Loose Ends

[Will]

In unordinary fashion the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles was already at the arena, hours before the King of the Ring event was scheduled to take place. He was prepared to defend his championship against former Trilogy member and current Path to Glory champion, Ted DiBiase Jr. The two men shared a lot of history throughout the past two years and tonight’s match would be the culmination of it all. Ted DiBiase was a hungry young lion and he would definitely be ready if the decision to put the belt back on him was made. AJ however was not ready to give up the most prestige’s prize in this industry just yet. His work performance was as good as it had ever been and he would feel heartbroken if he had to drop the championship tonight. Looking into the camera lens, ready to speak his mind, the red light came on signifying he was live, and Styles wasn’t hesitant to start.

AJ Styles: “I remember the day I was signed to this company. I was nervous as hell about the entire thing. I didn’t know what to expect from my new boss, Wes Ikeda. I didn’t know what to expect from my new coworkers and most of all I didn’t know what to expect from the EBWF fans. Every day was a completely new day for me because I had never been a part of a promotion of this proportion. The arenas are so much bigger, the audiences are so much larger, and the risks are without a shadow of a doubt worth taking for the reward. I was a guy who sat back in the superstar’s locker room, shaking hands with guys, showing respect, trying not to step on any toes. But regardless of the fact I still felt like I had to prove myself to everyone each and every night I went out to the ring. People would talk, but I never let it get to me. Hell, it has never mattered to me what other’s thought of me. I’ve been called a glorified stuntman, a tractor riding redneck, and even the golden boy of this company. The path to where I am now has been a long and hard one, but I would’ve never made it here if I listened to what other people thought about me. From day one I was motivated to be the best in this company, the greatest in the galaxy, and right now, on this very day I can say that I have done what I set out to accomplish. That doesn’t change the fact that deep down inside I feel that I still have something to prove. Not to anybody in particular. Only myself. When I wake up in the morning and look into the mirror I see a man who is the image of what a great man should be. Handsome, rich, famous, and the best at what he does.”

A slight smirk appeared on the face of the Phenomenal One.

AJ Styles: “And even with everything that is the set standard of being great, there is still this void… It’s hard to put my finger on it, but I think it’s something to do with tying up loose ends. Sort of like the loose ends I have with Ted DiBiase Jr. Unfinished business as some like to call it. Lingering conflicts that need resolving before one can move on. That’s what we have. Would I call it personal? No. It’s just business these days. Another day in the office for me. A long time ago this shindig between the two of us might have went down in an ugly way. We were at each other’s throats almost every night, beating the living hell out of one another. That was until Brian Kendrick actually held a knife to DiBiase’s throat and made him quit like a little bitch.”

Mild language on camera. He didn’t care at the moment.

AJ Styles: “What can I say? Excuse my French? Look at that, sexy Maryse being mentioned in an AJ Styles promo. Any who, back then this quarrel between DiBiase and I would’ve been messy. Bloody maybe? Now, this thing is no more violent than a game of pity pat. Ted DiBiase has gone soft. See, Ted’s path to where he is now has been a bumpy one just like mine. The only difference is, he was presented with more opportunities than I was and wasn’t able to capitalize on any of them. Sure, he might of won the EBWF World Championship within months of his debut, but how long did he hold on to it? Did he even have it long enough for his engraved name plate to arrive? I doubt it. Ted DiBiase was a one hit wonder, a guy who hit a lucky ball and has been striking out ever since. Path to Glory Champion? Please. Your glory days are over, son. You might have earned little fluke victories over Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy in the past few months, but I want you to look at my face right now and ask yourself if I look like I give a damn. I’ve been in all types of wars over the past few months and everything you have thought you have done has failed in comparison. When The Miz and I were running the Trilogy we brought Ted DiBiase into the fray because of his potential to be something special. The Trilogy then was about three, individuals, proving how great they were, individually. Sure, we may have used a few underhanded tactics, but eventually the birds had to spread their wings and fly on their own. The Miz won this World Championship on his own without any of our help and so did I. Ted DiBiase, you won that Path to Glory championship on your own, yet you still use the same underhanded tactics to remain champion. You have not left the nest, the Trilogy nest. No, instead you decided to make it your own. You decided to recruit other individuals like Bully Ray, who happens to share the same sissy state of mind as you do. “

The World Champions expression was intensified as he continued to speak his mind.

AJ Styles: “Bully Ray can’t help you tonight. He can try. I encourage him to. Because as soon as I see his slim fast sipping ass wobble his way down to the ring, I’m going to put this knee, the right one, in his face as hard as I can.

Styles actually had to slap his right leg to give off the sound effect.

AJ Styles: “Speaking of people who wobble around with bad knees, Kevin Nash. These past few weeks I have heard a lot coming from you. You like to criticize the way this company is run and the talent that passes through its doors. That’s fine by me Roger Ebert, do your thing. Kevin Nash is one of those people I was referring to earlier when I said I didn’t give a damn what they thought. His opinions on things are already concrete. Sort of like trying to explain the DVD to your grandmother. Even when you’re finished, she will be right back using the VCR.”

A smile was on Styles face, thinking of his own Grandmother.

AJ Styles: “Did you see him this Monday, all in DiBiase’s ear trying to pump him up? More power to him. He’s going to need all he can. There is no way I’m going to walk out of this building tonight without this World Heavyweight Championship around my waist. Bring the Bully, bring the Diesel, bring the old Trilogy, or the new one. Regardless of what you bring, it won’t be enough. I just might be the golden boy of the EBWF. I just might be a tractor riding redneck and a glorified stuntman. My boss respects me, my coworkers respect me, and the fans respect me. Then DiBiase wonders why no one respects him, it’s because he gives none in return. Sure, Kevin Nash thinks your something special, but remember that your daddy paid him off a long time ago. But I will tell you one thing. Tonight is special. Tonight is a very special night for me. I get to tie up those loose ends of mine and prove again to that I just might be the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion. “

Serious as ever, AJ Styles was ready. Ted DiBiase was born in this business, but the Phenomenal One was a man on a mission to create a legacy of greatness. Nobody could stand in his way.

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The King of the Ring matches had decided the two finalists and the World Championship match was only moments away. The Guerrilla position was a crowded area at the time and down the hallway from it stood AJ Styles, who was dressed for action. His eyes were fixated on the World Championship that he wore around his waist and the words coming from his good friend Mike “The Miz” Mizanin were starting to set in deep.

Mike Mizanin: This is your time now. They're giving you the ball, now you have to pick it up and run with it. The company is at a point where it's looking for a guy to bring some consistency back to the top of the ladder, and I see no reason why that guy can't be you. I mean they put you over on me twice in the same month and I'm awesome. No, but seriously though man, it's your year, it's your moment to be at the top of the mountain and nobody deserves it more. Everytime you step out there, remind them why you're the guy who's at the tip top of this company. You do that, and you got nothing to worry about.”

Styles knew all of this, but he was still worried.

Allen Jones: “”It’s crazy man. We still don’t know who is going over. I’m freaking out here. I would have thought that somebody would have let me in on the decision by now. Fucking standing here sweating is not a good look. I didn’t even expect to be wrestling tonight, seeing as how I haven’t been used a lot on TV lately. I been out doing all these PR appearances and suddenly I find out I’m having a match with DiBiase, for the World title. We didn’t have time to build a program or anything. He has been the one getting the push over the past few months. A nice fucking push at that. Consistency? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I need to know something now. I am going to flip the hell out if I don’t. “

Mike Mizanin: “Relax man. Ted's getting a push because he did nothing but stand with his arms folded behind us for the past 4 months. Why do you think they put me on the shelf for so long, your shadow was big enough that they certainly didn't need mine holding him back any longer. I'm not even going to pretend like I know what's going through the higher-up's heads sometimes; I mean once upon a time they released me… But if I had to guess I'd say they are putting Ted in the main event, to give him some credibility, not to put him over you.”

Allen Jones: “I hope you’re right. I haven’t really gotten into any heat in a while and I’ve got a good amount of positive reviews. It’s just, you never know. Sort of like the Royal Rumble. We didn’t know what they had planned for us and what look what happened. Wes likes to change shit at the last minute.“

Mike Mizanin: “Either way man you just got to roll with it. It's not like you're going to be fighting in the Breakout division if they do put Ted over. You're still going to be one of the key players around here, and that definitely won't change. It's not like you're going to Paul Lloyd and leave if you have to put someone over. AJ Styles is going to be a household name in the main event scene for years to come. The question will be whether or not Ted DiBiase will be.”

He was right.

Allen Jones: “The kid has a good chance. It would defiantly be a career highlight for him and in some strange fucking way I feel like he needs it more than I do. Teddy is a good guy, he works hard. I wouldn’t be upset if he went over, I would just be disappointed. I wanted to hold on to this thing for a while. Not a Randy Orton while, but at least second place would be nice. And you’re talking like the Breakout Division isn’t legit nowadays. Trent’s an animal in that ring. “

Mike Mizanin: “Touche, I feel like there isn't a belt out there that isn't legit these days. It's a great time for the EBWF where it definitely means something to be a champion. So I can get that, that makes it harder to drop the World Title if that's what happens to you. It's just one of those things that's never easy to do. I mean I feel like I had a few more good months in me with it, but I was happy for you. If Ted becomes you, and you become me, at least you won't have to be injured off the show for a few months only to see your girlfriend be given a voice over gimmick. Tell me we didn't have a couple more months of being a power couple, before I finally put you over. They were in a rush to put the belt on you, and if it's the same thing with Ted. Then it is what it is...”

Allen Jones: “Layla is killing the voice over gimmick. She actually makes me want to watch a Taka and Funaki promo. No, not because I still have the hots for her, she is funny with them. You have all the time in the world to do the power couple thing when you get back. Hell, I’m sure they are going to push you to the sky when you do return. Any word on when that’s going to be? They might want you to be the face that chases Teddy for the belt. God knows I need a vacation of any kind. I’ve been on the road every damn day. I haven’t seen my boys in weeks. I’m stressing over this entire Nash situation and now I don’t know if I’m still going to be world champion after tonight. My life is a mess, but I gotta admit, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love this shit.”

Mike Mizanin: “Layla would kill any gimmick they gave her, you know as well as I do that the chick is a natural when it comes to this business, she's got charisma coming out of her pores.. which is why I'm a much better fit for her than you ever were!”

Mike laughed and patted AJ on the shoulder in a way that told AJ he was just busting his chops.

Mike Mizanin: “But no.. no word yet, I sure as hell can't wait. I'm getting beyond antsy. I've literally re-watched the entire series of How I Met Your Mother, it's not as Legen… wait for it... Dary the 9th time you watch it. I wouldn't sweat the Nash situation, despite who eerily strange the whole thing is. Just go day by day man, it's all you can do. If you start trying to guess the next thing that's going to happen around here, you know as well as I do, that you'll lose your fucking mind.”

Allen Jones: ”I think I lost my fucking mind when I quit smoking pot.”

Mike Mizanin: “You should’ve vetoed your face turn… You were so much cooler on and off screen when you were a heel.”

Allen Jones: “Fuck you bro.”

The two friends shared a laugh together and the tension from earlier had obviously left the atmosphere. Styles was given the signal that his match was next and he headed towards the entrance as soon as his music began to play. Waiting at the front was Stephanie McMahon who would likely tell him the finish before he stepped out. Every step closer to her felt like he drowning in quicksand, but AJ kept his cool and was confident to know that whatever happened out there would be best for business. Ted was a guy he could consider a friend and he was sure that their match would be great, no matter what the outcome was.

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(OOC: Wish I had more time. Good luck, Kyle.)