Focus

For the past several months, CM Punk's focus has been on one man. John Cena. Since this was not exactly someone the tattooed superstar wanted living in his brain, Punk decided he needed to turn his attention elsewhere. The King Of The Ring Tournament was the perfect choice to get back on track. Pull apart brawls with Cena weren't getting him anywhere but competing in this tournament and winning would send him right back to the top of the mountain where he felt he rightfully belonged. Beating Cena within an inch of his life was in the back of his mind but he knew if he didn't set his sights on something else, he was going to go completely homicidal. His first round opponent was Nigel McGuinness. Someone who, like Punk, got his start in the indy promotion known as Ring of Honor. Nigel was undoubtedly looking to make an impact by shocking the world by defeating Punk in his debut match. Unfortunately for Nigel, Punk was no one's stepping stone. Nigel had the unenviable task of facing the Chicago native when he was in a terribly foul mood. Coupled that with his desire to ascend the ranks and this could potentially be a less than stellar debut for the Brit.

Another project had recently surfaced to further distract Punk from the seemingly endless drama with Cena: A DVD. Documentary style. Seeing as how Punk hated almost all the other wrestling documentary's he had ever watched, he demanded to take the reigns on the project. He found most of them dull, hated the narrators and most importantly despised most of the music. There was no way he was going to let a DVD with his name on it get produced that was filled with bands like Seether or Switchfoot. Luckily, with all of his years in the wrestling business, Punk had became friends with all sorts of musicians. In particular, the punk band Rancid who had a show in Utah the same week that Warfare would be arriving on Monday night. On this summer evening, Punk headed towards the venue with a camera man in tow. He dressed in a simple white t-shirt and a pair of grey colored shorts. They had parked some distance away and took back alley's to arrive without being hassled. He was planning on discussing which songs to use in the DVD and just catch up with friends. Maybe toss some of the footage into the bonus and extra's section. An hour or two before the show began, Punk headed to the back of the club so he could slip into the dressing rooms. However, even the best laid plans often went awry. Because three figures were already outside of the venue and they all displayed varying degree's of shock upon seeing an EBWF wrestler suddenly stroll up. One girl even screamed at the top of her lungs.

The screaming girl: A blond in jeans who looked to be around nineteen years old. Blue eyes. Coincidentally, wearing a CM Punk t-shirt. Short.

Another girl: Probably around twenty five. Glasses with brunette colored hair. She stunned by re-framed from screaming her head off, unlike her friend. Reasonably tall for a girl, thin.


Lastly: A bearded guy who looked only slightly younger than Punk. He was wearing a baseball cap and a black t-shirt. 

CM Punk: "Fuck."

Punk uttered back to the camera man in a half mocking display of misfortune. He wasn't much for fan encounters even if he was on the heroic side of things. He liked the fans that were cool. Just hated the scumbags. None of them were wearing shirts of the band they were about to see, a very well known concert rule, so they had that going for them. And the girl shouting her head off was wearing one of his shirts. If they supported them then he would support them. So he began to swiftly think on his feet.

CM Punk: "You guys want to be on a DVD?"

The trio all responded with a positive respond, one far more vocal than the others.

CM Punk: "Alright. Shut up and come here then."

The blond managed to pipe down enough for Punk to motion them further down the alley.

CM Punk: "Doesn't look sketchy at all does it?"

Punk mostly asked himself as the group crowded into a corner.

CM Punk: "Alright it goes like this. I'm here for the show and I'm shooting some stuff for a DVD. Say hello."

The three fans waved to the camera and the hyperactive teenage one bounced up and down.

CM Punk: "This will end up on television and probably as a bonus. I've got a match and you guys can interview me. Cool?"

They nodded. The teenage girl had to slap her hands over her mouth to keep from shouting any further. Having "fan-girls" was still odd for Punk. He couldn't really understand it. He didn't lack any confidence, obviously, but he didn't see himself as the type to be adored over. He was kind of an asshole, by his own admission, and dressed like he was homeless. It was something he would have to ponder further.

CM Punk: "Cool. My match is with Nigel McGuinness. You guys have probably seen the show enough to know how this goes."

Teenage Girl: "Who is that?"


Older Girl: "Desmond Wolfe."

The younger girl knew of The British wrestler from his TNA stint and nodded slowly.

CM Punk: "Don't be nervous. You're probably better than Todd Grisham. Have at it."

Older Girl: "Alright, uh, let's see..Punk you're facing Nigel McGuinness.."

CM Punk: "In the King of The Ring tournament."

Older Girl: "In the King of The Ring tournament. If you can advance you will be closer to..uh..the World Title. What are your plans going into this match?"

CM Punk: "See? It's easy. Well, my plan is to go in there and crush Nigel's hopes and dreams in his debut match. He's probably going to say something snide and British about me or he'll talk about how he's "in it to win it" or something really, really cliche like that. Either way, I'm winning because the World Title needs me and I don't plan on wasting much time with him."

Guy: "My turn?"

CM Punk: "Knock yourself out."

Guy: "You and Nigel were, um, a big part of Ring of Honor's success. Do you respect him more than you would your typical opponent?"

CM Punk: "No. Not really. Honestly, it's kind of annoying. Nigel and I didn't cross path's very often in ROH. But the thing is, now that I've made it to the top, the higher up's keep bringing in all these old ROH guy's to try to replicate my success. But the thing is..there's only one CM Punk. Maybe Nigel is hungry, hell maybe's he's starving, but he drew possibly the worst first round opponent you could ever hope for. I'm a three time World Champion, I've carried a company on my back and I've got a closet full of Slammies. I had career defining matches last summer. I terrorized the EBWF and just about brought the whole foundation to it's knee's. While I was doing that Nigel was doing..what exactly? Hanging out with a some guy named BRUTUS MAGNUS while calling themselves, "London Brawling?"

Punk closed his eyes and shook his head at the ridiculous sounding team name.

CM Punk: Joe Strummer would be so pissed. But I have to get through him to rocket my way back to the World Title and it's going to happen. He has the right to disagree but, like I said, I plan on making this the worst night of his life. With that said, Nigel held the ROH title for some ridiculous amount of time. Like, 545 days or something? That's impressive because ROH was filled with a lot of talent at that point. So, as much as I want to end this match in minute or so, I've got the feeling that Nigel is going to bring more of a fight than that."

Older Girl: "Well, that Rebound Lariat he uses does look pretty cool.."

CM Punk: "That is that dumbest god damn move I have ever seen. If he tries that on me I'm going to kick him square in his balls. I refuse to be hit with something so ridiculous looking. Eh, the same goes for all of his other presumably British named moves. In fact, I hadn't really heard much from him in the past year or so. I thought he was out of the business. That could have possibly given him some time to work on move names that don't scream "I'M FROM ENGLAND" but I kind of doubt it. Myself, I think the Go To Sleep and Anaconda Vice sound pretty nifty and from what I've been told they hurt like a real bitch. So I think I'm good there."

Guy: "Is there anyone you really want to face in this tournament?"

CM Punk: "Oh, ho, ho, I see what you're trying to do. Unfortunately, that guy is on the completely opposite end of the bracket. Which is probably a good reason because I don't want to end up in jail for decapitating him with a clothesline. I like my career."

It look a moment or two for the younger, and very enthusiastic girl to put two and two together but she finally blurted out..

Teenage Girl: "FUCK JOHN CENA!"

Her friends laughed and Punk couldn't help but smirk just a little himself.

CM Punk: "Very well put. You're my favorite."

The girl's heart stopped for a moment and her eyes adoringly stared at Punk.

CM Punk: "But..other than him..everyone else are just obstacles. Faceless obstacles that I'll obliterate in the most severe manner I can possibly come up with. They're standing between me and AJ Styles and I've got no problems sending them to the emergency ward if don't like what I have to say. And chances are, they don't."

Older Girl: "Any parting words for Nigel?"

CM Punk: "Yeah. I'm going to go hang out with Rancid and he's probably kicking back with..I dunno..One Direction? So, musical tastes alone, I'm the better man."

Older Girl: "You know who One Direction is?"

CM Punk: "My girlfriend's friend listens to all of this horrible, horrible pop music. But don't worry. I'm converting her."

Upon hearing the word "girlfriend" the younger girl looks as though her world had been shattered. After thanking the fans, giving hand shakes and such, Punk tells them to enjoy the show and goes to head back towards the back door of the club. However, the younger girl's eyes are still locked upon him.

CM Punk: "..I'm not going to get past you without hugging you, am I?"

She didn't say a word and just stared in awe.

CM Punk: "Alright, bring 'er in."

The girl practically latched onto Punk and he patted her back lightly. This was a far cry from when he rocked the Manson beard called the audience fiends. Being a "good guy" was such a pain in the ass.

CM Punk: "Oh. Wait. Could you say what you said a minute ago into the camera again?"

Teenage Girl: "FUCK JOHN CENA!"

There. Hugging a teenage girl wasn't good for your bad ass rep but getting her to shout obscurities at your least favorite person in the world? It all went full circle. After prying the girl off, Punk slipped his way backstage. As he headed down a hallway, he gave a glance over his shoulder.

CM Punk: "Fire Striker. Hire her."

Opening a door, which had a label that read "RANCID" on it, Punk headed his way inside. A punk rock dressing room. After exchanging pleasantries with the band, hand shakes and a little bit of catching up, Punk turned to the camera. Two members of the band stood beside him. Tim Armstrong, the bands lead singer. He was gangly fellow wearing a black beanie and he looked fairly haggard but being involved in the punk scene since the mid 80's would probably do that to anyone. The other was Lars Frederiksen, the guitar player. He was wearing a sleeveless black shirt to show off his numerous tattoo's. He even even more than a certain Straight Edge wrestler, including a bat right in the center of his throat. Punk didn't look at all unusual standing between them.

CM Punk: "Sometimes wrestling isn't all about kicking someone in the teeth. Every once in awhile you get to make friends with bands. I like a lot of bands and this is one of my favorites. If you don't know who Rancid is, well, you're stupid. This is Tim, this is Lars, I'm here for the show and to hang out. And to make sure my DVD doesn't have any god awful music in it."

Lars: "Nice seein' ya again, Punk."

Tim: "And who will you be kicking in the teeth this week?"

CM Punk: "A guy named Nigel McGuiness. British guy. Used to have really awful spiky blond hair. Not like, cool, spiky blond hair like you used to have, Lars. Really bad nu-metal hair. Maybe the worst hair I've ever seen. And in pro wrestling, that covers a lot of ground."

Lars: "You should definitely kick him in the teeth then."

CM Punk: "That is, and as always, the plan. He's a big One Direction fan, so I hear, so I feel as though it's my civic duty."

Tim: "..Are you serious?"

CM Punk: "Eh, he looks like the type. He looks like he potentially rocks out to teenage boy bands with his pet cat."

Tim and Lars: "FUCK NIGEL MCGUINESS!"

Punk lost it at this point and innocently held up his palms towards the camera.

CM Punk: "I didn't tell them to say that! I apparently just have this effect on people. But Nigel is British so just in case he doesn't get the picture.."

Punk flashed a backwards peace sign to the camera, an insulting gesture in the UK.

 CM Punk: "See? I'm being very respectful to his culture. I'm not making tired jokes about tea and crumpets or Russel Brand or teeth or anything of that sort. I'm even insulting him in his native language. It's a courtesy I don't give most people."

Lars: "Do you even know the guy?"

CM Punk: "Not really but since when do I need a reason to hate anyone? I've got get through him to get the World Title back. You know how it goes. That's very important but we wrestlers will send each other to the hospital for a lot less. But a chance at the World Title is grounds for harsh insults without provocation."

Tim: "Absoutely."

Lars: "Alright, show's about to start. You enjoy. Maybe we'll help you think up a few more ways to mangle that British guy."

CM Punk: "Music designed specifically to maul someone from England to. I like it."

With that, the band soon took the stage to perform. Punk watched from a corner of the stage before being introduced to the audience. He ended up singing backing vocals on a song or two. Luckily, it was punk rock and you didn't need angelic vocal chords or he would have been screwed. It also provided some nice footage for his dvd. Music was his second passion, behind wrestling, so a night to unwind a bit did him some good. Because directly afterwards, it was right back into the thick of things. A battle with Nigel McGuinness was looming and the newcomer would certainly look to impress. Despite Punk's attitude and comments, he was not going to take Nigel lightly. He knew exactly what was at stake here. His attention had been divided for too long and it was time to remember exactly what he was in the company for: to be the best in the world.