In recent weeks Solomon Crowe had taken a step back from the limelight. In fact, the so-called ‘decline’ started back at Death Before Dishonor where he lost to Dolph Ziggler in a rematch for the EBWF World Championship and ever since then he failed to hit the heights that were expected of him. Crowe wasn’t one to simply roll over, though, he ensured he went out whenever he needed to and put his body on the line like nobody else on the roster and that mentality wouldn’t be changing anytime soon. For the past few weeks, all eyes had been on Sami Zayn, The Miz and Vertex as their feud would be coming to an end once and for all at Fanniversary, with The Miz reigning supreme. Crowe had a big interest in the situation, not only because the World Championship was something he had his eyes on since losing it at the start of the year, and now an interesting opportunity had come up which was too good to pass up on.
A six pack challenge was starting on Warfare and the chance to potentially compete for the World Championship again was too tempting for Crowe, and he had to come out of the shadows yet again. It wasn’t just an ordinary opportunity, though, plenty of other superstars were fighting for the same opportunity, but for Crowe it was a little different. For too long he had run-ins with The Miz and Vertex, and a vicious beating at the hands of Vertex took Crowe off-screen for a short while. However, it was announced that Solomon Crowe would be in action in the six pack challenge on Warfare, and he’d be going up against Roman Reigns.
The pre-recorded scene was airing on Warfare, and the scene opened up in the usual setting of The Crowe’s Nest and the camera’s zoomed into the big desk in front of them. Plenty of tech equipment was set up and the light from the screens was bright enough to highlight Solomon Crowe sitting on his big office-style chair. We could hear a lot of mouse-clicking as he browsed on the computer as he sucked the life out of an orange juice carton and placed it on the desk, wiping it with his forearm. He then talked under his breath, making it clear he was reading something before speaking out loud to the camera whilst still on the computer.
SOLOMON CROWE
You know…a lot of people thought they wouldn’t hear from me again. I mean, can you blame them? Vertex…those sons of bitches…handed me an ass kicking of a lifetime, but it’s okay. I’ve been cut before, I’ve had my bones broken…all this proved was that one man can’t take me out. Well, guess what? I’m still here, which means…I’m coming back for that World Championship again. Ha…just can’t keep me away can you?
But I’m not stupid, I know I can’t just get The Miz into this room right now and strangle the life out of his lungs and take the championship title, I know I have to fight which again, is okay with me because I love pain, whether it’s providing pain or suffering…I still have a smile on my face. However…my opponent tonight really doesn’t smile does he? I mean certainly not when the cameras are on him. So tonight I shall do one…
Crowe looked down at the desk picking up a paper and reading a name off it before continuing by looking at his screen.
SOLOMON CROWE
…Roman Reigns a favour and make sure he doesn’t even have the ability to ever smile again, on or off the camera. Now Roman Reigns wants the exact same I want, and that’s a chance for the championship and I like that, I like how the boy has ambition, it’s just a shame that his dream will stay just that while I’m around. Look, you can look like the prettiest guy on the roster but the fact is, people like me…we’re attracted to guys who pride themselves on looking good. And no, not for that reason, but because we like causing chaos, we like being annoying and making people hate us, which means people like me would jump at the chance to pummel Roman Reigns’ face until nobody can even recognise him anymore.
Think about it, for example, we can look at…Bully Ray. Now that is a face that has had its fair share of beating, what an ugly son of a bitch. Now tell me, would you have fun pounding away at his face with your fists when the end result is the same? Even after he’s recovered he’s STILL going to be one ugly bastard, what did you achieve other than causing your knuckles unnecessary pain? Absolutely nothing, you’d feel no satisfaction whatsoever.
But what if you take a pretty boy…and you have your hands around his neck. Somebody like Roman Reigns, someone who makes women weak at their knees when he walks past them…what if you disfigure his face permanently? Then that’s when you feel satisfaction, that’s when those pain in your hands is worth it because you’ve turned a good looking guy with no ability inside of a ring…into a damaged individual with no ability inside of a ring. That’s when the sense of satisfaction kicks in because you have stopped a promising star in his tracks and people often hate you for it. In this situation, it’s different. Rumours have it that those same people will not hate me if I was to change your career, and, in fact, it would be the total opposite which does surprise me.
Only because people don’t WANT to see you achieve great things, so I’m on hand to make sure you are never, ever able to achieve anything in this company, not because you’re a talentless excuse for an EBWF superstar, but because…well…it’s fun, causing other people misery, try it sometime. I know you’re eager, though, eager to prove everybody wrong, get out of your shell and eager to prove to everyone that you’re not just a big, robotic tattooed oaf that can actually achieve something, but for that you need to get out of your comfort zone.
For that, you need to do things you never thought you’d be willing to do, put your body on the line like never before. This isn’t football, Roman. There is no Shield to cover up your cracks when you make a silly little mistake, no…this time you’re all alone against somebody more sadistic than a former partner of yours, eviler, crueler and somebody who enjoys pain in any way, shape or form. Are you willing to do that, Roman? Are you willing to go to lengths you never thought existed…all for one championship match? I know I am, but then again you have a lot more to lose than I have in this situation, don’t you?
Crowe smiled as he looked at his screen, laughing a little more to himself as he continued to read things from it.
SOLOMON CROWE
From where I can see, you’re a good Dad. With a good wife, a good kid, a good brother and son to your family. Now for them, this is one of the proudest moments in their life, when they get to see their son potentially go on to compete for the World Championship. I mean, looking at their pictures here I can just imagine their big, stupid smiles if you win and how they’d say they always knew you had it in you.
But when you lose…those beautiful frowns, how everyone will tell you that you were never cut out for this business and maybe then it will finally sink in that you’re simply not good enough. You never have, and you never will be. We’ve all been witness to that with the one bit of success you’ve had as a wrestler. The reason you’re even known is because of The Shield, and I know it’s eating you up inside to see your former partners go on and achieve great things while you’ve been left behind.
And what have you done since they steamrolled right through you? Absolutely nothing, because you’re not capable of it and you never will be, and tonight I’m going to prove it and this... this image you’ve created of being a monster, a juggernaut. Roman…I AM the juggernaut, not you. Why? Because nobody else in this company is a force regarded as mercilessly destructive and unstoppable, nobody. You’ll feel that tonight, and you can believe that.
Crowe finally looked into the camera with the last line, saying it in great anger as he stared into the camera, as it faded out to end the short segment before his match with Reigns was scheduled to begin.