Once again Ted DiBiase was about to defend his precious Path to Glory Championship. This time he would be defending his beloved championship against a veteran, a man more than capable of creating an upset. Ted had held the Path to Glory Championship for 8 long months and as expected everybody was out to take the title from him and prevent him from reaching his target of 276 days as champion. His match at Warfare definitely favoured his opponent, not only would his opponent have the home advantage but the match would be his specialty. Christian was Ted's next opponent and the title would be defended in a Ladder match. Ladder matches were known for being unpredictable and dangerous. People would be hurt and careers could be shortened. Ted knew what Christian was capable of and wanted the best shot at successfully defending his championship. On Monday Ted would have just over 6 weeks left before becoming the longest reigning champion of all time. Ted would not have his dream destroyed by Christian and once again Ted would successfully defend his championship.

Before Ted was set to defend his championship, he appeared at a house show where he was scheduled to cut a promo hyping the ladder match on Monday. The promo was going to be filmed and put exclusively on EBWF.net. After the current match had ended and all of the wrestlers had gone to the back, a ringside crew member set up a large ladder in the ring. Once that was set up Heroes by Shinedown blasted over the PA system and Ted walked out to a chorus of boos from the local crowd. Ted wore a stylish suit and held his Path to Glory Championship proudly over his shoulder. Following behind Ted was his enforcer, Bully Ray, who wore his traditional singlet which had "Hardcore 5150" written over it and he had a steel chain around his neck. Ted entered the ring and stood near the ladder while Bully remained in the corner. Ted received a microphone promptly and was about to speak but the crowd tried to drown him out with loud boos. When things began to settle down Ted began to speak.

Ted Jr: Not only do I have to defend my championship on Warfare, but I have to defend it in a ladder match. What's worse is that is Christian's specialty match.

The crowd popped after hearing Christian's name.

Ted Jr: You all cheer for him but what you're really cheering for is failure. Let’s look at this from an unbiased perspective. Last week he was in a match against the Tag Team Champions and he lost. He was pinned and was directly responsible for losing. If we go back a few more weeks when he was in a fatal four way match to determine who would challenge me for my championship, he lost that match too.
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The crowd didn't like what Ted had to say about them and once again began to boo Ted.

Ted Jr: Ladder matches are known for being dangerous and on Warfare it will be no different. Christian may have the experience when it comes to ladder matches but when it comes to winning, nobody is better than me. I have held this championship longer than anyone before me. I have defeated champions and legends and Monday will be no different.

Ted began to slowly climb the ladder, holding onto his championship and microphone at the same time. Once he reached the top, he put his feet over both sides and sat at the peak of the ladder and raised his championship high into the air.

Ted Jr: The final image that you will see on Warfare is this. You will see my holding my championship high above my head while Christian lays in a broken mess on the mat.

The crowd booed Ted as he gloated and acted arrogantly.

Ted Jr: Do you want to know why I am so confident of a victory? Besides my pure talent, athletic ability and the fact that I've held this championship for 8 months. I am so confident because I am prepared for everything. I am prepared to take a fall from this ladder. I am prepared for the fact that I may be hurt and that Christian may have a split second to win the championship. I have something that Christian doesn't. If Christian somehow manages to incapacitate me long enough to begin climbing that ladder, I have a 6 foot 4, 300 plus pound Bully in my corner making sure that the Path to Glory Championship remains with its rightful owner. The biggest, baddest SOB in-

While Ted was speaking, he was cut off by Bully Ray who had received a microphone.

Bully Ray: DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

The crowd began to boo Bully after his trademark catchphrase. Ted looked down at him in disbelief. Up until now, when Ted and Bully were together Bully was seen and not heard.

Bully Ray: CHRISTIAN! YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE GONNA BEAT TED?! OVER MY DEAD BODY. I'M GONNA KICK CHRISTIAN'S FRICKIN ASS.

As Bully Ray went on one of his usual rants, Ted slowly got down from the ladder. Once he reached the bottom he stared at Bully once again. Ted suddenly grabbed Bully's microphone and threw it to the ground. Bully turned to Ted, surprised at what he had done and got right up in his face. The two began to argue, some of their argument was picked up by the camera man.

Ted Jr: What the hell do you think you're doing? I do not have you here to talk, I have you here to shut up and act like an asshole to everyone else. Did you forget that I own you? So if I were you I'd learn quickly to shut your mouth when I'm speaking.

Bully Ray: ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDING ME? I'VE WON MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE. I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 20 FRICKIN YEARS!

Ted Jr: And if you want to be around for another 20 minutes you'll get the hell out of my ring NOW!

The two stared at each other intently. They both remained still until Bully slowly exited the ring and walked up the ramp, swearing under his breath as he moved. Ted retrieved the microphone that he had dropped during his argument with Bully.

Ted Jr: You see money can buy anything. From houses to luxury cars to wrestling contracts. With money comes power and believe me I have a whole lot of both. I own Bully Ray and when you want to argue with me, don't expect things to end well for you.

Ted dropped the microphone once again and Heroes by Shinedown played over the PA. Before exiting the ring Ted stared at the ladder, visualising what would be happening in the match on Monday. Ted then exited the ring and walked backstage.


Scene 2


Montreal was the host of Warfare this week and Ted needed to be focused. Last week he easily disposed of Evan Bourne, but this week would be a whole new challenge. Ted would be facing a very decorated wrestler. A man who has won countless championships and defeated high calibre wrestlers. Christian had the "home" field advantage being in Canada and Ted knew that the fans would be behind him 100%. Ted walked around the backstage area, where he managed to spot Bully Ray casually leaning on some boxes that had contained the audio equipment. He wore his standard Hardcore 5150 singlet and his trusty chain around his neck. Ted approached Bully and before Bully could speak, Ted began to speak.

Ted Jr: Don't say anything, ok? I do the talking and you do the listening. Now my match is on later tonight and you will be at ringside. If it looks like Christian could win, even for a second, I want you in that ring stopping him. Do what you have to do. Push him off a ladder, break his legs, I don't care. As long as I am the one that retrieves the Path to Glory Championship.

Bully was about to speak but Ted continued speaking.

Ted Jr: This isn't me asking you to help me Bully. I'm telling you. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I own you. Before I enlisted your services you were nothing. Sure you may have won a few tag team championships, but have you won the big one? No. I'm 29 years old and I've already become a World Champion. I've broken records and at the beginning of 2010 I was the best singles and tag team wrestler in all of EBWF. You need to learn your place in the company and realise that if you don't listen to what I say you'll be out of here quicker than you can shout for someone to get the tables. Now I've got an interview to go to, I better see you out there at ringside tonight or there will be hell to pay.

Ted walked off before Bully could get a word in. Bully was left standing there fuming at the blatant disrespect shown by Ted. Ted didn't care what Bully thought, as far as he was concerned Bully Ray was an enforcer, a person to make sure that he doesn't lose. Ted soon found Matt Striker standing at the interview set waiting for him. There was a camera man ready to start filming as Ted arrived. Ted walked up next to Striker and Striker began the interview.

Matt Striker: Welcome to another edition of Warfare live from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Tonight we have two championships being defended and we also have the Women's Champion taking on the Sky High Champion in a champion vs. champion match. With me at this time is the man who will defend his Path to Glory Championship in tonight's main event against Christian in a Ladder match.

Ted stood next to Striker in his ring gear, but without his championship. His title was hoisted high in the air above the ring.

Matt Striker: What's your strategy going into this match against a man with much more experience in this type of match? Surely you must be at a disadvantage here.

Ted Jr: When it comes to the technical aspects of a ladder match I'm at a disadvantage. But when it comes to talent, momentum and title defences I have a clear advantage. I've defended my championship for 8 months and I have made successful title defences every single time. Last week I defeated Evan Bourne with ease while Christian lost his match, so I have momentum going into this match. When we look at this year and what I've accomplished compared to what Christian has accomplished it is fairly obvious that I have him beat.

Matt Striker: Ladder matches are very unpredictable and with Christian being so familiar with them don't you believe that you could possibly lose your championship?

Ted Jr: I will NOT be losing my championship. I've held onto it for far too long to just hand it over to someone like Christian. I am less than 50 days away from surpassing Lacey's record for the longest reign in EBWF History. October 31st is the day I become a legend and only then will I be comfortable with losing my precious title. Should no worthy challengers step up to challenge me, I'll continue to hold onto that title until I have held it for over a year.

Matt Striker: At a recent house show, there seemed to be a bit of tension brewing between Bully Ray and yourself. Would you care to elaborate on the situation?

Ted Jr: What is there to elaborate on? Bully Ray spoke when he shouldn't have. He cut me off and disrespected me. I didn't recruit him to speak. I recruited him to destroy people and ensure that the Path to Glory Championship remains around my waist.

Matt Striker: Are there any final words before you have your match, Ted?

Ted Jr: You may have been in more ladder matches than me Christian; you may have had more years of experience than me. But that all means nothing once the bell rings and MY championship is on the line. There isn't a damn thing you or anyone can do to take that championship away from me. Nobody will take it from me. Nobody.

Ted walked off from the interview set mumbling to himself "It's my championship. Nobody can take it from me." The bond between the championship and Ted was very strong and Ted cared for it more than anything else. Even having the championship away from him for a couple of hours affected him. When Christian faced Ted DiBiase he would have to be prepared because Ted would do everything humanly possible to retain his championship.