Cunning (Chris Jericho RP feat. Sami Zayn and Paul London)
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 7:29 pm
OOC: Again, wanted to get something up for all of my characters. Tried to do something a little different, hope you like it! Good luck everyone.
The scene opened with Chris Jericho standing outside the Hilton Houston North. A few moments later, a limousine pulled up outside the hotel. Jericho entered the limousine, and the cameraman followed him. As the cameraman entered the limo, Jericho looked across and smiled.
Chris Jericho: I bet you're not used to riding in style like this, are you?
Jericho laughed before waiting for an answer. The limo set off towards Minute Maid Park, which was about a twenty minute drive away.
Chris Jericho: So this is going to be part of a documentary, right? A special marking Wrestlemania 20? Twenty years... wow, that's special. And I've been here since day one. You know people often ask me, "Why are you still here Chris?" They want to know why I'm still wrestling when I'm 50 years old, when I have a successful band, a popular podcast, several bestselling books and dozens of acting offers. There are lots of reasons, but two that stand out above all the others. Number one: because wrestling is my first love, and I'm not ready to give that up. Number two: because I'm still one of the best. I proved that last year. I won the Royal Rumble, then became EBWF World Champion for an eleventh time. If I didn't think I could still be one of EBWF's top guys, I would retire. But I know I can, and that's why I'm still wrestling. Hell, maybe I'll win the Rumble again tonight! That would be something, wouldn't it?
Jericho smiled, then looked out the window pensively. He turned back towards the camera and continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: When you've been around as long as I have, you feel like you've seen it all, but there are still things that surprise you. I mean let's have a look at the guys entering the men's Royal Rumble this year... there is such a mix. We're giving opportunities to new guys like the Gunn Club, Cameron Grimes, Jungle Boy. MJF – a guy who reminds me of me. Then there are some of the veterans... the old timers... me, Edge, Christian, Kane. Hell, maybe I should class Miz in that group now too, he's been around for a long time. You might look at some of the people entering the Rumble and think "there's no way in hell that guy is winning", but I genuinely believe any of the 30 superstars entering the Rumble tonight could win it. Wes Ikeda would spit feathers if you reminded him of it, but don't forget Kenny Doane won the Royal Rumble. He came in at the right time, seized his opportunity and got a main event spot at Wrestlemania. That was a shock, for sure. I think I surprised a lot of people by winning last year. The Rumble is one of those matches that the best wrestler doesn't always win. Normally it's the smartest guy. You have to be quite cunning to outlast 29 other superstars.
Jericho looked out the window again. They were getting close to Minute Maid Park.
Chris Jericho: It's going to be special tonight. I can feel it.
As the limo pulled up outside the stadium, Jericho got out and walked towards the entrance. The cameraman followed him. Standing by the entrance to the stadium was Sami Zayn, who was holding a sign that said "Stand Against Moral Injustice". As Jericho approached him, Sami put down the sign and embraced him. Jericho looked surprised and a little uncomfortable.
Chris Jericho: What's going on, Sami? Are you trying to organise a protest or something?
Sami Zayn: I'm doing what it says on the sign, Chris! I'm standing against moral injustice! Come on, I know you love a good conspiracy theory... do you really think it's a coincidence that Aiden English challenged Wes Ikeda to enter the Royal Rumble, then Aiden drew number one and Wes drew number 30? Wes fixed it, no doubt about it.
Chris Jericho: I don't think it's a fix, Sami... I think it's smart business. If I was the CEO, I'd probably give myself the number 30 spot. Wait, what am I talking about... I did do that when I was acting CEO! So I can't really criticise Wes.
Jericho began laughing. Sami didn't seem to find it funny.
Sami Zayn: See you're part of the problem, Chris... I'm trying to be part of the solution. Wes thought he could silence me by offering me a contract and a spot in the Rumble, but I will not be silenced! I will continue speaking out for what I believe in, and standing up for justice!
Jericho nodded respectfully.
Chris Jericho: Well good luck with that kid. In my experience, actions speak louder than words.
Jericho patted Sami on the shoulder, then entered the stadium. As he walked towards his locker room, he saw Paul London in the hallway. As Jericho passed London, London stopped him.
Paul London: I haven't forgotten, Chris.
Jericho looked confused.
Chris Jericho: Forgotten what?
Paul London: I haven't forgotten how you betrayed me last year at the Royal Rumble. You ruined my night... I won't let you do that again tonight.
Chris Jericho: You know the saying, Paul... every man for himself. I would have thought an intrepid traveller such as yourself would have seen it coming.
Paul London: Ah but Chris, seeing the future and changing the future are two different things. You see, there are parallel timelines, coexisting with each other. In one, I see through your ruse and stop you from betraying me. I eliminate you instead, and go on to win the Rumble. In another, we work together but we fail. For you to win the Rumble, you had to betray me. And I had to let you. Allow me to explain further...
Before Paul London could say any more, Jericho cut him off.
Chris Jericho: No need, Paul. I saw Infinity War.
London seemed disappointed, though he managed to force a smile.
Paul London: Not entirely accurate, but they got enough right. I made sure of it.
Chris Jericho: Sure you did. Just tell me one thing, Paul... in this timeline, do I win the Rumble again tonight?
Paul London: If I told you, I would alter the timeline. You'll just have to wait and see.
Jericho smirked.
Chris Jericho: Right... well, good luck anyway.
London smirked back.
Paul London: I don't need luck.
Jericho laughed, then walked away from Paul. As he turned the corner, Jericho looked at the camera.
Chris Jericho: He might have a few screws loose, but I love that guy. Can I let you in on a secret? I actually like most of the guys on the roster. I just don't want them to know that in case they think I'm soft. Like I said before, it's all about cunning.
Jericho carried on walking, and as they reached his locker room, he stopped the cameraman from entering.
Chris Jericho: I need some time to myself. Time to focus. Come and find me after the show, and we can talk about the magic of the Royal Rumble. Maybe even have a few drinks to celebrate my victory!
Jericho laughed, then entered his locker room and closed the door behind him.
The scene opened with Chris Jericho standing outside the Hilton Houston North. A few moments later, a limousine pulled up outside the hotel. Jericho entered the limousine, and the cameraman followed him. As the cameraman entered the limo, Jericho looked across and smiled.
Chris Jericho: I bet you're not used to riding in style like this, are you?
Jericho laughed before waiting for an answer. The limo set off towards Minute Maid Park, which was about a twenty minute drive away.
Chris Jericho: So this is going to be part of a documentary, right? A special marking Wrestlemania 20? Twenty years... wow, that's special. And I've been here since day one. You know people often ask me, "Why are you still here Chris?" They want to know why I'm still wrestling when I'm 50 years old, when I have a successful band, a popular podcast, several bestselling books and dozens of acting offers. There are lots of reasons, but two that stand out above all the others. Number one: because wrestling is my first love, and I'm not ready to give that up. Number two: because I'm still one of the best. I proved that last year. I won the Royal Rumble, then became EBWF World Champion for an eleventh time. If I didn't think I could still be one of EBWF's top guys, I would retire. But I know I can, and that's why I'm still wrestling. Hell, maybe I'll win the Rumble again tonight! That would be something, wouldn't it?
Jericho smiled, then looked out the window pensively. He turned back towards the camera and continued speaking.
Chris Jericho: When you've been around as long as I have, you feel like you've seen it all, but there are still things that surprise you. I mean let's have a look at the guys entering the men's Royal Rumble this year... there is such a mix. We're giving opportunities to new guys like the Gunn Club, Cameron Grimes, Jungle Boy. MJF – a guy who reminds me of me. Then there are some of the veterans... the old timers... me, Edge, Christian, Kane. Hell, maybe I should class Miz in that group now too, he's been around for a long time. You might look at some of the people entering the Rumble and think "there's no way in hell that guy is winning", but I genuinely believe any of the 30 superstars entering the Rumble tonight could win it. Wes Ikeda would spit feathers if you reminded him of it, but don't forget Kenny Doane won the Royal Rumble. He came in at the right time, seized his opportunity and got a main event spot at Wrestlemania. That was a shock, for sure. I think I surprised a lot of people by winning last year. The Rumble is one of those matches that the best wrestler doesn't always win. Normally it's the smartest guy. You have to be quite cunning to outlast 29 other superstars.
Jericho looked out the window again. They were getting close to Minute Maid Park.
Chris Jericho: It's going to be special tonight. I can feel it.
As the limo pulled up outside the stadium, Jericho got out and walked towards the entrance. The cameraman followed him. Standing by the entrance to the stadium was Sami Zayn, who was holding a sign that said "Stand Against Moral Injustice". As Jericho approached him, Sami put down the sign and embraced him. Jericho looked surprised and a little uncomfortable.
Chris Jericho: What's going on, Sami? Are you trying to organise a protest or something?
Sami Zayn: I'm doing what it says on the sign, Chris! I'm standing against moral injustice! Come on, I know you love a good conspiracy theory... do you really think it's a coincidence that Aiden English challenged Wes Ikeda to enter the Royal Rumble, then Aiden drew number one and Wes drew number 30? Wes fixed it, no doubt about it.
Chris Jericho: I don't think it's a fix, Sami... I think it's smart business. If I was the CEO, I'd probably give myself the number 30 spot. Wait, what am I talking about... I did do that when I was acting CEO! So I can't really criticise Wes.
Jericho began laughing. Sami didn't seem to find it funny.
Sami Zayn: See you're part of the problem, Chris... I'm trying to be part of the solution. Wes thought he could silence me by offering me a contract and a spot in the Rumble, but I will not be silenced! I will continue speaking out for what I believe in, and standing up for justice!
Jericho nodded respectfully.
Chris Jericho: Well good luck with that kid. In my experience, actions speak louder than words.
Jericho patted Sami on the shoulder, then entered the stadium. As he walked towards his locker room, he saw Paul London in the hallway. As Jericho passed London, London stopped him.
Paul London: I haven't forgotten, Chris.
Jericho looked confused.
Chris Jericho: Forgotten what?
Paul London: I haven't forgotten how you betrayed me last year at the Royal Rumble. You ruined my night... I won't let you do that again tonight.
Chris Jericho: You know the saying, Paul... every man for himself. I would have thought an intrepid traveller such as yourself would have seen it coming.
Paul London: Ah but Chris, seeing the future and changing the future are two different things. You see, there are parallel timelines, coexisting with each other. In one, I see through your ruse and stop you from betraying me. I eliminate you instead, and go on to win the Rumble. In another, we work together but we fail. For you to win the Rumble, you had to betray me. And I had to let you. Allow me to explain further...
Before Paul London could say any more, Jericho cut him off.
Chris Jericho: No need, Paul. I saw Infinity War.
London seemed disappointed, though he managed to force a smile.
Paul London: Not entirely accurate, but they got enough right. I made sure of it.
Chris Jericho: Sure you did. Just tell me one thing, Paul... in this timeline, do I win the Rumble again tonight?
Paul London: If I told you, I would alter the timeline. You'll just have to wait and see.
Jericho smirked.
Chris Jericho: Right... well, good luck anyway.
London smirked back.
Paul London: I don't need luck.
Jericho laughed, then walked away from Paul. As he turned the corner, Jericho looked at the camera.
Chris Jericho: He might have a few screws loose, but I love that guy. Can I let you in on a secret? I actually like most of the guys on the roster. I just don't want them to know that in case they think I'm soft. Like I said before, it's all about cunning.
Jericho carried on walking, and as they reached his locker room, he stopped the cameraman from entering.
Chris Jericho: I need some time to myself. Time to focus. Come and find me after the show, and we can talk about the magic of the Royal Rumble. Maybe even have a few drinks to celebrate my victory!
Jericho laughed, then entered his locker room and closed the door behind him.