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Monday 10 October 2016 – EBWF Monday Night Warfare – Maverik Center – Salt Lake City; Utah
Two weeks had now passed since the Destiny event, which saw Sami Zayn miss out once more in his bid to become the Path to Glory Champion. He didn’t have much time to dwell on the loss though, he was in action this week on Warfare against the Breakout Champion, Jimmy Havoc, as it proved to be another golden opportunity to prove that he still belonged towards the top end of the card. There wasn’t long left until the match got underway, as the cameras focused on Corey Graves and Joey Styles at ringside to kick things off.
Joey Styles: Coming up next we have Sami Zayn in action, taking on the current Breakout Champion…Jimmy Havoc.
Corey Graves: These two guys, two of the most talented right now, and they do have some history as you may have witnessed not long ago in tag team action, the night Sami was attacked by Chris Jericho. Tonight, we’ll see who the alpha-male between the two really is, Sami doesn’t seem to be too fazed about the threat that Jimmy can bring, but that’s when Jimmy is at his most dangerous.
Joey Styles: We just want to show you what Sami had to say as he arrived into the arena earlier today, in a positive mood nonetheless, and it was Michael Cole that caught up with him.
Attention turned towards the titan-tron, for a short segment that took place earlier in the evening. The cameras see Sami Zayn grabbing his bags out of a car as it drove off, holding his coffee in one hand and pulling his suitcase in the other, waving at some of the fans waiting outside of the arena. He walked through the parking lot, noticing the cameras as Michael Cole shouted towards him to grab his attention.
Michael Cole: Sami! Hoping to catch a few quick words with you before your match tonight against Jimmy?
Sami Zayn: Sure, Michael. Walk with me.
Michael Cole: Well the best place to start is Destiny. Losing out to PJ Black again, what are your thoughts on how that ended and what’s next?
Sami Zayn: Y’know…I’m not too worked up about that match and outcome. Yeah, I came close, again. But The Miz took that pin, I think on any other day in any other situation, that win was mine, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I can’t afford to walk with you, crying that it didn’t go my way because I need to look ahead. So the way I see it is that The Miz is either out of the Path to Glory Championship picture and I get another crack at PJ to prove that I can go all the way. Or I go out there tonight and prove that I’m the only logical choice to answer the challenge set by AJ Styles, and I think that will be the case for sure when I beat Jimmy Havoc and AJ shows by PJ Black is a fluke. That wouldn’t just be for the title, between AJ and I, he and I have history that needs to have an ending before he decides to up and leave again.
Michael Cole: Let’s focus on tonight then. Jimmy Havoc, a real threat, looking really good since arriving here. Any thoughts on finally getting to share a ring with him?
Sami Zayn: I’m actually looking forward to it, to be honest. Jimmy has done a great job of making that Breakout Championship look highly sought-after and made it finally mean something, I don’t think that’s been the case for a while, certainly not since I’ve been here, so good on him. He’s exactly the sort of guy I want to be competing with as well. Forget everything else that we know, I don’t mean any disrespect to anybody but I give it my all at every event, whether it be a house show or whatever. But the live shows, your Warfare’s, your pay-per-views, that’s where it matters and I don’t want to be going up against someone who’s just walked through the door and will be walking back out the next week, or someone these fans forget is even working here. Regardless of what’s happened, even I can’t deny that Jimmy has stuck around and done a good job, and the competition is good so I’m pleased for myself and these fans that’s we’re not going to be the toilet break tonight, and they’ll not only be able to see a great match but they’ll understand what I’ve said all along, that when push comes to shove and it’s a one on one match, I’d beat him.
Michael Cole: Well you’ve had your fair share of run-ins with the rest of the Broken, what happens if they decide to make an appearance tonight?
Sami Zayn: Of course, interruptions are a little worry, with multi-man groups and stables and factions that’s always a worry, but I’m used to that. I know Seth probably has a point to prove since losing his title to Baron, but I know that Jimmy needs to step up and show that the Broken aren’t just words. I know they’ve been wreaking havoc all over since arriving, but I’ve already beaten Corbin and Rollins in one on one matches. So tonight, either Jimmy beats me, prove himself as the leader and that his groups is going somewhere and maybe, just maybe, I’ll take them a little more seriously. Or I’ll complete the clean sweep and maybe he’ll understand that there was never anything to break in the first place, and this dominance and plans he made were all in his head. These fear tactics and knife-wielding antics don’t really work with me. I think perhaps it’s his own trigger to make him more ruthless, I have no idea, each to their own. I’m pretty sure there won’t be a murder investigation anytime soon regarding the mysterious disappearance of Sami Zayn, they’d only be investigating why it took so long for somebody to prove people feared Jimmy for no reason. I know Jimmy will go all out tonight, I know what a win for him over a former World Champion can do and if I'm honest, I'm probably taking him on at the wrong time. He has the chance to let this monster loose and I guess I'll have to live with the fact that I let it happen, if it goes that way.
Michael Cole: Also just quickly before you go. Again, we’ve heard Kevin Owens offer his support, do you…
Sami Zayn: Kevin…he’s still hovering around. I don’t really know what to make of it. I have my plans, he has his and if he’s adamant to take out the Broken then he can be my guest. That’s if things go out of control tonight, if I keep things under control then the fixer won’t be needed and we can all continue with our lives knowing Kev and I won’t need to share a ring again. If Jimmy does take it up a notch, and things get messy and it’s something I can’t control on my own…at least I know who to call.
Michael Cole: Thank you for your time, Sami.
Sami walked into his locker room and shut the door behind him. Confident yet focused heading into his match with Jimmy, knowing a clean sweep over the Broken would be huge for him.