SAMI ZAYN
That’s mine on Sunday old man! That’s my belt on Sunday!
Sami Zayn waved at the audience as Warfare went to a commercial and Sami started to walk up the ramp with his music still playing, he turned around to look at Syxx and continue these behind games between the two, smiling all the way and not letting the champion get to his head. He high-fived a couple more fans on his way to the stage before walking through the curtains and the gorilla position. He continued to walk backstage and as per usual he was met by Renee Young who wanted to catch a quick interview with Sami Zayn which would air once Warfare returns from commercial.
RENEE YOUNG
Sami, can we get a quick word on what happened out there in your match?
SAMI ZAYN
Of course, Renee.
RENEE YOUNG
Well Sami, that’s another big victory out there for you this time against Daniel Rodimer; what are your thoughts on what Daniel had to say in the build up to your match?
SAMI ZAYN
Well I mean that is in the past now I guess, especially since what we saw happened after the match. Look Daniel and I, no real problems but we’re not the best of friends either, I don’t think we’ll ever hang out at will and we will never see eye to eye but he gave me a good battle out there, a great effort but there’s no way I am desperate for these fans to like me, I’m desperate for them speak up and voice their opinions and shout to get what they want, if they don’t want Sami Zayn then I can’t argue with them, but to me it sounded like they didn’t want Daniel Rodimer either.
RENEE YOUNG
Well, talking of what occurred after your match, this is now your time to show the EBWF Universe what you can do, an Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam THIS Sunday at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are you excited about this?
SAMI ZAYN
Of course, this for some is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I cannot let this opportunity slip right by me like the Breakout Championship did at one stage, I know I still have a lot to prove and you saw out there already, that Syxx sees me as a legitimate threat, he finally decided to grace us with his presence at Warfare because he wants to see just what he’s up against, a win over Daniel means he’s nervous, and I’m ready to pounce on Sunday, that championship is coming back home…with me.
RENEE YOUNG
Thank you Sami, and good luck for your championship match on Sunday.
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks Renee.
Sami walked off with a determined look on his face, on a decent win streak as he has momentum heading into Sunday’s bout with Syxx. He steps into his locker room and looks at a file which is on his bag, he opens it to find a bunch of papers topped off with his schedule for the week; he has another sit down interview with Michael Cole during the week before going off to shoot a video package to hype up his bout with Syxx. He will also take part in an official SummerSlam photo shoot where he will share his whole SummerSlam experience. He looks through the file and tosses it back on to the bag before heading into the shower. Moments later he emerged from his locker room with his suitcase in tow as he headed for his car to set off for his media duties for the remainder of the week.
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It’s Wednesday 27 August and Sami Zayn is at the EBWF Headquarters in the media department where he is scheduled to meet Michael Cole for another sit down interview in the build-up to his big match for the Intercontinental Championship against Syxx this Sunday. He is sitting down and looking through some papers as he is getting mic’ed up and looking through some papers, wearing his usual effortless attire with a blazer over a generic t-shirt, topped off with a flat cap. Michael Cole was in a suit, wearing glasses as he too looked through some papers before they were given the signal that the interview would be starting relatively soon.
MICHAEL COLE
Are you ready Sami? Looked through your notes? You know what I am going to ask and how you need to answer?
SAMI ZAYN
I sure do Michael, let’s do this.
MICHAEL COLE
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Michael Cole and I am here at the EBWF Headquarters in another interview for the EBWF and with SummerSlam only four days away, I am joined right now by the #1 contender for the Intercontinental Champion…Sami Zayn. Sami, good to have you back here.
SAMI ZAYN
It’s good to be back here Michael, thank you for having me.
MICHAEL COLE
Well Sami, this is it for you; only a few days left until you finally get that championship match you’ve worked so hard for, how does it feel that it’s now so close?
SAMI ZAYN
Well it’s been a bit surreal, the amount of exposure the event has been getting, the requests, the photo shoots, the interviews and stuff so it’s been hectic but I was told to expect this when I became number one contender. I like this feeling, I am not wrestling just for this feeling however, I am here to hold the championships and defend them in front of the fans on the biggest of stages so I can prove to the fans and prove to myself that I am the greatest superstar in this company. It’s a big ask, I know but I am confident in my own abilities and I’ll grow in confidence as the days go by, four days away I am confident, three days away I will practice hitting the Helluva Kick and imagining HIS face in front of me, two days away I will visualise how I’ll react when I defeat Syxx, one day earlier I will study Syxx in more depth, and one the night I bring that championship home Michael, it’s close; I am excited…I am confident.
MICHAEL COLE
Now, after your impressive victory over Daniel Rodimer everyone who tuned into Warfare saw the exchange between you and Syxx when he held up his Championship and you reacted by telling him you’ll take the belt, what was going through your mind at that time?
SAMI ZAYN
Well if I am being quite honest I didn’t expect to see Syxx there on Monday, maybe because I hardly see him compete. I understand and I sympathise; he’s not getting any younger, he’s slower, weaker so understandably the company cannot ask Syxx to compete 365 days a year, he was never good enough in his youth, he’s not good and strong enough to do it now. His appearance did surprise me but let’s not play games Michael, you and I both know why Syxx was out there, mind games. He has known for weeks that I am the number one contender, he never mentioned me once, and he never ran into me once but from nowhere just less than a week earlier before our big match he decides to grace us with his presence? Mind games, Michael. He’s trying to assert his dominance, he’s trying to get inside my head and trying to make me believe that I’m not good enough, he couldn’t be more wrong. He’s already asserting his dominance with whatever it is that’s walking with him and answering to his every need, the need to feel like a man is it Syxx? I’m going to make him feel worthless on Sunday, no championship, no victory, and no future. Y’know, I looked at Syxx when he decided to hold up that beautiful championship he is soiling with his dirty little paws, I’m afraid to say that I saw a little bit of myself in him…at first I thought to myself I’m going to wipe that filthy little smile off his little smug face and enjoy every second of it and make sure I never, ever become complacent that I end up losing that championship. But after I told him I’m taking it home, I saw him…laughing…boasting…a cocky, arrogant self-righteous son of a…he’s done it all hasn’t he Michael? He’s been through some of the best in the greatest eras of wrestling against the greatest and it’s hit me that I’m stepping into the ring with – what some people might class him as – a legend. I looked at him Michael…that smile on my face turned into a…surprised look. This could be me in maybe 10 or 15 years. When I know I don’t have it in me to compete, when I know I cannot wrestle to the best of ability every single night of the year, I will call it a day and look back on my career and think, man I did good; Syxx can never do the same. I may be called generic, but he isn’t real, there’s no authenticity there and he knows he needs this win more than I need it. Sure, it’ll be great for me, a championship win is a great honour but I’ve just turned 30 years old Michael, I will have enough chances in my career to hold another title…he won’t. I will try my best to make sure Sunday is the final time he walks out with the Intercontinental Champion, I don’t want to be an almost-50 year old has been turning up once a month and giving a sub-par performance. I want to be the best champion possible, Syxx is half the champion I have the potential of being…his time will be up on Sunday and I won’t lose focus on the task at hand…I need to defeat him and give the EBWF Universe a champion they deserve and a champion to be proud of; the opposite of what Syxx is, he’s nothing to me and once I walk over his helpless, old and frail body with my championship in my hands, I won’t look back once. It’s time we looked at the future Michael and in my future, Syxx doesn’t belong here…
MICHAEL COLE
Strong words there Sami, so you are saying you know you will walk out as Intercontinental Champion?
SAMI ZAYN
I need to defeat him Michael, for myself and for my fans but most of all for the company; having a champion they can be proud of. Having a champion that has so much in the tank, so much to offer. I need this win, and I will walk out the winner if it’s the last thing I do, this business needs me as the champion and it’s up to me to prove to them and to myself that Sami Zayn was always the underdog, but not anymore.
MICHAEL COLE
Sami, is there any hatred between you and Syxx? Any history between the two of you? Or would you class it as…paranoia…that you want this win so much?
SAMI ZAYN
Hatred? Not one little bit Michael, you’re wrong there. I don’t hate Syxx and I am sure Syxx doesn’t really hate me, c’mon I’m a loveable guy Michael. It’s the drive to succeed, hatred is the coward’s revenge for being intimidated, an old man with a so-called legacy doesn’t intimidate me and never will; I surely don’t hate him Michael, I just don’t like the fact that he still exists. History, there’s no history between us. I think the only history I have with Syxx is either the one I will be creating this Sunday at SummerSlam, or the fact that when I used to collect the trading cards and posters when I was younger I used to toss them away because I thought he was worthless then and he’s the same now. That’s the closest I’ve been to him, there’s no other history; I didn’t beg my Mom and Dad to let me stay up to watch X-Pac or The Kamikaze Kid or The Lightning Kid, I stayed up for your Triple H’s, your Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall…Syxx was…well he was just there…I’m not paranoid either Michael, I am passionate, I just want this win and I couldn’t care less if it was Syxx inside that ring with me or even if you decided to have a crack at it Michael and step inside that ring, I’d give it my all to make sure I walk out of the arena with my name on the fans lips and they’re genuinely excited to see me every single week. Well to be honest, what I'm also looking forward to is you on your JBL and Cole show when JBL tells you 'Maggle' that Sami Zayn is the new Intercontinental Champion.
MICHAEL COLE
Uh…well Sami I can assure you that I won’t be stepping into that ring but I do wish you the best for your match on Sunday, good luck and that concludes this interview here on EBWF, please tune in to SummerSlam to see if Sami Zayn can capture the Interconti…
SAMI ZAYN
When Michael, WHEN I capture the Intercontinental Championship.
MICHAEL COLE
Uh…when Sami Zayn captured the Intercontinental Championship against the champion Syxx; along with some other brilliant match-ups, see you then.
The cameras stopped rolling and Michael Cole breathed heavily as both men took off their microphone.
MICHAEL COLE
I know you had to improvise Sami but that was just, I struggled to understand whether you were genuinely trying to intimidate me or not.
SAMI ZAYN
Ha, come on Michael; just a bit of fun. Thanks for this guys, and I will see you all on Sunday!
Sami Zayn walked off after handing his microphone back over as the media guys started to get to work to get the interview edited and uploaded as soon as possible for the fans to view; with some strong words from Sami Zayn to the champion.
- - - - - - -
Thursday 28 August and we’re at the official EBWF SummerSlam photo shoot where most of the talent are gathered to undergo their individual photo shoots which will be available on the website and for any video packages which will be made. Sami Zayn is already finishing up on his photo shoot where he is in his ring gear and looking through some of the photos that have been taking. He puts his t-shirt back over him before walking away from the set and over towards some of the wrestling journalists who were allowed exclusive access to this shoot. One of the interviewers is signalling for Sami Zayn as he reaches them journalists and stands tall over them and answers some of the questions the journalists have for him.
INTERVIEWER #1
Sami! What does this feel like to be a part of the EBWF family in your first SummerSlam with the company?
SAMI ZAYN
Oh man it’s hard to describe the feeling right now, it’s surreal to see just how many people, like yourselves, come out of their way to see us doing goofy stuff like these photo shoots and to see you guys enjoy it makes it even more satisfying; but yeah the EBWF family has embraced me and I feel like one of the guys now, it feels like home and it’s so far so good I guess, better than I expected and I thank the Ikeda’s for bringing me here and I hope I’m doing them all proud and hopefully there are plenty more events like this for me to be a part of, and hopefully I am a champion the next time you see me!
INTERVIEWER #2
Talking about the championship what does it feel like to be in a championship match on such a big stage?
SAMI ZAYN
Of course it’s an honour to be here and get a chance to compete for such a prestigious championship title, and as I have said ever since I was crowned the number one contender that I will do my best to try and become champion and if I am to walk out with the gold, I will try to be the best champion possible and do my best to make sure that it stays around my waist. At SummerSlam it either adds more pressure on my shoulders or makes the occasion that little bit sweeter, so I guess you’ll have to tune in on Sunday to see which one of us handles the occasion better.
INTERVIEWER #3
What are your thoughts on the other matches that take place on the night?
SAMI ZAYN
The card is literally stacked with some incredible matches on offer, and rightfully so as it is a massive occasion, I haven’t thought too much about the others as I’m obviously focusing on my own match and this massive opportunity that I do have but as a wrestling fan I cannot help but admire the card that’s been put together. We have the Women’s Tag Tea, Championships on the line so that’s not one to miss, Damien Sandow will defend the Breakout Championship, then I’ll be in my Intercontinental Championship match so please make sure you pay close attention, record it if you have to because you’ll want to watch me becoming champion over and over, ha – the Women’s Championship as well, the Path To Glory Championship; it’s tough but I’m going to go with Punk on that one, he’s similar to me and my kinda superstar so I hope he does take that and obviously, three stages of hell baby, what’s not to love? Orton and Cena ripping each other’s heads off? Trust me, you don’t want to miss this event. I just hope that once the editors for the website are updating the champions, they erase Syxx and put in Sami Zayn as your new champion… and spell it correctly this time too!
INTERVIEWER #4
Sami, the interview you did with Michael Cole is now available for all to see, harsh words out there but do you stand by everything you said?
SAMI ZAYN
Erm… I do stand by it all otherwise I wouldn’t have wasted my time bothering to sit down with Michael in the first place. Look I think every superstar has a place in the EBWF if they compete frequently, they defend the belt frequently and they can still go. I don’t think I’ll be toning it down for his sake so he can expect the best Sami Zayn possible, I’m eating right, I’m training hard and I am fully focused on trying to wrangle that championship from him. I do stand by it all, it should be a fun match even though he can’t move like he used to, but I do think it will be a fantastic occasion.
INTERVIEWER #5
Finally Sami, what’s the remainder of your schedule heading into SummerSlam and any final words to Syxx?
SAMI ZAYN
Well I’ve finished up here so I’m going back to the Performance Centre, tomorrow there’s a video package to be filmed so keep your eye out for that, I have the Saturday off to train and relax myself and then on Sunday I walk in as Sami Zayn and I walk out as Sami Zayn…new Intercontinental Champion! Ah…final words? I guess Syxx needs to enjoy the final few days with his championship, I hope he cleans it real nice for me and shines it up really well for when the spotlights in The Pit shine on my new championship; it’s a new era and a new champion WILL be crowned.
INTERVIEWER #5
Thanks for your time Sami, good luck on Sunday.
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks guys
Sami walked off set as the journalists waited for the next superstar or diva to come over; the final stop before SummerSlam sees Sami Zayn take part in a video package surrounding his title match before the event itself this Sunday at SummerSlam.
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29 August 2014, two days away from the SummerSlam pay-per-view and Sami Zayn is currently sat down on a chair, no special lighting or anything, just him in front of a number of cameras filming him from different angles which will all be made into one big video package for the Intercontinental Championship. The cameraman signals to Sami that filming will start soon and he breathes heavily, getting ready for the one and only question that will be asked to him.
CAMERAMAN
Sami, why do you deserve to be the EBWF Intercontinental Championship?
SAMI ZAYN
Why don’t I deserve to be champion? I’ve never been the biggest or the strongest but as I say every single time in that ring, nobody can match my passion, my determination, my love for wrestling and my heart; I always get back up to get what I want. You can kick my ass 7 days a week for all I care, I’ll come back, you can beat me down on a Sunday and leave me needing assistance to walk, I’ll walk through those curtains at Warfare, nothing can keep me away. Since I’ve been here, in this company I’ve been up against some of the best and the biggest, Dave Batista has kicked my ass, Justin Gabriel kicked my ass, Seth Rollins and Tyler Breeze decided to team up…to kick my ass and I never really stayed down. I came back when the odds were against me, I stood up to AJ Styles when his cronies tried to kick my ass, I beat Bad News Barrett when he hit me with a cheap shot, I beat Daniel Rodimer… so as you can see I have defeated some of the best, THEN we have Syxx, our Intercontinental Champion. Why do I deserve to be champion? Because if Syxx is given that honour then I should already be a Hall of Famer. I know I am better than him and if he some way manages to cheat his way to victory with that thing worshipping him by his side, I won’t be able to take that, it’s just not on because this business needs a fighting champion. Not Syxx who turns up when he pleases, given the odd easy title defence and walks out as if he has actually achieved something in his life, that’s not going to be the case when I become champion, if it was up to me I’d defend that championship every single week, THAT will motivate me to stay on my A game and be not only the best Intercontinental Champion this business has seen, I want to be the best champion this company has, or ever will have. Ever since I made my debut I’ve not taken a week off, because the guys at the top know what this business means to me and it means a hell of a lot more to me than it does to Syxx who is still taking everything for granted. It’s my time now, and people just need to get used to the idea that Syxx is not the same mediocre superstar he once was, he’s no an older mediocre superstar who is tarnishing the legacy of that beautiful championship and this wonderful company. He’s backward minded, he’s living in the past thinking he still has it, the truth is Syxx never had IT, he never will. I’m not the prettiest or perfect superstar but I still believe inside of me that I have more to offer than Syxx ever has or ever will in his career. Y’know he’ll try telling the world that he’s the best, he’s this much better than me but it’s all nonsense and on Sunday it’s my job to prove it to every single one of you who is listening to me right now. I’m confident, I’m eager and I am motivated; there’s always that motivation of wanting to win, I think everybody has that. But a champion needs his attitude, and a motivation above and beyond winning; that’s what I have and that’s what I’ll show. THAT’S why I deserve to be your new EBWF Intercontinental Champion…
The camera then faded to black as the video package would air before the Intercontinental Championship match on Sunday at SummerSlam.
- - - - - - -
Sunday 31 August and SummerSlam is finally upon us, a historic night with so many championships on the line we’re now moments away from the Intercontinental Championship match between Syxx and his challenger, Sami Zayn. The video package to hype up the match has now finished and The Pit’s PA system blasts Worlds Apart as the fans go into a frenzy. Sami Zayn emerges on the stage with a huge grin on his face as he emerges on this massive stage for his biggest test yet. He quickly gets down the ramp and into the ring as he claps with the beat of his theme music. Fans are already starting the Ole chants as he is all smiles. He walks around the ring with a microphone in his hand and taps his palm over it to test whether it’s on or not. Eventually his music stops playing and the fans are now chanting Ole even louder. Eventually Sami raises the microphone to speak over the loud crowd in attendance in Albuquerque.
SAMI ZAYN
Well…I guess it’s time right? Now, I know you’re all eager for this match to begin and even more eager to see me walk out with that Intercontinental Championship but why not tease you guys a little, make you wait make THAT moment I become champion that little bit better when I revel in my win and Symphony is left picking up the pieces. I can’t wait for this match to get started more than you guys but there is something that’s bugging me, okay I’ll admit Syxx or X-Pac or whatever he is this week has made a massive name for himself in the wrestling industry but as I have said over and over we can’t dwell on the past too much, and Syxx IS the past. The likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels; Scott Hall and those guys, THEY are the legends and for all of his career I personally believe Syxx has been riding their coattails and now he’s here at the top because he’s associated with some huge names, I’ve been associated with who, Kevin Steen? Cesaro? Seth Rollins? I've been associated with the future…so let’s look to the future and hope that the younger, determined guys are walking out of here tonight with the championships around their waists! I think some of the most dominating guys in the business align themselves with someone, we see it with Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman, Triple H and Evolution was a big one, Rated RKO? That’s pretty good I’ll admit, what about The Trilogy? Dominating, and then we have…Syxx and Symphony. Interesting combination I guess, I don’t know what Syxx has up his sleeve if he’s bringing that thing with him down to this ring but I’ll keep one eye on that too to make sure there’s no funny business going around either. What makes me laugh is that you think you’re such a valuable asset, you think you’re the manliest of men, so much so that you’re treating yourself as this fake Lord and that thing next to you follows you wherever you go to make you feel like a champion, tonight that feeling will go. There’s a different in thinking you are a champion and knowing that you are, and I know I am a champion. Tonight I complete what I came here for and become the Intercontinental Champion. You may choose to live your life by disrespecting women and I won’t judge that Syxx, not one bit. Symphony may be your bitch and does what you say, tonight Syxx I make you my bitch!
Fans cheer as Sami Zayn drops the microphone and waits for Syxx, the champion to make his way out to the ring to get this match underway at long last.[/center]