Rest is for the weak (Buliwyf)

[tryton]

Takedown returns from commercial with Saliva's "Ladies & Gentlemen" playing over the PA. The thunderous roar of the fans almost shake the arena as the reigning XWA World Champion Tommy Tryton steps out from backstage. Fresh off the heels of another successful defense of his title, Tryton had a look not of triumph on his face, but of focus. As he walks to ringside, the commentary team weigh in.

Buzz: The reign of Tommy Tryton as World Champ might be soon to hit it's biggest obstacle to date. And that obstacle stands 7 feet tall and weighs 345 pounds.

Matt: At Madness, "The Viking" Buliwyf made it clear that whoever between Tommy and Syrus came out on top, would have him to deal with next. Something I don't think anyone in XWA envies at the least.

Tommy enters the ring, and is provided a mic.

At Madness, I completed a personal journey of mines that actually started the night I won this here title. Syrus went into The Crucibal last year XWA World Champion. And of course we all know, I was the the man who left the champion. But in that 60 minutes, I never pinned the man once. So in that regard, it always sat in my mind that I might be World Champ now, but I never beat the champ for the title. Never made a big deal of it, never made mention of it previously, because I knew is Syrus was any bit the competitor he's touted as being, I'd see him one on one for this belt during my run. And at Madness, that's exactly what happened. I beat Syrus fair and square, defending the XWA World Title in the process, and getting that monkey off my back. Removing the asterisk next to my name so to speak, and validating my place as 100% World Champion.

Tommy pauses and the fans acknowledge him with cheer. He takes the title off his waist and holds in his free hand.

The XWA World Title means a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it means status. To others, it means wealth. To others, it means power. But to a select few of us, it symbolizes something far more tangible. Arrival. I've been involved in this sport since I was wearing a bib and booties, people. On the road with my mother and father, both wrestlers, learning the ins and outs of thus business. Unlike a lot of the guys on roster, Pro Wrestling is in my blood. It's in my genetic code. From the day I was born, I was bred to be a champion in this industry. But that's not what got me to this point. No, no, no...not at all. It's been a long road paved with professional and personal triumphs and tragedies. Monumental rises and cataclysmic falls. But in the end, I followed what my mother and father taught me, and it's carried me to this very moment.

One lesson I remember more then anything else from my father, was a simple one. One that almost every person to ever call themselves a champion makes. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old, and it was the night after my father won his 4th World Title. I can't tell you how proud I was. A little to proud actually. He hauled off and slugged me one in the mouth and shouted at me "Never carry a championship with pride. Carry it with the conviction of knowing you busted your ass getting to the top". Words I live by every day. Some people think the World Championship of any sport is a product of success. It's not. Because success is only a small part of the equation. You can be the most popular superstar in your sport and still never be a champion. Look at Patrick Ewing or Dan Marino. Among the greatest players of their sports. But neither have ever been champions. Not because they lacked the skill. No, no...it was because they lacked the other things that make a champion. In their case, it was championship caliber coaching, or team mates who could take some of the load off of them. Might seem unimportant, but it's far from it.[/font]

Tryton looks out into the eyes of the fans.

For a professional wrestler, what's needed is the will to work harder, dig deeper, and be better then everyone else. It's real easy once you reach the status of a "superstar" to enjoy the ride and sit pretty. That's never been what I was about. Because I knew if I was going to rise to the top, I wanted to do it convincingly, and not by the seat of my pants. So I spent the extra time in the gym. Did the extra reps, ran the extra laps, everything needed to keep a competitive edge in this ring. And it's worked, cuz here I am, still World Champion. But there's a man backstage he thinks it's his time now. A man who feels it's his turn to be king of the mountain. That man as we all know is Buliwyf.

A surprisingly mixed reaction is given from the fans.

Yea, I know how you all feel. Buliwyf, there's no denying that you're one of the baddest men in the biz. Since the moment you stepped into XWA, you've left a path of destruction behind you. Only XXL, a former World Champ himself can say he's beaten you one on one, twice. But you beat him twice yourself. There's no denying that you've got next. But Buliwyf, if you think for one second that I'm not ready for you and everything you bring to the dance, you're nuts. I've watched you from day one, because just like how I knew I'd face Syrus one on one someday, I knew from the night you debuted and beat King's ass from bow to stern, that if anyone wanted to call themselves World Champion, they'd have to spend some time in this ring staring at you. Looks like I get to be the 1st, but I'm up to the task. I've read the columns on the wrestling websites. "Buliwyf will be Tryton's toughest test as World Champion". Damn skippy you will be. But bet your ass I'm gonna be your toughest test to date as well. Because if you manage to leave the great state of Illinois XWA World Champ my friend, you'll have earned it by beating Tommy Tryton at the top of his game.

All but a few seconds pass, and Tryton would soon be joined by his next challenger.

[buliwyf]

To the stage steps "The Viking". A stoic look upon his face as always. With a mic already firmly in his massive hand, he responds to Tryton's words.

You speak of what the XWA World Title means to you. Well allow me to enlighten you on what it means to me. It means what it's called by namesake. To be World Champion means to be the best in the world at your craft. While others would say they don't need a championship to validate their careers, they are naive, foolish, and obviously have no faith in their ability. For a man to subject his body and mind to the perils we face between those ropes and not say that being a champion is their ultimate goal, tells me that he is a man not worthy of being crushed by my hand. It's as the saying goes "Having nothing to lose means you have nothing to live for". I live to prove my superiority to all. To show that the blood that courses in my veins make me the most dominant warrior in the world. It is my namesake. Buliwyf. The Norwegian annotation for my ancestor, Beowulf. Slayer of monsters. Hero of men. Legend among all Vikings. By my birthright, I am champion. So it's only natural for me to seek the greatest of accolades, The World Championship.

My intention was to face and defeat you alone. But it would seem XWA's next PPV is in fact Ring Rage, where the title is to be decided in The Crucibal match. Ironic that the very event, in the very same match you won the title, is where you shall lose it. For on that night, I will not only defeat you, but whatever two men are chosen to fall alongside of you. But I don't demand a place in the match. No. What I demand is a match against you, tonight. Non-title. If I am defeated by you, then clearly I'm not ready to make my accent yet. But if I defeat you, my name is added to the World Title Crucibal Match.

Buliwyf lowers his mic and waits to hear Tryton's reaction to his challenge.