Rise and Fall

[D.J]

At Christmas Eve of Destruction- the growing fan base of Alex Riley was afforded an early Christmas present, when Alex Riley pinned Sami Zayn in the middle of the ring and became the new EBWF Intercontinental Champion. The way that he earned that particular pinfall though, may have been a surprise to some of the EBWF universe, as he was handed brass knuckles by The Miz- and utilized them to become the new champion. Of course in the chamber of extreme anything at all goes, but many onlookers were most surprised that Miz would be willing to help out A-Ri, due to the way the latter has treated the former, since earning a pinfall victory over him, and delegating the Miz, a former EBWF Champion to manager/assistant duties for a full calendar year. A-Ri predicted that the start of 2017 would include him holding EBWF Gold, and on Christmas Eve that prediction became a reality, however, in A-Ri's first match of 2017, he would face the very man whom he pinned to earn that gold- Sami Zayn.

The scene opened up zoomed into the EBWF Intercontinental Championship belt, as the camera panned out, we saw Alex Riley. His hair was slicked back and he was in a black on black Armani Suit. He looked extremely sharp, as he smirked into the camera. The belt rested on a table in which Riley stood behind, the room was otherwise empty. Riley after a couple of beats began to speak.

Alex Riley: "Happy new year!" That's a phrase that his been uttered by many over these past couple of days- and though there's been many a year, that I've yelled that out- amidst an extravagant celebration- I often said "Happy New Year" in the sense that the next year- would be yet another chance to build some momentum and earn some success in this business that I love. This year- I said "Happy New Year" going into the New Year- Happy. Happy- and blessed- that I have the god given talent, the god given charisma, the god given gifts to not only gain a little momentum, but to BURST onto the scene, and quickly become the EBWF Intercontinental Champion. This is something that it takes certain guys years, decades, and MOST guys don't ever achieve anything like what I just did in only a couple of months of being a regular competitor. The Miz gave me a foot in the door, and I kicked that thing off of it's hinges, and now I'm a human wrecking ball, that nobody is going to be able to stop in 2017. So though it may be a HAPPY NEW YEAR- for me- everyone else is not going to be so happy. Starting of course with the man I pinned on Christmas Eve, and will face again on Monday Night- Sami Zayn. Now Sami may look at me as someone not worthy of being in the ring with him. In fact he said as much in a recent interview, that he couldn't take the idea of losing to someone like me... hey bro.. newsflash.. you already did, or did that shot to the head with those brass knucks cloud your memory. Sami referred to me as a sidekick, a mascot, great man- finally something has come out of your mouth that has incited any kind of reaction in not only me, but anyone. Finally, you come up with something that doesn't make me want to see what else is on TV. FINALLY- you say something that.. well.. pisses me the hell off. A sidekick? A mascot? A cheerleader? Bro- wake the hell up, it's a new year, and it's a year that's starting with A-Ri holding EBWF gold, and Sami Zayn- trying and failing- to hold on to any kind of credibility whatsoever in this company. If anything has become clear as of late, it's that Alex Riley is nobody's side kick, Alex Riley is nobody's mascot, Alex Riley is the real freaking deal, and no downgrading of me being the Intercontinental Champion, is going to change the fact that I'm the Intercontinental Champion- and to become the Intercontinental Champion- I. PINNED. YOU. ZAYN.

Alex smirked into the camera before continuing.

Alex Riley: You see a few months back, hell even a year ago, you were a big deal around here Zayn. You had a carefree, quiet confidence, about you that made you pretty successful. I don't see that Sami Zayn anymore, this Sami Zayn is scared. Scared to be forgotten, scared to fade out, scared that you already have. Spouting nonsense, that you'd be OK losing to someone like Jericho or the Miz, but not to me.. well it's pretty damn clear you are cool with losing to those guys, since you've pretty much made a habit of it over the last several months. At first Sami, people seeing you lose matches fired them up, because in their minds it was just going to make you come back more aggressive, they thought it would make you come back stronger. Now seeing you lose matches, people just, well they just feel sad for you Sami. They feel sad, because they know you are going to show up the next night, and rattle off that same, "I'll be back guys- this time- this time for sure I'm going to win and get back on track," It's heartbreaking to watch, because people now are resigning themselves to the fact that it's all just a facade, it's almost like you are trying to make yourself believe you aren't going to fall off the cliff into obscurity, when deep down you know that's exactly what's going to happen. How dare you act like I'm not good enough, like I'm not worthy to earn a victory over you? Who the hell are you Zayn? Huh? Who the hell are you to act like you're better than me? You are a little runt, who probably was too tired from making toys in Santa's workshop, to put in a good performance at Christmas Eve of Destruction, who had one little flash in the pan run, and have been trying to even regain a shred of that momentum for as long as I've even been around this company. You're pathetic Zayn, you are like a baseball player who once got a lucky bunt single, and is now trying to bunt every at bat, and are confused with why you're getting thrown out every time. That is exactly what your little run of success was.. luck- a bunt single- a minor footnote in an otherwise long and proud history of the EBWF. Your story is a tragedy Zayn- it's a tragedy because the whole world knows that anything that has gone well from you, can not, and WILL not ever happen again- and he only one in the world that doesn't seem to be able to accept that- is you. Every single person who has even heard of the EBWF- laughed at you- when you claimed that Alex Riley wasn't someone you could handle losing to. Well whether you can accept it or not Sami, on Warfare- you are going to lose to me- more than that you are going to get absolutely brutalized and embarrassed. I'm hoping that this epic beat down will finally trigger you into the reality of what the hell is actually taking place around here now. Sami- you are friggin finished my man- get that through your ginger haired covered head- you might as well just sit back and get comfortable- and accept that A- Ri- is about to blast off to the top of this business, and if a reality check ass kicking, is what I need to give you, so that you resign yourself to that, well then that's EXACTLY what you're going to get.

Alex took the Intercontinental Championship off of the table and threw it over his shoulder.

Alex Riley: Get used to this Zayn- get used to looking at this face, with this gold over his shoulder. Get used to knowing that no matter how much you whine, cry, downplay me, or think about what used to be that you do, NOTHING is going to change the fact that from this moment on- YOU. DO. NOT. MATTER. You're a nothing, a nobody, a joke, compared to me.

Alex mocked Zayn.

Alex Riley: "B- B-But he cheated.. he used brass knuckles." So the hell what Sami. It's the chamber of friggin extreme, not the chamber of "it's not whether you win or lose it's how you play the game." All is fair in that match, so when I blasted you in the forehead and pinned your washed up shoulders to the mat, I wasn't cheating at all, you moron, I was doing something you haven't done in a long time.. I was winning. For so long you've been this self righteous little goody two shoes.. "It's not whether you win or lose it's how you play the game..." No bro.. It's ONLY whether you friggin win.. or you friggin lose. I may not be the Miz biggest fan, but if there's one thing I did learn from him, it's that this business is all about the result. I look at you Sami, and what you've become and you.. well.. you are my god damn nightmare. Being you is something that wakes me up in a cold sweat at least once a week. You are naive, you are brain-dead, because all you do is sit around and bitch about how other people bend the rules, or they do WHATEVER it takes to earn a victory, to earn a result. You've spent the better part of recent time, huffing about people being ruthless to pick up victories at your expense. You know what they call the guy who loses because he doesn't do whatever it takes to win? They call him a loser. You lost. Which means Zayn, that you are a loser.. and guess what.. on Monday Night- in a match where extreme earns you a DQ- you are STILL going to be the loser. I don't need brass knuckles to beat you Sami, but hey I was given brass knuckles, so I used them TO WIN. Bitch and moan all you want, but at the end of the day- I won. Did you win? NO.. I did. Need a reminder- look no further than right here my dude.

Alex patted the Intercontinental Title.

Alex Riley: I got my supporters just like you Sami, I got people that are cheering for me, I'm what you once were. I'm the new name on people's lips, I'm the new star, that is ready to shine. The only difference is- I don't have a Mr. Rogers- sportsmanship over victories-mentality that leads you to nowhere but the unemployment line. I'm a guy that is going to do whatever the hell it takes to win EVERY GOD DAMN MATCH THAT I AM IN. I'm not going to be bitching and moaning after I lost- because simply put, I'm going to REFUSE TO LOSE. I don't care how big or how small the match is, I don't care what the stakes are, and I'm certainly not going to JUSTIFY losing to one man over another man. EVERYBODY IS EQUAL when you step inside the ring across from me- the way I see it. If you my are opponent, you are going to get yourself beat the hell up. There's not going to be any "well I can definitely take losing to this guy.. but this guy.. no way." That's what weaklings say, that's what cowards say, that's what losers like you say, Zayn. I've heard you buddy, I've heard you loud and clear, and I can't wait to see the look on your face on Monday Night when I beat you.. again.. and you realize that not only is it a complete fallacy that you're too good for me, but in all actuality it is ME who is TOO GOOD FOR YOU. Oh how amazing that is going to be.. it will indeed for me Sami, be the start of a very HAPPY. NEW. YEAR.

Alex winked into the camera and the scene faded to static. We reopened at the TD Garden in Boston Massachusetts. The site of EBWF Warfare. The fans were buzzing as one of the dark matches had just concluded. On the Tron- Alex Riley was stepping out of a limo in an expensive looking gray suit. He took a couple of steps out onto the pavement. He had sunglasses on, and the EBWF Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder. Alex cocked his head towards the limo, and out stepped the Miz. Miz had Alex's bag over his shoulder. Surprisingly, he too was in a nice suit, and looked more like The Miz of old. The crowd booed as Miz had somewhat of a cocky smirk on his face. It was clear that they just never wanted to see this guy smile at all.

Alex Riley: What? What are you smiling about?

The Miz thought for a beat.

The Miz: Well I mean, it just felt good that we got the win on Christmas Eve. It felt good to get back some EBWF g..

Alex cut him off.

Alex Riley: Let's get something clear.. "WE" didn't do anything. "I" got the win on Christmas Eve, you got a front row seat because you are my manager- and do you remember why you are my manager?

The Miz: W..

Alex Riley: It's because I beat the hell out of you in front of the entire world.. that's why. It's because I am the TRUE greatest of the great, cream of the crop, TRULY your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler, and it's for those reasons.. that "I" not we.. earned EBWF gold.. and it's the same reason why "I" not "WE" am going to beat the living hell out Sami Zayn tonight, once again.

The Miz: Well right, but I mean- I did give you those brass knuckles.. and you d..

Alex was getting extremely frustrated.

Alex Riley: Miz- buddy- pal- chief- you gave me the brass knuckles and that was the right thing to do. That was you acknowledging that it was time for the best superstar in the match, to become the Intercontinental Champion. That was you acknowledging that it was time for me to win. Would it have happened anyway? Obviously- but I was actually impressed with your recognition of that moment, being the moment, that it was time to put Sami out of his misery, and pick up this bad boy right here. So bravo dude, you aren't a complete imbecile. What you are NOT though.. is the reason why I won this title. This title was coming home to me, whether you gave me brass knuckles or whether you sat in a rocking chair knitting yourself an "I am AWFUL" sweater. So stop smiling, stop smirking, stop feeling like you are anything other than my little errand boy.. so little errand boy.. grab my other bag and let's go.

The Miz reluctantly went into the limo and picked up Riley's second bag. The two made their way through the back. As the camera stayed on them. They went into the dressing room, and Miz dropped the two bags down.

Alex Riley: Come on- we're going to the ring.

Alex- with Miz in toe- walked through the back to the curtain. The scene panned back to the arena when the guitar rift followed by the song "Hell Yeah" by Rev Theory was heard over the PA System. Alex Riley's titantron was seen, and a mixed reaction was given to A-Ri by the Beantown crowd. Alex confidently made his way down to the ring. Miz before entering- grabbed a microphone from the time keeper. He gave it to Alex, after he entered the ring.

Alex Riley: Thanks. Now hold this- it's the closest you'll ever get to a title belt again.

Alex flipped the Intercontinental Championship at The Miz, who barely caught it. He secured it and put it over his shoulder. A-Ri began.

Alex Riley: On Christmas Eve, I became the EBWF Intercontinental Champion. I became the Intercontinental Champion- because I was... I am.. the best wrestler that competed in that match. I won that title- because I decided- that there was NOTHING ANYONE IN THAT MATCH COULD DO- to change the fact that I was NOT GOING TO BE DENIED THAT CHAMPIONSHIP. That is the key to this business, if you are willing to be denied- YOU WILL BE.. if you are willing to be defeated- YOU WILL BE. I am Alex Riley- I am a champion- and the only thing I'm willing to do is beat the hell out of chumps like Sami Zayn. That is exactly what is going to happen in just a few short hours. IN tonight's main event, you are going to see a man who once again has decided that there's NOTHING SAMI ZAYN CAN DO- to stop me from earning yet another win. NOTHING. As the calendar changed from 2016 to 2017- something inside of me has changed right along with it. I feel.. well I feel more ruthless.. I feel more cold hearted.. I feel more sadistic.. than I think I've ever felt in my entire life. You see Boston, I've got a taste of EBWF gold- and guess what- I LIKE IT. So unfortunately for Sami Zayn, a man who wasn't capable of beating 2016 Alex Riley. Tonight he faces 2017 Alex Riley- a man who is not only more of all those traits I just mentioned- but a man who has more talent in his pinky than he does in his entire body. You see this? You see this!? Miz- moron- hold up the title. Get a close up.

The camera zoomed in to The EBWF Intercontinental Championship. Then back out to a wider shot. The fans were pretty stunned with how aggressive Riley seemed.

Alex Riley: That's MINE SAMI! It's MINE. IT'LL NEVER BE YOURS.. and not only does this this signify the beginning of my rise to the top of this company- it ALSO signifies your final descent to the bottom of it.. and tonight when your head hits the mat, and the referee counts one, two, three, that DESCENT WILL BE COMPLETE. So...

Alex ripped the title off the Miz and put it on his shoulder.

Alex Riley: You mad bro?

Alex whistled like people do to indicate something rising up, then falling way down. He made then made the sound effect of crashing to the ground. As he flipped the microphone down, and "Hell Yeah" hit once again. Alex had a look of locked in intensity on his face, as The Miz followed him up the ramp. Riley had seemed to have flipped a switch the second he became the Intercontinental Champion. Time would tell if that victory, would be followed up with another one over Sami Zayn. The scene faded to black.