The stamp(invite)

[dane]

As Takedown returns from commercial, Marshall Dane stands in the backstage interview area. The Camera pans in on him as he speaks.

Fans and viewers of Takedown, I'd like to take this time to apologize. For the lackluster effort being put forth by many of the Takedown roster. It pains me to see week in and week out the poor excuse for wrestling a lot of the Takedown competitors have subjected you with. Of note, the recent performances of such so called "stars" as Kayn, Jon Pryor, Chris Dynamite, Jamie Fury and Tommy Tryton to name a few. Superstars who quite frankly last week, embarrassed themselves. As has this brand been an embarrassment. So much so that the XWA President herself Carmella Blackheart has taken the reigns as acting GM in the stead of Mike Roach, he has done a paltry and incompetent job as GM since he was appointed the position last year. While my thoughts and prayers are there for him in this time of direst in his life, everyone is accountable for their actions, and upon his return to his duties of GM, he will be dealt with for his failure to do his job correctly.

As far as tonight goes, this is a very important night. As Ms. Blackheart stated on The1XWA.net, tonight we will find out who will round out the field in the World and Diamond Title Crucibal matches at Ring Rage. And if the Overload qualifying matches were any indication, we can expect to see something we haven't seen in some time on Takedown, wrestling worth of the XWA banner. Ms. Blackheart will announce the participants later tonight. However, I have some announcements of my own. Tonight, we will see a match that will not only entertain, but possibly show the slacking Takedown roster how it's done, as two men making their returns to XWA after touring Japan will compete one on one, as Milo Miller will face Jake Slayde. A match that I myself will be watching closely, as well as a number of other matches we'll see tonight. There is an old saying that goes "An army is only as strong as it's weakest soldier". The time has come for the weakness of Takedown to be flushed out. This is the flagship show of XWA. It's time our competitors started competing as such, or not at all.

Enjoy the program, ladies and gentlemen.

Takedown goes back to ringside.

Matt: What do you make of that, partner?

Buzz: What do I make of it? Marshall Dane doing what an administrative Director is supposed to do. His job on top of being the head of the B.O.D. and 3rd in command of XWA is to insure that the personnel, that being everyone who's not management, is holding their weight. That counts for the production staff, the in ring officials, the broadcast crew AND the wrestlers. And I agree we him, some of the matches last week were embarrassing to watch. Hopefully with some motivation, he can prevent that from ever happenning again.

Matt: Wins and losses are part of the game, Buzz. They weren't that bad in my opinion.

Buzz: Were you watching the same matches I was? You expect your top draw competitors to at least show up for the match. Tryton and Fury came up short, and let's not even get into the outcomes of Pryor, Dynamite and Kayn's matches.

Matt: Well, Dane's set up a match with two returning young studs that's sure to open some eyes. I'm looking forward to it.

Buzz: So am I. At least we know Miller and Slayde are going to leave it in the ring.

Just then, a familiar entrance theme cues up.

[trueth]

To the surprise of everyone in the arena, including Marshall Dane himself, it was the entrance theme of none other then Sean Trueth.

Matt: That's Sean Trueth!!! We haven't seen him in XWA in ages! What's he doing out here?

Buzz: I'll bet the farm it's got something to do with the man in the ring. That's for sure.

As the fans cheer on the return of the young superstar, Trueth walks down to ringside with purpose. He pauses at the foot of the ring and takes a long look at Dane within. He continues on, sliding into the ring. He then makes his way to the adjacent ropes, and is handed a mic of his own. Turning to face Dane eye to eye, he speaks for the 1st time in over a year on XWA TV.

Ya' know, all I've heard the past few months is how you plan to raise the bar of competition here in XWA, more so here on Takedown. Yet what have you really been doing to achieve this? Ya' gave Epic his shot against Kayn. You went over and made a fool of yourself on Overload. Yet week in and week out you stand in this ring and talk about what other people aren't doing. What a meager job the rest of management has done managing the talent of this company. I think I speak on behalf of everyone in the building and more then a few people in the back when I say you and your agenda here is full of crap.

An uplifting roar from the fans follow Sean's statement. He nods to them, then continues.

You know where I've been the last few months, so you know I don't fall into your category of people not holding their weight. But as far as I'm concerned, you're not holding much weight either. There's a right and wrong way to light the fire under people's asses. Your methods are self indulgent. You don't care about the talent, all you care about is the bottom line. When you look at any of the wrestlers, all you see is dollar signs. You probably haven't even taken the time to get to know even a fraction of the roster personally. That's why you suck as an executive, Dane. For years, you've been one of the faceless "higher ups" that we hear people talk about. But you've seen fit to try and put your stamp on XWA. Well my friend, I think I'm gonna see fit to power wash that stamp clean off.

Buzz: There's a thin line between brave and stupid. Does he have any idea what he's doing? That's the Administrative Director for Pete's sake!!!

You said "an army is only as strong as it's weakest soldier". A lot of good it does when one of the generals of that army is blind, deaf and dumb. You want people to step up and make statements? Fine. Consider this my statement.

Sean delivers a swift kick to the gut of Dane. He doubles over, and Sean lifts him up into a fireman's carry.

Matt: Oh my god!!! Don't do it, Sean! Don't do it!!!

Buzz: This kid if plum out of his damn mind!!!

With an encouraging grin on his face, Sean delivers his finisher, the "Moment Of Trueth" on Dane. He rolls out of the move, and kneels on one knee admiring his handy work. Sean then rolls out of the ring and begins to back up the ramp.

[dane]

Dane clutches at his back, writhing in pain. He's able to stave it off long enough to reach for the mic he'd dropped when he was kicked.

Trueth!!! You just wrote your own death certificate! No one puts their hands on an *owch* XWA executive without paying the price!!! I should fire you on the spot, but I'm going to carry out your sentence in the ring, TONIGHT!!! You're return match to XWA is going to be against a man who unlike you, has earned everything he's ever got in this business. A man who's entire career has been about making "statements"...

BLADE MYERS!!!

The thunderous cheer follows the announcement.

Matt: Sean Trueth Vs. Blade Myers!!! That's a bombshell if ever I've heard one. 1st time ever!!!

Buzz: Blade's one of the most relentless men in our business. The perfect choice in my opinion to put that young punk in his place. Who the hell does he think he is putting his hands on Dane?

Matt: You said yourself people need to start stepping their game up. Trueth just showed Dane and the world that he's playing for keeps. Myers is as tough as they come, I'll agree with you. But if you think he's going to have an easy go of it against Sean Trueth, you're nuts.

Buzz: Myers is the last thing Trueth needs to worry about. His actions tonight are gonna have consequences and repercussions I don't think he quite realizes yet.

The scene would end with a shot of Trueth now on the ring stage. He grins and nods at the news that he'd be wrestling, and at who he'd be wrestling. The final frame would show Dane scowling and clutching at his back still before Takedown goes backstage to another segment.

End