Feeding Time

[Cory]

EBWF.net Exclusive

The camera faded up to Renee Young, who stood in front of a EBWF backdrop. She smiled into the camera, both of her hands grasping a microphone.

Renee Young: Hello there, EBWF fans! My name is Renee Young and I'm broadcasting from backstage at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, where in just a few hours we will see Warfare live on A&E! Tonight I have a treat for you. We have the new General Manager of EBWF, Stone Cold Steve Austin!

Wearing a black smoking skull t-shirt and a pair of jeans, Steve Austin walked into the frame of the camera and nodded at Renee.

Renee Young: Mr. Austin, you helped create the matches on...

Stone Cold: First of all, darlin', you don't need to call ole Stone Cold "Mr. Austin". I may be in charge around here, but at the end of the day I'm the same beer drinking, finger flippin' son of a bitch that I always have been. I just get to take part in the business, and put together shows for some of the best damn fans in professional wrestling.

Renee Young: Tonight we are going to have a main event of former Breakout Champion Tyler Breeze taking on Brock Lesnar. What was the decision making process for a match like this?

Stone Cold: You know what my decision making process was, Renee? I look at a fancy, high-flyin', arrogant guy like Tyler Breeze who keeps wrestling matches against guys that he thinks are underneath him. I want to give that kid a shot. I want that kid to live up to the potential that he thinks he can live up to. That's why I'm putting him into a match with a former World Champion, Brock Lesnar.

"Excuse me..."

A familiar voice was picked up by the microphone. Austin looked off camera and his posture stiffened. The camera zoomed out and Paul Heyman walked into the shot, flanked by the massive frame of Brock Lesnar, who was wearing a sleeveless shirt and MMA shorts. Lesnar smirked silently, looking Austin up and down with disdain.

Paul Heyman: I believe what you meant to say was that you are going to FEED Tyler Breeze to my client, Brock Lesnar.

Austin looked at Paul, giving him a short nod before glancing up at Lesnar again, his body language still suggesting he was on high alert.

Stone Cold: Paul.

Paul Heyman: Steve. Allow me to congratulate you on your newly gained employment with the EBWF. Everybody knows that this is where the stars of professional wrestling come to shine the brightest. In your case, perhaps fifteen years too late, but as they say... better late than never.

Austin smiled, looking down at the ground for a second before transfixing his stare at Heyman.

Stone Cold: You know what, I might be an old and broken down man, and Brock here might be able to whoop my ass, but not before I knocked a couple of damn teeth out of your mouth, Paulie.

Lesnar stepped forward, in Austin's direction. Austin didn't budge.

Stone Cold: Let's get something crystal clear, here. When Wes Ikeda hired me for this job, he hired someone he trusted to keep things in order around here. And that means I'm not gonna sit here and get all namby pamby when your body guard takes a step closer to me.

Heyman smiled through his teeth, and turned to nod at Brock, who backed up to his regular flanking position next to Heyman.

Paul Heyman: Well then, let's talk about the topic at hand, shall we? "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the General Manager of EBWF, has decided the first main event under his watch would be a former Breakout Champion, Tyler Breeze, versus the BEAST. The unquestionably most dominant, most powerful super athlete that this company has ever seen. With that being true, the question I have for you, Steve, is why don't you talk about what this really is? Clearly this is not some "opportunity" for Tyler Breeze. The poor boy just lost his Breakout Championship. You're not giving him his ticket to the main event. You're giving him a death sentence!

Stone Cold: Maybe that's just the way you look at it, Paulie. But I...

Paul Heyman: Tyler Breeze is an amazingly athletic, gifted wrestler. He's entertaining, he's fun to watch, and he engages the audience like very few people can. He can dance! He can show off! I'll give him that, he is a bona fide entertainer. Many people have likened him to one of your old foes, Steve. The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. That's the niche that he fills in this company. And that's great! There's a place for that. Just... not in the main event against my client, and I think you know that. When Brock Lesnar's music plays in an arena, an apprehension falls upon the crowd because they know something bad is going to happen. Somebody is going to get HURT. That's why my client is in the main event.

Steve Austin clapped silently at Heyman's words. He brought the mic to his lips.

Stone Cold: Well shit, Renee. I'm inspired. I just want to run right out there and buy a damn ticket! Ole Stone Cold Steve Austin sitting in the front row, watching Brock Lesnar whoop Tyler Breeze's ass all over that ring!

Austin smirked, and this time it was his turn to take a step towards Heyman. Lesnar narrowed his eyes, but Heyman waved him off.

Stone Cold: Well, he'd better whoop Tyler Breeze's ass, Paulie. Because if he doesn't, Tyler Breeze is probably gonna take his spot. So let me be clear. If Brock Lesnar doesn't win tonight, he might need to learn how to dance. And show off. And entertain. And use a selfie stick. Because I'm not going to waste the main event on a Beast who can't get the job done. And that's the bottom line...

Austin leaned in with a grin and whispered in Heyman's direction.

Stone Cold: 'Cause Stone Cold said so.

With that Austin brushed past Lesnar and headed out of the scene. Heyman patted Lesnar on the shoulder and looked at Renee.

Paul Heyman: When they carry Tyler Breeze out on a stretcher tonight, THAT man...

Paul pointed in the direction that Austin left.

Paul Heyman: Will be the one you can hold responsible.

Heyman stormed off and Lesnar followed him, leaving Renee alone as the scene went to black.