Welcome to Gaia! ::

The lights in the arena dim down as Ain't About the Money hits the PA.

Ahhhh, ahhhh
Ahhhh, ahhhh

blue and white lights begin to flash while a thin layer of smoke comes across the stage and down the ramp. Flames spring up along the set and the crowd begins to cheer

If you know like I know say
Ain't about the money, it's about the power (say)
Ain't about the money, it's about the power (you know like I know say)
Ain't about the money, it's about the power (say)
Ain't about the money, it's about the power

Finally the former World champion steps out into view and the cheers grow louder. There's a slight change in his attire. Instead of his usual vest, he's wearing a t-shirt with a dragon across it and the words Drakonian Empire across the top of it. Drako Damone looks out over the arena for several moments before starting to make his way down the ramp

Think about it, think about it
Ain't no need to think about it
Get that Money, keep that power
No they not the same thing
Money can be anybody
This somebody, that nobody
When it comes to power
Circle, super small and maintain
Money make em' do it cause of what you give to em'
Power make em' do it cause you told them to do it
Money make you fly, power never die, don't know why
Money can be lost, power never need an alibi
Blood thicker than the champagne
Power in my pride, power in my last name

"..from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 225 pounds, Drako Damone!!"

Drako stops at the end of the ramp and look around the arena for a few more moments before he turns and walks up the stairs and into the ring, moving to the center to stretch out right into his old pose. Pyro shoots off behind him, a nice flash to the past for him and he straightens up again

When I'm in your presence you can feel the power
Even if this company was built from powder
Girls, kissin, on the couch, women, in the, shower
Surround, myself with kings, you can keep the cowards
Everytime I reminisce, I'm reppin' different bitches
Blood is thicker than water but BS is the thickest
Let the chain round my neck tell my life story
Born into the money but would die for glory
Get ready for the takeover, that face, lip and makeover
That case, that I break open, that great fifth like Beethoven
If you, wanna get it poppin', I can be in the team
Thirty-four, in a, rocket cause Hakeem's the dream
(Get it? They don't get it)

The Soaring Dragon walks to the corner and steps up onto the second turnbuckle, covering his eyes to look out into the crowd of cheering fans.

Oooh, we're makin' moves
You're only doing what my power let you do
You see that money isn't everybody's thing
When it comes to power, can only be one king

Finally, Drako steps down and removes the t-shirt, tossing it out to the crowd as he turns to await the arrival of his opponent

Drako hasn't been champion since December of 2023, just four months shy of two years ago. In fact, this is the first time he's come face to face with the man that beat him for the title since that very night, aside from an incident with Omen last year. The Soaring Dragon has had a difficult road getting back to this point, including a best of three series with the reigning champ's dad.

Ready to get things started, Drako moves forward slightly when the bell rings, watching the champion.

time to feel things out, see how the weather fares, so to speak. Drako has to be wary of the family history, and specifically the fact that he had retired Nuke Fusion at Wrestlemania earlier this year. Would that make the champ more emotional or more focused? Time to find out, as the challenger comes forward to offer a lock up to start things off

Avari does have a slight advantage in size, and youth. He makes good use of it here, as the challenger finds himself being slowly but surely pressed backwards. Good to know what kind of foot they're starting on. Drako eventually finds himself up against the ropes. Now to see if the champ will break cleanly

Drako is freed pretty quickly and runs a hand through his locks, pushing them back out of his face. The Soaring Dragon isn't exactly surprised as he steps away from the ropes. He's feeling the young blood out, perhaps seeing where he differs from his father. The Harbinger circles, ready to try again

Drako should know better. He's by far the veteran in this match. He should, but clearly he doesn't as he makes the mistake of looking up only to catch a toe stomp and find himself in a side headlock. He lets out an annoyed grunt, stuck in the headlock for the moment. He attempts to pull Avari back slightly before aiming to shoot him off to the ropes

Drako hasn't been around at the top for as long as he has without knowing how to turn the tables on the drop of a dime. As soon as Avari rebounds, Drako would look to take him over with a quick snap armdrag