The Welcome Wagon (Invite)

[pancho]

Takedown returns from a commercial break to the sound of The Head Drillaz "Get'cha Ass Up", which meant only one thing. The arrival of the 2009 New Sensation, Dan Ripley.

Buzz: Man do I love this guy!!! Dan Ripley is the next big thing in this sport, I tell ya. If his rookie year said anything, it's that this young man is going to BE the man very, very soon.

Goldman: Now, now Buzz. Yes, he's the 2009 Male New Sensation award winner, but let's not go inducting him into the hall of fame yet.

Buzz: Why not? Dan Ripley has every tool needed to become not just a superstar, but a legend. In ring skill, rapier wit, model like good looks, he's the total package. This is gonna be a big year for him, I can feel it.

Goldman: Sounds like you're drinkin' the Ripley Kool-Aid already, Buzz.

Buzz: Damn skippy. And it's damn refreshing I tell ya'.

While the commentators bantered back and forth, Ripley makes his way down to the ring. Dressed in stylish black suit, he climbs the ring steps and enters through the 2nd rope. Once inside, his music fades out, a mic is provided to him, and so begins the 1st Ripley address of 2010.

The age old saying is "making an impact". By it's very definition, it symbolizing when someone or a group of people do something dynamic, that sets them apart from the pack. And by that definition, that's exactly what I did in 2009. There were a lot of 1st year superstars who entered XWA last year along side me. Guys like Jeremey Pendleton III, Chris Dynamite, A.Cee Infamous & my good buddy John Irons. All of them had pretty stellar years. Hell, Pendleton was involved in what's easily the greatest XWA World Title match ever seen. And Dynamite started the season 0 for infinity, but miraculously ended up Pure Champion. Very, very impressive feats. But none of them even came close to the impact I made. Their strides were one shot bits of success. Mines started from week one, and went all the way through to XGamesIII. That's the reason why I'm 2009 New Sensation. Consistency. Intelligence. Talent. Three things I bring to the table better then the best.


Ripley begins to pace the ring.

But it wasn't just us new jacks looking to make that impact. A lot of the XWA vets looked to do the same last year. And to do more of the same this year. But it's been like that for a long, long time. Long before I even got here. One of XWA's many slogans is "In the ring is the only place that matters." They should really re-phrase that to "In the XWA is the only place that matters." Let's face facts people, XWA is the end all of pro wrestling in north America. Key words: PRO WRESTLING. We don't do sports entertainment, though we do have a lot of guys who are more entertainers then actual athletes running around here. Fact of the matter, is that if you ever, ever plan on having any sort of validity to your career, you need to be under XWA contract. Take a look at some of the names, people. Chris Lionheart. Brandon "Genesis" Payne. Osh Vaughn. Cody Black. Kastor & Pollox Troy. All of them champions. All of them amongst the most well known names in the sport for years. But what do they all have in common? All of them are or in one case were on XWA payroll. Hell, for all of the success he had in other companies, Brandon Payne became a house hold name when he came here to XWA. He got WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more exposure and recognition here then he did in the other places he's passed through. It's real simple, folks. If you want to make your career, you come to XWA. Which leads me to the reason...or shall I say person that has me out here tonight.








Jon Pryor.

A murmur of tension fills the arena like a tidal wave.

Goldman: Uh oh. I knew there was something he was leading this too...

Ripley continues.

Jon Pryor is yet another name that is easily recognized by even the most casual wrestling fan. But what baffles me is...well...why? Why the hell is Jon Pryor even relevant? What's he done to deserve the hype he gets? I mean, aside from a little bad language and slippin' the salami to a few female talents along the way. The more and more I look at Pryor's resume, the more and more less impressed I am by him. He got a god like push in VWE, right about when they were starved for talent in the 1st place. He went almost a whole year as LXW World Champion, but had a hand in who he faced for that title. Hell, he won the world title of a company he helped bankroll with his own cash. What it sounds to me like, is that the only thing Jon Pryor's good at, is being in the right place, at the right time. Which leads us to why he's here in XWA. XWA represents the final frontier for him. Not because he has nothing left to prove. Faaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr from it. It's because in all the years he's been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes about how good he is, he hasn't proven bupkis. Jon Pryor being in XWA, is Jon Pryor trying to validate the farce he calls a wrestling career. It's real easy to be regarded one of the best in every company you've been in, Pryor...when you've spent so much time facing 2nd rate talent. Unfortunately for you, ya' picked the wrong company to come to.

Ripley smirks as the predictable reaction for the fans, some actually Pryor followers, follows.

Now I know what you're all thinking. I'm trying to make a name for myself off of Pryor's expense. Anyone who thinks that is a freakin' moron. I'm already a name in this business. UNION proved that. How many of the other 2009 rookies where involved in any of the matches? Need I say more. I'm out here, callin' you out Pryor...simply because...well...I think you're a piece of crap that doesn't deserve to share the same oxygen as me let alone the same ring. And if I've upset, offended or alienated you with anything I've just said...good. That was completely and totally the intention. Jon Pryor...you don't belong in my ring OR my company. And I'm gonna see to your ceremonious departure either by way of you tuckin' tail and runnin' like the coward I know you are, or carted up that ramp on a stretcher with a neckbrace and a halo on after I've broken your damn neck.

Consider this...your welcome wagon.

Ripley smirks and chuckles to himself off mic. As expected, he in a matter of mere minutes, he made yet another cataclysmic impact calling out one of the most infamous and notorious men in wrestling.

Buzz: I...I'm speechless. Wow. I...I got nothin', Goldy.

Goldman: I don't think there's anything anyone could say, partner. Dan Ripley just said a mouthful. A mouthful I'm certain hit the ears of Jon Pryor. This is not going to end with handshake and a cold beer, that's for damn sure.

Ripley intently awaits the inevitable response of Jon Pryor.

[obsessed]

The sounds are familiar. Not to the XWA, but to those who's attention have ventured far past the temporary halls of XWA's weekly shows. Through the halls of XWA-HQ, of whom are very familiar with his career. The one man that waged war on the XWA and didn't disappear. That man is Jon Pryor, and the sounds are those of his theme song, "Save Yourself." A song that he used when he referred to himself as Wrestling's Savior. A song that signified his every entrance in XWA's predecessor.

He appears for this first time to his own song on XWA's stage, beneath their screens, foregoing the normal special effects of his entrance. He's not dressed to compete... but the atmosphere in the arena can tell you that it is about to change. He removes the microphone from his back pocket that he grabbed when he passed the production table, but before he spoke, he chuckled to himself.

"For serious, XWA?" He laughed. "Alright, alright, you got me. But unfortunately, "Ultimate Opportunist" has long been taken. But hey, let me go into fast reply here for a second, then we can get down to business, mmmmmkay?"

He counts off each of the following rebuttals on his hand as he states them, "1.) You're jealous you haven't poked Amber Gianni. 2.) Right behind, oh, Jon Payne, Sylas Styles, and more that have been here. 3.) LXW started to witness the phenomenon that for some reason people didn't think that a World Title was important, so they didn't challenge and those that did sucked. Not that I wouldn't beat those that didn't challenge, but you get the idea. In fact, if I remember correctly... I couldn't lose that belt sober. Which was all of the time until I had to drink some water from a Las Vegas waterbottle..."

Goldman: Ouch... Pryor of course referencing the infamous drugging incident at LXW's single Pantheon event, where he lost his LXW Championship in the final match of the year being blanked 5-0 in an Iron Man match...

Buzz: Pryor got his ass beat. Don't even try to present his argument. The fans don't wanna hear it...

"Number 4.) Not only did I win that one, but I was brought out of my own self imposed exile to bring prestige to yet another company's belt that was hellaciously tarnished by, hell, even one of the talents that you're highly putting over himself, BP. So, you're basically telling me that you're in league with an irresponsible, disrespectful and flighty individual and somehow, since your name is somehow on the same plane as his Xtraordinarily untalented self, that somehow makes you a big enough name to be a welcome wagon. I'm sure that you could take one of his frequent vacations with him the next time he decides to take one. Like, next month, after you two get your feelings hurt by somebody saying the wrong thing?"

Goldman: He must have seen the latest Scott Epic promo at UNION...

Buzz: I can't believe this ass thinks that he can come in here like this, say that type of stuff about our established talent, and get away with it! I hope Ripley rips his freakin' head off!

"If you, or any of you New Yawker self-appointed elitists take any offense, are upset, or alienated by anything that I just said... Good. That was my intention. Until you've got anything to back up your name but a feel good award that says nothing more than you were some higher up's flavor of the month... your word means exactly squat. It sounds to me like you've just cut in front of the LONG line that would love to end my career, send me out of here in a couple of pieces in the bottom of a Hefty bag and be the one responsible for me never being seen again. Problem is? I'm still here, and I'm not going ANYWHERE!"

[pancho]

Ripley follows up with a rather nonchalant chuckle. Bring the mic to his lips once again, he responds.

There goes that wonderful Pryor pride I've heard so much about. I've gotta give you some credit though. I would have pegged you to be the type of guy who'd just come back out here and try to fire off at the hip trying to make himself sound "cool" like so many others on this tired ass Takedown roster. But to my surprise, ya' came out here and owned up to the fact that your entire career is pretty much predicated on being in the right company at the right time. The only reason why you're even a blip on the radar is because every company you've even worked for at the time of your employment with them were so starved for talent that they ended up having to push you, or go with someone who would have been thought to be "on the take." I remember watchin' LXW and seeing Dru Nedermeyer pretty much run the table against the entire LXW roster. They could have easily stuck you in the ring with him and let him rip you to shreds, but that wouldn't have went over to well seeing as he was in tight with Vincent Fate. So they decided to stick with you until the end, and of course we all know the sordid tale of how that went down.

The way I interpret things as far as your history in the biz, there were always people better then you around. But giving them championship opportunities would have been so obvious that they had to pick the next best thing. If anything, you're real consistent in being the #2 guy on any given roster. Usually because #1 guy is so good he doesn't need a title. I mean, every place aside from that circus you were bankrolling. To say you picked your roster from the bottom of the barrel is an understatement. I don't blame you going ahead and snagging up that title. Some of the guys in that craphole where so forgettable that...well...I can't remember even a single one of there names. But enough about a bunch of jabronis who are all back doing shows at community centers. Let's talk about you some more.

As the increasing boos continue, so does Ripley.

There might have once been a time when your name meant something in this business, Pryor. But those days are so long gone it's pathetic. It's the very reason why you're here. Because this is the last chance you'll ever have of grabbing that brass ring that seems to always end up being handed to you. In XWA, for the 1st time in your miserable career, you have a chance to actually earn your keep. It's your final chance to validate the farce you call a wrestling career. But you know what I find funny? The fact that you defaulted to me being put up to doing this by someone in corporate. As if corporate really cares about you. HAAA!!! You're giving yourself way to much credit, my friend. XWA management stopped giving a crap about you the moment your wrestling company went belly up. When that happened, you became irrelevant. In fact, if I heard from one of my XWA exec friends that it was actually the VP of XWA Mr. Gallas who approached you about signing on to XWA. Now you might think it was his way of making a peace offering since you've had bad blood with Carmella Blackheart since LXW, but I'm afraid if you believe that one, you're more naive then I thought.

The only reason you were allowed into XWA is because of the monetary implications that come with having Jon Pryor under XWA employ. All you are to the board of directors is dollar signs. You put a few more asses in the seats. You sell a few more T-shirts for them. But if you think for one second they give a damn about if you sink or swim in XWA, you're mental. They'll just milk your name for all it's worth until you peter out and jump ship, like you've done for every other company you didn't have a hand in the cookie jar of. Face it, Pryor. You're a side show. Whatever credibility you had as a wrestler disappeared a long time ago. Sure, some of these people might still give a damn about you. And you might have maybe one or two friends in the XWA locker room. But trust me when I say that there's a whole line of guys on Takedown and Overload who'd love nothing more then to put you to pasture. Damn shame none of them will get the chance.

Ripley takes a step back from the ropes.

You see my friend, the mistake everyone who has said they're going to end your career has made, is that they didn't think outside of the box. They fooled themselves into thinking that physically beating the crap out of you would do the trick. And if there's one thing I'll give you credit for is that you can take one hell of an ass kicking. No no, my strategy is going to be a little different. I already know between you and me, I can beat you within an inch of your miserable life. But that's not hardly what it's going to take. It's going to take me completely destroying you...inside of the ring and out. Your credibility. Your dignity. Your sanity. When I'm done with you, you'll be begging me to break your neck, because I'll have broken everything else there is about you. What I have planned for you is nothing short of the Crucifixion itself. Call it...the trial of Jon Pryor.


And call me judge...jury...and executioner.

Ripley's words bordered on sadistic. He waits intently to hear Pryor's response.

[obsessed]

"Once again, it all comes around to nothing but words," he says, listening to the rant. Pushing back the words spoken to him. "You obviously haven't paid enough attention. Jon Pryor the Wrestling Savior HAS been long gone. Let's see what all's happened... divorce, disappearing fiance, company going down in flames, going damn near bankrupt, home getting destroyed, to a year long exile from the business that had been my passion.

Had been my passion. Now we fast forward to two years later... to the business that for better or worse,

Is.

My.

LIFE!

You'd better break my neck in my sleep on the plane ride to the next arena, KID, because if you think that some hack with a mouth and a luck streak is going to take me down? You've got another thing coming.

You're talking to the man that has killed federations. You're talking to the man that has run people down so badly that they're off somewhere flipping burgers or working a meat slicer in your local grocery. If you're coming at me, running your mouth, dropping threats of ending me... you have to sit there, and think long and hard just what I will... or what depths I won't stoop to to not only put your in your place, but make sure you're watching on the sidelines for a long... LONG, time.

Try me."

[pancho]

Ripley raises his mic for what would be his final response.

Oh, I'm gonna do a lot more then just "try" my friend. Unlike you, I've succeeded in everything I've ever done in life. It's rather sad that "this" is your life, Pryor. It truly is. Because when all is said and done, I'm gonna end up a murderer. Because your "life" as we know it will be over and done with by my hand. But don't worry. I'll at least do you the honor of writing your epitaph in this ring.

Ripley lowers his mic one last time, letting it drop to the ring floor. As his music cues up once again, he shoots a glance in the direction of Pryor that could at best be considered "unsettling". He takes a few steps back before turning around to exit through the 2nd ropes. The heated segment ends, and Takedown goes a promotional spot highlighting the next upcoming events.