Blurred Lines: Episode Two

[Dark Lord Simon de Montfort]

Vasco Dias: Welcome everyone to another, albeit it belated, episode of Blurred Lines. I am your guest, the voice of IWF, Vasco Dias and joining me today, as always, is the Chief Operating Office of IWF, Roberto Verona. Welcome, Roberto.

Roberto Verona: It is my pleasure Vasco.

Vasco Dias: It has obviously been a few weeks since we last spoke and the last time we saw you was in the wreckage of a table at the hands of Xavier Cross after a hellacious encounter. It appears that Xavier finally took to heart the lessons your proclaimed to have been teaching him over the past few months, what is your feelings in the aftermath of this bout?

{ Roberto smiles. }

Roberto Verona: Would it be wrong to say pain? Listen, I am willing to put my body on the line to protect my principles and to prove a point, that’s been made plainly clear over my career. I was sick and tired of watching Xavier Cross waste his potential when there is an ego-driven sociopath waltzing around with my Imperial Championship seemingly unchallenged. I made it my mission to make Xavier the man he was born to be and set him on the path to taking out of that pontificating jackass from the imperial throne.

Vasco Dias: So you’re not disappointed by your defeat? Upset even?

Roberto Verona: How should I react, Vasco? Do you expect me to be angry because Xavier Cross finally fulfilled his potential and followed through instead of letting his rage rule his brains? I know people want that soundbite of my stamping my feet like a child for the first time in my career because something didn’t go my way but I don’t place stock in my abilities based on one match. He put me through a table, contrary to rumours I don’t actually have much control over gravity of the forces of nature, I don’t purport to be a deity. But I will take nothing away from him, he did exactly what I wanted, I can take a few bruises and a pain in my back if it means a member of my roster finally accomplished something they have threatened to for years.

Vasco Dias: So you hold no grudges for your defeat?

Roberto Verona: Why should I? Unlike some people I don’t base my value as a human being on my ability to avoid defeats, I don’t even base my value as a wrestler on that, I find focusing on my ability to get it done on the biggest stages of all above my total fear of being a flawed human being.

Vasco Dias: You mentioned sending Xavier after Angel, can I be as bold to suggest that perhaps you aren’t done with the Imperial champion?

{ Verona pauses briefly, almost scowling at the camera. }

Roberto Verona: I’m not done with Angel Blake yet. Not by a long shot.

Vasco Dias: Would you care to elaborate?

Roberto Verona: Absolutely not.

Vasco Dias: Tight lipped as always.

Roberto Verona: Or perhaps I don’t open my mouth on a public platform unless I want to say something? I’m hardly going to elaborate on my strategy on national television when I am addressing a person like Angel.

Vasco Dias: Could you at least update us on the status of Angel’s performance review?

{ Suddenly Verona’s expression lights up. }

Roberto Verona: Let’s just say it is due shortly and all of the legal loopholes that slippery snake may wish to slither through have been slammed shut.

{ Vasco nods. }

Vasco Dias: Moving swiftly on. Did you agree with the decision to award Mason St Croix the IWF Man of Steel Championship after his more than dubious actions?

Roberto Verona: Is that really a sensible question to ask me of all people, Vasco? Lord knows I did absolutely everything I had to to attain my stature in this business. I bent the rules, I played the villain, I did things dirty… I did everything. I won’t sit here and criticise Mason St Croix for his actions, his choice in friends perhaps, but his action? Not at all. He took advantage of the opportunity presented to him and he has profited from that, some people will bemoan the fact that what he did wasn’t “fair” in the strictest sense and perhaps it wasn’t, but with his actions comes a target on his back that will only grow larger with every screw job. The guy is talented, now he has to prove that his skill in the ring matches his balls.

Vasco Dias: How do you feel he will hand himself this week in a huge six person tag team match?

Roberto Verona: His biggest challenge will be fitting his inflated head on an apron covered by Angel and Ana Valentine. In all seriousness, I am interested in seeing how he fares against Xavier and Alex, they’re both strong competitors. We know everything we need to know about Angel, let’s see what we can learn about Mason.

Vasco Dias: You’ll also know about the fascinating Scramble Match this week…

Roberto Verona: Of course I know, who do you think books the shows?

Vasco Dias: Quite… what are your thoughts on the competitors involved?

Roberto Verona: Where do I begin? Kristoff has being enjoying something of a renaissance since losing the Invictus Championship which fills me with pride. Many men would have shrunk into themselves and watched their careers pass them by for months after failing but Kristoff took the time off he needed and has come back stronger, better and much more impressive. He could well be the surprise package here and I would encourage him to continue his development. My greatest triumph came in the wake of a defeat, when I lost to Ricky Johnson I could have let the world swallow me whole but I came back, won the premier tournament and captured the biggest prize in the world on my second attempt. Kristoff can improve his standing tenfold if he continues.

As for Reneé, look, we all know about Pleasant. Whatever your personal feelings on the guy you can’t deny he is talented. I know people will point to his lack of title defences and fairly patchy presence recently but let us not forget that he is one of the only people to really challenge Angel in this company and he was incredibly impressive in his early run in the company. He is as much a threat to the top echelons as any of the other names people mention, now it’s time for him to prove he can do this on a consistent basis and he will be offered that chance.

You already know how I feel about Judas Aliah, I sung his praises previously and I will do so again, he has an amazing future ahead of him but Kevin Evel has really come into his own of late. This kid is talented, he isn’t afraid to cut straight to the point and say exactly what he feels and what can I say, seeing a guy who doesn’t take the sizable portions of shit people throw at you in wrestling appeals to me.

Ultimately, all four men could be the future of this company and we mustn’t forget that the Extinction Event is just around the corner and spaces on the challenging team will be up for grabs for those who have the skill to grasp them. As things stand any one of these men could be a real contender in that match.

Vasco Dias: Are there any other matches you’re looking forward to?

Roberto Verona: I look forward to all our matches Vasco, but now I am done torturing you… I really want to see Warren Kidd and Seth Evans in actions again this week. Those two men stole the show last week and I want to see where they go from here and of course we get to see Randy Cage in action too, which should be fantastic. There’s a lot of things to look forward to and I can’t wait to see the show.

Vasco Dias: Will you be making an appearance?

Roberto Verona: Wait and see.

Vasco Dias: Forboding… thank you for your time Mr Verona, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the next episode.

Roberto Verona: My pleasure Vasco.