Chapter 15: Bad News

Monday, May 18th, 2015 - Richmond, Virginia

The new WWE Intercontinental Champion walked into The Richmond Coliseum with a huge smile on his face. He was wearing his Jordan 1 "Chicago"s with his ripped light blue jeans with his "King Me" shirt. He had his usual jewelry on including the golden hoops in his ears but now he had a new piece of jewelry. He had the golden Intercontinental Championship on his shoulder with its white strap. He had the beautiful, yet classic WWE Intercontinental Championship. It was the first Championship in his WWE career, in fact in his entire career.

He came a long way from when he first entered. WrestleMania match, King of the Ring, Intercontinental Champion all in the span of a short time.

"Look at him, just cheesing." Joe joked walking up to with Jon as Cedric who stood there with that same smile.

"First Championship. They grow up so fast." Jon joked making Cedric roll his eyes.

"Look at you man, Champion. I gotta ask how does it feel?"

"Awesome. I'm happy to be standing here with this. And glad I'm not in a boardroom like I studied for in college."

"This is where you belong."

"Funny. My best friend Red told me the exact same thing."

"Great minds think alike."

"Who told you that you have a great mind?" Joe asked as he turned and looked at Jon who looked at Joe with an annoyed look.

"There's the Intercontinental Champion. Congrats, Ced, you really worked hard for this." Paul Levesque said walking over to the group of men. It really meant a lot to Ced hearing his mentor compliment him. Paul was one of Ced's absolute favorite wrestlers growing up and one of the big influences on his career so when he got the chance to first meet him, it really made the fanboy within him happy. But now he had the chance to see his favorite wrestler every day as his boss and it made him happy. It made everything surreal.

"Thank you. It really means a lot to me." Paul and Ced shook hands as JoJo walked towards the group with a smile of her own.

"Alright well, we're gonna leave you two. I'm sure y'all got something or whatever." Paul said as he backed away walking away. Joe grabbed Jon and dragged him away leaving the two alone together.

"Hey, Champ."

"Hey Jo, look I'm sorry I left yesterday before we could go out. I was celebrating with the boys but trust me I will make it up to you. I'm having a party at my house on Saturday and I want you there."

"Well, if you want me there I'll be there but I'm still mad at you."

"I know babe but I'm gonna make it up to you soon." He said leaning down and giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"You better."

"I will. I promise." He chuckled.

"Go on now before I lose this smile." She said as he caught her with a quick peck before walking away. He looked back and got one more look at JoJo with a wink before he continued on. She sighed and shook her head watching as he walked away.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

"Icon" Hits

The noise in the Richmond Coliseum was blowing the roof of the joint as the WWE Universe was cheering as they heard the music of the WWE Intercontinental Champion. Ced walked out onto the stage with the Intercontinental Championship in his hands. The little boy within Ced was smiling just as big as the grown man on the outside was smiling. He raised the title up in the air looking on with a smile. The cheering was quickly displaced with boos as BARRETT CAME ATTACKING CED FROM BEHIND.

"Icon" Stops

Barrett started to stomp Ced out as the fans booed.

"Shut up!" Barrett shouted as he turned his back to Ced giving him the time he needed to reach a vertical base. The Intercontinental Champion started to trade blows with his rival until Barret stopped the offense with a kick to the gut. This gave Barrett all the time hee needed to change his elbow pad out to a red pad letting the people know what was coming. And Barrett with the BULL HAMMER KNOCKING CED OUT COLD.

The fans booed as Barrett walked towards the title looking down before he turned his attentions back to Ced dragging him up, putting him on his shoulders. AND BARRETT BREAKING CED IN HALF WITH A WASTELAND ON THE STEEL STAGE.

"I'm afraid I've got some Bad News!" Barrett laughed as he looked down at the 2015 King of the Ring and the current Intercontinental Champion.

"Rebel Son" Plays

Barrett backed up into the back as a few members of WWE's Medical Team came out to help Ced.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

A few moments later, Ced came stumbling backstage despite the shouting from the Medical team telling him not to. He was hugging his title as he looked on wincing in pain. He turned towards the camera looking directly on with a frown as he had pain in his eyes.

"Barrett. You talk about Bad News. Well, let me give you the Bad News. Elimination Chamber. May 31st in Corpus Christi. Your ass just wrote a check that you can't cash. You may have won the battle but trust me, I'll win the war." Ced declared as he continued walking as the doctors followed closely behind him helping him out.

(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)

Thursday, May 21st, 2015 - Norfolk, VA

Barrett and Ziggler were going toe-to-toe with eachother having a classic like only those two can have. Both men were giving it their all to prove something. To maybe earn themselves a shot at the Intercontinental Championship.

Ziggler jumped up onto Barretts back locking on a sleeper hold. But Barrett backed up into the corner knocking the referee down as well as loosening the hold. Both men dropped down to the mat and this gave Barrett room to recuperate. He rolled under the bottom rope onto the arena floor. He backed up a bit holding onto a rip looking on.

A bunch of cheers came making Barrett turn around into a SPEAR FROM CED. The Intercontinental Champion looked down at Barrett with a smile on his face as the WWE Universe cheered around him. Ced stood up to his feet and grabbed Barrett throwing him into the ring. Ziggler stood up on his feet and waited till Barrett got up to a vertical base before slamming him down with the Zig Zag. Ced shook the referee making him crawl over to them to make the count.

1….

2….

3….

Ding-Ding-Ding!

"Here to Show the World" Hits

"Here is your winner: Dolph Ziggler!" Dolph stood up to his feet and raised his arms as the WWE Universe cheered while Ced backed up the ramp smiling.

"See you at Chamber."