Lucky You
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:39 pm
~A new organization meant a new landscape. A section of Kansas Expocentre had been set up with various backdrops to serve as photo shoots for EBWF magazine. Seth Rollins had an interview in an upcoming edition and that was a first for the twenty six year old. He was dressed entirely in black. Black dress shirt, blazer, slacks, tie and dark sunglasses. His hair was pulled backwards as he made his way towards his locker room, sipping a bottled water.~
Kaitlyn: Wow, are you auditioning for Men in Black Four? Can you please tell Will Smith's daughter that "Whip Ya Hair Back And Forth" is like the best song ever?
~The diva had poked her head out of a locker room with a grin on her face. Seth and Kaitlyn had met each other while working in FCW, WWE's developmental territory. Seth straightened out the sleek blazer with a small grin. This was one of their first opportunities to catch up since Seth made the jump to the new promotion.~
Seth Rollins: It's for the magazine. Only been here a month and it's already happened. This place and Vince's are like night and day.
Kaitlyn: So, if you don't mind me asking, why did you hop on over to our little merry crew in Ikeda-Land. Seemed like they had big plans for you in the 'E.
Seth Rollins: Probably the same reason you did. I was in developmental for two years. FCW became NXT. I was the NXT champ. I did some stuff I was proud of but I was getting tired of waiting to be called up. I took a risk and...here I am. I'm already getting to work with Zack and Trent and Dean so I think I made the right choice.
~Sometimes it was just easier to list your coworkers by their performance names.~
Kaitlyn: Trust me, it's COOL here. Really cool. You've got a lot more control and the writers actually listen to your ideas.
Seth Rollins: Nice. They aren't limiting what I can do in the ring and I know guys like Trent and Zack can go all out anyway. Just got to develop my persona.
A.J. Lee: Oh! Oh! Bat Man!
~A.J., the fun-sized former Women's Champ, poked her head from beside Kaitlyn and the door frame. Kaitlyn looked bewildered.~
Kaitlyn: I...I didn't even know you were in here?!
~Rollins came across A.J. a few times in FCW but not as much as her fellow Chick Buster. Still, they were friendly enough. He removed his sunglasses and let them clip onto the pocket of his slacks.~
Seth Rollins: ...What about Bat Man?
A.J. Lee: That's what you should do. Very honorable and with a strict code of ethics but TOTALLY willing to break some dude's jaw when it needed to happen. Except Trent's. Please don't break Trent's jaw when you guys are in the ring.
Seth Rollins: So a Bat Man that slam dances during his ring entrance?
A.J. Lee: Bat Man slam dances! I mean...he PROBABLY has at some point! Those comics have only been around for a BAZILLION years.
~He stared at her for a long moment. It didn't seem as though her in and out of the ring persona's were terribly different.~
Seth Rollins: Right. But I think I understand what you're going with.
A.J. Lee: And you can throw bat shaped explosions at people like BLAM! BOOM!
Kaitlyn: N-No. Don't do that.
~The former Tyler Black shook his head with a small trace of laughter.~
Seth Rollins: You two do your thing. I'm gonna prep for my match.
~A.J. very sternly pointed a tiny finger up at 6'1'' wrestlers direction.~
Seth Rollins: And I won't break Trent's jaw. Even if you did plant the seed.
~He continued his path on down the hallway. Things were getting interesting quickly. The dirt sheets were already reporting himself and Ambrose as "future stars". He had a lot pressure. But it was a good kind of pressure. He was going to do everything he could to keep his ring work crisp and develop his character. Leaving a comfy spot in the WWE was a big risk and failure was not at all an option.~
***
~You wouldn't think that listening to music at an ear splitting level of volume would help someone to concentrate. But it seemed to do the trick for Seth Rollins. An expensive pair of silver and black headphones rested over his ears as he sat in a corner of his locker room in a steel chair. He absolutely needed to hear every snare, every bass strum and thunderous guitar riff. It was difficult to tell that his eyes were closed since his long hair hung in front of his face but he had tuned out everything else around him. The locker room door creaked open as The Coach slowly entered with a camera man in tow. Because of the light produced from the camera, Seth had realized that someone else was in the room with him. He possibly could have been a little on edge. Because when Coach drew close enough he leaped out of his chair, tossing his headphones off in the process and snatched the interviewer by his tie. Coach held up his hands as his eyes grew wide. Realizing that this person was, in fact, not a threat, he released his hold on the tie.~
Seth Rollins: Sorry. You should have knocked.
The Coach: I did.
Seth Rollins: You should have knocked louder.
~Rollins slumped back into his chair and wiped his hands across his t-shirt. A gray colored fabric with "GLMR KLLS" etched across it in black letters.~
The Coach: You are...uh...good for an interview, right?
~Sometimes being an EBWF interviewer was a dangerous job. Wrestlers tended to threaten or assault you from time to time. But Seth had been very calm and reserved since showing up. Outside of the ring.~
Seth Rollins: I'm good.
The Coach: Question number one...is EBWF life getting to you?
Seth Rollins: No.
~Half a grin appeared across his bearded face at the thought of feeling any pressure at all.~
Seth Rollins: I'm extremely happy with the level of competition. That's all fine. Being in the ring with Trent or Zack or Curt is something I look forward to. What's 'getting to me' is my current situation.
The Coach: I assume you are referring to your match at Warfare?
Seth Rollins: You assume right. And it's not my opponents. It's my partners. I've got Muhammad Hassan who seems more interested in race relations that winning matches. And, of course, Dean Ambrose..
The Coach: Your tag team partner..
~Seth's eyes narrowed into daggers~
Seth Rollins: We're not partners. Not at all. I got thrown into this situation. I never asked to team with this guy. But I'm capitalizing on it. I want the Tag Team Titles. Even if it means winning them with a partner who is complete whack job.
The Coach: I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you and Dean Ambrose haven't sat down and talked strategy..
Seth Rollins: That's another good guess, Coach. I try to stay as far away from him as possible. I had thought it was him when you crept your way in here. And I realize that isn't exactly a winning combination for a successful tag team. But I thrive on challenges. That's why I'm here. To be challenged. And that's exactly what this is. My partners and I have no synergy whatsoever. And we're going up against a trio who have known each other for years and came up in the business together. In that sense, they definitely have an advantage over us. But I have realized one thing. Myself, Ambrose and Hassan...we're all fighting for something. Three very different goals. But it's all something we firmly believe in. I can't say Hassan's methods for his desires are honorable. At all. And Ambrose seems to want to wipe out this entire company. But those two will fight until they're isn't a breath left in them for their convictions. And that's about the only thing we have in common.
The Coach: They both have attacked Zack Ryder and Trent Barreta following their matches with them in the past few weeks. When Dean Ambrose attacked Zack Ryder..you didn't participate. Why is that? He's going to be putting his gold against on the line against you very shortly. Don't you feel it's smart to take every advantage you can get?
~The look on his face was one of slight disgust as he shook his head.~
Seth Rollins: That's not what I'm about. My partners are very cut throat and not above attacking someone when they're are down or when they're back is turned. But that's not me. I want to move up the ranks the right away. I want to be respected. I didn't want Ambrose's help to win my match with Zack. I didn't want him to smash Zack's face in with his own title belt either. Yeah, it would have been easy to join in and pick him apart. Leave him weak for the pay per view. But what kind of victory would that be? What would that prove?
The Coach: They're aren't a lot of Superstars on the roster with your mentality.
Seth Rollins: I said when I got here that I didn't want to be like anyone else. I'll get my way to the top but I'll do it the right way...
The Coach: But when Dean Ambrose attacked Ryder you didn't do anything to stop it. You simply left the ring.
Seth Rollins: Ultimately, Zack and Trent are my opponents. They have something that I want. They're are their own men and they can protect themselves. If I was in the same situation I wouldn't expect any help. And when I get in the ring with them, from when the bell rings to start the match and when it rings to end it...I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that having a match with Seth Rollins is something they NEVER look forward to.
The Coach: Thank you for your time, Seth. Good luck in your match.
~Rollins almost wanted to quip back "I'll need it". But instead, he slipped his head phones back on, cranked his music back up to a colossal level and allowed his eyes to drift closed one again.~
Seth Rollins: Knock louder next time.
~With all distractions blocked, Seth slipped back into his lucid state that loud guitars and screamed vocals carried him to. The camera faded.~
Kaitlyn: Wow, are you auditioning for Men in Black Four? Can you please tell Will Smith's daughter that "Whip Ya Hair Back And Forth" is like the best song ever?
~The diva had poked her head out of a locker room with a grin on her face. Seth and Kaitlyn had met each other while working in FCW, WWE's developmental territory. Seth straightened out the sleek blazer with a small grin. This was one of their first opportunities to catch up since Seth made the jump to the new promotion.~
Seth Rollins: It's for the magazine. Only been here a month and it's already happened. This place and Vince's are like night and day.
Kaitlyn: So, if you don't mind me asking, why did you hop on over to our little merry crew in Ikeda-Land. Seemed like they had big plans for you in the 'E.
Seth Rollins: Probably the same reason you did. I was in developmental for two years. FCW became NXT. I was the NXT champ. I did some stuff I was proud of but I was getting tired of waiting to be called up. I took a risk and...here I am. I'm already getting to work with Zack and Trent and Dean so I think I made the right choice.
~Sometimes it was just easier to list your coworkers by their performance names.~
Kaitlyn: Trust me, it's COOL here. Really cool. You've got a lot more control and the writers actually listen to your ideas.
Seth Rollins: Nice. They aren't limiting what I can do in the ring and I know guys like Trent and Zack can go all out anyway. Just got to develop my persona.
A.J. Lee: Oh! Oh! Bat Man!
~A.J., the fun-sized former Women's Champ, poked her head from beside Kaitlyn and the door frame. Kaitlyn looked bewildered.~
Kaitlyn: I...I didn't even know you were in here?!
~Rollins came across A.J. a few times in FCW but not as much as her fellow Chick Buster. Still, they were friendly enough. He removed his sunglasses and let them clip onto the pocket of his slacks.~
Seth Rollins: ...What about Bat Man?
A.J. Lee: That's what you should do. Very honorable and with a strict code of ethics but TOTALLY willing to break some dude's jaw when it needed to happen. Except Trent's. Please don't break Trent's jaw when you guys are in the ring.
Seth Rollins: So a Bat Man that slam dances during his ring entrance?
A.J. Lee: Bat Man slam dances! I mean...he PROBABLY has at some point! Those comics have only been around for a BAZILLION years.
~He stared at her for a long moment. It didn't seem as though her in and out of the ring persona's were terribly different.~
Seth Rollins: Right. But I think I understand what you're going with.
A.J. Lee: And you can throw bat shaped explosions at people like BLAM! BOOM!
Kaitlyn: N-No. Don't do that.
~The former Tyler Black shook his head with a small trace of laughter.~
Seth Rollins: You two do your thing. I'm gonna prep for my match.
~A.J. very sternly pointed a tiny finger up at 6'1'' wrestlers direction.~
Seth Rollins: And I won't break Trent's jaw. Even if you did plant the seed.
~He continued his path on down the hallway. Things were getting interesting quickly. The dirt sheets were already reporting himself and Ambrose as "future stars". He had a lot pressure. But it was a good kind of pressure. He was going to do everything he could to keep his ring work crisp and develop his character. Leaving a comfy spot in the WWE was a big risk and failure was not at all an option.~
***
~You wouldn't think that listening to music at an ear splitting level of volume would help someone to concentrate. But it seemed to do the trick for Seth Rollins. An expensive pair of silver and black headphones rested over his ears as he sat in a corner of his locker room in a steel chair. He absolutely needed to hear every snare, every bass strum and thunderous guitar riff. It was difficult to tell that his eyes were closed since his long hair hung in front of his face but he had tuned out everything else around him. The locker room door creaked open as The Coach slowly entered with a camera man in tow. Because of the light produced from the camera, Seth had realized that someone else was in the room with him. He possibly could have been a little on edge. Because when Coach drew close enough he leaped out of his chair, tossing his headphones off in the process and snatched the interviewer by his tie. Coach held up his hands as his eyes grew wide. Realizing that this person was, in fact, not a threat, he released his hold on the tie.~
Seth Rollins: Sorry. You should have knocked.
The Coach: I did.
Seth Rollins: You should have knocked louder.
~Rollins slumped back into his chair and wiped his hands across his t-shirt. A gray colored fabric with "GLMR KLLS" etched across it in black letters.~
The Coach: You are...uh...good for an interview, right?
~Sometimes being an EBWF interviewer was a dangerous job. Wrestlers tended to threaten or assault you from time to time. But Seth had been very calm and reserved since showing up. Outside of the ring.~
Seth Rollins: I'm good.
The Coach: Question number one...is EBWF life getting to you?
Seth Rollins: No.
~Half a grin appeared across his bearded face at the thought of feeling any pressure at all.~
Seth Rollins: I'm extremely happy with the level of competition. That's all fine. Being in the ring with Trent or Zack or Curt is something I look forward to. What's 'getting to me' is my current situation.
The Coach: I assume you are referring to your match at Warfare?
Seth Rollins: You assume right. And it's not my opponents. It's my partners. I've got Muhammad Hassan who seems more interested in race relations that winning matches. And, of course, Dean Ambrose..
The Coach: Your tag team partner..
~Seth's eyes narrowed into daggers~
Seth Rollins: We're not partners. Not at all. I got thrown into this situation. I never asked to team with this guy. But I'm capitalizing on it. I want the Tag Team Titles. Even if it means winning them with a partner who is complete whack job.
The Coach: I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that you and Dean Ambrose haven't sat down and talked strategy..
Seth Rollins: That's another good guess, Coach. I try to stay as far away from him as possible. I had thought it was him when you crept your way in here. And I realize that isn't exactly a winning combination for a successful tag team. But I thrive on challenges. That's why I'm here. To be challenged. And that's exactly what this is. My partners and I have no synergy whatsoever. And we're going up against a trio who have known each other for years and came up in the business together. In that sense, they definitely have an advantage over us. But I have realized one thing. Myself, Ambrose and Hassan...we're all fighting for something. Three very different goals. But it's all something we firmly believe in. I can't say Hassan's methods for his desires are honorable. At all. And Ambrose seems to want to wipe out this entire company. But those two will fight until they're isn't a breath left in them for their convictions. And that's about the only thing we have in common.
The Coach: They both have attacked Zack Ryder and Trent Barreta following their matches with them in the past few weeks. When Dean Ambrose attacked Zack Ryder..you didn't participate. Why is that? He's going to be putting his gold against on the line against you very shortly. Don't you feel it's smart to take every advantage you can get?
~The look on his face was one of slight disgust as he shook his head.~
Seth Rollins: That's not what I'm about. My partners are very cut throat and not above attacking someone when they're are down or when they're back is turned. But that's not me. I want to move up the ranks the right away. I want to be respected. I didn't want Ambrose's help to win my match with Zack. I didn't want him to smash Zack's face in with his own title belt either. Yeah, it would have been easy to join in and pick him apart. Leave him weak for the pay per view. But what kind of victory would that be? What would that prove?
The Coach: They're aren't a lot of Superstars on the roster with your mentality.
Seth Rollins: I said when I got here that I didn't want to be like anyone else. I'll get my way to the top but I'll do it the right way...
The Coach: But when Dean Ambrose attacked Ryder you didn't do anything to stop it. You simply left the ring.
Seth Rollins: Ultimately, Zack and Trent are my opponents. They have something that I want. They're are their own men and they can protect themselves. If I was in the same situation I wouldn't expect any help. And when I get in the ring with them, from when the bell rings to start the match and when it rings to end it...I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that having a match with Seth Rollins is something they NEVER look forward to.
The Coach: Thank you for your time, Seth. Good luck in your match.
~Rollins almost wanted to quip back "I'll need it". But instead, he slipped his head phones back on, cranked his music back up to a colossal level and allowed his eyes to drift closed one again.~
Seth Rollins: Knock louder next time.
~With all distractions blocked, Seth slipped back into his lucid state that loud guitars and screamed vocals carried him to. The camera faded.~