This is a transcript from the Press Conference held on Friday, June 18th, concerning the developing PWR news:
[Fade up from black to reveal a... PRESS CONFERENCE SETUP~! What does
this mean? It means tables! It means chairs! It means a podium with
a mic! It means a big black tarp hanging over a backdrop! And of
course, it means reporters, silly!
There's a slight buzz in the air from the reporters as they wait to
see what the hell they're doing in the middle of a stuffy room in
downtown Los Angeles on a bright and sunny California day.
That buzz grows stronger as Todd Michaelson strolls into view, a grin
splashed across his face. He makes his way from the entryway,
flashbulbs popping to accompany his every step as he settles behind the
podium, waiting for the noise to settle down.]
TM: Hello everyone. If you're unaware, my name is Todd Michaelson and
I'm the Owner and Operator of Pro Wrestling Revolution based right here
in Southern California. I'd like to thank all of you for showing up
here today to hear what I've got to say and I promise you, you will not
be disappointed.
[Michaelson tugs at the lapels of his sportscoat before continuing.]
TM: Over the past couple months, there's been tons of rumors and
speculation involving my company and myself... rumors that we might be
closing up shop already.
[The reporter buzz increases again but Michaelson shakes his head,
waving them down.]
TM: I can assure you, nothing can be further from the truth. Pro
Wrestling Revolution has been a success in every sense of the word thus
far and we expect nothing different in the coming months. In fact,
it's the success of PWR as an entity that brings us here today. Before
I go any further... lemme get the obvious questions out of the way...
No, we haven't gotten a TV deal.
No, we're not going global already.
No, we're not moving into Staples Center as our home base.
[Michaelson grins.]
TM: And the answer to the most asked question...
No, we're not closing up shop to help bring the EMWC back to life.
[A few boos ring out from the back of the room, bringing a large smile
to Michaelson's face.]
TM: Sorry, kids. But I think those of you who were rooting for that
to be the announcement made here today will be very pleased with the
news that you're about to hear.
And to help me make that news public... allow me to introduce my friend
and former boss... Chris Blue!
[If you thought the newscorp was buzzing before, you should hear them
now as the former EMWC President walks into view. He's dressed in all
black from head to toe, including a black Kobe Bryant jersey. The
flashbulbs pop as he reaches the podium, shaking hands with Michaelson
before taking the mic.]
CB: As you can see... I'm in mourning right now. So, allow me to add
two things right off the bat. First, thank you all for being here for
this. And two...
[Blue removes the dark sunglasses he's wearing, cracking a smile as
well.]
CB: Fuck Detroit.
[An explosion of cheers from the LA natives in the presscorp, chuckles
all around as Blue settles in.]
CB: It's been about six months since I was involved with the wrestling
business in any way... and almost a year since the EMWC closed its'
doors. Since then, I've... well, I've gotten some rest to be honest.
But the business that made me a lot of money... and the fans that
supported the EMWC through everything... have never been far from my
mind.
So, when Todd came to me late last year and announced plans to start up
Pro Wrestling Revolution, I offered to support him in any way that I
could just like he did for me over the past eight years or so.
[Blue pauses.]
CB: To be completely honest, I no longer have the desire in my heart
to be involved with professional wrestling on a full time basis... but
I do want to do some things.
The EMWC is gone... but in its' place, Empire Sports has been born.
And if you're a sharp-eyed PWR fan, you realized that Empire Sports
helped foot the bill for some of the talent you saw at the most recent
show, Who's The King.
[The reporters start to fire off questions, but Blue cuts them off.]
CB: The show was very important to Todd and I was willing to do
whatever I could to help...
....in exchange for a healthy chunk of the video sales.
[Big greedy grin now bringing some laughter from the press.]
CB: So, it's on this day... June 18th, 2004... that I announce the
first Pay Per View event that will be co-sponsored by Empire Sports and
Pro Wrestling Revolution...
[More questions... and this time, Blue takes one.]
"SoCalUncensored. What role does Empire Sports plan to take in this?
Is this really a PWR show or are they just tagging along for the ride?"
CB: Empire Sports will be footing the bill in its' entirety for this
event. But, with that in mind... Todd Michaelson will be involved with
myself every step of the way in solidifying the lineup for this event.
You can also guarantee you'll be seeing the PWR talent that you've come
to love. This is a co-promoted event... but by no means is PWR an
afterthought for it. This is as much their show as it's mine.
[Blue gestures to someone else.]
"Wrestling Observer. When is this event going to happen? Where?"
[Todd Michaelson takes a second mic to help out.]
TM: The event is tenatively scheduled for late August. We're in the
middle of negotiations with several Southern California venues... as
soon as we settle on one, we'll also be confirming the date.
[Another gesture.]
"Just The Facts. Will-"
[Michaelson interrupts.]
TM: Who let you in here?! Someone toss him. Next question.
[An embarassed JTF reporter slinks away as someone replaces him.]
"Pro Wrestling Torch. Mr. Blue, after the failed attempt to run
Showtime X, how can we believe _this_ event will actually happen?"
[Blue grimaces, looking down.]
CB: Not going through with the final celebration of everything that
the EMWC was is one of my biggest regrets. In fact, that's a big
reason why I've decided to be a part of this venture. I can't go back
and change time... but maybe I can give the EMWC fans a little bit of a
proper sendoff.
[Same reporter.]
"Are you saying that we may see some of the Showtime X lineup afterall?"
[Blue grins.]
CB: If I have anything to say about it, yes. We will be releasing a
fan poll in the coming days with the full Showtime X lineup listed on
it. Our goal is to find the top three matches from that show that
people want to see... and try to make those matches happen.
"PWInsider.com. Will we see any other promotions take part in this
event?"
CB: Good question. It is our sincere hope that we will. We plan on
taking part in discussions with promotions all over the world, seeing
what we can accomplish. I know a lot of promotions will turn the
invitation down automatically because of who's involved with promoting
it... but this is going to be an event. An event to remember. And
anyone who ignores it for past grudges will be making a mistake.
"Jason Dane, PWR!"
[Michaelson chuckles.]
TM: Go ahead, Jase.
"A supercard to end all supercards?"
TM: You got it. In early 1998, an event called IIeW captured the
attention of the entire wrestling world with a lineup the likes of
which had never been seen before... and quite honestly, has never been
duplicated since. It was an event that truly set the standard in our
business.
That's our goal. We want to live up to the legacy of IIeW in our own
way.
[Michaelson gestures for the next question.]
"SoCalWrestling.com. Any idea on a lineup?"
TM: Well, I can announce right here today that the very first Pacific
Title defense for Calisto Dufresne will take place at the event against
a challenger to be announced in the coming weeks. Other than that,
we'll be announcing more matches as our negotiations continue.
"TODD! TODD!"
[Michaelson turns his attention... and finds the Just The Facts
reporter trying to slip back in. He sighs deeply.]
TM: Go ahead.
"There's a lot of people who already have called out PWR as being "EMWC
Junior". Aren't you concerned this'll drive that opinion into the
heads of even more people?"
[The PWR Owner pauses, looking at his former employer.]
TM: Gee. There's a lot of people who want to call a three-month old
regional promotion the next coming of the greatest wrestling company to
ever exist?
[A grin.]
TM: Yeah. I can live with that.
"But isn't this just more proof? With Blue bankrolling PWR, how long
before it's just-"
CB: Let's get something straight. I helped out at Who's The King
because it was important to my friend and it looked profitable for me.
I'm doing this show because I want to... and I wanted PWR to be a part
of it so that the world can see what they're missing here in Los
Angeles.
But under _no_ circumstances am I bankrolling PWR on a permanent basis.
I'm happy to help when I can and when the situation is right... but
from month to month, this man is on his own. Period.
[Blue raises a finger.]
CB: Last question for now.
[Michaelson interrupts a reporter's shout.]
TM: I've got one.
[Blue looks surprised.]
TM: What the hell are we gonna call this thing?
[A joint grin... and then Blue pulls a cord, tugging the black backdrop
down to reveal a giant event logo hanging behind the two.]
CB: It's about the best in the world getting together in the spirit of
community and competition. It's about putting aside the cutthroat
tactics we've all used. It's about paying tribute to our history and
looking ahead to our futures.
To many, it's a dream.
What other name would be appropriate?
[Blue and Michaelson point to the logo airbrushed behind them that
reads two words...
J*STAR FESTIVAL.]
TM: For me... that dream has become reality. And to wrestling fans
around the world?
Welcome to our dream.
[The questions continue to roar, flashbulbs popping left and right as
the two men shake hands, smiling...
....and we fade to black.]
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