The room smelt of burning wood and whiskey, at least from his perspective. It was late in the afternoon and together they sat discussing the future of not only Vis Imperium but of WZCW. Two men, playing a psychological game of chess, and one had been winning from the start. Kenneth Banks, the Owner of WZCW, had been the man playing the fiddle, ordering Vis Imperium to do this or that for months. Justin Cooper sat opposite Mr. Banks, the former was sipping his second glass of whiskey for the meeting while Banks hadnt touched his own. Sitting upon Justins lap was the WZCW World Heavyweight Championship, his hand firmly gripping the leather strap.
We can easily manipulate the votes to best fit our agenda, Justin. I see no reason why we even need bother with the idea of putting the future of Vis Imperium on the line when we have a perfect opportunity to rid ourselves of that pest, Banks said, his voice twisting in spite at the near mention of the annoyance that was Tyrone Blades.
From across the desk, Justin kept his head lowered so he could roll his eyes without being noticed.
Rid ourselves? I mustve forgotten the point where Ty was bothering me. Last time I checked, he was your problem. Youve dragged Mark, Xander and Andrew into your little game with Ty, even Titus is now scrambling against you, but that has nothing to do with me. Nothing, Justin answered, he looked up and smirked afterwards.
The war against Tyrone Blades and his ultimate extermination is the sole goal of Vis Imperium, Banks replied in a stern tone of voice. Last time I checked, you were part of Vis Imperium. Correct me if Im wrong, Justin.
The World Champion again raised his head, he felt a flicker of heat from the open fireplace just a few feet away from him. His eyes grazed across the front of his title belt and then returned to Banks.
For now, Justin responded.
And what does that mean?
Not since he won the World Championship had Justin felt such a swelling of emotion. He was overjoyed, Unscripted couldnt come fast enough. You see, Justin Cooper hated Mr. Banks. Promises had been made and those same promises had been broken, Cooper sought control and Banks turned him into a puppet. From the main event of Kingdom Come as a free man, to his bout at Unscripted as a tool being used in a war he wished to have no part in.
Do you remember when you were in school? You were probably at some elite private school, wearing a tie, long pants even in summer, jackets and what not. I assume Im close, Justin said, a hint of spite in his voice.
Well, you may remember that there was always one kid who annoyed the hell out of you. That one kid everyone in school couldnt stand. Hed cause trouble all around school but never got what he had coming to him. You wanted to see him punched right in the face but it never happened. See, most of the time, that kid had friends who were much larger than everyone he was picking on. That bully who never went after anyone his own size.
A short pause was taken by Justin, he sipped his whiskey and leant back in his chair.
That bully only ever picked on people because he knew, no matter what he did, he had people willing to take the punch for him. Ever since Ive been in professional wrestling, people have called me that bully. Ask around and Im positive people would say that story describes me but its not. Its wrong, Kenneth. I might be a prick, an asshole, a cheater or the devil himself but Im not a bully. I dont just punch down, I punch up! I target the very best and Ive proven I have no problem standing across the ring from Ty Burna and spitting in his face.
Whats your point, Mr. Banks interrupted, he took a sip of his whiskey, clearly frustrated.
My point is that you are that bully, Justin laughed as he said it, jumped to his feet and downed his drink in one go.
A confused look came over the face of Kenneth Banks, he studied Justin for a moment before putting down his own glass.
It seems youve had far too much to drink. Ill call Mr. Keaton to come and retrieve you. Wait outside in the reception area, Justin. I have work to do and it seems youve outlived your usefulness today, Banks said. He picked up the phone to call his assistant but Cooper shouted, waving him off.
No! You fucking listen. You have gone and picked a fight with somebody who isnt afraid to hit back. You didnt know that. You thought that Ty Burna was just another guy. That tiny little brain you have inside your head, somehow you failed to recognize that Ty isnt just another guy. Thats disrespectful to me and to everyone else in the god damn locker-room. I had to rip my body to pieces to beat him, Mark ended up in the freaking hospital because he jumped off the titantron just to beat Ty. In case you didnt realise, Ty hits back!
And now, you expect me to cover up your mistake. Do you think Im going to stand in the way as Ty and Titus throw their punches? No. This isnt a war, its a game and youve lost.
The veins on the head of Kenneth Banks were protruding from his forehead, he was bright red and the paper on his desk had been crushed within his palm. Meanwhile, Justin Cooper was gleeful with his World Title upon his shoulder.
Do not test me, Justin. You work for me. Remember you place! You need Vis Imperium if you want to keep that title, Banks shouted, his fist firmly down on the table.
I do? I seem to remember winning the Lethal Lottery, on my own.
I remember standing on the top rope as confetti fell upon my head at Kingdom Come to win the World Title, and I did so without the help of Vis Imperium. I recall outlasting Garth Black, the man who upset this company more than anyone in the history of the business, twice and doing so once in a Last Man Standing Match.
If you would cast your mind back, and I know its hard Kenneth because youre so self-interested, to think for a split second about someone other than yourself. Please, try and recall the last pay-per-view when I wrestled Flex Mussel. Was it Vis Imperium who KICKED OUT of the Mussel Bomb or was it Justin fucking Cooper?!
The two men were shouting directly at each other, whether fuelled by the alcohol or by his own personal legacy being tarnished by association, Justin Cooper was unloading months of built up frustration.
I dont need Vis Imperium to keep this, Justin yelled, holding the World Title out in front of him as Mr. Banks continued to stare, his gaze oozing hatred. I said Id stick by you so long as it didnt influence my World Title reign and guess what, by you asking me to get involved in this game of yours, its taking away time I should be spending on preparing for Hell in a Cell!
I joined you because you made promises that I would get to control my own career. Ive never had that before and I wanted it. I threw away everything I had built to side with you, Kenneth. I lost everything in the hope of gaining the one thing the fans, the love and support, all of it, the one thing they couldnt give me
control. Yet, here we stand, Ive lost everything except the World Title and gained nothing in return from this partnership.
Slowly, Cooper approached Mr. Banks and got right in his face.
Be very careful about the next few words that come out of your mouth, Mr. Banks said, he was looking at Justin the same way he looked at Tyrone Blades. They were one in the same at this moment.
What kind of threats do you have left? At Unscripted, I fully expect Ty to bring that baseball bat down across your head
repeatedly. And, Ill make time before my match with John to watch it. Im not your fucking puppet.
I am the WZCW World Heavyweight Champion, the third longest in the history of this promotion. If you think that Im just some guy who needs you and Vis Imperium, then youre sorely mistaken.
Mr. Banks shook his head, he raised the glass of whiskey and drank it in one go. His gaze returned to Justin who began to take a few steps back and head for the door of the office.
You think you can defeat Constantine by yourself? Mr. Banks yelled, he almost had to laugh at the idea.
Whether I can or cannot, well see. I know this for sure, Ill do so as a champion and not a puppet, Justin replied as he pushed the door open to leave the office.
Quickly, Banks hurried around the desk and chased after him. He shouted repeatedly as Justin made his way through the lobby, meeting up with Mark Keaton who stood at the elevator.
I run this company, Justin! I make the decisions and you will not disrespect me! You were lucky I let you return two years ago. You cannot win without me, without Vis Imperium you are nothing. Youll see, at Unscripted, youll see what happens when you no longer have my support inside Hell in a Cell.
You couldve had it all, Justin! You couldve been in the Hall of Fame! Well, you can kiss that goodbye! Youre a footnote, Ill make sure, if its the last god damn thing I do, that youre forgotten!
The doors of the elevator closed, the ramblings of a mad man ceased to penetrate the ears of the World Champion. It was a welcome silence for the World Champion, the last thing he had heard did trigger some thought within himself. Could he beat Constantine inside Hell in a Cell?
Howd your meeting go? Mark asked, his fingernails freshly painted and yet he still chewed at his index finger while the elevator travelled to the parking lot.
Splendid. Were having cake on Saturday, Justin replied, a smile on his face as he patted his best friend on the back.
Hes a good guy, Justin. He wants to see us succeed. I know you dont like how involved he gets sometimes but Mr. Banks has a vision for the future. For us, Vis Imperium and for WZCW. We will be at the forefront, he promised.
There it was, the word. Promise.
Ive had enough of his promises, Mark. Ill stand by you no matter what but do not convince yourself that you need to take a bullet for that man. We, you and I, built ourselves from the ground up. You were the Rookie of the Year long before you put the V and I on your t-shirt.
Never forget that, my friend.
Keaton nodded, he was glad to hear his friend praise him. Their relationship had been rocky at times, especially as of late but they were almost like blood. They fought but in the end, they came back to each other.
Are you nervous about Sunday?
Without thinking about it, Coopers grip on the World Title became tighter at the mere mention of Sunday.
Have you ever wrestled inside Hell in a Cell? Mark asked.
No. I dont fear the structure. Honestly, I havent feared anything since we fought Ty at Gold Rush last year. This feeling, its different. Im not afraid
Im just worried. John is a tough guy. Ive beaten him before but Ive always had you by my side. I wont this time around. Its one on one, me versus him and everything Ive worked so hard to get is at stake.
Its like I told Kenneth, I didnt need Vis Imperium the time I won the title or when I defended it three straight times. I believe that. Vis Imperium was never with me those times and I dont need them to beat John. Hes a good wrestler, but he has one foot out the door. In this business, you cannot be half committed. Its all in or get the hell out. His attention is on this retirement tour, he is so caught up in all the last this and final that so much so that it has to be overwhelming. If the top guys, fully focused, Flex Mussel who trained every hour leading up to our match, failed to beat me; how can I lose to a guy who has his room booked at the retirement village?
It was without a doubt the biggest match of his career. The stage may not have been the biggest but for Justin, this was bigger than Kingdom Come. If he wins at Unscripted, that secured his spot as the second longest reigning World Champion in the history of WZCW. There he stood, in the elevator with Mark Keaton, his nerves twisting his stomach, as he thought about being on the doorstep of history.
Youre the best Ive ever seen, Justin. Mark said, he was sincere.
Weve been through hell and back. Who wouldve thought two years ago that you and I would be in this position? World Champion and the next Eurasian Champion riding down this elevator, the world at our fingertips, two best friends travelling the world. This is meant to be, Justin. Youre meant to win. Ive tagged with both you and Constantine, believe me; youre better. You can beat him. Do it for yourself, for your family, do it so that at Lethal Lottery, you and I can make that walk down to the ring when you defend the World Title for the fifth time and do so in your hometown.
That caused Justin to smile, he hadnt thought of that.
Ive beaten him before, Mark. I know that. John and I have clashed three times at Unscripted, were 1-1. Ive gotten the better of him the last time we wrestled but as I said, I dont need Vis Imperium to beat John Constantine. However, after all this time, I may need you.
The two friends exchanged a gloomy look.
I cant be there. Hell in a Cell and all, Mark said, it ate him up inside he couldnt make the walk to the ring with his friend.
I know. Just keep an eye out for me, would you?
Sure thing, Mark said, he forced a smile out to his brother.
Itll be good to know that someone watching is rooting for me to win.
The door to the elevator opened and revealed the carpark. Together, Mark and Justin stepped out and head for their car. The days to Unscripted were quickly fading. It was judgment day for Vis Imperium, somebody was going to get punched in the mouth and on this day, Justin Cooper made sure it wasnt going to be him. His attention was focused on Constantine, it was all about his World Title.
For the first time ever, Justin would step inside Hell in a Cell. He would be without the aid of not only Vis Imperium but Mark Keaton. To secure his spot as one of the greatest of all time, Justin would have to defeat Constantine. The man who had been stripped of Vis Imperium by Banks, his treasure handed to Justin while Constantine lay bleeding on the trainers table back at Apocalypse. He had placed a bounty on the mans head. He had sought to weaken him. It had come down to this, both men were alone two men who had relied on stables in the past now it was time for the two of them to stand alone.