Post by T-Robosaurus Rex on Jul 22, 2009 19:55:39 GMT -5
[The scene opens and we are obviously in some kind of waiting area, a few sofa’s line the room and a table with an assortment of nibbles sits in the middle. As we look at the small coffee table a relatively small, but fat, hand plunges into the Goldfish Crackers, and removes an entire handful. We hear the sound of someone sighing and tutting and the camera pulls out and we see the ample frame of Tate Levene shoving the fistful of snack into his mouth, as his grandmother, Old Lady Levene looks on at him with disgust. She looks around the room and as Tate finally swallows and reaches for some more she briskly wraps him around the wrist with her own hand, forbidding him anymore.]
Old Lady Levene – ‘I’m not sure this is such a good idea.’
Tate – Ok...Ok...I will try and restrain myself OK? At least let me have some of the Cheeto’s...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That’s not what I’m talking about Tate. I’m not sure being here is such a good idea...’
Tate – ‘We could go to a proper restaurant, but how would Travis find us when he’s finished?’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Sometimes I wonder how on earth you can have come from the same gene pool as myself, but then I just have to remember your mother, and everything becomes clear...’
Tate – ‘Oh come on Gran, you promised you’d stop talking about my mom like that...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Of course...I’m sorry Tate, it’s just a very stressful day. I can’t help but shake the feeling that this is one, huge mistake. It’s going to look like Randy forced him into it...’
Tate – ‘No it won’t...people are smart enough to realise Travis only does what he wants to do, he’s not easily swayed...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That would be great, if Travis had made this decision himself, but you saw him after the show last week, he wasn’t himself, finding out his title match had come down to just him and Randy once more, it really affected him. This whole situation could be seen as desperation on Travis’ part.’
Tate – ‘Seriously? Your missing the point Gran, this is Travis’ forte, sure BoolZ has recently been more visible in such roles, but without a shadow of a doubt Travis is the master at this kind of stuff.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘But how many people know that? It’s been months since Travis did anything remotely similar to this, whilst Randy has made a habit of it. There is a danger Travis will come across as an amateur...’
Tate – ‘An amateur? You’ve never seen Travis in this kind of position before, have you? This is what he lives and breathes, the only reason BoolZ has been doing it more and more recently is in a vain attempt to be more like ‘The Headliner’.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘The past is the past Tate, he used to live and breathe this kind of stuff, but his confidence has taken a knock over the past few months, and even more so the last few weeks...what happens if he makes a fool of himself in public? It’s all well and good doing it in front of us, but the whole world could be made aware if he does so today...’
Tate – ‘You’re wrong, it’s as simple as that. But why all of a sudden are you interested, you’ve never really taken much interest in what happens in Travis’ matches as long as they don’t threaten my safety...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Do you really want to spend the next few weeks, even months with a humiliated and ashamed Travis? Can you imagine how frustrating that would make our lives, Tate? As much as the situation abhors me, our lifestyle and happiness is inextricably linked to Travis’ success.’
Tate – ‘That’s pretty much how the whole of GIW lives through each and every day. The whole company relies on the success of Travis, can you imagine if anyone else were to lead this company? Can you contemplate the last few months with the likes of Alex Kiseragi or Randy Boolzian being held up as the ‘Highest Standard in GIW’? The public certainly would not have retained any interest throughout our exodus...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘If only that were true, Tate, if only that were true. You’re only young, and obviously still very impressionable, spending so much time with Travis was always going to leave you susceptible to his way of thinking. But the rest of the world aren’t as easily convinced Tate. They’ve only seen or heard from Travis during shows, they wonder why this is, if he messes anything up today, the jury will be out, that Travis Roberts is past it.’
Tate – ‘Trust me Gran, after this, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind who the only person fit to be Unified Global Heavyweight Champion is.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That, Tate, is precisely what I’m so worried about.’
[At this moment a young woman in a black knee length pencil skirt, and a white ruffled top enters the room, interrupting the Levene’s.]
Woman – ‘They’re about to start, would you like to listen in?’
[Both Old Lady Levene and Tate nod towards the girl, and she points a remote control into the corner of the room, and the stereo speakers crackle to life as she leaves, and a typically loud and overenthusiastic radio host plays into life .]
Voice – ‘GOOOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNING, LOS ANGELES!’
[Old Lady Levene can be seen to immediately roll her eyes at this greeting.]
Voice – ‘Welcome to Norm in the Morn! That’s right it’s just gone 9am on this ludicrously sunny day in our little town of LA, and you’re listening to me, Norm! And what has everybody been talking about here in LA this week?...NO! Not Michael Jackson, that’s SO last week, the hot talk on the town is all about LA’s finest athletes, the guys at Global Impact Wrestling doing their first PPV in the United States since being banished months ago, right here at the Staples Centre. I’m pumped, are you pumped Barry...’
Barry – ‘Yeah, I guess so...’
Norm – ‘For my listeners who don’t know, Barry is a huge grapplin’ fan aren’t you Barry?’
Barry – ‘Well, if there’s nothing else on, on a Sunday I might catch it....’
Norm – ‘Stop messin’ about Barry, do your Komosube impression...’
Barry – ‘Homo what now?’
Norm – ‘That is classic Barry, you don’t get entertainment like that anywhere else at this time in the morning...’
Norm – ‘And ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have sitting just across the table from me, none other than the Global Impact Wrestling Unified Global Heavyweight Champion, ‘The Head One’, Travis Robert!’
Travis – ‘Actually it’s Unified Global Champion Norm, the name was changed when ‘the Blessed One’ captured both the Hardcore Title and the Global Heavyweight Title last year.’
Norm – ‘Oh man, now I feel dumb, anyway how are the guys in GIW looking forward to having their first PPV back in the United States right here in LA?’
Travis – ‘Well Norm, Los Angeles is GIW’s home, it’s as simple as that. Teh GIW Arena is right here in LA, and we wanted the first Pay-Per-View to be right here, with the fans that have been with us from the very start. It was deemed the GIW Arena would deprive many of the fans who were unable to travel the globe a GIW Pay-Per-View experience. A five minute walk by photo opportunity with Travis Roberts alone could sell out the GIW Arena.’
Norm – ‘So you’re going to the Staples Centre to let more fans see the show, that’s awesome of GIW, always looking out for the fans...’
Travis – ‘’The Headliner’ wouldn’t say always, Norm. They make the fans endure Mitch The Jobber, Nikko Nulty something, and Chassie Fear each and every week. ‘
Norm – ‘Before we talk about your title defence, would you mind indulging me in your thoughts on the other matches taking place?’
Travis – ‘This is seeming remarkably similar to a web chat ‘The Headliner’ spotted the other day...’
Norm – ‘What match really stands out to you on Sunday’s show?’
Travis – ‘Did ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ misunderstand, or didn’t you say you wanted to talk about ‘The Blessed Ones’ match later?’
Norm – ‘Other than that?’
Travis – ‘Well ‘the Headliner’ is partial to seeing pain inflicted on Alex Kiseragi, and Brandon Brown, so the GIW tag Team Championship match should at least provide some entertaining moments. And even if ‘The Dragon’ claims the title, he’ll most likely lose it on his first defence, so that would add some comedy value to future proceedings.’
Norm – ‘I think Barry is quite a fan of Alex Kiseragi, aren’t you Barry?’
Barry – ‘Who?’
Norm – ‘I think he’s embarrassed to admit he holds a flame for A-Kis.’
Travis – ‘Embarrassment, low self esteem and feeling of worthlessness, all go hand in hand with being an Alex Kiseragi fan, so few admit to it he couldn’t even entice double numbers into his post-show chat room.’
Norm – ‘Do you genuinely hate ‘The Dragon’ or is he merely an easy target?’
Travis – ‘On the face of it, that’s a good question, but on closer inspection it’s quite obvious A-Kis moves far too quickly to be an easy target, and ‘The Headliner’ cannot hate someone he gives little thought to...’
Norm – ‘You mention him quite a lot for someone you claim to have little regard for.’
Travis – ‘OK, so Alex Kiseragi crosses Travis Roberts mind more often than the likes of JK, Mickey Dragon, Serapis, Dirge, Raenius and Nikko, ‘The Headliner’ isn’t sure that’s a fact for celebration in the Kiseragi household.’
Norm – ‘Moving on, are you looking forward to Moss Edwards taking on Donovan Hastings? And what do you think of Hastings’ recent claims to be Co-Undisputed Champion...’
Travis – ‘Donovan has his moments, and the world will be lucky if he is able to unveil the fallacy that is Moss Edwards at Toxic Intent. ‘The Auteur’ is facing his first proper challenge in GIW, and maybe after the Lord Chief defeats him, the ridiculous notions of his potential to be the future of this company will be put to a stop.’
Norm – ‘But what of Donovan’s claims to your title?’
Travis – ‘Anyone who was surprised by those antics should check that the supply of oxygen to their brain isn’t being blocked. Hastings has made a career out of playing the delusional fool, it only ever succeeds if you give credence to it. Why hasn’t ‘The Headliner’ disputed his claims? Because that would have given his antics weight and respectability. Donovan will one day realise he doesn’t need these stunts to further his career, he just needs to accept what he has achieved.’
Norm – ‘Now Travis, between you and I, what the hell have you and Declan got planned next, c’mon ya can tell Norm.’
[We see Old Lady Levene both hold their breath and listen intently for Travis’ reply]
Travis – ‘Nothing’
Norm – ‘You’ve fooled us all before, you’re not gonna manage it this time!’
Travis – ‘’The Blessed One’ hasn’t heard from him, Travis suspects Declan is treading a different path this time around. ‘The Headliner’ wishes him the best of luck in his Battleground Qualifier, but Travis doesn’t expect to see him any time soon...’
Norm – ‘it’s time for some messages, and the news, keep tuned as when we get back we’ll talk to Travis about his upcoming match on Sunday, at Toxic Intent, Live from the Staples Centre.’
[Tate and Old Lady Levene look at one another as the radio turns to some commercials for cars, diet plans, and the new Nic Cage movie]
Tate – ‘See, what did I tell you, he’s doing fine...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Well Norm is no Katie Couric, but he seemed to hit a nerve on the Declan subject...’
Tate – ‘Pfffft! Travis is cool on all that, he’s got over it, I’m sure he knows its Declan’s loss’
Old Lady Levene – ‘I’m not so sure...’
Tate – ‘Shhhh! It’s back on!’
[The commercials have indeed ending and Norm’s voice bursts back into action]
Norm – ‘It’s Norm in the Morn, and I’m still here with GIW Strong man, Travis Roberts. Now Travis, your headlining Toxic Intent at the Staples Centre on Sunday against Randy Boolzian, now you guys have quite a history, does that affect you at all going into a match like that.’
Travis – ‘’The Headliner’ will concede in these circumstances it would be remarkably easy for ‘The Blessed One’ to become overconfident given our past meetings, but Travis Roberts will never underestimate his opponent, that’s not the actions of a Champion.’
Norm – ‘But Randy makes a lot about the fact he beat you in your first match together, you didn’t pin him at Horizons, he pinned you first show back of the year and he claims MJ pulled a quick count at Infinity. He himself seems pretty confident about his chances, that now...is his time...’
Travis – ‘It’s all a matter of perspective; Randy has been parading that first meeting victory over ‘The Headliner’ last year around like a surrogate for The Hardcore Title. He loves to remind anyone who’s listening about how he got that win, but always...always neglects to finish the story, which ended with Travis Roberts standing over the crumpled heap of Randy Boolzian. Sure, Randy got the three count, but he was in no way, shape or form, victorious .’
Norm – ‘Well it is true that you didn’t pin him at Horizons and you were pinned by him at the first Sentinel of the year.’
Travis – ‘It’s also true that ‘The Blessed One’ pinned the Global Heavyweight Champion at Horizons, not the midcard Hardcore Champion. BoolZ couldn’t get the job done on the biggest night of the year, the man who generally gets up after anything was powerless to avoid Travis Roberts rightfully claiming his prize.’
Norm – ‘Surely your worried this younger man, might, just might be right, and this might be his time?’
Travis – ‘Look, ‘The Headliner’ has the greatest respect for the ability that Randy Boolzian has managed to acquire, but it’s clear now is not his time. He’s still not ready, BoolZ doesn’t know who Randy is, he can’t live with himself. Randy lacks the self belief in his own decisions to such an extent he has taken to following the plans of my succubus of a wife. That is not a man ready to take the reins of this federation and move it onwards and upwards, that’s a man that will turn to the vilest of women in search of guidance and recognition.’
Norm – ‘We’ve got E-Mails coming in, frankly most of them accuse you of lying, and that you are in cahoots with Mary-Joanna, many pointing to what they suggest have been easy title defences.’
Travis – ‘The thing about conspiracy theories, Norm, is that they are all far too simplistic to be true, if some amped up nerd online can figure the plan out, how successful is that gonna be? The truth is Travis Roberts has no say in his opponents; in fact Randy Boolzian has had more say this year than ‘The Blessed One’.
Let’s compare though, shall we. ‘The Headliner’ has defeated a Unified Global Champion, The winner of the Search for GIW’s Most Valuable Asset, in a brutal death match no less. As well as taking on the surprise star of this year, Donovan Hastings...alongside beating Mr Boolzian in the very first match that mattered in 2009 at Infinity.
In the same space of time, Randy managed a fluke win on the very first Sentinel of the year, and handed himself the first shot at Travis Roberts’ Unified Global Championship, which he promptly lost, then spent a few weeks chasing around Alex Kiseragi and softening him up for ‘The Blessed One’, before promptly taking a behind the scenes hand holding job without so much as a protest. And then he holds a victory against Ezekiel Pax, and was outshone and carried by Moss Edwards, of all people, at Break for the Border, to ensure himself another shot at the unified Global Championship.
Now really, who’s had the easier ride? Randy’s entire year has been spurred from one, single, bad decision he made after the very first show, and luck has brought him right back in front of ‘The Blessed One’ without Randy Boolzian truly impressing a damn soul. Maybe the Randy Boolzian from 2008, the hungry Boolzian, could beat ‘The Headliner’ this weekend, but 2009’s Randall is too used to succeeding without much effort, and Travis Roberts ain’t no Ezekiel Pax, or Alex Kiseragi, or ‘Diamond’ Jack Severino, he’s ‘The Blessed One’, and it’ll take more than a man with a bag full of excuses to take the Unified Global Championship from his grasp.’
Norm – ‘I thought you said you weren’t going to get overconfident?’
Travis – ‘No, ‘The Headliner’ said it would be easy to get overconfident, and surely you can see why. Randy Boolzian has never had anything ‘The Blessed One’ has feared, win streaks against Chris Austin, Andy Savana and Chinatsu Chen, were never going to intimidate ‘The Headliner’ like they did the likes of Jensen and ‘Diamond’ Jack.
Travis Roberts has spent over a year proving, week in week out; to everyone that watches why he is ‘The Highest Standard in GIW. In that same period Randy has worked hard cementing himself as ‘The Next Best Thing’, training himself on Press Conferences and Public Image, in an attempt to prove he’s not quite Blessed, but a great imitation...on Sunday we’ll see just how ‘Blessed’ Travis Roberts really is, and just how far Randy Boolzian has left to go.’
Norm – ‘it promises to be a great night at the Staples Centre for GIW’s Toxic Intent this Sunday, tickets are sold out but you can still watch on PPV, thank you for joining us in the studio today Travis, after these messages we’ve got the guys from the hit Internet Sensation, ‘Pimp ma Laptop’ in the studio...’
[As the commercials filter in both the Levene’s get to their feet and head for the door]
Tate – ‘See Gran, that was painless...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘It certainly won’t be on Sunday...’
[With that, as Tate and Old Lady Levene head to the door to greet Travis after his interview the scene fades to black]
Old Lady Levene – ‘I’m not sure this is such a good idea.’
Tate – Ok...Ok...I will try and restrain myself OK? At least let me have some of the Cheeto’s...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That’s not what I’m talking about Tate. I’m not sure being here is such a good idea...’
Tate – ‘We could go to a proper restaurant, but how would Travis find us when he’s finished?’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Sometimes I wonder how on earth you can have come from the same gene pool as myself, but then I just have to remember your mother, and everything becomes clear...’
Tate – ‘Oh come on Gran, you promised you’d stop talking about my mom like that...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Of course...I’m sorry Tate, it’s just a very stressful day. I can’t help but shake the feeling that this is one, huge mistake. It’s going to look like Randy forced him into it...’
Tate – ‘No it won’t...people are smart enough to realise Travis only does what he wants to do, he’s not easily swayed...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That would be great, if Travis had made this decision himself, but you saw him after the show last week, he wasn’t himself, finding out his title match had come down to just him and Randy once more, it really affected him. This whole situation could be seen as desperation on Travis’ part.’
Tate – ‘Seriously? Your missing the point Gran, this is Travis’ forte, sure BoolZ has recently been more visible in such roles, but without a shadow of a doubt Travis is the master at this kind of stuff.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘But how many people know that? It’s been months since Travis did anything remotely similar to this, whilst Randy has made a habit of it. There is a danger Travis will come across as an amateur...’
Tate – ‘An amateur? You’ve never seen Travis in this kind of position before, have you? This is what he lives and breathes, the only reason BoolZ has been doing it more and more recently is in a vain attempt to be more like ‘The Headliner’.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘The past is the past Tate, he used to live and breathe this kind of stuff, but his confidence has taken a knock over the past few months, and even more so the last few weeks...what happens if he makes a fool of himself in public? It’s all well and good doing it in front of us, but the whole world could be made aware if he does so today...’
Tate – ‘You’re wrong, it’s as simple as that. But why all of a sudden are you interested, you’ve never really taken much interest in what happens in Travis’ matches as long as they don’t threaten my safety...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Do you really want to spend the next few weeks, even months with a humiliated and ashamed Travis? Can you imagine how frustrating that would make our lives, Tate? As much as the situation abhors me, our lifestyle and happiness is inextricably linked to Travis’ success.’
Tate – ‘That’s pretty much how the whole of GIW lives through each and every day. The whole company relies on the success of Travis, can you imagine if anyone else were to lead this company? Can you contemplate the last few months with the likes of Alex Kiseragi or Randy Boolzian being held up as the ‘Highest Standard in GIW’? The public certainly would not have retained any interest throughout our exodus...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘If only that were true, Tate, if only that were true. You’re only young, and obviously still very impressionable, spending so much time with Travis was always going to leave you susceptible to his way of thinking. But the rest of the world aren’t as easily convinced Tate. They’ve only seen or heard from Travis during shows, they wonder why this is, if he messes anything up today, the jury will be out, that Travis Roberts is past it.’
Tate – ‘Trust me Gran, after this, there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind who the only person fit to be Unified Global Heavyweight Champion is.’
Old Lady Levene – ‘That, Tate, is precisely what I’m so worried about.’
[At this moment a young woman in a black knee length pencil skirt, and a white ruffled top enters the room, interrupting the Levene’s.]
Woman – ‘They’re about to start, would you like to listen in?’
[Both Old Lady Levene and Tate nod towards the girl, and she points a remote control into the corner of the room, and the stereo speakers crackle to life as she leaves, and a typically loud and overenthusiastic radio host plays into life .]
Voice – ‘GOOOOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNING, LOS ANGELES!’
[Old Lady Levene can be seen to immediately roll her eyes at this greeting.]
Voice – ‘Welcome to Norm in the Morn! That’s right it’s just gone 9am on this ludicrously sunny day in our little town of LA, and you’re listening to me, Norm! And what has everybody been talking about here in LA this week?...NO! Not Michael Jackson, that’s SO last week, the hot talk on the town is all about LA’s finest athletes, the guys at Global Impact Wrestling doing their first PPV in the United States since being banished months ago, right here at the Staples Centre. I’m pumped, are you pumped Barry...’
Barry – ‘Yeah, I guess so...’
Norm – ‘For my listeners who don’t know, Barry is a huge grapplin’ fan aren’t you Barry?’
Barry – ‘Well, if there’s nothing else on, on a Sunday I might catch it....’
Norm – ‘Stop messin’ about Barry, do your Komosube impression...’
Barry – ‘Homo what now?’
Norm – ‘That is classic Barry, you don’t get entertainment like that anywhere else at this time in the morning...’
Norm – ‘And ladies and gentlemen, I am honoured to have sitting just across the table from me, none other than the Global Impact Wrestling Unified Global Heavyweight Champion, ‘The Head One’, Travis Robert!’
Travis – ‘Actually it’s Unified Global Champion Norm, the name was changed when ‘the Blessed One’ captured both the Hardcore Title and the Global Heavyweight Title last year.’
Norm – ‘Oh man, now I feel dumb, anyway how are the guys in GIW looking forward to having their first PPV back in the United States right here in LA?’
Travis – ‘Well Norm, Los Angeles is GIW’s home, it’s as simple as that. Teh GIW Arena is right here in LA, and we wanted the first Pay-Per-View to be right here, with the fans that have been with us from the very start. It was deemed the GIW Arena would deprive many of the fans who were unable to travel the globe a GIW Pay-Per-View experience. A five minute walk by photo opportunity with Travis Roberts alone could sell out the GIW Arena.’
Norm – ‘So you’re going to the Staples Centre to let more fans see the show, that’s awesome of GIW, always looking out for the fans...’
Travis – ‘’The Headliner’ wouldn’t say always, Norm. They make the fans endure Mitch The Jobber, Nikko Nulty something, and Chassie Fear each and every week. ‘
Norm – ‘Before we talk about your title defence, would you mind indulging me in your thoughts on the other matches taking place?’
Travis – ‘This is seeming remarkably similar to a web chat ‘The Headliner’ spotted the other day...’
Norm – ‘What match really stands out to you on Sunday’s show?’
Travis – ‘Did ‘The TWiSTeD Icon’ misunderstand, or didn’t you say you wanted to talk about ‘The Blessed Ones’ match later?’
Norm – ‘Other than that?’
Travis – ‘Well ‘the Headliner’ is partial to seeing pain inflicted on Alex Kiseragi, and Brandon Brown, so the GIW tag Team Championship match should at least provide some entertaining moments. And even if ‘The Dragon’ claims the title, he’ll most likely lose it on his first defence, so that would add some comedy value to future proceedings.’
Norm – ‘I think Barry is quite a fan of Alex Kiseragi, aren’t you Barry?’
Barry – ‘Who?’
Norm – ‘I think he’s embarrassed to admit he holds a flame for A-Kis.’
Travis – ‘Embarrassment, low self esteem and feeling of worthlessness, all go hand in hand with being an Alex Kiseragi fan, so few admit to it he couldn’t even entice double numbers into his post-show chat room.’
Norm – ‘Do you genuinely hate ‘The Dragon’ or is he merely an easy target?’
Travis – ‘On the face of it, that’s a good question, but on closer inspection it’s quite obvious A-Kis moves far too quickly to be an easy target, and ‘The Headliner’ cannot hate someone he gives little thought to...’
Norm – ‘You mention him quite a lot for someone you claim to have little regard for.’
Travis – ‘OK, so Alex Kiseragi crosses Travis Roberts mind more often than the likes of JK, Mickey Dragon, Serapis, Dirge, Raenius and Nikko, ‘The Headliner’ isn’t sure that’s a fact for celebration in the Kiseragi household.’
Norm – ‘Moving on, are you looking forward to Moss Edwards taking on Donovan Hastings? And what do you think of Hastings’ recent claims to be Co-Undisputed Champion...’
Travis – ‘Donovan has his moments, and the world will be lucky if he is able to unveil the fallacy that is Moss Edwards at Toxic Intent. ‘The Auteur’ is facing his first proper challenge in GIW, and maybe after the Lord Chief defeats him, the ridiculous notions of his potential to be the future of this company will be put to a stop.’
Norm – ‘But what of Donovan’s claims to your title?’
Travis – ‘Anyone who was surprised by those antics should check that the supply of oxygen to their brain isn’t being blocked. Hastings has made a career out of playing the delusional fool, it only ever succeeds if you give credence to it. Why hasn’t ‘The Headliner’ disputed his claims? Because that would have given his antics weight and respectability. Donovan will one day realise he doesn’t need these stunts to further his career, he just needs to accept what he has achieved.’
Norm – ‘Now Travis, between you and I, what the hell have you and Declan got planned next, c’mon ya can tell Norm.’
[We see Old Lady Levene both hold their breath and listen intently for Travis’ reply]
Travis – ‘Nothing’
Norm – ‘You’ve fooled us all before, you’re not gonna manage it this time!’
Travis – ‘’The Blessed One’ hasn’t heard from him, Travis suspects Declan is treading a different path this time around. ‘The Headliner’ wishes him the best of luck in his Battleground Qualifier, but Travis doesn’t expect to see him any time soon...’
Norm – ‘it’s time for some messages, and the news, keep tuned as when we get back we’ll talk to Travis about his upcoming match on Sunday, at Toxic Intent, Live from the Staples Centre.’
[Tate and Old Lady Levene look at one another as the radio turns to some commercials for cars, diet plans, and the new Nic Cage movie]
Tate – ‘See, what did I tell you, he’s doing fine...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘Well Norm is no Katie Couric, but he seemed to hit a nerve on the Declan subject...’
Tate – ‘Pfffft! Travis is cool on all that, he’s got over it, I’m sure he knows its Declan’s loss’
Old Lady Levene – ‘I’m not so sure...’
Tate – ‘Shhhh! It’s back on!’
[The commercials have indeed ending and Norm’s voice bursts back into action]
Norm – ‘It’s Norm in the Morn, and I’m still here with GIW Strong man, Travis Roberts. Now Travis, your headlining Toxic Intent at the Staples Centre on Sunday against Randy Boolzian, now you guys have quite a history, does that affect you at all going into a match like that.’
Travis – ‘’The Headliner’ will concede in these circumstances it would be remarkably easy for ‘The Blessed One’ to become overconfident given our past meetings, but Travis Roberts will never underestimate his opponent, that’s not the actions of a Champion.’
Norm – ‘But Randy makes a lot about the fact he beat you in your first match together, you didn’t pin him at Horizons, he pinned you first show back of the year and he claims MJ pulled a quick count at Infinity. He himself seems pretty confident about his chances, that now...is his time...’
Travis – ‘It’s all a matter of perspective; Randy has been parading that first meeting victory over ‘The Headliner’ last year around like a surrogate for The Hardcore Title. He loves to remind anyone who’s listening about how he got that win, but always...always neglects to finish the story, which ended with Travis Roberts standing over the crumpled heap of Randy Boolzian. Sure, Randy got the three count, but he was in no way, shape or form, victorious .’
Norm – ‘Well it is true that you didn’t pin him at Horizons and you were pinned by him at the first Sentinel of the year.’
Travis – ‘It’s also true that ‘The Blessed One’ pinned the Global Heavyweight Champion at Horizons, not the midcard Hardcore Champion. BoolZ couldn’t get the job done on the biggest night of the year, the man who generally gets up after anything was powerless to avoid Travis Roberts rightfully claiming his prize.’
Norm – ‘Surely your worried this younger man, might, just might be right, and this might be his time?’
Travis – ‘Look, ‘The Headliner’ has the greatest respect for the ability that Randy Boolzian has managed to acquire, but it’s clear now is not his time. He’s still not ready, BoolZ doesn’t know who Randy is, he can’t live with himself. Randy lacks the self belief in his own decisions to such an extent he has taken to following the plans of my succubus of a wife. That is not a man ready to take the reins of this federation and move it onwards and upwards, that’s a man that will turn to the vilest of women in search of guidance and recognition.’
Norm – ‘We’ve got E-Mails coming in, frankly most of them accuse you of lying, and that you are in cahoots with Mary-Joanna, many pointing to what they suggest have been easy title defences.’
Travis – ‘The thing about conspiracy theories, Norm, is that they are all far too simplistic to be true, if some amped up nerd online can figure the plan out, how successful is that gonna be? The truth is Travis Roberts has no say in his opponents; in fact Randy Boolzian has had more say this year than ‘The Blessed One’.
Let’s compare though, shall we. ‘The Headliner’ has defeated a Unified Global Champion, The winner of the Search for GIW’s Most Valuable Asset, in a brutal death match no less. As well as taking on the surprise star of this year, Donovan Hastings...alongside beating Mr Boolzian in the very first match that mattered in 2009 at Infinity.
In the same space of time, Randy managed a fluke win on the very first Sentinel of the year, and handed himself the first shot at Travis Roberts’ Unified Global Championship, which he promptly lost, then spent a few weeks chasing around Alex Kiseragi and softening him up for ‘The Blessed One’, before promptly taking a behind the scenes hand holding job without so much as a protest. And then he holds a victory against Ezekiel Pax, and was outshone and carried by Moss Edwards, of all people, at Break for the Border, to ensure himself another shot at the unified Global Championship.
Now really, who’s had the easier ride? Randy’s entire year has been spurred from one, single, bad decision he made after the very first show, and luck has brought him right back in front of ‘The Blessed One’ without Randy Boolzian truly impressing a damn soul. Maybe the Randy Boolzian from 2008, the hungry Boolzian, could beat ‘The Headliner’ this weekend, but 2009’s Randall is too used to succeeding without much effort, and Travis Roberts ain’t no Ezekiel Pax, or Alex Kiseragi, or ‘Diamond’ Jack Severino, he’s ‘The Blessed One’, and it’ll take more than a man with a bag full of excuses to take the Unified Global Championship from his grasp.’
Norm – ‘I thought you said you weren’t going to get overconfident?’
Travis – ‘No, ‘The Headliner’ said it would be easy to get overconfident, and surely you can see why. Randy Boolzian has never had anything ‘The Blessed One’ has feared, win streaks against Chris Austin, Andy Savana and Chinatsu Chen, were never going to intimidate ‘The Headliner’ like they did the likes of Jensen and ‘Diamond’ Jack.
Travis Roberts has spent over a year proving, week in week out; to everyone that watches why he is ‘The Highest Standard in GIW. In that same period Randy has worked hard cementing himself as ‘The Next Best Thing’, training himself on Press Conferences and Public Image, in an attempt to prove he’s not quite Blessed, but a great imitation...on Sunday we’ll see just how ‘Blessed’ Travis Roberts really is, and just how far Randy Boolzian has left to go.’
Norm – ‘it promises to be a great night at the Staples Centre for GIW’s Toxic Intent this Sunday, tickets are sold out but you can still watch on PPV, thank you for joining us in the studio today Travis, after these messages we’ve got the guys from the hit Internet Sensation, ‘Pimp ma Laptop’ in the studio...’
[As the commercials filter in both the Levene’s get to their feet and head for the door]
Tate – ‘See Gran, that was painless...’
Old Lady Levene – ‘It certainly won’t be on Sunday...’
[With that, as Tate and Old Lady Levene head to the door to greet Travis after his interview the scene fades to black]
