The Network executives were greedy, but they weren't stupid.

  When they saw the engagement metrics on Jax's angry video and Wei's "Gravity" meme, they realized a simple Tuesday afternoon taping wasn't enough. You don't burn a fire this big in a studio basement. You put it on a mountain and sell tickets.

  The shoot was delayed a week.

  "Pay Per View," Sarah explained, her headset practically vibrating. "They're moving us to the Barclays Center. It’s trending higher than the last heavyweight title fight. The pre-sale is already sold out."

  The week was a blur of promotional madness.

  Jax went on every talk show in America. He flipped tables. He screamed. He promised to "expose the fraud." He ripped a phone book in half (it was pre-cut, but it looked cool).

  Wei spent the week teaching Mrs. Higgins how to properly prune a bonsai tree.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  On the night before the match, the Network held the final Weigh-In and Press Conference.

  Flashbulbs popped like lightning storms. Jax stood on the scale, flexing until his veins looked like roadmaps. He weighed in at 215 pounds of pure aggression.

  Wei stepped onto the scale still wearing his robes. The official asked him to strip. Wei politely declined.

  "My robes are part of my Dao," Wei said. "They weigh three pounds. Deduct it if you wish."

  He weighed 160.

  They sat at the long table. Jax grabbed the microphone and unleashed a three-minute tirade about how he was going to break Wei in half.

  Then, the moderator turned to Wei.

  "Mr. Han," the moderator asked. "Do you have a response to Jax's comments? Is this all just 'show business' to you?"

  Wei leaned forward. The room went quiet. He didn't look at the cameras. He looked directly at Jax.

  "This will not be all for show," Wei said. His voice was calm, devoid of the wrestler-style shouting that had filled the room moments before.

  "Where I come from," Wei continued, "one's honor cannot be insulted without an answer. Words have weight. Intent has consequences."

  He paused.

  "I will try not to hurt him," Wei added, almost as an afterthought.

  Then he looked into the camera lens, his eyes dark and serious.

  "Too badly."