JIM ROSS
Wait a minute, a roll up! Solomon Crowe steals it! Solomon Crowe defeats Ted DiBiase!
JERRY LAWLER
I don’t know whether this is good news, JR! In less than a week he takes on Dolph Ziggler for the EBWF World Championship!
JIM ROSS
You’re right King, momentum has shifted this young man’s way and this was an important victory and one way or another he found a way to win again, let me tell you; you don’t want to miss Death Before Dishonor this Sunday.
JERRY LAWLER
Here’s hoping Dolph Ziggler can halt his momentum and pick up a win of his own later tonight!
And he did, in fact both men picked up vital victories against their respective opponents. Solomon Crowe managed to overcome a resilient and in-form Ted DiBiase whilst Dolph Ziggler defeated Bad News Barrett in the main event, so the stage was set for Sunday and Solomon Crowe would get his long-awaited rematch. Having lost his title in the Elimination Chamber at Fallout, coming agonisingly close against AJ Styles, he defended his rematch against Chris Jericho at Aftermath and after the long journey he would finally get Dolph Ziggler in the middle of the ring, making it the first time he would meet the show off in the middle of the ring, and he would settle for nothing less than re-capturing the championship he believed he should have never lost in the first place and in less than a week we would find out whether Solomon Crowe was correct, or whether Dolph Ziggler was in fact the worthy champion, only time would tell.
The bell rang for the close of the match and Crowe was clearly happy and his sadistic smile showed it, he rolled out of the ring to watch the carnage left behind inside of the ring with The Rock and Ted DiBiase. Fans let their feelings be known to Crowe who practically stole the win from under DiBiase’s nose and he laughed at each of them whilst looking on to see the action taking place in the ring, laughing as he watched it all unfold. He held his neck and was limping backwards as he watched on, hinting that he was hurt and fans were enjoying the fact that Crowe was suffering, but he had the last laugh as he proved he was joking about the injuries he sustained, cracking his neck and walking perfectly fine as the boo’s continued, playing off his ‘injuries’ and made it seem like the win was a walk in the park. He stood on the stage and nodded his head, knowing that the next time he would see these fans on a televised show would be at Death Before Dishonor. Crowe walked through the curtain as the evening continued and he made his way to his locker room, mingling with some of the EBWF personnel who were standing backstage before finally reaching his locker room. He walked through the door and breathed a huge sigh of relief and started to exhale, letting out all of that soaked energy from the arena before picking up the remote and turning up the volume on the television set to watch the closing stages of the match between Tyler Breeze and Trent, and then paid closer attention when Wes Ikeda was on his screen, sitting back and enjoying the promo between the boss and one of the companies most dedicated workers in John Cena. As he continued to recover, drinking through a number of bottles of water as well as pouring them over his head to cool himself down, there was a knock on the door and he grabbed a towel and wiped away the water, looking a tiny but more presentable.
SAM JOHNSTON
Come in.
The door slowly opened and a head popped in and looked around, it was a producer for the show who finally noticed Crowe sitting in the corner watching the television. He walked in with a smile on his face and a headset on, pieces of paper were falling on to the floor as he clumsily tried to pick them up and approached Crowe, placing them on the table and shaking his hand.
PRODUCER
Hey Sam, glad I caught you at last, good match out there, what time are you leaving?
SAM JOHNSTON
I’m planning on watching the rest of the show and then heading to the HQ, why?
PRODUCER
Oh good so you know what your schedule is this week then?
SAM JOHNSTON
Actually no I don’t, I’m guessing The Crowe’s Nest is still on, what else am I going to HQ for?
PRODUCER
Well you have your interviews, the photoshoots for Death Before Dishonor, then your agent has given me a list of your personal appearances so I’m forced to remind you to keep yourself and your comments in check.
SAM JOHNSTON
I know, I know, I hear this all the time; I’ll behave. So I’m HQ for quite a while then, who’s the interview with?
PRODUCER
Right now as far as I can see you’re slated to appear with either Renee, JR or Jerry, I’ll e-mail you the details when I hear more. Has anyone been through the outcome for Sunday with you?
SAM JOHNSTON
Sounds good, I enjoyed working with JR, try and make that happen again. And no, not yet, I completely forgot about that. I don’t think I can meet Dolph tonight with him being in the main event and me needing to leave soon, I’ll get in contact with one of you later in the week, set up a meeting and we’ll see what management decides, and after that I’ll sit down with Dolph and we’ll run through the spots.
PRODUCER
Do you want me to ask Dolph to help you out a little bit? Show you the ropes, I mean you haven’t worked with him yet and I think it’ll be helpful for you.
Sam looked up for a brief moment at the producer and took in his comments, he leaned back in his chair, pulling on his long-ish goatee and watching the television again.
SAM JOHNSTON
I appreciate you’re here doing your job and helping me out with the boring details such as my schedule and trying to hold my hand but when I need his help, I still won’t ask for it so no, I don’t want you to go and ask Dolph to help me, it’s a match, we’re not planning a bank heist. You do realise how long I’ve been doing this, right? Nobody needs to show me the ropes, let alone someone who started wrestling professionally a year before I did. So next time you come in here, don’t try giving me any suggestions, when I need help or assistance I’ll ask someone, YOU don’t worry about what YOU think might be helpful for me, understand?
The producer hesitated a little and hesitated a little before replying, realising that he hit a nerve with Crowe and didn’t want to cause any unnecessary commotion.
PRODUCER
Sam, Sam, Sam you have me all wrong, I didn’t mean it that way, I just thought with Dolph being at the top he has the experience and maybe he might be able to give you tips and…
SAM JOHNSTON
Please, just keep that mouth shut, please. Or at least think before you speak, are you sure someone didn’t send you here just to wind me up? Because you’re really, really beginning to piss me off and that asshole I play on TV is nothing compared to what I’m like when I’m pissed, y’uderstand? I don’t understand this sudden fascination with Dolph, if you care for him so much why don’t you go follow him around and leave me alone. He’s just as experienced as I am and unless you’re new here you probably already know I held that title before he did and he was here long before I was, so I should give him tips about how to be a champion, not the other way round, so I would appreciate it if you left the papers I need, and walk out, thank you, but we’ll see who needs help when I kick his ass, asshole.
The producer eventually gave up trying to ‘help’ Sam, instead he turned around shaking his head in frustration as Sam continued to watch the episode of Warfare on the television; clearly agitated by the comments the producer had made, but Sam was never going to go down without a fight, he believed he had impressed since the day he arrived and he had already done enough to prove he was worthy of being the champion on one occasion, and he faced an even bigger task to persuade the hierarchy he has done enough to hold the prestigious title for a second time and with Dolph Ziggler in the opposite corner, it was going to me a mammoth task, one he was definitely cherishing even though his face in the locker room didn’t show it.
- - - - - - -
Friday March 22 2013 – PWG All Star Weekend – American Legion Post #308 – Reseda; California
The Pro Wrestling Guerrilla All Star Weekend was set to kick off in under five hours, the American Legion Post #308 was playing host to highly anticipated event and the night was going to be headlined by Drake Younger and Sami Callihan, a number one contender match for the World Championship and it would be contested in a Guerrilla Warfare match, and it was going to be brutal. The superstars and divas involved with the show continued to arrive throughout the day and outside of the arena, the die-hard independent fans were already queueing up behind the steel barricades that had been set up by the security to keep it safer, and for hours they continued to chant as they witnessed one star after another arrive to the building. Another big name arrived shortly after, a black SUV pulled up with tinted windows as fans waited to see who it was, and from one side the fans managed to see and the immense cheers started, the door shut and the car drove away as three or four individuals stepped out, and stuck in the middle was the man involved in the main event, Sami Callihan. But there was a different feeling in the air, there would be blood, bones broken, injuries, weapons and more blood; but fans knew the situation, and they knew it for weeks, in fact it was the reason Sami Callihan had arrived earlier than usual, he had a meeting with one of the PWG owners, Marc Letzmann. Sami Callihan walked through the hectic crowd at the front and a number of small chants started and he couldn’t help but smile, ranging from ‘Sami Callihan’ to ‘Sign the contract’, but he didn’t respond to any of them, he knew his loyal fans would have been disappointed and in his mind he had already made his decision and it was time to meet Letzmann to thrash out the situation before the event begins. After hanging out and getting familiar with his locker room, there was only an hour left until the start of the show which meant it was time for his meeting with Letzmann, he zipped up his bag and breathed out in nervousness and made his way to the make-shift office, and for thirty minutes he went back and forth with the boss and he eventually reached a decision.
MARC LETZMANN
Listen Sam, we’ve been here for over thirty minutes now, there’s thirty minutes left until the show so I need to pressure you a little more, the contract expires tonight, you’re not willing to negotiate?
SAM JOHNSTON
I don’t know what I want for myself, man. I’ve never been in THIS kind of situation, sure I move around week after week, promotion to promotion but now, NOW it’s a little more serious and I need to start thinking what’s good for me, and my future and my family in a couple of years, and at the same time…listen…they’re chanting Sami Callihan and that’s something I would miss, but I feel I need to go.
MARC LETZMANN
I know, it’s not easy, you’re still young and this can be overwhelming, but you’re one of the best we’ve had…ever. You’d be a huge loss to us, think about where you want to go, how will you be used? You know what guys like you are treated as, at the bottom of the pile regardless of how talented you are, here you are loved, adored and look…on the verge of a championship, again.
SAM JOHNSTON
And this company would be a huge loss to me, but I know these fans would follow me over to wherever I go next. Look Marc…Mox went when he had the chance and look at him, he’s got the world at his feet, I became who I am today with him by my side and obviously I’m happy for him, couldn’t have happened to a better person, but I feel like it’s about time I am at the stage too, I deserve that and I don’t want to stick around and think, what if.
MARC LETZMANN
I hear what you’re saying, but now let’s not talk boss to employee, let me talk to you like a friend, like a brother…you have that WWE offer on the table, I say you sign that deal. No, listen, don’t interrupt me now, they have offered you that contract, go down to their performance centre, work your butt off, compete on NXT and move up, go, do it, they’re offering you the money too and a stable future, it’s a risk but I know that move suits you.
SAM JOHNSTON
Yeah, but…
MARC LETZMANN
Listen kid, I know you have your heart set on the EBWF, and for your sake I did put some calls in and they said they’d get back to me, but I don’t want to promise you anything that won’t come true and you’ll be disappointed, you’ve been on my case, I’ve been on their case, if…the EBWF were interested in signing you, I think they would have made a move by now. I don’t want you rejecting this contract in front of you, and rejecting the WWE’s offer and then realising the EBWF won’t be knocking on your door any time soon, it’s not a fairytale world, stop holding out for the EBWF, either sign that WWE deal and claw your way to the top in years to come – IF it happens. Or, sign this deal in front of you, what you’re accustomed to, be Sami Callihan, and the decision to have you win tonight stands and you’ll take on Cole tomorrow night.
He picked up the contract and looked over it, clearly occupied elsewhere before dropping the contract on the table again, putting his head in his hands and thinking, hard about what his next move should be.
SAM JOHNSTON
I know, nothing in this world is given to you, look at me. I’m not exactly what you expect from the face of the company, but I am better, I’m better than half of those WWE guys and half of those EBWF guys, who is their champion now? Yeah, Phil Brooks and look where he started, he started where I did and I can bet you he was sitting right where I am when Ring of Honor wanted to keep him, I know I can defeat him, I know I can outwork anybody from the pure wrestlers in Punk and Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins and AJ Styles, or even your pretty boys in Dolph Ziggler and Ted DiBiase; I KNOW I can beat them and I KNOW I am better, but I can’t do anything competing here. I gotta take that risk man.
MARC LETZMANN
And…what happens when the EBWF do eventually contact you and tell you, sorry kid, we’re not interested.
SAM JOHNSTON
I guess you’re right, I’d rather be doing something than nothing and the WWE, well, they’re stiff competition for the EBWF, I guess I’ve made my decision then.
MARC LETZMANN
Well then…it seems like you’ve made your mind up, I can’t hide the fact that I’m disappointed you haven’t re-signed, but good luck in whatever happens, you don’t worry about that now, I’ll go let your agent know to tell the WWE you’ll sign that deal…we’ll still be here for you whenever you need us. Well…that means Drake gets the win over you tonight, we’ll get him to hit the Kudoh Driver through a chair, let you leave with a bang, and…I think it’s best if you tell the fans, rather than a press release, they love you, it’d mean a lot.
He nodded his head as he was unable to speak, making a big decision on his future, he stood up from his chair and hugged Letzmann, before wiping his face and his eyes and leaving the office.
After a brutal match with Drake Younger, it was the Kudoh Driver through the chair which meant Sami Callihan would leave the company with a loss. After the ring was cleared from all of the thumbtacks and other weapons, Callihan received a microphone and sat in the corner, laughing as he heard his name being chanted throughout the room. It was clear now, he had a microphone in his hand and PWG talent were near the stage, so it didn’t look good for his fans who hoped he would stay.
SAMI CALLIHAN
No, no, no, no sad faces, no crying you pussies, this isn’t the end.
The crowd cheered and chanted his name again as he smiled, wiping away the blood pouring from his face before continuing.
SAMI CALLIHAN
So, I guess you and I have something to talk about, don’t we? You guys are the reason the independent scene is alive and kicking, you guys put food on my table and give me a roof over my head, so for that I thank you for coming to watch my useless ass kill myself slowly inside of this ring. Seth Rollins…CM Punk…Daniel Bryan…Sami Zayn…Dean fucking Ambrose…all of these guys started where I did and look at them now, flourishing and that’s all down to you. You see guys like me, guys like Mox and Tyler and Generico and Punk we’re not…normal. We’re ugly as fuck, we’re smaller, we’re just normal. But those guys are breaking barriers, they’re winning championships, they’re proving that you don’t need to be a jacked up son of a bitch to be the man, you don’t need to have the looks or anything like that, you don’t need to be John Cena, you don’t need to be Brock Lesnar, you don’t need to be Dolph Ziggler or anyone like that, because with fans like you selling out THEIR arenas, guys like me are destined to succeed. They left for better things, and…it’s about time I do the same.
Boos echoed throughout the room as they couldn’t hide their disappointment, and in his own voice it was clear it was upsetting, but he wouldn’t let it get the better of him.
SAMI CALLIHAN
This is supposed to be a happy occasion! One of your own is…well…graduating. I have offers I need to look over, there are tonnes of guys at the back who will fill that void, but as I said this isn’t the end, I know I’ll see all of you crazy bastard in the big arenas in New York and in Los Angeles and in Philadelphia and in Dallas and every fucking where! And I promise you all, you’ll never see Sami Callihan with a frown on his face, lost in the pack, he’ll be at the top, he’ll break that mould and he’ll prove everyone wrong, he will be the World Champion, I promise you. Now before I leave for the last time, I have a few things to ask you…do we like John Cena?!
FANS
NO!
SAMI CALLIHAN
Do we like Dolph Ziggler?!
FANS
FUCK NO!
SAMI CALLIHAN
Do you like Sami Callihan?!
FANS
YES!
SAMI CALLIHAN
Is he going to be a World Champion?!
FANS
FUCK YES!
The fans started to chant his name as he waved at the crowd on his way out of the ring for the final time, before leaving he had one final message for his loyal following.
SAMI CALLIHAN
I hope you all enjoyed the evening and the Guerrilla Warfare match…Warfare…here’s hoping I can get used to that one day.
He disappeared through the curtain, fixated on the word Warfare as he concluded the evening, Bad Things by Wednesday 13 played again for the final time as the Sami Callihan chapter was closed for now as he was adamant he would achieve greatness one day and would take down the giants of the company, from John Cena to Dolph Ziggler to Randy Orton, anyone and everyone who would try stopping him.
- - - - - - -
Saturday May 31 2014 – EBWF Headquarters – St. Louis; Missouri
Sami Callihan left the independent scene a content man, it was clear he wanted the move to the EBWF but at this time last year, they simply weren’t interested. He went on to sign with the WWE, training at the performance centre to get into the best shape of his life. Gaining attention and competed in a number of house shows where his stock slowly started to rise, but his appearances on NXT were less than limited, and once again his career was at a standstill because the WWE hierarchy couldn’t see much potential in him to move him up to the main roster and as the time went on his frustrations continued to grow, and his short stint in the WWE was slowly coming to an end even if nothing official had been announced. Surprisingly, he did receive a response from the EBWF a couple of days after it was being rumoured on dirt sheets that the WWE still wanted to keep him but at the same time, other parties were also interested, mainly because the parties knew how much the IWC and other fans loved Sam Johnston and what he did, and there was no way he was going to commit himself to the WWE without meeting with the company who didn’t come knocking a year earlier, the EBWF. On this Thursday afternoon, Sam Johnston was sat inside an office inside of EBWF Headquarters, looking around the room and twiddling his thumbs, waiting for someone to enter the room and meet him. He looked up at the pictures which were hanging on the four walls, great shots of some of the current EBWF stars in John Cena, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, Wes Ikeda, AJ Styles and Randy Orton all great and proud in the pictures, something as simple as that is what Sam Johnston wanted, he appreciated the support from the fans on the smaller scale but he too have his picture hanging on walls, being a name on fans’ lips, being a star attraction, being the man, being the champion. All of these thoughts continued to run through his head as the tension continued to build, until eventually the door swung open and Sam looked over his shoulder to see none other than Chris Jericho look directly at him.
CHRIS JERICHO
Hey, Sam. How are you?
Chris offered his hand to Sam. Sam looked down at Jericho’s hand and was extremely close to making the rookie mistake of going full fangirl mode, instead he nodded his head and gulped, nervously but didn’t let it show on his face.
SAM JOHNSTON
I’m great, you know when they said I’ll be in a meeting with someone from the board I thought it would be one of the many suits you guys have employed, not you.
The two smiled as Sam took a seat, still tapping on the desk before leaning back and talking to Jericho.
SAM JOHNSTON
Look, I gotta say…if you’re actually going to offer me the contract then I’ll sign it right now, I don’t want my big mouth to jeopardise my chances of joining the company. But, I know you guys knew I wanted to come here last year and there was no contract offer then…what’s changed?
He sat back, looking at Jericho and awaiting his response.
CHRIS JERICHO
Honestly, not a lot has changed. We were interested in you last year, like you said, but we never made an offer. Before we could, you signed for WWE. We're still interested; we still want you to be part of EBWF. We don't want to miss our chance again.
Sam nodded in agreement, accepting what Chris Jericho had to say but it was clear that he wasn't simply going to sign on a dotted line right away.
SAM JOHNSTON
Well...I'm glad you guys are still interested. But as you know the WWE were interested last year, and look what happened there, I couldn't catch a break. Nobody believed in me there and I was in developmental, stuck on house shows, hardly on television. I'm sure you can understand where this is headed, I don't want to sign and be stuck at the bottom again. I need to know that if you give me full control of what I do, what I say, what I wear, control of everything...you show me faith, and I promise you that given any opportunity I will be the number one star in this company, holding championships, better than John Cena, better than CM Punk, better than Dolph Ziggler, better than everyone.
His bold statement was exactly that, borderline cocky. But he had been doing this for so long that he believed in his talents, he was confident and all he needed was someone to put the faith in him and he would do his best to repay them putting that risk in. He stared at Jericho who nodded, taking in everything Sam was saying to him.
CHRIS JERICHO
I can't promise you full control, Sam - that's not how we work. But what I can promise you is that your ideas will be listened to. Because in case you haven't already noticed, we don't work like WWE. We don't take guys on, change their name and repackage them into something completely different... we like to play to people's strengths, and that means taking their input into consideration. Every EBWF superstar and diva gets a say on their character, and you will too. We have enough faith in you to listen to your ideas, I just can't guarantee we'll approve them all.
Sam understood what Chris Jericho was getting at, he was new, young and any risk was a big risk. He had his ideas and it looked as if Jericho was willing to listen to him.
SAM JOHNSTON
I know I'm a huge risk, I've not really accomplished much on the big stage and I get that, I'm also not stupid. I know that there are going to be people on the board and superstars on the roster who think I don't belong here. But look, you took a risk with Dean Ambrose, you took a risk with Dolph Ziggler, and the fact is you'll continue to take risks. I know I'm better than them, and I can promise you that this time next year, I will be a World Champion contender and that will all be down to you. To be quite honest, I need to be an asshole, I need people to hate me, I need to be extreme. You have nothing to lose, either I prove people right and fail and you'll let me go within a year, or I prove people wrong and I do what I say I will, become World Champion and people will applaud YOU for signing me to this company, if you can tell me now you have that faith in me, I will sign that contract.
Sam was defiant, he knew what he wanted and knew that under the guidance of Jericho he would achieve that goal, and if he wasn't able to make a name for himself and the company, he would walk away. He looked at Jericho who smiled.
CHRIS JERICHO
If I didn't have faith in you, Sam, do you think I'd be sat here right now? I could have sent one of the many suits, as you said.
Sam laughed to himself and agreed with what Jericho had said to him.
SAM JOHNSTON
Well then, where do I sign?
Jericho smiled as he slid the contract forwards to Sam, who looked over the pages but it wasn't as if anything would deter him from signing the contract, he quickly signed the contract and put the pen on the contract, sitting back and exhaling. He then put his head in his hands, as he couldn't believe he had just met with Chris Jericho as well as signing a deal with the EBWF.
- - - - - - -
Tuesday May 26 2015 – The Crowe’s Nest – Anonymous Location
The final episode of Warfare before Death before Dishonor was now in the books and the anticipation continued to build towards the main event, the EBWF World Championship match between the champion, Dolph Ziggler and the challenger, Solomon Crowe who was looking to capture the gold for the second time in his short stint in the company. Dolph Ziggler defeated AJ Styles at WrestleMania for the championship, but didn’t defend it at Aftermath and also had to endure a vicious attack by John Cena who turned his back on the fans. But Dolph Ziggler would not have to defend his title for the first time against Crowe; who defeated Chris Jericho at Aftermath with his rematch on the line and fans knew Crowe would stop at nothing to win back the championship and they also knew they would be in for an entertaining and potentially slightly disturbing/creepy/strange ride.
The scene opened up inside of the dark room at the anonymous location, the room adopted by Solomon Crowe, the lair he called home which the fans had become familiar with and it played an integral part in the whole ‘Solomon Crowe’ character. Only sounds of shuffling could be heard for a short while, before footsteps started to reach closer and closer to the microphone and after knocking on the camera, the camera shutter opened and saw Solomon Crowe kneeling down and smiling straight into the lens. His cheesy grin continued as he stood up and slowly walked around his desk and sighed as he sat down on his chair, tapping the desk with his fingers as he smiled, before eventually speaking after a long awkward silence.
SOLOMON CROWE
Today…is a good day. Today, I have a huge smile on my face because I have come to the realisation that this company, needs me more than it has ever needed me before. This company needs me to do the deed, it needs me to do what deep down, all of you want me to do, you all WANT me to defeat Dolph Ziggler, you all NEED me to defeat Dolph Ziggler at Death Before Dishonor, and you know what? For the first time you people will stand up, cheer and applaud the outcome of that match, because they will realise that Dolph Ziggler had it easy all along. They will realise that they were stupid enough to cheer for him every single night, every single week of the year for no reason whatsoever, they will finally realise that Dolph Ziggler…is no champion. But this is no ordinary match, oh no…I mean, I could make Dolph Ziggler extinct just like that, but now it is a little different than it was many moons ago, Mr. Ziggler is supposedly THE man, the man superior to all of us, the man we all need to fear, the man we all need to respect and bow down to, the man who cannot be beaten around here, the man more impressive than all of us in every single aspect, the man too “cool” to be in our presence, and yet you all cheer him? Think about it, does Dolph Ziggler actually give the fans what they want? Or is he another selfish, cocky, arrogant wannabe who has been brown-nosing the right people to get where he is today. Whereas I, I am a common man like all of you, with common problems, somebody relatable and somebody you would not even recognise in the street, somebody you would not hesitate in approaching, yet you sit there and call for my head? Every single match, every single opponent whether it be CM Punk or Ted DiBiase, you sit there and cheer when they try and hurt me, why? But when the roles are reversed, and somebody like Dolph Ziggler is having his face pounded in over and over, then you boo and hope he is okay and pray that he is feeling better and not in any pain…just so he can get back up and do the same to people like me? You are all just as sick as he is.
Crowe stopped mocking the fans with his fake attempt at a sympathy vote, before laughing into the camera sadistically and leaning forward as if he was whispering something to the listeners.
SOLOMON CROWE
Who am I kidding? I think we all know it…Dolph Ziggler has nothing on me, he cannot defeat me, he cannot cause me any pain and we all know if I drop him and have my way, there is no way he is getting back up, and the sooner you all realise that…the easier that blow will be, the quicker reality will settle in…Dolph Ziggler cannot beat Solomon Crowe, fact. But I will let you in on a little secret though, something we are all not supposed to know, not supposed to believe…Dolph Ziggler is not the number one star in the company. I know, you are shocked aren’t you? Just like Santa is not real, just like the tooth fairy has never existed, just like John Cena is a good wrestler, life is not a fairy tale…so this little run at the top Dolph Ziggler has going on and is enjoying, that is there to make you commoners feel like you too can achieve something in life, but you cannot, the underdogs do not always win, but when they did many years ago, they came in the form of Solomon Crowe and that underdog rose through the fire against all odds and became the feared favourite you all love today. This little run at the top has done nothing to impress me, am I supposed to be shaking in my boots when I read that I am up against the champion? Is little Dolph Ziggler supposed to intimidate me? Am I supposed to train harder than ever? Am I supposed to show him the respect he deserves? He does not deserve my respect, he does not deserve anything but the beating of a lifetime, which I will provide, I am not afraid, I am not intimidated, this is like an ordinary day for me, a walk in the park, I mean ‘Dolph Ziggler’…how can anybody with that sort of name be taken seriously or taken as a threat?
Crowe laughed to himself, continuing to ridicule Dolph Ziggler and making it clear he wasn’t impressed nor threatened by the champion representing the company, and he was sick of being seen as somebody who was inferior to somebody like Dolph Ziggler, that was clear in his laugh, he hated that feeling and would do anything to change it and he’d have the opportunity on Sunday. He then sat back in his chair, in a calmer demeanour he talked into the camera, as if he was urging the fans to see what was right in front of them.
SOLOMON CROWE
The little run, the little hot streak Dolph Ziggler is on has been fun for all of you, because he has all of you thinking that if you try hard enough you can achieve something too, but the reality is you cannot and you will not ever have that feeling. I know how tough it is, how tough it is to see somebody who is not better than you reap the rewards of something he does not deserve, that is reality. Reality is somebody who continued to be overlooked regardless of what he brings to the table, and being kicked down time and time again, not having everything handed to you on a platter, being kicked down and having to climb back up and falling down again, and climbing, and falling, and falling, and falling before finally getting to where you are now after years and years of pain and torture, then you fell that those scars are worth the torture…that is the reality I have seen and have grown accustomed to and on Sunday reality will hit Ziggler right in the face and his world along with all of yours will come crashing down, stop dreaming, wake up, open your eyes and realise that the little people, like Dolph are simply not good enough to ride with me. Dolph got lucky, but how many of you will be able to catch the same break that he did? None of you. I am not here to say you are not good enough, because you and Dolph Ziggler already know that, I am here to ease that blow for when it does happen, when things do not go your way just like they won’t go Dolph’s way on Sunday. But I am positive, I am positive that you people will open your eyes and understand that Dolph Ziggler is no king, he is no champion, he is just like you and me, that he can and he will be beaten and when he does…you will understand that he needed it, that he deserved it more than anyone in this company. Because he has had it easy for far too long, and it is up to me to stop him in his tracks. Death Before Dishonor, it just sounds…painful. Dolph Ziggler does not know what pain is, he has never felt pain like he will on Sunday, being thrown into a table by John Cena is not pain, it is laughable that you were unable to get up…pain. We need pain in life, I have felt pain at every stage in my life, I feel pain when I wake up, I feel pain when I go to sleep, I have the scars to prove it, we need pain Dolph, because that is the thing about pain, it DEMANDS to be felt and you will feel it, I can guarantee it. Have you ever felt my kind of pain Dolph? Have you?! I doubt it, people like you are given everything, let me ask you show-off, what is it exactly that you are showing off? Because I cannot seem to put my finger on it, I cannot understand what makes you better than me, please show me, what are you showing off? These are all simply words to me, back them up, I beg you, and do not use your victory over AJ Styles on me because one on one I proved I can beat him, you are not better than me. But I ask you politely, please show off whatever you can after Sunday, if you are the man you think you are, the man you pretend to be on television, then I want you to turn on up at Warfare he following night, and you can share your physical pain with the thousands in attendance, I want you to show off…your scars you will suffer, display them proudly, continue displaying your stupid grin, try smiling because when your jaw is wired shut after the event believe me it will be very, very difficult for you to show that pretty face of yours around here.
Crowe stood up as he exhaled, clearly done with whatever he had to say and had a number of warnings for Dolph Ziggler, he wasn’t going to remain champion much longer. He approached the camera and leaned down to turn the ‘off’ button, before he did he started wagging his finger, mockingly.
SOLOMON CROWE
No more pretending to steal the show, Mr. Ziggler.
The camera then turned off as Crowe pressed the button, if fans knew Crowe before a big match then they would be aware that this definitely wasn’t the end and he would be back, doing whatever he could to be the biggest villain in the company, piss the fans and Dolph Ziggler off and entertain the fans in the twisted manner he was used to.
- - - - - - -
Wednesday May 27 2015 – EBWF Headquarters – Media Department
The build-up to the highly anticipated Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view continued and after finishing the first day of shooting The Crowe’s Nest, Sam Johnston was back into the Solomon Crowe attire and back at the EBWF Headquarters to shoot an interview with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. He had never worked with Jerry before so that alone was something exciting for him but he knew he couldn’t let that get the better of what he had to do in the segment which would be shown at a later date, before the pay-per-view. The two had been talking for a while on set as they ran through what they had to say, getting their make-up on and were getting their microphone clipped on until the producer gave them the heads up that the interview would begin any second. The two of them got into place, sitting almost opposite one another in a room which was made darker on purpose with red lights in the background to create a tense atmosphere, eventually after a brief moment of waiting, they were given the signal to begin.
JERRY LAWLER
Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, the number one contender to the EBWF Championship…Solomon Crowe.
The camera switched to the opposite side where Solomon Crowe was seen sitting back into the chair, comfortable as he smiled and nodded; acknowledging Jerry and the introduction.
JERRY LAWLER
Well uh…Solomon, it’s great to have you with us here in this EBWF exclusive. I guess we will start with you, your thoughts on your match, your status in the company, how you…
SOLOMON CROWE
Jerry, I can see it, it is written all over your face and it is written on the faces of all of these producers and cameraman all standing worryingly behind their cameras, you are asking…why you? Why did Solomon Crowe choose Jerry Lawler to sit with him? Well Mr. Lawler, the truth is you are quite similar to me, I am not saying you are superior competitor, the best in the world who is on the brink of killing Dolph Ziggler and taking the EBWF World Championship…what I am saying is you are great at what you do but you are always hidden behind the ones forced down our throats, Todd Grisham, Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Renee Young. Whereas for quite a while, Solomon Crowe was that hidden gem, being forced to hide behind the ones forced down our throats, Randy Orton, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler; and I have already taken care of one of the viruses in the company and it will not be long until I eradicate another. But Mr. Lawler, I also asked specifically for you because I know it was supposed to be Jim Ross, but I feel you still find it difficult to understand me. You see, I see and hear everything, that includes what Dolph Ziggler does on his days off, but whenever you are on that announcer’s desk, I hear things, I hear Jim Ross praising me, knowing I am the future of this company, but you…you choose to side with people like Dolph Ziggler, and I hope that by spending time with me you are able to understand me a little bit better.
JERRY LAWLER
So what you’re saying is, you will try to brainwash me?
Crowe laughed a little as he straightened out his suit and shuffled in his seat, sitting in a position where it was clear he would be here a while.
SOLOMON CROWE
Me? Brainwash? That is where the problem lies, assumptions…always assume that assumptions are wrong Mr. Lawler. I am here to speak the stone cold facts like I always do, your long-time friend Jim Ross appreciates what I do, okay maybe my tactics are a little…frowned upon, but they are legal, I play things by the book, just like I will on Sunday and the next time we are here you will acknowledge me as the EBWF Champion, Solomon Crowe.
JERRY LAWLER
Well, I’ll certainly take all of that on board, now let’s get back on track here and talk about Dolph Ziggler, your thoughts on the match and how you’re preparing for this huge occasion?
SOLOMON CROWE
I think that question is one that Dolph Ziggler needs to answer, I would love to hear his answer. You see Jerry my thoughts on this match are that I will listen to my theme song, I will walk down that ramp, I will look Dolph Ziggler in the eye, I will bash his skull into the ring post amongst other fun activities, listen to his little helpless cries before taking back the championship I own. The fact is, Solomon Crowe does not need Dolph Ziggler, in fact Dolph Ziggler needs Solomon Crowe, he needs him a lot. Because right now it is official, Dolph Ziggler is the worst World Champion this company has ever seen, he is only champion on paper, he has done absolutely nothing which shows that he is the champion, in fact he is the same little Dolph everyone was sick of before he became the so-called champion of the world, whereas I was THE champion, the shock factor, a number of title defences and Dolph Ziggler knows a match against Solomon Crowe will make him a relevant champion, he needs me, I do now and will never need Dolph Ziggler. It is as simple as that, ask him and you will know it, the problem with Dolph Ziggler is the arrogance, and I admit I am an arrogant son of a bitch too but I actually have something to be arrogant about, because I am that good, I am a champion, a born champion, I am that good, Dolph Ziggler only says it with his big fucking mouth, I actually show it…you like art don’t you Jerry?
JERRY LAWLER
Well yeah…I mean I certainly enjoy it and…
SOLOMON CROWE
Well that is fantastic isn’t it? Now we are getting somewhere! You see, this is another hobby we have that is similar! You are an artist just like I am, it is just that my sort of art is a little more pleasurable and, more exciting. You put pencil to paper, I put body to canvas, I create art inside of that ring, and some people say I overuse the colour red but I think blood red is important to any piece of art, it just sticks in your mind, creating a sight you can never forget, and you know me, I like to leave a lasting memory and that is what I plan on doing with Dolph Ziggler.
JERRY LAWLER
Well you certainly talk a good game, but it can be argued that Dolph Ziggler has every single advantage heading into this match, and a game plan too, what if on that night his game plan ends up beating yours?
SOLOMON CROWE
Ha-ha, very amusing Jerry but everyone has a plan…until you get punched in the face. You see I am a lunatic, a lunatic on the brink of destruction when I do not get things my way, but the different is Dolph talks a good game to get where he is but I talk a lot more and I do something to back it up. Dolph Ziggler is somebody who…seeks approval, he NEEDS to know he means something in this business, he NEEDS women by his side, if he is alone he knows he amounts to nothing but in my mind he is already nothing, a nobody with a smug attitude which the entire locker room hates, so technically I will be doing everybody a favour when I leave him unconscious fighting for his career in Minneapolis on Sunday.
JERRY LAWLER
But when you…
SOLOMON CROWE
No, no, Jerry. Do not get too ahead of yourself now, I talk and you listen. I am the reason the whole world is talking about Dolph Ziggler today, he has done nothing but tarnish the legacy of that championship title because he has done NOTHING to show us he deserves to be champion since defeating AJ Styles, nothing. Soon people will see past the spoilt attitude, the arrogance, the jokes and his poor attempt of being a champion, somebody we should respect, it is a farce, an act, he is hiding behind a mask and tries to show he is somebody confident on the exterior and he will do it all week, but on the inside I can sense the fear. He will think, “What happens to me when Solomon Crowe finishes me? Who will love me then? Who will recognise me? Who will want to be friends with me?” THAT is what is important to Dolph Ziggler, the rewards that come with being the champion, as I said, he is the paper champion but the actual champion? You are looking right at him and I am serious when I say I going into Death Before Dishonor looking to hurt Dolph Ziggler and it will be a disappointing end if I win the title but he is still walking, and breathing.
Crowe didn’t give Jerry Lawler much freedom to talk, continuing to cut him off at every opportunity, as it was clear this wasn’t an ordinary interview, Crowe was looking to make a statement and wanted to use this time to do it.
SOLOMON CROWE
Dolph Ziggler, he claims to be a show stealer, but the only thing he has been stealing is a living, by being a mediocre superstar and a mediocre champion, an overrated arrogant son of a bitch who does not deserve to share the ring with somebody like me. People like Dolph Ziggler are not made to be champions, they are not made to represent companies, rather than dealing with the situation of being attacked by John Cena, fighting through it and defending his championship like a man…he chooses to…Tweet, like the little coward he is. I mean if there was a social media championship then Dolph, be my guest and take that title because it is crystal clear that is what you care about, maybe reality is starting to sink in that even YOU believe you do not deserve to be the champion. The champion needs to be feared and respected, Dolph Ziggler is neither. When you look at him do you think champion? Or do you think he was someone who caught a lucky break at the right time? When you think of champions, when you think of faces of the company or the face of a sport, you instantly think Michael Jordan, you think Tiger Woods, you think Wayne Gretzky, you think Solomon Crowe, you think…
JERRY LAWLER
Um…excuse me, are you saying you’re as good as Michael Jordan? Tiger Woods? Wayne Gretzky?
SOLOMON CROWE
No, no, no, you have me all wrong Jerry, I am saying I am better than all of them, which means I am better than you, and I am better than Dolph Ziggler, what really makes me laugh is genuinely has no idea what he is in for. You see he will walk around backstage like the big dog, a female by his side acting as if we all want to be him, wrong, come Sunday nobody wants to be Dolph Ziggler because they all know he is heading into a match with me, right now Dolph Ziggler does not want to be Dolph Ziggler and he will be enjoying his last few days with my championship before his life and face are turned inside-out. Come Sunday he will still be nothing, a nobody and those closest to him will leave him and the hierarchy will finally come to their senses and realise Dolph Ziggler was never the one, and Dolph will realise the years of brown-nosing the hierarchy have gone to waste, and we will all sit there and laugh as he cries whilst I stand on that stage with my EBWF World Championship. The thing is Jerry, I know Dolph too well, I see his mouth open but I hear nothing because everything he says is something I have heard, what, do you think the jokes about me sitting in a basement at my Mother’s place playing World of Warcraft bother me? The insults want me to go and cry to her? The only crying that will be done will be by Dolph to his own Mother, because all he does is yap like a little dog, wanting, begging for attention and you know what? I will give him all of the attention he desires on Sunday. I know he has a mean streak; and I plan on bringing that out like nobody has brought it out of him, not AJ Styles, nobody.
JERRY LAWLER
I think I need to ask you – if you let me finish – what drives you to do all of this…I mean it’s so sadistic, and evil, why?
SOLOMON CROWE
To some it is sadistic and evil, to some I am necessary evil. I believe I am needed in this company to get rid of the waste we do not need, that we do not desire and right now that person just happens to be parading around in my title. You see Jerry…I change lives, whether it is for good or not, that is for the people to decide.
JERRY LAWLER
And what do you mean by you change lives?
SOLOMON CROWE
I mean that I change lives, I throw a spanner into the works of a well-oiled machine and it just…breaks. I think Dolph Ziggler needs to look a little closer at this whole John Cena situation, and so do you and the rest of the EBWF Universe. Everybody was so…shocked to see John Cena turn his back on the fans, but what made him do it, who planted that seed of doubt into his mind all those months ago before he vanished? Solomon Crowe. I did that to one person, to someone the world looked up to as a hero, imagine what I can do to Dolph Ziggler, he knows I can break him physically and mentally, and I will. It is about time somebody brings back the legitimacy to that belt and it is not Dolph Ziggler, it will be me. Plain and simple. This company does not need a failure as a champion, somebody needs to step up to the plate and sort that problem out, unluckily for Dolph it is Crowe who has been given the task and not somebody else because somebody else would have allowed him to continue his phony, overrated little career. He failed the first time he won the Royal Rumble and could not become the champion at WrestleMania, and if it was not for that idiotic AJ Styles jumping in and ruining my plans, Dolph Ziggler wold have failed at this year’s WrestleMania too, he is built to fail and fail he shall this Sunday by my hands, trust me. I cannot lose.
Jerry tried to ask Solomon another question in the ‘interview’ that Crowe had taken control of, but Crowe felt the time was right to leave, he stood up and unclipped his microphone and told the cameramen to wrap it up as he walked off, leaving Lawler behind him, confused what everything Crowe had said but it was definitely clear that he was going to put Ziggler through hell at Death Before Dishonor.
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Thursday May 28 2015 – The Swerve Podcast w/Vince Russo
VINCE RUSSO
And welcome back to The Swerve, this Sunday at the Target Centre in Minneapolis the EBWF are hosting the Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view, set to be a great show, some great matches on the card as well what do we have, we have uh…Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins taking on CM Punk and Doc Gallows, Sasha Banks defends her title in the Lumberjill match against Mighty Molly and Torrie Wilson; Wes Ikeda is lacing the ol’ boots us again he’s taking on Brock Lesnar and in the main event Dolph Ziggler defends the world title against my guest at this time, Solomon Crowe! Great to have you hear Sam.
The controversial and outspoken Vince Russo had Solomon Crowe from the EBWF as his guest on The Swerve Podcast, and fans knew neither man would really hold back, they were certainly going to promote the event but some home truths would also be heard, it would all depend on what Vince Russo would ask, or whether he would go digging for some dirt.
SAM JOHNSTON
Thanks for havin’ me Vince.
VINCE RUSSO
Not a problem, well where do we start? Death Before Dishonor, Crowe vs. Ziggler, main event, title is on the line, doesn’t get bigger than that right now does it?
SAM JOHNSTON
Right now, no it doesn’t. Nick is the champion and I’m just happy to be fighting for titles in the company so it’s a good feeling, hopefully it’s a good match.
VINCE RUSSO
Obviously on here, you can speak your mind, no gimmicks, no bullshit, no pleasantries, your thoughts on Dolph?
SAM JOHNSTON
Hmm, ha...well I don't know him well enough to judge him a lot, obviously I have my opinions and assumptions about him like he will about me. He seems like a hard-worker, dedicated to this craft and I hope he's taking this match as serious as I am and doesn't think I'll be some sort of stiff pushover, and I believe he takes me as serious as I'm taking him, he's a solid competitor, a top star in the business which is why he's the champ right now, I'm happy for him and what he's achieved, don't wish harm on anyone, so I hope he's enjoying this feeling because I know I did, and I want that feeling again as soon as possible, so all in all as far as I know him, he's a good guy.
VINCE RUSSO
I don’t know if it was just me, but when I heard Wes was competing, that too against Brock Lesnar, I think we just assumed, that’s our main event right there, it must’ve been a surprise to see yourself in the main event?
SAM JOHNSTON
A little, I did think they’d get the main event, I mean I remember when I was the World Champ and I looked at the match card, I forgot if it was against The Rock or maybe Jon, but as a champion you get an odd feeling thinking, I’m supposed to be the number one man in the company so I’m supposed to headline the evening, at the time I was a bit annoyed but at the end of it I didn’t mind as much, so it’s good to be in another main event especially on a night with some epic, epic matches and I’m pretty sure Dolph is stoked too.
VINCE RUSSO
How happy are you? It’s a big match for you, big moment if you can win the title twice on a stacked roster.
SAM JOHNSTON
I’m…content. Nothing is ever perfect, can’t give away the result but I’m pretty happy, of course there are things we’d all change to have it all go our way but you of all people know it doesn’t work that way and it never will, can’t keep everyone happy but saying that, this year has been great. It’s almost been a year since I signed and in a couple of months it will be a year since I made my debut and I’m happy with how it’s gone so far and long may the success continue.
VINCE RUSSO
I’ve watched some of your work, not as a whole I meant I’ve watched what you’ve done this week, how important does this whole Crowe’s Nest gimmick feel to you? How do you come up with it all to make it such an…integral part of your character because you use it every week don’t you.
SAM JOHNSTON
It’s not as glamorous as it may seem, it’s just a small room the production guys put together, I have my own lines, they change things but mostly I say what I want and how I want and I think it is important, I mean I could be a guy who does something different every week, sure but I wanted something that was mine, something I associate only with me, so when you see it for a split second you instantly think, Solomon Crowe is here.
VINCE RUSSO
It’s good, very good. You talk about having the freedom to say what you want, let’s say 90% anyway, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less. This week you have had a lot to say about your opponent, you two don’t get on do you? I mean, I know the business, everyone outside thinks you all get on, buddies go drinking and whatnot, I know that’s fucking bullshit okay, how much of what you say is true, how much of what you say is to sell the match.
SAM JOHNSTON
I know what you mean, I won’t sugar coat it, we don’t see eye to eye, I wouldn’t have it any other way, I’m not one to beg or seek approval by those who have been longer than I have, it’s as simple as that, I don’t know whether it’s just me who thinks that or you might even see it my way, but I do what I do for me and my fans, simple. Yeah, I’ve talked to him we talked quite a lot this week but it’s not about where we’re going to grab a bite to eat or whether you want to go grab a beer, it’s been nothing more than calling a few spots, throwing ideas around, shooting each other’s ideas down, normal things, y’know you don’t have to be the best of friends to put on a great match, if the chemistry is there then it’s there. The things you say, I’d say everyone means most of what they say, I’m no different, I’m entitled to my opinion just like he might think I’m an arrogant son of a bitch, he knows I think he is. Sometimes things come to your head on the spot you think might get you heat, and I say it and deal with the consequences later, but Dolph isn’t someone who would go cry to someone if I say anything out of line, so I can’t complain.
VINCE RUSSO
Ziggler as Champion, good or bad? You did say he’s not championship material, expand on that if you can.
SAM JOHNSTON
I don’t know to be honest. On TV yeah I said he’s a bad champion, not championship material, I mean when I signed up I read somewhere you need to defend a title once every 30 days but I don’t know if rules apply to certain guys or whatnot, but that doesn’t bother me, I do think it’s a little early to judge him as I’m his first ever title defence – potentially his last. I’ve seen a number of champions here, and first-hand I can tell you this feeling is a little different, John Cena felt like a champion to me, y’know I’m grateful he allowed me to have my moment, but with Dolph, it could be or anyone else for that matter, I don’t feel like I’m in the presence of a champion, there’s no special aura, nothing special, maybe that could come in good time? I hope so, I wish him all the success in the world, he’s doing great for himself, but I’m not going to sacrifice my own success for the sake of his, I hope the writers have me winning, I’ll be honest, I feel like I was a better champion, and I want that feeling again, they know I want to take that title and hopefully I get it, no hard feelings, I just think I am better.
VINCE RUSSO
I see, I mean he is someone highly rated amongst the IWC and marks and the EBWF hierarchy I mean that’s why he’s champion right, he’s a good little worker too, can’t deny that and his stock is still rising, as is yours, so if I had to ask you, Dolph Ziggler, underrated or overrated?
SAM JOHNSTON
Hmm, I think it can be taken both ways, he has the talent, yeah we know that, he’s great, on paper he’s the best in this company, and one of the best in the world. I mean there’s a lot of talk about Ziggler over the last couple of years, by legends of the business, by celebrities, Dolph was once underrated and is now suddenly being rated as this God-like wrestler who deserves so much by the internet wrestling community, I don’t know whether that’s a chance of attitude towards his talented being warranted, is he THAT good? Is he main event worthy like your Orton’s and your Punk’s and your Ambrose and your Lesnar’s…I don’t know, I honestly don’t know. Ziggler sells a show, he puts asses in seats…but so do twenty other guys in the back including me.
VINCE RUSSO
Is he one of the greats then?
SAM JOHNSTON
The way he’s talk about and looked at you’d think he’s being inducted into the Hall of Fame tomorrow! We have greats in that locker room, Chris Jericho is a great, Lance Storm is a great, John Cena, Randy Orton, Wes Ikeda, Brock Lesnar, all greats; that’s a whole different level we’re talking about, that’s something myself and Dolph are working towards, but there’s a different in working towards that level and acting like you already belong at that level, it seems like Dolph is already being slightly nudged there, helped. Y’know…Dolph will go down as a great, I hope I end up being called a great but there’s a difference, fans think he’s a great now whereas I still need to pay my supposed dues I’ve been paying for years and years so if he deserves something, so do I but I’m someone who will fight for it like I have been doing. People might say he’s the epitome of what’s wrong with wrestling today, I mean back in the day if we saw wrestler’s did some cool move, delivered some great promos, had interesting characters like HBK or ‘Taker, you’d get fan interest, like the Hulk Hogan level of interest but now you do about 20% of what those guys did and you’re mentioned in the same breath as them.
VINCE RUSSO
Okaaaay, I think I’m getting where you’re coming from, explain that a little more.
SAM JOHNSTON
Like…everyone has the potential to go over, you don’t need to be the most talented guy to go over; back when the WWE had someone like Funaki or Santino for example, those guys could work, did it with a smile on their face, and were they arrogant or brash? I highly doubt it, they seemed likeable, approachable and they did it all with a smile on their face. They was tossed around, broken in half and he could actually make matches interesting but nobody ever said, “John Cena or Shawn Michaels or Triple H should put over Funaki” but we get guys saying oh “bring HBK out of retirement so he can put Ziggler over” you know things like that get tossed around, I mean really? Put it this way if I was in the crowd for Warfare and Funaki was there I would mark out more for “Indeed” or The Cobra than I would for “Let’s Go Ziggler” chants believe me. It’s not me laying into Dolph, I think even though he’s champion he’s got as much learning to do as I have, it doesn’t mean he’s better, it never will mean that. I just think the term an all-time great is thrown out loosely now, anyone and everyone can become one, which is a shame.
VINCE RUSSO
Ha-ha I’ll stop you there for now before you completely flip and lose me, so it’s safe to say Solomon Crowe slash Sam Johnston thinks Dolph Ziggler is not superior to him?
SAM JOHNSTON
He isn’t better than me full stop, he’s better at certain things I’m bad at, and I’m better at certain things that he’s bad at. It’s all a matter of opinion, to somebody he’s the greatest ever, to other’s he doesn’t belong here, and the same applies to me. We read how he’s supposedly the third best wrestler in the world today behind guys like Bryan and Phil, really? Sometimes you have to read these things at the back and let it slide without showing it, and sometimes the same people let the hype get to their head.
VINCE RUSSO
That’s a fair way to put it, your opinion. Before you go, what do you expect to go down on Sunday?
SAM JOHNSTON
Well I hope it’s a technical match but also a good scrap, a brawl, plenty of blood and pain, you know what the fans love and I intend to give them that, you’ll just have to watch to see whether I defeat Dolph or whether he walks out with his title.
VINCE RUSSO
That was Solomon Crowe from the EBWF, competing in the main event against Dolph Ziggler for the World Championship at Death Before Dishonor, make sure you tune in, thanks for stopping by brother.
Vince Russo concluded the segment with Solomon Crowe who gave some interesting input regarding the match with Ziggler as the days edged closer towards the main event on Sunday.
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Friday May 26 2015 – The Crowe’s Nest – Anonymous Location
The Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view was almost upon us as the weekend approached, but that didn’t mean Sam Johnston had any time off as Solomon Crowe, he was back shooting another Crowe’s Nest segment – the final segment before the event – and he wanted to do his best to sell the match as much as possible after an eventful week and a successful podcast episode with Vince Russo. The scene opened up inside of The Crowe’s Nest, focusing on the chair behind the desk but Crowe was nowhere to be seen, moments later whistling could be heard at a distance before it started to get closer and closer as the sound of footsteps were also heard. Eventually he reached the chair and he was wiping his hands as if he had gone to wash something off them before putting on his blazer and taking a seat in his chair and leaning his head back, he continued to whistle before singing instead – badly.
SOLOMON CROWE
I’ll make you one to die…I’ll cut my name in your heart…I’ll destroy this world for you…
Crowe then closed his eyes and started spinning in his chair and laughing after every few seconds which displayed his crazy side.
SOLOMON CROWE
I will make you feel my pain…space dementia in your eyes…peace will arise and tear you apart…and you make you meaningless…again.
Crowe’s laughter slowly faded away as he wiped his eyes and cracked his neck, he then stared into the camera and smiled for a short while before ending the awkward silence and speaking.
SOLOMON CROWE
Good evening EBWF Universe, I hope you are all enjoying your Friday because your next EBWF World Champion certainly is enjoying his. I hope by now you have all realised and understood the one simple fact I was trying to convey to you this week, a life lesson if you will…that Dolph Ziggler simply cannot defeat Solomon Crowe. If you have not understood that just yet, I hope you will come Sunday night, because deep down Dolph Ziggler even knows he cannot defeat me, the only way he can ensure he walks out with the championship title is if he pulls the cowardly move which I expect and disqualifies himself or escapes the ring…which probably will not matter because I will find him and rip him limb from limb anyway if he tries to pull a stunt like that…or he will have to end MY career, the latter is something I know he does not have inside of him, there is no fire, no desire to go that extra mile which can guarantee him the chance at remaining champion, but who am I to complain? I know he is content with keeping the masses happy, keeping his face spotless, keeping his women happy and taking the easy way out, each to their own. I hope, I pray that I can light a fire inside of him, and when I look into his eyes - before gouging his eyes out - and look into them, and all I see is rage, all he will want to do is get his little hands and try to squeeze the air right out of my lungs, try to end me there and then, THAT will keep me satisfied that another of your heroes turns into a psychopath. But when he tries that, he will be in for a surprise, because I am already dead! Death is a surprise unless you are already dead on the inside which is why I feel no emotion or no attachment to anybody, which is what makes me stronger than Dolph Ziggler, it makes me a better man, a better champion. He thinks…he has the world at his feet, that people want to be him, but what happens when somebody turns up and RIPS everything he has from him? What will he do then? Who will he turn to for help?
We all know what Dolph Ziggler is known for, not his so-called talent, but his ability to sell, he has a reputation of being a good seller of manoeuvres, ha…cute. I vow to you all that Dolph Ziggler will not be selling anything on Sunday, every time he cries out in pain and begs me to stop and wants to quit, it will all be real, and Dolph Ziggler will not know what to do, how to deal with it because even though he has been here longer than me, THIS is the deep end for Dolph, not a WrestleMania match against AJ Styles. It does make me laugh though, the two of you have so much history, so much anger, venom and rage building up inside the both of you and the championship you took played second fiddle in this petty playground squabble of yours, and then when you defeated him you celebrated as if you actually accomplished something decent for once in your petty little life, I mean the of you could not even get your championship match into the main event, Before you gloat about it in your usual, boring fashion, yes AJ Styles pinned me at Fallout…and it took five other men to stop my title reign whereas it will take ONE to stop yours, in fact why don’t you look for AJ Styles, find out where he is, because I don’t know, I mean the last time I saw him was…yes…when I pinned him in the middle of the ring and became the number one contender to the EBWF World Championship, anything and everything YOU can do little Dolph, Solomon Crowe does a million times better, so step aside little Dolph and let a warrior like Solomon Crowe spearhead the male division, become the face of the WWE and send shivers down the spines of other champions all over the world, because the fact is nobody, NOBODY sees you as a champion, they look at you with that title and laugh, but I will put you out of your misery myself, you’re welcome. I know you too well Dolph, more than you think I do, I know you are sitting there and listening and laughing thinking these are all words but please, laugh away the last few days as champion, just like we have been laughing at your career since it started; but before you take me lightly Dolph, look at my dominance, look at what I have achieved in this company, and what I will continue to achieve, look at everything I have left in my wake without looking back or showing any remorse for the blood I have spilt or the bones I have broken, I never look back and I will not look back when you are crying inside of that ring. I am a tornado Dolph, and you are one of my victims, I will chew you up and spit out your remains and turn your life upside down for the world to see, and this time you will be the one on the receiving end when people point and laugh at you and then forget who Dolph Ziggler even was. For too long you have had it easy Dolph, but no more, you and I have never seen eye to eye but it is safe to say you piss me off like the best of them, and I will not hesitate in slitting your fucking throat in broad daylight and bury you six feet under and there is nothing anybody can do about it, nobody. It is over for you.
Crowe looked dead into the lens with no expression on his face whatsoever, finally stopping his ramble and dropping countless threats on Dolph as he was adamant to not only take the championship from Dolph, but he also wanted to cause him insufferable pain to satisfy his own sadistic needs. He continued to stare into the camera but didn’t get up to turn it off, instead he simply stared into it as the screen faded out, and the stern warning fresh in everyone’s mind.
- - - - - - -
Sunday May 31 2015 – Death Before Dishonor Pay-Per-View – Target Centre – Minneapolis; Minnesota
The event was finally here, Death Before Dishonor where Solomon Crowe would be in the main event, trying to take the EBWF World Championship form the hands of Dolph Ziggler. Deep down, he knew he did his best in the build-up, he was a different character to 95% of the roster so the way he goes about thing is also different but with tools at his disposal it wasn’t a bad effort but it was also something he enjoyed doing, as Dolph Ziggler was a different type of opponent. The night showcased some great matches and after the Wes Ikeda vs. Brock Lesnar match, fans knew it was time for the main event and the loud chants after the final video package suggested the fans were siding with Dolph Ziggler on this one, whether it meant they wanted him to win or believed he would win; that’s a different story. As they settled into their seats after the video package, the bright lights suddenly turned off as Space Dementia by Muse hit the PA system, and the spotlights focused on the stage with the boo’s not taking long to spread across the Target Centre. Eventually Solomon Crowe emerged on the stage, holding on to his vest from his chest with his sinister smile on show, he scouted the arena from the stage, the boo’s then got louder as he made his way down the ramp for the final time before the match. He got to the ring and walked slower, staring at one particular fan at the front row who was showing his Dolph Ziggler sign in his face, Crowe looked up at it and laughed, muttering a few words to the fan before quickly grabbing his sign from him and taking three steps back, reading the sign closely, as he laughed and tore the sign into four smaller pieces and threw them back into the fan who was heard cursing Crowe for his actions. He walked over to Christy Hemme and scratched his chin for a second before signalling with his hands that he wanted a microphone, as she nervously gave on to him. He then got into the ring and circled it, leaning on the ropes as he looked at the fans on the camera side, cleaning his ears mockingly as they booed louder and louder, stopping him from speaking but after a moment or two of goading them into more boo’s, he eventually spoke.
SOLOMON CROWE
Ladies and gentlemen of Minneapolis, the champ is here!
He laughed at the crowd who booed, before hitting the discount double check pose to piss them off further.
SOLOMON CROWE
Look, I don’t know why you’re all booing, I mean you KNEW what was going to happen tonight, I mean I’ve been forcing it down your throats all week just like Dolph Ziggler has been forced down our throats for around two years, the principle is the same. What, so you will cheer and applaud me if I play a game with Dolph in this ring? That I hold his hand and tell him he is the best wrestler in the world and I quit because he’s so much better? Would you cheer then? NO you hypocritical bastards you’d hate me even more than I hate each and every single one of you sick fuckers! But not more than I hate Dolph, he has a special place in the black hole a heart once occupied inside of me…
He stopped talking, as the anti-Crowe chants started and they were louder than Crowe as he struggled to get going a number of times.
SOLOMON CROWE
HEY! HEY! WHEN I TALK YOU LISTEN! There’s already one reign dying in this ring tonight, don’t think I can’t make it a massacre in Minneapolis if I wanted to, so I suggest you all keep your fucking mouths shut and let me speak because the more YOU talk, the more pain your beloved Dolph will feel, and you don’t want him to get hurt do you? I…have had enough of you all, and the ones at the back singing his praises, it’s done, it’s over, HE’S over courtesy of Solomon Crowe, the only thing people will now remember him by when they refer to him, is when they remember the time Solomon Crowe made Dolph Ziggler relevant for thirty minutes before putting the poor bastard out of his misery. If he took time off to heal his injuries sustained by John Cena, well I would recommend the company get ready Dolph’s papers because when I’m done with him he’s going to be on a lengthy leave of absence, believe me.
The fans booed more as Crowe laughed, sadistically as he looked at the titan-tron, waiting for Ziggler to interrupt him, but it didn’t happen just yet.
SOLOMON CROWE
It’s okay little Dolph, take your time, hug the ones closest to you, hug that title you held for a month or so, I’ve been waiting long enough, a year ago I put pen to paper in this company, for THIS moment and I’m coming full circle, I’ve made promises I intend to keep, the title is mine! It’s time to dance with the devil, and any of you religious folk in the crowd start praying, because he’s going to need all the help he can get.
Crowe dropped the microphone to the outside of the ring and slapped his face a couple of times to get himself pumped up, screaming ‘come on!’ numerous times as he circled the ring in anticipation, awaiting the arrival of the champion.
OOC: Thanks to Ben for the small use of Chris Jericho, and good luck to Holly.
