Post by Anthony Jordan on Feb 19, 2023 9:45:34 GMT -5
INT. Seattle Arena
The WUK ring is set up as the arena is transforming to host Legacy #12 in about a week. Two stools are set up in the middle of the ring. On one stool sits the WUK British TV Champion, KALMIN WATTS. Watts has his belt folded up and resting on his lap. He is wearing a WUK t-Shirt, some University of Oklahoma workout shorts, and some sneakers. On the other stool sites ARCHIE RUDE.
RUDE
Welcome to Excuse my Rudeness where only the bravest WUK stars show up to handle the tough questions. I’m Archie Rude, and I’m here with the WUK British TV Champion, Kalmin Watts. Kalmin, thanks for being here.
WATTS
Happy to be here.
RUDE
We’ll see if you feel this way after I’m done. (beat) First, I want you to address this idea that you are too accessible to the fans. It has been a complaint of the top, inner circle crowd. Is it a problem?
WATTS
Yeah, I’ve heard that from you and Webber. I guess I don’t make much of it. I know there are a lot of “new school” guys who think it’s lame to be in front of the people unless it’s on a TV show. I’ve wanted to interact with the people at our smaller events, but have been shot down. My manager has been big on stuff like this. He says you can’t get used to talking to people with a thirty second window twice a month. The old timers would want to talk and connect with the people. Today, wrestlers want to do moves and fight, but would almost prefer not to have a crowd. As I get more clout, I’d like to change that.
RUDE
That takes guts. I can respect that. Let me move on to the Los Angeles show. You led Team HKW to victory over Team WUK. That’s not going to make you a lot of friends around here. Are you worried about retaliation?
WATTS
I’ll be ready for whatever happens. Judging by what I saw in Los Angeles, Mr. Blood has his hands full with the Bastards. I think the last thing he wants is to pick a fight with another champion.
RUDE
Speaking of the Bastards, what do you think of their chances in the Tag Team Gauntlet?
WATTS
You got to like their chances, right? They ran over a lot of teams in Los Angeles. They’ve had the tag straps for something like nine months. They can be beaten, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t know much about the other teams, but I fought Rage and Cage in Los Angeles. Their mouths write checks their asses can’t catch. Maybe someone else steps up, but I’m betting on the Bastards.
RUDE
Before we get to your match at Legacy, what are your thoughts on the main event? You’ve been in the ring with a few of them.
WATTS
Yeah, I have. I have held my own against Goth and Crane. Had my three matches against Havok. I think Crane will try something underhanded. Havok is on a little bit of a hot streak, so I could see it coming down to him and Crane. The more cunning one probably wins.
RUDE
I understand that. (beat) Now let’s get to your first defense in WUK. You got Onyxx Breakker and Devon D’Andre after your title. There’s a lot going on here. First, two guys going after your belt could be considered retaliation. Those aren’t favorable odds. Second, Breakker and D’Andre don’t currently have the highest Q-rating. Attention matters in this business, and it’s hard to say if this match will get a lot of attention. How do you handle all of this?
WATTS
I think it’s a waste of time to worry about the “fairness” of the match. I prefer one-on-one matches, but this company loves multi-man matches. You face the challenges that lay before you. It’s an elimination match, so one of them will have to beat me to win the title. I feel ready for the match.
(pauses and thinks for a few seconds)
As for Q-ratings, that’s not important to me, either. You don’t need to be popular to be dangerous in the ring. I can’t speak for Breakker, but D’Andre has had a nice career. He’s not what he was, but he won’t go down easily. He has a lot of pride. That could be something that costs him. He’ll always be battling injuries, but he’s kept the same moves. King’s Fall could take a lot out of him even if he hits it. It puts a lot of torque on his knees and obliques, not to mention the violent impact. I understand why he wants to keep it, but it’s a bad move at this point in his career. If he goes for it, I think he’ll regret it. The same may be true of Cataclysm. I weigh 260 pounds. Could he hold me up by one arm and trust his knees, back, core, and the rest? I have my doubts.
RUDE
So you’re saying D’Andre doesn’t have it, anymore?
WATTS
He may still have it, but it’s not going to work out with that moveset. My manager has talked about having to change his moveset, if he came back. Age and injury must be mitigated. Ignoring them is dangerous. D’Andre is being stubborn about it. I can understand why, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
(thinks for a second)
Let me go back to the whole Q-rating thing.
RUDE
Sure.
WATTS
The more I think about it; the more I think I have become WUK’s gatekeeper. If any wrestler, new or old, wants to make a splash in this company, they’ll have to go through me. Take Wesley Crane. He had to make it through me before becoming World Champion. I can embrace this and enjoy the challenge.
RUDE
That’s all the time we have. Thank you, Kalmin.