With June fast approaching, it was time for the annual EBWF King of the Ring tournament, in which Braun Strowman would be competing for the second time. Last year, Braun had been eliminated in the second round. Alex Riley and The Miz had worked together to get Strowman disqualified, and Riley had gone on to the quarter finals. Riley was long gone, but Strowman wasn't going anywhere. 15 months on from his EBWF debut, the Monster Among Men had still not been pinned, and he was hungry success. After being overlooked at Wrestlemania and left off the card, Braun saw King of the Ring as an opportunity he could grab with both hands; a chance to finally establish himself as a main event player in EBWF. Five victories were all that stood between Strowman and the crown Jimmy Havoc was currently keeping warm, and the first man he had to beat was...
Braun Strowman: Neville?
Having arrived at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville just minutes earlier, Braun had found Nikki Cross, and it was Nikki that told him who his opponent was. Braun seemed surprised.
Braun Strowman: The guy with the funny accent? The one that looks like an elf? When did we sign him?
Nikki shrugged.
Nikki Cross: I don't know, I just know he's been given a spot in the tournament. He had a contract dispute over at you know where, I guess he finally got what he wanted.
Strowman couldn't help but laugh.
Braun Strowman: I hope he didn't want to get tossed around like a ragdoll by me, but that's what he's gonna get. He's from near where you're from, isn't he? He sounds slightly Scottish.
Nikki scowled, which made Braun laugh even more. He found it funny when she got angry with him.
Nikki Cross: He's from Newcastle... it's like Scotland, only shite. Don't compare me to the elf boy.
Upon hearing Nikki refer to Neville as an "elf boy", Braun began laughing uncontrollably. A couple of tears trickled down his face. He had a loud, booming laugh, and it echoed through the hallways of the arena, unnerving several members of staff.
Braun Strowman: Elf boy... that's really tickled me. Because of the ears, right? He's what Legolas would look like if Legolas was from the DC Universe.
Nikki Cross: He's what Legolas would look like if he'd been covered in mud and beaten with the ugly stick...
Nikki smirked, then nudged Braun in the ribs.
Nikki Cross: Anyway, less of the nerdy references Braunie. I'm the only person that's allowed to know you're secretly a geek... can't have people thinking you're a gentle giant.
Braun smirked back.
Braun Strowman: Anyone who's got these hands knows, I'm anything but gentle. Just you wait. I'm going to chop Neville so hard, I'll make his chest bleed.
Nikki let out an excited scream, and clapped her hands together.
Nikki Cross: Oooh, violent! I like it.
Nikki's facial expression changed, and she then began muttering to herself.
Nikki Cross: I'm sure he would too, if he was actually talking to me...
Braun patted Nikki on the shoulder, trying to comfort her, but his pat was a little harder than intended.
Nikki Cross: Ow!
Braun Strowman: That was me being gentle. Imagine what it will be like for Neville when I hit him full force in the face.
Nikki started to get excited again.
Nikki Cross: Maybe you'll punch him so hard you'll break his jaw, then I won't have to hear that awful Geordie accent of his.
Just as Braun was about to reply, a crew member approached him.
Crew Member: Excuse me, Mr. Strowman? I've been asked to send you to the interview area to say a few words about your match.
Braun nodded.
Braun Strowman: No problem. Who's interviewing me?
Crew Member: Oh, uh... no one actually! What they're doing is, they want everyone to film a short video, so before each first round match they can play comments from both superstars. Neville already did his, so now we need you.
Braun Strowman: Sounds good to me. It's not like I need a mouthpiece anyways. You coming, Nik?
Nikki, who found the crew member boring, had zoned out, but open hearing her name she immediately gave Braun her full attention.
Nikki Cross: Sure! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. Come on, let's go.
A short while later, Braun was set up in front of a camera, and when the camera started rolling, Braun began to speak.
Braun Strowman: King of the Ring... a chance to put yourself in the EBWF history books, as well as earning a shot at the World Title. You know, unless you count the Royal Rumble, I have never been given a shot at the EBWF World Title; clearly Wes Ikeda doesn’t think of me as a "top guy". But King of the Ring is a chance for me to change that. It is every man for himself; 32 superstars will enter the tournament, but only one will be crowned King.
As Strowman thought about the 2017 tournament, he was unable to suppress a small frown.
Braun Strowman: I was outsmarted last year; I won't make that mistake again. Neville, your speed and intelligence will mean nothing when you step into the ring with me, and face the power and fury that I bring. I may have been outsmarted once, but I've never been outfought, and tonight, Neville will learn how tough of a fighter I can be. You say you're not afraid of anything, Neville, but you should be afraid of me. Because I am the meanest monster you have ever stepped into the ring with, and I will not stop beating on you until I am declared the winner. Hell, I would rip your head clean off your shoulders if that's what it took to win... but I'm pretty sure that would get me disqualified.
Strowman smirked, then continued speaking.
Braun Strowman: This isn't Game of Thrones, but it is a war, and Neville, you're my first battle. So get ready, kid, because when we step into the ring together tonight, only one of us is walking back out. And it sure as hell won't be you. The crown is mine this year, and anyone who stands in my way will GET THESE HANDS!
Strowman roared and held up his fists in the air, reminding everyone just how big his hands were. As he brought his fists down, he looked at the cameraman, signalling that he was done. The cameraman nodded, and Strowman walked away.
