Colby Lopez. Better known as Seth Rollins to fans of the EBWF. At 27 years old he is one of the bright, rising stars that the company could be banking on to help develop the future along with a mix of other twenty somethings and those in their early 30's. He found himself in the makeshift office of Stephanie McMahon, the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. A makeshift office had been set up inside of the Wells Fargo Center. It would still be many hours before the show began or fans were allowed into the building. Many of the talent were going over some preparations or discussing spots in the ring within the empty arena. Rollins sat in front of Stephanie's desk and there was definitely something brewing within the young man's mind. His hair was pulled backwards and his beard was a little more grown out and scruffy but not nearly at Daniel Bryan levels. Stephanie in Seth had been discussing something for the last few moments.
Seth Rollins: I'm not someone who goes on social media and complains. I don't even talk to the rest of the boys about it. It's been on my mind awhile and I thought it was time to come to you about it.
Stephanie McMahon: We know how all three of you in The Shield think and we love it. You all want to be on top, you want to have the best matches on the show and you want everyone else around you to have to step up. We want everyone to have that mentality.
Seth leaned back a little further in his chair. He had heard these words almost exactly before.
Stephanie McMahon: You specifically, we enjoy what you do. We know that we can put you in the ring with anyone and you're going to have a great match. Whether it be against John Cena or Randy Orton or someone lower on the card like Chris Sabin. Your promo's are interesting.
He nodded but he knew exactly what was coming next.
Stephanie McMahon: But we have a lot of stock in Dean right now and we think Roman can be a huge name when we present the right platform for him. There's just always going to be someone who is a little lower on the totem pole.
Seth Rollins: So why is that me? You're telling me I can get it done in the ring. But I can also shine in every single other category.
He had begun to press his finger against the desk in front of him to drive those words in further.
Seth Rollins: You can compare me with everyone else on the roster and I'm telling you that I measure up with them in every way. I'm not the same kid in ROH who was shaky on the mic. I've stepped that up because I know how important it is. I'm not satisfied with playing second fiddle. I think..
Rollins placed a few fingers on his chin and paused to choose his words carefully.
Seth Rollins: ..I'm being put into positions to see how I'll react.
Stephanie McMahon: What do you mean?
Seth Rollins: Almost two months ago I went out and jobbed to Brodus Clay. I don't have a problem losing to anyone and I don't have a problem with Brodus. But he hadn't been on TV for months up to that point. And after I dropped a match to him? He hasn't been on TV since. What's the deal? Nothing is being done with him and I go out and lose to him for no reason? With no follow up?
Stephanie McMahon: Plans change a lot and things happen. I can't exactly tell you what happened there. But you've been put over strong against Edge and HHH.
Seth Rollins: Have I?
The native of Iowa shook his head a few times. He had a vastly different opinion on the matter when concerning his matches with those veterans.
Seth Rollins: I was HHH's last match and all I did was beat him. I couldn't have given him a beat down to send him off television? That would have put a lot of shine on me because Hunter is a name. And the match with Edge, how was I allowed to win? With a desperation roll up after getting speared? I should have been made to look stronger.
Stephanie McMahon: So you're unhappy with you're position in the company?
There was a long pause to allow the question to sink in.
Seth Rollins: I'm not unhappy. I'm frustrated. I'm grateful for my spot but I want more. If I was made World Champion tomorrow I wouldn't be satisfied. Do you know why? Because I'm constantly setting goals to move higher and higher. I'm not ever going to be content.
Stephanie McMahon: You're not the only person who thinks that way. Some people in the locker room are content to collect a paycheck but there are people like you who are driven. But I'll tell you what. We're going to watch the promo you film for Survivor Series. John Cena, Miz, Syxx, Trent? they can all entertain and cut provocative interviews that make people talk. This match is your opportunity to do something. You're in their with a mix of guys who have been World Champion and have headlined pay per views. Wes Ikeda is in this match. This is your platform to make the most out of every second you get in that ring. Everyone you're facing off against is hungry. Everyone on YOUR team is hungry. It's up to you to go out there and prove that you want this more than they do. Slip out of your comfort zone and do something you haven't done before.
The room fell silent again. The names of his opponents and the word "entertain" kept bouncing around in his mind. If there was a desire for him to provide content that was different from what he had presented in the past then he would do just that.
Seth Rollins: Thanks for the time.
Cordial nods were exchanged and after a brief handshake Rollins took his leave from the office. Everything he had plotted out from his promo was getting scraped. It was time for something that wasn't expected.
***
Many Shield promo's began in darkness to give that claustrophobic feeling of mystery. This one seemed to start in a similar fashion. Shadows and the face of Seth Rollins amongst them. The location was unknown and a complete enigma at the given moment.
Seth Rollins: Survivor Series. John Cena went out and found himself quite a group of entertainers. All different types of performers that you can derive a myriad of emotions from. Whether it be amusement, enjoyment, passion...a very diverse team, indeed. A little something for all different tastes. But there is one thing that they all have in common...
While his expression had been thoughtful and contemplative it had grown increasingly repulsed.
Seth Rollins: ...what they are presenting to you is fake. The qualities in them that you may admire are not real. Envy, addiction, low self-confidence and abusive control. This is what they truly represent. They keep those negative inner emotions tucked away and you perceive that everything you see is real. Fraudulent misrepresentation obtained through deception. And so...is this...
Rollins closed his eyes and bowed his head to disappear into the darkness. Suddenly, everything became very bright. A sound stage room that resembled something close to a game show from the 70's. Rollins suddenly had a huge smile on his face as he spread his arms out wide. His two-toned hair was pulled backwards and he was dressed in an obnoxious, glittery, blue tuxedo with black slacks. He held a thin microphone in his hands and began to speak in a completely different tone of voice. He typically spoke in an arrogant and precise manner but now his voice was filled with boundless energy.
Seth Rollins: It's time to play everyone's favorite game...SHIELD OF JUSTICE!
Canned, fake applause could be heard as a worn down, broken logo barring the slogan Rollins had just uttered hanged from the ceiling. The lights flickered and the footage was grainy. He stood on a platform, which was also covered in lights, and kept that same, completely phony grin on his face. He continued with this overwhelming mockery of a game show premise and entertainers in general.
Seth Rollins: Let's meet our first contestant!
The lights had switched from blinding to a very colorful mix of purple and green. And then yellow and blue. Not too different from the spectrum of colors that were often seen in many of John Cena's t-shirts.
Seth Rollins: He hails from Brooklyn, New York and he is a former EBWF and WWE Superstar! ...No emphasis on the former because, getting down to the brass tax, the guy was lucky to have a job, jack!
He mugged for the camera and even winked, trying to come off as hammy as John Cena at his purest.
Seth Rollins: Everyone welcome, JTG!
This brought out the performer most known for his stint in the Cryme Tyme team. He also had a brief, run in the EBWF where he was most known for bringing the word "swag" into the audience's collective lexicon. Dressed in all black, in a similar fashion the The Shield, he looked lost and confused. There were some other Shield members in the background, stagehands of sorts, to keep everything in line.
Seth Rollins: Jay, welcome to the show. Great to have you here. Now tell me. Why do YOU want to join The Shield?
JTG looked down at the mic that was held in front of him. This was not exactly the initiation process he had expected.
JTG: ...Yeah...uh...I want beat the hell out of punk asses like John Cena.
Seth Rollins: Cena IS quite a punk ass, isn't he? He frequently peppers his promo's with childish sort of insults like that to make up for the fact that he isn't very intelligent! Ha, ha, ha! Catering to both the young AND moronic! He's a hip sort of guy that marches to beat of his own drum while CAREFULLY making sure to let the kiddies at home now that good will always prevail! Except John Cena isn't actually a very good human being now is he? Not to mention a POOR role model! A giant, lowbrow muppet to string in everyone dumb enough to buy into his act, isn't that right, Jay? Does it get any worse or more insulting than John Cena?
JTG: ...Uh, yeah. Word. I guess.
Seth Rollins: Thrilling! Now, Jay, step onto that platform and we'll begin!
As instructed, JTG stepped backwards where their was a floor level platform. It was all swamped with lights and he stood on a large, circular disk. A tube rose up from the floor to the ceiling and JTG was now standing inside of it. He pressed his palms against the glass.
JTG: 'Ey man. What is this?
Seth Rollins: Simply part of the game. Now, JTG, you weren't completely honest with our viewing audience. You're here because you have a lack of funds, correct? You left the EBWF and the WWE just sat you at home, wrapped up in contract and never used you. You're broke. Am I right?
JTG tilted his head a bit and began to glare.
Seth Rollins: Let's move on to your question! JTG. For a membership in The Shield. Who would win in a confrontation at Survivor Series. Myself...or John Cena?
Seth spun one of his wrists a few times before directing both pointer fingers towards the wrestler within the tube.
JTG: Uh...you?
A loud buzzing, aggravating buzzing sound was heard.
Seth Rollins: Ooh! So sorry! That was incorrect. That was a very pandering, spineless sort of answer. I'm not just fighting Cena alone, Jay! The Shield never acts alone! We always work together and that's why we're an efficient team. That's also why we're going to be successful at Survivor Series. Unlike John Cena's team who have never worked together and seem to think that hash-tags will get them a victory! But no one ever said John Cena was a genius, now did they? I'm afraid you're going to have to be penalized for being incorrect.
On cue, the tube began to be filled up with water from the bottom up. Once it reached water level, JTG began to panic and pound his fists against the tube.
Seth Rollins: When you expressed interest in joining The Shield, we did a little research! We found out that as a child you nearly DROWNED and you've been carrying that phobia around ever since! Aquaphobia!
Once the water had reached his chin, JTG began to panic and hyperventilate. His chest was rapidly rising up and down. Rollins seemed to take a very abnormal enjoyment from this as his eyes never once left the scene and he even ran a hand along his face.
Seth Rollins: ...
It was now clear that this was something far more perverse and macabre than your average mockery. He stared and pressed his hands against the glass, even starting to breathe heavily. Eventually he pulled away and the tube rose up before it could submerge the contestant. The water filled the sound stage and JTG collapsed. He panted and panted and with wide eyes and almost animalistic fury, he charged at the "host" Some of the stagehands were able to snatch JTG by his arms and grapple him away before he got too close.
Seth Rollins: No time to dwell on failure! Let's bring out our next participant!
As the water was being moped up a deep, red light filled the sound stage as loud, guitar driven, heavy metal music began to play. There was unintelligible lyrics but "fuck" and "smoke joints" could be heard plenty of times. It was difficult to tell who this was aimed at. A very petite blonde female stepped out next.
Seth Rollins: This is Daizee Haze! Former ROH, Shimmer and EBWF wrestler! She made quite an impact a few years ago in the Diva's Division until a neck injury sidelined her! Daizee, how are you feeling today?
Daizee: I'm good. My neck is healed. I'm ready to combat injustice.
This seemed to be a far cry from the happy go-lucky hippie that entertained EBWF audiences a few years back.
Seth Rollins: Then go ahead and step on that platform!
Despite witnessing what happened to the first contestant, the former Diva took her stand on the platform. The tube once again encased her as it rose from the floor.
Seth Rollins: Just a few preliminarily questions first. Daizee...making gestures to your crotch in 2013...is that cool?
Daizee: No.
Seth Rollins: What about wearing attire that has an arrow pointing down to the same region with "SUCK" written above it. Cool?
Daizee: No.
Seth Rollins: How about being an old, washed up hasbeen that doesn't know when to walk away? Is that cool? When you're in your fourties does the rebel act just seem a little...forced? Does it begin to think that evolution has just passed Syxx by and he's forever stuck in his Cro-magon, Neanderthal ways? What about the CONSTANT references to drug use? Doesn't that want to make you want to stay away from anything even remotely illegal if you thought that you would become THAT? Or, finally, how about all those promises to return to former glory that just fizzled away after being defeated again and again by younger, fresher talent? Oh, hey, what about his constant sexist tweets that make it seem as if a woman, or anyone for that matter, could POSSIBLY dumber than him? ...Just asking, of course! Audience questions! Don't shoot the messenger!
Seth held up his hands in innocence and rose his eyebrows to the fake audience as canned laughter played. Daizee remained deathly serious.
Daizee: No. None of that is cool.
That louder buzzer sounded again and even such a typically comical sound was starting to bring a sense of dread.
Seth Rollins: Really sorry about that! Incorrect! We know what happened to you, Daizee. You hurt your neck and your already prolific drug use sky rocketed! You even picked up an eating disorder! We here at the Shield feel you aren't here for justice. You're here for your next hit. Too bad you can't win a BRAND NEW CAR on this game show or you could have gone on a date in OD'd in a trunk together! Hey, a lot like Syxx! You're probably just his type! And, wouldn't you know it, your expression is about to look a lot like his Sunday Night!
Rollins tapped on the glass and spiders began to fall into the tube. It was difficult to tell what kind but they had long, furry legs and were rapidly beginning to line the bottom of the tube. All of their eyeballs, too numerous to even begin to count, were watching her. Daizee squirmed and quickly began to scream in a voice that wasn't easy for anyone with a soul to listen to. She screamed and screamed until the tube rose and she ran as fast as she could, swiping the bugs out of her blonde locks. Seth closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath, wiping some sweat from his forehead. This was exciting him. He derived pleasure from something this gruesome.
Seth Rollins: ...So! Our last contestant! Let's bring her on out! Briefly a part of the Shimmer promotion, she is most well known for her time in EBWF! She had a quick reign as Women's Champion and was a member of the VERY popular Poison Trio group! Rayna Von Tosh!
This was a very obscure name for most wrestling fans. Rayna was the most unknown member of The Poison Trio, which also consisted of the very popular Taylor Wilde and the still employed Portia Perez. A tall, curvy redhead stepped out onto the stage. She was skittish and already scared. Dressed like a vintage pin-up girl, kept her back firmly pressed against a nearby wall.
Rayna: I...don't want to do this anymore.
Seth Rollins: But you told us you wanted to get back into wrestling the EASY way! All you have to do is answer a question! Come on over!
Seth was still playing the role of friendly, disingenuous entertainer and he beckoned the redhead closer. She was still very hesitant but he was trying to coax her over.
Seth Rollins: Rayna. No need to be afraid! Do you know who you're acting like? The Miz and Trent! Complete, insecure cowards! Trent OBVIOUSLY is lacking in self-esteem. That much is painfully obvious by his actions. He has his toy briefcase but just doesn't have the courage to cash it in! He would LOVE to be a World champion but he knows deep down inside that it's never going to happen for him! But if you need a good, reliable laugh and a quirky reference to a video game, he'll be there! Women and men alike use him as a doormat!
It was unknown if any of this was sinking into Rayna's head. She just stood and stared while her eyes shook and her back remained firmly against the wall behind her.
Seth Rollins: Or are you just perfecting your Miz impression? Because, if so, you are doing a WONDERFUL job! Someone so excessively afraid of danger and pain that he ran away for months! Someone without even an ounce of courage! The Miz is not a fighter. His only desire is to be rich and walk red carpets with equally shallow starlets on his arm! I guess he's back to...promote something? Because it surely couldn't be because he has some sort of significant statement to say! We ALL know he's never been much for those! An absoulte sniveling worm if there ever was one! But, hey, don't forget to pick up the new Wii-U and be sure to watch...whatever unwatchable movie The Miz is going to be in next!
Rayna inched closer to the platform but after a deep gulp she shook her head about vigorously and ran away before going through with it.
Rayna: NO!
A sound that resembled the Price is Right losing horn began to play as Seth turned towards the camera and shrugged. Very sick considering everything that had transpired thus far
Seth Rollins: Well, what can I say, folks? It looks like our little game is...over.
The sparkly tuxedo top was removed and the ponytail was discarded as his hair was flung downwards. The smile and was gone and the usual speech pattern had returned.
Seth Rollins: That was a shadow. THIS is my true self. Do you see now? Do you see how putting forth that kind of facade makes you look? Our opponents have to act like that every time a camera turns on. We are going to wipe out some of the worst offenders in one fell swoop. Miz, Cena, Trent, Syxx...all screaming in a terrible symphony. And the man responsible for it all is getting a front row seat...
The once bright lights began to dim.
Seth Rollins: We wouldn't forget about you, Ikeda. You have such a desire to manipulate and control but at Survivor Series you will find out how helpless you truly are. Your soldiers are not going to be able to protect you. You are going to be become a believer in The Shield even if we have to pry your eyes wide open...
The "Shield Of Justice" logo began to flicker until a small fire began to blaze upon it. The letters started to melt and contort just like the WrestleMania set from earlier in the year. The camera closed in on the burning mess until it faded out.
