Unleash the Monster
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 11:02 pm
OOC: A few of the RPs I'm writing for the Rumble will follow on from each other. Where this has happened, I've tried to keep any overlap to a minimum, and briefly transition between the RPs.
Sometimes, in wrestling, timing was everything. In January 2017, with his WWE contract due to expire, Braun Strowman had been offered an EBWF contract. He signed the deal, and a few weeks later he made his first appearance on Warfare, aligning himself with Jimmy Havoc and choking out Havoc's former partner Baron Corbin. Much had happened since then, and Strowman's alliance with Jimmy Havoc had proved to be short-lived. Since "The Bastard and the Beast" had gone their separate ways, Braun Strowman had been waiting for a chance to become the EBWF World Champion. Finally, at the Royal Rumble, he would get that chance. For most superstars, the prospect of having to outlast 29 other superstars to win the World Title would be daunting. But Braun Strowman wasn't like anyone else on the EBWF roster. He was the biggest, strongest superstar, which gave him an advantage. Strowman was relishing the opportunity he had waited so long for.
Friday, January 26, 2018: EBWF House Show, Tucson, Arizona
With the Royal Rumble just two days away, Braun Strowman was booked to take on Mike Kanellis in a house show match. Kanellis was in the ring, trying to teach the Tucson crowd about the virtues of love. Strowman waited for his cue, and as "I Am Stronger" by CFO$ hit, Strowman stepped out onto the stage. Strowman walked down the ramp, and climbed over the top rope, glaring at Mike Kanellis. Kanellis looked afraid - most superstars did when they were stood across the ring from Braun Strowman. That was how he liked it. However when Strowman's music was cut, Kanellis grabbed his wife's hand, which seemed to give him courage. Kanellis brought the microphone to his lips and began to speak.
Mike Kanellis: Braun Strowman! You are a powerful man, no doubt about that. But I wonder... do you know what it's like to feel the power of love?
Strowman laughed, then snatched the microphone from Mike Kanellis.
Braun Strowman: I know what it feels like to crush my opponents. It feels good.
Strowman dropped the microphone, and charged towards Mike Kanellis. Maria screamed, and rushed out of the ring. As she did so, Strowman grabbed her husband and tossed him across the ring. As Kanellis got to his feet, a referee entered the ring and called for the bell. Kanellis tried to reason with Strowman, but Braun grabbed him by the throat, lifting him and hitting a chokeslam! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... Kanellis kicked out! This seemed to satisfy Strowman, and he dragged Kanellis to his feet, lifting him over his shoulders and hitting a running powerslam! He hooked the leg once more - 1... 2... 3! "I Am Stronger" by CFO$ hit, and Strowman made his way to the back. As he walked through the curtain and headed through the backstage area, Strowman was stopped by Don Callis and Nikki Cross.
Don Callis: Another dominant victory, Braun! Very impressive. But can you dominate 29 other men on Sunday? That's the golden question.
Strowman rolled his eyes.
Braun Strowman: I don't know what you want, but I told you before, I'm not buying it. I don't need you.
Don Callis: You say that, but you've been in EBWF for almost a year now, and you were most successful when you had Jimmy Havoc by your side. The two of you were Tag Team Champions, now you're just another face on the roster. Under my guidance, you can by the top dog. You won't just been the dominator... you will be the EBWF World Champion.
Strowman laughed.
Braun Strowman: I'm going to become the EBWF World Champion on Sunday. How will your guidance help me win the Royal Rumble, Don? Are you going to distract my opponents when they try to eliminate me? Get involved in the action? There isn't a single superstar on this roster who is strong enough to lift me up over the top rope. They'll need to work together. I will have a target on my back, but I'm prepared for it, and I'm confident I can overcome the odds. I've never gotten myself into a situation I couldn't fight my way out of, and the Royal Rumble is no different. I will win the World Title without anybody's help, and that will make my victory taste even sweeter. Everything I have in my life, I've earned. I won't take shortcuts now... I don't need your help, and I don't want it. And as for you...
After dismissing Don Callis, Braun Strowman turned his attention to Nikki Cross. Nikki grinned maniacally at him. Braun responded with a small smirk.
Braun Strowman: I like you. You don't need him. If you decide to ditch the old man, call me.
Strowman walked away, exiting the arena and heading back to his hotel.
Scene continued in Nikki Cross RP
**********
Sunday, January 28, 2018: EBWF Royal Rumble, Phoenix, Arizona
On the day of the Rumble, Braun Strowman had been allocated some time to say a few words about the men's Royal Rumble match. A few words was all it would be as Braun preferred to let his actions do the talking. Still, it was Strowman's chance to put the EBWF roster on notice, and make the fans sit up and take notice. Strowman was stood backstage at the arena against a Royal Rumble backdrop. When the camera started rolling, Braun began to speak.
Braun Strowman: For those of you that don't know me, my name is Braun Strowman. I am the strongest, toughest, meanest superstar in the EBWF, and tonight, I will become the new EBWF World Champion.
The camera zoomed out, revealing just how huge Strowman was. The camera then zoomed back in on Braun as the Monster Among Men continued speaking.
Braun Strowman: Numbers one and two in the Rumble are two men I have a lot of history with, Jimmy Havoc and Chris Jericho. Despite their differences, Havoc and Jericho actually have a lot in common. For starters, they've both tried to use me for their own personal gain. I won't let that happen. I am tired of being told what to do. I would rather walk alone than be someone else's puppet.
Strowman paused for a moment before continuing.
Braun Strowman: As for everyone else, consider this a warning. If you get in my way, you will regret it. This is an opportunity I have been waiting a long, long time for, and I will do whatever it takes to win. If that means hurting people, so be it. I will leave a path of destruction, and at the end of it, I will stand tall. It's time to unleash the monster!
Strowman roared, bringing the interview to an abrupt end.
Sometimes, in wrestling, timing was everything. In January 2017, with his WWE contract due to expire, Braun Strowman had been offered an EBWF contract. He signed the deal, and a few weeks later he made his first appearance on Warfare, aligning himself with Jimmy Havoc and choking out Havoc's former partner Baron Corbin. Much had happened since then, and Strowman's alliance with Jimmy Havoc had proved to be short-lived. Since "The Bastard and the Beast" had gone their separate ways, Braun Strowman had been waiting for a chance to become the EBWF World Champion. Finally, at the Royal Rumble, he would get that chance. For most superstars, the prospect of having to outlast 29 other superstars to win the World Title would be daunting. But Braun Strowman wasn't like anyone else on the EBWF roster. He was the biggest, strongest superstar, which gave him an advantage. Strowman was relishing the opportunity he had waited so long for.
Friday, January 26, 2018: EBWF House Show, Tucson, Arizona
With the Royal Rumble just two days away, Braun Strowman was booked to take on Mike Kanellis in a house show match. Kanellis was in the ring, trying to teach the Tucson crowd about the virtues of love. Strowman waited for his cue, and as "I Am Stronger" by CFO$ hit, Strowman stepped out onto the stage. Strowman walked down the ramp, and climbed over the top rope, glaring at Mike Kanellis. Kanellis looked afraid - most superstars did when they were stood across the ring from Braun Strowman. That was how he liked it. However when Strowman's music was cut, Kanellis grabbed his wife's hand, which seemed to give him courage. Kanellis brought the microphone to his lips and began to speak.
Mike Kanellis: Braun Strowman! You are a powerful man, no doubt about that. But I wonder... do you know what it's like to feel the power of love?
Strowman laughed, then snatched the microphone from Mike Kanellis.
Braun Strowman: I know what it feels like to crush my opponents. It feels good.
Strowman dropped the microphone, and charged towards Mike Kanellis. Maria screamed, and rushed out of the ring. As she did so, Strowman grabbed her husband and tossed him across the ring. As Kanellis got to his feet, a referee entered the ring and called for the bell. Kanellis tried to reason with Strowman, but Braun grabbed him by the throat, lifting him and hitting a chokeslam! He hooked the leg and the referee counted - 1... 2... Kanellis kicked out! This seemed to satisfy Strowman, and he dragged Kanellis to his feet, lifting him over his shoulders and hitting a running powerslam! He hooked the leg once more - 1... 2... 3! "I Am Stronger" by CFO$ hit, and Strowman made his way to the back. As he walked through the curtain and headed through the backstage area, Strowman was stopped by Don Callis and Nikki Cross.
Don Callis: Another dominant victory, Braun! Very impressive. But can you dominate 29 other men on Sunday? That's the golden question.
Strowman rolled his eyes.
Braun Strowman: I don't know what you want, but I told you before, I'm not buying it. I don't need you.
Don Callis: You say that, but you've been in EBWF for almost a year now, and you were most successful when you had Jimmy Havoc by your side. The two of you were Tag Team Champions, now you're just another face on the roster. Under my guidance, you can by the top dog. You won't just been the dominator... you will be the EBWF World Champion.
Strowman laughed.
Braun Strowman: I'm going to become the EBWF World Champion on Sunday. How will your guidance help me win the Royal Rumble, Don? Are you going to distract my opponents when they try to eliminate me? Get involved in the action? There isn't a single superstar on this roster who is strong enough to lift me up over the top rope. They'll need to work together. I will have a target on my back, but I'm prepared for it, and I'm confident I can overcome the odds. I've never gotten myself into a situation I couldn't fight my way out of, and the Royal Rumble is no different. I will win the World Title without anybody's help, and that will make my victory taste even sweeter. Everything I have in my life, I've earned. I won't take shortcuts now... I don't need your help, and I don't want it. And as for you...
After dismissing Don Callis, Braun Strowman turned his attention to Nikki Cross. Nikki grinned maniacally at him. Braun responded with a small smirk.
Braun Strowman: I like you. You don't need him. If you decide to ditch the old man, call me.
Strowman walked away, exiting the arena and heading back to his hotel.
Scene continued in Nikki Cross RP
**********
Sunday, January 28, 2018: EBWF Royal Rumble, Phoenix, Arizona
On the day of the Rumble, Braun Strowman had been allocated some time to say a few words about the men's Royal Rumble match. A few words was all it would be as Braun preferred to let his actions do the talking. Still, it was Strowman's chance to put the EBWF roster on notice, and make the fans sit up and take notice. Strowman was stood backstage at the arena against a Royal Rumble backdrop. When the camera started rolling, Braun began to speak.
Braun Strowman: For those of you that don't know me, my name is Braun Strowman. I am the strongest, toughest, meanest superstar in the EBWF, and tonight, I will become the new EBWF World Champion.
The camera zoomed out, revealing just how huge Strowman was. The camera then zoomed back in on Braun as the Monster Among Men continued speaking.
Braun Strowman: Numbers one and two in the Rumble are two men I have a lot of history with, Jimmy Havoc and Chris Jericho. Despite their differences, Havoc and Jericho actually have a lot in common. For starters, they've both tried to use me for their own personal gain. I won't let that happen. I am tired of being told what to do. I would rather walk alone than be someone else's puppet.
Strowman paused for a moment before continuing.
Braun Strowman: As for everyone else, consider this a warning. If you get in my way, you will regret it. This is an opportunity I have been waiting a long, long time for, and I will do whatever it takes to win. If that means hurting people, so be it. I will leave a path of destruction, and at the end of it, I will stand tall. It's time to unleash the monster!
Strowman roared, bringing the interview to an abrupt end.