The scene opened on the stage of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the 2025 Total Supremacy was taking place. It was several hours before showtime, so the arena was mostly empty, but the stage was set. There were two thrones at the top of the ramp, one on either side. Later that night, the 2025 King and Queen of the Ring would each claim a throne, and go on to challenge for the respective World Championship at EBWF’s next pay-per-view, Gateway to Glory. Jericho stared at the King of the Ring throne; a throne he had sat on once before, 14 years ago, in 2011. The camera zoomed in on Jericho’s face, revealing a look of determination. It was clear that Jericho wanted to reclaim that throne, and more. Jericho ran a hand through his hair, letting out a small laugh before turning to face the camera.
Chris Jericho: You know, I’ve always loved the fact that the King of the Ring semi-finals and final take place on the same night. It gives the tournament an air of added mystery… no one knows which two men will make the final, who two superstars will main event Total Supremacy, until part-way through the show. It also means the winner has to truly earn their crown, because they have two win two matches in one night… something only the truly elite are capable of. It is the stuff of legend.
Jericho leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as the camera zoomed in on his face.
Chris Jericho: And fittingly, this year, four legends have made it to the King of the Ring semi finals. Four future Hall of Famers, who could easily make up EBWF’s Mount Rushmore. Four guys who have been at the top of this company for longer than most people have careers. That’s what this tournament has come down to. Edge. CM Punk. Randy Orton. And yours truly, Chris Jericho.
Jericho paused, smirking.
Chris Jericho: I’ve faced all of them. I’ve beaten all of them. But I’ll admit… they’ve beaten me too. Because that’s what happens when the best fight the best, year after year. But at Total Supremacy… I’m not looking to share the spotlight with any of them. I’m looking to remind the world why I am the spotlight.
Jericho walked closer to the throne, and reached out, as if desperate to climb up onto it… but he stopped himself. He knew he hadn’t earned it; not yet, anyway. He turned back to face the camera, and continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: In order for me to make it to the final, I have to defeat the man they call the Viper… the Apex Predator… Randy Orton. The man who took EBWF by storm in 2010, winning the World Title at Fallout and holding onto it for 283 days, setting a new record for the longest World Title reign in EBWF history. That’s impressive… but what’s even more impressive is that Orton did it again 11 years later. In 2021, he held the title for another 283 days, matching his record. Nine whole months as World Champion… In over 23 years, no one else has even come close to holding the EBWF World Championship for that long, and Randy Orton has done it twice. You’re one of a kind, and I’m not even being sarcastic when I say that. Which is what makes it all the more strange that after returning to the limelight in 2021, and almost breaking your own record… you faded back into the background after you lost that title. Did you just want to prove a point, Randy? That you can still be the best, that you can still be EBWF’s top guy… but only when you can be bothered to actually try?
Jericho shook his head, a mixture of pity and contempt in his eyes.
Chris Jericho: Meanwhile, I’m still here. Still fighting. Still clawing for my place at the top. Because while I may not need to prove anything to anybody any more, after everything I’ve accomplished in this business… I still want to by the top guy. I still need to be the top guy.
Jericho turned back to the camera, his voice quiet but deadly serious.
Chris Jericho: And maybe that’s what separates us, Randy. You’ve done it all, and now you’re comfortable. Me? I’ve done it all… and I still want more. And if I beat you – when I beat you – I’ll be facing either Edge or CM Punk in the final. Two men I know very well.
Jericho’s expression softened slightly as he spoke about Edge.
Chris Jericho: Edge… you’ve always been the nearly man, haven’t you? And I don’t say that to put you down. I say it because I respect it. You’ve never quite been the top guy in EBWF, but you’ve always been right there, snapping at the heels of whoever was. You’ve spent your whole career chasing after greatness, Edge, and even if you didn’t always get there, you never stopped running. That takes consistency. That takes resilience. That takes guts. And if it’s you and me in the final, Edge, I know we’ll steal the show. Because that’s what we do.
Jericho’s demeanour changed again, his eyes narrowing as he thought about his other possible opponent if he made it to the final.
Chris Jericho: But if it’s CM Punk… well, that’s a different story. You and I have been to war, Punk. We’ve shed each other’s blood. We’ve shortened each other’s careers. You were gone for a long time, but since you came back, you’ve been on a tear. You ended Damian Priest’s long unbeaten streak. You won the World Title in your first match back. You walked into 2025 still the EBWF World Champion after beating The Miz in a brutal Hell in a Cell match at Christmas Eve of Destruction. And now, after losing the World Title in somewhat controversial circumstances, you’re looking to win King of the Ring to earn get your rematch with Adam Cole.
Jericho let out a small chuckle, but there was no humour in it.
Chris Jericho: That’s a nice fairytale ending for you, Punk… but here’s the thing.
He leaned forward, his voice low and cold.
Chris Jericho: This isn’t a fairytale. This is real life. And in real life, the hero doesn’t always win. Sometimes… it’s the villain that walks away with everything he ever wanted. And let’s be honest, after everything we’ve been through over the years… I’m the villain in your story.
Jericho winked into the camera, as if hinting at the darker side of his personality. Jericho then walked towards the curtain, but just as he was about to walk backstage through the camera, he turned around, making it clear he had more to say.
Chris Jericho: Tonight, at Total Supremacy, I will beat Randy Orton. Then I will beat either Edge or CM Punk. And I will become the 2025 King of the Ring. And then… then I will do what I’ve done twelve times before. I will climb to the top of this mountain, plant my flag, and become EBWF World Champion for an unprecedented thirteenth time.
Jericho paused, his eyes blazing with determination.
Chris Jericho: Because my fire still burns brighter than anyone’s. And as long as there is breath in my body, I will keep fighting. I will keep winning. I will keep proving… that I am the best in the world at what I do.
The camera lingered on Jericho’s intense gaze before fading to black, leaving only the echo of his words hanging in the silence.
