He exhaled a gush of air through his mouth and walked through the front doors. He navigated his way through the building until he reached the floor where the on-air interviews were recorded. Already sitting at the desk was CBS Correspondent Enrique Acevedo. He smiled broadly as he seen Butch approaching.
(Enrique): Señor Parker, a pleasure to finally meet you.
He extends his hand out which Butch shakes warmly, putting his free hand warmly on Enrique’s arm.
(Butch): Gracias, Mr Acevedo. Mucho Gusto.
Enrique smiles and emits a light laugh. Taken aback at Butch’s Spanish.
(Enrique): Hablas español?
(Butch): Si, no mucho.
(Enrique): Well, color me impressed!
(Butch): My wife and I took lessons. Spent two months in Sevilla.
(Enrique): Well, fortunately, my English is better than your Spanish.
(Butch): Glad to hear it.
(Enrique): And don’t worry about the interview. You’re not Prince Andrew on trial. You’ve just become one of the most powerful figures in the world of sport. This is will be a great insight into what the future holds for you, your family and HWA.
Enrique motions Butch to the seated area behind the sports desk where the interview will be recorded.
(Butch): Thanks, I appreciate it.
The two sit down as a tech colleague comes over and fixes Butch up with a microphone, attaching it to the collar of his suit jacket.
(Tech Guy): Ten seconds till we’re live guys. Ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four…
The CBS employee mimes and countdowns the last three numbers with his fingers before making a go sign.
(Enrique): Good morning, sports fans, welcome to a hot off the press CBS exclusive. You’ve heard from the most powerful woman in pro wrestling. Now it’s time to hear from Mr Pro Wrestling. He’s one of the most decorated wrestlers in the industry’s history and for the last eight years, he’s been in charge of one of the infamous wrestling organisations. I’m very happy to be talking to the one and only, Butch Parker. Welcome, Butch, it’s great to have you.
(Butch): Great to be here, Enrique.
(Enrique): So you and your wife, Wisdom, have had quite the tumultuous road over the past eight years. From being appointed the co-owners of HWA to losing all your TV and merchandising sponsorships to slowly making your comeback under the radar to now becoming part of the CBS family. Thanks for joining us today, Butch. How are you feeling?
(Butch): Thanks, Enrique, it’s a pleasure to be here. In all honesty, I’m still trying to wrap my head around things. Not as a businessman, I’ve kinda gotten used to it over the last seven years or so but this is now taking it to a whole new level altogether. I know CBS has taken a massive chance on us but I’m hoping the popularity we had before along with the kind of content we’ve producing on more low-key formats over the last few years will prove this is a good investment.
(Enrique): and you and Wisdom’s vision of HWA, the product you’ve been putting out there has garnered quite the loyal following, hasn’t it?
(Butch): Yeah, it has and it’s those fans that have kept us relevant. We can make the matches and put it out there but it’s the fans that keep the numbers up and tell us what they like and don’t like.
(Enrique): Now, diehard wrestling fans will remember quite a different HWA the last time the company was a regular on network television. There was a lot of violence, drama - real drama that you yourself were embroiled in quite a lot of the time. Is that what fans who may not be as familiar with the product can expect when Havoc returns to air?
(Butch): Not at all. Although there is so much history there and so many mind-blowing moments, I don’t want to go back to that. The product on our YouTube channel, which my wife did an incredible job of producing, was stripped back completely of all the drama and we focused on the beautiful craft of pure professional wrestling and telling a story inside the ring. I grew up watching the likes of Bret and Owen Hart, Curt Hennig, Sting, Ricky Steamboat. When you watched those guys, there was magic for what they put on in the ring. Ring of Honor in the early 2000s did a great job. You had the likes of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Bryan Danielson and so many other talented workers putting on hard-hitting, instant classics. They laid out the blueprint for what we’ve been doing the last few years and we now have the chance to bring that to a global audience.
(Enrique): And you’ve got a fairly young roster of talent, don’t you? Are there any plans to re-sign any wrestlers from back in the day?
(Butch): A lot of things are still up in the air. A lot of those guys have gone to different things, are under contract in different organisations. Are there some of those guys I’d like to have back? Of course. But a lot of bridges were also burned after what happened. But I know Stu-E Price,who not long joined the company before Wisdom and I took over, is interested in rejoining. He’s a great competitor who I’d be interested to talk with again. We also have Matt Miller who also debuted right before things went sideways. He was only twenty years old when he debuted and he’s came on leaps and bounds since then.
But an important thing for me though is to not overlook and replace the great talent pool we already have. We have a very hungry roster and a lot of these guys have started their pro wrestling journey with us. I’m proud of the academy we’ve built and the part myself and my coaches have played in their development. These guys have been with us for the last seven, eight years and they deserve this opportunity to showcase what they’re capable of.
(Enrique): You mentioned coaches there. You opened up your own wrestling school prior to you and Wisdom taking over and you’ve now transitioned that into what we now know as the HWA Lion’s Den. Is it true your nephew helps with that?
(Butch): To a degree, yes. Sean is very fortunate he was able to recover fully from the injury he suffered only months into his pro wrestling career years ago. He’s grown as a person and as a wrestler and I’m very proud of what he’s been able to do. He balances his time as an active member of the roster and takes charge of the induction of our brand-new recruits. I also have one of my closest friends, Matthew Kiriyama, better known as Red Dragon. He’s retired from wrestling but has a wealth of wrestling and combat knowledge. I’m very lucky to have someone like him on board. I would love to be in the Den every day but with my responsibilities it’s simply not possible so Ardee takes care of things when I’m not around, he is the head coach. I’m also in talks with other ex-pros for a place on the team and to be part of the backstage team within the company.
(Enrique): What about your old friend, Hans von Richtoven? He’s married to one of your announcers, isn’t he?
(Butch): He is, yes, to Vanessa. Hans is happy doing his own thing at the moment. We meet up regularly and he pops into the Den every so often. He knows all he has to do is say the word and he’ll be welcomed into the fold as it were.
(Enrique): Moving away from wrestling for a bit and more about you. You yourself have been through quite the change, not counting taking on a more executive role in the company. You’re a dad of two now as well. What’s it like managing your home life?
(Butch): It’s a little crazy but I’m used to it. I absolutely love my kids. Evina was born at a time everything was kicking off with Senester so Wisdom and I had to everything in our power to shield from the horrors he subjected us to. Thankfully, she’s older now, she turns 10 this year and she doesn’t even remember any of it. And what’s even better is David has grown-up in a much more stress-free environment. He loves coming to the Den, to our live events and playing in the ring and all the staff and crew are practically glorified babysitters.
(Enrique): Sounds like you’re managing what so many parents try and fail and that’s get that perfect balance of home and work life?
(Butch): Well, I wouldn’t say it’s perfect but we make it work. We’re happy and the kids are happy and that’s all I can really ask for.
Enrique shuffles through his notes, checking off the questions he’s already asked.
(Enrique): And what does the future hold for Butch Parker? Is he hanging up his boots in favour for a shirt and tie? I know you’ve been in the ring over the last few years. You also relinquished the HWA World Championship?
(Butch): It’s true there has been a lot of speculation about my in-ring future. I haven’t been in the ring in about nine months to be fair after I had surgery on my knee last year but being able to be in Den, run drills with my students has kept me in shape. As far as relinquishing the World Title goes, it was the right to do along with the other titles. With this deal with CBS, I felt a fresh start was in order. Plus I’ve held the World Championship multiple times. Whilst I respect everything it stands for, it doesn’t define me. HWA is about to begin an exciting new chapter and I, for one, can’t wait to crown a brand-new, first-time World Champion.
(Enrique): Speaking of new beginnings, is it true you almost left HWA in your wife’s name for another lucrative job opportunity?
Butch smiles and involuntarily laughs. He knows what Enrique is hinting at.
(Butch): What is true is I received a very lucrative job offer but it was never something I’d planned on entertaining.
(Enrique): Care to elaborate?
(Butch): Ah to hell with it, he’s not in charge anymore anyway. Vince McMahon contacted me and offered me a job two years ago. He wanted me to feud with Brock Lesnar, he wanted me to win the Royal Rumble and a whole bunch of other stuff.
Enrique looks shocked.
(Enrique): Are you serious?
(Butch): Serious as a heart attack.
(Enrique): And was there any temptation to go?
Butch shakes his head emphatically.
(Butch): None whatsoever. Forgive me for being crude but I’d rather take a dump in my hands and clap than work for Vince McMahon. Every pro wrestler at some point dreams of working for WWE but the HWA is my home. I’ve invested far too much in making it a success. In the end, Vince needed me more than I needed him. And it all worked out for the best, my good friend Hunter is in charge now and the company is in a great place. He actually texted me when the CBS deal got announced offering me his congratulations.
(Enrique): So could we possibly be seeing the forbidden door open with WWE? Could we possibly see the Tribal Chief against the One Man Tartan Army?
Butch laughs through his nose, smiling at the notion.
(Butch): If there’s a chance to put on a fantastic show with some dream matches, I’m willing to work with anyone.We actually did a crossover event with AEW in 2021 when I faced Kenny Omega but we never released the footage. It’s still one of the highlights of my career.
(Enrique): Are you serious? So somewhere in the HWA vault there is a recording of Butch Parker versus Kenny Omega?
(Butch): There sure is.
Enrique looks like he is fanboying out of his skin.
(Enrique): And will we ever get a chance to see it?
(Butch): There’s a possibility. If there’s enough clamour for it.
(Enrique): Well I think I can speak for every fan of professional wrestling when I say we need to see that match. Moving on though as we’ve only got a few minutes left. What’s next for HWA? I hear from Wisdom’s interview with Gayle there is a Reunion show of sorts?
(Butch): That’s true. We’re putting together a big Reunion show very soon. We’re in the process of scoping out a venue and we’re working on bringing a load of our former talent, even if it is for one night only, there’ll be some nostalgia throwbacks as well but I can’t tell you anymore than that.
(Enrique): Well, I for one, cannot wait to see what the future holds for you and HWA. Butch, it’s been absolute pleasure speaking to you and best of luck.
(Butch): Thanks for having me, Enrique, the pleasure’s all mine.
The scene fades to black with Butch standing up from the desk, shaking hands with Enrique as he removes his mic and takes his leave.
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