Repaying Debts.

[Billy]

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Facebook Live Video
Monday 6/24/19 three hours before Warfare.
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The scene opened with Elias Samson sitting on a bench in the locker room lacing his boots. He had on his signature jeans and flowing scarves with his guitar sitting just in arms reach. He hummed a tune to himself, bouncing his head in time with his own rhythm.

Elias Samson: Oklahoma City is a garbage dump! Most of the people here voted for Trump. At the end of the day you have to live with that. Just like Edge has to live with me laying him flat. He should move here and stay. Facing down Elias today just isn’t…

The locker room door opened and Elias grabbed his guitar by the neck in a panic. He pulled it up onto his shoulder and stood up. From the edge of the screen Raquel Diaz walked in and put her hand on his shoulder. She pushed Elias back down onto the bench and nodded to someone else off camera.

Raquel Diaz: Big night tonight, huh?

Elias Samson: Yeah and I don’t need you in my head!

Raquel Diaz: I told you I’d pay you back for the help. I’m here to deliver on my promise.

Elias Samson: What’s he got to do with that?

Raquel Diaz: Tonight you’re going out there to face Edge! He’s a two time World Champion. He’s prepared, he’s experienced and he preys on people who look past him. You have to have the laser focus of a viper to beat him. You need to be prepared for anything to happen from out of nowhere because it’s always a threat with Edge.

Elias Samson: I know who Edge is. This isn’t my first day with the company.

Raquel Diaz: He’s a former Tag Team Champion Elias. His in ring ability is A level but man he’s rated far higher than that.

Elias Samson: I get it, he’s the Rated R Superstar. What’s your point?

Raquel Diaz: You think that’s it? Rated R? No, that’s why you need this man. Edge is Rated RKO. You think he’s above the Viper coming down to the ring and getting involved? Truly? You think this is going to be a fair fight?

Elias Samson: I hadn’t considered Randy Orton. Oh man! That’s not good.

Raquel Diaz: One night Elias. You have this man’s services for the entire show. Don’t go and misuse them. I pay my debts.

Elias Samson: I’m glad to hear that Lady Lannister.

Raquel turned and walked away, throwing her hand up over her shoulder.

Raquel Diaz: That reference you just threw out, it’s about one failed finale too late!

The door shut behind Raquel but Elias continued to eye the person standing on just the other side of the camera. CM Punk stepped forward and slapped Elias on the back with a smile.

CM Punk: We’re going to have fun, you and I. Let’s hear that song you were working on for the ring tonight! Maybe good ol’ Punker can help you make it a hit.

Elias Samson: Hey, I write my own songs thank you!

CM Punk: Sure. Secrets safe with me!

The camera panned away from Punk and Elias and exited through the door. It joined Raquel and Aiden in the middle of an ongoing conversation.

Aiden English: I’m not sure I like the idea of using Elias, even less sure about helping him get any further in this tournament. You realize that he could end up being my competition in the finals right?

Raquel Diaz: Yeah, that’s the point.

Aiden English: Really? Feels kind of wrong using him like that.

Raquel Diaz: No. Shake that thought from your head baby. That’s losing to the Miz at Wrestlemania Aiden talking and we’re leaving that guy behind us remember. We’ve got to get back to taking the Breakout Title, stomping Andrade for the Gateway Title Aiden. We’ve got to get back to dominate and exterminate.

Aiden laughed.

Raquel Diaz: What’s so funny?

Aiden English: Dominate and exterminate. Sounds like some two bit slogan Lil’ Rush would use. My boy Bobby is about to dominate and exterminate all you little cockroaches! He’s the undeniable Bobby Lashley and he dominates everything. And, if he can’t dominate it he exterminates it!

Raquel Diaz: That makes absolutely no sense. If he dominates everything then he would never need to exterminate.

Aiden English: It’s my Lil’ Rush impression, it doesn’t have to make any more sense than he does! My boy Bobby has lost a hundred dozen matches but this one tonight, this is the one he’s going to win. He’s going to win because he’s the best and he never loses. Sometimes he just forgets to win because he’s too busy being dominating and exterminating the competition.

Raquel Diaz: Sometimes you are too much. Don’t take that act on the road.

Aiden English: What?

Aiden grabbed his chest in feigned agony.

Aiden English: I’m hurt! Wounded! You’ve murdered me with you razor sharp words. Wait…. Awww what would Lil’ Rush say? Oh! I got it! Yeah, you can talk! But you can’t talk as good as King Money! Just like no one wrestles as good as The Alrighty King! Not even the guys what beat him like Aiden English!

Raquel shook her head.

Raquel Diaz: Why do you keep calling him Lil’ Rush? I don’t get it.

Aiden English: Because, that’s his name!

Raquel Diaz: No. It’s Lio Rush. LIO.

Aiden English: What’s that short for?

Raquel Diaz: Nothing. That’s his name! Lil’?

Aiden English: Yeah! Lil’! Like Lil’ Bow Wow or Lil’ Jon!

Raquel Diaz: You think Lio Rush is an early thousands rapper?

Aiden English: Nope! Just thought he named himself after one. You just listen tonight when they call him to the ring. From somewhere no one cares about, the loser of this match…. LIL’ RUSH!!!!! Then the crowd goes silent because it’s Lil’ Rush, I snap him in half and we can go home.

Raquel Diaz: Whatever. You need to focus. It’s not just Rush. Holly and Lashley both hate you too. I don’t think there’s a chance in hell that you escape the ring tonight without seeing one or both of them.

Aiden English: Yeah? Maybe Sparky will fire up his engine and race down to the ring to save his lil’ buddy from certain doom! Afterall, what good is it having a mouthpiece if he has to have his jaw wired shut for the next twelve months? No no no. They can’t have that! If they didn’t have Rush who would they get to beat up celebrities for press to get their names out there? How would Hardcore Holly ever step out of the shadow of the best Breakout Champion to ever walk the face of the Earth if he didn’t have Lil’ Rush casting the biggest spotlight he could muster on him? I’m certain Bob and Bob will be at ringside. I’m certain they’ll start at ringside. I’m prepared for that three on one. I’m prepared for anything and everything they have to throw at me. Just like I was prepared for Holly when he wanted my crown. Just like I was prepared for Lashley when he too wanted my crown. Now Rush, the weak link, wants my crown. Don’t make me laugh!

Aiden looked at the camera for the first time.

Aiden English: Lio, if you’re watching. Start thinking up new monikers. I’ve already beat your Almighty King and dominated your Hardcore King more times than all three of you can count. Tonight King Money’s reign comes to an end! Tonight you bow down to EBWF’s ONE TRUE KING! Tonight you submit to the will of the DRAMA KING! Long live the King baby!

Aiden cocked a wicked smile and winked at the camera. Raquel wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled in tight, also staring at the camera. The old Aiden was showing through and for the first time in a long time, her smile was genuine. The shot faded on Aiden and Raquel both looking at the Gateway title around Aiden’s waist.

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EBWF.com exclusive interview
Monday 6/24/19 an hour before Warfare.
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Renee Young was standing just off center frame to the right in a white jumper. Beside her was Raquel Diaz sporting a tight pair of jeans with tears in the thighs, a black “By Hook or By Crook” Aiden English t-shirt, a red flannel shirt tied around her waist and a black leather jacket. She was rocking side to side, kicking her feet up one after the other.

Renee Young: Hey EBWF Universe, I’m standing here on the cusp of Warfare alongside Raquel Diaz who takes on Liv Morgan tonight to advance in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Raquel, it’s an honor to have a moment to talk to you about this match. Thank you for being here.

Raquel Diaz: I’m going to ask this one time Miss Young. We are not on a first name basis, will you please treat me with the respect I have earned in this business by being a former EBWF Women’s Champion?

Renee Young: I will try and remember that. Is it Miss Diaz or Misiz Diaz? It’s very hard because you’re married but, you didn’t take your husband’s name.

Raquel Diaz: I’m still married, so don’t you go getting any funny ideas about Aiden.

Renee put her hands up and shook her head.

Renee Young: Not what I was getting at!

Raquel Diaz: It best not be what you were getting at! Otherwise you and I are going to have some real issues real real quick!

Renee Young: Not at all. I’m here to talk to you about tonight’s match against Liv Morgan. Your second singles match in the EBWF. How confident do you feel going into tonight’s match? What does becoming Queen of the Ring mean to you and your career in the EBWF?

Raquel Diaz: Liv Morgan… Let’s not mince words. Liv is talented. She’s a former EBWF Women’s Champion, same as me! Liv isn’t someone to take lightly. Maybe she’s been too wrapped up in Alexa Bliss and her collection of shoes and that’s cost her a few matches here and there. But, I think Ruby Riott’s appearance has refocused and reforged her into the wrestler she was always meant to be. That being said, Liv Morgan isn’t the daughter of the LEGENDARY Eddie Guerrero. Liv Morgan doesn’t come from a family so connected to wrestling that Lucha may as well be their last name! Liv Morgan isn’t married to the EBWF Gateway Champion. I surround myself with greatness because I am great. I surround myself with people who raise me up and when they start to drag me down, I kick them to the curb. See I’m not worried. I’m confident in my ability to beat Liv because she doesn’t leave dead weight in the past. No, Liv was great. At one time she was a champion. Now, she’s happy playing second fiddle in a two person act. Now she’s settled for less than the best and that’s going to drag her down. That’s going to move me forward in the Queen of the Ring. One step closer. Closer to becoming a two time EBWF Women’s Champion. Closer to being the Queen of the Ring!

Aiden entered from off screen and threw his arm over Raquel’s shoulder. He whispered something in her ear before nodding to Renee.

Raquel Diaz: You’ll have to excuse me, I have some private matters to attend to.

Raquel kissed Aiden on the chin and walked away. There was a lingering moment of silence. Aiden filled the silence by tapping his fingers in sequence on the Gateway Title.

Renee Young: Since I have you here, and have time set aside for an interview. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about tonight’s match?

Aiden English: There’s no need for questions Renee. I can guide this conversation. Do you mind?

Renee Young: I…. Yeah…. I mean no, go ahead.

Aiden stepped forward and leaned in toward the camera. A crooked smile broke across his face, that classic Aiden grin of evil. He continued to tap a steady rhythm on the title belt. Tick tick tick tick. There was more silence.

Aiden English: It’s about time for Warfare to kick off. Things are lingering backstage. People are whispering. It’s amusing really. How far will Lio Rush make it in his first ever King of the Ring tournament? Not far. What happens if Lio Rush and Hardcore Holly face off in the finals? Not likely! Why is Hardcore Domination’s mascot wrestling in matches now? Because, the other two couldn’t get the job done and maybe just maybe the third time is the charm. Which as it happens, is the only thing Lio has going for him. His charm. Not his way with words. Nope, he’s going to say the same tired shit that he always says. Maybe this week he’ll beat up Rhianna instead of Drake. He’s going to spit the same song and dance Hardcore wrote for him on little post it notes months ago. He’s the best, Bobby’s the best, Holly’s the best. The thing none of them realize is that there can only be one best…. And it’s not them!

Aiden pushed the camera and walked away in a hurry. Renee shook her head and shrugged her shoulders.