Friday, November 8th, 2019 – Manchester, England
The current WWE Intercontinental Champion walked into the famous Manchester Arena. He was sporting his skinny blue distressed jeans with his red Manchester United soccer jersey with his "Cherry" Jordan 12 with blue jean jacket matching his jeans. He had his Rolex on his wrist with his Cuban link and Lion necklace around his neck. He wore his beats listening to the "Watch The Throne" album by Jay Z and Kanye West.
There was a smile on the face of CJ that couldn't be erased but if you were a man in his shoes, you would feel the same way. He was lucky to be able to witness the birth of his son, Cedric Harvey III. In the month that CJ did spend with his son, he was there to be with his son. He now understood how his father felt when he first had a kid. He now understood the father-child connection. He was more grateful for his parents now.
His thoughts were cut off when he saw Kenneth Crawford sitting on top of a crate next to Gary Gordon while they both were shouting at their phones.
"What in the blue hell are you two shouting about?"
"We been playing Bianca in Crazy 8 for the past 2 days and we have failed to get a win not once."
"She hacked the game."
"Maybe the she didn't hack the game but you two are just simply bad at it."
"I don't think that's the case."
"How about we add you in and you witness firsthand what we're talking about?"
"Nah, I'm good bro, I'm gonna check up with you guys later."
"Aight G, We might go out so keep an eye out."
"Aight, I'll see."
CJ started to walk into the locker room until he heard someone yell out his name. He turned his head to see his boss Paul Levesque walking towards him.
"I'm glad I caught you. Listen after your dressed I need you in my office. Vince is gonna be there and we're gonna negotiate your contract tonight."
"Alright give me like 20 minutes and I'll be there."
"Alright."
CJ walked into the locker room while Paul walked away.
(!)
After a few minutes in the locker room, CJ walked into the office in his black boots, knee pads wrist tape and black trunks that featured a roaring lion head on the back in white with a red outline with his ring name on the front in white with a red outline. He had the WWE Intercontinental Championship was placed on his shoulder as it's proud champion.
"Welcome in Ced, there's someone who wants to meet you. This is Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the Chairman and CEO as well as the genius behind the WWE." Hunter said as Vince McMahon walked towards CJ and offered a handshake.
"Nice to meet you, I've seen great things from you."
"The pleasure's all mine sir. It's an honor." For the first time in his life, CJ was standing next to the CEO and Chairman of WWE. The man who made the company popular in the first place. Without his brains and pure desire to thrive and expand, the WWE would not be in the position it was today at the top of the Wrestling world.
"Alright let's take a seat to discuss your contract." Vince said as he let go of CJ's hand and walked over to the desk to take a seat while CJ took a seat across from Vince and Paul sat on the couch looking on between the two.
"Now, the terms of this contract were suggested to me by Paul and I hope you like the terms." Vince said as he handed CJ the folder that contained a possible new contract. He opened it and looked down at the contract looking at the terms and the numbers.
"I appreciate the offer but I have a few things that I want to change."
"Alright, what can we change?" Vince grunted as he sat back into his seat. Paul exhaled as he ran a hand over his beard.
"First things first, the WWE does not own Ced. They don't own the name, they don't own the gimmick, they don't own the logo anything Ced related this company does not own. Ced isn't just a brand. It's me. It's my name and legacy. It's what allows me to put food on my sons table and clothes on his back. The same way that you are about the McMahon name is the same way I am about mine. Another thing, Travel accommodations. Look, I got covered when it comes to road travel, I can cover my own gas and my car but I want my flights paid for. I don't need all of that boujee crap, I can just take a Business class flight and I'll be fine. I want 25% of my merchandise sales and I want an extra bonus for every main event that I'm in. Now I have one more request, God forbid but if I were to die. I want to make sure that my family gets the guaranteed money in this contract." CJ said as he looked into Vince's eyes showing a sign of respect. Vince nodded along as he then looked at Paul who nodded his head along as well.
"I like this kid. Give me a day or two to get a new contract written up and you will have everything that you have wished for. It was a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to seeing what you do in the future." Vince said as he stood up and shook hands with CJ before walking out of the room.
"You just got that approval, which means you're gonna be the man in the upcoming years."
"What?"
"There are few men in today's WWE who can shake Vince McMahon and get away with it and you're one of them. You just got your golden stamp of approval which means in a few years Vince McMahon will be looking to push you. Consider yourself Lucky. Now go out there tonight and do what you do best."
"You got it."
(!)
"Icon" Plays
The fans in the Mancher Arena erupted as the WWE Intercontinental Champion was appearing live on Smackdown for the first time since Baron Corbin tried his best to injure him. Ced walked out onto the stage as the lights were going around in a random array of colors. He had the "Ced's Gonna Kill Ya" shirt on as he looked around in the arena. He raised Championship up in the air as the fans cheered. He lowered the Championship and then started to walk down the ramp slapping the hands of the fans as he went along. Once he got to the ringside area, he walked around to the steel steps and walked up the steps before stepping into the ring and walking to the turnbuckle. He raised his title proudly looking around into the crowd.
"Icon" Stops
Ced smirked as he then jumped down from the turnbuckle and walked over to the ropes as he was handed a microphone from the ringside crew.
"Manchester, It's been a while." Ced said into the mic as the fans cheered while he walked around the ring looking into the crowd.
"About a year ago, I was kicking ass in the main event of a PPV titled The Manchester Massacre." He was interrupted as the fans cheered cutting him off making him smile.
"Oh yeah and fast forward to now and here I stand back in the center of the ring in Manchester as the WWE Intercontinental Champion." A few more cheers came from the fans.
"And since I've been the champion there have been a lot fo guys who have been trying to take this away from me. There's been a giant target on my back and as much as I welcome the competition and the challenge, what I don't like is the sneak attacks from a guy who thinks that because he won King of the Ring that he's actually a king and his name is Baron Corbin. First off, let's get one thing straight Corbin, you only became King of the Ring because I wasn't in the tournament because I was too busy taking this title and defending against a World Class Athlete like Jaden Sennoa. While you were busy facing guys like Chad Gable, who is an amazing athlete and no offense to his in-ring skill but let's just be real, he ain't me."
"Now-" Ced was saying but the sound of Baron Corbin's music cut him off making exhale.
"I Bring The Darkness" Hits
Corbin walked out onto the stage with a look of annoyance as he had his cape, crown and scepter in his posssession with a microphone.
"I Bring The Darkness" Stops
"Ced, Ced, Ced. You see this is why I attacked you from behind weeks ago. I was trying to shut you up and show you who the real King is here on Friday Night Smackdown."
"Well, You've done a terrible job if you were trying to shut me up. Now why don't I return the favor tonight and shut you up and show you who the real King is here tonight in the middle of this ring." Ced said on the mic as the fans cheered for that. Baron started to chuckle while he shook his head and looked on,
"Typical. Just typical of you. You always come out here prancing around like you run the place and then you go around making empty challenges. Ced don't forget that I put your ass on the shelf. I broke you. I beat you like nobody else has done in the WWE. I made you my bitch." Corbin said on the mic making the crowd boo.
"Your right, you did put me on the sehlf but you ain't break me. All you did was anger me even more. And tonight I'm taking that anger on you in the center of the ring."
"Ced, if I were you, I would stop while I'm ahead. I wouldn't want to be put back on the shelf."
"I'd like to see you try." Ced said as he threw the mic down on the mat. He took the title off his shoulder and handed it to the stage crew at the ringside before he took off his shirt and threw it off into the crowd.
"Come On!" Ced shouted as he pointed up on the stage.
"Remember you asked for this." Corbin said as he dropped the mic and took off his crown and cape before he ran down the ramp sliding up under the bottom rope. As he slid under the bottom rope, he immediately started to trade blows with Ced as a referee came running down the ramp to get a match in order. Ced had Corbin slouching in the corner as he continued to pile in the right hands that is until the referee pulled Ced off.
The referee rang the bell as Ced looked on with a frown.
Ding-Ding-Ding!
Ced walked towards Corbin only for Corbin to grab him by the neck and throw him off into the corner. Corbin started to pile in the right hands to Ced that is until the referee pulled him off. Corbin pushed him out of the way and ran towards Ced looking to clothesline him but Ced moved out of the way allowing Corbin to crash into turnbuckle chest first. Ced stood behind waiting for Corbin to turn around before he jumped up planting a nice vertical dropkick on The King of the Ring winner.
Ced quickly into the cover.
1, Kick out at 1 by Corbin. Ced with a stiff kick to the back of Corbin dropping him down on his back. Ced raking the fist across the head of Corbin with a fist drop. Corbin forces himself up to his feet as he clutches his head while Ced backed up into the ropes and as he rebounded off the ropes, he ran towards Corbin jumping up to hit him with a well-placed High Knee to the face of Corbin backing him up into the ropes this time. Ced ran towards him looking to clothesline him over the ropes but Corbin reversed it and back-back dropped him over the ropes but luckily Ced held onto the ropes and pulled himself up onto the apron and Corbin stumbled onto the center of the ring. Ced quickly climbed up the turnbuckle before he tried to jumped off with a Double Axe Handle but Corbin caught him with a forearm putting him flat on his back. Corbin gaining some much-needed separation backed up against the ropes and leaned their regaining his focus.
The current King of the Ring smirked as he then grabbed Ced by the head and neck and lifted him up before he threw him into the turnbuckle pad using as much strength as he could. Ced's chest crashed up against the turnbuckle pad making him fallback in pain holding his chest. Corbin chuckled as he went through the ropes and walked around to the ring post grabbing both of Ced's legs and pulled him closer to the LED post as his groin collided with the LED post making him groan out in pain. Baron Corbin not looking to give up his offense grabbed Ced and paced his head onto the bottom rope putting him in the perfect position for a stiff boot to the side of the head. Ced fell on his back in the ring while Corbin arrogantly stood on the outside raising his arms as if he had already won on the match. Corbin rolled back into the corner and covered Ced.
1...
2, Kick out at 2 by Ced.
"Do your job!" Corbin shouted at the referee who was telling Corbin that it was a 2. Ced had crawled over to the ropes and used them to help lift himself back up to his feet. Corbin ran towards Ced looking for a clothesline but Ced ducked it and went to the ropes and when he came back, he jumped up and collided with Corbin with a jumping clothesline. Both men popped back up as Ced backed up into the ropes and hit Corbin with another jumping clothesline as the fans cheered. The Intercontinental Champion quickly back up to his feet as Corbin followed. Ced threw Corbin into the corner but Corbin slid under the bottom rope and slid back under the bottom rope and ran towards Ced only to be put down with a Spinebuster.
Ced with the hook of the leg.
1...
2, kick out at 2 by Ced. Ced got up to his feet and looked down at Baron Corbin. He grabbed him by the head and neck and lifted him up to his feet. Corbin had pushed Ced into the ropes and as he rebounded off, Corbin caught him with the Deep Six putting him flat on his back.
Corbin into the cover.
1...
2...
And just as the referee's hand was about to come down Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, Kyle O'Rielly, Bobby Fish all came rushing down the ramp to slid into the ring and pounce on both men.
Ding-Ding-Ding!
The fans booed as both Corbin and Ced were both being attacked. Corbin was the first one up to his feet as Cole and O'Reily were hitting him with clubbing blows to the back before they threw him into the LED post making him collide shoulder first with the post. Fish and Strong were stomping down on the Intercontinental Champion.
"Get him up!" Strong shouted at Fish as he backed up into the corner while Cole and O'Reily continued the abuse on Corbin. Bobby Fish lifted Ced up to his feet and threw him towards the corner as Roderick Strong came running towards him to hit him the Sick Kick laying him out in the center of the ring.
Roderick Strong then walked over to Ced and stood over him raising the NXT North American Title with a smirk on his face.
