*Storm Harrison comes out to the stage as Tony Raine and the Tornadoes play entrance music for him. He smiles and points to the band nodding his head in approval. He stands by his desk and nods to the crowd who boo him heavily. He smiles and then takes a seat behind his desk.*
Storm Harrison: As always, good to see you Mr. Tony Raine. How are you today?
Tony Raine: I am doing just fine, thank you. Pretty crazy stuff going on around the ol' NRWL, wouldn't you say?
SH: I know it! It's really quite exciting. You know, I've been around since the beginning of last season and I have to say, things have really evolved between then and now. Have you noticed how brutal it is getting out there in the ring?
TR: Really. It's a warzone out there!
SH: Yeah, you know, speaking of wars, we had Tiger Johnson on the show last time. He was preparing for his match against Ash for the NRWL Championship. Tiger Johnson has been through his share of battles but he didn't make it through this last one. Fans, Tiger Johnson was put down for the count, possibly forever. Ash put ol' TJ out of commission. The latest I heard is that he's not coming back to the ring. Not not, not ever.
TR: Well, you never know, Storm. He could make a comeback!
*Both men stare at each other for a moment and burst out laughing.*
SH: Ah, that was a good one. That was good! Well, enough about last week's guest. This week's guest is a real crippler. He's ruined Tiger Johnson's hopes, dreams, maybe his whole life! Give a round of applause for the current NRWL Champion, ASH!
*Ash comes out from behind the curtain to thunderous applause. he walks over to the Storm Watch set and stands in front of the desk and holds the title overhead triumphantly. The crowd cheers again enthusiastically. Ash takes a seat.*
SH: Ash, good to see you and welcome to Storm Watch.
Ash: Thank you Storm. Hold on one second....
*Ash stands up again and raises his fists in the air, riling up the crowd. Ash sits back down*
SH: I bet it is. Being on Storm Watch is a true accomplishment. You might say that you've finally arrived in the business! You have been the NRWL champion since the start of Season Five, beating that thug Johnny Young. Since becoming champion, you've been quite impressive. You are the first champion since Season Three to successfully defend the title! You just successfully defended the title against Tiger Johnson. How confident were you that you would win and break the championship curse?
Ash: Well, Storm, I was fairly confident that I would retain the title, but I knew it wasn't a sure bet. Tiger Johnson is a fierce competitor. I knew I had to bring my A-game and knew I had to execute my game plan flawlessly. If I didn't, Tiger would've definitely capitalized, and he'd be the one on your show right now, telling you about how he won the title.
SH: Thankfully that didn't happen. I had him on my show last time and he was a real bore. He was so confident. He was so sure he would win! But I knew better. I was certain that you would be sitting here right now.... but I didn't expect you to do it so brutally. Ash, the NRWL fans and the wrestling world at large want to know. Just how GOOD did it feel to not only win your match, but do it so definitively! You didn't just win the match, you crippled that old geezer right in the middle of the ring!
Ash: Well, geeze, Storm, that's kinda a harsh way to put it. I didn't intend on injuring him so severely. I really hope he has a full and speedy recovery. Winning felt good. Putting Tiger on the PUP list...not so much.
SH: Not so severely but there's no doubt you meant to do him in. You need only look at your actions. You dropped him in your finisher twice in a row. It was great, really it was. This is a rough business and you showed the world that you are a champion who is here to leave his mark and his legacy. You're off to a fantastic start.
Ash: Well, Storm. It IS a rough business and everyone on the roster knows that when you step in the ring, it's a risk. I did put Tiger in my finisher twice in a row. But I felt I had to in order to best him. Of course, when I saw the medical staff tending to him afterwards, I felt sick to my stomach. Tiger is a stand up guy and a fighter. He should be actively wrestling because he adds so much the NRWL talent pool, and not on IR.
SH: You'll be pleased to hear that Tiger is home from the hospital. Doctors say he's going to make a recovery. He can soon resume a normal life but he won't be adding much to the NRWL anymore. As for you, you'll be moving on to your next opponent. It could be anyone. Tiger Johnson was so loved that I can't imagine you have any friends left backstage.
Ash: You might need to ask for your money back from your sources, Storm, because I still have plenty of friends backstage and out in the crowd here. But, I also understand that as NRWL champion, every man on the roster has me in their crosshairs. But if anyone has a problem with me, they can say it to my face or take it up with me in the ring.
*Storm looks down at his desk and shakes his head.*
SH: I have to admit, Ash. I really expected more from you in this interview. You make a name for yourself as champion and you aren't even proud of it. I'm not sure why the fans find you interesting at all. I really need to get better guests on this show.
Ash: You expect more from me?? I'm the NRWL champion! I am proud of my accomplishment. And really, you're the last person to critique someone on how interesting they are. Didn't you get fire last season or something for being forgettable?
SH: I'll have you know I was badly injured by Johnny Young! You and Johnny aren't so different, you know. The only difference between you two is that Johnny knows that the NRWL is getting meaner, darker, and the days of heroes are over. The fans will turn on you and move on. Mark my words. You're a leftover from a time we're leaving behind!
Ash: Johnny and I are aren't so different, you're right - we're championship material. And Tiger Johnson is going to come back from his injury and compete again and in all likelihood challenge for the NRWL Championship belt again. What I don't think Tiger is going to do when he comes back is create a lame "talk show" where he tries to make build himself up in his mind to make up for a lackluster run as a wrestler in the NRWL.
SH: Lame? Tiger can only hope to have such a classy show like this. If you don't want to be here, you can leave. We can have a good time without you. I only had you on as a guest because the NRWL made me.
Ash: And I'm only on here because I owed my agent a favor. But if you won't want me out here, I'll happily leave. You can have your "classy show" if it makes you feel good. Somehow, I will have to cope with only being *stands up and yells to crowd* NRWL CHAMPION!!! YEAH!!!!
*Ash holds the belt overhead and pumps his fist the air. He turns and faces Storm, and dangles the belt in front of Storm's face for a few seconds and walks off the set.*
SH: Yeah, get lost, and... and take your flannel shirt with you!
*Storm frowns and looks to the camera for a moment before recomposing himself.*
SH: Thanks for watching. Next time, I'm going to see to it that I get to pick my own guest. What a terrible choice. Doesn't look like a champion at all. I'd easily mistake him for an audience member. What a .. *The scene fades out while Storm is still grumbling.*
