The cameras followed as Sami Zayn was still energetic; even after the tiring match. He shook the hands of a few people who work for the company, obviously impressed with his performance out in the ring and on the microphone a little earlier. He walked over to the media area where Renee Young was waiting for him, in front of a few television sets and the cameraman there also, Sami Zayn saw her and jogged over to her before shaking her hand and discussing a few details before the cameraman signalled they’re going live.
RENEE YOUNG
Ladies and gentlemen, with me at this time the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship; Sami Zayn! Sami, a very impressive victory out there, you defeated Justin Gabriel and it’s now one a piece between the two of you, what did you make of your performance out there?
SAMI ZAYN
Wooo, yeah it was a great match and it still sounds the like the fans are into it. Justin is one hell of a competitor, he has my respect and sure it is one a piece…for now, I think we all know this probably isn’t the end and hopefully, just hopefully the next time we face off inside the ring and steal the show, he’s challenging me for my Intercontinental Championship!
RENEE YOUNG
Let’s hope so, but now as you know the hard work begins and you will be a target now, how will you manage to keep one eye on the superstars trying to beat you, as well as whoever walks out as Intercontinental Champion tonight?
SAMI ZAYN
Well Renee, this is what we all signed up for. We all want to win, but it’s never easy and I certainly don’t want this the easy way. But you’re right, now I do have a target on my back because the guys will want to beat me and tell the world I’m not good enough just like it’s been going on for my entire career, they’ll want to prove that they deserve the Intercontinental Championship opportunity more than I do, now it’s my job to ensure I remain alert, and defeat anyone, anyone who stands before me. As for the champion, Syxx or The Miz, it doesn’t really matter to me because in my head all I can see is me lifting the gold when the dust settles. Syxx will give me a great match if he wins, and The Miz…well let’s just say it won’t be a one on one match because that’s not how he plays but let’s wait and see what unfolds, I’m going to enjoy this moment for a short while because I want to be back in action tomorrow night on Warfare.
RENEE YOUNG
Well Sami don’t let me keep you any longer, enjoy the rest of your night and a big congratulations on your victory out there.
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks Renee.
Sami Zayn walked off as the cameras turned off as well, going back into the ring where the next match was going to start. Sami continued to walk backstage and walked into the locker room where a couple of the other superstars were hanging out as well, they all shook hands and congratulated him as he took his seat and poured a bottle of water over the back of his head. He looked up to the big TV set up in the locker room and decided to watch the rest of the show before changing and leaving. A short while later the final bell sounded as Syxx retained his Intercontinental Championship and it was clear to Sami who he will be facing.
An hour later, Sami walked out of the locker room with his suitcase rolling behind him; wearing his trademark flat cap, blazer over his t-shirt and jeans, he was about to walk into the parking lot to get into his rental car, but he stopped and thought about something for a second, before snapping his fingers and coming back in. He walked past a number of offices before finding the wall he was looking for, he walked over towards the piece of paper which was stuck on to it with handwritten messages, the Warfare card for tomorrow night. He left his suitcase next to him and read through the card, three spots down he saw his name and put his finger on it and tapped it twice, moving his finger towards the right he saw the name Ted DiBiase and tapped it twice again.
SAMI ZAYN
Not bad.
Sami then grabbed the suitcase again before pulling it away, knowing who he is opponent is in less than 24 hours. He tossed the suitcase into the car before driving off for a good night’s rest and ready for his match with Ted at Warfare.
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It’s Monday Night and we’re less than an hour away from Warfare going live, which means it’s time for the pre-show with Renee Young who welcomed the eager viewers to the show and it looks as if her special guest is none other than the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship; Sami Zayn!
RENEE YOUNG
We’re now 24 hours past the annual Sacrifice pay-per-view and we turn out attentions towards the biggest party of the summer, SummerSlam! Last night we saw John Cena retain his World Championship whilst the man next to us, Sami Zayn defeated Justin Gabriel and walked out as the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship, and tonight he takes on one third of The Trilogy in the form of Ted DiBiase!
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure to be here and I don’t think I’ll be getting tired of hearing that any time soon.
RENEE YOUNG
I should hope so Sami, now last night you defeated Justin Gabriel and we found out you will be taking on Syxx but tonight you take on Ted DiBiase; can you give us some of your thoughts on this.
SAMI ZAYN
Yeah I’m excited to be facing Syxx, I personally don’t know him so that brings a whole new element into this match but yeah it…it should be fun. Tonight, Ted DiBiase vs. Sami Zayn, an interesting match to say the least if I say so myself. I’m just wondering whether this is a one on one match or will The Miz and AJ Styles need a little warm-up before their own matches.
RENEE YOUNG
So you’re saying the remainder of The Trilogy are on your mind? Are they the most dominant group around? So how would you expect this match to go?
SAMI ZAYN
I think if you put anyone else in my situation they’d be thinking the same thing, but it’s not just me really is it Renee? I’ve been handed Ted DiBiase, Austin Aries has AJ Styles and Dolph has The Miz so I’m pretty sure they’re thinking about The Trilogy as well and the threat they bring. Well, I say threat I think these attacks aren’t really about asserting dominance and doing what they believe is right, I believe it’s more…trying to stay relevant. But at the same time, they’re dangerous and they’re a bad influence. They are dangerous, we’ve seen some dangerous groups such as The Shield, but I think based on talent I’d say The Beautiful People are deceivingly dangerous…again Ted drags them down. The match, I think, no sorry; I know I am a better wrestler slash superstar than Ted DiBiase so really if you take The Trilogy out of the equation, I expect that I walk down that ramp down there, I get the fans behind me and I kick Ted into next week and walk out the winner. I wish it was as easy as that Renee, because with AJ Styles and The Miz just lurking in the shadows, I fully expect them to show their faces just when I’m about to win, so right now I honestly can’t say what I expect to happen, you’d be better off asking Ted DiBiase as it seems he seems to be the messenger boy of the group anyway.
RENEE YOUNG
I see, well we’ll have to wait and see what unfolds a little later on but some strong words from Sami Zayn there; looking at some of the Tweets you guys have been sending in, the common trend here is in fact the threat The Trilogy are, and the fact that fans are predicting Ted DiBiase will be ‘too good’ for Sami Zayn tonight obviously being a former world champion and experienced seems to be swaying the fans minds and the popularity but let’s hope we see a great match to go with that…
SAMI ZAYN
H…hold on, I don’t really think the popularity has anything do with it, I mean of course he’s been here longer so he’s achieved more but I believe if we joined at the exact same time I’d probably achieve more because…well I can actually wrestle and perform inside that ring so I doubt ‘Tweets’ are something to judge but thanks to the fans for their opinions anyway, I guess I will have to uh, address this situation and match a little later on if I can pull some favours and get some well-deserved microphone time.
RENEE YOUNG
Let’s hope so it will be interesting to see what both men have to say and of course we’re interested in what YOU have to say as well so keep those Tweets coming in and we’ll get to them after this short commercial break.
The cameras then went to commercial as Sami unhooked the microphone from his shirt and shook the hands of the panel before leaving the pre-show area so he can go and prepare for his match which will take place in a short while.
_ - - - - - - -
It’s Monday Night Warfare and we’re already two matches into the evening where Kane and Mankind as well as Raven and Bo Dallas all competed. Before the third match can begin the fans hear Worlds Apart blast the PA system and they begin to cheer once they realise it is the theme music for Sami Zayn. They begin to clap to the beat as they do every single week. Eventually Sami slides on to the stage nodding his head and pointing to the crowd in different parts of the arena, before clapping and jogging down the ramp to get to the ring. He got inside and acknowledged the crowd in attendance, thanking them for their support before asking for a microphone which he quickly received. He walked around the ring, smiling as he waited for his music to stop playing and in due course it did before Sami raised the microphone and started to speak.
SAMI ZAYN
You guys remind me why I always loved competing in San Antonio, how are you all doing tonight? That’s great, sounds like you’re having fun. Someone who had fun last night is me, now before you assume you went out and got drunk out of my skull and picked up a chick, no that didn’t happen, yeah shocker right with my beautiful face; ha. No, I had fun last night in this very ring against Justin Gabriel, and I hope you guys will turn up when I compete for the Intercontinental Championship because I want to be a champion YOU guys are proud of and will want to see every single week. But enough about what I achieved last night let’s talk about tonight, more specifically the next match where I will take on Ted DiBiase. Now last night I saw the posts everywhere and on my Twitter about how good Ted is, do you respect Ted? Why is Ted so much better than you? A question I’m asking myself as well, and yeah it works me up a little but words like that won’t change anything will it? I…hold on…
Sami dropped the microphone on the mat before leaving the ring, he lifted the apron from under the ring and brought out a steel chair as the fans cheered, and he hopped back into the ring and set it up in the middle before sitting on it. He lifted the microphone from the canvas before talking to the crowd once more.
SAMI ZAYN
I have a feeling this could take a little while, not only that but I might hurt Ted’s feelings and he may decide to bring out his boss AJ Styles and the other one, The Miz and this steel chair could come real handy if it comes to that. Anyway, nothing changes through words because tonight I will prove and I will show to everyone that that The Trilogy – as good as they are as a unit – are weak when they are separated. What was it, do I have respect for Ted DiBiase? Of course I do, this man, this legend has left his legacy in the wrestling world for the rest of us to follow of course I respect him. Ted junior on the other hand, the man rinsing his Dad’s legacy, the money, the popularity of being a big star’s kid. You’d think if anything he could have done with the DiBiase money he’d have bought himself some real wrestling lessons rather than grooming himself to look like a wrestler; just tagging along with AJ Styles because he’s someone that CAN in fact hold his own and wrestle. However, I won’t take anything away from you Ted, you’re a former champion here…bravo. But what a fall from grace you’ve had, going back to the playground group where you had the most fun and you had the most success because little Teddy can’t do it himself in the big leagues, he needs Daddy AJ to hold his hand guide him to the top because I know just how difficult the concept of hard work is for you especially when you probably have a bunch of blank cheques in your back pocket. You just don’t get it, you were very good when you were champion Ted, but times have changed now. The EBWF has opened its doors to the smaller but more talented wrestlers who are here to legitimise this company as a wrestling promotion, play time is over; so please enjoy your time in The Trilogy while it lasts. I’m not saying it’s the end of the group, no because I believe it’s the most dominant group this company has ever seen; it’s just I’ve realised you’re not a big threat, and in due time The Miz and AJ Styles will realise you’re lacking, you’re dragging them down and just like you three have been doing to all the guys at the back, they’d pounce on you in f lash and you won’t know what has hit you. That starts tonight Ted, because you think I’m a nobody, AJ and Miz will be disgusted to see you laying here in his ring having lost to me, and you’ll no longer be around if they get their way. We have AJ Styles, one of the greatest wrestlers of our generation, the leader of The Trilogy, he can talk the talk and he can walk the walk and he does that every week. We have The Miz, the loudmouth, the voice of the group because his motor never seems to run out and I bet he's glad he wasn't crowned champion last night, his reign would have been very short lives... and then we have…Ted Dibiase. Hmm, I…I’m lost as to what you have to offer in this triple partnership you three got going on, what do you just pay for drinks and food when you’re out? Are you there to buy them fancy cars so they don’t kick you out of your little exclusive club? Is it the American Express cards? Is it the birthday gifts? What, please tonight once I’ve beaten you tell me what your role is that’s keeping you with them for this long, it baffles me that you’re in the spotlight more than I am, they talk about you more than they talk about how good my last performance was yet I am everything you should be, albeit I’d keep your looks if I was you to I mean we can’t all be perfect.
Sami laughed to himself a little as the fans laughed along with him and chanted his name; before he raised the microphone as he wasn’t finished there.
SAMI ZAYN
Am I afraid of The Trilogy? Nope, but can they kick my ass? Every single night, WILL they kick my ass tonight? Hmm, well I guess that’s a question I should be asking them; if they’re listening, should I expect the three of you beating down on me? I think so, because they won’t let me beat Ted DiBiase this easily, but the inevitable will happen, I will hit the Helluva Kick on Ted and I will defeat him, and I will stand on that stage and look down into this ring and look at The Trilogy as a reminder that the times have changed, it’s time for the old guard to step down and let me go on my way to becoming the number one guy in the company; I’m THAT confident tonight. I think…the differences between me and Ted are that one, I can actually wrestle and two; I don’t need two other men beside me to stay relevant or to win matches because I prefer to do that on my own and create my own legacy. When you’ve retired Ted and the younger fans are looking back at the records and they see your name, they won’t remember you for your World Title wins or any other championships, they’ll remember you as the third guy from The Trilogy, because that’s what everyone here and backstage is thinking, I’m just saying it and it’ll probably result in me getting my ass kicked but I’ve had enough of those playground beatings as a kid so I doubt tonight will be any different. Ted, you’re the laughing stock, hanging on to something which doesn’t exist and I’ll expose it tonight, the only other thing I don’t want to see happening is Austin Aries getting jumped by the three of you, and the same for Dolph because those two have done nothing wrong and you’ll end up jumping them because they’ll probably win tonight as well. I’m not saying I need them, or they need me, but if push comes to shove I won’t hesitate coming down this ramp and stopping the three of you to help the others because it’s getting ridiculous now.
Fans continued to cheer as Sami turned a little more serious about Ted DiBiase, and just how much he wanted to beat him.
SAMI ZAYN
Ted, it’s not about me wanting to beat you it’s about me needing to beat you, for the good of my own career. Just imagine, beating a former World Champion this early? I can already taste that victory Ted and I’m already winning, I’m already a step ahead because the reason you go out and you attack guys like me is because they’re better than you, the reason I’ll probably need hospital treatment after our match is because you’ll get your buddies to jump me because you can’t handle the fact that I’m better than you, and you can’t handle that and these cheers show these fans know I’m right as well, Ted. There’s no goal, you don’t have any aspirations to be the best here and you’re just clogging up the opportunities for the rest of us, tonight I’ll change that and very soon your downfall will be the downfall of The Trilogy, the guys at the back won’t be competing with one eye on that ramp waiting for you to ambush them and we’ll go back to normality, at the same time I don’t think there’s any shame to losing to the next Intercontinental Champion. Usually I love delivering a good kick to the jaw and watching them fall like a tree in a forest, but with you...that feeling...that urge to kick you just isn’t there as much as I thought it would be, perhaps the Koji Clutch will need to make an appearance because watching you tap, watching you submit and begging me to release the devastating hold would be a lot more satisfying; as soon as you tap it would signal that you’re nothing. Tonight you don’t need to worry about your two friends, you need to worry about your own legacy because I’m stopping nothing short of ending you and walking up the ramp as the victor, as the number one contender and one day, as the next Intercontinental Champion; it’s as simple as that.
Sami Zayn dropped the microphone as he stood up and folded the chair back up again, he didn’t let go of it, holding the steel chair with him just in case he was to be attacked from behind from any one of the three men. His music played as fans cheered for Sami Zayn whilst he patiently waited for Ted DiBiase to make his way to the ring.