Roadblock
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 3:04 pm
Twas the night before Christmas, and it was almost time for EBWF’s final event of the year, Christmas Eve of Destruction. Fans were filing into the sold-out Barclays Center, determined not to miss a moment of the action that would unfold at EBWF’s annual hardcore pay-per-view. Although there were no matches scheduled for the Christmas Eve of Destruction pre-show, the fans knew there was always a chance there would be an unscheduled appearance from one of their favourite EBWF superstars, and sure enough, with just over 30 minutes to go until the start of the show, “All About Tha (Boom!)” hit and the crowd cheered as the Breakout and Gateway Champion, Adam Cole stepped out onto the stage. Cole had the Breakout and Gateway Championships over his shoulders, and he was wearing black and red ring gear that he'd had made specially for the pay-per-view. Cole walked down the ramp, smiling confidently, then as he entered the ring, he held up both championships while the crowd shouted “ADAM COLE BAY BAY!” Cole placed both title belts down on the mat, grabbed a microphone and signalled for his music to be cut, then began to speak.
Adam Cole: Who’s ready for story time with Adam Cole, bay-bay? Tonight, my story is about the man who calls himself “Billy GOAT”, United Empire’s Will Ospreay. You made quite the statement when you entered EBWF, didn’t you Will? You weren’t prepared to wait for an opportunity... you didn’t knock on the door, you kicked it down, with the help of your buddies Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan. And here you are, just a few weeks later, with the chance to hold one of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling, the Gateway Championship. You talk about invasion, Will, you talk about creating your own stage... but let me remind you of something, “bruv”. EBWF is my stage, and you're just playing catch-up.
The crowd cheered. Cole grinned and leaned against the ropes, then continued speaking.
Adam Cole: You see, I've been carrying the Gateway and Breakout Championships for a while now, and I've made them mean something. It has been almost four months since Gateway to Glory, where I won not one but two championships in a single night, and beat Brock Anderson so badly he didn’t dare show his face in EBWF again. Since then, I have successfully defended the Breakout Championship twelve times. I offered anyone and everyone the opportunity to step up, and some big names have stepped up. I’ve beaten arguably the best technical wrestler in the world, Zack Sabre Jr, and the man who has held the EBWF World Championships more times than anyone else, Chris Jericho, to name just two. I haven’t defended the Gateway Championship yet, but believe me, that’s not by choice. I’ve been waiting for someone to earn that shot, and you’ve certainly earned it Will. And now, it's your turn to step into the spotlight.
Cole looked up at the steel cage hanging above the ring.
Adam Cole: Two men enter, one man leaves victorious, the other bloodied and beaten. No escape, they say. Pinfall or submission is the only way to win. Well, that's just the way I like it. Will, you talk a big game about values, about the importance of the Gateway Championship, but let me tell you something. I made this title mean something when I won it, and I'm not about to let you tarnish its legacy.
Cole paused, the intensity in his eyes burning through the camera. He picked up the Gateway Championship, and held it as he continued speaking.
Adam Cole: This right here, the Gateway Championship, represents opportunity. It's the door to greatness, the path to the EBWF World Championship, and for you Will, the championship and its holder represent a roadblock. You may think you're on a whole other level, Will, but tonight, in that steel cage, you're going to realise that there's only one level that matters... and that’s the level of the Panama City Playboy. Tonight, when that cage door closes and the bell rings, I'll show you exactly why I'm a double champion. I'll prove that I'm the man who makes championships mean something, not just someone who talks a big game.
Cole placed the Gateway Championship down on the mat again and began pacing around the ring.
Adam Cole: Will, you say you’re here to make a statement, to prove a point. But the only point you’re going to prove tonight is that you stepped up to challenge the wrong man. I don't just carry championships; I carry the weight of this company on my shoulders. And when I walk out of that steel cage still holding the Gateway Championship high... when I beat yet another guy who thinks he’s the greatest of all time... I’ll have proved that I’m ready to step up to the next level. So Damian Priest, if you walk out of Brooklyn tonight still the EBWF World Champion... then mark my words, you’re looking at your next challenger.
Cole dropped the microphone and as his music hit, he picked up both championships, exited the ring and made his way to the back.
Adam Cole: Who’s ready for story time with Adam Cole, bay-bay? Tonight, my story is about the man who calls himself “Billy GOAT”, United Empire’s Will Ospreay. You made quite the statement when you entered EBWF, didn’t you Will? You weren’t prepared to wait for an opportunity... you didn’t knock on the door, you kicked it down, with the help of your buddies Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan. And here you are, just a few weeks later, with the chance to hold one of the most prestigious championships in professional wrestling, the Gateway Championship. You talk about invasion, Will, you talk about creating your own stage... but let me remind you of something, “bruv”. EBWF is my stage, and you're just playing catch-up.
The crowd cheered. Cole grinned and leaned against the ropes, then continued speaking.
Adam Cole: You see, I've been carrying the Gateway and Breakout Championships for a while now, and I've made them mean something. It has been almost four months since Gateway to Glory, where I won not one but two championships in a single night, and beat Brock Anderson so badly he didn’t dare show his face in EBWF again. Since then, I have successfully defended the Breakout Championship twelve times. I offered anyone and everyone the opportunity to step up, and some big names have stepped up. I’ve beaten arguably the best technical wrestler in the world, Zack Sabre Jr, and the man who has held the EBWF World Championships more times than anyone else, Chris Jericho, to name just two. I haven’t defended the Gateway Championship yet, but believe me, that’s not by choice. I’ve been waiting for someone to earn that shot, and you’ve certainly earned it Will. And now, it's your turn to step into the spotlight.
Cole looked up at the steel cage hanging above the ring.
Adam Cole: Two men enter, one man leaves victorious, the other bloodied and beaten. No escape, they say. Pinfall or submission is the only way to win. Well, that's just the way I like it. Will, you talk a big game about values, about the importance of the Gateway Championship, but let me tell you something. I made this title mean something when I won it, and I'm not about to let you tarnish its legacy.
Cole paused, the intensity in his eyes burning through the camera. He picked up the Gateway Championship, and held it as he continued speaking.
Adam Cole: This right here, the Gateway Championship, represents opportunity. It's the door to greatness, the path to the EBWF World Championship, and for you Will, the championship and its holder represent a roadblock. You may think you're on a whole other level, Will, but tonight, in that steel cage, you're going to realise that there's only one level that matters... and that’s the level of the Panama City Playboy. Tonight, when that cage door closes and the bell rings, I'll show you exactly why I'm a double champion. I'll prove that I'm the man who makes championships mean something, not just someone who talks a big game.
Cole placed the Gateway Championship down on the mat again and began pacing around the ring.
Adam Cole: Will, you say you’re here to make a statement, to prove a point. But the only point you’re going to prove tonight is that you stepped up to challenge the wrong man. I don't just carry championships; I carry the weight of this company on my shoulders. And when I walk out of that steel cage still holding the Gateway Championship high... when I beat yet another guy who thinks he’s the greatest of all time... I’ll have proved that I’m ready to step up to the next level. So Damian Priest, if you walk out of Brooklyn tonight still the EBWF World Champion... then mark my words, you’re looking at your next challenger.
Cole dropped the microphone and as his music hit, he picked up both championships, exited the ring and made his way to the back.