Don't sing it (Xander)

[ames]

At long last the 2010 season of XWA had begun. The pyro explodes on the set, the fans cheer loudly, and the season premiere of Overload was officially underway. Standing in the ring was Joe Beakman, with mic in hand.

Beakman: Ladies and gents, the one, the XWA Global champion, FAMOUS...JIMMY...AAAAAAAAAAMES!!!

As his music cues over the PA, the Bryce Jordan Center explodes into a thunderous cheer. Out to the stage with the newly minted Global Title on his shoulder comes Jimmy Ames. As he stands at the stage, he holds the title belt high and points out to the fans. He then makes his way down the ramp, giving high fives and handshakes along the way. Then, vintage Jimmy Ames. He finds the hottest female in the front row, saunters on over to her, and taps his cheek with his index finger for her to plant a wet one on him. This female, a rather chesty blond, does one better. She grabs Jimmy by his shirt collar and full on lip locks him. The surrounding fans hoop and holler as they eventually pull away. She hands Jimmy a small piece of paper and gives him the "call me" motion. He grins ear to ear, slips the paper into his back pocket, and slides into the ring. He holds the title high once again to the cheer of the fans before settling in for the interview.

Beakman: Jimmy, let's cut right to the chase. Last week at the live UNION event, we found out by way of a six man battle royal who your 1st challenger for 2010 will be. And that man is none other then "X-Rated" Lionel Xander. A man you have a very heated history with.

Now hold the phone there, Beakz. Let me start this off right. WASSUP UNIVERSITY PAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRK!!!

The fans respond with yet another thunderous ovation.

Ok, back to bid'niz. Lionel Xander is #1 contender. And yea, he and I aren't exactly on each others Christmas lists. But I'll give the devil his due, he's a gamer. Probably one of the best in the game today. The guy's been around for a while. BUT...yes there's a but...What he isn't, is Jimmy Ames. Jimmy seized the moment. When the spotlight is on and center stage is mines, I steal the show. Lionel? Not so much. He's beaten me more then a few times, and I'll give him that. But he hasn't beaten me when it matters. When it's all on the line, and it's time to put up or shut up, I come out on top. That's what separates the good wrestlers from the great ones, Beakz. It ain't how ya' start, it's how ya' finish. Take last year when I had to defend the title against Primo. Everyone in the world though Primo was gonna mop the floor with me. Critics and smarks all over the net said "Jimmy Ames can't beat Primo." And yea, Primo whooped my ass the 1st two matches we had. But when the title was on the line, I stepped my game up. And my game was somethin' Primo...and everyone else I've defended against, including Xander, wasn't ready for.

Beakman: Soooo...I guess this means you're not concerned about Lionel's words following his win last week?

Concerned? HAAAAAAAAA!!! What you fail to realize, dude...is that his bark is worse then his bite. He can talk about how him winning last week was destiny until he's blue in the face. The fact of the matter is this. In more ways then one, it's his match to win. He needs to prove to the world, and to himself, that he can win when the pressure is on. between me with the X-Gen and National Titles, and my boy Ethan Bain for the XWA World Title back in 08, Xander's 0-4 when it comes to gettin' the job done for a strap. It's like I said. Put up or shut up. If there was a title for talkin' a good one and not backin' it up, he'd be undisputed. Well...ok, there might be some other guys runnin' around over on Takedown who could give him a run for his money, but here on Overload he'd have no...

Before he could finish, the entrance theme of Lionel Xander cues over the PA.

Travis: And now, things get interesting...

[x]

Xander steps out onto the stage to a volley off boos from the crowd. Unphased, he fixates his gaze squarely on Ames and Beakman in the ring. Within moments, he ventures down the ramp to ringside, sliding into the ring. Pacing over to the ropes, he calls for mic.

Even you don't believe the garbage that just came spewin' outta your mouth, Ames. You and I both know what you're tryin' to do. A classic play out of the Jimmy Ames playbook. Spew propaganda all over the place to get these morons in the arena and the morons sittin' on their asses at home to rally behind you. Filling you with confidence you need to overcome the insurmountable challenge set in front of you. And you see, Jim...it would have almost worked. Worked for you last time. Worked for you against everyone else you've faced. But this time, it's not gonna save you.

Now I'll agree with you on one thing. For three and a half years, I've chased championship gold here in XWA. And be it because of a critical mistake made in the ring, or a blunder made by XWA management out of it, it's eluded me. But let's make one thing perfectly clear here, Ames. When it comes to out & out wrestling, you can't beat me.

Boos from the crowd continue, as does Xander.

Let's take a look at the three times you have. Two of them where for the then X-Gen title. The X-Gen/No Limits style of wrestling isn't so much about wrestling skill as it is about taking a bigger risk then the next guy. You can do things in No Limits rules that you can't in a normal match. And you took full advantage of that. And of course the third time was just months ago at XGames III, where you pinned Ryan Blaze, who shouldn't have been in the damn match in the 1st place, to retain your title. On the other side of the coin, there are the five times we've faced off in non-title matches. Of those five, four of them where one on one, the other was you and Bain against me and Chris Cage. And...uhm...how did all of those matches end? Oh yea...me pinning you for the three count. Stand there and talk out of your ass all you want Ames, the proof is in the numbers. And the numbers say that when it's a regular, old school wrestling match, with no frills, gimmicks or shenanigans, I'll beat you...every...single...time.

Xander gives an antagonizing smirk as he lowers his mic in wait of Jimmy's response.

[ames]

The normally jovial demeanor of Jimmy turns to a more serious tone in his reply.

Ya' know what? You're right. The proof IS in the numbers. And the fact of the matter is that in 3 1/2 years, I haven't beaten you one on one in a normal wrestling match. And to be honest, it sticks out like a sore thumb to me. Not so much because of the history we have. Not even so much because I hate you like 5 years olds hate Broccoli. It sticks out because I know I'm better then you. And how am I better then you? *Hmmph* Same way I'm better then just about everyone else. I've done in the last four years who many guys, including you...have taken years to accomplish. I was the 1st ever XWA Pure Champ at 21. I've held more singles titles in this company then any man on roster, including the once who consider themselves "above the rest". The definition of success in this sport...

He gives the Global title a pat on his shoulder.

Is one of these. And no one in XWA's more of 'em then me. That also, my good man...is fact. So, I guess we both have a lil' something to prove this go around then, don't we? But I'll tell ya' what. Why the hell should we wait, eh? Let's say you and me have us a lil' tune up match right here tonight. That way WHEN I beat your ass tonight, there will be no doubt whatsoever that the title match between us will end the same way the last 3 have. Me, with my hand raised in victory. You, staring up at the lights wondering what the hell just hit you. How bout it?

[x]

Giving a satisfied smile before his response, Xander answers the challenge.

If there's one thing that will never change about you Ames, it's that you have more guts then brains. You wanna go one on one with me tonight so I can school you on the finer points of what it means to be a true wrestler? Fine...by...me. You think you're better then me, punk? I'm gonna take pleasure in proving that lil' theory dead wrong. Almost as much pleasure as I'm gonna take, in takin' that title off of you. School's in session, Ames. And I'm not to confident you'll make the grade.

With that, Xander's theme hits the PA. He tosses his mic out of the ring to one of the ringside tecs, and puts up the "X" with a confident smirk on his face. Backing away from Beakman and Ames slowly, he turns around and slides out of the ring.