Sunday January 31; Detroit, Michigan
Finally, it happened. One thousand, five hundred and fifty four days after he had lost the title to Brian Kendrick at Fanniversary 2011, Chris Jericho was the EBWF World Champion once again. He had known it would happen, of course – Wes had confirmed it to Jericho earlier in the day – but knowing something would happen and actually experiencing it were two very different things. For a few moments after The Miz tapped out, Jericho didn't actually hear anything; then he heard it all at once. The sound of the bell ringing, his music hitting, Christy Hemme announcing him as the new World Champion, the roar of the crowd. It was the cheers from the crowd that meant the most to Jericho, because he could tell how pleased they were to see him as Champion. Jericho soaked it all in, and took his time celebrating. He didn't want the celebration to end... after all, he had waited a long time for it. But some things were worth waiting for. Eventually, Jericho made his way through the backstage curtain, where he was greeted by his wife and children. Jessica smiled at him, then embraced him, while Ash, Sierra and Cheyenne seemed more excited about his victory than he was. At that moment in time, Jericho didn't know how long his reign would last. He was waiting for confirmation on who he would face at Fallout; a rematch with Miz seemed most likely, but other ideas were being mooted. He knew Wes was winning the Rumble - and it seemed somewhat fitting to have Jericho face Wes at Wrestlemania XV – but as far as Wes had told him, the main event of Wrestlemania was still to be confirmed. But none of that mattered right now. Jericho simply wanted to enjoy his moment. As he celebrated with his family, Jericho couldn't help but think to himself that some things were worth waiting for.
Tuesday February 16; Bristol, Connecticut
Two weeks had passed since Jericho's eighth World Title victory, and as expected, on Warfare it had been confirmed that he would face The Miz in a Royal Rumble rematch at Fallout. If Jericho wanted his Wrestlemania main event against Wes, he would have to beat Miz once again. The morning after Warfare, Jericho had flown to Connecticut for an interview on ESPN Sportscenter. Last month, after dividing his time between EBWF and ESPN for the better part of six years, Jonathan Coachman had resigned from EBWF to take up a full-time role with ESPN. Despite the issues Jericho and Wes had had with Coachman in the past, his departure was amicable, which was why Jericho had agreed to an interview with The Coach as part of EBWF's promotion for Fallout. As Jericho arrived at the ESPN studio, Coachman greeted him warmly.
Jonathan Coachman: Hey, Chris! Thanks for coming, how are you?
Coachman extended his hand to Jericho, who shook it.
Chris Jericho: I'm good, thanks for having me. How are you finding things here? Do you miss EBWF yet?
Coachman laughed nervously.
Jonathan Coachman: Would you hold it against me if I said no? Don't get me wrong, I had a great time in EBWF. But I was ready for a change. Plus now I get to spend most of my time here in Connecticut, with my family. It's nice not to have to travel so much.
Chris Jericho: Yeah, being on the road so much can get to you after a while. Although there are some perks...
Jericho clutched the World Title as he said that, which caused Coachman to smirk.
Jonathan Coachman: Are you getting used to carrying that around with you again?
Chris Jericho: I'm not just getting used to it, Coach. I'm loving it. If I had my way, I'd never give this title up... but then I guess if I don't lose the title, I can't win it two more times and beat Raven's record. I still want to become the first ever ten time EBWF World Champion before I retire.
Coachman laughed again. Already, Jericho could tell that he was happier working for ESPN than he ever had been in EBWF.
Jonathan Coachman: I swear you've been going on about breaking Raven's record for as long as I can remember. You're persistent, I'll give you that.
After Jericho and Coachman had gone through some interview prep, Jericho took a seat in the studio. Coachman took his place in front of the camera, and after recapping the events of Warfare, he introduced his guest.
Jonathan Coachman: So last night on Warfare, we had the main event of Fallout confirmed as the new EBWF World Champion, Chris Jericho, agreed to give the former champion The Miz his rematch. The winner will go on to face the 2016 Royal Rumble winner, Wes Ikeda, in the main event of Wrestlemania XV, which will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas on March 27th. With me here on Off The Top Rope today is the eight time World Champion and the longest serving superstar on the EBWF roster, Chris Jericho. Thanks for being here with us today Chris; as I said a few moments ago, we found out last night on Warfare that you'll be facing The Miz again at Fallout on February 28th, which means that The Miz is all that stands between you and the main event of Wrestlemania. With the prospect of main eventing Wrestlemania in sight, are you able to focus on Fallout, or are you already thinking about Wrestlemania?
Chris Jericho: Of course I'm thinking about Wrestlemania, Coach... how could I not? I've actually main evented Wrestlemania twice before, in 2009 and 2010, and both times I lost. So not only do I need to main event Wrestlemania again, I need to win to straighten out that record. But I've been in this business long enough to know that I need to focus on the job at hand. If my head isn't in the game at Fallout, there's a good chance I won't make it to Wrestlemania. So rest assured I'm fully focused on beating The Miz again, and setting up that match with Wes in Dallas.
Jonathan Coachman: It's been well documented that until you beat The Miz at the Royal Rumble a little over two weeks ago, you actually went over four years without winning the World Title. Was there a part of you that wondered if you'd ever win your eighth World Title? You certainly had to wait a long time for it.
Chris Jericho: Believe me, it felt like a long time! I'd be lying if I said there weren't times I didn't doubt myself, Coach – everyone doubts themselves from time to time – but I never stopped believing in myself. And when I beat The Miz at the Royal Rumble, all the blood, sweat and tears of the past four years were worth it. I got knocked down so many times, but I kept getting back up, I never gave up, and here I am as the World Champion once again. It's an amazing feeling. I don't want that feeling to end.
Jonathan Coachman: Your last World Title reign ended at Fanniversary in October 2011, when you lost to Brian Kendrick. A number of EBWF superstars have been the World Champion in that time, including of course the main you beat at the Royal Rumble, The Miz. The Miz actually ended the reign of the man that beat you, Brian Kendrick, and went on to face AJ Styles in the main event of Wrestlemania XI. Some of the other superstars to hold the World Title in that time have included AJ Styles who I just mentioned, your long-time rival CM Punk, and the man you beat for the Intercontinental Title at Aftermath last year, Sami Zayn. The competition at the top of the EBWF is pretty fierce right now. As someone who has been around in the EBWF for 15 years, how would you say the competition at the top now compares to the superstars you've gone up against in your previous runs as World Champion?
Chris Jericho: Well I guess the diplomatic answer to that question is to say that the competition is a lot tougher now, and that's why I've gone so long without winning the World Title! But I think that would be disrespectful to the legendary superstars I've gone up against in the past. I've had to go toe to toe with the men who formed the foundations of the EBWF with me – people like Bret Hart, Sting, Triple H and arguably the greatest wrestler of all time, Shawn Michaels. And of course the man who has more EBWF World Title reigns than any other superstar, Raven. So having gone against people who have left such a long-lasting legacy in the EBWF, it's difficult for me to compare the current crop of talent to the superstars I've faced in the past. What I will say is that our current roster has a much more varied array of talent than the EBWF has had in the past, especially at the top. Gone are the days when you have three or four guys on top and a gap between them and the rest of the roster. As The Miz likes to point out at every given opportunity, in his time as EBWF World Champion he faced and beat Sami Zayn, AJ Styles and CM Punk. They're all men I would expect to see competing in the World Title picture again after Wrestlemania. You've also got Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar waiting in the wings – two men who are always a threat – and two of the superstars who returned to the EBWF at the Royal Rumble, Shane Helms and Bret Hart, made it clear that they want to be in the World Title picture too. It wasn't that long ago that Solomon Crowe came out of nowhere and ended up as the World Champion; who knows, maybe another superstar will catch us off guard this year. Or maybe Solomon Crowe will shock the world once again. If I want to stay on top – which I do – I'll have to be at the top of my game and take on all comers. The Miz is just one of main threats I'm going to have to deal with if I want to keep the World Title. When I've taken care of him, they'll be plenty more guys lined up in his place.
Jonathan Coachman: You were certainly on top of your game when you beat The Miz at the Royal Rumble... that was a great match, and one that I really enjoyed watching. How did you rate it as a contest?
Chris Jericho: I was really pleased with how it went, Coach. You saw Warfare last night, even The Miz had to admit that I was the better man. It was a competitive match, we both gave it our all, and I think we brought the best out of each other. And in the end, I came out on top. Which is why, with all due respect to The Miz, I'm confident that I'll come out on top again at Fallout. He's good – I'll hold my hands up and admit that he's good – but I'm better.
Jonathan Coachman: Are you expecting The Miz to bring something different to the rematch, or do you feel like you have him well scouted after your match at the Royal Rumble?
Chris Jericho: I think he'll try to do something different. He'd be foolish not to – last time he faced me, he lost, so he has to try something different. I'm expecting him to have less bravado this time, he'll be more aggressive, angrier. He won't want to miss out on an opportunity to main event Wrestlemania – who would? But that makes him desperate, and that's something that I can take advantage of. Whatever The Miz brings to the table, I'll be ready for. That's one of the benefits of having a wealth of experience; there isn't much you can't prepare for. And however much he might want that main event spot, I can guarantee that I want it more.
Jonathan Coachman: You sound confident, but I have to ask... what happens if you lose your rematch, and miss out on main eventing Wrestlemania?
Jericho's eyes narrowed at the thought of losing the title.
Chris Jericho: Well you know how it is, Coach... there are a lot of factors at stake. Obviously I want to win, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure that happens. But if the unthinkable happens... if, somehow, The Miz bests me, and walks into Wrestlemania as a three time World Champion, I'll be devastated. I'll be professional about it, I'll pick myself up, wait for my rematch, and focus on doing everything in my power to win back that title. But to be honest, I'm trying not to think about that. Because I really, really want that main event spot at Wrestlemania. I've waited too long to be the World Champion to give it up so quickly. If I let negative thinking enter my mindset, then that could cost me. Because everyone that knows The Miz knows how sure of himself he is; he certainly won't be thinking "what if I lose". I can't afford to either.
Jonathan Coachman: Okay, then let me ask you one last question. What happens if you beat the Miz again, and get that coveted Wrestlemania main event spot?
Jericho grinned.
Chris Jericho: If I beat The Miz again, then I can prepare for the rematch with Wes Ikeda that has been more than six years in the making. That would be a dream match, Coach – you and I both know it. And that's the match I want at Wrestlemania. But as the philosopher Jagger once said, you can't always get what you want. If I want it, I have to earn it. And in two weeks' time at Fallout, that's exactly what I'm going to do. The Miz better be ready for the fight of his life, because that's what I'm going to give him. The Royal Rumble was just a warm up.
Jonathan Coachman: Well if that's the case, I can't wait to see it. We're almost out of time, thank you so much for joining us today Chris. After the break, we'll be speaking to Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose ahead of the Bulls' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers this coming Thursday. Don't go anywhere, we'll be right back!
As SportsCenter went to a commercial break, Coachman thanked Jericho again for his time, then showed him out of the studio. As Jericho headed back to the airport, he thought how much more he had already been under the spotlight as the EBWF World Champion. The spotlight brought a lot of pressure, and not everyone could handle that. The Miz had clearly enjoyed it, and Jericho thrived on it too. Not only that, Jericho saw it as an opportunity; a chance to prove to the world that he belonged in the spotlight. But with people like The Miz chomping at the bit to take that opportunity from him, he would have to work hard to ensure it didn't slip from his grasp. He didn't to let it go, not when he had waited so long for it.
Monday February 22; Indianapolis, Indiana
The final Warfare before Fallout had just drawn to a close, and to the surprise of the fans in attendance, the EBWF World Champion had not appeared. Randy Orton had just beaten Solomon Crowe and Ted DiBiase to become the new number one contender for the Path to Glory Championship. As Orton made his way through the curtain, the arena lights went out and the crowd waited in anticipation, hoping for some post-show excitement. They were not to be disappointed. A five second countdown appeared on the tron, and as the countdown clock hit zero, Chris Jericho stepped out onto the stage. Jericho was wearing a pair of faded blue Levis and a Wrestlemania XV shirt, with the Intercontinental Title draped over his left shoulder and the World Title draped over his right shoulder. The crowd were clearly excited to see him, and Jericho grinned as he headed down the ramp. Upon entering the ring, he held up both his titles, before placing them in the corner of the ring. He then grabbed a microphone, and as his music was cut, he began to speak.
Chris Jericho: You didn't think I was going to let you go home without seeing your EBWF World Champion, did you? Welcome to EBWF is Jericho! In six days' time, I will go one on one with The Miz once again. The winner will go into Wrestlemania as the World Champion, to take on Wes Ikeda. You know, it's funny. Just a few weeks ago, The Miz stood out here in this ring and promised to end me. He literally said he was going to force me into retirement by beating me... and yet here I stand victorious, just one victory away from main eventing Wrestlemania.
The crowd cheered, and a Y2J chant broke out. Jericho waited for the chant to die down, then continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: Did you really think you could drive me away, Miz? A lot of people have tried to drive me away over the years, and they've all failed. I'm still standing, so what made you think you could do what they couldn't? I'm going nowhere, Miz. I have unfinished business in EBWF, and when I do decide to retire, I'll leave it all in the ring. It will be on my terms. I won't have any regrets, not when I hang up my boots. So do you really think I would allow a conceited, sycophantic ignoramus like you end my career? As long as I can still compete with the best, I won't be going anywhere. And the fact that I'm the EBWF World Champion, whether you like it or not, proves that not only can I compete with the best, I am the best in the world at what I do. You thought you were unstoppable, so many superstars tried and failed to stop the "Era of Awesome"... but I stopped you, Miz. I stopped you, and I forced you to admit that I was the better man. I bet that made you sick to your stomach to admit that, didn't you? You're such a mark for yourself, I imagine you cried yourself to sleep when you realised there was no way you could spin what happened at the Rumble to suggest that I was lucky, or that I didn't deserve my victory. There was nothing fortunate about me beating you, Miz. You tapped out. I wore you down, put you in the Walls of Jericho, and forced you to surrender the World Title in a way that leaves no room for doubt as to who the better man was. I am the World Champion on merit, and I am immensely proud to become only the third eight time World Champion in EBWF history.
The crowd continued to show their support for Jericho, chanting "You deserve it!" Jericho smiled, mouthing the word thank you, before continuing to speak.
Chris Jericho: Speaking of history, Miz... did you know I'm only the second man in the EBWF to hold both the World and Intercontinental Championships at the same time? You can joke all you like about how I'm not defending the Intercontinental Title as often as I should, but I'm making history here, Miz. Have you made EBWF history? Apart from being the first superstar to mark for themselves when writing their bio, of course... As for me defending the Intercontinental Title, I've said all along that I'll take on all challengers. I look forward to facing Syxx, beating him, and continuing to move closer to setting a new record for the longest Intercontinental Title reign. After I've taken care of you Miz, of course. And that will be another accolade to add to my ever growing list of accomplishments. Deep down Miz, I think you're jealous of me. You're jealous of what I've accomplished here in the EBWF, because you know that you'd be lucky to achieve have of the things I've done here over the past 15 years. And do you know what? A little bit of jealousy isn't always a bad thing. It can spur you on to do better. But you Miz, you're so narcissistic, you can't admit that you're jealous of me. You prefer to hide it behind jokes about how I'm old and past it. Joke about my age all you like, Miz - there are divas in EBWF who weren't even born when I made my pro wrestling debut - but I prefer to call it experience. That experience showed at the Rumble when I beat you, and it will show again on Sunday. And if I'm really as old and decrepit as you're making me out to me, what does it say about your ability that a man who is supposedly "in the prime of his career" lost to an old timer like me? You should really think about what you say before you say it, because if you did, maybe you'd be able to stop yourself from looking like such a jackass. And then you have the nerve to bitch about the fact that I don't respect you? Do you want to know why I don't respect you, Miz? It's because you say that you love this business, but you seem to spend more time talking about how much you love yourself. I love this business, which is why I wrestled all around the world trying to make it to the top. I didn't drop out of college to become a reality TV star, and try to fast-track my way into professional wrestling. I worked night after night, wrestling anywhere that would have me, to learn and hone my craft. I have shown a dedication to this business that you haven't come close to. That's why I call myself "the best in the world at what I do"... Because I've earned it. And for me, the ultimate reward has always been this - the World Title. It's never been about the money, or the "hot chicks", or any of the other "perks" that assclowns like you use to motivate yourselves. Even now, after 25 years, I'm still motivated by the same three things - respect, championships and proving my doubters wrong. Now I don't care about whether or not you respect me, but I've already proved you wrong and taken your title. But when I beat you again, hold onto the World Title and secure my place in the Wrestlemania main event for the third time, maybe you won't have any choice but to respect me.
There was a passion in Jericho's voice now, and a fire in his eyes. He paused for a moment, looking up at the Wrestlemania sign hanging from the rafters.
Chris Jericho: One thousand, five hundred and fifty four days. That's how long I had to wait for my eighth World Title. It's been six years since I competed in a Wrestlemania main event, and in that time I have done anything and everything that the EBWF needed me to do. I ran the EBWF for over two years, I put this company's needs before my own needs, because that's how much I love this place. But now, I'm focused on my needs, and my needs alone. Because of that focus, I'm the World Champion once again, and I am close to a Wrestlemania main event. I am so close, I can almost taste it, and you know what? I've earned it. Wes Ikeda has too, however much you might want to dismiss him. The two men you don't think belong in an EBWF ring are going to be in the main event of Wrestlemania, Miz, while you'll be competing on the pre-show in a losers' battle royal. How does that make you feel? You are the only thing standing in my way of that main event, and I'll be damned if I let you take it away from me. Not when I've worked so hard, and waited so long. No matter what you do to me on Sunday, I will not quit. I will not let me shoulders stay down for the three count. I will fight, and fight, and fight, until you have nothing left, and when it's all said and done I will stand tall as the Champ. After Fallout, Miz, you'll be at the back of the line. And with guys like Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and AJ Styles itching for an opportunity, you're going to have one hell of a fight on your hands before you get another shot at glory. But me? I'll be staying at the top, where I belong. See you on Sunday, chump.
Jericho dropped the microphone, and as his music hit, he headed to the back. He still didn't know what would happen at Fallout... he would have to wait and see if he was getting his dream Wrestlemania main event. But one thing was for sure, he would make sure that everyone knew how much it meant to him to be the World Champion, and how much he would give to hold onto that title. No matter how much The Miz wanted to be champion, Jericho knew he wanted it more.
