It was just two more weeks before the King of the Ring pay per view and for this edition of Warfare, EBWF was going to be broadcasting live from the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It wasn’t too long ago that Adam spent any amount of time he had in Vegas losing his money and causing trouble. Way back in the day, he’d done a lot of that horsing around with his tag team partner and best friend, Randy Orton. He was on his own tonight, sitting high up on a rooftop just off of the strip, enjoying the sights at The Sapphire Pool. It was a newer hotspot that Adam hadn’t been to before, but it was certainly the type of establishment that belonged right here in the City of Sin. A bevy of patrons were enjoying the hot tubs and swimming pool as topless girls danced on sun pads and walked around serving drinks and cigars. Adam had set himself up on a cabana, drinking from a premium bottle of alcohol and currently enjoying the spoils of a high priced lap dance. He felt eyes on him, and knew he was being watched. It wasn’t until he heard a familiar voice that he knew who would be joining him.
Randy Orton: Okay, I’m here now. Yeah, not for long. I love you too, Nic. Bye.
The young woman shaking her assets in front of Adam didn’t stop her gyrations as Randy approached.
Adam Copeland: What, asking for permission to leave the house?
Randy Orton: Hardly, Adam.
Randy was pulling out his wallet. He removed a wad of cash, Adam surmised that it was at least $400. The woman stopped dancing and Randy handed it over.
Randy Orton: Get lost, sweetheart.
She gladly accepted that bribe, taking Randy’s money, and leaving.
Randy Orton: Com’on Adam. Let’s go.
Adam Copeland: You’re here to extract me?
Randy Orton: You’ve got better things to do, Adam.
Adam Copeland: When did you get so fucking righteous?
Randy sighed.
Randy Orton: I’m just doing what you asked me to do, man.
Adam wanted to be held accountable, and that was Randy’s only goal here.
Adam Copeland: Well, stop it.
Randy Orton: You have to work tomorrow. Are you really going to sit around doing this?
Adam Copeland: Damnit, Randy. I’m not doing anything.
Randy Orton: Isn’t that the problem? Let’s go, Adam.
Adam stood up, and Randy took a step back.
Adam Copeland: Either stay and hang out, Randy, or leave. I’m going to do whatever I want. I don’t need you to babysit me. I don’t need you to come and find me like I need saving. I don’t need you.
Randy didn’t seem to take that personally. He shook his head.
Randy Orton: You’re a piece of work, Adam. I can’t…
There was a commotion just a few feet away from them near the pool. It distracted Randy, and both of the men looked over. Some drunkard appeared to be hitting on one the dancers and the woman wasn’t having any of it. Adam rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Randy.
Adam Copeland: Just go, Randy. You don’t want to be here, and…
The protestations of the young woman grew louder as the man grabbed her. There didn’t seem to be a bouncer in sight. Adam turned from Randy again.
Adam Copeland: Hey, Jackass! She said to leave her alone.
The man’s attention turned to Adam, and the dancer scampered off, thankful for the distraction. Randy turned his head toward the encroaching man, but didn’t make a move.
Man: What the fuck did you say to me?
Adam was spitting venom.
Adam Copeland: Maybe you’re fucking stupid, but the lady said she didn’t want you to touch her.
The man stepped up to Adam and put both hands flat against Adam’s chest, giving him a little shove.
Man: Maybe you should mind your own business.
Adam shoved the man back, gritting his teeth.
Adam Copeland: Maybe you should fuck off!
The man took a swing at Adam, but Adam reared back causing the man to miss. As he straightened up, Adam saw a flash in his peripheral and called out.
Adam Copeland: On your left!
Randy moved swiftly, a fist coming from his head. The man’s friend was clearly coming to his aid, but Randy caught the guy by the bicep and whipped him into Adam’s cabana. The friend fell over it, and ended up on his side on the floor, coughing. The original man pounced on Adam, both of them falling to the ground, but Randy pulled the guy off of him, and in an instant Rated RKO were all over the guy with a flurry of foot stomps. Adam was saying a few choice expletives at his attacker, and then Randy caught site of the dancer, now dressed, and returning with the bouncers. She pointed to the man who originally assaulted her, and Adam looked up at his best friend.
Adam Copeland: Um, maybe you’re right. It’s time to go.
Randy turned quickly on his heel, and the two were heading for the stairs. The bouncers were calling after them, but they didn’t slow down, charging through the exit and walking hurriedly down the stairs. They didn’t speak until they had managed to exit the stairwell, move through the parking lot, and get into Randy’s rental. Randy started the car, threw it in reverse, and peeled out of the parking garage. Then without exchanging words, the two men began laughing uncontrollably.
Randy Orton: Okay, okay. That was a little too much like old times.
Adam Copeland: What? I had fun! You didn’t have fun?
Randy kept laughing and shook his head.
Adam Copeland: Thanks buddy. For coming to get me, and for helping me out back there.
Randy Orton: I’m not just going to let someone kick your ass. I do wonder, what’s… what’s gotten into you, though? You just don’t seem like yourself. Second round of the tournament. We’re on opposite sides of the bracket this year. You’re usually really into the King of the Ring tournament.
Adam Copeland: I don’t know. I saw the brackets. Sort of looked like I was set up for failure.
Randy Orton: You beat AJ Styles.
Adam Copeland: Who hasn’t at this point? I don’t know, ever since I beat him, I guess I just got to thinking too hard, or whatever.
Randy Orton: What do you mean? Thinking about what?
Adam Copeland: I’m not really any better than him, am I?
Randy Orton: Who, AJ? I mean, you have had your moments lately. I’m trying not to worry about you Adam, but you know, there’s no moderation with you. If this is, you know, what you want to do, I can’t let you be around my family. I don’t want it to come to that. I don’t want to threaten you with that.
Adam nodded.
Adam Copeland: I hear you. I guess I’m just trying to find ways to occupy my time. Maybe they’re the wrong ways. I just don’t want to face Paul, or whatever he’s calling himself these days.
Randy Orton: Why are you here then? If you don’t want to wrestle?
Adam Copeland: That’s a good question. I guess I just don’t know how to do anything else.
Randy Orton: Do you need to know how to do anything else? It’s not like you need money. Go surf or something.
Adam Copeland: Yeah, maybe.
Randy didn’t say anything more. He could tell his friend was deep in thought, and so he just continued driving back to their hotel, leaving well enough alone.
Renee Young: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, Edge.
Those already in the arena for EBWF Warfare could be heard applauding as Renee Young began broadcasting live on EBWF.net. Edge stepped up beside her in a Rated R Superstar t-shirt. He gave her a grin.
Renee Young: Edge, in the first round of the EBWF tournament you defeated AJ Styles. Tonight, in the second round you move on to face King of the Ring favorite, PJ Black…
Edge: Favorite? PJ Black is a King of the Ring favorite? Why? Because he repeatedly finds himself in the final four and just when he’s grazing the honor with his finger tips, he loses? Every. time. Let me tell you something, Renee, not three days after I defeated AJ Styles in the first round, that idiot goes on Twitter. He sends a little message to EBWF and he says that he wants his spot back. I don’t know if AJ has noticed or not, seems he’s too busy doing lines of coke off of Rhonda Rousey’s stomach or some shit, but he hasn’t been relevant around here in at least six months, and truthfully it’s probably longer than that, because the guy he lost the championship to way back in February of 2015 has already Ate. Slept. Conquered. and Left EBWF. AJ Styles wants his spot back? Well that’s too bad, because I took it. And if he wants it back, he can try his hand at beating me, but we all see how well that went for him last time.
Now, as for PJ Gabriel or Justin Black, or whatever the hell he’s calling himself these days. I suppose a round of applause is in order since he managed to beat Dolph Ziggler. Well, he gets no kudos for doing something he’s done a million times before. If PJ Black crawls out from the rock he obviously lives under, he’ll spew the same old garbage everyone spews about me. I haven’t been world champion in five years. I’m nothing without Rated RKO. I’m getting old. I mean, I’m three years younger than the current EBWF World Champion, but sure, old. Check.
Renee Young: After a double count out that happened here live on the EBWF Network, in an unprecedented move, both Jay Briscoe and Wade Barrett were eliminated from the tournament. That means that the winner of your match gets an immediate bye into the final four. Facing either Chuck Taylor, Syxx or Sami Zayn.
Edge: Straight into the final four? Sounds like point, set and match for PJ Black doesn’t it? I’m not here to get into Taylor, Syxx or Zayn. There’s going to be time for that at King of the Ring. What’s important right now is that I finally put an end to this whining, complaining, conspiracy theorist that I get to face here tonight. It seems to me that PJ Black is trying to get two bites of the apple. He’s trying to double dip if you will.
Renee Young: What do you mean?
Edge: Isn’t it obvious sweetheart? Sami Zayn, Chris Jericho, The Miz? They’re just playing catch with the EBWF World Championship. Zayn is the #1 Contender for the PTG belt. We’re in an infinite loop in which Mike Mizanin is a contender here. PJ Black can break the cycle, but for some reason, he doesn’t. He just sits on the PTG Title, happily defending it against whomever, and now Chris Jericho is defending the EBWF World Championship against a guy who challenged him. on Twitter. This is my life, Renee. This is what I have to put up with. Kevin Owens has absolutely no claim to the EBWF World Championship and Sami Zayn, The Miz and PJ Black are all just letting this happen. Don’t think that it doesn’t occur to me that PJ can cash in the PTG title next month at Sacrifice or in September at Destiny. He doesn’t think he should have to. He thinks that win after win, and complaint after complaint ought to shoot him straight up the ladder. He’s in this for a little insurance. He thinks he can win the King of the Ring, go on to Summerslam, and if he fails to capture the title, he can cash in and try again. It’s clever, but it also isn’t going to work.
I’ve dealt with guys like PJ Black a thousand times before. He’s only looking out for number one, and he’s nothing but a bully. Even Velvet Sky finally had enough of him, and we’ve seen the kind of abuse she’s willing to take from people who are supposed to care about her.
He gave a small wave.
Edge: Hi Ang.
The crowd cheered at the reference to Angelina Love, and Edge continued.
Edge: I’ll say this Renee. I do not have time for people who make excuses and feel sorry for themselves. PJ Black acts like the EBWF Universe and the powers that be are against him? He’s had two opportunities to cash in the Path to Glory Title since he won it at Christmas Eve of Destruction, and he chose to sit idly by and wait for life to happen to him. That’s not how things work around here. Let me give you a little education here, PJ. That’s not how we do things. In EBWF, if you want an opportunity, you can’t wait around for things to happen for you. You have to go out and take it. You’re King of the Ring streak is about to be over, and if I had to put some money down on it, I’d say, if you keep doing the things you’re doing Sami Zayn is going to take your Path to Glory title, and then any hope you’ve ever had of being EBWF Champion will really be gone. I bet Sami will even be smart and cash it in when he has the chance. The whole world knows we have a sitting duck as a world champion, because Chris Jericho will take on all comers. It’s a shame our Path to Glory Champion is a coward.
Our match tonight is going to be one hell of a fight, but I’ve been sitting on the sidelines watching the steady decline of formidable talent around here, and I have to tell you Renee…
Edge grinned down at her again.
Edge: This talent pool is wounded. There’s blood in the water. And with odds like that, I think it’s time for the Ultimate Opportunist to end PJ Black’s chances at a double world title opportunity, and strike. Tonight, the Rated R Superstar solidifies his slot in the final four, and then I won’t stop until this whole damn place is calling me the King.
The fans inside the T-Mobile arena cheered as Edge walked out of the frame, the EBWF logo flashing as the scene faded out.
