Hidden Motives

[Ashlee]

The final four, it was nothing new for Adam Copeland. In fact he had grown to enjoy the fact that the crowd always expected him to be right there in the thick of things. He was sure that all of the powers that be thought he should just be grateful to be featured on the PPV, but Adam was growing tired of appearing grateful. He knew he’d been relegated to the nostalgia bin, but it was always interesting how easily people decided to trott him out for a big tournament. He loved his job. He would have loved even more to do his job more often.

Houston, Texas was hot and muggy and even though some of EBWF’s superstars were out enjoying the city, Adam had decided to stay inside the Toyota Center. He wasn’t at all surprised when someone came knocking on his locker room door. Adam went to open it, but as soon as he was in the hallway, he saw the camera. He managed to get into character as Renee Young stuck a microphone in his face.

Renee Young: Edge, I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but we were hoping we could get a few words on the King of the Ring semi-finals tonight.

Edge: You’re sorry to barge in on me like this, and yet, here you are. Sure, Renee. I was actually expecting you. I knew you wouldn’t let the opportunity to interview me pass you by.

He grinned as Renee rolled her eyes.

Edge: I may very well be in two matches tonight. In fact, I guarantee I’ll be in two matches tonight. Because there’s no way I’m not beating Bobby Lashley tonight.

Renee Young: Some might say you’re the underdog in a matchup with Bobby Lashley. He’s demonstrated how strong he is on multiple occasions.

Edge: Did you say I was the underdog in this scenario? Do you think anyone really believes that? Do I need to remind you who I am? The ultimate opportunist, Renee. And there’s always an opportunity. I always find my lane. Always find my way. I’m not worried about Bobby Lashley. You see, Renee, Bobby Lashley can’t even stand on his own two feet. Do you see Randy Orton here tonight?

Renee seemed to glance into the locker room and then looked back up to Edge, shaking her head.

Edge: Exactly. The alliance that Randy and I have serves a purpose. It entertains us. Keeps us from having to associate ourselves with most of these idiots backstage. It isn’t born of necessity though. We don ‘t need to be a team. We choose to be a team. Unlike Bobby Lashley and his merry band of jackasses.

Renee Young: That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?

Edge: No. I don’t think that’s harsh at all. I know what you’re thinking. I’m supposed to be a good guy here. I’m supposed to be funny. I’m not supposed to insult my opponents intelligence. I’m supposed to say that they’re formidable opponents, but I’m better. Yeah, forget all of that. There are no good guys in a tournament like King of the Ring. Right now there are just four men who want to win at all costs. Bobby Lashley should be feared here in EBWF, but instead, he’s made himself out to be a joke. Needing to cavort around with Lio Rush and Hardcore Holly for some fucking reason.

Edge paused, and looked at Renee. They were both a little wide eyed.

Edge: I’m sure they can edit that out in post-production. Look, if I had a dollar for every time Bob Holly called someone son, or told someone I know to shut their damn mouth, I wouldn’t have to be King of the Ring, because I’d be King of the World. Bobby Lashley doesn’t do himself any favors by associating himself with that guy. It makes him look afraid to stand on his own, so there isn’t any reason why I should fear him going into the semi-finals matchup. Lashley’s a man who lets Lio Rush be his mouthpiece, and it’s as annoying to listen to Lio as it is to look at Bobby. It won’t be hard to get one over on Bobby. It won’t be difficult to move on to the final. And winning the final will get me one step closer to Summerslam, and one step closer to becoming the EBWF Champion.

Renee Young: In the final match, you’ll face either Aiden English or PJ Black. Some are saying the final could be the toughest match of your career. Your thoughts?

Edge: My thoughts? You want my thoughts on some internet basement troll saying a match against English or Black could be the hardest of my career? I pioneered the TLC match, but one of those guys, they’re gonna be my undoing. Okay, sure.

Edge rolled his eyes.

Edge: I mean, it’s obvious that, of the three of us, EBWF is going to get a true number one contender. Someone that can bring glory to the title of King of the Ring, and represent that championship with a level of class that escapes The Miz. PJ Black’s injury took him out unexpectedly and he left with a whimper. I can’t say his return has been as successful as he’d have probably preferred. I think if you asked the casual fan they might not even know that PJ Black is back in EBWF. Forgive them Peej if your match against Ciampa and Almas wasn’t an instant classic, and they thought that damn match with Randy was a rerun. I mean, how many times have we seen that match, Renee?

Renee Young: A few.

Edge: Oh, yeah. It’s been more than a few. It’s been so many it’s exhausting. We know what to expect from PJ Black though, don’t we. He’ll get the nearest microphone, and find himself a cameraman. He’ll drone on and on trying to convince the audience that he’ll win with nothing but sheer determination, and then when he gets beaten he’ll complain that it’s because of some conspiracy being leveraged against him by the powers that be. Because if he loses, it wouldn’t possibly be because there’s someone better than him. It’s always someone else’s fault. Is that why you’ve been in the final four over and over and over again, but you’ve not been able to get the job done? You’ve been unable to claim the crown?

Renee Young: Why do you think that is, Edge?

Edge: Here’s the truth, Renee. You know PJ, if anything, you can count on me to be honest. No matter what you do in EBWF there’s always been someone just a little bit better. Just a little bit more talented. Someone who doesn’t allow their inconsistencies or insecurities to be someone else’s problem. That’s what sets them apart from you. That’s the difference between you being King of the Ring, and you being just regular, run of the mill, boring ole PJ Black. I don’t think this year will be any different for you. I don’t think that now that you’re older, potentially wiser, you suddenly have what it takes to become King of the Ring.

Renee Young: There’s already a King in the semi-finals, and his name is Aid…

Edge: Excuse me? What?

Renee’s next words drifted away as she closed her mouth, and Edge peered at her.

Edge: Is that how this works? Just because Aiden calls himself a King, we acknowledge him as a King? Just because he claims to be in the First Family of Wrestling, we just pretend that that moniker hasn’t described a completely different family for years? Yeah, okay.

He rolled his eyes.

Edge: I know, I know. Cutesy smirks and eye rolls won’t get me through the finals will it, Aiden? This might shock you, but I’ve been at this a very long time. And no matter how much I’ve danced on the edge of success, I’ve sure as hell had more opportunities than you. You know the old saying. You can’t win them all. And while that may be true, I’ve definitely won more EBWF World Championships than you. In fact, I’m the longest reigning title holder in EBWF history, an accolade people like to forget when they want to run down the list of all my failures.

His eyes met Renee’s again.

Edge: The biggest mistake anyone could make is to think that I’m the pushover in this scenario. That I’m the easy win. People fail to realize that the only reason I’ve even had so many failures is because I’ve been in this business so long that I’ve had the opportunity to climb every damn mountain. You’re not going to succeed all the time, but you will prove yourself to the doubters. Doubters like Aiden English who think because I like a good joke and cutting it up with my buddy every now and then that I’m somehow less of a competitor. Renee, whether it’s Bobby or PJ or Aiden, there’s no getting under my skin. I know all their tricks. There are dozens of men who aren’t here anymore that have tried them before. Sure, the joke is that I can never make it through to the end, and if I have it my way, there’s going to a few more years of Edge in the final four. Tonight, I’m going to claim the winner’s circle. I’m going to take the throne. Then, I’m going to go to Summerslam. And when I get there, I hope AJ is waiting for me, because I don’t know whose bright idea it was to bring that guy back here. I don’t know on what planet he thought it would be a good idea to show his face here in EBWF. But I want to put my boot down his throat and leave EBWF World Champion. Leaving Lio and Bob Holly to lick Lashley’s wounds. Leaving PJ with another failed King of the Ring run. And leaving Aiden English without a throne, and most importantly without a championship. Because only one of us are just constantly right there on the Edge of greatness, and it sure as hell isn’t me. Thanks, Renee.

He grinned and winked at her, before backing into his locker room and closing the door as the camera faded to black.