Matchstick

[Ben M]

When the card for Warfare was revealed, and Adam Cole saw his name in the main event, he let out a sigh. It was partly out of relief, but there was also a feeling of exasperation. Main eventing Warfare was great, especially going up against the Breakout Champion Brock Anderson, who was on something of a hot streak. At Fallout, Brock Anderson had successfully defended his championship for the first time, defeating Christopher Daniels, Johnny Gargano, and MJF in a ladder match. But that was exactly why there were mixed feelings for Adam Cole... because he hadn’t been booked for Fallout. In fact, since Last Survivor, Cole hadn’t been booked at all. Going into Last Survivor, Cole had come out on top in a big match against Chris Jericho, a victory which meant that Cole would enter the men’s Last Survivor match, but Jericho wouldn’t. Cole had hoped that might lead to a rematch with Jericho at Fallout, to conclude their on-again, off-again feud on the big stage. But alas, the Jericho versus Cole feud seemed to be done and dusted in the eyes of the powers that be, and for two months, Cole had been paid to sit at home. So it was impossible not to feel bittersweet upon seeing another opportunity present itself, and wondering if it was even an opportunity at all.

Adam Cole: What do you think, Britt? Is this the start of something... or am I simply the enhancement talent to put Brock Anderson over, and allow him to continue his winning streak?

Cole turned to face his long-term girlfriend Britt Baker, hoping for words of support and encouragement, but more than anything wanting her honest opinion. Baker had also been left off of Fallout – in fact, since Last Survivor she’d only had one match herself, a losing effort to Jamie Hayter. So he knew she would understand his worries.

Britt Baker: Honestly? I don’t know, but I have a feeling it might be the start of something. I mean think about it... in winning that ladder match at Fallout, Brock has beaten the three guys who were all staking a claim for the Breakout Title. So as well as thinking about your own prospects, you have to wonder, what’s next for Brock? A rematch with Seth Rollins could happen, but that doesn’t seem likely – if that was the plan, surely they would have done that by now? I can’t see him feuding with Christopher Daniels or Johnny Gargano either, because he beat them both one on one before Fallout. A feud with MJF is a possibility, since they were hinting at that before Fallout, but rumour has it that Max got hurt in the ladder match, and needs some time off to recover. Obviously, that’s just a rumour. But if they want another contender to step up and challenge Brock... well, it seems to me like you’d be a logical choice.

Cole smiled. Everything Britt had said made sense to him. There was no guarantee that she was right, of course – Cole knew that in the professional wrestling business, nothing was guaranteed – but there was a chance. And Cole also knew that if an opportunity presented itself, he had to seize it with both hands.

Adam Cole: You’re right... well, I hope you are. Let’s see what happens after Warfare. I’ll give it my all in my match with Brock, and we’ll take it from there.

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When Cole arrived in Charlottesville for Warfare, he requested an interview with Renee Young. After a quick run-through, the cameras started rolling, and Renee began to speak.

Renee Young: Good evening, EBWF universe! I am backstage here at the John Paul Jones Arena with Adam Cole, who will be competing in our main event tonight against the Breakout Champion, Brock Anderson. Adam, what are your thoughts going into this match?

Adam Cole: My thoughts, Renee? Well, first of all I’m thinking, thank god you still remember my name. Because if you hadn’t noticed, I haven’t been around much recently. So I’m glad to be given the opportunity to do what I do best tonight, and give the EBWF fans one hell of a match while sticking the boots to Brock Anderson.

Renee Young: It certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed that this is your first match since Last Survivor, Adam. In fact, when speaking about tonight’s match, it was something your opponent Brock Anderson made reference to. He said...

Cole interrupted.

Adam Cole: I know exactly what he said, Renee. He said that I was “sitting around”, and that I’m “not out there showing up”. Is that right, Renee?

Renee nodded.

Renee Young: Yep, that’s pretty much what he said word for word.

Cole smiled.

Adam Cole: Thank you. Here’s the thing though... there’s an element of truth to what Brock was saying, but he’s only half-right. Yes, I’ve been sitting around, but not by choice. I have been showing up each and every week, ready to give the fans a show, but every week for the past two months, I’ve been told “sorry Adam, you’re not needed tonight”. And that really stings – it hurts me Renee, because I love professional wrestling, and I know the fans love seeing me wrestle, even if they don’t necessarily like me. But because I am a professional wrestler, every week when they tell me I’m not needed, I say “thank you very much, I’ll see you next week”. Maybe I shouldn’t be so polite. After all, I’m not always polite; sometimes, I will take matters into my own hands. Just ask Chris Jericho. But backstage, I’m a model citizen. I will do whatever is asked of me. Partly because of the way I was raised, but also because unlike Brock Anderson, I don’t have a famous father who is well respected in the industry to get me opportunities elsewhere if I burn my bridges. We talk a lot about forbidden doors in wrestling, but for Adam Cole, it’s a case of making sure the door is always open. I work hard to get my opportunities, and when someone is kind enough to give me an opportunity, I repay them by giving 110%. That’s why every company I’ve ever worked for would welcome me back with open arms. There’s a lot of wrestling companies who would welcome Brock with open arms too, but I’m telling you now Renee, if Brock wasn’t the son of Arn Anderson, he wouldn’t be the EBWF Breakout Champion. In fact, he’d be lucky to have a spot on the roster.

Renee Young: Wow, strong words. Surely you have to give Brock Anderson credit though? He’s been very impressive since signing for EBWF, and that’s why he’s the Breakout Champion. His father didn’t have anything to do with that. Not to mention Brock retained that title against the odds at Fallout, when he defeated Johnny Gargano, Christopher Daniels and MJF in a ladder match.

Adam Cole: Oh yeah, he’s done very well Renee, I’m not disputing that. I think he’s only lost two matches since signing for EBWF – well, three if you count the Last Survivor match. Brock Anderson is in the form of his life right now, and as he said himself, I’ll need to bring my A game to beat him. Brock has certainly proven himself these past few months, I’m just saying that if his surname wasn’t Anderson, he would have had to work a lot harder to even get his foot in the door. This month actually marks 15 years since I made my pro wrestling debut, and it took me 9 years of working my ass off before I was offered a deal with one of the major promotions. And even then, I spent four years in developmental before I said enough was enough, and walked away. Brock didn’t have those problems, Renee. He was signed to a big contract while he was still training to be a wrestler. That was less than two years ago, and sure he’s come a long way since then. But comparing Brock Anderson’s professional wrestling journey to mine is like comparing a kid who came from a broke family and had to fight tooth and nail to afford college with a kid from a rich family who were able to get him a place at Harvard by making a sizeable donation. Sure, the kid at Harvard will do well, because he’s at one of the best universities in the world. But that other kid, the one who barely made it to college, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the potential to do something great. It’s just going to take him a lot more effort. I’m that kid, Renee. I had to drop out of school to get a job so I could afford wrestling training. So if I’m not giving Brock Anderson the respect you think he deserves, that’s because I’m a little pissed about how easy he’s had it compared to me.

Renee Young: I can understand the point you’re trying to make, Adam. But regardless of how different Brock Anderson’s professional wrestling journey has been compared to yours, you’re both here now. And as you’ve said, Brock is on a good run. With the greatest of respect, and acknowledging that you haven’t been given as many opportunities as you’d like, do you think it’s fair to say that you haven’t been on such a good run yourself? And if that is the case, how are you going to turn that around?

Cole took a moment to compose his thoughts before responding.

Adam Cole: That’s a great question Renee, and that’s why you’re one of the best at what you do. Here’s the thing... I’m one of the best at what I do, too. But what you’ve said is perfectly fair, I haven’t shown that over the past year or so. I’m not going to make any excuses about why that’s been the case; I’ve spent too much time focusing on the past already. As you said, Brock and I are both here now. And tonight, in the main event, I have the opportunity to knock Brock Anderson off his perch. So how am I going to turn things around, you ask? By doing exactly just that. Momentum is everything in wrestling, and if I can beat the Breakout Champion tonight, not only will I put an end to Brock’s hot streak, but it could be the start of a hot streak of my own.

Renee Young: And I presume if you were to beat the Breakout Champion tonight, you’d expect to be in contention for a shot at the title?

Cole smirked.

Adam Cole: One hundred percent. Brock said he’s not a short straw, but maybe he’s a matchstick... because he just lit a fire under my ass. And I think he’s going to live to regret it.

Cole nodded, and walked away, leaving Renee to wrap things up.