Proven Worth (Okami)

[Jamie Fury]

Takedown continued from Chicago, and as the show came back from a break, Fabiola stood in the center of the ring.

Fab: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the XWA Diamond Champion, Jamie Fury!

The Herbaliser's "Twice Around" began to play. Out from backstage came the reigning Diamond Champion on a night where when it was all over she'd know who it was she was up against heading into Ring Rage. One week removed from a competitively fought loss to Japanese sensation Okami Hawaito, everyone wanted to know what the champ was thinking...

Fab: Jamie, last week must've been surreal for you, as if anyone can believe it, you lost only your third one-on-one match in the XWA against a surging Okami. How did that feel for you?

Well, contrary to people's speculations, I'm not invincible. I think last week proved that. More importantly, last week proved that Okami has come into her own. I think there's been a lot of talk backstage and the media that she's getting "pushed" into the spotlight now. Let me be the first to tell you that she pushes herself, and quite hard as well, to be the very best...something we all should do.

Fab: Her performance has as we already learned earned her a spot in The Crucible match. Are you excited at the chance to face her in the cage?

I'm always excited about facing a challenger who's going to make you take it to the max in this ring. There are some competitors out there who you just go through the motions with, but then there are those who really make you work for the win. It only took one match for me to realize that Okami is that kind of wrestler, which is why I don't want to wait until Ring Rage to face her again. I think that Chicago deserves to see two of the best female wrestlers in the world put on a show here tonight!

That notion brought a charge of cheering out of the crowd. She continued on...

Last week, she wanted to prove her worth. To see where she stood on her path. I think we've seen she's worth all that and then some the past few weeks. Now though, it's my turn. I'm going to say something kind of like what Tommy Tryton said earlier, because he and I are both on the same boat. We're champions for a reason, because we've risen above the rest of the competition and proved we deserve to be at the top of the XWA. That's not done by backstabbing tactics, or blindside attacks or trash-talking. It's done by proving yourself against the best competition there is, and in my opinion, right now, Okami Hawaito is the best competition there is.

I know that I have a one-in-four chance of winning The Crucible. I've faced those kind of odds before, but that's not what I'm focused on tonight. Tonight is about proving my worth. By seeing if I can bounce back from defeat, or if the torch is slowly being passed to a woman who is actually more determined to be the best than I am. To the woman who actually does that, she deserves this title then...but tonight is not about this title.

Tonight's about me and Okami Hawaito, one more time before we step into a match that could very well change the landscape of the Diamond Division. Before that happens though, I want to face the White Wolf again.


In a few moments we'd see if Fury gets her wish...

[okami]

Sci-Fi Wasabi by Cibo Matto hits and a positive energy washes over the crowd as they get their feet and cheer. It took only a moment for the White Wolf to appear on stage, where she stood for a moment to look out at all of the faces. Placing the palms of her hands together beneath her chin, she bowed in respect to the path in front of her before stepping down it towards the ring. She waved to all sides and all the people around her, until she got closer to the ring. Jamie Fury has a presence about her that demanded complete attention. Okami did not fight it. She let her eyes rest in Fury's until she was in the ring. Again she pressed her palms together and bowed in respect to the woman she traveling with, the Diamond Champion Jamie Fury.

Fabiola: "Okami, a great reception for you tonight here in Chicago."

Fabiola knew how to work a crowd with the best of them. Okami nodded in appreciation to the great XWA fans.

Fabiola: "And an even greater challenge for you straight from the Champion, Jamie Fury. She wants to see you in the ring again, and I know these fans would love to see you two go at it again."

The crowd cheered in support.

Fabiola: "So what do you say Okami?"

Fabiola held the microphone out for Okami's reply.

"Fury-san is a great Champion. I think she is the greatest Champion in the XWA."

The TakeDown crowd cheered in full agreement.

"She could come to this ring and have anything she wants. She could demand to have me in this ring tonight and Blackheart-san would make it happen for her. But Fury-san?"

Okami shifted her focus from Fabiola to Jamie Fury.

"You did not do that. You came down to your ring and called me the best. You came down to your ring and you asked to meet me again. For that I am humbled."

Okami bowed her head in respect once more before returning to meet the eyes of Fury.

"Last week I could not see where I was, and you answered my lost call. Now, this week I know where I am and where I am going. I am in your debt."

Okami turned out towards the crowd.

"We are going to Ring Rage and The Crucible in a match that will change many roads. It will be more than numbers. It will be our true spirits meeting again."

Okami turned her attention back.

"You want to know your worth, Fury-san? These people will and this company will show you more than I ever can. But if you choose me as your mirror? It is my great honor to accept your challenge tonight, and I will give you all that I have again. For the respect I have for this path, and for the respect I have for you."

Okami looked a little into the future and stepped forward.

"At Ring Rage, we will both know who and where we are. There will be no doubt and with no doubt? We will both be strong. Talk and media can not take that away from us. Because it is our own."

Okami nodded with determination before she turned away. She had not expected to meet Fury-san but it had not surprised her either. She knew the heart of Jamie Fury was an unstoppable engine, and it's fuel was competition. A single loss only added power to it. It became hungry. She would do her best again. That was her own engine.

Matt Goldman: "What a surprise and what a treat for these great XWA fans. A second meeting between the White Wolf and the Diamond Champion. How important is it for Jamie Fury to even score going into The Crucible?"

BuZZ BeRmaN: "The Champion's ultimate advantage comes from the high ground they hold. Now a single loss to Okami doesn't steal away the high ground, but it takes a little edge off that white hot engine she had going. But if I were these two, I'd be taking the night off and watching Paige, Sireena, Manami and Alesha wipe each other out. But no, these two are going to squander that advantage and take each other on in a re-match."

Matt Goldman: "Well thank goodness you aren't them Buzz. This is what XWA promises and this what XWA delivers. If you were everybody, we'd be watching Chicago instead of having all eyes on us. You say squander? I say more proof as to why Jamie Fury is one of the greatest Champions ever. You say watch? I've seen enough Diamonds 'watching' and I'm ready to see some more 'walking' down the path."

BuZZ BeRmaN: "Well, Okami had better have her 'running' shoes on tonight because I guarantee you that Fury is on to some of her first meeting tricks. Speed gave her an impressive victory last week, she's going to need more of the same tonight. Fury gets her on ground again? Goodnight Wolf. Goodnight Path, and goodnight any advantage Okami had."

Matt Goldman: "Well, we could argue all night. But these two are going to better than that, right here on TakeDown."