Ground Zero

[Cory]

The cameras opened up in the parking area at the rear of the CenturyLink Center. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman were walking from their car into the building, bags in hand. The camera rushed up to them.

Cameraman: Excuse me, Roman. Do you have any words for the EBWF Universe before your match tonight?

Reigns looked over at Paul, nodded, and casually looked into the camera.

Roman Reigns: Tonight, I'm going to take my shot at becoming number one contender for the EBWF Intercontinental Championship. A lot of people ask me why I have Paul Heyman around since he and I don't really agree on much of anything.

Roman smirked. He casually dug out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. Printed on the sheet was the card for Warfare.

Roman Reigns: This. This is why. Because for all of his showboating, exaggerating, and his lack of respect for anyone that ain't paying him, he knows how to get stuff done in this business. I wanted a shot at some gold, and Paul Heyman got it done for me. It also doesn't hurt that I get another crack at Sami Zayn. The last time Sami and I got in the ring, Sami was the better man. I'm man enough to admit that. But tonight, that's going to change. I asked Paul to get me another crack at Sami and not only did he do that, but he got me a shot at the number one contendership as well. I have to say, the man earns his paycheck.

Roman looked over at Paul and nodded silently.

Paul Heyman: You see, my client Roman Reigns may be a guy willing to admit when he had a rough night, but I will tell you the opposite. I see Sami Zayn as an opportunist. I saw more than one situation in his match with my client where he opted to go the less-than-valorous route and take a shortcut on Roman Reigns. It's only natural, why wouldn't you? When faced with the unenviable task of stepping into the ring with one of the most physically imposing athletes in wrestling industry HISTORY, anyone on this planet would look to take shortcuts. It does just go to show that Sami Zayn is not the white meat good guy he proclaims to be. Tonight, when my client gets his hands on Sami Zayn, he will leave no doubt. No margin of error. He will quickly, decisively, and violently destroy Sami Zayn in their rematch, and leave the man broken, beaten, and bruised in the middle of the ring. My client Roman Reigns will walk into his match tonight as a man with something to prove, and he will walk out a man with a championship opportunity. I don't like to pat myself on the back too often, but...

Paul smiles smugly, putting his hands on his head.

Paul Heyman: What am I saying?! Of COURSE I like to pat myself on the back. Because I'm the best manager this company has ever seen! I secured my client a shot at the Intercontinental Championship, because I am the best. My client will win that match because HE is the best. That's the sort of symbiosis that we have together. Very few people have taken advantage of my managerial skills and had the intestinal fortitude to be able to follow through with my requirements. In fact, only two were able to do so with any success. My former client, Brock Lesnar. And my current client Roman Reigns. I dare say that the upside to Roman is much higher than Brock Lesnar ever could have dreamed of. Tonight, the page turns. When the history books are written on the story of wrestling, people will want to read the part about the legend of Roman Reigns, and they will want to trace his success back to the moment where it all started. That moment is tonight when my client walks out there and defeats Sami Zayn and...

Heyman snapped his fingers, a look of confusion on his face.

Paul Heyman: What's his name... OH. Alex Riley. When my client beats Sami Zayn and that other guy to become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship. That will be ground zero for the moment which Roman Reigns turned from an impressive athlete into a phenomenon.

Roman straightened up and smirked.

Roman Reigns: Believe. That.

The two grabbed their bags and walked away from the camera as the EBWF logo flashed in the corner and went to black.