Thanks for the Flowers

[Cory]

The camera opened up on the door leading into Randy Orton and Edge’s shared locker room, which had a Rated RKO sign which appeared to be printed out from a $50 inkjet printer, scotch taped to the door. Renee approached the door and knocked on it a few times. The door opened and Randy stepped out, still applying tape to his wrists. He gestured towards the makeshift sign on the door with a smirk.

Randy Orton: You like that? We made that ourselves. Apparently they don’t book their longest reigning tag team champions enough to justify our own locker room every week, so we just kind of took one. I think it was supposed to belong to…Christian Cage? I’m not sure, so I just assumed they meant to write Rated RKO in there.

Renee Young: You guys just... stole someone else’s locker room?

Randy Orton: Renee, please pay attention. We just corrected an obvious error in the day to day logistics of Warfare. Plus, why would he need his own locker room? Isn't he riding with Seth Rollins now?

Renee Young: Honestly, I'm just shocked that you're aware of current events.

Randy pointed at Renee aggressively, but slowly retracted his finger.

Randy Orton: That's.. a fair point.

Renee Young: I suppose I should get to my questions, then. Tonight, you face Johnny Gargano in the first round of the King of the Ring tournament. I assume you saw what he had to say earlier?

Randy Orton: Actually, I did.

Renee Young: That's two times I've been surprised.

Randy put his hands up.

Randy Orton: Alright, alright. That joke has reached its sell by date. I pay attention to the product. I know this comes as a surprise to some, but I actually like pro-wrestling. I pay attention to every promo about me, too. And that includes Johnny Wrestling.

Renee Young: Since we're on the topic, what are your thoughts?

Randy Orton: What can I say? Johnny really thinks that he zigs when everyone expects him to zag. The guy acknowledges all of the tired, hackneyed cliches that countless opponents use when they talk about me, while still kind of saying them. But then he tries to backtrack and give me my flowers. Kind of tells me all I need to know about him, Renee.

Renee Young: And what's that?

Randy Orton: He wants to take his shots, but also avoid pissing me off. And I gotta tell you, Renee. It's not the first time someone has tried this. Everyone knows that on the mic, I've got the best counter-punch in the business. So the strategy is to compliment me, show me respect.

Randy smirked.

Randy Orton: Nah, not how that works. I didn't break records and win World Championships because the only way I get motivated is because people say mean things to me. My motivation comes from being the best. I was the best ten years ago. I was the best five years ago. I am the best today. And I will be the best in five years. I appreciate that Johnny Gargano was respectful. That's fine. Maybe it's how long I've been in this business around cutthroats and divas, but it sounded more like strategy than respect. The real test is this: how nice will he be to me tonight after I pin him? Will he shake my hand? Will he follow up next week? Honestly, Renee? The answer is that I don't really care. I was wrestling at a high level before Johnny Wrestling's career started, and I'll be wrestling at a high level after Johnny Wrestling's career has ended.

He smirked and walked back into his annexed locker room, closing the door behind him as the camera faded.