Down (o2a)

[Romeo Davis]

The referee makes the ten count after Romeo lands a devastating elbow drop to the lumbar spine of Sushi-X. Following the ten count, the referee hands Romeo the No Limits title. Romeo looks down at the title in his hands then shifts his eyes to Sushi-X who still wasn’t moving. Could Romeo have injured Sushi-X? He quickly exits the ring with the title in hand while the crowd continues to boo. He walks up the ramp. Thoughts race through his head as he enters the backstage area. He is still bothered by what he has done the past several weeks. Was it for a title? Was it for revenge? Was it because he wanted to become noticed on the Overload roster? He quickly makes his way to his locker room.

About two hours later Romeo exits his locker room with a gym back in hand. He changed into his street clothes which consisted of khaki pants, black shoes, a black button down shirt, and a black trucker hat on his head. He walks to the parking lot of the arena and enters his limo. Seconds later the limo leaves the arena.

Romeo now finds himself in a local bar not too far from the arena. He has a lot on his mind and he wants to try and erase it by doing some drinking. He walks over to a bartender and places an order.

Two shots of Jose Silver and a Bud Light bro.

Yes sir.

The bartender quickly fills two shot glasses with Jose Silver and grabs a bottle of Bud Light and the top off. He places the drinks in front of Romeo. Romeo hands the man a fifty dollar bill and waves him off. He quickly takes his two shots and chases them with a swig of beer. He pulls his hat down to cover more of his face and slightly lowers his head. He stares down at the table for a moment before someone sits down in the open seat next to him.

[scott]

What in the hell is the new XWA No Limits Champion doing staring down at a table in some seedy Detroit bar?

The person in question was "The Franchise" Scott O'Dell. Dressed to the nines as usual in a sleek Black Armani suit with his hair tied back in a ponytail, Scott adds...

This should be a night of celebration, my friend. I don't quite know if you've realized it, but tonight...by beating Sushi-X, you've joined some rather elite company. As of this moment, there are only four men in XWA who's ever held more then one of it's titles. Jimmy Ames, Robby Sylk, XXL...

and you.

Scott snaps his finger, beckoning the call of a female waitress.

A shot of the most expensive shit you have, and make it snappy.

Not batting an eyelash at the female, he turns his attention back to Davis.

When you've got it, you've got it. And you sir, have it in spades. I knew from the moment you beat Primo back in 2008 that you were the real goods. You have to be in order to pull out a win against him. You went over to Takedown and beat the hell out of the 2nd rate talent they have there, jumped ship back to Overload, and quietly and convincingly rose up the ranks to the point where you're once again walking around 15 pounds heavier. And you've done it on your own terms. Not by kissing corporate ass like oh so many of the guys who've held titles before. But reason I had you tailed to this dump isn't to blow smoke up your ass, it's to make you the official offer to join the fold. You're one of the best talents in XWA, no...the world. But since your career started, you've gone unappreciated.

On Takedown, they favored that frilly robed wearin' freak Sylk, Afro-Man Sykes and Mr. Goody Two-Shoes Kayn over you, because they could market them. But you and I both know legacies aren't built on how many shirts you sell. It's on what you do between the ropes. Upper Echelon is about solidifying legacies. And you were more then up to par to be a member the moment you came back to Overload. We're more then some stupid wrestling faction, Romeo. We're a brotherhood. A brotherhood that looks after our own.

The waitress returns with Scott's drink. From his breast pocket, he pulls out clipped wad of 100s. Pulling a single C-Note from the wad, he hands it to her and says...

Pretty girl like you should consider a career change. You could be making a lot more of these being hot, not bussin' drinks.

He follows up by blowing the girl a kiss. She blushes and scampers away. Scott returns his focus to Romeo.

The days of flying in coach and staying at the local Hotel 6 is done, my friend. There's money to be made, and we can help you make it. We compete around the globe, not just XWA. Upper Echelon is bigger then what people think, Romeo. And only a select few men get the chance to join our fold. This can be the career move that puts you into the top tier of the business, my friend. You've come this far on talent and skill alone, just think of what you can do with the backing of wrestling's most elite collective. All of us former, or current champions. All you have to do is accept the offer, and you're life will never be the same again.

Scott raises the shot glass and downs what tasted to be Pitrone. If this was the most expensive drink this bar had, Scott needed to exit stage left...and quick. He sits and waits for Romeo to make potentially the most pivotal decision in his young career.

[Romeo Davis]

The man who took a seat next to Romeo was not someone who he really expected to show up. That man was Scott O’Dell. The man that first came to Romeo when he was having his issues earlier in the year. He did make good points. Romeo did mark a milestone that not many have done before and that is capture two different titles in the XWA.

Yea’ man Scott, ya’ do make some good points there bro. I mean I really should be celebratin’ right now but instead I’m sittin’ in some bar mopin’ which isn’t the thing to be doin.’ I pretty much destroyed Sushi-X in that ring ta’night. I told that fool I was gonna beat him and that’s what I did. I donno why I’m feelin’ like this though. Maybe I jus’ need more?

Romeo picks up the bottle of Bud Light and finishes it off in a few quick gulps. He places the bottle back down and signals the bartender over again.

A couple more shots of Tequila over here.

He then returns his attention to Scott.

Maybe I jus’ need better guidance? Maybe I just need for people to notice my skills in the ring? Maybe it is time for me ta’ move up in the XWA by joinin’ up wit’ the Upper Echelon? Scott I think it’s time Romeo Davis joins the most feared faction in the XWA. It’s time that I join the UPPER ECHELON!

The bartender returns with two shots of Tequila. Romeo picks one up and pushes the other toward Scott O’Dell. He raises his shot to Scott.

To the Upper Echelon!

[scott]

To changing the game.

They touch glasses and down their shots. Scott then adds...

Now that you're part of the fold, it's time you acted the part. And the 1st part of that my good man, is knowing where to get a good drink. This place...ain't it. I've got a friend in management at Centaur, really swank, upscale spot downtown that's got the hots for me. How 'bout I call in a favor and get us a spot in VIP? Tonight was a good night for us all, we need to celebrate accordingly.

[Romeo Davis]

Ha, I only came to this place ‘cause it was the closest one to the arena. I jus’ wanted to get in couple drinks in me before headin’ back to the hotel. But this spot ya’ talk ‘bout sounds more intriguin. ’ Who in their right mind is gonna’ say no to the VIP section?

Romeo places another fifty dollar bill down at the table and stands up from his seat.

Let’s get outta’ here and celebrate now. Lead the way.