- Stop -
You've created a monster.
Quite an odd thing to say, really, considering you're all of seven feet and four hundred and forty-one pounds; they don't call you the Big Show for nothin'. But yes indeed, you've most certainly created a bonafide monster.
His name is Daniel Bryan: submission specialist, vegan, World Heavyweight Champion, and - as of TLC - one arrogant little prick.
It was easy to see why everyone in the back was so high on him, at first. Humble, hard working, experienced. The type of fighter who couldn't get a foot in the door based on his physical merits - not like you honestly did - so instead he learned and learned and worked and worked and worked. And eventually, he improved to the point where he could let his skills do all the talking. Thus, when Mark Henry started targeting him for a spot in the hall of pain, you quickly took him under your wing.
You protected him, encouraged him, and in return, he gave you a weapon to use against the World's Strongest Man. That briefcase started everything. And you, you planted the idea of using the Money in the Bank inside his head. It was all you.
No surprise, then, when he finally took that opportunity. But you expected him to cash in and give big bad Mark his comeuppance, not end your your stay at the top of the mountain before it even began.
Nine years without a world title. You didn't even get the hold the belt in your hands for more than twenty seconds.
Yet even then, it didn't feel like a betrayal. He deserved it, fair and square, after all.
But now you look, and it's clear that the World Heavyweight Championship has changed him. That endearing humbleness, that bright-eyed striving to climb to the top: everything you liked about Daniel Bryan has hidden itself deep within his psyche, and replaced with the constant celebrations of a manipulative, egomaniacal jackass.
No, the cashing in wasn't a betrayal.
The look in his eye when he calls you a freak and tells you to retire for something as simple as an accident? That's betrayal.
And that scheming look he gives you with his arm firmly grasped around AJ's shoulders - that poor, sweet, lovestruck girl - it takes every muscle in your body to stop your right hand from knocking that grin right off his face.
He'll get his though. Years of experience tell you that. They all get their comeuppance in the end. And if you find yourself face-to-face with Daniel inside the elimination chamber, you know it will come sooner rather than later. You might not win, it's only a one in six chance, but no matter what, you don't want that title around his waist any longer.
You're not to blame, in the end. He's the one who got caught up in world title glory, he's the one who let the gold get to his head. He shouldn't be your responsibility. But when it's all said and done, he's seemingly made it his personal mission to get under your skin.
Now it's your personal mission to stop his world title reign. Your responsibility to stop the pompous, pretentious drivel coming out his mouth.
Lucky then that this match is inside the elimination chamber; there's no better way to beat some humbleness back into him. He can complain about animal cruelty until he's blue in the face, but he won't understand how cruel life can be until he finds your mitts wrapped around his neck. Plus, the chance to win back the world title AND hold it for more than twenty seconds? Icing on the cake. Oh yes, this Sunday, you'll be stopping many things, but in the long run, you'll be happiest to stop looking at your shoulder and not seeing a big, shiny piece of congratulatory hardware there.
And if all else fails, after the pay-per-view, you can always just tip over Daniel's Prius.
- The Big Show -
A/N: I'll be changing the listed main characters with every update, so don't be surprised if the story doesn't show up under a searched character in the end (unless you're looking up one of the final two ficlet subjects). I think this is the final time I'll be saying this.
Thanks for reading. Reviews are not only encouraged, they're allowed. Next chapter: Show.
