Living in the Past

[Ben M]

Wade Barrett wasn't the sort of superstar to film many promos "on location", but one idea he'd had for his match with Mankind had made him think it was time to do something different. Besides, he wanted to visit the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame while he was in Louisiana anyway, so really he was just killing two birds with one stone. An EBWF cameraman accompanied Barrett to Natchitoches, and filmed him walking around the Hall of Fame. When Barrett was done touring the museum, he turned to face the camera and began to speak.

Wade Barrett: You know, I'm not really someone that takes much of an interest in history... but I've found myself thinking about the past a lot this week. Maybe it's because my opponent on Warfare made his pro wrestling debut when I was just three years old.

To emphasise his point, Barrett raised his eyebrows, held up three fingers and mouthed the word "three".

Wade Barrett: Mankind, this is where you belong... the Hall of Fame. You were in your prime twenty years ago, and you're saying and doing the same things now that you said and did back then. The only difference really is that now you've piled on the pounds and you have to dye your hair to hide the grey. You might be the Hardcore Legend, Mick, but that’s just it... legends are meant for the past, not the present. You're living in the past, and when I'm done with you on Warfare, I'm going to make sure you stay there.

Barrett grinned sadistically, then continued talking.

Wade Barrett: Mankind, before you make your way to the ring tonight, take a look in the mirror. Then look at me. I'm 6'7", I'm built like Adonis, and I'm a former bare-knuckle brawler than fought on the streets of Europe. It's not something I like to bring up often, but back when I was a boxer I fought off someone who stabbed me with an eight-inch blade. Do you really think I'm going to be intimidated by you because you like thumb tacks and barbed wire? You might be able to get into The Undertaker's head, but you won't get into mine. I'm too strong-minded, and I don't care enough about you to let you get to me.

Barrett stopped to think, then broke character for a moment and asked the cameraman a question.

Wade Barrett: Hey, Greg... how old is the Undertaker?

Greg the Cameraman: Uhhh... 50, I think?

For a moment, Barrett channelled Ron Simmons.

Wade Barrett: Damn.

He shook his head, then continued speaking.

Wade Barrett: Mankind is feuding with the Undertaker; the two men have a combined age of a hundred. They're both 15-20 years past their prime. We're just two weeks away from 2016; there's something wrong with this picture if Mankind and the Undertaker are still relevant. Maybe Mankind isn’t the only one living in the past... it's like the EBWF is too. And you know what? I'm tired of letting it happen. It's one thing to keep the same faces at the top of the card – people like Jericho, The Miz, AJ Styles – but now the old-timers are taking up the midcard too? Not if I can help it. Ryback and I have proved ourselves in the tag division, but no one is stepping up to challenge us. So maybe it's time I focused on my solo career again. After all, the Royal Rumble is just around the corner... so I'll start my taking out Mankind. Then I'll clear out the rest of the deadwood on the roster. And mark my words, it will end with me becoming the EBWF Champion. 2016 is going to be Wade Barrett's year, and if I have my way, Mick Foley won't make it into the New Year.

Barrett glared into the camera as the scene faded.

[Kamden]

Well-written, Ben. I wish there was more to read! I love Wade Barrett.