Returning, Now Let's See (o2a)

[Osiris]

Otherworld plays over the speaker system as Osiris makes his return to Takedown. Making his way down to the ring and already having a mic in his hand, he gets into the ring and proceeded to do what he came out to do.

Osiris: Ah, the XWA. How good it feels to be back. After going through Hell's Asylum with Khryst, I was unable to compete for the rest of the season. I wasn't even able to compete at the X-Games, something I truly wished to have competed at. And all the time I was healing up, all the time my body recuperated, my mind wasn't ready to accept that I had to sit out. That is something that I never had to do in my entire career. And yet that is what happened. But now, my body has healed up, and I'm itching for a fight. So I'm issuing an open challenge to anyone that Takedown has to offer me. I don't care how big you are, how fast you are, how smart you are, or how strong you are. I want a fight, and I don't care who it has to be. Rookie, Xtraordinare, legend, fan favorite, most hated, I will take on ANYONE. So who shall it be?

He looks to the stage, awaiting whomever will accept his challenge.

[Jon Payne]

The fans wait to see just who might answer the challenge of Osiris, and are excited when they soon find who does just that when The Crystal Method's "Keep Hope Alive" begins to play. That means that Jon Payne is about to make his 2010 debut, and out he comes to the cheers of the fans.

Goldman: XWA's own two-sport superstar...The Evolution of Combat, Jon Payne! I would never expected for him of all people to step up to the plate.

Buzz: Well, that's what separates Jon Payne from the rest. He's never backed down from a fight or a challenge, and if Osiris wants one tonight, he's going to get both!

He stands inside of the ring after making the walk down the aisle, a mic in his hand...

So you'll take on anyone, huh? Sounds good to me. You know something, I've been in that same boat for years now, Osiris. There's not a single person in this business that I wouldn't hesitate to face, because I have all the confidence in the world that I can give them the fight of their life. Of course...you've kind of already been through that.

Hell's Asylum. Now that sounds like the type of match that only a really sadistic individual would step into. Something that's right up yours and Khryst's alleys. You're a guy who obvious enjoys pain & suffering, both giving and maybe even receiving, so there's not even a need for preparation for what's going to happen tonight.

He pauses and nods as the fans back him up.

See, they call me "The Evolution of Combat" for a lot of reasons, and the main one is because to me, what happens when the bell rings is the only thing that matters to me. Not what happened before, not what'll happen in the future. This might be the first time you and I are in the ring against one another, but I guarantee that I will leave a more than lasting impression.

[Osiris]

Osiris: You know what Payne, I believe you will. No matter the outcome of this match, I have no doubt that you will leave an impression on me. Be it mental much like Khryst did, be it psychical in that you scar me, bruise me, make me bleed. Or maybe it will be spiritual, in that afterwards I will feel that I was able to finally prove that I can be amongst the best. Not just to myself, but to all these XWA fans, to the people in the back, to the people in management.

It's kind of funny actually, I came out here looking for a fight, and what do I get? I get the cage fighter himself, the former World Champion. I'll do us both a favor and I'll spare us from having to go through the motions of "I'm going to beat you" "No you won't, I'm going to beat you" because I'll be completely honest. I don't know if I can. Sure, I have the confidence in that I feel I can beat you, but I've learned the hard way that just because I feel I can, doesn't mean I actually can. I'll take on all anyone and everyone, but I won't be the moron that says I can beat everybody and then ends up losing every single time. So I'll just say this: I hope that you and I can have a good match, and that the best man will win.

[Jon Payne]

I can assure you that it's going to be a good match. As far as the best man winning though, you can never be too sure about that thought. It might be you tonight, it might be me next week, it might be someone else the week after that. That wouldn't anyone the best man to win per se, it just makes them good enough to win that night.

We'll see who fits the bill tonight then, Osiris. See you in here later tonight.

Goldman: Unexpected here to see this kind of level of respect from both men, seeing as their paths have never crossed in the XWA until now.

Buzz: Well, it's all about reputation Mike. When you do things that people notice, that's the result you get. Both these guys have some stories to tell in their careers, and tonight it's a new chapter beginning for the both of 'em. I agree with both of them too, this will be a good match.

As the announcers continued to talk of the situation in the ring, Payne's theme plays again as he steps out of it, giving Osiris the slightest of nods along the way. Spoken well by Buzz Berman, this was a new chapter of sorts, but not just for these two, but all of TakeDown. It all begins from here.