Positive Gains (Pendleton)

[tryton]

Matt: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Livorno Palaalgida LIVE in Tuscona, Italy. Where tonight, XWA brings you the third annual Only The Strong Pay Per View!!! Matt Goldman here, and I'm of course joined by Buzz Berman, as well as Tony Gomez and Slick Willy whole be calling all of the Overload action. Gentlemen, we've got one action packed card on the way. You can feel the energy in the area.

Tony: That you can, Matt. You get the feeling that tonight's gonna be a memorable night. And if the Takedown Season Finale told us anything, it's to anticipate the unexpected. It all culminates with the Only The Strong tournament. Where 8 men will compete for the last spot in "The Last Dance" at XGames 3.

Matt: But before that, we've got a lot of issues to be settled here tonight. Some big, big matches are on tap...

Just then, Saliva's "Ladies & Gentlemen" cues over the PA.

Matt: And this man just so happens to be in one of them! Here comes the XWA World Champion, Tommy Tryton!

Tryton,with the World Title around his waist as usual, steps out from behind the elaborate set. The Italian fans give the champion a standing ovation as he returns the favor with a "We're not worthy" bow back to them. Tryton knew all to well the steep history of wrestling rooted deep into the fabric of Italy, so to have the respect of the Italian fans more over was a true honor to him. He makes the walk from stage to ringside, give handshakes and high 5's along the way. The crowd breaks out into a "Campione" chant, which is the Italian word for "Champion". Once inside of the ring, Tryton takes the title belt off and hoists it high over his head, getting an even louder reaction from the loyal fans.

Tony: Mutual respect from these Italian fans and the champion. It's refreshing to see.

Buzz: Yea, as refreshing as drinking rubbing alcohol. It's been a nice lil' run for Tommy, but he's only got about 3 of his 15 minutes of fame left.

Willy: Some one's been dippin' into tha' Haterade a lil' to much.

Tryton is handed a mic, and gets right down to business.

While I was on the train here a couple of days ago, I tried to think of something to say right now. Something I could say to properly kick things off. Well, I couldn't come up with a damn thing, so I'm not even gonna try. Ya' see, I've only been a wrestler 5 years now, but I've been in wrestling all my life. My father Matt Tryton got started in the business the year I was born. And from the moment I could walk, I was raised to be a pro wrestler. This isn't a career choice for me. This is my life. And a month ago at Ring Rage, the culmination of all that I've learned from my dad & Cody Black growing up as well as everything I learned on my own from paving my own way in the business lead me to winning this.

He holds up the title once again. The fans begin the "campione" chant once more. After they settle down some, Tommy continues.

Every man in this sport aspires to be champion. Let's face it, if you're not...what the hell are you doing this for? You'd have to be some kind of sadist to put your body through the punishment we endure in this ring not to have it in your head that one day, you want to be called a champion. But being a champion isn't about holding a title belt. No, no, no...it's something deeper. Anyone can win a title. Anyone can defend a title. But not everyone can be a champion. You see, a champion is a man who represents the best of the best in a sport. He's a man who is respected in a sport. Kobe Bryant? Derek Jeter? Allasandro Del Pierro? THOSE are champions.

The crowd cheers especially as loud at the mention of the famed Juventus captain, who happened to be in attendance in the front row. Tryton points to him in acknowledgment before continuing again.

So in that respect, you have men here in XWA who are the definition of the word "champion". Men like Kris Cade. Men like Romeo Davis. Men like Keith Wyle, Jimmy Ames, Kayn, and even Bryan Jasta. All these men have held, or still hold titles. But that's only 25% of the equation. As champions, they carried themselves as champions. They represented themselves, the XWA and the sport of Professional Wrestling. They're what I call champions, and if I can carry this belt with the same level of poise as them, then I've done my job right. But then you have the guys who aren't in this for the sport, or for the company. They're in it for only their own personal gain. Men like you, Pendelton.

The fans immediately boo the #1 Contender's very mention.

I mean, I can recall an interview you did on The Buzz back in August. What was some of the things you said? Oh yea...stuff like "I don't need to need to say anything, I'll prove it" and "I'll let the guys who like to hear themselves talk do all the talking and let my actions speak for me". And who can forget when you said "I don't believe in "pecking orders". I believe that if you want to be a big dog, you need to bite a big dog. For me, it's a not question of if...but when". And then of course there are the choice few words you had for me personally when I won the World Title. You see Jeremy, for someone who supposedly lets his "actions" speak for him, you do your fair share of yappin' at the lip. Almost as much, if not more then the guys you yourself said are looking to be "buzzworthy". Guess that means you're cut from the same mold as them as well after all, doesn't it?

Just about everytime I hear you speak, Pendelton...it's the same thing. Me, me, me. I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna do that. I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna. In your lil' world, it's all about Jeremy Pendelton 24/7. Well my friend, I hate to be the one to break it to you but, it's not your world. I mean, you can talk about all of your ambitions and what you plan to do to make a name for yourself until you're blue in the face. It's when you actually "do it", that counts. Me? I don't talk about what it is I'm gonna do, because quite frankly, it's not important until I'm either within arm's length of doing it, or I've already done it. But I'll tell ya' what I AM gonna do tonight. I'm gonna prove in this ring, to these fans, the millions of people watchin' globally and most importantly to you, that despite whatever is in the bottled water you drink that seems to have you thinking you're the best thing to hit the sport since Two-Toned tights with tribal designs on 'em, you're not. Two weeks ago, you questioned my "pedigree" as champion. Tonight, I'm CHALLENGING your pedigree as a competitor.

Matt: Bold & stern words from the champion. Wow! He looks as focused as ever.

Not to much time would pass before the #1 contender would make his appearance.

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

That's when "Angry Chair" begins to play over the PA. Jeremy steps out still in his business attire and pauses for a moment on the stage before he walks down to the ring, looking a little puzzled as he stares down towards the champion.

As he walks the aisle, he both smirks and shakes his head. Walking up the steps to the ring, he completely ignores the cackling of the fans, in both English and Spanish, even from some who traveled from other European nation to see this XWA spectacle.

Inside of the ring, he pauses again. A mic was already in his hands. Jeremy tilts his head to the side a bit, then puts the stick to his lips.

What a difference a week makes, doesn't it Tryton? All of a sudden, you seem to have this new reserve of energy just bursting at the seams. So much so that you have the audacity to stand here and of all things, question my character and my competitive nature?

For a while, I had almost thought to myself that YOU were not like the rest of those idiots in the back who have to come out here and give their life story to millions of other idiots. How do I say this without sounding like a total jerk, hmm? I guess there's no way for that to happen, so I'll just do it...

...I...do not...care.

The boos came hard and heavy now. Jeremy however had no concern over the crowd's reaction.

I don't care about your upbringing. I don't care about whether you were "born in the ring". I don't care about what you've done in other companies, what other titles you've held, whatever other men in this business you respect or hate. I...do not...care about any of that.

Do you know why it is that supposedly speak only about me and what it is that I'm here for? Because it's relevant. What happens in the ring right now is all that matters to Jeremy Pendelton, and for as long as that will be the case, I will be the man to dictate the pace.

I don't come out here to say all the right things to satisfy all of these hypocrites in the stands. I say what satisfies myself. There's an old addage of saying what you do and doing what you say. That is what I am all about, and on the subject of not caring, I could care less what you or anyone else in this arena, hell...on this entire planet...thinks about it. I "yap at the lip" because there are a whole bunch of people out there who have to be told the same thing over and again, because they just don't get it.

YOU Tommy Tryton, just...don't...get it.

Pendelton points directly at the champion.

From day one, this has been about one thing and one thing alone. The XWA World Championship. The richest prize in this business, and whether or not you deserve to hold that prize. To be spoken in the same context as the O'Dells and Wyles and Syrus' who've held that title with not pride...hmph...the HELL with pride...but skill. Drive. Determination.

In all truth, to even think that right at this present moment that you're on that level is getting a little ahead of ourselves. Even as you stand there as "the champ", tonight is only the first step down that path of "greatness" that others have walked. You aren't there yet. We'll see for ourselves if you've got the nerves to take that walk. If you have that killer instinct that separates the good from the great and the great from the best.

That is my life's mission. To be the best. That my friend has nothing to do with being the most liked human being on the planet. No, no...totally the opposite. See, truth be told we're in the business of controlled violence. Entertainment, yes. Competition, of course. But on any given night you can walk into this ring and not walk out. If I'm to be anything in the XWA Tryton, it's the hunter...not the prey. Winning or losing tonight, contrary to what you may be thinking right now, will not change that.

No...tonight really is all about you. Deny it all that you want, but on this night, you defending that title is just as important to the landscape of this fair company...of your entire career...as it is for me to take it from you. And that my friend is what it is that I've said all along.

[tryton]

Tryton brings his mic up yet again for his response.

Italy, did any of you here me say I was "on the level" of the guys that Pendelton just mentioned?

He lurks around the ring a bit as if to find someone who'd answer. He then looks right into the nearest camera at ringside.

People at home watchin', did any of you here me say I'm on the same level as World Champ as a Scott O'Dell, or a Keith Wyle, or a Syrus?

He pauses, smiles his boyish smile, then turns back to face Pendelton.

Only person it seems has that notion in his brain it would seem, is you. I'm flattered though, seriously. I can't be on any of those guy's levels yet, cuz I haven't done anything as champ yet. Just like you haven't done anything really in XWA...period, actually. In fact, tonight's actually gonna be the biggest match of your career. You're 1st World Title match. You're 1st time main eventin' a PPV. I'm the world champ, and you're the challenger. That's the way it works. And when it boils down to the basics, there ain't a damn thing you can say that's gonna determine the outcome of tonight's match. You can spew your propaganda about not satisfying the hypocrites all you want. The the very mentality you carry around day in and day out makes you the biggest hypocrite of 'em all. Just another rich, stuck up, Ivy League snob who thinks he's better then everyone. Sure, you may have been trained in some of the best wrestling academies on the planet. You might have more technical skill in your big toe then I most guys have in their DNA. But there's something I have that you don't, and never ever will.

Tryton steps in closer, so as to be at arms length from Pendelton now.

And that's heart. You got no backbone, Pendelton. You say you're life's mission is to be the best of the best? Well I say you don't have the stomach for it. Because bein' the best takes more then winning this here strap. It takes more the reeling off a string of decent wins. It takes guts, determination, sacrifice...and heart. It takes a man to be willing to lay everything on the line to be the best. To put your neck on the slap and wait for the guillotine to come slamming down on it. When it does, and the blade breaks like glass, that's when you've moved one step closer to the top of the heap. I might be world champ, Pendleton...but the difference between us is despite that fact, I know I'm not the best yet. Whereas all you ever do is talk about how great you are. Well Pendelton, tonight, under the bright lights and in front of a global audience, we get to see if you can put your money where your mouth is. And I know you've got a lotta' money, and we ALL know you've got a lotta mouth. So it looks like you've got a helluva lot to prove tonight after all, don'tcha?

Tryton lowers his mic in wait of Pendelton's final reply.

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

Heart?

Pendelton forces himself not to laugh out loud...

Seriously Tryton? Of all of the so-called intangibles that exist in this business, that right there is the least of use to me. How do you display heart, champ...when in fact you're heartless?

You must seriously believe tonight that should you defeat me that I'm going to duck under a rock, or walk away with my tail between my legs, or some other form of humbling humility. I wonder, do men like you always live in fairy tales? You might be the "big hero" and obviously the "fan favorite"...

He paused for a moment as the fans confirmed that fact.

...but if you walk out of here with that title intact, don't think for a second that Jeremy Pendelton will simply disappear. It sure as hell is not going to change a thing about me, or my ambition. If anything Tryton...winning tonight for you is only going to put more fuel onto the flames.

Funny. My eyes have suddenly been opened to something. This is where the game really begins, Tryton...and you're right, victory and defeat are only a small part of that equation. Somehow though, I don't think that you truly know what that is all about. It's quite easy to say something that sounds clever or intelligent without knowing what the true meaning of it is.

I'll tell you what the meaning is to me. One way or another, I will walk out of this a far more educated individual than I did walking in. But the one thing I will not walk out of here as...is humbled. My ambition will not be stopped, not tonight...not any night. I have nothing to prove to you, to any of these fans here or watching on television, to any of our "colleagues" in the back...no one. The only one who needs be proven anything tonight is myself, for I don't manage to get the job done tonight, it doesn't mean that I'm not good enough, contrary to your belief. Just not good enough tonight.

This you see is a war of attrition. Tonight is not the end, nor is it the single defining moment, contrary to what I said. This...is only the beginning.

[tryton]

Tommy then speaks his final reply.

Oh you can be damn sure that tonight's only the beginning, my man. The only certainty tonight is gonna have, is that one of us is walkin' outta this arena World Champion. Will it determine who's the best wrestler between us? Hell no. Three matches aren't nearly enough to determine that. It'll take a lot more to settle up that question. And ya' know what? I'm lookin' forward to when that day eventually does come. But tonight?

Tryton holds the title high over his head yet again.

It's not about you. And it's not about me. It's about this. And the man who walks out of this arena with this belt won't be the man who's the best. No, no, no. He's just the man who was better, here...tonight. The next time out, it could be a completely different outcome altogether. And whether it's you beatin' me, or me beatin' you, I can 100% agree with you on one thing.

There will be a next time.

Tryton's theme hits the PA once again. Both men stand steadfast in the ring as the fans cheer on what was sure to be a classic match-up for the XWA World Title.

Matt: I think we're going to be in for one of the most competitively contested World Title matches in recent memory. And that's saying something seeing as the last two were classics.

Tony: Tommy Tryton has finally come into his own. Jeremy Pendelton's stock continues to rise, and tonight...they go head to head for the XWA World Championship!

Only The Strong the cuts to it's 1st baskstage segment.