In The Locker Room

You step into the locker room, not triumphant but certainly not dejected. It is what it is and you'll accept it on that basis. Naturally there are a few jeers in connection to your recent defeat, but given that they come from a green rookie who has only had two matches in the league so far (both of them he lost) you pay him no mind. A couple of seasoned veterans are in the locker room as well and they seem to be looking at you with new eyes. There had been several who questioned your right to be in the EWL when you started out and it seems some are starting to revise their opinions.

However, as you sit down on a bench to get your thoughts together, the moment you dreaded comes. Vlad the Impailer steps into the room, his eyes homing in on you and seeming to bore into your soul. Vlad had been your mentor when you arrived at the EWL. It would only be natural for him to be disappointed in your defeat. You swallow hard and prepare for the worst as he approaches, looming over and staring down at you for a moment, but after that moment passes, he just grins and claps you on the shoulder as he sits down next to you.

"Don't worry your head about it," he says, "We all have to lose occasionally, it's good for the hygiene of the ego. You made the most of it and Triple B will respect you now. She's a good ally to have, trust me on this."

"I've got no regrets about that," you assure your friend, "but it does look as if I won't be going to the pay-per-view this time around."

You're referring (of course) to the Clusterfuck pay-per-view coming up. The EWL general manager had set up your match, telling you that if you won, you'd be entered into the Heavyweight Championship match at Clusterfuck (making it a threesome). The catch was, the general manager got to pick your opponent and thus you faced Triple B who proved just a little too much for you. Vlad shrugs.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, kid," he says, "As it turns out there were some last minute changes you missed. Number one contender for the Heavyweight belt got injured backstage. Not gonna make it and since there's not time for another contendership match, I got bumped from Intercontinental contendership to Heavyweight. That means they had to pick another contender...and they spun the wheel for it. Guess what name came up."

Your eyes widen in shock as it sinks in. The Intercontinental belt is not quite as prestigious as the Heavyweight belt, but it's plenty prestigious for someone as new to the league as you are. However, that means you'll be facing...