You Need Me
Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:45 pm
It had been a while since the EBWF Universe had seen or heard from Solomon Crowe. His last act saw him fall victim to Randy Orton and his RKO in the King of the Ring tournament. The very tournament which saw Justin Gabriel defeat both Orton and Dean Ambrose to reach the final, only to fall at the final hurdle once more when he was bested by Sami Zayn who defeated Brock Lesnar and Brian Kendrick to get there. Now that a couple of weeks had passed since the eventful King of the Ring pay-per-view, both Gabriel and Crowe were looking to bounce back from disappointment.
The current situation would mark the real test for Crowe. He came into the EBWF and dethroned the champion, John Cena to shock the world and although he lost the title in the months that followed, he hovered around the championship picture. Defeating the likes of Chris Jericho and AJ Styles, before losing out in opportunity number two to Dolph Ziggler. Now the real test would begin to see whether Crowe would be able to live up to the potential he had set for himself when he first arrived on the scene. Like many others, he too didn’t want to be one of the former champions who were unable to stay in the main event picture. And his journey to get back to the top would be more difficult for him compared to others, he didn’t have friends in higher places or brown-nosed anybody to get to the top of the company, and he wasn’t planning on starting now. The interesting thing was his opponent at Sacrifice was in a similar position to Crowe, a no-nonsense superstar who was going to get to the top through hard work, but Crowe wasn’t going to let it happen so easily.
It had been a while since the fans had seen Crowe’s unhinged character, the last they saw of him was when he was giving Sami Zayn less than helpful advice as he went on to become the King of the Ring. Episodes of Monday Night Warfare had passed but finally the match card for the Sacrifice pay-per-view had been announced and Solomon Crowe was going to be a part of it. Once more he was in a big match, with a huge opportunity on the line as he was taking on Justin Gabriel. But it wasn’t an ordinary match, the winner would be crowned the number one contender to the Path To Glory Championship, currently held by The Miz and if he was able to get his hands around The Miz’ neck, he wouldn’t waste another shot if he cashed it in for the World Championship. But for now, the focus was solely on Justin Gabriel.
The scene opened up in a familiar location, inside of The Crowe’s Nest with the camera zooming in on the set. A big, bending desk was set up next to a damp wall, with a number of monitors set up, and right away we could hear voices coming from the monitors.
MONITOR
Sami Zayn has done it!
The closer the camera came, the clearer the voices were.
MONITOR
Sami Zayn defeats Justin Gabriel! He’s the King of the Ring! Justin Gabriel fails in the final again!
The sound of a video rewinding was heard before the last few words were repeated.
MONITOR
Justin Gabriel fails in the final again!
The same happened once again. The sound of rewinding before the same few words were spoken, and it was now clear it was the commentary for the King of the Ring final, with Jim Ross saying the same words.
JIM ROSS
Justin Gabriel fails in the final…
SOLOMON CROWE
Again.
The camera then focused on the dark silhouette we could see on the wall, as Crowe finished off the sentence for JR before pausing it on Justin Gabriel laying on his back in the middle of the ring. Crowe then slid forward on his chair with a smirk on his face, and his hair slicked back. He took a sip from a glass of water before exhaling and tapping on his desk, and looking around the room. Eventually his head turned to the monitor as he scratched his head, looking at a fallen Gabriel inside of the ring, and he couldn’t help but laugh a little. Eventually he dropped his hand from his face in disbelief as he laughed some more at Gabriel.
SOLOMON CROWE
The door to victory was wide open for you Justin, and you still failed?! I mean…for so long we were all forced to sit back and take notice of you and your talents. This was your time to prove everybody wrong! But all you did was force us to believe there was a conspiracy against you, and that ludicrous theory was thrown out of the window when you finally achieved your biggest accomplishment to date…when you finally, FINALLY pinned Randy Orton, something even I failed to do. Congratulations. You should be proud.
Crowe chuckled to himself as he straightened his shirt and shuffled in his seat before continuing.
SOLOMON CROWE
No but seriously. That door to victory was wide open and you got to the final again, but all you showed us was you are simply…not…good enough. You never have and you never will have what it takes to be the man, to go the extra mile and do things people would want to kill you for. It was your own mistake. Either that or…I just taught Sami that damn well. You’re welcome. Whether he took my advice or not, the point is he KNEW he had to change it up to go that extra mile to be the man he wants to be, he understood it. Justin, you didn’t and you paid the price for it at King of the Ring. And now the EBWF Gods have decided that one disappointment this year wasn’t enough for you, now they have booked you in a match against me and Solomon Crowe is somebody you can’t simply try against. There’s no ‘go out there and give it your best shot’, or ‘it’s the taking part that counts’ or ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again’. Because if at first you don’t succeed against me…I’ll just kill this little thing you call a career…I will be the one who is solely responsible for the latest failure in your long list of failures, Justin.
Crowe then took another sip from his glass of water, as it looked as if it was a method of cooling him down after always getting heated when talking about his opponents and their chances of defeating him.
SOLOMON CROWE
I just feel that you would benefit more, from actually losing in this match to me. Not just losing, but going out with a bang. I mean let’s think about it for a second. Imagine those headline on those dirt-sheets, think like a fan…what would you click on? “Justin Gabriel defeats Solomon Crowe, becomes the number one contender to the Path to Glory Championship?” No! Of course you wouldn’t! Nobody would, nobody would pay attention to it because it’s just too boring, like you actually. It’s just…unrealistic. Can it happen? Oh of course it can, it can happen in a fantasy world where you think you even matter to me, for sure. But we’re not in a fantasy world, are we Justin? Your little hopes and dreams don’t really matter here, neither do your feelings about me or anybody else. The headline people will be looking at, the headline they will be eager to click on the very next morning is probably something like… “Justin Gabriel’s career ends after Sacrifice loss”…or even… “Solomon Crowe blinds Justin Gabriel on way to becoming number one contender”…you see what I mean? THAT brings excitement. Something different, something people want to see, and what they want to see is me kicking your ass on Sunday. So, so bad. Now in a realistic world, the cold, sad world we live in today, people like you are born to be fed to me, and I leave the remains to the next person, and he leaves your remains to the next, and the next, you see where I’m going with this don’t you? So why don’t you do as I say, and the two of us can go out there and give the people what they want, do what we were born to do. I will go out there and win, and you will go out there and lose, crawling away a broken man…again. The people want this, Justin. Don’t blame me.
Crowe continued to smile into the camera, knowing deep down Justin Gabriel would be seething, which is exactly what he wanted, to make him self-destruct before they even stepped foot in the ring in less than a week. He then leaned forward, looking over at the monitor again before looking back into the camera.
SOLOMON CROWE
Look at yourself, Justin. Go on. Pause this clip and look at yourself on this monitor here, tell me what do you see? You’ll probably say you see a devilishly handsome man who the women simply cannot get enough of? You’ll say you see a man who is making the very best of the minimal opportunities he has received? You’ll say you see a man who is very talented, yet underrated and underutilised whereas the less talented guys sit pretty at the top without putting in the world like people like you and I do. You want to know what I see? I see a poor excuse of a man, a broken man who simply does not know when enough is enough. I see somebody who is simply wasting my time, my effort and my energy. I see someone who is simply delaying my journey to the top again. How much will it take Justin? How long until you completely snap and say enough is enough, how long until you can finally call it a day?! Because it will be too late come Sunday…when your music hits and you fly down to that ring…and you stand in silence, nervous, sweaty palms, your knees trembling as you see me emerge on that ramp. And every single step I take is one step closer to me hurting you, Justin. Then it’s too late, and the next time you are on your back looking up at the lights, you will cry, cry in pain because you’re telling the referee you simply cannot feel your legs or move your body. Then ask yourself…was it really worth it? One dance with me Justin will be a far more nerve-racking experience than any of your little plane-jumps or stunts, who knows I may or may not leave you in a state to take part in such activities again. That’s the fun part, the things you don’t know that will happen, I just can’t wait to see your reaction when I do get into that ring with you.
Crowe sat back and laughed some more, looking at Gabriel on the monitor and turning it off so he doesn’t get distracted. The lighting did get darker now but Crowe switched on a different monitor which was flashing white on his face as he continued to talk.
SOLOMON CROWE
How much do you want this Justin? How much do you want…all of this. This attention. This victory. The chance to compete for the Path to Glory Championship, how much do you really want it? I know, everybody loves a trier, the owners of the company we work for love a trier, somebody who goes out there and gives it his all and regardless of however many time she get his ass kicked or is screwed over, he’s stupid enough to believe things will change and goes out there to repeat that whole, same cycle. That’s you in a nutshell. A trier who has never done anything, absolutely nothing to make ME believe that YOU are a threat to me and everything I am trying to achieve. You can certainly try though, that’s all people like you are ever good at, trying and trying and trying, but in the end the result is always the same, because failure comes natural to you and it will follow you for the rest of your life, long after you hang up those boots of yours, and people will have me to thank for it all. So tell me, what are you really willing to sacrifice on Sunday? What were you willing to sacrifice to have me pinned to the mat and unable to move? Because if you’re planning on doing the same old fancy circus tricks, diving from one side to the other in the hope of getting me confused, you are very wrong. I do not go down without a fight. As soon as you try to jump off of the rope into one of your never-ending somersaults, I will shoot you down so you will never dare climb back up. I have made…a number of sacrifices…to get to where I am today. Perhaps you can tell, maybe that’s why people see me as, damaged? But I don’t think I’d have it any other way. It puts me in the driving seat. What sacrifices have you made? Sacrificing a few hours’ sleep? Giving up your seat to an old lady on the bus? You cannot imagine the things I have had to do to get to this position and there is no way in hell I am letting YOU of all people…take that from me. It’s within reach. Now I just need to bring you back down to earth and make you realise you are way over your head, and I am way out of your league, and you simply cannot live with me.
Crowe started to tap the table, a little agitated at the prospect of losing out on a huge opportunity to Justin Gabriel, before turning his attention to the championship title opportunity itself.
SOLOMON CROWE
When I do start to think about it, the Path to Glory Championship, I just can’t help but feel you’d simply waste another opportunity. I mean we all know what kind of individual The Miz is and I admit, you probably will dethrone HIM…but what about after that? How long can you keep hold of that championship? A week? Maybe two? Because let’s be honest, you’d have to defend that title more often than some of our other champions around here. I predict your potential reign as champion – if you ever get to that level – will probably be ended by anyway. So I won’t waste any time, I’ll just end your little dreams on Sunday, so we don’t have to put up with a champion who is simply filling in for the next guy who comes along…so none of our time is wasted by putting up with you. The people will not benefit from you being the champion. They don’t want you as champion, nobody does and deep down…even you don’t want to be champion because you know you are destine to fail and you will absolutely HATE proving me right…when you do eventually fail. You want to avoid that disappointment, and I’m here to help you with that. By defeating you at Sacrifice, it’s that simple. The chance to compete for the title will not lead towards a path of glory for you, but a spiralling path where your career simply does not matter. Now me? My journey is destined for greatness, and that starts on Sunday, right before I rip that title from The Miz’ grasp, at least that way you can say you were outclassed by a true, legitimate champion…I guess then there’s not much to be ashamed of, Justin.
Crowe stopped talking for a while, staring into the camera thinking of the Sacrifice event this Sunday, and how much he wanted the win.
SOLOMON CROWE
I just hope…that when the night has finished you don’t go round running your mouth because I don’t take too kindly to individuals who disrespect me or what I have achieved. Because judging by how well I know you, you’ll be on your death bed but you’ll STILL be spewing garbage from your mouth, claiming my superiority over you as a conspiracy because that’s what seems to give you closure. It makes you believe that you were good enough, and that makes you feel warm and good and comfortable inside, but in reality even you know there’s no conspiracy against you. The only conspiracy is how the company picked you as my opponent, as if they actually believed Justin Gabriel could outclass Solomon Crowe, I actually feel offended that they see you as a worthy opponent. Is that the impression I have given in my short time here? Have I really not been impressive enough to lure somebody more…more worth my time and energy; but what else can I do? I have to do what I’m contractually obligated to do, so I will hurt Justin as much as I want to but at the end of the day its simply business. So I urge you…don’t go running that mouth of yours because that’s the best decision you will make in your time in this company as long as I’m here. You know what else would piss me of, Justin? Is if you say the exact same as every other person associated with this company…’Solomon Crowe pulled out the biggest upset victory over John Cena and shocked the world’…you say those words, then I break you.
Crowe pulled his chair back a little and shuffled in it to get comfortable, stretching his legs on the table with his arms behind his head as he continued to explain.
SOLOMON CROWE
That phrase, it still haunts me to this day. It doesn’t really bother me but I would truly appreciate it if everybody decided to stop associating his name with mine. Biggest upset. Think about it though, Justin. WAS is an upset? I’d suggest you and everybody else using that phrase rewind those tapes and there you will hear me TELL each and every single one of you that I will kick his ass, which is what I did. And I told you all I would be the name on everyone’s lips and that is also true. Where is the upset? I don’t see an upset. I did what I set out to do and I turned his life upside down by kicking his ass like nobody has ever done so. So now, pay attention Justin. This Sunday at Sacrifice, there will be no upset, no shock, because I am going to kick your ass. I’ll repeat it just for you so your little South African brain can even understand it, at Sacrifice…I am going to kick your ass. And you’re going to learn to love it and live with it. You give me the ‘Crowe shocked the world speech’; then you’ll live to regret it. I’m just looking out for you, for your future, because believe it or not you actually need me, Justin.
A mischievous grin appeared on Crowe’s face, as it was clear he was coming up with something to make Gabriel doubt himself and his abilities, and Crowe would take any sly advantage he could get.
SOLOMON CROWE
You need me Justin, whether you accept that fact or not…that’s up to you. Now you’ll be sitting there asking, ‘is he serious?’ why of course, I’m serious Justin. You need me even though you’ll never admit it, because I’m the ONLY person on this planet who can make Justin Gabriel into something more than he already is. You know I’m the ONLY person on this planet who can re-launch your career and make you mean something, because I can make you relevant, more relevant than you have ever been. Let’s take a little trip down memory lane and see exactly what has happened since I have arrived. I arrived and targeted the number one man in the company because like everybody else here, I was sick of the way things were ran, and somebody needed to put John Cena in his place, it just so happens I was on my way in and I defeated John Cena. NOBODY has talked about John Cena more than they do now, thanks to me. John Cena is now the bad guy, a talked-about man…because of me. He has me to thank for everything. Then…we move on to another ass-kisser in the form of Dwayne The Rock Johnson. He believed he could take me out and look what happened, he mixed it up with me, I kicked his ass, and he went on to become the Path to Glory Champion and once more people were talking about The Rock…thanks to me. Then…oh then it gets interesting because then we move on to somebody so close to my cold heart, my brother Dean…the only person who has proven himself to be more twisted than I am and on his day he probably could kill me and wipe away my entire existence but that’s not the point. My point is he tried to dethrone me…and after bones were broken and blood was spilled…he couldn’t defeat me and once more people took Dean Ambrose seriously and now Dean is on the verge of becoming one half of a tag team champion…with Seth Rollins, and he has me to thank for. Then…we move on to Chris Jericho who wanted to put an end to my so-called impressive run…and he lured me into a match at WrestleMania and I kicked his ass to…you’re seeing the trend here aren’t you, Justin? Because I kicked his ass…and his name being mixed with the great Solomon Crowe has helped him become the Intercontinental Champion. But Dolph Ziggler…well…he’s just somebody nobody really likes anyway so let’s not go down that avenue, I’ll talk about people that matter to me and should matter to you. So now, you understand that you have gotten yourself into a pretty spectacular situation. Justin Gabriel has finally gotten himself in a match with Solomon Crowe, and once I kick your ass and leave you for dead there’s a slight chance you will rise, dust yourself off, stay out of my way and you’ll go on to achieve great things…believe me. You need me. You need me so, so bad.
Crowe then laughed sadistically, trying to plant the seed of doubt in Gabriel’s mind, trying to break him down mentally so Crowe could go ahead and defeat him, becoming the number one contender in the process.
SOLOMON CROWE
What you need to understand is, I am no Randy Orton. If you thought he was a challenge and you were so happy with defeating him, get this idea of defeating me out of your head. Because I am one sick son of a bitch and I will look for any advantage whatsoever to defeat you, I am low, I will cheat and lie to get what I want. And what will you do about it? Absolutely nothing. If you want a spoiler just under a week before we meet, here it is…I am going to mentally break you down. I will have you thinking of me when you struggle to sleep and the first thing when you manage to wake up. I will constantly have you looking over your shoulder, worried and afraid at what could be around the corner. And I will find any way possible to finish you off, if that makes me sick then so be it. That whole night, people will be talking about you and I. We may have Hideo Itami taking on The Undertaker, Jericho and CM Punk will try to one-up one another and we have a horrible, horrible main event fans will have to endure…but at the end of the night people are going to continue talking about me but finally…FINALLY…they will be talking about you. Now…you can either run from this and be laughed at for the rest of your life…or you can run towards it, run towards me…and fail trying. I know which choice I would make Justin, the clock is ticking.
Crowe smiled into the camera, slowly nodding his head as he knew everything he said was correct, Gabriel needed him more than ever to get his name out there. But at the end of the night it would be Crowe who is standing tall. He also made it clear he would win by any means necessary, whether it was a clean win or not didn’t matter to him and in less than a week we would find out whether Crowe would stay true to his threats and promises at Sacrifice. With the chance to compete for the Path to Glory Championship on the line. He then slowly leaned forward, breathing heavily on the camera as he switched it off, signing off from The Crowe’s Nest.