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MONDAY MAY 22 2017 – EBWF MONDAY NIGHT WARFARE – AIR CANADA CENTRE – TORONTO, ONTARIO; CANADA
Monday Night Warfare had drawn to a close, and a successful night of King of the Ring matches had taken place on the final stop before the Death Before Dishonor event. One man who wasn’t in action tonight, but was competing in a big match at the pay-per-view was Samoa Joe, as it had been revealed that his King of the Ring debut would come against Cody Rhodes, but before that he had the chance to become the second Gateway Champion in EBWF history. To achieve that feat, though, he’d have to take down one of the most talented men on the roster in Jimmy Havoc, who broke down plenty of barriers and made a huge impact of his own. Joe wanted the same, he had his chance at WrestleMania but came agonisingly close, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let a second option pass him by so easily. He needed to be at his best, and was determined to snatch that gold from Havoc by any means necessary.
The cameras were backstage inside the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and Renee Young was seen scurrying along the backstage area to grab an EBWF exclusive with Samoa Joe, who had been spotted leaving the arena with his bags, but still managed to stop and answer some of her questions.
Renee Young: Uh, excuse me, Joe? I was hoping we could catch a couple of words with you for EBWF.net before you leave?
Joe stopped in his tracks as the camera spotted him trying to make a swift exit, wearing a suit but then obliged Renee’s request.
Renee Young: It was announced that your King of the Ring debut will be against Cody Rhodes, can you talk a little bit about that before you leave?
Joe chuckled confidently, and that said it all as he didn’t seem worried in the slightest about the task at hand.
Samoa Joe: I think the only thing everyone needs to be concerned about is how they’re going to react when I make this tournament look so easy, how I’ll defeat everyone that comes in my way. Now, Cody isn’t in my plans right now, I have one focus and one focus only and that’s MY Gateway Championship which I plan on bringing home on Sunday.
Renee Young:A little bit about that, Jimmy Havoc said some things earlier about you which are a little…unsavoury, I’m not sure if you caught them but…
Samoa Joe: I heard. But, I don’t know what else you want me to say? I wish I could stand here and tell you I’m shaking in my boots that he’s said some mean things about me and now I’m upset that I need to go and call my mother about? Come on, he’s not the first and he’s not the last, it’s nothing to new to me. The only thing he is, is a pasty little bitch who hands his painted nails over my championship and I plan on giving that scrawny son of a bitch an ass kicking off a lifetime and the only thing that’ll be on his mind for good in his hospital bed is how Samoa Joe beat him to within an inch of his life. I’m going to be on his mind forever, and he knows that, insults don’t change a damn thing because a bitch will always remain a bitch.
Renee Young: Uhm… one thing people want to know about is this deal you have with Chris Jericho, how he put you in the match and…
Joe raised his hand in confusion and then shook his head, smirking.
Samoa Joe: Deal? I don’t know what you’re talking about. There’s no deal, U know what you’re hinting at and I know the world wants answers. Well, if you want to hear what I have to say I suggest you tune in on Sunday because that’s the only time I plan on saying what I have to say when I sit down with Jim Ross, and I’ll say nothing more, nothing less.
Renee exhaled in disappointment as she failed to get the key answers out of Joe, who knew that she was trying to get the inside scoop. Joe picked up his bag and menacingly exited the show with a clear message; he was going to destroy Jimmy Havoc and take the championship. He heard his comments, and it was a big, big mistake and those that know Joe know that he’ll make him pay by either taking the title, or leaving him broken in the middle of the ring but in this case…it could be both.
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SUNDAY MAY 28 2017 – EBWF DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR– SCOTIABANK SADDLEDOME – CALGARY, ALBERTA; CANADA
Another pay-per-view, another massive opportunity for Samoa Joe. He introduced himself to the EBWF Universe by debuting and attacking Bobby Roode at Christmas Eve of Destruction, before following it up with a Royal Rumble win at the first time of asking while he also became the number one contender for the now defunct Path to Glory Championship. Unfortunately for him, though, he failed at the biggest and most important hurdle at WrestleMania when he was unable to dethrone PJ Black to become the EBWF World Champion. Still, a big night awaited Joe at Death Before Dishonor as a new opponent held a new championship which he had his eyes on. Earlier in the week, the EBWF cameras caught up with Samoa Joe as he left Warfare, where he made it clear that he was going to address the comments made by Jimmy Havoc, while he also planned to get a lot of other things off his chest. The scary part of that was that Joe prefers to do the talking in the ring, so whatever he said in an interview or into a microphone, chances are it’ll be much worse when the referee rings the bell.
The cameras were inside of the Scotiabank Saddledome, and several matches had already taken place and coming up next was the Gateway title match between Jimmy Havoc and Samoa Joe. The cameras focused on the commentators, Corey Graves and Joey Styles, as they told the fans at home what was coming up next.
Joey Styles: We’re rolling on with Death Before Dishonor here in Calgary and coming up next, we have one of the most intriguing title matches in recent times as Jimmy Havoc puts his Gateway Championship on the line against the dangerous, the destructive…Samoa Joe.
Corey Graves: Joey, I’ve been waiting for this the second it was announced! Samoa Joe gets another shot at a top prize in the company, and something tells me he’s not letting this one go to waste.
Joey Styles: Well, Corey, you’re going to have to wait a liiiitle bit longer as coming your way, we bring to you an exclusive interview from earlier this week when…well things got a little hectic. It was supposed to be an interview between our very own Michael Cole and Samoa Joe after he had spoken to Sami Zayn, but Samoa Joe well…he wasn’t having any of it, was he, Corey?
Corey Graves: Can you blame him, Joey? Who wants to sit down and talk to Cole for so long. Samoa Joe should get what he asks for and finally got the one and only…Jim Ross.
Attention turned to the titan-tron where fans tuned in to watch a sit-down interview between Jim Ross and Samoa Joe. Joe was sat down in a suit, looking smug and waiting for JR to sit down and fans were made aware that he had waved away Michael Cole beforehand who tried to sit down and interview him. So, they were forced to wait for JR to come in and prepare himself for the interview. Joe looked patient, which was slightly unusual as he hated these types of things. Eventually, he looked up and straightened himself up as JR walked in, receiving instructions as Joe stared him out, with an evil smirk on his face. JR was slightly surprised as he turned around and Joe was sat in his seat, with his arm stretched out waiting for a handshake. He slowly shook his hand and sat down, reading through some notes before putting them to the side, and watching the confident Joe sit back in his seat.
Jim Ross: I gotta ask you, son. Why me? We had a perfectly capable journalist in Michael Cole, he had everything ready and you’ve thrown everything up in the air just to have me here.
Samoa Joe: There’s no agenda here, Jim. You know what I’m all about, and I respect that because I’ve never heard you say a bad word about me, and I thought greatness should sit with greatness and engage in dialogue while we can have Michael Cole chase the Sami Zayn’s and the Jimmy Havoc’s of this world, that’s it. That’s why I wanted to talk to you over anybody else because I feel you’re the only person who can understand me, and what I can do, and you won’t judge me on that.
Jim Ross: Well, I am a fan but all of that doesn’t matter right now. I’m going to ask what I have to ask, and that’s Chris Jericho. Why? Why did you take orders from him and work for him for this title match when the Samoa Joe I know, he would have happily competed in a number one contenders match for the same outcome.
Joe scoffed as he shuffled in his seat.
Samoa Joe: I don’t know how to break the news to everyone, but I am not working for Chris Jericho, I never have and I never will. I’m not working for Wes Ikeda, I’m not working for anybody else in the headquarters who is trying to accomplish a personal goal. I. Work. For. Nobody. What I will say, though, is that Chris Jericho and I came to an understanding, a business arrangement if you will – and it just happens that it managed to benefit both parties, so who can say no to that? I got what I wanted, a title match for the Gateway Championship at Death Before Dishonor, and he’ll get what he sought my services for when I’ll break little James in half and deliver him to Jericho’s doorstep and then our business is concluded, he can go what he wants him with him for all I care. Think of me as a modern day….hitman. I will get the job done, with or without Chris Jericho’s approval, and I’ll do it my way and if that means bending the rules then so be it.
Jim Ross: I can’t help but feel…that there’s more substance here, son. Not just a business arrangement as you say, but between you and Jimmy. Is this because of the things he said to get under your skin?
Joe looked confused, and laughed under his breath again.
Samoa Joe: I didn’t join this business last week that a few comments are going to get under my thick skin. He can say what he wants to get comfortable and try to get in my head but it’ll never work, he can run his mouth off…fine by me. I think there’s a little bit of animosity here simply because he shouldn’t be holding that title, that should be mine, I should be heading into this match as Gateway Champion. I mean, I thought the resident walking Wikipedia was annoying when he’s reminding me how long I’ve been in the wrestling business, but then you have this little guy who will stop at nothing on a weekly basis to tell you what he’s achieved. That’s what makes him comfortable, the need to remind everyone that while he was a nobody in England, he caught a lucky break here and now he means something. If he doesn’t remind you that he won this, this and that then we’d all forget about him. I know I would. Gateway, Intercontinental, Path to Glory – whatever, it should be me. Why? Because now only did I win the freaking Royal Rumble, I defeated Kevin Owens – another thing he chooses to forget and just points out the flaws – to become the number one contender for the Path to Glory Championship. Jim, where was my title shot? Call me selfish, I don’t care. I didn’t get my rightful shot at the title I worked for and somehow the cards fell into place for this little punk to swoop in, take the gold and be awarded a brand new title which he knows he doesn’t deserve. That’s why I’m pissed, and that’s why he’s the one that’ll feel the brunt of my frustration, then little James will talk no more; it’s time to get what’s mine.
Jim Ross: I understand that, but surely somebody as seasoned as you can’t deny that he broke barriers here in the EBWF, something I’m sure you’re pleased to see as you did the same when the odds were stacked against you, son. Surely he deserves some credit?
Samoa Joe: What makes you think that? He doesn’t deserve any credit from me, or anybody else. Sure, he’s picked up wins, he’s picked up championship but I’ve done that all over the planet, has anyone raved about me that way? No, because I don’t give a shit about that like he does and then brushes it off. Like it or not, the pressure is on him and he does have something to lose whether he wants to believe it or not. Win, and Jimmy Havoc becomes a legend forever etched in history, lose and he becomes a forgotten memory who couldn’t handle the pressure when it mattered. So all of this bullshit talk on nothing to lose is just that, he has it all to lose, this is just a plea from him begging the world not to forget about him when he fails, because where does he go from here? You can question everything I’ve done, and not a single person on this planet would trade my achievements for his, because all of these mini titles wins make him happy and make him feel relevant, but they mean nothing to me. Sure, a title is great, it shows dominance and everything, but what will satisfy me a lot more inside of that ring is watching Jimmy scratch and claw and beg me to go easy on him…not a chance.
Jim Ross: Would you say you’ve made a bigger impact than Jimmy has, let’s say the same six month-span of him arriving and your first six months here?
Samoa Joe: Oh for sure. I mean, is that even in doubt? Are people genuinely comparing the two? Six months in and I’m on his mind and he’s worrying about me and I’m all he can think about and talk about. In my six months here I had no idea what a Jimmy Havoc was. People knew me when I arrived, and when he arrived it was a signal for a bathroom break, and it’s still that way to this day. I mean, what has he done in his time compared to me? Title wins, great, but there’s a reason this company didn’t put me in the Breakout bracket or the tag team bracket, they put me at the top right away. That’s the difference between me and him, the company knows I belong at the top and they made sure I was there the second I signed on the dotted line and they brought in the greatest free agent on the planet. When he arrived, he had to start at the bottom because that’s his level and that’s a level he’s been accustomed to throughout his career. I won the Rumble, I got the main event of WrestleMania, I became the number one contender for the Path to Glory title, not him. It took him a year almost to achieve what I have in a matter of months, that’s the difference. What has he done in the time he was around compared to me? He hasn’t lived up to his name, he hasn’t caused havoc because he’s just been a generic little guy who didn’t get enough attention growing up. Hiding behind others at every chance he gets to mask his own securities. Seth. Baron. The Broken. Braun. What next? I honestly think after tonight, he’ll be at the back trying to kiss my ass and hide behind me so he can see what true dominance is like. Show me one thing he can do on his own, and maybe I’ll pay attention to it. So, after tonight he can go back to his level, he can go back to jumping on Braun’s back and he can stay in that tag team division, because he won’t want to mix it up with me after tonight. So, keep talking, keep trying to make yourself believe that you belong at my level and that you can hang with me and that I’m nothing to you, but he’ll eat his words, I promise you that. The only decision I have on my mind is do I hit the Muscle Buster and potentially end his career if it accidentally goes wrong, or do I choke him out, and leave him lifeless in the middle of the ring. I guess I’ll decide on the night.
Jim Ross: Son, why do I get the feeling that you’re heading into this match with the aim of hurting Jimmy Havoc, and the match and the title is secondary?
Samoa Joe: You’re thinking that because you’re probably right, Jim. They say you’re supposed to pick a career which doesn’t feel like a job, something that makes you happy and makes you want to go to work, and I enjoy hurting people, so why should I not do that? In fact he only has himself to blame for the mess he’s in now because he’s talked a lot and was quick to point out my own failures but not his own, he brushes it off like we’re supposed to forget about that that. But, I see right through that because I’ve met losers like him my whole life. He was a loser as a kid, he was a loser growing up and in that locker room, he remains a loser to this day and will until the end of time. He’ll be lucky if I don’t put him down for good because not a soul on this planet would miss him or even realise he’s gone. This is a game I enjoy, and I’m going to break him down methodically, in the most menacing way imagine and then the whole world will see him inside of that ring because I’m going to make him beg me not to hurt him anymore.
There was a bit of awkward silence for a moment, as Joe looked JR who was trying to figure out how to approach this, as it was evident that destruction was the only thing on Joe’s mind, and it seemed as if JR was talking to a psychopath with only one thing on his mind.
Jim Ross: So, is that what we’re expecting on Sunday? A bloodbath, destruction when there’s simply no need for it?
Joe couldn’t help but smile as JR asked him the question.
Samoa Joe: Why not? Isn’t that the entertainment aspect of the business? I think the world that will be watching when I destroy him, and I don’t think they’d be too pleased when they look back and see that in the history books Jimmy Havoc was the first ever Gateway Champion, so I think I’ll be doing them a favour, and they all owe me. I’m going to take great enjoyment from this. Actually, after I beat him tonight I genuinely hope he advances to the King of the Ring final, because I already know I’ll be there and I’ve love to piss him off that little bit more when he thinks he has it in the bag and then that could even become a trend, that every time he stands opposite me he will always crumble and fall. On Sunday, I’m bringing the fight to him like never before, like nothing he’s ever imagined because he’s never seen anything…ANYTHING like me, Jim. He thinks being a relatively big name across the shore competing in death matches in barns on a Thursday evening is going to scare me? That it’s going to make me shake in my boots? That I should be worried? Please, he’s going to learn a whole new meaning to the word havoc when I’m finished with him and now even that big oaf Braun Strowman can put the pieces back together after I make him look like a Disney fucking princess. I end the façade, that’s what worries him most of all, that I’ll expose him.
Jim Ross: Well son, I believe that’s all I needed to ask you. So, the floor is yours, there’s the camera and say whatever it is you need to say, if you do.
Samoa Joe: Thank you, Jim.
Joe and JR shook hands as JR unclipped his microphone, slightly disappointed as he was unable to get through to Joe, failing to urge him not to take things too far but he failed as it already seemed like Joe had his mind set. He was going to destroy Havoc to within an inch of his life, and take his title in the process. Joe then watched JR leave, before his expression suddenly changed, looking angry as he stared dead into the camera, talking directly to his opponent.
Samoa Joe: You know what, I didn’t say this earlier but I will say it now, I do give you a tiny bit of credit. I’ve tuned into EBWF programming long before I even arrived and even I have seen guys come and go. I had guys tell me they’re finally waving goodbye to the indied because they hit the big time and then one month later, they’re back booked in a match with me on the independent scene. Talk about the Young Bucks, Hideo Itami, hell even half of the guys you mentioned, I was talking to the them the night after they disappeared from EBWF. They’re here for one month, and they’re gone…but you survived. You managed to stay, you didn’t fall through the cracks and you proved people wrong because when you arrived, questions were asked and eyebrows were raised, ‘What can this guy actually achieve here?’ You…you proved them wrong, and you’re happy that happened. The difference between you and I is that when I arrived, questions weren’t asked and eyebrows weren’t raised. They watched me destroy Bobby Roode and walk with my head held high in the backstage area and everyone was saying it’s about damn time Samoa Joe arrived to the EBWF.
Joe’s angry look turned into a bit of a smile for a brief second, as he threw a backhanded compliment at Jimmy Havoc before leaning forward, resting his chin on his knuckles as he looked into the camera, before the angry look appeared on his face again.
Samoa Joe: All of those names you mentioned, the guys that are no longer around, I feel your name could be the latest and the biggest on that list, and it’d be all because of me. But you’re a stubborn son of a bitch, I expect you’ll still be here kicking up a fuss and using every excuse in the Jimmy Havoc playbook on why you lost to the destroyer. I know you’re probably sat there, afraid, upset because this whole act didn’t really do anything for me, it didn’t get me worried. So I have to ask, how can you scare someone that can’t be frightened? How can you vow to make someone bleed…when I’m a heartless son of a bitch who is as cold and as calculated as they come? How can you break someone who can’t be broken and was moulded by God himself and put on this planet to destroy everything? Easy. You can’t.
Joe then sighed, put his hands on his knees and got off his seat, but as he touched his microphone to unclip it, he gave one final message as he pushed away an EBWF production assistant who tried to help him.
Samoa Joe: You can question the tag that’s been given to me, the destroyer, you’re more than welcome to it considering you like to give yourself these little nicknames. But let me be clear, I’m not Jericho’s right hand of destruction. I’m not anyone’s right hand. I am the destruction, I am the destroyer who intends on living up to that name on Sunday at Death Before Dishonor. You…you made a bad choice of words…Kill Havoc Kill…Die Havoc Die…how fitting? On your one-year anniversary, I’ll happily oblige.
Joe threw the microphone on the ground and left the scene, and it didn’t take long for the fans inside of the arena to understand the signal, and “JOE’S GONNA KILL YOU! JOE’S GONNA KILL YOU!” echoed throughout the arena as his menacing theme music eventually hit the PA system.