Somebody That I Used To Know
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:34 pm
It was one of those things. One of those things that everyone kind of understood but never fully talked about. Two men that in and out of the ring were closer than some brothers, but two men that always had full intention of being the best, without, at least in their minds, much room to share that spotlight with the other. Like two kings trying to rule the same kingdom, anytime one man got some momentum or power- it wasn't long before the other was right there to try and take back the crown for themselves. The history was well documented.. friends.. enemies.. friends.. enemies.. but the one wedge that was able to consistently get in between AJ Styles and The Miz was that need to be the top dog, that need to be considered the number one man in Sports Entertainment. Both of men, were controversial, they were disliked, but both shared the common trait that they would literally do anything, step on anyones head as they made their climb up the ladder of success, the point was they were going to be successful at any cost- and successful they both have been. Both multi time World Champions, Intercontinental Champions, Path To Glory Champions, Tag Team Champions (even together at one point)- they were arguably the two most successful men in this business from 2012 and on. At the tail end of 2015- it seemed to once again be The Miz time. He had formed Vertex which took the EBWF by storm- AND FAST. He quickly captured the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship defeating Sami Zayn not once but twice in as many months. Meanwhile AJ Styles- was quietly (or not so quietly) making his way back into the spotlight. He found himself allied with CM Punk which quickly turned into CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman. Once again the EBWF wasn't big enough for both of these groups, for both of these men, and it only seemed fitting that at Survivor Series- only one of these groups would "survive" with the EBWF Champion in their midst.
The scene opened up in a cemetery. The sun was just setting overhead creating an array of orange, purple, and pink colors that was quite beautiful. As one would expect there was grave stones as far as the eyes could see, but in the forefront of the camera sat one man. He was dressed in a gray nike hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants. He sat next to a grave stone with his feet facing away from it. The EBWF World Heavyweight Championship sitting in front of his feet. He looked almost distant as he didn't look at the camera for several beats. Finally, he grabbed the EBWF Championship- unhooked it and threw it over his shoulder. He looked at the camera and began to speak.
The Miz: Such an AJ Styles thing to do, don't you think? We've faced each other many times, and many times I've tried to get into his head. By that I don't mean, trying to play mind games, or anything like that.. I mean shit.. I've done that too.. but what I mean is.. I try to think like he thinks anytime I'm about to face him. I try to get into that deranged, entitled, rotted from drugs and alcohol brain of his.. so that I'm ready to once again defeat him. I'd say it's so that I can outsmart him- but it doesn't take much time or effort to do that.. so it goes beyond that.. everytime I face AJ Styles.. I try to UNDERSTAND him. I try to understand what makes him tick, what are his weaknesses, what can I exploit to get the best of him. Each time I really think about it.. I come up with that same thing. AJ Styles.. is afraid.. he's petrified of losing to me.. and because he's so afraid.. and because he NEEDS and WANTS to win so badly.. he has had a VERY tough time doing so the past few times we've been in the ring together. It's something that has escalated quite a bit since we first joined forces back in 2012. The thing that drove us away from each other was the desire to be the best in this business, and I admit- at that time- AJ Styles was the best in the business. He didn't think- he let it rip- the only one who did the thinking and who was afraid at that time- was me. It was my first go-around as the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion- my first time being 'the man' and I was afraid to lose it.. because I was afraid- I acted like I was anything but. I acted pompous, cocky, like I was unbeatable.. all because deep down I was afraid to be beaten.. and because of that... I was beaten.. more than once by AJ Styles.
The Miz paused for a second shaking his head.
The Miz: Now times have changed- fast forward 3 years to the tail end of 2015. Once again- The Miz- I- Have climbed to the top of the EBWF mountain. I've left a trail of beaten and battered bodies in my wake to get to this point. The Vertex- a group I formed, along with Ted DiBiase has completely dominated the wrestling scene for the past 4 months.. and I am the reigning EBWF World Heavyweight Champion. This hasn't sat well with many people.. but it ESPECIALLY hasn't sat well with AJ. Now AJ and I.. we don't speak anymore.. and this isn't an act.. or a gimmick for the camera.. I don't like the guy.. so since he's gotten back.. I've pretty much just ignored everything that he's said and done- and focused on you know.. winning. AJ may act like he's been doing the same to me- but he'd be lying if he didn't say watching me and my group Vertex run rough shot over everyone and everything hasn't driven him nuts.. He'd be lying if he said that watching me close shows with the EBWF Championship raised high in the air hasn't been eating away at his insides. He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't AFRAID that maybe just maybe- I FINALLY have settled a debate that we've had for the past 3 years. Who is the best wrestler on the planet? The Galaxy? The Universe? Or whatever spin off catch phrase he wants to make off of ones I already created. That has been the question. Who is the best? AJ's biggest fear is that answer being: The Miz. His biggest fear is that the answer already is: The Miz.. his biggest fear is that after Survivor Series when the bell rings that the winner will be: The Miz. AJ Styles is terrified of being left behind- he's fine with being out- of being in the background with the person in the limelight is any other person but me. Dolph Ziggler- fine.. Sami Zayn- who cares.. but when The Miz is the EBWF Champion.. when The Miz creates a dominant group- all of a sudden here comes AJ. Here comes AJ forming his own group.. here comes AJ wanting to regain this.. MY EBWF World Heavyweight Championship. AJ Styles is obsessed with being the best- only so that I AM NOT CONSIDERED THE BEST. That's the biggest difference between him and I. For me- AJ Styles is just another opponent. He's just another speed bump that I will run over. This match doesn't have sentimental value- all it means to me is a chance to prove just why I am the greatest of the great- the cream of the crop- one more time. The days of me being afraid of losing this title to my once upon a time friend are OVER.. the days of me worrying about AJ Styles stealing my shine or my spotlight are.. dead and gone just like everyone in this cemetery. The fact that I'm not afraid to lose.. is the EXACT reason why I am NOT GOING TO. The reason I care about this match this time around AJ- is NOT because of who it's against- but because of what it is for.. I'm OBSESSED WITH BEING THE BEST.. so that NOBODY ELSE.. NOT JUST AJ.. NOBODY ELSE WILL NEVER AND CAN NEVER WEAR THIS.. but ME!
The Miz looked down at his EBWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The Miz: All I care about in this world, is the Vertex, and this EBWF Heavyweight Championship. So you're probably thinking- well if you care about it so much, how are you not afraid to lose it? Well AJ- I'll tell you. I'm not afraid to lose the EBWF title this time around, because I have an understanding of something that you don't seem to.. things have CHANGED. I'm not afraid to lose this title- because I know that you can't beat me anymore. I know that you aren't capable- but more so I know that you don't have the mindset to do it anymore. Back in 2012 you were hungry AJ, you were determined, you had a fire in you that was YOURS and NOBODY ELSES. You were desperate to beat me, and because of that you did. Now though, you aren't desperate to win- you are desperate not to lose.. and though that may seem like the same thing.. they couldn't be more different. Now I'm the hungry one, now I'm the determined one, now I'm the one with the fire with the relentless aggression, the one who will do ANYTHING to beat you- the one who will do ANYTHING to remain the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion. People may say that the pressure falls on me in this situation, that you really don't have anything to lose.. but that's just not true is it AJ? You have EVERYTHING to lose.. and you KNOW it.. and that's why LOSING is EXACTLY what you are about to do. People won't bat an eye when I retain the EBWF Title at Survivor Series. They've seen me beat you before, life will go on pretty much for every other person on earth when this happens.. but for you.. ohhh man.. for you AJ.. your loss on Sunday is going to shatter you... isn't it? It's going to be doomsday in the world of AJ Styles, it's going to make you wish you were in this cemetery permanently and not just for some cheesy open grave promo that you think scares people.. because you'll know that your little copy cat group, your copy cat gang attacks, your copy cat bad guy act, is going to be looked at in a way that you've always feared, you are going to be seen in a way that you've done nothing but try to avoid. You, AJ Styles, are going to be looked at as the NOT so talented, not as successful version... of ME.
The Miz smirked.
The Miz: The reason I came to this cemetery initially was to mock you, but now I realize that it's extremely fitting. People come to this place to say their final goodbyes. They come to this place knowing that nothing is ever going to be the same again. This Sunday after Survivor Series NOTHING will BE the same again when it comes to AJ Styles. This Sunday at Survivor Series, we are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles that we once knew. We are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles, whose actions could be looked at as anything more than "those guys trying to matter-while Vertex is the only thing that matters." We are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles who many people still put in the same category as The Miz.. and shit if I feel like it we might just be saying our final goodbye to AJ Styles... period.
The Miz waved goodbye to the camera in a very menacing manner, as the scene cut to static. The scene opened back up in the Los Angeles, California home of the Miz. The camera cut inside and we were in The Miz' "man room" he had couches set up, a movie sized screen set up, and pictures and memorabilia all over the room, which showcased the very decorated wrestling career he had had in the EBWF. To the left of the couches was a bar area. At the bar sat Finn Balor, Kyle O'Reilly, and Kevin Owens, each of which were dressed in sport clothing, sweatpants and "Vertex: You Wish You Were Us" T-Shirts. Each of the men had a drink in front of them, with Owens and Balor drinking beers, and O'Reilly a Jack and Coke.
Kevin Owens: So what's the big thing that Miz called us here for?
Kyle O'Reilly: Beats me- at least we get booze while we wait.
Finn Balor: I didn't even know there was a thing- his house is just way bigger and nicer than mine- so whenever he tells me to come over.. I pretty much say yes and don't hear the rest of what he says.
Suddenly foot steps were heard walking down the stairs, and The Miz appeared. He was dressed similar to the other guys in the group. Black sweatpants and a white with red letters Vertex t-shirt. He was flanked by Ted DiBiase, and in between them was a short man, who had a black bag over his head. Miz and Ted dragged the man down the stairs, with each of them holding one arm. As Ted and Miz reached the bottom of the stairs the other three men stood up from the bar.
Kevin Owens: What the hell?
The Miz held up his hand and knew that he'd have to explain.
The Miz: Let me explain.
Told ya.
The Miz: So AJ Styles, is notorious for going back, digging up old sound bites of our matches from 2012. He loves to play this up like it's the Super Bowl.. and hell.. I get it.. for him this is the Super Bowl.. for me this is like a week 13 game when I'm already 12-0..
Kyle O'Reilly: But wouldn't you have had a bye...
The Miz: Alright shut up over there Jon Gruden..
Kyle O'Reilly: Sorry... I'm kinda drunk.
Kyle took another sip of his jack and coke.. the other men snickered.
The Miz: The point is- AJ Styles circles The Miz on the schedule so to speak. He's like Rex Ryan with the Patriots.. obsessed with beating them.. beat them at first.. but hasn't done shit against them in years. so he likes to think about the times when he actually won.. or got the better of me. The reason he loves to do this.. especially now.. is because well.. nobody really freaking remembers him doing much of anything around here period.. let alone against me. He's like the washed up high school athlete who sits and his room and cries as he watches the younger version of himself run up and down the field or the court. The washed up high school athlete who gets drunk and looks at his old scrapbook of the glory days of when they rocked in high school. The only difference is those guys KNOW it's over.. where as AJ Styles just can't seem to let it go..he can't seem to accept that the days of those sound bites.. the days of someone like him getting the better of someone like me.. the days of him being even close to worthy of wearing this.. are long long gone.
Kevin Owens: So who the hell is this guy?
The Miz looked confused at first, but then realized what Kevin was talking about.
The Miz: Oh right the guy who is in the room with a bag over his head.
Ted DiBiase: Similiar to what AJ's girl should be wearing- wouldn't you say?
There was laughter from the room.
The Miz: Come on Ted- that's mean- a real slap in the face.. kick in the pants.. or you know.. the side of her head..
More laughter.
Kevin Owens: Seriously, who the hell is the guy?
The Miz snapped into remembering once again.
The Miz: Oh right, the guy. Well you see, in an effort to continue to prove that I am superior to AJ Styles in every way.. which you know.. I obviously am. I've decided to be even better than him, at digging up our history.. but instead of having someone clip together interviews- announcers - or whatever the hell else- I um.. went a different route.
Ted ripped the bag off of the mans head- revealing- Sho Funaki. He mouthed words for several beats.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!!!!
Kyle O'Reilly looked up in the air startled by what he had just heard.
Kyle O'Reilly: Now where in the hell did that come from?
Owens and Balor smiled as was DiBiase. Miz had a cocky smirk on his face.
The Miz: Yes INDEED! Funaki is in the house!
Funaki brimmed up with pride.. no mouth movement to speak of.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly looked astonished..
Kyle O'Reilly: Seriously.. how's he doing that?
The Miz: Funaki was there at the very beginning. He is as much a part of the history between AJ Styles and myself as anyone. He'd goof off with us.. party with us.. agree with us..
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly: I gotta take five..
Kyle sat down bewildered with Funaki's voice over.
The Miz: He was the third musketeer, but something just wasn't right was it? AJ and I were both secretly focused on climbing to the top of the business, not going on a comedy tour, so we decided it would be best to.. cut.. ties with Funaki.
Funaki bowed his head in sadness.
Funaki: (Voice Over, sad) INDEED.
The Miz: Which would have been the end of the story... which SHOULD have been the end of the story, but it wasn't.. was it Funaki?
Funaki looked at Miz out of the corner of his eye.. seemingly knowing where he was going.
The Miz: Because after Wrestlemania- when I got MY rematch for the EBWF Championship at Aftermath- you and that little moron Taka- took it upon yourselves to COST me that Iron Man Match- and allowed AJ to put me out of commission... didn't you?
Funaki looked extremely worried now. Still his mouth remain shut.
Funaki: (Voice Over, Scared) Indeed.
The Miz and Vertex surrounded Funaki. He held up a "Help" sign like he was Wile E. Coyote. The Miz broke the tension by laughing.
The Miz: You might think that I hold a grudge still, but I don't.. you see Funaki.. the point is.. that was 3 years ago. I don't live in the past.. you know who lives in the past.. losers. AJ Styles lives in the past- AJ Styles pleasures himself to the videos of those matches, because it's the closest he's ever going to get to being the top dog in this company ever again. Why would I want to live in the past when I'm so dominant in the present? Why would I want to live in the past when myself, and my group the Vertex ARE the present AND the future of this business. Soon AJ Styles will ONLY have the past to hold on to, because he will have NO present here.. and he will damn sure have NO future.
Funkai got excited.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly: Seriously- can we keep him?
The Vertex members smirked, Miz kept his flow.
The Miz: Get over it AJ, no matter how many, once upon a time stars you dig up and align yourself with it's not going to bring us back in time. No matter how many CM Punk's you bring back to this company and say "hey look it's CM Punk.. we are friends.. look at us.." or Brock Lesnars.. "Hey it's Brock Lesnar.. he's our friend too.. look he does jumping jacks.. and if he press the button on his arm it initiates his karate chop action." Or even Paul Heyman's.. "Hey it's Paul Heyman.. he's our mentor.. he sweats when he eats." None of that is going to bring us back to a time where people would say... "oh cool, AJ Styles and CM Punk are friends..." or "Oh cool Brock Lesnar has a karate chop action.." and definitely not "oh cool Paul Heyman.. is delightfully out of shape." You guys are like the group of friends that makes fun of the popular kids- yet tries to do everything exactly like them. Well consider Survivor Series your wake up call, your swirly, if I may.. because this my friend is the IN CROWD in the EBWF.. we are the Haves- and you jamoaks are most certainly the have nots. This isn't 2012.. Carly Rae Jepsen's no longer a thing... neither is CM Punk.. neither is Brock Lesnar.. and neither are you, AJ.
Funaki looked around to see if the other guys were going to say anything- nothing. He took the liberty.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
The Miz: I honestly can tell you, for as sure as I am sitting here, that I am as excited for this match as I've been for any other in my entire career. I mean it's always fun to destroy someone's hopes and dreams. I mean it's been almost a whole month, and every now and then I just break into hysterical laughter thinking about how Sami Zayn thought that he had a joint's chance in AJ Styles house of surviving against me. This match though, this match is different. At Survivor Series, I not only retain the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship, but I also do something far more important. I also CEMENT The Vertex as the only group that gets shit done around here. This match isn't a traditional Survivor Series match, but hell it might as well be, because it's CLEAR that there's only room for one group- and it's CLEAR that that group is us. I mean can you even picture AJ's group like out at a bar. Paul Heyman's like suffocating in the Nacho Bowl- CM Punk like crushing waters- Brock Lesnar arm wrestling vs. himself, and AJ just like passed out on a bar stool, with empty shot glasses and Dorito crumbs all over his "I'm The Man" T-Shirt.
Ted DiBiase: Actually Miz I think the shirt just says "The Man" now.
The Miz: Wow- marketing genius. What an adjustment.
Ted DiBiase: A regular Jackie Moon.
Kevin Owens: Great movie..
Ted DiBiase: Seriously it is..
The Miz: Honestly though. Like really? That's the group that's going to dominate the EBWF. Really?! AJ - what do you take me for? Do you think I don't know what you're doing with this? Do you think I don't know that this is your sad little pathetic attempt to one up me? Let me clue you in on something though, that you don't seem to get. The very definition of "One Up" means that you do the same thing as someone else.. except you do it better... and that is a little detail that you have very clearly forgotten. You see CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman in a group with AJ Styles is not better than what the world has seen from the Vertex. You see the Vertex has made it clear that we are the standard in the EBWF, we have made it clear that there's NO collection of has beens in the world that are going to take our place as the most dominant faction ever assembled here. JUST like there's no way in HELL that you are going to take my place as being the most DOMINANT EBWF CHAMPION that there ever was around here.
Once again a look from Funaki to the others. This time Owens beat Funaki to the punch.
Kevin Owens: Indeed.
Funaki looked at Owens cross. Kevin just chewed his gum and had a shit eating grin on his face, happy with himself that he took Funaki's line.
The Miz: I get you though AJ, sometimes it's fun to look back in the past. To have Funaki here, INDEEDING every true statement I've laid out today. Shit I might even go and take Layla for one more ride, but the point is, I've moved on from all of it.. Ted..
Miz snapped his fingers and Ted.. put the bag back over Funaki's head and dragged him back up the stairs.
Funaki: (Voice Over, Muffled) INDEEEEEEEEEED
Funaki's voice over trailed off as he got further from the group- a door was heard slamming- and the voice was gone.
The Miz: Just like Funaki's voice- at some point the past fades away. People move on- some
The Miz pointed to himself.
The Miz: Better than others.
The Miz pointed to the camera- a direct shot at AJ.
The Miz: Some are able to adapt- and maintain the excellence that they always have had- while others struggle to do so. They struggle to find their place, where they belong, and to come to grips with reality. AJ Styles is CLEARLY the latter. He is and has always been incapable of accepting that he'll EVER be anything but second best as long as I'm around. He even has had some success proving me wrong on this idea- but that was a long time ago- a different you- a different me- a different era. A time where Taka and Funaki roamed the EBWF Universe.. an era where people gave a shit that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were together- and cared even more when they broke up- it was an era that Honey Boo Boo was something that people tuned into weekly. It may only have been 3 years ago- but boy does it feel like a lifetime ago- boy does anytime where you could possibly beat me- feel like it couldn't be further away from this very moment. You aren't that guy anymore, AJ, like the popular 2012 hit song says.. that AJ Styles is "somebody that I used to know.." I don't know what you are now AJ... but I know what you are not.. and what you WILL NEVER AGAIN BE.. and that is EBWF.. WORLD.. HEAVYWEIGHT.. CHAMPION. Your T-Shirt just like everything else you will undoubtedly say this week is a lie.. because when it comes to being "The Man" AJ, you need not look any further than "The Man" who's wearing this.
The Miz held the EBWF Title into the camera.
The Miz: THIS is what it's all about.. THIS is what makes you matter.. THIS is what you fight for.. bleed for.. and THIS isn't going anywhere. 2012 also brought us the popular phrase YOLO.. you only live once.. oh so true.. since you only live once.. I guess since you only live once- I choose to live my one life.. as "THE MAN."
BECAUSE I'M THE MIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
AND I'MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
AWEEEEEEEEEEESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
A door was heard opening, feet slamming on the steps as someone was running down the stairs. It was Funaki, he couldn't resist. He had a big smile on his face and offered a word. Only it wasn't a voice over.. it was his actual voice.
Funaki: INDEED.
The Miz winked at the camera as the scene faded out.
The scene opened up in a cemetery. The sun was just setting overhead creating an array of orange, purple, and pink colors that was quite beautiful. As one would expect there was grave stones as far as the eyes could see, but in the forefront of the camera sat one man. He was dressed in a gray nike hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants. He sat next to a grave stone with his feet facing away from it. The EBWF World Heavyweight Championship sitting in front of his feet. He looked almost distant as he didn't look at the camera for several beats. Finally, he grabbed the EBWF Championship- unhooked it and threw it over his shoulder. He looked at the camera and began to speak.
The Miz: Such an AJ Styles thing to do, don't you think? We've faced each other many times, and many times I've tried to get into his head. By that I don't mean, trying to play mind games, or anything like that.. I mean shit.. I've done that too.. but what I mean is.. I try to think like he thinks anytime I'm about to face him. I try to get into that deranged, entitled, rotted from drugs and alcohol brain of his.. so that I'm ready to once again defeat him. I'd say it's so that I can outsmart him- but it doesn't take much time or effort to do that.. so it goes beyond that.. everytime I face AJ Styles.. I try to UNDERSTAND him. I try to understand what makes him tick, what are his weaknesses, what can I exploit to get the best of him. Each time I really think about it.. I come up with that same thing. AJ Styles.. is afraid.. he's petrified of losing to me.. and because he's so afraid.. and because he NEEDS and WANTS to win so badly.. he has had a VERY tough time doing so the past few times we've been in the ring together. It's something that has escalated quite a bit since we first joined forces back in 2012. The thing that drove us away from each other was the desire to be the best in this business, and I admit- at that time- AJ Styles was the best in the business. He didn't think- he let it rip- the only one who did the thinking and who was afraid at that time- was me. It was my first go-around as the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion- my first time being 'the man' and I was afraid to lose it.. because I was afraid- I acted like I was anything but. I acted pompous, cocky, like I was unbeatable.. all because deep down I was afraid to be beaten.. and because of that... I was beaten.. more than once by AJ Styles.
The Miz paused for a second shaking his head.
The Miz: Now times have changed- fast forward 3 years to the tail end of 2015. Once again- The Miz- I- Have climbed to the top of the EBWF mountain. I've left a trail of beaten and battered bodies in my wake to get to this point. The Vertex- a group I formed, along with Ted DiBiase has completely dominated the wrestling scene for the past 4 months.. and I am the reigning EBWF World Heavyweight Champion. This hasn't sat well with many people.. but it ESPECIALLY hasn't sat well with AJ. Now AJ and I.. we don't speak anymore.. and this isn't an act.. or a gimmick for the camera.. I don't like the guy.. so since he's gotten back.. I've pretty much just ignored everything that he's said and done- and focused on you know.. winning. AJ may act like he's been doing the same to me- but he'd be lying if he didn't say watching me and my group Vertex run rough shot over everyone and everything hasn't driven him nuts.. He'd be lying if he said that watching me close shows with the EBWF Championship raised high in the air hasn't been eating away at his insides. He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't AFRAID that maybe just maybe- I FINALLY have settled a debate that we've had for the past 3 years. Who is the best wrestler on the planet? The Galaxy? The Universe? Or whatever spin off catch phrase he wants to make off of ones I already created. That has been the question. Who is the best? AJ's biggest fear is that answer being: The Miz. His biggest fear is that the answer already is: The Miz.. his biggest fear is that after Survivor Series when the bell rings that the winner will be: The Miz. AJ Styles is terrified of being left behind- he's fine with being out- of being in the background with the person in the limelight is any other person but me. Dolph Ziggler- fine.. Sami Zayn- who cares.. but when The Miz is the EBWF Champion.. when The Miz creates a dominant group- all of a sudden here comes AJ. Here comes AJ forming his own group.. here comes AJ wanting to regain this.. MY EBWF World Heavyweight Championship. AJ Styles is obsessed with being the best- only so that I AM NOT CONSIDERED THE BEST. That's the biggest difference between him and I. For me- AJ Styles is just another opponent. He's just another speed bump that I will run over. This match doesn't have sentimental value- all it means to me is a chance to prove just why I am the greatest of the great- the cream of the crop- one more time. The days of me being afraid of losing this title to my once upon a time friend are OVER.. the days of me worrying about AJ Styles stealing my shine or my spotlight are.. dead and gone just like everyone in this cemetery. The fact that I'm not afraid to lose.. is the EXACT reason why I am NOT GOING TO. The reason I care about this match this time around AJ- is NOT because of who it's against- but because of what it is for.. I'm OBSESSED WITH BEING THE BEST.. so that NOBODY ELSE.. NOT JUST AJ.. NOBODY ELSE WILL NEVER AND CAN NEVER WEAR THIS.. but ME!
The Miz looked down at his EBWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The Miz: All I care about in this world, is the Vertex, and this EBWF Heavyweight Championship. So you're probably thinking- well if you care about it so much, how are you not afraid to lose it? Well AJ- I'll tell you. I'm not afraid to lose the EBWF title this time around, because I have an understanding of something that you don't seem to.. things have CHANGED. I'm not afraid to lose this title- because I know that you can't beat me anymore. I know that you aren't capable- but more so I know that you don't have the mindset to do it anymore. Back in 2012 you were hungry AJ, you were determined, you had a fire in you that was YOURS and NOBODY ELSES. You were desperate to beat me, and because of that you did. Now though, you aren't desperate to win- you are desperate not to lose.. and though that may seem like the same thing.. they couldn't be more different. Now I'm the hungry one, now I'm the determined one, now I'm the one with the fire with the relentless aggression, the one who will do ANYTHING to beat you- the one who will do ANYTHING to remain the EBWF World Heavyweight Champion. People may say that the pressure falls on me in this situation, that you really don't have anything to lose.. but that's just not true is it AJ? You have EVERYTHING to lose.. and you KNOW it.. and that's why LOSING is EXACTLY what you are about to do. People won't bat an eye when I retain the EBWF Title at Survivor Series. They've seen me beat you before, life will go on pretty much for every other person on earth when this happens.. but for you.. ohhh man.. for you AJ.. your loss on Sunday is going to shatter you... isn't it? It's going to be doomsday in the world of AJ Styles, it's going to make you wish you were in this cemetery permanently and not just for some cheesy open grave promo that you think scares people.. because you'll know that your little copy cat group, your copy cat gang attacks, your copy cat bad guy act, is going to be looked at in a way that you've always feared, you are going to be seen in a way that you've done nothing but try to avoid. You, AJ Styles, are going to be looked at as the NOT so talented, not as successful version... of ME.
The Miz smirked.
The Miz: The reason I came to this cemetery initially was to mock you, but now I realize that it's extremely fitting. People come to this place to say their final goodbyes. They come to this place knowing that nothing is ever going to be the same again. This Sunday after Survivor Series NOTHING will BE the same again when it comes to AJ Styles. This Sunday at Survivor Series, we are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles that we once knew. We are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles, whose actions could be looked at as anything more than "those guys trying to matter-while Vertex is the only thing that matters." We are going to say our final goodbye to the AJ Styles who many people still put in the same category as The Miz.. and shit if I feel like it we might just be saying our final goodbye to AJ Styles... period.
The Miz waved goodbye to the camera in a very menacing manner, as the scene cut to static. The scene opened back up in the Los Angeles, California home of the Miz. The camera cut inside and we were in The Miz' "man room" he had couches set up, a movie sized screen set up, and pictures and memorabilia all over the room, which showcased the very decorated wrestling career he had had in the EBWF. To the left of the couches was a bar area. At the bar sat Finn Balor, Kyle O'Reilly, and Kevin Owens, each of which were dressed in sport clothing, sweatpants and "Vertex: You Wish You Were Us" T-Shirts. Each of the men had a drink in front of them, with Owens and Balor drinking beers, and O'Reilly a Jack and Coke.
Kevin Owens: So what's the big thing that Miz called us here for?
Kyle O'Reilly: Beats me- at least we get booze while we wait.
Finn Balor: I didn't even know there was a thing- his house is just way bigger and nicer than mine- so whenever he tells me to come over.. I pretty much say yes and don't hear the rest of what he says.
Suddenly foot steps were heard walking down the stairs, and The Miz appeared. He was dressed similar to the other guys in the group. Black sweatpants and a white with red letters Vertex t-shirt. He was flanked by Ted DiBiase, and in between them was a short man, who had a black bag over his head. Miz and Ted dragged the man down the stairs, with each of them holding one arm. As Ted and Miz reached the bottom of the stairs the other three men stood up from the bar.
Kevin Owens: What the hell?
The Miz held up his hand and knew that he'd have to explain.
The Miz: Let me explain.
Told ya.
The Miz: So AJ Styles, is notorious for going back, digging up old sound bites of our matches from 2012. He loves to play this up like it's the Super Bowl.. and hell.. I get it.. for him this is the Super Bowl.. for me this is like a week 13 game when I'm already 12-0..
Kyle O'Reilly: But wouldn't you have had a bye...
The Miz: Alright shut up over there Jon Gruden..
Kyle O'Reilly: Sorry... I'm kinda drunk.
Kyle took another sip of his jack and coke.. the other men snickered.
The Miz: The point is- AJ Styles circles The Miz on the schedule so to speak. He's like Rex Ryan with the Patriots.. obsessed with beating them.. beat them at first.. but hasn't done shit against them in years. so he likes to think about the times when he actually won.. or got the better of me. The reason he loves to do this.. especially now.. is because well.. nobody really freaking remembers him doing much of anything around here period.. let alone against me. He's like the washed up high school athlete who sits and his room and cries as he watches the younger version of himself run up and down the field or the court. The washed up high school athlete who gets drunk and looks at his old scrapbook of the glory days of when they rocked in high school. The only difference is those guys KNOW it's over.. where as AJ Styles just can't seem to let it go..he can't seem to accept that the days of those sound bites.. the days of someone like him getting the better of someone like me.. the days of him being even close to worthy of wearing this.. are long long gone.
Kevin Owens: So who the hell is this guy?
The Miz looked confused at first, but then realized what Kevin was talking about.
The Miz: Oh right the guy who is in the room with a bag over his head.
Ted DiBiase: Similiar to what AJ's girl should be wearing- wouldn't you say?
There was laughter from the room.
The Miz: Come on Ted- that's mean- a real slap in the face.. kick in the pants.. or you know.. the side of her head..
More laughter.
Kevin Owens: Seriously, who the hell is the guy?
The Miz snapped into remembering once again.
The Miz: Oh right, the guy. Well you see, in an effort to continue to prove that I am superior to AJ Styles in every way.. which you know.. I obviously am. I've decided to be even better than him, at digging up our history.. but instead of having someone clip together interviews- announcers - or whatever the hell else- I um.. went a different route.
Ted ripped the bag off of the mans head- revealing- Sho Funaki. He mouthed words for several beats.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!!!!
Kyle O'Reilly looked up in the air startled by what he had just heard.
Kyle O'Reilly: Now where in the hell did that come from?
Owens and Balor smiled as was DiBiase. Miz had a cocky smirk on his face.
The Miz: Yes INDEED! Funaki is in the house!
Funaki brimmed up with pride.. no mouth movement to speak of.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly looked astonished..
Kyle O'Reilly: Seriously.. how's he doing that?
The Miz: Funaki was there at the very beginning. He is as much a part of the history between AJ Styles and myself as anyone. He'd goof off with us.. party with us.. agree with us..
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly: I gotta take five..
Kyle sat down bewildered with Funaki's voice over.
The Miz: He was the third musketeer, but something just wasn't right was it? AJ and I were both secretly focused on climbing to the top of the business, not going on a comedy tour, so we decided it would be best to.. cut.. ties with Funaki.
Funaki bowed his head in sadness.
Funaki: (Voice Over, sad) INDEED.
The Miz: Which would have been the end of the story... which SHOULD have been the end of the story, but it wasn't.. was it Funaki?
Funaki looked at Miz out of the corner of his eye.. seemingly knowing where he was going.
The Miz: Because after Wrestlemania- when I got MY rematch for the EBWF Championship at Aftermath- you and that little moron Taka- took it upon yourselves to COST me that Iron Man Match- and allowed AJ to put me out of commission... didn't you?
Funaki looked extremely worried now. Still his mouth remain shut.
Funaki: (Voice Over, Scared) Indeed.
The Miz and Vertex surrounded Funaki. He held up a "Help" sign like he was Wile E. Coyote. The Miz broke the tension by laughing.
The Miz: You might think that I hold a grudge still, but I don't.. you see Funaki.. the point is.. that was 3 years ago. I don't live in the past.. you know who lives in the past.. losers. AJ Styles lives in the past- AJ Styles pleasures himself to the videos of those matches, because it's the closest he's ever going to get to being the top dog in this company ever again. Why would I want to live in the past when I'm so dominant in the present? Why would I want to live in the past when myself, and my group the Vertex ARE the present AND the future of this business. Soon AJ Styles will ONLY have the past to hold on to, because he will have NO present here.. and he will damn sure have NO future.
Funkai got excited.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
Kyle O'Reilly: Seriously- can we keep him?
The Vertex members smirked, Miz kept his flow.
The Miz: Get over it AJ, no matter how many, once upon a time stars you dig up and align yourself with it's not going to bring us back in time. No matter how many CM Punk's you bring back to this company and say "hey look it's CM Punk.. we are friends.. look at us.." or Brock Lesnars.. "Hey it's Brock Lesnar.. he's our friend too.. look he does jumping jacks.. and if he press the button on his arm it initiates his karate chop action." Or even Paul Heyman's.. "Hey it's Paul Heyman.. he's our mentor.. he sweats when he eats." None of that is going to bring us back to a time where people would say... "oh cool, AJ Styles and CM Punk are friends..." or "Oh cool Brock Lesnar has a karate chop action.." and definitely not "oh cool Paul Heyman.. is delightfully out of shape." You guys are like the group of friends that makes fun of the popular kids- yet tries to do everything exactly like them. Well consider Survivor Series your wake up call, your swirly, if I may.. because this my friend is the IN CROWD in the EBWF.. we are the Haves- and you jamoaks are most certainly the have nots. This isn't 2012.. Carly Rae Jepsen's no longer a thing... neither is CM Punk.. neither is Brock Lesnar.. and neither are you, AJ.
Funaki looked around to see if the other guys were going to say anything- nothing. He took the liberty.
Funaki: (Voice Over) INDEED!
The Miz: I honestly can tell you, for as sure as I am sitting here, that I am as excited for this match as I've been for any other in my entire career. I mean it's always fun to destroy someone's hopes and dreams. I mean it's been almost a whole month, and every now and then I just break into hysterical laughter thinking about how Sami Zayn thought that he had a joint's chance in AJ Styles house of surviving against me. This match though, this match is different. At Survivor Series, I not only retain the EBWF World Heavyweight Championship, but I also do something far more important. I also CEMENT The Vertex as the only group that gets shit done around here. This match isn't a traditional Survivor Series match, but hell it might as well be, because it's CLEAR that there's only room for one group- and it's CLEAR that that group is us. I mean can you even picture AJ's group like out at a bar. Paul Heyman's like suffocating in the Nacho Bowl- CM Punk like crushing waters- Brock Lesnar arm wrestling vs. himself, and AJ just like passed out on a bar stool, with empty shot glasses and Dorito crumbs all over his "I'm The Man" T-Shirt.
Ted DiBiase: Actually Miz I think the shirt just says "The Man" now.
The Miz: Wow- marketing genius. What an adjustment.
Ted DiBiase: A regular Jackie Moon.
Kevin Owens: Great movie..
Ted DiBiase: Seriously it is..
The Miz: Honestly though. Like really? That's the group that's going to dominate the EBWF. Really?! AJ - what do you take me for? Do you think I don't know what you're doing with this? Do you think I don't know that this is your sad little pathetic attempt to one up me? Let me clue you in on something though, that you don't seem to get. The very definition of "One Up" means that you do the same thing as someone else.. except you do it better... and that is a little detail that you have very clearly forgotten. You see CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman in a group with AJ Styles is not better than what the world has seen from the Vertex. You see the Vertex has made it clear that we are the standard in the EBWF, we have made it clear that there's NO collection of has beens in the world that are going to take our place as the most dominant faction ever assembled here. JUST like there's no way in HELL that you are going to take my place as being the most DOMINANT EBWF CHAMPION that there ever was around here.
Once again a look from Funaki to the others. This time Owens beat Funaki to the punch.
Kevin Owens: Indeed.
Funaki looked at Owens cross. Kevin just chewed his gum and had a shit eating grin on his face, happy with himself that he took Funaki's line.
The Miz: I get you though AJ, sometimes it's fun to look back in the past. To have Funaki here, INDEEDING every true statement I've laid out today. Shit I might even go and take Layla for one more ride, but the point is, I've moved on from all of it.. Ted..
Miz snapped his fingers and Ted.. put the bag back over Funaki's head and dragged him back up the stairs.
Funaki: (Voice Over, Muffled) INDEEEEEEEEEED
Funaki's voice over trailed off as he got further from the group- a door was heard slamming- and the voice was gone.
The Miz: Just like Funaki's voice- at some point the past fades away. People move on- some
The Miz pointed to himself.
The Miz: Better than others.
The Miz pointed to the camera- a direct shot at AJ.
The Miz: Some are able to adapt- and maintain the excellence that they always have had- while others struggle to do so. They struggle to find their place, where they belong, and to come to grips with reality. AJ Styles is CLEARLY the latter. He is and has always been incapable of accepting that he'll EVER be anything but second best as long as I'm around. He even has had some success proving me wrong on this idea- but that was a long time ago- a different you- a different me- a different era. A time where Taka and Funaki roamed the EBWF Universe.. an era where people gave a shit that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were together- and cared even more when they broke up- it was an era that Honey Boo Boo was something that people tuned into weekly. It may only have been 3 years ago- but boy does it feel like a lifetime ago- boy does anytime where you could possibly beat me- feel like it couldn't be further away from this very moment. You aren't that guy anymore, AJ, like the popular 2012 hit song says.. that AJ Styles is "somebody that I used to know.." I don't know what you are now AJ... but I know what you are not.. and what you WILL NEVER AGAIN BE.. and that is EBWF.. WORLD.. HEAVYWEIGHT.. CHAMPION. Your T-Shirt just like everything else you will undoubtedly say this week is a lie.. because when it comes to being "The Man" AJ, you need not look any further than "The Man" who's wearing this.
The Miz held the EBWF Title into the camera.
The Miz: THIS is what it's all about.. THIS is what makes you matter.. THIS is what you fight for.. bleed for.. and THIS isn't going anywhere. 2012 also brought us the popular phrase YOLO.. you only live once.. oh so true.. since you only live once.. I guess since you only live once- I choose to live my one life.. as "THE MAN."
BECAUSE I'M THE MIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
AND I'MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
AWEEEEEEEEEEESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
A door was heard opening, feet slamming on the steps as someone was running down the stairs. It was Funaki, he couldn't resist. He had a big smile on his face and offered a word. Only it wasn't a voice over.. it was his actual voice.
Funaki: INDEED.
The Miz winked at the camera as the scene faded out.