Short Straw

[Brock Anderson]

Last Sunday, live in New York, the Breakout champion Brock Anderson defended his championship for the very first time. Before him was long-standing rival and nemesis MJF, veteran Christopher Daniels, and champion hopeful, Johnny Gargano. After a hard fought battle, Brock Anderson was able to unhook the Breakout championship belt that nestled above the four competitors for the length of the match and retain the belt. His story here in EBWF continues and the commitment to excellence carries on as he steps in the ring this week with Adam Cole.

The scene fades in with Brock Anderson standing in front of the backstage interview space. He stands alone with a shit-eating grin slapped across his face and the EBWF Breakout championship prominently drapped over his shoulder.

Brock Anderson: Fallout was a true testament of what I've been telling everyone out there in the world. I'm not at fault that they didn't listen. I'm not to blame for the shortcomings of my opponents. I'm only responsible for what I say, for what I have told each and every single one of you week in, week out. And believe me, I hate to sound like a broken record but when it is apparent as it is, I'm going to call it like I see it. And what I saw - no - what I experienced Sunday night is the proof in the pudding.

He pauses a moment, letting it sink in that he's done what he's said he was going to do with a high success rate.

Brock Anderson: Not only did I prove that I'm serious, I proved that even if you put me in a state of uncomfort.. Even if you put me in the ring that have a combined experience that surpasses the years I've been here on Earth... EVEN IF... even if you put me against men who have been in that ladder match environment, that dog eat dog world. I'll rise to the occassion and show out. That's why this belt right here, the Breakout championship stayed with THE champion. And that's exactly what Sunday was, it was a night of THE champions. Not just me... We saw Tam defend her championship in a great victory - congratulations to her. We saw the "Big Dog" hit the wall against The Miz. Right now, Eee-bee-dubya-eff belongs to THE champions. Not some hopefuls, not to some has-beens or wanna-bes.

He smirks as he adjusts the belt on his shoulder, raising it up nonchalently for camera view.

Brock Anderson: But cockiness leads to complacency and I'm in no position to rest on my laurels. I defended my belt, albeit convincing, I defended my belt ONCE. And I know for fact, as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, there's going to be more people coming at me for my Breakout championship. For my seat as the future of the Eee-bee-dubya-eff. But enough about what I've done, when you're coming off of that high, it's easy to get tunnel vision and forget about the next guy. And Monday Night, we're back to work. Back onto the next guy.

Brock takes a serious tone, back to business in his normal fashion.

Brock Anderson: Monday Night Warfare, we're capping the night off against Adam Cole. Furious competitor, accolades to the nine in our buisness and still young and hungry. But what have you done for me lately, Adam? What have you done for - or in - this company lately?

He puts his hand on his chin, in a thinking man pose.

Brock Anderson: Nothing? Not a damn thing from what I remember. I mean, am I missing something here or am I seeing a trend? A trend of these guys... guys like you, Adam... say how hungry they are, say how vicious and how bad they want it, but they're not out there showing up. No instead, they sit around and wait until they pull the short straw and get put on the card to be able to job out someone to get the praise and the glory so they can talk about how they beat so-and-so's ass next time they show up on the show two to three months from now. I'm not the short straw though, Cole... This isn't a "hey, make me look good, kid." Monday night it's bring your A game and hope to the Lord above that your A game is enough to take me out. Because right now I'm a train rolling a hundred miles an hour with momentum, with enough piss, blood and vinegar mixed in the put your ass on the mat and going back home to Britt later that night asking, "What happened? Where am I?"

He sneers to the camera, dropping the belt off his shoulder and holding it with one hand. He brandishes it to the camera.

Brock Anderson: Because this belt isn't on me for no reason... This isn't some development belt, Adam - this is the real deal and if you think you're serious enough about this business to have the gusto to get into the ring with me Monday, then you need to be hell bent and serious enough to put in the work to try and beat me.

He drops the belt from camera view and walks off the set as the scene fades out.