In light of recent events, it was hard to tell what was real and what was fiction in life. Eleven people were deceased because some guy they called "Mark" was probably the most hardcore Jerichoholic on God's green Earth. Eleven casualties because of some guy's obsession with wrestling. Sad.
On top of that, Ken learnt that week that someone he used to work with wasn't very fond of him. Apparently Mike Mizanin did not like Ken Anderson one bit, despite spending nearly a month working with him. Sure, they weren't buddy buddy, hugging it out at all times... The guy just came into the locker room, got into his wrestling gear, did his thing and then left... So it wasn't that much of a surprise. But Ken hadn't stopped to think about how someone who barely knew him hated him... Ken found it quite amusing. The fact that for the first time ever, without doing anything, he pissed someone off.
"We shouldn't be doing this..."
But the hilarious revelation that The Miz wasn't too fond of him was completely overshadowed by the shooting at EBWF HQ on Wednesday. Sure, Ken wasn't even on the same state... But his boss, the man who took him from the dumpster he was on WWE and made him relevant again and his family were tragically shot by a madman. No one knew what really went down at the EBWF HQ that Wednesday evening, except for those who were involved. Everyone who worked in EBWF knew to some extent about the shooting, but out of respect... No one spoke a thing.
"I guess there's no going back now..."
Those who were there probably wanted to erase those memories from their head, those who weren't wouldn't want to bring such painful moments back. It had been decided that Fanniversary would go on as planned, despite several members of the roster not feeling comfortable enough to compete... Either out of respect for the Ikeda family, or out of fear from having some mark shoot them backstage.
Paul Heyman: What are you doing?
Ken was sitting on the hood of the car he rented, his gym bag resting by his side. He has been pondering things for quite a while now while sitting on the parking lot on his own... It was as if he couldn't walk through the hall that led to the backstage area of the KeyArena... The voice of Paul Heyman got him out of his trance. Ken turned to Heyman.
Paul Heyman: What are you doing out there? I've been looking for you everywhere...
Ken didn't reply, it was quite obvious where he has been.
Paul Heyman: Listen Ken, things are bad enough as they are now... I need you to up your game. The guys need you!
Ken somehow didn't believe that.
Paul Heyman: Out of the whole bunch booked tonight, you're the one who has been here around the most. You're the vet tonight, you need to set an example.
Ken Anderson: Paulie... I...
Paul Heyman: I know, you're not comfortable doing this without Wes around... But the order has been given already, the show must go on, without Wes. Ken, think about this... You've been here longer than any other of the guys and you're feeling pretty bad...
Ken Anderson: Bad? Like sh...
Paul Heyman: Exactly! Now imagine how the rest of the guys are feeling. Don't you feel some sense of responsibility with them?
Ken didn't say a word... He wasn't going to argue with Paul. Ken jumped off the hood of his car and grabbed his gym bag, both men walked into the building slowly... Heyman's hand on Ken Anderson's back felt more fatherlike than ever before, just when he needed it the most. Ken sworn he'd be anything the EBWF needed him to be... Wether it was a good guy who put others over, a bad guy who complained about everything and even a locker room leader... Ken would be there, he owed Wes, and he owed EBWF.
The environment in the backstage area was something atypical, to say the least. The usual happy go lucky, familiar environment where the superstar's children would run around, play pranks on EBWF crew members, the camaraderie between superstars and general good vibe seemed to stay back in Misouri. Everything was silent, everyone diligently did their job and nothing else... The usual meeting where Wes talked to the talent, like a coach would talk to the team before their superbowl game wasn't going to be given for obvious reasons... However, the EBWF locker room slated to show up at Fanniversary plus some others were all in the same room... Staring at each other in their ring year. Silence was harder than concrete at that time... The door swinging open would break silence a bit, followed by the entrance of Ken Anderson and Paul Heyman walking besides him. Ken wasn't much of a locker room personality or leader, he never worried about it... Who would while having guys like Edge, Jericho or Wes Ikeda helping out? However, this tragedy had crossed all of the locker room leaders out, Ken had to stand up. Being the last person who entered the room, naturally all eyes were on him... Heyman stood on the doorway as Ken walked to a nearby door, where a huge Fanniversary poster was hung on the wall... Ken stared at Punk and AJ's figure on the poster... He could hear Paul behind him.
Paul Heyman: Guys... It goes without saying, but these are hard times. It is quite hard when there is a tragedy and four nights later you have to work your ass off to make people forget all the pain, the sorrow and sadness we are going through. This is an art, so we put our warpaint in our faces and we go out there like real men, we make the fans' tickets worth it, until the last dime!
Paul Heyman felt weird giving a speech of this caliber... It was his thing when he ran ECW, and despite never looking eye to eye with Wes Ikeda, Paul did what he would want someone to do for him if he ever were victim of such a tragedy.
Paul Heyman: Management decided to go on with Fanniversary, and not because of money. If you ever think the reason why we are here is money then you can go out through this door right now! The guys with the ties chose to go on instead of retreating because they believe in their product, they believe the show must go on, they believe in the fans, and most importantly... They believe in each and every one of you!
Paul turned to the Hassan, Christian, Rhyno, Evan Bourne, KENTA, Monty Brown, Ambrose and Rollins. Trent and Zack Ryder looked at Paul Heyman from the other corner of the room.
Paul Heyman: You might think you have the biggest burden... Because you all want to be the next star! It is times like these when people need to see what you're made of! Don't see it as a burden, don't see it as a task! Some of you might be new to EBWF, but you have had experience in other places! Rhyno! You and I we go way back, I know what you're capable of... I'm pretty sure you will help these kids in any way they need... As will Zack Ryder and Trent!
Paul's eyes shifted towards, AJ Styles, Ted DiBiase and the Miz.
Paul Heyman: You guys are the biggest stars in this locker room tonight. You need to show the world why have you been on top of EBWF rankings through the year! You are all worthy of holding the World Title! Remember that after every punch, before every hold and every leap from the top rope!
A slow clap emerged from the group of talent, which generalized. Heyman said nothing, Ken's fingers traced along the Fanniversary poster, where Wes Ikeda's handwritting read "Celebrating Eleven Years of EBWF". Ken let out a sigh and turned to join the claps. Heyman walked closer to the Miz and motioned for Anderson to come over.
Paul Heyman: Boys... I have an idea for your match, after all we can't throw it all out in one night... Listen up...
The rest of the EBWF talent left the locker room one by one while Heyman spoke with the duo. (HAH! As if I'm going to give you details about the match between Miz and Anderson?)