In the room, already sat is Hans ‘The Baron’ von Richtoven.
It’s media day for him today, he’s already faced several interviewers for print and digital, up next is for the HWA website.
Into the room enters Roderick Sterling, still finding his way around the place. Butch had given him the task of interviewing the roster ahead of the upcoming Havoc, this is his first time with Hans.
They shake hands, Roderick then crossing to his own chair and settling himself down across from Hans, fidgeting with the top button of his shirt and fussing over the imaginary creases that have formed.
(Roderick): Didn’t keep you long, did I?
(Hans): Nein, not at all.
He holds up a cup of coffee from the cafeteria.
(Hans): Gave me time to have some of this.
(Roderick): Ah good, good. Busy day?
(Hans): Jah, ich habe ESPN, Pro Wrestling Illustrated… I think I have Meltzer next, perhaps the one after that…
An exhalation of air followed by a short laugh.
(Hans): I’m busy, no way about it.
(Roderick): Well if we have 10 minutes, let’s get down to it then Hans.
In response, Hans nods, taking a sip of his coffee before placing it on the side table as Roderick begins his question.
(Roderick): So, first things first Hans for the question and for HWA, you’re facing Erica Martinez at Havoc, tell us about that.
(Hans): Jah, first time in HWA that a man unt a woman have faced off in a match eins zu eins. This is something that wouldn’t have happened either of the two previous times I’ve been in HWA… this is, das ist progress.
(Roderick): So to any doubters, you’d say it’s a positive thing?
(Hans): Jah, of course!
He shuffles in his seat, getting comfy, gesturing towards Roderick with one hand.
(Hans): Take last Havoc, Michelle won a 6 woman battle royale. One of the highlights of the night. This Havoc, wir haben Luna Rain unt Sarah Callahan facing off. There’s been tag-matches in recent shows…
A shrug.
(Hans): If you’re being honest, was übrig bleibt… What's left?
(Roderick): They have put on some superb matches since HWA returned to the airwaves.
(Hans): Jah, sie haben.
Another gesture towards Roderick.
(Hans): Unt das point you make about returning to the airwaves, if you look at it purely from eyeballs on screens, this opens up everything. Our female roster ist competitive, our male ist competitive… this opens up everything. Other federations have done it in recent months, same backlash we are hearing now… they’re thriving.
Somewhat uncomfortable in his expression, Roderick taps his pen against his pad, hesitant to ask until professionalism takes over.
(Roderick): That point you make over what’s left, I mean, you’ve had two losses on the trot… some are saying that this is a way to get on the right foot, what do you say to that?
Hans inhales sharply through his nostrils, having expected this question, but still, not masking well the insinuations behind it.
(Hans): Zwei losses, jah, not ideal.
Another shuffle in the seat as he concedes the point, albeit his face still not changing as he begins to lean forward.
(Hans): To that, I point to Frau Martinez deciding to make her presence felt in both of those two matches. Das match against Price, jah, I got thrown by her being there, plus… well, you know what was aired following… so I adjusted for the match against Herr Chaos. They escalated, she physically interfered this time unt he, again, had to resort to hidden weapons… so jah, das ist how he finally took the win.
He holds up a hand to stop any attempt at speaking from Roderick.
(Hans): I am answering your question Roderick.
A small pause as Roderick accepts this.
(Hans): Danke. Now, I know I’m good. I’m HWA’s only quintuple champion for a reason, jah? Ich kann ringen. Zwei losses, jah, they sting. These two, they sting because of how unt why I’ve lost them. I don’t need to get the win over Erica to…
Air quotations are made with his fingers.
(Hans): ‘Get back on the right foot’. Nein, put me in the ring against anyone on this roster and I’d have the ability to beat them. That was the case before these two losses, this is the case now. Price was concerned when our match was announced as he felt he was ‘being fed’ to me… so…
A small shrug of the shoulders, point made.
(Hans): Nein, I want this match against Erica to put a stop to her.
(Roderick): So you’re sayin…
(Hans): It’s not about losses unt wins here Roderick, not in the way you mean. This is me sending a message.
(Roderick): So what do you mean?
(Hans): For months now, I’ve had to dance to her tune. It’s taken time, far too long if I’m honest, but things are changing. Her word is dirt. Her lies are clear to many. Her mind is as warped as ever, but she got a taste of what exactly she is letting herself in for when I trapped her ankle at Havoc…
She spent months in her domain, she made the rules and changed them as she saw fit. Reality bit, jah? The evidence? Non existent. The trouble with the law? Entirely her own doing. The lies she told her own mother crumbling around her? Jah, I had a hand in that, if only to speed it up. But, she will be in my domain now. We have a restraining order pending to stop her setting foot near my home and anywhere near my wife. She gets me, but on my terms, in my ring. This is between me unt her. She doesn’t get to decide when it does or doesn’t. Eyes on me Erica, for if not, it won’t take long for your face to be planted on that mat and your ankle back in my grip. Unt this time… well, you know how painful it was then, think how will it feel if I target the same ankle again?
Almost forgetting Roderick’s there, having faced the camera, Hans settles back into his chair, settling his hands in his lap and offering a conciliatory nod towards his interviewer.
(Hans): Verzeihung Roderick. I guess what I’m saying is, she finally gets me, but it’s on my terms unt in my domain. She’s not ready for that just like she wasn’t ready for her reality to come crashing down at Helloween Harvest.
(Roderick): Before we wrap up, are you concerned by what Maniac might do?
(Hans): Always the afterthought ist Herr Chaos…
He smiles at this.
(Roderick): Well, I mean…
Somewhat flustered, he shuffles his notes before starting again. Hans in response holding his palms up, not wanting to add any more fire.
(Roderick): What I’m saying is, both he and Erica have been close this past few months, even more so when she interfered in your match with him at Havoc. Do you expect more of the same?
(Hans): Of course I do, it’s the only way that they know how to win. It’s like our much missed friend Eddie Guerrero used to do, ‘lie, cheat and steal’... only he had redeeming qualities unt it was an act…
(Roderick): So you’ll be expecting interference?
(Hans): Jah. I expect him to make another grab for attention like always. He’ll be there… hah…
Another small chuckle, Hans having just realized something.
(Hans): He’ll be there, doing what he accuses me of. ‘Hiding behind my wife’s skirt’ am I Herr Chaos? Look at you, hiding behind Erica’s at Havoc just there. Herr Hypocrisy striking again. Can’t fight me without using a hidden weapon. Can’t fight me eins zu eins. Can’t help yourself but do what you accuse others of doing. Can’t help yourself trying to steal the limelight of others.
(Roderick): One final thing to say Hans, to either of them?
(Hans): You be able to steal this win Herr Chaos, unt Erica, you’ll be leaving Havoc with a clear message from me to you…
(Roderick): Hans von Richtoven, thank you.
(Hans): Danke Roderick.
The two lean across, shaking hands, as Roderick then gets to his feet and exiting the room as the scene fades to black.
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