I choose me.

[Cory]

The following video is an EBWF.net exclusive.

The scene opened up on Damian Priest hanging out backstage, sitting on a chair backwards. Hanging off the chair was the EBWF World Championship. Paul Heyman was standing behind him, arms folded.

Paul Heyman: Ladies and gentlemen, my name… is Paul Heyman. And regardless of what Johnny Gargano might tell you, I am the esteemed advocate of the reigning, defending, undisputed EBWF World Champion. And the REASON that I am the advocate of this great man, is because I respect him. I provide for him the resources and the opportunities that he may not know to ask for. That’s the value I provide to Damian Priest. You see, Damian and I had a long conversation after our.. discussion in the ring last week. We took a moment to have a meeting of the minds, if you will. And after talking at length with my client, I will say that I now understand his perspective. I understand his desire to win his matches by his own merits. He doesn’t need my help, he doesn’t need anyone’s help. Now that I understand his goals, I understand my role a little better as the advocate for the EBWF World Champion.

Damian put his hand out for the mic and Heyman handed it to him promptly, a smirk on his features. Damian took a moment to stare at his World Championship title before looking into the camera.

Damian Priest: Yo, Johnny. I see what you’re doin’. I like it. Good strategy, painting a picture where I have to choose between being the honorable guy, and sticking with Paul Heyman. Your first mistake is thinking that these two things are opposites. Like the only way that I can do things my way is to drop my advocate. Divide and conquer isn’t a bad plan, but it’s misguided my man. Paul here?

He gestured behind him.

Damian Priest: Paul’s my boy. We had a talk, man to man. Hashed some things out, broke bread. You see, Paul didn’t know how to approach our partnership, so he’s been running the Brock Lesnar playbook. As a wrestler, Brock Lesnar was elite. But as a person? He had zero integrity. Brock Lesnar didn’t give two shits about his personal pride. He just wanted W’s. After we talked, I let Paul know what I want. I want to win, but I don’t want my opponents to have an excuse to rely on. I don’t want Johnny Gargano telling the whole world that the whole reason I beat his ass from corner to corner was because he was distracted by Paul Heyman. So from now on, the expectation has been set. There won’t be involvement from my advocate. When the ref raises my hand, it’ll be because I went into that ring and put in the work.

He handed back the mic, picking up his World Championship title and slinging it over his shoulder as Paul spoke.

Paul Heyman: I guess you could say that Damian Priest has made his choice. Tonight, my client is going to continue his unbeaten streak. He’s not defending his World Championship, but he is defending his honor. He’s defending his pride as the man at the top of the mountain. He needs a worthy opponent. The search is on for the next contender for the EBWF World Champion. Is it going to be you, Johnny Wrestling? Are you going to step up and stake your claim? This could be your only opportunity to show something to EBWF top brass and earn yourself a shot at the big one. Will you take advantage of that?

Heyman smirked.

Paul Heyman: See, if you has me in your corner, you might get more opportunities like this. But the real question is this: Are you going to be able to beat Damian Priest and earn yourself an opportunity at the EBWF World Championship?

Paul shrugged with a confident smirk.

Paul Heyman: The answer is no. And that’s not just a prediction…

Priest smirked as he grabbed the microphone.

Damian Priest: That’s a spoiler.

He stood up, patting his title with his hand as he walked off and the scene faded to black.