The Fanniversary event was finally upon us with a lot on the line for a number of superstars. Damien Sandow was looking to keep hold of his Breakout Championship yet again, Torrie Wilson would try to dethrone the Women’s Champion in Michelle McCool whilst John Cena would want to wipe out the threat that is Bray Wyatt, and retain his EBWF Championship in the process. Another man that had the pressure on him was Sami Zayn, a second chance at trying to capture the Intercontinental Championship, facing Syxx yet again after the champion had defeated him around two months ago. This time Ted DiBiase Jr. was in the equation, and it was never going to be an easy task, not with a great veteran involved as well as a former EBWF World Champion. After some great matches, surprising result and a new champion; it was finally time for the highly anticipated Intercontinental Championship clash. In what was a great battle which the fans thoroughly enjoyed, the night saw a new champion crowned. Syxx broke up a pin attempt by Sami Zayn after he hit the Helluva Kick on DiBiase before hitting the X-Factor on Zayn but Zayn wouldn’t be staying down, kicking out of that to the fans surprise. Syxx came agonisingly close to retaining his gold, tossing Sami Zayn out of the ring and locking in the figure-four leg lock on DiBiase in the middle of the ring as he winced in pain. Out of nowhere, Sami Zayn returned to the ring and hit a Helluva Kick on Syxx before going ahead and pinning DiBiase to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
The fans went berserk as Worlds Apart blasted the PA system with Sami Zayn sat in the middle of the ring with his head in his hands. Loud ‘Ole!’ chants broke out around the Wells Fargo Center as Christy Hemme announced Sami Zayn as the new Intercontinental Champion. The commentary team in Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were clearly pleased with Zayn’s huge result as he finally got on to his feet and wiped the sweat off of his forehead before being handed the folded Intercontinental Championship into his hands. He stared into the gold for a moment before unbuttoning the championship title and raising it in the air slowly which received loud cheers from the fans. He signalled for the fans to cheer louder as he raised the championship in the air once more. He put the belt over his shoulder as he climbed out of the ring and walked down the steel steps. He walked towards the fans towards the barricades and slapped hands with them on one side before going over to his left side and doing the same. He reached the stage and turned around once more as his music continued to play, pointing at the fans around the arena before one final raise of the Intercontinental Championship to loud cheers; before disappearing through the curtains as a promo for the Women’s Championship played in time for the next match.
Backstage, Sami was walking through with the gold in his hands with the feeling of being a champion in the EBWF still sinking in. As he walked he was greeted and congratulated by some of the EBWF personnel as he thanked them, he was stopped by a producer who was guiding him on what to do next.
PRODUCER
Hey Sami, good win out there and congrats on the championship. Before you go and freshen up in your locker room, just spend a few minutes with Michael Cole in the interview area; I think he is in an interview right now so just wait at the side. Answer his questions and then you’re free to go or stay and watch the rest of the event here, this will air on the post-show.
Sami nodded and walked towards the interview area where Michael Cole was looking through some papers as he was talking into his microphone and listening through his earpiece; he glanced up and caught a glimpse of Sami Zayn before looking down again, and calling Sami Zayn over. Sami walked towards him as the two shook hands.
MICHAEL COLE
Fantastic match out there Sami, and a huge congratulations from everyone here in the EBWF, you deserve that championship so enjoy every minute of it.
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks Michael, it means a lot to be given the honour of carrying the gold and you know I’m going to enjoy it, I felt like I deserved it but now the hard work begins.
MICHAEL COLE
Well, in just a few moments I’ll ask you…these questions, answer them as if you’ve literally ran into me after you walked through the curtain so look like you’re drained and you enjoyed the match and I believe this will be shown on the post-show so you’ll definitely catch it.
Sami stretched his legs a little whilst waiting for the signal to put the Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder so the post-match reaction interview can begin.
MICHAEL COLE
Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is – as you saw – our new Intercontinental Champion…Sami Zayn. Sami, great of you to stop and talk to us…great match out there wasn’t it?
SAMI ZAYN
Thanks Michael, yeah it was a great match, it definitely sounded like the fans here in Philly enjoyed it and that makes me happy, y’know this is an event for them, Fanniversary is such a huge night on the EBWF calendar where we show our appreciation to them and their support has landed this baby on my shoulder. But…credit to Ted and Syxx, credit where it’s due because they gave it their all out there. Ted has pressure on him, Syxx obviously had pressure on him to show the world that his victory against me the first time round wasn’t a fluke and I had the pressure on me to show everyone I am not all talk. To show the big dogs in this company that I am hot on their tail, to show the company that I can be trusted as a top starand to prove to my fans that they’ve stuck by me for all these years and now our most exciting journey will start, tonight I proved all of that and more, and the scary thing is Michael; I believe the only way is up for me.
MICHAEL COLE
So, how does it fell to finally have a championship over your shoulder in the EBWF? And such a prestigious title at that.
SAMI ZAYN
It feels great. I am still one of the new guys around here and to have such a beautiful and prestigious championship already is a huge success and a huge honour. I’ve already found success here than I did in most countries and I love this feeling, I want this belt for a very long time and I am prepared to defend it against any superstar at any given time. I am a fighting champion and eventually this belt will help me capture the big one.
MICHAEL COLE
Is that what you hope to achieve by being the Intercontinental Champion? Capturing the World Championship one day?
SAMI ZAYN
It’s too soon to say that’s what will happen, but that’s how I hope it’d play out. Some of the best world champions have held this title, our beloved John Cena had a record-breaking reign with this title before becoming the World Champion. Now I am not saying I am a John Cena, but I know I can do that and so much more. I’ll be on my A-game every single week to make sure I defeat every single challenger and show why I am the best around and each defence takes me a step towards the big one, eventually I will get there Michael. For now, I will revel in my success as your Intercontinental Champion…and this won’t change me, not one bit. I will be back inside the Warfare ring every single week in front of the fans and continue proving why I am the best, the best wrestler and the best Intercontinental Champion you could ask for.
MICHAEL COLE
Well thank you for your time Sami, once again congratulations on your impressive victory as the new Intercontinental Champion.
Cole looked into the camera lens as the cameraman stopped rolling. The two men shook hands as Zayn walked away with his championship title in his left hand, opening the door to his locker room and closing it shut behind him. He placed the championship title on a table in front of him, sitting down and smiling to himself. He picked up his duffel bag and zipped it open, getting his cell phone out and turning it on to be welcomed by a barrage of vibrations and tones for missed calls and text messages Zayn had received, the majority of them being congratulatory messages on his championship win just moments ago. After a shower and a change of clothes, Sami was packing his things as Fanniversary came to an end, he sat down to watch John Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Bray Wyatt to retain his EBWF Championship. He stood up to watch Cena close out the show, knowing the majority of talent would leave the arena at around the same time, he picked up his Intercontinental Championship and his bags before switching off the TV and the lights and leaving the locker room. On his way to the parking lot he stopped in his tracks and decided to head to Shane McMahon’s office to see if he would be in action on Warfare, the next time the show would take place. He reached the office and before knocking, saw a large piece of paper stuck on to the door which was heavily edited with a black marker pen to show the changes made to the upcoming Monday Night Warfare card on the 10th of November. He looked at the card and was impressed with some of the matches taking place on the evening before he finally saw his name and focused a little more, realising he would take on the new Breakout Champion in Stardust and it would certainly be interesting to work with him for the very first time.
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Monday 10th November 2014 – The Richmond Coliseum – Richmond, Virginia: Warfare Pre-Show
The main part of the show was due to go live soon, in the pre-show the fans were treated to a dark match involving two EBWF superstars, at the same time the cameras were at the pre-show area where Renee Young was joined by Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn, The belt was placed in front of him while Zayn talked to Renee Young about his match against Stardust later in the evening.
RENEE YOUNG
Ladies and gentlemen, a rather peculiar sight this week, no, not Sami Zayn even though we are very happy for him to be here with us again, but it’s Sami Zayn WITH the Intercontinental Championship in front of him, with his name on the name plate and Sami how does it feel; Sami Zayn, NEW Intercontinental Champion?
SAMI ZAYN
I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of hearing that Renee! Ever since I captured this beautiful championship title, you won’t believe how much more seriously people are taking me. I’m being stopped to sign autographs, to take pictures and pose with the titles, interviews, promotions – all of which I’m not doing because I’m not letting this gold and everything that comes with it change me. I’m here Renee, which means every single Monday, every single house show I will be there with my EBWF Championship ready to fight, this company needs a fighting champion and I intend on being just that.
RENEE YOUNG
Well we all love to see you compete in that ring with your exciting style, tonight you face an…interesting opponent in Stardust. He is also a new champion as he defeated Damien Sandow at Fanniversary becoming the Breakout Champion, what are your thoughts on this match?
SAMI ZAYN
You said it Renee, very, very, very, very interesting individual. I…I really don’t know what to think to be honest. Well he picked up a great win against Sandow let me get that out there, Damien held that title for a long, long time and for Stardust to just come in and defeat him like it was nothing was nothing short of impressive. It’s good for the fans…two new champions to see who is the better champion and tonight I don’t plan on losing to that gold freak let me tell you that much.
RENEE YOUNG
You’re right, two new champions going at it in what should be a very exciting match…but remember Sami he has already won the World Championship before as…
SAMI ZAYN
Shh! What are you talking about Renee? Stardust has only been here a few weeks, a World Title is a long way away. Let’s be honest, I’d rather not have the gold freak appear behind me and try taking my cosmic key, wherever the hell it is so let’s not go there.
RENEE YOUNG
Well I have had a run-in with him so let’s move on, finally before you leave us Sami what should we expect from you both tonight?
SAMI ZAYN
Hmm what should you expect? You should expect a more determined Sami Zayn, a champion performance from Sami Zayn against that thing who doesn’t belong inside the ring with me, once again I’ll back it up in the ring and prove to every single person in the EBWF Universe, that I am the best champion in the business by steamrolling through Stardust.
Sami Zayn got out of his chair and grabbed hold of his Intercontinental Championship and putting it around his waist, taking off the clipped microphone from his t-shirt and walking away from the set, heading into the main show in his first match as the new Intercontinental Champion, taking on fellow new champion in Stardust; knowing the task of taking on a former World Champion would not only be tough, but a treat.
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Monday 10th November 2014 – The Richmond Coliseum – Richmond, Virginia: Warfare main show
We’re into the main show of Warfare now with a match already in the books. With his match taking place towards the end of the show, Worlds Apart by CFO$ blasted the PA system as the fans erupted into a chorus of cheers and dancing along to Sami Zayn’s music. He danced his way to the stage, wearing his usual boring style of clothing; a grey flat cap, a pair of black jeans and an ‘InZayn’ t-shirt underneath a dark blue blazer before shouting ‘Let’s Go!’ into the camera and slapping the centerplate of his Intercontinental Championship. The fans then changed from humming along to his music to chanting ‘Ole!’ as he looked visibly happy on the ramp. He then quickly ran on to the steel steps and pumped up the fans as the cheers got louder. He got into the ring through the middle rope and jumped around in the ring where he continued to get the fans excited. Eventually he leaned to the outside of the ring and asked for a microphone which he quickly received before popping his head back inside the ring. He walked around the ring for a short while as his music continued to play on the PA system, before it eventually faded out and the fans broke out into another loud ‘Ole!’ chant where he couldn’t help but smile and soak all of the positivity in. He then raised the microphone to his lips before bringing it down again and smiling, at last he decided it was time to speak regardless of all of the noise coming from the fans.
SAMI ZAYN
I don’t think I could have asked for a better reaction from any crowd in the world than the one I’m getting right now in Richmond, Virginia! Hope you’re all enjoying the show so far and let me tell you, from one dedicated and passionate wrestling fan to thousands other dedicated and passionate wrestling fans, tonight is going to be one heck of a show. We just saw my friend Daniel Bryan in action, we’re getting two very beautiful and talented ladies in this very ring in just a moment, Damien Sandow and Bray Wyatt will definitely put on a hell of a fight to come back from Fanniversary. Eva Marie, Sasha Banks, Emma AND Alexa Bliss inside the same ring, yeah I’m looking at you King. Then in the main event we have two good friends of mine, Justin Gabriel taking on CM Punk, with the Path to Glory Championship on the line – a match worthy to headline any event on any wrestling show on this planet, so keep your eyes peeled for that one, I know I will. But before that…I am also in action…
Sami smiled to himself and brought the microphone back down as fans started chanting his name. He then looked down at his Intercontinental Championship and put his thumb behind the belt before he started to speak to the fans once more.
SAMI ZAYN
Tonight I’m in action, for the first time as your new Intercontinental Champion! I knew from the very beginning when I met with Wes Ikeda and I signed on the dotted line that one day, I will wear gold around my waist, but even though the norm would be to act all surprised and tell you guys ‘oh, I never expected to be a champion this early in my career, so soon!’, no. I’m not like that. Ever since I signed on that dotted line I knew I was going to be a champion in this business and even though it took me quite a while to get here, I finally did it and stayed true to my word the entire time. I show up every single week and leave it all inside this ring and even though this title around my waist means I have a target on my back, I don’ care because I’m not going to be an armchair champion, I’m not going to be one of the champions who treats you all to a rare appearance one a month and compete and disappear, no. I am going to try and turn up every single week until you guys are sick at the sight of me and judging by this reaction I don’t think that’ll happen any time soon. I am a fighter, and now I am a fighting champion so a message to everyone at the back, I know you’re all thinking Sami Zayn is the easiest champion to defeat in this company, just as Syxx and Ted DiBiase and they’ll tell you, I’m ready for every single one of you, and that starts tonight…with Stardust.
The chants continued as Sami Zayn laughed a little and scratched his beard as he thought what he could say about Stardust, nothing would ever make him sound normal.
SAMI ZAYN
A tough test in a very different way to what I’m normally used to. Usually I have the six-foot-five jacked up guys trying to snap my neck off but tonight…I…I just don’t know what the hell will be in store for me. I’ll give Star…or dust or whatever he wants me to call him – some credit at least. I mean we have seen superstar after superstar after superstar try to dethrone Damien Sandow and then out of nowhere from a completely different galaxy, planet or even Arkham Asylum who loves to dive in a pool of gold, appear from nowhere and take the gold he wanted, very, very impressive so of course; Stardust won’t be a walkover. I think tonight we’ll create a record, not only for a great match between two champions but there just has to be a Guinness World Records official in the crowd somewhere here in Richmond, the most gold in an EBWF ring at once. We’ll have Stardust, and I’m shivering at the thoughts of this but the likelihood is that he covered in gold from head to toe. We’ll have his Breakout Championship around his waist. He’ll stand opposite me, with my Intercontinental Championship around my waist and I’m always sporting my glorious golden hair and beard but the end result is what matters, Stardust counting stars looking up at these lights with my foot on his chest and my arm raised in victory with my Intercontinental Championship in my hand; THAT is what will happen. Look, I have no idea what drove you to this decision, to turn to the face paint and these theatrics but obviously growing up in a family where your brother is Goldust…I guess I understand part of the reason you took this path. I mean…you had it all going for you, the world was once at your feet, a beautiful wife, the fans, the glory, the fame, being the one the company turns to and of course…the EBWF World Champion. What else could a superstar want? Guys would envy you and do anything to be in the position you were in and you threw it all away for this? Let me just tell you, there’s no way I’ll be a pushover and let you walk all over me and reach those same heights, as long as I am standing opposite you inside this ring, on this mat you’re always going to be inferior to me in every single way.
The fans then started to chant Sami’s name as he was ready to compete right now if needed; for the final time he raised the microphone before leaving to prepare for his match later on in the evening.
SAMI ZAYN
But sure, I’m a great sport so I’ll go along with this whole charade, his whole pantomime act where I’ll pretend to be confused and afraid and be taken my surprise when you take my cosmic key, I don’t like to spoil the fun. But one thing I will have to spoil is the start of your Breakout Championship reign, I’m forgetting your past achievements and what you’ve accomplished from this point forward and treating you like a road block I’ll need to barge past to continue my run to the top, and as creepy and weird as this roadblock will be, I’ll make sure it’s fun for the both of us, fun for you because I’ll let you think you’re edging towards victory and it’ll be fun for me once I defeat you. The Breakout Champion taking on the Intercontinental Champion, I’ll represent all of the past Intercontinental Champions and prove that I am the better champion and deserve to hold this belt, this evening the Intercontinental Champion will reign supreme. I’ll be shattering your dreams if you think you can use me as a platform, it’s not going to be easy, ask most of the guys backstage and they’ll tell you so hold on to that title for as long as you can because who knows, maybe one day you and I will meet in the ring for a championship – and I won’t hesitate in snatching the gold away from you. Tonight I could do you a huge favour, as I said I have no clue what’s caused this meltdown but all you need to do is ask – and I will Helluva Kick your head back to normality.
Sami Zayn dropped the microphone as Worlds Apart blasted the PA system once more as Sami put the Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder and walking down the steel steps with a huge smile on his face. He met with some of the fans as the cameras faded into a commercial break so the ring crew could prepare for the divas match which was going to take place next. He continued to meet with some of the fans as he got towards the stage and raised his Intercontinental Championship once more to keep the fans waiting in anticipation for his highly anticipated clash with the Breakout Champion, Stardust.