In other news…The match has been sign and sealed, and next week it will be delivered as Maniac challenges Ronnie McNeil for the HWA World Heavyweight Championship. It’s been a number of years since Maniac’s last World Title run and now back in the picture he seems intent on reclaiming the status he once held. However, what World Title isn’t complete without a bit of controversy. That in the form of another title front runner Talon Wilkinson, whose recent efforts have proved fruitless. The mysterious newcomer Judas Mercury or Mr. J as he likes to be called played a key role at Havoc thwarting a potential power play by Talon in an effort to gain another shot. Mr. J sited HWA regulations that prevent Talon from a current opportunity perhaps only furthering tensions between he and his comrade Maniac.
Speaking of rules and regulations and in particular on Talon Wilkinson. HWA’s court woes continue and it was Talon put in the hot seat earlier in the week in a Los Angeles courtroom taking the witness stand for the first and certainly not last time. As the premier wrestling company in the industry, HWA is the model in which many promotions benchmark themselves. The question of age appropriateness, violence, sex, nudity, language and other criteria are being highly contested against the company. The question through it all…should the government regulate the content of programming in the industry? Take a look at footage from the courtroom, Talon Wilkinson had just been sworn in when the prosecution went on the attack.
Footage from last week begins to play. We see Talon sitting on the witness stand looking sexier than ever in a finely tailored black suit, white French-cuffed shirt displaying spectacular gold cufflinks in the form of miniaturized World Titles. Shuffling few a few pieces of paper the prosecuting attorney steps towards the witness stand.
(Prosecution): Mr. Wilkinson, you joined the HWA in April of 2008 is that correct?
(Talon): Yes, that is correct.
(Prosecution): Isn’t it also true that you actually lead an invasion of a rival company into the HWA at that time?
Talon smiles, fondly remembering his entrance into the HWA.
(Talon): Technically, I was not the "leader" of the RWF invasion, but I was the tip of the spear. The company was owned by a man named Nightwolf Redcloud of Juno, Montana.
(Prosecution): And what was the objective of this invasion?
(Talon): The objective was to effectively reconstruct the heart of the HWA. At the time, the management team leading the company felt that its roster of employees had fallen into an apathetic state of indecisiveness, and needed a new motivating, cleansing force, and that is where I was contracted to come in with a group of subpar counterparts.
(Prosecution): Do you feel you have reached this objective…this “cleansing of subpar counterparts” as you’ve said in your own words?
(Talon): You misunderstand, The group of RWF wrestlers who were also contracted with me, were subpar. I was brought in to act as the motivating, cleansing force for a group of wrestlers who were at the time considered the top standard for our industry. ...but to answer your question, I feel that I did complete my goal that was in my initial contract.
I was hired to motivate, and upon my arrival, names like Butch Parker emerged out of retirement and began to once agian become a driving force, once again cementing that the HWA was the top company in our industry. Michael Dredge, Reaper, AC James, Ronnie McNeil... they all responded to my arrival and once again upped their work and production.
I was rewarded shortly after with an official HWA talent contract, thus validating my acomplishments of my previous contract.
(Prosecution): And it was only four months later that your brother was brutally murdered is that correct?
Talon glares at the prosecution attorney as he runs his tongue over his bottom lip
(Talon): Yes. That is correct.
(Prosecution): And could you please tell the court where you were when you received the news that your brothers mangled body had been found?
As he speaks crime scene photos pop on the court screen showing the bloody conditions of the apartment and the uncovered body.
(Talon): ...I was inside of the ring, in the process of wrestling in a world championship tournament match with Belial, a former employee of HWA. Ms. Roberts came to the ring and informed me of the murder so that I could immediately leave and be with my family at the time.
The Prosecution attorney takes his time, slowly pacing in front of Talon deliberately stressing his next few words.
(Prosecution): You found out via a note….a note….brought to the ring by a Ms. Tanisha Roberts, the HWA Management Representative in the middle essentially of working. How did that make you feel being informed of your brother’s death on live television via courier?
(Defense): Objection…badgering the witness.
(Judge): Overruled, Mr. Wilkinson you may answer the question.
(Talon): At the time, I obviously felt sorrow, but I never held ill will toward the company. In fact, with my paid leave, and option to return on my own terms when I was ready, If I was ever ready to return to wrestling, I felt that the HWA handled the situation as best they could. I thought Ms. Roberts decision to bring me the news herself, as the spokesperson of the HWA at the time, was very professional, seeing as how my family came before work. The decision to stop the match and allow me to leave was very professional.
(Prosecution): And when you discovered that Senester was behind the murder how did that make you feel?
(Defense): Objection your honor…Senester has not been legally convicted of any such crime.
(Judge): Sustained…rephrase counselor.
(Prosecution): Mr. Wilkinson your brother was callously murdered, how did that make you feel?
(Defense): Objection your honor, Mr. Wilkinson has already explained his emotions at that time.
(Judge): Sustained....next question counselor.
(Prosecution): Would it be fair to say that Senester has been your enemy for nearly the last 4 years?
(Talon): No, that would not be "fair to say" ...I did not know Senester existed until the middle part of 2009 after I won Ring Master and he resurfaced in the HWA. We had our battles from that time until things cooled down, but after that I met with Senester in private on several occasions and we began to talk. I was educated on the very essence of life and why I was in the place I found myself at the time, and it was then that I decided to put all my anger away and replace it with knowledge and understanding. From that day in late 2010 until just recently, Senester and I played the role of enemies, but we have not been that in some time.
(Prosecution): The owner of the single most recognized wrestling organization in the world, the man whose signature is on your HWA contract, your paycheck “before” he “resurfaced” and you sit there telling this court, and that jury, that you didn’t even know Senester existed until the middle of 2009? That’s a bit of a stretch Mr. Wilkinson. Suppose in some fantasy world that this is true. When you did in-fact meet for the first time…exactly what is it you “battled” over Mr. Wilkinson?
(Talon): I did not follow the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance, I was an indy wrestler with no aspiration to compete at the professional level until the RWF offered me a contract that set me for life. After that, HWA contracted the RWF, and by default, me. I had never heard of Senester. I met him for the first time when he walked to the ring after I had endured a grueling one night tournament known as Ring Master, he made his entrance and came to the ring and engaged me.
I was too tired to fight, prompting my friends to attempt to intervene. We competed in one match after that, a no disqualification match where I came out victorious, thus giving me a bit of closure over the fact that Senester had claimed to have been responsible for the death of my brother... but your legal system never convicted him, so apparently this was all just a ploy to get under my skin.
(Prosecution): Are your performances as a wrestler or “talent” as your contracts state “fake” Mr. Wilkinson…yes or no?
(Talon): ……No, what I do in the ring is not fake. Moves and actions are practiced all my life so that I do not kill anyone, but no, nothing is fake, at the end of the day I am what you see on television.
(Prosecution): I find that hard to believe Mr. Wilkinson. You’ve explained here to the court and to this jury that you’ve pretended to be an enemy of Senester’s for years now. You are claiming to pretend countless events you now suggest to the court are in fact real. “At the end of the day….I am what you see on television.”
He walks over to the jury for dramatic emphasis.
(Prosecution): I say again…. “At the end of the day…I am what you see on television.” These are your words Mr. Wilkinson. When that man (pointing to Senester) dug up your brothers body and shoved his rotting corpse in your face on live television were you pretending to cry and curse him or where you what we saw on television?
(Talon): The night after my submission loss to Butch Parker in the summer of 2010 was when I began "pretending" to hate Senester, it was a rouse in an effort to manipulate a group of people who at one point where my friends. Senester digging up what he claimed to be my brother's body, was his own doing and I was very upset as you can see on the video. What I am saying is that the past 18 months have been manufactured by us in an effort to achieve a greater goal.
(Prosecution): First you tell this court that you’ve pretended. Then you tell this court that what we see on television is what we get. And now Mr. Wilkinson….now you are telling the court that you seasonally switch off from pretence to reality. This doesn’t sound credible at all, but let’s go with it. From April 2008 to June 2010…you were what we saw on television, and from 2010 until “recently” you said….is when you’ve been real? Is that now your testimony Mr. Wilkinson? Please think about it, you’ve already changed it a few times, I want to make sure the court and the Jury have everything right.
(Defense): Objection your honor, Mr. Wilkinson has already testified to the timelines of these questions.
(Judge): Overruled, Mr. Wilkinson you may answer the question.
(Talon): I don’t know what any of this has to do with this case.
(Judge): Please just answer the questions Mr. Wilkinson, you are under oath.
The prosecution has a slight grin as he looks at Talon. Talon shifts in his seat obviously agitated.
(Prosecution): Thank you you’re honor.
(Talon): Like I said, I’ve practiced in this sport all my life. These are all real actions, there is nothing fake about it what we do.
(Prosecution): “All Real Actions” ladies and gentlemen. “All Real Actions” as Mr. Wilkinson so fervently explained to us. This is why we are in this courtroom today, because of the “All Real Actions” in HWA that you have been a large part of Mr. Wilkinson. When you broke Senester out of jail in Proto Utah, when the two of you destroyed 2 square miles of that town, when you possessed illegal explosives, assaulted and evaded law enforcement…these are examples of your “All Real Actions” To answer your previous question Mr. Wilkinson…this have everything to do with this case and this “Is” why you are here.
You confirm for this court the vile actions of Senester and the HWA. You testified “All Real Actions.” The digging up of dead bodies, physical assault on a female fan just weeks ago whose jaw you shattered, the broken arm of a lowly worker in Dark Horse Towers. Ladies and gentlemen of the court these are “All Real Actions” Senester helped you find yourself in those “private meetings” as you testified. Do you not find it unusual that a man like Senester, a company like HWA always finds a way out of legal situations?
(Talon): I find it unusual that my attorney hasn’t objected to these questions. I can’t comment on legal situations, or how the system works…. I’m not lawyer.
(Prosecution): It sounds to this court Mr. Wilkinson like you’re passing the buck, but we’ll proceed. Michael Dredge was killed on live television by Senester. He was your mentor. Or…wait…excuse me…was Mr. Dredge your mentor during the period of time where you were pretending he was, or was he really your mentor in truth?
(Defense): Objection…your honor. This is the same line of questioning as earlier. Our client has already attested to the dates and times in which his performances where staged.
(Judge): Sustained. Counselor?
(Prosecution): I’ll move on to the next question your honor…Mr. Wilkinson…You attacked your sister Ally Wilkinson and caused the death of her unborn child. And thanks of course to Senester and his HWA team of world elite Dark Horse lawyers you walked away free and clear. You were never prosecuted were you?
(Defense): Objection. Ally Wilkinson has a talent contract with HWA. It was her own actions ringside that contributed to the death of her child. Mr. Wilkinson has never been declared responsible by the law.
(Judge): Sustained…rephrase counselor.
(Prosecution): Do you feel any responsibility and any remorse towards the death of that child?
(Talon): No.
As gasp is heard in the courtroom, as Talon sits there calmly, his eyes devoid of pity and even a hint of malice in them with the same uncaring glare Senester is known for, purely emotionless about the situation with his sister and would be niece.
(Prosecution): A child, your own family member…there are many who would call you a monster Mr. Wilkinson, a true creation, a true product of your association with Senester a man known for more heinous acts than I’m almost certain even you know. It is no secret to those watching HWA that Senester has had not just a professional but a personal, intimate interest in you. Mr. Wilkinson…do you have or have you had a sexual relationship with Senester?
(Defense): Objection your honor. The personal life on Mr. Wilkinson is not relevant to this case.
(Prosecution): Your honor, it moves towards character and motive to testimony.
(Judge): I’ll allow it…you may proceed. Mr. Wilkinson…please answer the question.
Talon looks highly annoyed with the questioning, but maintains his composure.
(Talon): No. We share an intimate relationship surrounding our work, it began when I started meeting with him and getting to know him better through our private discussions. I only kissed Senester once, it was meant to be an intimate distraction surrounding my World title. That’s it.
(Prosecution): “Intimate”…ladies and gentlemen. So you were “intimate” with an enemy. A man you in fact called an enemy you kissed and call it intimate. Not a trick, not a ploy, not a ruse, but “intimate” ladies and gentlemen. We’ve seen plenty of “All Real Actions” Mr. Wilkinson….and we’ve seen plenty of “intimate” ones as well. You and Senester kissing each other at various times as you just said. Him licking parts of your body, groping and touching you. Your own peers have commented on your behavior together. You say you came to HWA to cleanse, is this what you call clean Mr. Wilkinson? The men and women you ran out of the company didn’t behave in this manor. Are these the images you feel appropriate for children watching?
(Talon): This is not appropriate for children watching. There is a television rating displayed on programming, and it’s up to parents to monitor their child’s activity.
(Prosecution): You’ve just testified that HWA is not suitable for children yet it makes up over 70% of its audience. Do you feel HWA should be shut down Mr. Wilkinson, or at the very least regulated by strict laws that protect the interest of the family, of children and people’s rights, worker and fan alike?
(Talon): No I don’t.
(Prosecutor): Thank you Mr. Wilkinson…I have no further questions your honor.
(Judge): Court will recess…cross examination will resume at the next court date. Mr. Wilkinson may I remind you, you are still under oath, you may not discuss this case with anyone other than your own counsel and party, do not engage the media of the jury. The Jury is held to the previous admonishments.
The footage ends and we go back to the HWA Newsroom.
(Mr. Herrington): Some very intense moments on the witness stand for Talon Wilkinson and we will bring you more footage as the trail goes on, I understand Talon will be taking the witness stand again soon for cross examination by the defense. A number of other HWA superstars are also expected to testify in this trial.
One a separate story…what a night it was at the annual HWA Recognition Awards, where you the fans vote for the year’s winner in a number of categories. Taking this year’s MVP prize is Eddie Phoenix who following a vicious attack by his former friend Talon departed HWA and contrary to his life before has remained out of the camera and the eyes of the media. You may recall reports of him allegedly setting his own bar in fire just before his disappearance.
Santa Claus took the award for Newcomer of the year, but a bit of a shock to some including yours truly was AC James being named the most missed superstar of the year. AC James disappeared from the wrestling scene and that investigation remains an open case with the FBI who from what we have been told, have no new leads. For the full rundown visit h-w-a.com and awards.
Last but not least before we leave you, I have it on good authority that other than the World Title match which was arranged at Havoc just days ago…the card for next week’s Havoc is being kept a secret. Officials are reporting that following this past week Senester and Talon do not want any further surprises and will be announcing randomly matches throughout the night. All HWA superstars are expected to be on hand, but with no knowledge of who they could potentially be facing it raises the bar for peak performances. We’ll see who is at their best when the bell rings. For HWA News, this is Robert Herrington.
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