- - - - - - -
MONDAY JUNE 5 2017 – EBWF MONDAY NIGHT WARFARE – KEYBANK CENTER – BUFFALO; NEW YORK
Samoa Joe did what he set out to do at Death before Dishonor, he defeated Jimmy Havoc to become the new Gateway Champion as he left him tapping out to the Coquina Clutch in the middle of the ring. Although, he didn’t have much time to celebrate as his obsession with winning everything possible meant his attention turned to the King of the Ring tournament, where his first outing would be against the debuting Cody Rhodes.
The scene opened up backstage with just moments remaining until the main event. You could hear the crowd already cheering at the prospect of watching an incredible match between Joe and Rhodes, and then booed when they saw Michael Cole appear on-screen, standing outside of the locker room of Samoa Joe. He looked slightly nervous as he looked into the camera and told the fans he’s expecting to have a word with the new champion.
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m current backstage standing outside of the locker room of our new Gateway Champion, Samoa Joe. It’s almost time for the main event and uh…
Cole panicked as the door flew open and a snarling Joe was looking down at him, with his brand new championship draped over his shoulder.
Michael Cole: Uh … Joe, I was wondering if we could go take a seat inside and talk about your title win and the tournament, and your match tonight?
Joe looked at him, a little confused.
Samoa Joe: You know, that’s my name on this door, right? Which means this is MY locker room, in fact I don’t think anyone, male or female, will be letting YOU into their locker rooms anytime soon, Cole. I have a match to get to, if you need to ask me anything then you can ask me right here.
Cole panicked a little, looking embarrassed.
Michael Cole: Well, what better place to start than your new title?
Samoa Joe: I’m not sure why everyone is making such a big deal out of this? I mean, I DID tell you all, right? I did tell you I’d destroy Jimmy Havoc, I told you I’d make him my bitch. I told you I’d choke him out and I told you I’d take the title. There’s nothing more to say, I welcome all challengers, and I know PJ Black is now quaking in his boots at the thought that he has the destroyer breathing down his neck again.
Michael Cole: Tonight it’s your debut in the King of the Ring, a tournament where legends are created, careers are made. You’re up against Cody Rhodes, how are you feeling about it all?
Samoa Joe: I think I’m already a legend, so I’m curious what this tournament can do for me. I may have the gold, but I still plan on winning this and crushing hopes, dreams and bodies and I start with Cody tonight. Look, I appreciate it took him a while to get here because it took me a long time too, but there’s a clear difference between us both is that I was brought here to destroy but Cody Rhodes was brought here to just…be here. Nothing else.
Michael Cole: He’s obviously here to make an impact, here to make the American Dream proud, here to continue, expand and create a legacy, is that something that affects you?
Joe exhaled, as it was clear even he was affected by Dream during his career.
Samoa Joe: You know, part of the reason I’m standing here is because of him...part of it. He had an impact on me just like he did with most of the guys at the back and I appreciate what he’s trying to do, and I probably would commend him for it in a different lifetime. But in that ring you put your personal lives aside and you go out and fight until you can’t fight anymore, I am emotionless in that ring. Just because he wants to make Dream proud doesn’t mean I’m going to let him and he can have this wonderful moment in his debut, no, it doesn’t work like that. We know Dream is watching, and he’ll be happy to see what’s going on but tonight he and the rest of the world will watch me kick Cody Rhodes’ ass all over this building, because I can.
Michael Cole: Let’s say he wasn’t against you tonight, what do you think he could achieve in this tournament?
Samoa Joe: If you take me out of the equation then I admit, Cody might actually stand a chance inside of that ring. But this isn’t fantasy island, Cole, there’s no using thinking ifs and buts, we have to focus on reality and the reality is that Cody Rhodes is probably hating his life right now that his big debut is against me and he knows he doesn’t stand a chance. Tonight, I become his nightmare, I destroy the dream he has of becoming the King and making ANYONE proud... and for the rest of his days in the EBWF, he’ll never be able to shake off the fact that his very first night in the company…he was destroyed.
Joe snarled at Cole again as be brushed past him adamant that he was going to spoil Cody’s first match in the King of the Ring.