PROMO - Say What?

[Guest Evolution]

The car door to the rented Escalade opens and a black sneaker steps out, the camera panning up to reveal the new SWF World Heavyweight Champion John Duran. He is being taped for a segment on "The SWF Week In Review," where the cameras follow Duran in his week following the victory over Charlie Matthews, his long-time enemy.

 

The cameras followed him to SWF Storm, where Nathaniel Kibagami made a grand entrance and staked his claim to John Duran's World Heavyweight Title belt. John was visibly bothered, but a party was still thrown for him after the show at a local strip club (the cameras were off for that--Week In Review is TV-PG, after all).

 

Now, Duran returned to his hotel to get some rest and prepare for the days ahead. Those who watch this segment on Week In Review will know the dramatic irony of the situation to come: The Notorious One is about to learn something that will upset him greatly.

 

Duran is silent as he walks through the hotel doors, immediately shifting to his left where the bank of elevators stand. It's after one AM, so only the man at the desk gives a greeting to the champion--all the other wrestlers either stayed at the strip club late or left early. The camera steps into the elevator with Duran and they ride to the champion's floor. The silence is deafening as the camera stays on John, walking up to his hotel room door and opening it with the slide of the keycard. Turning the handle, Duran enters his room, tossing his light jacket onto the bed as he makes a beeline for the laptop computer on the desk by the window.

 

"Checking your e-mail, John?" The cameraman--Gus--asks off-camera.

 

"I have to know who I'm facing in my match so I can prepare. It's tradition." Duran is visibly uncomfortable by the presence of the camera, but he seems visibly uncomfortable regardless.

 

Duran opens his notebook, immediately opening his e-mail.

 

You have 1 new message.

 

From: James Matheson

 

"Here we go," Duran announces as the camera moves in on Duran's laptop screen.

 

Duran double-clicks on the message from Matheson--who has the task of finding out Duran's upcoming matches after every show.

 

"John,

 

I hate to tell you this, but we can't hold Williams off any longer. Zenon has Danny Williams and John Duran, and your title is on the line.

 

I'll try to protest your case to the commissioner as much as possible, of course. You shouldn't be wrestling that freak of nature, Johnny.

 

JM."

 

"Of course," Duran almost has an epiphany as he backs away from the laptop. John has obviously forgotten his defeat at the hands of Danny Williams, and Danny's victory over Charlie Matthews the show before his win over the Notorious One.

 

"Danny's the number one contender. Not much I can do about that."

 

John goes over to the foot of his bed, taking a seat and leaning over, leaning forward onto his hand as it covers his face. Duran seems to be in deep thought--it has been a long night.

 

"I just wish I didn't have to face Danny with the image of that nasty son of a bitch Nathaniel Kibagami in my mind."

 

Duran goes silent again, and the uncomfortable pause is drawn out to no end.

 

"Get some sleep," Duran's mild-mannered tone is unheard of, especially considering his demeanor leading up to the showdown with Charlie Matthews. "I have some neck work to do tomorrow. No cameras."

 

Duran leans back onto his king sized bed, not even bothering to move the jacket as he turns over and turns off the light, the cameraman backing out of Duran's hotel room.

 

No one ever said being a champion was easy.

[Hank Kingsley 0]

Oooooh...I love it. Love it! This is a great idea for a promo, mixing kayfabe and behind the scenes stuff. Nice job.

[the.weej 0]

Okayish work -- the concept is intriguing, as SS pointed out, but the promo itself is low on substance. "John Duran Checks His E-Mail And Speaks In Hushed Tones." Exhilirating.

 

However, I get the feeling you're going to go with a short series of promos, considering the notation at the top of this about being 'filmed for a week.' And if you aren't, well, it's my suggestion. The concept is more than good enough to be stretched out.

 

-Z

[Guest Evolution]

The idea is to go with a series of short promos leading up to the match with Danny, yes.

 

The first promo is boring, but it's setting stuff up. Be patient.

 

And hope that with the promos I don't lose sight of the important thing: Writing.