Old Yeller

[Ben M]

The scene opened backstage at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where a few minutes earlier, Sami Zayn had defeated his longtime rival Kevin Owens. Owens, as you might expect, was not pleased. As he walked through the backstage area, he took his frustration out on anything and anyone who stood in his way. He shoved a crew member into a nearby wall, flipped a table, then held his head in his hands, screaming to himself. A moment later, Renee Young approached him. If she was worried about KO's temperament, she didn't show it. Before she could even say anything, Owens cut her off.

Kevin Owens: Did you see that, Renee? That was... that was a travesty, damn it! I am so much better than Sami Zayn, he just got lucky. I should have won that match!

Renee Young: Kevin, what I saw was two very talented superstars leave it all in that ring. There's no shame in losing that match, it could have gone either way.

Kevin Owens: No shame? No shame? Renee, I am furious right now. If Sami Zayn thinks he's seen the last of me, he hasn't. Because I'm going to destroy him. I'm going to make sure there is no doubt in anyone's mind who the better man is.

Renee Young: That may be so... but for now, don't you think you should focus on King of the Ring? Next week on Warfare, you have your first round match against Matt Sydal.

Kevin Owens: I don't want Matt Sydal, Renee. I want Sami Zayn.

Renee nodded sympathetically.

Renee Young: I thought you might say that. Have you seen the King of the Ring bracket? If you make it to the final, you could end up facing Sami Zayn in the final.

Kevin's expression changed.

Kevin Owens: Are you serious?

Renee Young: Of course. Look.

A nearby staff member handed Renee an iPad and Renee showed Kevin the tournament bracket. Owens grinned.

Kevin Owens: So all I need to do is beat Sydal, then fight through whoever they line up next. Three wins and I get Sami again. Three victories and I get the chance to take Sami's crown... literally. Well, assuming he doesn't get beaten by Jinder Mahal or someone. Who knows, maybe the Maharaja will win this whole tournament and go on to become the next World Champion...

Owens laughed, as if the idea of Jinder Mahal as World Champion was too funny to ever be true. His expression then turned serious.

Kevin Owens: Matt Sydal, huh? Isn't he the butt of everyone's jokes? Has he even won any matches since he signed for EBWF?

Renee hesitated. She was about to answer when Owens cut her off.

Kevin Owens: The fact you have to think about that answer tells me everything I need to know. Matt Sydal wasn't born to win, Renee. He's a born loser. A self-proclaimed basket case, a guy who is desperate to say relevant in a business that has evolved and left him behind. Matt probably thinks that a win over me will give him a chance to make a name for himself, but I can promise you right now, that isn't going to happen. I might have lost to the "Ultimate Underdog" tonight, but next week on Warfare, Matt Sydal is going to be Old Yeller, and I'm going to put him down.

Owens flashed Renee a devious smile, then brushed past her and headed back towards the locker room.