I'll say this much, he's damn sure handlin' the fire well. But how long can he dodge the artillery strike Xander's poised to fire off is the question.

Tony: We'll find that out tonight. What a match it's going to be.

Xander exits the ring, and starts up the ramp. As the camera goes back into the ring for a final shot of Ames, Overload goes to commercial.