It had been a good night for Ted as far as competing was concerned. He was able to defeat Jack Swagger and advance into the second round of the King of the Ring tournament. Ted was in his locker room, packing his bags before he would go straight off to the airport. While he was packing his bags he heard his message ringtone on his phone play. Ted picked up his phone and saw the message was from a number that wasn't in his contact list; he read through the message and sat down after.
Hi Ted its Kristen. Saw your match tonight and you were great. Can't wait to see you.
Ted sat there thinking about the message. "How can she just move on from what she did like it was nothing? A simple sorry doesn't cut it." Since meeting up with Kristen last week, Ted's mind had been racing and he couldn't concentrate on anything. All he thought about was Kristen and what they were like together.
2008
Ted stood at the altar, dressed sharply with a traditional tuxedo. He was about to take the biggest step that anyone could take. This day would beat debuting in the WWE and winning the World Tag Team Championships. This day was bigger than Wrestlemania. No doubt Ted was nervous, but who wouldn't be. He stood before a large group of family and friends, though not as large as a Monday Night Raw crowd it was still daunting for Ted. The people soon became blurry as Ted saw his soon to be wife walk down the aisle. All doubt left Ted's mind, and when the time arrived Ted said the two important words: I do. And then it was finished. Ted was married to the girl of his dreams, his high school sweetheart.
The memory raced through Ted's mind. That perfect day was tainted by Kristen's actions in 2010, not even 2 full years of marriage and it was over. She wanted a second chance and Ted didn't know what to do. He sat in the locker room just staring at the phone. He read the message over and over trying to figure out a reply. Eventually, after several minutes, Ted replied.
I'm swamped with media appearences this week, so I won't be back until after the next Warfare. But when I get back in Tampa I'll call you.
Ted sent the message and waited in anticipation. Within a minute Ted received a reply.
Good luck in your match and hopefully you win.
Ted was relieved that she wasn't disappointed but still nervous about meeting her again. It still hadn't sunk in that he was seeing her again and that he had to brush off their painful past. Ted put his phone in his pocket and grabbed his things. It would be a long week for him building up to his match on Warfare.
Scene 2
Ted arrived at the Souix Falls Arena with only an hour until Warfare would begin. He roamed the backstage area and found his locker room where he placed his bags down and proceeded to prepare for his match. Several minutes later, Ted sat in silence dressed in his ring attire with his PTG championship resting over his legs staring up at him. He knew the importance of this match and what it could do for him. Being the Path to Glory Champion was a good start. Becoming the 2012 King of the Ring was the goal. He wanted this badly after failing on two previous occasions. He bowed out of the hunt to become the 2011 King of the Ring when Alex Riley, who at the time was being mentored by Cody Rhodes, defeated him. Cody Rhodes had cost Ted DiBiase more hardship than anyone in EBWF. While concentrating on his match, a cheerful Matt Striker entered Ted's locker room and was followed by a camera man. Striker held a microphone in his hand and by now Ted knew that could mean only one thing. It was interview time. Ted stood up and placed his championship over his shoulder. Striker motioned to the camera man to begin recording.
Matt Striker: Welcome everybody to this EBWF exclusive interview with the Path to Glory Champion Ted DiBiase, who is set to take on Cody Rhodes in a second round King of the Ring match. Ted, you and Cody are very familiar with each other. What is going to be in your favour tonight?
Ted was emotionless in his response. He showed no malice and no aggression when speaking. His words weren't loud, but they weren't at a whispering level either.
Ted Jr: Cody Rhodes knows me and I know him. What's changed is I have become a champion and I have risen above him.
Matt looked at Ted, confused by his tone overall look.
Matt Striker: Umm... alright. Last week we saw a much darker side of Cody who only just returned to action after being brutalised by Kane at Death Before Dishonor. Will his mental state affect the match?
Ted Jr: I don't care what his mental state is. I don't care if his face was burnt to a crisp by Kane.
Ted's words became louder and he began to show more aggression.
Ted Jr: I don't care if he defeated Dolphin Ziggler last week. I don't care of every single time we face he somehow seems to get a lucky break. There is no way I am walking out of Souix Falls without going through to the next round. If I have to break bones, I will. If I have to bloody him, I will. I will do anything and everything to ensure victory.
Matt Striker: You highlighted the fact that Cody always pulls off a victory in these tournament style matches against you. How do you prepare knowing that it may happen again?
Ted stared at Striker and the anger in his eyes was clear. He pushed Matt to the ground and the camera man tracked Matt's fall.
Ted Jr: Forget about him and get that camera back on me!
The camera man quickly adjusted to put Ted back in the shot.
Ted Jr: I defeated Swagger last week and this week I plan to go through Rhodes. I am the Path to Glory Champion and I will not accept failure. For years I have been held down, and for years I have allowed it to happen. But no more! I will forge my through the King of the Ring tournament and I will become your King.
Ted's frustrations were apparent and he was releasing everything before his match.
Ted Jr: Since joining EBWF I have seen people rise and fall. People that I can outwrestle received title shots that I should have been given. When I should have been an Intercontinental Champion and World Champion, I was paired with rejects like Ezekiel Jackson and my pathetic brother instead. I challenged for the Tag Team Championships when I was above that. I couldn't even beat Evan Bourne for the Breakout Championship. So that's it. From now on, I will receive everything that I am entitled to. The title shots, the fame, the respect. And if people want to deny me that, then may God have mercy on their souls.
The camera man zoomed in on Ted's face to capture his anger.
Ted Jr: Cody Rhodes is the unfortunate one who I get to release all of my frustrations on. If he thought what Kane did to him was bad, just wait until I'm done with him.
Ted pushed the camera man down and stormed out of the locker room. He was determined to make an example out of Cody Rhodes and he was even more determined to make it through to the final 8.
