Week by week, CM Punk is cementing his place at the top of WLCW. With a hard fought victory over Prince Devitt last week, Punk secured a shot at the WLCW X-Division Championship at Saturday Night Storm. This Saturday, Punk will square off against Matt Cardona. Over the past few weeks, the X-Division Championship has changed hands numerous times. Cardona recently shocked the World by winning the championship on WLCW's Youtube Eruption show. It was one of the most shocking "must see" moments in WLCW's early history.

Cardona's quick rise has a lot of people talking. He's an industry veteran who has spent the better part of his career just trying to stay relevant. Hell, he's just been trying to stay employed. But decades into his career, Matt Cardona is having a "moment" in WLCW. He's finally getting a chance to shine in a prominent role. On the other hand, CM Punk's arrival in WLCW was seen as a side show. A joke. He came here to challenge John Cena and try to win back his wife. And even though that goal is still fresh on Punk's mind, it didn't take long for him to realize that he had a bigger task at hand. WLCW was in need of a real savior. WLCW needed a true leader to step up and show the wrestling world that this company matters. It matters because CM Punks on the roster, and he's determined to prove he's the best in the world.

The sun is about to set on Cardona's moment. He proved what he needed to prove, that he's a force to be reckoned with. He proved the doubters wrong and shocked the world. But let's be honest, Matt Cardona's success has never been sustainable. A flash in the pan, a moment in the spotlight. That's what the guy is good for. He's not meant to hold a title like the WLCW X-Division Champtionship for very long. The X-Division Title hasn't meant a whole lot up to this point. In fact, CM Punk is determined to bring real value to this championship. Lord knows that Matt Cardona isn't up for the challenge.




It's after hours inside of "Nerd Out", a small collector's toy store just outside of Detroit, MI. You might wonder why CM Punk is here of all places with a WLCW camera crew. He strolls around the sales floor of the small shop, admiring the collection of action figures, collectibles and comic books that populate the store. He's dressed in casual gear, a WLCW zip-up hoodie and faded black jeans. He's got a fresh pair of On Cloud running shoes on that are just slightly darker than the pants he's wearing. After a moment of looking around, CM Punk talks to us.

CM PUNK: Are you wondering why I'm walking around a toy store in the middle of the night? I dragged a WLCW camera crew out here because I needed a space to talk about the man I'm facing at Saturday Night Storm. But why come here to "Nerd Out"? It's simple. Matt Cardona might portray himself like he's the most important man on the WLCW roster. But to me, he's just some idiot who likes to play with toys. I get it. I'm a bit of a nerd myself. But instead of collecting comic books, I write them. Instead of collecting action figures, I get paid to come to places like this and sign them. Matt Cardona? He's just a kid who loves his toys. And I promise he's more proud of the toy collection that he stares at while sadly trying to satisfy Chelsea Green then he is of the WLCw X-Division Championship he stumbled backwards into winning.

Punk wanders the aisles of the store, noting the lineup of vintage and current wrestling action figures that stock the shelves. He continues to speak as the camera follows him.

CM PUNK: Let's get right to the point, Matt. You've made it clear that you're here in WLCW to please the "Universe". Guess what? They don't want you. The fans didn't buy tickets to see you. I could post a video of me cleaning my kitchen on YouTube and get more views than that episode of Eruption has. I'm also privy to some of the ratings statistics from Wednesday Night Vengeance. Lowest rated segment of the night? That pitiful excuse for a wrestling match against some guy named Brady. Thank God the quarterlies peaked later in the night when I beat Prince Devitt. That's probably the only thing that kept you in a job after Vengeance. As proud as you might be about your abilities to entertain, it's time to admit that you're in the big leagues now. You stumbled into success here and you know in your gut that you don't deserve it. No, you're meant to be the "Champion" in second rate, has-been promotions. You're the guy that a booker calls when he can't get me. Hell, they call you when they can't get a "Great Value" version of me. Bottom of the barrel, that's exactly where they scrape you up from.

Punk comes across a special section dedicated jus to him. There are action figures from ROH, WWE, AEW and WLCW. Punk smiles as he looks at the various versions of himself on display in toy form. He stops and picks up the WLCW figure, admiring the most recent toy version of himself.

CM PUNK: Well take a look at that. Fresh out of the factory and part of the first line of WLCW collectible toys. That didn't take long, did it? I wonder if the nerds out there who buy these realize how overpriced they are. They're forking over their hard earned cash for something they perceive as valuable. But you know what? All theyr'e doing is lining my pockets. Every time I see a kid buy one of these, my eyes light up like a cash register. Because I get paid! What, you thought I was going to take some high ground? No way. I'm here to make money and I'm damn good at it. That's the differnce between me and Matt Cardona. He's scraping by hoping to get a little bit of fame and glory. He won't admit that's what he's looking for, but you can just see how desperate he is for it. He needs the X-Division Championship to be relevant. I don't need it, but I want it! Why? Because the pay day increases that much more with a championship on my resume. Frankly, I know I deserve it. I deserve every accolade this company has to offer and I will get them in due time. I have to start somewhere, and beating Matt Cardona for the X-Division Title sounds like a fine starting point. Matt, I could say that I've thought a lot about how much this is going to hurt for you to fall from the top so damn quickly. But to be honest, I don't really care what happens to you. I don't really even want to fight you, you're just in my way. Plus, I figure you're pretty used to getting rolled right off the stage right when you think you're about to make it big. I'm sorry, did I bring up a bad memory? I might just have to find a wheelchair to strap you into and send you flying off the stage. Like rubbing salt in an old wound.

Punk smiles as he reminisces about the past. He nods his head before continuing to talk to Matt Cardona.

CM PUNK: Let's take a stroll down memory lane, Matt. Because you need to pay attention to your history or you're doomed to repeat it. As I walk around this toy store and look at all the CM Punk memorabilia, I can't help but wonder where all the Matt Cardona stuff is. Is it sold out? Are your toys flying off the shelf because you wont he X-Division Title? I don't fucking think so. Hell, the last time they made a toy with your likeness it didn't even have your name on it. "Zack Ryder" is the only name people remember when they see your stupid face. People buy tickets to see me. Those fans? They'll spend half the night trying to figure out where they recognze you from. The only entertainment you'll provide them is the satisfaction of you getting your ass kicked by someone more famous and more talented. This week? That will be me! I'm strolling the aisle of this toy store and I can see that people are obsessed with me. Folks want to be CM Punk. They will pay any amount of money they can to just get their hands on something that represenets me. I don't see your toys gracing the store shelves. The leftovers that didn't sell in Wal-Mart when you got canned by Vince McMahon ended up in a landfill somewhere. They are literally garbage. And I'd guess that if you autographed one, it might actually be worth LESS than garbage. Worthless is too generous a value on your likeness "Zack".

Punk wanders toward the front of a store. As he reaches the counter, he stops and speaks again.

CM PUNK: You're delusional, Matt. You got fired from a real company years ago and you've been scraping by ever since. Your girffriend Chelsea has to be blind or just stupid to stick around with you. Or maybe she's just really charitable. You think you're the face of this company? I promise you weren't even on Mick Foley's radar when he was shopping for talent. I know Foley pretty well. He knows he needs to keep me happy, since I"m the key the this company's long term success. If I wanted to, I could have him tell me all the details of your sad, little contract with this company. Minimal upside, probably no downside. For all intents and purposes, you're basically paying this company to put you on TV. Every Matt Cardona match is the equivalent of an informercial. You basically begged Mick Foley to give you a chance to show your face on National Television. And do you know what he did? He had you win a title on fucking YouTube! Your championship victory is the equivalent of funny cat video or an irrelevant meme from ten years ago. And then last week you had to defend against Brady Booker? He's the only guy on the roster worth less than you are! Open your eyes, Matt. You're a joke. Mick Foley needed to get the belt off of MJF and you were a convenient solution. But now? You're a asterisk in the history books. Your title reign is aberration that needs fixed. Foley tried to take the cheap route and hot shot some new guy last week. But Brady Booker couldn't get the job done. So a real professional is here to fix things. Your delusional dreams of being the face of WLCW are over, Matt. They never even started! I don't think you'll suddenly believe it, but it doesn't change reality. I will beat you at Storm and take the X-Divison Title. But don't worry, I have a consolation prize for you.

CM Punk pulls a Sharpie marker out of his pocket. He reaches over and grabs a new WLCW CM Punk action figure. He signs the front of it and holds it up for the camera.

CM PUNK: For your toy box, Matt. You see, I'm the guy they make toys of. You're the one who collects them. That's the difference between CM Punk and Matt Cardona. And I will make it abundantly clear at Storm just how outmatched you are. Good luck hanging at my level, Matt. You don't belong here!

The scene fades to black.




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