There hadn’t been much chatter about the expected finish for Destiny, though PJ was the internet’s odds on favorite to win. That didn’t bother Adam. He’d been surprised by the number one contendership and expected to have lost that opportunity before ever sniffing a match with PJ Black. He had to wonder though if EBWF was planning on taking things in a new direction. The Jimmy Havoc/Chris Jericho angle was proof enough that something was about to change. Paul Lloyd was one hell of a wrestler, and he’d been proving his talent, show after show, for months, but he wasn’t exactly the poster child for the company.
Over two years after the departure of John Cena and EBWF was still struggling to find their company man. The Jimmy Havoc experiment seemed to be working, but it was building at a slow burn, for fear that Jimmy’s over saturation on the show would burn him out to fans too fast. They’d given the PJ Black thing time to run its course too, and Paul had proven that while he had the chops to do the work, he wasn’t exactly the best at carrying the company on his back. He’d done few promotional stops on behalf of EBWF as Champion, and the ones he had done had seemed forced and almost awkward as far as Adam was concerned.
Knowing as much as he did about the business, however, Adam didn’t see the show runners suddenly turning to him for the assist. He knew that the truth of it was that he’d allowed himself to get pretty comfortable with his half-time, big paycheck, give me all the fun angles, life. It had seemed that his bosses had been content with that too. He’d be lying if he said the idea of a longer term return to the main event wasn’t appealing. He was in too deep now. They’d dangled a carrot. They’d opened the door. They’d put the brass ring just within his grasp, and Adam made a decision, right there, somewhere between Rochester and New York City that he wanted to reach up and grab it.
Adam Copeland: And now you’re just talking to yourself. Perfect.
Things were pretty typical once Adam arrived at the hotel where EBWF had put up their Superstars. A few of the larger banquet rooms had been set up for promos, interviews and photos. Constant content was a full time job. He wandered into one of the production rooms to see if he could find a list of things that needed to be filmed, expecting he’d be on it.
Female Voice: Excuse me, Mr. Copeland?
Adam turned around, coming face to a face with a woman he recognized, but was embarrassed that he couldn’t recall her name. She saw his momentary confusion.
Cathy Kelley: I’m Cathy, we met last week. I’m the new interviewer.
Adam Copeland: Right. I’m sorry. It’s been a long week.
Cathy Kelley: I hope I’m not being too forward, but Renee has her eye on your interview this week, and I was hoping I could beat her to the punch and ask you to promise the segment to me. It would really help me out.
Adam Copeland: Cutting throats already. I like it. I have to warn you though, it probably won’t be an easy interview. This match isn’t exactly typical.
Cathy Kelley: I know that. It’s one of the reasons I want to be involved.
Adam Copeland: Great. Listen, I’ve had a long drive. I’m going to head up to my room and take a quick shower. Get on the Edge Garb. I’ll meet you back here in about 45 minutes.
Cathy Kelley: Thank you so much, Mr. Copeland.
Adam Copeland: Adam. And it’s nothing, no worries.
Adam turned to go, and as he moved to the door it opened. Renee Young held it for him, and spoke as he passed.
Renee Young: Hey Adam. Ready for our interview this afternoon?
Adam Copeland: Oh, thanks, Renee. I’ve actually decided to work on this one with Cathy. Next time, though.
Renee raised her eyebrow at that, but Adam kept walking, moving into the hallway and to the elevators to go to his room. He returned right on time, to find Cathy Kelley already waiting with a camera crew. He’d changed into distressed jeans and his vintage “Sex and Violence” t-shirt. She asked him if he was ready, and he answered with only a nod. She had the cameraman begin rolling
Cathy Kelley: Hello EBWF Universe. I’m Cathy Kelley, and here with me now is the Rated R Superstar, Edge. Edge, if you…
Edge: Oh, is this the part where you ask me a bunch of meaningless questions regarding how I feel about my match with PJ Black at Destiny?
Cathy Kelley: Yes, I was hoping to get a few questions in.
Edge: Cathy, isn’t it?
She nodded.
Edge: You’re new here, aren’t you?
She nodded again.
Edge: Let me fill you in. I’ve been doing this for a very long time. There isn’t a question you can ask me about my match that I haven’t answered in literally every other interview I’ve done before. We’re not doing this tonight, Cathy. I’m not going to let you ask me how I’m preparing for my match, or what a match like this means to me. I’m not going to let you point out that I’ve been away from the main event for a long ass time. They know it. I know it. There’s no reason to hash it out. I don’t guess I’ve ever really understood this anyway.
Cathy Kelley: Understood what?
Edge: Why so many of us do all of our talking back here, under these lights, with half interested interviewers.
He looked her over.
Edge: No offense.
She gave a gentle shrug that none was taken.
Edge: I’m actually kind of wondering if this match came as a surprise to PJ. I’ve been number one contender for how many weeks now, and PJ managed to say very little about me. What he did say, left me with the impression that he thought that I just gave my title shot to Enzo Amore.
Cathy Kelley: Well, didn’t you?
Edge: What?
Edge laughed.
Edge: Why on Earth would I do something like that? No. I simply let Enzo skip the line. I was sitting back and biding my time. Enzo had a right to a match as much as I did. He beat the world champion on live TV, and PJ had the audacity to say that matches on Warfare don’t matter. To act indignant about that. Like somehow Enzo was lesser than him. Enzo didn’t win the big match, of course, but that’s okay. We’re calling in the closer now. PJ thought that me giving that opportunity to Enzo was me being chicken.
Cathy Kelley: He said you were scared.
Edge: That was what he said, wasn’t it? Scared. That just goes to show what a little bit of success has done to him, doesn’t it? PJ must have forgotten that I am the ultimate opportunist. I knew exactly what I was doing when I let Enzo cut in front of me. I was either going on to beat Enzo Amore for the EBWF World Championship, or I was getting yet another look at PJ Black in a wrestling ring, letting him burn out right in front of our eyes, in yet another title defense. Face Enzo or wear PJ down even more. It was a win-win. PJ, dumb distracted little boy that he is, actually thought that meant I wasn’t gunning for the big prize in our business. I knew he was a dim-wit. Only a dim-wit dumps Velvet Sky, but I didn’t know he was so naive. So, so sorry, if you felt disrespected, when I didn’t face you at Sacrifice, PJ. So, so sorry that you felt like you’d been shafted somehow. After all, even an idiot like you knows what a great professional honor it is to step into the ring with me. So here’s your chance, Peej. Your chance to get your comeuppance and make me pay for disrespecting you and the championship you claim you earned, and pretend to hold so dear.
Edge shook his head.
Edge: I think that’s the thing that disappoints me about PJ Black the most. He has the wrestling talent of say, Curt Henning or Owen Hart, but he has the charisma of a wet dishrag. I would honestly rather sit in my townhouse, buzzed on fumes from watching paint dry, than watch a PJ Black promo. The EBWF Universe has made themselves very clear. They want new talent. They want new stars. They want jaw dropping matches. They are tired of the same old thing. They were primed and ready for you, PJ, and for the last year they’ve been begging and pleading with you to just be the least little bit interesting, and you’ve been an utter disappointment. On the other program they have Jinder Mahal as their champion, and he is a breath of fresh air compared to you. You have no idea how much that chaps my ass.
Edge ran his hand through his hair and shook his head, absolutely exasperated.
Cathy Kelley: Did you just… praise the competing program?
He nodded reluctantly.
Edge: I did. I did. It is a dark day for me. I admit it. It’s the honest to God’s truth though. The biggest problem with PJ Black is that he is a big, bulbous, disgusting blob.
Cathy Kelley: I’m sorry, what?
Edge: Uninteresting. Entirely unoriginal. Think about it. Every aspect of his career, no, his personality, is a carefully crafted mixture of the same crap we’ve seen before. It should embarrass him really. I look at PJ, and even still, after all this time, I don’t actually know if I get it. I don’t buy PJ Black as a wrestler. He’s more like a caricature of a what he believes a bad ass wrestler is supposed to be, and he’s so pompous and arrogant that he lacks all self awareness. He doesn’t admit his own faults.
Cathy Kelley: Some would say that confessing one’s faults is a display of weakness.
Edge: I suppose some would say that. That’s true, but the problem is that PJ doesn’t believe his own hype. This man is so full of himself that he participated in a high profile interview and claimed that matches that happen on the premiere wrestling program in the world don’t matter. That’s the audacity of this guy. He can’t possibly believe that, can he? He doesn’t really believe that! That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, and I used to ride in the back of a wood paneled station wagon with a coked out Gangrel, so I have heard some stupid shit!
Cathy Kelley: What do you mean when you say that PJ doesn’t believe his own hype?
Edge: I mean that he has to know that he’s one of the most awkward people in the world to watch. It actually makes me uncomfortable to try to listen to him talk about himself.
Cathy Kelley: In what way?
Edge: I just can’t believe that anyone truly has that much confidence. Can you imagine the guy on a date? He doesn’t just go on and on about all of the things he’s done. We’re all guilty of doing that. It’s kind of comes with the job. PJ takes it to a whole other level. Not only does he want you to know about this thing he does, he wants to make sure that you know how GREAT he was when he was doing it. It comes off as really desperate. It’s like the guy is just walking around with a huge neon sign over him that says, “Pay attention to me!”
Cathy Kelly: Don’t you think that’s a little harsh?
Edge: Hell no, it isn’t harsh. Do you remember being in school, and there was always that one kid in class who had their hand up in the air, yelling “pick me!”. That’s PJ Black. Look at me! I did a thing! I’m more important than all these other people, because I’m a champion! Look at me! Notice me! And what’s so much worse is when that doesn’t get our attention. The only thing worse than who PJ Black turns into when he has your attention, is the total whiner he becomes when he doesn’t. Then he wants to know why he’s being held down by the man, or why he’s being overlooked. The guy is the champion of the whole company, and he still thinks there’s some kind of weird conspiracy against him. He can’t possibly be any of his own flaws, it’s the folks in the head office. Maybe the cameramen had an attitude. Who knows? It’s a mystery to no one but PJ Black.
Cathy Kelly: You really don’t like the guy, do you?
Edge: Show me someone who does! Just anybody. We’re tolerating him at this point. I won the #1 Contendership, beat Randy and The Miz, for this opportunity. It’s no real coincidence that this match is scheduled to happen at Destiny. I have been charged with ending this abortion of a title reign, and you can bet that I’m not about to squander the opportunity.
Cathy Kelly: So how can you assure EBWF Fans that an Edge championship reign won’t become a return to the status quo? Business as usual.
Edge: Wow, Cathy. I have to hand it to you. I wasn’t really expecting you to come at me with any hard hitting questions, so I haven’t to admit, I’m more than a little impressed with your first tough question. What makes you think that me being the champion would just be the status quo? I haven’t been in the main event of this company in six years. How exactly would that be business as usual? It’s okay, let me answer that for you, or at least help you understand your error. You’re under the impression that because I’m a member of the so-called “old guard” that could be considered a step backward for the company, is that it?
He raised a knowing eyebrow.
Edge: Well, since you’re new here, I’m going to go ahead and cut you some slack, and just assume that you don’t know a lot about me. You don’t know that I have spent my entire career reinventing myself. When the situation calls for it, I find a way to make myself relevant again. Fresh, new superstars are certainly exciting for the EBWF Universe, but I happen to know that there’s one thing that they like more.
Cathy Kelley: What’s that?
Edge: When an old thing is made new again.
Edge grinned, and turned away from her, walking out of the camera’s frame.
Cathy Kelley: Some strong words from Edge ahead of his match with PJ Black at Destiny. Keep your browser pointed to EBWF.net for all the latest pay-per-view exclusives.
Adam heard the cameraman say “and wrap” as Cathy signed off.
Adam Copeland: Think you got what you needed?
Cathy Kelley: Yes! Thank you so much, that was great.
Adam Copeland: Glad I could help.
Cathy Kelley: Good luck in your match.
Adam Copeland: Luck? Cathy, I don’t believe in luck. Besides, I’m not sure if you know this…
He was walking toward the door now, speaking to her over his shoulder.
Adam Copeland: ...but the whole thing’s made up, and the matches are predetermined.
He laughed to himself as he strolled out of the room. He wasn’t sure how long this was going to last, but at the moment it was good to be Edge again. It was who he felt most at home being, and right now, being home felt pretty good.
It had been very gutsy of EBWF to schedule a house show at the Prudential Center, just across the Hudson in New Jersey. Adam surmised that a move like that required a gutsy move on his part too, and so he had requested some time to go out to the ring, and talk about his match in front of a live audience. A few matches had already been put on, and they’d decided to place the Edge segment in a prime spot on the card, well after the show’s start time to ensure a healthy sized and lively crowd. “Metalingus” hit the PA and the crowd cheered as he came into the arena.
Edge was wearing his typical “Rated R” trunks, and an EBWF issue t-shirt over his torso. He did his usual entrance, throwing his hands up to a huge pyro display before proceeding to the ring. He took a microphone after he was introduced, and rather than talking right away, he began to pace the ring. This seemed to only rile the crowd up more, and he paused to look out at the sea of fans.
Edge: You have got to love the evening before a pay-per-view. You have got to love the evening before a pay-per-view in New York City.
The New Jersey crowd booed that pretty heatedly.
Edge: Oh, come on. Don’t hate on it. It’s close enough! And it’s Madison Square Garden! MSG! The Garden! The penultimate sports destination! You have to give us this one guys. WWE can’t even afford to put on shows at MSG anymore.
That drew some applause.
Edge: And let’s be honest with each other! We both know that probably at least half of the people in this arena tonight are going to be across the river for Destiny tomorrow night, am I right?
The crowd cheered with agreement.
Edge: Good, that’s good. Since so many of you are here right now, I feel obligated to tell you that you aren’t going to get the Edge that you’ve gotten used to. In fact, I think that you’re probably going to get an Edge you’ve long forgotten. If I had to put money on it…
“Go Back to Sleep!”
Another massive ovation, but this time, for the arrival of Randy Orton who stepped out onto the stage dressed in jeans and an RKO t-shirt. His music cut off as he raised a microphone to his lips, talking as he walked down to the ring.
Randy Orton: Edge, whoa. Listen to yourself. Were you actually just about to give us a speech about how you’re destined to step into the ring tomorrow night, and be the Edge of days gone by? Who do you think you’re fooling?
Edge raised an eyebrow.
Edge: Sure, Randy. I mean you have a throw away match with Kevin Owens tomorrow night, and I’m closing the show, but this seems like a perfectly appropriate time for you to come down here and give me a lecture. Get on in here…
Randy proceeded into the ring, and came to stand in front of Edge.
Randy Orton: We’re brothers. You know that. You know that anything I have to say to you comes from a good place.
Edge: I always know that it’s going to be a good conversation when you have to start it like that. Sure, I know that. Whatever you have to say, doesn’t change that we’re friends.
Randy Orton: I know you. Probably better than anyone. I already know what you’re going to come out here and say. You’re the Rated R Superstar. You’re a legend in both tag team and singles competition. There isn’t anyone alive you couldn’t stand toe to toe with. But I have to be honest with ya, the only person who still sees the Ultimate Opportunist is you when you’re looking in the mirror.
The crowd gave an audible reaction to Randy’s harsh words.
Edge: Excuse me?
Randy Orton: Oh, I think you heard me. Do you think this is some kind of joke? Do you think you’re just going to be able to waltz in and beat PJ Black in a World Championship match? As you are now? There’s no way. There’s just absolutely no way. When these people look at you, they don’t see the Excellence of Edgecution. They see what you’ve become. And I have to tell you, if this is the guy you bring to the ring to face PJ Black, you’re going to get embarassed out there.
Edge: Embarrassed? Listen, Randy, I appreciate what you’re trying to pass off as concern…
Randy Orton: This isn’t me being concerned, Adam, this is me telling you the truth.
The crowd gave another audible reaction at the use of Adam’s real name. The blonde shook his head.
Randy Orton: If you don’t go out there with a different attitude, you’re going to end up being the laughing stock of EBWF. You’re going to embarrass yourself, and be right back to carrying my bags.
Edge: The fuck did you just say to me?
Edge stepped up to Randy, and the two men exchanged words that went unregistered by the microphones. After a moment they were shoving each other.
Edge: You want a different attitude? A different attitude?
The crowd “ooohed” as Edge hit Randy with a thunderous right hand. A beat later and the two men were in a brawl. Orton got in a good punch, but Edge was clearly incensed, clotheslining Orton to the mat, and then mounting him to beat him about the head. Edge backed up into the corner and called for Orton to get up. The crowd was restless, as Edge ran his right hand through his short hair. Orton got to his feet, and Edge ran in for the spear, flattening his tag team partner. Edge pulled himself up by the ropes, and leaned over to pick up his discarded microphone.
Edge: That attitude different enough for you, pal?
Edge tossed the microphone down into Randy’s midsection, and the stunned crowd heard the sounds of Metalingus again as The Rated R Superstar left the ring. Randy began to sit up in the ring, and Edge stopped on the ramp to watch him. Randy was clutching his ribs in the aftermath of the spear, but he was chuckling. Chuckling and looking straight at Edge. Edge rolled his eyes, and shook his head, but pointed back at Randy before tapping the side of his head, leaving the crowd in the arena with the impression that Edge had heard Randy’s message loud and clear, and that perhaps his friend had a point.
Madison Square Garden was filling up with fans as EBWF.net with live with the exclusive Destiny pre-show.
Renee Young: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to our Destiny pre-show. I’m Renee Young, joined by Corey Graves, and here for his unique perspective on all things EBWF, the hall of famer, Good Ole JR! Jim…
A popping sound was heard, and the feed was kicked off the air. It came back as Renee continued to talk.
Renee Young: We seem to be experiencing some technical…
Her words were cut off by yet another interruption in the feed.
The screen lit up first with the EBWF logo, which then became suddenly laid over with static. The logo faded in and out as the snowy grey took over the image. The expected crackling sound began to accompany the graphic, and as the logo fought back through the noise a familiar voice was heard.
Edge: Are you feeling a little….distracted?
The stagnant tone overtook the logo once again, and Edge’s voice was barely audible over it.
Edge: Maybe even fuzzy?
The EBWF logo gave way to an image of Edge, who still appeared on screen as if through a static filter. The hazy, grey overlay making him hard to see.
[color=#D50003>Edge: Because it seems to me that you might have a few personal problems in your world, PJ. And that’s unfortunate, because you never, ever want to have such a big personal problem at the same time as a monumental professional one. [/color]
The filter became less intense as Edge continued.
Edge: I know you’re wondering what I’m talking about. How am I a problem for you? After all, you’ve been an almost unstoppable, untouchable champion for nearly seven months, and I’ve been me. I think we both know what that means. How many years did you scratch and claw for this? I watched every one of the years you worked, some of them painful and unrewarding for you. But this last 18 months, PJ. Wow, you’ve really become a star haven’t you?
The static disrupted the feed again, and the sound slowly faded back in as Edge’s image returned.
Edge: Just browse the internet if you want to know where I’ve been and what other wrestlers are saying about me. It’s not a lot, and what little they’re saying hasn’t been good. I’m a nostalgia act. The comedic relief. The old plow horse. We’ll trot Edge out there for the dark matches with the new kids, and make him do thirty minutes in the Royal Rumble. We’ll send him on a three win streak in the King of the Ring tournament even though he’ll never win the damn thing. We’ll have him talk endlessly about a meaningless Tag Team Championship reign, and crack some jokes with Randy Orton and the EBWF Universe will eat it up. This is how we use Edge in the age of PJ Black, Kevin Owens and Jimmy Havoc.
The feed disruption seemed to grow worse for a moment.
Edge: It’s noisy isn’t it? All the noise that fills up our heads when we can’t focus. When we’re distracted. I know it makes people uncomfortable when I start talking like I’m breaking down the fourth wall, but I’m not talking about anything anyone doesn’t already know. Ask anyone in our business, PJ, and they’ll tell you that my utility to EBWF is as a locker room leader, a behind the scenes player, the seasoned veteran. If I let it, that knowledge could be a distraction. It could become noise, static. Right here, in the back of my brain, trying to convince me that I’m inferior to you. After all, it can be a real damper on your career when you’re not exactly sure it’s time for you to be put out to pasture. I’m not quite ready to be taken out behind the barn, but maybe the top brass doesn’t see it that way. Knowing all of that, I could let that help you beat me before our match has even begun. I could let that knowledge shake my confidence.
The intermittent static broke in again, and Edge gave a little grin.
Edge: How’s your man in static? Who is he? What does he want? What’s it got to do with you? I have to be honest, Peej, if I have those questions, then they must be eating you alive. I suspect that you care a great deal about your own personal well being, and I honestly couldn’t give a shit less about you, so if I have questions, then you must be going mad.
The EBWF logo popped up again, followed by a loud pop of crackled sound. Edge’s voice was heard again, though his image was unseen.
Edge: You’re worried. You’re distracted. You’re confused. You’re shrouded in mystery. There’s blood in the water, PJ. Everyone can smell it, and that means your time is almost up. But how could that be? You’ve mowed over everyone in your path. I’ve already said it, you’re unstoppable, can’t be beaten, you’ve been at the top of the mountain for over half a year.
Suddenly, color could be seen behind the static, and it started to clear. Coming into view was a clip of a wrestling match. As the scene came into focus, it became obvious that Edge was on the shoulders of John Cena.
[]color=red]Jim Ross: Cena with the AA! Cena got the AA on Edge, right off that ladder! This should… No! [/color]
Edge got to his feet, and grabbed Cena by the ankles, bringing him down from the ladder. When the two men got back to their feet, Edge hit Cena with a monstrous right hand and then followed up with the Edgecution.
Jerry Lawler: Cena is down! Cena is down! Edge is calling for the spear.
The crowd inside the arena was waiting anxiously as Edge got hyped up in the corner, begging Cena to get up. Cena pulled himself up by the ropes, and stumbled to his feet. Edge hurled himself forward with a thunderous spear! Edge climbed the ladder slowly as the crowd cheered him on.
Jim Ross: It’s just within his reach.
Edge’s fingers grazed the World Championship just before he was able to unfasten the title, and take it down.
Jim Ross: We have a new World Champion!
Jerry Lawler: Edge has won this main event tonight at Wrestlemania 10!
Edge sat atop the ladder and held up the EBWF Championship in the center of the ring as the crowd cheered him.
Then the scene was suddenly overcome with that same familiar static. Edge’s voice fighting through the noise.
Edge: That was the night that changed the course of EBWF forever. For the first time in his career, maybe even his life, John Cena was cancelled, over, done. Just like you’re going to be, because I want to make sure this is crystal clear for you.
At those words the frame was no longer hampered by the dim, gray fuzz. Edge came into view.
Edge: I am all those things I said before. The leader, the comedic relief. I’m whatever you want to make me out to be. But who I am, and who I’ve always been?
Then, in a now rarely seen gesture, Edge did his trademark eyebrow wiggle. His right eyebrow then arched high as he completed his thought.
Edge: I’m the guy they call when it’s time to do the impossible. When the opponent is unstoppable, unbeatable. And the best thing about that is that normally when this happens, my opponent isn’t nearly as paranoid or distracted as you. I have a date with Destiny, and all that seems to be waiting for you, is a run in with your man in static.
With the word “static” the feed cut off abruptly, returning to the familiar gray static and accompanying sound. The EBWF logo flashed, and the EBWF exclusive ominously concluded.
