The scene opens up onto one of the small rooms in the HWA Academy set up specifically for reviewing film from previous matches and training sessions. The small room has blinds along one wall, currently now all closed and blocking off sight of the floor beyond, the lights in the place are dimmed, allowing the TV mounted on the far wall to be clear and visible to everyone who might use the room.
Sat in one of the leather chairs facing the screen is Hans ‘The Baron’ von Richtoven, alongside him in one of the other leather chairs is Jeremy Branson.
On screen, lighting up the room is a match featuring Hans from last year. Facing him is Ryan Callaghan, someone relatively unfamiliar to those who follow predominantly American based federations. Hans and Ryan had crossed paths a few times over the years in Europe and in Asia, this latest bout taking place in Tokyo in front of a full house.
Hues of all colours are dancing across the room as the action on screen changes, flickering across both men sat watching.
Ryan, more lithe than Hans, has dropped the latter to one knee, quickly turning around and jumping to the top rope to flip round and hit the rising figure with a diving shoulder block, sending Hans to the mat.
(Jeremy): Oh! He got you good there!
Wincing at the memory, Hans turns his head somewhat to face Jeremy, eyes still glued to the screen.
(Hans): Jah, I felt that for a few days after.
On screen, Hans is clutching where he’d had Ryan’s shoulder driven into him. Ryan not giving him a moments pause as he drives his heel into the same spot.
(Hans): Almost staved a finger there, managed to just pull mein hand away in time…
Exhaling, he shakes his head at the action on screen.
(Jeremy): How’s the leg by the way? You weren’t hobbling when you came in, so I assume there’s no lingering effect?
(Hans): Jah, it’s healed, danke. Ice baths unt sports massages, few days of that and I’m fine. I’ll be able to hit the track later on.
(Jeremy): I’m kind of new to the ice bath thing…since we got these new facilities really. Its going to take some getting used to, but its sound science for the body.
Hans gestures at the screen, Ryan going after him with a concerted effort to target the same spot, Hans ducking out underneath the bottom rope to cut short the attack.
(Hans): Don’t take mein word for it though Jeremy, target it.
There’s a short pause, Jeremy looking at Hans with a funny expression.
(Jeremy): Really?
(Hans): Ich würde.
Back on screen, Ryan has headed to the top rope looking down at Hans, the latter still in agony, positioning himself before he launches himself backwards into a moonsault and lands right where Hans was, smashing into the ground.
Hans picks him up, slamming a forearm across Ryan’s back as he starts up, grabs his arm and swings him to the ground again with a swinging-arm neck breaker.
(Jeremy): This Ryan guy, he ever think about following you?
(Hans): Nein, Ryan’s happy where he is. He lives in Tokyo now, got married out there some years ago, he’s not moving.
(Jeremy): You speak to him much?
(Hans): From time to time, we’re… we’re frenemies, as you might put it. He gets on my nerves, I get on his, makes for a good match but we don’t talk shop after.
He holds his index finger and thumb apart a few centimeters.
(Hans): Klein doses, that’s what we can take of one another.
(Jeremy): So, no sitting in a room like this and watch back old matches together?
A low chuckle comes from Hans’ chest at the thought.
(Hans): We might get in the same room, but we’d be starting a fresh one in person by the time the video ended. We just have that effect on one another. No true malice in it, we just can’t help but push one another’s buttons.
(Jeremy): What does that feel like? I mean, I either get along with someone or not, liked them or couldn’t stand them…it’s always been kind of black and white. I’ve never had a person that sort of fits in both spaces.
(Hans): One day, you'll spread your wings and leave HWA and move on to the next thing Jeremy. When you look back on it, people that were friends to you might have the shine taken off them by the passage of time while some that you wouldn't have the time of day for me become more palatable. Time has a way with us all and you'll be able to look back and reflect on all those long drives and flights that we get to do so much of in our profession.
Back on screen, Hans has just landed a scoop powerslam, going for the pin but Ryan kicks out just as the referee's palm slaps the mat for the first time. Hans dragging Ryan to his feet, he's met with a gut shot, avoiding the following uppercut, snapping him down with a short arm clothesline.
Gesturing at the screen, Hans leans over to Jeremy.
(Hans): Keep an eye on him here, he get's me in a move I've seen you favour.
True enough, Hans bounces of the ring but is met with a boot right to the sternum by Ryan. Taking advantage, he chops Hans, disorientating him and locking himself in at arms length, Hans mirroring it out of muscle memory. Ryan is quick off the mark, and locks in a Fujiwara armbar.
(Jeremy): Oh yeah, you’re right…I see. No but really, I’m sure things change as we go along, but I guess I cross that bridge when I get to it.
(Hans): Did you catch what Price said?
(Jeremy): The threat's to Fallen and Draconis?
(Hans): Hmm.
Hans tips his head at Jeremy, the latter smiling.
(Hans): Well, inbetween that. The part about the Academy, what's your take on it, you've been here longer than I have.
(Jeremy): Oh that, well I respect his opinion and I understand where he’s coming from as a guy who came along differently, but his logic is flawed…I think wrestling has changed and couldn’t disagree with him more about everything he said. This isn’t the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s when guys were thrown into the deep and told to sink or swim. That’s the whole purpose of the Academy, it’s evolved from that archaic way of thinking. I’ve never looked at it as a fast track into the business because over half the people that came through dropped out, you either can stand the physical and mental rigors of it, or you can’t. And, I sure don’t see it as some cookie cutter “production line.” None of us could be more different, and it is a slight that he thinks that way. Because we’re being taught about nutrition and how to make better choices, or aren’t sleeping in our cars and driving between areas, or don’t have to get banged up on those old stiff rings, and have padding around the ring instead of concrete arena floor…doesn’t mean we aren’t earning our way and paying our dues. It’s a different business now than it was years ago.
Hans listens intently as Jeremy continues, clearly the questions has lit a little fire in him.
(Jeremy): Butch, Sensei, Wisdom, yourself…you’re four different people and we’ve learned different things from each of you…we’re not the same thing in “slightly different packages.” Michelle is nothing like Erica, Sean is nothing like Matt, and I’m totally different from all of them. The next group of recruits to come through will be different from all of us. We’re traveling even more all over now, probably soon the world. If he watched us over the years on Youtube, he’d have seen us facing new people and new challenges all over the country whenever we could in little arenas and places. Butch knew there was value in getting out there. I don’t know why he said that, it makes me think he feels less of us now and I don’t know what to say about that.
Hans sits back in his chair, assessing Jeremy.
(Hans): No one could accuse you of not being passionate about where you've come from mein freund. Gut gesprochen.
Tapping himself on the chest for emphasis, he carries on.
(Hans): Price unt I, we're similar ages, so ich verstehe… you look back and because it worked for you, jah, that's it, you're protective of that method...
He glances back at the TV briefly, seeing a lull in the action, so carries on.
(Hans): Perhaps some of those that dropped out of the Academy may find more success in trying things like Price did... vice versa, jah? I'm sure he doesn't think less of you though.
Back on screen, Hans has nailed Ryan with a wheelbarrow facebuster, better known to his fans as a ‘Stuka from Stuttgart’, lifting the leg for a pin, only to be denied as the kickout happens at the 2 count. Hans gesticulates and rages at the referee, giving Ryan time to recover slowly.
(Hans): Scheiße, could have sworn I’d had him then.
(Jeremy): You’re fairly angry at that ref.
(Hans): Jah… don’t do what I’m doing there, I’m completely ignoring him. Got so caught up in the moment.
True enough. Ryan has by now recovered and sends Hans to the mat, crashing into the back of him with a flying elbow.
(Jeremy): Can’t imagine I’ll catch you out like that though.
He points at the TV to match his words.
(Hans): You never know mein freund. Just be on your toes and be prepared to go for it. Could be I lull you into a trap though…
He flashes a smile at Jeremy who returns it.
(Jeremy): Same goes here, you’ve not seen everything I can do.
(Hans): Jah, exactly.
(Jeremy): Should be fun then.
(Hans): Fun?
He ponders the word briefly.
(Hans): Jah, fun. A challenge, for us both.
(Jeremy): Definitely.
A buzzing sound comes from Hans’ pocket, his iPhone going off.
Reaching into the pocket to extricate it, he glances at the sender of the message.
(Hans): You’ll need to excuse me Jeremy, that’s Michelle arriving. I said I’d run through some ring work with her today.
(Jeremy): You’d better be training for our match as well Hans, don’t be skipping out on me.
(Hans): If you can tear yourself away from this room, you’ll see me doing exactly that later on.
He rises to his feet, patting Jeremy on the shoulder as he passes.
(Jeremy): You not wanting to see how the match ends Hans?
(Hans): I lived that one Jeremy, it’s all up here anyway.
He taps one side of his head as Jeremy flashes another smile at him, turning back to face the screen, soaking in the information. Behind him, Hans heads for the exit as the scene fades out to black.
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