A Mean Streak
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 8:47 am
OOC: Posting this one early since I won't be on much up until the deadline. I'm pretty happy with it, but like always any feedback or criticism is definitely appreciated. Hope you enjoy and good luck to Tony.
Ted DiBiase had completed his match with Wade Barrett and successfully defeated him. He walked down through the backstage area on his way to his locker room. Along his back were bright streaks of red where he was struck by the strap. Streaks lined his back and across his body, it hurt him but not enough to care. As Ted walked to his locker room he passed the interview set where Matt Striker and a camera man were standing around.
Ted Jr: You. Follow me.
Ted's words were short and sharp. No emotion, just simple instructions. Ted walked into his locker room and took a seat on the bench. Matt Striker walked in with the camera man not far behind.
Ted Jr: Have they announced who I'm facing next week?
Straight to the point. Ted didn't have time to chat, he was all business.
Matt Striker: Next week it will be you facing Chris Sabin.
Ted Jr: Get out now.
Striker looked confused. He thought he would be interviewing DiBiase but that wasn't the case. Ted pointed at the camera man.
Ted Jr: You stay here. I need a camera, not an interviewer.
The camera was quickly configured and then began recording. Ted remained slightly hunched over as he began to speak into the camera.
Ted Jr: What did I say? I said that Wade wouldn't stand a chance. I said that you can push me closer and closer to that edge and I'd react. Look at this.
Ted showed his back where welts and bruises had begun to form.
Ted Jr: This wasn't Wade striking me down with that strap. It was this company pushing me down, trying to beat me into submission until I'm a faithful servant. But what happened? I rose up, fought back and conquered the machine.
Ted looked down at his hands and began to speak softly.
Ted Jr: Did you see me choke the life out of him? Did you see the power I had over him. It could have been all over. His life was in my hands and I spared him. He may not know it now but he will some day.
Ted looked back up at the camera and his voice grew in loudness.
Ted Jr: That's what happens when you push a man. He fights for his life and if he has to take a life to save his he will. Wade Barrett may have lost the match but he won his life because I was merciful. I wasn't an easy beat tonight. I wasn't falling behind. I stood out. People don't understand the message that I sent tonight. They really don't. They see this as just another win for me. But it's not. I put everyone on notice now. The corporate machine can't hold me down any further. I am fighting a war here and there's going to be casualties. Wade Barrett was the first, and that's just the beginning. The bodies will pile up and I'll stand above them all. I'll take out every single person in EBWF if I have to. The name Ted DiBiase will command respect here in EBWF. I dare anyone to challenge me.
Ted sat back and leaned against the wall.
Ted Jr: Chris Sabin is next. Now I have no doubt what happened to Barrett will happen so Sabin. There's a weakness to him. Much like Barrett, but more exploitable. His friendships. Barrett showed a friendship and a need for a partner in Ryback and it made him weak. He relied on the partnership he couldn't perform as an individual. Chris Sabin is very much the same, but his weakness is a girl. He cares for Velvet, there's no hiding that. That's his weakness. Will I exploit it? Of course. If I have to do something to Velvet to win this match I'll do it.
Ted took in a deep breath and then exhaled.
Ted Jr: In this place it's not the person who plays by the rules that wins. This place is not a fairytale where good triumphs over evil. That's not how the real world works. The man who will do anything to win is the one that will win. The man who will commit any despicable act will win. Not the one who panders to the masses or relies on them for support. You're alone in that ring and nobody will help you. I learnt these lessons a long time ago and realised that I don't care what anyone in that crowd thinks. If they hate me and want me dead then so be it. But when I get my hand raised night after night and championship gold gets put around my waist I'll demand the respect I deserve. That's the problem with people today. They love a guy like Sami Zayn or Wes Ikeda no matter how bad they fail, because they will pander to them and think of them as more than a paycheck. When I was choking the life out of Wade Barrett did you see anyone in the crowd help him? No. Because once you step in between the ropes they mean nothing. They're not going to save you. They respect a guy like Wes Ikeda or Dolph Ziggler because they love the fans. When I become a champion again, and it's not a matter of if, it will be when, I will demand respect. You can hate me but you will give me the respect I deserve. For years I've been treated as dirt in this organisation, but instead of jumping ship to the rivals and dominating there, I took the challenge here. I became the longest reigning champion in EBWF history, not by a day or two, but for 60 days longer. I demolished that record but was I recognised as a great for it? No I was still treated like dirt. I've been pushed and disrespected for far too long and now it's all done. Now I'm going to go through each and every opponent that I face here and demand the respect
The recording then cut and Ted had finished his promo.
EBWF was being broadcast live from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Ted had entered the building dressed in an expensive jet black suit and was flanked by a group of 6 men, also dressed in black suits. Much like last week Ted walked straight away to go out to the ring, but this time he wasn't stopped. His music began to play over the PA as he walked down to the ring. The crowds had filed in and the first dark match had been completed. The crowd booed Ted as he entered the ring with his entourage. He had been given a microphone and he stood in the centre of the ring with his men around him.
Ted Jr: Shut up!
It was simple, but it made the crowd even louder in booing Ted.
Ted Jr: Do you all feel that? I certainly do. You all despise me. You despise me because I have what you'll never have. You people might accept mediocrity but I sure as hell don't. You might love your small and cramped 2 bedroom home for your family of 5, but I enjoy my large mansion. I enjoy having the choice of never working again and I'm not even 35. Meanwhile a 40 year old dad is working 3 jobs just to pay for his run down home. The difference between you people and me is I'm not from this cesspool known as Phoenix.
The crowd hated Ted. One fan even through a empty Coke bottle at Ted, but one of his men swatted it away.
Ted Jr: Enough about you people, I've given you more time than you deserve. Tonight I'll be facing Chris Sabin. You all laugh and judge and criticise my career, but here is a man who has never held the World Champion. He's never been the top dog in EBWF, always a middle of the pack guy. You want mediocrity, Phoenix? Chris Sabin is the symbol of mediocrity. He's never reached that level of greatness like I have. Sure he's won championships before, but he's never won the big one, he's never had that definitive reign. He sure as hell couldn't hold a championship for 11 months like I did. He will always be known as mediocre. Nobody in the locker room sees Chris Sabin as a threat. Nobody has ever thought that Chris Sabin could carry this company on his back. He's just another mediocre guy content with his place on the totem pole. He's like all of you, never going anywhere.
The crowd continued to boo Ted, it fuelled him as he spoke.
Ted Jr: There are two types of people in this world: Winners and losers. Winners are people who will do what is necessary to win, while the losers play it safe and don't have the guts to do everything possible to win. Winning in this company is my life. It's what keeps me getting up. And when that day comes when I cannot win anymore, my life will be over. That's the difference between me and Chris Sabin. I'll fight until I die. So later tonight when you're all cheering for Sabin, give him your support, depend on him, because he's going to need a miracle to stop me from choking him out just like I did to Wade Barrett. Chris Sabin will pass out in the centre of this ring and I'll stand over his lifeless body and there's not a damn thing any of you can do to stop me.
Ted's dropped the microphone after his final threat to the crowd. He exited the ring while the crowd booed. Several crowd members through drink containers, but they were blocked by Ted's men.
Ted walked through to the back and was confronted by Renee Young, who tried to get to Ted but was stopped by one of his men.
Renee Young: Ted, you've shown more of a mean streak in recent weeks, what has spurred this change in attitude?
She reached through the men, so her microphone got close to Ted.
Ted Jr: I'm done with the games now. I'm done with being disrespected and treated like dirt in this company. It's time for me to fight back after years of mistreatment.
Renee Young: You had some very harsh things to say to our EBWF fans in attendance. Was there a need for it?
Ted Jr: Do you think I care if a little kid is sad because of what I said? Welcome to the real world, Renee. There's good guys and bad guys, and I'm a bad man. I give the dose of reality that everyone needs. I say what is true, not what they want to hear. I'm rich and successful because I was truthful and realistic. I didn't get rich by pandering and playing nice. I got money from my father, but I have made more than my fair share through hard work that needed to be done.
Renee Young: With there being such a great talent boom in EBWF, how are you going to rise above the pack to earn a World Championship match?
Ted Jr: I'll go through anyone and everyone. I'll take on one person, two people, three people, just to prove that I'm not the person you want to mess with. I'm going to make it very clear that if you get in the ring with me you will be risking your life. Mark my words by the end of 2015 I will be challenging for the World Championship.
Renee Young: Any final words for Chris Sabin?
Ted Jr: Listen to me carefully. I will beat you. I will choke the life out of you. You can submit and acknowledge that I am superior to you. If you decline that option, I'll render you unconscious. I'll be the only one walking out of the ring. And when I do leave that ring with my hand raised as the victor, you'll be lifeless on the mat, wishing that you never faced me.
Ted left Renee and his men followed as he went into his locker room for his final preparations before his match with Chris Sabin.
Ted DiBiase had completed his match with Wade Barrett and successfully defeated him. He walked down through the backstage area on his way to his locker room. Along his back were bright streaks of red where he was struck by the strap. Streaks lined his back and across his body, it hurt him but not enough to care. As Ted walked to his locker room he passed the interview set where Matt Striker and a camera man were standing around.
Ted Jr: You. Follow me.
Ted's words were short and sharp. No emotion, just simple instructions. Ted walked into his locker room and took a seat on the bench. Matt Striker walked in with the camera man not far behind.
Ted Jr: Have they announced who I'm facing next week?
Straight to the point. Ted didn't have time to chat, he was all business.
Matt Striker: Next week it will be you facing Chris Sabin.
Ted Jr: Get out now.
Striker looked confused. He thought he would be interviewing DiBiase but that wasn't the case. Ted pointed at the camera man.
Ted Jr: You stay here. I need a camera, not an interviewer.
The camera was quickly configured and then began recording. Ted remained slightly hunched over as he began to speak into the camera.
Ted Jr: What did I say? I said that Wade wouldn't stand a chance. I said that you can push me closer and closer to that edge and I'd react. Look at this.
Ted showed his back where welts and bruises had begun to form.
Ted Jr: This wasn't Wade striking me down with that strap. It was this company pushing me down, trying to beat me into submission until I'm a faithful servant. But what happened? I rose up, fought back and conquered the machine.
Ted looked down at his hands and began to speak softly.
Ted Jr: Did you see me choke the life out of him? Did you see the power I had over him. It could have been all over. His life was in my hands and I spared him. He may not know it now but he will some day.
Ted looked back up at the camera and his voice grew in loudness.
Ted Jr: That's what happens when you push a man. He fights for his life and if he has to take a life to save his he will. Wade Barrett may have lost the match but he won his life because I was merciful. I wasn't an easy beat tonight. I wasn't falling behind. I stood out. People don't understand the message that I sent tonight. They really don't. They see this as just another win for me. But it's not. I put everyone on notice now. The corporate machine can't hold me down any further. I am fighting a war here and there's going to be casualties. Wade Barrett was the first, and that's just the beginning. The bodies will pile up and I'll stand above them all. I'll take out every single person in EBWF if I have to. The name Ted DiBiase will command respect here in EBWF. I dare anyone to challenge me.
Ted sat back and leaned against the wall.
Ted Jr: Chris Sabin is next. Now I have no doubt what happened to Barrett will happen so Sabin. There's a weakness to him. Much like Barrett, but more exploitable. His friendships. Barrett showed a friendship and a need for a partner in Ryback and it made him weak. He relied on the partnership he couldn't perform as an individual. Chris Sabin is very much the same, but his weakness is a girl. He cares for Velvet, there's no hiding that. That's his weakness. Will I exploit it? Of course. If I have to do something to Velvet to win this match I'll do it.
Ted took in a deep breath and then exhaled.
Ted Jr: In this place it's not the person who plays by the rules that wins. This place is not a fairytale where good triumphs over evil. That's not how the real world works. The man who will do anything to win is the one that will win. The man who will commit any despicable act will win. Not the one who panders to the masses or relies on them for support. You're alone in that ring and nobody will help you. I learnt these lessons a long time ago and realised that I don't care what anyone in that crowd thinks. If they hate me and want me dead then so be it. But when I get my hand raised night after night and championship gold gets put around my waist I'll demand the respect I deserve. That's the problem with people today. They love a guy like Sami Zayn or Wes Ikeda no matter how bad they fail, because they will pander to them and think of them as more than a paycheck. When I was choking the life out of Wade Barrett did you see anyone in the crowd help him? No. Because once you step in between the ropes they mean nothing. They're not going to save you. They respect a guy like Wes Ikeda or Dolph Ziggler because they love the fans. When I become a champion again, and it's not a matter of if, it will be when, I will demand respect. You can hate me but you will give me the respect I deserve. For years I've been treated as dirt in this organisation, but instead of jumping ship to the rivals and dominating there, I took the challenge here. I became the longest reigning champion in EBWF history, not by a day or two, but for 60 days longer. I demolished that record but was I recognised as a great for it? No I was still treated like dirt. I've been pushed and disrespected for far too long and now it's all done. Now I'm going to go through each and every opponent that I face here and demand the respect
The recording then cut and Ted had finished his promo.
EBWF was being broadcast live from the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Ted had entered the building dressed in an expensive jet black suit and was flanked by a group of 6 men, also dressed in black suits. Much like last week Ted walked straight away to go out to the ring, but this time he wasn't stopped. His music began to play over the PA as he walked down to the ring. The crowds had filed in and the first dark match had been completed. The crowd booed Ted as he entered the ring with his entourage. He had been given a microphone and he stood in the centre of the ring with his men around him.
Ted Jr: Shut up!
It was simple, but it made the crowd even louder in booing Ted.
Ted Jr: Do you all feel that? I certainly do. You all despise me. You despise me because I have what you'll never have. You people might accept mediocrity but I sure as hell don't. You might love your small and cramped 2 bedroom home for your family of 5, but I enjoy my large mansion. I enjoy having the choice of never working again and I'm not even 35. Meanwhile a 40 year old dad is working 3 jobs just to pay for his run down home. The difference between you people and me is I'm not from this cesspool known as Phoenix.
The crowd hated Ted. One fan even through a empty Coke bottle at Ted, but one of his men swatted it away.
Ted Jr: Enough about you people, I've given you more time than you deserve. Tonight I'll be facing Chris Sabin. You all laugh and judge and criticise my career, but here is a man who has never held the World Champion. He's never been the top dog in EBWF, always a middle of the pack guy. You want mediocrity, Phoenix? Chris Sabin is the symbol of mediocrity. He's never reached that level of greatness like I have. Sure he's won championships before, but he's never won the big one, he's never had that definitive reign. He sure as hell couldn't hold a championship for 11 months like I did. He will always be known as mediocre. Nobody in the locker room sees Chris Sabin as a threat. Nobody has ever thought that Chris Sabin could carry this company on his back. He's just another mediocre guy content with his place on the totem pole. He's like all of you, never going anywhere.
The crowd continued to boo Ted, it fuelled him as he spoke.
Ted Jr: There are two types of people in this world: Winners and losers. Winners are people who will do what is necessary to win, while the losers play it safe and don't have the guts to do everything possible to win. Winning in this company is my life. It's what keeps me getting up. And when that day comes when I cannot win anymore, my life will be over. That's the difference between me and Chris Sabin. I'll fight until I die. So later tonight when you're all cheering for Sabin, give him your support, depend on him, because he's going to need a miracle to stop me from choking him out just like I did to Wade Barrett. Chris Sabin will pass out in the centre of this ring and I'll stand over his lifeless body and there's not a damn thing any of you can do to stop me.
Ted's dropped the microphone after his final threat to the crowd. He exited the ring while the crowd booed. Several crowd members through drink containers, but they were blocked by Ted's men.
Ted walked through to the back and was confronted by Renee Young, who tried to get to Ted but was stopped by one of his men.
Renee Young: Ted, you've shown more of a mean streak in recent weeks, what has spurred this change in attitude?
She reached through the men, so her microphone got close to Ted.
Ted Jr: I'm done with the games now. I'm done with being disrespected and treated like dirt in this company. It's time for me to fight back after years of mistreatment.
Renee Young: You had some very harsh things to say to our EBWF fans in attendance. Was there a need for it?
Ted Jr: Do you think I care if a little kid is sad because of what I said? Welcome to the real world, Renee. There's good guys and bad guys, and I'm a bad man. I give the dose of reality that everyone needs. I say what is true, not what they want to hear. I'm rich and successful because I was truthful and realistic. I didn't get rich by pandering and playing nice. I got money from my father, but I have made more than my fair share through hard work that needed to be done.
Renee Young: With there being such a great talent boom in EBWF, how are you going to rise above the pack to earn a World Championship match?
Ted Jr: I'll go through anyone and everyone. I'll take on one person, two people, three people, just to prove that I'm not the person you want to mess with. I'm going to make it very clear that if you get in the ring with me you will be risking your life. Mark my words by the end of 2015 I will be challenging for the World Championship.
Renee Young: Any final words for Chris Sabin?
Ted Jr: Listen to me carefully. I will beat you. I will choke the life out of you. You can submit and acknowledge that I am superior to you. If you decline that option, I'll render you unconscious. I'll be the only one walking out of the ring. And when I do leave that ring with my hand raised as the victor, you'll be lifeless on the mat, wishing that you never faced me.
Ted left Renee and his men followed as he went into his locker room for his final preparations before his match with Chris Sabin.