Let the games begin (Last Dance)

[pancho]

The elaborate pyro display had ceased, not a seat was empty in the American Airlines Arena, and the fans were at a fever pitch. The biggest show in professional wrestling, XGames III...had finally begun.

Tony: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to XGames III!!! Tony Gomez joined here with Slick Willy, and of course from Takedown Matt Goldman and Buzz Berman, and tonight is the night that the entire season has lead up to. The rock 'em, sock collision course of XWA 2009 comes to a head right here in Miami.

Matt: And I could think of no better place for this to go down than this city. A city that's seen it's fair share of stellar XWA moments over the years. I'll bet we'll see some more tonight for sure.

Just as Matt finishes, The Head Drillaz "Get ya' ass up" cues over the PA.

Buzz: And speaking of moments, I think we're privy to see one right now. Here comes THE TALENTED Dan Ripley!!!

Boos from the fans spew into the arena, as Ripley steps out from behind the set. Dressed to the nines in a stylish black suit with the cocky grin that's become his staple, Ripley slow saunters down to the ring, soaking all the jeers from the Miami fans. He pauses at the foot of the ring and looks around the arena for a moment before making his way to the ring steps. He ascends the steps and enters the ring soon after. Upon entering, he beckons for a mic and dismisses the PA announcer from the ring in typical fashion. After a few seconds of reveling in the moment, Ripley raises his mic to speak.

And it all comes down to this. One night. The biggest show on the XWA schedule. XGames III. A night where questions are answered and legacies forged. *Heh* Well if that's the case, then tonight was tailor made for yours truly. The man who single handedly made Takedown worth something. I know what you're all thinking, "What gives you the right to make such a claim?" What doesn't give me the right? What man in 2009 made more of an impact on Takedown AND in the XWA as a whole then me? Pendleton? Close but no pez. Sylk? Nuh uh...not quite. STE? Not even close. Cade? If you call having a title gift wrapped and handed to you impactful...maybe. Genesis & Kayn? Eh...our two Xtraordinares didn't exactly look all that xtraordinary if ya' ask me. But me? *heh heh* I blazed a trail in the XWA this season that's "Franchise" worthy. I made it clear from the moment I stepped foot in this company that this was my goal. And low and behold, here I stand...one of the three men to partake in The Last Dance for the XWA World Title.

With a grin and nod, Ripley adds...

In fact, I was the 1st man to secure a spot in tonight's main event. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back at Wargames, when I outsmarted 5 other muscle heads who were more focused on brutalizing each other then actually winning the match. As I recall, A. Cee Infamous all but laid Kaster Troy out. But what does he do? Instead of going for the cover, he turns his attention to one of the other competitors. And me being the savy guy I am, I seized the opportunity and got the pin myself. You see folks, that's what puts me a cut above all of the men I mentioned moments ago, as well as the three men I'll be facing tonight. I mean, lets take a look at these men for a minute shall we?

One of three highlight packages begin to play over the Jumbotron, the 1st features Magnus Von Schwartz.

We start with MVS. Without a doubt one of the most experienced men in the sport. I mean c'mon, the guy's been wrestling since most of us were still in grade school. One of the top 5 pure grapplers on the planet. A man who's win/loss record reads like an all star list. A 2 time GWGP Champion. One of the few men in this company who is a credible fighter, not just a professional wrestler. But Mags has been in this position before. Staring the World Title down. Last time he did, he got up ended by that purple tank ridin' clown Syrus. If that doesn't put a nice, purple stain on what to that point has been a pristine career, I don't know what does.

The next package highlights Ethan Bain.

Next we have "The Big Ticket". "The Texas Bull...Ethan Bain. Probably one of the most imposing, dominant men in the sport. 7'0" tall. 335 pounds. Pure, unadulterated, raw power. A man who since he entered this sport has obliterated some of the best the biz has to offer, or as he likes to refer to it "The Body Count". Here's a twisted bit of irony though. For all of you folks who don't do your homework...it was in 2008 that Ethan Bain as World Champ, defended it against one Syrus The Entertainer. The same Syrus the Entertainer who defended it earlier this year against Magnus. But on the converse, Magnus managed to beat Bain in 2008 as well. Interesting little conundrum we have here, eh? Bain steps into the ring tonight with the one man he's yet to be able to "count", but comes in knowing he's already defeated in a title match, the man who's been Magnus' "purple kryptonite" since last year, when STE whooped his ass three times in a row leading up to HIS run as World Champ.

The final package plays, this one of Tommy Tryton.

And last but not least, the reigning World Champ Tommy Tryton. A man who eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeveryone had pegged to be a future champion when he made his debut last year. A man who had the benefit of being able to pick the brain of one of the most brilliant minds in the sport, Scott O'Dell. A man who quietly rose up the ranks while everyone else was making a big stink about being "the next this or the best that" and won the World Title at Ring Rage 2009. And since Ring Rage, he's only pulled out two of the most impressive title defenses we'll ever see in our lifetimes. Credit given where credit's due, Pendleton and Tryton put on the best match in XWA...dare I say wrestling history over in Italy. Tryton, much like myself...is what's called the "new breed" of wrestler. A man who can do it all. Power, speed, athleticism, technique. Dare I say he's physically the most complete wrestler on the XWA roster. It's no wonder he's still champion after Devil's Night.

But unfortunately for them, I'm the 4th man in this match.

And the boos of the fans intensify.

Where the strengths of my opponents tonight end, mines only begins. Because I can do everything they can do. I can be as technical as Von Shwartz. I can be as brutal as Bain. And I can be as athletic as Tryton. Difference being, I can be all of those things, but better then what they bring to the table. Because all have their intangible gifts, mines is the gift that keeps on giving. The gift of intelligence. I'm the thinking man's wrestler. And seeing that this sport is kinda thin on thinking men, that puts me a cut above everyone else by default. It's the reason why my last one on one loss for 2009 was against a near 500 pound giant named Steven Higby. It's the reason why I outsmarted the Wargames field to get my way into "the dance". And it's the reason why I'll be the man holding the XWA World Title over my head in victory tonight. It all comes down to this. My carefully laid course to the World Title. A course that I've navigated flawlessly to this point. Tonight, in this very ring...I cross the finish line and not only take my prize, but my rightful place as the best. And so "the games"...begin.

Ripley motions to leave the ring, but before he could, the entrance theme of one of the other three competitors cues up.

Willy: You KNOW he didn't think he was gonna git' away without someone havin' somethin' ta' say in return. NOW it's on.

Ripley pauses in his tracks with a smirk as he awaits the arrival of the oncoming superstar.

[eb]

The entrance theme that played belonged to none other then Ethan Bain. The arena is abuzz as the sole Overload participant steps forth from backstage. Wasting no time, he makes his way from the stage to the ring, joining Ripley inside.

Tony: This is going to get interesting, gentleman.

Bain is supplied a mic, and turns right to responding to Ripley's candid words.

Ya' know somethin' Danny-boy, I've gotta hand it to ya'. That was a real inspired lil' piece there. Especially with the highlights of all three of us. Must've taken you the whole trip from Vegas to Florida to come up with. If anythin', I gotta give you big time props on presentation. 5 star effort there, lil' buddy.

Bain antagonistically applauds Ripley, then adds.

But that's about all the applause and admiration you're scrawny ass is gettin' from me. You know what baffles me? The fact that chumps like you actually buy the crap that comes spewin' outta' your mouths. It's ridiculous. The thinking man's wrestler? Tell me somethin', how clearly can you think when you have one of my size 22s up your ass? Somwhere in the translation, you must've forgot that a match like this isn't about bein' smart. It's not one fall to a finish. It's about bein' able to take what the other three men can dish out, and deal it back to them double. A match that's right up The Big Ticket's alley. I can understand you're feelin' mighty confident goin' into tonight's match. I mean, who can blame you? You're comin' off an impressive win at Devil's Night. But guess what? The rest of the field is comin' off of impressive wins, too. So personally, you can take that self promoting hot air that just came out of your pie hole, and stick it where the son don't shine.

The Miami fans were in full agreement with Bain's words.

Matt: Sounds like an arena full of people support that idea, eh Buzz?

Buzz: I'll say this much, Bain's never been a man to mince his words...

Bain concludes in saying...

You see, Ripley. There's two sayings that comes into play tonight. "It ain't how you start, it's how you finish" and "Put up or SHUT up". I kinda like the way the 2nd one sounds a little more.

Bain lowers his mic and waist for what was to come next.

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Soonafter, the theme of Magnus begins to play over the PA, and he joins the grid that he would be stepping into the ring with later in that night. In one of his signature black business suits he marches down to the ring, focused as always as he steps inside. A mic awaited him to rebut the words of his opposition.

It would seem opportune to join in on braggadocios banter that has gone on here, but I...not you Mr. Ripley, am the one who uses my head, for I have been in this position before, the World Title just within my grasp only for it to slip through my fingertips. That is a lesson only learned on the battlefield. You can say that your championship reign is pre-destined, but what of all your talk when the circumstances prove otherwise?

You see, brains can only take you but so far my dear boy. This is a sport of physicality. Of athleticism and cunning and strategy that three out of these four men have proven are capable of. Bain dominated Only The Strong. Tryton defeated Pendelton AND survived the Devil's Playground and I single handedly up-ended the finest of BOTH brands at Soul Survivor. Our places in this match are not questioned. Yours on the other is. If you believe that you're going to "steal" one like you did at WarGames, you're sorely mistaken. As Mr. Bain pointed out, tonight you won't be seizing any opportunity. You will have to make them yourself. Tonight the champion will earn his crown, and seeing the caliber of competition you stand against tonight, your chances Mr. Ripley are quite slim.

His attention turns to Bain now.

In actuality this match brings forth many unique nuances. I'm quite sure that you've wanted another match against me for some time now Mr. Bain, and now you have that opportunity. I have, as many others have been watching you on Overload, and now here you stand, the man who has the chance to reclaim glory for your brand. On this night you can do what every other man on your show has failed to this year...win the World Title. Surely there must be some extra pressure involved in this for you, hmm?

[eb]

With a raised eyebrow, Bain responds to Magnus' last point.

Pressure? Winning the title for my brand? I don't think you've been payin' as much attention to Overload as you think. It ain't so much of a brand as it is a warzone. But ya see, me winning the World Title tonight will do two things. A...make me a two time World Champion, and B...put me in a position of bein' Sheriff. The last month and a half of the season, I've been on loan to Takedown while Syrus was over havin' his fun with Punch. In the time that I was gone, a coupe guys over on Overload that call themselves Upper Echelon got a lil' to big for the britches. You know the saying, "when the cat's away, the mice will play." We the cat's gonna be comin' back to Overload in 2010 with World Title over his shoulder lookin' to do some exterminating.

He then pauses to include...

Now as far as you and me go, old man? Yea...there's unsettled business. Business that AIN'T gonna be settled tonight. Not a chance. You ain't gettin' off that easily. The score isn't gonna be settled until I get you in this ring one on one, and beat your ass. Will it happen next season? Who knows. But me gettin' back that loss to you isn't a matter of if, but a matter of when. Bet your ass on that one. But I'll agree with ya' on one thing. Tonight's all about making your own opportunities, not seizing the ones that fall in front of you. Let's not be coy here, fellas. We're here tonight to do one thing, and one thing only. Beat the holy hell out of each other until there's one man left standing. That man gets to walk out of Miami the XWA World champ. And you better believe that whoever that man is, be it you Magnus, me, Ripley here, or Tommy T...is gonna earn it.

[tryton]

Next would come the arrival of the World Champion, met with the thunderous cheer of the fans. With the title wrapped around his waist, Tryton stands atop the stage with a mic of his own. As the cheers of the fans dims down some, he starts his addition to the present discussion.

Ya' know somethin' Bain? I like the way you put that last statement. Because it couldn't be anymore true. The man who walks out of the American Airlines Arena tonight with this here title will have to earn it. Because he'll have to out last three of XWA's best. A task that hasn't been done before. I know my history. I know that at the past two Last Dances the World Title has changed hands. But the same can be said about the last two Devil's Playgrounds before this year and I did pretty damn well at Devil's Night.

He pats the World Title on his waist, then adds:

But let me let you three gentlemen in on something. I, unlike you three, am not coming into this match to "win". Why? Because that's to damn cliche. We call come into matches to win. That's the most obvious thing in the world. We put our bodies through hell week in and week out. Naturally you want to get a win out of the deal. No no no, I'm coming into that ring tonight to put on a show. To show these fans in the arena, and the millions watching in their homes why I earned the right to be World Champion. If my best is good enough to help me retain this title, more power to me. If not, then at least I have the satisfaction in knowing that the man who does leave World Champ put on the performance of his life tonight, and I had a chance to be part of that performance. You see boys, call me old school, but I believe the worth of a champion isn't how many of them he holds in his career, but how he holds them. And so long as I'm World Champ, I plan on carrying this belt with class. Cuz I'm all about class.

He lowers his mic and waits for the impending response.