Path to Glory

[Kyle]

Daniel Bryan was on the losing end team at Survivor Series, but he had received a chance to become the Path to Glory Champion. Winning the Path to Glory Championship would allow him to use it to challenge for the World Championship. However to get the Path to Glory Championship he would have to go through a tournament with 7 other competitors, all of whom have never held the World Championship. He knew that they would all be hungry for the title, and that all of them would be difficult opponents. His first match up was against a familiar opponent, Fandango. The two had only recently crossed paths several weeks ago and with that familiarity, Daniel would be looking to capitalise on this knowledge of his opponent. As usual he was still dealing with Dr. Andrews, who was making life extremely difficult for him, cutting him from house shows, removing him from promotion work, just about everything that Daniel could do in EBWF was limited by his Doctor who wanted to make his life a living hell. Dr. Andrews had this control over Daniel Bryan and there was no way that Daniel could stop it. Nobody believed that he was completely fine, and why would they? Why would they not listen to a trained doctor? The issues that Daniel was dealing with outside the ring had slowly started to effect his performance in the ring. He wanted this tournament to be different. He wanted the change to happen now.

The Phillips Arena was the stage for the first round matches in the Path to Glory Championship Championship tournament. Daniel Bryan was ready to go, but before his match was scheduled to take place he decided to go out to the ring. Long Forgotten Sons by Rise Against played across the arena and Daniel Bryan walked out to a mixed response from the EBWF fans in attendance. At this point in time, Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were both at the announce table commentating on the show.

Jim Ross: It seems that Daniel Bryan is out here to talk to the EBWF Universe before his match tonight.

Daniel had entered the ring and received a microphone. He was currently in his ring gear and ready for action, but he would have to wait until later.

Daniel Bryan: Tonight the tournament to crown a new PTG Champion begins and tonight 8 men fight for that belt. None of us have been World Champions but with the Path to Glory Championship, it gets us all one step closer to every wrestler’s dream of becoming World Champion. Chris Sabin, Damien Sandow, Justin Gabriel, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Fandango, Heath Slater and I are all fighting for that championship. Only the best will be crowned champion and that's the way it should be. For nearly 15 years I have fought all over the world in the hopes that I would one day be called the greatest wrestler alive. I've been hurt, I've slept in my car, and I’ve wrestled in front of 10 people for a hot meal all for that shot at greatness. Tonight marks my first step towards my opportunity at greatness. Many of the other wrestlers in this tournament haven't had to do what I've done. Many of them got signed to a big wrestling company straight out of college and they decided then that they wanted to be a wrestler. I have wanted to be a wrestler since I was a child. I have literally worked my way from the bottom to the top. At this point in time what I do now isn't going to be for any of you, it's going to be about me. When I become the Path to Glory Champion I'm going to hold onto it and wait until the best chance to hand it in for my World Championship shot.

The crowd booed Bryan for not thinking about them.

Daniel Bryan: Tonight I'm going one on one with Fandango. Last time we faced I made him tap out, just like I'm going to do to him again tonight. Like every other wrestler in this company, he can call me a goat face and insult me based on my appearance. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. I made him tap out because I'm good at what I can do. I'm a wrestler. You Fandango aren't a wrestler at all. You want to keep up with appearances, get all the ladies, never lift a finger and get all the rewards. To get the championships, it takes hard work, blood, sweat and tears and determination to reach the end. My journey has lasted for nearly 15 years and it's coming to an end. I've enjoyed some success and felt a whole lot of pain, but soon I'll get the ultimate reward. I'll get the Path to Glory Championship and then move on to win the World Championship. I've dreamed of becoming World Champion for as long as I can remember. I'm going to make it a reality, and if it's at your expense so be it.

Long Forgotten Sons began to play and Daniel Bryan left the ring.

Jerry Lawler: Daniel Bryan is really focused tonight, I can't wait to see the match.

Jim Ross: Before the night is done, our eight competitors will drop down to four. Soon only one will remain and they will be the new Path to Glory Champion.