Three hundred and thirty days Ted DiBiase had held the Path to Glory Championship and on Christmas Eve that record breaking reign was put to an end. It wasn't without controversy though, as it was Ricardo Rodriguez who interfered and cost Ted the match. Ted saw it differently though. With the match won, Ted tried to pull off one move too many and he paid the price. However, getting to his feet and having thousands of people applauding him made him feel better. The EBWF fans acknowledged that Ted's reign was special and he had earned their respect. 2012 could be considered a good year for the multi generation wrestler. Ted was his harshest critic and even though he broke records, he failed on several occasions to become the World Champion. He had challenged the World Champion's several times and even though he put on some of the most memorable matches, he was always on the losing end. He knew that he would not get another championship shot unless he earned it and in his mind, Ted knew that his only chance would be to win the Royal Rumble. Ted had held a championship at every PPV in 2012 and he could possibly walk into the Royal Rumble event as a champion. On the first edition of Warfare for the New Year, Ted DiBiase was set to compete against two men for the Intercontinental Championship. The other challenger was the veteran of the match, Christian, he was a man that Ted had faced numerous times in 2012 and had been very successful against. The champion was none other than the Miz, who now held two championships: The Intercontinental Championship and the Tag Team Championship. Ted and The Miz had a long history with one another and precisely one year ago the two were part of arguably the greatest trio in EBWF history. At the Royal Rumble event, each member of the Trilogy won big. Ted won the Path to Glory Championship from Jeff Hardy, The Miz won the World Championship from Brian Kendrick and AJ Styles outlasted 29 other participants to win the 2012 Royal Rumble. Fast forward to 2013 and all three members could be walking into the Royal Rumble with championships should Ted be victorious on Warfare. Ted's Christmas was a quiet one, he spent time with his family while nursing his sore body after his Ladder match the night before. Ted was exhausted after having to fly straight after the PPV to be able to get home to Tampa in time for Christmas. New Year’s Eve was the same as Christmas for Ted, he spent it with his family and it was all very low key and quiet. All of his friends and family had made New Year’s Resolutions, many wanting to get into shape or keep in touch with family, Ted's New Year’s Resolution was to be as successful as he was last year and to never forget the people that made him reach that spot. After midnight, when 2013 had officially begun, his family gathering was winding to a close, when it was time for Ted to get some sleep he knelt down next to his bed, closed his eyes and began to pray.
Ted Jr: Dear Lord, I pray that you guide me to a successful and prosperous year and that I remain humble. I want you to watch over my family and guide them to complete their New Year’s Resolution. I will challenge myself to become closer to you and to strengthen the relationship that I share with you. Amen.
Ted finished his prayer and hoped that 2013 would be a year that would be unforgettable.
Scene 2
Ted DiBiase flew out to Des Moines, Iowa for the first Warfare event of the year. Ted would be wrestling in the main event and he had the chance to become a champion again by winning the Intercontinental Championship. Entering the Wells Fargo Arena, Ted saw that the overall mood backstage was very positive. Everybody was in good spirits and refreshed from the Christmas break. Ted arrived at his locker room and upon entering it he found a camera set up on a tripod. Ted put his bags down and set the camera to record in ten seconds. That gave him enough time to position himself in front of the camera sitting on the bench in the locker room. The light on the camera began to flash and the recording began.
Ted Jr: I'm starting 2013 just like I started 2012, with my hands almost on championship gold. I have the chance to become the Intercontinental Champion tonight by defeating The Miz and Christian.
Ted adjusted his position before continuing.
Ted Jr: Christmas Eve of Destruction has come and gone. I'm man enough to admit that I lost. I will NOT say that Alberto Del Rio was the better man. I had the match won, but I made a mistake. That mistake cost me my championship and that's all that I have to say. Trust me when I say that Alberto Del Rio will not surpass my record. Nobody will. EBWF has been the top wrestling promotion in the world for the last 11 years and to be the longest reigning champion of all time is a special achievement. My days as Path to Glory Champion may be over but I will be holding a championship this year. I will become the Intercontinental Champion tonight and once again represent EBWF as one of the top wrestlers in the world. Warfare will have many surprises and there will be many great matches to kick off the New Year all leading up to the most exciting PPV of the year, The Royal Rumble. It was last year at the very same event that I won my Path to Glory Championship, but I've never had the chance to win the Royal Rumble match. Christian has won the Royal Rumble before and gone on to win the World Championship, but now he is a shell of his former self. If someone was going to pick their top 5 choices for 2013 Royal Rumble winner, Christian would not be in it. I have defeated Christian of many occasions last year and proven that even though he has won the big matches, he is past his prime and needs to step aside and let the future of EBWF take his place at the top of the pedestal.
Ted held up 3 fingers close to the camera.
Ted Jr: Last year, 3 people tore through the EBWF roster. I was one of them, AJ Styles was another and the final person was the current Intercontinental Champion, The Miz. We were an unstoppable force and at the Royal Rumble it was the greatest night for our group. Since then AJ and the Miz fought over the World Championship, and have now become the Tag Team Champions. With Miz being a double champion, like I used to be, it will be tough for him to keep both championships. That's why to ring in the New Year; The Miz will lose his championship. It's not because he's not talented, that's far from it. It's because he's not hungry for it. Holding two championships has boosted his already large ego and he is content simply being known as a champion. He doesn't represent what a champion should be. When I was champion I embodied what it meant to hold a championship in this company. I did what I had to do to win, I fought everyone in my way and I was never content with my achievements. When I surpassed CM Punk's record of 185 days as champion, I could have switched off and taken it easy knowing I was the longest reigning PTG Champion, but I didn't and I held that championship for another 150 days. When I became the longest reigning champion at 275 days I stayed focused and pushed further. The Miz doesn't show that determination. He doesn't show the drive or the passion to keep his championship. Sure he can talk, crack jokes and be the life of the party, but being the life of the party won't break records. I am the only person should be winning this match. I'm the one that deserves to hold the Intercontinental Championship because I would bring prestige to it. And after I win the Intercontinental Championship I'm going to go on to win the Royal Rumble match. 2013 is going to be just like 2012 with Ted DiBiase reigning supreme. How's that for a New Year's Resolution!
Ted stood up and left the locker room turning off the camera as he walked out. As he roamed the halls, a crew member approached him.
Crew Member: Ted, Shane wants to see you.
Ted Jr: Where is he?
Crew Member: Down the hall there and it's the third door on your left.
The crew member pointed down one of the branching corridors and Ted ventured down there. He soon found the room that he was directed to. He knocked on the door and slowly entered. As he did, he saw Shane McMahon talking on the phone. Ted quietly shut the door.
Shane McMahon: ... I'll talk to you later.
Shane ended the call and turned his attention to Ted.
Shane McMahon: Ted! Good to see you. Take a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?
Ted Jr: I'll be fine.
Ted sat down in one of the chairs as Shane poured himself a drink.
Shane McMahon: I just wanted to talk to you about you dropping the PTG Championship and what's going on in 2013. It was decided that even though giving you a year long reign would be a good move, you achieved a lot in your 11 month reign. The Board see a lot of potential in you and that's why they gave you that record breaking reign.
Ted Jr: If they saw potential in me, why not give me another run with the World Championship?
Shane McMahon: It was bad timing really, Punk is white hot at the moment and it wouldn't make sense for him to lose the championship so quickly. Plus at this time, guys like Punk and AJ, they were putting butts in seats and we didn't believe that you could do the same. Don't worry Ted; you'll get your time.
Ted Jr: I can understand AJ and Punk, but even Cody before me? I mean, the whole storyline revolved around AJ, Nash and I. Cody was just an extra and he was the one that won it all?
Shane McMahon: He got over really fast, and having two singles championships would have hurt you in the long run. If you won the World Championship and then dropped the PTG to someone, you wouldn't look like a credible champion. Trust me Ted, if you keep putting in the performances that you put in during 2012, I don't see why you shouldn't have a reign before this year's over.
Ted simply nodded, acknowledging Shane's words.
Shane McMahon: As far as 2013 is concerned, everyone believes that you can stay high on the ladder. You proved it last year and The Board want to see you go higher and push yourself. That's why you have been put in the Intercontinental Championship match.
Ted Jr: So am I going to be winning the Intercontinental Championship tonight?
Shane McMahon: I can't tell you that Ted. I'd hate to ruin the surprise. But regardless of this match, The Board expects the same high performances that you put on last year. If you do that you can only go up from where you are.
Shane extended his hand to Ted to shake it. Ted stood up and shook his hand.
Shane McMahon: I think you've got an interview with Cole now. You don't want to be late for him.
Ted nodded and left the room. He walked down the halls and it didn't take him long to find Michael Cole standing in front of the interview set. Michael spotted Ted and quickly made sure that everything was set to go for the interview.
Michael Cole: Ted! Do you mind if I have a quick interview with you?
Ted was now right next to Michael now.
Ted Jr: Sure, let's get this started.
Cole nodded and signalled to his camera man to begin recording.
Michael Cole: Good evening everyone and welcome to the first Warfare for 2013, live from the Wells Fargo Arena. We ended the year with a stellar Christmas Eve of Destruction PPV with many shocks and surprises. One of the biggest surprises was the record breaking reign of Ted DiBiase was ended, while Triple H and CM Punk waged war in Hell in a Cell. Tonight we have not one but two championship matches. My guest at this time is the former Path to Glory Champion and he has the opportunity to become the NEW Intercontinental Champion tonight as he faces off against Christian and the Intercontinental Champion himself, The Miz. So Ted, how did it feel to lose your Path to Glory Championship, so close to reaching a full year?
Ted Jr: It stings a bit but I'm going to move from that. That title used to be known as CM Punk's Championship, now it will always be known as DiBiase's Championship. Nobody can dispute that fact. I made that championship my own in 2012 and I was untouchable with it. I defeated World Champions and legends. I didn't lose it because I wasn't good enough. I lost it because I took one risk too many and when it comes to any championship, one mistake will cost you. That's why tonight it will only take one mistake from Christian or The Miz to allow me to walk away victorious.
Michael Cole: Now because this is a triple threat match, the champion doesn't need to be involved in the decision to lose the championship. Is that something you're going to target seeing as you have defeated Christian several times in 2012?
Ted Jr: It's not something I'll actively think about but it will always sit in the back of my head. You said that the Miz doesn't have to be involved to lose the championship, but that also means that I don't have to be involved to lose as well. That is why triple threat matches are so intense. You need to be on your game the entire time and any lapse in concentration can cost you the match. The Miz will know that and I expect him to try and end it quickly.
Michael Cole: After this, the first stop on the road to Wrestlemania is the Royal Rumble. Now last year you were part of The Trilogy who swept through the Royal Rumble with you winning the Path to Glory Championship, Miz winning the World Championship and AJ winning the Royal Rumble. What will this year’s Royal Rumble bring in terms of involvement from the three of you, although now you are not all aligned?
Ted Jr: We are all going to be seen as favourites for this year’s Royal Rumble. We have all had great 2012's, and now AJ and Miz are back on the same page it will be difficult to stop them both in the Rumble match.
Michael Cole: You seem to be focusing more on The Miz and not Christian for this match...
Ted Jr: That's because Christian is an afterthought here. He always has been. Sure he may have actually won a Rumble match before and the World Championship but that was 7 years ago. He can't perform at the level he used to and after beating him in his own specialty, a Ladder match, not much else can be said about him.
Michael Cole: Any final words before your match.
Ted Jr: 2012 ended on the wrong note for me. 2013 will be another dominant year for Ted DiBiase and it starts tonight.
