The blood has now dried all over his face, he feels like moulded clay thanks to the sweat. Its a feeling like no other but it cant take away the positive feeling that Big Dave is feeling right now; hes overcome the task and finally removed the threat of Ty for now. One down, two to go. Hes now has to worry about Gordito at All or Nothing, but the question he is asking himself is, why didnt Barbosa strike? He had the perfect opportunity, Ty took everything out of me and Barbosa wasnt cunning enough to strike? Was it because the briefcase was stolen? Thats no excuse; everyone knows hes the King. Dave hasnt had a chance to see the show before as he was locked in isolation, preparing for the match. The blood is being cleaned off his face by the EMT, so he asks the question.
Guys, what happened with Barbosa and the briefcase?
What? You didnt see the show?
No, I was preparing for the match.
Titus had Baez steal the briefcase to guarantee that you walk out of Ascension as the champion, well, the person who won tonight. Apparently he has eyes on the title.
Dave is now asking himself, why Titus? Why did he do that? Is he planning the time for his revenge for last year? But Dave knows that Titus can only get to him through three possible means, the roulette, earning a shot at the Lethal Lottery, or earning a victory over Dave. But Dave knows the latter cant happen unless hes put against Titus; that is something that Dave can control and prevent. He knows that Bateman and Myles will not let that happen as they have Gordito in wait at All or Nothing. The blood has been cleared enough so the EMT can treat the cut, the soldier is wounded but the war is far from over.
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A few days later, Dave is clean, refreshed and ready to take on the world. He hasnt given Titus a second thought but keeps his mind focused on the task at hand, get to All or Nothing. The stitching is slowly healing and the comfort that the recovery will be eased with a tag team match will make things easier on the way. He hears the phone ring and immediately heads to grab it, but misses the caller and hears the answer phone kick in. He recognises the voice instantly.
Hey, Dave. First of all, what a fight, baby! You've shown that you've earned that title around your waist, and I can't wait to try my mettle against the new Champion. You've got the people excited, man.
Secondly, I called because of our upcoming match at Meltdown. They aren't giving us any easy fights these days, and I'm glad for it. It'll keep us on our toes all the way until All or Nothing. So, yeah...we're teamed up against Ty and Barbosa, neither of whom is going to be quite happy with how things went for them last week.
Theres a pause.
Look Champ, we've got history. We've fought before, both against each other and at each other's backs. I don't want to say I trust you or act like we're best friends, but I do trust in your abilities and your strengths. I've won matches as part of team with you before, and I know we can do it again. You and I should be going into All or Nothing as the best of the best to give these people the explosive showing they deserve. So, one more time, you and I together. I'm looking forward to it, baby. Hit me up if you want to before Meltdown. I'm out in LA nowadays. Peace!
Gordito is his partner, and hes facing Ty and Barbosa. Dave wants to question the situation as to why Ty is meddling with him for a third time around, Dave knew Ty wouldnt give up with ease, but hoped that Myles would have given Dave some space from his rival and former champion. But worried isnt covering the look on Daves face, but rather a gathered interest, he has two of the uncontrollable elements, the King for a Day and the persistent Master of Chaos. He knows that he can have the opportunity to make his life easier and get to All or Nothing now that Gordito is willing to aid him in battle. But a thought runs into his mind that he hasnt considered. Titus must be brewing a year long grudge, just like I have been with Ty and he hasnt seen that amended. But one grudge that Dave feels has outrun its course is the one he had with Gordito.
A year ago, Dave had dropped his EurAsian Championship to enter a Gold Rush Tournament, Gordito was his first opponent and victory was sealed. Then Chuck Myles banned Dave from challenging the World Heavyweight Championship for two months, two long months, and the man who came out of that tournament as the challenger was Gordito. Dave knows that he had long hated Gordito for stealing his opportunity when he felt nothing but hate and resentment towards anyone he considered less than him. But time has changed and so has Dave. He now has the championship he desired, he did one better than Gordito but he knows that this isnt the point hes thinking about. Gordito doesnt know that Dave has gotten past this grudge and welcomes Gordito to be his opponent at All or Nothing. But Gordito needs assurance, he needs to trust that Dave wont be making a grudge and see this as three targets. Gordito wont threaten him, he knows hes done enough to get his opportunity; he just needs to wait, as does Dave. The biggest problem is that Dave cant get to meet Gordito until Meltdown as he has to promote the pay per view and do more interviews, his responsibilities have tripled since becoming champion and he cant let his company down. He hits the redial button on the phone, it rings a couple of times but alas theres no answer and Dave is now the one providing the answer message.
Hey Gordie, I just got your message. I would love to meet up with you before Meltdown, alas my schedule wont allow some spare time to meet in person. But I want to get how I feel out now. Yeah, we did have history, we had some close encounters and naturally I did feel bitter when you got an opportunity I had considered to be mine. But I am truly behind it now, in fact, you showed me that opportunities are earned through merit and effort, you did that and came close. But its not the fact you came close, its the fact you never gave up is what I respect. You never gave up, even when the opportunity was out of reach, you got two title shots in succession and pushed Ty to his limits.
Now is the time to show him and Barbosa what were made of, you know you can beat them both, theres nothing to hold you back. Youre damn right that were going to make All or Nothing one match to be talked about for a lifetime, and we get people talking when Meltdown rolls by, I want to hear the word spread that Gordito pinned Ty Burna, setting himself up as the greatest challenger to rise out of the ranks. Yes, I am challenging you to pin Ty, not because of hype but because you need it. All or Nothing is a time where I want you to give it your all and not hold back, and pinning Ty is what you need to be ready and willing to give it your all. You have never given up, but you need this victory more than anything, I want to see that fire burning in your eyes because I want to see what my challenger looks like, not a partner or a fight against evil, my challenger. Show me what lengths you will go to get the championship because Ty is that opportunity to see you unleash yourself. I have my own Achilles heel with Barbosa, I have yet to defeat him but with the knowledge of your willingness to defeat Ty, I know I can overcome Barbosa and make him less of a threat so there is nothing to stop us. We have our demons, our targets, we need to vanquish them if we are going to make our match the event to talk about.
Gordito, the man to yet hold a championship but has the full respect of the locker room, give it your all because I know what lengths I have to go through to win and defend my championship. Show me the passion that I use to know of being a challenger who is going to make his moment because your time is coming, and its time to make hell your own heaven. Barbosa is going down and so is Ty Burna, and I want to hear the people cheer you as the three count is made. I believe you can do it, now show me what you got! Ill see you at Meltdown.
Dave hangs up and knows that he just got what he wanted out of Meltdown, its not the willingness to remove the competition, but rather getting the challenger he wants out of the man who deserves this opportunity. All or Nothing is waiting, but he knows that he is waiting to see Gordito deliver at Meltdown; he has never felt more excited than anything. The war is far from over, but hes just seen a new soldier enter the battlefield, and knows that this will be one glorious battle they will share together.