You're Still The One

[D.J]

It had been awhile since The Miz had competed . His return to an EBWF ring after Fanniversary was a victory in a Tag match-up with his new partner and friend, Matt Riddle. The Miz was as decorated as any superstar in the game today, and despite missing some time as he helped his wife Mickie raise their daughter Alexis, he was still one of the biggest names in an industry that made him a global celebrity. His first singles match back would certainly have people talking, as he would be in the main event against the current EBWF Champion Xaiver Woods. Woods was on an absolute tear, the best run of his young career. He was talented and overly charismatic and was certainly making his presence felt in the EBWF. If there's anything anyone knew about The Miz though it was that he was ALWAYS going to have the EBWF title in the forefront of his mind. A former 6 time World Champion, The Miz would surely be looking at this match as a way to prove that he was indeed NOT rusty, and that he could still hang with even the very best the company currently has to offer.

The scene opened up to an outside shot of an RV on the highway. The camera panned to inside said RV and saw some familiar faces. Behind the wheel was none other than Michael Cole. He looked ecstatic to be there with a wide gaping smile on his face. He wore a T-Shirt that said "Bro Awesome at Journalism." In the living area, Miz and Riddle sat on the couch. Riddle was finishing up a joint, he wore a white hooded sweatshirt and matching snapback on backwards. Miz wore a light blue "Your Favorite Wrestler's Favorite Wrestler" T-Shirt and seemed distant. Riddle also seemed distant, but Miz' seemed a little more natural and less artificial. Riddle finally noticed Miz' dazed look and gave him one of his own. After several comical beats of Riddle with his mouth slightly open staring at his friend, Riddle broke the silence.

Riddle: Uh.. sup bro?

The Miz snapped out of it seemingly in this moment. He smiled.

The Miz: Sorry man, just sitting here thinking about this company. It's been 10 years since I was reinstated and all the things that have followed are pretty much exactly how I would have wanted my story to go. Now, I'm in an RV with a pot head and Michael Cole, to which I say... this is freaking awesome.

Riddle nodded with a smile, relieved that Miz acted as though his current situation was in fact positive.

Riddle: Right on bro.. gnarly shirt Cole.

Cole with no emotion, as if he was a dad trying to be cool with his sons, retorted with...

Michael Cole: Thanks bro.

Miz squinted trying to decide whether to call Cole out for being a nerd like the old days, he decided not to.

The Miz: In all seriousness, it's been an amazing ride to this point. Forming 'Bro Awesome' with you has been exactly what I needed upon my return. Even though you did lose to Roman Reigns and kill all of the momentum we had.

Riddle put out the last of his joint.

Riddle: I know.. some how I can't help but think Chris Jericho is responsible for this.

The Miz: Oh don't do that you're just looking for someone to blame. The guy made up a fake life about you and you still couldn't even get the W.

Riddle: I know bro.. not my best.

The Miz: Probably was Jericho's fault though.

Riddle: Definitely.

The Miz smirked knowingly.

The Miz: Fortunately though for everyone's new favorite team, the powers that be, have given Bro Awesome a chance to recapture some of that momentum in a major major way. As your hero, your A-Lister, your must see tag team partner, has been granted a match with the EBWF World Champion.. umm..

The Miz looked at his hand which clearly had writing on it. He looked shocked.

The Miz: Xavier Woods. I mean really? I've been here 10 years and I've battled and seen some of the best champions in this companies history. The John Cena's, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho.. the list goes on and on, I leave for a little bit and I come back to Xavier effing Woods as the companies Champ. Thank the lord I'm back, like how long could that possibly go on? King Xavier? REALLY?

Riddle looked confused.. and stoned.

Riddle: I think so man.. really.

The Miz smiled.

The Miz: Well alright then, Xavier Woods is the champion. I guess that's the fact. Here's some more facts. I'm The Miz.. I'm a first ballot Hall of Famer.. FACT.. I am a 6 time EBWF World Champion.. FACT. I've done EVERYTHING there is to do in this business... FACT.. and I'm NOT going to lose Xavier Woods even if he was the King of England.. which he isn't.

Riddle: Right- O BRO... cheerio.. ohhhh bro.. I could go for some Honey Nut Cheerios right now.

The Miz: Yeah those are great, but stay with me Matty. This match on Warfare is going to be a big fat wake up call for anybody in the back who thinks that maybe good ole Miz isn't the same guy he once was. Anyone that thinks that maybe I've gone soft, or I'm rusty or washed up, or any of the other stupid narratives people are trying to write, is going to be proven WRONG in a very loud, clear, and painful for Xavier Woods, statement victory. I've been doing this a long time, and as made evidenced by our new found partnership, things can be light. You can have fun, you can smile, you can smoke some weed, you can have a beer. You can do Christmas Cards where you dress your poor kid up in a costume and make her sit on some 70 year old fat guys lap who's working for a Cin-a-bun and minimum wage at the mall.

Riddle: Ohhh Mickie made you do that? Was it bad?

The Miz: Horrifying.. but I digress!

Riddle: He digresses!

Michael Cole: He digresses!

Riddle and Miz: Shut up Cole.

Michael Cole: Right-O.

The Miz smiled.

The Miz: However, there's one thing that no matter what the situation is, no matter what mood I'm in, no matter where I am in life, there's one thing that's always- ALWAYS going to turn me into an absolute maniac. ONE THING- that's going to turn me into an absolute vindictive, evil, sinister, do whatever it takes MONSTER. That one thing Matty, is the EBWF World Championship. Now I know this match is not for the title that Xavier Woods somehow in god's name possesses, but it may as well be. Here's what I know Matt, all eyes are going to be on this match. I could literally come back at age 80 and people would be like "oh wow look at old Miz, he still looks damn good for 80!"

Riddle nodded and laughed like a little kid watching cartoons.

The Miz: I would still get all the same love from the Mizfits and the Bro's that we get now. Every time I stepped on screen, eyes would be glued to senior citizen Miz. So imagine how people are going to react to "still in his prime" Miz on Monday Night going up against the EBWF Champion. This is going to be talked about more than the fake family your raging infidelity shattered.

Riddle: So at least two.

The Miz: Correct at least two, but let's face it probably more! It's a big story, it's a guy in Xavier Woods who's finally getting his time in the limelight. He's finally getting his chance to be more than a comedy act, and show that that big smile and witty personality, actually comes with some ability. Guess what? I'll give it to him, he's definitely proven that it does. He's been impressive, and I think we both know that I'm not exactly the Oprah of compliments.

Riddle: Bro- Oprah was dope.

The Miz nodded.

The Miz: There's no doubt that Xavier has proven that he is a major league talent. However, being a major league talent in our company right now, doesn't exactly mean what it used to mean. Xavier might be the present right now, but I'm the past/present/AND STILL THE FUTURE HERE. Xavier's a nice guy, so I'm sure he realizes the scenario here. He has fended off some of the guys that sat in the big main event chairs, while I got up to pee. Well I peed and I'm back now for my chair. I'm back now for my THRONE "your highness"

The Miz snarled. He almost felt as though he was transforming to his old self. Riddle's grin slowly evaporated.

The Miz: Impressive or not- all of it is going to seem underwhelming, meaningless, like one big FLASH in the PAN.. like so many others before you. All you are going to be Xavier is another guy who was on a run, only to have that one moment that brought the entire thing to a crashing, screeching halt. That one moment Xavier, is going to be Warfare this coming week. What Warfare is going to represent is that you can't really claim to be the best, if The Miz is on the active roster. If The Miz is around, someone ELSE being champion is literally GOD DAMN TEMPORARY. I'm fueled, motivated, DRIVEN by that belt that you're carrying on your shoulder right now. I don't care.. even remotely.. what I have to do to you on Monday to show you that the MINOR LEAGUE SCHEDULE you have been going through as of late, is FREAKING. CANCELLED- and our match on Monday is going to be your first real ticket to the mother effing SHOW. We both know Xavier that you don't have the bat speed to tangle with someone the likes of the cream of the crop, greatest of the great, SUPEREST of stars, your FAVORITE WRESTLER'S FAVORITE WRESTLER, The Miz. I for one can't wait to get to that moment, and Xavier it will be VERY EARLY into the match.. that someone who is as delusional as Roman Reigns right now, due to the success he's having.. realizes that someone came back to this company that has the ability to beat he, the so called "champion" up, down, left, right, A, B, A, B Select Select.

Riddle: Oh man do I miss the Legends of Zelda bro.

Michael Cole: Who doesn't!

Riddle nodded and smiled at Cole. The Miz didn't let it break his rhythm.

The Miz: He's going to realize that even though he's holding the belt that says he's the top guy, those opening moments will SOLIDIFY IT.. in HIS HEART.. that he will never ACTUALLY be the top guy- because the top guy- IS. STILL. THE. MIZ. People have always had opinions about me, and they've always had a lot to say about my career and the choices I've made. However, I have no regrets whatsoever, because every decision that I've made in the EBWF has been made with one question in mind. "Does this decision get me closer to being the EBWF Champion?" If the answer was yes, then that's what I freaking did. Well here's another match that is going to bring up that very question. Does beating Xavier Woods within an inch of his short life get me close to being the EBWF Champion?

Riddle: YES!

The Miz didn't answer as his question was rhetorical. Riddle remained in thought.

Riddle: NO!

Still nothing from The Miz- Riddle looked concerned.

Riddle: MAYBE! I DON'T KNOW JUST TELL ME!

Riddle looked stressed.

The Miz: The answer Matt, is YES OF COURSE IT DOES! There's not many things in life that make me anxious, or nervous. There's few things that rattle my cage and get under my skin even in the slightest. I am as comfortable in a wrestling ring as you are in a hot boxed car. So- I'm looking at this for exactly what it is, and that is an OPPORTUNITY. You don't get to be me, by being incapable of taking advantage of opportunities. You get to be me because every time opportunity knocks you answer the door. Imagine a world where The Miz doesn't come through against Brian Kendrick. A world with no Trilogy, no Vertex, no countless matches where NOBODY thought I could do it but I did anyway. You can't do it can you?

Riddle closed his eyes, he seemed to be squeezing them tighter to indicate he was really trying to picture it.

Riddle: I don't know bro.. all I can see is a Whopper and Fries right now. I'm starving bro.

The Miz: Product placement aside- you can't picture me not capturing these moments and making them my own, because it's UNFATHOMABLE. I have proven it to be a sustained fact that if there was EVER a big match wrestler in this company- you are absolutely looking at him right now. Did I ever think that a match against Xavier Woods on Warfare would be considered a big match for me? No- no I definitely did not- I've wrestled GLACIER and I would have probably put you in that same tier.

Riddle: Damn that's cold bro.

Riddle smirked at his own joke. Miz paused and then gladly joined him.

The Miz: The point is- things can change- Xavier you've clearly changed this entire business mind about what you are capable of, and that's definitely commendable. It's admirable, it's well I mean it's actually pretty inspiring and relatable. You see Xavier once upon a time there was a kid from Ohio who appeared on MTV's THE REAL WORLD!

Riddle covered his mouth, he elbowed Cole and whispered " I think he's talking about him." Cole nodded like an adult does to a toddler.

The Miz: A youngster that had himself a dream. A dream to one day be the BEST PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO EVER LIVE. It seemed like a far fetched thought for anyone that he shared it with. How would an underdog from reality TV ever make his way into the ring. Nobody Xavier, NOBODY believed in me.. except one person.. and that one person was me. Young Miz, like young Xavier, was laughed at, doubted, and put down. Just like you Xavier, I was NOT GOING TO BE DENIED. I scratched and clawed my way into a business that didn't want me. Got reinstated in a company that tried to get rid of me. AND THEN I SCRATCHED AND CLAWED MY WAY.. right to the TOP of said company 6.. count them.. 6 FREAKING TIMES.. 6 TIMES I've held that belt that you probably sleep with at night like it's a stuffed animal. What you've done Xavier, the successes you've had, is well earned. It's well deserved.. but bad news buddy.. it's also going to be short lived. Though our stories are similar, Warfare is going to be make one thing PERFECTLY clear.. and that is that our ABILITY in THAT RING.. the ABILITY TO BE THE VERY BEST IN THIS COMPANY..

COULDN'T

BE

MORE

DIFFERENT.

BECAUSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

I'MMMMMMM THE MIZZZZZZZZZ

ANNNND I'MMMMMMMM

AWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSOOMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Riddle pumped his fists and smiled goofily as the scene faded to black.