OOC: Sam and I finally have a team name! Read this RP to find out how we got it. Good luck to Juan, Kamden and Richard... I hope you enjoy reading this RP as much as we enjoyed writing it :)
As part of the build for Aftermath, Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman had been invited onto Chris Jericho’s podcast. The podcast was recorded after Warfare in Jericho’s hotel room.
Chris Jericho: Welcome to the pod of thunder and rock and roll, we are just a few days from Aftermath, the first EBWF pay per view under the leadership of yours truly, Y2J. My guests today are the reigning EBWF Tag Team Champions, Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman. Jimmy and Braun will be defending the Tag Titles at Aftermath in a TLC match, we’ll talk about that as well as Jimmy and Braun’s careers before they signed for EBWF and more. Jimmy, Braun, thanks for agreeing to be my guests today, it’s good to have you on the show.
Jimmy Havoc: Well, thanks for having me! I don’t feel as though I’m in the appropriate attire for this. I know we’ve come from TV but could you not have ditched the suit?
Jericho laughed.
Chris Jericho: I’m like Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother… I like wearing suits.
Braun Strowman: I have a hard time finding suits that fit me…
Chris Jericho: That doesn’t surprise me!
Jericho laughed again.
Chris Jericho: So on Sunday at Aftermath, you’ll be facing Enzo Amore and Trent, and Matt Sydal and Mark Andrews. Am I right in thinking it’s the first time either of you have been in a TLC match?
Jimmy Havoc: Officially yes. On a paid show, definitely. You know where I’ve came from, I’ve probably been involved in a TLC match in some bumfuck town somewhere. Obviously it wasn’t called TLC but you know. The usual, hardcore match stuff. I’m sure one of these bloody scars is from a TLC.
Havoc chuckled.
Braun Strowman: I’ve never even been in a ladder match before. I’m not sure ladders can hold my weight, to be honest.
Chris Jericho: Well I’ve seen Big Show climb a ladder and he weighs 500 pounds, so I’m sure you’ll be fine. Jimmy, you mention your background - before signing for EBWF, you had a reputation as a hardcore wrestler. You were best known for competing in deathmatches across Europe. In the EBWF, you’ve mostly wrestled more “traditional” matches. Has it been difficult for you to adapt?
Jimmy Havoc: I get asked that a lot to be honest and it’s a fair question. Deathmatches and Hardcore stuff was definitely my bread and butter in the UK and Germany. Like, I can wrestle traditional stuff it’s just been harder to grab the audience doing so, in the UK all I really needed to do was call the crowd the C-word and bring out a weapon and you’re as good as you can be. Definitely gauging the audience whilst in a rest hold was the hardest part to adapt to. My first PPV was King of The Ring where I faced Shinsuke Nakamura for the Breakout championship and wow what a wakeup call that was, I’d much rather have a light tube smashed over my face than take a kick from Naka!
Chris Jericho: Yeah I’ve worked with Nakamura before. We wrestled each other at a live event in Japan, and I was sore for days afterwards. Did you know many guys in the locker room when EBWF signed you?
Jimmy Havoc: Only in passing, maybe been on the same show or i’d seen them on TV. I worked Raven a few times, off the top of my head. It was all fresh for me but you know, I was welcomed well and I can’t think you know, Wes, JR, Lynne and yourself enough.
Chris Jericho: Well James, I think it’s safe to say you’re well known in the locker room now. You’ve quickly built up a reputation in EBWF, and I know Wes and JR are pleased they offered you a contract. What about you, Braun? How many guys in the locker room did you know when EBWF signed you?
Braun Strowman: Same as Jimmy - not a lot. I knew Enzo, Alex Riley and Baron Corbin from the Performance Center… that’s about it really. It was a little strange for me because the night I debuted was Corbin’s last night in EBWF. And I’m the guy that sent him packing.
Chris Jericho: Was the plan always to bring you in to work with Havoc?
Braun Strowman: You know how it is, a few ideas were thrown around, but that’s the one they settled on.
Chris Jericho: How did you react to being paired with Braun, Jimmy? You joke a lot in your promos about how you haven’t had the best of luck with tag partners.
Jimmy Havoc: I mean, how much am I really allowed to say? I ran The Broken idea past Ikeda and he loved it. Me, Seth, Baron and Leva Bates which was awesome and well, for reasons I don’t know if I’m allowed to disclose they all slowly stopped working for EBWF. I kinda got mad about it to be honest because it was an idea I’d thought of, my brainchild if you get me. However, I got introduced to this humongous bearded Viking and I’ve never looked back. I think the fans were starting to resent the idea of the tag belts just being handed to people but Braun has really ran with it and I can’t thank him enough, he’s helped me a lot and I’d hope I’ve helped him too.
Braun Strowman: Definitely. In WWE, I’d been getting a singles push, so when JR told me they wanted to team me up with Jimmy, I was a little reluctant at first, to be honest. But then I talked to James, listened to his ideas, and I was on board. We’ve only been together for a couple of months, but it’s been a lot of fun. That segment with your car last week was the most fun I’ve had since I went partying with Adam Rose and the Rosebuds.
Chris Jericho: That reminds me, you still owe me $60,000!
Jimmy laughed loudly.
Jimmy Havoc: Man that was so much fucking fun. I never thought in my life I’d be able to drive a pickup truck into Chris Jericho’s car. Honestly, just being in the same segment as you blows my mind for real. When you’re me, coming on 30 in the UK whilst all these other dudes get the call-up you start to lose hope but thank god Wes saw me. I’ve been able to light shit on fire, pretend to slice people open, go toe to toe with AJ Styles and ruin your car all in the name of wrestling! I get paid for that! Hey, Adam is the one who flipped the truck onto your car, ask him for the money. He’s tight as all hell though!
Jimmy laughed.
Chris Jericho: Well I’m sure Wes has told you, he loves deathmatches. Who knows, maybe you’ll get to have one at Christmas Eve of Destruction this year. Not against me though - my wife would kill me if I had a deathmatch the night before Christmas.
Jimmy Havoc: Deathmatches hurt whether you win or lose. Speaking of winning, General Manager Chris Jericho huh? How did that happen? World Champ six months ago now you’ve hung the boots up for a bit? I mean don’t get me wrong, the back and forths with you so far have been amazing.
Chris Jericho: This is my podcast, I’m the one that asks the questions!
Jericho laughed.
Chris Jericho: Since you ask, though. I’ve been in EBWF since the beginning as you know, and sometimes there are angles or storylines that I seem to stumble upon almost by accident. But they make sense, so we run with them. That’s what happened with me and Austin. I became a ten-time World Champion, then dropped the title to AJ, and PJ Black won the Rumble. Austin’s contract was up after Wrestlemania, and we’d been feuding for months, so I said to Wes… what if I replace Austin as the General Manager? I’ve been in an authority role before, so it’s not exactly new to me, and it gives me a chance to reduce my in ring schedule for a while. Given that I’m touring with Fozzy next month, it works well for me. Although even I’ll admit, I didn’t think Austin would be willing to step back into the ring after 14 years. Knowing that I’ll probably be the last guy to ever wrestle Stone Cold Steve Austin is an honour.
Braun Strowman: Since Jimmy asked a question, can I ask one?
Chris Jericho: Sure. One question. Then I go back to asking you and Jimmy the questions!
Jericho laughed again.
Braun Strowman: When will you be stepping back into the ring? Because it seems like you’ve got your next opponent lined up already.
Jimmy Havoc: If you listen to Meltzer and the rest of them, EBWF King of the Ring PPV will be headlined by Havoc/Jericho. Gotta be true. Meltzer knows more than me, fuck!
Chris Jericho: Let’s just see what happens. Anyway, moving on. How are you feeling about Aftermath? Are you looking forward to working with Enzo, Trent, Sydal and Andrews again?
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah it’s gonna be fun to watch Adam swat two dudes out of their fucking gear. In all seriousness, high octane, fast paced action plus it’s No DQ… my favourite.
Braun Strowman: This will be the biggest match I’ve had since I joined EBWF. I think it will be a lot of fun.
Chris Jericho: It’s certainly going to be interesting to watch. I’m looking forward to it. So we’ve talked about Aftermath, and I’m sure both of you will be hoping you walk out of Indianapolis still the Tag Team Champions, but what happens next? What does the future hold for Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman?
Jimmy Havoc: First we retain the Tag Titles, I’ll cash in the Gateway Championship and be successful and then who knows, might upset the apple cart a little bit. Bring down some authority types, takeover EBWF literally and mentally.
Chris Jericho: We’ll see about that. What about you, Braun? You mentioned your singles push in WWE, do you have plans to go it alone in EBWF?
Braun Strowman: I’m having a lot of fun working with Jimmy, and right now my focus is on holding onto the Tag Titles as long as possible. But I definitely want the chance to work more singles matches… I want to be the World Champion.
Jimmy Havoc: That makes two of us.
Chris Jericho: Well good luck to both of you, at Aftermath and beyond. I see a bright future for both of you.
Jericho wrapped up the podcast and thanked Havoc and Strowman again.
The day of an EBWF pay per view was always hectic, for both the wrestlers and the rest of the EBWF crew. With that in mind, Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman made sure they were at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse nice and early. For Jimmy, this was something he tried to do at every EBWF live event, as a show of respect. However for Braun Strowman, it was more problematic. Because arriving at the arena just after 1pm meant that Braun hadn’t had lunch. And as you might expect from a guy that weighs 385 pounds, Braun had a huge appetite, and never skipped a meal. The cameras recorded Braun and Jimmy as they arrived at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Braun Strowman: There better be lots of food in catering. I’m starving.
Jimmy Havoc: Early for a reason my massive friend, no-one should’ve touched the food yet. All yours!
Braun Strowman: I hope there’s chicken. I’m really in the mood for some fried chicken.
As Braun and Jimmy searched for catering, they were approached by one of the stagehands. The stagehand looked young - early to mid-twenties - and he was obviously under a lot of stress. There was a hint of anxiousness in the stagehand’s voice as he spoke to Jimmy and Braun, his voice more high-pitched than you would have expected.
Stagehand: Jimmy, Braun… I need your help. Do you know where Enzo Amore is? I really need to talk to him.
Jimmy smirked.
Jimmy Havoc: Have you checked the gutters? First place I’d look.
The stagehand didn’t seem to find this funny.
Stagehand: I was given a cellphone number for him, but he’s not answering. I’m not sure if he’s still on his way here, or if I have the wrong number, but if I can’t get hold of him soon there’s going to be some pissed off parents and a child’s birthday will be ruined!
Jimmy looked as if he was pondering something and eventually smiled wide. He put his arm around the stagehand.
Jimmy Havoc: Are you new here? I haven’t seen you around! Listen, I’ll do you a favour, I’ll let Enzo know alright? I’ll make sure he gets the message. You go on with your day now, sure you’ve got a lot to do!
The stagehand looked relieved.
Stagehand: Thank you so much! I started here a couple of weeks ago… a few of the guys told me you’re kinda creepy, but you seem really nice to me. Here’s the thing. This rich kid’s parents gave us a call, their son Edward is ten today and they’ve hired the circus for his birthday. He’s a big wrestling fan, and Enzo Amore is his favourite wrestler, so Mr and Mrs Trust Fund have paid a lot of money to have Enzo make an appearance.
Jimmy Havoc: Isn’t that nice?! Well I’ll make sure Enzo is there. I’m not creepy, just misunderstood! Go on now, run along. Don’t wanna upset Mr. Ikeda.
Stagehand: Thank you! Thank you!
The stagehand walked away before being ordered by another supervisor in the distance. Jimmy turned to Braun and smiled.
Jimmy Havoc: Hungry for cake?
Braun grinned.
Braun Strowman: Rich parents get good catering. They’re going to have so much food!
Jimmy Havoc: I’ll get the details and make sure Edward has a party he’ll never forget…
Two hours later, Jimmy and Braun arrived at Rhodius Park in West Indianapolis, a 15 minute drive from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. There was a large yellow and red circus tent in the centre of the park.
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah, this looks like the place. I can already smell the putrid stench of caviar.
Havoc jokingly retched.
Braun Strowman: I hate caviar. I hate rich kids. And I hate clowns. There better not be any clowns, Jimmy.
Jimmy Havoc: Well, Enzo isn't here so we're definitely minus 1 clown. No promises though.
Jimmy and Braun got out of the car and walked towards the giant circus tent. Outside the tent, there was a doorman who looked like he normally worked security in a local mall.
Doorman: Can I help you?
Jimmy Havoc: We’ve been told to be here. I’m Jimmy Havoc and this man who, as you can see, is twice the size of you goes by Braun Strowman. We’re wrestlers from EBWF, you should know us.
Doorman: I don’t watch wrestling. I’m a Nascar fan. Mr and Mrs Vanderbilt did say they’d arranged for a wrestler to be here for Eddie’s birthday, but I could’ve sworn they said his name was Zoe Martin or something like that. Let me check with them.
The doorman walked inside the tent and reappeared a couple of minutes later with a man whose facial expression made it clear he looked down on anyone who had less than a million dollars in their bank account.
Doorman: These are the guys, Mr Vanderbilt sir. Timmy Aardvark and Ben Strongman. They say they’re wrestlers.
Mr Vanderbilt: Yes, I recognise them. Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman if my memory serves me correctly. Thank you both for coming, but we were expecting Enzo Amore and maybe Trent. Will they be joining you?
Jimmy Havoc: I can only apologise Mr….Vanderbilt...was it? Enzo Amore couldn’t make it, I believe he said he basically didn’t want to come. It was a horrible thing to say, so we came instead so your son wouldn’t be disappointed. I hope that's okay?
Mr Vanderbilt’s lips twitched slightly. Perhaps it was his attempt to form a smile.
Mr Vanderbilt: That’s very kind of you. Come inside, I’m sure Eddie will be pleased to see you.
Jimmy Havoc: One more thing, do you want us in full character? We can do that, at no extra cost...of course. Anything for Eddie’s birthday!
Mr Vanderbilt: Sure, that sounds fun. Thank you so much. Follow me.
Jimmy and Braun entered the circus tent with Mr Vanderbilt. There were a group of acrobats currently performing for the children. Braun watched the acrobats, then spoke to Jimmy.
Braun Strowman: Those acrobats remind me of Matt Sydal and Mark Andrews. I wonder if any of them can catch a bullet between their ankles.
Jimmy laughed.
Jimmy Havoc: I wonder how acrobatic they could be with your boot in their mouths.
Braun Strowman: If I see any of them climb a ladder, maybe I can hit them with a chair. It’ll be good practice for tonight.
Mr Vanderbilt turned to face Braun and Jimmy, frowning slightly.
Mr Vanderbilt: What did you say?
Jimmy Havoc: Nothing! Just chatting about the show later, you know Wrestler chatter. Sure you wouldn't find it interesting.
Mr Vanderbilt: Honestly? No offence, but I can’t stand wrestling. It’s nothing personal; I don’t really follow sports. But Eddie loves it, and my wife and I try to keep him happy.
The acrobats finished their performance, and the children applauded them. Mr Vanderbilt walked to the front of the stage, then called for his son.
Mr Vanderbilt: Eddie, come up here. I’ve got a surprise for you. Do you recognise these two?
Jimmy and Braun walked onto the stage. Eddie looked at them with a mixture of excitement and fear.
Eddie Vanderbilt: Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman!
Jimmy Havoc: Well well, what do we have here Braun?
Braun Strowman: The birthday boy?
Jimmy Havoc: Well observed my hulking partner. The Birthday Boy! Eddie Vanderbilt! How old are you now Eddie?
Eddie Vanderbilt: I’m ten.
Jimmy Havoc: You’re also a talkative little bugger. Are you scared?
Eddie nodded.
Eddie Vanderbilt: I’ve never met a wrestler before.
Jimmy Havoc: Well now you have! In fact you’ve met the two BEST wrestlers in EBWF! Bet it feels amazing right?
Eddie nodded again, but he didn’t seem entirely convinced.
Eddie Vanderbilt: Can I hold one of your titles?
Jimmy Havoc: Well, Can you? Can you climb a ladder and take them down? Can you beat Alex Riley and Varsity Club at Wrestlemania? Can you beat me?
Eddie stepped back. He looked scared.
Eddie Vanderbilt: My mom and dad told me not to get into fights. They said violence is wrong. I love watching EBWF but I’ve never wanted to be a wrestler… I’m going to be a banker like my dad.
Braun laughed.
Braun Strowman: Good job, kid. You’d never beat anyone with those scrawny arms of yours.
The other children were getting restless, and Eddie looked like he was about to cry.
Mrs Vanderbilt came onto the stage. She hugged her son, then glared at Havoc.
Mrs Vanderbilt: What the hell are you doing? Why are you being so mean to him? It’s his birthday!
Jimmy chuckled.
Jimmy Havoc: Listen bitch. You’re husband wanted Jimmy Havoc and Braun Strowman, that’s what you paid for.
Mrs Vanderbilt walked up to Havoc and slapped him hard across the face.
Mrs Vanderbilt: Don’t you dare call me a bitch, you bastard! Don’t you know who I am?
Jimmy Havoc: Yeah, you’re a cu--
Mr Vanderbilt: ENOUGH!
Mr Vanderbilt turned to the other children, trying his best to be reassuring.
Mr Vanderbilt: Listen, kids. Eddie, his mom and I need to have a talk with these two wrestlers. Why don’t you follow Chuckles outside and he can make you balloon animals!
The children began to cheer as Chuckles the Clown walked towards them. Upon seeing the clown, Braun let out a roar and hit Chuckles with a boot to the face, knocking him out cold. The children began to scream and ran out of the circus tent. Jimmy Havoc began to cry with laughter.
Jimmy Havoc: Oh my god! Did you see his face?! That was fucking amazing!
Braun Strowman: I told you I don’t like clowns. They’re fucking creepy.
Mrs Vanderbilt: Will you please stop swearing in front of my son! You’ve already ruined his birthday.
Jimmy Havoc: Good! Your son needs to be brought in reality, not coddled by a rich housewife. You rich people make me sick, sitting on your ebony thrones looking down on people like us. I’m proud to be what I am, the so called hard working ‘vermin’. Yeah I might swear but who gives a shit? I am the best version of myself I can be, a champion!
Mr Vanderbilt: No, my wife was right. You’re a bastard. I don’t know if this is part of the “character” package you offered, but you’ve taken it too far. Stop it right now or I’ll sue both of you for everything you’re worth. Which probably isn’t a lot.
Jimmy cockily smiled.
Jimmy Havoc: You’re so fucking right it hurts. I am a bastard! Me and Braun, The Bastard and the Beast! We’re ready to fuck shit up!
Mr Vanderbilt: Veronica, take Eddie outside. As for you two, I think it’s time for you to leave. Dave, help me out here.
Dave the Doorman walked over to Havoc and went to grab him, but before he could, Havoc pulled out a knife.
Jimmy Havoc: One more fucking step I dare you. Dave the Doorman? Why don’t you take your 10 dollars an hour and leave now. Do you really think working for the Vanderbitches is worth dying for?
Dave stepped back so quickly, he almost lost his balance. Mr Vanderbilt was wide-eyed with fear.
Mr Vanderbilt: That’s it, I’m calling the police. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer, Jimmy Havoc.
The Vanderbilts and Dave the Doorman left the circus tent. Chuckles the Clown had regained consciousness, and he got to his feet looking dazed. Braun let out another roar, then hit him with a stiff right hand, knocking him out cold again. Jimmy burst out laughing.
Jimmy Havoc: That will never not be funny.
Jimmy held up his knife, then looked across at the acrobats, who were the only other people left inside the tent. They seemed too afraid to move.
Jimmy Havoc: I’m not sure you could catch a bullet between your ankles but you can definitely catch this knife.
Havoc threw the knife, one of the acrobats dived out the way but a scream could be heard. Havoc walked over to assess the damage and saw an acrobat lying on the floor in pain, the knife was lodged inside his ankle.
Jimmy Havoc: Well, how ironic. I’ve found a way to ground the highflier...stab him.
With the exception of the one Havoc had maimed, the other acrobats fled the circus tent. One of the acrobats got too close to Braun and the Monster Among Men hit him with a clothesline, sending the acrobat flying through the air.
Braun Strowman: It’s a TLC match, Jimmy. I don’t think knives are allowed. How about we just beat the shit out of our opponents instead?
Jimmy Havoc: I mean, sure. That works too, let’s be honest though. Sydal and Mandrews are nothing but flippy pricks, swat them out the air and they have no offence. That’s the point, EBWF Aftermath is our tent, TLC is our circus. The acrobats are Sydal and Mandrews, the clowns...well that’s obvious Enzo and Trent will joke about and put on silly faces because they are the fucking joke. Enzo Amore would stab his own Nan if he could make a joke about it. Trent...who even is he? He’s the rat's sidekick...wait, if Enzo is a rat with a sidekick, does that make Trent a Mutant Ninja Turtle?! See! I can form silly sentences as well! It’s not that hard Enzo you tiny cretin!
Braun Strowman: Wait, I’ve got one! If TLC is our circus, Trent must be a contortionist… that’s how he got his head so far up Enzo’s ass!
Jimmy Havoc: Enzo must be a ventriloquist because Trent only says what Enzo tells him to… and he’s got his hand up his arse.
Braun Strowman: What do we got here, Jimmy? A couple of human cannonballs… or at least, that’s what they’ll look like when I throw them around the arena tonight.
Jimmy Havoc: End of the day, I shall climb a ladder or your fucking huge shoulders and I’m taking the titles down. No theatrics needed.
Police sirens could be heard in the distance.
Jimmy Havoc: Let’s leave the jokes to the clowns. We’ll arrive, fuck shit up and leave. Come on.
Havoc and Braun walked away, Havoc pulled the knife out of the acrobat’s leg as the maimed man let out a cry. Braun kicked him to make sure he shut up, chuckled to himself and followed Havoc out. They passed a bouncy castle on their way, Havoc stabbed the bouncy castle because as he mentioned before, he IS a bastard after all.
