Monday April 25: EBWF.net Exclusive...
Moments earlier, Wes Ikeda had inadvertently shoved Chris Jericho's wife Jessica onto the ring mat, hurting her neck in the process. Warfare had cut to a commercial break while Jericho helped his wife backstage, but the cameras were still rolling. As Jericho and Jessica walked through the curtain, Michael Cole was stood waiting. Cole was apprehensive as he approached Jericho.
Michael Cole: Excuse me, Chris...
Jericho stopped, and looked at Michael Cole, his expression a mixture of scorn and fury.
Chris Jericho: Seriously? Are you really going to do this now, Michael?
Cole could practically be seen gulping as he responded to Jericho.
Michael Cole: Sorry, Chris, I'm just doing my job. I wanted to make sure your wife is okay.
His emotions got the better of him, and Jericho grabbed Cole by the scruff of his neck.
Chris Jericho: Of course she's not okay you idiot! Did you not see what just happened? Wes just shoved my wife so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if she has a concussion.
Jericho regained his composure, letting go of Cole, but his anger didn’t seem to have subsided.
Chris Jericho: And let me guess what your next question was going to be, how do I feel about what just happened... well how do you think I feel? I'm pissed off. I know it was an accident, Wes was going for me, but I also know he won't show any remorse. Go ahead, ask him – he'll say it was my fault for letting Jess get in harm's way. The worst part is, he's right. It is my fault. And now, my wife, the most important person in my life...
Jessica interrupted him.
Jessica Jericho: Honey? I'm fine.
Jessica's voice seemed to have a soothing effect; Jericho was instantly calmer. He looked at his wife, then turned back to Michael Cole.
Chris Jericho: Michael, would you mind giving me a minute with my wife.
Michael Cole: Of course.
Chris Jericho: Thank you. Listen, about before, I'm...
Jericho seemed to be reluctant to say the word "sorry", no matter how apologetic he felt.
Michael Cole: It's okay.
Cole left, but the camera was still rolling. Jericho turned his attention back to his wife.
Chris Jericho: I'm so sorry.
It was much easier for Jericho to apologise to Jessica than it was to apologise to Michael Cole, for obvious reasons. His voice trembled slightly as he said it.
Jessica Jericho: What for? You didn't do anything wrong.
She smiled weakly.
Chris Jericho: Are you sure you're okay?
Jessica Jericho: I'm fine, honestly. My neck's a little sore, but apart from that, I'm okay.
Chris Jericho: You shouldn't have been out there, Jess.
Jericho's tone was regretful rather than accusatory. Jessica sighed, then nodded.
Jessica Jericho: I know. I just thought I could help. I don't understand why he's acting like this.
Chris Jericho: Me neither. But tonight was the last time I'll let Wes go anywhere near our family. I know you talked about coming to Chicago for Aftermath, but after tonight, I'd rather you didn't. Wes might not have meant to hurt you tonight, but that doesn't mean he won't use you to try and get to me. I wouldn't put anything past him anymore...
Jessica Jericho: I understand. I'll stay at home with the kids... it's probably for the best. I'm sorry, Chris.
Chris Jericho: What for? You didn't do anything wrong.
Jericho smirked as he repeated Jess' words from earlier. Jessica responded with a smile, and they hugged one another as the scene faded.
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Sunday May 1: Aftermath
Backstage at the Allstate Arena, Jericho paced back and forth nervously. It seemed strange to be nervous about performing in front of 18,000 people a month after performing in front of over 100,000 people, but it wasn't about the size of the crowd; it was about the story he and Wes wanted to tell. Their match at Wrestlemania had been well received, and both men were determined to better it at Aftermath. The untimely death of Joanie Laurer was playing on Jericho's mind as well... he wanted to put on a show for her, and he knew Wes did too. Aftermath was already underway, and the opening match had just drawn to a close. Jericho waited for the four superstars to make their way backstage, then took his place in the gorilla position. The five second countdown begun, and the crowd cheered in anticipation. As the clock hit zero, "Break The Walls Down" began to play, and the went wild as Chris Jericho stepped out onto the stage. Jericho walked down the ramp, then entered the ring, taking a microphone from ring announcer Christy Hemme as he did so. As Jericho's music was cut, the crowd began chanting "Y2J". Jericho waited for the chants to die down, then began to speak.
Chris Jericho: Six days ago on Warfare, I stood in front of the EBWF fans for the first time since Wes Ikeda betrayed me and my family at Wrestlemania. I made it clear that I was still hurting from what Wes did to my son... and then he went and hurt another member of my family when he shoved my wife in the middle of this ring. Almost a week has passed, and Wes hasn't acknowledged what happened. He hasn't apologised, he hasn't even mentioned it. Maybe he's pretending it didn't happen, because he doesn't want to admit that he accidentally put his hands on a woman who until recently considered him part of the family. But tonight isn't about Jess, Ash, or anyone else. Tonight is about two people – me, and Wes. That's how you wanted it to be, isn't it Wes? Just the two of us, no one else getting in our way? Well as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. I told my family not to come to Chicago tonight, for two reasons. The first is because I wanted to keep them away from you, and I'm sure that makes you feel pretty good about yourself. Because that's how that twisted mind of yours works. But there's another reason I don't want my family here tonight, Wes... and that's because I don't want them to see what I'm going to do to you. At Wrestlemania, I fought you with respect. This time, it's personal. There won't be any respect, Wes – it will just be a fight.
Jericho clenched his fist as he talked about fighting Wes. He paused for a moment, looking at his fist... then unclenched it and continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: When I won the World Title at the Royal Rumble, it was a momentous occasion for me. It was my eighth World Title, and it ended a four and a half year wait for the championship. What made it even more special was knowing that I got to face you – one of my best friends – in the main event of Wrestlemania. It should have been one of the greatest nights of my life... but because of you, Wes, it's turned into a nightmare. You threw away 18 years of friendship, and when I asked you why, all you could offer was a cliché "you know what you did". I've been racking my brains, trying to figure it out, and I still don't know what you mean by that. I keep looking back at everything that's happened, thinking maybe I should have seen this coming. I didn't, because I trusted you completely. You were like a brother to me, Wes. But I guess that doesn't matter anymore, does it? We're not brothers, we're not even friends. I don't need answers from you, I don't even need revenge. I just want one thing from you Wes, and that's the World Title. In a way, I'm almost glad you beat me. Because when I beat you, it will be my ninth World Title reign. I'll finally tie the record with Raven. But more than anything, I'm glad that I finally saw the real you. Because now, I'm free. Whatever I do to you in this ring, I don't have to feel bad about it, because I'll know you've done worse, and that you deserve what's coming to you. You showed your dark side at Wrestlemania, and I'll show my dark side tonight. When I step into this ring with you tonight Wes, not only will I beat you... but you will never, eeeevvveeerrrr, be the same, again.
Jericho grinned deviously, then dropped his microphone in the middle of the ring. His music hit, and he made his way backstage, mentally counting down to his rematch.
