Late night. A deserted fog filled alley where unsavory acts were performed and where one was about to take place. After dinner at an upscale restaurant had concluded, Cody Rhodes met with an associate in the bleak location. It should be a given at this point that someone so consumed with his clothing choices would be dressed only in most expensive and finest dark colored suit. He was leaning closely against the body of someone, a curvy woman, with his palm pressed against the wall her back was resting against. Aksana. The Lithuanian, dark haired Diva's style of dress was less bombshell sexpot and more Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It would seem as though Cody didn't hold women he kept in his interest to the same meticulous fashion sense that he possessed for himself and most others. After breathing heavily against the crook of her neck, he lifted his face to prop their foreheads together. His hand ran across the grey colored slouch beanie she was wearing, where strands of black hair could be seen hanging out, and began to speak.
Cody Rhodes: When I told you what I wanted to do I didn't think you would agree. But you surprised me.
Aksana: I like how you look. I like what you have.
Perhaps this was the common ground. The mutual understanding. The attraction to one another was stricly superficial and this suited both of them just fine.
Cody Rhodes: John Cena's nothing. He's a nobody. Did you see what we did to him? We left him completely helpless and hanging upside down over the ring. Everyone got to see what kind of power I held over him.
It had been revealed who lowered the cord from the top of the arena that was used to ensnare Cena that night. Rhodes' cohort.
Cody Rhodes: ..It felt..it felt..
Cody seemed to struggle to find the proper words and his hand trembled for a brief moment before he threw on a smile that would indicate that he was satisfied.
Cody Rhodes: I can't really describe it.
Aksana: You took his pride. Now take his title.
Cody Rhodes: That would be the plan, wouldn't it? ..E-Erk..
Cody suddenly gulped deeply.
Aksana: ..Uh..you..look pale.
Cody had begun to stutter uncontrollably and he couldn't get any words out other than a few grunts. When he stared at Aksana he could see blood slowly beginning to trickle out from underneath of her beanie. Her voice was becoming muffled and more difficult to understand. He turned away and closed his eyes tightly, trying to catch his breath. Once he was able to do so, everything seemed normal once again.
Cody Rhodes: I'm...I'm fine. Just became a little..disoriented. I'm anxious. I've got a big task in front of me. You understand.
Askana: Let me help you think about something else.
The two embraced in a lip lock and their hands began to run along each others body. Articles of clothing began to be hurriedly removed. In that mist filled alley they engaged in a sweltering, torrid love making session right on the ground as the camera panned backwards.
After the time lapsed footage passed, Cody stepped from the alley way alone. He straightened his tie and walked along the sidewalk towards his home. The camera followed him along as he entered the expensive apartment complex that he lived in. More sped up, time lapsed footage showed up stepping into an elevator, ascending, then stepping out. He used a key and unlocked his door to enter the minimalist, expensive, high class dwelling that had been revealed on EBWF programming in past. After flicking on a light he collapsed onto his knee's and pushed a hand through his hair. He looked as though he were about to explode with emotion but something was preventing that from happening.
Cody Rhodes: ..Why..can't..I feel anything? ..I didn't feel..a thing. I can't even cry. When I strung Cena up I thought it would give me a jolt but..nothing. NOTHING. I was covered in his blood for Christ's sake. I should have felt..something..anything..but..
Cody fixed his eyes on the vast entertainment system in front of him. Blood began to pour out of it's disc slot and soon enough an entire tidal wave of the red liquid was pouring in the hallways. He wanted to do everything he could to get this horrific vision out of his head. He snapped his attention away and when he refocused it was gone.
Cody Rhodes: ..I..I have to do this. I need the prestige that comes along with it. I have to defeat John Cena. I must win the Intercontinental Title. I'll become a bigger star than him. That's the only way I'll ever get my identity back. ..I'll feel like myself again.
His anxiety seemed to pass, at least momentarily, as he began to smile before quickly wiping it way to be replaced by intense concentration. He pushed himself to his feet and quickly turned into his bed room. The picture faded to black.
After a few seconds the scene returned. Cody was standing on his balcony which held a breath taking view of the New York city scenery at night. Buildings and signs were lit up, too numerous to even try to count. His back was turned to the camera and it was difficult to determine what he was wearing due to the dim lightning but it wasn't his previous attire.
Cody Rhodes: No doubt there are going to be a few questions that need to be addressing. Why in the world did I do what I did to John Cena after I had said how much I respected him? Was I lying? Was I trying to lure him into some kind of trap? No. No, I was not. Because I truly did feel as though John Cena was exactly what a wrestler should be. Strong. Well built. Personable. Well off. Financially stable. Beloved.
His grip on the railing in front of him grew tighter.
Cody Rhodes: I never set out to be booed and despised by our audience but I simply do not have it in me to pander to the fans like Cena does. But I believe that specific trait only adds to his character. An American hero who rights the wrongs and always stands up in the face of adversity. There's just something noble about that, isn't there? Please don't think I'm coming from a place of spite or bitterness. Because I assure you that I'm not. Truth be told..I admired John Cena. I, like many other people, aspired to perhaps become something like him.
Cody's shoulders began to slump lower.
Cody Rhodes: I fully intended on this contest to be fought without any ill will or venom. Just as I had described to Cena himself. It was then that he decided..to spit directly into my face.
Cody's frame began to slightly quiver.
Cody Rhodes: John Cena is bigger than me. He has a steady, attractive girlfriend. Multiple title reigns under his belt, followers all over the world..he is in high demand. There was one category that he could not contend with me, however, and that is appearance. I am, and I say this without ego, am a very attractive human being. John Cena is no slouch himself but he can't come to touching me. This has been said before but John Cena typically dresses like a gigantic five year old. The bright colors, the accessory choices, the entire ensemble just screams..movie super hero. And that completely works for him. So, why, I ask..
Although his face was hidden, Cody's teeth could practically be heard grinding.
Cody Rhodes: ..did he feel the need to upstage me. I invite him out to join me in a dinner to toast our encounter and he uses every available outlet at his disposal to make me look like a fool. Like a common man. Oh, there is no doubt in my mind that Cena had to have hired a stylist to help him pick out the suit he wore that night. ..The watch. The cufflinks. I remember every exhausting detail. But the fact remains that he was dressed as if it were his last day on Earth. The way the waitress swooned over him, those DISGUSTING fans that begged for an autograph. Cena knew exactly what he was doing. He flaunted it all in front of my face and tried to show the entire world just how superior he truly thinks he is when compared to me.
Cody finally turned to face the camera. He was dressed in the same completely white suit he wore when he hung Cena from the rafters and bathed in his blood from a fresh wound on his forehead. The suit had not been touched since that day and was still covered and stained in dried blood.
Cody Rhodes: So who, may I ask, truly looked superior? Was it the man who was HUMILIATED and hung upside down like a defenseless, stuck pig? Or was it me? The man who carved Cena's head to shreds and made him pay for thinking he could treat me like garbage. He may have had the audacity to skip down to the ring and shrug off my attack but deep down I know that it truly shook him. I wasn't expecting him to lay down and die, no, I know his mantra will enough. I know that there isn't a force that can keep John Cena down. Until. NOW.
Cody's eyes gave a glance over to the grim suit he was wearing.
Cody Rhodes: That 200 day plus reign as IC Champion? IT ENDS. That belt is mine. Every single person will have NO CHOICE but to accept the fact that I am a bigger star and even a better man than John Cena could ever dream of being. Look at me. I am covered in that STUPID BASTARDS blood! Don't be so naive to think that I'm not capable of doing it again when he knows it's coming. He blindsided me so I was merely repaying the favor!
An almost exhausted sigh came from the number one contender as he leaned back against the railing and smiled to himself.
Cody Rhodes: I don't actually have to tell anyone that John Cena isn't worth their praise and admiration. He's going to prove it Sunday night. After that I'll be the one with the acclaim and all of the accolades. I'LL be the one everyone worships. ..I only hope that John is dressed for the occasion.
The unnerving sight of Cody Rhodes wearing a suit that's drenched in John Cena's week's old blood faded out.
