The chime of the elevator signaled the time to step out of it. Top floor, a place Greg hasn't been in a couple of months. The time had come to sign under the dotted line after six months of services and hard work. Greg walked into the office, wearing a gray suit with a light blue shirt and a blue tie, brown italian shoes. His hair knotted in a ponytail. Greg walked past the secretary who smiled and opened the door for him with a button. Behind the door, with a gorgeous sight of the city of Missouri, sitting on a long mahogany table were Kurt Schneider and Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie smiled.
Stephanie McMahon: Welcome Greg, how are you?
Greg smiled, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Trent Barreta: I'm okay Stephanie, thanks for asking. Hello Kurt.
Kurt Schneider nodded and smiled at Greg. They had been on this same office six months ago, when they brought Trent back from developmental, they had also been on this office about a year ago, where they negotiated his hiring along with Caylen Croft's.
Stephanie McMahon: Alright, before we begin... Is there anything you would like to tell us? You know, last time we were here you seemed concerned about the direction of your character... I could tell you were not feeling ready for EBWF.
Greg smiled and nodded. He had been a tag team wrestler throughout his short career, only having single stints at NYWC with some success.
Trent Barreta: Who would've thought?
Stephanie McMahon: To be honest? I thought you had something, something that was worth trying out. Oh, and a better tag partner too. Here we are, six months later, with your contract on the verge of expiring... Let' see, you've main evented over a handful of shows, had a match at WrestleMania, have been on every single PPV since your arrival. Two championship belts, a very decent merch sale rating...
Trent smiled, Kurt nodded as he went along the numbers as Stephanie spoke, the only way he could move was up.
Stephanie McMahon: And you're in the final four of the King of The Ring tournament.
Trent Barreta: Yeah, I guess I owe you guys an apology for my attitude six months ago... Funny how that works, you both believed in me and I didn't.
Stephanie McMahon: You just needed to be surrounded by familiar guys, like Matt and Brian.
Stephanie slid a small portfolio alongside the top of mahogany desk, Trent looked at it before opening it and skimming through the document. Trent had been offered a year contract, with a substantial increase in his paycheck. The usual requirements such as appearing for meet and greet events, regular medical checkups... There was one thing missing, no big time title shots, no guaranteed runs. Trent went over the document couple more times before raising his eyes to meet Stephanie's.
Stephanie McMahon: Something wrong?
Trent Barreta: Uhh... No, I was just wondering about some kind of... Push?
Stephanie McMahon: About that... I think it is safer if we take one step at a time. You are currently a double champion, something that hadn't been seen in a while... I hope you do remember where did our last double champion ended?
Trent Barreta: Yeah, Punk is King of the Ring.
Stephanie smiled and nodded.
Stephanie McMahon: Whenever you're ready for bigger things, we sit down and discuss that... Let's see how you do on King of the Ring first, then we'll figure out what to do with your current situation as a double champion.
He nodded and smiled. That wrapped it up. He had heard enough, and inked under the dotted line: Greg Marasciulo.
July 21st, 2012 - Monday Night Warfare.
We all knew how King of the Ring went. Rhodes ended the bout with a head butt and an interference from Bully Ray and Ted DiBiase had him already stumbling on his feet before the match began. King of the Ring was long gone and now Trent had his plate full. He still wanted to get even with Cody Rhodes for recurring to an illegal tactic to beat him. He had a couple of Bullies tailing behind him and his partner, most likely aiming for their Tag Team gold. But that wasn't even the beginning of his problems. He had to defend his title against Evan Bourne, who had just arrived to the company recently. He was looking impressive and had something Trent might have lost... An edge? Well, he has been looking as sharp as always in the ring, but every time he read his name carved on the plate of the Breakout Title belt he could only wonder... I has been months since he earned the belt at Wrestlemania XI, a belt that was meant to honor the up and coming talent of the company, a step Trent had taken quite a while ago. Was it time to drop the belt he had given so much prestige? Perhaps. Was Evan Bourne the right person to drop it against? With only two weeks in the company and a 1-1 record, most likely he wasn't. After all he needed to prove loyalty to the EBWF, not that it was Trent's department, but if you asked him that would be his answer. There were a good handful of superstars standing in line for Trent's title, which made it seem as if Evan hadn't done much to deserve this shot.
The scene opened up as the tron lit up to display EBWF's only triple champion (Let's face it, A.J. Lee's heart is the biggest honor one could ever have), a very bearded Trent Barreta.
He proudly walked along the backstage area with his belts draped over each of his shoulders and a huge smile upon his face. Trent was soon stopped by Todd Grisham.
Trent Barreta: What up! How is the Mushroom Kingdom these days?
Todd Grisham: I beg your pardon?
Trent Barreta: Aren't you Toad?
Todd Grisham: Todd.
Trent Barreta: That's what I said, Toad. Anyway... What are you doing?
Todd sighed.
Todd Grisham: I'm fine Trent, thanks for asking. Trent, tonight you have a very important match against Evan Bourne for the Breakout Title.
Trent nodded his head.
Trent Barreta: Oh! Of course... I've been thinking about that match all week long!
Todd Grisham: Have you?
Trent Barreta: Indeed. You know, Evan Bourne is a fierce competitor and an impressive newcomer, he has something I don't, so I spent the whole last week trying to even things up.
Todd Grisham: And what exactly is that?
Trent Barreta: Evan Bourne flies... Or so I've heard. So I spent most of my time last week trying to come up with ways to top him. ROLL FOOTAGE!
Trenton's yell made Todd jump a bit. The scene faded to black as the words "Flying 101" appeared on the screen. Mario music on the background as Trenton held a long gray feather on his hand.
Trent Barreta: Hey guys! Trenton here, we all know Evan Bourne can fly, so I'm trying to come up with ways to earn that ability.
Trent gazed at the feather.
Trent Barreta: So, as you all know... In Super Mario World, whenever you grab one of these, you gain a cape and the ability to fly! Evan Bourne is history!
Cameraman: Okay... So, you're going to... Eat that?
Trent looked at the feather with disgust on his face... Before he nodded firmly. He pulled the feather close to his mouth and stuck it on his mouth... A second later he rushed out of the scene and the sound of barfing could be heard on the background as the scene faded to black, before the words "Flying 101 take 2" appeared on the screen.
Trent Barreta: You know, there isn't a safer way to fly than with a kickass armored suit, and I happen to have EBWF's back, they have hooked me up with one...
He stopped speaking as he looked at the cameraman.
Trent Barreta: Why are you shaking your head?
Cameraman: I believe they said they weren't going to fund your purchase, Trent.
Trent Barreta: F*ck.
The scene faded once again and the words "Flying 101 take 3" appeared on the screen. The scene faded from black to show former EBWF Intercontinental Champion Paul London holding a joint on his hand, the smoke fumed up in the air as he chuckled at Trent.
Trent Barreta: So you're telling me... That if I smoke that I will fly?
Paul London: Teheheheheheh... Of course brah.
Trent grabbed the joint and looked at it, he shook his head and handed him the blunt.
Trent Barreta: I cannot do this.
Paul London shrugged and took a long drag from the cigarette.
Paul London: It's your loss.
The scene faded yet again and the words "Flying 101 take 4" were displayed. Trenton was shown in a blue Leotard spraying alcohol all over it.
Cameraman: Do you think this will work?
Trent nodded enthusiastically.
Trent Barreta: Of course!
Trent proceeded to light a match and place it against the fabric of his dress. Soon he was engulfed by flames. Trenton placed his hands over his hips and smiled... Soon the temperature raised too much and his serene face turned to a worried one... He rushed away from the scene as the screen turned to black.
Trent Barreta: AHHHHHHH!
Cameraman: Drop and roll over!!!
Trent Barreta: The flames are getting bigger! Bring the extinguisher!!!!
The words "Flying 101 take 5" appeared on the screen and the scene faded from black to show the EBWF's gorgeous Women's Champion A.J. Lee. She balanced herself on the tips of her feet and smiled at Trent, who stood in front of her...
Trent Barreta: This has to work!
Trent Barreta smiled down at A.J. before his hands reached out to cup her cheeks, drawing her in for a soft kiss on the lips. Trent immediately soared through the skies... Actually he didn't, falling back on his butt... A.J. giggled as Trent laid back, infatuation and a wide smile on his lips.
Cameraman: Are you Okay?
A.J. toyed with her hair and knelt to run a hand along Trent's hair. The scene faded to black and then back to Todd and Trent. Todd had a puzzled facial expression on his face, Trent smiled.
Trent Barreta: That didn't went well... Except for the last part I think, which I LOVED.
Todd Rolled his eyes.
Trent Barreta: Alright, alright. I couldn't find out how to fly, but then I used Youtube to find some of Bourne's moves and he does nothing different than any other high flier I have faced before... You know, I can slingshot myself too and hit some SSSIIICCCKKK top rope moves... Why nobody ever told me he couldn't fly but he was a high flier?
Todd Grisham: You never asked?
Trent Barreta: I ate a freaking pigeon feather for nothing! I set myself on fire! For nothing! Anyway, tonight I am facing Evan Bourne. Evan has a lot of advantages over me... He is specially thirsty for gold and glory, he wants to be the champion... He wants to be the next breakout star! He wants to be the next EBWF superstar with a cool T-shirt Design and his own remix as his entrance theme... He wants to be the next double champion... He wants to have his own title belt, too.
Trent raised his Breakout Triforce Championship belt over his head and smiled.
Trent Barreta: I've restored the value of this Title... The Breakout title has come a long way since being held by the likes of Subzero...
Todd Grisham: You mean Glacier?
Trent Barreta: Whatever... I worked really hard and put a lot of great matches to give this belt the place it belongs! Now you see for example Bully Ray at my throat, just waiting for a moment to challenge me for this... Evan Bourne and Drew McIntyre as well... They all want to hold this belt after I restored it and made it relevant for the EBWF... Now there is no point in asking if they would reach the same heights if they became breakout champs, not because they lack potential, but because dropping this title belt is not part of my near future plans Todd. I am pretty damn sure Evan will come out tonight and give me the match of a lifetime, I know he is going to go 200% just to get noticed, to get these people behind him... And you know? He is on a good road... But he hasn't gone through that Road... He has been here for what, two weeks? I had to beat Seven other men to earn the right to contend for this title... I had to eliminate my best broski... Do you know how hard is that? I also had to battle for this belt against a former broski of mine... I have shown enough times I deserve to wear this belt, I deserve to change it to fit my style and I deserve to retain tonight.. Now, life isn't all about deserving, I know that I am going to have to up my game if I plan to beat Evan Bourne tonight... I'm going to have to eat golden Mushrooms and crap red turtle shells if I want to beat him...
Todd Grisham: What?
Trent Barreta: Mario Kart reference, let's leave it at that! Evan, like every single opponent I've had before wants this so badly around his waist, and when the time comes he will have it... But tonight I am not going to allow him to do that... If Evan beats me it'll be within an inch of my life, Todd. Let me ask you a question...
Todd Grisham: Sure!
Trent Barreta: What happens when you get scoop slammed face first into two knees?
Todd Grisham shrugged.
Trent Barreta: I call it THE GAMESHARK, and it usually ends up in 1...2...3! Sorry for the spoiler alert to all of those who want to watch my match... But that's how it is going to end. Nothing personal against Evan, I am just defending what I have earned with my effort and tears, I am fighting for the legacy I build in these past months, ever since WrestleMania! I am fighting for the right to keep my utterly cool Triforce belt!!!! I mean, just look at it!
Trent Raised the title again and smiled caressing it playfully.
Trent Smiled: It is dreamy! So Evan, better luck next time... Because tonight it's not your night. I hope you have a couple of continues left bruh, because tonight you'll be losing a life, courtesy of the gaming ace...
Trent smiled as the scene faded to black.