Ascension (Global Title Crucible)

[x]

"The Killing Game" by Orange Jumpsuit 1 cues over the PA system, and a chorus of both boos and cheers oddly enough follow suit as Toronto's own Lionel Xander steps out from behind the curtains. With the Global Title draped over his shoulder, Xander smirks as he makes his way down to the ring.

Travis: Here comes our Global Champion, fresh off of what I have to say was an impressive win over a very game Jonny Punch. There's no question if he's physically ready for tonight, one of the most important nights on the XWA calendar, let alone his career.

Tony: But is he mentally ready? Yea, he beat Punch last week in a one on one contest. But tonight he won't have that luxury. He'll be staring down Punch, Jimmy Ames and Toa in that ring, surrounded by a 15' Steel Cage. The man who either climbs out of the cage, pins or submits another competitor walks out the new champion. He doesn't have to be defeated to lose his title. That has to take it's toll on you somewhat.

Xander had entered the ring. A mic was provide for him, and he'd take a few moments to soak in the crowd before starting his address.

Y'know, it feels good to be home. To be back where my legacy began. Ten years ago, I was a 21 year old kid looking to make a life long dream a reality. And now at 31, I'm sitting at the top of the business. The XWA Global Champion. Sure, I've held belts in other companies. But this one has it's own feeling attached to it. Let's rewind back to late 2007. I made my XWA debut that year, and from the moment I stepped in this ring, everyone on the planet saw what was eventually gonna happen. They bared witness to one of the most complete wrestlers in the world. A man who can do it all in this ring. But because I wasn't the type of guy who brown nosed the big wigs and the "main eventers" like some other XWA employees who made rather fast rises to the top, like say...the champ over on Takedown Tommy Tryton, it took me a while. But you can't stop progression, folks. The fact of the matter wasn't if Lionel Xander would be a champion in XWA. It was a matter of when. And you all whether you like it or not are baring witness to the X-Rated era of XWA.

He pauses, grins, and adds.

Beating Jimmy for this belt last month was only the beginning. Tonight, I make the greatest statement a man can make in this business. Defending ones title against not one, or two, but three other men, inside of that.

Xander points up, and the camera pans up a bit to give visual of the Steel Cage hanging above the ring.

I took part in the 1st Crucibal match last year. And I fell one lucky pinfall away from walking out of that match World Champion. Now, the format of last years Crucibal was different then this years, but the premise remains the same. And that's the fact that it's the champs match to lose. I don't have to be pinned or submitted to lose this title. But does that worry me? Not in the least. For anyone who's followed my career, you'd know that there's a reason why I've been nicknamed "The King Of The Cage". And that reason is because I've never lost a traditional Steel Cage match. Now of course, this isn't traditional as pins and submissions are involved, but there's a trick to winning in the cage none the less. Doesn't matter how hardcore, athletic or powerful you are. What matters is being smart enough to pick your spots. And lets face it people, I'm the smartest man in this match.

On one side, I've got Jimmy Ames. A guy more concerned with playing to the crowd and finding times to spit one of his witty lil' one-liners. On the other side we have Toa, who has never...and I do mean never...been able to pull out a big win when the spotlight is own him, even with his size and strength. And finally we have Jonny Punch, the village idiot of XWA. A guy who doesn't belong in a ring, he belongs in a bar room getting a bottle smashed over his head. Through the luck of the draw, those three men will enter the ring to try and take the Global Title off of me. But they're going to fail, because neither of them have what I have. Experience, cunning, and most importantly, the will to be the absolute best no matter what the cost. I hear boos in this crowd of my own hometown. You can love me, you can hate me, but after tonight everyone will respect me.

As he lowers his mic, the entrance theme of one of his opponents hits the PA.

[punch]

The entrance theme was R.A. Tha' Rugged Man's "Lessons". meant only one thing...

Here comes
!!!JONNY PUNCH!!!

With a mic in hand, he steps out from backstage met by the roar of the crowd. As he looks down to Xander in the ring, he readies himself to respond as his theme fades out.

Y'know, I don't know what's worse. The fact you actually said all of that drivel, or the fact that you actually believe in it. I mean, you actually have it dead set in your mind that you're going to walk out of this arena still Global Champion. Like...God is going to reach down into the roof an put you on an invisible platform that's going to lift you up and over the cage with ease. I don't know what cloud yer surfin' on, but back here on Earth, the reality of things is that you've got a 25% chance of doin' what you think is inevitable.

But let me give you a few reasons why you're as wrong as the NHL for moving the hockey team from my home town. GO WHALERS!!!

He looks into the camera and winks before continuing.

1st and foremost, I can speak for the rest of the field when I say, we don't like you. Well, Toa doesn't like anyone so that goes pretty much without saying. 2ndly, the last thing we need is a hot shot, know it all big mouth as champion. As if XWA hasn't had it's fair share of those. 3rdly, look at who you're up against, Xander. Three other men who are pretty damn adept to being inside a steel cage. Three men who know how to use the cage itself as a weapon just as much as you are. Do I really need to continue? You must be smokin' that Toronto Orange Crush if you think defendin' that title tonight is in the bag. Stand there and talk yerself up as much as you want, at the end of the night, I'm bettin' the farm you're leaving Canada 15 pounds lighter, bucko.

Lowering his mic, he waits for Xander's retort.

[x]

With a smirk on his face, Xander responds.

Ya' really think so, eh Punch? I mean yea, I'll give it to you. You pos a compelling argument with everything you just said. I mean, the odds are pretty much even across the board aren't they?

A small chuckle to himself follows.

That's the reason why I'm champion and you're not. You don't think I already know what's at stake? C'mon now. You were in the 1st Crucibal with me last year. Hell, you're the one who got pinned with under two minutes left on the clock that put Tryton over me by one pinfall to win the World Title in the 1st place. I know all to well how the odds can easily switch. That's the reason why I plan on making the odds a non-factor tonight. Ya' see Punchy, unlike a lot of the champions in this company, past and present, I plan on solidifying my legacy as Global Champ not by being dominant, but by being smarter then the rest of the field. Not that I have to work hard to achieve that, but still...I've taken into account every possible outcome that can happen tonight that would render me former Global Champion. And I can say with complete and total confidence that I will walk out of this arena still Global Champion. As a matter of fact, if I may be so bold as doing something a man I respect and admire Scott O'Dell once did...

I GUARANTEE that I will retain the XWA Global Title tonight.

A rush of baited oohs and aahs sound out from the crowd at Xander's statement.

Tony: When O'Dell made that guarantee in 2007, he ended up with a shaved head. Xander had best be aware that his little stunt could backfire on him as well.

Travis: Backfire? Are you serious? It's genius. We know well enough to know that Lionel Xander never steps into a match without a full proof gameplan. He's the best strategist in the industry. If he says he's going to retain his title, you'd better damn well believe he's going to do just that.

Attention turns back to Punch for his response.

[punch]

Punch shakes his head in wonder at how brazen Xander was being. He then responds.

I would love to see how you plan on pulling off this miracle. Because that's exactly what it's going to take...a divine act of god...for you to keep that title. You've got a bull's eye on your head, Xander. And tonight, one of us is gonna hit the mark. I'm not gonna guarantee it, but the odds makers ain't wrong. And the odds tell me, that tonight's not gonna be as good a home coming for you as you might think.

See you in the cage, Buck-O.

Punch's music cues up over the PA once more. The scene comes to a close as the two men exchange less then encouraging glares at each other before Punch starts off backstage. Comments from the other two participants would come later on in the show.

[ames]

A few matches and segments would pass before Lucy Black stands at the ready for an interview.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm joined at this time by one of the men who will be competing tonight in The Crucibal for the XWA Gloabl Title, "The Famous" Jimmy Ames.

The camera pans a little to the side to show Jimmy, dressed for action.

I'm sure you saw the exchange between Jonny Punch and the champ Lionel Xander earlier tonight. What do you have to say in response?

Lionel Xander's made a career of talkin' outta his ass. Difference is...compared to most of the rest of the trash talkers, he can back it up in the ring. There's no way you can not respect what he does in the ring. It's not flashy or innovative, but it works. That's why he's champ.

For now.

Like Punch said, the odds tonight are 25% for all of us. It's all about what you do with them. And we all know that I have this neat lil' knack for defying the odds. No one thought I could beat Primo Valiante for the then National Title, and I did. No one thought I'd defend it against him in the rematch, but I did. No one thought I'd do the same against Kastor Troy, and then Xander and Ryan Blaze in a triple threat at XGames III, but I did. I've been defying odds and making history ever since my career began. And I think we're about due another magical Jimmy Ames moment tonight.

A moment like last week's win over Toa, eh?

Ooooooooooooooooooh yea. Going into that match, I knew I had to set the tone and the pace. And the big fella just couldn't keep up. Just like tonight. I've got nothin' against Jonny Punch...well...anymore at least. I did flip a Port-A-Potty over on him back in 2007, but we're past that now. *Chuckles* Anywayz, tonight's all about rising to the occasion and doing it bigger and better then the other guys in the ring. And we Texans love doin' it bigger and better. Jimmy Ames is game, the start button's been pressed, and it's time for me to go out there and earn me another gold tro...

In an instant, the interview was cut short when...

[toa]

Out of nowhere, Toa blasts Ames with a stiff shot to the side of the head. He almost collides into Lucy, but she manages to get out of the way just in time. Toa with of red in his eyes continues his assault by stomping on Ames while he was down. He then lifts him off the ground, and proceeds in pressing Jimmy over his head. Taking aim at the interview area set itself, Toa hurls Jimmy into it with a violent heave. The impact leaves Jimmy barely conscious, and Toa stands over him with a snarling scowl on his face. He then turns his gaze to Lucy for a moment before leaving the area. Moments later, XWA medical staff rush onto the scene to check on Jimmy, as Ring Rage returns to ringside.

Tony: Ladies and gentlemen, needless to say that was not at all expected. I...I really don't have anything to even say about what we just witnessed.

Travis: I'm all for making a statement, but that's taking it a bit to far. There's no way Jimmy's going to be able to compete tonight. Not after that.

Tony: The show must go on, but we will keep you in the loop on Jimmy's condition as the info is relayed to us.

[seifer]

Further into the show, Joe Beakman stands backstage with Overload GM Stan O'Malley.

Joe Beakman here with Stan O'Malley. We all saw what Toa did to Jimmy Ames a few segments ago. Everyone's wondering what his condition is, and of course you being the boss, you have the verdict. So what's the deal?

Well, I'm happy to say that Jimmy wasn't seriously injured. Just a few bruised ribs and one hell of a headache. But the doctors have advised him and me that just to be sure, Jimmy shouldn't compete tonight. So that unfortunately takes Jimmy out of The Crucibal for the Global Title tonight.

A roar of boos from the crowd follows the unfortunate news.

Well that sucks. Thanks to Toa's temper, Jimmy's pretty much out not only his chance to compete tonight, but his rematch for the Global Title.

Not so fast my fine, portly friend. Jimmy might not be able to compete tonight, but don't think for a second that he's being screwed out of his rematch. All former champions are entitled to a rematch upon losing their title, and Jimmy WILL get his. He signed on to make it tonight in the Crucibal, but since that's not happening, his rematch will take place at Overload's next major event, To The Limit. As for Toa, since he decided he wanted to completely ruin tonight's main event, he can consider himself OUT of said main event.

The crowd was much more supportive and appreciative of that idea.

So...uhm...does that mean what I think it means?

If what you think it means is that we're still having a Global Title match tonight, you're damn skippy we are. Because there's no way I can replace two guys in a match of this magnitude this fast, I'm making it official right here, right now. Tonight, Lionel Xander will defend the XWA Global Title against Jonny Punch...one on one, inside of the cage. In the mean time, I need to hunt down Toa and find out what the hell possessed him to bork a PPV main event. That should be fun.

Shaking his head in disgust, Stan leaves the scene. Overload returns to ringside.

There you have it, folks. We'll have a Global Title match tonight, just not the kind we were expecting.

Unprecedented the set of circumstances that's altered the shape of tonight's main event. But like you said earlier, the show must go on. And it'll be Jonny Punch one on one with Lionel Xander inside a 15' high steel cage. We send over to our broadcast colleagues Matt Goldman and Buzz Berman for the next scheduled Takedown contest.

~End~