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SATURDAY MAY 13 2017 – EBWF HEADQUARTERS
It was that exciting time of the year again, where anybody on the entire roster could somehow go on an incredible run and secure a shot at the EBWF World Championship. The King of the Ring was a tournament that managed to create big-name stars out of those you wouldn’t ever think could win, and that was the case with Sami Zayn two years ago when the underdog certainly lived up to his name by managing to overcome the likes of Brock Lesnar and Brian Kendrick on his way to becoming the king for the first time. As expected, the term ‘fluke’ was thrown around and it seemed impossible that he could do it all over again; but he shot that notion down too when he retained his crown and joined elite company alongside Randy Orton as the only two-time King of the Ring winner. Winning three in a row was unheard of and despite having a rocky year from SummerSlam yesterday, Sami fully intended on giving it his all to put that rough patch behind him, retain his crown one more time but this time he’d make good on his chance and take the EBWF World Championship, but he knew that this was his best chance, even if it would prove to be the most difficult.
The cameras were inside the EBWF Headquarters on a big day, as the live draw had taken place on the company website and fans all over the world tuned in to see which star would be paired with who, and who just missed the cut. Sami was involved, and a lot of attention was being paid to him now as he was the current king and would put his crown on the line beginning in in around two weeks. He was in slightly formal clothing, nothing too over the top as he wore a plain black t-shirt under a blazer with a microphone attached to him; still donning the trademark flat cap as the make-up artist rushed to finish touching up his face. Sami was joined alongside Corey Graves, who took his seat next to him and listened to orders through his earpiece, before Sami took a big gulp of water as they were both given the signal to begin.
Corey Graves: Welcome back to EBWF.net ladies and gentlemen, as you just saw for the first time ever we had the live draw for this year’s King and Queen of the Ring tournaments and I can already feel the excitement from the EBWF Universe as the tournament edges closer! We certainly have some intriguing matches already lined up and I, for one, cannot wait to kick things off. I’m still here with the two-time and reigning King of the Ring, Sami Zayn. In fact, there’s perhaps only one other man on the roster qualified enough to give his expertise and verdict on what we just witnessed, so you folks are in good company! Sami, we watched the live draw together, I could see the excitement on your face when the names were drawn out, what are your thoughts on how all of that has unfolded?
Sami showcased his enthusiasm by rubbing his hands together and smiled as he looked towards Corey.
Sami Zayn: You know…I mean this is one of the most exciting times of the year, for me anyway. You have WrestleMania, the Rumble, the other big events but this is something I enjoy because of what it can do for careers. Perhaps that’s because it’s worked wonders for me, who knows? I know the Rumble is a match which can create mega stars but I feel this is just the same, one good run where lady luck is on your side and you can become a huge star. That happened to me when I was a nobody here, you know, I had runs as Intercontinental Champion but THIS is the tournament that changed it all for me because I defeated Dolph and became the world champion and put my name on the map that I’m here to stay. The same can happy for anybody whether you’re Kenny Omega or Matt Sydal, genuinely anybody can leave as the King and reach that next level and this year is as competitive as I’ve ever seen…it should be fun.
Corey Graves: Some big names are involved there, as you just said, anybody you think you need to keep an eye on or would ideally like to face at any stage?
Sami exhaled and started to scratch his head, thinking of the level of competition in the tournament and who he’d pick, before settling on some answers.
Sami Zayn: Jeez, there’s so many. I mean, at some stage it’d be pretty cool to mix it up with Finn, Marty is another, Kenny, Trent and Tyler; I think they’re guys I’d love to go up against and give the fans something incredible to watch but whether our paths even cross remains to be seen. If I got to the final again, It’s probably safe to say the people would like me and Kevin Owens to go at it in the final but I have little to no interest whatsoever in giving him that sort of glory. I mean, if it’s up to me then the ideal scenario is screaming out, right? Me and Randy, both have won this tournament and we can find out who is really the king of this format, but we’ll see who gets that far and you can’t really fantasise about facing a certain somebody because opponents come at you thick and fast. One day you’re up against a monster and the next week you’re against a high-flyer or a technician, it’s tough but fun and it’s the sort of challenge I thrive under, clearly…for two years running.
Corey Graves: Well let’s talk reality instead of fantasy then, Sami. The reality is your defence of the crown kicks off against Seth Rollins not long from now, somebody extremely talented, somebody you know well, somebody who made it clear what he’s here to do. Who do you think it’s tougher for, you who is going up against somebody who has been away and is coming back and you don’t have much of an idea how much or little he’s improved. Or is it more difficult for him, having to go up against the reigning king?
Sami thought about it for a second, sitting back in his chair as he thought about what Corey had asked.
Sami Zayn: I think it’s tougher for me, because me being the king probably doesn’t mean a lot to him when he’s seen me lose plenty of matches over the past year. For me it’s different because as you said, he’s been away, he’s back and there’s a sense of excitement, he has the momentum and the fans are eager to see what he has to show for his hiatus, and I’m excited for it too. Not only that, but there’s more pressure on me being the defending king, and he has less pressure as he has the same opportunity as the guy in the next round may have; to knock me out and guarantee a new winner this year. Saying that, there’s probably nobody else I would have preferred to face because I’ve always wanted a one on one match with him here, ever since I arrived, and if my memory serves me right I don’t think I got that. So, I’m glad that we’re killing two birds with one stone that I get the match against Seth, and I get to beat him to get to the next round and take out perhaps one of the biggest threats in the tournament.
Corey Graves: How satisfied are you then that you get Seth compared to anybody else on the roster? As in, how would it feel to stop him in his tracks and eliminate him in the first round?
Sami Zayn: I have nothing personal against Seth, even if he did play a big part in the pain in my ass known as The Broken, I have nothing against him. Still, nothing will give me greater pleasure than to knock him out in the first round, I’ve had a tough year and that can’t turn around against just anyway. If I need to prove to the whole world that I’m back at the level that I belong, then it’s guys like Seth I need to beat. Plus, I do have something to prove in this match, and those that have followed my journey will know that. I made my debut back in June 2014, so almost three years and yeah I came with a bit of a reputation but everybody knows I was overlooked. You weren’t here, Corey, I know what I had to go through and the level of competition I had to face before getting to this stage. I was doing everything I could to get noticed and there was Seth, with a great reputation and the whole world ahead of him and everybody was raving about him and the bright future he’s going to have, how he’s the future of this company, how he’s destined for big things in the future. In my eyes, the tables have turned and now he’s the one chasing me, to get on my level because the second you leave through that door, you don’t get a free pass to pick up where you left off. Seth is now at the bottom and I don’t plan on being another rung on a ladder than he can climb to reach the top. I’ve been that far too often over the past year and for some reason, my record in this tournament is flawless and I don’t want to be the king who is eliminated in the very first round; I’m not going to let that happen. As I said, no hard feelings but Seth needs to stay at the bottom while I do what I have to do, win this match and win this tournament. I’m the man to beat now, not Seth, not anybody else…me.
Corey shook his head, taking in what Sami said before moving on.
Corey Graves: Would you say this has you worried then? Facing Seth? Having a tough opponent in the first round, having a point to prove and so on.
Sami Zayn: I wouldn’t say that, worried? No, not at all. I’d say more excited and eager to start off my defence, use this tournament to show what I can do against elite competition such as Seth, that’s it really; I mean it’s pretty much the only thing I have going for me right now so I intend on staying in the hunt to be the winner at Seth’s expense. In this tournament I don’t crumble under the pressure like anybody else yet I’m never happy, I always want to do better, I always strive to do better so this year there are no byes, no questionable opponents or matches. I want the best, I want the toughest opposition, I want the elite of the elite, round after round so I can prove that one bad year doesn’t define who I am, and that’s starting with Seth as my first elite victim whom I will defeat; simple as that.
Corey Graves: Well, you’ve seen Seth in action already, both inside of the ring and on the microphone and what he had to say on his return, what can you tell us about what you see on Seth Rollins?
Sami exhaled, shuffling in his chair again as he composed himself to gives his genuine assessment on the return of Seth Rollins.
Sami Zayn: I don’t have my head so far up my own ass that I can’t acknowledge the positive aspects. I know Seth is here for a reason, and to change the course of his own history, but what he can’t change is what I’ve done and achieved, and what I plan on doing too. The thing I don’t understand is, what revenge is he talking about? In my eyes, anything Seth achieved before was because of the Broken and I’m yet to see what he can do on his own. Sure, he had title reigns but they all came out was because of who was around him. Hell, you can say that’s been the story of his career because the only way he got on the map ion the first place is because of two other guys he had around him who covered his weaknesses. Seth is at this level because of Jimmy and as harsh as that sounds, everybody knows it’s true, he needed guidance then, he’s needed guidance wherever he’s gone and after our match he’s going to need more guidance when he’s at a crossroads and his comeback falls short. I’m not denying his natural talent, that’s there for us all to see and he’d tell you that I’m a big, big fan of his, but the fact is that nothing he has ever done in this company has left me worried. Even in the Broken, it was the antics of everyone else that had me looking over my shoulder, not anything that he did and that just shows that he isn’t made for the crown, he knows that and he’s out of his element not only against me, the reigning king, but this entire tournament. I can’t lose this, this is all I have left right now and it’s the only thing I’m holding on to and my desperation works in my favour because a loss makes no difference to Seth, but it makes a difference to me. He can just go disappear again or do whatever he was doing and it’ll all blow over but not me. I lost and lost and lost and I stuck around and I’m still here working to change that; that tells you the difference between us and ask yourself which of us deserves to wear that crown.
Corey Graves: Before we sign off, why should the fans tuning in now believe you, Sami Zayn, can not only overcome Seth Rollins in round one, but go all the way for not only a third time, but a third consecutive time?
Sami Zayn: Corey, I’ve done thing they never said I could, and if they’ve learnt their lesson from all of that doubt then they’ll know better than to overlook me for a third year running. Everything they said I couldn’t do, I did it. They said I couldn’t make it here, I did. I wouldn’t win a title here, I did. I’d be flavour of the month…they’re still talking about me. That I’d never connect with the audience and I think we all know how they react when my music hits. They said I’d never be world champion, and I did. They’ll say I can’t do this for a third time and I’m determined to prove them wrong. I am keeping this crown, I am winning this tournament, I am becoming the number one contender and I am becoming a two-time EBWF World Champion. That’s the blueprint for all to see, and this time I’m going all the way; starting with Seth.
Sami was visibly a little agitated as Corey signed off, determined to pick up a big win and capture a third King of the Ring crown.