Eldon, Missouri was a far cry from San Antonio, the sight for this years Survivor Series. But that's where current reingning champion CM Punk could be found in this taped segment to hype the event. With folded arms, he paced around the sparse building with it's white walls, paint noticably peeling. A large wrestling ring was in the middle of the training facility. It was obvious that whoever ran this academy took the no frills, very basic approach when it came to training potential professional wrestlers.
CM Punk: "If you're a long time fan of our product than seeing CM Punk standing in the middle of Harley Race's Wrestling Academy here in Eldon, Missouri might be a bit of a flashback for you. I looked a little different then. My hair was a little longer. I was a little more clean shaven. I didn't have as many tattoo's. Not nearly as lean But most importantly, I wasn't The Best In The World yet."
Punk took split second to jog his memory banks. It was so long ago but it remained completely fresh in his mind.
CM Punk: "This was a CM Punk from about three years ago who had just gotten his first taste of EBWF gold. This CM Punk had just won the World Title for the very time. My attitude, as sparkling and inviting as it is.."
A wry grin appeared on his face as he poked fun at his own expense and gave the nearby ring ropes a small shake.
CM Punk: "..was even worse back then. Because, you see, my opponent for the Survivor Series, good 'ol Ted DiBiase Jr, was trained right here in this academy by Harley Race himself. An absoulete legend in the wrestling business. Someone that I looked up to and respected. Harley Race even told anyone within earshot that I was going to one day be the future of the wrestling business. But that didn't stop me from doing what I did the last time I was here. I beat Harley Race, an elderly, retired man, bloody in front of his students because I wanted to get inside the head of Ted Jr who was after my title."
He gave a small shrug of his shoulders. He wasn't necessarily proud of this moment but he obviously wasn't running from it either.
CM Punk: "Hey. I never claimed to be an angel. But it's a testament to how far I've come. I don't need to do things like that anymore. I don't need to get inside of my opponents head by attacking his mentors or trainers. All's I have to do now is show up to the ring, show off these tattooed knuckles, lift up my World Title, sneer a little and my job is done. No screaming, no shouting, no mind games. My opponents know I'm the best and they can claim otherwise but they know their lying to themselves. Just like Teddy's been lying to himself these last few weeks."
Punk strolled away from the ring and walked along the wall beside it. Some of the graduates had framed photo's of themselves from their early days in the training camp. Meng, Butch Reed, Punk's own good friend Ace Steel, Rick Steiner and Ted Jr himself. Punk looked over the photo of his opponent and briefly mocked his fresh faced, rookie expression.
CM Punk: "Ted and I basically broke into the EBWF together by almost instantly being at each others throats. We took part in a in a tournament to crown a new champion and I won it from him in the finals. We traded it back and forth a few times and did our best to try and get ourselves noticed. To actually try and get into the main event scene. We scaped and clawed and fought tooth and nail for months on end. Because we were both hungry and salivating to be on top of this company. We both wanted to outwork every person on this roster, every single night. And honestly, as much effort as we put into it, it didn't really end up that way."
Those turn of events made him far angrier in his early EBWF days. But he had come to accept it as a good thing and a learning experience.
CM Punk: "Ted and I got kicked back down the mountain so we figured we would strike back and actually combine our efforts. We became a team. Along with Dr. Stevie and whatever misfits we could round up as The Family."
The tattoo covered champion lightly shook his head while smooth a palm along the back of his neck.
CM Punk: "Man, I could have used a REAL psychiatrist back then. But that was all a part of the path I had to take to become who I am now. Ted and I actually won the Tag straps together and we starting to get some of our momentum back. But just as it began rolling, Ted decided that he wanted to go his own way."
He rubbed his chin lightly while continuing on his little trip down memory lane.
CM Punk: "Cool with me. Honestly, as vindictive as I was back then, I'm kind of surprised that I let Ted off so easily. But I did. And our paths have crossed here and there a few times but nothing really at this level. Never with the World Title on the line. I would like to say that I feel nostalgic but that really isn't the case."
Another quick, shake of the head was given.
CM Punk: "DiBiase and I have taken two seperate roads since then. I took matches with everyone I could so when I got my chance to main event again, I would make damn sure I never fall back down the card. And since then I've won countless Slammy's, I've won the King of the Ring and I've become a four time World Champion. I have fought and I have beaten the best in this industry and just about every kind of match I can think of. So you would think, since Ted seemed to be a kindred spirit, despite being a total opposite of myself, that you could bill this match as "Best in the World vs Best in the World."
Punk held out his palms to symbolize the career path of his opponent and let it drop down at his side.
CM Punk: "But it hasn't really turned out that way for Ted as much as he wants to shout it to the heavens. He's sniffed at the main event but he hasn't been able to stick. He has become the longest reigning champ in this company's history, nothing to sneeze at and I applaud it and maybe I'm just a tad bit envious, but I think my accolades are just little more impressive. I've improved. I'm not the same man I was three years ago. Ted? I'm not so sure.
Punk's eyes looked as though they could stare straight through anyone at the moment as they began to squint into a pair of keen daggers.
CM Punk: "He demands this spotlight but I haven't seen him put in the work that I have to obtain it. He still seems like the same Ted that played second fiddle to Miz and Styles in the Trilogy. He's the same Ted that jumped me after the end of our last pay per view instead of coming to me face to face like a man. He's still relying on those kind of cheap tactics. But he wants to call himself The Best in the World. Despite the fact that I don't think he even knows what it means or what it entails."
He gave another glance to the photo of his opposition that hung just above his head.
CM Punk: "And, YES, go look at the history books. It will tell you that Teddy beat me for that PTG Title's he's had his claws sunk into for almost a year. But what it won't tell you is that it was after I had just pinned like eight guys in a gauntlet match and he was given a fast pin by Wes Ikeda who was out for my blood at the time. And, yep, Ted managed to pull a fast one on me at Warfare and snag a lucky roll up in a tag match. I'm sure we're all going to have to hear about that until the day he dies or retires and I apologize in advance."
Slowly dragging a finger along the base of his throat, he made a "srrrktt" sort of comical decapitation sound from the side of his mouth.
CM Punk: "But you see, facing CM Punk head to head, one on one is an entirely different beast. There's no one else involved, no intangibles, no distractions. And I always learn from my mistakes. And while Ted has been busy defending his title against the likes of Christian and Evan Bourne, I've basically been fighting for my life in Elimination Chambers, Street Fights with John Cena and wars with Chris Jericho."
That overly smug look that fans loved and foes hated appeared on Punk's bearded features.
CM Punk: "The scales tip a little more on my side, don't they? So maybe Ted's hungrier than I think. Maybe that pin at Warfare his had confidence through the roof. Maybe he's been biding his time for this shot. Even though he's gotten a chance against just about everyone's that's held this title in the past two years or so. The difference between us? I only needed one shot to get back where I belong. What's his excuse? And what's his excuse going to be when I beat him at Survivor Series? Not once but twice in the Three Stages of Hell."
After completing the sentence he threw his colorful arms up in disbelief.
CM Punk: "How DUMB do you have to be to want CM Punk in not one but potentially THREE matches in a single night? Ted might be tenacious but I guess his poppa didn't pass him down any of those million dollar brains. Because I'm looking forward to this. Wrestling is what I live and breathe. So giving me the chance to work maybe three times in one night, in three different matches? I'm like a Straight Edge kid in a Straight Edge candy store. This is fun for me but I don't think it's going to be for Ted. In fact, attacking me from behind might stand as the worst decision in his career. Well, other than that tag team with Big Zeke Jackson. Or that time Kendrick held a knife to his throat and made him croak out "I Quit." Wait, wait. Or MAYBE that time like a month when he got his head flushed down a toilet. I mean, I've never had MY head flushed down a toilet. Just putting that out there. All of this "real best in the world" mumbo jumbo? It comes to an end at Survivor Series."
He gave the framed image of DiBiase another long stare before proceeding to pluck it from it's lofty position on the wall, slam it on the floor, and give it a nice stomp with one of his black and white sneakers. Glass erupted and littered the floor.
CM Punk: "Alright so maybe there's still a LITTLE bit of the me from three years ago still left. That was a lousy picture anyway.."
As Punk took his leave, the smashed photo of Ted Jr was zoomed in on by the camera. An image Punk would hope to replicate come Sunday night.
