On Friday morning, I woke up and headed straight for the arena that Smackdown was set to be held in.
I arrived earlier than everyone else, so I figured I would catch up on some workout.
My workout consisted of weight training and cardio.
Two hours later, JoIhnny had jogged around the outside of the massive arena, plus got in 5 sets of weight training.
Everybody else arrived at the arena by noon.
The locker room was buzzing with superstars. The hallways alit with lights and cameras. The interview areas were filled as WWE got the promos ready for the evening’s show.
8 o’clock came really fast, and first up was me.
My music hit, and I hit the stage.
The crowd booed, to my delight. I made his way down to the ring, grabbed a microphone, and took center stage.
“For those who didn’t see Raw on Monday night, the Florida State Beast debuted,” I started off. “I destroyed three of your favorite superstars, and put an end to the PG era. Sheamus was decapitated…by me. Bo Dallas was hung out to dry…by me. And Seth Rollins was forced asleep…by ME! But enough about Monday night. This is a new day. A new force to be reckoned with. A new Beast. I have something to say to Mr. Money in the Bank, Dean Ambrose. You have something I want. You can either give it to me and bow down at my feet, or I can take it from you and make you bow down at my feet. So what’s it gonna be?”
A few seconds went by with nothing but boos ringing throughout the arena.
“I’m waiting,” I said, angrily.
Then, Ambrose’s music hit. He ran out of the curtain with a microphone in his hand.
“You want me to just give this to you,” Dean started, holding up the briefcase. “Well, buddy. I have news for you…it’s not going to happen. But how about this? Tonight, if you can beat me in a match, I can put it on the line at a later date. But if you don’t beat me, I get a shot at your NXT Championship next week on Raw!”
I was taken aback. “You want to challenge me to a match. Haven’t you been watching me on NXT. No one has beaten me yet. And trust me…you won’t be the first. So be careful what you wish for, because I accept.”
Dean turned around to walk away. I dropped the microphone. I dashed out of the ring, ran up the ramp and clotheslined Dean from behind.
Ambrose tried to fight the relentless pounding I was putting on him, but I would not let up.
I picked Ambrose up and hit him with the Styles-Line. I picked up the microphone and said, “See you later on tonight, Dean.”
Smackdown passed like a blur until there was only one match left.
Dean’s music hit, and he jumped from behind the curtain. The crowd went wild for him.
Sensing my cue, I ran out from behind the curtain.
I did exactly like he was supposed to do, and attacked Ambrose from behind. The crowd booed.
The referee ran out of the ring to pull me off. I headed to the ring.
After a few minutes, Dean was in the ring, standing up. The referee rang the bell.
I immediately went after him. The match didn’t last long, as I quickly hit the Styles-Line and locked in the Styles Lock.
Within seconds, Dean tapped.
“And the winner of this match…Johnny Styles,” Lillian Garcia announced.
I grabbed a microphone.
“That was just a piece of the destruction I will cause.” I started. But almost immediately, I was stopped by Raw general manager and COO of the WWE, Hunter Hearst-Helmsley, known to the WWE Universe as Triple H.
“Johnny, congratulations on your win,” he started. “But this night isn’t over. Right now, if you can defeat your new opponent, then you will have a match for the Money in the Bank briefcase at Battleground.”
All of a sudden, flames shot up from the corners of the ring. Kane stomped out from behind the curtain. He stomped to the ring and climbed in. The referee rang the bell.
I tried to run at Kane, but instead, I got a face full of Kane’s boot. Kane went for the pin, but I kicked out at 2, only on instinct. Kane got angry, and I took advantage.
I hit Kane with two shoulder blocks. Moments later, a clothesline took the big man off his feet. I took the advantage and started stomping away at Kane. I climbed to the top rope to try for a splash, but Kane got up and caught me.
Kane went for the chokeslam, but I leaped behind him. I tried to lock in the Styles Lock, but Kane powered out.
While Kane’s back was turned, I grabbed his arm, turned him around, and hit him with the Styles-Line.
Three seconds passed and I was having my hand raised by the referee.
Triple H came back out.
“Congratulations. You have your match.”
