Lost your edge.

[Juan Ramirez]

A dull thud along with the cracking noise of wood was the last thing CM Punk heard. When his eyes opened, a daftening roar of approval from the crowd, cheering their names in tandem "Let's Go Cena" and "CM Punk". What the hell was all that about? The EMTs promptly rushed to the scene and movilized both Punk and Cena safely on stretchers to get attention.

As the crowd emptied the arena, as the roadies began packing everything up, someone's night of work was just about to start. Punk's eyes were barely able to open, watching the blurred up stretcher with John being strolled in the opposite direction of his. Of course, having them both treated in the same place would probably result on 'Round 2'.

His eyes opened again at a familiar office. He was laying on his side, on top of what felt like a medical examination table. A familiar face gazed at him from above.

"You are out of your mind".

Was he? Wasn't it just an accident waiting to happen? Well, it happened. Sooner than anyone would have ever expected. Not at King of the Ring, certainly not at SummerSlam... CM Punk and John Cena collided for the world title at Warfare, delivering a match for the ages. Not only because they are two of the best workers in the business, but because of everything that moved them in the ring to best each other. You could say that what transpired between them is the product of the genuine feelings they have for each other.

Dr. Hope Clemente: Are you sure you don't mind me doing this?

The EBWF head physician dangled a bottle of transparent liquid above Punk.

CM Punk: It's not like I'm going to get drunk with it, go ahead.

Dr. Clemente's heels clicked as she walked around the examination table to check his bag out. The ice cold feel of alcohol being poured all over his back was both refreshing and causting at the same time. Of course, Dr. Hope Clemente had to guarantee both asepsis and antisepsis measures before giving Punk treatment.

Dr. Hope Clemente: Sorry, I just think that your Straightedge philosophy has more rules than any other religion...

CM Punk: Heh.

Straightedge was a religion. However, Punk's chuckle quickly turned into a groan as Dr. Clemente grabbed some pincers and proceeded to extract every single piece of wood that had penetrated Punk's back.

Dr. Hope Clemente: No anaesthetic as well, right?

Punk clenched his fists as he laid on his back, feeling her take the chops of wood out of his flesh.

CM Punk: Yup.

Dr. Hope Clemente: You two are lucky to be alive and well... That was a pretty dangerous spot.

'Spot'. Punk figured he was just as guilty as John was for letting themselves get so carried away. Sure, John taunted him first making it a World Title match, but Punk fell for it. He thought he would be better off if it remained a 'spot'.

Dr. Hope Clemente: You and John have that in common, you're always willing to give the fans their money's worth.

Punk's scowl had nothing to do with Dr. Hope Clemente pulling pieces of wood from his back and torso without anaesthetic, it had more to do with her recent remark. In that moment, the door swung open, Dr. Clemente jumped up slightly and looked at the door.

Dr. Hope Clemente: Excuse me, I'm in the middle of a procedure.

Colt Cabana: Oh, don't worry Doc. I won't distract you.

Cabana dragged a stool and Sat right in front of Punk.

Colt Cabana: Death of Superman huh? Does that makes you... Nah! You're too scrawny to be Doosmday. Anyway, what the fuck was John thi...

Punk shook his head, as a sign for Cabana to quiet down. Cabana knew the ins and outs of the business, and caught the message in a second. The least people know that was a genuine fight, the best. However, Dr. Clemente didn't exactly graduated from medical school from her looks. She has been working for EBWF for quite a while now, and she recognizes when guys decide to 'stiff it up'. Punk's bruised ribs, his black eye and multiple hematomas gave him away.

Colt Cabana: I mean... Wow! What the fuck was Wes thinking for not putting this match on the pay per view? He's nuts! And for the title? And choosing to end it as a Draw? Against John Cena? Wow... That's HUGE!

CM Punk: You think so?

Colt Cabana: Oh, I was talking about the piece of wood the Doctor just pulled out of you. But yeah, what happened tonight was huge too.

Dr. Hope Clemente: Well, the good news are we don't need to stitch anything up. The bad news are you won't be taking NSAIDs or any anti inflammatory, so the next couple of days you're going to feel battered.

Punk sat up and nodded, his back indeed felt quite well... He broke his skull once, it's not like a few chunks of wood on his back were going to kill him. He waved at Doc Clemente and walked out of the office with Cabana. Punk signalled for him to stay put until they arrived to the bus.

Colt Cabana: What the FUCK was that about?

Punk had released so much anger during his match he was much more calmer than Cabana, which was surprisingly odd.

CM Punk: I don't know, I don't care and quite frankly I am glad that happened. No one would believe me when I said we would kill each other.

Colt Cabana: So, you had no idea?

Punk shook his head.

CM Punk: I was definitely expecting to get some stiff shots from Cena, I was also told the idea behind this match up was to make us both look strong, but I never thought the title would be on the line... Honestly, I took it as a taunt. "You can't beat me in a scripted match, let's see if you can beat me with our own script". Not only that, I'm supposed to work with Ted before even thinking about the World Title... What John did tonight just made it seem like there is no point in me facing Ted. Tonight's match was full of dumb, reckless and stiff actions... But perhaps the most reckless one was stepping on the PTG title. I don't know if anyone else knew about John's plan, and even if they didn't I believe that match will make them forget John called an audible to settle down a personal score.

Colt Cabana: I doubt that, do you think he'd go over Ikeda just to kick your ass?

CM Punk: I don't know, and I guess there's no point in finding out. It happened, we beat the hell out of each other and after the fan reaction, we will most likely be doing it again. If the match was as intense as you say, whoever chose to go with that Tables impromptu world title match made Ikeda really happy.

Colt Cabana: I'm glad you're seeing the glass half full... You beat the crap out of John Cena, you looked extremely great, you delivered a match of the year candidate, you gave the big fish a reason to elevate you to the World Title scene...

CM Punk: Wow, and here I was thinking I just traded blows with some idiot just for fun.

Colt Cabana: For fun? What about the paycheck?

CM Punk: The paycheck which you mooch?

Colt Cabana: C'MON! I'm a respected and successful podcaster!

CM Punk: I want to start a podcast.

Colt Cabana: DON'T YOU DARE!

XXX

EBWF.net EXCLUSIVE.


The camera focused on the lovely Renee Young, clad in a coral colored dress as she brought a microphone up to her mouth. She smiled before welcoming the online viewers.

Renee Young: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this EBWF.net Exclusive, my guest at this time is the number 1 contender for the Path To Glory Title, CM Punk.

CM Punk: Well, that escalated quickly. How many night has the EBWF Universe seen me on their television screens? Four, five? Let's see... In those five nights, I kicked Brock Lesnar so hard he might be still knocked out. I became the number one contender for the title I founded, and last but not least I showed John Cena I mean business...

Punk raised both of his eyebrows and gave a skeptical look at the camera.

CM Punk: Because obviously, come Monday night I will be there, at Topeka Kansas, wrestling. You know, like a real champion should.

Punk pushed his tongue against his lower lip to toy around with his lip piercing.

Renee Young: At Warfare you will be facing Ted DiBiase. What are your thoughts?

CM Punk: Let's see. Ted DiBiase... Ted DiBiase... Honestly? I don't get Ted DiBiase at all, Renee. I've known him for years. I've beat him as many times as Colt Cabana has asked you out... But I still can understand what he's up to.

Miss Young quickly emphasized on that last fact instead of talking about the times Punk's friend had asked her out.

Renee Young: What do you exactly mean by that?

CM Punk: Well, the EBWF Universe knows Ted and I go way back. It all began that night he stunned me in the ring and won the World Title. Of course, it took me a week or two to get it back. But the fact he was able to best me, made me think he might be an interesting prospect. Ted begged for me to teach him my Straightedge ways. I elevated him, took him to his first WrestleMania and gave him his first taste at glory... I won him the Tag Team titles... I took him under my wing and tried to mold him in my image... You know how that story ended. Now, Ted wanders around like a sick and lost puppy, until he stumbles upon CM Punk's own PTG title... He does this massive feat of holding it for longer than anyone ever, and then he loses to Alberto del Rio... See where I am going? Ted says he wants to be the best, but when the moment to walk the walk arrives... He chokes. Tonight he's probably going to choke... After an Anaconda Vice.

Renee Young: Ted is poised to continue holding onto the PTG title to defeat a rival you two have in common, John cena.

CM Punk: How many times has Ted beaten John? I'm not sure, but I am asking because last week I put him through a table and made him walk out of the arena in a stretcher. Do you see a trend here? Everything Ted DiBiase says he is going to do, I have done in the past. Ted and I are linked... And not exactly because he was my pupil in "The Family". What is the first thing that comes to mind when I say "EBWF Superstar Ted DiBiase"?

Renee Young: Longest reigning champion in EBWF history.

CM Punk: Good. Ted has the longest reign in EBWF history, for a title belt which I FORGED, the same title belt he lost to Alberto del Rio a couple of years ago, the same belt he managed to tarnish and devaluate with mediocre performances and defenses. Now, Ted is apparently back on his horse, ready to regain what "is rightfully his". Let me get this straight, not content with staining the title I gave prestige two with my bare hands... Ted wants a second chance? Ted wants the PTG more than anything in the World... And in case you have been living under a rock, you know what happens when someone wins the PTG title. Now, this is where everything begins to get convoluted.

Renee Young: How so?

CM Punk: Because for a guy who reeks of desperation to erase the fact he was world champion for a week... He has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHNG TO WIN IT BACK. His latest antics, reforming "The Trilogy" makes me scratch my head even more... Why the hell would he side up with someone who will stab you in the back the moment you turn your back on them? Allow me to elaborate... Ted wants to be a World Champion, and in order to do so, he aligns himself with two other wrestlers who are even more desperate to be world champions and/or match my dating history. That is just plain sad...

Renee Young: Aren't you concerned about The Trilogy interfering?

CM Punk: I'm afraid strength is in the numbers. However, I'm not sure if they are going to break up over who sleeps with Maria, or over who gets to main event the next Pay Per View... Trilogy has proven in the past that they can only work together when there's a gain for them. The only gain I see for Miz is a black eye if he approaches me... As for AJ, I'd be glad to provide him with some dating advice. In all seriousness now... Those overcompensating parties, booze, broads, drugs... Those three guys who are waiting for the first opportunity to betray each others... The fact they make their presence felt by beating others up instead of competing... Renee, there is a name for all those crimes Trilogy usually commits... It is called "LACK OF HONOR". I can't stand lack of honor, Renee... It's a major pet peeve of mine... Now tonight I get the chance to remind Ted DiBiase his true place, where he belongs, laying out cold in the middle of the canvas after a knee to the face. Ted has proven time and time again he is not going to beat John Cena. He didn't beat him before, he won't do it now... Even John said he's bored of facing him over and over and over again. I on the other hand was able to beat John Cena so bad he might not even show up on Monday night... No steel chairs... No dirty tactics... No numerical superiority... Just pure talent and following the CODE OF HONOR.

Punk crossed his arms over his shoulders to form an X as the scene faded to black.