Strategies

[Cory]

Backstage at the Bridgestone Arena, Renee Young was standing by, microphone in hand as she filmed some interview material for EBWF.net.

Renee Young: It's that time of the year again EBWF Universe! The King of the Ring has arrived again, and we have an incredible roster of talent that will compete in the 2018 tournament that will crown the King of the Ring and guarantee the winner a title shot at Summerslam!

Her face went from excited to almost a look of boredom and dread.

Renee Young: With me now, unfortunately, is one of the competitors in the first round of the tournament. He faces Aiden English tonight, his name is Randy Orton.

Randy Orton walked into the frame with his hands up in almost a gesture of surrender.

Randy Orton: Truce. I come in peace.

Renee Young: What are you talking about?

Randy Orton: Last few times we've done this I've sort of been messing with you. Just wanted to know you're going to get a straight forward interview from me. Promise.

Renee didn't seem convinced, based on her expression.

Renee Young: Hmmm, we'll see. Do you have any comments at all about your match against Aiden English?

Randy Orton: I do Renee.

Renee Young: I'll be the judge of that.

Randy Orton: I actually agree with the guy.

Renee Young: You... what?

An incredulous eyebrow shot up on the petite interviewer.

Randy Orton: Yeah, amazing right? It's incredible enough that I actually watched his weird library interview, but yeah there's something I agree with him on. Wes Ikeda, in his infinite wisdom, decided to put me near the top of the card. Don't you think I deserve to be closing out the show instead of that dumpy idiot AJ Styles? After all, I'm still the--

Renee Young: Wait, I got this one. You're the longest reigning EBWF World Champion of all time, right? That's why you deserve the main event?

Randy narrowed his eyes as he glowered down at Renee

Randy Orton: You don't know me.

Renee Young: What are your thoughts on Aiden English? Do you have a strategy going into this match tonight?

Randy Orton: Of course, Renee. I have a strategy going into every match. You don't get to the level that I've gotten to without a strategy.

Renee Young: Randy with all due respect, your win streak has been... well, nonexistant. How do you plan to turn this around and advance in the King of the Ring tournament? Is it time to completely change your strategy?

Randy smirked and shook his head.

Randy Orton: Look Renee, I like the kid. He's a little overconfident, and despite the fact that he has this delusion that he's a talented singer and somehow thinks that is relevant to wrestling, he's got an attitude I can appreciate. But let me get one thing perfectly clear.

Renee Young: Okay.

Randy Orton: I don't have too many strategies. There's this one I'm working on, that I'll be the first to admit might need a little bit of tinkering. But my other strategy, the one you're asking me to change to? That strategy hurts.

Randy's eyes turned ice cold as he looked down at the fiery blonde journalist.

Randy Orton: A lot.

Renee Young: Care to elaborate?

Randy Orton: Suffice it to say that I have two speeds, Renee. The speed I'm working at now, and another that puts guys like Aiden English in the hospital. Perhaps permanently. I'm trying to keep that out of the ring, Renee. Nobody wants me to be that way. You don't want that. Aiden definitely doesn't want that. So for your sake, let's just hope that I can keep a lid on it and we can keep doing these light hearted interviews. Let's hope that Aiden doesn't find himself getting removed from the arena on a gurney.

Randy smirked and patted Renee on the shoulder.

Randy Orton: But hey, don't you worry about that. Only like a 45% chance of that happening.

With that, he walked off, leaving Renee wide eyed and at a loss for words. The scene faded to black with an EBWF logo flashing across the bottom.