AJ Styles had been scheduled to stop by a Louisiana radio station to help promote the Royal Rumble but it wasn't something he was particularly looking forward to.
DJ: Alright everybody, this is DJ Bruce Bruce-
The interview hadn't even begun yet and Styles had already felt his insides shudder.
DJ: And joining me this morning is the EBWF World Champion, The Phenomenal, AJ Styles! How are you doing today, AJ?
The champion didn't respond, leaving an awkward moment of dead silence. He sat in his chair in the studio, hood over his head. He stared away from the DJ, not even bothering to give him the slightest bit of his attention.
DJ: Alright. Well, uh, as many of you know, one of the EBWF's biggest event's of the year, The Royal Rumble, will be taking place right here in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center tonight. Like I said, you're the World Champion, correct?
AJ Styles: Yeah. You might not know it if you look at the poster's since Randy Orton and Chris Jericho are on them. But I am.
DJ: Why do you think that is?
AJ Styles: We have a lot of people in our company that are fiercely protective of their spot. Or, I should say, these people are very insecure. But they should be. I'm the one on top right now in that spot and if push comes to shove I'll slit their throats before they can slit mine to keep my spot.
DJ: Strong words. The EBWF is run by Wes Ikeda right?
AJ Styles: Unfortunately.
DJ: His wife is pretty hot, right?
AJ Styles: If you're into the whole bland blonde thing. Then yeah. She's hot.
DJ: What about Wes? What is he like?
AJ Styles: I don't really have anything nice to say about Wes Ikeda.
DJ: Fair enough. Let's move on. Give the run down of the Rumble itself, for those who don't know. What are the rules?
AJ Styles: Thirty guys are going to battle it out to get a shot at my title at Wrestlemania. And don't think I won't have the title by then, because I will. Basically The Royal Rumble is a huge match to determine who get's to have their dreams crushed by me on a huge stage.
DJ: You appear extremely confident. But you're facing the hardcore newcomer Jimmy Havoc, aren't you?
AJ Styles: I am very confident he isn't going to beat me. He's pretty good but he's not as good as me. We had a match a couple of week's back, match of the year in my opinion, but then again all my matches are match of the year. This match is going to be better than the last one I can tell you that but the result isn't going to change much. He can pull his Little Engine That Could routine day and night but it isn't going to make much of a difference.
DJ: Fair enough, fair enough. Would you like to take a few calls from our listeners?
AJ Styles: No.
DJ: What? Why not?
AJ Styles: That's not what I'm here for. The fans are going to get all the fucking answer they want when I beat the shit outta Jimmy Havoc this weekend.
The DJ shot his director a look, lowering his mic so he can mumble something about Styles behavior. The last part of his answer was censored but, unfortunately, they were a little late on catching the actual vulgarity.
DJ: Whoa, whoa, you can't say that on the air.
AJ Styles: Why not? You're the one who is going to be fined, not me.
DJ: Well, you won't be asked to come back onto the show.
Sadly, listeners weren't able to see Styles' display of concern as he grasps his heart, as if he had just caught a bullet straight through it.
AJ Styles: I'd rather catch something they can't cure then come onto your shitty show again. Next time, ask for Jimmy Havoc. This looks like the kinda place he'd love.
With that Styles removed his head set and tossed it aside, taking his leave from the set while the station quickly went to a commercial. He did the basic promotion for the event so in his mind, his commitment was done. Mission accomplished. Now he was focused on the next mission, Royal Rumble.
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AJ Styles wanted to do something nice so he had his coworkers meet him at a sport's bar. Under card wrestlers, some who haven't even made their televised debuts yet, had taken him up on his generosity. Not just performers were invited. Referee's, match agents, ring crew, camera man, they were all allowed to take part. As drink after drink went down, Styles brought himself in front of his many peers. Wearing a dress shirt and dark colored slacks, he rose a glass to his coworkers. After taking a quick moment to clear his throat he began to address them.
AJ Styles: Don't worry I won't take up much of your time.
He smirked lightly and took a small drink from his glass.
AJ Styles: This is merely a gesture of solidarity. We all work towards one common goal. None of us can operate without the other. Without the main event, their is no mid-card. Vice verse, without a strong mid-card their is no main event. Referee's, agents, ring crew, production staff, we all need one another. With that said, let's all continue to work hard to provide for ourselves and our families. Not to mention the fans who come to every show. Let's make this Royal Rumble one to remember. Cheers!
A semi-drunken chant of "AJ!" rung out as the champion lightly fist pumped the air to the rhythm of their voices. After excusing himself, he downed the rest of his alcohol and stepped outside. He pressed his back against the wall of the establishment as the neon sign glowed over his head. A figure, concealed by darkness, was seated on the ground nearby.
AJ Styles: Oh. Didn't see you down there.
Whomever he was speaking to gave some silent form of acknowledgement
AJ Styles: That..
He pointed a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the party going on inside.
AJ Styles: ..is part of playing the game. Keeping up appearances. A lot of people don't want any part of it. But I have no issues. It's all about my prosperity. It's all about keeping that World Title as long as I can. And the longer I stay on top... the more prosperous I am.
Styles flashed a quick smirk.
AJ Styles: I knew I was going to win the title when I returned. It's not arrogance. I was simply the best choice. I had the biggest buzz and I have absoutely no baggage whatsoever. Well, no more.
His arms found their way to a resting position behind his head.
AJ Styles: Jimmy Havoc wants my title, but he's just a solid mid card champion at best. I just don't think he has that "it" factor. Do you know what I mean? Of course, he had to get a shot eventually. His ring work is too good. Solid promo's. But nothing long term. Wes Ikeda seems to think the world of him. Personally? I think he would be better suited as Breakout Champion. Merely my opinion. And I have a lot of opinions.
His gaze seemed to remain locked forward as he began to visualize his thoughts.
AJ Styles: The longer I stay champion.. the more I draw... the more tickets I sell... the better the business will be. And I'm sure I'll main event Wrestlemania. Which is fine by me. If I have another match with Chris Jericho it's going be very pleasing for the fans. An athletic contest that the internet can rave about. But, if Jimmy Havoc has a match with Jericho the crowd heat is going to be there... But Jericho will have to do too much. Because Havoc has limitations. AJ Styles doesn't. AJ can do anything in the ring. Havoc can't. There's a difference between being a wrestler and a sports entertainer and Jimmy Havoc is an entertainer.
After a moment of silence, AJ laughed silently to himself.
AJ Styles: I'm very eager to work this match with Havoc. I'll tell you why. Best of both worlds. He's talented so a match with him is easy. The crowd is in the palm of his hand so the reactions are going to be there. Much like myself, he's hungry to prove himself silent the naysayers but everyone's more sympathetic towards me whereas Jimmy's drama is self inflicted.
Another pause.
AJ Styles: Does any of this make sense to you? I want to work with the best. The best wrestlers in the world. The best entertainers in the world. Havoc is up there. He's held in high regard in this company, even if it took barely no time for him to get there. He has that mouth but that can only get him so far. He has to find a way to make himself be needed in the WrestleMania main event and I don't really see a place where Havoc can fit. So I would assume it's back down the card for him. And, like I said, I don't think that's a bad place for him.
A headlight of a car pulling up revealed who Styles had been speaking to. Seth Rollins. His black and blonde hair was messy and he was clearly intoxicated. He gave a wide, drunken smile and his words slurred as he spoke.
Seth Rollins: I'm really, really drunk right now.
AJ's expression was impossible to read because it was blank.
Seth Rollins: And I dunno how much longer I'll have a job here so thanks for the drinks man!
AJ Styles: Yeah... Make sure you get a ride. Or call a cab.
Lightly rolling his eyes, Styles gave him a light pat on the head and turned back towards the bar. His face remained emotionless before he threw on a fake smile and headed his way back inside.
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"PHENOMENAL". That word was stretched across the screen in a close up. Bright and dazzling. His arms were stretched out and the hood connected to the jacket sat low over his head. His surroundings were dim. A cabin of some kind. Dark, other than a half open window which allowed some light to pour in. Hanging above him was a somewhat dire image of Jesus Christ upon a cross, hung and framed. A wooden table beside him held a few objects. A small, framed photograph of three young children. A magazine, the recent Playboy. A cigar hollowed out and filled with marijuana. And the World Title in the center of all this.
AJ Styles: I'm AJ Styles and I have made a lot of enemies. And it costs me time to time. But this time I made an enemy out of someone who almost a split image of myself. He's someone who saw through all the garbage that come kept falling from my mouth and...
The voice got a little more jovial.
AJ Styles: ...that's OK. Because I'm AJ Styles.
He winked at the audience.
AJ Styles: And I've always got something to distract me from reality. I've always got something to distract me from how truly horrible of a human being I truly am. I hide all the pain. Because I've got my kids..
AJ traced his fingers along the photograph of his trio of young children.
AJ Styles: My boy's are too young to understand that their daddy is world class screw up and wreck of a human being. They love their daddy. Even though I left them and their mom to join the EBWF just to fuck a lot of bitches and make a lot of money. Yep. They love 'ol dad. Good boy's, good boy's.
AJ's heavy southern accent could be noticed.
AJ Styles: Yep. I look nice in an expensive suit too. I'm a good lookin' man who looks good in a good lookin' suit. And I have women. So many women.
He picked up the Playboy and thumbed through it. After opening it up he turned it sideways to inspect the featured woman and whistled lowly.
AJ Styles: Boy oh boy, do I get those women. Got a different one all the time. And they get me into a bit of trouble. But I don't mind. These ladies are only their for me to feel better about myself. And Lords knows I need that because I am, once again, a wretched excuse for a man. And speaking of the Lord!
Still with his back turned to the camera, he motioned towards the dreary painting above him.
AJ Styles: The Lord shall see me through! He'll always forgive me. And after the Royal Rumble, he's going to have to forgive me. Cause I might be nice on the outside but I sure as hell am hideous on the inside.
His fingers danced over to the blunt and he quickly flicked it away.
AJ Styles: Nope. Don't do that no more. That's the old me. Because if I say that enough, "the old me", people really will think I changed. I'm a mighty fine liar. For instance, I told everyone that I was doing this for them...
His voice dropped to a whipser.
AJ Styles: I lied. I'm only looking out for myself. Jimmy Havoc can try and use any of my flaws against me but I wear them all like a iron fist that I'll use to bash his skull in with.
AJ slowly turned to the camera. The hood was pulled away. His eyes were wide and dead.
AJ Styles: Even though I have a very good life. I have to have more. And I have to keep indulging. That is the horrible, ugly side to me. That is why I defeated Havoc last time. That is why I am a better champion than he is. And that is why I'm going to destroy him yet again.
He eased backwards until he found himself sitting on the table. He began to stare at his palms.
AJ Styles: I almost feel comfortable like this. Because I am more of a monster than he'll ever be. And he took me lightly. He wanted to have his little war. But I kicked his ass in his type of match and those plans were null and void. Big surprise. This time we face off in a straight up wrestling match, my type of match and I'm going to do it once more and prove to him and the world that without a shadow of a doubt, I am superior. The result of this match is completely set in stone. If you hear me say that, and you're still unsure of the winner, number 1 you're an idiot, and number 2 my advice to you is to just read the match back to yourself. Jimmy Havoc... versus AJ STYLES. That's the best they got for me? That's who's going to take the World Title off my waist? No, Havoc is a joke of a challenger, only I'm not laughing. I'm taking this match extremely serious, because even though I'm facing such an inferior opponent it is for my EBWF World Championship. So with that said, I'm not looking past Havoc. In just the past few months, I've defeated champions, I've ended the career of a former champion, I'm not only the World Champion, but I am the hottest and most talked about superstar in this entire industry right now. So the fact that I will be sharing my immense spotlight with Jimmy Havoc this weekend is going to be interesting. Not only is it crazy that I am going to be sharing the ring with this guy, but it turns out that this guy is just plain crazy. Supposedly he's fit for a straight jacket... but we'll wait and see what he has to say this week. If he comes out here this week and says that he truly believes he is going to be victorious on Sunday. That he truly believes he has a chance to dethrone AJ Styles as the World Champion. Well then we'll all know that he is crazier now, than he ever was before.
Styles got off the table and approached the camera.
AJ Styles: This Sunday Night, if Jimmy Havoc is still not convinced about what I am capable of, he will be. I'm The EBWF World Champion, and Jimmy Havoc is just a miniature speed bump on my road to Wrestlemania. There is not a fiber in my body that is even remotely concerned about my match this Sunday. Right now I feel unstoppable, remorseless, cold, and extremely motivated. Motivated to give the world even more evidence that AJ Styles is NOT just a bad guy, but the absolute worst guy you'd want to step into the ring with.
The blank expression made it hard to read the champion but his focus and determination was obvious.
AJ Styles: Jimmy Havoc has been lucky with the amount of success he has had thus far in his career, and I hope he has enjoyed it all.. because this Sunday at Royal Rumble his luck has officially RUN OUT.
Styles final words were loud and clear and the camera shook as he stepped away. Styles said nothing else. He simply turned around and placed the hood back over his head as the scene faded to black.
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The Worst Guy
Re: The Worst Guy
This line made me laugh out loud. Entertaining as always, Will :)Will wrote:AJ Styles: I'd rather catch something they can't cure then come onto your shitty show again. Next time, ask for Jimmy Havoc. This looks like the kinda place he'd love.
