Game 1 of the NBA finals was being shown on a small television. It was being watched by Allen Jones who sat comfy in his hotel room recliner. He clinched a small glass in one hand and his iPhone in his other. The lights were off in the room and the atmosphere looked cloudy as if he had just finished smoking. He probably did. Eyes bloodshot as he gazed at the screen he took a sip of his glass before sitting on a nearby end table right next to what appeared to be a bottle of Jack Daniels. He frowned up a little after swilling the strong liquor but that didn't take his attention off the game. A light shined on his face, it was coming from his phone, yet it still didn't steal his focus. The game was getting good and he had a lot of money riding on the winner. Not wrestling on a regular bases had started to change the lifestyle of the man who had highlighted majority of 2012 within the EBWF. Gambling, constant drug and alcohol abuse, not managing his money, those were just some of the vices he had nowadays. With the time away from the ring, he was able to have more time with his family and his personal life was better than it had ever been. That didn't make him happy though. Allen Jones had a drive to be the best wrestler in the world.
"You got off the phone with me so you could smoke? You always talk about your dreams and what you want to accomplish in life, but honestly I see what you want out of life. You steady go back to the drugs and then have the nerve to ask me do I want you to stop! It's not about what I want its about what you want and what you want is the drugs. If that's what you want then do it, but stop trying to come around me when you're high. I hate seeing you that way! Then you wonder why I give you that look!"
The commercial had given him a chance to glance at his phone and after reding this text message he had suddenly got a sick feeling in his stomach. The sender was none other than his current girlfriend. She made complete sense, but at the moment he just didn't give a fuck. The EBWF didn't give a fuck about him, so the feeling was mutual. At one point in time he was sober and during the time he had manage to become the face of the company, winning the World Championship amongst most things along with the Intercontinental, and Tag Team Championship, all within the span of a year. Even though he had just captured the EBWF's triple crown he was no longer prominently featured on television. Creative had nothing for him. Nothing but being the sidekick to The Miz again. Speak of the Devil, the door of the room opened and in walked Mike Mizanin, turning the light on in the process.
Mike Mizanin: You could have opened a window dude.
AJ's eyes were still adjusting to the light before he could even see where Mike was in the room. They were good friends, something hard to come across in the wrestling industry, so working with him wasn't as bad as some may think.
Allen Jones: You know I don't like to share.
Mike Mizanin: Ha. You need to slow down dude. I think it's making you lazy. You're starting to get a gut.
AJ laughed it off whiled he rubbed his stomach/gut. Yeah, he needed to hit the gym. Don't judge him!
Allen Jones: Its cool, I'll just wear my shirt while I wrestle. Nobody will know.
Mike Mizanin: Like Syxx?
Allen Jones: Fuck Syxx! Don't nobody give a damn about Sean Waltman! For real, they are pushing this guy like he is going to win the King of the Ring. Seriously, he uses almost twice as much drugs as I do!
Mike Mizanin: That guy doesn't have a chance. He is the total definition of a has been. What's up with all these old bastards coming back as of late? It's like the Spurs vs Heat.
Mike had made a reference to the game that was on the television, the Veterans were currently in the lead.
Allen Jones: Yeah, they preach all this shit about showcasing the younger talent but that's really an excuse. The Shield storyline is fresh and I'm happy for those guys but what about people who've been waiting for a real push. You see what happened to Ted. Trent's been jobbing forever now and I feel like I'm in the fucking mid card again.
Mike Mizanin: Chill bro. It'll get better. This is tournament month. No time better to step up and show everybody you're still here. Shit, I had to put Dean over last Sunday so it may be a longshot of me winning the king of the ring. That doesn't mean I'm not going to try. I'm going to roll with everything I get and so should you.
Allen Jones: Yeah, you're right. I have a promo lined up this weekend so I plan on going all out. I have to meet Adam in the first round so I know I'll have to outshine him in order to move on.
Mike Mizanin: Just remember, Nikki has his balls in her purse too, so he might be going over you.
Allen Jones: Fuck you. I wouldn't be surprised if he did manage to bitch and politic his way over. He's just mad I'm fucking his old lady.
Mike Mizanin: I would be too! Have you seen her ass lately?
The two shared a laugh but AJ had more to say.
Allen Jones: Honestly man, I don't know what to expect this year. I mean, the last two King of the Rings, we knew who was walking away with the crown. Television was predictable and nobody was wrong. Jericho and Punk were both pushed to the moon. This year, I don't know.
Mike was packing his bag near his bed and looked as if he was leaving.
Allen Jones: You leaving?
Mike Mizanin: Yeah... Uh, I'm going to let you have the room to yourself.
Allen Jones: Where are you sleeping?
Mike had a sly smirk on his face.
Mike Mizanin: Well, I was downstairs and the manager noticed me. He was pretty cool. Upgraded me to a suite.
AJ was a little green with envy.
Mike Mizanin: I'm finna go relax in the hot tub. Catch you later bro.
And he wasted no time leaving the room. AJ was now alone and left in his thoughts. His match was on his mind heavily and it had caused him to miss the ending of the game. Luckily for him, the team he bet on had won. Hopefully he could also pick up a long awaited win.
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The scenery was pleasant. Snow filled the background of the picture and standing in the center of the frame was the Phenomenal one himself AJ Styles. It was a frosty day in Toronto, but it didn't appear as if AJ was dressed for the weather. His appearance had changed drastically over the past months. He started to wear black more often and look as if he avoided shaves and haircuts like they were the plague. His greasy black hair was longer now and could be seen hanging over his eyes. His sleeveless jacket had a hood that particularly covered his face. His black jeans and black boots matched the menacing look that he was going for. His arms were bare, but he wore gloves while rubbing both hands together.
AJ Styles: It's cold as hell here in Canada.
The camera zoomed in to capture his facial expressions as he began to speak.
AJ Styles: Later tonight however, the city will be on fire. Tonight on Warfare is the beginning of the King of the Ring Tournament. This annual event brings out the best in the EBWF superstars because the winner doesn't just get bragging rights. The winner will become the number one contender for the World Championship.
Mentioning the gold caused a grunt to come over the former champions face.
AJ Styles: Its been almost a year since I held that title. Since then I've done absolutely nothing! Was one of the sole survivors at Survivor Series. So. I might have won an elimination chamber. Not impressive. I pinned Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Who cares? I haven't done anything actually with boasting about lately. I've been at home a lot. Catching up on sleep. Eating ice cream and watching this garbage that comes on A & E these days.
Agitation could be sensed from the self proclaimed "Man".
AJ Styles: HHH is back. Bret Hart is back. Cody Rhodes is back. Syxx is back. Wow. You fans are lucky right now because the competition has just stepped up a notch. Not really. See, none of those guys are going to make a impact again. There "return" is meaningless. Why? Because, I'm back! The greatest professional wrestler in the galaxy is back. I'm going on record right now. I'm going to win the 2013 king of the ring. It doesn't matter if I have to go through a million mother fuckers, I'm going to take back what is mine, the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship. At first I was on a crusade to do the right thing. Be a hero and stand up to the shield. Now. Right now. I don't give a damn about that. I don't want to unite with the roster for a common good. I don't want to rid the EBWF of Dean Ambrose. Nope. I want to kick his teeth down his throat and take back that belt. But the only way I'm going to be able to do that is to win the King of the Ring.
Styles could be seen walking across a bridge and now there were mountains in his background.
AJ Styles: First I have to go through a man I know. It's no secret, a man I don't like. Edge. Former World Champion, current Tag Champion, lifelong overachiever. This place is his home, literally. He is from right here in Toronto, Ontario. From a little boy Edge played on those very snowy mountains over there. Taking pictures a d having a fun time. One day dreaming to become a champion. He accomplished that. Good for him. Too bad it all comes full circle. Tonight in the very place that dream was born that dream will die, because Edge will not be a World Champion again. Not if I have anything to do with it. Randy wont be around to hold your hand and I don't need the Miz to watch my back. The issues with the Shield are put on hold and once that bell rings it's just you and me. You know just like I know, just like somebody else knows, I'm more of a man than you will ever be.
That was a direct shot at his former relationship between Edge and Trish Stratus. Styles only smirked as he continued to speak.
AJ Styles: The whole world knows that I'm the man and tonight Edge you find out why. I'm a different type of athlete than you're use to facing. I'm faster than John Cena, more agile than Randy Orton, more technical than Chris Jericho, and I kicked harder than CM Punk. I'm AJ Styles and in case anybody forgot who I am, tonight will be an instant reminder of that. So if you're watching this I want you to pick up you phone. Grab your laptop. Take out a pencil and paper. Get a message to everyone you know that tonight is the night AJ Styles began his road to redemption. My journey to the championship.
He was serious as he came to his closing.
AJ Styles: Edge and I will probably have an phenomenal match, no doubt about that. I'm not underestimating him at all because this guy is know for pulling a fast one. But not tonight. Edge doesn't want it as bad as I do. He doesn't need it as bad as I do. When we are looking into each others eyes he will see the fire and desire that I'm showing you all right now. Tonight I'm going to punch harder, jump higher, and do WHATEVER I can to walk away with my hand held high. I tried being Nobel. That had me sitting on the sideline. Now I'm back in the game and I'm going to look out for number one, that's me. Hometown hero, tonight you're going to be a hometown zero. Get ready to see me every week again, because I'm not going anywhere. I'm AJ Styles. I'm the Man.
He was finished speaking and continued his walk along the snow bridge. The snow was falling more now and the camera caught him walking away giving a good visual of his jacket, where the back read. "I'm the man, ask your woman".