Best Laid Plans (Invite)

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

As Takedown returns from a commercial break, the sounds of a new theme song begins to play. It's Drowning Pool's "Tear Away" and to it comes out both Jeremy Pendelton and his new associate Robby Sylk to the Rosemont crowd, who as expected are none too happy to see them. The tandem is all smiles though as they make their way down the ramp towards the ring, both men dressed to the nines like the dashing young studs they considered themselves to be.

Goldman: And as we return back to our broadcast, here are Jeremy Pendelton & Robby Sylk, who despite not being on the Madness card look completely satisfied with themselves for some reason or another.

Buzz: Oh, I think I know exactly what these two are smiling about, Goldie...and their about to let everyone know it right now.

Now, how many people watched Madness here, huh? How many people out there saw that exciting main event? Was that not the greatest World Title match of all time? I mean, XXL Vs. Genesis had nothing on that match, did it?

Jeremy chuckles at the misfortune of Syrus as the fans shower him with boos.

I hate to be the one who says "I told you so", but let's call it like we see it ladies and gentlemen. Robby Sylk and I said it from the very start that it doesn't matter who holds the titles here on TakeDown and it doesn't matter who's *ahem* in charge of things around here, because we are the one's calling the shots.

All it took was a little motivation towards a certain newly motivated "anti-American" Xtraordinaire...and all of the sudden, one man's dreams of getting back on top, and the aspirations of all of his loyal purple wearing fans are dashed. Lost...and gone, and for no other reason than the fact that we made him into an example for everyone in the back.

You see my friends, being dominant in this business doesn't mean being able to pin your opponents shoulders on the mat or making them tap out night in and night out. Oh no, that's so small of a factor that anyone who relies solely on that truly knows nothing about what true power is. That kind of power isn't made or born...it's gained. Gained by the moves you make and the statements those moves make. A wise man once called this industry "a game of human chess". Make no mistake, the men you see in this ring right now are here to play the game flawlessly and to absolute victory, and you've only seen the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

With a signature cocky grin, Jeremy hands the mic over to Sylk to continue.

["The R*" Robby Sylk]

With an equally cocky grin on his lips, Robby graciously accepts the mic...

You heard what the man just said, so there's no need in repeating it unless you're just slow. But then again, we are in Rosemont after all.

A classic insulting blow to the fans that riles them up even more as Robby chuckles at their reaction.

Let me break it down really simple to you simpletons then. Beginning tonight, well if you wanna be specific beginning at the premiere, a new era of TakeDown has begun. And era where the strongest survive and the weak wither away into nothingville. I don't think there should be any doubts where Jeremy and I stand on the pecking order around these parts, and that's right at the tippity top. Anyone who thinks otherwise will be promptly knocked down a peg or two...just like poor Syrus. Oh yeah, you know him, you love him, but you see those who grow too big for their britches are going to have to be put in their place. It started with him, and that's not where it's going to end.

There's a long list of TakeDown stars...a "who's who" if you will, that need to be shown one way or another that they are not the shot-callers here. We are. And it doesn't matter when, where or how, we will show them all exactly where they stand, below us, behind us, anywhere and everywhere except on, at or even near our "golden excellence".

He pauses.

In fact, by the time all is said and done, that is the standard that TakeDown is going to reach under our influence. What you see standing before you ladies and gents. The cream of the crop, the top of the line, the best of the best in more ways than your feeble minds can possibly imagine. Yes indeed, a new era has begun here on TakeDown, and to every man and woman in the back, you've got two options...you can ride with this "Entourage", or you can get run over by it. Thinking you have a chance in hell...is like thinking that LeBron James would ever be seen in a Bulls jersey. I mean, a team from Illinois winning a title? That's like...so 90's.

Robby appeals to the crowd in his own special ways, laughing out loud at their boos while he hands the mic once again to Pendelton.

Goldman: Have you ever seen two guys who're more full of themselves?

Buzz: I have, we all have...and those guys happen to be running amuck over on Overload. I hope this isn't history repeating itself.

[Jon Payne]

Before any more words are spoken in the ring, the lights suddenly go green as The Crystal Method's "Keep Hope Alive" begins to play. The fans seemingly explode with excitement, as does the announce team.

Goldman: Those guys on Overload haven't gotten this immediate a response though, and damn sure not from a guy like this though! Sorry to steal your line partner, but it looks like here comes the Payne!

Sure enough, a few short moments later Jon Payne stepped out onto the stage. The crowd in the Allstate Arena were going crazy, and acknowledges them as he looks out to the masses for a few seconds. Through dark sunglasses, you can't see his eyes as they focus to the ring, but that was squarely where they were as the music fades out.

You know, Syrus is a good friend of mine, so watching you two come out and gloat about having a hand in his failure to regain the World Title leaves me a little, well...pissed off. Now I don't know what kind of collusion or conspiring was involved in all that, but I do know that if you think that you're gonna do that to anyone else on TakeDown, you've got another thing coming.

The fans' response is deafening as Jon seemed to send out a declaration of war to the newly formed "entourage".

I take a look at you and I see nothing but talent. Two young guys who're in the prime of their careers, who could easily be on top of this business for a long time. Hell, you even were on top for a while Sylk. But thinking you're going to get there at the expense of others? That doesn't sit too well with me there, gentlemen.

In fact, I've made it a career point to make sure that guys like you are the ones who're put in your place...that being out to pasture. There's a little nickname I've earned for that inherent abilty, and it's "Mr. Momentum Killer". Just when you think you're getting somewhere, he comes 'ol Jonny Boy to pull that carpet right from under you and let you crash back down to earth flat on your ass. I think it's about time these two got that special treatment, don't you Rosemont?

A resounding "YEAH!" could be heard throughout arena.

Well, luckily I'm not the only guy who thinks that way. An old freind of mine who you oughtta be really familiar with Slyky-boy. Let me bring him out right now...

[Xander Xavier Luther]

Jon looked back to the entryway, and that's when another familiar tune began to play. It was the theme of Payne's long time friend & occasional partner, the one and only Xander Xavier Luther. As with Jon, the fans response was huge as he stepped into the scene side by side with his fellow "Skool of Hardkore" alumn & former XWA World Champion. He looked different, a bit more toned and athletic than he'd been known to look, but it was still undeniable that the man was a powerhouse. The theme fades out and the crowd's volume lowers while Jon hands XXL the mic to speak his mind...

Seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same. Robby, you and I have our history, and it seems that it all stems from this desire of yours to be "the man". It's not like you're the only one who believes he is, hell...this place has been full of those types of guys for years, but for all the talk you talk, no man is invincible. Nobody in this company has the right to think that they're bigger, badder or better than anyone else, because someone out will always, ALWAYS have your number. That's a little something we call "balance" gentlemen. Nobody in this business can deny it's there...and if they do it's just their egos talking out their asses.

For you though Robby...I've been that man that has your number, and I think that's about time I remind you why that is. Straight up and straight to the point, if the two of you think you're getting anywhere with your little "master plan", then there's somewhere you're gonna have to get to first, and that's through us!

[Jeremy Pendelton III]

It looked like Robby & JP had found themselves an audience now. After both Payne & XXL stated their cases, now did Jeremy respond.

Now, here we have two perfect examples of what it is that we're talking about. Two former World Champions. Two of the perennial poster children of this company if you will. Xander Xavier Luther...a man who's been a part of some the greatest matches in this company's history, and Jon Payne...one half XWA wrestler and one half UFC/MMA fighter. With your astonishing track records, one could say that you just might be capable of stealing our thunder, right?

Well...one would be wrong to believe that then.

Goldman: That overconfidence right there is one of Pendelton's most detrimental traits. He just believes he's untouchable!

You talk about "balance" Luther as if Robby and I don't know that such a thing exists. That's the very reason why we're doing what we're doing...to un-balance things. See, so many people talk about pecking orders in this business that it's become a worn-out cliche. Order as it were...is boring. Yes, you have all your eggs in one basket, but the basket becomes dull. Stagnant. Much like this entire brand I'll go as far as to say. But when you crack one of those eggs, what do you get? Color. Substance. Something that stands out against the dull, vanilla white of everything else.

That's what we're here for, to crack a few eggs. To create a little chaos in this "tired world order" that is TakeDown. Allow me to quote another great man in this business, because it fits this occasion perfectly...you don't have to like it, but you'll learn to love it because we are the best thing going today! You cant prolong the inevitable gentlemen, but if you insist then we'll be more than happy to accept your invitation inside of this ring tonight.

[Jon Payne]

Prolonging the inevitable? The only thing that's inevitable Pendelton is that tonight you're going to understand that if you want what you want, you're going to have to be ready to go to war for it.

I guarantee you this though, there will be casualties.