New Year, Same Me

[D.J]

The scene opened up in the locker room of The Miz and Matthew Riddle. We were moments before Christmas Eve of Destruction was set to begin. Riddle wore a 3 piece blue suit. Miz was already in his ring gear. He was pacing back and forth. Finally, after several beats Riddle broke the silence.

Matthew Riddle: Bro.. I mean.. Miz.. relax man. You know you can beat Punk. It's only going to be more fun to be able to do more than beat him.. you're gonna have a chance tonight to really hurt him, punish him.

The Miz stopped pacing and squinted at Riddle as only Miz could.

The Miz: Why are you talking right now? If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even be in this match. I'd still be the EBWF Champion and I would be rid of this leech CM Punk forever. We lost a 2 on 1 handicap match- 2 on freaking 1.. and why did we lose? Because YOU got pinned. You may wear suits now and use your full first name, but I'm going to need to start seeing that killer instinct come out that I thought was beginning when you cost me the title in the first place. I thought you were finally starting to understand what it took to get ahead in this business, but what I saw in that match- was that you still have a long way to go.

Riddle sighed taking the slights.

Matthew Riddle: I know man, and I'm sorry.. but that doesn't change the fact that tonight is still YOUR night. You're going to win that title right back tonight- you'll be a 9 time champion, and we'll... sorry.. I'll.. be better in 2025. I promise.

The Miz: New year, new you?

Riddle smirked.

Matthew Riddle: Exactly.

The Miz nodded.

The Miz: Alright, I just don't want to be having this conversation all the time. The fact is- this thing with Punk.. it goes a lot further than just this go around. Punk and I have a tremendous history- it's basically no different than with Jericho, Styles, or anyone else I've had repeated battles with. The difference with Punk- is that he truly thinks he's better than me, and every other historic name I just said. I know I'm a very confident guy myself, but I detest Punk because he doesn't have half my resume and has double the arrogance. Tonight- you are right Matt- it WILL BE my night. It'll be my night to recapture MY title- and it'll be my night to knock Punk off the pedestal that he has himself permanently atop of in his own deranged and delusional mind. Tonight is the last night in the EBWF before the New Year- and I promise you- that 2025 will start like so many others in this companies history- and that is with the only man sitting above the rest- being this beautiful bastard you're looking at right now.

BECAUSE IM THE MIZ

AND I'M

AWESOME!

The Miz and Riddle fist bumped and exploded out of the locker room as the scene faded.