The Comeback

[Ben M]

As Warfare returned from a commercial break, the arena lights went out and the infamous five second countdown appeared on the tron. As the countdown struck zero, "Break The Walls Down" hit, and the crowd cheered as Chris Jericho appeared on the stage.

Jim Ross: Welcome back! As you can see, we're about to be joined by the interim CEO, Chris Jericho!

Jerry Lawler: JR, is it just me or does it seem strange to see Jericho in his ring gear?

Jim Ross: I'm not sure strange is the word I'd use, King... it seems right! We haven't seen nearly enough of Y2J in the ring recently in my opinion, and I can't wait to watch him compete against Bret Hart in our main event tonight!

Jericho was all smiles as he made his way down the ramp, and he stopped several times to greet his adoring fans. When he reached the bottom of the ramp, Jericho walked around the ring, greeting several more fans en route. He even stopped at the announce table to shake hands with JR and The King. Finally, Jericho took a microphone from Justin Roberts and entered the ring. His music was cut and the arena lights came back up. Jericho laughed to himself as he began to speak.

Chris Jericho: I'm so used to being in the Gorilla position rather than in the ring, I forgot to take my earpiece out. JR, Jerry... I heard everything you just said, and I thank you for it. I agree with it all too - except for the part where JR said he can't wait to watch me wrestle Bret. Obviously I can't watch myself! But I can hear myself... every word I say is being echoed through my earpiece...

Jericho smirked, and pulled his earpiece out, then continued speaking.

Chris Jericho: Welcome to, Warfare is 500! It's been a great night so far, and the party is far from over. We've still got Cody Rhodes versus Ryback and Dean Ambrose versus Jay Briscoe to look forward to... and of course, Y2J versus Bret "The Hitman" Hart!

The crowd cheered Jericho's cheap pop. Jericho grinned, then his smile faded as he started to get more serious

Chris Jericho: You know, I've lost count of how many times Bret and I have been in the ring together over the last twenty years. We've been partners, opponents and even student and mentor. Bret is one of my top five guys to work with, and I can't wait to wrestle him again. Bret may be one of my best friends, but I won't hold anything back when I step in the ring with him later, and I know he won't either. That's one of the reasons I respect him so much. Another reason I respect Bret is because he's 56 years old, and he still wrestles like he's 36. I haven't forgotten all the complaints I received when I brought Bret back to the EBWF, both from fans and EBWF superstars... but Bret proved that he's still got it when he made it to the King of the Ring Quarter Finals, and he's continued to prove himself since then. However, I know Bret isn't satisfied with his return to the EBWF, and there are two reasons for that. The first reason Bret isn't satisfied is because he hasn't been World Champion yet since he came back. The second reason is one he probably won't admit... but the second reason Bret isn't satisfied with his return is because he hasn't beaten me yet. He'll probably deny it; but Bret, I know you. I know you're an egomaniac, just like me. I know you like to take credit for training me, and I know how good it makes you feel when you can beat me. And none of that bothers me, Bret... really. I'd be a hypocrite if I criticised you for your ego, and while I can't help but roll my eyes every time you claim that you trained me, I'm aware that I have my own meme because of the number of things I take credit for inventing. Of course it makes you feel good when you beat me, Bret; it makes me feel good when I beat you. People always say the sweetest victories are victories over your enemies, but you and I know differently... the sweetest successes are the successes you have over your friends. Bret, it's because of how close we are that a win for one of us over the other means so much more. I know that you'll give that extra ten percent tonight, and you know I will too. But here's something you might not know, Bret... there's no way in hell I'm going to let you beat me.

Jerry Lawler: That's fighting talk, JR!

Jim Ross: I know, King! But can Jericho back it up in the ring later?

Chris Jericho: Bret, I can't let you beat me tonight because like I said before, I'm an egomaniac too. And when I'm staring across the ring at you later tonight, and Chad Patton calls for the bell, I'm going to be thinking to myself, this is only the third match I've wrestled this year. And I'm going to be thinking about how I lost both of the other matches I competed in. I'm also going to be thinking about how I don't know how much longer I'll be the "interim CEO"... about how I don't know whether I'll still "have it" when I'm 56 years old. I'm 43 in six weeks and to be honest, I don't know how many matches I have left in me. A few years ago, I'd be wrestling week in, week out, and I'd tear it up every single night. I called myself the best in the world because in my prime, I was. But Bret, I want to call myself "the best there ever will be". And in order to do that, I need to start tearing it up again. So as of right now, I'm going to treat every match I wrestle like it's my last... because for all I know, it could be. When I leave this ring at the end of the show, I'm going to leave everything in the ring... including your fallen body. Bret, I didn't just book myself against you to celebrate the 500th Warfare... I booked this match because I'm making a comeback, and it starts against you.

Jericho stared into the camera, an expression of determination on his face. He then dropped the microphone and made his way to the back as "Break The Walls Down" hit once more.

Jim Ross: Jericho says he's making a comeback, and it starts tonight against Bret Hart... make sure you don't miss it!