Welcome to Gaia! ::

The lights suddenly cut out. The fans aren't sure what exactly to expect here. Someone is going to interrupt. Will Angel be attacked here again tonight? Cell phones light up the arena in hopes of getting a glimpse of someone.

Oh wah ah ah ah

Flames burst up on the stage and the lights come back up as Down with the Sickness hits the PA and the fans erupt. Jarel Damone steps out onto the stage, looking down the ramp at Angel in the ring. He's in his usual jeans and tshirt, and his gloves, with the leather trenchcoat thrown over it

King: What is he doing here? I thought he was gone for good.

JR: Apparently not, King, as you can see him standing there on the stage.

Jarel finally begins to make his way down the ramp quickly, Stepping onto the apron, he steps into the ring over the top rope and walks to the other side, signalling someone to give him a mic. Once he takes it, the music dies out and he turns to look at Angel. For several moments he stands there, eventually looking out at the cheering crowd and waiting for them to quiet down. Finally, he raises the mic.

"You know, few people remember this but years ago, as you were debuting in the business, I was considered a veteran already. I was going on a decade in the business, had been world champion in a few different federations, and had been involved in my fair share of controversy. There were those already clamoring for the end of the Dragon.In fact, several had tried to make it a reality. Clearly, they failed miserably. But as I sat in the back listening to you, I heard you enter a position many before you have been in. Going on 18 years in this business, it would seem I'm well past the shelf life of a wrestler since the attitude era, and especially in the more recent years."

The crowd truly gets quiet, listening to the words of the the WWFG Hall of Famer closely.

"Every year that passes, like everyone else, I take more and more damage to this body of mine. The ravages of time become just a bit more evident with each passing day. I'm a man in my forties, a point many legends weren't able to continue after. And especially within WWFG, each year comes the question of when I will at last call it quits. It's not a question I ask myself, but it's a question that some in the back ask, and the fans ask. And each year I deny some the pleasure of seeing the back side of me for the last time."

at this some of the fans cheer, causing Jarel to pause again before continuing on.

"But back down memory lane, as you were young and I was already considered old, you ran into an issue in a certain memorable federation, did you not? And I happened to dislike management in said federation. I aw you in a situation far less than fair, and you unlike so many reached out to me. So I stepped down into that place, and I helped you when you asked. For years now I have watched your ups and downs, and that is why it peaked my interest to hear you speak as you have here tonight.You see, I'm from a generation that is at this point long gone. Maybe two or three of us from my generation are still active today. I find it strange to note that you and I have a few things in common."

King: What's he talking about JR?

JR: Maybe if you give him a minute he'll explain.

"You see, all those long years ago, I came in against one of the bigger names in the business. I'm not talking about my WWFG debut, because I was around long before that. But you mentioned debuting against Edge. I came in against the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. My next match was against Kane. Those two were my first rivals, and eventually this thing that would become the streak was formed. Few realize the toll that the streak has taken on me.I thrive in the cell, sure. So much so that I was christened the Godfather of Hardcore. There were times when I questioned how much longer my body would hold out. And yet here I stand today, still a source of controversy here and there, still a force within the ring when I choose to enter it. There may come a day when the Dragon returns to his Den one last time and never again emerges, but that day is not today."

More cheers break out at this.

"And of course I, like most, know that Wrestlemania season is upon us. It's a time for this generation to shine. It's a time for men to make their mark in the history books. Now I don't really have such a need but I show up around this time anyway. I was in the back, just waiting to see what would happen, and then I hear you out here with a lack of direction. With all that you've been through, with all that you've survived, and all that perhaps you could still do, are the Angel's wings clipped? Have you decided to allow that light inside die out and fade into obscurity? Have you decided that you can no longer go head to head, toe to toe, with the best this or any other company has to offer? Because I would find that to be a disappointment."

Jarel lowers the mic at this point, his eyes studying Angel, awaiting his response

Jarel raises the mic again.

"Yes, you were in the middle of something, weren't you? You were asking a question, where do you go from here? I came out here to help you decide. You see, the words left your mouth that top talent won't touch you. You're too high risk. I find those to be strange words."

Jarel gestured to the back.

"There's a lockerroom full of men and women that call themselves stars. Some are, and some are probably dreaming. What would be star, what wanna be icon, is afraid to take a risk? We take a risk anytime we step between those ropes. Injuries happen. Sometimes at the most inopportune moments. Risk is, in fact, what we signed on for the moment we entered into a school to train to become professional wrestlers. To be a wrestler, you must be some form of a risk taker. So, you asked where you go from here. Well, it's simple."

Jarel points to the sign for Wrestlemania hanging in the rafters.

"You either go to the grandest stage with the lights on bright and you put everything on the line for that one night of glory, or you go home now. And if you need an opponent, there's 6 feet 10 inches and 328 pounds of pure unadulterated violence embodied standing right in front of you. And frankly, I want to see if you're as good as you say you are, as good as I once knew you were. Can you reach deep down and show me the Angel that made me step down to a developmental territory to fight against the injustices of management? And more importantly, can even that Angel stand toe to toe, face to face, eye to eye with the Dragon, the Godfather of Hardcore on the Grandest Stage under the brightest lights."

clearly some of the audience approves.

JR: It looks like we've hit the heart of the matter. Jarel has returned to lay down the challenge to Angel.

King: But why? And will Angel accept?

"Well, Angel, I think the fans would like to know just what they're going to see here tonight? Will Wrestlemania be a showcase, a war between an Angel and a Dragon, or will you give in to the same naysayers that said you weren't good enough all those years ago, that you didn't deserve a spot on the main roster, you didn't deserve a championship reign?"

Jarel cocks his head to the side, perhaps surprised by the counter challenge.

JR: A career vs career match at Wrestlemania?

King: That's it, Angel has gone off the deep end.

Jarel finally raises the mic.

"If you thought that perhaps that would make me back down, you are sadly mistaken. Not only do I accept the challenge, I make the match type quite simple. You see, I'm the type of guy that thrives under pressure. But we're going to see if your heart is as big as your mouth, son. The match will have no pinfalls, no submissions, no disqualifications. If you want to preserve your career, you're going to have to find a way to do what no other man has ever done. You're going to have to knock me out and keep me from standing before a count of ten. In other words, it'll be a last man standing match and believe me when I say that Armageddon has arrived. All that you've been through will have led you to this moment."

Jarel moves towards the ropes, seemingly about to exit the ring, but stops and turns back.

"But make no mistake. The time for me to return home and hang up my gloves isn't now. While I may in fact have respect for you and I was not pleased to hear what sounded like doubt coming from you, doubt is a Sickness, one which I cannot allow to fester. When I spot the Sickness amongst my peers, I have made it my responsibility to contain and destroy it. As such, at Wrestlemania, I will destroy what remains of your career."

Jarel really should have seen that coming, but that's the nature of superkicks. That classic sound of boot meeting jaw rings throughout the arena and the Dragon goes crashing to the mat.

JR biggrin ear Lord, Angel has just Excommunicated his Wrestlemania opponent.

King: I'm not so certain that was a good idea, JR.

the crowd however, cheers for the altercation, ableit with some boos thrown in there as Jarel has never really been one the crowd turns on completely

As Angel leaves the ring and heads up the ramp, Jarel sits up, a scowl on his face, and the crowd cheers. He gets to his feet and turns his gaze to Angel.

JR: Maybe Angel should have held off on that count.

King: I hate to say it, but it'll take more than that kick to keep Jarel down for a ten count.

Jarel steps forward and places his hands on the top rope, his gaze still locked on Angel.

JR: Either way, it's official that these two men will collide in a last man standing match at Wrestlemania. What depths will they go to in order to keep the other down?

King: More importantly, who's career will end at Wrestlemania?

Jarel's music hits the PA, as is customary when one is the last person standing in the ring and just briefly, his hand goes to his jaw. That would be Angel's one acknowledgement to that kick from Jarel