HWA Message Board: A HWA.com Exclusive Interview with Roderick Sterling

The scene opens out onto one of the interview rooms set up for media and private use at the HWA Academy.

In the room, already sat is Hans ‘The Baron’ von Richtoven alongside his good friend Matthew Kiriyama, better known to all as Red Dragon.

It’s media day today ahead of Havoc and to mix it up for both them and the public, they’d been paired together for this particular one.

Into the room enters Roderick Sterling having come from his own latest interview in one of the other rooms, the Academy a hive of activity today across all floors.

They shake hands, Roderick then crossing to his own chair and settling himself down across from Hans and Red Dragon, fidgeting with the top button of his shirt and fussing over the imaginary creases that have formed.

(Roderick): Good afternoon, HWA Fanverse! I’m Roderick Sterling and welcome to an exclusive HWA dot com interview with not one but two very special guests. Long time friends and stories characters in the long history of the HWA and now shaping its future, it’s my privilege to welcome both ‘The Baron’ and Red Dragon. Welcome both!

Hans dips his head in acknowledgement towards Roderick as Red Dragon graciously clasps the palms of his hands together at those words.

(Hans): Hallo Roderick, glad to be here.

(Red Dragon): Kon’nichiwa, Roderick-san. You honor me by asking me to be here today.

(Roderick): Well this is going to be an exclusive interview for HWA dot com, and for those watching, you might remember that last week we went out and asked for your questions. We’ve been through them all, many thanks for all of you that put one in. We’ve got a selection of questions included here which we’ll ask in the latter segment of this interview, so be sure to keep an eye out for that!

He pats a small selection of cards that have been left on the glass table next to his chair.

(Roderick): Let’s start with a broad question for now though and take it from there.

Nodding acceptance from both of the interviewees has him continuing in good order.

(Roderick): How do you motivate yourself? What are you looking to accomplish? Red Dragon, coming to you first.

Red Dragon sat back in his seat. He looks around the room, gesturing with two outstretched hands, palms facing up.

(Red Dragon): This place right here is enough motivation for me, Roderick-san. Fortunately, for the most part, I have managed to avoid the chaos and tribulations that come with American professional wrestling. This place, to me, is sacred. Those doors at the front is where the drama gets left behind. Any time a student comes through those doors, no matter how experienced; that is my motivation. When I am ready to go to the Pure Land, I want to know that I did right by those who came to know me. That is what I hope to accomplish.

(Roderick): There’s many on the roster that would attest to you doing just that Red Dragon. Not all of course.

A knowing glance is shared between all three of the men.

(Roderick): Hans, what about you?

(Hans): I’m not as… as selfless…

He reaches out with one hand, patting Red Dragon on the shoulder.

(Hans): … as mein freund here. What motivates me?

A gentle shrug lifts his shoulders up and then down.

(Hans): Ringmaster? Always Ringmaster… besides that, I want to leave behind a legacy outside of das ring, jah? In time, I’ll transition to doing more outside but while I can compete und win, I have to do this. Have to. Und dann gibt es noch… there is the ‘vision’ that I came back for. Jah, that’s my motivation.

(Red Dragon): And with the event coming up soon, I’m very excited about the prospect of facing Butch-san. The two of us, for having traveled and worked together, have never competed against each other outside the closed doors of the Academy. So, in the short-term, I am very much excited about that as a motivator.

(Roderick): Of course, you’re referring to HWA’s next PPV, ‘Road to Ruin’. The card has been announced, it’s the long awaited match up between yourself and Butch Parker. The other matches are Shark vs. Professor Hoff…

Interrupting, Hans leans in, an intensity to both his look and his tone that leaves no one unsure that there’s still anger there towards Hoff for his recent actions.

(Hans): I hope Shark destroys him like what I did.

(Roderick): … yes, totally understandable there Hans, what the Professor did and tried to do was unspeakable…

A small cough to settle himself before carrying on.

(Roderick): Then there’s Jeremy Branson vs. Lunatik… thoughts?

(Red Dragon): I fully expect that Jeremy-San will rebound after his loss to Rob Sharpe.

Hans is nodding along to his friends words, chiming in once he’s sure no further words are coming.

(Hans): Both Matthew und I know what Jeremy can do. Lunatik’s poking das bear one to many times, jah? Und then he comes out with what he did? ‘Lost his respect’? I’m sure Jeremy won’t lose sleep over that, but it’s the gall to think he has a leg to stand on und claim to be ‘dissapointed’.

A slow shake of the head as he carries on.

(Hans): Herr Chaos und Lunatik, a good pairing, jah? Both as inept as the other at failing to understand their actions have consequences, und for grasping at any perceived slight to justify themselves. Jeremy’s the bigger man Lunatik, despite your childish antics with Matt’s entrance theme, he didn’t rise to it.

A small snort of disgust comes from the back of his throat as he reclines back into his chair.

All the while, Red Dragon nods along, fingers steepled together, contemplative.

(Roderick): Well following that, we have HWA’s first ever ‘Zoo’ match… gentlemen?

Hans and Red Dragon share a look between them, before the latter answers for them both.

(Red Dragon): I think Roderick-san, that we’d prefer to discuss wrestling matches.

A very pregnant pause occurs now, as both men stare at their interviewer.

Shuffling the cue cards, Roderick takes the hint.

(Roderick): Well the following match would be Erica Martinez vs. Maniac… who of course sensationally declined the chance to be part of the headline match at ‘Road to Ruin’ to challenge Erica Martinez after what she did to Mandy Banks. Thoughts?

(Red Dragon): It disheartens me greatly to see her continue to tread this path she walks…

Shoulders slumping, Red Dragon exhales through his nostrils, searching for the right words.

(Red Dragon): I fear that there will be no winners in this bout.

(Hans): Jah, to mein freund’s last point.

(Roderick): Maniac has sworn to end what he calls DreamMaster’s hold over Erica once and for all.

(Hans): Herr Chaos says a lot of things Roderick. Perhaps I’ll go ringside, see if his actions back them up for once?

A small smile tugs at one corner of his mouth as he says this.

(Roderick): Won’t you be preparing for your title fight? Yourself, Sean Parker and of course, the reigning champion in his first title defence; Stu-E Price.

(Hans): Only so much preparation you can do Roderick… if I’m still preparing in das minutes leading up to mein match…?

His cheeks puff out as he slowly exhales through his pursed lips.

(Hans): I’d deserve to lose.

(Roderick): Think you’re in with a genuine shot at it?

(Hans): I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t think I would be a contender. But it’s a crowded space right now jah, lots of vying for position… do you start strong und then be ganged up on against the other two? Do you play the long game but risk not capitalizing on das moment when it arrives?

He points to his friend sat next to him.

(Hans): This is something that mein freund teaches well at the Academy. It’s a lesson that I hope Sean forgets in das heat of the moment, jah? He has been prone to… well…

A nod of the head towards Roderick, the left is left unsaid.

Red Dragon sits up in his chair, preempting the next question and heading it off.

(Red Dragon): This is something that we’ve been working on, Sean-kun and I.

(Hans): But jah, Herr Price is wily, he can wrestle… can he be a champion for the long term? Barring Tobias, he’s not fought since Ringmaster und that wasn’t for the title…

Another slow shrug of the shoulders.

(Hans): He’ll want to ensure he stays on top, so I expect a tough match.

Roderick turns to face Red Dragon, nodding at Hans’ answer.

(Roderick): What about you Red Dragon, ever tempted by the title being back in contention? A return to full time competition surely does appeal deep down?

Red Dragon smiled lightly, shaking his head with the same fervour.

(Red Dragon): Iie, Roderick-san, iie. I am not a young man anymore. I have no desires or longings to hold or chase championships. That time has passed me by. I am very happy with what I am doing. Ask Hans-san, Butch-san, Wisdom-chan, Sean-kun. I am a simple man. When Butch-san asked me to come back to America, my only request was that I would not be coerced into returning to active competition. And, as you can see, Butch-san had more success wearing this man down…

Red Dragon gestures with a pointed thumb to Hans, smiling.

(Red Dragon): … than he did me. So no, whilst I have been back in the ring recently, this is purely for cathartic and closure purposes. One thing I’ve never been in control of was ending things on my own terms. That is why I have had these matches. But after the last one, I will continue doing as I have been all these years and helping my students be the best they can be.

(Roderick): Speaking of students, are there any new Academy members ready to step up to the main roster? We have of course had a new influx of talent with Ace Sky, Rob Sharpe and others from further afield like the Starlight Kid signing contracts, but what about the home grown ones?

(Red Dragon): The beauty of the Academy is that we have students of all levels of experience. Some are here for fitness, some have aspirations to be on the main roster, some just enjoy the camaraderie. There are one or two at the moment I have my eyes on and both Butch and Wisdom-san are aware. I’m sure you’ll see soon enough when the time is right.

(Roderick): Excellent, I’m sure there’s going to be continued excitement from the fans with how ‘Before the Bell’ has gone down and the likes of Jeremy Branson and others showing strongly of late. Next up, how have you both settled into life in LA now? A big change from living in the big apple all those years surely in your case Hans?

(Hans): Jah, a massive difference Roderick. Sehr gut to be able to be able to have the sun und go for drives…

(Red Dragon): In the traffic.

A snort of amusement comes from Hans as his friend interjects.

(Hans): Jah, in traffic. But going to the beach is nice und New York is easy to get to, we still have our apartment there.

(Roderick): Red Dragon?

Red Dragon adjusts his posture in his seat before he answers.

(Red Dragon): Well, after eight years of being in Los Angeles, I still miss my exit when I drive here every day.

Hans laughs out loud whilst a wash of embarrassment cascades over Roderick’s face.

(Roderick): Oh? I thought? Did you not come to Los Angeles when the deal with CBS was signed last January?

(Red Dragon): Iie, Roderick-san, I have been here since the Academy opened in late 2016. When everything went sideways, I was still living in Japan with Sean-kun as my ward of sorts. It wasn’t until Butch and Wisdom-san had the idea of opening up a training school that he got in touch with me to ask if I would help.

Hans aims a sympathetic look towards Roderick.

(Hans): Not that you can tell by his accent still, jah?

Another clap of his friends shoulder follows.

(Hans): Will take a lot more to shift it than eight years in this place.

Grateful for the responses being far more measured than perhaps what he was expecting, Roderick straightens up the cue cards and takes a brief moment to compose himself, a glass of water on the table being drunk from before he continues.

(Roderick): My apologies Red Dragon. Ahem...

Another shuffle of the cue cards occurs.

(Roderick): Hans, I asked this of Sean Parker earlier, but do you have anything to say on the rumors circulating backstage that, after your, and I can't stress this enough, accidental headbutt on Michelle, that he and you had a physical altercation in the locker room area? Sean confirmed that they were true afterall. Would you want to share anything?

Curiosity reigns on Hans' face at these words.

(Hans): Und what did Sean say exactly?

(Roderick): That there was a... he called it a scuffle... but that you'd cleared the air, nothing else happened. All a misunderstanding, both with what happened to Michelle and what happened in the locker room.

Making a confirmatory noise at the back of his throat, Hans leans back into his seat, folding his arms across his chest.

(Hans): Jah, that's about all that happened Roderick. Nothing more to say on it. Tempers run hot in our industry, despite our best efforts...

The last line is said as Hans throws a look at Red Dragon, who merely nods sanguinely at this.

(Roderick): How do you feel about your students and friends coming to blows like this Red Dragon?

He didn’t respond for a moment, his eyes flitting methodically as if he was pondering the answer in his head.

(Red Dragon): Testosterone, it’s a strange, hai? Emotions run in this company at the best of times. You’ve seen the way Sean-kun cares for Michelle-chan, hai? And with everything Hans-san has been through Ms. Martinez and Isha Proff. These things happen. Sean-kun toHans-san karera wa ōotoko. They are big boys.

(Hans): Jah, to react to every perceived slight would be… would be exhausting. Benefit of distance now from the event, jah? Can see from both sides… maturity Roderick. It’s nothing more. As for the others…?

A dismissive noise escapes him, signaling both his dislike of them and of his desire to change the topic.

(Roderick): Well if you did harbour any ill-will towards one another, given you’re facing one another in the main event at ‘Road to Ruin’ would be the perfect change to air those grievances, right?

(Hans): Jah, they would…

His tongue pushes against the back of his front teeth, holding back any further desire to move on and remain professional.

(Hans): But if there was, doing so with another wrestler involved und a title on the line wouldn’t be the best idea.

(Roderick): Quite. Well last one for now gentlemen, our final PPV of the year has been announced as ‘Fatality’. I know we’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but Red Dragon, will this be the site of your final in-ring match versus Sean Parker?

Red Dragon offers a coy smile with a similarly-gestured shoulder shrug.

(Red Dragon): That is a question for Butch-san, I’m afraid. There are a lot of moving pieces in the company right now. At the moment, I’m focused on my match with Butch-san as Sean-kun is with his. But rest assured, the match will happen.

(Roderick): Well I for one am excited to find out as I’m sure many others are at home.

The camera focuses on Roderick.

(Roderick): But for now folks, that’s all we’ve got time for. This has been an exclusive interview for HWA dot com, you can check out many others just like this that we’ve had over the last few months. Be sure to check back in later on for our special ‘ask me anything’ segment with Hans von Richtoven. Thanks again!

The camera angle pans back to cover all three man, as they lean in to shake hands as the scene slowly fades out to black.