The scene fades in on the press conference moments after Hans has revealed Gabriel as the first challenger in his World Title Lottery.
(Reporter 1): So, your first title defence Hans. How do you feel about it?
(Hans): I'm actually quite buzzing about it if I'm honest. It'll be good to get out of the grace period and into the routine of defending it.
Another reporter rises up, directing a question at Hans.
(Reporter 3): With the likelihood of you actually defending your title at each event for the foreseeable future, you must be worried about potential injuries, especially any that could occur early on.
(Hans): I'm aware of the risks that a heavy schedule can bring; it goes with the territory. And yes, people will often fight harder, and in some cases, only fight harder, once there's gold on the line, but I'm not going to be doing anything that I've not been doing for months now. I'm in excellent condition, I've got superb trainers and people from the medical profession if and when I need them. I don’t go out of my way to break my body, so I'm confident I'll be able to limit my risk of injury.
He raps his knuckles on the wooden conference table.
(Hans): Touch wood.
(Reporter 3): You came away from 'Fatality' seemingly thinking you'd cracked a rib. Are we to assume that that's not the case?
(Hans): Just as a case of bad bruising. A little restricting at the moment, so I'll be limiting my weights for the next few days and focusing more on the waist down when it comes to training. No real damage to my ribs though, thankfully.
Satisfied, the reporter sits down as another rises up.
(Reporter 5): We never managed to get your thoughts on the return of Hulk Hogan when we spoke to you after 'Fatality'. Have you anything to say on it now Hans?
Hans exhales slowly, drumming his fingers on the table as he mulls over a response. After a few seconds, he begins hesitantly…
(Hans): I look at this man coming into the HWA, having had the career that made him the recognizable 'face' of wrestling to an entire generation back in the 80's and early 90's, and more recently focused on his reality TV show, several small businesses and book deals, now acting as the figurehead for three men whose careers have nose-dived due to self-inflicted reasons and together rehashing a gimmick stable from the WWE, and all I can think of is 'damn, your wife took you to the cleaners in the divorce, didn't she?'…
He moves in his seat, crossing his left right over his right.
(Hans): … because why else would he take up with these guys? He probably got lured in by Eddie and Talon saying that they could sell seats like nobody else…
(Reporter 5): Strong words Hans. Is there anything else?
(Hans): How long do you have? *Chuckles* Look, one thing I do want to find out, is what position does Hogan hold in the HWA. Look at the position he was in with TNA, he's not in a comparable situation here. Willyard holds the keys to the Spotlight and Tag titles, and of course, we don't need to say anything of the power Senester himself has. Is he their manager? Is he their coach? Unlikely, since everyone knows how to pull off a leg drop correctly… Is he their figurehead? Is he actually going to step into the ring and fight?
He shrugs nonchalantly.
(Hans): I guess that’ll do for now.
(Reporter 5): Lastly, Butch Parker was approached by members of the NWO to join them. Do you feel that there's any veracity in Eddie K's words that Butch asked to 'remain friends' even though he turned them down?
(Hans): I don't believe that for a second. Why would Butch ask that when they've never been friends in the first place. Eddie went on for months and months like a broken record with his 'FBP' and needlessly pushed buttons to try and get a rise out of Butch. That doesn't make a friendship by my reckoning, and besides, Eddie's not exactly renowned for speaking the truth now, is he? Among other things, have I ever said I had a difficult route to where I am right now, as World champion? I think not.
Tapping away at her tablet, the reporter sits down.
(Reporter 5): In their first group promo as the NWO, Eddie made reference to you 'thinking up ten ways to call him a coward'. What do you have to say to that?
Smirking all the while, he responds.
(Hans): Why use ten, when one will suffice?
One of the other reporters adds another question to the mix.
(Reporter 1): Speaking of this upcoming Havoc, and your opponent; Gabriel. He and his brother Michael have in their first two matches beaten both the Sons of Anarchy, and DnA. Any thoughts on them?
(Hans): Quite a promising start, isn't it? Both of them are certainly making all the right noises and going about their both in and out of the ring professionally.
(Reporter 1): And what about Gabriel himself?
(Hans): I see shades of a younger me in him if I'm honest. Headstrong, with an aggressive mind-set and a full on attacking set of moves.
He takes a sip of the water, before topping up the glass with the pitcher next to it, continuing to speak.
(Hans): It's been a good while since I've faced someone like that, so I'm looking forward to it.
To be continued...
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