San Antonio, Texas. Shawn Michaels had made enough money in his illustrious career that he would never have to wrestle again if he so desired. His home reflected this. A very nice piece of land that gave himself, his wife of over ten years and two young children a reason to enjoy life. As the trainer of Brian Kendrick, The 'Heartbreak Kid' had provided an invaluable source of wisdom for the rising star. If there was an accolade or accomplishment to be had in the world of wrestling, you could be sure that Shawn Michaels had been there and done that. With his career moving upwards but in dire need of just an extra push, Brian Kendrick arrived in Texas with Tiffany in tow with the intent of obtaining whatever advice he could obtain.
The doll bell rang and Shawn greeted the pair. His unshaven face cracked a smile and the familiar cowboy hat was present, of course. Kendrick, for his part, had cleaned up very nicely. With a black tux coat, a button up white dress shirt and black dress slacks he almost didn't look recognizable. Tiffany also looked particularly stunning in a form fitting white dress, her hair neatly pulled backwards and expensive jewelry adorning her.
| Shawn Michaels | I don't think I've ever seen you dress this well. What's the occasion, kid?
| Brian Kendrick | Not everyday you get dinner in a swanky place like this, is it?
Although Shawn was no longer contractually obligated to appear in EBWF, he still followed the product whenever he had the opportunity. He had seen and also been told of his former student's erratic behavior and sometimes disturbing behavior. But Shawn was well aware that Brian could be described as eccentric. He wouldn't have agreed to train him if he had been ordinary. Besides, at thirty one years old, a lot of people surely thought Shawn Michaels was crazy as well. He felt confident that time would mellow Brian out.
| Shawn Michaels | Who's the looker?
Shawn motioned his head towards Tiffany and gave a wink. He still had some of the old HBK lingering about inside of him. The blond smiled politely and introduced herself.
| Tiffany | Tiffany Terrell. Brian and I work together. Charmed.
Another blond emerged at the doorway. Shawn's wife Rebecca. She smiled upon seeing Brian who she knew fairly well from Brian's days at the Texas Wrestling Academy. Brian would often crash at Shawn's home during his early days in the wrestling business and got to know his wife in the process. Or fiancee during some of that time.
| Rebecca | Brian! You made it! And you brought a friend, I see.
The doll bell rang and Shawn greeted the pair. His unshaven face cracked a smile and the familiar cowboy hat was present, of course. Kendrick, for his part, had cleaned up very nicely. With a black tux coat, a button up white dress shirt and black dress slacks he almost didn't look recognizable. Tiffany also looked particularly stunning in a form fitting white dress, her hair neatly pulled backwards and expensive jewelry adorning her.
| Shawn Michaels | I don't think I've ever seen you dress this well. What's the occasion, kid?
| Brian Kendrick | Not everyday you get dinner in a swanky place like this, is it?
Although Shawn was no longer contractually obligated to appear in EBWF, he still followed the product whenever he had the opportunity. He had seen and also been told of his former student's erratic behavior and sometimes disturbing behavior. But Shawn was well aware that Brian could be described as eccentric. He wouldn't have agreed to train him if he had been ordinary. Besides, at thirty one years old, a lot of people surely thought Shawn Michaels was crazy as well. He felt confident that time would mellow Brian out.
| Shawn Michaels | Who's the looker?
Shawn motioned his head towards Tiffany and gave a wink. He still had some of the old HBK lingering about inside of him. The blond smiled politely and introduced herself.
| Tiffany | Tiffany Terrell. Brian and I work together. Charmed.
Another blond emerged at the doorway. Shawn's wife Rebecca. She smiled upon seeing Brian who she knew fairly well from Brian's days at the Texas Wrestling Academy. Brian would often crash at Shawn's home during his early days in the wrestling business and got to know his wife in the process. Or fiancee during some of that time.
| Rebecca | Brian! You made it! And you brought a friend, I see.
| Brian Kendrick | Heyyy Rebecca. This is Tiffany. You two should go inside and get to know each other. I've got to ask the old man a few things.
Tiffany and Rebecca silently agreed and began to chat idly once they made their way inside and away from front door. Brian gave a small wave and then returned his attention directly back to Shawn.
| Brian Kendrick | I need to pick your brain, man. I've got this match with Cena. The World Champion. If I win this thing I'll finally get to where I deserve to be.
| Shawn Michaels | I'm here to help. But let's talk business when dinner's ready. Someone has been wanting to see you.
Brian poked his head into the house and spotted a small, seven year old girl peeking back from around a staircase. He didn't get to see saw kid's terribly often but they were familiar enough to have formed a bond. Brian crept his way inside, kneeling towards the girl playfully.
| Brian Kendrick | Is that Cheyenne over there?
The girl rushed over and hugged Brian around the neck who lightly patted her on the back. He gave a look up towards Shawn.
| Brian Kendrick | Where's Cameron?
| Shawn Michaels | Glued to his Playstation. We'll try and pry him off later. Come into the living room, bring the kid, would ya?
| Brian Kendrick | I need to pick your brain, man. I've got this match with Cena. The World Champion. If I win this thing I'll finally get to where I deserve to be.
| Shawn Michaels | I'm here to help. But let's talk business when dinner's ready. Someone has been wanting to see you.
Brian poked his head into the house and spotted a small, seven year old girl peeking back from around a staircase. He didn't get to see saw kid's terribly often but they were familiar enough to have formed a bond. Brian crept his way inside, kneeling towards the girl playfully.
| Brian Kendrick | Is that Cheyenne over there?
The girl rushed over and hugged Brian around the neck who lightly patted her on the back. He gave a look up towards Shawn.
| Brian Kendrick | Where's Cameron?
| Shawn Michaels | Glued to his Playstation. We'll try and pry him off later. Come into the living room, bring the kid, would ya?
Kendrick scooped the child up into his arms and followed along after Shawn. From there it was friendly chatter and reminiscing. Tiffany got to see some old photo's of a close to teen-aged Brian in his rookie stages. After a nice dinner and the sun began to drop, the kids were placed into bed upstairs. Rebecca was in the kitchen finishing up the dishes while Brian, Tiffany and Shawn began to speak at a dining room table. Shawn was on one end and Brian and Tiffany sat together at the other. All three hand a glass of wine present in their hands. We pick up in mid-conversation..
| Brian Kendrick | ..that's the deal. I need to get this win over Cena. I have to. They can't deny me anymore if I do this. They can't stop me from main eventing.
| Brian Kendrick | ..that's the deal. I need to get this win over Cena. I have to. They can't deny me anymore if I do this. They can't stop me from main eventing.
| Shawn Michaels | I have to admit, I didn't think much of the guy at first. But he's a draw. Even my kids love him. You can't deny what he's been able to do.
| Brian Kendrick | Really? You don't let them listen to his music, do you? I think I'm going to have to phone social services if you're letting those poor kids listen to a rapper who's whiter than sour cream.
Brian flashed a wry grin and the comment was able to elicit a chuckle from Shawn.
| Shawn Michaels | I didn't say all of that. I was leaning more towards his in-ring ability. Not the best technique but he's obscenely strong. I was in some Battle Royals with Andre The Giant when I first started and John's right up there with him.
| Brian Kendrick | C'mon! John Cena was in the Marine and Andre was in the PRINCESS BRIDE! You can't compare those two at all!
Shawn smirks while Tiffany giggles between a sip of wine. It looked as though Kendrick could actually be pretty charming when he wanted to be.
| Brian Kendrick | Alright, seriously. I wouldn't have came here if I was concerned about this guys talents. What would you do? How would you stop someone like him? You've been in the ring with him before. It's a tables match. I don't have to pin him and I don't have to submit him. All I have to do is put through a table.
Shawn possessed empathy for Brian's situation. He knew was it like to be talented but get continuously overlooked due to not looking like a traditional wrestling icon. He thought long and hard over the question that had been presented to him.
| Shawn Michaels | What I came to find late in my career was my faith. A faith in a higher power. I know you may not believe in the same thing but it gave me an inner strength. The strength to persevere when I felt like giving in. This is the absolute best advise I can give you. It's something I wish I had when I was in your same position.
Kendrick paused before taking a long, hard drink. He himself was not a man of God by any means. But perhaps he could take some form of meaning in Shawn's advice and use it to his advantage.
| Brian Kendrick | Thank you, Shawn. Really. Thanks for everything.
| Shawn Michaels | I'm happy to help you. I want to see you succeed.
| Brian Kendrick | Thank you..
Without even the slightest warning or provocation, Kendrick's now empty glass of wine was thrown directly into Shawn's face from across the table. The glass erupted upon impact and instantly began to form cuts and deep lacerations.
| Brian Kendrick | ..for that.
Kendrick rushed around the table and tackled Shawn to the floor as he got to his feet, immediately pummeling him with right hands. Shawn struggled but the assault continued until the struggling turned into quivering. The blood from the glass was quickly starting to spread onto Shawn's face and Brian's fist and clothing. Each punch opened the cuts wider and wider until HBK had begun to look like he had just been in a car wreck. And the screaming. Screams, screams, screams. Not from Shawn but from his wife Rebecca who had rushed in from the kitchen. She begged and pleaded for Brian to stop with a voice that quaked and eyes that were filling with tears. Tiffany merely stood and observed, completely stone faced to the torment Rebecca was witnessing. But it didn't stop. Not until Shawn's movements had completely ceased. Even then Kendrick threw one final shot to his trainers prone face. Pulling himself off of Shawn, Brian turned towards his wife. His fancy clothes now stained with blood and his hair no longer in an orderly state.
| Brian Kendrick | ..Where are the kids?
The voice came out in a commanding whisper. Rebecca was much too terrified to respond. Kendrick sharply drew closer to her.
| Brian Kendrick | WHERE ARE THEY?!
The feed at this point suddenly cut.
| Brian Kendrick | ..for that.
Kendrick rushed around the table and tackled Shawn to the floor as he got to his feet, immediately pummeling him with right hands. Shawn struggled but the assault continued until the struggling turned into quivering. The blood from the glass was quickly starting to spread onto Shawn's face and Brian's fist and clothing. Each punch opened the cuts wider and wider until HBK had begun to look like he had just been in a car wreck. And the screaming. Screams, screams, screams. Not from Shawn but from his wife Rebecca who had rushed in from the kitchen. She begged and pleaded for Brian to stop with a voice that quaked and eyes that were filling with tears. Tiffany merely stood and observed, completely stone faced to the torment Rebecca was witnessing. But it didn't stop. Not until Shawn's movements had completely ceased. Even then Kendrick threw one final shot to his trainers prone face. Pulling himself off of Shawn, Brian turned towards his wife. His fancy clothes now stained with blood and his hair no longer in an orderly state.
| Brian Kendrick | ..Where are the kids?
The voice came out in a commanding whisper. Rebecca was much too terrified to respond. Kendrick sharply drew closer to her.
| Brian Kendrick | WHERE ARE THEY?!
The feed at this point suddenly cut.
Static. Nothing but static. The scene was now in a drastically different location. It was much later into the night in what appeared to be a parking lot of unknown origin. Brian Kendrick was still dressed in the same attire, sans the tuxedo coat. His white shirt was still covered in the now dried blood of Shawn Michaels and some traces of it could still be seen on his hands. He paced lightly, running a hand through his hair without a trace of an expression, while a dim pair of headlights were flashed on behind him. His confidant Raven sat perched on the hood of the car with his hands folded together. This was likely the vehicle that was used to speed away from the Michaels' property. Tiffany stood near the passenger side door with her arms folded. Kendrick begins to speak in a very slow and precise tone.
| Brian Kendrick | What I did..was to get rid of any of these preconceived notions about myself. Presumably, I was trained by Shawn Michaels so I copy his in-ring style. This is what I've been told. I think I proved that I have nothing in common with Shawn Michaels. Even at his worst, most egotistical, drug fueled days, Shawn was not capable of doing what I did to him in front of his own wife. All while his lovely little children were fast asleep upstairs.
He lifts his visibly shaking hands upwards. The adrenaline from his actions were still coursing their way through his veins and he had yet to come down. He didn't care. He loved the rush. It was better than any drug he had ever tried.
| Brian Kendrick | And if I can do that to the man responsible for me even having a career in this business..what can I do to John Cena? Hm? Which brings me to the elitist, second preconceived notion that I seemed to be labeled with. That I can't be a World Champion. Ask John Cena if he thinks that's the case. You won't get a real answer from you, will we, Cena? No, we won't. Because you have to wrap yourself up in this identity that's gotten bigger than you probably could have imagined. You're going to flash those pearly whites, tell a little joke, make a few people laugh and go on your merry way. But you see, John Cena, you shouldn't do that. No, no, no. It's fine if you feel the need to patronize your ugly, thalidomide, fan base. You can lie to your..what do you call them? Your 'Cenation'? You can lie to them for the rest of your life. ..But do not..do not..DO NOT!!
His voice raises to a deeper toned scream before slipping back to a calm whisper.
| Brian Kendrick | What I did..was to get rid of any of these preconceived notions about myself. Presumably, I was trained by Shawn Michaels so I copy his in-ring style. This is what I've been told. I think I proved that I have nothing in common with Shawn Michaels. Even at his worst, most egotistical, drug fueled days, Shawn was not capable of doing what I did to him in front of his own wife. All while his lovely little children were fast asleep upstairs.
He lifts his visibly shaking hands upwards. The adrenaline from his actions were still coursing their way through his veins and he had yet to come down. He didn't care. He loved the rush. It was better than any drug he had ever tried.
| Brian Kendrick | And if I can do that to the man responsible for me even having a career in this business..what can I do to John Cena? Hm? Which brings me to the elitist, second preconceived notion that I seemed to be labeled with. That I can't be a World Champion. Ask John Cena if he thinks that's the case. You won't get a real answer from you, will we, Cena? No, we won't. Because you have to wrap yourself up in this identity that's gotten bigger than you probably could have imagined. You're going to flash those pearly whites, tell a little joke, make a few people laugh and go on your merry way. But you see, John Cena, you shouldn't do that. No, no, no. It's fine if you feel the need to patronize your ugly, thalidomide, fan base. You can lie to your..what do you call them? Your 'Cenation'? You can lie to them for the rest of your life. ..But do not..do not..DO NOT!!
His voice raises to a deeper toned scream before slipping back to a calm whisper.
| Brian Kendrick | Do not patronize me. For once in your life, save your dull, tiresome little schtick and answer truthfully. I can be World Champion for the simple fact that I have beaten you before. I didn't pin you, I didn't make you tap out, I forced you into unconsciousness. The man with the mantra of 'NEVER GIVE UP', gave up. How many other people can that? How many other people can say that they forcefully choked out the all mighty John Cena? And I'm just dying to hear what kind an excuse you come up with for yourself. Were you off your game that night? A little tired? Did Torrie Wilson keep you up all night? And I'm not eluding to sex. I have to imagine that she kept you up all night trying to find your balls. Because as far as I can tell, you don't actually have any! Because John Cena, the most predictable man in this company, didn't want to put his title up on the line.
His hands were thrown skywards in complete and utter disgust. It was clear and apparent that Brian Kendrick was walking a precariously thin line of sanity.
| Brian Kendrick | What do I have to do? WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO? How many hoops do I have to jump through to get one, small, tiny, title opportunity. Do I have to line up every NBC executive and give them each a hand job? How many times do I have to be denied before someone gets it through their head that I will persist until I get what I rightfully deserve? And Cena, being oh so predictable, is going to tell me that I don't deserve a shot at his title. He'll tell you that he doesn't view me as a threat. And he'll do it in front of his legion of drooling, moronic fans and maybe throw up a couple of funny pictures on the 'tron. Here Cena. Let me save you the trouble. I sort of look like Kurt Cobain and we both know where his career ended up and you think mine is going down the same path! Metaphorically, of course. John Cena would never advocate suicide. He's just too swell of a guy to do something like that. Wouldn't want to give the kiddies any wrong ideas, would we? Or how about some pot jokes? Those are a little safer. Because, you know, I've never heard those before. I'm sure with a little ingenuity you could photo-shop me with Cheech and Chong. That's a reference that's as outdated as Rain Man or Forrest Gump so it's about right up your alley, champ.
Oh, oh, oh. Let's not stop there. I can also predict that your going to bring up the fact that I almost won the Wargames match and I almost won the Royal Rumble. And how exactly do you think that's going to increase your chances of beating me? Do you have any idea what that does to someone's state of mind? To have to go through things like that, to have your body pummeled and destroyed, for essentially no reward at all! It just makes me that more desperate and that more anxious to rearrange your Hollywood good looks. I went through twenty nine other men! Twenty nine! For well over an hour! So don't question whether or not I can hang at a main event level! And some overrated..
He has to pause to prevent from screaming his throat out. It was an unbelievable frustration to get so far and lose just by the skin of your teeth. If he had just won that fucking thing he wouldn't even be in this situation.
| Brian Kendrick | ..watered down, Canadian piece of trash, who's name I won't even say because he doesn't deserve it, got lucky. He got lucky. He had a six month vacation while I was here fighting guys like CM Punk and Undertaker. He didn't eliminate me from the Royal Rumble, gravity did. Something keeps preventing me from getting my rightful shot at you. Shawn Michaels might have called it divine intervention but his Lord and his Christ just let me beat him into a bloody mess so I don't think that's it. I think the reason I've been prevented from facing you, the reason all these hurdles and obstacles have been put in my way, is so I can store all these emotions up. So I could let them build and build. So when I finally released them, or unleashed them as it were, I could give you a proper beating. Not just leave you laying but leave you traumatized.
After sucking in air deeply he tries his best keep his composure and keep his emotions firmly in check.
| Brian Kendrick | But I'm forgetting. Silly me. John Cena is a tough guy. He's hard. He can plow through guys like Randy Orton and end his bloated title run. He can smash the Wade Barrett's of the world and leave them licking their wounds. You've been in the 'Cage of Death'. That's a really cute name but it doesn't mean anything to me. I'm aware that you, Chain-Gang Leader, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean, are capable of making a man bleed. You're righteous and you have this thing with punishing those who you deem to be wrong doers. How noble of you to appoint yourself our judge jury and executioner. Like during the Rumble when you stuck your nose where it didn't belong. "No! Wes! Stop this! Let my overwhelming holy power allow you to see the error of your ways!" ..And then he dropped you straight on your head. That was hilarious! If I wasn't busy trying to win a match I might have busted a gut laughing. But yes, Cena, you can make a man bleed. But do you enjoy it? Do you..think about when you're designing your next piece of merchandise? Because I do. And to tell you the truth..
Kendrick looks about and lightly cups a hand over his mouth, starting to talk in a soft whisper.
| Brian Kendrick | ..and this might file this under TMI..but..it kind gets me off. Sick, I know. But it's the kind of person I am. I mean, I love the warm, filthy, embrace of a woman but that has to be at least a close second.
A grin. Nothing overstated, cartoonish or completely maniacal just one that slowly progresses along his face. But it quickly returns to the opposite form of emotion.
| Brian Kendrick | But this is just sorely, sorely trying my patience. I've really gotten to a point where I'm no longer going to be held accountable for my actions. And I just I should just go ahead and apologize to all of John Cena's twitter friends. All those leeches that follow his every move and slurp them down with a smile. There isn't going to be an after party. Awwwww. So sorry. John isn't going to be able to make it. He's going to in the hospital after he goes crashing through a table, hopefully more than one. Maybe I'll just set them all on fire and steal the damn title. That's apparently how things work around here, right? You can steal a title and make it yours. Wait. That would make me like everyone else and that is not the case. If I have to go through all of this trouble, I might as well earn the god damn thing. I'm not like Chris Jericho and I'm sure as hell not like Paul Burchill. Which brings me to my next preconceived notion.
Turning towards Raven, he approaches the ride he is sat upon and brings the veteran by the leather jacket he's wearing.
| Brian Kendrick | I've been told I cut promo's like you! That's funny because I don't ever remember quoting Edgar Allan Poe! And, hey, my parents sucked too but you never hear me bitching about it!
Kendrick beings to grin wildly while practically laughing his head off. Raven shoots him an odd look and it's beginning to sink in that his charge may have possibly cracked. The ECW Original forcefully shoves Kendrick backwards and rises from the hood of the car.
| Raven | I think you're forgetting who brought you back here in the first place.
| Brian Kendrick | Yeah? And I think you're forgetting who put your dead career on life support.
Spreading his arms outwards, Kendrick seemingly invites Raven to throw the first punch. Raven seems more than inclined to do so but he's met with some resistance in the form of a high heeled shoe landing directly between his legs, courtesy of a reluctant Tiffany. Which can't have been a pleasant experience by one's standards. Raven doubles over and Kendrick quickly seizes the opportunity by grabbing his now former mentor by the shoulders. Raven is sent head first towards the windshield of the car and his head does a sizable amount of damage on the glass. Cracked, the shards litter the sidewalk and Tiffany, probably wisely, ducks behind the car out of fear. She doesn't want to be next. Raven's lifelessly body slumps face first onto the ground, his bleached blond hair quickly becoming a deep shade of red. Brian Kendrick's tattered and already blood stained clothing is now in even worse condition than before. He kneels himself down beside the writhing form of his ex-ally.
| Brian Kendrick | So. There went preconceived notion number three. Thank you for helping me illustrate my point, Raven.
Kendrick beings to grin wildly while practically laughing his head off. Raven shoots him an odd look and it's beginning to sink in that his charge may have possibly cracked. The ECW Original forcefully shoves Kendrick backwards and rises from the hood of the car.
| Raven | I think you're forgetting who brought you back here in the first place.
| Brian Kendrick | Yeah? And I think you're forgetting who put your dead career on life support.
Spreading his arms outwards, Kendrick seemingly invites Raven to throw the first punch. Raven seems more than inclined to do so but he's met with some resistance in the form of a high heeled shoe landing directly between his legs, courtesy of a reluctant Tiffany. Which can't have been a pleasant experience by one's standards. Raven doubles over and Kendrick quickly seizes the opportunity by grabbing his now former mentor by the shoulders. Raven is sent head first towards the windshield of the car and his head does a sizable amount of damage on the glass. Cracked, the shards litter the sidewalk and Tiffany, probably wisely, ducks behind the car out of fear. She doesn't want to be next. Raven's lifelessly body slumps face first onto the ground, his bleached blond hair quickly becoming a deep shade of red. Brian Kendrick's tattered and already blood stained clothing is now in even worse condition than before. He kneels himself down beside the writhing form of his ex-ally.
| Brian Kendrick | So. There went preconceived notion number three. Thank you for helping me illustrate my point, Raven.
Resting his hands onto his knee's with a pleasant smile, he turns to the camera.
| Brian Kendrick | What you think you know about me? You should forget it. Erase all of it. The only thing you to think about when it concerns myself..is your next World Champion. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get out of this state before I get two charges of assault slapped one me. Start the car Tiffany!
| Brian Kendrick | What you think you know about me? You should forget it. Erase all of it. The only thing you to think about when it concerns myself..is your next World Champion. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get out of this state before I get two charges of assault slapped one me. Start the car Tiffany!
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