A different challenge
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:59 pm
Four weeks ago, Chris Jericho had become the EBWF World Champion for a record breaking tenth time, defeating AJ Styles in a sixty minute Iron Man match. Jericho felt proud of his accomplishment; not only because he was now the first and only ten-time World Champion in EBWF history, but also because over the course of one hour, he and AJ had brought the best out of each other. Their rematch at Survivor Series posed a different challenge. The two superstars were competing in a Hell in a Cell match - the first time either man had been in the match made famous by The Undertaker and Mick Foley.
As part of the promotion for Survivor Series, Jericho had been booked for a sit down interview with Michael Cole. With Survivor Series taking place in Missouri, Jericho and Cole were filming the interview at EBWF Headquarters in St Louis, which was around a three hour, 40 minute drive from Kansas City. The interview had been scheduled for Friday, and Jericho planned to travel to Kansas City the following day, so he could spend Friday night at home with his family.
When Jericho arrived at EBWF Headquarters, Michael Cole was already there. The two of them spent some time before the interview going over the questions, and then when the camera started rolling, Cole began to speak.
Michael Cole: Chris, thank you for joining me. This Sunday at Survivor Series, you will defend your EBWF World Title against AJ Styles inside Hell in a Cell - the first time you've ever competed inside the steel structure. How are you feeling about competing inside the Cell?
Chris Jericho: Excuse me, Michael. Aren't you forgetting something?
Michael Cole: What do you mean?
Chris Jericho: Isn't there something you'd like to say before asking me about Survivor Series?
Cole looked confused. Jericho pointed to the EBWF World Title, which was resting in his lap, then coughed. Realising what Jericho was hinting at, Cole decided to humour him.
Michael Cole: Of course, my apologies. Chris, before we get things started, I'd like to congratulate you on winning your tenth EBWF World Championship. I'm sure you're very proud of your achievement.
Jericho acted as if Cole had said this without being promoted.
Chris Jericho: Thank you, Michael. I am the only person to have ever won the EBWF World Title ten times, and it truly means a lot to me to be able to say that. I've worked hard to get here, and I deserve my place in the record books.
Michael Cole: Now going back to my original question...
Chris Jericho: Of course, of course. In answer to your question, Michael, I've had a couple of weeks now to think about being inside Hell in a Cell. At first, I'll be honest with you, I was pretty pissed off. At Fanniversary, I beat AJ four times over the course of sixty minutes. I proved to the entire world that I was the better man. And now, not only does AJ get a rematch, but he gets that match inside one of the most brutal structures known to mankind? It doesn't seem right to me.
Michael Cole: When you say you're, and I quote, "pissed off", do you mean with the General Manager of EBWF, Stone Cold Steve Austin? He's the one that booked the match.
Chris Jericho: Absolutely. And not only that, he had the audacity to hit me with a Stone Cold Stunner! It was just another example of our General Manager crossing a line. I've actually started making a list of all the infractions Austin has made in his time as General Manager, and I plan on presenting my list to the Board of Directors after this interview. It's not fair to put me in a Hell in a Cell match, knowing that I'll be at a disadvantage in that match.
Michael Cole: Do you mind me asking why you feel you'll be at a disadvantage competing inside Hell in a Cell? I know you've never been in a Hell in a Cell match before, but neither has your opponent, AJ Styles. It will be something new for both of you.
Chris Jericho: I didn't mean I'm at a disadvantage because it's my first time inside the Cell, Michael. But let's be honest, Hell in a Cell is a match that suits AJ better than it suits me. I am the best in the world at what I do - professional wrestling. I showed that at Fanniversary. Over the course of an hour, I outwrestled AJ Styles. I made sure there wasn't a shred of doubt in anyone's mind that I was the better man. It was a challenge, both physically and mentally, but one I overcame. And my reward was this - the EBWF World Title. The Championship that I should never have lost to begin with. Hell in a Cell is a completely different kind of challenge. It's a structure where violence is not only expected, but encouraged. And in that environment, as much as I hate to admit it, AJ has an advantage. Because he's a violent man. He's a thug. And he's going to try and hurt me inside that Cell. Stone Cold Steve Austin has deliberately chosen a match-type that favours my opponent.
Michael Cole: With all due respect, Chris, Austin chose Hell in a Cell to make sure there was no outside interference after your best friend, Wes Ikeda, got involved in your match with AJ Styles at Fanniversary. Also, surely you're going to try and hurt AJ inside the Cell?
Jericho rolled his eyes.
Chris Jericho: Did I ask Wes Ikeda to get involved at Fanniversary, Michael? No, I didn't. I already had AJ beat. And in answer to your question, of course I'm going to try and hurt AJ inside the Cell. I've said before that I'll do whatever it takes to keep hold of this title, and when you're competing in a Hell in a Cell match, you have to fight violence with violence. It's the only way. But I take no pleasure in it.
Michael Cole: So despite feeling like you're at a disadvantage in this match, do you feel confident that you'll walk out of Kansas City still the EBWF World Champion?
Chris Jericho: One hundred percent. At Fanniversary, AJ and I had an incredible wrestling match. A match of the year candidate, for sure. But at Survivor Series, it's going to be a fight. I've been in EBWF for over fifteen years, Michael, and I've spent my entire career fighting to get to where I am now. So I'm going to continue fighting. I've broken one record by becoming a ten-time World Champion, now I want to set a new record as the longest reigning champion. I'm not going to let AJ ruin that for me. And do you know what the best part is, Michael? When I beat AJ Styles at Survivor Series, he'll have no more excuses. He can't claim I was a coward, or that he got screwed, or that he deserves another chance... I'll have beaten him twice, and when it comes to future title opportunities, he'll be at the back of the line. I've already proven that I'm better than AJ... I've already proven that I'm the greatest of all time. This Sunday, I'll prove that even when the odds are against me, I'll still come out on top.
Michael Cole: Thank you for your time Chris, and good luck on Sunday.
As part of the promotion for Survivor Series, Jericho had been booked for a sit down interview with Michael Cole. With Survivor Series taking place in Missouri, Jericho and Cole were filming the interview at EBWF Headquarters in St Louis, which was around a three hour, 40 minute drive from Kansas City. The interview had been scheduled for Friday, and Jericho planned to travel to Kansas City the following day, so he could spend Friday night at home with his family.
When Jericho arrived at EBWF Headquarters, Michael Cole was already there. The two of them spent some time before the interview going over the questions, and then when the camera started rolling, Cole began to speak.
Michael Cole: Chris, thank you for joining me. This Sunday at Survivor Series, you will defend your EBWF World Title against AJ Styles inside Hell in a Cell - the first time you've ever competed inside the steel structure. How are you feeling about competing inside the Cell?
Chris Jericho: Excuse me, Michael. Aren't you forgetting something?
Michael Cole: What do you mean?
Chris Jericho: Isn't there something you'd like to say before asking me about Survivor Series?
Cole looked confused. Jericho pointed to the EBWF World Title, which was resting in his lap, then coughed. Realising what Jericho was hinting at, Cole decided to humour him.
Michael Cole: Of course, my apologies. Chris, before we get things started, I'd like to congratulate you on winning your tenth EBWF World Championship. I'm sure you're very proud of your achievement.
Jericho acted as if Cole had said this without being promoted.
Chris Jericho: Thank you, Michael. I am the only person to have ever won the EBWF World Title ten times, and it truly means a lot to me to be able to say that. I've worked hard to get here, and I deserve my place in the record books.
Michael Cole: Now going back to my original question...
Chris Jericho: Of course, of course. In answer to your question, Michael, I've had a couple of weeks now to think about being inside Hell in a Cell. At first, I'll be honest with you, I was pretty pissed off. At Fanniversary, I beat AJ four times over the course of sixty minutes. I proved to the entire world that I was the better man. And now, not only does AJ get a rematch, but he gets that match inside one of the most brutal structures known to mankind? It doesn't seem right to me.
Michael Cole: When you say you're, and I quote, "pissed off", do you mean with the General Manager of EBWF, Stone Cold Steve Austin? He's the one that booked the match.
Chris Jericho: Absolutely. And not only that, he had the audacity to hit me with a Stone Cold Stunner! It was just another example of our General Manager crossing a line. I've actually started making a list of all the infractions Austin has made in his time as General Manager, and I plan on presenting my list to the Board of Directors after this interview. It's not fair to put me in a Hell in a Cell match, knowing that I'll be at a disadvantage in that match.
Michael Cole: Do you mind me asking why you feel you'll be at a disadvantage competing inside Hell in a Cell? I know you've never been in a Hell in a Cell match before, but neither has your opponent, AJ Styles. It will be something new for both of you.
Chris Jericho: I didn't mean I'm at a disadvantage because it's my first time inside the Cell, Michael. But let's be honest, Hell in a Cell is a match that suits AJ better than it suits me. I am the best in the world at what I do - professional wrestling. I showed that at Fanniversary. Over the course of an hour, I outwrestled AJ Styles. I made sure there wasn't a shred of doubt in anyone's mind that I was the better man. It was a challenge, both physically and mentally, but one I overcame. And my reward was this - the EBWF World Title. The Championship that I should never have lost to begin with. Hell in a Cell is a completely different kind of challenge. It's a structure where violence is not only expected, but encouraged. And in that environment, as much as I hate to admit it, AJ has an advantage. Because he's a violent man. He's a thug. And he's going to try and hurt me inside that Cell. Stone Cold Steve Austin has deliberately chosen a match-type that favours my opponent.
Michael Cole: With all due respect, Chris, Austin chose Hell in a Cell to make sure there was no outside interference after your best friend, Wes Ikeda, got involved in your match with AJ Styles at Fanniversary. Also, surely you're going to try and hurt AJ inside the Cell?
Jericho rolled his eyes.
Chris Jericho: Did I ask Wes Ikeda to get involved at Fanniversary, Michael? No, I didn't. I already had AJ beat. And in answer to your question, of course I'm going to try and hurt AJ inside the Cell. I've said before that I'll do whatever it takes to keep hold of this title, and when you're competing in a Hell in a Cell match, you have to fight violence with violence. It's the only way. But I take no pleasure in it.
Michael Cole: So despite feeling like you're at a disadvantage in this match, do you feel confident that you'll walk out of Kansas City still the EBWF World Champion?
Chris Jericho: One hundred percent. At Fanniversary, AJ and I had an incredible wrestling match. A match of the year candidate, for sure. But at Survivor Series, it's going to be a fight. I've been in EBWF for over fifteen years, Michael, and I've spent my entire career fighting to get to where I am now. So I'm going to continue fighting. I've broken one record by becoming a ten-time World Champion, now I want to set a new record as the longest reigning champion. I'm not going to let AJ ruin that for me. And do you know what the best part is, Michael? When I beat AJ Styles at Survivor Series, he'll have no more excuses. He can't claim I was a coward, or that he got screwed, or that he deserves another chance... I'll have beaten him twice, and when it comes to future title opportunities, he'll be at the back of the line. I've already proven that I'm better than AJ... I've already proven that I'm the greatest of all time. This Sunday, I'll prove that even when the odds are against me, I'll still come out on top.
Michael Cole: Thank you for your time Chris, and good luck on Sunday.