(Dave Bing): The city of Detroit is thrilled and honored to host the Hardcore Wrestling Alliance, Road to Ruin PPV here in the world famous Joe Louis Area. Please join me in welcoming the HWA Executive Director of Business Affairs, Mrs. Elizabeth Shevington.
There is applause she takes the podium and prepare for the Q&A with the press. She greets Mayor Bing with a handshake before he steps aside, the cameras are flashing and in the background outside the area lobby a large contingent of HWA fans and concerned city citizens in protest outside.
(Mrs. Shevington): Thank you Mayor Bing, we too are honored to return to the wonderful city of Detroit. The economic implications of any major event in a city are of mutual benefit to both host and performer. Detroit has some of the most loyal and enthusiastic fans in the country and we can’t wait to begin the fanfare leading up to the event itself in May. At this time…I will turn the mic over to HWA Owner / CEO Senester.
Nearly as loud as the audience at a regular show, outside we can hear a chorus of boos. Inside the media maintains professionalism moving in closer to try and be the first to get questions in. Mrs. Shevington steps aside as Senester takes the podium.
(Senester): Good Morning. I believe Mrs. Shevington has already provided our thoughts and greetings so I’ll open this up for Q&A.
(Detroit News): Senester….David Lonkey with Detroit News….I believe you can see outside that not everyone is pleased with the HWA brining a ppv to Detroit. Many fear that your company’s knack for violence will spill out in our city streets as we’ve witness countless times in other cities. What assurances can you make to the people of Detroit for their safety and that of the city?
(Senester): None. Next question.
(NY Times): Cynthia Clark, NY Times. Only days ago at your weekly Havoc show…you deliberately snatched an infant from its mothers arms and hurled it at Butch Parker, then assaulted the father of the child who tried to defend his family. HWA went through a year-long court case defending your programming, and the case was dismissed…do you think that gives you free reign to do as you please without consequences?
(Senester): Ms. Clark…our fans are well aware that certain “incidents” can occur during our live performances. Athletes inadvertently fall into the crowd during basketball games, balls fly into the stands at fans heads during baseball games….and in the wrestling industry sometimes the fans become part of the action. However, to answer you question…I do not think I have free reign to do as I please….I know I do, and as far as consequences go…there are consequences to everything, and I assure you I and HWA are well equipped to handle them.
(USA Today): Bill Luxe…USA Today. Do you know who your opponent will be at the ppv, or do you have your sights set on any particular superstar to compete against.
(Senester): I can tell you that I will be World Heavyweight Champion, and who I face is irrelevant…they will fail in their endeavors.
(Washington Post): Sarah Holsten, Washington Post. Can you elaborate on your current role in HWA. You are the owner and CEO, but since the court case last year you have stepped down from your daily oversight of operations and had brought in Mrs. Shevington. How does that play out for your programming and you professionally.
(Senester): Assigning the management of our daily operations to Mrs. Shevington at the time of the trial was a business necessity. Afterwards, in review of our ratings, ppv buy-rates, and merchandise sales it simply made sense to retain her in that role. The fans and talent have responded well to her level-headed style and it brings a balance to things that they appreciate. That being said, it is an effort on my part to refrain from overriding her decision in most cases.
(Miami Herald): Joseph King, Miami Herald. The HWA roster is ever changing. Superstars go and come, some like this Michael James come in very aggressively, and others like the legendary Buff Bridges cruise along in the shadows. How do you balance this in your programming.
(Senester): This is a competitive sport. The men involved rise or fall by their own devices…there is no balancing act. That being said, there has always been a place for everyone in HWA, from the lowly Bryan Deas to the more superior athletes such as Mr. James or Mr. Parker. As far as the revolving door…they come and they go. I don’t concern myself with the opinions of talent and their desire to stay or leave.
(San Francisco Chronicles): Matthew Mooney, San Francisco Chronicles. You just said you don’t concern yourself with the coming and going of superstars, but last year you deliberately orchestrated the return of Butch Parker, how do you explain that?
(Senester): I had nothing to do with Mr. Parker returning to the ring. He was not contracted to this company, yet his wife Wisdom was. Her leave of absence had already been extended and it was time for her to return to work. In light of her condition, and his concerns…I found it only fair to offer him an opportunity to take her place. The arrangement was of mutual benefit to the Parker family and to HWA who had, and still has the contractual, legal right to a talented performer.
(San Francisco Chronicles): Just one follow-up….and what if Butch Parker had refused, if his wife Wisdom had refused to return.
(Senester): Then I would have exercised my legal rights, and needless to say that when I was through the Parker’s wouldn’t have one red cent to their worthless name. Next Question…
(LA Times): Miriam Vance, LA Times. Let’s just clear the air here…we know a bit of your background, your upbringing, but tell us about this whole “God” thing. You don’t really think you’re God do you? Isn’t this all just part of your “character” your wrestling “persona?” Where does all that end and the man begin?
(Senester): Ms. Vance…I am God.
(LA Times): Miriam Vance….I’m sorry, but that’s simply not true, and frankly it’s the sort of thing mental patients would say. Isn’t it true that with HWA, and with the many companies that fall under the Dark Horse umbrella that impressively stretches across every industry imaginable…not to mention the vast wealth…isn’t it true that you’ve simply developed what is known as a “God Complex.”
Senester stares at her and seconds later she’s grabbed by a heavily armed security team.
(LA Times: Miriam Vance): I’m with the media…I have my rights. Is this how you do it….you cart of those who oppose you? How many people have you killed? Tell us about the slave labor in those towers of yours? What is your explanation for the missing people?
She’s quickly whisked away out of the lobby and Senester returns to the crowd.
(Senester): You’ll have to excuse Ms. Vance…I’m afraid with Dark Horse being station in Los Angeles, she has taken it upon herself to attempt to boost her career with numerous cover stories and requests for exclusive interviews which have been denied. Ignore her callous, retaliatory remarks…they are merely of a woman desperate to….have her name in the papers you might say.
(Michigan Front): Michael George, Michigan Front. Detroit is 87% African American, and you’ve got one black man on your wrestling roster. Do you feel that HWA programming can really relate to the cities demographics when your company doesn’t have a strong contingent of figures in place that the majority of the populace can relate to? Do you for some reason limit the acceptance and advancement of African American talent?
(Senester): Ahhh the race card emerges. Mr. George, some of HWA’s most prominent athletes over the years have been African American. From Leroy Brown, to Ronnie McNeil, to the emerging Freddie Styles…who we hope to be. We are also very proud to have Ms. Mia Ward as our lead commentator. However, the lack of this demographic in HWA has nothing to do with our ability to relate to our fan base. If you want statistics take a look at the number of African American men and women who even have interest in the wrestling industry, on top of that take a look at those select few who truly has what it takes to excel both athletically and professionally in accordance with the demands of this business. Names like Mark Henry, Kamala, Booker T, Devon Hughes and many others excelled, where countless others have not. There is no limit of acceptance…no holding anyone back. As I said earlier…superstars rise of fall by their own devices.
Mrs. Shevington leans in and whispers in his ear then to the mic.
(Mrs. Shevington): We have time for just one more question if you please.
(Detroit News): Senester….David Lonkey again. Earlier you responded that you gave no assurance for the safety of Detroit and its citizens. Can we expect to see another Proto, Utah incident, where you and one Talon Wilkinson literally destroyed city blocks, blew up the police station, crippled the main artery of highway, and sent dozens of victims to the hospital some of which who lost their life?
(Senester): What you can expect to see is HWA at its best. You can expect the fans from the front row all the way to the rafters to leave feeling that they got their monies worth. Nothing more, and nothing less. Thank you call for your time.
Senester and Mrs. Shevington step away from the stage, yet in true media fashion they continue to flood them with questions, and flashing cameras. The make it to the side exit heading for the limo waiting them.
(Mrs. Shevington): That went reasonably well.
(Senester): Reasonable enough.
Senester turns to his chief of security…
(Senester): The woman?
(Officer): She’ll be on the next “flight” out.
(Senester): Good…see to it.
Senester gets in the limo and notices a concerned look on Shevington’s face. She’s on her cell and then hangs up.
(Senester): What is it?
(Mrs. Shevington): I just got off the phone with our medical team. There’s no way I can clear Bryan Deas for a match at Havoc. If he so much as walks his leg could fall off.
Senester leans in staring her in the face.
(Senester): Elizabeth….Bryan Deas has begged for this opportunity for months. I have no concern for the insignificant condition of his leg. One must capitalize on opportunities when they are presented to them. He will face me at me, for the title, and he will lose. I will erase his name from the World Title picture where it never belonged to begin with.
(Mrs. Shevington): Perhaps if we gave him another week or two to recover some, the fans would…
(Senester): I’ve spoken. It was he who offered the challenge for my title, and I have accepted. I suggest you line up some talent to take his place, because when I finish breaking what is left of him…his recovery will be lengthy…if he ever does at all.
Senester directs his attention to his tablet and other matters as the limo heads for the airport. Mrs. Shevington takes a deep sigh knowing that she has no choice but to sign and prepare for the match at Havoc, despite her concerns and the scene fades to black.
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