Same Old, Same Old (o2a)

[Osiris]

The crowd suddenly finds themselves in darkness for a minute. Once the lights are back on, standing in the middle of the ring is Michigan native Osiris, as the crowd cheers loudly for him. Mic already in hand, he gets down to business.

Osiris: Oh, it feels so good to be back in my home state. I figured it would be a nice little surprise for you people here for me to just show up like that, rather then just have my music do my introduction for me. But enough of that, I got some stuff to do.

First off, it's amazing how stupid some people can be. I mean, you got guys like Genesis. Who once again instead of actually listening to what was being said, soon as the words went through his ears and into whatever is present within his skull, those words get twisted and turned until they are no longer what they once were, and he uses that to support whatever idiotic thing he says next. Brandon, I never said nor acted like you did something horrible to my career. I never blamed you for shit, I was just calling you out on yours, because you just make it so damn easy. But I'll be taking care of you soon enough. You got 187 to deal with.

I on the other hand, have an opening tonight. So I'll take on anyone on the XWA roster who also finds themselves having no match tonight. So who will it be?

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

"Fever Dream" begins to play, and the crowd's volume rises.

Matt: Whoa, now this I didn't see coming. Ladies & gentlemen, it looks as if the man answering Osiris' call tonight is the reigning Pure Champion, Magnus Von Schwartz!

Buzz: I don't think anyone here saw this coming! MVS! This is gonna be interesting. I spoke to the man before the show and...well...he's got some vivid opinions about a lot of people here in the XWA to say the least.

Magnus comes out from backstage in his usual manner. The crisp, black business suit and tie, the Pure Championship belt resting on his shoulder. He walks down the aisle to an impressive ovation. This was a man who commanded respect and got it from fans and wrestlers alike. No doubt, the world had wondered why he decided to make his presence known in the presence of Osiris. He steps into the ring where he's granted a microphone, and soon the world would know.

You...are not worthy.

You are not worthy enough to be called a warrior. You are not worthy enough to be called a wrestler. The first thing on your mind to do is to come out here and bicker like a child to Genesis?

This...banter...is all that ones like you can do. The back and forth "war of words" that people seem to enjoy watching unfold. But while men like you...while men like Genesis carry themselves through their words, I have done so through my actions.

He lifts the Pure Championship from his shoulder for a brief moment, holding it in the air for all to see.

I need not list my accolades, for when the people hear the name Magnus, they know of the feats. They know of the defeats. They know of the legend that I carry on in this company...in this business...in this sport.

I boast more experience than any other man in the XWA. It would appear too that I boast more wisdom than many of them as well. Where is your focus, Osiris? It is Genesis? Is it someone else? Is it to stand in this ring triumphant, victorious? Or merely whine on the "internet" like lifeless wretches?

No, you truly are not worthy to call yourself a warrior or a wrestler, and most certainly you are not worthy of the privilege of standing in this ring with a man of my caliber. But...I shall grant you the privilege regardless.

Matt: Magnus sounds...like he simply put doesn't "sweat" Osiris at all. He's made that mistake before of underestimating people...

Before you think that I am discrediting you, I am not. I'm simply stating that as good as you may think you are, or have become, I am better. This...I will prove to you tonight. Tonight, your focus will be on me, and as you stand in this ring when the bell tolls, you will have one objective, and only one.

Survival.

For that is how warriors are made. Not by sniveling like boys, but by fighting like men. As the blade is forged in fire, so too is the man forged in the flames of battle. Tonight, Osiris...your time has come. You're not ready, but it has come nonetheless. The time has come for you step under the "learning tree", and be taught the true meaning of...yourself.

In front of your "hometown", you will enter this ring and you will leave it either a better man, or a broken one. Your fate lies in your own hands, for you do not want it to lay in mine.

[Romeo Davis]

Before anyone could say anything more, Romeo’s theme music begins to play throughout the arena. From that moment there were mixed reactions within the crowd with the sounds of boos and cheers. What really could be expected with the way Romeo acted last season? He emerged from backstage and stood for a moment at the top of the ramp. A fitted pair of faded blue jeans, black high top sneakers, a black designer’s shirt, and a black and yellow trucker hat titled to the back and to the side and what he sported on this occasion. He completed the look with a black watch and his black diamond earrings. He smiles and walks down the ramp and enters the ring via the steel steps and under the top rope. He quickly eyes the XWA Pure title which he held at one point in his career until he lost it to Chris Dynamite. He receives a microphone and slowly lifts it up to his lips.

First off before I get started with the whole Osiris and Magnus thing, I gotta say something to y’all out there. I’m gonna make this short though. What I did last year when I turned on everyone here and joined up with Upper Echelon was wrong of me and I just want to leave that in the past. I guess all the power of the group just really got to my head and took over. It made me into something that I didn’t wanna be but it just happened. Over the off-season though I found out what was wrong with me and I gotta tell y’all I’m a changed man for the better.

There was a small cheer out in the crowd as Romeo lowers the microphone for a moment. He knew that it was going to take time for things to actually return to the way they were.

All I gotta say is that the old Romeo Davis is BACK! Aww yeah I’m back and feeling good and can’t wait for everything to really get started this season. Now let me start with Osiris first. Well actually I don’t really have anything to say to you bro. To tell the truth I don’t know much about you so let’s just keep it that way.

Romeo turns his attention from Osiris to Magnus who stood tall with the XWA Pure title resting on his shoulder.

Damn Osiris, how’s that gold treating you bro? All I really gotta say is that you know that I have much respect for you. You truly are one of the greatest wrestlers to step in an XWA ring and that shows with the Pure title resting on your shoulder. The both of us have stepped in the ring with each other twice in the past with both times being for the Pure title. We each have a win against the other and I challenging you right now to another match at some point in the near future to settle the score between us. Will it be for the Pure title again? Who knows? All I know is that in the future I want Magnus Von Schwartz versus Romeo Davis round three! All know all the fans wanna see that at some point also.

The fans erupt at the sound of another matchup between Romeo and Magnus.

But for right now I came down to the ring to say that I want in on this match to make it a triple threat match. What do y’all say?

[Osiris]

Osiris: First off Romeo, you do know me, we've had a few matches together, so don't try and act like you don't know me. Second, I believe you meant Damn Magnus, not Damn Osiris. Not quite sure how you made that confusion, but whatever. And thirdly, no. No I say to your triple threat idea. You've already faced Magnus before, I haven't. This is my chance Romeo, don't you dare try to take it away from me.

And Magnus, you are actually someone I've wanted to face for quite a while now, but I've always been.....preoccupied. But since you came down to accept my challenge you saved me the trouble of calling you down here. As far as Genesis goes, that was just me getting some stuff off of my chest, and it felt good. My focus was always going to be completely on whoever came down to accept this challenge, that being you. No one else.

[Romeo Davis]

Romeo quickly raises the microphone to his lips to reply to Osiris.

Well O when it’s a triple threat match it isn’t the same as going against Magnus one on one bro. In a triple threat match, actually in any multi-man match you have to keep your guard up and know where the other wrestlers are at all times. At one point you could be teaming up against another member in the match then a second later be knocked down by that guy that was helping you out. This ain’t about me trying to get another shot at wrestling against Magnus. This is me trying to get in the ring and perform to the best of my ability to put on a damn good show for all the fans out there. I just figured that we made things a lil’ more interesting with the match being a triple threat. From the sound of you denying my proposal at a triple threat match you may bit a lil’ scared at the thought of wrestling Magnus and I at the same time. Is that it Osiris? Is it the fear of being outperformed by two wrestlers in the same match that made you deny my proposal? Can you not handle the heat of a triple threat match?

[Magnus Von Schwartz]

Indeed. Ours is a war of attrition. One battle does not dictate the winner or loser of the war. Osiris, if it is that you wish to face me alone, then your wish will be granted...soon.

But denying a challenge merely once again proves how unworthy you are to stand in this ring with one such as I, let alone to stand in this ring against me. For these challenges, when nothing is certain but the man victorious being the one who is the most aware, the most adept to his environment, are the ones that test one's mettle.

If you truly aren't prepared for this, then you will be baptized by fire tonight, for this match will take place...and you will either stand and fight, or cower and run away from it.

For a brief moment, Magnus turned his attention to Romeo now.

The reason I am in agreement with you is this, Davis. Because you disappoint me. There was a man who rose to the challenge laid in front of him. A man who reached into his soul and pulled out the will to defeat me for this very title not too long ago.

This man I do not see in this ring tonight.

In his place is a shadow of that man. A man who instead of reaching his potential chose to become a follower. A pawn, led by other pawns who believe themselves to be "superior" to all for the meager accomplishments they've made in their short and now meaningless existence within this company.

Of all of them, you remain here. You offer an apologetic plea to these people, and while they might graciously accept...I am not so forgiving.

There is only one way for you to convince me that the man who stands in this ring is the Romeo Davis who had the potential to be a great figure in this sport, and that is by proving it to me inside of this ring. So, in a way...you as well must prove your worthiness to me. You must prove it to these fans, whether you wish to believe or not...

That comment garnered a rare pop in Magnus' favor. He nods in appreciation.

...and whether you wish to accept it or not, both of you must prove it to yourself. I am most willing to put your will to the test tonight. It matters not whether it's one man or two or two hundred! I will stand, and I will fight, and all those who stand before me will know my name and respect it...or fear it.

I am not the man in this ring who's actions are questionable. I am not the man who needs to prove his worth. The question now is this...

Osiris, will you prove yours?

And Romeo, can you?

[Romeo Davis]

The words that Magnus just spoke took Romeo down a couple notches. Everything that he said was true and there was no hiding that. Respect wasn’t something that was going to return over night. It was indeed something that he had to work for. He had to work hard night in and night out to make sure the respect he once had is returned.

You know Magnus, you are 100 percent right with what you just said. I can’t just come down to this ring and expect everything to be the way it once was. I knew that it wasn’t gonna be that easy and I definitely didn’t expect it to be. I don’t expect the fans out there to cheer me on once again. I have to earn that from everyone again. Last year I turned my back on everyone here in the XWA to join sides with the most hated group that is Upper Echelon. I turned on Sushi-X, one of my best friends here in the XWA and for what? Power? The feeling of always being on top? You can get everything you want by working hard and having that passion to succeed. So in all I will show y’all tonight that the old Romeo Davis is back and here to stay. There’s no doubt about that one. So for damn sure y’all can bet on me proving that I am a worthy opponent. Believe that!

[Osiris]

Osiris: *Sigh* That's quite pathetic Romeo, you can't even defend yourself. Though honestly I don't blame you, you went through all that trouble and look at what it got you.

But, since you both seem set to do this, so be it. However, I have a stipulation to add. This match will be elimination. You see Magnus, the prospect of taking on two people or more does not bother me. No, what bothers me is the idea that victory can be stolen away right from under me without being involved at all. Now, two things I have to get off of my chest. Magnus, you go on and on about being forged by fire, but I look over at you and there isn't a single burn on you. I know that you are talking in a non physical sense, but going through your flames and real flames are two very different things. I on the other hand...

He rolls up the sleeve on his left arm, showing the burn marks.

...have actually been put through fire. So I suggest you think up a new saying, cause going through flames, I've done it.

And you Romeo. A small word of advice. Don't you DARE ever try to explain how a match works. Unlike you, I study up on the going ons of XWA and I've watched your career Romeo, and I've been in more multi person matches than you even had matches. I know exactly how they work, so you talking down to me like you are some kind of expert is quite disgusting and it makes me sick.

Now gentlemen, if you think I won't be carrying my weight in this fight, you are wrong for two reasons. One, we in Michigan, so we're going to do this thing right. And two, like I said before, I'm in the hunt for the National Championship, and if I intend to reach that goal then I must go to my absolute limit, and then go beyond it.

[Romeo Davis]

Romeo shrugs his shoulders before returning the microphone up to his lips.

Do you think I care that you have been in more multi-man matches than my matches in your career. To me it don’t matter bro. From what I’ve seen you do here in the XWA, well that’s right you haven’t done anything much here in the XWA. You see O, what you do in other places don’t matter here. You could have been in a hundred multi-man matches somewhere else but that don’t matter here bro. In the XWA I have done way more than you have and I don’t even have to go into any explanations as to how. I know that you already know this but you may be afraid to admit it. So I don’t care how many matches you have been in O because at the end of the night all that matters in what you do in the XWA. It all matter what you do tonight in this ring in the triple threat match. If you can’t see that then I’ll be sure to pound it through your thick skull tonight.

Romeo smiles as he stares in the direction of Osiris. Romeo couldn’t wait for the match to occur later on that night so that he could put Osiris in his place and then focus on Magnus.

By the way O, I agree with you on one thing. This match should be an elimination style match. I actually really like the sound of that bro. At least we know something works up there in that brain of yours. So if Magnus is down for this elimination type match then let’s make it happen. Besides it allows the elimination of yourself to allow the two better wrestlers to go head to head again. Like I said before, I’m gonna make sure y’all know that I am back and ready to get it done in the ring like the old times.

Romeo drops the microphone to the mat as his theme music begins playing in the background. He nods his head as he looks at Osiris followed by a quick look at Magnus and the XWA Pure title. He exits the ring, leaving the other two to ponder and get ready for the triple threat elimination match later tonight.

[Osiris]

Before he could go backstage, Osiris tries to stop him by talking.

Osiris: Now wait just a goddamn minute Romeo. Who ever said I was talking about other places when referring to my other matches, hmm? Oh that's right, no one did. You assume too much. When I said I've had more multi person matches, I did mean here in XWA.

Whatever happened to that guy that said i was a good wrestler? That I actually had some respect for. Cause you're certainly not him. Tell me, when everyone else lost their respect for you thanks to your actions, did you lose respect for yourself, or did you never respect yourself to begin with?