Returning from a commercial break, Vendetta resumes with the sight of XWA's newest Lionheart Champion exiting his lockerroom. The very image of the Barbarian Lord, known well throughout this region, is met with a rise from the patrons. He lifts his title up, draping it over his shoulder, but a change is immediately noticeable. The gorgeous, glimmering gold plates are no longer present, their places taken over by wooden stand in's, their faces engraved all the same as their more glorious forebearers.

Vladimir takes a left in the hall, the tiny patter of his boots clicking across tiles the only sound from the feed. He paces nearly 15 feet before he stops, looking up toward something before him. The camera follows his glance, revealing the XWA Heavyweight Champion, Danny Diamond with a look of incredulous disgust upon his face. He stares at the Lionheart title, shaking his head. The Czar of Scars looks at the Englishman, eyes raised in curiosity.

"Look, Vladdy, I'm not exactly sure what you guys value in Transylvania or whereever the hell you're from, but in civilized parts of the world, gold is actually a good thing. It's worth a lot more than wood even though you can't use it to cover a leak in your ceiling."

Strife smirks and even gives a small chuckle to the comment before giving his retort.

"I'm well aware of the status symbol of gold. Greedy men strive for gold, Daniel, and gold makes them greedy. I won't partake in it."

The Rubix Cube rolls his eyes, looking back at the championship again.

"I get it, I get it - greedy men are bad, you will make them suffer, gore over glory, yada yada yada. But seriously, come on, that thing is a damn eyesore."

Vladimir grins and reaches out, rubbing the back of his fingers down the face of Danny's title.

"Perhaps you're right. I imagine the World Championship will take much more nicely to this style.."

The Shine pulls back, moving the Heavyweight championship out of the GodKing's reach as if concerned that his very touch will corrupt the grandest gold of them all. The Barbarian Lord grins and turns away, believing he's rattled the cage of XWA's top competitor. He only gets a few steps before Diamond speaks up, stopping him in his tracks.

"You know what, Vlad? Maybe it isn't so bad. That title kind of fits you that way."

The Romanian turns toward the Prized Gem, his interest piqued.

"A basic commodity pretending to be something valuable. See, you may be good, Vladimir, even won yourself a title. You've got a little bit of a luster, sure, but don't you forget that NOTHING shines like a diamond."

Danny Diamond takes his leave with that, Vladimir stroking his beard as he issues some parting words of his own.

"See you soon, champ."

As we return to the ringside action, fans are left riled up and rabid about the exchange. Following the first time these two competitors have been seen together, the only thing that seems certain is that it will not be the last.