King of the Ring always seemed to roar in like a lion. Wrestlemania usually ended and a calm came over the locker room, but just as soon as everyone caught their breath, the King and Queen of the ring tournaments began.
----------
Monday, May 27, 2019
Richmond Coliseum
Richmond, Virginia
----------
Adam stood near the production table just outside the Gorilla position. The crowd was hot tonight, and he could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline despite not having a match tonight. Adam heard his name somewhere behind him, and he turned.
Production Assistant: Yo, Adam.
Adam Copeland: Oh, hey Lewis. You got a card for me?
Production Assistant: Yeah, you don't go on until two weeks from tonight, but looks like it'll be a pretty good match.
He held out an index card to Adam, and Adam whistled through his teeth.
Adam Copeland: Oh, hot off the press!
He reached out to take it.
Production Assistant: Hand written, so subject to change, but the email will come shortly.
Adam Copeland: Thanks, Lewis.
Production Assistant: You got it. Tell Trish I said she had a great match!
Adam gestured toward the monitor.
Adam Copeland: You're not even watching it.
Production Assistant: I don't have to. I know it's great.
Adam chuckled with a smile.
Adam Copeland: I'll tell her.
The production assistant walked on, and Adam turned his attention back to the monitor, slipping the index card into his pocket without looking at it. A few moments more, and Trish's theme was filling his ears. He watched on the monitor as her hand was raised in victory and she popped up on the turnbuckle to showboat the the fans. She slapped some hands as she came back up the ramp, and he turned his attention to the curtain as she came through it. He walked forward to meet her, and she wrapped her arms around his waist as he pulled her into a hug.
Adam Copeland: See, you and Mickie, like riding a bike. Good match.
Trish Stratus: You mind if we wait for her?
Adam Copeland: Of course not.
The lights had dimmed inside the arena and a promo for King of the Ring played as ring hands were preparing the ring for the next match. Under the cover of darkness, Mickie had proceeded up the ramp and Adam and Trish watched as she came backstage. Trish bounced toward her happily and the two hugged.
Trish Stratus: So. much. fun. Thank you! Such a good match.
Mickie James: Anything for you, friend!
Trish Stratus: Love you.
Mickie James: Love you!
They ended their embrace and Mickie looked over to Adam.
Adam Copeland: Hey Mick. Tell Mike I said hi.
Mickie James: I will. The four of us should do a dinner or pizza in the hotel room soon.
Adam Copeland: That actually sounds good.
Trish Stratus: It does! See you later, hun!
Mickie said her goodbyes, and Trish sidled up beside Adam. He put his arm around her and they started off down the hall.
Trish Stratus: Did you get your match?
Adam Copeland: Yeah, two weeks from tonight.
Trish Stratus: You'll go to the end. You always do.
Adam smiled.
Adam Copeland: This time I hope to go all the way to Summerslam.
Trish Stratus: Yeah? Well, I think you can do anything you set your mind to.
He gave her a squeeze.
Trish Stratus: I'm gonna hop in the shower and get changed. I want to call Nattie on the way back to the hotel and see how she's doing.
Adam Copeland: She had a baby yesterday, and she was still trying to help you call your spots for tonight. She's a ring general if ever there was one.
Trish Stratus: I think I'll go there after the house show tomorrow. Help her out a little. Keep her company. Wes is still trying to work. I'm sure he could use a break too.
Adam Copeland: I think that'd be good. I wouldn't mind seeing the Ortons myself. We can go to St. Louis together.
She smiled up at him, and he leaned over to kiss her temple. It felt like everything was going right, so he wondered if he should push the envelope and ask for just that much more,
----------
Monday, June 10, 2019
Greensboro Coliseum
Greensboro, South Carolina
----------
The backstage area at Warfare was bustling with activity, and standing alone in front of the EBWF logo was The Rated R Superstar, Edge. The Ultimate Opportunist was filming himself, streaming live on EBWF's Facebook, and clearly amped for the King of the Ring tournament.
Edge: I thought since we were doing triple threat matches this year, I might actually see some sort of a challenge. Because if there's anything you can count on me to do, it's make it to the final four of this tournament. Tonight, I meet two other men who also want to become King of the Ring and I have to tell you, I'm excited. I mean, when you look at these opponents, I have every reason to be optimistic. This is the first match in a long time where one of my opponents can't call me old, because they are in fact, older than me.
Edge waved into the camera.
Edge: Hi, Bob! Are you the leader of the weird stable you have with Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley, or no? Lio Rush is actually in charge isn't he? I have to say, between the three of you, he does seem like the brains of that operations. I'm almost going to feel bad for beating you tonight, because I'm actually a little worried for you. Lio might not let you be the president of his fan club anymore, and then what would you do with yourself?
Edge shrugged.
Edge: I can't be bothered with that. The theme here is optimism, and the other reason I'm feeling optimistic is because my other opponent is CM Punk!
He chuckled.
Edge: And the amusing thing about that is because I didn't even know he still worked here! Living in his golden tower in Chicago, sitting on piles of money, and for some inexplicable reason I can't understand, takes his bonfire star power and hitches his wagon to Aiden English and Raquel Shaul Dias Guerrero English Rehwoldt Jingle Heimer Schmidt. What are the kids saying these days? Weird flex, but okay? I think they need more than you need them, Punker, but fine. If I have to pin you, I will.
He shrugged again.
Edge: I'm going to be King of the Ring, and when I am, I'll be coming for that EBWF World Championship, no matter who has it. And if it's you Miz, I'll meet you at Summerslam, and I won't care if you bring The Sequel, The Varsity Club, The Prequel, the whole city of Parma, Ohio with you. Nothing is going to stand in my way.
Edge's finger moved toward the screen and he cut the live feed, letting it go dead as reactions continued to pour in on Facebook.
Another Year, Another Final Round
Another Year, Another Final Round
Writers aren't exactly people. They're a whole bunch of people. Trying to be one person.
The only living, breathing, Queen of Efeds in captivity
"You can't blame a writer for what the characters say." - Truman Capote