Time: Several hours after Art of War has gone off the air
The press conference is held in a large, well-lit room at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. HWA co-CEO Butch Parker stands proudly behind a long table, surrounded by a sea of sports media outlets eager to get the scoop. The air is thick with anticipation as the cameras flash and reporters jostle for position.
Reporters fire off questions one after another, their voices competing for attention. Butch demeanor remains composed as he listens intently, his piercing emerald gaze sweeping across the crowd. One reporter stands out.
(Reporter 1): Butch, just hours removed from Art of War, the first HWA pay-per-view in eight years, how are you feeling?
(Butch): I’m extremely proud of every single man and woman who made tonight happen. This was a monumental effort to make happen, from the staff, the crew to the talent. Everyone played their part to make it happen. It has exceeded all expectations.
(Reporter 1): And what about the fans? You’ve said in the past you hoped to draw not only old school audiences back to HWA but a newer fanbase as well.
(Butch): The turnout was phenomenal, and the response from our fans has been overwhelming. Wisdom and I have always said we are dedicated to delivering the most passionate, real and hard-hitting wrestling and the Art of War was no exception.
Another reporter jumps in. Their question is direct.
(Reporter 2): Mr. Parker, can you explain the barbaric end to the Asylum Match? The ring being blown to smithereens and the gasoline fire at ringside – was that planned? There are some concerns being raised about fan endangerment.
Butch’s face is contemplative. He knew these questions would come up, they were bound to, especially given the nature of the match’s ending and what transpired. He thinks for a moment before answering.
(Butch): Look, the Asylum Match was designed to push the boundaries of professional wrestling, and it certainly did just that. As you all know, both Wisdom and I were extremely hesitant to sign off on the match to begin with and we were both steadfast in ensuring the match didn’t even take place at all. But as is the case in any business, especially pro wrestling, things change. We took any and all measures, as we do with every match and every event, to ensure the safety of anyone attending our events is paramount. The addition of the explosives was not something I, nor the ring crew were made aware of and was likely an addition orchestrated by Maniac himself. I’m in no doubt this was the catalyst that led to the ringside fire that forced the abrupt conclusion of the match itself and I intend to have the matter looked into internally. As for the match itself, from an entertainment perspective, I think both men should be commended for putting themselves through what they did and hope both find it in their hearts to call an end to this rivalry and move on.
A hushed murmur spreads among the reporters, but Butch remains unflinching as he's confronted with the next question.
(Reporter 3): There are concerns about the welfare of several of the roster, Butch, notably Sean Parker, Fallen, Matt Miller, and Maniac after the explosiveness and violent nature of the co-main event matches. Can you provide any updates on their conditions?
Butch's expression softens as he addresses the question.
(Butch): Whilst, in this business, the very fabric of what we do involves people hurting each other, the health and well-being of our talent are still of paramount importance to usI haven’t heard anything regarding Steven Angel and Maniac. As far as I’m aware, Fallen was treated at ringside by our on-site medical personnel but disappeared from the arena sometime between his match ending and the PPV going off the air. Same goes for Maniac; after receiving some initial treatment, he refused to be transported to a hospital and left the arena with Erica Martinez. I’ve not long heard from Michelle Learner who is at a local hospital here in Orlando, with Sean. He suffered a mild concussion, a sprain to the knee and possibly some fractured ribs. My understanding is he is being kept in overnight for observations to be on the safe side. Matt Miller is being treated for second-degree burns to various parts of his body along with numerous deep lacerations from the damage he suffered. He is in a stable condition but is being treated to prevent sepsis and infection but I am told he will be absolutely fine and is in good spirits.
(Reporter 3): Given the magnitude of the injuries suffered by both Maniac and Matt Miller during the Asylum Match, are you going to stand by your word that this will be likely be the last of these kinds of matches showcasing this kind of barbarism?
(Butch): Absolutely. Look, as someone with over 30 years of experience in this industry, and someone who’s been involved in some of the most brutal and bloody matches along the way, I get when rivalries get heated, you feel like the only way to resolve things is the most violent stipulation imaginable. And that may work for companies like GCW and sometimes in AEW but I stand by my commitment to bringing a different ideology of professional wrestling and that’s what we’ll endeavor to bring in the weeks and months to come.
(Reporter 4): Butch, what are your thoughts on the first match of the retirement tour for Red Dragon? And how did you arrange the appearance of the Great Muta?
A wry smile crosses Butch’s features.
(Butch): The same way I managed to secure Shinsuke’s services for tonight. Nah, Muta actually reached out. He and Matthew keep in touch and he’s still close with Shinsuke as well. He reached out and asked if it would be possible to be ringside for the match and I would be an idiot if I was to turn down the opportunity for someone like him to appear. As for the match itself, I can’t say I’m surprised. I said before not to sleep on Red Dragon. So many people doubted what he’s still capable of and look at what he did earlier. Nakamura is in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship scene and Red Dragon went toe-to-toe for over half an hour and came out with the win.
(Reporter 4): Does it make you think about your own upcoming match with Red Dragon and when do you think we’ll see his next match?
A snort of laughter involuntarily escapes from Butch’s nostrils.
(Butch): Do you mean am I regretting or do I have any concerns about facing him myself? I’m not worried but it certainly gets the cogs turning for sure. I haven’t been in the ring for a long, long time. Obviously I keep myself in shape but as I’m sure both Hans and Sensei Kiriyama will attest to, there is no substitute for the real thing. As for the next match, Red Dragon will face Hans von Richtoven but the date has not been decided yet.
(Reporter 5): Going back to Sean for a moment, Butch, he had quite the PPV debut. His match with Fallen was intense with many speculating and questioning your decision to put him into an environment like a street fight with someone as dangerous as Fallen. Are you satisfied with Sean’s progress and how far he’s come?
(Butch): Sean’s more than my nephew, he’s like a son to me, everyone knows his story and what he’s been through but I think it’s time we stopped treating him like a fragile child. He has grown into a fine young man and I don’t care what anyone says, he’s one of the best pro wrestlers on this planet and that’s not a biased opinion. I’ve been in this industry for a long, long, long time, I’ve seen them come and go, greats, young bucks who thought they were destined for greatness but couldn’t handle the pressure. Trust me, Sean, Matt and Jeremy are future HWA Hall of Famers and all three are future champions. As for the speculation, I know how dangerous Fallen is and believe me, if I had my way, he still wouldn’t be in this company but it is what it is. I knew Sean would rise to the challenge and he put everyone on notice tonight.
(Reporter 5): Sean’s girlfriend, Michelle Learner also stepped up tonight earning her first big win in HWA in somewhat controversial circumstances. Do you see this being her glass ceiling moment?
(Butch): I don’t know what was so controversial in all honesty. Erica let her ridiculous infatuation with Hans distract her from the task at hand and Michelle took advantage. That’s all there is to it. Ok Michelle herself, she definitely needed this. She’s been through hell over the last few weeks as everyone knows. Of course I was surprised when she demanded the match the way she did but I’m glad I signed off on it. This was definitely, in your words, her glass ceiling moment and I think everyone’s now aware of what we’ve all known for as long as she’s been here, in that she’s an extremely talented, passionate and feisty young lady who has the world at her feet.
(Reporter 6): The ladies tag team match has been getting quite a lot of attention on social media. A lot of former and current wrestlers claiming it’s one of the best all-female matches of the last 20 years. Dave Meltzer himself of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave it 5 stars. Do you see this is the perfect platform to relaunch the HWA Women’s Division?
Butch acknowledges the praise for the match involving the Blackthornes and Sarah and Alexis, pursing his lips and nodding.
(Butch): Did Dave really give it 5 stars? I don’t normally give match ratings much credence but I would agree wholeheartedly. The tag match was actually my match of the night so, on top of the PPV bonuses each person on the roster got, all four women will be getting a bonus payment of $50,000 each for their performance in that match. I’ve always been an advocate for women’s wrestling but to be honest I don’t think we need a specific women’s division per sé. I want an active and competitive roster and to be honest, I’d put any of our women in the ring with the men and they would more than hold their own. But all in all, I am delighted with the performances of all the women involved in that match, it was as good as pure wrestling as you’re likely to see and, given the issues both teams have had with each other, I’m delighted things were settled in the ring.
(Reporter 7): Butch, there’s been a lot of negative talk around the attitude of Erica Martinez and her conduct towards the von Richtovens. If she was a man, she’d be getting charged with sexual misconduct, so why is she getting away with what she has been doing? Do you think Hans and Vanessa will resign?
A deep sigh gushes from Butch’s nose.
(Butch): Hans and Vanessa are two of my oldest friends, if they decide that they do not want to be here anymore for the sake of their own mental well-being, to be honest, I couldn’t blame them. Maniac and Erica seem to have this strange obsession with both of them and seem hellbent on being their lives miserable. I can also assure you, Erica is not getting away with anything. She has been fined several times and has been cited several times already by our legal and Human Resources departments. If the infractions continue to incur, we will be looking at our options in terms of possible suspension or contract termination. For now though, Erica Martinez remains an active competitor on the HWA roster as does Hans and Vanessa will still continue to provide her invaluable insights alongside Jason in the commentary booth….however…I do have an announcement to make regarding a change in that department. In an effort to make Vanessa feel safer and more comfortable doing her job, a third member of the HWA commentary team will make his debut alongside both Vanessa and Jason starting in two weeks when HWA makes its return to Salt Lake… our very own Sensei Matthew Kiriyama, Red Dragon will bring his own unique insights to commentary whilst also providing Vanessa with some much-needed reassurance around her safety and well-being.
The floor erupts with a cacophony of voices all mashed together in response to the announcement.
(Reporter 7): Do you really think putting Red Dragon beside her will stop Erica and Maniac from tormenting the von Richtovens?
(Butch): I would trust Matthew Kiriyama with my life. Will Erica and Maniac still likely try and antagonize them? Maybe, but I’m confident having Sensei Kiriyama will give Vanessa the peace of mind she needs to be able to do her job and not worry about what’s happening elsewhere.
(Reporter 8): Butch, the triple threat match between Stu-E Price, Legion and William Draconis is also getting lots of praise for how hard-hitting it was and a call-back to the glory days when it was just big guys beating up each other up. Would you agree with that and you also don’t seem to be too happy with Stu-E’s seemingly lazy attitude towards the match itself, do you plan to address this? He’s already posted a promo poking fun at you.
Butch merely rolls his eyes and smiles sardonically.
(Butch): Stu-E is what I like to call a WUM - a wind-up merchant. I know he’s said he did what he did to make sure it wasn’t a handicap match and to get Legion and Draconis to fight it out. Personally, I still think it was disrespectful. There’s a number of ways he could have played that out and drinking in a pub with David Beckham acting like Billy Big Baws, in my opinion, was not the way to do it. I spoke to him about it after the show and he knows my stance on it. If he still has a problem, he has my number and knows where my office is.
(Reporter 8): Before the PPV, Price made comments about not attending the HWA Academy, likening it to a conveyer belt of churning out wrestlers of the same mold over and over. Do you take that personally?
Again, Butch rolls his eyes and sighs.
(Butch): Look, if I took every backhanded comment someone on the roster or a member of the media or Joe Bloggs on the street said, my mental health would be in the toilet. Stu-E can say whatever the f*ck he wants but he’s either terribly misguided or ignorant if he thinks our Academy is a glorified production line. Look at our current crop of talent that we’ve had on the roster since January. Our three top guys, Matt Miller, Sean Parker, Jeremy Branson, I’ve already sung their praises to high heaven but look at them as individuals. You couldn’t find three different personalities, wrestling styles and looks if you tried. Look at the ladies: Erica Martinez, Michelle Learner and Sarah Callahan. Three enormously talented women and, just like the lads, three polarizing styles and personalities. And then I look at those who are on the cusp of earning a spot on the main roster. You’ve got the Draconis kids, Jesse, Kratos and Rain, then guys like Connor Delute, Timothy Maxwell, Jordan Michaels, Ryan Stevenson…
If there’s one thing Wisdom, Hans, Sensei Kiriyama and I strive for with the Academy, it’s its diversity and ability to transform someone into the best version of themselves. If Stu-E doesn’t want to work out at the Academy, that’s fine, he’s under no contractual obligation too but if you ask me personally, he’s cutting his nose off to spite his face because we have the best equipment and facilities on hand, private rooms for seclusion, the works. So, do I take it personally? No, but I think he has a somewhat narrow-minded view of wrestling schools in general are all about; maybe that’s from his own experience. But for someone who’s never actually set foot through the doors of our should be a bit more respectful of what our Academy is and what it has done.
(Reporter 9): Just on the Academy, Butch. During Sean’s match with Fallen, Rain, daughter of William Draconis was seen assisting Briar Rose and Lilianna Blackthorne in rigging the cage intended for the main event. How do you plan on addressing that?
A look of frustration mixed with disappointment crosses Butch’s face.
(Butch): I’m very disappointed in Rain to say the least, not just for the fact she’s idolizing a man like Steven Angel but with her behavior earlier. She was given a special dispensation as a student of the HWA academy and family member of a current HWA superstar, to be in attendance backstage tonight, along with a very select number of other students. Not only did she betray that trust by tampering with the in-ring equipment, she endangered the lives of two HWA superstars. For that reason, Rain Draconis has been suspended indefinitely until such a time I feel she deserves to be back. Jesse and Kratos have been a credit to their family name and whilst a little rambunctious, have been model students, eager to learn, help out those with less experience so for Rain to pull something like this is very disappointing to say the least and I’m sure her father will be disappointed as well…
Butch looks out to see if there are any other questions and when there are no hands raised for around ten seconds, he climbs to his feet.
(Butch): Right, well if that’s all, if you’ll excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, I have a dinner reservation with my wife and a phone call to make to two tired children. Thank you for coming everyone, I hope you enjoyed the PPV and we’ll see you in Salt Lake.
Butch waves off a flood of more incoming questions with a polite raise of his hand as he discreetly takes his leave out the side of door of the Amway Center media room and the scene fades to black.
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