What Comes Next

[Ben M]

OOC: Been away for the weekend so didn't have as much time as I'd have liked for this one. Good luck Brian.

Having been drawn against his former Nexus ally Ryback in the King of the Ring tournament, Wade Barrett had been victorious in his first round match and was set to face Daniel Rodimer in the next round. Though he had been pleased to get the win against Ryback, Barrett still felt somewhat pessimistic about his chances in the tournament. With the possibly of facing AJ Styles, a former World Champion, or Syxx, an EBWF legend, in the quarter finals, Barrett thought it was highly unlikely that he would make it as far as the semi finals and compete at the King of the Ring pay-per-view. He wasn't even sure he would get to the quarter finals, as EBWF seemed to be high on Rodimer. Barrett hadn't heard of the former Tough Enough contestant before he'd signed for the EBWF, and as far as Barrett could tell, Rodimer had barely wrestled since being released by the WWE in 2007, but none of that seemed to matter to EBWF management. Rodimer had been paired with the Breakout Champion, Damien Sandow, and their tag team "Brains and Brawn" were the number one contenders for the EBWF Tag Team Titles. Despite being far more well known in wrestling circles than his next opponent, in EBWF Wade Barrett seemed to be getting far less attention than Daniel Rodimer. This was something Barrett had brought up with EBWF EVP of Talent Relations, Stephanie McMahon, when she spoke to him after his match on Warfare. Barrett had been walking backstage when Stephanie approached him.

Stephanie McMahon: Hey Stu. I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance tonight. I know you and Ryan only had a few minutes out there, but you made the most of them, and I wanted to let you know that I was impressed by your performance. I'm sure you know by now that you'll be facing Daniel Rodimer in the second round, and I hope to see another solid performance from you next week.

Wade Barrett: Thank you, Stephanie. I'm glad Ryan and I were able to impress you tonight... it means a lot. And of course, I hope Dan and I can do the same next week. I don't suppose you've decided what will happen in that match yet, have you?

Stephanie shook her head.

Stephanie McMahon: Not yet, no... you know how it is. At EBWF, we put a lot of consideration into the outcome of every match, and so we try not to make our final decisions too soon. All I can say at this stage is that you and Daniel are both very important to the EBWF, and I'm sure we'll be able to reach an outcome that works for both of you.

Not unless we both go through to the quarter finals, Barrett thought to himself. But he was smart enough not to speak that thought aloud. He'd learned from his WWE days that offending the higher ups could be tantamount to career suicide... but he'd also learned that staying silent could be problematic too. As such, he chose his next words carefully.

Wade Barrett: Of course, thank you. Although while I've got you, I hope you don't mind me asking... do you have any plans for me beyond the King of the Ring tournament. You mentioned that Rodimer and I are both important, but I hope you don't mind me pointing out that Rodimer has had far more TV time recently than I have. In fact, tonight is the first time I've appeared on Warfare for weeks. Please don't think I'm complaining, because I'm not. I just hope when the tournament is over, I won't go back to being a house show wrestler.

Barrett must have said something right, because Stephanie responded with a smile.

Stephanie McMahon: There is something we're considering... that's actually another reason I wanted to see you. Your match with Ryback gave me an idea, and I think it's something that could really boost your EBWF career. I don't really have time to discuss it with you now, and I wanted to discuss it with the rest of the writers in tomorrow's creative meeting, but could I give you a call tomorrow afternoon and tell you what we're thinking?

Barrett cocked his eyebrow, intrigued.

Wade Barrett: Of course. I look forward to your call. Take care, Stephanie.

Stephanie smiled again, then walked away. Barrett headed to the locker room, wondering just what idea his match with Ryback had inspired.

********************

One week later, Barrett was backstage again at Warfare. While his focus was, of course, on his match with Rodimer, he kept thinking about his conversation with Stephanie and the "idea" she had presented to him. Her plans for him were set to unfold after the tournament, with a couple of teasers before the end of the month, and Barrett was excited. Assuming the creative team didn't have a change of heart, as had happened so often in WWE, Barrett was about to become a lot more prominent in EBWF. Would Stephanie's plans start with a win for Barrett tonight? He still didn't know, but whatever happened, thanks to Steph's phone call last week, Barrett knew he wasn't set to disappear from TV again.

With his Warfare match less than two hours away, Barrett was in his locker room stretching. He heard a knock on the door, and a few seconds later, Renee Young entered. A cameraman followed her.

Renee Young: Hi Wade! I've been asked to interview you for your match tonight. Are you free now?

Wade Barrett: Of course, Renee.

Renee Young: Great! Could you come with me, please?

Renee exited the locker room, and Barrett followed. Once they were in front of an EBWF Warfare backdrop, the camera started rolling and Renee began to speak.

Renee Young: Ladies and gentlemen, I'm joined at this time by Bad News Barrett, who later on tonight takes on Daniel Rodimer in the second round of the King of the Ring tournament. Wade...

Barrett cut her off.

Wade Barrett: That's Mr. Barrett to you, Renee.

Renee shot him a dirty look, then continued her question.

Renee Young: Sorry, "Mr. Barrett". As I was saying, last week you beat Ryback in the first round, and tonight you'll be up against Daniel Rodimer, a superstar who is similar to Ryback in stature. Will you go into your match with a similar strategy to the strategy you used last week to defeat Ryback?

Wade Barrett: That's an interesting comparison, Renee. But I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you... Ryback and Rodimer aren't all that similar in stature. They might be a similar weight, but Rodimer is four inches taller... which is why Ryback's muscles make him look like a monster, and Rodimer's muscles look more proportioned. As far my strategy, I go into all of my matches with the same strategy, Renee... play to your strengths. And my biggest strengths are the two fists you see before you; the fists that made me a champion bare knuckle boxer. I can beat any wrestler by pummelling them with these fists, regardless of their "stature".

Renee Young: Okay, but Daniel Rodimer picked up a big win last week, defeating the Deadman himself, The Undertaker. Surely you won't be taking your opponent for granted?

Wade Barrett: Of course I won't take Rodimer for granted, Renee... I'm not an idiot. I know the difference between confidence and arrogance. I'm a confident man, with good reason. I came to America as a champion, and in my ten years as a professional wrestler, I've proved that I have what it takes to be a champion. I led one of the most dominant factions in wrestling history, the Nexus, and as a singles superstar I've shown that I am a force to be reckoned with. Rodimer isn't confident, he's arrogant. His entrance theme tells us he's "The Man"... I don't even know what that means. Surely there's more to you than just being the man, Daniel? Are you the Forgotten Man? Because I'm sure that only a handful of wrestling fans paid you any attention in the seven year gap between you being released by our friends in Stamford, and signing for the EBWF. I've done my research, and as far as the internet is concerned you don't seem to exist between 2007 and 2014. Are you the man at needs Damien Sandow at your side because he stops you from walking into walls and forgetting how to read? I don't know what kind of man you are, Daniel, but I do know you can't be the man who would be king, because you're looking at him. I'm confident that I'll win my match tonight, Renee, but I'm not being arrogant about it. Daniel has associated himself with a superstar who is arrogant enough to call himself "Brains"... he thinks he's special because he beat the Undertaker. If anyone is going to take their opponent for granted tonight, it will be Daniel. And I will promise you now, if Rodimer takes me for granted, I'll make sure he lives to regret it.

Renee Young: You mentioned Rodimer's tag team partner, Damien Sandow. Does the fact that Sandow is likely to be at ringside tonight bother you at all?

Wade Barrett: Why would it? Rodimer is the "Brawn", remember? And I'm confident I can handle him. If Sandow really is the intellectual savior he claims to be, I'm sure he'll be smart enough not to cross me.

Renee Young: Okay. One more question... if you win your match tonight, you'll go up against either AJ Styles or Syxx, both of whom would be a formidable opponent. Do you think you can get past those two and make it to the semi finals?

Wade Barrett: Remember Renee, I'm confident, not arrogant. Let me take care of Rodimer first, then we can talk about what comes next.

Renee nodded.

Renee Young: Well, Mr. Barrett, thank you for your time and good luck in your match tonight.

After the interview had ended, Renee thanked Barrett again and left the interview area, her cameraman in tow once again. Barrett headed back to the locker room, thinking to himself about what would come next, with or without the King of the Ring tournament.