Due Diligence

[Cory]

EBWF.net Exclusive

The cameras faded in on an iPhone with the back facing the screen. As the camera zoomed out, a tattooed arm was holding the device. Further still, it showed Randy Orton utterly engrossed in whatever was on the screen. His index finger was pressed on the display as he scrolled through whatever it was. He didn't even look up as Renee Young approached him, mic in hand.

Renee Young: Randy, tonight you're going to face Mark Andrews in the first round of the King of the Ring tournament. I just wanted to get your thoughts on the match.

Randy's eyes didn't even glance in Renee's direction. His eyebrow arched as he stared at the device. After a minute of complete silence, Randy finally opened his mouth to speak, and Renee moved the mic towards his lips.

Randy Orton: Did you know that Mark Andrews spent 4 years in Chikara Wrestling? He moved to Pennsylvania and wrestled in a tournament in his debut.

Renee Young: I... did not know that. That's fascinating. So I wanted to--

Randy Orton: He was also ranked 165 out of 500 in the PWI Top 500 Wrestler's list of 2016.

Renee Young: Randy... are you reading this information off the internet?

Randy finally turned to slowly look at Renee.

Randy Orton: Well, how in the world am I supposed to learn anything about this guy otherwise?

Renee Young: He's been in the EBWF since last September.

Randy looked over at Renee with a look of utter incredulity. He shook his head.

Randy Orton: That can't be true. That can't possibly be true.

Randy looked back at his phone and did a little more scrolling. After some scanning, he whistled.

Randy Orton: Well, I'll be damned.

Renee Young: So... any thoughts about the--

Randy Orton: I've got to tell you, Renee. When I saw him in the hallway the other day I thought he worked in catering. I guess he's a wrestler.

Renee sighed audibly, looking rather impatient.

Renee Young: The match, Randy?

Randy Orton: Right, right. Renee, how many times have I been EBWF King of the Ring?

Renee Young: Twice.

Randy Orton: And who holds the record for the longest EBWF World Title Reign in company history?

Renee Young: You do.

Randy Orton: That's right. Did you need the internet to pull up that information?

Renee Young: I... did not.

Randy Orton: Precisely. You know those stats because I'm Randy Orton. I'm a really big deal. I was ranked 59th on the PWI 500 in 2016, and I was barely on television.

Renee Young: Did you have to look that up, too?

Randy Orton: Of course I did. No one cares about the PWI 500 anymore. The point is, I was hoping that I was going to come out of the blocks with a decent, challenging match. Maybe someone like Sami Zayn, or The Miz, or even that dork Alex Riley. Unfortuantely, I guess I'm stuck with the guy I thought served the baked chicken in the back. Let me tell you something, Renee. It doesn't matter how many times he goes for a...

Randy once again went back to his phone, scrolling a little bit for more data.

Randy Orton: A "corkscrew 450 splash". All it takes is one RKO... and the guy that I didn't know existed will be hitting the showers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to learn about this guy's title history.

He gestured Renee to scram as he went back to his research. Renee threw her hands up into the air and walked off with a huff as the scene faded to black.