Fight Owens Fight
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 12:19 am
This is late, but we had the match worked out already so I put my focus elsewhere. Still wanted to get this up.
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He had been to the EBWF Headquarters one other time. To sign his contract. Otherwise, he hadn’t been invited back. He’d made this appointment to talk about his match at Christmas Eve of Destruction. It was the first of it’s kind, and that made him feel like the company at least trusted him, somewhat. The lobby on the ground floor was decorated for Christmas, and as Kevin Owens walked through security he looked up at a huge mural of EBWF Superstars hanging behind the reception desk. It looked new. Like maybe a few people had been removed from it. He was on there, not as large as some of his peers, but he was there nonetheless. Security called upstairs, and one of the guards walked him over to the elevator.
Security Guard: Just take this visitors badge. There’s a code printed on it, press that into the elevator and it will take you up to the 30th floor.
Kevin Steen: Thanks.
He did as instructed, and soon the elevator was creeping upward from the ground floor to the top. When the doors finally opened again, he stepped into a luxurious looking lobby. Lynne McClinton sat at her desk, and he strode across the carpet toward her. She looked up with a smile.
Lynne McClinton: Kevin! Mr. Ikeda was just finishing up a conference call. I’ll let him know you’re here. Have a seat.
He thanked her, and moved over to a couch, sitting down. Wes’ office door was closed so Kevin could see the EBWF logo embossed on a standard gold placard, and the name “Wes Ikeda” centered in it. He was looking at the door, wondering how he happened to fall into this job when the door opened. Wes was wearing a black v-neck sweater with a white undershirt, and jeans.
Wes Ikeda: Kevin, thanks for reaching out. I was surprised you didn’t just want to see me in Chicago. Was it a bad trip from Montreal.
Kevin Steen: Believe it or not, it’s a little warmer here.
Wes Ikeda: I believe it. I believe it.
Wes shook Kevin’s hand as he came closer.
Wes Ikeda: Come on in.
Kevin walked into Wes’ office. He’d never been here before. He’d signed his contract in the conference room. Wes’ office was cozy. There was a big TV. A nice couch. On one wall hung a few of Wes’ championship belts, on the opposite wall several photographs of family and friends. Striking were two 16x20 photographs done in black and white. One was a shot close up photo of three of Wes’ children. Kevin knew their names. All wrestling fans did after what had happened, Isabella, Blaine and McKenzie. The second 16x20 was an updated. nearly undentically posed portrait of Blaine, McKenzie and CJ. Kevin didn’t let his eyes linger there. He looked at the other photos of significant wrestlers and legends in Wes’ life. The portraits weren’t arranged very well. In fact, Kevin wasn’t an interior decorated but it looked like a couple of them had been removed recently. Wes left the door open a crack and sat down on the sofa. The chairs in front of Wes’ desk had been turned toward the couch to make the space a little more friendly for conversation. Kevin took a seat in one of the chairs.
Wes Ikeda: So what brings you here?
Kevin Steen: I know it’s probably highly unusual for people to come straight to you rather than talking to Joanie or somebody…
Wes Ikeda: Not as unusual as you’d think.
Kevin Steen: I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work Christmas Eve of Destruction. Sounds like it’s going to be a hell of a match and…
There was a light tap on the door and both men looked up to find Chris Jericho letting himself in. Kevin had met him a few times before albeit a little briefly.
Chris Jericho: Sorry I’m late.
Chris let the door hang partially open behind him as he entered the room.
Wes Ikeda: No problem.
Kevin had stood up, and Chris covered the space between them to shake his hand.
Kevin Steen: Mr. Jericho, it’s an honor to be facing you at Christmas Eve of Destruction. An absolute honor. I never in my wildest dreams thought that…
Chris Jericho: It’s going to be a great match. Brought to you by that sadist, right there.
Jericho pointed to Wes and Wes gave a shrug and laughed.
Wes Ikeda: Tables, Ladders and C4. It wasn’t that hard to come up with really.
Kevin Steen: Your match against Sting at Fallout 2009 is the stuff that…
Wes Ikeda: Oh, Kevin… are you a fanboy?
That made Jericho laugh out loud.
Chris Jericho: Wes was once a fanboy himself. It’s okay. Thank you. Though I’m kind of partial to King of the Ring 2005.
Wes Ikeda: When he had to beat a couple of girl’s to win the tag titles in 2008.
Chris Jericho: And then you had them beat me again four weeks later. I have NEVER forgiven you for that.
Wes laughed.
Wes Ikeda: The young Kevin Steen is here to thank me for the opportunity to wrestle at Christmas Eve of Destruction.
Jericho took a seat on the couch, leaving an empty cushion between he and Wes.
Chris Jericho: Seems like a long flight just for that.
Kevin Steen: Well, I also wanted to say that I see where all of this is going and I know it makes total sense for me to lose right now. Jericho needs to heat up going into this season and I understand that. So if I need to put him over then that’s what I have to do, Mr. Ikeda.
Wes Ikeda: It’s Wes. And you’re right. You do sort of see where this is going, but don’t worry. You don’t have to put him over too much.
Chris Jericho: I kind of take care of that on my own.
Kevin nodded.
Kevin Steen: I guess it was a long trip just for that, but that’s really all I had.
Wes Ikeda: You sure.
Wes glanced at Jericho, and their eyes met for a moment before turning back to Kevin. He hesitated, but then moved to his feet.
Kevin Steen: Yeah, again, Mr. Jericho it’s a real honor sir.
Chris stood up, Wes following his lead. Jericho shook Kevin’s hand.
Chris Jericho: Chris, please.
Kevin Steen: Can we, um, settle on Jericho? I don’t think I can ever be on a first name basis with you.
He turned to shake Wes’s hand.
Kevin Steen: Thanks, Wes.
Wes Ikeda: Oh, but sure! He can be on a first name basis with me. Good work, Kevin. You’re doing a good job out there. If there’s anything you ever need, don’t hesitate to ask.
Kevin gave a nod of understanding and turned toward the door. Wes and Chris both sat back down on the couch, clearly wanting to discuss a few things.
Wes Ikeda: We’ll go over match in Chicago. Sound good.
Kevin Steen: Yeah, thanks. Sounds great.
He turned back toward them.
Kevin Steen: You know now that you mention it…
Wes lifted his head to look at him.
Kevin Steen: I know you’ve given me a huge opportunity, to work with two big EBWF names. I know I’m at the right hand of the world champion. That’s a great way to be featured. It’s just…
Kevin sighed.
Kevin Steen: I’m underutilized. And I think you know it. I’m no one’s yes man.
Wes sat up a little straighter.
Kevin Steen: I’m really, really…. unhappy in Vertex.
Wes sized Kevin up for a moment. There was a look in Wes’ eyes that made Kevin wonder if he’d said the wrong thing. If he’d challenged his boss just a little too quickly.
Wes Ikeda: Kevin, close the door, and sit back down. We have a lot to talk about.
Kevin almost dismissed himself. Almost apologized, but instead he turned, closed the door, and sat down in front of his boss, knowing that there was no one who knew what his EBWF future held.
-----
He had been to the EBWF Headquarters one other time. To sign his contract. Otherwise, he hadn’t been invited back. He’d made this appointment to talk about his match at Christmas Eve of Destruction. It was the first of it’s kind, and that made him feel like the company at least trusted him, somewhat. The lobby on the ground floor was decorated for Christmas, and as Kevin Owens walked through security he looked up at a huge mural of EBWF Superstars hanging behind the reception desk. It looked new. Like maybe a few people had been removed from it. He was on there, not as large as some of his peers, but he was there nonetheless. Security called upstairs, and one of the guards walked him over to the elevator.
Security Guard: Just take this visitors badge. There’s a code printed on it, press that into the elevator and it will take you up to the 30th floor.
Kevin Steen: Thanks.
He did as instructed, and soon the elevator was creeping upward from the ground floor to the top. When the doors finally opened again, he stepped into a luxurious looking lobby. Lynne McClinton sat at her desk, and he strode across the carpet toward her. She looked up with a smile.
Lynne McClinton: Kevin! Mr. Ikeda was just finishing up a conference call. I’ll let him know you’re here. Have a seat.
He thanked her, and moved over to a couch, sitting down. Wes’ office door was closed so Kevin could see the EBWF logo embossed on a standard gold placard, and the name “Wes Ikeda” centered in it. He was looking at the door, wondering how he happened to fall into this job when the door opened. Wes was wearing a black v-neck sweater with a white undershirt, and jeans.
Wes Ikeda: Kevin, thanks for reaching out. I was surprised you didn’t just want to see me in Chicago. Was it a bad trip from Montreal.
Kevin Steen: Believe it or not, it’s a little warmer here.
Wes Ikeda: I believe it. I believe it.
Wes shook Kevin’s hand as he came closer.
Wes Ikeda: Come on in.
Kevin walked into Wes’ office. He’d never been here before. He’d signed his contract in the conference room. Wes’ office was cozy. There was a big TV. A nice couch. On one wall hung a few of Wes’ championship belts, on the opposite wall several photographs of family and friends. Striking were two 16x20 photographs done in black and white. One was a shot close up photo of three of Wes’ children. Kevin knew their names. All wrestling fans did after what had happened, Isabella, Blaine and McKenzie. The second 16x20 was an updated. nearly undentically posed portrait of Blaine, McKenzie and CJ. Kevin didn’t let his eyes linger there. He looked at the other photos of significant wrestlers and legends in Wes’ life. The portraits weren’t arranged very well. In fact, Kevin wasn’t an interior decorated but it looked like a couple of them had been removed recently. Wes left the door open a crack and sat down on the sofa. The chairs in front of Wes’ desk had been turned toward the couch to make the space a little more friendly for conversation. Kevin took a seat in one of the chairs.
Wes Ikeda: So what brings you here?
Kevin Steen: I know it’s probably highly unusual for people to come straight to you rather than talking to Joanie or somebody…
Wes Ikeda: Not as unusual as you’d think.
Kevin Steen: I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work Christmas Eve of Destruction. Sounds like it’s going to be a hell of a match and…
There was a light tap on the door and both men looked up to find Chris Jericho letting himself in. Kevin had met him a few times before albeit a little briefly.
Chris Jericho: Sorry I’m late.
Chris let the door hang partially open behind him as he entered the room.
Wes Ikeda: No problem.
Kevin had stood up, and Chris covered the space between them to shake his hand.
Kevin Steen: Mr. Jericho, it’s an honor to be facing you at Christmas Eve of Destruction. An absolute honor. I never in my wildest dreams thought that…
Chris Jericho: It’s going to be a great match. Brought to you by that sadist, right there.
Jericho pointed to Wes and Wes gave a shrug and laughed.
Wes Ikeda: Tables, Ladders and C4. It wasn’t that hard to come up with really.
Kevin Steen: Your match against Sting at Fallout 2009 is the stuff that…
Wes Ikeda: Oh, Kevin… are you a fanboy?
That made Jericho laugh out loud.
Chris Jericho: Wes was once a fanboy himself. It’s okay. Thank you. Though I’m kind of partial to King of the Ring 2005.
Wes Ikeda: When he had to beat a couple of girl’s to win the tag titles in 2008.
Chris Jericho: And then you had them beat me again four weeks later. I have NEVER forgiven you for that.
Wes laughed.
Wes Ikeda: The young Kevin Steen is here to thank me for the opportunity to wrestle at Christmas Eve of Destruction.
Jericho took a seat on the couch, leaving an empty cushion between he and Wes.
Chris Jericho: Seems like a long flight just for that.
Kevin Steen: Well, I also wanted to say that I see where all of this is going and I know it makes total sense for me to lose right now. Jericho needs to heat up going into this season and I understand that. So if I need to put him over then that’s what I have to do, Mr. Ikeda.
Wes Ikeda: It’s Wes. And you’re right. You do sort of see where this is going, but don’t worry. You don’t have to put him over too much.
Chris Jericho: I kind of take care of that on my own.
Kevin nodded.
Kevin Steen: I guess it was a long trip just for that, but that’s really all I had.
Wes Ikeda: You sure.
Wes glanced at Jericho, and their eyes met for a moment before turning back to Kevin. He hesitated, but then moved to his feet.
Kevin Steen: Yeah, again, Mr. Jericho it’s a real honor sir.
Chris stood up, Wes following his lead. Jericho shook Kevin’s hand.
Chris Jericho: Chris, please.
Kevin Steen: Can we, um, settle on Jericho? I don’t think I can ever be on a first name basis with you.
He turned to shake Wes’s hand.
Kevin Steen: Thanks, Wes.
Wes Ikeda: Oh, but sure! He can be on a first name basis with me. Good work, Kevin. You’re doing a good job out there. If there’s anything you ever need, don’t hesitate to ask.
Kevin gave a nod of understanding and turned toward the door. Wes and Chris both sat back down on the couch, clearly wanting to discuss a few things.
Wes Ikeda: We’ll go over match in Chicago. Sound good.
Kevin Steen: Yeah, thanks. Sounds great.
He turned back toward them.
Kevin Steen: You know now that you mention it…
Wes lifted his head to look at him.
Kevin Steen: I know you’ve given me a huge opportunity, to work with two big EBWF names. I know I’m at the right hand of the world champion. That’s a great way to be featured. It’s just…
Kevin sighed.
Kevin Steen: I’m underutilized. And I think you know it. I’m no one’s yes man.
Wes sat up a little straighter.
Kevin Steen: I’m really, really…. unhappy in Vertex.
Wes sized Kevin up for a moment. There was a look in Wes’ eyes that made Kevin wonder if he’d said the wrong thing. If he’d challenged his boss just a little too quickly.
Wes Ikeda: Kevin, close the door, and sit back down. We have a lot to talk about.
Kevin almost dismissed himself. Almost apologized, but instead he turned, closed the door, and sat down in front of his boss, knowing that there was no one who knew what his EBWF future held.