Looking up from his notes, he smiles at the camera.
(Mike Anderson): Hello everyone, welcome to another edition of the HWA Roundup. Tonight, we’ve got in-depth analysis of the last Havoc, an insiders look into behind the scenes preparation for the hottest show this year… Ringmaster IX, and we cast our eye over what the roster’s been saying. But first, taking time out from his busy schedule, and coming live from San Francisco, I’m pleased to present the current Spotlight champion; Heinrich von Richtoven!
The camera pans out, to reveal a large flatscreen mounted to the wall behind Mike, who swivels in his chair to allow him to look directly at it. On-screen, is Heinrich von Richtoven, sat back in a chair of his own, a picture of calmness and professionalism, as he waits for his cue.
(Mike Anderson): Heinrich, thank you for joining us this evening.
(Heinrich): Danke Mike, thank you for having me.
(Mike Anderson): How’s San Francisco treating you?
(Heinrich): Very well Mike, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
(Mike Anderson): You’re staying with friends, yes?
(Heinrich): My old friends, Mark and Diane Spencer, yes. Mark, as I’m sure you’re aware, retired from wrestling in a professional capacity some years back, now he runs an academy out here.
(Mike Anderson): Making full use of it are you?
(Heinrich): For sure Mike, for sure! My brother and I used to come up against Mike when we first moved across to the States all those years ago, so he’s got a familiarity with me and perspective that not many coaches or sparring partners might necessarily have. It’s been good to go over and let him cast his eye on me.
A small smile flits across his face, as he recalls a memory.
(Heinrich): In fact, Mike said the other day, and I’m probably paraphrasing here since I was practically hyperventilating on the floor from training so hard…
The smile grows wider as he recalls the scene.
(Heinrich): “I’m the whetstone to your sword.”
(Mike Anderson): Do you think that’s an apt choice of words?
(Heinrich): *Chuckling* Watch me in-ring at “Blood, Sweat & Tears” Mike, you’ll find yourself agreeing with his choice of words.
(Mike Anderson): Just how confident are you about taking the win? It’s an Ambulance match of course; not for the faint of heart…
(Heinrich): No, no it’s not. I’m confident of the win. I know it won’t be easy, Eddie will be a challenge, but I’ve spent months and months training and overcoming setbacks to get to where I am now. I’m not going to let this chance pass me by Mike, not a chance. Yes, Eddie is most likely going to be seen in many people’s eyes as the most likely winner, and that’s fine with me, really. What they’re forgetting, is that he fled from our match those months ago, rather than be pinned to the mat by me.
A wry smirk flashes across his face, as a snort of laughter escapes the back of his throat.
(Heinrich): I hate to come across like a certain member of the roster that can’t stop whining and making threats over how I ‘stole’ his title, but if he doesn’t want to have his shoulders pressed to the mat, does he have the stomach to go the distance and force me kicking and screaming into that ambulance? Because I sure as hell won’t be going quietly!
He reaches off camera, and lifts a glass of an unidentifiable liquid to his lips, taking a sip, before placing it back.
(Heinrich): I’m being a little bit melodramatic here Mike, sorry. I’m just wondering… as I’m sure you are, as well as the viewers, where is Eddie? He’s being unusually silent.
(Mike Anderson): Training hard, like you?
(Heinrich): Hopefully. But then again, if I do win, that would mean he wouldn’t be able to put out some half-hearted pack of lies like he was saying about his defeat for the World title against my brother… after he got over the humiliation of being completely outclassed over three matches…
He smirks, the verbal jest rolling off his tongue easily, causing Mike to stifle a smile of his own.
(Mike Anderson): Sticking with the premise of you winning at “Blood, Sweat & Tears” Heinrich, have you perhaps heard what the title will become named? Rumours are flying all over the shop whether it will be an entirely new name, or whether it will go to the title the eventual winner was already holding.
(Heinrich): Good question… erm…
His eyebrows arch up momentarily, as he sucks in breath through his teeth.
(Heinrich): I honestly couldn’t say anything about the rumours; frankly I’ve kept myself shut off from most of the news this past week. I could imagine a rebranding would be on the cards, it would keep the suits happy, grab some more headlines and bring in extra revenue, that sort of thing.
(Mike Anderson): Where do you think that Jack Bookman will slot into things when the dust settles on this match?
(Heinrich): Again, I couldn’t honestly say Mike; I guess it’s one of those bridges we’ll cross when we get to it. My Spotlight title is from a division he runs, while Eddie’s All-Star isn’t. You’ve got a whole load of wrestlers suddenly angling for the same belt, and I’d say personally, that it would need someone with experience to take control of that.
(Mike Anderson): And you don’t feel that Jack Bookman has that experience?
(Heinrich): You want the truth? Not at this stage, no. That’s my personal feelings on the matter of him essentially doubling the amount of wrestlers under his control. It’d be chaos, where you’d be needing structure.
He shrugs his shoulders.
(Heinrich): But this is me going down a, right now, hypothetical scenario. I’ve nothing against the man, and what he’s done with the Tag division is to be applauded.
(Mike Anderson): Would you rather it be under Senesters control?
(Heinrich): Hah! No. Given that he and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms shall we say, I think I’d settle for anyone other than him.
(Mike Anderson): Seeing his actions Heinrich, and what he’s had others do. Firstly, with Ronnie injecting your brother, and having Maniac attempt to do the same, only for Eddie to be the one injected instead, do you feel that he’s reaching a new level that we’ve not yet seen before?
(Heinrich): I think we’d be deluding ourselves if we see it as that Mike. He’s always been capable, both of doing, and manipulating or forcing others into doing it for him, dark things, which would shock and repulse most people. His acts change, but he’s always been a sick b*stard, there’s no denying it.
(Mike Anderson): Has your brother come any closer to having what he was injected with diagnosed?
(Heinrich): No sadly, not yet. It’s a constant source of frustration for him, even more so given what happened at Havoc with Maniac and Eddie. I understand he’s asked his doctors to pass on what they know to those that dealt with Eddie, hopefully some good will come of that, and we’ll get to the bottom of it.
(Mike Anderson): Well, that’s about all the time we have it seems. Heinrich, thank you very much for your time …
(Heinrich): My pleasure Mike.
(Mike Anderson): Good luck with your match, and pass on my best wishes to your brother if you get a chance.
(Heinrich): Of course.
With a nod of his head, the video feed to Heinrich cuts off, and the scene fades out to commercial.
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