Monday, January 5th 2015 – 4:27pm || Staples Centre - Ringside || Los Angeles, CA

:: I run my fingers along the ring apron, it's creases causing my fingers the stick every few inches. I look back towards the entrance ramp, where XWF crew members are still assembling the set in preparation for tonights show. Though there is no crowd yet, there is something tangible in the air. Tonight feels different to most, as it's not just about winning a match. It's about so much more, it's about cementing my place in the number one contenders match at Turning Point. Three months in this company and I don't have a damn thing to show for it.. yet. That's all about to change, starting tonight. I stop walking along the side of the ring, and turn around. Rodd is standing there, as I asked him to be, camera over his shoulder. We came to a mutual agreement that he could stay a little longer. Michelle wasn't too thrilled, but it was easier to convince her than I had thought. The greasy, fat French-Canadian hadn't grown on her, but he had at least done enough to buy himself a couple more weeks. I stare deep into the camera lens, and address the man who in just a few short hours will be delivered to me like a lamb to slaughter. ::

“Manipulation, Justin. Manipulation is what will get you on top. Those were your words, Fernando, and oh how they were so wrong. Do you seriously think that you can play mind games with me? That you can get inside my head? Why don't you ask Hysteria how that works out? Nobody in the XWF plays mind games better than he does, and yet I did what you could not, I pinned him the middle of that ring.. one.. two.. three. The same fate awaits you tonight at Madness. You see, you've got this whole thing upside down and inside out. I'm the hunter, not the hunted. All week you have spoken about being the new face of this company, the future Universal Champion. You've made ridiculous claims of having pay-per-views named after you and of being the 'golden child' of the XWF. You've said that I am weak minded, that I am controlled by Gator, and you even went so far as to say that I won't face him for the Television championship because I am afraid to fail.”

:: I laugh softly at the ludicrous nature of such comments, before continuing. ::

“Oh, Austin. Poor, naive, Austin. I'm afraid you've got me all wrong. I fear no man. Gator knows this, as does everyone else it seems, except you. There is a reason why everybody expects me to win tonight, it's because I have proven time and again that you bet against me at your own peril. I don't lose. I find a way. Since I arrived in the XWF three months ago, I've had a spotlight on my name.. a 'watch this space' tag, if you will. With such a tag comes doubt, but week by week, that doubt has slowly dissipated. People now know what I am about, what Defiance, is all about. Again, except you.

Hell, Austin, you forgot the name AND meaning of our group in what? The space of two words? Wow, impressive man. You had it right the first time. It's DEFIANCE and we defy those who stand against us. I'm not really sure what part of your brain had a seizure and two words later had you talking about denial. You do realise that defiance and denial are two completely different things, right? Ha, you dumb fuck. Have to admit kid, you are seriously making me re-think my strategy for this match. I'm not sure how much affect a Screws Loose super kick would have on you, pretty sure I can hear them rattling around in that thick skull of yours already.

And while we are on the subject of all the dumb shit you've said, which seems to be the order of the week, how about that comment where you are completely superior to me in every way? Honestly, I don't want to sound like a dick, but.. how? You haven't accomplished a single fucking thing here in the XWF, so you might want to work on that before you go slinging your jaw. Steam rolling through me to the next check point isn't going to be difficult? No, it's going to be damn near fucking impossible. Here's something you don't understand, Austin.. I am a fucking beast inside that ring. You can sit there and try to down play what is coming, but trust me, the world knows what awaits you. Hell, even your bitches brother knows who the fucking king is around here. You're out of your league Austin.. hell, I'm not even sure we are playing the same damn sport.

I know what it's like to come in here and expect to change the face of the company overnight, but it just doesn't happen. I made as big of an impact here in my debut at War Games as anyone has, but since then I have had to fight tooth and nail for every single fucking thing that I have gotten. Unlike you. You walked into this damn federation and they handed you a title shot in your very first match.. and you failed. Then, somehow in your second match, you've found your way into a number one contenders tournament for the Universal Championship, and again, you will fail. I wonder, Austin, just how many chances do you think those pencil pushing pin dicks at XWF HQ will give you before they realise they made a mistake and send you to the back of the line where you belong? The short answer is, not many.

This is a far different game to the one you are used to, that I can promise you. I'm the man who for the last five weeks has not only defeated, but dominated, every last person he has stepped into the ring with and where it gets scary for you, Austin, is that each week that goes by... I get better. Be thankful you're not catching me in my prime, but I'll tell you what, catching me on my way up isn't much of a damn consolation prize. Week in and week out, I continue to show the world why my name belongs on the marquee.. why I am the premier main event. Tonight, you'll get your fifteen minutes of fame when you get to share my spotlight, but be careful, Austin, you might be blinded by just how bright it is.”

:: I draw in a long, deep breath as Rodd flips me a thumbs up from behind the camera. Ignoring him, I continue. ::

“At the end of the day, this talking has gotten us nowhere but the place we were always destined to be. Standing twenty feet away from each other on opposite sides of that ring. I'd like to say that during the course of this week, you have made some valid points, but the fact of the matter is, Fernando – you haven't. Not a damn word that has come out of your mouth has carried any weight. It's been talking for the sake of talking. Seven straight days of repetitive bullshit that I will be only too glad to put behind me once Madness is over. I'm sick of all the lies, I'm sick of the misinformed comments, but most of all Austin, I am just sick of you.

I've seen you on my TV screen so much this week that I am glad I don't own a plasma, or your damn mug shot would probably be burned into the display. I'm sure most of the wrestling world shares the very same sentiment. Remember kid, less is more.. just because you shove your boring, monotonous life down our throats each and every day, does not mean we give a fuck. So start counting down the hours, Austin, because I know I am. I'm walking into Madness, making an example out of you like I do everyone else, and walking out knowing that at Turning Point, I will officially become the number one contender for the XWF Universal Championship.

So it's pretty simple. The talking is done – it's time to suit up, kid. You're about to get your chance at greatness, but unfortunately, that's all it will be.. a chance. After I'm done 'entertaining you', I will show you why the world is talking about Justin Sane. Why Defiance is on everyone's lips.. and why you are looking at the future XWF Universal Champion! Play time is over, Fernando.. it's time to meet your maker. See you on the other side, punk.”

:: I smirk into the camera and raise my hand lazily at Rodd, who acknowledges by switching off the camera. ::




Monday 5th January, 2015 – 7:36pm || Staples Centre - Defiance Locker Room || Los Angeles, CA

:: I reach into my bag and pull out my iPhone. I unlock it and go to call Michelle, but just then, Gator enters the room. ::

“Saney Baby!”

“Oh, hey man, what's up?”

:: I give Gator some skin before he comes and takes a seat next to me, his TV Title brandished over his left shoulder. He looks at me for a moment without speaking, then pats me on the should. ::

“You ready?”

“Gator, really? It's Austin Fernando. I got this.”

“Yeah you do.”

“What about you man, you confident about Lane?”

“Me? Confident? Noooooooo.”

:: I chuckle as I look down at my unlaced boots briefly. I pick my head up and turn my attention back to Gator. ::

“Yeah, you're right. It's a mere formality for you, man. You know, the Asylum is probably going to try and jump us in our matches again.”

“Fuck the Asylum, man. Let 'em try. Didn't get them anywhere last week and it won't get them anywhere this week. They aren't shit compared to Defiance.”

“Truth. Speaking of Defiance, you heard from Corvus?”

“Heard from him? Sane, dude is a fucking mute. What, you thought maybe he called me?”

“Then why the fuck does he have a phone?”

“Hey, everybody needs porn on the go, man. Maybe he like, has crow fetish sites or something, I dunno.”

:: I laugh softly at Gators comment. ::

“Yeah, strange cat. Still, given there is so much riding on our matches, it would be handy to have him in the building. You know, just in case.”

“Haha. Dude, you should totally change your last name to Case!”

:: I look at Gator, confused, then it dawns on me what he is going on about and I roll my eyes. ::

“Oh, very funny. I'm serious, man!”

“I know, I know! Look, I gotta split and do some last minute preparations for my match.. why don't you text him and find out if he's coming?”

“CorVus texts?”

“Ohhh yeah, sure. I was messaging him the other day.”

“Oh... okay. Yeah, maybe I will.”

:: Gator stands up and pats me on the shoulder again. ::

“See you in a bit, oh Insane One.”

:: I chuckle as Gator leaves the room. I unlock my phone and go into my contacts, finding CorVus. ::


:: I toss my phone back into my bag and lean back, my head pressed against the hard surface of the locker behind me. I rub my face with the palms of my hands and sit there, contemplating what the night holds in store. This is it, what I have been waiting for. I made my intentions clear two weeks ago, I told the world that I was gunning for the Universal Championship. Tonight, I will take out Austin Fernando and gain my opportunity to become the number one at Turning Point, and when it's all said and done... I will not celebrate with tequila. ::

F A D E 2 B L A C K