Endurance (Hook RP)

[Ben M]

The scene opened backstage in Hook’s locker room. Hook was pacing back and forth; he looked restless. His father Taz was standing beside him.

Taz: Are you ready for this, Hook? You’ve got a big opportunity tonight. Probably the biggest opportunity of your career yet.

Hook: I know, Dad! I know what’s at stake, I know how big of an opportunity this is. I don’t need you reminding me.

Hook’s tone was a little harsh, and he seemed to realise this when he caught the look on Taz’s face. When he spoke again, his tone was softer.

Hook: Sorry. I just... I think I just need some time to focus, get my head in the game. Could you give me some time to myself, please?

Taz: Sure kid.

Taz tapped Hook on the shoulder, then exited the locker room. He beckoned for the cameraman to follow him, and the cameraman did so. Once they were outside, Taz began to speak.

Taz: Last Survivor... it’s a big night, and you saw it yourself, Hook is feeling the pressure. Now Hook doesn’t need me to speak for him, but I’m gonna anyway. Let me make a few things clear. First of all, don’t make the mistake of confusing Hook “feeling with the pressure” with him being afraid, or not feeling ready for this match. That could not be further from the truth. Hook is like an animal, he’s got a lot of fire in him. And he is hungry. So, so hungry. He wants the glory, he wants to be EBWF World Champion. And you know what? While nothing is guaranteed, I have every confidence that the man in that locker room is a future World Champion. When he signed up for EBWF, he immediately had his eye on the World Championship. I told him to think about going after the Breakout Title, or the Gateway Championship, but he had his eyes on the big prize from day one. He set himself a target of winning the King of the Ring tournament, but unfortunately MJF screwed him out of that. MJF screwed Hook a few times, but Hook got his revenge at Christmas Eve of Destruction, and it was beautiful. Hook was ready to move on, leave MJF and Dynasty – or dWo, whatever they’re called now – in the past. But as luck would have it, MJF is entering the Last Survivor match just after MJF... well, you know what he’s like, he probably won’t enter right away. He’ll find a way to delay. But if he wants to win the Last Survivor match – and he definitely does – the only way he has a chance of making that happen is by dealing with Hook. And if he tries to do that... well, Hook knows how to handle him.

Taz chuckled, then continued speaking.

Taz: There’s been a lot of talk on social media about Hook’s chances of winning the Last Survivor match, and despite the fact that he’s beaten pretty much everyone he’s stepped into the ring with, it seems that Hook has a lot of doubters. And the main reason given seems to be that “Hook can’t last that long in the ring, he can’t go all the way”. And honestly every time I see or hear comments like that, I have to stop myself from interjecting and asking, “what proof to you have of that?” Because let me lay out the facts. Sure, most of Hook’s matches have been pretty short. But that’s not due to him blowing up or running out of energy, or anything like that. He just has a tendency to make short work of his opponents. He’s tough enough and fit enough to last a long time in that ring, trust me. We’ve worked a lot on his endurance in training. And who knows – if he can make short work of his opponents in the ring tonight, maybe the Last Survivor match will be the shortest Last Survivor match in history.

Taz was about to say something else, but something caught his eye and he looked to his right. The camera turned in the same direction, revealing that Hook was standing at his locker room door, listening to what his father had to say.

Taz: Anything you want to add, Hook?

Hook smirked and shook his head.

Hook: Nah. Tonight’s one of those nights where I feel like doing my talking in the ring. C’mon, let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.

Taz nodded, and followed his son to catering as the camera cut off.