Does It Really Matter Who? (invite)

[Sushi-X]

Moments after interviewing Romeo Davis concerning the tornado tag team match, it was natural to get a reaction from the two men most affected: Sushi-X and Kyle Noobs. Both men at one time were considered friends of Davis; even closer than brothers in the eyes of some. Joe Beakman and a cameraman quickly found the XWA No Limits Champion as he was arriving to the arena. He barely got his bag out of the car when the Joe and the cameraman showed up.

Sushi! Sushi-X! A few questions!

Sure, what do you have?

What do you make of the change in attitude from Romeo Davis the last few weeks? He says he blames you for the change.

Sushi-X slammed the trunk of his car, perhaps annoyed at the question he's been asked more than any other in his travels. It annoyed him because of the person it came from.

I'm sorry... Romeo blames ME for his change in attitude? Joe, let me ask you a question. And I need an honest answer. Right or wrong, do you take responsibility for your actions?

Joe stuttered for a moment before answering.

Yuh...yuh...yuh...yes, sir.

So do I. See, I apologized for DDTing him on his head the show before Vendetta. I offered him an olive branch, a chance to squash this beef and move past it. He refused. That's on him. He's gotta look himself in the mirror for that. Romeo Davis has to take responsibility for his actions. The only person Romeo has to blame for his change is Romeo.

I'm... I'm sorry. About the tornado tag team match tonight. You and Kyle Noobs will take on Romeo and a partner of his choosing. I just talked with him moments ago. He says his partner has a history with you. Any idea who it could be?

Almost immediately, the wheels turned in the ninja's head. He's got more history with two men in particular than anyone in the company.

Hmmm... I have a few ideas...

Just as Sushi-X was about to name possible tag partners, his partner for the match, Kyle Noobs, enters in the picture.

[MindTrick]

"Well hey there, Champ. How's it going?"

*Kyle walks over to Sushi and Joe, his ever-present smirk showing that he was in a relatively good mood.*

"I thought I heard my name, so I thought I'd come check it out. And here we are, getting ready for our Tornado Tag match, and you don't even have the decency to correct my name when this guy over here - "

*He points to Joe for a moment.*

"Gets my name wrong. The name's Nobbs - Kyle Nobbs - and don't forget it. It's not Knobs with a K, it's not Noobs... It's Nobbs, with an N.

Honestly, I'd expect a little more respect for a guy who saved your ass last week when our "mutual friend" Romeo Davis blindsided you."

*Kyle looks very serious for a moment, but starts chuckling and pats Sushi on the back.*

"I'm just messing with ya, it's no big deal. But hey, I've only had four matches in XWA and I don't quite know everyone yet. Who do you think we're taking down tonight?"

[Sushi-X]

My apologies, Mr. Nobbs. With an N. By the way, thanks for saving my hide last week. Now I'm guessing you haven't paid too much attention to XWA TV the last two years. So I'll give you a quick history. For most of that time I was a member of TNN, The New Nation. MG led the group, and a couple summers ago, I was abruptly kicked out of the group. The guy that replaced me is a guy named Kelon. You know, the guy I beat in my last title defense.

Now, unless that anti-American idiot changed shows in the last week, I probably won't be fighting him tonight. So that leaves the Rasta Man.

It was when Sushi mentioned his last title defense that another name suddenly came to him.

Or better yet, it could be Bryan "The Dragon" Yang. He's something of a legend in this business. He held the title that I hold now for more than a year, defending it eleven straight times before I beat him for it last September. Lotta people still talk about our series of matches to this very day.

But one thing you must remember, my apprentice. In the XWA, there's no such thing as a sure thing. My guesses could be wrong for all I know. Or better yet, Romeo, I just outed your secret partner for tonight.

[MindTrick]

*Kyle didn't like the thought of Brian Yang being involved in the match. After two matches against Yang, with Yang on the winning end, he knew enough to know that he didn't want to face The Dragon again if he could help it.

Kelon, too, didn't sound pleasant to him. The Rasta Man almost beat Sushi in their last title match, so Kyle knew that he was one hell of a competitor.

But hey, he was Kyle Nobbs. Even if he didn't WANT to face Yang or Kelon, he would. He never turned down a challenge.*

"Interesting, interesting. But there's one thing that's bothering me. That one time in his locker room... We walked in on him talking to Scott O'Dell about joining Upper Echelon. You have any sort of history involving those guys? Or what if he's trying to lull you into some sort of false sense of security, and coming in with a REAL surprise?"

[Sushi-X]

The only history I have with Upper Echelon is with Dragon when he was with the group. I haven't had that much personal interaction with them, but I know what they're capable of. If they want somebody that feels that can help their cause, they'll get him. So it's obviously a power play if nothing else. It doesn't matter who Romeo has as his tag partner. We gotta be ready for whatever comes through that curtain. You understand?

[MindTrick]

"Of course I understand. I'm not some rookie, man. I've got your back tonight, no matter who steps through the curtain. I'll have you know that I was a tag team wrestler for the better part of my early career, so if there's anyone you can rely on... It's me."

[Sushi-X]

In that case, Mr. Nobbs... with an N, let's get it!

We're done here, Joe.

Sushi-X shakes Kyle's hand as the champion grabs his bags and heads for the locker room to prepare for the tag team bout.