Getting Back on Path

[Kyle]

Ted DiBiase had now won two in a row. It wasn't a great feat by any means, but it was the start of something new. There was a new drive in Ted, a new motivating force inside him spurring him to victory. But this wasn't a time to celebrate. Ted wouldn't be satisfied with himself until he held gold once again. He craved it, desired it, and knew that he had to go through everyone on the roster to get it again. Since arriving in EBWF, Ted had his fair share of enemies and had formed alliances which were now broken. The only thing that remained was his thirst and desire for ultimate perfection. To be able to be called without a shadow of a doubt the greatest wrestler in EBWF, better than Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, and John Cena. Ted wanted to be seen as the best, to eclipse all of his father's accomplishments and have his name remembered for the ages. That was what motivated him and his mind was clear now. He had removed all distractions that had clouded him over the last several months.

Ted sat silently on the cold metal bench in his personal locker room, with a towel draped over the back of his neck. He had just defeated Chris Sabin and he sat in silent reflection, analysing the match in his mind. The door to his locker room door opened and a nervous Todd Grisham reluctantly entered the room. He was followed by a cameraman filming the entire exchange.

Todd Grisham: Ted, I was wondering if I could get a few comments from you on your match against Chris Sabin.

Todd stammered the question out to Ted who hadn't acknowledged his entry to the room yet. Ted's eyes remained fixed on the ground and he hadn't raised his head up to look at Todd yet.

Ted Jr: How long have I been here?

Todd looked at Ted perplexed and not fully understanding his words.

Todd Grisham: I'm sorry, I don't quite-

Ted cut him off, still looking at the ground. His voice became louder but his overall demeanour was calm.

Ted Jr: How long have I been in EBWF?

Todd Grisham: 5 years?

Ted Jr: 5 and a half actually, but close enough. And how many championships have I won?

Todd shrugged at Ted, not really following his thought process and where the conversation was going.

Todd Grisham: I'm not too sure.

Ted remained calm still, which was unusual given his recent promos and interviews.

Ted Jr: 7 championship wins. Not bad for 5 years. I've beaten some big names to win those titles too. CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho and Lance Storm. They weren't pushovers were they Todd?

Todd Grisham: No?

Ted looked up at Todd and his demeanour changed. He became more intense and aggressive.

Ted Jr: Then why do I not get the respect I deserve?

Todd stood in silence, surprised at Ted's sudden mood change.

Ted Jr: For 5 long years I've taken on the best wrestlers in the world and beaten them. I've wrestled in every type of match you can think of and still I'm not in the same league as John Cena or Randy Orton or CM Punk. I'm an easy beat they call me. I'm a pushover, another win on the belt of every other wrestler out there. Wade Barrett thought that and I choked the ever living hell out of him.

Todd nervously cut in.

Todd Grisham: I was just wondering if you had any comments about Chris Sabin.

Ted Jr: Chris Sabin? The Chris Sabin that wanted to turn over a new leaf at my expense? The Chris Sabin that wanted to embarrass me and make a statement? The Chris Sabin that I choked out 30 minutes ago? That Chris Sabin thought I was a loser. He thought that he could just waltz in and beat me. But I made him eat his words. I made him lose consciousness when I choked him out. Now he'll remember. The next time he gets in the ring with me again he'll remember passing out. He'll remember the life being choked out of his body, that feeling of helplessness as he drifts into unconsciousness. Do you know what he said Todd?

Todd looked at Ted confused and shrugged his shoulders again.

Todd Grisham: I'm not sure.

Ted Jr: He said that everyone that believed in him was deserting him. Those people out there are blind sheep. They follow whoever they're told to follow. The kids buy the merchandise and mommy and daddy buy the tickets. Chris Sabin relied on those people for strength. He relied on them and was let down. That's why I beat him. My trust in those people out there died long ago. I'm the master of my own fate, not them. I define my own success and failures. I was a hero to people at one stage. An inspiration. Now I'm nothing to them. Now I'm making certain that all of their heroes are dead and gone. If they want me to fail I'll beat down everyone in my path just to spite them all. In the end I control what happens in that ring and not some little kid wearing a Chris Sabin shirt.

Ted had become more aggressive and angered as the interview progressed which made Todd nervous. This led to Todd cutting the interview short, perhaps for his own safety.

Todd Grisham: I'm sorry Ted but that's all the time I have. Thank you for your comments and congratulations on your match.

Ted simply stared at Todd with wide eyes, staring straight through Todd. Todd quickly exited the room, practically pushing the camera man out in front of him as Ted went back to his silent thoughts. He bowed his head and exhaled before sitting in silence.





Aftermath was the first PPV after Wrestlemania. The excitement from Wrestlemania had died down and now was the time for wrestlers who hadn't starred at Wrestlemania to make their impact now. Ted DiBiase found himself in a familiar situation. He once again had the opportunity to become the number one contender for the Path to Glory Championship. He was a former 3 time champion but had not been able to cash in the championship for a shot at the World Championship. He had broken records and carved his name into EBWF history with during his time as PTG Champion. To become number one contender he would have to defeat both Justin Gabriel and Syxx, both former Intercontinental Champions. If he was successful he would have to contend with The Rock or CM Punk for the championship. Ted was at the TD Garden before the dark match. The crowd was near capacity, with the few empty seats slowly being occupied. Ted slowly walked out to a chorus of boos. He walked slowly down the ramp to the ring and quickly received a microphone.

Ted Jr: Tonight I have the opportunity to become the number one contender to the Path to Glory Championship. The championship I made famous. Before me the title was nothing. After me it became nothing as well. The fact that Syxx and Justin Gabriel are also challenging me tonight is a travesty. But that's what EBWF want. They want someone that'll connect with the fans. They want someone that can be marketed to the masses and I'm just not that. I'm not making wishes, kissing babies and sucking up to everyone in management. I'm not the man that anyone wants but that's what makes me so damn good.

The crowd booed at Ted's arrogance. He knew that he was as good as he said.

Ted Jr: I know all of you hate me, but it doesn't matter. You all paid to see me. You can boo me all you want, but I'm going home to a mansion, you're going home to a 1 bedroom house. In this world there are winners and losers, and I'm a winner. This isn't a fairy tale and I do whatever it takes to succeed. Tonight isn't going to be like a fairy tale either. You're not going to happy tonight, this won't be the good guy beating the bad guy. You're going to see me choke the life out of Syxx and Justin Gabriel. It doesn't matter if The Rock or CM Punk leave here as champion because I'll be the next Path to Glory Champion.

The crowd booed as Ted declared himself the new champion.

Ted Jr: I've held that title for over 14 months. Nobody has come close to that and nobody will. I've held that title more times than anyone. I've broken records with that title. So the next time I hold that championship I'm not going to be like CM Punk and hold onto it for an extended period of time just to please you people. Whoever the World Champion is they will have to be ready for me. I'm going to cash in that championship as soon as I get it and fight for that World Championship.

Ted's music began to play as he left the ring. As he walked up the ramp, a developmental talent walked out in preparation for the dark match. He walked past Ted and as he did Ted slowed to a stop and then turned. He then floored the developmental wrestler and quickly locked in the Million Dollar Dream began to shake the wrestler around like a rag doll and watched as he lost consciousness. Ted threw the wrestler to the ground and the crowd booed him.

Ted Jr: That's a taste of what's to come later tonight.

Ted dropped his microphone and walked back up the stage as the crowd booed him all the way to the backstage area.




Ted walked through the backstage area of the TD Garden, it was a great atmosphere with everyone excited for the first pay per view removed from Wrestlemania. Ted wasn't paying attention to anyone as he walked by himself. He passed the interview set where Renee Young was standing by, she had just wrapped up an interview with another wrestler and saw the opportunity to get a few words from Ted. She signalled out to Ted who turned and knew exactly what was happening. He approached the interview set and Renee began talking to the camera immediately.

Renee Young: Good evening everyone, with me at this time is one of the participants competing to become number one contender for the Path to Glory Championship, Ted DiBiase. Ted, you are very familiar with what is at stake tonight having held the Path to Glory Championship on numerous occasions.

Ted cut Renee off immediately after she mentioned his Path to Glory reigns.

Ted Jr: I've held that title longer than anyone in the history of EBWF. Longer than John Cena, longer than CM Punk, longer than Jeff Hardy. When you look at the greatest Path to Glory champion of all time, you're looking at me. You're looking at the guy that took out CM Punk when he was on the top of his game to win the title. I then broke my leg and after a 5 month layoff my first match back I defeated Jeff Hardy. So I'm taking on Syxx and Justin Gabriel tonight. One is a former PTG Champion, the other has held the Intercontinental Championship. To anybody that would be a tall task, an uphill battle. To me it's just another day at the office.

Renee Young: Don't you think you're taking Syxx and Justin Gabriel lightly?

Ted smirked and showed his arrogant side once again.

Ted Jr: Do I think I'm taking them lightly? Absolutely not. Syxx might have held the Intercontinental Championship but he lost it and hasn't done anything since, he knows as well as I know that he has passed his prime. He's an old dog that still wants to play in a young man's world. Justin Gabriel is a high flyer, he's quick and much faster than me. But so was his buddy Chris Sabin. I choked him out last week. So let me run through what will happen in the match tonight. First I'm going to choke out Syxx and leave him lying in the ring, then I'm going to choke out Justin Gabriel. There's no scenario that plays out where I don't walk out of here as the number one contender.

Renee Young: Should you become number one contender you will face either The Rock or CM Punk. Do you have a preference of who you would like to face?

Ted Jr: There's no hiding the fact that Punk and I have a storied history together. Every time he has held a championship I've been hot on his heels. The Rock has been successful, there's no denying that. He was a big deal 10 years ago, but now not so much. So if I'm facing The Rock I'll do the same thing that I'll do to CM Punk. I'll choke the ever living life out of them and take MY championship back.

Renee Young: Any final words for Syxx or Justin Gabriel?

Ted Jr: Do I need to say anything more? They know what's about to happen to them and there's nothing they can do.

Ted left it at that and walked away from the interview set. He was looking to extend his winning ways and walk out as the number one contender. Then he would have a real challenge on his hands to become Path to Glory Championship once again.