The Food Chain
The Food Chain
A generic ringtone played over the iPhone of AJ Styles while he was walking through the front door of his home in Atlanta, Georiga. Ignoring the call he closed the door behind him and made sure it was locked before throwing his luggage off into a corner. After kicking off his shoes he made his way to the bedroom and dove directly into his bed. He hadn’t had time to relax in the comfort of his own home in months. By maintaing the status of a hard worker he had basically been living in hotel rooms in Japan. Sure, he was staying in some of the finest places money could buy, but the pleasure didn't come without a price. Insomnia plagued him many nights and even the warmth of a woman him didn't help. Styles tossed and turned for a moment, when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He took it out and seen that he had missed a call. Disregarding it he then seen he had a new text message and opened it. It was a mobile text alert from ebwf.net previewing the upcoming Warfare.
AJ Styles: Stardust... What a warm welcome back.
He shook his head. Tossing his phone off onto the floor out of his own reach he put his face into his pillow. He didn't want to think about Stardust. He wanted to rest and he was finally getting that chance. Maybe it was something about being home that made him so comfortable. With his eyes closed, seconds turned into minutes, and those minutes turned into hours. Snoring lightly, Styles was resting. He needed as much as he could get because he had no intentions on slowing down on his road to WrestleMania.
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AJ Styles stood in his locker room dressed in a black hoodie. He had just arrived to the arena and hadn't even settled in before there was a knock at his door. Styles was surprised when he seen Renee Young standing on the opposite side of the door. She had a camera man behind her and he was already filming.
AJ Styles: You can come in.
Renee stared at him for a moment before accepting his request. She entered the room with no apprehension and stood in the center of the room.
AJ Styles: Before you say anything, let me say something first... I'm sorry, Renee. I did some pretty horrible things to you last year and I just want you to know that I apoligize. I'm not the same guy I was then and I hope you can find it inside yourself to forgive me.
He was obviously feeling guilty about his antics as a heel. He had humiliated Renee Young on more than one occasion and even though his apology appeared sincere, he knew it would be tough for Renee to ever get past some of the things he had done.
Renee Young: I'm not here for an apology, AJ. I'm here because tonight you will be going one on one with the current Breakout Champion, Stardust. Last week it was announced that the winner of this match will qualify for the Elimination Chamber match at Fallout later this month. What are your thoughts going into tonight?
She didn't accept his apology. Styles didn't mind. Better to keep it strictly business.
AJ Styles: 2011, I entered the Elimination Chamber for the very first time in my career. It was my first shot at the EBWF Championship too. Yeah, I put up a good fight, but I was eliminated mid-way through the match. Cody Rhodes eliminated me that night. Even then, I never held him responsible. That loss was my fault. It was on me. I thought maybe if I would've pushed myself harder, if I would've been more focused, I could've won that match. I took Cody Rhodes lightly that night. I called him a pretty boy and a spoiled brat, that's when he showed me. When I walked away from that ring empty handed, I was disappointed, and my fans were disappointed. That was a wake up call for me. After that I went on a roll. I won the Intercontiental Championship. I won the Royal Rumble. Then I went on to win the World Championship at WrestleMania. Remember that?
Renee nodded in acknowledgement of his past accomplishments.
AJ Styles: I was thankful for the kick in the ass. Thankful until I finally lost that World Championship. Can you recall who it was that finally beat me for the belt?
Renee Young: I believe it was Cody Rhodes.
AJ Styles: Correct. Cody Rhodes disappeared after that. Yep, took his ball and went home.
Renee Young: You're one to talk.
She was always feisty, that's something he admired her for.
AJ Styles: Maybe. But here's the thing, I'm back now. I'm still AJ Styles, I'm still the man. There's no doubt about that. If you seen my return at the Royal Rumble then you know, I'm a man on a mission. I plan on headlining WrestleMania. Yeah, I didn't win the Royal Rumble, but that's okay. I have another opportunity and that begins tonight. It begins with a guy who not to long ago made his return to the company as well, Cody Rhodes. But Cody isn't the same anymore. I mean, I knew he was a little crazy, but I never knew how much of a weirdo the guy was until now. It's Stardust right?
Renee Young: Yes. Cody Rhodes now goes by the name Stardust.
AJ Styles: Stardust, listen up, I don't like you, I've never liked you. To say I have payback on my mind would be an understatement. No, I'm going to go out there and I'm going to tear your head clean off your shoulders. I'm going to smear that stupid paint all over the mat and I promise there won't be a damn thing pretty about it. This isn't going to be fun, this isn't going to be a game. Tonight, you're nothing more than a rabbit coming across a wolf. A Big. Bad. Wolf. Welcome to the food chain.
Renee Young gave an appreciative nod before walking out of the scene, leaving Styles alone to prepare.
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“Get Ready to Fly” by GRITS played over the PA system and the fans were on their feet cheering loudly for the arrival of the “Phenomenal” AJ Styles. He made his way down the entrance ramp wearing his wrestling tights and his all new T-shirt, which is exclusively sold on ebwf.net. After making his way around the ring Styles grabbed a microphone from the time keeper and made his way into the ring. He posed on the middle turnbuckle to another loud pop from the audience before he jumped down and began to pace around the ring.
AJ Styles: Did you all enjoy the Royal Rumble?
A great response from the fans defiantly meant they enjoyed it. Styles smiled and continued to speak.
AJ Styles: Me too. I'd like to congratulations Dolph Zigger on his win.
The crowd erupted in cheers at the mention of the 2015 Royal Rumble winner.
AJ Styles: Damn, it feels good to be here in Austin, Texas!!!
Signal the cheap pop. The fans in attendance were eating it up.
AJ Styles: That's coming from a good ole red neck country boy! First I had to stop by the Green Mesquite and get me some of that barbeque. Now that I'm good and full I will be working it off just shortly when I wrestling for a chance to face four other men, including Solomon Crowe in an Elimination Chamber Match for the EBWF World Championship. Since joining this company back in 2010 I have been shown a lot of respect from you fans, even when the going got tuff, you still cheered me on, and for that I thank you.
The capacity crowd cheered as a sign of respect, which he just acknowledged.
AJ Styles: I know why you all show me respect, because I come out here each and every night and put on performances that are worth your money. Now, I may not be the best role model for the kids, I admit that much, but I do believe that I am a pretty decent guy. I look nice, I dress nice, I train hard, and I work even harder, so hard that I now have another shot at headlining WrestleMania. I know I didn't win the Royal Rumble and I have nothing to brag about, but I did make it to the final four and I did put on one hell of a show for you people. Right along with Rock, Ikeda, and Ziggler.
The crowd was going ever wilder at the mention of the three wrestling stars.
AJ Styles: So, now we have my opponent for tonight, Stardust.
The fans cheers quickly changed to boos toward the Breakout Champion.
AJ Styles: Come on, it’s just not clicking right with me. Rewind, Cody Rhodes. Fast forward, Stardust!
Styles looked into the camera, stealing a quote from his enemy Miz by saying "Really".
He was now pretty fired up, pacing around the ring.
AJ Styles: Look, I know you have been in this business for a while and you probably feel as if it's getting harder and harder to reinvent yourself. I just never would have expected you to dip in your brother’s stash.
The fans were laughing at the comment as Styles responded with a brash smile. He seemed to have calmed down for a moment, but the fans were still rooting him on.
AJ Styles: Tonight once we get rid of the smoke and mirrors it'll all be perfectly clear, the very first spot in the Elimination Chamber will read AJ Styles! That is not just a promise, it’s a guarantee. That means tonight I'm putting Solomon Crowe and four other guys on notice. If you want to go to WrestleMania, you have to walk over my cold dead body to do it. As for Stardust, well, I'm gonna send his ass back to whatever dimension he came from, he just better pray to the cosmic keys that it's not in a wheelchair.
AJ took a second to get a deep breath in, he dropped his microphone to the mat and immediately “Get Ready to Fly” by GRITS began to play throughout the arena. He exited the ring and made his way up the rampway, slapping a few hands of fans on his way back up while enjoying the great reaction he was receiving. After heading through the curtains he was ready for his match tonight. AJ Styles had become a major player in the EBWF over the years and he still planned to achieve even greater heights. A win tonight would be the first step towards his ultimate goal, the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship.
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