Face Lift

Cody Rhodes sat outside of his hotel room on the ground with his back pressed against the building. He held his gimmicked, transparent mask around one of his fingers by it's black strap while circling it around in a slow circle. A cell phone was pressed against his ear. The caller on the other line was a mystery but it was assumed to be a higher up within the company.

| Cody Rhodes | I still love the gimmick. We all have a dark side and I get to show mine every time I step in front of a camera. It's very..therapeutic. 

A small grin formed upon the handsome features of the son of Dusty Rhodes.

| Cody Rhodes | I have no doubt in my mind that I will be leaving the arena as World Champion.

A look of supreme confidence became a slight scowl after a moment or two of silence.

| Cody Rhodes | Although, it should be in the main event. I should always be in the main event. My match with Punk? Amazing. Match of the year candidate. ..I'm not being a mark for myself. I'm only speaking the truth. I understand that issue between Cena and Punk is very personal. But I find it to be..unprofessional. Mostly on Cena's part. The man should be arrested if what I've heard is true. But still. I'll never be in that position. You won't ever have to worry about Cody Rhodes trying to kill someone over something petty like a woman.

Rhodes laughed darkly to himself.

| Cody Rhodes | I love women. But they come easy. No point getting this worked up over one, eh? See? That's another issue. AJ Styles has had his problems with women in the past. He's gone on his tirades against Wes. I think he's ready for a fall. He's had his run but someone like me wasn't poised and ready back then ..No, I don't really know Nash. I do, however, respect his mind for the business. The boss hates him and he still finds his way on TV. ..Oh, Teddy Boy? He went on his little twitter rant against Wes as well. I've got a clean slate. I'm hard worker who doesn't complain and does what is asked of him. ..Heh..everyone in this match has a strike against them. ..Except Mike..

He rolled his eyes with a tinge of annoyance.

| Cody Rhodes | Squeaky clean, that one. Nothing on him at all. But his last reign wasn't very long so I doubt they are going to give him another one so soon. 

  Cody got comfortable against the surface of the wall and allowed his eyes to close. The grin never left his face.


| Cody Rhodes | I've got this. And it's the correct move to make. And my bank account is just going to sing to me every time I check it. I can handle the pressure. Something my coworkers can't seem to manage. ..You know it's true. I'll speak with you later.


The phone call ended and Cody slid the phone back into his pocket. It appeared as though the twenty seven year old felt a World Title run was all but inevitable for him come Sunday Night.

---

"..This company...is about to get..a face lift.."

The trembling voice of Cody Rhodes was heard as the scene settled upon a pale blue colored room with a dresser and large mirror as it's only notable features. The lights in the room constantly dimmed from near darkness to a bright pitch but never anything the eyes could comfortably adjust to. Too much light would make one feel safe and that was far from the motive her. The hooded wrestler stepped over to the dresser and placed a few paper bags he had huddled in his arms atop of it's surface.

| Cody Rhodes | No one wants Cody Rhodes as World Champion. They want my pretty, acceptable opponents. It doesn't matter which one. Just as long as it isn't me. I'm not normal. I'm not desirable. This..

He waved a hand slowly in front of his unsettling, mask covered visage.

| Cody Rhodes | ..is not what the public demands to see. But unfortunately..

Rhodes grinned very briefly before slipping back into his usual, self defeated state of mind.

| Cody Rhodes | ..you don't always get what you want. In the past month or so I have defeated three champions. I have defeated the PTG Champion. I have defeated the Breakout Champion. And I have even defeated the World Champion. I am the most dominant force on this entire roster. Whether or not my opponents or anyone else would like to admit it..

Cody dipped his hands into one of the bags and pulled out a handful of spiders. Varying in size but all creeping about his fingers and wrist.

| Cody Rhodes | But AJ Styles will admit to it. I showed the world that AJ has a very distinct case of arachnophobia. ..His reaction..the look on his face..it was painfully obvious that when I covered his body in these spiders..I brought his worst fear to life. He probably still feels as though these eight legged beasts are still all over his skin..

The demented challenger lifted the bag of spiders and held them out to the camera. Some of the legs extended from the bag, twitching about.

| Cody Rhodes | And at Sacrifice..I will do it again. I want to see that fear one more time. Except this time it's going to come at even greatest cost. The loss of his World Title. I won't be the one to defeat him..my friends here will..

Rhodes delicately rubbed his cheek against the bag he clutched before placing it back onto the dresser.

| Cody Rhodes | You see, I can't be afraid because my greatest fear took place the night my face was set ablaze. I know what AJ fears the most. But he isn't the only one. I know Ted DiBiase well enough to know what keeps him awake at night.

Another bag is taken into his grasp. After reaching inside her pulls out a couple of bones. It's impossible to tell what kind of bones they are or if they belong to a human or animal. But they are filthy and have faded to an almost pale yellow color. They are brittle and look ready to snap.

| Cody Rhodes | ..Ted has skeletons in his closet. Ted is petrified at the thought that he will never again become World Champion. Something he needs for his very own existence to mean anything. And Ted is very aware that the last time we met I destroyed him. I'm going to do it again at Sacrifice. And all the skeletons he tries to keep locked away are going to come pouring out all over him until he suffocates..

The third and final bag was held close to Cody's chest as he seemed to rock it back and forth against his skin.

| Cody Rhodes | ..And you Miz..well..all you are..is a late addition. You squirmed your way into his match like you seem to worm your way into all of your opportunities. You're nothing but a warm body. You are FLESH. 

Inside of the bag appeared to be just that. Flesh. Flayed skin with small, black insects crawling across it.

| Cody Rhodes | The Miz. ..Heheh..

An awkward, unsure laugh briefly escaped from him.

| Cody Rhodes | ..The Skin. You are..the skin. Putrid. Undeserving. And ready to shed. And I will ensure that you will never wash away this disgusting feeling after I dump the contents from this paper bag..all..over..you..

It was obvious that Cody's mental state was deteriorating each time he appeared and that the contents for his paper bags were becoming more and more vile each time. The flickering lights picked up their pace and Cody was now standing directly in front of the camera. The bags on the dresser had all been spilled over onto the counter and the spiders, skin and bones were all mixing together into one disgusting mess.

| Cody Rhodes | And to our..esteemed referee? Mr. Kevin Nash. You have the potential to crown me as our new champion. I feel as though it would be in your best interest to see that I leave that arena as World Champion. I don't have a bag for you. These horrors are reserved for my three opponents. But should you decide to..screw me? I will make very sure..that the bag I design for you..will be the one thing that drives a parasite like you from the wrestling business..

The dim, flashing lights and the loathsome image of Cody's mask did not make for a very settling sight as the scene began to fade out.

| Cody Rhodes | ..Yeah..it's time for a face lift..not only for this company..but for the entire, ugly, repulsive roster..