OOC: Good luck Tony!

As Wade Barrett sat backstage at the Target Center, watching the Destiny pay-per-view unfold on a TV monitor beside him, the former bare knuckle boxer couldn't help but sigh. Barrett had attended every EBWF pay-per-view since joining the company, regardless of whether or not he'd been booked; he didn't want to be treated like a jobber, a punishment he had seen dished out to a few superstars when he was still in WWE if they dared not to attend a company pay-per-view without a good reason. But being sat backstage at a pay-per-view made Barrett feel far worse about not being booked than he would have felt had he been elsewhere, because watching the event unfold was an in-your-face reminder that you weren't invited to the party. It wasn't the lack of a pay-per-view bonus that demotivated Barrett - money had never been the driving factor in his wrestling career - it was the lack of exposure that bothered him. Barrett hated to miss out on the thrill of a live crowd. He would have loved to have been involved in the match he was watching right now - a triple threat between Sami Zayn, Ted DiBiase and Chris Sabin. Hell, Barrett would have been glad to be involved in the Breakout Title match, if it had meant a spot on the show. Barrett was so lost in his thoughts and self-pity that he almost didn't hear his phone when it buzzed in his pocket. As Wade pulled the phone out and looked at the screen, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise. After answering the call, Barrett moved the phone towards his ear and began to speak.

Wade Barrett: Mr. Galloway. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Barrett had been friends with Drew Galloway since they'd teamed together in OVW and FCW, a little over six years ago, although they hadn't seen much of one another since Barrett had left the WWE. The last time Barrett had spoken to Drew was in June, when Galloway had been released by the EBWF.

Drew Galloway: Hey, Stu. How's it going? I'm watching Destiny in my hotel room, and I can't help but think to myself... "needs more Barrett".

Wade Barrett: I thought so too; glad you agree. What are you doing in a hotel room? I thought your days of being on the road were behind you?

Drew Galloway: I have a few interviews scheduled in New York to promote the FWE shows next weekend, and I figured I'd make the most of it. I still have my apartment in Kentucky - at least for now - but I wanted to spend some time in New York. I'm flying over to Kentucky tomorrow, then I'll be back in New York early Friday morning. I'll tell you something, it sure as hell beats being on the road every night.

Wade Barrett: I take it you're enjoying life after WWE then?

Drew McIntyre: Aye. To be honest with you mate, I'm loving the freedom more than anything. Working in Scotland again has been insane - no pun intended - and I've had a lot of great offers here in the states. Did you know I'm wrestling Tommy Dreamer for FWE on Saturday? I looked up to him as a mentor when I first moved to America, and now I get to wrestle him. WWE really wore me down towards the end, especially with all the 3MB crap... it's nice to go back to playing a character that's a little more "me".

Wade Barrett: I'm glad to hear it. Does that mean your days of working in the "big leagues" are behind you? If EBWF came calling tomorrow, what would you say?

Drew Galloway: Why, do you know something that I don't? Drew laughed. You know how it is, Stu; never say never. Right now I'm happy working in the indies, but if EBWF offered me a deal... well, we'll cross that bridge if I ever come to it. How are you finding EBWF, anyway? I've got to say, I'm impressed by how slowly they're letting you build your storyline with Ryback. If you were still in WWE, you'd probably be on your third hell in a cell match with him by now.

Though Barrett laughed for Drew's benefit, he also felt himself scowling. Privately, he had been a little frustrated with how slowly the Ryback storyline was moving, but he hadn't admitted this to anyone yet.

Wade Barrett: I'm enjoying it here. You've been here before, you know how it is... compared to the crazy stop-start world of WWE, it's nice to have a bit of consistency. The only thing that's frustrating me is that I feel like I should have done more since I got here. I've danced around the PTG Title so many times it's making me dizzy, and Ryback and I have redefined the word "slow-burn"... but I want to do more. I'm still aiming for the top, Drew, and I'm determined to get there.

Drew Galloway: I know, Stu, but you know how it is. You have to play the waiting game. Make the most of everything they give you, and you'll be where you want to be in no time.

Right on cue, Barrett spotted Stephanie McMahon walking down the hallway towards him. At first, Wade thought this was just a coincidence, but Steph made eye contact with him and smiled in a way that made it clear she wanted his attention.

Wade Barrett: Let's hope so. Anyway, Drew, I've got to go. Thanks for calling, I appreciate it. I think we've got a house show in Indiana on Tuesday night, so if you're free Wednesday I might head on over to Kentucky. It would be good to have a proper catch up.

Drew Galloway: Aye, it would. Take care, Stu. Remember to stay positive.

Barrett ended the call and greeted Steph with the most positive smile he could manage.

Wade Barrett: Hello, Stephanie. How are you?

Stephanie McMahon: I'm good, thank you. Listen, Stu, I don't have much time, but I wanted to let you know that we're starting an eight man PTG Title tournament next week, and we'd like you to be involed. We haven't decided all the names yet, but you'll definitely be involved and so will Ryback and Justin Gabriel. We're going to keep you and Ryback apart in the first round of the tournament, and I'd like to see you and Ryback go one on one later in the tournament, but as I'm sure you understand, nothing is guaranteed at this stage.

Wade Barrett: I understand. Thanks a lot, Steph. Take care.

Stephanie McMahon: You too. Thanks, Stu.

Steph smiled at Drew once more, then continued walking down the hallway. As soon as Steph was out of earshot, Barrett let out a small chuckle to himself. It was time to dance around the PTG Title once more.



At the aforementioned EBWF house show in Indiana, Wade Barrett had been booked against Dolph Ziggler. The two superstars had wrestled each other on a few house shows recently, and Barrett found that he enjoyed working with Ziggler. Despite their different styles, they seemed to be able to "click", in the ring, and as someone that gave his all in the ring every night, Barrett respected the fact that Ziggler wasn't the sort of wrestler to slack off just before their match wasn't televised. Barrett had requested some time to speak about the PTG Title tournament before his match, and that request had been granted. As "Rebel Son" by CFO$ blasted through the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, the Fort Wayne crowd booed and Wade Barrett made his way to the ring. Barrett looked around the crowd with a smug expression on his face, trying to antagonise the crowd. Barrett had walked to the ring with a microphone ready, and after he had entered the ring, his music was cut and Barrett began to speak.

Wade Barrett: I'll get to Dolph Ziggler in a moment, but first I'd like to talk about the PTG Title Tournament. As most of you probably already know, this coming Monday on Warfare, I'm set to take on Justin Gabriel in the first round.

At the mention of Gabriel's name, the crowd cheered. Barrett glared around the arena, then continued speaking.

Wade Barrett: It goes without saying that Gabriel and I have a lot of history... after all, we were two of the original Nexus members, an alliance that took the wrestling world by storm. I'd like to think that since Gabriel and I went our separate ways, we've continued to take the EBWF by storm. It wasn't all that long ago that Gabriel made it to the semi finals of the King of the Ring tournament.

The crowd cheered once more. Again, Barrett glared at them.

Wade Barrett: You excelled in that tournament, Justin... but I'm afraid I've got some bad news. We both know that the one reason you made it so far in the King of the Ring tournament is because you didn't go one on one with me. If we had, things would be been so different. It would have been me that swept through to the semi finals, and unlike you, I wouldn't have choked against "King" Randy Orton. Oh yes, things could have worked out so differently, and this Monday, I'll make sure I'm a man of my word. There's a Bad News Bullhamer reserved just for you, Gabriel, and I look forward to unleashing it on you. That PTG Title is mine, and I won't let anyone stand in my way

Barrett dropped the microphone and waited for the arrival of Ziggler.