Post by mosler on Apr 24, 2023 11:09:00 GMT -5
Time-lapse footage showing the lifecycle of a fly plays across the screen...
Sabrina Sinstone: So this is it, Rad?
Radu Matei: Seems to be, Sabrina. You don’t trust me?
Sabrina Sinstone: You just struck me as the type that would...
Radu Matei: Die in the ring? The best laid plans. Trust me, I would be continuing down that path if their was some sport in it, but as an absolute certainty? Not my style. So no, I have to hang things up.
Sabrina Sinstone: I still expected a little more build up.
Radu Matei: The nature of forced retirements. We can’t always pick our time. Many thought I was dead after winning the world strap, so for my body to keep going this long? Hell of a surprise. The rags called New Years Nightmare my swan song. They were probably right, so being able to drag it out an extra seven months till Memorial? I might be running on fumes, but getting one last chance to pay tribute to my friend Tim Jackson, and the rest of the boys that made this company great? I can’t think of a better place to make a curtain call.
Sabrina Sinstone: What made you decide on Suzi Spitz as a final opponent?
Radu Matei: Suzi Spitz is my second favourite SWAT world champion. I think the world of Suzi. Put my faith in her. She hasn’t had the easiest transitions since dropping the strap, trying to find her footing and bounce back. I have one match left in me? Lets use it to showcase what a great talent Suzi is, and remind SWAT that even though one of their champs is calling it quits, there are many others around here to give them the best damned action on the XHF Network.
Sabrina Sinstone: So this isn’t just about getting your win back, Rad?
Radu Matei: Ouch. You wound me, Sab. I don’t really care about the loss. Only singles loss? That’s a feather in Suzi’s cap. If she can use it, more power to her. I have more than my share of victories. I was due.
Sabrina Sinstone: Isn’t that the regret, though?
Radu Matei: Shooting straight. My regret isn’t the loss, but I’d be lying if I said I was happy about what went down afterwards. I was in a match with Joanne Canelli, Timeless and Suzi. Could I have retained? Maybe – but I wouldn’t have made it another battleground, and one of the KGB most likely would have taken it off me. I trusted Suzi to carry on the task of making the world title shine. Of fighting the good fight. Of making SWAT great. Respect. Trusting someone to look out for the fans so I could retire on my terms. What did I get? Apparently she immediately went to management about selling an injury for another federation. Vacating it, or delaying defenses? Who knows – but the putting our fans behind one of the dozen other federations she was in. That felt like a slap in the face.
Sabrina Sinstone: So there is bad blood between you.
Radu Matei: I have nothing but good intentions for Suzi Spitz. The nature of her title win over me was complicated, and the situation after that was equally complicated. I was disappointed, but I understand where she’s coming from. I tried to do right by her. Now I o it again, by calling her out for my last match. I have no doubt that she will rise to the occasion and give me the fight of my life, so I can go out on a high point. ...because if she tanks it, well, I would take that VERY personally.
Sabrina Sinstone: We’re going to miss you, Rad.
Radu Matei: Thanks Sab. Honestly, if this event teaches us anything, it’s that none of us ever really go. We’re still here in spirit.
Having expired, the fly quickly decomposes, the footage running out just as we fade to black.
Sabrina Sinstone: So this is it, Rad?
Radu Matei: Seems to be, Sabrina. You don’t trust me?
Sabrina Sinstone: You just struck me as the type that would...
Radu Matei: Die in the ring? The best laid plans. Trust me, I would be continuing down that path if their was some sport in it, but as an absolute certainty? Not my style. So no, I have to hang things up.
Sabrina Sinstone: I still expected a little more build up.
Radu Matei: The nature of forced retirements. We can’t always pick our time. Many thought I was dead after winning the world strap, so for my body to keep going this long? Hell of a surprise. The rags called New Years Nightmare my swan song. They were probably right, so being able to drag it out an extra seven months till Memorial? I might be running on fumes, but getting one last chance to pay tribute to my friend Tim Jackson, and the rest of the boys that made this company great? I can’t think of a better place to make a curtain call.
Sabrina Sinstone: What made you decide on Suzi Spitz as a final opponent?
Radu Matei: Suzi Spitz is my second favourite SWAT world champion. I think the world of Suzi. Put my faith in her. She hasn’t had the easiest transitions since dropping the strap, trying to find her footing and bounce back. I have one match left in me? Lets use it to showcase what a great talent Suzi is, and remind SWAT that even though one of their champs is calling it quits, there are many others around here to give them the best damned action on the XHF Network.
Sabrina Sinstone: So this isn’t just about getting your win back, Rad?
Radu Matei: Ouch. You wound me, Sab. I don’t really care about the loss. Only singles loss? That’s a feather in Suzi’s cap. If she can use it, more power to her. I have more than my share of victories. I was due.
Sabrina Sinstone: Isn’t that the regret, though?
Radu Matei: Shooting straight. My regret isn’t the loss, but I’d be lying if I said I was happy about what went down afterwards. I was in a match with Joanne Canelli, Timeless and Suzi. Could I have retained? Maybe – but I wouldn’t have made it another battleground, and one of the KGB most likely would have taken it off me. I trusted Suzi to carry on the task of making the world title shine. Of fighting the good fight. Of making SWAT great. Respect. Trusting someone to look out for the fans so I could retire on my terms. What did I get? Apparently she immediately went to management about selling an injury for another federation. Vacating it, or delaying defenses? Who knows – but the putting our fans behind one of the dozen other federations she was in. That felt like a slap in the face.
Sabrina Sinstone: So there is bad blood between you.
Radu Matei: I have nothing but good intentions for Suzi Spitz. The nature of her title win over me was complicated, and the situation after that was equally complicated. I was disappointed, but I understand where she’s coming from. I tried to do right by her. Now I o it again, by calling her out for my last match. I have no doubt that she will rise to the occasion and give me the fight of my life, so I can go out on a high point. ...because if she tanks it, well, I would take that VERY personally.
Sabrina Sinstone: We’re going to miss you, Rad.
Radu Matei: Thanks Sab. Honestly, if this event teaches us anything, it’s that none of us ever really go. We’re still here in spirit.
Having expired, the fly quickly decomposes, the footage running out just as we fade to black.