The scene opened in the parking lot of the Bell Centre, where a royal blue Bentley had just parked up. The driver door opened, and out stepped Chris Jericho. Jericho was wearing a pair of black jeans, a Lionheart shirt, and a Fozzy varsity jacket, as well as a pair of designer aviator sunglasses. As he walked towards the camera, Jericho stopped, removed his sunglasses, then began to speak.
Chris Jericho: Do you feel that? That low hum in the air. That tension. That anticipation. It’s not just another main event. It’s not just another stop on the road. It’s King of the Ring! And for me, it’s one more shot at destiny.
Jericho took another step forward, his eyes locked on the camera.
Chris Jericho: It’s been over three years since I last held the EBWF World Championship. That’s a long time… too long, you might say. Some people think my time has passed. That I’m just hanging around, clinging to the past, hoping for one more miracle run. But those people… they haven’t been paying attention. Because the only miracle is that it’s been so long since my last World Title reign, given how many times I’ve come close to regaining the championship since then. Last year, I won the Last Survivor match, earned a World Title shot and a main event spot at Fallout. I stepped into the ring with Damian Priest, when he was at his peak, undefeated… and yeah, I came up short. Then came the 2024 King of the Ring tournament. I made it to the semi-finals. And who did I lose to? The Miz. A guy who went on to win the whole damn thing… and then took the World Title for himself. And this year? Final three in Last Survivor. Inches away. Seconds away. And then Adam Cole – a man I have a lot of history with – dumps me over the top rope and punches his ticket to the main event. Now he’s the World Champion. Now it’s the "Era of Unleashed."
Jericho let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.
Chris Jericho: Do you know how many times people have told me, “It’s over, Chris. Your best days are behind you”? Too many to count. But every single time, I prove them wrong. Because I don’t know how to quit. I don’t know how to coast. For 35 years, I’ve fought for everything I’ve ever had in this business – and I’ve done it while evolving constantly, reinventing myself time after time, outlasting everyone who thought they were the future. I’ve been EBWF World Champion an unprecedented twelve times. But I want more. I want, what they call here in Montreal… le treize fois champion.
Jericho smirked at his brief foray into French, then his expression turned serious.
Chris Jericho: I want to stand in the middle of that ring with the title raised high while Adam Cole lies flat on his back, wondering how it all slipped away. I want to bring down The Unleashed. I want to put an end to this smug, self-satisfied little empire he’s built. And it starts tonight.
Jericho paused, his gaze hardening.
Chris Jericho: Matthew Riddle. I know what you’re capable of. I know you’re tough. I know you’re dangerous. I’ve watched you knock off legends, hang with the best, and I’ve seen the confidence you carry every time you walk through the curtain. But this isn’t just another match. This is me, fighting for everything I’ve worked for. This is me, drawing a line in the sand and saying, “Not again”. No more near misses. No more almosts. Not this time.
Jericho shook his head, defiant.
Chris Jericho: You beat me tonight, Riddle, and maybe the doubters were right. Maybe the window closes. Maybe it’s time to step aside. But if I win? Then I’m one step closer to the crown. One step closer to Adam Cole. I hope you’re watching, Adam. I hope everyone who’s ever bet against me is watching. Because I’m not stepping into the ring tonight to play the greatest hits, to hear people chant “you’ve still got it” like I’m some old-timer on his retirement run. I’m here to remind the world why I am the best in the world at what I do.
Jericho flashed a cold smile, then carried on walking towards the arena entrance as the camera faded to black.
