Two weeks after the King of the Ring tournament brackets had been revealed, Wade Barrett was finally competing in his first round match. His opponent was none other than Prince Pretty himself, Tyler Breeze. Unsure how to prepare for a match against an opponent who was so obsessed with his appearance, Barrett went to the fashion capital of the world in search of answers. A fashion show was being held in the centre of Paris, so Barrett used his connections to secure a backstage pass. He wanted to speak to Mattias Belle, the male model headlining the show, to gain an insight into his opponent. As he entered the backstage area, he found himself surrounded by men getting their hair and makeup done. To his right, Barrett saw one man being sprayed with fake tan. He had jet black hair which had been styled, and was wearing a predominantly orange outfit. Although he knew little about fashion, Barrett wondered if the fake tan would clash with the model's outfit.
Makeup Artist: Oh, Fabio darling, you look positively dashing!
The makeup artist had bright pink hair and dark purple lipstick; she wouldn't have looked out of place in the Capitol of Panem, and she seemed very excited about her work. As Barrett approached her, she looked at him, confused.
Makeup Artist: Umm, this area is for models only. The office for security is upstairs.
Barrett smiled at the makeup artist, trying to charm her. But if anything, the smile seemed to put her off.
Wade Barrett: Oh, I'm not security. I'm just visiting.
He held up his backstage pass, showing it to the makeup artist and the model.
Wade Barrett: I'm here to see Mattias Belle.
The model became very animated at the mention of Mattias Belle.
Fabio: Mattias? He's so hot right now!
Makeup Artist: Oh! Are you his ugly cousin Ricky that he always talks about?
Barrett smirked, trying not to laugh.
Wade Barrett: No, just a friend. If you let me now where he is, I'll leave you to your... tanning.
Makeup Artist: He's over there in the corner, sitting in his special chair. You can't miss him.
The makeup artist pointed towards the corner. There was a royal blue chair with a gold star on the back of it. Barrett nodded, and thanked the makeup artist, then headed over. A male makeup artist was applying glitter to Mattias' face.
Mattias Belle: Darius, darling, I look fabulous!
Darius: When I'm done with you, you're going to sparkle more than a vampire in sunlight!
Mattias had sleeked back blonde hair and a chiselled jaw that was so clean shaven, he looked as though he'd never grown any facial hair whatsoever. He was wearing a dazzling silver outfit that seemed to attract rays of light. Darius was olive skinned and had a shaved head, but his complexion suggested he took very good care of his skin. Both men were oblivious to Barrett. He coughed, making his presence known. Mattias looked up at him and scowled.
Mattias Belle: Ew.
Darius: Honey, all the glitter in the world couldn't make you sparkle.
Resisting the urge to kick Darius right in his glitterballs, Barrett turned his attention to Mattias.
Wade Barrett: I'm here to see you, Matt. I'd like to ask you a few questions.
Mattias Belle: Oh, you're British! That explains your teeth. Firstly, no one calls me Matt... Matt is so plain, and I'm anything but. Secondly, in case you haven't noticed, I'm busy looking beautiful. Why should I answer your questions? You're obviously not a reporter, you don't even have a notepad.
Barrett flexed his muscles, trying to make himself look intimidating.
Wade Barrett: I'm a professional wrestler. I beat people up for a living. And if you answer some questions for me, I'll beat up one of your rivals.
Mattias Belle: Okay, I'll answer your questions. Not because you're going to bear someone up – I never encourage violence! But because I find your accent so funny! Darius, take five dear.
Darius nodded, leaving Mattias with Barrett.
Wade Barrett: Thanks. My opponent next week is a wannabe model; he thinks he's gorgeous, and he's obsessed with his looks. It's like nothing else matters to him. So I'm wondering, Mattias. As a model... haven't you ever wondered if there's more to life than being good looking?
Mattias Belle: Well, duh. There's modelling too! It's one thing to be really, really, ridiculously good looking. But showcasing that to the world it something else entirely.
Wade Barrett: Have you always wanted to be a model?
Mattias Belle: Of course. Why wouldn't you want to be paid for being beautiful?
Everything always went back to his looks. In Barrett's eyes, Mattias and Breeze were like two peas in a pod.
Wade Barrett: I'd rather be paid to fight people and win. That's why I'm a professional wrestler.
Mattias Belle: Well, let's be honest... you were never going to be a model. I'm sorry, I've just realised I don't even know your name?
Wade Barrett: I'm Wade Barrett. But come June 26th, I'll be known as King Barrett.
Mattias Belle: Fascinating. Well Wade, let me ask you a question... has anyone ever told you that you look like a potato? You'd never be a model – no offence.
Barrett smirked.
Wade Barrett: None taken. I'm doing what I was born to do. I do have one last question for you though, Mattias. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a peach?
Barrett didn't wait for an answer.
Wade Barrett: Let's see if you bruise like one.
Barrett his Mattias with a swift right hand, catching him right on the jaw. Mattias cried out in pain, and curled up in his chair in the foetal position, rocking back and forth. Barrett made a sharp exit, wanting to make sure he didn't get caught... but the other models and their makeup artists were so focused on themselves, no one even noticed that the star of the show had taken a punch.
To Barrett's relief, there were no repercussions from him hitting Mattias Belle. Five days later, Warfare was underway, and Barrett was stood backstage at Warfare, waiting to be interviewed by Renee Young. He was wearing a light blue shirt with grey trousers.
Renee Young: Ladies and gentlemen, with me at this time is the British Bull Hammer, Wade Barrett. Wade, later on tonight you'll be competing in the King of the Ring tournament against one half of the Tag Team Champions, Tyler Breeze. A video was uploaded on EBWF.net this past weekend which showed you attending a fashion show in Paris. How do you think the models you met in Paris compare to the self-proclaimed supermodel, Tyler Breeze?
Wade Barrett: Honestly, Renee? I think Tyler Breeze would be much better off in Paris with the rest of those vapid narcissists. The models I had the misfortune of meeting reminded me of Tyler a lot; they were so obsessed with their appearance, it was as if nothing else mattered. They seemed to pride themselves on being "beautiful", much like Tyler does. Tyler calls himself "Prince Pretty", but are men supposed to be pretty? Do you think I'm pretty, Renee?
Renee was hesitant to answer, not sure if the question was rhetorical or how best to respond if it wasn't. Barrett answered for her, shaking his head.
Wade Barrett: Absolutely not, and I wouldn't want to be. I'm rugged, handsome, the way men should be. And the simple fact of the matter is, that all things considered, it doesn't really matter what I look like. What matters is what I do when I step into the ring. And I've already proved that I'm a fighter. I might not be able to beat Tyler Breeze in a beauty contest, but I can certainly get the better of him in a wrestling match. I'll overpower him, wear him down, maybe even mess up that "pretty" face of his...
Renee Young: Aside from his looks, have you scouted Tyler Breeze as an opponent? Do you know what to expect when he steps into the ring?
Wade Barrett: I've seen enough of Tyler's matches to know what to expect from him, yes. I know he was trained by Lance Storm, and if I'm being honest with you Renee, I think he's a talented superstar. It's not Tyler's wrestling ability that will let him down tonight; it's his mentality which will be his downfall. His primary motivation for wanting to win King of the Ring is that he wants a new outfit. He probably thinks a spa day is the reward you get for winning the tournament.
Renee Young: Since you bring it up, can I ask what your motivation is going into the match? Is your motivation to win King of the Ring, or is it something more personal concerning your opponent, Tyler Breeze?
Wade Barrett: There's nothing personal between Tyler and me, Renee, because I don't think enough of him for it to be personal. My goal is to win the King of the Ring tournament and go on to become the new EBWF World Champion. That's the ultimate prize for me. But I don't want to get ahead of myself, so my motivation and right now is to beat Tyler Breeze, and advance to the next stage of the tournament. After I've taken care of Tyler, then I'll focus on the next obstacle. One fight at a time.
Renee Young: Wade, thank you for your time and good luck in your match tonight.
Wade Barrett: Always a pleasure, Renee.
As the interview drew to a close, Barrett headed back to his locker room, hoping that his dreams of becoming King of the Ring wouldn't fall at the first hurdle. He planned to give every ounce of fight he could to make sure that didn't happen.
