PWA Press Conference 16/10/18 - Meet the talent

[Steele]

BOTTLE YARD STUDIOS, BRISTOL
OCTOBER 16, 2018

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A small handful of reporters are gathered in front of a simple wooden table, which is draped with a plain white sheet. Behind the table, a large board printed with logos for both the XHF Network and Pro Wrestling Alpha ensure that nobody is in any doubt about why they are here.

Behind the table sits Eddie Mason, owner and commissioner of PWA. To his left sit Eric Chronister and "Mr America" Keith Eastwood. To his right sit colour commentator Dave Sharp, Kenneth Casper, and Johnny "Anguish" Redd.


Eddie Mason: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight - it's good to see such a positive turn out. Now, you're all aware why we are here - my new venture, Pro Wrestling Alpha, has recently signed up with the prestigious XHF Network and I must say that I for one am proud to be able to say that I am now under the umbrella of that organisation.


Clicks and whirrs of cameras are heard in the background.


Eddie Mason: I'm going to cut to the chase and confirm the rumours, PWA will be holding its first show on Wednesday, November 7th and I think a fitting way to start off this new era is by picking up where I left off, in the old home of Empire Wrestling, the Old Odeon in Gloucester.

Reporter: Mr. Mason, how do you propose to put on a show with only four wrestlers currently signed to your roster?


Eddie chuckles.


Eddie Mason: I knew somebody would ask that. Rest assured, that I am currently in the process of recruiting more wrestlers to PWA. I know of one or two more signings that are in the pipeline, and to be totally honest with you if these four men are my only full-time wrestlers come November 7th, then I'll recruit some journeymen for them to face so that we can put on four matches.

That, or I'll put Dave in the ring...

Dave Sharp: Oi! Wait a minute!


Anguish turns and gives Dave an evil grin.


Reporter: Another question, Eddie. You've re-hired many of the staff from Empire Wrestling, but one name who apparently didn't make the cut is Gus Behringer. How did Dave Sharp manage to secure a job, but not Gus?


Dave takes his watchful eye off of Anguish for a moment, to cast the reporter a dismissive and incredulous look.


Eddie Mason: I have faith in Dave's abilities behind the desk. He's a veteran of the sport, and whether you like him or not you can't deny that the man knows pro wrestling. Gus Behringer's loss is regrettable but unfortunately he had an offer from a German promotion that was too good for him to turn down. In his place, I've hired Pat Collins - a man who has extensive experience on the Eastern Seaboard of the US, he's incredibly excited to see what the British wrestling scene has to offer, and I'm sure he will serve us very well in the future.

Now, you've heard all the new information that I myself have for you, I'd like to give you a chance to interview the wrestlers, and to give them a chance to outline their plans for PWA.

[The Convicted]

Reporter

Chronister, Chronister I have a few questions for you, If I may.



He sits there looking out at the reporters as he hears the reporter yelling at him he shakes his head in agreement to answer his questions or whatever he wants from him.



Reporter

First Chronister, you just debuted at End of Days making it to the second round which is an impressive foot for a rookie especially defeating a member of the Icons in the opening round. How do you feel about that?



Eric Chronister

Good question, I haven't given it much thought as my opponent in the first round was just that my opponent and a means to one another payday, two another day of freedom and three the second round.



Everyone starts talking as they hear Chronics answer.



Reporter

Okay, okay so tell me this what happened with your contract with Suzuki Blitz Wrestling? Why are you hear in Pro Wrestling Alpha?



Eric Chronister

Oh that's simple SBW let me go as they are closing down but they did give me a great severance package as for why I am here in PWA that's easy they reached out to me right before my match with Bobby Barratt at End of Days and offered me a sweet deal to come work with them and it's guaranteed work, you would say an offer I could not refuse.



Eric Chronister

Besides PWA is where I belong they don't discriminate against anyone and it's a way to keep my freedom.



Reporter

That's great but the whole world has been wondering since day one what did you do to go to prison?



He looks out at the reporter then over at the other employees of PWA as he stands up and walks out of the room...

[Steele]

There are murmurings as Chronister leaves the room. Eddie bites his lip as Dave Sharp can be seen laughing.


Reporter: Eddie, do you think this could be a bad omen for PWA? Eric Chronister represents one quarter of your entire roster at this point, and he just walked out at the slightest provocation.

Dave Sharp: I told Eddie not to sign that jailbird!


Eddie shoots a glance towards one of the backroom staff waiting in the wings, and they go after Chronister to try and get him back.


Eddie Mason: Eric is trying to put the past behind him right now. Like he said himself, I brought him here because I believe in giving people a chance to redeem themselves. I think Eric has great potential, and I'd politely ask that you just focus on asking him about his wrestling career when he comes back - if he comes back...

Dave Sharp: He'll fit in right at home in Gloucester, they love some Chronic there. Ha ha...

[The Convicted]

He walks back into the room as he sits back down he looks over at Eddie and Dave before speaking.



Eric Chronister

I wanted to explain a bit on why I walked out, see my past is just that my past. I joined PWA to get a fresh start to learn from some of the best in the wrestling business. After competing at the End of Days tournament and facing the likes of Bobby Barratt. I knew I have what it takes to be a major name in this business just need the right company.



Reporter

I'm sure we all can understand that, so Chronister what are your plans here in Pro Wrestling Alpha?



Eric Chronister

Cool, I'm glad you asked that because it's simple to become the face of this company, to become the number one man in the business by next year and then represent PWA at the End of Days tournament and win the whole Damn thing.



The reporters and the other employees all begin to buzz at that comment as the reporters all begin raising their hands to ask more questions.

[The King]

All of a sudden Johnny "Anguish" Redd speaks up - his voice is mean and deep, gruff with a Manchester accent; not too on the nose to notice, but still present.

Anguish: Who do you think you are?

He shakes his head as the reporters succumb to silence - the clicks and whirrs getting louder and louder. Anguish shakes his head, looking over at Chronister and almost sneering his nose in disgust.

Anguish: Walking out of a press conference because a reporter, who was doing their job, asked you a question? Sorry mate but if you want to survive in this profession then you've got to learn how a Q and A works. You play this big game as an ex-con and yet go and pull a stunt like that? Who do you think you are? Worse still, you came back no less than a minute later to EXPLAIN why you walked out - it was painfully obvious from the get-go mate, you're a sensitive little c*nt.

A big gasp is heard, Eddie places his head within his hands and Dave's jaw drops - he can't say that during a press conference. The clicks and whirrs get even louder as mumbling from reporters and journalists alike start to flood the scene. Eddie is about to cut him off before Big Redd pipes up again.

Anguish: No I'm not done; Chronister you're a phony jackass who doesn't deserve to be here. Claiming that by this time next year you'll be the face of the company? Mate, I've been the face of the UK scene for almost 18 years - I just haven't had the stage to showcase my talent. You won't be a major name in a company. You won't be competing in the next End of Days.

You'll be in cell block A by the time the new year arrives - people like you always are; once a jailbird, always a jailbird. I don't see why the company has any faith in you - you're an ex-con import who's probably been piped up the ass more times than you've won. 

An even louder gasp is heard as Anguish relaxes back into his chair and picks up his water bottle, guzzling it down as the cameras flash almost blinds him. He thinks of something and immediately picks the microphone back up.

Anguish: We may aswell change the companies initials to HIV.

The uproar from the crowd is almost deafening.

[Steele]

As the reporters clamour to get down the details of Anguish's shocking outburst, Dave Sharp nudges Eddie and can just about be heard over the throng.


Dave Sharp: Did you hear that? HIV! Ha! I like this guy, Eddie! Speaks his mind.

[The Convicted]

He looks over at Anguish with a look of uninterest.


Eric Chronister
So lets me get this right you been in the business for over eighteen years yet haven't achieved anything but blame it on the fact that you haven't had the stage to showcase your talents. I may be new to this business but even I know whether it's a small-time gym to an arena full with millions of fans any place you perform is a place to showcase your talents.


He pauses at for a moment as he looks over at Anguish.


Eric Chronister
It would seem to me and everyone else, it's not the places you have competed but the fact you have no talent that's the problem. As far as me being here next year I will still be here performing for the PWA. Besides you sound like every other jack ass that judges me "he's a jailbird, once a jailbird, always a jailbird" come up with something original dude.


Eric Chronister
Now let's get on with this press conference and talk about PWA and the future of the company. And let Anguish go back to getting piped.


He leans over next to Anguish, telling him "Yeah I can see it in your face we all know your secret" before he leans back in his chair allowing the reporters and Eddie Mason to their jobs.

[Steele]

As the tension rises in the room a couple of security guards at either end of the table take a step forward as they get ready to react. Eddie stands up and gestures to both Anguish and Chronister to keep their cool and "save it for the ring."

Reporter: Eddie? Eddie, if I may - Anguish says that he will prove his ability given the right platform, and Eric Chronister promises that he'll become the "face of the company". These two men clearly need something to fight for - what about championships within PWA?

As Chronister and Anguish settle down, Eddie takes his seat again and turns back to the reporter.

Eddie Mason: That's a good question, any wrestling company worth a damn needs titles, and rest assured we will have championships. As for how many titles we will establish, that'll depend on the size of the roster, but I certainly hope to be able to have a World title, Tag Team championships, and at least one secondary singles title. As for when we crown our first champion, that's still yet to be decided - though I have a feeling if tonight is anything to go by that we'll be seeing these two men right here in prime position to challenge for the gold.

Eddie's words prove to be prophetic as Chronister and Anguish once again resume jaw-jacking each other, while Eastwood and Casper also look to be making a case for themselves.

[The Convicted]

Reporter
Guys, guys what do you think about what Eddie Mason just told us about the championships?


He looks around and before anyone could say a word he begins to speak.


Eric Chronister
Sounds good to me I was once told by a man that has held about everything there is in this business...


"that if you aren't here to be the BEST this business has to offer, you're in the wrong game, buddy! If you don't want to hold World Championship after World Championship, then you don't belong in the ring with the people who actually HOLD that gold. You disrespect the history of the Championships within this business if you don't want to chase it with every fibre of your being..."


Eric Chronister
So I will become the first ever World Champion here in PWA.


The cameras start to flash as the reporters start questioning everyone like crazy

[Dave D-Flipz]

*The camera cuts to the reporters where one man, a familiar one stands raising his hand!*

: Oh Oh! XHF NUMBA ONE ANNOUNCA FUNAKI here and Funaki want to ask Eric - you just face two icons, one of big groups in XHF right now. What was dat like and how dis experience help you here in PWA?

[The Convicted]

He looks at Funaki and thinks long and hard before answering.



Eric Chronister

that's a great question, but I have a simple answer it was an experience like none other and taught me a lot.



He pauses as he considers the next few words carefully flashes from the cameras go off constantly.



Eric Chronister

As for how will it help me here in the PWA it does but it doesn't let me explain. It helps me in the way of giving me the experience of facing two of the toughest in the business and learning from my mistakes against them and what I learned from them while in the ring with them. As for it helping me here it doesn't because PWA isn't like anywhere else and the talent here isn't like any in the world so I don't know what to expect. I just know the two Icons you speak of Funaki taught me a few things and I want to thank them for that.



He leans back and waits for the next question...

[Dylan]

From the back of the sea of reporters, a man clad in all black, with shadows obscuring his face, just sneers an evil grin. 

[Steele]

Eddie Mason: Well ladies and gentlemen that's all we have time for tonight, thank you all for coming and showing your support for Pro Wrestling Alpha! I hope that I've been able to showcase some of our talent here tonight, and I hope we'll see you all on November 7th for our first event coming LIVE from Gloucester on the XHF Network!

Eddie, Dave and the wrestlers all stand and begin to walk away from the table - Chronister and Anguish still exchanging glares and mouthed threats.

At the back of the room, the man in black turns and slips out unnoticed.