Final Round (Payne)

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Fabiola: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is one of the men who will be taking part in The Last Dance at XGAMES3, Magnus Von Schwartz! Now Magnus, I'm sure that you will be watching intently the Devil's Playground match tonight to see who is the last of your opponents in that match, won't you?

Yes, naturally. One of those six men who have been chosen will walk out of that hellacious structure as the World Champion and into XGAMES to face three more worthy challengers. I will not be one to be overconfident however and say that it matters not who I face, because that overconfidence as you may recall is the reason I'm not the World Champion now. After two wins in a row against Syrus and a title match under Pure Rules at the very beginning of this season, I believed I could easily be victorious...and was proven wrong. I will not make that same mistake twice. Every man who is involved in both of these next two matches are capable competitors worthy of praise. Only one however can be the best of them all, and I will do what is needed to ensure that is I. That is the reason why I have called for this time to speak.

Fab: It is?

Yes, because before I go into the Last Dance, there is one man who I must have one more match with tonight. A man who I defeated and who defeated me in return. In you Jon Payne is the ultimate "sparring partner". A man who will no doubt push my limits to the brink. Then and there will I be more prepared for this ultimate of challenges that lies ahead. I know your "warrior's spirit" will not allow you to deny this challenge. A tie-breaker is in order, and what better place and time than here and now.

[Jon Payne]

Payne heard it all from the beginning and made his way out to make an immediate response.

Ahem...

...now I know that you don't think that this is going to be just a sparring match, do you Magnus? Sparring is done to train, to hone your techniques gradually and take it easier than real combat, and if you know anything about my "warrior's spirit", then you know that taking it easy is something I just don't do.

If your goal is to prep yourself for XGAMES though, you better consider this to be a true "trial by fire" because I'm gonna be going all out. You might very well be the man to finish the season as the World Champ, but tonight...you're setting foot in the ring with me, so the last thing on your mind should be The Last Dance, otherwise it's gonna be a quick night.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Ah, let me not be misunderstood, Mr. Payne. This I see as much more than just a sparring match. Thus far this year you are the only man to have given me a challenge...and that is a trait that I respect more than anything else about another competitor.

There are many men who boast of what they are capable of doing, but few who's actions speak for themselves without a word spoken. You and I are among that rare breed of athlete, for we do not see ourselves simply as athletes, or wrestlers for that matter. We are warriors. Gladiators of the modern age who live and feed off competition. Off of combat.

I know you still hunger for more, Jon Payne. Tonight, one more time...we shall feast.

[Jon Payne]

Well Magnus, you're always the one who talks about "coming prepared". You sound like you are, but we're just going to have to see if that's for certain.

On paper right now, you're one of the favorites to win the big one if what you did at Soul Survivor has anything to say for it. A guy with that kind of expectation behind him is either really good or really overhyped. I already know it's not the latter, because like you said, I've been beaten by you...so I know how good you are and how good you can be.

Starting tonight though Magnus...is when you're going to have to be even better than that. If you really want to be the best of the best, you're going to have to do something that I've done for years. Elevate your game.

It's easier said than done though. Like I said before...we'll see if you're ready tonight.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Indeed we will. I assure you that you'll not be disappointed, and neither shall I. This will be a glorious battle.

With a final brief glance at each other, the two men go their separate ways to prepare for this final encounter, leaving Fabiola and the cameraman to send things off to the next segment.

Fab: Looks like we've got Payne Vs. MVS tonight then. That should be a classic! Back to ringside!

END