The war between The Miz and Sami Zayn continued to unfold on a weekly basis as both superstars did whatever they could to get the upper hand. Sami was going to be challenging The Miz for the World Championship he lost at Destiny and the feud had taken nasty turns on a weekly basis with plenty of sneak attacks and one-upping the other. The final stop before Fanniversary saw the EBWF in Denver with The Miz competing in the main event against Ryback where he stole another victory. But it was the actions which followed that had fans talking as an altercation between the two resulted in an all-out brawl where referees had to separate both men after they fell from the top of the ladder through the announcer’s desk. Miz was looking to end the feud before Fanniversary by hitting a Skull Crushing Finale on Sami right on to the championship title, but the referees were out just in time to stop the two as they were forced apart.
The cameras continued to roll as Sami was escorted up the ramp while limping, looking furious with The Miz as the ‘Ole!’ chants continued around the arena before disappearing through the curtains. The cameras followed him through the curtains as all of the commotion continued, EBWF personnel shouting at one another to let Sami through so he could be treated by the medics. He escaped the group and continued to limp forward in pain, holding his ribs which looked damaged after that fall from the ladder before he was stopped in his tracks by Michael Cole who wanted a quick word with Sami.
MICHAEL COLE
Sami! Sami just a quick word about the actions that unfolded out at ringside, what was said between yourself and The Miz which resulted in that vicious brawl?
SAMI ZAYN
I don’t even remember what was said, Michael. I know I told him exactly what I thought of him, that he couldn’t beat me and that he’d need to bring a lot better than what we saw out there and the next thing I know we’re trying to rip each other’s head off.
MICHAEL COLE
Well, you both took quite a nasty fall off the ladder, crashing through the announcer’s desk, how are you feeling right now?
SAMI ZAYN
I’m not feeling any sort of pain right now because of the anger, but I know I’ll be feeling it tomorrow and that’s okay with me because on Sunday Miz will be feeling a lot worse when I bury his sorry ass under a bunch of ladders. Tonight he proved he can’t get the job done on his own, and on Sunday when it matters the most…he’ll prove it himself that he was never worthy of becoming the World Champion once again. He’s had his fun with the gold around his waist, so play time is over and we’ll all be seeing a Miz we’re familiar with, someone who is simply not good enough.
Sami waved Michael Cole and the cameraman off as he held his ribs in pain with the camera fading out to bring Monday Night Warfare off-air. He wouldn’t have much time to recover this week as Fanniversary was such a big part of the EBWF and he was going to be joining all of the other EBWF stars in different events, but the biggest event would be on Sunday when he enters the main event against The Miz, in a ladder match.
- - - - - - -
Sunday, November 1, 2015 – Fanniversary – Talking Stick Resort Arena – Phoenix; Arizona
With all of the Fanniversary festivities in the books, the night had finally arrived where Sami Zayn would get a chance to reclaim his EBWF World Championship in a ladder match, currently held by The Miz. There was still some time until the event was scheduled to begin and the cameras went over to Renee Young on the pre-show who just finished talking to her guests.
RENEE YOUNG
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the final match we’re looking at tonight is the EBWF World Championship ladder match between The Miz and Sami Zayn. We know this feud had reached its boiling point on Monday with the two finally involved in a brawl and it was a long-time coming. This week the EBWF stars were busy with a number of different events involving the fans and our very own Jim Ross managed to sit down with the challenger for a one on one interview a couple of days ago, here’s what went down.
Renee smiled as the faded out and a video package was shown, with Jim Ross looking into the camera.
JIM ROSS
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re only a few days away from Fanniversary, where The Miz defends his EBWF World Championship against the man sitting opposite me, Sami Zayn. Sami, it’s good to have you here, son.
SAMI ZAYN
Thank you for having me, sir.
JIM ROSS
Well let’s get right down to business here, I was at ringside on Monday when you were sat with me and King and I have to say we both talked later on about how we saw a look in your eye, something we haven’t seen before. Guys like Chris Jericho, Trent, Lance Storm and hell…even Dolph Ziggler were unable to get from you. What exactly happened?
SAMI ZAYN
I just think The Miz brought out a side of me that I didn’t even know existed, actually I don’t even know if it was The Miz or whether or was those four yes-men he has surrounding him that got under my skin. I think he’s different from Dolph though, with Dolph there just no acknowledgement that either of us existed in each other’s world, but here it’s different. Here there is this hatred which won’t go away until one of us is never the same again. For so long now I’ve had Vertex watching every step of mine and making sure I can’t get in the driving seat and I think all of that rolled into one ball of anger and frustration and determination is a look you saw. This story started between myself and The Miz and that’s the way it’s going to end on Sunday.
JIM ROSS
I want to cast your mind back to Destiny, The Miz said something I personally believe rattled you a little bit, that he believes you’re what The Miz was three years ago. Do you agree with that? What do think makes you different?
SAMI ZAYN
Miz has had a lot to say which people don’t usually take seriously, but no I don’t agree with me being what The Miz was three years ago. I don’t remember The Miz ever having fans, I don’t remember The Miz being a genuinely top-level professional wrestler and I don’t remember The Miz achieving success on his own. So no, I don’t agree with that statement, in fact, I think we’re at the complete opposite ends of the scale. I’m used to failing and I’m used to bouncing back, The Miz knows ONE more failure will mark the end for him.
The difference…the fact that I have never needed anyone and will never need anyone to achieve anything in this business. I don’t need the boss, I don’t need people in high places and I don’t even need Stone Cold Steve Austin. Sure, it’s great to have him on board and he’s a no-nonsense kind of guy so that’s good when somebody like The Miz is making your life hell. Whereas The Miz, he needs all the help he can get…constantly. Who knows whether it’s limited to the ring as well?
JIM ROSS
I know this is a busy week for everyone, including yourself, so I don’t want to keep you for too long but I want to know what it is that makes you want this more than The Miz?
SAMI ZAYN
I can’t stomach the fact that Miz is walking around as if he’s the deserving World Champion. I mean if we had somebody who did things the right way, with no interferences, no shenanigans, and actually deserves to walk around as the champion and I honestly believe I’m the man for that. You know people can bash on about the happy-go-lucky, no care in the world attitude but if I’m honest I won’t change anything.
I do this to entertain the fans, The Miz does it to boost his ego. I want the championship as a reward for all of the hard work and effort I go through by putting my body on the line and it’s a reward for the long journey I’ve had and the path I’ve gone through. The Miz hasn’t had to do what I’ve had to, and the fact is even if he had the chance to get to the title the right way, he’d opt to find himself a bunch of guys to do his work for him.
So no, we’re nothing alike. I’m a genuine professional wrestler and my aim is to win the EBWF World Championship…he’s The Miz and he’s a reality TV star. There’s a difference. I’m a man who wanted this from day one, there was no football, there was no Hollywood, it’s always been wrestling. I’m not letting a failed reality TV star take something I’ve worked too hard to achieve, especially if he’s had help getting here.
JIM ROSS
Thanks, Sami, and good luck in your ladder match on Sunday.
Sami nodded at JR with a focused look on his face as the scene faded out and going back to Renee Young on the pre-show. As time passed on, as did the Fanniversary event and with only a few moments remaining until the final bout of the evening, the fans erupted in loud cheers as the lights turned red and yellow with “World’s Apart” by CF0$ blasting over the PA system. The ‘Ole!’ chants kicked off as soon as Sami emerged the stage but there was no singing and dancing this time, he was still smiling as he scouted the ladders of all different sizes scattered on the ramp. He nodded as he looked around the arena, knowing that he’d walk back up either a broken man with no championship, or a shiny belt around his waist and all of the pain that follow would be worth it. He pumped up the crowd on the ramp before folding a ladder and dragging it with him into the ring.
He threw it in and climbed up the steel steps and into the ring before pulling the ladder and setting it up in the middle of the ring. He looked at how high the championship was and he sighed heavily, before turning around and asking for a microphone which he received. Fans then started cheering as he slowly started to climb the ladder and was face to face with the championship title, he then took a seat on the top of the ladder and held the championship with his right hand before facing the cameras and signalling for the music to be stopped. The music did eventually stop, but Sami was unable to speak because of the noise in the arena, eventually he did raise the microphone and was forced to speak over them.
SAMI ZAYN
Guys, guys…you’ll have enough time to sing my name and dance and everything once I take down THIS championship title in just a short while. Kinda…tempted to just drag it down now and run away, but that’s probably something The Miz would do and he’d count that as a genuine victory. Not me, I’ve never had it easy and to be honest, Miz and I have come too damn far to have this one end so soon. Tonight we’re putting each other through hell and tonight he’ll feel far worse than what I’ve felt with Vertex by his side.
This time…I’m genuinely angry, I’m mad. Angry at the fact that Miz believes he’s the worthy champion, that he’s the favourite, that he’s the man and we’re all people that should obey his every command. But I say this to you, Mike, you’re not a real champion. You’re a protected champion, ever since I’ve been in this company, the champions have been protected and that infuriates me. John Cena was heavily protected, Dolph Ziggler was heavily protected – although I guess the protection was a little different. They had friends in high places whereas you’re protected by a bunch of hungry hounds who feed off others’ failures.
Not tonight, though, bring those hounds out, bring your former groups, bring your family, whatever friends you have, whatever fans you have, bring them all but the fact is the end result is the same because you got lucky once and there’s no way I’m letting you get lucky twice. This championship above my head was mine when I pinned Dolph in the middle of the ring and I plan on bringing it back home with me…tonight.
The cameras focused on Sami’s determined face as he was practically shaking in anger. He calmed himself down and wiped his forehead with his shirt as he laughed to himself and continued.
SAMI ZAYN
Y’know one thing I can’t seem to understand is why you guys at the back have this weird obsession with Jimmy Fallon? I mean, Dolph took to Jimmy Fallon and acted like an A-list celebrity and for what? I didn’t see the point of it, and then Jimmy looked to really scrape the barrel when he invited The Miz on to the show.
What, you guys need to turn to a well-known TV show to prove to everyone watching that you’re better than me? I mean, can’t you just show me in this ring where it REALLY matters? You all make these false media appearances to prove to YOURSELVES that you can defeat me because it makes you feel good about yourselves because even if you lose, you get your fifteen minutes of fame and you get that liiiiitle bit of publicity for yourselves.
I’ll tell you what, though, Miz, I’ll help you out. I will personally make sure that tomorrow morning when all of the news channels are jumping on the wrestling bandwagon for another week, I’ll make sure your name is mentioned before mine. Time and time and time again, because even though they’ll say ‘Miz failed to defeat Sami Zayn’…you’ll be happy because that morning people will know exactly who you are, but for all the wrong reasons and order will finally be restored here when we have a genuine champion holding this championship title.
I was actually thinking about this at the back before I came out here…I know what all of this hatred boils down to, Miz. I know, and I finally understand why you hate me so much. You just can’t stomach the fact that I’m succeeding in this business and that the only way is up for me regardless of the result tonight, whereas this is almost a last chance saloon for you. You don’t like the fact that with or without a championship around my waist I still manage to captivate fans all over the world like you never have!
We all know you talk a good game, though, perhaps the best because you manage to make people believe things that aren’t even true, how you tell them you’re better than me, we all know that’s a lie. But when it comes to wrestling, you’re below average, you’re not on my level, and well…you’re just not good enough Miz. The best wrestlers in your little group are being pushed to the back and we have to continue watching the worst of a bad bunch on a weekly basis. You hate it, you absolutely hate that this thing you and everyone else calls a ‘success story’ became such a big thing that people even forgot you existed because they preferred to give attention to me. They preferred to invest their time and effort to somebody else and the ONLY reason you’re being talked of right now is because Sami Zayn is your opponent, and that too pisses you off like hell, I know it.
And you don’t like that. I mean, it’s not like I asked for the attention, not like I begged for it like you do. But you didn’t like how people continued to speak of Sami Zayn and how quickly I rose to the top of the EBWF when I was laughed at the day I signed a contract to perform in this company. Yet here you are, somebody who has tried and tried and tried to get people talking about him and you’ve constantly failed, so many times that you’re used to it, so many times that you continue to use the same damn process every single time you fail. You talk yourself up, you fail, and you create a group. You talk yourself up, you fail, and you create a group. You talk yourself up, you fail, and you create a group. It goes on and on and one and we’re all prepared for it anyway, two weeks from now Vertex will FINALLY have had enough of you and in six months Miz and DiBiase will come out on the stage again, hand in hand with the latest attempt at trying to take over the company, before that crashes and burns too.
Now…the only reason your name is coming up on television or posters or in interviews is because you’re standing opposite of me and after tonight when I unhook this title you’ll go back to being the same, annoying Miz at the back of the queue. The same Miz who fails to live up to the low expectations and who only wishes he could out-wrestle people like me. These fans have forgotten you when you came out with group after group in the past, and they’ll forget you again. I guess…you do take one thing away from this match, I mean you won’t have my World Championship on your possession, but you’ll still have Ted on his knees back at your hotel so I guess that counts as some sort of achievement for you, right?
Fans laughed and the ‘Ole!’ chants continued once more as Sami looked to lighten the mood for a second before calming them all down and getting serious once more.
SAMI ZAYN
Again, something I was thinking about at the back…how last year at this exact same event I was challenging Syxx and your buddy Ted DiBiase for the Intercontinental Championship. That night I pinned Ted to capture my first championship in this company, that same night you were pinned by CM Punk in your Path to Glory Championship match. I remember that night very well, one of the highlights of my career. Look where we’ve come, fast forward a year and you and I are meeting for the World Championship. The thing is though I was a winner last year and I know I will be a winner this year when I capture my second World Championship.
However, in your case you were a loser last year and you’re going to be a loser this year and I’ll make sure you’re a loser every single time the two of us step into a ring. At Destiny, you got lucky because you and everyone else knows you’re not better than me and in a short while you’re going to be exposed when nobody else can help you to victory. You can’t beat me on your own and deep down you know that but you’ll do anything to prove it otherwise. So week after week you try looking for any advantage, jumping me from behind seems to be a popular choice, and you do that just so you can prove to yourself that you’re better and that you actually matter. You can go ahead and continue to tell yourself how awesome you are when in reality everyone knows you’re a nobody while I’ll sit here and tell everyone how worthy of a champion I am.
Fans continued to cheer as they agreed with Sami and they made sure he understood they were on his side. He shuffled on the top of the ladder as he grew uncomfortable sitting on the ladder for so long, but he sucked it up and continued after staring at the championship for more inspiration.
SAMI ZAYN
We all know…that the only reason you’re in this position you’re in is because of Vertex. Vertex has done whatever they want for far too long now and whether you want to believe it or not, Miz…THEY actually do all of the work for you and you just happen to be in the right place at the right time and for some reason, they’re happy to let a scumbag like you take all of the glory. It doesn’t make sense to any of us.
So, they can do whatever they want, attack whoever they want, help you win matches and basically run riot as if they own the place and that’s okay with you. But when the company brings in somebody to restore order here, to put you guys in your place…you get mad when Stone Cold Steve Austin is in your face? It’s a two-way street here buddy, not everything can go your way, Austin’s role in this didn’t swing in your favour and neither will this ladder match tonight. NOTHING is going your way tonight, nothing at all.
Sami stared down at the ring, realising how far the fall would be and continued to observe the other ladders that were set-up around the arena and on the ramp.
SAMI ZAYN
You know since the stipulation was announced I’ve had people asking me why I don’t seem to be scared, why it hasn’t bothered me that the match is a ladder match. I actually enjoy these kinds of matches, to be honest, most of you probably won’t know, but I’ve been in ladder matches in the past, vicious ones, you can call them wars if you want. The funny thing is…they were against somebody in your little group. Kevin…I know you remember those battles. So why don’t you do your beloved Miz a favour and tell him just what’s in store for him because nobody on this entire roster can understand the things we’ve been through.
One thing you did say to me though really stuck with me, Miz. To be honest, it made me laugh more than anything, the fact that you wholeheartedly believe you’re the best professional wrestler on the planet. I didn’t even know how to respond to that lie, but the fact is you’re looking at a wrestler who is better than YOU. There are plenty of guys at the back who would love to be in my shoes to prove that they’re the best professional wrestler on the planet.
In fact, last week I received a kind invitation to go down to EVOLVE wrestling and in the short time I spent down there I can guarantee you I can find someone there who would successfully challenge your statement of being the best wrestler on the planet. I’m sure somebody at the back is listening, I’m sure somebody can do it, get Johnny Gargano down here to take on our World Champion and we’ll see how long it takes you to realise you made a huge mistake in saying you’re the best.
Hell, let’s go down to our friends over at NXT or even Ring of Honor and bring in Tommaso Ciampa and see how long you can last against real wrestlers…or…how about you cut all ties with Vertex?
Fans looked confused as Sami brought up Vertex again. He was thinking on top of the ladder, scratching his chin and smiling to himself as he tried to speak up.
SAMI ZAYN
I’m serious. How about you cut all ties with Vertex and give Kevin Owens or Finn Balor a fair shot at the championship. And we can see how they fare because the truth is your mediocre ass is holding them back so much that they’re genuinely stupid enough to believe that you’re better than them or anyone else for that matter.
I’ve let you have your fun for too long now, it’s about time we restored some order here and bring that championship back to someone who wants it for the right reasons and give it to someone who can win the title without any goons helping him out. I guess when you surround yourself with four failures, you’re bound to stand out one way or another.
But hey, don’t let me change your mind. You do whatever it is you do as a group, have sleepovers, tell each other stories under the blanket, coming up with jokes, arguing to decide who can tell which joke before an angry Kevin starts crying because he wants to call me a motherfucker at every opportunity he can find. I mean, that’s probably the only thing he can say before getting out of breath but come on Miz, no more jokes about the looks or the career, this time the joke is on you when you failed to walk the walk when it mattered the most. That title is coming with me, I hope you enjoyed your title reign, it’ll be the last one you have in a very long time.
Sami dropped the microphone and climbed down the ladder. He started to warm-up inside of the ring as the fans continued the loud ‘Ole!’ chants. The cameras focused on his face as he looked more determined than ever to recapture his World Championship title fought so hard to win.