The Countdown Begins

[Tony S]

(Sorry for the poor showing this week. With the move nearing finally, Jayme and I have been trying to spend some time with our friends down here while we can before we leave. So things lately have been crazy and on the fly, like today. Last minute we went and saw Dr. Strange with our old boss from work that we love. So just bare with us for the next few weeks. Hopefully sooner rather than later we'll be back full swing.)

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Warfare returned from a commercial break with PJ Black standing backstage in front of the Warfare logo. The EBWF Path to Glory Championship proud draped on his shoulder.

PJ Black: This is it. Last week I beat Kevin Owens, just like I said I would. I proved that my loss to Havoc was nothing more than luck on Havoc's end. I went out to that ring and I did what I do best, I won. Just like I'm going to do tonight against Roman. But you see, tonight isn't just about going out there to get another win. No, tonight it's about me even more.

PJ smiled into the camera as he talked about himself.

PJ Black: See, if you people would follow what I do in this business, you would realize that it's almost time. You would realize that in just a short 12 days, I in fact will pass Dibiase's record as the longest reigning Path to Glory Champion in EBWF history. A feat that I have heard doesn't mean very much to this competitors in this company. Everyone for months have been saying, "PJ, what are you doing?" "PJ, the record doesn't mean shit." "PJ, you're wasting everyone's time."

Black finished talking in random voices as he quoted back things people have mentioned about him. He shook his head and continued to talk, but in his own voice now.

PJ Black: Everyone thinks that in 12 days, when I pass the record, that it's just going to go un-noticed. But they forget, I don't give a damn what they think. These are the facts. Every man that has held this championship since it was made to be the stepping stone to the EBWF World Championship, they've won it and instantly cashed it in. Not caring about it. Not caring about the fact that it is a championship etched in history of EBWF. This championship...

PJ brought the championship belt off his shoulder and held it up to the camera.

PJ Black: This championship was forged from two championships. Two championships that is the ideals of my entire lifestyle. The No-Limits and X-Division Championships.

He paused as he placed the championship back on his shoulder and adjusted it to hold.

PJ Black: The history of those two championships alone is enough to feel something when you hold this championship. The history in those two people alone should make every man before me to have held the Path to Glory Championship to feel regret for cashing the title in so quickly and no caring about the reality that actually is the Path to Glory Championship. I know that when I cash the Path to Glory Championship in to become the next World Champion, it's going to be something special. Why? Because I have comfort that in 12 days, I'm going to make something of the Path to Glory Championship once again. For months now, I've heard countless people spew at the mouth that they were going to make this championship great again. You all said that you would beat me, make the championship great, and then cash it in and win the World Championship.

Black shrugged his shoulders

PJ Black: I'm not going to begin to understand that logic, because it might make me like all of you. However, here I am, less than two weeks away from making history with this championship. I'm about to be the longest running EBWF Path to Glory Champion in the history of this company. That in fact is making this championship great again. That in fact is making this championship mean something again.

He paused as he looked down at the Path to Glory Championship. He then looked back up from the belt and into the camera.

PJ Black: So tonight Roman, there's no way to stop me. I'm on a high like I have never felt before, not even falling thousands of feet towards the ground. In 12 days, I will do something this company has worked it's hardest to keep me from doing. Now, even though it's not a title match, they have throw the big Roman Empire in front of me to bring me down. They think that it's going to work. Key word there if you didn't catch it Roman, is think. See Roman, I know what's going to happen. I know what EBWF wants to happen. They want you to go out there tonight, have Paul come out with you and say a few things. Then you're going to say a few things. Paul will say a few more things. Then, finally to top off the boring speeches, EBWF wants you to beat the shit out of me and bring me back down to Earth.

PJ cringed at the sound of that.

PJ Black: Believe me, it's going to hurt tonight. EBWF knows it's going to hurt. I know it's going to hurt, but that's the only thing about tonight that EBWF and I are going to agree on. I'm not foolish Roman, I know when I'm suppose to lose a match. I know that when EBWF sets me up against a powerhouse like you, they want me to be beaten. But see, if you haven't been catching on the last few months. I'm not really doing the things that EBWF really wants from me. I'm doing what I want. And tonight Roman, I know I'm going to get hurt. I know that I'm going to be wounded. I know that I'm going to be sitting in an ice bath tomorrow. But... I also know that I'm going to walk out tonight the winner. Yeah yeah, I'm all talk, but you see Roman. Tonight, you're stepping into the ring with me at a dangerous time. The championship isn't on the line, but I can't go into breaking the record with a loss under my belt. Let me rephrase that, I won't go into breaking the record with a loss under my belt. I won't. I just won't Roman.

Black shook his head from side to side.

PJ Black: So tonight Roman, I'm sorry that you have to step into the ring with me when you're really just trying to get noticed again. But tonight isn't that night. I'm not the person to get noticed on, because if you try, you're going to be noticed as a loser. Ask everyone that has been in your shoes. Ask anyone that has stepped into that ring with me when it really mattered. Ask Roman and you will hear the same answer.

Black gave one last look into the camera and then turned and walked off.