HD:Opening Segment

[Zack Malibu 0]

We're in for a surprise tonight, as immediately following the highlights of the Great Angle Bash, we skip right over the opening theme song and head into the arena. The crowd probably doesn't even realize they're now live on television at this point, as they're too distracted by their disdain for Nathaniel Black, who is in the ring with a microphone.

 

BLACK

I don't find it suprising that an American audience, fresh off celebrating your Independence Day, would respond so disrespectfully and crudely to someone such as myself.

 

The crowd continues to boo, and Black pauses, not happy, yet also expectant of that reaction.

 

BLACK

I'm not one to play the nationality card, but perhaps if you Americans had some tact, some taste, and treated me as I deserve to be treated, we wouldn't be at an impass. If you people cared about the sacrifices I have made to have my career grow as it has, you wouldn't react this way. Instead, you show your true colors...not red, white and blue on this holiday weekend...and by the way, those are OUR colors...but green with envy, as you look at the greatest import to cross the ocean and land here in America, and in your precious OAOAST!

 

If he thought that would help, he's dead wrong, as nothing but more booing follows Black's statement.

 

BLACK

I don't need to be beloved by you, but for a company whose main attraction bases everything on respect, there certainly is a lack of it around here. Maybe it's because of the company I keep, maybe it's because of my heritage, I really don't know...but what I do know is that right now, I'm out here to rectify that. I am making a stand against the OAOAST, and against YOU, Zack Malibu!

 

NUCLEAR HEAT now, as Black has insulted America, the OAOAST, and now the most popular superstar in the company, so you can imagine how the fans are feeling.

 

BLACK

Zack, you and I aren't that familiar with each other, at least not until this past Sunday. To be quite honest, I was honored when I realized it would be you and I starting off the War Games match for our teams. You are the measuring stick around here, after all, and to receive the chance to take you on one on one, well, I was honored...and also quite surprised at what a pushover you are!

 

Paging Nathaniel Black, there's a crowd that despises you on line 1.

 

BLACK

YOU are supposed to be the top talent? You're supposed to be the man who fought across the world, a former World Heavyweight Champion, HI-YAH Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champion, 24/7 Champion...the list goes on, Zack, we know your resume...but in FIVE MINUTES, before anyone else entered that cage, I felt it. I felt you weakening already. I knew that I was able to take you to your limit, that if the circumstances were any different, I could have defeated you on my own. Imagine that. The great Zack Malibu has been exposed, and he's not as invincible as he'd lead you to believe, people. Your hero, your Franchise, is a FRAUD! I won't discredit myself because let's face it, I'm the best British import to hit the States since the Dynamite Kid...but I expected a challenge, Zack! So now, Zack, I had my taste. I had five minutes with you to decide what step to take next...and despite the stitches in my head, the soreness in my bones, and the fact that your motley crew managed to walk away completely intact, I want it again. I want Zack Malibu in the ring, so I can show the world what a...

 

CUE:"Getting Away With Murder".

 

The crowd LEAPS to their feet, as the sound of the longtime anthem of the popular superstar booms over the PA. Black pauses and glares at the entrance ramp, where Malibu, in dress clothes and bandaged forehead as a result of War Games, appears. Zack starts making his way down to the ring, and within seconds, Nathaniel Black has his wish, as he and Zack Malibu are caught in a staredown! The crowd goes wild for this, and moments later Zack takes the microphone from Black in order to speak his piece.

 

MALIBU

Ask and ye shall receieve, Nathaniel Black, because here I am, in the ring with you!

 

Black starts rolling his wrists and nodding his head, ready to fight.

 

MALIBU

Now most of you think I've come out here to offer a few witty lines to rebut your claims, take you up on your challenge, or maybe just flat out lay you out right here and now...but it's not going to be like that. See, I will admit to you firsthand, in front of the world, that you are one HELL of a talent. I will also admit that at the beginning of War Games this past Sunday, I experienced firsthand exactly what you were made of. You have all the skill in the world, you have talent that most could only dream of, but it's what you have *up here* that makes you your worst enemy!

 

Black doesn't budge, and seems interested in where Zack is going with this.

 

MALIBU

You want to talk about people holding each other back? That seems to be the first method of attack that people use against me, but in my eyes, you should look to those who surround you, Nathaniel. Do you really think that you'll ever get a chance to showcase those talents to their fullest as long as you hang around with Landon Maddix? Do you think you'll ever be taken seriously in this business, as something more than just a henchman? James Blonde and Faqu took two steps backwards when they aligned with Landon, and you need to look no further than Todd Cortez to see how Landon treats his so-called friends. If you want to be a breakout star, Nathaniel, then you need to BREAK OUT and...

 

Now Black snatches the mic from Zack, drawing a chorus of jeers.

 

BLACK

No, no no. I am not going to play this game with you, Zack. You don't need to worry about my circle of friends, and you're certainly not going to brainwash me. It's really simple, Zack. One plus one equals two. You and me, in a match, anytime, anywhere, so that I can prove to these people, to those wrestlers in the back, and to YOU that I AM BETTER THAN YOU!

 

Zack, angered by the brashness of Black, steps back and motions for him to come on. The crowd support is fully in favor of Malibu, as he waits for Black to approach, ready to take him up on his offer to see who the best in the business truly is.

 

BLACK

Now wait just a second, Zack. Despite the fact that I know you have to play the role and look like you're ready to throw down, it's not going to happen tonight.

 

Thunderous boos follow Black's announcement, as Zack remains in the ready position, waiting for Black to step up and back up his claims.

 

BLACK

I'm going to be nice about this one, Zackary. I'm going to give you time to think about what you're going to be getting into, to prepare yourself for your day of reckoning. We're not at 100 percent, you or I. I wouldn't be fair for me to take advantage of you tonight, in front of these people. As fitting as it would be for me to embarrass you this weekend in your homeland, I'm going to take the high road. I want you at your best, Zack. I want you to rest up another week, get back on your feet after what we just went through, and THEN, you'll find out firsthand just how badly I want...no, how badly I NEED to prove to you and all these sheep that follow you that my potential will not go untapped. One week, Zack, until you come face to face with your worst enemy...the future.

 

Smiling a cocky smile is usually Zack's signature, but for now, Nathaniel Black uses the technique as he drops the mic at Zack's feet and walks past his rival. Before exiting the ring, Black holds up one finger...not the one you might be thinking of, but one to signify that in one week's time, these two will lock up one on one for the first time ever. As Black heads to the back, Zack steams in the ring, and we then close the scene as we fade out to our first commercial break.