XANTAXM

[Bulldogs (Duncan + Genesis)]

Charlie Coors stands on the stage to one side of the podium. The assembled, specially invited guests include all of the GHW staff and Fighty fighty persons, plus local dignataries, legends of the wrestling business and the lucky few fans who managed to get tickets to the event.

Charlie looks exceptionally smart as he looks out into the audience and raises his microphone.

Charlie: Good Evening everybody! This is a truly historic night for Gods and Heretics Wrestling. And to start the evening off, and introduce the first inductee into the hall of Fame is ....

Charlie does a double-take at the autocue and looks at the floor manager with a raised eyebrow. The floor manager nods his head vigorously and urges Charlie to get on with proceedings.

Charlie: Yes, sorry ... Here to introduce the first inductee is Mister Michael Duncan!

There's a scattering of polite applause as Dyna Mike Duncan leaves his seat on the front row and walks up onto the stage, shaking Charlie's hand as he makes his way to the podium.

Duncan smiles at the Bulldogs, and even manages something resembling a genuine smile as his gaze passes over the rest of the audience, then his eyes drop to the tele-prompter and he clears his throat before addressing everybody.

DMD: I see the looks some of you are giving me, but tonight isn't about me, it isn't about the Bulldogs, it is about celebrating what is best about GHW ... and, nothing and nobody has been better for GHW than the person I am here to introduce to you all. So, let's keep the mutual animosity at a minimum for this evening and celebrate the achievements of all tonight's inductees .. especially this first ones.

Duncan smiles once more, and this time it certainly seems genuine, and he brushes a hand through his greying hair while he composes himself.

DMD: GHW has seen a lot of changes over the last 12 months, many innovations, the removal of a lot of dead wood and the emergence of some superstars who were being woefully under-valued and under-used prior to this year. All of this has been down to one man's vision and hard work and that is why tonight, I am proud and honoured to be here to introduce him!

His first, and I'd say most significant, achievement was to rid this great company of the man who was dragging it into the dirt! Yes, I'm talking about Zantazm and I see the disgust on some of your faces, but truthfully, would any of you be where you are today and would GHW be the number one brand in this business if Zantazm was still here?

With Zantazm gone, we saw the introduction of the Monthly Tournaments so that any of us could earn a shot at the Champions .. no favouritism, no title shots for the suck-ups .. Title shots now go to those Fighty fighty persons who earn them in the ring! Yes, there were those who didn't like his methods at first, but the biggest detractors were those who had been spoon-fed easy matches in the past and didn't like having to earn their money for a change! And where are these cry-babies now? Gone! GHW did not need their like and our inductee made sure they didn't stay long!

And what about the innovations that have come in this year? The Death Sentence Tournament and Elimination Chamber Match to name but two! The newest Titles - the X-Force Championships were all this man's idea! The formation of his own Nation and the X-Forces to efend the honour and integrity of that nation was a masterstroke! And finally, the necessary and very brave decision to wipe clean the record books and erase all entries in the Hall of Shame that was this auspicious events predecessor .. all the brainchild of just one very intelligent, forward-thinking General Manager!

I said 'finally', but I must add a personal note about this man. Without him, my own career here, and the careers of my fellow Bulldogs would have been very short-lived. Without his support and guidance, I could not have survived the difficult time I went through earlier this year at the hands of Dangerous Man Dan. Without his encouragement, none of the Bulldogs would be where they are today ... at the very top of this business! That is why, it is my humble privilege and honour to introduce the first inductee into the Hall of Fame, 2008 ... my friend, our General Manager and the saviour of GHW .... XANTAXM!!!

Duncan takes a step back from the podium, applauding! In the audience, the Bulldogs and members of the X-Forces rise to their feet and begin applauding too ....


(tbcb Xantaxm only)

[Xantaxm]

The assembled audience looks to the right of the podium to welcome the presence of the General Manager of Monday Night Combat and Friday Night Mayhem. Xantaxm proudly emerges from backstage wearing a luxurious Armani tuxedo that is accented with a silver vest and tie. The spotlight sparkles off of his right hand that dons a diamond encrusted "X" ring. Xantaxm nods arrogantly to the gathering and then smiles with respect towards his inductor, Dyna Mike Duncan. Mike Duncan steps toward Xantaxm and embraces him with congratulations. Xantaxm then makes his way to the podium to a majority of boos and jeers. Xantaxm pretends to not hear the boos, but only the few cheers that come his way.

"Your generous cheers for me are very flattering and humbling. I couldn't be inducted into the Hall without this kind of support, thank you!"

Xantaxm waves to the people in attendance as the chorus of boos still outweigh the cheers. Xantaxm ignores those against him and continues.

"Thanks again! I would first like to say a few words about this gentleman standing right here next to me. Without a shadow of a doubt, Dyna Mike Duncan is the only man that could have come out here and introduced me to all of you. He is a man of deep respect, a man of dignity, and a legend of his own right. If it were up to me, and let me tell you, I tried my hardest...Mr. Mike Duncan would be inducted into the Hall of Fame along side yours truly tonight at this ceremony. The cronies on the Board of Directors stopped this from happening, but mark my words, Dyna Mike Duncan is a Hall of Famer and he will rightfully find his way into this honor no later than 2009. This man epitomizes what it is to be a Superstar, and I am proud to call him my friend."

The fans in attendance yell some unintelligeable insults, but Xantaxm and Mike Duncan ignore them as they embrace each other once more. Xantaxm then steps back to the podium.

"Let's give a standing ovation to the one and only, Dyna Mike Duncan."

Xantaxm begins clapping loudly into the microphone, overpowering any boos that the crowd may have. After a half a minute or so he stops and continues his speech.

"There you have it. One legend standing next to another. I can guarantee you that you will not see this again tonight, so enjoy the spectacle."

Xantaxm pauses once again to hear the very few cheers that the two receive and then speaks into the microphone again.

"As my esteemed colleague has stated, I am the saviour of GHW, and the only man that could have kept this company going all throughout 2008. I met my challenges and obstacles, but each one was crumbled at my feet. Whether it be Superstars, former GMs, Officials, Board of Directors, or even Secretaries, I snuffed them all out. I define what the Hall of Fame is meant to be and I legitimize it."

Xantaxm looks around the audience and nods, believing every word that comes out of his mouth as if it were gospel.

"I am the ruler of Xantland! I am the creator of the most valuable four prizes in GHW history, the X-Force Championships! I lead the strongest group of Superstars ever to be in GHW, the X-Forces and Bulldogs. I have innovated left and right, and done things that only I could have done. Sure, I've had a lot of help from people like Dyna Mike Duncan, but no one, and I mean no one, has the power that I have. Former GMs have been erased from the GHW history books because of me, and other "assistants" have scurried into silence by my actions. Those that talk about taking me down or confronting me do just that....they talk. They can't do a damn thing to stop me from what I have to accomplish, and each and every one of you watching should thank me for that. Without me, there is no GHW!"

Xantaxm has worked himself into a fury as the beads of sweat begin to roll down the sides of his face and down his neck. He pushes his hair back on one side as the sweat wipes back behind his ear.

"And I will continue to push this company forward! GHW is going to move past all the boundaries of before and the ratings will grow and grow. All of this will be because of me, and the pleasure I will take from it...it will be glorious. Isn't that right, Mike?"

Xantaxm glances toward Mike and he nods back at the GM.

"You see, there is so much more yet that I have to give to this federation, and in the coming years all of you will relish each and every one of my historic and innovative moments. I'm going to continue to leave my mark and only when I have exhausted my efforts and get bored with you people will I move on to better things. In the meanwhile, I am going to lead the Hall of Fame Class of 2008, hell, the Hall of Fame in general, and be the example that all aspiring legends want to mimic. I will be the one and only shining pillar in this elite organization of men. Mike Duncan will join me soon, but until then I will be the only one worthy of the Hall of Fame. In fact, from now on, it should be called the Hall of Xantaxm."

Xantaxm steps back from the podium and bows to the audience as if he just put on the performance of a lifetime. The boos echo around the room, but Xantaxm hears nothing. He can only feel the emotion from his words and the pat on the back from his inductor.

(TBC: At this time, this thread is open to all GHW members to comment positively or negatively about their past experiences/inspirations/etc. about Xantaxm. Please keep this in character. Do not come onto the stage, just say your comments as if you were reflecting on Xantaxm. You can address Xantaxm if you like, but there will be no response from Xantaxm.)