(Angel of Death stands in front of a generic TEAM backdrop. He begins to slowly clap, a smile crossing his face.)
Well, well, well. I suppose congratulations are in order, Ravager. You acheived your goal of becoming NAPW Champion. Kudos, really. It's always nice to see someone get something they want. That way, when you take away something else they want, it stings a little bit less. Sometimes. Other times, it stings a little bit more. Either way, you can know that now that you are completely focused on our match, my satisfaction with beating you will be that much more complete.
Now, please don't get all puffed up thinking that my level of satisfaction from our match has anything to do with that piece of tin you now claim as your own. Aside from what I just explained, your shiny new little trinket will have no relevance in our match. Because this isn't NAPW versus EUWC. This isn't EUWC star Angel of Death challenging NAPW champion Ravager for his title. This is TEAM. Our match, it's only about advancing in the TEAM Invitational Tournament. The outcome of our bout will not be the deciding factor in some fan's decision to tune in to EUWC or NAPW. None of that means anything here. To assume anything more would be ludicrous.
You hit in on the head a couple of times so far. First, when you declined to list your accomplishments, assuming that I wouldn't be impressed. I wouldn't have been, much as I couldn't care less about your latest one. I completely agree that self-centered monologues about your abilities and accomplishments really means nothing in a tournament like this. Frankly, if you want to know more about me, read my bio. You want to know my accomplishments? Check out the website. You want to see what I'm like in a match situation? Tune in to EUWC Blackout. That will give you all of the information you need. Nothing I say here will make any of that any less valuable.
The second time you got things right was when you mentioned using this tournament to prove that you are the best in the world. That is exactly why all of us are here. The thing is, you seem to think that being a champion somewhere somehow makes you a target. Again, your ego is getting in the way of your focus on this event. Frankly, I don't mind that at all. Please, continue to think that what you do outside of this tournament bears any weight once we step through the ropes. That will make it even easier to take you down a peg or two. Please, continue to allow your ego to be the basis of your focus here, so that when you come crashing down, and the count reaches three, you'll stare back up at the arena lights and realize that for all of the gold belts and championship reigns either of us have had, none of it meant anything on that night. Next week, when you and I clash, I will show that I am the better man that night. You are correct to see me as a threat, because for you, and anyone who comes after you, I am exactly that. A threat. Not just to your chances in the tournament, but because I am basically an outsider here. You, and your pals in NAPW, LoC, PRIME, or any of the other promotions that all hang out together, sharing talent are all completely familiar to each other. Many of you know each other from other promotions in the little circle of friends. Myself, and the others from EUWC? We're the new guys on the block. We're the enigmas around here. You, Ravager, you have nothing to prove here. Your name is engraved on the Dupree Cup, having been a member of last year's winning team. Me, Jeremy Oliver, Corbris Grayson and Sanket Desai? We've got a lot to show the entire TEAM family. Our match will be just the beginning, Ravager.
(He leans in, staring directly ahead of him, an odd twinkle in his eye.)
In this tournament, Ravager, you don't have a lot to win. Me? Well ...
(He chuckles.)
I have everything to gain. I also have nothing to lose. An interesting position, wouldn't you say? It's also an interesting motivator. Think about that for a while, Ravager. Let me know what you figure out.
(He smiles wide as he leans further in, until his entire face blocks our view, reducing it to black. Fade.)